Consumer Corner
Connected Living for Everyone in the Family
Smart devices for your home, office and while on the go
(Family Features) Technology is constantly evolving, so it’s not always easy to keep up with the latest gadgets and gizmos. From PCs and smart wearables to earbuds, smartphones, mixed reality devices and beyond, updated devices provide solutions for practical purposes and entertainment alike.
This season’s latest and greatest devices bring new opportunities to explore and engage for everyone – students, parents and everyone in between. With cutting-edge technology and top-tier performance, these innovative devices transform entertainment, empower more connections and help you work together with ease.
Learn more about what’s powering your favorite tech devices at qualcomm.com/snapdragon.
A Classic Comeback
Its launch 20 years ago was groundbreaking, but the Motorola Razr+ expands the boundaries of smartphone technology even further. This stylish, pocket-sized smartphone brings the power of AI to more users’ hands and offers a 50-megapixel, high-res camera system and a host of AI-powered camera features. It’s also one of the world’s first flip phones to feature the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Mobile Platform, allowing users to explore AI through accelerated performance, unparalleled connectivity, fast-paced gameplay and better content capture.
See Things Your Way
From music festivals and birthday parties to first steps, graduations and beyond, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses free you from the constraints of a handheld camera. Instead of keeping the world at arm’s length (or missing out on the action completely as you struggle with your smartphone’s lock screen), these smart glasses, powered by the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 Platform, let you snap a photo or video clip from your unique point of view, allowing you to relive the moment and truly live in it, too.
Time and Place for Everything
Kids love to move, bounce, run and play, but they love video games, too. Bring these ideas together with Fitbit Ace LTE, powered by the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 wearable platform, with fully immersive, interactive 3D games on their wrists. Each game is built specifically for the device using haptics, sounds, the accelerometer and more to deliver fun and engaging gameplay. The watch recognizes and rewards all sorts of physical activity, whether playing hide and seek, jumping on the bed or having a dance-off, by unlocking more game time the more they move.
It’s All in Your Head
From watching your favorite TV shows on a cinema-sized screen to your own personal trainer you can take anywhere you go, the Meta Quest 3S mixed reality device offers something for everyone. The headset, which also features multitasking capabilities, gaming and more, is powered by the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 Platform and is an ideal choice for someone new to mixed reality and immersive experiences or who might have been waiting for a more affordable upgrade.
Your Partner in Time
If you’re looking for a smartwatch that simultaneously supports your daily activity while motivating you, too, the OnePlus Watch 2 is packed with flagship features, including exceptional battery and charging performance for unrivaled reliability and longevity. It features Dual-Engine Architecture powered by two different flagship chipsets, the Snapdragon W5 performance chipset and the BES 2700 MCU Efficiency chipset, so it’s well-equipped to handle background activity and simple tasks simultaneously with more demanding tasks, like running favorite apps.
Listen and Learn
If you’re looking for a better balance between connecting and disconnecting, Bose Ultra Open Earbuds feature an innovative cuff-shaped design that provides top-level comfort for all-day wear without making you choose between immersive audio and awareness. In addition, because they attach to the side of your ear, you can wear them with glasses, a hat or jewelry and they won’t interfere, and thanks to their integrated Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, you can count on seamless, robust connectivity.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (family using tablet)
SOURCE:
Qualcomm
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Consumer Corner
Jeep Goes Back to 1945 With the 2027 Wrangler JL-2A
Jeep is looking back more than 80 years with the 2027 Wrangler JL-2A, a Rubicon-based special edition inspired by the Willys CJ-2A, the first Jeep designed specifically for civilian use.
The special-edition Wrangler pays tribute to the Willys CJ-2A, the vehicle that helped transform the wartime Jeep into an American civilian icon.
More than 80 years after the first civilian Jeep rolled onto farms, ranches and roads across America, Jeep is reaching deep into its history for a new special-edition Wrangler.
The 2027 Jeep Wrangler JL-2A is a modern tribute to the Willys CJ-2A, introduced in 1945 as the first Jeep vehicle developed specifically for civilian use.
Rather than simply adding a heritage badge to a modern Wrangler, Jeep has incorporated colors, wheels, interior materials and design details inspired by the vehicle that helped establish the civilian Jeep nearly eight decades ago.
