Feb 11, 2025 | Uncategorized
The new year is a prime time to switch things up and start fresh with a new fitness routine. And thanks to the rise of internet-connected fitness equipment, getting back in shape has never been easier or more motivating!
To help get you started, we’ve rounded up FPUAnet Communications’ favorite smart fitness tech and exercise equipment. From advanced cardio equipment to strength training and full-body workout smart gyms, the combination of cutting-edge exercise technology and FPUAnet Communications’ advanced fiber network makes achieving your health and fitness goals more accessible, engaging, and convenient.
1. Innovative Stationary Bikes Will Help You Fall in Love with Cardio
We begin with stationary bikes, which have come a long way from the clunky exercise bikes that many a garage has housed unridden for years. Today’s smart stationary bikes are equipped with internet connectivity and sync with apps to guide you through a full cardio workout you’ll actually enjoy. There are options for everyone, from HIIT rides to low-impact rides, themed rides, and scenic rides.
Additionally, their built-in metrics track your pedaling and monitor your time and distance, providing a detailed overview of your performance and progress. Many smart stationary bikes also feature the ability to adjust resistance quickly and easily, simulating various riding conditions that test and strengthen outdoor bikers.
Peloton
With its interactive live and on-demand classes, Peloton revolutionized home cycling and helped turn it into a hugely successful exercise craze. Peloton currently offers two versions of its famous bike, the original Peloton Bike and the Peloton Bike+. Each smart bike is equipped with a large touchscreen packed with features, including classes you can join to boost your motivation and provide encouragement along the way. Peloton bikes also track your performance in real-time and help you set, and then exceed, goals for yourself.
Echelon
For a more budget-conscious smart bike, check out Echelon, a fitness brand that manufactures a variety of exercise equipment. Like Peloton, Echelon also offers classes and interactive features to keep you moving, including on-demand workout routines. Because Echelon offers three models at different price points, many will appreciate its greater affordability compared to Peloton.
2. Smart Treadmills Break the Monotony and Push Your Progress
Continuing with cardio equipment, we next turn to smart treadmills, which incorporate interactive features that make running more motivating, intense, and even enjoyable—really! For example, thanks to their generously sized displays and internet connectivity, some brands and related apps offer virtual training and scenic running routes. From the glacial beauty of the Swiss Alps to the bustle of the Boston Marathon, you’ll be eager to try out different scenarios for each run.
Many smart treadmills also feature built-in incline adjustments, which automatically change during workouts to simulate hills and offer a more challenging run. They’ll also sync your training data with apps to track metrics like calories burned, overall running distance, laps, speed, and heart rate.
NordicTrack
A staple of many home fitness rooms since the 1970s, NordicTrack is one the world’s best-known and celebrated treadmill manufacturers. NordicTrack’s lineup of fitness equipment is impressive, and its smart treadmills sport a bevy of features, including massive touchscreens (up to 24”) for tracking progress and customizing runs. Runners can also access thousands of NordicTrack’s famous iFIT classes to enhance their training sessions, encouraging fitness enthusiasts to add extra resistance and depth to their routines to push themselves further. We particularly recommend the T Series 10 Treadmill as a solid value pick for many households.
Bowflex
Most well-known for its “all-in-one” home gym equipment, Bowflex also makes excellent smart treadmills. Bowflex offers four treadmills, each loaded with features to fit different budgets. Its premium option features a large 22” touchscreen display, perfect for fully engaging in workout routines or enjoying more atmospheric simulated runs.
3. Smart Home Gyms Provide Full Body Workouts with Fitness Feedback
Beyond cardio, many fitness enthusiasts know the value of strength training and muscle-building for burning fat and staying healthy. And today’s smart home gyms combine state-of-the-art technology with weights, cables, and resistance bands to offer comprehensive and fully personalized workout experiences at home.
Today’s smart weights and gym equipment include integrated sensors that record reps, sets, and rest periods, offering detailed analytics to help you optimize your workout routine. Many brands connect to online resources to guide your training and push you forward. In short, smart home gyms provide optimal fitness without needing to run to the gym!
