Apple’s Spaceship Just About Ready to Fly

Tech News and Opinions

Apple's 'spaceship' campus to open in April

The first employees will soon start moving into the new campus. Parts of "Apple Park" will be open to the public.

 

Windows 10 Device Usage: February

A new report from AdDuplex examines the relative popularity of PC makers, Surface devices, OS versions, and more.

 

Microsoft Confirms Second Windows 10 Update Coming This Year

In a month or two, Microsoft will release the Creators update for Windows 10 that will bring several new features to the platform. Microsoft is planning a second update for 2017 for Windows 10 and now the company has confirmed these plans.

 

We talked to Windows tech support scammers. Here's why you shouldn't

They're after one thing -- money. And when they can't get it, they'll resort to any means necessary.

AMD’s new Ryzen processors will take on Intel starting next week

AMD is launching three new Ryzen 7 processors on March 2 the will attempt to take the crown for fastest PC processors in the world from rival Intel.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Microsoft announces new updates for Windows 10 Mail and Calendar

Microsoft has detailed its next wave of updates for the Mail and Calendar apps, with these new features rolling out over the next few weeks.

 

Microsoft OneDrive to get differential sync in Q2 2017

Microsoft's latest OneDrive roadmap shows Q2 2017 as the ship target for a long-awaited feature: Differential sync...the ability to sync only the parts of files that had changed, not entire files

 

OneNote for Windows 10 Updated with Section Passwords

OneNote for Windows 10 received a fairly major update today with several new features, including section password support, notebook reordering, and more.

 

How To Replace Notepad with Another Text Editor in Windows

Here is how to actually replace Notepad so that your preferred text editor becomes the default tool when you—or any app—opens text files or calls on Notepad from anywhere in the Windows interface.

 

7 Free Apps to Install on a New Windows PC

Gotta love the smell of a fresh new machine, but now you have to get back to productivity zen by recovering your files and installing programs.

 

Mobile Computing

What is an alternative mobile carrier?

If you're savvy enough to buy a phone that you know will connect to the network of a particular carrier, you can save big money over the same two-year period a phone is usually paid off when on a big carrier.

 

Instagram now lets everyone share up to 10 photos and videos at once

Instagram has officially announced that the Carousel feature is rolling out to all users beginning today.

 

Best iPhone apps from iMore.com

Which are the ones that will best help you with your work, your hobbies, your responsibilities, and your fun? Out of all the apps, which deserve your attention? Here are the answers.

 

The Cloud? Apple's iOS can't handle the Cloud

iOS's integration with 3rd-party cloud services stinks. What does Apple need to do to make iOS a best-in-class cloud citizen? Or is Android too far ahead?

 

10 best dictionary apps for Android

They’re valuable learning tools. It’s even better when you conveniently have them on your mobile phone. Here are the best dictionary apps for Android:

 

Universal Kernel Manager Tweaks Your Android System With Relative Ease

Most users will never want to touch this, but if you’re a tweaker with a desire to overclock your phone, Universal Kernel Manager can be a huge help.

Should Robots Pay Income and Social Security Taxes?

Bill Gates has brought forth an interesting idea that deserves consideration. He says robots that replace human workers should be pay taxes equal to the amount their human counterparts would have paid (see story #2). As robots will eventually replace a large majority of human workers, that is not a bad idea. I like it!. But to avoid these taxes, corporations would then just move their factories out of the country, much like they do now. Of course, our Congress Critters will never let this happen as they are under the thumb of giant corporations.

And, along those same lines, the FCC is rapidly becoming the enemy of ordinary citizens and the dear friend of the Giant media corporations.They have already declared their intent to end net neutrality. Now they have cut off subsidies to provide cheap Internet to low-income persons (see story #1) . 

In still another anti-consumer move, they have kill off the proposal that would eliminate the need for consumers to spend hundreds of dollars each year to rent a cable box. This was being pushed by the FCC council before the Trump Presidency. With his man now in control, most consumer protections are headed out the window. So sad.

