Winning the Bluetooth Wars
When Apple introduced their AirPod Bluetooth earbuds a few years ago, a major player emerged onto the burgeoning Bluetooth audio scene. But that scene wasn’t new: Earbuds, headphones, and speakers can all utilize Bluetooth tech, with every manufacturer jumping into the pool. But as anyone over 30 can tell you, Bluetooth was originally a wireless headset product, not a type of connectivity. And that’s raising questions about the viability of the Bluetooth market as well as the future of the current war for customer dollars in the market. Bluetooth audio tech was designed to wirelessly connect your phone with an in-ear speaker and tiny headset. But spoken-word audio isn’t the same thing as a vibrant musical experience with a range of high and low sounds, depth, and bass. You wouldn’t want to listen to a concert through your cellphone; in the same way, Bluetooth isn’t set up to transmit music to a speaker, headphone, or earbud. Manufacturers have developed workarounds, and the
quality of their work determines how good (or bad) the end result sounds. Bluetooth is obviously capable of a lot more than it was designed for, and its near universality makes it an attractive choice.
But it still wasn’t designed for music.
What does that mean for most listeners? Likely not very much — if a good manufacturer made your headphones or speakers, their clever workarounds to the “Bluetooth problem” will likely mean little decrease in quality compared to “wired” options. Most of us can’t tell the difference. But for true audio fidelity, we still have to hook up with a cable. And as manufacturers vie for market share, a smart company that designs a brand-new wireless tech based around music instead of talk could gain much — and leave Bluetooth behind in the process. And whoever does that will be the real winner of the Bluetooth wars.
The One Thing You’re Ignoring That Could Help You Save More Money
Successful saving comes down to just one thing: widening the gap between your income and expenses. Most individuals — and let’s face it, financial experts, too! — focus on frugality to achieve this. They cut back on spending by canceling streaming subscriptions, eating out less, and buying fewer fancy coffee drinks. It’s natural to turn to penny-pinching to meet your savings goals because it often feels like you have more control over decreasing your expenses than you do over increasing your earnings. However, that’s not always the case. If you feel like you’ve already cut your budget to the bone but still aren’t saving enough, it might be time to shift your focus to the second method of saving money: earning more. If you’re serious about boosting your savings, it’s probably going to take a combination of both strategies, so don’t ignore your potential opportunities to bank more bucks. A quick online search asking “How can I make more money?” will turn up a plethora of lists with dozens of great options. Here are two popular categories to consider: SIDE HUSTLES AND GIGS Home delivery services like Amazon Flex, DoorDash, and Instacart are growing exponentially right now. You can take advantage of this
trend by becoming a delivery driver. Gig work allows you to make your own schedule and do as much or as little work as you want for as long or as short a time as you’d like. Note that many services require drivers to undergo a background check, have a valid license, and have their own car. BABYSITTING, PET SITTING, OR HOUSE SITTING Apps like Wag! and Rover have turned on-demand dog walking into a viable side gig, but it’s also possible to arrange this and other sitter jobs the old-fashioned way. In fact, if you’re a reliable sitter, word-of-mouth advertising and referrals
will likely keep steady work coming your way
once you get established in your community. You can also up the ante by offering more: Get licensed in CPR and first aid if you’re a babysitter (or pet CPR and first aid if you’re a pet sitter). Classes can be found at RedCross.org.
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