Tonal
One of the most prized (and talked about) smart home gyms today is Tonal. Its sleek design uses digital weights for strength training in a compact footprint that people appreciate. Tonal also utilizes the power of artificial intelligence (AI) through AI-powered coaching, adjusting resistance and weight in real-time based on your performance. As it tracks your progress over time, Tonal also provides recommendations to switch up your routine or increase difficulty while its sensors help you perfect your form and lift safely. Additionally, Tonal’s extensive library of guided workouts is acclaimed for its breadth and diversity and helps hone both beginners and experienced bodybuilders alike.
Tempo
Tempo is another popular smart home gym pick. Utilizing a sophisticated smart fitness platform that includes a camera, a large touchscreen display, and AI technology, Tempo provides users responsive, real-time feedback on form while keeping tabs on your reps and progress in individual workout sessions and over time. Tempo’s app also offers a variety of strength training classes that make good use of its range of equipment and modalities.
Thanks to advances in smart home fitness equipment in recent years—and the power of FPUAnet Communications’ high-speed fiber internet—you can get yourself on the path to better fitness and health. By integrating compelling interactive experiences, real-time metrics tracking, and tailored resistance and difficulty for growth and gains, these smart devices offer a modern and efficient approach to fitness from the comfort of your own home—and greatly increase your chances of sticking with your routine, too!
Feb 5, 2025 | Uncategorized
The New Year is a time for new beginnings—and for many of us, first and foremost on our list of resolutions is finding a new job or even career. Indeed, according to many career experts, the first few months of the year is one of the most auspicious times to search for new employment. And with remote work becoming the norm rather than an exception, especially for professionals, there’s never been a better time to explore remote job opportunities.
However, navigating the remote job market can be daunting without the right resources and strategies. Fortunately, several online platforms and tools are available to streamline your search and help you land the perfect remote position. Below we highlight some of FPUAnet Communications’ recommended resources to find and secure a remote job this year.
1. Explore Job Boards Specializing in Remote Work
The best place to begin your search for a remote job is through an online job board. Now, online job boards are nothing new, of course. But some job boards put a laser focus on remote positions, which can prove crucial for narrowing your search and ensuring you're seeing opportunities that match your lifestyle, needs and skillsets.
We recommend the following remote job boards below. Each provides listings exclusively for remote roles across a wide variety of industries, including tech, marketing, financial, creative and design arts, education, and customer service sectors.
FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a subscription-based service that provides listings to remote positions across various fields and includes jobs for freelancers, part-timers, and full-time employees. While there's a small fee for accessing the listings, many find its cost well worth it for the curated, scam-free jobs.
Remote.co
Another popular remote job board, Remote.co, presents a range of work and career categories such as design, development, and marketing. The platform also offers resources to help remote job seekers, including expert career hunting advice, remote work best practices, and articles on how to succeed in remote positions.
We Work Remotely
One of the largest remote job boards online today, We Work Remotely focuses on high-quality, vetted listings for full-time, part-time, and contract work in an array of diverse sectors. Due to its user-friendly interface and huge swath of available positions, it’s long been a top choice for remote job seekers.
Some people might first be interested in simply testing the waters of remote work opportunities before diving into a career change. And for them, freelance work can serve as a great entry point into full-time remote employment.
Many platforms cater specifically to freelancers looking for remote gigs. These websites not only help connect freelancers with clients but also offer opportunities to build long-term remote relationships as well.
Fiverr
For freelance writers, designers, and other creative types, Fiverr is an outstanding starting place, especially for those trying to connect their talents more globally. Many remote professionals use Fiverr to showcase their skills in specific areas, such as graphic design, copywriting, and social media management.
Toptal
Toptal connects top-tier, carefully assessed and screened freelancers with companies. Indeed, it prides itself on attracting top talent and finding the right fit for each gig or job. If you’re an experienced professional in tech, finance, or design, Toptal’s vetting process ensures you get matched with companies and clients who are looking for high-quality expertise.
Upwork
Popular with both job seekers and employers alike, Upwork showcases a wide range of remote jobs, from web development and design to writing, customer service, and digital marketing. It’s ideal for those looking to get their feet wet in freelancing or expand their existing client base.