Well there is some good news below so read on and let us all hope for the best. -JRC 

Tech News and Opinions

FCC is stopping 9 companies from providing subsidized Internet to the poor

FCC regulators are telling nine companies they won't be allowed to participate in a federal program meant to help them provide affordable Internet access to low-income consumers — weeks after those companies were given the green light.

 

Bill Gates says robots should be taxed like workers

In a new interview, Microsoft founder Bill Gates makes a rather stunning argument—that robots who replace human workers should incur taxes equivalent to that worker’s income taxes.

 

Deleting your Yahoo email account? Yeah, good luck with that

Some Yahoo users say inconsistent security practices makes the account deletion process near impossible.

 

Update: Microsoft to delay its February patches to March 14

Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday patches are not going to arrive until Tuesday March 14, officials confirm, while providing no reasons for the delay.

 

Opinion: Windows 10’s Settings Are a Mess, and Microsoft Doesn’t Seem to Care

There still isn’t a single interface, as there is on other operating systems, and Microsoft is seriously dragging their feet on consolidating them.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

The Best Free Software of 2017

Your phone is full of apps, but don't neglect the desktop. These programs can make your life better.

 

The Best Mechanical Keyboards of 2017

Is typing a pain? Are you ready to switch things up? A mechanical keyboard can make everything click again. Here are our shopping tips and product recommendations.

 

Microsoft's Cortana can now create reminders from your emails

In the battle of the virtual assistants, Microsoft's Cortana just scored. The company is rolling out new functionality that will allow the assistant to remind you about things you haven't explicitly told her to track.

 

Windows 10 tip: Back up your third-party hardware drivers

Tracking down drivers and control software for internal and external hardware devices after a clean reinstall doesn't have to be a tedious job. The secret is to back up the driver file repository that Windows 10 maintains. Here's where you'll find it.

 

Top 10 Ways to Extend Your Laptop's Battery Life

Here are some easy tips to extend the life of your laptop’s battery, both in a pinch and before you leave the house.

 

Mobile Computing

AT&T vs. Verizon vs. T-Mobile vs. Sprint: How to save and get the cheapest phone plan

Which plan is the most affordable? How much are extra lines? Should I get a prepaid plan or a postpaid plan?

8 ways to improve iPhone battery life

If your iPhone doesn't hold a charge like it used to, these tips should help you get a boost from your battery.

 

6 gotta-know Spotify tips for Android and iOS

Save Spotify radio stations for offline listening, snip out the gaps between songs, keep the music playing when your playlist runs out, and more.

 

Jaybird X3 may be the perfect sport buds

The Modern Dad discovers the Jaybird X3 are a great companion for the gym, a quick jog, or really for whatever.

 

10 best Android apps to sell stuff

The good news is that there are plenty of options when it comes to selling your stuff. You’ll have a few extra bucks and some empty space before you know it.

Can You Believe It? Yahoo Screws Up Again! #3

Tech News and Opinions

Yahoo warns users against hackings as it suffers yet another breach

The hackers purportedly relied on a sophisticated cookie forging exploit that could be executed without the need to acquire user passwords, ZDNet reports.

 

Microsoft delays its usual Patch Tuesday updates

It's Microsoft Patch Tuesday, but the company is delaying issuing any patches for some unspecified period of time due to "a last minute issue."

 

Twitter Is Now Temporarily Throttling Reach Of Abusive Accounts

Twitter is temporarily decreasing the reach of tweets from users it believes are engaging in abusive behavior via a new protocol that began rolling out last week.

 

In 2016, Android and iPhone Killed Off All Smartphone Competition

Gartner paints an incredible picture of why Microsoft abandoned the smartphone market: Android and iOS now account basically 100 percent of all new smartphone sales.

 

Hacker knows best: Privacy tips from Kevin Mitnick

This security expert knows all the tricks for stealing your personal information. His new book tells you how to keep your data safe.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Keep All Your Notes, With All My Notes

It makes a great PIM (Personal Information Manager), and is available in a variety of versions.

