In the world of smartphone technology, companies released new models of their phone almost every year. In the early days, consumers would rush out to get the latest and greatest technology. However, In the last couple of years, I have noticed that many people are not buying every new smartphone that comes out. But instead, they are waiting up to three years or more before making that new purchase. I believe that there are a couple of keys reasons. 1) The price of the latest smartphones increased significantly. It is easy to pay up to, or over a $1,000 for the one phone. People now see their smartphone as an investment item and are not willing to keep paying that about of money every couple of years. 2) With the new model that is released, people realize that the upgrades were not significant enough to make a change.
If you are like me, you have been waiting for those significant upgrades, or if your current smartphone is wearing out and in need of being replaced. In my own smartphone world, my wife and I have our phones for almost four years. We are still using the 6, if you know what I mean. So when Verizon Wireless asked if we would be interested in trying the Google 3XL, we were excited to see what the latest upgrades had to offer. Needless to say, after our demo period, I was sold on what Google had brought to the table for the following reasons.
Google Pixel 3XL
The XL Factor
Since trying the XL, the larger model, I am convinced that larger is better and there is no need to go back to a smaller phone. The screen size makes it easy to find what you are looking with more apps on the screen at one time. A larger view screen makes taking photos much easier because you have a better idea of what you are capturing. The phone measures 3.02 inches x 6.22 inches. Although it is larger in size, it is not weighty and is comfortable in the hand or in the back pocket.
The Camera Factor Let’s be honest. If you are like me, of all the things that I use the smartphone for, making a telephone call is probably low on the list. One of the most common tasks is using the camera. People are not carrying their point-and-shoot or DSLR cameras with them everywhere they go. But a smartphone is at the ready, whether it is in a handbag or in the back pocket. The smartphone has become the go-to camera to capture the important moments in our life, whether it be a selfie while on vacation or a video of your little’s soccer match.
In the four years since I bought my own smartphone, the camera features have drastically improved, as seen in the photo collage below. The photo on the left was captured by the Google 3XL and the one on the left is my four-year-old smartphone. The difference is remarkable. The colors in the Pixel 3XL are crisper and there is not the glare or fuzziness found in older smartphones.
Google Pixel 3XL (Left) / a 4-year-old smartphone (right)
The Google Pixel 3XL features a 12.2MP camera and includes not found on older smartphones. These new features make taking those photos easier and the end result is in a photo that is as good as a higher-end camera. The selfie mode includes zoom and wide-angle features and there is a night-effect option for photos and videos. We used the Pixel 3XL to capture our YouTube video on how decorated for Christmas. We turned off the lights in the rooms so that there could be a greater focus on the lights. The Pixel 3XL was able to auto-adjust the level of lighting without any issues. You can see that video here:
The Google Pixel 3XL is packed with so many features that you will need to spend some time exploring the phone to find them. One feature that I found by accident was the Google Lens. The Lens will scan a photograph that you have taken and is able to determine what is in it. Then it will search the Google search engine for similar items. For example, we had taken a photo of our inflatable snowman (Christmas item) and then scanned with Lens. The results included animated snowmen, other inflatable snowmen, and even Frosty. You can click on those results for more information.
In the new year, if you believe that it is time to replace that old, worn out smartphone, and you may want to consider Google Pixel 3XL. The Pixel 3XL features many upgrades over the older smartphones and incorporates many new additions that will leave you with a positive experience. I recommend it with 3XL thumbs up.
FTC Disclosure:
Verizon Wireless provided the Bubbling With Elegance and Grace Team with the Google Pixel 3XL to demo for a six-week time period. After that time, the smartphone was returned back to Verizon and this review was written. The team did not receive any monetary compensation to write this review and all opinions are our own.
Today is Day 5 of 21 of the fast that I am on with my church. I can’t say that it is easy, but it’s full steam ahead. If you would like to know more about fasting and would like to join, please visit the Church on The Rock website here. If you would like to join in please do, you can download a free journal and my Pastor includes a video of encouragement for each day. My hubby and I are fasting sugar, bread, no meat and no food products made from animals. In addition, we are not looking at our personal Facebook pages. That’s what I am fasting, but you can fast whatever you feel the Lord is telling you to do.
Just because I am on a fast does not mean that I don’t crave for something sweet. I decided to make this easy and simple recipe of cinnamon baked apples. I used Fuji apples because that’s what I had on hand, but you can use your favorite apple and go for it.
Cinnamon Baked Apples 1) Cut four apples in even sized slices that would cook thoroughly and evenly in the oven.
2) Place them in a baking dish. Add as much cinnamon that you desire. Add a little fresh lemon. And, brown sugar? But for this fast, we are not eating sugar, so we rely on the natural sugar from the apples.
3) Place aluminium foil on top and put it in a preheated oven for 350 degrees for 30 minutes covered and 10 minutes uncovered.
Cinnamon Sliced Apples
The finished dish is not real sweet. Of course, it is not supposed to be because I am on the fast. It does the trick if I have a sweet craving. And I also have an option of adding in a few walnuts and raisins if I want a little more sweetness. As an alternative when I am finished with the fast, I could add a little brown sugar or honey.
There are literally hundreds of rules for the road that we don’t know about. Many of them we just learn to pass our test and from then on we use all the other signs around on the road to give us guidance. However, if you take driving more seriously you’ll know certain actions on the road that are permissible by law and those that are not. Many, many other drivers don’t know or don’t care to know so what happens when you have an accident? Well, most of the time the two parties will behave as if they are innocent, but if you asked them both to prove how they were in the right, a lot of the time you’d get an answer that’s equivalent to a shrug of the shoulders. Is there a way to prove you were right then? There, in fact, are several ways to prove you were right and some take preparation and a bit of knowledge regarding technology and the road.