3. Don’t Forget Networking and Online Communities
Finally, don’t ignore social apps! Networking remains one of the most powerful tools in any job search, traditional or remote. Building connections in the remote workspace—especially online—is vital for learning about unadvertised job openings, getting advice on resume crafting and nailing an interview, and finding leads.
Consider joining remote work communities or professional groups where remote jobs are frequently posted and discussed. LinkedIn, for example, is not only a place to connect with professionals in your field but also a valuable resource for discovering job opportunities. By updating your LinkedIn profile to reflect your interest in remote work, you increase your visibility to recruiters who specialize in remote roles. You can also find remote job postings directly through LinkedIn, as well.
Similarly, Reddit can be an excellent source of information sharing. Check out subreddits like r/WorkOnline for job leads, resources, and advice on companies and gigs. You can also interact with other remote job seekers and employers posting legitimate job offers so you can be better prepared when you apply.
With these recommended remote work resources, you can put yourself on the path to finding a remote job to fit your lifestyle and advance your career. And for more tips on using FPUAnet Communications’ high-speed fiber network for remote work and greater productivity in your home office, follow our social pages!
Feb 4, 2025 | Cybersecurity, Family
Although the internet is an amazing technological innovation that helps us to stay in touch with family and friends, be more productive at work, and find seemingly endless forms of new information and entertainment, cybercrime is also an unfortunate reality of life online. One of the most pernicious—and sadly, increasing—forms of cybercrime is known as phishing.
Below, we explain what phishing is and how to guard against it. With some common sense, a careful eye, and a few simple precautions, you can avoid falling victim to phishing attacks and stay safe while using FPUAnet Communications’ high-speed fiber internet.
Phishing and Its Targets
At its core, phishing manipulates and tricks individuals and organizations into revealing sensitive information like their usernames, passwords, financial data, and personal identification details. These attacks are typically carried out via emails, text messages, or fake websites that impersonate legitimate entities—and those clever, albeit nasty, impersonation attempts can be devastatingly effective.
Phishing attacks also attempt to lure you into a false sense of security before you momentarily let your guard down. Seemingly innocuous text or email messages disguised as communications from authentic businesses or even governmental agencies can con even the most internet-savvy among us. And unfortunately, unsuspecting senior citizens are often phishing scammers’ prime targets.
Although phishing scams have evolved in sophistication, there are still several key strategies and precautions you can take to protect yourself. Here are several tips and practices for staying safe and arming yourself against phishing attacks.
1. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages
The most frequent phishing attempts are initiated through unsolicited emails and text messages. These messages often contain a sense of urgency or threaten negative consequences if you don’t act quickly. Whether it’s a problem with your bank account, a missed delivery, or a security alert from a trusted service, you’re typically prompted to respond or act (usually by clicking on a link and following its instructions) immediately.
Cybersecurity experts implore online users never to trust unsolicited communications, especially when they involve asking for personal information or money. Legitimate companies will never request sensitive details like your password, Social Security Number, or credit card information through email or text.
Thus, if you receive a suspicious message, don’t click on any links or download attachments, and avoid responding to the message in any way. Instead, go directly to the official website of the business, institution, or organization, or call their customer service number to verify the message’s legitimacy.
2. Examine the Email Address and URL Closely
By now, you may be asking yourself: “But how do I know if an email message is suspicious before I even open it?” This is an excellent question, and thankfully, you can often find clues or signs of a phishing attempt without opening the message or clicking any links.
Phishing emails often come from addresses that look suspicious (sometimes nonsensical) or slightly altered to mimic real ones (with characters or symbols that don’t really belong there). For example, an email that appears to come from your bank may have a sender address that looks remarkably like the legitimate address but is slightly off from the official one. Check the email address carefully, looking out for subtle spelling errors or extra characters like a dash or a symbol that could indicate a fake sender.
If you happen to read the message, you can still take steps to protect yourself before clicking any further. Hovering your mouse over any links in the body of the message (without clicking) will reveal the actual URL of any website you’re urged to click. Be cautious of any links that don’t exactly match the official website address.
