Dig Om

As much as I may have held my fingers crossed, wishing and hoping that Apple had somehow managed to keep some secrets stashed away about today's product unveilings, wishing apparently doesn't make it so. Instead, like years past, there was very little (nothing) that surprised me, primarily as a result of the persistent internet leaks that have plagued the company's product launches for years now. That's not to say I wasn't impressed. I was, although only mildly so. Right now Apple is under more pressure and scrutiny than it has been in decades, to innovate and introduce technology that isn't just of a high quality, but also revolutionary. I couldn't help but feel like the new Apple Watch and the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were just more of the same; relatively minor incremental updates along the lines of what everyone has become so accustomed to. That's certainly not to say that the new Apple Watch Series 2 and the new iPhone 7 series aren't chock full of great features. They are. However none of the new changes and upgrades blew me away or left me in the type of awe that the original iPhone did.

The iHome mini iBT82 ($49.99), the mid-sized iBT35 ($69.99), and iHome's largest boombox, the iBT9 ($99.99) are three excellent alternatives for those in search of a reliable, affordable, and portable Bluetooth speaker solution. These rugged Bluetooth speakers are part of iHome's Weather Tough line of Bluetooth speakers, all of which are waterproof, shock proof, and dirtproof. They also float, even the biggest of the lot, the iBT9.

The EcoXgear Sol Jam Bluetooth speaker ($149.99) is one of my new favorites for best portable Bluetooth speakers. Its most outstanding feature is its revolutionary quick-charge SunCore solar panel built into the device's top side. Thanks to this panel, you can take this speaker off grid for extended periods; and with the panel's intelligent charging system, designed to deliver an effective charge (even in lower-light and artificial-light conditions), you can effectively keep the party going indefinitely without the pressing need to plug into a wall outlet.

If you've got a subscription cable service or a TV package with your internet service provider, then watching the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro on your iPad or Apple TV will be a snap. The bulk of the Olympics will be broadcast on NBC, with other events being shown on NBC's affiliates, such as *Bravo, *MSNBC, *CNBC and USA Network. Viewing the games is as simple as tuning in, either on your television, or via the free NBC apps for Apple TV, iPad, or iPhone, all of which work in conjunction with your paid subscription service. You can also watch the Olympics at the NBC website; however, by necessity, you have to watch it in a browser, and again, log in to a subscription service is  required. But what about those of us who have happily cut the cord with traditional television providers? Read on to discover all of the alternatives that exist for viewing the 2016 Olympics sans TV subscription service.