Special Black Friday Edition

Where the heck did this year go?. Here we are just hours away from Thanksgiving and the official start of the Christmas Selling Season (In truth, this season actually started in October). Be that as it may, Black Friday has already started at some stores.  And those that have not started have had their sale prices leaked on the Net. We are off and running.

But not all Black Friday sales are worth doing. That is why we have assembled a couple of articles that give you the best and the worst of all these “great” deals. If you are an iPhone or iPad user, be sure and check out the Back Friday Apps story listed in the Mobile Computing section. These will save you a ton of time.

By the way, if you have been wanting to get into Apple products, this is a great time. Apple has put the majority of their products on sale at great sale prices. I don’t think they have ever done this before, at least not at these discounts. But if you are looking for a specific Apple product, be sure to check out all the stores (using one of those apps listed below is a perfect way to do this). Not all sale prices are the same. For instance, an iPad Mini is $50 less at Staples than at Best Buy.

Anyway, I hope you can find some great deals for yourself. And don’t forget…Cyber Monday immediately follows Black Friday. The mind boggles. Happy Thanksgiving to you all. -JRC   

Tech News and Opinions

The 29 best Black Friday tech deals we've found so far

CNET's editors have been busy rounding up the top deals in their categories. Now here are the best of the best electronics and tech deals for Black Friday 2015

 

Here's the tech you shouldn't buy on Black Friday

Wait! Before you fight the crowds to plunk down your hard-earned cash, make sure that a Black Friday deal is really a deal.

 

Google Brings Street View To The Ancient City Of Petra

Google continues to expand the range of its Street View project. Today, the company is launching imagery from the ancient rock-cut city of Petra, in Jordan as well as imagery from 30 other historical sites in the country.

 

The biggest tech turkeys of 2015

The year's most notable embarrassments in technology run the gamut from the industry's inability to secure our personal data to the blunders of Airbnb, Twitter and Tinder.

 

Microsoft reverses course, restores downloads of Windows 10 November Update

Last weekend, Microsoft suddenly pulled its online tool for downloading the latest Windows 10 installation files. Today, the company explained the seemingly minor bug responsible for the decision, and has now made the tool available again.

Computer Tips and Tricks

 

Clean between your keyboard's keys with a piece of clear tape

If flipping the keyboard upside-down and shaking it doesn't cut it, the best way to get underneath the edges of your keys is to use something you probably already have around your house: tape.

 

1,000 Windows 10 deals at just 10 cents, Xbox One at $299 and more as Microsoft shares holiday deals

This holiday season, Microsoft Corp. has a collection of Black Friday deals, ranging from 1,000 digital movie, music, game and app deals at just 10 cents on Windows. Also PCs at less than $150, and more, for shoppers on everyone’s lists.

 

5 ways to use Google Keep to manage tasks

Unlock the power of Google's note taking tool with contextual reminders, voice commands, and more.

 

7 Router Features You Should Be Using for Better Wi-Fi

Sure, they bring Internet to your devices, but today's routers do so much more. Take advantage of these advanced capabilities to get the best Wi-Fi coverage.

 

10 Tips to Speed Up Windows 10

Windows 10 is noticeably faster than previous versions of Microsoft's OS, but you can still speed up your PC with these tricks.

Mobile Computing

Google's Inbox update will take the hassle out of emails by predicting your replies

Google’s is launching a new feature called Smart Reply for Inbox that generates responses based on your emails so you can just choose the one that’s most appropriate and hit send.

 

14 Cool Smartphone Camera Tricks You Should Know

Thanks to our mobile gadgets, we all have the power to capture, share, and access images and video from around the world instantaneously. It has changed the way we express ourselves

 

Microsoft Created an Android App That Intelligently Organizes Your Phone

Microsoft's Arrow for Android arranges apps based on how frequently they're used.

8 Black Friday iPhone apps to help you shop smarter

It's a jungle out there. Let these apps be your machete through every Black Friday ad, with built-in shopping lists and expert advice too.

 

The Android Central Thanksgiving app guide

To help you with every part of the Thanksgiving experience, we've assembled lists for every kind part of the holiday experience. Pick the category that best applies to you and have fun!

