Today’s Forecast: Cloudy with a Chance of Windows

Sometimes tech can be funny. Here is this weather lady giving the forecast on TV for the greater Iowa area when up pops a Windows notification Window reminding her to upgrade. Open the first story and you can see the short video. PS: She handled it well.

Many major tech companies reported their sales and earning this week. I will not bore you with the results, but you might want to read our #2 and #4 stories to see some important ramifications.

More good tips and info follow below so hopefully you will find some that will help you out. So, until next week, have a good weekend. JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Even weather forecasts aren't safe from Windows 10 upgrade prompts

Microsoft's aggressively nagging Windows 10 upgrade prompts claimed another victim

 

Intel declares independence from the PC as it lays out a broader 5-point strategy

Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich drew a line in the sand: Intel is not a PC company any more. The PC is just one among many connected devices

 

Lab accident leads to discovery of battery that lasts 400 times longer

The researchers discovered that by using a gold nanowire in electrolyte gel rather than lithium, the battery could withstand 200,000 charging cycles and only lose five percent of its capacity.

 

Microsoft, Lumia and Windows Phone: Where now?

Microsoft's Lumia sales have dived again: is there any way back? JRC: Very, very doubtful.

 

Apple expects your iPhone to be replaced after three years

Apple Watch expected to last only three years too, while Mac computers should last four, plus Apple slip-up points to OS X rebranding as MacOS

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

22 Tips Every Amazon Addict Should Know

These tips are all are here for one reason and one reason alone: to help you get the absolute best out of your shopping experience.

 

Official Facebook, Messenger and Instagram apps releasing today for Windows 10

The apps feature an in-app browser, GIFs for group conversations, and direct messaging along with Live Tiles that highlight new information without having to open the apps

 

How to use WhatsApp from your computer

Tired of only being able to access your WhatsApp conversations on your phone? Start using WhatsApp Web.

 

How to Read a Mac-Formatted Drive on a Windows PC

Windows can’t normally read Mac-formatted drives. But third-party tools fill the gap and provide access to drives formatted with Apple’s HFS+ file system on Windows. This also allows you to restore Time Machine backups on Windows.

 

How to make Windows 10 notifications last a little (or a lot) longer

By default, Microsoft sets Windows 10 notifications to pop out and stay visible for five seconds before disappearing into the Action Center. If that's not long enough, here is how to change it.

 

Mobile Computing

5 apps that are quietly killing your data plan

Stop these five popular apps from running up monthly data charges.

 

How to Transfer Contacts From an iPhone to Another Phone

Here’s how to move your contacts over if you’re switching to an Android phone, not backing up your contacts to iCloud, or if you just want to use a new iCloud account on your new iPhone.

 

Digit is a money-saving iOS app that will change how you manage your cash

The future of finance is automated apps that analyze your accounts and know how much to save and spen

 

Best unofficial Facebook apps

Facebook's official app drains your phone battery and sucks up system resources. Just say no and go with alternative Facebook apps for Android and iOS.

 

Google reports improved Android security

The bad news: Android malware is on the rise. The good news: Google's fighting it on multiple fronts, and as long as you get your apps from Google Play.

 

Private browsing on iPhone and Mac

Surf Safari discreetly on your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Some Nice Changes Coming to Windows 10

Sometime this summer, probably July, users of Windows 10 will get a new version…appropriately named, “The Anniversary Edition.”. That is the hint that it will arrive in July as the first Windows 10 arrived on July 29 last year. That is also the date that the one year of free upgrades from Windows 7 and 8 will expire. So, if you have not upgraded yet, I suggest you give it strong consideration before that date.

But today, we focus on some of the new features in the Anniversary Edition. There are several included…with more to come before final release. You see, Microsoft keeps adding new features for testers to try.

The picture above is the new look for the Start Menu. Although it may look the same as the current Windows 10 Start Menu, it is different as our first story will show you. I like what they are doing with this and some of the other new features.

I hope they will also complete the Edge Browser with the addition of add-on’s such as found in Firefox, Chrome, Opera and most other browsers. I have used Edge several times and love its speed and look. 

