Android's Big Day in San Francisco

Today was Google's special day...especially for developers. It was the opening of Google I/O in San Francisco. I watched all 2.5 hours, often trying hard to stay awake. But, of course, I am not a developer or a code writer. Often, I thought to myself I was sitting through last year's Apple Developer Conference as much of what Google proudly displayed as new is already running in IOS.

Just a few highlights that are of interest to non-developers like you and me:

Google has dropped Google Wallet and will replace it with Google Pay. What I saw on the screen was a near exact replica of Apple Pay. It uses Near Field Communications (NFC) to link your phone to the retailer's scanner, just like Apple Pay. It doesn't require a fingerprint reader like Apple's but it can be used by several of Android's current devices. How that will work is unclear.

Google also launched a new Photos app, breaking it away from Google+, which I always thought was a stupid pairing anyway. The good news for consumers is that it allows you to store an unlimited amount of photos of all kinds in their cloud (Apple only gives you 5GB of storage). I look forward to trying this one out. I found several problems with their previous version and did not use it.

The big focus of today's event was the next version of Android...currently called "M". It will have some new features, but Google's own explanation of the system is that it will clean up and simplify some of the problems of the current version (Lollipop). That is very commendable of them but sadly, most of you will never see it until you buy a new phone. The last I heard, only 15% of Android phones have Lollipop! The fragmentation of Android is absurd, and it is mostly the fault of the carriers and the phone manufacturers. Whereas Apple and soon, Windows Phone push out updates themselves, Android does not...probably never will. I hope I never have to buy another Android device again.

There were some other interesting announcements and plans for the future, and as they come along, I will bring them to you.

Tech News and Opinions

Android M, Android Pay and free photo storage: Everything Google just announced at I/O 2015 

Want to know what your next phone's operating system will look like, how Google wants to manage all your photos or how you'll pay with your Android phone? Look here.

Google Photos launches today with free, unlimited photos and video

Debuting at Google I/O 2015, the photo service lets you store, organize and share an unlimited amount of high-def content for free. 

Apple tops Google as world's most valuable brand

The iPhone maker recaptures the No. 1 spot after losing it to Google last year, according to the latest list of the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands.

Lost Explorers: The unrealized vision of Google Glass

When Google unveiled its smart and controversial eyewear three years ago, some early tech adopters tried to do their part by eagerly pushing for Glass acceptance. The world pushed back.

Amazon Prime, now with free, same-day deliveries

The e-commerce company announces free, same-day shipping on over 1 million items in 14 metro areas across the US.

Computer Tips and Tricks

7 steps for archiving your files for posterity

I have family photos that go back more than 100 years. But I can’t be sure that, a hundred years from now, my descendants will have my photos.

17 Tricks to Master Microsoft PowerPoint

This collection of tips is all about the vagaries of the powerful PowerPoint software itself. It's meant for those with a grasp of the basics and beyond who are looking for that extra little goose to get the most out of the program.

5 Tips for Using OneNote as Your To-Do List

A to-do list can be a great way of ensuring you’re making progress — but it’ll only serve that purpose if its set up correctly.

20 uses for Evernote that you probably haven’t thought of yet

You can use it to backup your photos, create slideshow presentations, and manage your calendar. Read on for more cool Evernote uses that you might not have thought of.

Microsoft Word watermarks: How to customize them for business and personal use

Watermarks are, perhaps, the most reliable way to label and identify documents, especially for sensitive, private, or legal documentation because you can’t miss seeing a watermark.

Mobile Computing

A New Strategy for Windows Phone Emerges as Cortana Heads to Android and iOS

The future of Windows Phone can be seen very clearly in Microsoft’s decision to kill the Windows Phone brand. In the Windows 10 generation, these devices are what we might call Windows-based phones, or “Windows phones” with a small ‘p’ on phone.

4 tips for buying a used iPhone

You can purchase a certified preowned iPhone from a reputable seller, such as Gazelle; you can bid on a preowned iPhone on an auction site such as eBay; or you can pay cash for a used iPhone from a local seller on a site like Craigslist.

How to turn your smartphone into a remote control for YouTube on your PC

Whether you’re watching YouTube on a PC at the office or at home, you can make it even better by turning your smartphone into a remote control.

The best keyboard for the iPad Air 2

If you're going to pick out a keyboard for the iPad Air 2, you're in for a rude awakening: there are literally dozens of them, and they're all a little different. But you can assume a few things at the outset about all of them.

HBO Now coming to Android

No release date set, launching "across Android and on devices using Cast."

