No News is Good News…for this Blog, Anyway.

It’s a quiet day on the tech news front, so I have packed this edition with helpful information for your computing pleasure. Everything from free software to test results to help you make good buying decisions. Now, that’s a good way to end the week. So let’s get right to it. -JRC

Facebook reveals its evil plans

Facebook has announced it will start logging users' searches and track their real-world purchases. And so it begins

Intel CEO says Windows 8 bugs will sting consumers

Bloomberg reports that Otellini, speaking to a group of employees at a private company event in Taipei on Tuesday, said improvements "still need to be made to the software."

Protecting PCs from the next zero-day threat

For every zero-day vulnerability we patch, there’s another waiting in the wings — and yet another, no doubt. One of the better tools for protecting our systems from the new threats is Microsoft’s oddly named Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit.

Gmail vs. Outlook.com: Which offers the best email in the cloud?

Gmail already has legions of fans and a solid reputation as a versatile, reliable mail service. Outlook.com needs to prove that it’s not just Hotmail with a fresh coat of paint, that it can give business users the tools they need to work quickly, efficiently, and securely.

Kindle Fire HD vs. iPad

How does the new Kindle Fire HD compare with the best tablet on the block? While the two may seem like apples and oranges, some of the answers might surprise you.

Drive-by Wi-Fi: Staying connected on the road

These days, however, local and national merchants are competing to draw customers in by providing wireless service, and chances are good that you’ll find a source of free Wi-Fi at any freeway exit or town.

Best Free Encryption Utility for Cloud Storage

Encryption programs like Cloudfogger provide client-side encryption to protect you from unreasonable access by other entities or government agencies. You may also want to be sure a rogue employee could never access your files. Client-side encryption assures that your files never leave your computer in an unencrypted state.

Google Play celebrates 25 billion downloads with 25 cent apps, and more

Got an Android phone or tablet, then listen up. Lots and lots of Android apps are going on sale for 25 cents for a week. Take a look as sales change every day. Books, music and movies too.

Save Time. Pin Notes, Notebooks to your Favorites Bar (Evernote)

If you find yourself frequently accessing the same note, notebook, search term, or tag, save yourself some time by pinning these often-used items to your Favorites Bar! This feature is available in Mac OS X 10.7+ and Windows, and it’s incredibly easy to use.

Windows Firewall Control - Free

Windows Firewall Control is a simple bit of freeware that extends the capabilities of the built-in Windows firewall controls. It adds icons and entries to the system tray, desktop, and other locations; adds shell integration in Explorer menus; and other options.

Microsoft Shocker: The End of the Desktop

My favorite writer/commentator on the Windows scene is Paul Thurrott. He has written several books on Windows, a couple of which are in my library. You have seen his stories about Windows and other things here before.

Our first article is his attempt to make sense for us where Microsoft is headed with Windows 8 and beyond. Many of us, including me, have wondered what is Microsoft thinking? Some of their moves lately make no sense. Well, read this article and all will be clear.

To sum it up, Microsoft will eventually kill off Windows as we know it. Want to know what it will look like in the future? Just look at Windows 8 RT. That is the separate operating system that will run the Windows tablets using ARM chips. These tablets have no desktop…only Metro-style apps are allowed. And they must run under very strict Microsoft guidelines. If you are a Windows user, you will eventually have no choice.

Microsoft believes the future of computing lies in portable devices like tablets and phones…in other words, the PC is dead. I certainly don’t believe that and the number of computers sold this year supports my conclusion. And while I really like my iPad, my serious work is done on the PC sitting on (and under) my desk. If you have the time, be sure and read Paul Thurrott’s article. It is an eye-opener.

Normally I don’t cover football or any other sport in this blog, but I couldn’t resist throwing in a bonus story about the reaction on social media of players and coaches concerning last night’s controversial ending. So who was the real winner of last night’s game? Twitter. 

Lots of other really good things here, so let’s go!!! –JRC

Welcome to Windows 8

This is the best article that explains why Microsoft is going down the Windows 8 path. The key to everything is Windows RT, the system without a desktop. In the near future, Microsoft will leave the desktop behind. It's a scary thought, but it is reality.