Another upgrade will be to Cortana, the voice-activated search tool. I now use Siri voice commands on my Apple devices on a regular basis and have played around with Cortana, and even Google Voice. I think Cortana has the ability to outshine both of them in the near future. If you have Windows 10, I hope you have tried Cortana.

There are more upgrades coming to Windows. I personally think it is the best Windows OS ever made. No longer will you have to wait three or more years for the next version of Windows. They keep updating it and making it better almost on a monthly basis. Microsoft has a winner here.

Another story that caught my eye is our number two story about Charter Communications buying Time Warner Cable. I could care less about that. What is interesting is the FCC would not approve the deal unless the two companies agreed to remove any bandwidth caps for 7 years. Many of you, I know, labor under the restraints of bandwidth caps from your cable company especially Comcast. That concept is just criminal in my opinion and I think this may be the opening salvo by the FCC to remove all caps for everyone. We will have to keep an eye on this.

Well, time for me to shut up and let you take over from here. Enjoy. -JRC 

Tech News and Opinions

Windows 10: Here's Microsoft's new look Start menu

Redmond revamps the Start menu in early builds of Windows 10 as it begins getting ready for the Windows 10 Anniversary Edition this summer.

 

It's official: Charter owns Time Warner Cable

FCC chairman Tom Wheeler says Charter will not be allowed to impose data caps or charge usage-based prices, nor will it be able to charge interconnection fees.

 

Apple continues to dominate tech companies financially

In a survey of public tech companies in the Valley, total profit was $133 billion. Apple, alone, recorded profit of $53.7 billion dollars, responsible for 40% of the entire profit pool.

 

How Intel's botched branding stopped me from upgrading my PC

The 2016 Intel processors have the exact same name as the ones from 2009. Even though the new models can run circles around their predecessors.

 

Google, Microsoft agree to stop fighting in antitrust court

The companies also say they plan to work together to settle any future issues before filing official complaints.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Avoid the Trash Heap: Great Uses for an Old PC

Ancient laptops and desktops might seem ready for the scrap heap, but there's life in them yet. Here are a few suggestions.

 

Opera just added a free VPN to its browser for anonymous internet access

Virtual private networks are popular with privacy-conscious computer users, but the best services cost while the free ones often have hidden costs. Not this one!

 

How to Remove a Device from Your Microsoft Account

If you want to remove an old device you’ve gotten rid of, you’ll have to pay a visit to Microsoft’s account web site.

 

How to remove Live Tiles from the Windows 10 Start menu

Say you're just not feeling Windows 10's Live Tiles, it's possible to banish them from the Start menu for a minimalist vibe.

 

7 super-fast Windows 10 tips to try right now

Excellent Windows 10 tips and tricks that will take you mere minutes to implement.

 

Mobil Computing

5 awesome Google Keep features you aren't using, but should be

On the surface it's a stylish basic note taking app, but dig deeper and it ties into several other Google services, making it easier to get things done.

 

30 iOS 9 Tips for Apple Fanatics

We're still a few months away from iOS 10. In the meantime, here's how to make the most out of iOS 9.

 

10 handy tricks for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch

These 10 tricks will make sure you get the most out of your Apple gadgets.

 

Inbox by Gmail now helps you track calendar events, save links and stay on top of newsletters

Google has launched an update to Inbox by Gmail that adds three new features to the company’s Gmail-based next-gen email client for the web and mobile.

 

Is Android still a toxic hellstew?

Two years ago I pointed the finger Google and the hardware OEMs for turning the Android platform into "a toxic hellstew of vulnerabilities." Well, are things any better now?

 

9 ways to make the most of Google Calendar for Android and iOS

Pick a default time for calendar alerts, create recurring events, set aside some "me time," and more.

Apple QuickTime for Windows: Get It Off Your PC Now!

So says Apple and the Department of Homeland Security. Its got so many security holes that Apple is not going to even fix it. They will no longer support it, so I suggest you don’t support it either. Please check your computers, even if you don’t think you have it.