 

Having touchpad issues in Windows 10? Here's how to fix them

Get tips to revive a dead touchpad or settle down one that's acting skittish on a Windows 10 laptop.

 

How to Automatically Hide the Windows Taskbar

Every bit of monitor space is precious, particularly vertical space. But in Windows 10, the fairly large taskbar takes up real estate even when you don’t need it.

 

How to Customize Your Icons in Windows

Windows has a number of built in icons you can choose from, but there is also an untold number of icons you can download

 

How to Organize Your Desktop With Windows 10 Snap Assist

Here's how to use Snap Assist to cleanly display multiple windows in a single bunch.

 

Mobile Computing

Sprint tweaks its unlimited plan following Verizon and T-Mobile changes

The changes go into effect tomorrow, February 17, and they include unlimited streaming of HD video (up to 1080p).

 

Facebook now has a built-in weather app

Facebook started offering weather "greetings" to some users in April last year, but now it's rolling out a fully fledged weather app on both desktop and mobile.

 

6 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Dash Cam

In countries like Russia, dash cams are pretty much mandatory for insurance reasons

 

How to Find the Best Android Calendar App

Design, email integration, widgets, and task management: Here are our picks for the top Android Calendars in each of those categories.

 

Top 10 New Android Games This Week

This edition is dedicated to new games that you can start playing right now.

 

Location Services on your iPad; what you need to know

They can also become intrusive if given too much access–it just depends on what your expectations are and how informed you are from the beginning.  

US Senate Demands Answers from Yahoo

She may be smiling in this photo, but, trust me, Marissa Mayer is not a happy person right now. The CEO of Yahoo is under tremendous pressure by two Senate Committee Chairmen to answer why over one billion Yahoo accounts were hacked and customer’s private data was exposed and stolen. Not only that, they want to know why the public and Yahoo stockholders were never informed of the breach.

They also kept the news away from potential buyers of the company, like Verizon. This is a betrayal of public trust, and I believe, a violation of corporate laws by a publicly held corporation. The breaches occurred in 2013 and 2014. Yahoo “abruptly” canceled a meeting late last month with Senate staff, and did not reschedule. You can read all about it in our first story.

Lots more good information here and some great tips so keep on reading! -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Senators demand answers about Yahoo's unprecedented data breaches

Two Republican senators are losing patience with Marissa Mayer. They set a February 23 deadline to address unanswered questions about two unprecedented data breaches.

 

Microsoft to Sign Off Windows 10 Creators Update in Early March - Report

Windows 10 Creators Update RTM (Released to Manufacturing) could be signed off by Microsoft between March 7 and March 14 this year.

 

Google is planning to remove millions of apps from the Play Store

With notices being sent out to app developers around the globe, it looks like Google is about to cull a whole heap of apps that don’t meet the terms of its User Data Policy.

 

Apple is Dead to Me...I'm Switching to Windows!

A world-famous photographer has made the switch. “It’s too bad that Apple has chosen not to care so much about the creative professional; we were the ones that got them through the lean years.”

 

Libre Office Version 5.3 Released

This version is being dubbed the most feature-rich edition so far. However, it's rare for software developers to remove features, so it's hardly surprising that this latest release has more of them than the previous one did!

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How Windows Explorer can help you find duplicate files

Why, after all these years, it doesn’t have a 'find duplicates' function, we can’t say. But even without it, it’s perfectly adequate to the task, although it means a bit more work on your part.

 

What's 2017's fastest Windows 10 web browser?

In years past, Google Chrome was easily the best. This time around it's a three-horse race.

 

How to clean your Windows registry and speed up your PC

A cluttered registry can slow Windows to a crawl.

 

How to Fix the Most Annoying Things in Windows 10

Windows 10 is great, but it has its issues. Here's how to fix them.

 

Microsoft starts roll out of Outlook Mail's Focused Inbox feature to more users in Windows 10

Focused Inbox, in case you are unfamiliar, is a major feature in Outlook that helps you focus on the important stuff while keeping the less important emails in an easily accessible section.