Why Do Not Track is worse than a miserable failure

As a consumer, you'd think that the meaning of "Do Not Track" is pretty clear. But the big data-collecting companies that are behind this standard seem intent on making sure it does nothing at all.

Adobe launches Photoshop Elements 11 and Premiere Elements 11

Adobe has announced version 11 of its Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements desktop software for Mac and Windows. This photo and video editing duo—joined by a free helper app called the Organizer—lets users manage, edit, create, and share photos and videos in a variety of ways.

iPhone 5 Camera Battle: Is It the Best Smartphone Shooter?

For many of the people scooping up an iPhone 5, its 8-megapixel camera will be their go-to shooter. But how much of an improvement is it over the iPhone 4S? And how does it compare to the smartphone—and point and shoot—competition?

Apple can replace broken iPhone 5 screens in the store, says report

iPhone 5 users who suffer a broken or scratched screen may be able to get a replacement directly in the store, according to a report from iMore. This move means that Apple store reps could outfit an iPhone 5 with a new screen on the spot rather than switching the entire phone for a new or refurbished model.

Firefox Health Report Gives Your Browser a Check-Up

Internet users will soon be able to play doctor to their computer browser, with Mozilla's integration of Firefox Health Report (FHR).

Barnes & Noble Nook Launches Digital Video Service

Barnes & Noble, looking to capitalize on its fast-growing digital business, is launching a Nook-branded video store that, at first glance, looks a lot like Amazon’s and Google’s online video services.

Create a book from Wikipedia articles using new Wikimedia tool

Earlier this week, Wikimedia launched a new web tool to make e-books and regular books out of Wikipedia articles.

Bing vs. Google

Can't choose default search engine? Want to compare Bing & Google results? This Web site will let you see the results of a search for both, then you decide.

Actual Booster Download (Free Download)

With Actual Booster, Windows utility speed up your Windows PC. It works by changing the priority of the currently active (foreground) application, program, or game.

NFL players tweet to bosses: Are you blind?

The sheer embarrassment of last night's Seattle-Green Bay game, where replacement refs needed their eyes replaced, causes players to express open hostility to their bosses on Twitter.

Apple Maps Suck? It’s True

No, I am not turning into an Apple Fan Boy. I really like my Apple iPad and my iPod. They work very well. That’s all I care about. However, I will hit Apple as hard as I hit Microsoft when they deserve it.

And, today, they deserve it. In the newest release of the iOS operating system (Ver. 6 which arrived yesterday), Apple replaced Google Maps with their own maps…and it is not going well. Critics, users, and even some Apple Fan Boys are ticked off about this new, less-than-stellar map program.

Google got it right…Apple has a long way to go. I think that Apple’s hatred of Google got in the way of its good judgment. Late word has it that Google has submitted a new mapping software for Apple’s approval. Most interesting.

In spite of all that, I will say I mostly like IOS6. I installed it yesterday morning, within an hour of its release. To be honest, I have not tested many of its new features. However, I have given SIRI a good run for its money. And…I like it. It has worked flawlessly for all of my requests.

For those who don’t know, SIRI is a voice command program that is designed to answer your voice requests. For instance, I asked it to give me the score of the Giants game. It did, plus showed me the box score. Then I asked who is pitching tomorrow for the Giants. It told me in English and showed me on the screen.

I asked who the 49ers were playing this weekend. It told me that it is the Vikings, showed me the game time and who is broadcasting the game. It’s kind of fun and I am still experimenting. I hope it will become a useful tool. It’s certainly quite amazing.

For fun, I have included a positive and negative review of the new Apple iPhone 5…and more info on the huge security leak in Internet Explorer. It is quite serious. There is some other good information here, so let’s get rolling. -JRC

Why Apple Maps Won't Get Better Anytime Soon

Apple's maps are not off to a good start. They're getting killed by critics and users alike. And rightly so! They don't hold their own against last generation's Google Maps on iOS 5.