Other than that, I don’t have a lot to say so I will let you take over from here. I hope you have a great weekend. - JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Homeland Security urges you to uninstall QuickTime on Windows

Apple concurs and won't be releasing any more security updates for the software. If you still have it on your PC, get rid of it NOW!

 

Amazon is launching monthly subscriptions for Prime and Prime Video

Amazon is dropping the requirement to sign up for a year to access its Prime membership services. The retailer is adding new subscription options: Prime at $10.99 a month and Prime Video as a standalone service at $8.99 a month

 

2016 Guide: The Best Budget SSDs

Price wars by the makers of solid-state drives benefit you! Here's how to shop for a new budget SSD, with our favorite picks reviewed.

 

10 Ways Technology Has Completely Changed The Rules Of Etiquette

The advent of smartphones has changed not only the way we communicate but the etiquette that comes with that communication.

 

Intel cuts 12,000 jobs in wake of falling PC sales

According to the statement, the company's "restructuring initiative" comes as Intel moves to focus more on its growth businesses, such as its data center and Internet of Things initiatives.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

How many photos you can store in the cloud?

Apple, Google, Flickr, and many other services offer cloud storage for your photos. We break down how many photos you can store in 5GB, 15GB, and other free and paid plans.

 

The Best Personal Finance Services for 2016

Need to take control of your entire budget or even just get a better handle on your monthly household spending? One of these top-rated apps can help.

 

Five cheap or free ways to make a PC faster

It's 2016 and tech users have a plethora of different devices to choose from, ranging from tablets to smartwatches, yet the most commonly asked question to land in my mailbox hasn't changed in over two decades.

 

3 ways to speed up your computer's startup time

You turn on a computer and you're waiting for minutes to even get to Windows, and then you wait a few more minutes for the computer to be ready to use. Here is how to change that.

 

Windows 10 tip: Use Cortana's secret dictionary

Need to look up the meaning of a word? There's no need to fumble for a reference book or open your web browser. Just learn this magic word and you can ask Cortana.

 

Mobile Computing

Google Maps for Android app can navigate to multiple destinations, here’s how it works

While Google has yet to officially introduce this feature, Android Police has revealed a simple solution that requires a bit of help from a desktop.

 

How to use Google search to find your lost Android phone

Run a search for your Android phone via Google it'll pinpoint the phone's location on a map. The feature even works with a lost tablet.

 

9 Microsoft Android Apps Users Need Now

The Microsoft of today feels like a very different company. We have a large assortment of Microsoft Android apps to prove it

 

How to set up Apple Pay on iPhone and iPad

Leave your credit and debit cards at home with Apple Pay! JRC: I love Apple Pay, but not enough retailers use it yes. So you still have to bring your credit cards.

 

How to personalize Contacts on iPhone and iPad

It's fun to add custom sounds or images to your phone so you can distinguish between a call from the pizza delivery guy and your boss and know which one you should take.

iPhone Hacked on “60 Minutes”

Here we go again. This is a story that seems to have no end. As Al Pacino said in Godfather 3 (paraphrased)…”Every time I try to get away, they pull me back in.” That is how I feel about this story. I would have escaped, but this new twist was too important not to write about.

The “60 Minutes” TV folks hired a top-notch security company to see if they could break into the phone…and they did. You know what they needed to break in? Just the phone number. Surprise? And it is not a just a flaw on the iPhone. It is a flaw on every smart phone in existence…including yours!

With just the phone number, the security experts were able to break into a test phone (belonging to a Congressman, if you can believe that).  They were able to hear and record the Congressman’s phone calls, track his movements, view his contacts and create a log of all incoming and outgoing calls!

I will let you read the details in our first story on how it was done and where the weakness was that enabled all of this. Be sure and read it, then take the appropriate measures to make your phone worthless to hackers. You cannot stop your phone from being hacked, but you can make the contents worthless to the bad guys.

