Are the Russians Going to Disrupt the World Wide Internet?

I don’t really have any words of wisdom for you today. However, in the next two weeks, I can only do one edition rather than two. I am off to Yuma for a week, then off to Zion National Park to photograph the autumn colors in that beautiful place. Not sure how long I will be there before heading back to Tucson. About the only thing that may happen in the tech world during the next two weeks is the release of Windows 10 Update #1 that I told you about in the last edition. It may happen as early as next week.

So, I think you will find some interesting tidbits in the this edition, so I advice you to peruse it carefully. Until next time, enjoy your weekend and Happy Halloween. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

CISA data-sharing bill passes Senate with no privacy protections

Critics say the bill does more to invade the privacy of ordinary Americans than protects US interests. There was unanimous opposition to the bill across the tech industry.

 

Are Ads Coming to the Windows 10 Start Menu?

Several days ago, a new build 10565 for Windows 10 was made available to all those participating in the Insider Program. One noticeable change from the current version is the addition of something resembling ads to the Start Menu.

 

Microsoft planning to automatically offer Windows 10 to existing PCs

Starting early next year, Microsoft says it's planning to re-categorize Windows 10 as a "recommended update" in its Windows Update system. That means the Windows 10 upgrade process will download and start automatically on thousands of machines.

 

Russian ships may be preparing to attack the global internet

US government sources have revealed to the New York Times growing concerns that Russian naval vessels may be threatening the global internet infrastructure. Russian ships have been seen tracing out the routes of the trans-oceanic cables that carry the vast majority of the world's internet traffic around the world.

 

CNET 100 Top Tech Products

We built a one-of-its-kind leaderboard that tracks tech's hottest products. Find out what's on top this month.

Computer Tips and Tricks

Why is the Internet slow and costly in the U.S.?

In Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong, residents get bidirectional, gigabit Internet for less than U.S. $40 a month. On the other side of the globe, Parisians have a similar deal, though their upload speed is only 200 megabits per second

 

Automatically log in to your Windows 10

How to skip the log-in screen when you first boot up your computer.

 

Windows 10 Tip: Create a Reminder with Cortana

While the Cortana personal digital assistant can be used to complete an amazing array of tasks using natural language, her ability to create reminders on the fly is perhaps one of the more useful. Here's how you can create a reminder with Cortana.

 

How to set up Mozilla's Firefox browser the right way

Here is how to take advantage of Firefox's best features out of the box. If you run Windows 1, Firefox allows you to take control of Cortana with no effort on your part.

 

How to set up Google's Chrome browser the right way

It’s a fantastic browser, but just as with Firefox there’s an ideal way to get the most out of Chrome. Here’s how to set up Chrome the right way.

Mobil Computing

Instagram privacy and security

Using Instagram is easy: snap a photo, add a filter and a comment, tap Share. But Instagram, like every social media app, can expose you in ways you never intended. Follow these five tips to stay safe on Instagram.

 

5 reasons a record number of Android owners have switched to iPhones

If you paid attention in 2014, you would have seen at least two reasons for the growing number of Android switchers to Apple's iPhone, but there are even more reasons today.

 

Google Android 6.0 Marshmallow Review & Rating

Android 6.0 Marshmallow adds long-desired features to Google's mobile operating system, making it better than ever, but fragmentation remains a major issue.

 

Why And How To Enable iOS 9 WiFi Assist Feature On iPhone

It may be one of the least well-publicized additions in iOS 9, but WiFi Assist has the ability to be one of the most useful, yet almost invisible features to ever find its way into an iOS update.

 

T-Mobile doubles 4G coverage to take on AT&T and Verizon

The "Uncarrier" can finally compete toe to toe with the two biggest national carriers now that its 4G network can cover the same number of potential customers.

Yahoo NFL and Steve Jobs Movie…Both Flops

May the football gods save us from broadcasting an NFL Football game exclusively over the Internet ever again! It was not good, to say the least. Why would I want to watch it on a computer screen when I have a 50” TV in my living room? Thank God it was an uninteresting game featuring uninteresting teams. To be honest I did try to watch it on my computer to see how it would go, but the transmission kept freezing, then starting, making it unwatchable.

Now, I do have a high speed Internet and I watch lots of games transmitted over the Net via my Roku Box. So it was Yahoo that was the point of failure. NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell said it was a success, but what else could he say. To be fair, some folks reported they had no problems watching the game, but many others had the same experience as me.