 

Mobile Computing

Verizon's unlimited data plan is back, finally

Verizon is the last of the major carriers to offer such a plan, while T-Mobile and Sprint aggressively push unlimited.

 

T-Mobile hits back at Verizon with an even better unlimited plan

Adding these changes onto T-Mobile One should push the balance back in T-Mobile’s direction for heavy data users.

 

Best Free Android Apps -Updated 2017

This list of Best Free Android Apps now includes 239 apps in multiple categories. We have selected some gems in each category and added them to the list with clear and brief descriptions of each app.

 

20 Best iPhone Apps of 2017

Have an afternoon to burn and want to download some toys? These are our must-have iPhone apps.

 

Google Maps now lets you create and share lists of places

Your lists can be viewed on both the desktop and mobile apps, and you'll even be able to view them offline if you download the relevant area in advance.

Notes from the Field

Microsoft apparently will introduce a new version of Windows called “Windows Cloud.” They don’t even acknowledge it’s existence yet, but a tech reporter got his hands on a copy of it. The new OS is designed to compete with Google’s Chrome operating system which has become quite successful. As reported here earlier, Chrome-based laptops are cheap and the new ones will also run Android Apps. The rumor is Windows Cloud will be released in early April…same time the updated Windows 10 version (Creator’s Edition) is released. We shall see.

I still use eMClient as my mail/calendar app on my Windows computers and am happy with it (see story #6 below). It is free, but limited to 2 e-mail addresses. For me, that is OK. The eMClient calendar app syncs nicely with Google Calendar which is my base calendaring system. As I use Windows, MAC and iOS devices, I need apps that can sync with Google Calendar cross-platform and there are apps that do…even though I do not use the Google Calendar app on any of my machines.

I still use my 9.7” iPad tablet on a daily basis. If you are thinking about getting a tablet for yourself, don’t even bother with an Android Tablet. In my opinion (and the opinion of tech journalists), Android tablets stink! Just get an iPad…you won’t regret it.

I still love my HP Spectre laptop that I bought on Black Friday. It is the best laptop I have ever used. With an i7 chip, 512 SSD drive, and 16 GB of memory, it is so fast! When I turn it on, Windows boots up in about 4 seconds, ready to go! And the keyboard is just wonderful. My fingers fly on it…which was not the case with my Apple MacBook Pro. I never got used to any Apple keyboard.

In years past, I’ve written about the problems I have with Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud backup on my MAC. Well, all problems with OneDrive were solved some time ago! It now works like a dream. Documents and photos are backed up to the cloud almost as soon as I create them. With an Office 365 subscription, OneDrive with 1 TB of cloud space is free. For $10 a month, that is a great deal…at least for me.

Speaking of the cloud, Apple’s iCloud is a joke when compared to OneDrive, Dropbox, Amazon Cloud, and Google Drive. Can’t believe Apple can’t get it right.

Those are my thoughts this day.  Will write more in the future about my computing experiences. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Watch the latest drone video of Apple’s new $5 billion Cupertino campus

“It’s a little like a spaceship has landed,” said Steve Jobs...and it is close to opening.

 

HBO NOW’s streaming service surpasses 2 million subscribers

HBO’s streaming service for cord cutters, HBO NOW, has grown to over 2 million subscribers in the U.S., parent company Time Warner announced

 

Evernote is getting faster thanks to Google's Cloud Platform

You might see Evernote's pages load faster than usual going forward, now that the service is almost fully done moving 3 petabytes of data to Google Cloud Platform.

 

The 7 best tech items from AmazonBasics

Amazon sells many good items with their own brand name. Many of them are quite good. Here are the best of the bunch.

 

Walmart kills its Amazon Prime copycat

Walmart waited a decade to introduce a membership shipping service to compete against Amazon's hugely successful Prime program. Less than two years later, it's killing off the new service and changing tactics.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

3 great email app alternatives to Windows Mail: Mailbird, eM Client and Inky

Windows 10's default app isn't the best option for unruly inboxes. Try one of these instead.