Strange Times Before Black Friday

Not much going on except in the world of Black Friday shopping. Some companies are getting the jump on that day with Black Friday sales before the actual day itself. Others, like Best Buy are already showing the Black Friday sale items more than a week in advance…before you can actually purchase them. And if you have looked around many stores lately, you may have noticed they are way ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday…heck some were displaying Christmas stuff before November 1. I guess it is all part and parcel of the new world that we live in.

Oh well…not much I can do about so I will just keep moving forward in time. There are some interesting articles in this edition so enjoy yourself while I go set up my 2’ Christmas tree. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft is Trying Really Hard to Shoot Themselves in the Foot

Microsoft has great engineering teams that can put together top-notch technology — Windows 10 is a very good operating system, the Surface line is the best hardware you can get, and Office 365 makes a lot of sense. But they continually shoot themselves in the foot and make their customers angry. Why?

 

Amazon announces its Black Friday deals, Web holds its breath

The digital pandemonium, will start on November 20, a full-week ahead of actual Black Friday More than 150 “Lightning Deals” will be available only on mobile, and Amazon Prime members will get access to most of them 30 minutes before the general public.

 

Google+ to get a complete overhaul

The Californian search giant has begun a total redesign of its social network, which will see increased focus on the platform's Collections and Communities.

 

The Best Products of 2015

Our analysts and editors tested and rated more than 2,500 products and services in the PC Labs this year. This list of the cream of the crop for the past 12 months also doubles as the ultimate holiday shopping list.

 

Chromecast vs. Apple TV vs. Roku vs. Amazon Fire TV

Fed up with your dumb "smart TV?" Tired of waiting for your console to boot up just so you can watch Netflix? Looking for a cheap tech gift? There are plenty of reasons to get a new dedicated video streamer. We'll help you choose one.

Computer Tips and Tricks

How to enlarge display text in Windows

A high-resolution screen can result in very tiny text—sometimes too tiny to read easily. Here's how to fix that.

 

Fix a common router problem with a can of compressed air

Do you go through Wi-Fi modems like they're Tic Tacs? I did. I had a repair guy coming out to replace my router every three or four months until it occurred to me that the problem may not be with the modem, but with my housekeeping skills.

 

Todoist is bringing its popular productivity app to Windows 10

Todoist's take on the to-do list is handy for keep your daily agenda organized, and now it's available for Windows 10 users. The free productivity app is available for Microsoft's operating system as a preview, syncing those important tasks across mobile and desktop devices.

 

How to Change Your WiFi Network’s Name and Password

Your Wi-Fi router comes with a default network name and password, and both are often printed on the router itself. But you can change the name and password to anything you want in just a few clicks.

 

Get your USB devices out of low gear

USB 3.0 data transfers should be up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0 — and 2.0 should be almost 10 times faster than USB 1.0. But manyfactors can cause your USB connections to limp along at a fraction of their expected speeds.Here’s how to check your USB system’s performance to verify that it’s running at its full speed — and what to do if it’s not.

Mobile Computing

5 apps for better Gmail

Gmail lacks important features on mobile, such as quick access to contacts, one-swipe message deletion, and an easy unsubscribe or blocking solution. But you can improve your Gmail experience with the following five apps.

 

Turn your old phone into a home security camera you can watch from anywhere

If you have one or more old phones laying around, here's a way to turn them into security cameras you can log into from anywhere.

 

The 10 Best Windows Tablets of 2015

With the latest Intel hardware and Windows support, the tablet is finally a viable PC for work. We give you the lowdown on the factors you need to consider when choosing a Windows tablet, as well as our top picks.

 

Google brings audible traffic alerts to iPhone Google Maps users

Even though Apple Maps keeps getting better all the time, it's tough to give up on Google Maps. Google just rolled out an update that will help daily commuters too.

 

T-Mobile wants to boost your indoor cell signal

Its new CellSpot device, part of the carrier's larger push to improve network coverage, acts as a mini cell phone tower in your home or office