Frontal filming Dashcams are something that you should definitely invest in. they are very easy to maintain and the film is recyclable and can be used over and over without any kind of blips or skipping. They are almost always electronic and thus they run on the car’s battery and have a lot of storage space internally. This is great for long journeys and those that drive every single day such as commuting for work. Frontal collisions happen usually at intersections. One vehicle is travelling fast, the other is not. One has to give way and the other is almost always the victim. This is when the smaller roads are heading into the highway and those on the highway try to skip a light. With a dashcam, you can prove that you moved when the lights signalled for you to and also what angle the other driver collided with you.
Rear view to internal view Rear view mirrors are often used to hang stuff on. It could be religious symbols, little freshener trees or even little toys. But you can also fit an internal camera that points backwards. It can be scoped to just film that inside of the car or facing entirely rearwards to record the vehicle behind you. This way when you need to contact a personal injury or car accident legal team like Derrick Law Firm you have firm proof of your innocence. Relying on a team such as them, means you are handing over your case of injury to those that have a mentality to win and never lose focus of the true aim. The goal is to get you back up to full health and make sure your innocence is firmly in the mind of the court when dishing out compensation.
Having a car accident is very stressful. Even if you’re not hurt badly it’s a game of he said and she said as soon as you get out of the car. With cameras watching your moves and other drivers’ too, you have the proof you need to take to a good legal team.
~~FTC Disclaimer~~ This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
I hope you are having an awesome weekend.
In my area, we received over nine inches of snow yesterday and today we are expecting to get another two to four inches. It has not snowed like this in many, many years. The last couple of years, we only have gotten a few inches for the entire winter season. But I must ask you this question.
Am I weird because I like the snow?
Every time I say that I like to see and play in the snow, I get these Bah Hum bug facial expressions. I don’t look at you crazy when you say you like to bask in humidity and heat. I get rebuttals like It needs to be 90 degrees, I hate driving in the snow, or all I need to see is a dusting on the grass and that’s enough.
I hear you, some people drive crazy and that’s even with no snow. I can’t tell you how many people I see speeding up to beat the red light or it’s red for a few seconds and they run it any way.
Seeing the snow fall makes me feel like a kid again, what can I say I am a big kid anyway. I want to keep that magical glimmer of fascination, peace and wonder alive each and every day. Life is what you make it so might as while turn that frown upside down and smile. Would you believe I married a man who enjoys the winter too, bonus.
Ever since I have been a little girl, I have always enjoyed the snow, being out in the snow and, of course, playing in the snow with my doggies. When the snow first started to fall and I saw it begin to accumulate, my heart fills with excitement and anticipation. I remember that my feet would get cold for being outside for a long time. Also, as a child, it would snow regularly throughout the winter season. I remember thinking, how much snow will we get? Will school be cancelled?
Now as an adult, I still enjoy seeing the snow come down. It is so peaceful when the snow has fallen and I can go outside. Many people are not out and about. There’s nothing like it.
If you don’t like the snow, there’s nothing wrong with that. Be safe in the snow while you’re driving and are able to get in the house quick. I pray you have four-wheel drive and it doesn’t take a long time for you to get to your destination.
For those of you who are kids at heart or have kids, let’s build a snowman.
Jay with the snowman
Today’s snow was perfect for making a snowman. A little on the wet side, so that the snow could be packed together. It wasn’t not too wet where it was slushy. And too dry where it wouldn’t stay together. And we hadn’t had this much snow in a while where we could. be building a snowman.
Let me know your thoughts about snow. Yes? No? Only at Christmas time? Only on TV?
Since the New Year has come around, everybody is hard at work trying to stick to their New Year’s resolutions. Whether it is going to the gym or eating healthier, a lot of people give up after a few weeks, and go back to their normal ways of living after admitting defeat. So, why not make a (late) resolution that is more reasonable, and decide to make your home the best that it can be this year? Think about it: it’s where you spend all of that family time, so it should be comfortable and warm. Here are some tips if you want to put the heart back into your home!
Do all of the repairs that you can Sometimes, what lets our beautiful homes down is that there are some repairs that we never quite got around to doing. You often think, ‘oh, I’ll do that next week’ but when next week comes around, you have better things to be doing (or so you think). However, neglecting one thing in your home could lead to you letting it deteriorate, and it should be safe and comfortable for the whole family. Make sure that you have trusted contacts for furniture repair, air conditioning repair, and structural repair, and you’ll be able to make this year perfect when it comes to creating a loving and safe home for all of your loved ones.
Have a clear out Little do most of us realize, but the reason that our homes seem to be spaces that we don’t thoroughly enjoy is usually because we fill them with so much stuff. Especially if you’re a parent, you can find yourself keeping things for sentimental reasons, or just because your kids might want to use them in the future. Make this year the year of saying, ‘if I haven’t used it within the last three months, I am going to give it away to charity.’ Whilst this may seem like a harsh way to be when it comes to your things (you should keep the very sentimental items, of course) you will end up with a house full of junk if you don’t stay on top of it, and you could get money for selling some things.
Make sure that you cook and eat together a few times a week There are many families across the world now who just don’t take the time to cook and eat together at all. This can make your home feel like it has lost its warmth, and it is so important to make sure that each day (if possible) you share what has happened with those that you love, across dinner. It is a real mistake to eat separately and neglect the role that food has within your relationships – family or otherwise – so make sure that you organise no phone meals, in order to make your home the heart of everything family. You’ll be glad that you did when you go into 2020 stronger than ever!
So, if you want to make sure that your home is (almost) perfect this year, try these simple tips!
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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