A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That

Tis the season! This time of year is when tech news gets a little slow. Not much going on as many of the tech companies are pretty much shut down. So putting a tech blog together gets a little difficult. But not to worry…the Computer Electronic Show kicks in right after the new year so we will start off January with a big bang.

With that in mind, I will take Christmas week off, then come back in January with more tech news and tips. I still was able to put together one last 2017 blog here with some interesting news and more tips and tricks for your computing pleasure.

I just want to thank you all for taking the time to read all my rants and raves and hope you found some good information here that make it all worth it. So until January, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Amazon is planning to end it's Music Storage Service

You can no longer upload tracks as of this week. If you have a subscription plan and music in the cloud locker, you won’t be able to stream or download your MP3s after January 2019.

Massive Windows Insider build finally adds Timeline and Sets, revamps My People and more

This looks like the first massive feature update of Redstone 4, the next update for Microsoft's Windows 10, coming in the Spring.

Why Net Neutrality Will Be a Campaign Issue in 2018

If you're sick of hearing about net neutrality, we've got bad news: The issue's only going to get bigger.

Report: Apple plans to unify iOS, Mac apps next year

This is still a strong rumor at this time, but the source is usually impeccable. The announcement could come over the summer, with a release later in 2018.

Massive leak exposes data on 123 million US households

An unsecured database contained a wide range of personal details about virtually every American household, researchers say.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

This $35 Program For Aspiring Novelists Is Now Free

Many professional writers use a dedicated program to help them manage their chapters as well as their research notes.

Make 2018 Happen with Evernote’s 2018 Planner Templates

The 2018 Evernote planner templates are here! This year, thanks to the new tables feature, the planners are more versatile, easier to work with, and more fun than ever before.

How to set up your new computer

If you get a new computer for Christmas, here is how to set up antivirus, clear out bloatware, and perform other tasks to keep your PC humming well into the future.

How to Fix Windows Explorer Showing Drives Twice in the Sidebar

When you plug in an external drive to a Windows 10 machine, it appears as a separate entry in the navigation pane in Windows Explorer. But it also appears as an entry in the nested item under “This PC.

Net Neutrality is Over. It's time to get a VPN.

After the rollback, ISPs can now sell user information directly to companies that mine personal data without the consent of consumers. Where internet privacy is concerned VPNs are a place for individuals to start.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

10 best Android phones 2017: which should you buy?

The big names are all here; Samsung, Sony, LG and Huawei are at the fore. The many variations in screen size, processor power, software features and design makes finding the best Android phone for you extremely tough.

10 new Android apps worth checking out

Here are new apps for this week with fewer than 100,000 installs that show promise.

50 Free Apps To Make You An Incredibly Productive Person

Communicate with ease, tame your schedule, and get things done with these great tools. For iOS and Android.

Apple admits it slows older iPhones

The company says the practice targets problems -- like unexpected shutdowns -- caused by aging batteries or cold conditions.

How to Use the iOS 11 Files App

Here's your quick guide to the iOS 11 Files app, which lets you connect services, add, manage, and share files, and much more

Social Planning Apps for iPhone

With these apps, you can not only look through the places you want to go and find out how to get there, but read reviews and book tables and tickets.

Ajit Pai Destroys Net Neutrality…Then Insults Our Intelligence with Condescending Video

You will not believe this video! The chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai goes all out to bring down Net Neutality and hand over control of the Internet to giant corporations to do with what they will. Then, he has the audacity to make a stupid video that mocks our intelligence to tell us all is well! I still wonder who paid for this video. But, if you would like to see it, just click on this link. You won’t believe your eyes!

In spite of this, we are not done fighting for Net Neutrality…not by a long shot. Our first two stories outline what is being done to stop this corporate giveaway. So, keep the faith and hope that common sense will eventually prevail. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

The real battle for net neutrality begins: The people v. FCC

The FCC will not be getting the last word on the fate of net neutrality.

California, Washington, NY take steps after net neutrality vote

After the FCC voted down the Obama-era rules, lawmakers and attorneys general in three states say they're ready to fight.

The Biggest Whoppers From the FCC's Net Neutrality Meeting

Over the objections of the commission's two Democrats, the three Republican members, including Chair Ajit Pai, voted to overturn protections put in place in 2015—but not before fudging a few facts.

Apple TV, Google Chromecast return to Amazon

The e-commerce powerhouse adds five Apple TV and Chromecast devices to its online store, offering an olive branch to both Google and Apple.

Chrome will start blocking ads on February 15

Google this year joined the Coalition for Better Ads, a group that offers specific standards for how the industry should improve ads for consumers.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Windows 10 tip: How to disable unwanted startup programs

It seems like every third-party software developer insists on automatically running its own programs every time you start your PC. Windows 10 offers a powerful tool to help you determine how much of an impact those programs have on performance and shut down those you don't want.

Best laptop deals: 7 excellent discounts for last-minute shoppers

There's still time to get some online shopping done.

How to automatically mute a website within Google Chrome, forever

Annoying autoplaying videos might still appear, but Chrome 64 ensures that you won't have to listen to them

Microsoft adds more AI smarts to Office 365

In addition to new AI-focused upgrades to Cortana and Bing, the company also announced several new tools for Word, Excel and Outlook to help you make the most of your data, organizational content and more.

10 killer PC upgrades that are shockingly cheap

Looking to put more pep in your PC's step? These surprisingly cheap PC upgrades and accessories do the trick without breaking the bank.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

Incredible Wireless Plan from Mint. Save Big!

If you buy three months of coverage up-front, right now, you get three more months for free. That means that you will pay about $7.50 (before taxes) per month for the next six months of service. Or a total of $45 (before taxes).

The Best Things Google Assistant Can Do on Your Android Phone

the more you use it, the more you’ll learn about it. Here are some ideas to get you started.

You Can Play This HQ Trivia Knockoff On Your Android Phone Right Now

HQ Trivia has gone from a cool new app to a full-fledged phenomenon, pulling in hundreds of thousands of players multiple times per day for the chance to win some cash by answering live trivia questions.

11 iPhone email tips you'll wish you'd known all along

I can't quit the stock iOS Mail app. I've had brief dalliances with other email apps, but I keep coming back to the Mail app. As a result, this long-time Mail app Gmailer has picked up a few tricks along the way.

Elevate Your Photography With the 20 Best Camera Apps for the iPhone

Whether you’re looking for a new way to shoot, edit, or organize your photos, these are the best camera apps for the iPhone that’ll turn any boring shot into a masterpiece.

The 25 Best New Apps Of 2017

From all-new upstarts to dramatically improved old favorites, these apps for phones, tablets, PCs, and the web offer something for everyone.