Windows 10 Gets Its First Major Update

Yes, I am back from my sojourn to Yuma and southern Utah’s red rock country. I had a great time with my son in Yuma, but the trip to Utah was somewhat disappointing. The fall colors in Zion were not good, to say the least…but autumn was pretty much  a bust all over the west. I did get down to Dance Hall Rock where a few trees grow out of deep holes in the rocks. I also got to see a little of Bryce Canyon and also visited Cedar Breaks National Monument for the first time ever. In spite of some disappointments, I did get a few new and exciting pictures.
But, let’s get down to business. As you may or may not know, Microsoft finally released the first big upgrade to Windows 10. As I pointed out, most of the big upgrades are under the hood and from what I read, they are very important. Microsoft’s newest Web Browser, Edge, has more features now, but is still far from complete. It will be next year before it is finished. The biggest missing feature is add-ons, which for me is a deal breaker. A couple of the articles below has a list of the best of the new Windows 10.  
The other big news of the week, was of course the dastardly terrorist attacks in Paris. It was such a sickening sight to behold in that most beautiful of cities. Our first two articles here cover the tech aspects of the ISIS attacks.
Its time for me to publish this blog and time for you to read it (I hope). –JRC
Tech News and Opinions

Paris Attacks Highlight Tech’s Elevated Role In Disaster Relief

As terror attacks put France into a national state of emergency on Friday, AirBnB, Facebook, Google, Skype, Twitter and Uber launched into disaster response mode

 

Hacker group: We'll wipe ISIS off the Internet

Hacker collective Anonymous has declared "war is unleashed" against ISIS, the Islamic militant group that claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks that occurred Friday in Paris.

 

Microsoft signals a slower Windows 10 upgrade tempo

Microsoft has taken to referring to Windows 10's upgrade tempo as slower than it once did, hinting that the company may not sustain an aggressive three-times-a-year cadence.

 

How to Stop Your Smart TV From Spying on You

There's a good chance your smart TV is spying on you. Smart TVs often analyze the videos you're watching and report back - whether you're watching live TV, streaming videos on a service like Netflix

 

True or false? Battery myths that need to die

Battery technology may not have changed much in the last couple decades, but common knowledge is even worse
Computer Tips and Tricks

Microsoft's new PowerPoint tools make your presentations way less boring

In the coming weeks, Office 365 subscribers will get two new tools for PowerPoint that use the cloud to really make presentations look better, or feel more alive with some cool motion effects.

 

Three Reasons Why You Might Not Get the Windows 10 November Upgrade

Semi-buried in the FAQ for the Windows 10 November update, there’s some answers available for those who might be wondering why the upgrade is not showing up yet. I’ve seen a few people ask about this already, so here’s the answers:

 

Massive Windows 10 Update Has 10 Great Secret Features

Microsoft took a big step forward with the release of ‘Threshold 2’, Microsoft’s biggest Windows 10 update so far (all 4GB of it). Inside are a multitude of useful changes plus some very useful.

 

Windows 10 November Update: 5 Things to Check Out

A lot of what's in the update comes under the category of fixes and performance improvements, but there are quite a few palpable feature updates.

 

16 Tips to Help You Master Microsoft OneDrive

All it takes to access OneDrive is a Microsoft account. The service will sync files between all your Windows and Mac computers, which you can access online via mobile apps and the Web.

Mobile Computing

Facebook truce with Google helps you find info on your phone

As of Friday, Facebook is letting Google index some of the public information within its mobile app, helping you search for that content on your phone.

 

Microsoft delays tool that will bring Android apps to Windows

Microsoft has confirmed that a tool that lets Android apps easily run on Windows 10 is not ready

 

Apple Music is for 'everyone,' even Android users

The electronics giant has released a test version of its Apple Music streaming service for Google's Android operating system, the mobile software that powers the majority of the world's devices.

 

When will your phone get Android Marshmallow?

Android 6.0 is here, but not every Android phone will get the update at the same time. Here's what you need to know about upgrading.

 

32 iOS 9 tips you should know (pictures)

Apple's latest mobile software is chock full of new features, from the long-awaited public transit direction in Apple Maps to a refined Notes app. Here's what you need to know.

Microsoft UnGifts Unlimited OneDrive Storage

The folks in Redmond have royally angered many of their users. A year or so ago, Microsoft promised unlimited cloud storage on OneDrive for Office 365 Subscribers. Now they have pulled the rug out on those promises and gone back to the original 1 Terabyte limit.  According to Microsoft, there were a handful of users who abused the system. But rather than punish the few, they chose to publish the many. Also the free service was cut from 15GB to 5GB.

Now, I will be honest here. I use OneDrive for most of my data backups including all my photos…and I am nowhere near one terabyte. So I am not upset.. I just think it was a bad public relations move by Microsoft. But it will blow over. I think what happened was the accountants looked at the numbers and the costs of the vast amount of equipment it takes for free storage and figured it wasn’t worth it. But, I do wonder why they cut the free service from 15 GB to 5 GB.

