Normally, I would lead with all the new devices now showing at CES in Las Vegas. But, the latest stories about the Target Stores data breaches are just too important to ignore. Unless you have never shopped at Target or used your credit card there, I can almost guarantee your credit card information has been stolen. I am sure mine has as I used to shop there on a regular basis.
Notice I said, “used to.” Unless I am prepared to pay with cash only, you will not find me in one of their stores. Don’t get me wrong…I really like Target. But this kind of massive data breach in inexcusable. In fact, I may never go back into a Target for the sins they have committed. I have a feeling that many other people have come to the same conclusion.
Now, I have not forgotten CES. Our CES Roundup story contains many additional articles about what has happened in Las Vegas this week. I have also included a story on this year’s top trends.
And there is much more to this edition of Rants and Raves, so why don’t you get started. -JRC
News and Opinions
Target's data breach: It gets worse
Target said names, email addresses and other data was stolen and could affect up to 70 million customers. This disclosure comes on top of a payment card breach outlined in December.
CES Roundup
Here is a plethora of all the major stories that have emerged from the 2014 CES show in Las Vegas. Some interesting articles included here.
The Top Trends at CES 2014
The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is turning out to be a blockbuster-and with good reason. Find out what is hot and what is dead.
Microsoft forges ahead toward Windows 8.1 Update 1
An expected update to Microsoft's Windows 8.1 operating system is looking like it's going to make its projected 'spring' deadline.
Senate report explains how companies sell your data for marketing purposes
According to the document, companies like Equifax — generally known for its credit reports — are collecting details as intimate as whether an individual uses a laxative or has visited an OB/GYN doctor within the last twelve months.
Computer Tips and Tricks
New Gmail Feature Allows Anyone On Google+ To Email You & Vice Versa, But Opt Out Is Provided
You’ will now be able to directly email your Google+ contacts from Gmail, even if you don’t know their email address. And by default, anyone on Google+ will be able to email you as well, thanks to this new option, if you don’t adjust your settings.
The Best Free Antivirus for 2013
Not using antivirus protection isn't just a personal choice, as your unprotected computer could be used as part of a botnet or DDoS attack. There are plenty of free antivirus tools, some quite good, so protect all of your computers now.
Something Microsoft has never fixed: why Windows is slow to start up
Windows today is generally stable, but it is applications that run at startup that cause your PC to start slowly, as well as having some impact on performance later.
Migrating to SSD: Get yourself a new computer without getting one
Here's how you can replace your computer's hard drive with a solid-state drive and be significantly happier with your life."
Chrome Brings Apps to Your Desktop: Are They Worth Using?
Do you use Windows, Mac, or Linux applications? Google wants you to replace them with Chrome apps in the future. Google Chrome is now an app platform, complete with a Chrome app launcher for Windows and Mac.
Portable Computing
Best camera apps for iPhone
Today's camera phones are modern wonders, and with more photos being taken on an iPhone every day than any other camera, there must be something that Apple is doing right
The Best Photography Apps for Android: 2014 Edition
The camera in your Android device can vary from exceptional to terrible, depending on the model of phone you have, and even the version of Android you're running. Luckily, there are tons of apps to help you make the most of the camera you have
Best eBook reader Android Apps
There are a couple of big names like Kindle and Nook, but a lot more smaller names that people don’t generally see unless they’re specifically in the eReader niche.
50 Apps That Can Make You More Productive
Get the most out of yourself and your time with these productivity and efficiency apps for mobile devices, desktop computers, and the Web.
Jailbreaking Explained: What You Need to Know About Jailbreaking iPhones and iPads
iPhones and iPads are locked-down devices. You can only install apps Apple has approved, and you can’t tweak the underlying system like you could on a Windows, Mac, or Linux system. Jailbreaking is the act of escaping this figurative “jail.”
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