It’s Over…For Now. The Bad Guys Won

Tech News and Opinions

The FCC just killed net neutrality

“​This is not good,” Commissioner Rosenworcel says. “Not good for consumers. Not good for businesses. Not good for anyone who connects and creates online.” It puts the FCC “on the wrong side of history, the wrong side of the law, and the wrong side of the American public.”

Hypocrisy at the FCC and the illusion of transparency

It has been clear for months, however, that Pai does not intend to do the right thing where the internet — our internet — is concerned.

Chromebooks and Office 365 together will challenge Windows laptops

With Microsoft porting Office 365 to Chromebooks, a big reason to stick with Windows has gone out the door.

Tech's leaps, limps and likes: The 7 trends that defined 2017

ZDNet's top editors from across the globe postulate on a year that the technology industry lost some luster, but kept rolling out new disruptions anyway.

Why 2017 Was a Year to Remember for Microsoft Corporation

Earnings beats and cloud computing growth were just two top highlights.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Top Windows 10 questions: How to install, secure, upgrade, get it for free

n 2017, Ed Bott answered hundreds of questions about Windows 10. Here are the topics that readers found most interesting.

Firefox Quantum: 170 million installs so far, as more Chrome users jump ship

Firefox sees a bump in installs from Chrome users after the big Quantum overhaul.

How to use Word to create holiday cards and other projects

Use fonts, text boxes, and custom paper settings to design your creations.

How to fix your Wi-Fi network

Here is a look at a number of common scenarios that cause Wi-Fi problems and how to solve them, whether you’re running your own network or trying to connect to someone else’s using any platform.

What Is a “Blockchain”?

If you’ve been watching the news lately, you might have heard about something called a blockchain. It’s a concept that makes data ultra-secure for specific uses.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

T-Mobile gets into paid TV market

It's acquiring a TV tech startup that will help it get into the TV market, with service starting in 2018.

How to Save Photos from the iPhone Notes app to Your Photo Library

If you’re a heavy user of Apple’s Notes app on your iPhone, you’ve probably noticed a slightly weird behavior: unlike almost every other app, if you take a photo in Notes, it isn’t saved to the Photos app.

Tips for shooting portraits on your Apple iPhone X (or any phone)

We've put together our best tips for shooting incredible portraits on your phone.

10 texting tips to gain control of iMessage

These are the not-so-obvious tips iPhone pros use.

Google releases three photography ‘appsperiments’

These are small apps that perform a basic function using experimental technology, much like Motion Stills. The latest three releases are all photography apps.

Grammarly releases Android keyboard to make your grammar more better

The new Grammarly Keyboard will pedantically pick apart everything you write in search of grammatical errors.

Vote to Let Corporations Control the Internet is on Thursday

The end of Net Neutrality is upon us. The FCC, led by its corporate puppet Ajit Pai, will vote on Thursday to end Net Neutrality and allow all the giant telecommunications companies take over control of the Net with no restrictions. This is just criminal! I think it is a violation of the First Amendment. It will now be up to Congress and the Courts to stop this nonsense.

Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit and Airbnb were among 200 firms that signed a letter warning FCC Chairman Ajit Pai not to roll back net neutrality, saying it would be a disaster. Millions of ordinary citizens have written the FCC begging them not to do this. Congress has asked that PAI postpone the vote and turn over a million possible fake letters supporting the end of Net Neutrality. All have been ignored. It is the job of the FCC to protect us. Pai and his cronies are protecting the giant telecommunications firms and will let them write the rules.

Because of the importance of this issue and its closeness to the final vote, I have broken my own rule of including a variety of stories in the Tech News section. For this edition, our first section is all about the end of Net Neutrality and what it means to you. I hope you find it informative. -JRC  

Tech News and Opinions

Net neutrality protesters take to the streets

Protesters want Congress to step in and stop the FCC's vote this week to end net neutrality regulation.

Net neutrality FCC vote blasted by internet and tech pioneers

"You don’t understand how the internet works," tech trailblazers write in an open letter opposing an FCC proposal up for vote this week.

Fight the FCC

This is something that, whether you like it or not, affects you personally. But how important is this? VERY!!

Here's How the End of Net Neutrality Will Change the Internet

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS like Comcast and Verizon may soon be free to block content, slow video-streaming services from rivals, and offer “fast lanes” to preferred partners.

Trump's FCC gets ready to take a chainsaw to net neutrality

In short, the FCC is giving your local ISP permission to do whatever it wants to you. And, since 50 million Americans have access to only a single broadband ISP, many of you will have no choice but to take it.

Senators want fake net neutrality comments to be investigated

Twenty-eight lawmakers ask FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to put off voting on net neutrality until it investigates claims that many public comments on the issue were made by bots. He has refused.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to reduce the size of Windows 10's footprint on your PC

You can compress the Windows 10 installation size to use less space, and in this guide, we show you how.

Easy fixes for six common laptop problems

Many problems can be inexpensively and easily fixed with common tools, spare parts, and a little effort.

How to remove the keylogger from your HP laptop

Some 460 models have been found to contain a potential security threat. Find out if yours is one of them -- and if it is, fix the problem.

Excel databases: Creating relational tables

Excel possesses formidable database powers. Creating a relational database starts with a Master table that links it to subordinates, called (awkwardly) Slave, Child, or Detail tables.

You can grocery shop from Amazon when you use Allrecipes.com

You'll be able to buy the ingredients you see on Allrecipes.com directly from AmazonFresh, the online retailer's grocery delivery service.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

Best cheap smartphones: $300 (or much less) buys a great holiday gift

In the past, low cost smartphones offered terrible performance, were never updated, and it was tough to recommend them to readers. As flagship prices skyrocket, the low end is being lifted up and there are some excellent options. All but one of these is available for under $300.

Microsoft Edge on Android: Windows 10 browser spinoff clocks up million users

The Microsoft Edge apps for iOS and Android aim to make Edge more appealing to use on Windows 10 by making it more convenient to sync the browsing experience across devices

Top 5 most popular Android apps from last week

These apps are ones that are most likely new and haven't appeared in the top five list more than three times.

How to Scan Documents into Notes with iOS 11 on iPhone

iOS 11 makes scanning documents in the Notes app pretty darn easy. The new feature is very helpful for storing paper items electronically, allowing you to access printed information from anywhere.

All carriers will support NFL streaming in 2018

Verizon's stranglehold on the NFL ends with the 2018 playoffs in January...you'll be able to stream NFL games on your smartphone no matter which carrier you rely on.