As for the Steve Jobs movie, it had very bad box office results for its first weekend. Its going to be a long time before the studio recovers its rather sizeable investment, if ever. Reviewers said it is a very artistic and well produced movie, but widely inaccurate in its portrayal of the life of Steve Jobs. Lots of events were in the film that never happened in real life. So it was another Hollywood portrayal of a real person filled with fiction to make it interesting. They should have never used his real name for the main character…much like Orson Wells never used the name of William Randolph Hearst in his classic film, “Citizen Cain.” Everyone knew who the main character in the film really was.

Oh well, what do I know?

No earth shattering news in today’s edition, but there are some really good bits of information and tips included here…so have at it! -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Yahoo's first-ever live stream of an NFL game was a disaster for many

Once we get past the idea of watching two unappealing teams on a smaller screen than usual and at 9:00 in the morning (ET), the stream itself was awful for many.

 

Steve Jobs movie flops on opening weekend

Perhaps movie-goers are saving their money for Star Wars, or perhaps the heavily fictionalized version of the Apple founder seen in Steve Jobs didn't resonate with people in the way the real man did in real life.

 

Windows Phone apps are disappearing from the platform

Developers that have previously been maintaining Windows Phone apps are losing interest, and in some cases dropping support altogether.

 

Microsoft's focus on Windows 10 is starting to pay off

CEO Satya Nadella is relying on the latest version of Windows, and its ability to connect every device to the cloud, to recapture the hearts, minds and wallets of consumers everywhere. His strategy might be working.

 

YouTube Red will offer ad-free videos for $9.99 per month

Google has just announced YouTube Red, which will be a new subscription service that will go live on Wednesday, October 28. With Red, viewers will be able to watch YouTube videos without any ads at all...for $9.99 a month

Computer Tips and Tricks

13 Nifty "Windows Key" Tricks You Should Know By Now

Plenty of hidden tricks exist in Windows, and this key is crucial for many of them. Here are a few that’ll make your life easier.

 

Five Useful Tips and Tweaks to Make Windows 10 Run Better

Every new operating system needs configuring to suit an individual user’s preferences and here are five tweaks of Windows 10 that many will find useful

 

Monitor your data usage in Windows 10

How to track and limit the amount of data you use on your Windows 10 device.

 

15 powerful Microsoft Word shortcuts you need to know

Everyone knows how to use Microsoft Word. These keyboard shortcuts will put you on the path to Word mastery.

 

What’s New in Windows 10’s First Big Update, the “Windows 10 Fall Update”

The first big update to Windows 10, reportedly arriving in early November, fixes a lot of problems with Windows 10. Microsoft is streamlining activation, restoring colored window title bars, integrating Skype, and improving the Edge browser.

Mobile Computing

26 Actually Useful Things You Can Do with Siri

Siri is best known as Apple’s so-called digital personal assistant available on iOS devices like iPhone and iPad. Some might think Siri is only good for looking stuff up, but it can actually do a great deal more.

 

Apple Stores will send some iPhone 6/6s phones for off-site repairs, offering 16GB loaners

In an effort to reduce wait times at Genius Bars within Apple Stores, Apple this week will launch a new repair program for the iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus and 6s Plus in select stores across the United States, Europe, and Japan.

 

28 iOS 9 Tips for Apple Fanatics

Apple has rolled out many new mobile operating systems—nine, in fact. Each version brings new features or ways of doing things. With Apple's hyper focus on usability, that's typically a big win.

 

How to Get a Refund For an iPhone, iPad, or Mac App From Apple

if you’ve purchased an app from the iOS App Store or the Mac App Store and there’s a problem, you can contact Apple to get your money back. This isn’t automatic — you’ll have to provide a reason you want a refund and Apple will review your request.

 

Samsung's 18.4" Galaxy View Tablet Pops Up On Adorama And B&H Priced At $599

Samsung appears to have a tablet in the works that is large enough to serve as a dinner plate and a coaster at the same time. At 18.4-inches, the Galaxy View is so big the photos show an attachable handle for you to hold like a suitcase.

Windows Upgrade in November…Apple Upgrades Now!

What a surprise it was yesterday to get two upgrades from Apple…one each for my two Mac’s and one each for my iPhone and iPad. I guess one could call them maintenance upgrades as they apparently fixed some issues in the current systems. If you have a Mac or an iPhone or and iPad, you should probably upgrade them right away.