There is a lot more tech news including the final resolution to the Google book project and how President Obama wants to make it easier for you to cut the cable. Also there are a few good tips in both the computer and mobile sections. So read on and see for yourself. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

'60 Minutes' asked a security firm to hack an iPhone and we’re all basically screwed

Apple’s battle with the FBI may have whipped the tech world into a frenzy of establishment-hating wannabe anarchists, but it’s this ’60 minutes’ segment that should really piss you off.

 

Supreme Court blocks challenge to Google book project

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge by a group of authors who contend that Google's massive effort to scan millions of books for an online library violates copyright law.

 

Google is Under Legal Fire on Multiple Fronts

Like Microsoft before it, Google is discovering that domination has its downsides: The search giant is now under legal fire on multiple fronts, each of which could deal Google major setbacks.

 

Obama wants to make it easier for consumers to drop cable

The Obama administration on Friday weighed in on the debate over allowing consumers to switch from pricey cable television boxes to less expensive device

 

Microsoft sues Justice Dept. over secret demands for customer data

Parts of the law governing national security requests have been declared unconstitutional by previous courts

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

The Best Chrome Extensions for Google Drive

These browser add-ons will make you even more productive using Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

 

Can a Chromebook replace my MacBook or Windows laptop?

First you have to think about what you really want to do with your next laptop.

 

The 10 best Microsoft OneNote add-ins and tools

You may not even be aware of how many plugins and other apps talk directly to OneNote. We’ve rounded up some of the most useful OneNote supplements to help make your powerful, purple notebook even better.

 

Microsoft adds QR codes to tell users why their system crashed

The Blue Screen of Death has never been so informative.

 

Vivaldi Web browser - Review & Rating

The software is still in its infancy, but after testing it, I came away with the impression that it's off a darned good start. It's very usable, and standard browser features and innovations alike are well implemented, in a clear, efficient, and intuitive way

 

Mobile Computing

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 interactive calculator and tips for choosing the right carrier and plan.

 

The 15 Most Useful iPhone and Android Voice Commands

From sending a text message to posting to social media

 

How to Encrypt Your Android Phone (and Why You Might Want to)

On some higher-end handsets running Lollipop (5.x) and higher, it’s enabled out-of-the-box, while on some older or lower-end devices, you have to turn it on yourself.

 

46 Killer Android Tips for Google Fans

You know how to use your Android phone. But there are certainly a few bells and whistles you have yet to discover.

 

10 handy tricks for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch

These 10 tricks will make sure you get the most out of your Apple gadgets.

 

How to limit ad tracking on iPhone and iPad

If you've recently noticed that some advertisements you receive within apps seem oddly similar to something you've just been reading about, it's because you have ad tracking on your iPhone.

Told Ya! FBI Coming Up Empty on Terrorist Phone

Love it when I am proven right…at least so far. I predicted when all the brouhaha started about the FBI vs. Apple that there was probably nothing on the damn phone worth having (see story #1). I am so glad Apple fought them or we would have opened a can of worms that would give bad people the key to all our phones.

Truth be told, the FBI servers have been hacked several times. In fact, the Feds themselves admit that one such group of hackers has had access to their servers for several years! And they wanted Apple to give them the key to hack all iPhones! Right! In 15 minutes, bad guys from all over the world would have the keys to all Apple phones everywhere. The FBI and most government computers are leaking sieves. Our government bureaucracies are run by clowns!

OK, I will get off my soap box now. Looks like a nice weekend ahead and I hope you get to enjoy it. Until then, have a good read here and I hope you learn something that will be of use to you. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

FBI Is Yet To Find Anything Significant On The San Bernardino iPhone 5c

There exists the real possibility that the hardware simply doesn’t contain anything of value to the case, or simply wasn’t used in any notable manner in the run up to last year’s despicable shooting.

 

5 Cool Things We Saw at Facebook F8

If you don't think you can live your entire online life on Facebook, the company wants to prove you wrong.

 

Half a billion identities were stolen or exposed online in 2015

The report from Symantec also revealed that the amount of malware online increased by 36 per cent, with 430 million new pieces of malicious code being created in 2015.

