Thursday, October 13, 2016

Do you Roku?

Image result for Netflix photos

So how many video streaming services do you have in your home? I personally have several, all on my Roku box. There are far more channels than I can ever watch. I subscribe to Netflix (of course), Amazon Prime, Acorn (British Television) and several others I get for free. And it seems the number of people like me are growing.

Of course, I cut the cable cord when I moved into my new place 14 months ago. I can use a Mohu Leaf antenna to bring in all the local stations for free when the needs require. I hate watching regular TV or even cable channels because of all the commercials they run. The mute button is a wonderful invention. The nice thing about Netflix, Amazon, and Acorn is there are no commercials. If I need a break, I just hit the pause button.

Anyway I won’t rattle on any more about my viewing habits. I just found our first story interesting.

PS: If you have a Roku device, you might want to search out an app called “Pear.” You need to find it on the Net as it is an unauthorized Roku channel, but it is legal. It has hundreds of cable channels on it for free and a few other channels that you can’t find anywhere else. For instance, they have one channel that shows episodes of The Big Bang Theory one after another with no commercials. Another shows Seinfeld. How they do it, I don’t know. But its easy to get and free.

Anyway, on with the show!! -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Video Streaming Like Netflix and Hulu Are Getting More Customers

As the number of streaming video services proliferate, about 16% of U.S. video viewers have signed up for more than one online streaming service, up from 10% three years ago

 

Yahoo's spying billboard: It would ID you, watch and listen to your reactions to ads

Yahoo is exploring a smart billboard that would use microphones, cameras and other sensors to bring targeted advertising to outdoor displays.

 

Amazon's full on-demand streaming music service launches

The company is launching its new service as Amazon Music Unlimited, a on-demand competitor to the likes of Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play Music.

 

Opinion: Why does Siri seem so dumb?

And if it doesn’t get smarter soon, what does it mean for Apple?

 

FCC fines Comcast $2.3M for wrongful customer charges

Media company Comcast will pay the penalty to settle an investigation into whether customers were wrongfully charged for products and services.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Google Photos can now turn videos into GIFs, fix sideways photos & more

The company is upgrading its service again, with a bevy of new features aimed at helping you revisit your memories and generally better enjoy your photos.

 

Quicken 2017 available for macOS, iOS, Windows, Android OS

"Quicken 2017 is now available for Mac and Windows system. The new product line offers users a revamped interface, a mobile app that’s iPhone/iPad compatible, and new investment, reporting, and bill pay capabilities.

 

16 useful Windows 10 tools that help you get more done

Microsoft managed to sneak even more productivity-enhancing goodies into every nook and cranny of Windows 10. Then the sweeping Anniversary Update added even more still. So let’s take a look.

 

18 Tricks to Make Yourself a Microsoft Excel Master

The number of ways you can use Excel is countless, and so are the number of features packed inside Microsoft’s most popular number-crunching application.

 

Microsoft Delivers Windows 10 Cumulative Updates

Microsoft has issued separate cumulative updates for each of the shipping versions of Windows 10. And while none include new features, of course, each includes important fixes. Make sure you get it.

 

Mobile Computing

The Best Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Alternatives

You must return your Samsung Galaxy Note 7 now. So what do you get to replace it? We have some solid suggestions.

 

Amazon will refund Note 7 accessories even if outside return window

The Galaxy Note 7 is dead: Amazon knows this and is apparently offering customers who bought Note 7 accessories a full refund even if they’re outside the normal 30-day return window.

 

How to encrypt your Facebook messages with Secret Conversations

Facebook's new encrypted messaging feature, Secret Conversations, is now live for everyone on Android and iOS.

 

How to Transfer SMS Messages from One Android Phone to Another

Getting a new phone is rough. While some things automatically come with you through your Google account, other creature comforts, like your text messages, don’t automatically sync.

 

How to Disable 'Press Home to Open' in iOS 10

iOS 10 makes you touch and press to unlock via Touch ID. Here's how to ditch that extra step.

 

iOS 10 adoption already topping 54%!

According to the official App Store numbers iOS 10, is now installed on 54% of iPhones and iPads. That install base was achieved in less than a month.

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