Complete guide to using iOS 6 (roundup)

iOS 6 has finally launched, bringing with it a slew of new features. Here are some of the best tips and tricks for you

iPhone 5 Full Review

The iPhone 5 completely rebuilds the iPhone on a framework of new features and design, addressing its major previous shortcomings. It's absolutely the best iPhone to date, and it easily secures its place in the top tier of the smartphone universe.

5 reasons I'm passing on the iPhone 5

New connector, longer screen, upgrade price, and no NFC, just to name a few. And with iOS 6, the iPhone 4S is like a new phone. So, who needs an iPhone 5?

Microsoft Patches IE Zero Day Flaw in Just Days

Just days after being alerted to a new zero day security vulnerability in all shipping versions of its Internet Explorer (IE) web browser, Microsoft has issued a software fix to correct the problem. The unusually quick response was apparently necessitated by the seriousness of the flaw and rapidly increasing instances of exploitation.

Microsoft: Google breached your privacy; use Bing

Microsoft's latest campaign takes an almighty swipe at Google, after the search giant was found to have circumvented the privacy settings of Safari users across the Web earlier this year.

Wal-Mart to stop selling Kindles as Amazon threat grows

Wal-Mart decision to drop Kindle tablets and e-readers follows Target's move in May. Wal-Mart and other bricks-and-mortar stores see Amazon's digital sales as a growing threat.

ESPN Goes Realtime, Turns Its Content Firehose Into A Streaming Reader

Yesterday, ESPN launched a new product in beta called SportsCenter Feed, which offers sports fans a new way to consume ESPN's content.

How To: Living Without Audio CDs

If you're hunkered down for the winter with nothing to do -- or broke -- you can download free and paid software to rip audio CDs yourself.

Free Media Player VLC 2.0.2 Plays Almost Any Video File

If you don't have VLC, aka the VideoLAN Player, installed on your system, the chances are you don't watch a whole lot of video. VLC has millions of users and supports virtually every type of video found on the Web, as well as audio.

Apple Soaring, Microsoft Changing

I continue to be amazed at the changes going on at Microsoft. Today’s surprise is all about the new Office, most likely coming out early in 2013. Microsoft announced major changes in its pricing model. You can either purchase it as usual or pay by the year.

If you want the traditional boxed version, prices will start at over $200…and that is for one computer only. There will be no multiple-copy discounts of any type as in the past.

OR…you can pay a yearly fee of $100 for a household license that can be used on up to five computers. And when updates and new versions are released, you don’t pay any additional fees. Just $100 a year (more for businesses)…and you can add and subtract computers as the need arises.

Can you see where Microsoft is driving all of us? Obviously the annual fee deal is the better option, financially speaking. But is it what you want? Microsoft obviously wants to go to a subscription basis where the revenue just keeps rolling in. I bet this model will eventually be used for the Windows OS.

For me, thanks to TechNet, I have Office 10 on all my computers (all legally licensed, in case you are wondering). Being retired, my use of Office products just keeps diminishing with time. About the only product I use on a regular basis is OneNote. So I won’t be upgrading. For more info on this new pricing model, see story #2.

In another Microsoft-related story, ASUS announced their pricing for Windows 8 tablets. Their Windows RT tablet, which will not run most of your current software, starts at $599 without keyboard. Trust me, for that money, buy an iPad. The regular Windows 8 tablets are priced as high as $1299. Don’t expect any long lines at Microsoft stores.

In spite of all this, there are some good and helpful stories included here that might be very helpful - JRC

iPhone 5 preorders top 2M in first 24 hours, shattering record

That's double the 1 million preorders for the iPhone 4S, Apple says. Apparently consumers aren't put off by what some critics have called minimal improvements.

What you gain and lose with Office 2013 subscriptions

Can Microsoft convince you that renting Office is better than buying? They're using a classic carrot-and-stick approach to get you to switch. Sticking with "traditional" software will cost you dearly.

Asus Windows 8 tablet pricing comes in high; Demand likely low

Asus' Windows 8 tablet pricing will start at $599 and run to $1,299 (keyboards not included). In other words, tablets will be more than laptops in some cases without any enterprise heft to justify a premium.