 

Opinion: It's time for Microsoft to give up on Windows Phone and switch to Android

Opinion: Calm down folks, this isn't as crazy as it sounds. In fact, Microsoft's been quietly putting a lot of the groundwork for such a switch in place.

 

Microsoft fixes critical security flaw affecting all Windows users

The software giant also fixed six serious vulnerabilities, including a nasty Flash bug that affects most newer users of Windows

Computer Tips and Tricks

6 quick ways to clear up drive space in Windows 10

Bumping up against your PC's physical storage limit? Here's how to grab a couple gigs' worth of space.

 

How to Hide Your IP Address

There are plenty of good reasons not to share your IP address with the world, including privacy, security, and safety concerns. Follow our advice to keep yours a secret.

 

Windows 10 tip: Create a recovery drive

If your Windows 10 PC is operating perfectly right now, great. Take advantage of the opportunity to create a recovery drive so you have a way to perform repairs if something ever goes wrong.

 

3 fixes for a dead Windows 10 Start menu

So much for the triumphant return of the Start menu. If it doesn't pop up for you, try these workarounds.

 

Save to Google Is a Pocket-Like Chrome Extension For Saving Articles

Not content with letting Pocket have the spotlight, Google has introduced a new extension called Save to Google that allows you to save articles to read later.

Mobil Computing

Best free apps for iPhone

We've gathered all of the best free iPhone apps across nearly all categories just to make your life a little easier. Note: This is the iMore list...probably the formost expert site on all things Apple

 

The complete list of Siri commands

Apple hasn't published a complete list of Siri commands, though you can find a fairly comprehensive guide to Siri's abilities inside Siri herself (open up Siri and say "Help" to see what she can do). So here's our unofficial guide to Siri commands and questions.

 

How to customize Calendar in iPhone and iPad

"Apple's Calendar app lets you manage your schedule on the go, whether you are enroute to work or traveling to a fabulous vacation destination. iOS gives you a number of options for putting your own stamp on the application.

 

21 Instagram Tips for the Photo Obsessed

Are you snap happy? Then you probably have Instagram on your phone. The supersocial photo-sharing app has 300 million monthly active users, but there's a lot more to the service than just selecting a filter.

 

Google Adds Goals to Calendar

With Goals, Google Calendar can find time for working out, learning a new language, and other goals.

10 best escape games for Android

For those who may not know, escape games have you placed in a room or a situation and you must find clues and solve puzzles so you can get out.

I Found the Best Outlook Replacement for Windows

And it is free! Em Client may be the best email/calendar program for your Windows operating system. For far too long, Outlook for the PC has been far less than satisfactory…and you have to pay to get it. The e-mail portion works well enough, but the calendar section is worthless…if you use any calendar program other than Exchange. If you use Google Calendar, or even Microsoft’s own web-based Outlook.com calendar, you cannot integrate it with Outlook…strange as that may sound.

With Em Client, you get e-mail, calendar, task management, chat, and contacts that integrate with all the major services. I use both Gmail, Outlook.com, and Google Calendar to mention a couple of them. They all integrate well on my Apple computers, iPad, and iPhone. For Windows 10, I have to use separate apps that work OK. But I have always wanted to have one app that did everything, the way that Outlook used to, until Microsoft screwed it up.

That app appears to be Em Client. Now, I am not advertising for them nor am I being paid for this…I just found an app that works very well and wanted to share it with you as part of my tech blog.

And to digress just slightly, do you know what email/calendar app I use on my iPad and iPhone? It’s Outlook. Surprise! It may have the same name as what runs on PC’s, but it is a whole different piece of software.

Sometime last year, Microsoft bought a company that made a wonderful email/calendar app called “Sunrise.” They changed the name to Outlook, but it is really Sunrise. I wish Microsoft would get their ducks in a row and make one product called Outlook that works really well on every platform.

Anyway, give Em Client a try if you are intrigued by my description. It is free and if you don’t like it, just uninstall it. It will work on just about any version of Windows. You can read more about it in the story below.

