Jasco Blog

Electronics don't last a lifetime. As much as you may love your current phone or computer, there will come a time when the battery will simply not hold a charge anymore and the device can't be used without keeping it plugged in all day. Accessories may wear out, whether it's from general wear and tear or accidents. Whatever the case, you'll be faced with the decision of how to discard some of your old electronic accessories.

Depending on the age and quality of your electronics, you have a few options for getting them off your hands in safe, secure and environmentally-friendly way.

Boo! It's time for terrifying thrills and monstrous scares as Halloween night approaches. Soon you'll be carving pumpkins, perfecting costumes and chowing down on entirely too much candy. As you prepare for a frightful Halloween night, don't forget to think about your home lighting.

From sinister shadows and flickering lights to fun-filled designs for the kids, smart lighting is a great way to enhance Halloween fun. It's also a crucial step for maintaining a secure environment for trick-or-treaters. Here are some tips to turn your home into an exciting and safe Halloween haunt using smart lighting controls:

Time spent in nature can also be a well-needed break from technology, a chance to unplug and look away from the screen. But let's be honest: A few pieces of tech can provide the security that lets you focus on your big adventure without worrying about the little things.

Here are five tech accessories that will make your autumn expedition all the merrier:

With the hot days of summer behind us, it's a great time to go camping. The nights are cooler, the leaves are turning colors and there's still enough sunshine to keep you warm on the trails. Plus, the Wilderness Society reported that public lands such as state parks will often drop their prices after Labor Day - making your excursion more affordable.

For the first time ever, Piper now supports the GE-branded Z-Wave Outdoor Smart Switch. This device allows you to turn your outdoor applications on and off remotely. This means you never have to worry about whether or not you accidentally left the lights on or worry about getting up to turn them on since you can easily do it from the comfort of your couch. 

With the holiday season coming up, this device is perfect for controlling Halloween or Christmas lights, and any other holiday décor you’d like to place around your house! You can also use the GE Z-Wave Outdoor Switch to control outdoor lamps, fountains and more.  

The time of the year we’ve all been waiting for is finally here — it’s football season. 

Sports have a unique place among cable subscribers and cord cutters. Unlike the premium channels HBO and Showtime, cable sports networks have, for the most part, not offered subscription- based services to follow in-market professional teams. However, professional sports are slowly adopting subscription services, according to USA Today. Watching College football without cable is a little different. Due to the sheer number of teams and conferences, some are easier to follow without cable.

Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, here's how you can follow all the action and still maintain your status as a cord cutter and enjoy future Saturday games

In what has become a yearly spectacle, Apple once again unveiled new smartphones and tablets September 9th. The company also unveiled an updated video streaming box, which should prove beneficial for cord cutters, and may push more consumers to move away from cable. While diehard Apple fans likely knew about these products based on previous leaks, the new hardware still packs a strong punch that anyone will find useful.

Apple itself defies certain business mindsets. According to Financial Times, the company is currently the most publicly valued company in the world, with a market valuation totaling $722 billion, over twice as much of the second-most valued company . Most of the company's profits stem from its iPhones. The oddity comes in the form of market share. According to the research firm International Data Corporation, Apple's devices make up only 13.9 percent of the smartphone market, while manufacturers utilizing the Android operating system hold near 83 percent of the market share. While iPhones are expensive, consumers have displayed a sense of loyalty to the devices. With the new hardware set for release, it's beneficial to take a look at what's coming out relatively soon.

Jasco recently partnered with the National Autism Association (NAA) to help launch a new school safety program for educators. The Big Red Safety Teacher Toolkit® is a free-of-charge safety kit designed to help schools keep students with autism safe and prevent wandering incidents from classrooms. 

The NAA is the leading voice on issues related to autism safety and crisis prevention. As a proud supporter, Jasco has donated 1,000 4-packs of GE branded Window/Door Alarm Kits to the NAA’s Big Red Safety Teacher Toolkit.

As fall inches closer, groups of friends everywhere begin to plan their fantasy football draft in their home. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, there are more than 33 million Americans playing fantasy football each year. With draft days becoming more complex and fun with friends, it's smart to prep your home for draft day.

Hosting a draft in your home can be exciting and a great time to get your midseason trash talking ready. This is usually one of the few times you can get your entire league together under one roof, so it's best to be ready to host in a memorable way.

Here are five tips to make the most out of your fantasy football draft night:

A common theme is emerging in many cities and households. Summer is quickly coming to a close, and with it, a change of mindsets. The change in the calendar leads to leaves changing color. The end of summer also signals the start school for many, and of course, football season.

Interestingly enough, fall doesn't officially start until the end of September, but many see Labor Day as the last weekend of summer. The Friday before Labor Day will also likely be the busiest travel day during the holiday weekend.