Everything You Need to Know About the New Twitter

Twitter rolled out on Tuesday a series of design updates aimed to add more personality to member pages. Photos have been brought to the forefront and room has been made for Facebook Timeline-like cover images.

Rethinking the process of hard-drive sanitizing

Standard drive- and file-wiping tools are no longer adequate for completely removing data — especially when used with the newest hard drives. But researchers have identified new procedures that reliably make old data virtually unrecoverable on any drive, whether magnetic or solid-state.

How to Fix Problems When Windows Installer or Uninstaller Doesn’t Work

This happens often enough that Microsoft provides a special troubleshooter for fixing this sort of problem.

Everything's broken and nobody's upset

Software doesn't work. I'm shocked at how often we put up with it. Here's just a few issues off the top of my head - that I personally dealt with last week.

Five Free Ways to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal

Your home wi-fi network can be a fickle mistress, with connectivity coming and going seemingly on a whim. But there's no need to shell out hard-earned cash for a brand new router just because you can't get online.

Create Ebooks from Wikipedia Articles for On the Go Reading Anywhere

Ever wanted to take a few Wikipedia articles with you offline? You can now export any Wikipedia article, or a collection of articles, into a personal ebook that's readable on any device that can use the EPUB format. (Use Calibre to change it to Kindle Format)

The Best Startpage to Make Your Browsing Easier!

The best of all start and new tab pages in my opinion is a SpeedDial page that Opera introduced first. Why? It's very convenient as all your favorite sites are within your reach. You have everything right in front of you on a page, saving you time to leaf through countless bookmarks. Here is the best one of the bunch, for Firefox.

And The Apple Hits Just Keep on Coming

There is a lot of Apple news in this edition…sorry about that. Being they are the #1 personal computing company in the world right now (net worth-wise, anyway), when they introduce new products, one has to pay attention. After all, they did create the personal music market, smartphone market and the tablet market…and they set the standard for all the wanna-be’s that followed.

Yesterday, they spent 1 hour and 45 minutes introducing a bevy of new and upgraded products…everything from the iPhone 5 to new earphones. I have included individual stories on many of their new products.

Of course, the most anticipated product was the iPhone 5… and it is a real winner. Did it overwhelm me? No, but they already did that with the first iPhone. Apple is now evolving each iteration of the iPhone into a better one than the last. As one writer put it in our second story, “It is Boring and Amazing.” Could not said it better myself.

Now, a little birdie has told me I am getting a new iPhone for my birthday in a couple of months…and as I have never owned one, I doubt I will find it boring. In fact, I am very excited over all the new features.  Most everyone who has seen and touched it expounds that it is lighter and thinner than any phone before it. It has a large 4” screen, which is slightly smaller than my current phone...also a faster chip, a longer battery life, and a retina screen (like my iPad 3 has). 

I am also excited about the new iOS6 operating system, not only because it is in the new iPhone, but because my iPad will have it next week. So will some of the earlier iPhones. And, it is free. It will be fun to integrate my new iPhone with my iPad (and my Windows PC…yes it can be done).

There are also some non-Apple stories below including a list of the very best free Windows software. So, skip the Apple stuff if you must, but I bet there is something of interest in here for you. -JRC

Apple announces iPhone 5

As expected, Apple has announced the much-anticipated next-generation iPhone at a media event in San Francisco. Here's the run down of what you need to know.

The iPhone 5 is Boring and Amazing

The iPhone 5 is the greatest phone in the world. It has top-notch hardware with a zippy new A6 processor and amazing four-inch display. Its new operating system, iOS 6, is slicker than slugs on ice. And its ultra-slim body, an all-glass and aluminum enclosure, is a triumph of industrial design. There is nothing not to like about the phone.

Everything You Need to Know About iOS 6 in Under Three Minutes

iOS 6 is packed with a lot of great new features and it can be a lot to take in. It is a free upgrade for iPad's 2 and 3...and the last 3 versions of the iPhone. It is included in the new iPhone 5. Available to download on 9/19. (video included here)

Apple iPod Touch returns thinner, lighter

At first glance, the 5th generation iPod Touch looks very much like its predecessor from the front, but it's definitely an all-new device.