The JL-2A is also the 11th installment in Jeep’s Twelve 4 Twelve series of special-edition vehicles.
From the Battlefield to Civilian America
The story behind the JL-2A begins at the end of World War II.
The military Willys MB had earned a reputation for ruggedness during the war, but Willys-Overland saw an opportunity for the basic concept beyond military service.
In July 1945, the company introduced the Willys CJ-2A.
The letters “CJ” stood for Civilian Jeep, and the CJ-2A adapted the military Jeep formula for farmers, ranchers, industrial workers and everyday civilian users.
Changes included a tailgate, larger headlights and a rear power takeoff that allowed the Jeep to operate certain agricultural and industrial equipment. The CJ-2A also helped establish the familiar seven-slot grille that would eventually become one of Jeep’s most recognizable design elements.
It wasn’t just a utilitarian machine, either.
Willys offered memorable postwar color combinations such as Harvest Tan with Sunset Red wheels and Pasture Green with Autumn Yellow wheels.
Those colorful early Jeeps provided much of the inspiration for the new JL-2A.
A 1945 Look on a Modern Wrangler
The 2027 Wrangler JL-2A is based on the modern Wrangler Rubicon, meaning the retro styling is paired with serious off-road hardware.
One of its most noticeable features is a set of exclusive 17-inch retro-style wheels finished in Joose, accompanied by orange front and rear tow hooks. The combination recalls the bright Sunset Red wheels found on some original CJ-2As.
The wheels are paired with standard 33-inch BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires.
Jeep is also bringing back Gobi exterior paint for 2027. The tan-like color is particularly appropriate for this edition because it echoes the Harvest Tan finish offered on the original CJ-2A.
Other available colors include ’41, Bright White, Sting Gray, Ghost and Joose.
Body-color fender flares and a three-piece hardtop give the JL-2A a relatively clean exterior appearance, while Dark Metallic Grey accents update the Wrangler’s familiar seven-slot grille.
Jeep Takes the Retro Theme Inside
Jeep has carried the historical theme into the cabin with a color and material combination never previously offered on a Wrangler.
The seats are covered in Nappa Heritage Tan leather, complemented by Bison Brown on the door panels, lower instrument panel and center console.
Desert Orange stitching ties the interior to the brightly colored exterior wheels and tow hooks.
There are also several details specifically aimed at Jeep history enthusiasts.
A satin-chrome Willys-Overland shifter medallion pays tribute to the company’s roots, while heritage-inspired HVAC vent graphics incorporate the seven-slot grille and a Willys silhouette.
Perhaps the most interesting detail is found at the rear.
Jeep has created a swing-gate plaque based on the dashboard data-plate artwork of the original CJ-2A. It includes farm and factory imagery recalling the original civilian Jeep’s role as a working vehicle rather than simply a recreational off-roader.
Modern conveniences haven’t been forgotten. The JL-2A includes remote start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, universal garage-door opener and a front TrailCam with an integrated washer.
How Much Will the Wrangler JL-2A Cost?
Jeep says the JL-2A package will carry an MSRP of $4,995.
According to the automaker, that puts the special edition just $115 above a comparably equipped Wrangler Rubicon, making the package largely about choosing its unique heritage-inspired appearance and equipment rather than paying a substantial premium solely for a limited-edition name.
Orders are scheduled to open in October 2026.
Jeep has not presented the JL-2A as a recreation of the CJ-2A. Underneath the nostalgic colors and Willys-inspired details is a thoroughly modern Wrangler Rubicon.
And that may be the point.
More Than 80 Years of Civilian Jeep History
The original CJ-2A represented a turning point for Jeep.
A vehicle concept born from wartime necessity found a second life in civilian America, where Jeeps became farm equipment, work vehicles, recreational 4x4s and eventually lifestyle vehicles.
The CJ line evolved through multiple generations before eventually giving way to the Wrangler nameplate in the 1980s.
The 2027 Wrangler JL-2A connects those two ends of Jeep’s history — from the simple postwar CJ-2A built to work the back forty to today’s technology-packed Wrangler designed to tackle the trail.
More than eight decades separate them, but park the two side by side and the family resemblance would be difficult to miss.