 

How to customize your reading list in Edge for Windows 10

There's more to read online than you could ever hope to cover, but thanks to Microsoft Edge's Reading List feature, you can create a reading list of the awesome stuff you can't to get to right now.

 

The Best Tax Preparation Software of 2017

Doing your own taxes isn't as intimidating as it sounds. These top-rated online tax services get the job done without the fuss

 

How to force Firefox to retain your preferred search engine

If you're a Firefox user, you've probably noticed that it reverts to Yahoo as its search provider each time it automatically updates. Here's how to stop that.

 

3 Ways to Speed Up Windows 10

Windows 10's settings offer a few surprising ways to make the OS run faster (video included).

 

Mobile Computing

15 Cool Smartphone Camera Tricks You Should Know

Chances are, you're not even taking advantage of all the cool things your phone's camera can do.

 

How to share your Android phone's connection with Wi-Fi hotspot

You don't have to be a networking wizard to turn your handset into a personal hotspot.

 

The safest ways to lend someone your Android phone

You can let people borrow your device without revealing your open apps, browser tabs, or personal data.

 

5 ways Android has taken Apple’s ideas and made them better

Google took one look at the iPhone Apple unveiled in early 2007 and it instantly knew it was cloning the wrong mobile experience.

 

Choosing the right (and best!) Lightning cable for the job!

While the standard lightning cable that comes with your iPhone is great, there are some really reliable, high-quality alternatives out there that may actually give you a bit more bang for your buck.

New FCC Commission is Selling Us Down the River

Tech News and Opinions

How the New FCC Plans to Dismantle Consumer Protections

Here’s what’s happening and how it affects the principle of net neutrality going forward. PS: It will be designed to protect giant media corporations contrary to any BS about promoting competition.

 

Congress just passed a law that tightens America's email privacy laws

This law, which has bipartisan support, requires the government to obtain a warrant before accessing the email of American citizens.

 

Vizio smart TVs tracked what viewers were watching without consent

As well as paying a hefty fine, Vizio has been ordered to delete all information collected before March 2016.

 

The Super Bowl live-streams crashed for both Comcast and Fox Sports

Folks watching on the Fox Sports app lost their stream during the game’s pivotal fourth quarter.

 

Web of Trust browser extensions yanked after proving untrustworthy

Mozilla decided to pull the Web of Trust add-on from its catalog, and the company behind the extension quickly pulled its software off of other browser platforms as well.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to Run Android on Your Computer

Android isn’t largely thought of as a desktop operating system, but if you’re curious about how Google’s mobile OS works, running it on a device you already have isn’t a bad idea.

 

First Steps: Scan Old Photos and Back Them Up to the Cloud

Those seeking to bring their old photo collections into the digital age face numerous challenges, not the least of which is the monotonous task of scanning individual photos or negatives. Here are a few thoughts about this process.

 

Netflix extension for Chrome is your shortcut to a ton of hidden categories

Available for free, Netflix Categories is a neat new Chrome extension that removes the hassle out of browsing the hidden categories of the popular streaming service.

 

Office 365 tip: Using 'Add to AutoCorrect' to make you more productive

Never make the same typos again by using AutoCorrect to make your typing much more efficient.

 

FAQ: How to manage Windows 10 updates

If you've spent years mastering the ins and outs of Windows Update, prepare to do some unlearning. Windows 10, with its emphasis on "Windows as a Service," rewrites almost all the rules of updates and upgrades. Here's what you need to know.

 

Mobile Computing

6 essential settings to make your iPhone and iPad display easier on the eyes

Make text larger, or just bolder. Zoom in on all of the screen or just parts. And finally get buttons to look like buttons again, with these helpful tips for iOS 9 and later.

 

Why your iPhone battery meter sometimes goes haywire

Even though many people complained to me about bizarre battery hiccups, I was unconvinced until I experienced virtually every one of them myself. 

 

How to Transfer Photos from Mac or Windows Computer to iPhone or iPad

Now you can manage all your sweet memories on different devices like Mac/Windows PC and iPhone or iPad. This information tells you how to transfer photos from Mac or Windows PC to iPhone or iPad.