If You Read This Blog, I Own Your Computer

That may sound absurd, but no more ridiculous than GM claiming they own your GM auto and you only license it from them (see story #1). General Motors and John Deere both claim that since they created and own the software that runs your car, it is their property and you are only a licensee.

Sometimes our world is just so stupid and greedy, it drives me up a wall…and this is one of those times. So, rather than do any more ranting, I think I will let you just read on from this point while I go outside and scream, “ I’m mad as hell and am not going to take it anymore.” -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

GM says you don't own your car, you just license it

GM has joined with John Deere in asking the government to confirm that you literally cannot own your car because of the software in its engine.

Windows 10's summer launch date is first step in a slow roll-out

Microsoft executives revealed more details of their launch plans today. The first step will make upgrades available for existing PCs, probably in July, with new PCs following soon after. Windows 10 on other devices, including phones and the HoloLens, will come later.

Microsoft confirms Cortana is coming to iPhones, Android

Microsoft is readying new Cortana companion apps for iPhones and Android devices that the company will introduce later this year.

After Comcast's failed bid, Charter and Time Warner Cable agree to merger

The bulking up of a second giant would shake up the cable industry, which is struggling to keep pay-TV subscribers as all-digital rivals emerge.

Microsoft signs Office app, service bundling deals with 20 more Android device makers

LG and Sony, plus more than a dozen regional OEMs have signed deals with Microsoft to bundle Office apps and services on their Android devices.

Computer Tips and Tricks

9 Pocket Tips to Help You Read it Later

Pocket lets you save articles, tweets, recipes, and more in one place. Here's how to get the most out of it.

Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet: How Much Better is a Wired Connection?

Wi-Fi is obviously more convenient than wired Ethernet cables. But Ethernet still offers advantages — faster speeds, lower latency, and no wireless interference problems.

The Best Free Antivirus for 2015

Relying on Windows's built-in antivirus for protection is a big mistake. Luckily, you can get an upgrade without paying a cent.

5 Tips for Using OneNote as Your To-Do List

A to-do list can be a great way of ensuring you’re making progress — but it’ll only serve that purpose if its set up correctly.

20 Excel Tips for Becoming a Spreadsheet Pro

Excel is more than a brand everyone knows: it is powerful. It does just about everything one could ask for in a spreadsheet.

Mobile Computing

Here’s how badly we’re getting ripped off by our mobile phone providers

My fellow Americans, let me (again) re-iterate how badly we’re all getting overcharged: Three offers a 30-day prepaid plan with unlimited data, unlimited texts, and 200 minutes of domestic calling, all for $31. That’s about one-third less than what I pay right now Stateside.

I’ve been an Android user for 5 years – here’s why I’m very tempted to switch to iOS

As soon as iOS 9 comes out in the fall, iPhone and iPad users know they’ll be able to download and install it right onto their devices. We Android fans, meanwhile, won’t be so lucky. It may take months, or years, or never after a new release before we ever see it.

Having problems with a sluggish iPhone or iPad? Don't be afraid to reset!

If you're struggling with an iPhone or iPad that isn't working right, restoring it as new can be just what the device ordered!

How your iPhone can help you in a medical emergency

The Health app on your iPhone can be of help in a medical crisis. But you need to make sure your medical data stored in the app is accessible to a doctor or hospital. Here's how to do just that.

Top 10 Android app updates this week

We’ve found that one of the best ways to discover useful apps is to find the ones that are actually being updated by the developers rather than selecting the apps with the most installs.

Would Someone Besides Microsoft Please Make Some Interesting News?

Microsoft seems to be the only company making news that is of interest to users like you and me. Late yesterday, they released the latest build of Windows 10. I downloaded it early this morning. It seems to be OK, although I tried to install the Microsoft blogging software I use to write this blogs and it would not install. It didn’t install in the last build either.

I think in the end, all will be fine with this new Windows, but we will all have to wait until sometime later this summer before we know for sure. Right now it is feature incomplete with programs like Edge missing many features. You can read all the gory details, good and bad (and ugly), in story #2, written by Paul Thurrott.

And speaking of Paul, he has a message for the handful of you using Windows Phone. If you have been tempted to download the beta version of the new Microsoft Windows 10 Phone OS…DON’T! It is an unmitigated disaster. Paul installed it on four different Windows phones and it did not work on any of them. He now has 4 worthless phones. Not only that, you cannot backtrack to the previous OS. It wipes it out. You have been warned!