I don’t know if it fixes all the nagging issues, especially in the Mac OS (called El Capitan). But most are fairly minor anyway. I know that I am having an issue with Airplay, a feature I have never used. It shows up on my MacBook laptop, but not on my big Mac. I’ve read of other issues that cause problems for some folks, but not for me.

As for Microsoft, a major source leaked yesterday that we will get the next major upgrade for Windows 10 in November…perhaps as soon as November 2. This upgrade will supposedly add new features to the OS. However, don’t expect Edge, Microsoft’s new Web browser, to be finished. It will have more features, but will not include add-on’s or plug-ins. The word is we will not see that feature added until sometime early next year. It surprises me that Microsoft would ballyhoo their new browser as the greatest thing since sliced butter (even in TV ads) but deliver an incomplete product.

I don’t wish to sound too negative about Windows 10 as it is, for the most part, a very fine operating system that I enjoy using.

Anyway, it is time for me to shut up and for you to start looking at our featured stories here to see if you can find something to peak your interest. Have a great weekend. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Major Windows 10 PC update tipped to land in November

Microsoft is getting ready for its next major update to Windows 10, dubbed Threshold 2, and inside sources say we’ll be getting the update next month. One source says the exact date is 11/2.

 

WikiLeaks posts data from CIA director Brennan's email account

CIA director John Brennan reportedly used his AOL account to store possibly classified -- or, at very least, sensitive -- materials.

 

Yahoo: We have a plan to win you back

The Internet giant, which has offerings ranging from email to fantasy sports, is offering a new mantra: focus

 

Google Photos reaches 100M users in five months

Google has announced that Photos, the image backup tool spun out of Google+ just five months ago, has already reached 100 million monthly active users.

 

Breathtaking Time-Lapse of Arizona's Monsoon Season

It’s not really tech news, but you might enjoy this 10 minute video about my home state. Over the summer, photographer Mike Olbinski spent an astounding 48 days on the road chasing storms during the monsoon season in his home state of Arizona. Here is his epic new video, “Monsoon II"

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Tested: Should You Unplug Chargers When You’re Not Using Them?

How much energy do your smartphone, laptop, and tablet chargers really use? We measured exactly how much power a variety of common chargers use, and how much keeping them plugged in will cost your each year.

 

How to back up Gmail to your computer or local drive

Over the years, your email collects a lot of important information you don't want to lose. And that means you may not want to trust it to a big corporation in the cloud.

 

Clean out junk files in Windows 7, 8.1, and 10

Free up gigabytes of space on your desktop, laptop, or tablet, without special tools.

 

If you forget your Windows admin password, try this

All is not lost. You just have to wiggle the lock on the virtual back door.

 

A review of Win10’s new security features

Given the increasingly sophisticated nature of malware, it’s no surprise that Microsoft built new security capabilities in Windows 10.

 

Mobil Computing

Download iOS 9 to give your iPhone the middle finger (emoji)

Apple has released iOS 9.1, the latest version of its mobile operating system, bringing with it several fixes and improvements for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

 

Hands on with the iPad Pro, Pencil, and Smart Keyboard

The iPad Pro is simply, profoundly, a bigger, better window into apps and the internet than Apple has ever made before. And it comes a new keyboard and pencil that provide new ways to interact with both.

 

Which Android apps are the biggest battery guzzlers?

Here are the top 10 apps that are slowing your smartphone down and eating scarce storage and battery resources

 

Apple Maps vs. Google Maps

We took the two mapping apps for a walk, drive, and bus ride to see which gave better directions.

 

All Android devices' vulnerable to new LTE security flaw

Devices on AT&T and Verizon networks are vulnerable to "loss of privacy, incorrect billing, and data spoofing."

My Battle With Samsung over Windows 10 Continues

Windows 10 was released to the public almost 3 months ago. I got it immediately for my HP Desktop; I got it almost immediately on my Apple Desktop (using Parallels); I got it almost immediately on my MacBook Pro laptop. But my Samsung laptop, currently running Windows 8.1, refuses to let me upgrade.

I was gone for almost three weeks up to Northern California, as I told you about last time. I thought sure when I got back I would be able to upgrade. No such luck. I get the same message on the computer that Windows 10 is coming soon. Right!