On another note, Apple released their new Apple TV into the wild. It is supposed to compete with the Roku box, Google TV and the Amazon Fire TV. I watched two video podcasts on Apple’s newest device this week and let me tell you it can be very difficult to set up. The host of one show said they had to stop the recording of the show to get things figured out. Apple TV is also missing some key pieces like Amazon Prime TV and Google TV. So, for me, the bottom line was the Roku box is still superior...and much cheaper.

On a personal note, I will not put out another blog next week as I will be in Southern Utah photographing the autumn colors in and around Zion National Park. But I should be back in Tucson the following week. So until then, have fun, but behave yourself. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

 

Microsoft Made Changes To Office 365, Removes Unlimited OneDrive Storage

For Office Home, Personal, and University users, you will no longer be offered unlimited storage. Instead, those subscriptions will include 1 TB of OneDrive storage. For users of the free service, the announcement is especially bad as your storage will be cut from 15 GB to 5GB, this is for new and current users."

 

Chromecast vs. Apple TV vs. Roku vs. Amazon Fire TV

Fed up with your dumb "smart TV?" Tired of waiting for your console to boot up just so you can watch Netflix? Looking for a cheap tech gift? There are plenty of reasons to get a new dedicated video streamer. We'll help you choose one.

 

Apple TV review: A diamond in the rough - very rough Review

Let's get a few things out of the way first thing. This is not the be-all and end-all of set-top boxes. Not even close. In fact, right now the Roku 4 bests the 2015 Apple TV in a whole bunch of ways.

 

There are more Mac malware attacks in 2015 than last five years combined

Of course, Macs are hardly immune to cyber attacks, but hackers and attackers usually target the most popular operating systems, and before the rise of the Mac, that meant targeting the PC more than the Mac.

 

HP, a Silicon Valley icon, is ready for its break-up

HP Inc. will sell personal computers and printers; Hewlett Packard Enterprise will sell commercial computer systems, software and tech services. Starting Monday, each will trade separately on the New York Stock Exchange

Computer Tips and Tricks

Get your USB devices out of low gear

USB 3.0 data transfers should be up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0 — and 2.0 should be almost 10 times faster than USB 1.0. But manyfactors can cause your USB connections to limp along at a fraction of their expected speeds.Here’s how to check your USB system’s performance to verify that it’s running at its full speed — and what to do if it’s not.

 

7 Router Features You Should Be Using for Better Wi-Fi

Sure, they bring Internet to your devices, but today's routers do so much more. Take advantage of these advanced capabilities to get the best Wi-Fi coverage.

 

Google's Inbox update will take the hassle out of emails by predicting your replies

Google’s is launching a new feature called Smart Reply for Inbox that generates responses based on your emails so you can just choose the one that’s most appropriate and hit send.

 

10 Tips to Speed Up Windows 10

Windows 10 is noticeably faster than previous versions of Microsoft's OS, but you can still speed up your PC with these tricks.

 

Firefox 41 Review & Rating

Microsoft is making noise with its innovative and fast new Edge browser, but for now, Firefox remains our first choice for day-to-day browsing. It's fast, can display any site, it's supremely customizable, and protects your privacy. For all that, Firefox remains our Editors' Choice for Web browsers.

Mobile Computing

Google brings audible traffic alerts to iPhone Google Maps users

Even though Apple Maps keeps getting better all the time, it's tough to give up on Google Maps. Google just rolled out an update that will help daily commuters too.

 

The 10 Best Windows Tablets of 2015

With the latest Intel hardware and Windows support, the tablet is finally a viable PC for work. We give you the lowdown on the factors you need to consider when choosing a Windows tablet, as well as our top picks.

 

T-Mobile wants to boost your indoor cell signal

Its new CellSpot device, part of the carrier's larger push to improve network coverage, acts as a mini cell phone tower in your home or office.

 

14 Cool Smartphone Camera Tricks You Should Know

Thanks to our mobile gadgets, we all have the power to capture, share, and access images and video from around the world instantaneously. It has changed the way we express ourselves

 

Microsoft Created an Android App That Intelligently Organizes Your Phone

Microsoft's Arrow for Android arranges apps based on how frequently they're used.