Google Maps for Android now gives one-swipe access to real-time commute data and dining recommendations

Today’s update comes a few weeks after Google introduced a new feature in Maps that predicts how busy the parking is at your destination.

 

Google Now Launcher to be discontinued by Google

Google's first launcher, the launcher that shipped with the Nexus series and that helped define what much of the theming community views as 'stock', will be retiring soon.

 

How to protect your privacy with a VPN on Android

You don't necessarily have to spend money, but free VPN apps come with some drawbacks.

Houston Astros Hacked…By the St. Louis Cardinals!

While baseball looks more gentlemanly than football or basketball or hockey, don’t let looks fool you. These “gentlemen” can play rough. Now, instead of stealing the other teams signs, one of them has been caught stealing data.

The St. Louis Cardinals hacked into the Houston Astros computers to steal scouting data and related e-mails. The man in charge of the hacks was sentenced to almost four years in a federal prison and the team is being forced to pay a hefty fine as well as lose draft picks. In view of other sports scandals, the Cardinals got away with a relatively light slap on the wrist…although the chief hacker might not agree with that statement.

What was it that Vince Lombardi said?  “Winning isn’t every thing…it is the only thing.” You might add to that quote, “…that is until you get caught.” And the Cardinals got caught.

More good info here, as usual, so don’t get caught short by not looking for something that might be of help. Have a great weekend. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

St. Louis Cardinals nailed for big league hack

The National League powerhouse loses two draft picks and must pay $2 million in fines for hacking the Houston Astros in 2013.

Ransomware is about to get a lot worse, by holding your operating system hostage ZDNet

The threat of ransomware has grown at an unprecedented rate, rising from being a menace to becoming by far the most common form of malware delivered to victims by cyberattackers.

 

Security flaws in Pentagon systems "easily" exploited by hackers

Hackers are likely exploiting the easy-to-find vulnerabilities, according to the security researcher who warned the Pentagon of the flaws months ago.

 

Microsoft Provides More Details About Edge Improvements in the Creators Update

Microsoft provides a bit more information about the upcoming new version of their Web browser.

 

Canada declares 'high-speed' internet essential for quality of life

Canada has recognized the obvious and declared high-speed broadband internet access a “basic telecommunications service” that every citizen should be able to access.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

 

How to Assign a Persistent Drive Letter to a USB Drive in Windows

If you use multiple USB drives, you’ve probably noticed that the drive letter can be different each time you plug one in. If you’d like to assign a static letter to a drive that’s the same every time you plug it in, read on.

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.

 

Windows 10 tip: Repair your Windows 10 installation

Performing a clean install or a reset means you have to reinstall apps and desktop programs and start over with settings and preferences. If you suspect Windows has become damaged, there's a less drastic solution: Run Setup to repair Windows. Here's how

 

How to Get the Best Cable Modem: Should You Buy or Rent?

You may be able to save money and get faster speeds by buying a cable modem instead of renting one from your ISP. Here's what you need to know.

 

What Are Mesh Wi-Fi Systems, and How Do They Work?

If your home’s Wi-Fi network has dead spots, or doesn’t reach across your entire house, then you might have recently considered getting a mesh Wi-Fi system. They’ve skyrocketed in popularity.

Mobile Computing

The safest ways to lend someone your Android phone

You can let people borrow your device without revealing your open apps, browser tabs, or personal data.

 

How to Switch From an iPhone to an Android Phone

Are you over Apple? Here's how to easily make the change from iOS to Google's Android ecosystem.

 

9 iPhone Apps No One Should Be Without

From productivity to playtime, here are the best iPhone apps to get you through the day.

 

Snapseed for Android and iOS gets its first 2017 update w/ new curves tool and more

Snapseed is one of our favorite photo editing tools for mobile, and it just keeps getting better with every update.

 

Quick Look: Gmail for iPad

I really like the default Mail app on the iPad. I think it’s a great example of what a good iPad Pro app should be.