The only other interesting news came from Apple who released a 15” MacBook Pro with Force Touch…and lowered the price $200 on the 27” iMac Retina 5K (the one I own). But I am not upset as I got a great deal on mine that was even cheaper than the new regular price. Oh yes, they also introduced a cheaper iMac Retina with less power for under $2,000.

So that is the big news for this day. You can read more below…and I hope you do. So until next week, stay well. -JCR 

 

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft Announces Major Changes Coming to Outlook.com

It should come as no surprise that the software giant is moving Outlook.com ever closer to Office 365. And today, Microsoft announced the first steps it will take toward this consolidation.

Hands-On with Windows 10 Build 10122

Having now actually gotten real work done in this build, I feel like I have an understanding of where we’re at as Windows 10 barrels towards completion. It’s mostly good news, but many bugs remain.

Apple polishes desktop, laptop Macs

The company adds the Force Touch trackpad to its 15-inch MacBook Pro and unveils a new, lower-cost version of its Retina-display-sporting iMac.

Five Best Streaming Music Services

If you’re looking for something good to listen to, you have tons of services, both free and paid (and both) to choose from. With Grooveshark now sadly departed, it’s time to take a fresh look at the world of streaming music, and see who comes out on top.

7 Hidden Roku Tricks for Streaming Success

Whether you just got a Roku or you've had one for years, there's more to know beyond the basics of watching Netflix and catching up with "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" on Crackle.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Five precautions for avoiding malware when you download and install software

Downloading a program—especially one from an obscure publisher without a positive reputation—is something of a leap of faith. It’s a bit like letting a total stranger into your home. But if you follow these five steps, you should be okay.

Windows 10 upgrades won't be free for everyone: Do you qualify?

Microsoft's free upgrade offer for Windows 10 comes with an asterisk and some fine print. Most modern PCs qualify, but beware if you build or buy custom PCs or you want to run Windows 10 in a virtual machine. I've got the details.

When the time comes, you'll be able to make Windows 10 look like Windows 7

If you can’t recreate the Windows 7 menu in the final release, and that’s what you truly want, go with Classic Shell.

30 Tips Every Evernote User Must Know

Evernote is, quite simply, an online spot to store anything and everything you might find of interest, to read or utilize later. The more you add, the more useful it becomes.

Why I'm breaking up with Google Chrome

Using Safari on my 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, I can get five hours of usage. With Chrome, I can only squeeze out around two hours. That’s ridiculous.

 

Mobile Computing

Make the most of Mail for iOS with these 8 powerful tips

Nope, you don’t have to settle for plain text when you’re composing Mail messages on your iOS device, nor must you archive your Gmail messages when you’d really rather trash ‘em.

You can now view and create Wunderlist tasks in Sunrise Calendar

It’s nice to see two quality apps playing well together. The integration means you can also change due dates for Wunderlist tasks in your calendar by dragging and dropping.

The Best Cheap Prepaid Phone Plans You've Never Heard Of

Not willing to sign a cell phone contract? All of the major carriers offer prepaid plans, but so do some of the little guys, and you can find some serious bargains if you know where to look.

How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Plan

Does shopping around for mobile phone service have your head spinning? We've got you covered with this handy guide for choosing the right carrier and plan.

How to Delete Photos, Messages, and Songs on iPhone

iOS 8 is really great about helping you keep your device clean and free from unwanted data. Instead of packing your device to the brim, use these tips on how to clean up your photos, messages, and songs in iOS.

OneDrive Drives Me Crazy

Here is another example why I switched to Apple for my primary computer needs. If you are not familiar with OneDrive, it is Microsoft’s cloud storage solution. Its one of many on the market today…and I used to hold it in high regards as stated here in the past.

Back when I only used a PC and a Windows laptop, I switched to Office 365 for $10 a month and got unlimited OneDrive cloud storage. And it worked well on both devices. So far, so good.

Then, when I bought my iMac, I installed the MAC version of OneDrive. Instead of waiting for my files to download from the cloud, I copied them over from the to the MAC. After a while, I began noticing that OneDrive was running slow and was missing new files created on the MAC. One one occasion, I waited 3 weeks for files to move into the cloud, but it never happened.

Finally I used a browser connected to the cloud to drag and drop the missing files from my computer…that worked quite well. But that is not how OneDrive is supposed to work. It is all supposed to be automatic. It was on the PC, but not the MAC.

Last week, I used that same drag and drop method to send a new file to OneDrive. Then I turned my PC on to see how fast the PC would download the file from OneDrive. When I got it up and running, the new file had already been downloaded. That is crazy!