3. Note the Message’s Greeting
Be wary of messages that don’t include your name or use generic greetings like “Dear Customer” or “Dear User.” This is a tell-tale sign that something is off. Recipients should treat the message with grave suspicion and act cautiously.
Remember that businesses you trust, like your bank, will usually address you by your proper name in their official correspondence with you. So, even noting the greeting in a message can help you glean whether the message you’ve received is a phishing attempt or not.
4. Check if the Message Contains Spelling and Grammar Mistakes
Similarly, be on the lookout for whether the message is polished or sloppy. Professional emails from legitimate companies are typically well-written, with proper grammar and spelling throughout the text.
If the email you receive contains strange formatting, misspellings, awkward phrasing, or other errors, it's a strong indicator of a phishing attempt. Again, most scammers are casting a wide net and don’t take the time to draft a perfect letter—and that sloppiness can help save you from being phished!
5. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
One of the most effective ways to add an extra layer of protection against phishing is to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts. MFA requires more than just your password to log in—it often involves an additional step, such as a code sent to your phone or a fingerprint scan.
Even if a hacker manages to steal your password through a phishing scam, MFA provides an additional barrier that makes it much harder for them to gain access to your accounts. Most major online services, including email providers, banks, and social media platforms, offer MFA as an option—make sure to turn it on for all your critical accounts.
Finally, if you receive a message that asks for personal or financial information, always verify the request through a secondary channel. For example, if you get an email from your bank asking you to update your account details, call the customer service number on the bank’s official website—not the one in the email or text message—to confirm the request.
Typically, legitimate companies won’t ask you to verify sensitive information over email or text. If in doubt, always contact the company directly using a verified phone number or email address.
Phishing attacks are a serious threat, but with proper vigilance, healthy skepticism, and a few smart precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to these scams. Stay aware and always trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is. And to learn more ways to keep you and your family safe online, follow FPUAnet Communications’ social pages for additional cybersecurity recommendations.
Jan 23, 2025 | Uncategorized
With winter’s shorter days and colder temperatures, it’s common for many people to experience the “winter blues,” an often heavy feeling of malaise, tiredness, and moodiness that too frequently comes around this time of year—especially after the holidays have passed. Indeed, some of us even suffer from Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), an officially recognized condition affecting millions of people worldwide during the winter months.
SAD often leaves individuals feeling lethargic, depressed, and disconnected this time of year, making winter all but unbearable. Fortunately, modern technology offers a range of devices designed to help combat these feelings and improve mental well-being during the darker, chillier months. From light therapy to digital fitness, below we highlight some of FPUAnet Communications’ top tech suggestions to help beat SAD and the winter blues!
1. Light Therapy Devices to Combat Winter’s Diminished Sunlight
One of the main contributors to the winter blues is the reduced exposure to sunlight. To help alleviate this seasonal astronomical reality, medical professionals have long since recommended light therapy as a treatment for SAD—and thankfully, there’s technology to make it easier for anyone to increase their light exposure.
Light therapy boxes, which mimic natural sunlight, are designed to be used for 20-30 minutes per day, typically in the morning. These devices use bright white light, often around 10,000 lux, which is much stronger than regular indoor lighting. The exposure helps regulate melatonin and serotonin levels in the brain, improving mood and energy levels. We particularly like the Carex Day-Light Classic Plus for its adjustability to optimize light exposure, larger size to improve overall effectiveness, and strong durability.
2. Wearable Light Therapy Outside the Home
Light therapy doesn’t have to be confined to a light therapy box or lamp around the home or office. For a more portable solution, wearable light therapy devices, such as light therapy visors or glasses, are becoming increasingly popular. These devices allow you to go about your day while still benefiting from the therapeutic effects of light exposure.
Check out the Premium Blue Light Therapy Glasses from AYO. They work by gently exposing your eyes to blue light, helping to stimulate retinal cells. Many users report considerable improvement in their overall wellness, including better sleep, increased energy, and improved mood, all while being away from the desk or couch and out and about.