Finally I got a little upset about this and contacted Samsung online to find out what the heck was going on. A very helpful and knowledgeable customer service agent got on-line with me to try and help. I let him (or her) take over control of my computer to see if my computer was the problem. After 1/2 hour of exploring, downloading software and updates to my laptop, the agent told me that there are no Windows 10 drivers yet for my computer and that I was out of luck…for now.

Apparently if you don’t have the proper drivers for Windows 10, it will not work on Samsung computers. Much like Android phones, Samsung is very proprietary. You do things their way or not at all. Funny how almost every other computer manufacturer created their drivers long before Windows 10 was released. Not Samsung. Three months after Windows 10 was released, there are no drivers for my computer. That is absurd.

Do you remember the story a few months ago about Samsung blocking the Windows 10 little logo that popped up on people’s computers so they could upgrade for free? Well now you know why. The laggards at Samsung were not working with Microsoft. It seems they have little interest in the best interests of their customers.

I tell you this story so you know what you are in for if you buy Samsung computers. Besides this issue, it is the worst computer I have ever owned…and was directly responsible for my move to Apple. In fact, I plan to never buy any Samsung product again.

OK, I am done with this rant. I will let you know if I ever get upgraded. There are some interesting stories and tips here, so let’s get going.

 

Tech News and Opinions

China hack attacks on US continue despite commercial spying pact, security firm says

Hackers associated with the Chinese government targeted seven US companies in the last three weeks.

 

Amazon takes 1,114 fake reviewers to court

Amazon continues its streak against suing fake reviewers on its site with a fresh lawsuit filed in Seattle. The 1,114 defendants, collectively labeled “John Does” as their identities are not known, sell their services for as little as $5 on Fiverr, the micro-services website.

 

Opinion: Only Android Can Save Windows Phone

After moving back and forth between new iPhone and Android handsets and my Lumia 930 Windows phone over the past few months, I’ve come to an uncomfortable conclusion: Unless Microsoft can overcome the app gap, my favorite mobile platform is doomed.

 

Apple users need the help desk a lot less than PC users, IBM finds

Only 5% of IBM employees with MacBooks need help desk support from the IT department, versus 40% of PC users

 

Chrome drops 'OK Google' voice search

Google's desktop browser still offers voice search, but you can no longer initiate it simply by saying, "OK Google."

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

The Best Ways to Organize All Your Digital Photos

Here are the tools you need to know to bring order to your digital photography chaos.

 

Using Speed Tests to Troubleshoot Wi-Fi? Understand What You SHOULD Be Getting

This piece is written for those who may not realize the nuances of wireless networking versus wired when it comes to using simple speed tests as a diagnostic tool.

 

Windows 10 tips, tricks, secrets, and shortcuts: File Explorer

Even certified Windows masters can learn a trick or two from Ed Bott's series of how-to articles. This edition covers tips, tricks, secrets, and shortcuts for using File Explorer.

 

A few good reasons to upgrade from Win7 to Win10

That “Get Windows 10″ icon sitting in Win7’s notification area will get you a free upgrade, but you haven’t decided whether it’s worth taking the plunge. For most Win8 users, upgrading is a virtual no-brainer; for Win7 users, however, the case is not so compelling. Here are a few enhancements that might tip the balance toward Win10.

 

15 simple, yet powerful Excel functions you need to know

Power users love to talk about how powerful and awesome Excel is, what with its Pivot Tables, nested formulas, and Boolean logic. But many of us barely know how to find the Autosum feature, let alone use Excel's functions to create powerful formulas. Here are 15 handy Excel functions that will get you well on your way to spreadsheet mastery.

 

Mobile Computing

The 100 Best iPhone Apps of 2015 - Updated

If you have an iPhone, you need apps. Here are our favorites in a range of categories from finance and productivity to hobbies and travel.

 

The 100 Best Android Apps of 2015

What better way to prepare for the cold, dark months than downloading some excellent new Android apps?

 

14 Things You Can Do in Android Marshmallow That You Couldn't Do in Lollipop

It’s not a dramatic leap forward for Google’s mobile OS, but there are still a number of useful new features you’re going to want to know about.

 

Google Maps Can Find Places to Stop On Your Route, Shows Gas Prices

Android: Well, this is awesome. The latest update to Google Maps finally adds the ability to search for places to stop along your current route. You can find gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, and more. Gas stations will even show gas prices!