After doing some research, I found many, many other MAC users that complained of similar problems. My own son and a good friend are also having OneDrive problems. But, wait, there is more.

A couple of days ago, I noticed a great many of my photos had been duplicated in my OneDrive folder on both my PC and MAC. That was weird. After some investigation, I discovered hundreds and hundreds of duplicate photos, even in the folders that hold my quality photos from my Nikon and Sony DSLR cameras.

A little more investigation revealed how it all happened. I had my Windows Samsung laptop running for a few days to do some Windows updates and install some new software. Even though the MacBook Pro is my laptop of choice now, I keep the Samsung up-to-date.

Anyway, using OneDrive on the Samsung, it had downloaded many photos I had taken since the last time it was on. Fine, that is what it is supposed to do. But instead of stopping there, it sent all of my photos back up to OneDrive, thereby creating all these duplicates. Those duplicates, in turn, came back down to all my computers.

It took quite a while to hunt down the duplicates on both computers and get rid of them. But I also had to do it in the OneDrive cloud, so the duplication would not repeat itself. Thanks Microsoft for ruining my day. 

So here is what I am doing now. OneDrive is turned off on all computers for now. All my data is backed up on multiple external drives, with one of the drives kept off-site. But I do want a cloud solution also. I currently am trying a program called “CrashPlan”, free to try for 30 days. It is backing up all my data to the cloud and is supposed to continually update it as new files are created. We shall see how it works out.

Thanks for letting me rant on about this issue, and I hope you find it useful. But, lets get on with the business of the day. Here is the latest news plus some good computing tips to hopefully make your life better. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Opinion: Can Windows 10 save the PC?

New versions of Windows usually generate a new PC sales bonanza, but don't expect such a big bump with the arrival of Windows 10, due sometime this summer.

Microsoft will bypass carriers, push Windows 10 updates directly to phones

One of the biggest arguments against Android is the issue of fragmentation. And while the debate rages as to whether fragmentation is that big of a deal, it’s apparently an issue that Microsoft wants to sidestep entirely with Windows 10.

Microsoft reiterates no Windows 10 free upgrade for Non-Genuine users

The definitive statement is in: Microsoft will not be offering consumers who are running Non-Genuine versions of Windows 7 and 8.1 a free upgrade to Windows 10 for the first year the operating system is available.

Windows as a Service Requires More Trust Than Microsoft May Deserve

It’s about getting as many customers as possible up to date with bug fixes, security patches, and new features. It’s a laudable goal. The question is whether Microsoft has earned the trust it needs for individuals, businesses, and other organizations to put the fate of their personal computing devices in its hands.

A quarter million Europeans have asked Google to forget them

It’s been a year since the EU’s Court of Justice ruled that Google and other search engines must give Europeans the ability to request that information about them be removed from search results. The number of requests has been staggering.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Magical Chrome extension puts tabs to sleep so they don't kill your browser

One of users' biggest gripes with Chrome is its tendency to suck memory and slow down computers when tabs are left open. A new Chrome extension fixes this by temporarily suspending any tabs you're not using.

You should be using these browser extensions to keep yourself safe online

You might not know it, but every website you visit is using one or more “trackers” to follow your browsing habits around the Web and learn more about you — usually as a means to show you advertising or learn about your lifestyle.

I backed up 24,280 photos to Google Drive. What happened next blew my mind

Google reached into the depths of an overwhelmingly large photo library, identified some highlights, and put them together in a way that surprised and delighted me.

Flickr, Google Photos, Photobucket and more: Which photo storage service is right for you?

Find out which photo-sharing and storage site best suits your needs with this deep dive into the top online photo services.

CPU Showdown: Intel Core i3 vs. i5

Which processor is better, Intel Core i3 or Core i5? We drill down on the differences between the two CPU models, and what it means for you and your next PC.

 

Mobile Computing

25 iOS Secret Features You Likely Didn’t Know About

Nowadays iOS is feature rich, so much so that we’re willing to bet that there are quite a few things hidden within iOS that lots of people don’t know even exist.

Shuffle’s New iPhone App Lets You Create Disposable Phone Numbers…And Emails, Too

Instead of posting your private cell number to the web, or sharing it with others you’ve only just met, for example, Burner lets you set up virtual phone numbers that work with your mobile device so you can still call and text without giving up your privacy.

Wolfram has created a website that will identify any image you throw at it

Stephen Wolfram's latest search tool is impressive. It's designed to identify anything in a picture. You just upload a photo, and get a computer-generated guess just a few seconds later. And it learns as you do it.