How You Can Save a Few Hundred Dollars With a Screen Protector

The thin piece of plastic or glass could save your fancy-pants iPhone X (or any phone, for that matter) from a fall that would leave it shattered into countless pieces. Even better, it could boost your device’s resale value a few hundred bucks.

The First Windows on ARM Laptops Have Arrived

Watch out Intel! The new PC revolution has begun and you are not included. Well, that is perhaps an overstatement, but this new class of laptop is here with more coming.

A year ago, Microsoft announced it would partner with ARM chip manufacturer Qualcomm to begin making computers equipped with ARM processors. If you are not familiar with ARM chips, you already own at least one as they pretty much are in all smartphones. Apple’s iPhones use their own brand of ARM chips whereas most Android phones use ARM chips manufactured by Qualcomm.

The latest flagship Android smartphones all use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip…a variation of it is powering these new Windows-based laptops. The advantage of these chips over Intel is they are smaller, run cooler and don’t need a cooling fan, and have incredibly long battery life. These first laptops offer an incredible 22 hours of battery life!

Reporters at the unveiling of the new computers say they are just average in speed and performance. As a “Version 1” products, this is not a surprise. But, at their unveiling, Qualcomm also announced a new Snapdragon 845 chip, due out in the next few months, will offer a 30% improvement in performance with no change in battery life.  If these laptops are of interest to you, I would definitely wait for the arrival of the 845 processor.

Intel should definitely be worried. They have tried and failed to make a similar chip for both mobile and PC’s…which is why Microsoft began moving towards ARM-based processors. Intel is still king for all PC’s and laptops, but that could change as more and more of these ARM-based computers become available. Apple might also make the move to ARM computers in their laptops. Intel could easily find their market share falling in the future.

We shall do our best to keep you informed of this latest trend in mobile computing, so stay tuned. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft launches ARM-powered Windows 10 PCs with ‘all-day’ battery life

As expected, HP, Lenovo, and Asus are the manufacturers creating these new laptops that include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor. A challenge to Intel's dominance.

These are the first Windows 10 ARM laptops

It promises to provide better power efficiencies, reliable performance, and always-on connectivity compared to the x86 Intel-based computers that have existed so far.

Microsoft, HP, Asus launch the great Windows on ARM, Qualcomm experiment: Here are the key questions

The pricing of Windows 10 S devices running on Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor sets up a few interesting questions. Here's a quick tour of the unknowns:

Google is killing Chrome Apps for desktops, for good

Google is officially done with Chrome Apps for desktops: it’s now removed the Apps section from the Chrome Web Store, leaving only Extensions and Themes available for you to customize your browser with from here on out

People are ditching cable at record speed, so of course AT&T is hiking prices

2017 has been a standout year for cord-cutting. In July, August, and September, cord-cutters set a new record for ditching traditional pay-TV, with an estimated 1.2 million people ditching their cable or satellite subscription in those three months alone.

Verizon is launching 5G in five cities by the end of next year

The next buzz word you’re going to be hearing a lot from carriers is “5G.”  Verizon is planning to roll out their own 5G network. We don’t know all the details yet, but Verizon has named the first city to get it.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

10 Obscure Windows 10 Features Everyone Needs To Start Using

Here are 10 really useful tricks that Windows 10 is capable of that you might not know about, but should definitely know

Ghostery AI Online Privacy, Adblock Tool Stops Web Tracking

This sort of tracking, which is primarily done for advertising purposes, can feel invasive but many consumers feel this is the price of using the web, and that there is little they can do about it.

ExtremeTech Explains: What is USB-C?

This port will become the standard for data connections in the next few years, but it could also be the way you listen to audio and charge your devices.

Windows 10 tip: How to capture a screenshot

Windows 10 offers a wide range of built-in screen capture options. You can save the full screen, the active window, or a rectangular selection to a file or to the Clipboard for reuse in another app. Here are the keyboard shortcuts to memorize.

10 tips for better laptop battery life with Windows 10

Fall Creators Update makes it easier to switch between battery modes. Learn where to find the new battery slider and review traditional favorites to extend battery life.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

How to set up and use Apple Pay Cash

While Apple Pay Cash started rolling out yesterday, the new feature has just gone live for many users today. Follow along for a look at how to set up Apple Pay Cash and the various ways to use it.

Best iOS Games - New iPhone Games 2017

Delete Words With Friends. Forget Flappy Bird. And for goodness' sake, get rid of Candy Crush. These are the mobile games you want on your phone

The best iPhone accessories

The iPhone accessory market is huge, and there is a gadget or gizmo for almost anything. Here are some of our favorite iPhone accessories, for the new iPhone X as well as for older iPhones.

10 texting tips to gain control of iMessage

These are the not-so-obvious tips iPhone pros use.

Best USB car chargers for your phone 2017

One attribute they all share, however, is two USB ports—ie, the days of the single-port car charger are long over.

The Best “Lite” Versions of Your Favorite Android Apps

These are generally less feature-rich than their full-powered counterparts, but they’re often a great middle ground between features and function.

Some Problems at Apple

Apple is a very profitable company…perhaps the most profitable of them all! They continue to make incredible profits and set the mark for future products. But they are far from perfect. The last couple of weeks have demonstrated that.

First came the incredible, but stupid, security flaw in their MAC OS. They recently released an updated version of the OS, but users found that anyone could log into a MAC computer simply by entering ROOT as the name with no password needed. That meant that anyone could log into any MAC computer without the consent or knowledge of the owner. Whoops! To their credit, Apple released a fix the day after it was discovered. But the fix blocked file sharing!

A few days later, Apple issued another upgrade to the operating system. The problem was this upgrade wiped out the fix for the ROOT issue. Oh dear! As far as I know, this problem has not been fixed yet.

It has also been found that Apple recently made changes to the overall security of iOS devices. They didn’t announce any changes, but the bottom line is your iPhone and iPad are a lot less secure.  Its sad as Apple has always been known as the paragon of security.

I have my own issues with Apple. You might call it “Love/Hate” relationship these days. I love my 27” Mac, my iPhone, iPad, and the now discontinued iPod Classic. I also love iTunes on the MAC, Notepad, and Safari.

What I don’t like, even despise, are all MAC laptops, the iPhone 10, Apple Music, the Apple Watch, and The Apple TV. I had a MacBook Pro laptop and got rid of it mainly because of its crappy keyboard. While the iPhone 10 may be the darling of the mobile world right now, it’s Face ID is far from perfect and I would rather stick to the fingerprint readers in other iPhones.