Source: Stellantis / Jeep, September 12, 2026
A Civilian Legend Reimagined: Jeep Brand Introduces 2027 Jeep Wrangler JL-2A PR Newswire
Jeep Official Website:
Jeep Official Website
Consumer Corner
Cold cities are the most ready for winter, with one exception. See where your city ranks
Cold cities? Every neighborhood has a mix of homeowners who approach seasonal home maintenance differently – there are the people who stay on schedule, and on the other end, the procrastinators. There are the dedicated DIYers, and those who have their favorite maintenance pro saved as a favorite contact in their phone. As it turns out, cities are no different. Some metropolitan areas keep their neighborhoods in tip-top shape, while others are a little more slow-going.
Cold cities are the most ready for winter, with one exception. See where your city ranks
(Sheeka Sanahori) Every neighborhood has a mix of homeowners who approach seasonal home maintenance differently – there are the people who stay on schedule, and on the other end, the procrastinators. There are the dedicated DIYers, and those who have their favorite maintenance pro saved as a favorite contact in their phone. As it turns out, cities are no different. Some metropolitan areas keep their neighborhoods in tip-top shape, while others are a little more slow-going.
New data from home services company Angi, covering fall maintenance activity in August, reveals which U.S. metropolitan areas are the most proactive with fall maintenance. Washington, D.C., tops the ranking with the strongest demand for fall maintenance in the country, followed by Columbus, Ohio, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Northern cities dominate the rest of the list.
Cleveland, Ohio, and Albany-Schenectady-Troy, New York, round out the top five. Cold-weather markets dominate the ranking, accounting for eight of the 10 most-prepared metros. Rochester, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Indianapolis; and Pittsburgh complete the top 10.
Least fall-ready metros
Fewer than 1 in 5 American cities is prepping for fall at an above-average rate. Among the 66 metros that recorded at least 100 fall maintenance service requests during the analysis period, Los Angeles had the lowest level of per-capita activity, followed by Oklahoma City and Riverside, California. California accounts for four of the bottom 10 markets, with Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego and San Francisco all appearing on the list. These metros historically don’t experience the colder winter climates of the Northeast and Midwest, making fall maintenance less of an imperative.
Grand Rapids, Michigan, stands out as the only clearly cold-weather metro among the 10 least-prepared large metros. The New York City metro, which includes Newark and Jersey City, ranked just outside the 10 least-prepared large metros, coming in at number 11. Other New York state metros, including Syracuse, Rochester and the Albany metro area, were on the most prepared list.
Homeowners are choosing upkeep over upgrades
Sixty-three percent of homeowners who have recently hired a professional completed maintenance work, and 58% completed repairs. Although they may be waiting to do that dream kitchen or bath renovation, they’re focusing for now on the maintenance that keeps their homes in order.
The most common fall maintenance projects focus on outdoor upkeep. Nationally, tree trimming was the most popular, followed by lawn and yard waste cleanup and shrub care.
What homeowners should do now
When tackling a home maintenance list, start at the top of the home by inspecting the roof and gutters. Look for loose or damaged shingles, and make sure gutters are debris-free. It’s also a good idea to ensure downspouts direct water far away from the foundation. Homeowners should inspect these areas from the ground or hire a professional if the work requires climbing or feels unsafe.
Next, check for drafts around the windows and doors. Replacing worn weatherstripping and damaged caulk in the fall can prevent warm air from escaping once the heat comes back on. Homeowners should also inspect their HVAC filters and have the heating system checked before the temperatures drop.
Every home’s maintenance needs will vary, depending on the age and condition of the house and where it’s located. Whether homeowners hire a professional or safely address small issues, making the fixes can prevent larger and more expensive problems later.