Apple Releases A Totally Redesigned iTunes With iCloud Built-In

The interface is now totally new with an edge-to-edge design. Browsing your music feels completely different with a great emphasis on album art. The left-side column is gone in the default configuration. But the most important improvement is that iCloud is now built-in.

Ears-On With Apple’s New EarPods: Better Bass, Better Looks, Just Better

Apple’s new EarPods are available to order today in the Apple Store, but we were lucky enough to get a pair here at TechCrunch for some early testing. The new design is definitely eye-catching, but does performance live up to the looks? Read on to find out.

Amazon Kindle Fire HD In Depth Review

The Kindle Fire HD has a most impressive-looking 7-inch tablet screen, its speakers deliver killer sound, and its refined interface is the best gateway to Amazon content for Prime members. New enhancements fill its $200 price to the brim with value. (with video)

Kindle Keyboard Software Update

Even though it is now 2 generations behind, Amazon has upgraded the software for the Kindle Keyboard (aka Kindle 3). This will give you improved fonts and Whispersync for Voice.

Microsoft finally comes clean(er) on post-Metro naming plans

'Metro-style' apps are now to be known as 'Windows Store' apps, according to Microsoft officials.

The Editors' Choice List: Our Selection of Best Free Windows Apps

This really is a "best of the best" list for free Windows applications. Most of the products in this list have been awarded the coveted "Gizmo's Freeware Top Pick" award signifying they are the best free product in their class. We've also included some other outstanding products that have impressed our editors with their usefulness and professionalism.

Let Us Worship Tomorrow at the Temple of Apple

Well, I have some small amount of egg on my face. Remember the story last week about hackers finding 1,000,000 unique ID’s on an FBI laptop? Turns out it was a lie. Me and some other tech writers need to apologize. But it was such a good story! Sigh.

The big story yesterday was Go Daddy’s hours-long outage that brought down thousands of Web sites. The hacker group Anonymous said they did it. Go Daddy says not true. Whatever the case, if you ever need to get your own domain or want a host for your Web site, never, ever use Go Daddy. There are so many better places. The best place to get a domain name is Hover.com. They are now hosting my domain name.

I seldom publish rumors here…I prefer facts when they happen. But tomorrow is Apple’s big day with the announcement of the new iPhone…and perhaps more. But, I could not resist publishing our third story about what to expect tomorrow. Hope they are right. Regardless, we will have full Apple coverage in our next edition.

And keeping with my promise to publish both positive and negative stories about the new Windows 8, story #4 is Paul Thurrott’s very positive review of the Windows 8 desktop. Paul loves Windows 8 and makes no bones about it and I greatly respect and rely on his views and opinions.

There are other good stories and tips to help with your computing needs, so…let’s rock! - JRC

Apple UDIDs leaked by Anonymous came from Florida firm, not FBI

Apple didn't cough up its users' device unique identifier codes to the FBI, nor did the FBI's poor security lead to the codes leaking to the Web. Apparently -- get this -- the hackers lied.

Go Daddy denies Anonymous involved in site outage: 'it was not a denial of service attack'

Yesterday saw a major outage for GoDaddy.com and domains it helped host, keeping thousands of sites offline for hours. With the problem officially resolved, Go Daddy has given details about it for the first time, flatly denying that hacker group Anonymous had any hand in the incident. Another good reason not to use these people.

Why the iPhone 5 launch will be the "biggest upgrade in consumer electronics history"

The iPhone 5 launch isn't just going to be big according to Topeka Capital analyst Brian White, it's going to be the "biggest upgrade in consumer electronics history". It will be, and here's why.

Windows 8 Review, Part 1: The Desktop

You’ve been told that Windows 8 is a lousy upgrade on existing desktop and laptop PCs, and that you should stick with Windows 7 and pray that the next Windows version steps back from some imaginary cliff. Folks, you’ve been lied to.

How to decide: should you buy a big Kindle Fire HD or an iPad?

This is totally NOT the simple choice you might think it would be. There are a lot of reasons why you might choose either device. If you really want to make an informed decision, read this guide.