Apple Music is not for anyone over 35. The Apple Watch has made a lot of progress lately in usability, but I would never buy a watch whose cheapest watchband is $50. The Apple TV has the worst remote ever invented and is very overpriced compared to others like Roku and Amazon Fire. In fact, all the products on my “hate” list are all so overpriced as to be ridiculous. But people buy them and Apple makes a ton of money. My gripes are my own.

But, I am not alone in some of my complaints. The MacBook Pro can be deemed a failure because of the so-called touch bar that few people like. Many laptop users are giving up on Apple and moving over to Windows.

The bottom line of all this is the shine has come off Apple just a bit. But, they are still making a ton of money. On the positive side, if my MAC stopped working, I would buy another one in a heartbeat. Same with my iPad and iPhone. No way am I interested in moving to Android.

For more on Apple’s problems, be sure and read our first two stories. There are also some tips below, so read on! –JRC

Tech News and Opinions

OS 11 Horror Story: the Rise and Fall of iOS Security

Overall it was still the most secure mobile ecosystem on the market. Not anymore!

Something is rotten at Apple

Last week was a long, bad week for Apple engineers. And for users of its products.

Windows 7 users are officially dropping like flies

For the first time in a long time, Windows 7 is now being run by less than half of PC users. Only 43.12% still use the eight-year-old operating system.

NSA breach spills over 100GB of top secret data

The US spy agency is supposed to be all about secrecy, but once again its secrets have leaked out into public view.

FCC chairman calls Twitter the real threat to an open internet

Ajit Pai calls out Twitter for censorship, but also pokes fun at criticism from celebs about his plan to repeal net neutrality rules. He is definitely on the attack!

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Better online security starts now, ahead of 2018's hacks

No really, get ready. Do these security basics now, because online criminals are going to get even more aggressive next year

What’s the Difference Between Microsoft Office’s Desktop, Web, and Mobile Apps?

As you might imagine, the online and mobile app versions aren’t as robust as the desktop version, but you might still find them useful. And for some of you, they might be all you need.

Stop Complaining That Your Browser Uses Lots of RAM: It’s a Good Thing

It’s been a complaint about Chrome for years: “it hogs so much RAM!” And now that Firefox Quantum is here, the fire rages on—some users see less RAM usage than Chrome, while others see similar amounts.

Groupy is like Windows 10's Sets but with more features; coming December 12

Just a few days ago, Microsoft announced Sets, a new feature coming to Windows 10 that will allow users to group apps into sets of tabs. This news, however, came two weeks after Stardock announced an app that offers even more than Sets will.

Best Photo Calendar Services

There are so many photo services that create personalized calendars for you, but how do you choose the right one?

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

Best mobile games of 2017

Looking for a new game to play on your mobile device? Here are our picks of the best mobile games released in 2017 (so far).

How to securely wipe your phone before you sell

Here is how to wipe your personal data from a mobile device the right way before trading up to a new model.

Best Travel Gifts 2017 - Gift Ideas for Travelers and Jet-Setters

Here’s a checklist to the best gear you’ll want to bring on your next trip.

Apple's iOS 11.2 update adds Apple Pay Cash, faster wireless charging

Apple's new iOS 11.2 software update went live Saturday, adding Apple Pay Cash and faster wireless charging to supported

Best Android Apps - December 2017

Below you will find the best apps from the last month. Check it out and see what apps you missed!

Android security alert: Google's latest bulletin warns of 47 bugs, 10 critical

Google's Android security bulletin for December includes a number of flaws that vendors will need to patch.

Big, Important Changes Coming to Windows

For most of us, we won’t see the big Windows changes for a few months. But, for the Windows Insiders, they begin rolling out next week. Our first two stories give you a good picture of the two biggest changes.

First, is Timeline. Simply put, it allows you to go back in time to see what you were working on, on any given date. A visual timeline is integrated directly into Task View so you can easily move back into files, apps, and sites as if you never left (see above photo).

The second big change is called Sets. Currently, when you work on more than one project at a time, you must have separate Windows open. With Sets, all the Windows can be combined into one Window using tabs, like in a browser to switch to different apps. 

The concept behind this experience is to make sure that everything related to your task: relevant webpages, research documents, necessary files and applications, is connected and available to you in one click. With Sets,what belongs together stays together…making it easier and faster to create and be productive. Sounds pretty cool to me. I wish it was here now.

Actually, there is something similar to Sets available now from Stardock. It is called Groupy. I have included a story about it below. It is currently free as it is in Beta. I have not had an opportunity to try it out yet, but will and let you know.

I am sure Microsoft has more changes planned, most of which will come out in the Spring (this update yet to has a name). As always we will keep you advised. For now, I have included some good tips below so, have at it. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Where was I? Timeline puts your Windows desktop right back the way you left it

Windows Timeline is a new feature coming to the Microsoft desktop (at last!) that should make organizing your desktop much easier.

Microsoft plans to give every Windows app browser-like tabs

They are called sets. And while Microsoft isn’t sure whether that name will stick, the idea is to bring browser-like tabs to not just Chrome and Edge, but virtually every Windows app.

Apple releases update to fix critical macOS High Sierra security issue

Install this one right away if you have a MAC. I fixes the vulnerability that allowed admin access to a Mac computer without providing any password.

A Short History of the Blue Screen of Death

It’s iconic, but Microsoft wishes it wasn’t. In the 90s it was as core to the Windows experience as Paint and Solitaire, but these days it’s not seen very often.

FCC's next step on net neutrality: Blocking the states

Chairman Ajit Pai seeks to keep states from stepping in to regulate the internet.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Windows 10 tip: Take full control over how your PC shuts down

The most common shutdown options are available on the Start menu. For additional options, such as restarting and configuring firmware options, use the Shutdown command

Microsoft retires support for Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Microsoft is pulling support for these apps, with their download pages directing to dates when links will be pulled completely.

Speed up Windows 10 for free

Your Windows PC too slow? Here are nine speed tips to give your PC a free performance bo

Stardock's Groupy organizes programs like browser tabs

Stardock's newest superb offering, Groupy, turns your myriad open windows into the equivalent of browser tabs. Free during beta test.

Excel macros: Essential rules, tips and tricks

Create macros to automate repetitive tasks so you can work faster.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

Best Travel Surge Protectors for Gadgets Big and Small

We’ve researched all the best compact surge protectors for travelers, so even if you’re stuck in a cheap motel or waiting in an airport for 13 hours, you won’t be sweating the safety of your electronics.

You Can Charge Your iPhone in Half the Time with a Fast Charger

Apple’s new phones support fast charging but it’s a (super awesome) feature hardly anyone has paid attention to. Here’s how to take advantage of it.

Users are experiencing yet another iOS autocorrect bug, and I.T stinks. Here's how to fix it!