There is more news and info starting now, if you just keep reading. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

PCs Sales Continue to Free Fall

Despite constant assurances that the PC market will eventually right itself, PC makers sold far fewer PCs in the first quarter than they did a year ago. Researchers from both Gartner and IDC blamed a variety of factors for the ongoing collapse.

 

10 features that will make you fall in love with Windows 10

Still on Windows 8.1 and still wondering if upgrading to Windows 10 is worth it? 10 contains some great features that are sure to make you want to take the plunge.

 

Upcoming Windows 10 features revealed in Microsoft’s official roadmap

The future of Windows involves more connectivity between PCs, phones, and other devices.

Secure Messaging Scorecard

In the face of widespread Internet surveillance, we need a secure and practical means of talking to each other from our phones and computers. Many companies offer “secure messaging” products—but are these systems actually secure? Find out here.

 

Opinion: In the Future, We Will Photograph Everything and Look at Nothing

"We have come to a point in society where we are all taking too many photos and spending very little time looking at them." JRC: An interesting article worth considering

Computer Tips and Tricks

20 Best Windows Store Apps

It's got the best of both worlds, with powerful, traditional desktop applications, as well as mobile-style apps with touch usability, clean design, social media features and mobility in mind.

 

Customizing Windows 10's Start Menu

Now that the Start Menu's back, make it your own. Here is a great video to show you all the tricks and tips to make it work for you!

 

eM Client - Best Email and Calendar Client for Windows 10, 8, 7, XP

This is a terrific app, far superior to Outlook (PC version). It is as good as the iOS/Android version. It offers e-mail, calendar, tasks, and contact pages. It will integrate with G-Mail,Windows Mail, Yahoo, and others. Best of all, it is FREE!

 

Everything You Can Ask Cortana to Do in Windows 10

Here’s how to get information, manage your schedule, and even run a few Google commands.

 

File Syncing Showdown: Google Drive vs. Dropbox vs. OneDrive

Access to decent cloud storage is practically a necessity these days whether it’s for work or play, but everyone seems to have an opinion on which one is best. Let’s break down three of the most popular file syncing services out there and see which one reigns

Mobil Computing

Android for the Windows Guy: Google Apps to Embrace

Those who adopt Android as their smart phone platform will need to deal with Google and its apps to some degree. But even if you're not a fan of the search giant, there are some Google apps for Android that you should embrace

 

Outlook for Android and iOS adds Facebook, Evernote, and Wunderlist calendars

The company announced a new feature called Calendar Apps, which lets you integrate calendars and to-dos from other apps — Facebook, Evernote, and Wunderlist to start — and puts it all in one place next to your everyday calendar.

 

How to Sync iOS 9’s Notes with Your Gmail Account

You can add your Gmail account to the Notes app and access any notes added to that account on any computer–Mac or Windows

 

The Best Apps for Tracking Your Online Purchases and Deliveries

As more shopping is done online and fewer people are home to receive deliveries, tracking your packages has become increasingly important. Here's here's the right way to do it

 

9 Best Productivity Apps For iPhone Of All Time

This list is a look at the best productivity apps ever made for the iPhone, based on our list of the best 100 iPhone apps of all time.

The Truth Will Out…FBI Can Only Hack One Type of Phone

The Director of the FBI has come clean: the hack that opened the terrorist’s phone will only work on the iPhone model 5C. He also admitted that the FBI paid for that tool, but did not disclose where they got it from or how much it costs. So I guess for now, all our non-5C phones are safe. But I am sure we will hear much more on this subject.

In other news, Google has unveiled a new feature for Gmail…the ability to enter reminders that go right into your calendar. I’ve been experimenting with it today and it works great. But, be aware that you can only see those to-do’s when using Google Calendar.

If you have a calendar program that can access Google Calendar entries, the reminders do not show up there yet. I tried it out with 6 different calendars on IOS, my MAC and Windows Calendar.  All showed the calendar entries from Google as usual, but none showed the reminders. That will probably be corrected soon. See the first story in our “Computer Tips and Tricks” section.