3. Smart Lighting to Create a Warm Ambience in Your Home
In addition to light therapy boxes to specifically target SAD, technology now lets you brighten your whole home—and your mood—at all times of the year. Smart lighting systems and devices help you create an inviting and uplifting atmosphere, which can be especially beneficial during the winter months. Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Bulbs are a top pick for many smart homes. One of the most well-known brands for smart lighting, Philips offers Hue bulbs in thousands of colors and hues, including seemingly countless shades of white, allowing you to adjust the light to suit any mood.
They can be controlled via the Philips Hue app (also available for Android-based devices) or through voice commands on smart home devices like Alexa or Apple HomeKit. Smart lighting allows you to adjust the color palette and intensity of your lights throughout the day. By replicating natural, brighter daylight during the morning and softer, warm lighting in the evening, you can help regulate your circadian rhythm and improve your sleep quality, as well as your mood and sense of well-being.
4. Smart Thermometers for a Cozy and Energy-Efficient Home
Of course, it isn’t just the reduced daylight and sunshine that brings people down during the depths of winter. Winter’s chill can become overbearing, contributing to a sense of feeling stuck and uncomfortable. Smart thermostats, such as the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium or the Google Nest Thermostat, can ensure your home remains at a comfortable temperature through the colder weather season.
Taking full advantage of the stronger Wi-Fi signal found in more homes today (thanks to advances in broadband technology such as FPUAnet Communications’ sophisticated fiber network), these devices can be controlled from your smartphone or tablet, so you can adjust settings before you even walk through the door. In this way, smart thermostats ensure you’ll receive a warm welcome when you come home while helping to keep energy costs low and your home more efficient.
5. Fitness and Activity Trackers: Stay Active Indoors
Science has demonstrated that exercise is a powerful tool for combatting depression and boosting mood during winter. But when the weather outside is cold and uninviting, it can be challenging to stay motivated to exercise. To help keep you moving, fitness trackers, such as the Fitbit Versa 4 or Garmin Forerunner 55, can help by offering reminders to stay active throughout the day.
These devices include features like step counting, heart rate monitoring, and activity goals, which can help you stay on track with your fitness routine even when the winter chill is telling you to stay indoors or under a blanket. Many fitness trackers also sync with apps that provide guided workouts, such as yoga, stretching, or bodyweight exercises, all of which can be done from the comfort of your home.
Winter may bring colder temperatures and shorter days, but with the right tech tools and devices, you can boost your mood, stay active, and improve your overall mental health. By incorporating these devices into your daily routine, you can maintain a positive outlook and stay energized, no matter how bleak the winter weather may seem. And for more tech recommendations any time of the year, follow FPUAnet Communications’ social pages!
Jan 15, 2025 | Small Business, Why Fiber Optics?, Why Fiber?, WI FI, Work From Home
If you’re a remote worker, having a reliable and fast internet connection is nonnegotiable for a productive home office. Video conferences, cloud-based applications, and high-bandwidth tasks like large file transfers are part of your everyday workload, so having a stable internet connection is essential.
Fiber optic internet, known for its outstanding speeds and solid reliability, is becoming the go-to solution for home office setups. But how do you set up a home office powered by fiber internet that meets your professional needs? Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get started using the fastest, most reliable internet on the market today, such as the internet provided by FPUAnet Communications’ advanced fiber network.
Step 1: Review the Benefits of Fiber Internet for Remote Workers
Before diving into the setup process, it's crucial to grasp why fiber internet is simply the best choice for a home office. By seeing the benefits of fiber up front, you’ll better understand how to make the most of its power for your home workspace and the other steps we outline.
- Speed: Fiber optic internet can provide download speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps or more. These high speeds are essential for clear, distortion-free video conference calls, real-time collaboration, and quick file transfers—in short, everything remote workers need to stay competitive while working from home.
- Generous Bandwidth and High Symmetrical Speeds: Fiber’s high-bandwidth capacity provides both high download and upload speeds. This “symmetrical internet” is indispensable when you need to upload large files or participate in high-quality video conferencing.
- Reliability: Fiber’s material components are exceptionally strong and impressively flexible, making fiber much more durable than cable. And unlike cable or DSL internet, fiber is less prone to interference, congestion, and signal degradation, providing more consistent service.
- Low Latency: Fiber offers minimal lag, which is critical for activities like video conference meetings or anything else requiring real-time, seamless online communication.