Even though we've only just gotten over the A [?] bug, a new one has surfaced that turns "it" into "I.T."

iPad Pro vs iPad, 2017: Which model is the best for you?

Apple's iPad line had some big changes in 2017, and Black Friday prices are lower than ever. Is it time to buy?

Here are 16 temporarily free and 20 on-sale apps for your Wednesday

(Android) Amongst today's pickings, you will find most of Forever Entertainment's catalogue on sale. Have fun.

Android Users can now download the new Microsoft Edge browser

The biggest feature that Microsoft Edge offers is for those who use Windows 10 and want to continue viewing content from their mobile device to their computer, and vice-versa.

HP Installing Dangerous Spyware on Your HP Computers

If you own and HP laptop or desktop computer, you need to read our first story in the “Desktop and Laptop Tips” section. HP is secretly installing, without your knowledge or permission a software called "HP Touchpoint Analytics Service."

There are reports of computers being overworked, slowing down and overheating. When the software is removed, the computers return to normal. HP says the software will provide greater security and give you peace of mind. I think not. It constantly sends telemetry to HP about your usage. At the moment, no one is quite sure how it is being installed. HP has yet to respond to customer’s complaints.

Using the directions from the article, I scanned both my older HP desktop and my one-year old HP Spectre Laptop. I did not find it on the desktop, but it was definitely there on the laptop. Using the directions from a link in the article, it was easily removed. I would strongly suggest if you find it that you delete it. I also plan to check occasionally to see if it comes back.

There is more good info and tech tips in this edition, so keep on reading. Thanks for your support. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Cyber Monday 'largest online sales day in history'

Adobe research suggests that this year's Cyber Monday resulted in $6.59 billion in online sales.

5 ways to keep the deals coming after Cyber Monday

Just because Cyber Monday is over doesn't mean the discounted products come to an end.

Microsoft Office arrives on Chromebooks via Google Play Store

We understand the Office Android apps will only be free to users with specific devices, while others will need to subscribe to Office 365 to take advantage of the apps.

Hawaii's Schatz: Net neutrality could be the next political movement

As the FCC tries to dismantle net neutrality rules, Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii says internet-savvy, young people could become a political force.

Uber concealed hack of 57 million accounts for more than a year

Hackers stole names, email addresses, and phone numbers of 57 million Uber riders around the world in a breach dating back to October 2016.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

HP quietly installs system-slowing spyware on its PCs

IMPORTANT: Customers say the driver is being installed without their permission. If you have an HP desktop or laptop, you need to read this!

Intel's Core i5 vs. i7: Which Processor is Right For You?

This guide is designed to help you decide whether you need four, six or eight cores; eight threads or more — and what those terms actually mean, in practice.

Firefox Quantum Isn’t Just “Copying” Chrome: It’s Much More Powerful

Sure, Firefox has become more like Chrome in a few ways, but it’s still more powerful and customizable than Chrome is—which are integral to Firefox’s DNA.

Why Did My Chrome Home Page Change?

Chrome, arguably the most popular browser on full desktop operating systems, isn’t entirely clear on exactly what your home page is. This can be especially frustrating if your home page changes without your knowledge.

Free RAW Image Processing Tool DxO OpticsPro 11 Essential

Until the end of the month, you can pick up a product key for DxO OpticsPro 11 Essential by visiting a special promo page on the company's website.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

Here's what to do if someone snatches your iPhone or Android

Act quickly and follow these steps to get your life, and peace of mind, back.

YouTube’s battery drain problem on iOS devices is now fixed

Google confirms it has now addressed an issue that caused the YouTube app to drain the battery excessively when running on iOS devices, even when the app was idle in the background.

How to cancel a recurring subscription in iOS

Unless you know exactly where to look, it's extremely challenging to find the cancellation option.

How to Find a List of Every App You’ve Installed from Google Play

If you’ve had a smartphone for any reasonable amount of time, you’ve probably installed and uninstalled more apps than you care to remember. Here’s how to access a list of all the apps you’ve installed on your Android phone(s) over time.

Top 10 hidden features of Facebook Messenger

1.3 billion people use Facebook Messenger each month. But are they really making the most of it?

The FCC is the Grinch Trying to Steal Thanksgiving

Tech News and Opinions

FCC unveils plan to repeal net neutrality rules

Federal regulators unveiled a plan Tuesday that would give Internet providers broad powers to determine what websites and online services their customers can see and use, and at what cost.

FCC votes to loosen media ownership rules, revamp Lifeline

The Federal Communications Commission also makes other moves to strip away regulations -- actions that Democrats say will harm consumers.

AT&T-Time Warner in jeopardy as DOJ seeks to block deal

The Department of Justice is suing to block AT&T's pending acquisition of Time Warner, the company behind movie studio Warner Bros, HBO and TV stations under Turner Broadcasting, which includes CNN, saying the $85 billion deal would concentrate too much power in one company.

Black Friday 2017: All the best deals, sales, and ads on laptops, desktop PCs

We've collected the best Black Friday specials all in one spot to help you with your PC buying decision.

The biggest Tech Turkeys of 2017

Things get serious, quickly, in this gritty reboot of our annual collection of the lowest points in tech.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to tweak the new Firefox 57 Quantum browser to suit your preferences

Trying the new multi-process Firefox 57? Save yourself some time with these set-up tips..

Why I Switched From Chrome to Firefox Quantum

For years, every Firefox release has felt slower than Chrome to me. But Firefox is now a real, speedy, modern option again. Enough so that I’m switching from Chrome back to Firefox.

Speed up Windows 10 for free

Your Windows PC too slow? Here are nine speed tips to give your PC a free performance boost.

Excel macros: Essential rules, tips and tricks

Create macros to automate repetitive tasks so you can work faster.

Free Service Protects You From Malware

A new DNS service called Quad 9 launched recently. As you might expect from the name, its IP address is 9.9.9.9. It’s run by a variety of respected IT and internet organisations including IBM. It helps to prevent you from inadvertently accessing web sites that might contain malware.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

The iOS 11 privacy and security settings you need to know about

Upgraded your iPhone to iOS 11? Great. Now's the time to take ten minutes to improve your privacy

How to monitor your car's onboard computer with your iPhone

Car trouble? You may be able to diagnose it with an OBD2 reader and your iPhone!

27 Best iPhone Apps of 2017 - New iPhone Apps to Download

Just pick up a new phone? Or simply have an afternoon to burn and want to download some toys? These are our must-have iPhone apps.

Android phones still track you when location services are off

Even phones that have been reset to their factory settings can tell Google where you are.

Top 5 most popular Android apps from last week

These apps are ones that are most likely new and haven’t appeared in the top five list more than three times.

