Mike Carrall

Mike Carrall is a tech executive by day in Silicon Valley who writes under a pseudonym. Mike's passions include extreme sports, testing audio gear, trying (not so successfully) to restore a vintage 70's McIntosh receiver and spending time with his seven year-old daughter.
Amazon reveals battery-powered Echo smart speaker
Amazon eero mesh WiFi system – router for whole-home coverage

Amazon Cyber Monday: eero mesh WiFi system on sale for only $159

Amazon today revealed its cadre of upcoming Cyber Monday deals. As we've seen with Black Friday, the event is not a single day, but rather a multi-day extravaganza -- one that requires you to continually check the Amazon web site, and be on the lookout for when a specific...
Google - Pixel 3a with 64GB Memory Cell Phone (Unlocked)

Black Friday Deals: Google Pixel 3a phone only $299

While it's not technically "Black Friday" yet -- it seems the day has become a loose term for a multi-week sales event -- we've spotted what might be one of the best smartphone deals in recent memory. You can now find the Google Pixel 3a with 64GB on sale for...
Sonos layoff, Apple acquisition

In Tech: Sonos speakers can now stream Spotify Free

Spotify is one of the world's most popular -- if not the most popular -- streaming music services. No question. People love it. Now there's a way to get it without having to pay $10 per month. And juice up your whole home audio experience with of the latest hits. “Spotify...

Trendspotting: MacBook Pro 16-inch launch looks imminent, holiday sales push for Apple?

More clues are suggesting Apple may soon reveal a MacBook with a larger screen. One report says a new 16-inch version of the iconic MacBook Pro laptop has already shipped to Apple. Launch timing, however, remains unclear. Like the refreshed MacBook Air from 2018/2019 many expect Apple to continue on its mission...
Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $0.99 and 1 month of Amazon Music Unlimited for $9.99 with Auto-renewal

Amazon Deal Alert: Echo Dot smart speaker only $0.99 with paid 1 month subscription to Amazon Music

Here's a great deal for those looking for an affordable, do-it-all smart speaker. Amazon is offering the Echo Dot for only $0.99. The deal is good through November 15 or until it sells out -- so you may want to check it out if you're looking to add another speaker...
Top 10 brands in the U.S. - Prophet Brand Relevance Index

Trendspotting: Apple #1 top 10 U.S. brand, with #2 coming in as a surprise (Report)

In terms of brand Apple is tops, five years in a row according to this survey. But a "scrappy" Swedish brand is jumping at its heels.
Apple iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus

Tech News: Apple iPhone 11 announcement set for Sept. 10 in Cupertino, California

September 10, 2019. Mark the date. That's when Apple will announce the new iPhone 11 and related products. The event was confirmed today as email invites began making the rounds with press, bloggers and social media influencers. Beaming live from the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, the reveal will begin...

What’s Happening in Film: Kino Lorber September 2019 video release line-up

Distributor Kino Lorber has revealed its upcoming line-up for September. Yorgos Lanthimos' Dogtooth leads a strong field which includes 14 films in all. Fans of indie film know Kino Lorber as a great source for often overlooked, decidedly non-Hollywood content. If you're a fan of film festivals and aren't exactly enamored...

Trendspotting: MacBook Pro 13-inch on sale for only $1,099

If you're shopping for a MacBook Pro now might be the time to strike. Amazon has the popular 13-inch version of the MacBook Pro on sale for only $1,099 (USD). That's a not insignificant $200 off the regular list price of $1,299. It's a deal to be sure, but not without...