Spec showdown: Amazon Kindle Fire HD (7-inch) vs. Google Nexus 7

Torn between which new 7" tablet to buy? Well, we can't test them yet side-by-side yet, but here is a list of the most important specs to help you out.

Ebook Authors Continue To See Self-Publishing Stigma Disappear

We continue to see a rise in the popularity and saleability of self-published authors, long sufferers of the antiquated myth that if you weren't published by a big publishing house you weren't really published at all.

375 Completely Free Ebooks for Every Device

The list of books compiled by Open Culture consists of links to free downloads from Apple's app store, free books on Amazon, listings at Project Gutenberg, as well as links to zip files and websites.

8 Evernote Tools to Get Travel-Organized

When you are traveling, there is a lot of organization and planning that goes into every trip. I have found that having some productivity tools on hand can be really helpful, and Evernote is the first on this list. But even with all the features already present on Evernote, you can add extensions that make it an even more functional powertool.

Top 15 free tools for every Windows desktop

Here are 15 utilities that belong in every Windows user's bag of tricks. They're all free for personal use, and many are free for corporate use as well.

It’s Amazon’s Day in the Sun…And Boy, Do They Shine

I don’t know where to begin with all the Amazon announcements that came our way. New products and new services. I’m on sensory overload!

First, the current Kindle reader has been upgraded with new features and the price lowered to $69. Next, a new Kindle, called the “Kindle Paperwhite, ” with its own built-in front lighting and highly improved screen resolution was introduced…priced at $119 for Wi-Fi only and $159 for 3G model. It offers 25% increased contrast and still can be read easily in direct sunlight.

Next, the original Kindle Fire has been upgraded to to 16Gb of memory with a faster processor and the price lowered $40 to $159. Wow! Next, there is a new 7” HD model with too many features to name here, for $199. And the big surprise, a new 8.9” HD tablet for $299.

Finally, Amazon introduced a 4G LTE Fire tablet with 32 Gb of RAM for $499, for people who want to be connected all the time. It will cost just $50 a year for 4G service…that is way, way less than what Apple offers for the same service.

In addition to the new tablets, Amazon introduced new non-hardware projects like Kindle Serials and Kindle XRay. Our first story is a complete roundup of all the new products and services that Amazon has brought forth. And our second story is the first review of the Kindle Paperwhite.

Nokia and Motorola also introduced some new products yesterday which are highlighted in a couple of our other stories. Lots to cover here, so let’s get going. - JRC

Amazon unleashes new Kindles (roundup)

Here are the individual stories about all the products that Amazon introduced today...both hardware and new features...and new book deals..

Kindle Paperwhite Hands On: What a Beautiful Screen

The Kindle Paperwhite's screen is so awesome you wouldn't believe it's e-ink. I just saw it and I still don't believe it. It combines the paper-like text of e-ink screens with the usability of LCD screens but none of the eye strain. No other e-reader even comes close to this right now.

Nokia Lumia 920 Looks Very Good

It's finally here! After online leaks aplenty, Microsoft and Nokia unveiled the Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 at simultaneous events in New York and Finland. At this second crossroads of failure and success -- the first was the first generation of the Lumia line -- Nokia needs a hit. And it might have it with the best smartphone camera yet and wireless charging.

Motorola's RAZR reboot: three new phones, new Google integration

In New York yesterday, Motorola announced three new devices as well: the RAZR HD, the RAZR Maxx HD, and the mid-range RAZR M.

Apple: We didn't pass iPhone, iPad device IDs to FBI

Both the FBI and now Apple have come forward to state that they had no involvement the ongoing 'UDID-gate,' which led to more than 1 million iOS device codes leaking to the Web.

22 percent of Android users willing to dump their handset for iPhone 5

In all, 10 percent of those surveyed are preparing to wait in line to be one of the first to get their hands on the new iPhone, and a further 35 percent planning to buy one online on the day of released. Count me in.

Use Gmail and Google Docs to Easily and Quickly Track Anything

Google Docs and Gmail can be used together to create a simple yet flexible way of tracking just about anything. For example, you can easily track your expenses, create a workout log, or set up a food diary. Here's how.