Android Messages updated with money transfers and integrated Duo video calling

The Android Messages app is a tad barebones compared to third party apps, but Google has been adding a lot of features that you’d find in internet-based messages apps.

Which Echo to Buy and Other Great Tips

Tech News and Opinions

Which Amazon Echo Should I Buy?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices, or you want to pick the right gift for the holidays, we’re breaking down what your options are and who each Echo is for.

Facebook adds trust indicators to shared links to boost real journalism

Since the outbreak of its fake news crisis last year, Facebook has announced several initiatives designed to promote authentic, fact-based journalism. Today, the company is rolling out its latest:

Amazon puts the kibosh on bundled streaming TV plan for now

The basic idea behind the project was that customers would be able to pay for Amazon’s own curated bundle of popular channels without having to pay for the less-watched channels that usually come with traditional cable deals.

The FCC is having a terrible month, and consumers will pay the price

Believe it or not, things are about to get worse this month. Starting with the FCC’s open meeting tomorrow, the agency is poised to approve or propose no fewer than four decisions that will deregulate consolidated industries, remove consumer protections, and widen the digital divide.

FCC commissioner Rosenworcel vows to keep looking out for you

Jessica Rosenworcel calls herself an "impatient optimist." Even in the minority, the Democrat aims to make sure that deregulation doesn't hurt consumers.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Should I Leave My Laptop Plugged In All The Time?

It’s a tough question, and there are quite a few contradictory recommendations out there.

How to switch from Chrome to Firefox Quantum in under 2 minutes

Having used Chrome for ages, I've gotten used to the browser's sluggish performance and gluttony for system memory, and I've a feeling I'm not alone. With the launch of Firefox Quantum, we can finally break free from those shackles:

How to Restore Firefox to Its Default Settings and Start Fresh

Firefox can “Refresh” your profile to quickly give you a clean slate while keeping your most important data. This would let you try the overhauled Firefox Quantum with a fresh profile, speed Firefox up if it’s become slow, or fix other browser problems.

Windows 10 tip: Move your default data folders to a different drive

If you have more than one physical drive, keep your system (C:) drive from getting overwhelmed by moving default folders (Music, Pictures, Documents, and so on) to a secondary drive.

Your PC probably has spatial sound and it's awesome

If you've updated your Windows 10 PC recently, then it supports 3D spatial sound. Learn what it does and how to set it up.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

Android vs iOS vs Windows: Which suffers most infections?

Nokia says third-party Android app stores need to raise their game to improve overall Android security.

Google's jobs search engine gets salary ranges, a better location filter and more

For the most part, these new features address some basic shortcomings of the first version.

How to Customize the Google Feed (and Make It Actually Useful)

When Google first released Google Now, it was celebrated by Android users across the board. When Now evolved into the Google Feed, however, this change was much less accepted. But the Feed is great if you just take the time to customize it.

Create a killer Black Friday shopping plan

Review all your local store flyers in one handy place and build a complete shopping list with just a few taps of this app. For iOS and Android.

7 iPhone Apps Killing Your Battery (and How to Stop Them)

Learn about 7 of the worst iOS battery hogs — and several ways you can minimize their impact. JRC: I found this article extremely helpful.

How to Trim a Live Photo with iOS 11 on iPhone

When you take a Live Photo, you’re not always aware of what’s being captured. iOS 11 or later, you can now trim a Live Photo just like you would a video.

The New Firefox Quantum is here…and boy, is it FAST!!!

Firefox Quantum, the latest version of Mozilla’s longstanding Web browser, arrived today and is available for immediate download and upgrade. Firefox has been around a long time, and during that time it accumulated a lot of new features which slowly, over time, slowed the browser down. Firefox Quantum is a whole new browser using a new engine and rebuilt from the ground up.

I’ve been testing the beta version for a few months and found it very fast. It had a few issues which apparently have been ironed out. The biggest issue was its inability to use some add-on’s, like LastPass. Mozilla has been up front warning that some of your favorites might not currently work…and I found that to be true with the beta.

But with the release of the final version, I found that all my most useful add-ons all work just fine…including LastPass. Only three older add-ons would not work. And it is beautiful. And the screen rendering is just gorgeous…much better than the old version…or any of the other browsers available today, including Chrome. It is clean, clear and crisp.

As for speed, it is definitely fast…although I have only used the final version for a couple of hours. I will have a more in-depth review in the near future as I add it to all my computers. But you might want to give it a try. Below are two stories that will give you a good overview.

Tech News and Opinions

China beats US in Top500 supercomputer list

China doesn't just have the single fastest supercomputer in the world. It now dominates the list of the 500 fastest.

Bill Gates is investing $80 million to build a smart city in Arizona

The plan is for 80,000 homes to be built, with 3,800 acres reserved for industrial, office, and retail space, 3,400 acres of open space, and 470 acres dedicated for public schools.

Amazon’s Black Friday 2017 deals were just announced: Everything you need to know

Best Buy and Walmart have both already announced their Black Friday plans this year, and now we finally have the trifecta as Amazon’s Black Friday 2017 plans have been made official.

Microsoft wants to cut its carbon emissions by 75 percent by 2030

Based on baseline totals from 2013, Microsoft says its effort to reduce emissions is intended to reach goals set by the Paris climate agreement, which itself aims to keep the global temperature increase under two degrees Celsius.

Coming up: a pill with a digital sensor to track if you took your medicine

The FDA said Monday that the digitally enhanced medication “works by sending a message from the pill's sensor to a wearable patch.”

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

What’s New in Firefox Quantum, the Firefox You’ve Been Waiting For

Blazing speed for sure...but some of your favorite add-ons may not work.

Firefox 57: Come for the Speed, Stay for the Text Rendering

Mozilla has released Firefox 57, the latest version of its open web browser. And for the first time in many years, this looks like a viable alternative to Chrome on Windows.

Microsoft integrates LinkedIn with Word to help you write a resume

Office 365 subscribers will now get direct LinkedIn integration when they’re building a resume in Word.

Find Out What's Hogging Your Hard Disk Space

The free utility WizTree shows you all the folders on your computer, arranged in size order. You can then drill down into each subfolder in order to see what's taking up the space.