As usual, there is more interesting tech news and some great tips for your computers and mobile devices. So get started. I am off to start my weekend. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

FBI says hack tool only works on iPhone 5c

Only the iPhone 5c running iOS 9 can be unlocked by the tool the FBI bought to crack the iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino killers.

How to Spot and Avoid Credit Card Skimmers

Criminals can easily capture your credit and debit card information with small devices called skimmers. Don't fall victim to these insidious attacks!

 

Amazon Prime's free same-day deliveries arrive in 11 more US cities

The service, which started last year, is now in a total of 27 metro areas around the country, including my hometown of Tucson.

 

Windows 10: Microsoft reveals new look for Start menu in Anniversary Update

Microsoft has enlisted its army of Windows Insider testers to tell it whether it's on the right track with changes to the Start menu in its latest OS.

 

Painful Comcast cancelation phone calls targeted by California legislation

Proposed legislation in California would require Internet service providers to let customers cancel online, potentially ending the scourge of long, awkward cancellation phone calls.

Computer Tips and Tricks

Add to-dos to your Google Calendar using Reminders

Now there's a single way to manage your day: starting this week, you can create Reminders in Google Calendar to keep track of your to-dos alongside your scheduled events.

 

7 Windows taskbar tricks

That bar of icons at the bottom of the desktop isn't just for pretty pictures. Here are a few ways to configure the taskbar and make Windows easier to use.

 

Windows 10 tip: Defrag secrets for hard disks and SSDs

Should you defrag your solid-state drive? Absolutely not! Here's how to keep conventional hard disks, SSDs, and even virtual disks running at peak efficiency.

 

Music Organizer Software to Organize Music Library

This article will introduce you how to organize your music library safely and quickly by deleting duplicate songs, adding album artworks, fixing music tags manually or automatically.

 

Vivaldi browser review: Powerful features outshine slightly sluggish performance

Vivaldi's free, eponymous browser offers a degree of flexibility and new features which makes it quite attractive as a browser option

Mobile Computing

How to set up and use the keyboard on iPhone and iPad: The ultimate guide

A keyboard isn't just a keyboard — when it's virtual. On iPhone and iPad you can set it up to predict, shortcut, emoji, and do pretty much anything else you want it to!

 

How to survive an iPhone with only 16GB of storage

Whether you couldn't afford a pricier model or just misjudged how much storage you'd need, these tips can help you get by.

 

Have you got it yet? Android Marshmallow doubles its share on smartphones

After seven months Marshmallow now runs 4.6 percent of all Android devices. JRC: This is the main reason I would never want an Android Phone...you can't get new versions of Android, thanks to your carriers. 

 

Reddit’s official Android app is now available

The dev team has added a moveable scroll-to-next-top-level-comment button, which lets you place this oft-needed tool wherever is most comfortable on the screen.

 

Outlook on Android adds Facebook, Evernote and Wunderlist support for calendar events

Microsoft is adding support for third-party apps to its calendar feature in Outlook for Android. The feature is launching with the ability to add content from apps like Facebook, Evernote and Wunderlist to an Outlook calendar.

 

VR video on your Android phone: How to watch it, where to find it

Your Android phone holds the key to virtual reality. Low-grade VR, mind you, but VR. Through Google’s Cardboard platform, you can slot your handset into a cheaply-made viewer.

The Automatic Auto Device Ain’t So Automatic

I’ve been intrigued for a few weeks with a device called the “Automatic.” It plugs into your car via the OBD-II port that is on nearly every car since 1996. OBD stands for On Board Diagnostics. It is an input port that today’s mechanics plug their diagnostic computers into to find out what is wrong with your car. All cars today are just computers with an engine.

One of the newest kind of devices on the market are personal automobile diagnostics devices that plug into your own car. From it, you get readouts on your cellphone via a special app. One such device is the Automatic. The ads make it sound good as you can get gas mileage reports, diagnostics if your check engine light comes on and other such reports. It is also supposed to track your mileage for income tax purposes if you need that. There is more to it and can read about it on the Automatic Web site. I decided to buy one just for the fun of it and see if what it would do for my needs. The first problem I ran into is it fit perfectly into the OBD port, but then I could not close the access door to the port. It hung down by my feet…a real nuisance. 