Near-certain ways to improve PC startup times

Four free tools offer safe and certain ways to pare your boot times to the minimum. The process takes a little time and effort, but if you follow the steps outlined here, better boot times are all but guaranteed!

Old men who use computers less likely to get dementia

Now this story is near and dear to my heart (and my head).

Download Reference Posters for Google Web Fonts

Google Fonts is a collection of 500+ typefaces that you can use without restrictions in your web design projects and online presentations. You can also download Google Fonts on your computer and use them with Microsoft Office, Photoshop and other desktop software. With so many choices available, how do you pick that perfect font for your project? These reference posters may come handy here.

Some Depressing News…and a Few Good Things Just for Fun

So you think the law makes you safe from government eyes? Then explain how an FBI laptop was found to have personal data about 12 million Apple iOS users. Check out our first story, then explain it to me.

Our second story should convince you to delete Java (not to be confused with JavaScript) from all your computers. I sure did.  It is an open invitation to hackers. Maybe that is how the FBI got all or part of the info on Apple users. You probably don’t need it anyway.

I’ve also got three new stories on Microsoft…none of which will make you happy. But you need to be informed.

Want some good news? If you have an Android phone and noticed it running very slowly lately, our last story about a free app called “1TapEraser” might offer some home. I tried it out and my smartphone is running much, much faster. So simple to use.

And if you are thinking about a new iPhone and are waiting for Apple’s announcement about the new iPhone 5, your wait is almost over. The press invitations for a new product announcement went out today. The event is next Wednesday…and its about 99% sure to be about the new iPhone. I’m looking forward to it as a little birdie told me I am getting one for my birthday. Yahoo!

I have a few other stories that are worth reading, so let’s move forward. - JRC

Hackers Scour FBI Laptop, Find Data On 12 Million iOS Users

Hacker group Anonymous claims to have obtained 12 million iOS user IDs from the computer of an FBI agent and has released nearly 1 million of those IDs along with corresponding personal information. The claim, if it is true, raises important questions. For instance, what was an FBI agent doing with personal information about 12 million private citizens? 

Security pros advise users to ditch Java

The 'write once, run anywhere' software platform has become a favorite of cyber attackers. Is it time for users to kill their Java?

Apple's September 12 invite hints at iPhone 5

Apple today sent members of the media invites to an event in San Francisco next week, where the company is expected to unveil the next version of the iPhone.

What's missing in Windows 8 apps

Windows 8 ships with some absolutely gorgeous apps. Navigating through News, Travel, or Weather, it's hard to deny the rich and colorful depiction of content. While its four core productivity apps are equally pretty, they're woefully inadequate in their current state for getting things done.

The Last Days Of Windows XP?

Windows XP, the zombie operating system that refuses to die, may be about to finally receive a killing blow to the head by the company that spawned it eleven years ago. So what will put XP out of its undead misery? Buyers of PCs running Windows 8 Pro will have the ability to downgrade to Windows 7 and Vista, but not all the way to Windows XP.

Microsoft Sneaks Out New Privacy Policy

In a revised privacy policy updated over the weekend, Microsoft now says that it will take the content that people upload and use it to improve Microsoft’s “integrated” suite of online services.

Smartphone battery life: 2 problems, 4 fixes

Battery life on smartphones is generally terrible, and everyone knows it. Here's why, and who is trying to fix it.

Easily Troubleshoot RAM-Related Problems On Your PC

If you want to troubleshoot RAM-related issues, or you simply want to know what's taking up all your memory, then RAM Map from the SysInternals team (which is now part of Microsoft) is a great place to start.

Five Best Journaling Tools

Public declarations and diatribes have their place, but sometimes you need a private space for your thoughts, dreams, and ramblings. Whether you crave a digital or analog tool, you'll find it in this Hive Five.

1Tap Eraser Keeps Your Android Phone Clean Automatically

If your Android phone is getting bogged down by cache files from apps you've long uninstalled or a call history that hasn't been cleared since you bought the phone, 1Tap Eraser can clean it up and give you that storage and speed back.