Managing OneDrive Files On Demand in The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

Files On-Demand is the long-awaited replacement for Windows 8.1-era OneDrive placeholders, a flawed system that allowed users to see their full OneDrive file hierarchy without downloading the contents to the local device.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

iPhone X: 8 first impressions after a week with Apple’s new flagship

I’ve been using the iPhone X for a week now, and like others at 9to5Mac, I’m wildly impressed with the device. Read on for 9 initial impressions from my first week with the iPhone X…

Best power banks of 2017: The top USB portable chargers for your phone

We decided to do the legwork for you, acquiring a wide range of power banks from different manufacturers, some offering unique features. We then spent weeks testing the packs

Is your iPhone's battery life terrible on iOS 11.1? Here's a temporary workaround

Are you finding that your iPhone or iPad battery life to be terrible since you installed iOS 11.1? You're not alone.

JPEG vs PNG: Which Image Format Is Better To Use?

To help you better understand the differences, we created this guide on JPEG vs. PNG to help you know when to use which format.

Album+ organizes photos with AI that runs on your phone, not in the cloud

The difference between Google Photos is that Album+ organizes and ranks photos using on-device, offline machine learning — there's no need to connect with the cloud.

Nokia: Android the prime target for malware in 2017

smartphones account for 72 percent of all mobile network infections. It also revealed that Android devices accounted for 69 percent of all infections in 2017.

Are US Firms Really This Stupid About Being Hacked?

Tech News and Opinions

Equifax, Yahoo fail to answer the most basic questions during Senate hearing

Senators were left frustrated as Yahoo didn't know how it was hacked, and Equifax still didn't know who.

FBI can't unlock phone of Texas church shooter Devin Kelley

The situation echoes the one the agency faced when Apple refused to unlock the iPhone of a San Bernardino shooter.

Best Buy reveals huge list of sweet Black Friday deals

While it’s become common practice in the past few years for leading US retailers to make an early start to the Black Friday shopping extravaganza, Best Buy might be trying to set some sort of a new record by kicking things off more than two weeks ahead of time.

Black Friday: Will malls die this holiday?

For the first time ever, a majority of spending this holiday season is expected to happen online rather than in physical stores, a new survey shows.

Macphun takes on Lightroom CC with improved Luminar 2018 photo editor

The 2018 release of Luminar for both Windows and the MAC hopes to provide a viable alternative. JRC: I love Luminar! A fantastic program.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Windows 10's best tricks, tips, and tweaks

Windows 10 is chock-full of handy, hidden new features worth exploring. Check out the best tips and tricks here.

How to build the best free PC security software suite

Fortify your PC against all manner of attacks—for free!

Protect your PC with Windows 10's anti-ransomware tool

Enable the new anti-ransomware protection in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update to lower the odds of becoming a victim of the next ransomware attack.

Mail and Calendar Fluent Design update now rolling out to everyone

Microsoft is adding some more Fluent Design flourishes to the Mail and Calendar app for everyone.

How to Embed Fonts in a Microsoft Word Document

When you email someone a copy of your Word document or PowerPoint presentation and they don’t have a font installed, Microsoft Office shows that document with the default font instead. Here is how to fix that.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

3 ways Windows 10 connects Android and iOS phones to make a better PC

Connecting your phone to your Windows 10 PC has never been easier—and with the hints Microsoft has dropped as part of the Fall Creators Update, it looks like the phone will be a big deal in future PCs.

9 of the Best Apps to Help You Do Awesome Mobile Phone Photography

In this article, I will give you some of my favorite apps that will inspire you to have some fun with the camera that is always with you.

Why you should avoid your iPhone's calculator

What does 1+2+3 equal? Not what you think, thanks to an iOS 11 bug. There's an easy fix, but it will annoy the hell out of you.

4 ways to make Siri smarter on your iPhone

Because a smarter Siri makes your life easier.

Clarity Money, a personal finance manager that helps users save cash, launches on Android

Besides helping to manage your finances, this software also helps users make smarter financial decisions.

Skype Lite for Android is a throwback to a simpler (better?) Skype

Skype got a major overhaul on Android earlier this year, but the unreleased Skype Lite harkens back to the old school design of the video and messaging service.

You can Still Upgrade to Windows 10 for Free…But Not For Much Longer

Tech News and Opinions

Chrome Has a Malware Problem, and Google Needs to Fix It

Google's Chrome browser has been praised for continuously upgrading its own security. So, then, why is Google doing such a poor job of screening Chrome extensions?

Law outlawing use of VPNs comes into effect in Russia

The law, the latest in a spate of legislation stifling internet freedoms in Russia, was pushed by authorities who cited concerns about the spread of extremist materials.

How Russian trolls lie their way to top of Facebook, Twitter

Propaganda campaigns are more than fake news. Trolls have learned to game social media algorithms and create their artificial viral moments.

With a physical key, Google says it can protect you from nation-state hackers

When two-factor doesn't cut it against the most sophisticated adversary, Google thinks it has an answer.

Apple says color and hue shifting, OLED burn-in expected on iPhone X

Apple wants customers to expect color and hue shifting when using iPhone X at off-angles as a characteristic of the OLED display. They also says iPhone X has the best OLED display in the industry with the Super Retina display, but burn-in can still occur under certain circumstances.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Here's how you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade

You can still upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and claim a free digital entitlement, without being forced to jump through any hoops. But you better hurry.

You can now create and share Google Maps lists from the web

About a year ago Google debuted the ability to create custom lists in Google Maps.  Strangely, though, the functionality was only available on mobile devices. Now, though, that's changed as lists have finally made their debut on the desktop.

2,000+ Impressionist, Post-impressionist & Early Modern Paintings Now Free Online,

The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia has just recently made it possible for us to contemplate thousands of works of art, zoomed in up close and at any length we like, by digitizing their collection and making it free online.

Excel databases: Creating relational tables

Excel possesses formidable database powers. Creating a relational database starts with a Master table that links it to subordinates, called (awkwardly) Slave, Child, or Detail tables.

How to install, reinstall, upgrade and activate Windows 10

Here's everything you need to know before you repair, reinstall, or upgrade Windows 10, including details about activation and product keys.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

The Pros and Cons of Buying Phones from Your Carrier

I’m sure you’ve heard it a hundred times: don’t buy phones from your carrier. The thing is, it’s not that black and white.

How to Turn on Dark Mode in iOS 11 on iPhone

A heavily requested feature for iOS 11 was Dark Mode. Dark Mode essentially turns white space black while leaving media, photos, and content the same.

4 ways to speed up Safari on your iPhone -

Has browsing the Web become an exercise in frustration with Safari on your iPhone or iPad? Here is some help.

How to take and edit screenshots on your iPhone and iPad

Taking a screenshot on your iPhone is as easy as pressing two buttons.

​The 10 best ways to secure your Android phone

Malware makers, phishers, they really are all out to get you. Here's how to stop them in their tracks.

Android security triple-whammy: New attack combines phishing, malware, and data theft

Attacks on three fronts ensure attackers have all the information they need to steal banking details in the latest evolution of the Marcher malware, warn researchers.