The ranking: Metros from most to least prepared
America’s 10 Most Fall-Prepared Metros
1. Washington, D.C.
2. Columbus, Ohio
3. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
4. Cleveland, Ohio
5. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, New York
6. Rochester, New York
7. Charlotte, North Carolina
8. Chicago, Illinois
9. Indianapolis, Indiana
10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10 Metros With the Most Opportunity to Get Fall-Ready
1. Los Angeles, California
2. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
3. Riverside, California
4. Miami, Florida
5. San Diego, California
6. Houston, Texas
7. Grand Rapids, Michigan
8. San Francisco, California
9. Austin, Texas
10. Memphis, Tennessee
Methodology
The rankings are based on fall maintenance activity recorded on Angi during August 2026. Projects included yard cleanup, winterization, roofing and gutters, heating systems, water and drainage, outdoor plumbing, fireplaces and chimneys, pest prevention, and snow and storm preparation. U.S. metropolitan areas were ranked by activity per 100,000 residents using 2020 U.S. Census population data. To qualify for the least-prepared ranking, metros were required to have at least five service requests or jobs during the analysis period. The rankings reflect activity on Angi’s platform and are not a complete measure of all home-maintenance activity within each metro. These rankings reflect activity observed on Angi’s platform and should not be interpreted as a complete measure of all home-maintenance behavior within a metro area.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
Angi
Consumer Corner
5 Hidden Ways to Save on Home Insurance Costs
Lowering Home Insurance Costs? Many home improvements offer an added bonus of unlocking insurance discounts, but these savings opportunities can easily fly under the radar when you aren’t actively on the lookout for them.
5 Hidden Ways to Save on Home Insurance Costs
(Feature Impact) When you’re planning home improvements, you’re often thinking about improving the comfort, safety, aesthetic or value of your home. Many changes and renovations have the added bonus of unlocking insurance discounts, but these savings opportunities can easily fly under the radar when you aren’t actively on the lookout for them.
“Homeowners tend to think about their insurance when they buy the house or when they have a claim, but a lot can change in between,” said Larry Anderson, director of underwriting operations at Mercury Insurance. “Something as simple as reviewing your policy with your agent once a year can help make sure your coverage still reflects your home today and identify improvements or other factors that may qualify you for additional savings.”
The experts at Mercury Insurance, a multiple-line insurance carrier emphasizing competitive rates and excellent customer service, encourage homeowners to consider these five ways to save on home insurance costs.
Updating Older Parts of the Home
As a home ages, it’s wise to look at what parts and systems may be deteriorating and need upgrades for modernity or safety reasons. Replacing older electrical, plumbing or other major systems can protect your home from emergencies and loss risks. Depending on the state you live in, your specific policy and the improvements you made, it can also qualify your property for an updated-home insurance discount.
Keep records of major improvements – including receipts, work permits and information about when the work was completed – and plan to discuss the upgrades during your next insurance review.
Adding Protective Technology
Beyond replacing the batteries in your smoke detectors, you can outfit your home with a variety of protective devices that make a difference to insurers. Consider options like monitored burglar and fire alarms, smart water sensors and automatic water shutoff systems designed to detect problems before they become major losses. Remember, while security upgrades can make your home less risky to insure, they won’t save you money if your insurer doesn’t know you’ve installed them.
Improving Resilience to Damage
If you live in an area prone to extreme weather or other hazards, resilience upgrades could both safeguard your home and access insurance savings. Depending on your location, qualifying improvements could include a stronger roof, wildfire mitigation measures or flood defense options. Local insurance agents can provide more specific guidance on ways to make your home less vulnerable to damage – or whether you’re eligible for discounts because of work you’ve already completed.
Qualifying for Community Programs
Even if you haven’t personally made renovations to your home, certain changes in your community could help you save on insurance. That could include local wildfire mitigation measures, membership in a qualifying homeowners association or other neighborhood characteristics that affect coverage options, but specific programs vary by location.
Reviewing Insurance Products and Discounts
Whether something significant has changed in your home or community or not, it’s always valuable to review your insurance coverage on a regular basis. For instance, there may be new products or discounts that simply didn’t exist when you originally purchased your policy. Beyond savings considerations alone, ask your agent questions to make sure your coverage still reflects your circumstances and goals.
“Finding savings is always welcome, but the bigger goal of a policy review is making sure your insurance keeps pace with your life and your home,” Anderson said. “A house isn’t static. We improve it, maintain it and protect it in new ways over time. Your insurance should keep up with those changes.”
For more information on homeowner coverage and discount eligibility, visit MercuryInsurance.com.
Questions to Consider During Your Annual Insurance Checkup
An annual insurance review is an opportunity to look for savings and update coverage. Use these questions as a jumping-off point for discussions with your agent:
- What has changed about my home?
- What has changed about my property or community?
- Have my circumstances changed?
- Are discounts available today that weren’t when I purchased my policy?
- Does my coverage still reflect what it would cost to repair or rebuild my home today?
Photos courtesy of Shuttersotck
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