 

Sprint will slow down heaviest users of unlimited data

The company is putting its foot down on its unlimited plan, which once represented the cornerstone of its monthly subscriptions.

Surprise!!! I Am Not Dead

I know I have been missing in action for a few weeks…but I have a good excuse. Seriously, my dear friend and former wife Susan had a severe heart attack and I rushed north to be of assistance. I booked a plane on a Friday night and landed in Sacramento on Saturday. Although she lives in Boise, she had the attack in Sacramento. The EMT’s had to revive her heart with electric shock. He said that had they arrived on scene a minute later, she would have been dead. That is scary stuff.

A few days after her release, we were in Walnut Creek hoping that peaceful environment would help her recover. But a few days later, I had to rush her to a local hospital as she was having difficulty breathing. The doctors there kept her for a couple of days to solve the problems…and it appears they did. The bottom line is that Susan is back home in Boise now and doing pretty well. I am more than grateful for that. I flew back home to Tucson yesterday and now resume my duties as your humble guide through the world of technology.

The tech world has been busy in my absence. The biggest news came from Microsoft’s event two weeks ago. The company announced some new products, some were expected…but one was a huge surprise…that being the announcement of their first laptop computer that also turns into a tablet. It is a very slick products and will be available at the end of this month. Pre-orders have exceeded expectations and Microsoft says they are sold out. It is not for the faint of heart as prices run from $1,500 to $2,600. You can read a synopsis of the event in one of our stories.

There is more news, but I will let you take it from here. If all goes according to plan, I will resume my regular schedule of publication starting now. Have a great weekend. -JRC

Tech News and Tips

Data breach hits roughly 15M T-Mobile customers, applicants

A hack of Experian, the company that handles credit checks for the wireless carrier, results in the loss of T-Mobile customers' Social Security numbers, birth dates and names.

Yahoo wants to kill passwords with revamped Mail app

The Internet giant is trying to get more people to use its email service. In the process it also wants to rid the world of passwords.

 

Microsoft Windows 10 Devices Event: Everything You Need to Know

Microsoft's jam-packed event in New York City focused on new hardware that can be used with Windows 10. And there was a big surprise!

 

Microsoft: Windows 10 now running on more than 110 million devices

Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system is on more than 110 million PCs and tablets, according to company officials, up from 75 million just over a month ago.

 

Microsoft aims to make group chatting easier with Skype

Microsoft is starting to roll out a new Skype chat feature to Skype for Windows, Mac and Web users that will make easier inviting others, including non-Skype users, into group chats.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

7 super-quick Windows 10 tricks you probably didn't know about

How to make your Windows 10 experience even more convenient in less than 10 seconds.

 

Microsoft Offers Free Office 2016 Quick Start Guides

To help customers get quickly up to speed on the new Office releases, Microsoft this week shipped sets of free Quick Start Guides for Office 2016 for Windows, Office 2016 for Mac, and Office Mobile.

 

This Is Microsoft Outlook’s Coolest New Feature

Rolling out this week as a part of the new Microsoft Office 2016, Outlook’s new Groups feature lets users create sets of people with whom they can engage in chat-like threaded conversations.

 

Best of breed: Win10’s hybrid backup system

Win10 blends the best parts of Win7’s and Win8’s backup/restore tools to create a new hybrid that could well be the best archive-and-recover system ever. When set up properly, Win10 gives you redundant, automatic, local, and remote backups of user files, making them effectively loss-proof.

 

The Best Tune-Up Utilities for 2015

Speed up a lethargic computer's operating system with these eight top-notch PC tune-up utilities. They are not free but might might be worth it.

 

Mobil Computing

Verizon's grandfathered unlimited data users face $20 price hike

Subscribers with unlimited data plans will see their bills rise after November 15.

 

New iOS 9.0.2 update fixes iPhone lock screen bypass flaw

The new software includes fixes for iMessage activation and cellular data issues.

 

Every Android device is vulnerable to newly discovered bugs

With two new "Stagefright" vulnerabilities discovered, almost every Android device ever released is vulnerable to malicious hackers. Fixing the bug isn't simple.

 

What you need to know about Sprint's and T-Mobile's iPhone lease deals

Sprint and T-Mobile each announce what look like incredibly cheap pricing for the new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. What's the catch?

 

The Best Android Phones of 2015

The greatest thing about Google's mobile OS: You have your choice of handsets on all the major wireless carriers. Here's what to look for, along with the best Android phones you can buy right now.