President Trump and Russian Hackers…More to This Than Meets the Eye

Tech News and Opinions

US identifies Russian officials behind election hack, report says

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Justice Department knows of at least six Russian government officials involved with hacking the DNC.

Report: Trump Organization Has Been Compromised by Hackers for Years

Security researchers have discovered evidence that hackers were able to register at least 250 shadow domains under the umbrella of the Trump Organization. These subdomains are associated with Russian IP addresses.

IRS Fends Off 4 Million Hacking Attempts a Day

The tax agency does a solid job of keeping intruders out of its databases, though hackers have managed to spoof some taxpayers and steal their information individually.

How to Avoid Fake and Scammy Amazon Sellers

With Amazon's relatively wide-open policy towards third party sellers, a few with less than noble intentions are sure to slip through the cracks. Here’s how to spot them

Technology we hate with a passion

Hate is back in fashion again. Tech is no exception when it comes to being the target of our anger and frustration -- but this stuff truly deserves it.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Windows 10 Fluent Design: Microsoft's new-look Mail, Calendar now open to all

More Fluent Design apps come to the general public

Windows 10's best tricks, tips, and tweaks

Windows 10 is chock-full of handy, hidden new features worth exploring. Check out the best tips and tricks here.

Best Google Chrome extensions to enhance your productivity, security, and performance

If you are a Google Chrome user and you're not making use of extensions, then you are really missing out. Here is a selection of extensions aimed specifically at boosting your productivity and privacy.

How to use My People in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

My People gives you a quick and easy way to communicate with a handful of your favorite contacts.

7 best 1080p video editing software for Windows 10

Video editing software for Windows ranges from versions targeted especially at beginners to more feature-packed versions for advanced video editing enthusiasts.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

How to Use Battery Life Suggestions for Better Battery Life with iOS 11 on iPhone

There is a new source of information for saving battery life that’s directly from Apple: Battery Life Suggestions.

28 Hidden iOS 11 Tips You Need to Know

You think you know iOS 11? Not until you master all of these under-the-hood goodies.

Should you upgrade your iPhone to iOS 11.1?

iOS 11.1 is out, but should you upgrade or should you wait and see if there are any potential pitfalls?

Android Instant Apps: What they are and how to use them on your phone

But what exactly are Instant Apps? And how do you get them on your phone? We’re here to help you get started:

Best Android Browsers

We use our phones for so much more than simply browsing the web that you might not bother looking into the plethora of web browsers available in the Google Play Store.

How to use Android 8.0 Oreo's autofill API

Long passwords made a lot easier.

The iPhone X and Beyond

Are you interested in owning an iPhone X? I am not! The biggest reason…the facial recognition. If you look into how its done, the technology behind it is interesting, but oh so complicated. In fact, it is scary complicated!  I would be afraid it could easily stop working. One good bump or drop of the phone and it might become unusable.

Facial recognition is a technology that is ahead of its time. The iPhone is not the first piece of equipment to use it…and many other devices that tried it have been less than successful.  Our first article in the Mobile Technology section offers a few reviews of the facial recognition…and it is a mixed bag of opinions. There are enough negative thoughts to keep me from buying it.

I love my iPhone 6 Plus and have said so several times here. The fingerprint recognition technology works just great. Why Apple felt the need to change to a different system is beyond me…other than Apple wanted to do away with the home button and they could not make the fingerprint technology work without a button.

Apple always seems to want to find new solutions for problems that don’t exist.

Some of the Android phone manufacturers wanted to try facial recognition, but wound up putting the fingerprint button on the back of the phone. Hey, if it works perfectly, why change? If I had to get a new iPhone today, I would get the iPhone 8 with the good old fingerprint recognition button.

But read the reviews for yourself and you decide. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Four things we learned when Facebook, Google, Twitter testified in Russia inquiry

Tuesday's hearing in the Senate marks the first of several hearings involving the tech giants and how Russian-backed hackers and propagandists used their services to spread misinformation and false news.

Sprint/T-Mobile merger is off, preserving wireless competition (for now)

Sprint owner wants to maintain control and invest in its network, report says.

Opinion: First, Amazon destroyed retail -- now, it's coming for Starbucks

It was a foregone conclusion that Amazon was going to kill retail. Now, your favorite coffee store is in its sights.

FCC chair wants to impose a cap on broadband funding for poor families

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai wants to impose a budget cap on the Lifeline program that helps poor people buy broadband and phone service.JRC: Does his hatred of consumers know no bounds?

YouTube TV is Finally Coming to TVs

I know. You’re thinking, this doesn’t make any sense. How could Google launch a service called YouTube and not make it available on TVs? But that’s what they did.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

After Windows 10 upgrade, do these seven things immediately

You've just upgraded to the most recent version of Windows 10. Before you get back to work, use this checklist to ensure that your privacy and security settings are correct and that you've cut annoyances to a bare minimum.

Best SSDs of 2017

The best SSDs can supercharge your PC. Here are our picks for the best SSDs, what to look for in an SSD, whether you even need an SSD, and more.

Microsoft kills off Outlook.com Premium, bundles features into Office 365

If you’re already subscribed then the changes are automatic starting today, and the features are all part of Office 365 now.

Microsoft's updated Skype Desktop app for Windows, Mac sheds 'preview' tag

Microsoft's updated Skype Desktop for consumers, which works on Windows PCs and Macs, is generally available.

Excel charts: Mastering pie charts, bar charts and more

Excel’s chart features can turn your spreadsheet data into compelling visual communications—if you know what to do.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

Here's What the Reviewers are Saying About iPhone X Facial Recognition

The biggest potential issue for the device involves another Apple design compromise: Its reliance on facial recognition rather than the trusted and reliable Touch ID sensor.

After the iPhone X: Predicting the future of the smartphone

What does the next ten years hold for the smartphone? Here's a few ideas.

Why Microsoft's Office Mobile suite is much more than a simple set of mobile apps

Office Mobile apps are the only versions of Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Excel that work on Microsoft's new Windows Mixed Reality platform.

Switching from an iPhone to an Android Device

f you've been thinking about switching from an iPhone to an Android device and you're already heavily invested in Apple's ecosystem, you'll encounter a few obstacles, but they're far from insurmountable.

How Microsoft is turning Android into the mobile OS for Windows users

With Windows 10 Mobile dying, many former Windows phone users are turning to iOS and Android. But has Microsoft successfully turned Android into a phone for Windows?

Online security 101: Tips for protecting your privacy from hackers and spies

This simple advice will help to protect you against hackers and government surveillance.