The 7 best iPhone widgets you should be using

There are widgets to provide you with calendar information, games, and even tools to show you how much memory your iPhone is using.

7 best Android apps to transfer files from Android to PC

There are actually quite a few ways to transfer files from Android to PC (and back again) and we’ll take a look at them here.

My First Credit Card with an Embedded Chip

We are on the verge of a major change on how we use our credit cards. By 10/1/15, credit cards with only magnetic strips will be phased out and replaced with a card with a built-in chip. I got my first one today. Sadly, it is for a credit card I never use. But, all my cards, like yours will soon be replaced by the new ones.

Its funny to think that we are one of the last nations to use this kind of card. Many countries in Europe have been using this system for years. It is far more secure and less susceptible to fraud…although Apple Pay and Google Wallet are even more secure.

For retailers, the change is huge. Not only because they need to purchase new terminals…but if they stick to the old magnetic strip system, they, rather than the bank, become more financially liable for fraud. By the way, the new cards come with both a chip and a magnetic strip. But, if you try to use the new card using the magnetic strip on a new terminal, you will be instructed to use the card properly.

For complete information on the new cards and how to use them, be sure and read the first article. You need to know how this new system works. It’s important.

As always, there is more good info here so I will let you take it from here. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Chip Credit Cards Are Coming to the USA: Here’s What You Need to Know

After years of use in other countries around the world, chip-enabled credit cards are coming to the USA. Credit cards with only magnetic strips are being phased out ahead of an October 1, 2015 deadline.

Windows 10 editions: Everything you need to know

Microsoft's announcement of how it plans to package Windows 10 is yet another case where the lawyers and marketers turned a simple story into gibberish. Here's the spin-free version.

Bloatware Banished: Windows 10 Eliminates the Need to Ever Reinstall Windows on New PCs

Microsoft is changing the way Refresh and Reset works in Windows 10. Computer manufacturers won’t be able to pollute the recovery image with their own software and modifications. Manufacturer-provided software is stored separately.

The rise of the Internet police

For decades, the Internet has been like the Wild West, with anonymous users creating racist or hate-filled posts. Now the world's largest social networks are doing something about it.

You’ll Shudder When You See What Google Knows About Your Web Searches

There's an easy way to open your eyes to the scale of just what the world's most popular search engine knows about you, your interests and your peccadilloes.

Computer Tips and Tricks

Activate Windows’ hidden, master admin account

Windows’ built-in, separate Administrator account gives you unfettered access to virtually all parts of your system setup — once you know how to access it.

22 Tips Every Amazon Addict Should Know

These tips are here for one reason and one reason alone: to help you get the absolute best out of your shopping experience. Whether that's better prices, faster shipping, or abundant purchasing options, we've got them.

Best Free File Manager

While Windows Explorer provides a fair amount of simple file management activities, a dedicated file manager helps you to keep things unsophisticated and gives you various tools out of the box to manage a large number of files at a time

This month's Patch Tuesday list includes three Critical security updates

Microsoft's Patch Tuesday menu for May consists of another long list of security updates for Windows, Office, and more. Only three of the Windows updates are rated Critical, however.

Why your PC has two Program Files folders, and why one of them is (x86)

But although the vast majority of PCs these days run x64 Windows, a great many programs (quite possibly most of the ones on your PC) are still written for the older 32-bit version. For purposes of backward compatibility, Windows x64 needs to run both 64- and 32-bit programs.

 

Mobile Computing

Microsoft Updates Office Apps for iPhone and iPad

Key among the changes: you can use iCloud Drive for documents and Excel for iPad now supports add-ons.

37 iOS 8 Tips Every Apple Fan Should Know

We're up to the full 8.3 release, but the mobile operating system overall has a ton of upgrades from iOS 7 and tricks under the hood—things the average user may never notice or care about.

13 Things You Never Knew Your iPhone Could Do

The iPhone is a great product. But, there are certain things that your phone can do that you haven’t heard about. Here are those 13 things.

List of Google Now voice commands

You pick up your phone and say “OK Google”... and then what? Your phone is listening. The microphone icon is pulsing. What do you say to your phone? What can you say to it? Google Now’s voice function has become surprisingly robust over the years

Nova Launcher 4 released with full Material Design makeover (Android)

The list of changes is massive, and there’s a bunch of good stuff in there. Besides the obvious Material Design visuals with new animations and layouts, there’s also the new Google Search overlay feature and a new desktop page editor similar to the stock Lollipop launcher.