As you can see, no other internet technology can match fiber for dependability and sheer speed. Now, let’s look at how to best harness the power of fiber internet for your home office.
Step 2: Choose the Right Fiber Internet Plan
A remote worker’s road to better high-speed internet begins with selecting the right fiber internet plan based on your speed requirements. Most fiber providers offer different tiers and pricing plans based on speeds and user needs.
For most professional tasks like video conferencing, email, and light file sharing, speeds between 100-300 Mbps are typically sufficient. However, if your work involves large file uploads, high-definition video editing, or running servers, you may need a plan offering 500 Mbps or higher.
Additionally, if you’re planning on multitasking online—or if others in your household are also using the internet for activities like streaming TV while you work remotely—you’ll probably want one of the higher speed tiers. Higher speed plans will give your internet a significant boost and let you take full advantage of fiber’s spectacular performance.
Step 3: Select a Wi-Fi Router with the Latest Wi-Fi Technology
Once you’ve selected a fiber plan that meets your remote working needs, the next step is setting up your network equipment to optimize your home office. This crucial step begins by choosing a quality, up-to-date Wi-Fi router.
Let’s face it: it’s common for many households to continue using the same router they’ve had for…well, a while. But Wi-Fi technology has improved considerably over the past decade—enough to warrant an upgrade for those households with models more than even a few years old.
Savvy remote workers should choose a Wi-Fi router that supports the most recent Wi-Fi technology standards like Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) or Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) to ensure you get the fastest, most reliable wireless speeds. Routers with these more current technologies can better utilize fiber’s sophisticated network and boost signal strength to keep you more productive as you work remotely.
Step 4: Optimize Your Home Office Layout
Next, you’ll want to consider the layout of your home office and its proximity to the Wi-Fi router to maximize signal strength. An optimized office layout can make a significant difference in how well your fiber internet works for you.
After selecting an upgraded Wi-Fi router, place it centrally in the home and in close proximity to your home office—or even in your dedicated workplace. Placement of the router can be tricky, as it’s best to avoid placing it too near walls, dense built-in bookcases, or metal objects.
Additionally, glass is known to gobble up (and diminish) the Wi-Fi signal, so keep that in mind when placing a router too near a window or a glass door. Finally, try tokeep your router away from other electronic devices that could interfere with the Wi-Fi signal, such as microwaves or baby monitors.
Step 5: Maximize Your Wi-Fi Experience with a Mesh Network
In addition to a better—and strategically-placed—Wi-Fi router, you’ll want to consider supplementary equipment to increase the dispersal of internet signal in your home and workspace. Today, there is a variety of technologies available to greatly improve the quality of your internet, including mesh network systems.
A mesh network is a group of interconnected devices (often called “nodes”) scattered around your home that work collectively as a single network. Thus, with a mesh network, there are multiple sources of connectivity around your house instead of just a single router.
Mesh networks can help extend the range and maintain strong speeds throughout your home. Much more powerful than the simple range extenders of years past, mesh systems often prove a game changer for many internet users, especially for those who work from home.
Of course, some remote workers may want use to a “wired” connection instead of relying on their router and a mesh network. If your home office regularly requires high-performance tasks like video streaming or large file transfers, consider connecting your work devices directly to the router via ethernet cables.
Step 6: Run a Speed Test
Lastly, after completing the above steps, simply run a speed test! Running speed tests, especially after updating your home office’s internet, can help fine-tune your setup.
For example, if your internet seems more sluggish than you expected, you may want to relocate your router (using the advice and tips referenced above). Or you may need to add an additional mesh network node near a room with a weaker signal. Tinkering with your internet setup from time to time is a good practice—and one that also reminds you to update the software on all of your devices, including your routers, to keep up with the latest technology and security patches!
Setting up a home office powered by fiber internet can dramatically enhance your WFH experience, offering blazing speeds and rock-solid reliability. Whether you're handling important video calls, sharing large files, or simply needing a stable connection for everyday remote work tasks, fiber internet will meet your needs with ease and efficiency.
And should you have any questions on how fiber can help make you more productive at home, the knowledgeable and friendly team at FPUAnet Communications are within easy reach!
