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.
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