News and Comments on the News

Every so often, I like to give my opinion on the news of the day, specifically those stories I run here. So here goes:

Story #1 – Verizon to Pay 4.4B to by AOL. My comment: Why? What has AOL done for us users lately? Another company that has more money than sense. But, like all my opinions, I may be wrong.

Story #2: NSA Collection of Our Phone Data Ruled Illegal. My comment: Do you really think that will stop them?

Story #3 – Apple Pay Creaming Wal-Mart in the Mobil Pay Wars. My comment: If you have not kept up with this story, Wal-Mart is leading a battle to create its own Mobile Pay system and members must promise not to use any other mobile payment system, like Apple Pay and Google Wallet.  Last week, I published a story about Best Buy breaking away from MCX to accept Apple Pay and the CEO of MCX resigned.

More and more vendors are installing Apple Pay because it works and customers want it. Over the weekend, I used Apple Pay at a bagel shop at UofA to buy coffee. Today I had lunch at Firehouse Subs and paid with my phone. Its so easy to use: just aim your phone at the terminal then press your finger on the fingerprint reader and you are done.

Wal-Mart’s MCX app is months away from completion and early testers say it is not very easy to use. Give it up Wal-Mart!

Story #11 – NY Times iPhone app is now free. After a year of trying to collect money for its subscriptions, they have given up and now offer it for free. I didn’t use it because I had to pay. However I did use the Washington Post app because it is free. I sure hope these great newspapers and survive. The state of legitimate journalism is not good.

Well it is time for me to shut up and you to read. I hope there are some good things here to help with your computer needs. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Verizon to buy AOL in $4.4B bet on mobile, video

The deal for the former dot-com luminary is all about trying to find a new path forward in getting digital content out to consumers and the advertisers who'll follow them.

N.S.A. Collection of Bulk Call Data Is Ruled Illegal

A federal appeals court in New York ruled on Thursday that the once-secret National Security Agency program that is systematically collecting Americans’ phone records in bulk is illegal.

Apple Pay Is creaming Walmart in the mobile payment wars

MCX’s biggest failure: The collective has thus far proved unable to get its app into the marketplace.

Microsoft opens Skype Translator preview to all Windows 8.1, 10 users

On May 12, Microsoft opened the testing program by removing the sign-up and waiting processes. To test Skype Translator, users need to download the test build of the Skype Translator application from the Windows Store.

Which 2015 Apple MacBook should you buy?

Between the new 12-inch MacBook and updates to the Pro and Air lines, it comes down to balancing battery life, connections and weight. JRC: I recently bought the 13" MacBook Pro. Love it! If you are thinking about a new laptop, this should help.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

The Best Tune-Up Utilities

There's a very good chance that your lethargic computer could have in it still a second (or third!) life with a relatively inexpensive tool: a PC tune-up utility.

Don't panic! How to fix 5 common PC emergencies

Don't panic! Panicking is counter-productive, because time is often of the essence. Don’t worry. While you can’t call 9-1-1, here’s what you can do to fix five common PC emergencies.

Five Best Streaming Music Services

If you’re looking for something good to listen to, you have tons of services, both free and paid (and both) to choose from. With Grooveshark now sadly departed, it’s time to take a fresh look at the world of streaming music, and see who comes out on top.

How to check if extensions are slowing your browser down

If you find your browser is slowing down, one of the first things you should do is see if the culprit or culprits are browser add-ons and extensions. Here's how to do that in Chrome and Firefox.

Secrets of the Windows Control Panel

With the Control Panel, you can add or remove software/hardware, administer users' accounts, take care of you security settings, change how Windows looks and acts, and a lot more. It's powerful stuff. And scary for non-techies.

 

Mobile Computing

Read the New York Times for free on your iPhone

Or some of it, anyway. After a year trying to make it as a subscription service, NYT Now is now free.

How to Use Your Smartphone to Make Boarding an Airplane a Breeze

These days, it’s easier than ever to board many of the most popular airlines using nothing more than your smartphone and a little know-how to boot. Today we’re going to give you a few tips and tricks to do just that.

37 iOS 8 Tips Every Apple Fan Should Know

We're up to the full 8.3 release, but the mobile operating system overall has a ton of upgrades from iOS 7 and tricks under the hood—things the average user may never notice or care about.

New features in Google Maps 9.8 on Android

Google Maps 9.8 has three new features that help manage location photos, details and your schedule.