I decided to try it out anyway. I installed the Automatic app on my iPhone and it connected just fine to the car. I made one trip to Costco and back and got a full report. I was not overly impressed with the data, but that was OK. I made another short trip and got no report at all. Then on Saturday, I drove up to Phoenix International Raceway to see the Indy Car race there (the first time Indy cars have raced here in 11 years).

All the way up and back, I got a periodic message on the phone say this device was not compatible with my iPhone 6+. However it didn’t say what device it was. But I guessed it was the Automatic.

The next day, I checked my iPhone and there was absolutely no record of my having driven to Phoenix and back. The software was still reporting my only trip in the car was to Costco. I unplugged the device, closed the port door and took it back to Best Buy for a refund. Even if it had worked properly, I would have returned it because of the port door issue.

I tell you this in case you are thinking about getting such a device for your car. For some people, the Automatic would be a great solution. But I just wanted you to be aware of my problems with it. Before you buy one, at least check out the OBD port in your car to see if it will fit properly.

So that was my weekend. The race was great fun anyway and never worried once about the device in my car. So, now that you know my story, let’s see what else is going on in the world of technology. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

FBI to help US law enforcement unlock iPhones, report says

Leaked FBI advisory tells state and local law enforcement that they are ‘in this together’ and federal agency will aid unlocking of iPhones where possible

 

FCC proposes new privacy rules for ISPs

The FCC has proposed expansive new data privacy rules for broadband providers that, if adopted, could see ISPs required to gain explicit consent from users for using or sharing their data.

 

Who's in charge during a cyberattack? Pentagon doesn't know

A new government report criticizes the Defense Dept. for not clearly defining lead roles in the event of a cyberattack on the US.

 

Microsoft continues to bleed browser share at record rates

Unless the trends reverse, Microsoft will lose its No. 1 spot to Google in May

 

New drone video shows Apple's massive new spaceship campus is coming together

The new April video shows the latest updates to the amazing new Apple headquarters

Computer Tips and Tricks

Top 10 Cheat Sheets to Help You Master Microsoft Office

These Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote cheat sheets will help boost your productivity and save time when you’re working in these programs.

 

How to fix iTunes update headaches on Windows

When iTunes updates go wrong on on your PC, fixing the problem is easier than you think

 

Press this: Twitter adds button for direct messages

Twitter users now have an easier way to chat privately: Just push a button. Find a tweet particularly interesting but only want to discuss it with a friend? Now you can simply click the new Message button to communicate discreetly with your pal.

 

Windows 10 tip: Find any setting in seconds

One confusing aspect of Windows 10 is the way it keeps some options in the old-style Control Panel and others in the new Settings app. The good news is you don't have to guess where to look, once you learn these two search secrets.

 

7 Firefox shortcuts you should start using right away

Jump from novice to power user in seven easy steps. You'll be amazed how much time these shortcuts can save you.

Mobile Computing

The complete list of 'OK, Google' commands

There's a lot you can tell your Android phone to do. Yes, even "take a selfie."

 

How to choose the right microSD card for your Android

When you're choosing between SDHC and SDXC, or a Class 10 and UHS-I Class 1, here are a few tips to help you make sure you're choosing the best one for your device and your needs.

 

Microsoft's Cortana assistant now available on iOS and Android

The service has now evolved into a new way to connect Windows 10 PCs and smartphones running Android or iOS.

 

Siri can now answer more of your baseball questions

Siri now has even more baseball smarts: it can answer questions about more detailed statistics, according to Apple, including historical stats going back to the beginning of baseball records.

 

Updated: The 100 Best iPhone Apps of 2016

Whether you've got the new compact iPhone SE or a gigantic iPhone 6s Plus, here are the apps you need to make the most of your smartphone.

 

Apple releases iOS 9.3.1, fixes hyperlink crash bug

Apple has pushed out iOS 9.3.1 to iPhone and iPad users to fix the hyperlinks bug that's been plaguing users.