How to Save Your Smartphone From the Brink of Watery Death

By following these steps right after the device gets dunked, you can minimize your chance of sustaining any serious damage, and have your phone back up and working again within just three days.

A Look at Microsoft “Improvements”

In the last edition, I promised you a quick look at the new Office 2016, now available to almost all Windows users for free. So far, I’ve only looked at two programs: Outlook and Word.

First, Outlook. In short, don’t waste your time. There are no improvements to this old and broken software. To put it mildly, it is still a piece of junk. Why would Microsoft put together a calendar app that won’t even see Microsoft’s calendar, much anyone else's?

Want a better quote? Here is what tech journalist and Microsoft watcher Paul Thurrott had to say about it: 

“I actually tried to use Outlook this morning so I could check out the attachment and clutter improvements and, my God is Outlook an old and tired application with zero understanding of Microsoft’s own services. What a disaster.”

As for Word, it looks good, but I don’t know how many more improvements they can pack into this excellent word processor. For more, I will let you read what Paul had to say about it in story #8.

Another Microsoft product that made news this week is OneDrive, the automated cloud backup program that can be good or bad, depending on your operating system. In the Windows World, it is excellent. But in the MAC world it is almost unusable. I’ve turned it off on my MAC as it is a resource hog and does very little. Microsoft has outlined improvements for it over the next several months (story #6) for both MAC and Windows. I will be watching closely.

There are some good stories in this edition as well as some good tips for your computing life. So, have at it! -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Win10 Latest Build: What’s new, what’s unknown

With the recent release of build 10074, Windows 10 Technical Preview should be nearing the feature-complete phase. But while there’s lots to see in the latest build, there’s also much that’s still unknown. Here’s a look at what’s new, what’s been killed, what’s likely, and what’s still obscure.

One in 20 web users infected with ad injection software

More than one in 20 web users are infected with ad injectors, a type of malware that puts unwanted adverts on web pages, according to new research from Google.

Tom Wheeler tells cable industry to stop complaining, start competing

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler spoke to cable companies at their annual conference today, telling them it's time to move beyond the net neutrality debate and start boosting competition.

Comcast vows to put customers first

Cable company is trying to shake its infamous reputation for providing the worst customer service on the planet with a new initiative it says will be focused on customer needs. JRC: If you believe that I have a bridge in Brooklyn that might suit your needs.

Next in Apple's crosshairs? Free music streaming at Spotify

A report says Apple's latest tactic to catch up in the streaming-music race is pushing labels to cut off free listening options at rivals like Spotify, which has the Department of Justice sniffing around.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Microsoft Outlines a Schedule for OneDrive Improvements

These changes will come after Windows 10 is completed mid-year, and some new features will likely not be implemented until 2016.

Need to Know: Microsoft Edge

Microsoft is getting a lot of attention for pushing Internet Explorer towards retirement and replacing it with a young upstart called Edge. So here’s a quick overview of what you can expect from Microsoft Edge, the new web browser in Windows 10.

Hands-on with Word 2016 Preview for Windows

So far, Word 2016 Preview seems stable enough for daily use—as does OneNote 2016 Preview, which I’m also using regularly—so I’ll keep going with the new and see how it goes.

3 free utilities to make your computing life easier

Get ready to work faster, smarter and better. These tools amp up your mouse, keyboard and clipboard.

How To Buy The Best SSD

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are speedy almost by definition. But how to choose the best one to buy? Check out the basics here and a list of recommendations.

 

Mobile Computing

AT&T finally ramps down throttling of unlimited LTE customers

Until now, AT&T customers who used 5GB of data in a single monthly billing period were throttled for the rest of the month at all times, receiving barely usable service, despite paying for "unlimited" data. The FTC is suing them over this practice.

12 Super-Useful iMessage Texting Tips for iPhone and iPad

The Messages app is probably one of the most frequently used apps on your iOS device. It's the most common place to send text and multimedia messages, and it’s also packed with advanced features for managing conversations.

Apple's new site shows how your life can change with an iPad

Apple has launched a new section of its website dedicated to showing off how to use the iPad in different aspects of everyday life.

3 alternative photo managers that are better than the one on your smartphone

Sure, your smartphone comes with its own photo management app–but that doesn’t mean it’s the best photo app for you.

Inside Firefox for Android

Mozilla's version of an open browser is one of your better options on Android, especially if you are into flexibility and choice.

More Surprises from Redmond

This week, Microsoft is holding a conference in Chicago for Enterprise users. Most of what came out of it doesn’t really affect us common folk. But there were four special announcements, two of which caught everyone off guard.

First, there will be no more Patch Tuesdays for Windows 10. This is not a big surprise as Microsoft plans continual upgrades and fixes to its latest operating system. That does not preclude the monthly patches for Windows 7 and 8 users.

Next, came the official announcement that Windows Media Center was officially dead. It is still being used in Windows 7, but was never included as part of Windows 8. You could get it for 8 in a special package but it was the Windows 7 version. So this official announcement came as no surprise at all.

The next announcement was a surprise and, after reading about it, I am still not sure I understand what is going on. Microsoft will kill off Outlook.com and replace it with Office 365. Outlook.com is a web-based e-mail program much like Google Mail.  I will let you read the story below. Maybe you can make more sense of it than me.

The big surprise is that everyone who uses Windows 7, 8 or 10, can now get Office 16 public preview for free. I downloaded it today into my Windows 10 Preview Build and it downloaded and installed quite easily. I’ve only had a a few minutes to play, but it looks quite good. I will have more in the next edition. 

But, before you install it, make sure you read the article below on how to get it and install it. It is very important that you do this right!

Well, I have talked enough. Time for you to do some reading. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft Is Sporting a New Attitude - It's Called Innovation

I try not to drink any company’s particular brand of Kool-Aid but it was tough not to be impressed by the direction underfoot at Microsoft as I watched its Build 2015 Keynote.

Microsoft kills off Windows Media Center

Microsoft stopped actively developing Windows Media Center in 2009. The software giant is planning to kill off Media Center in Windows 10, meaning any PCs upgraded from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 will lose the feature.

Apple Pay Rival CurrentC is circling down the drain

Best Buy broke ranks with fellow MCX members and announced it would start accepting Apple Pay at its stores. JRC: CurrentC is one company that should disappear. Sorry Wal-Mart. This was just a bad idea poorly executed.

Tesla Energy Launches With 'Powerwall' Home Batteries

Tesla wants to get the world's consumption of power "down to zero carbon levels," Musk told the assembled crowd of press and Tesla enthusiasts. "With Powerwall, you can be totally free of the grid if you want."

Entire broadband industry seeks immediate halt to Title II classification

The petitions were filed with the FCC, which is unlikely to approve them, but the providers are required to petition the FCC before they can ask for a stay in court.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Microsoft delivers public preview of Office 2016 for Windows desktops

A new test build of Microsoft's Office 2016 suite for Windows 7, 8 and 10 users is available, ahead of this fall's final release.

How to download and install the Office 2016 Preview

Want to get an early look at the future of Office? Here’s how to install the Office 2016 Preview today. It’s dead simple—though note that you’ll need to be running Windows 7, 8, or 10 to use the new Office suite.

Microsoft's Outlook.com is being replaced by Office 365

The company is migrating all Outlook.com users over to Office 365 this year. Microsoft’s Office 365 service includes Outlook Web Access, and we’re told Outlook.com will start to align with this user interface and feature set.

6 Reasons to Try Microsoft's Edge Browser

Perhaps Edge's greatest asset is that it's not Internet Explorer, which, even after lots of improvements in speed and tightened design, was one of the most reviled pieces of software in history.

5 things you can do with a second internal drive

Hard drives and SSDs fall easily into the category of two is better than one. Not only do you have more room for storage, but you can use that extra room to speed up your PC or protect your system from a hard drive crash. Here are a few things you can do with a second internal drive:

 

Mobile Computing

The Best Android Tablets

For a long while, it was a challenge to find decent Android tablets to test. But as Google continues to refine its mobile operating system, we're seeing a steady flow of high-quality Android tablets.

Free Apps May Be Tracking Your Phone Without Your Consent

Free Android apps are getting a bit promiscuous. That, at least, is the conclusion of a group of security researchers, who find that poorly vetted apps on Google Play are connecting to a massive number of ad and tracking sites—without user being any the wiser.

Why you should avoid hotel Wi-Fi like the plague

The bottom line is this: use hotel Wi-Fi and you may be open to scams, hacks, viruses and malicious software attacks.

iPad or iPhone battery draining fast? Could be the Amazon Kindle app

Battery life on the latest iPads and iPhones is pretty good, but if you've recently noticed that yours isn't lasting as long as before, Amazon might be to blame.

T-Mobile tempts Verizon customers by lending them phones for free trials

T-Mobile will pay up to $650 in cancellation fees if you switch. Once again, T-Mobile is mounting direct assaults on its carrier competitors, and once again, reliably brash CEO John Legere is calling them out in public.