Here is the Date for the Next Windows Update Rollout

It is now official…Windows 10 Creator’s Update will start rolling out on April 11. I say start rolling out as Microsoft does this kind of thing on an incremental basis. The last update, Anniversary Edition, took 3 months to roll out. Here’s how they decide who gets it and when: If they determine your computer is fully compatible with Windows 10, you will be given high priority. Last time, one of my computers got it on the same day the update was released. Another computer took a couple of weeks. The third, a laptop, took a bit longer.

I suspect my new laptop should get it early on as it is quite new, and was built with Windows 10 in mind. My other two computers many have to wait. As our first story says, desktop computers will have priority, and I have two of them. While I was quite anxious to get the Anniversary Edition, I feel a little more mellow about this one. Since I know what is in this new one, I am not all that excited (see story #2 below). Some of the more interesting features that were supposed to be in this one didn’t make the cut, so will have to wait until Fall to see them.

Microsoft journalist Mary Jo Foley says she thinks this update was misnamed. There is very little in it to excite creative folks, except for Microsoft Paint 3D. She says there is much more for gamers than creatives. Still, I think there will be many under-the-hood fixes that will keep us more secure and make our computers less likely to crash. I am all for that.

In other news, the US Congress has sold us down the river when it comes to personal privacy. The Congress Critters voted to let ISP’s sell our personal info as well as our browsing preferences to whomever is willing to pay for them…without our permission. The President is sure to sign the bill. Look for more invasion of our privacy and the end of Net Neutrality in the near future.

With that in mind, me and other folks have been exploring the use of VPN’s (Very Private Networks) at home to keep our data away from our ISP’s. I use Opera as my browser on my laptop to prevent snooping while using it in public places. It has a free VPN built-in. Now, I have started to install a VPN on all my computers. It is just my little revolt against those vulture who would sell my personal information for their own aggrandizements. Bastards!

OK. As I step down from my bully pulpit, it is time for you to start reading all the interesting info I have gathered here. –JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Windows 10 Creators Update starts rolling out on April 11th

It's heading to desktops first, with laptops and phones to follow.

 

The Coolest Features in Windows 10 Creators Update

Windows 10 now gets major free updates every several months. The latest, Creators Update, adds features and tools not only for creative types but for gamers and readers as well.

 

NY Times: How the Republicans Sold Your Privacy to Internet Providers

The Senate already approved the bill, on a party-line vote, last week, which means that in the coming days President Trump will be able to sign legislation that will strike a significant blow against online privacy protection.

 

Broadband Privacy Repeal Sparks Interest in VPNs

VPNs cloak a customer's web-surfing history by making an encrypted connection to a private server, which then searches the Web on the customer's behalf without revealing the destination addresses.

 

Police get warrant for entire Minnesota city's Google searches in wire fraud case

Police from the Minnesota city of Edina have obtained a wide-ranging court order that grants them access to a lot of it

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

The Laziest, Cheapest Way to Circumvent Your Snooping ISP

Congress decided that your ISP should be allowed to sell off your private browsing data, but the solutions to get around this are a bit complicated, costly, or just a pain. What’s a lazy-internet person to do? Use Opera.

 

Microsoft OneNote tutorial: Everything you need to know to start taking notes

It takes almost any kind of content and works well across platforms. What's not to like?

 

Windows 10 Tip: Turn Off Lock Screen, Start and Action Center Advertising

While Windows 10 is excellent overall, its rampant use of in-box advertising is annoying. Let's turn it all off.

 

How to keep a private stash of bookmarks in Chrome

Hush for Chrome lets you stash some bookmarks that can only be used in incognito mode.

 

12 keyboard shortcuts every Chromebook owner needs to know

A dozen keyboard shortcuts to make Chrome OS even easier to use.

 

Mobile Computing

Google finally releases Calendar app for iPad

It was previously only available for iPhone, Android smartphones and tablets and on the web.

 

7 Kindle tricks for iPhone users

Become a Kindle-for-iOS power user with these handy tips.

 

6 ways to maximize the Android phone dialer

Rearrange speed-dial contacts, get phone numbers for nearby businesses, duck spam calls, and more

 

Photo planning app PhotoPills now available for Android

Like its iOS-counterpart, PhotoPills for Android will set you back a hefty $10 but if you take your photo planning seriously this could be a small price to pay.

 

How to post Instagram photos to a Facebook Page

Share an Instagram photo to your Facebook Page instead of your personal account.

 

How to use Google Maps offline

Google Maps has an offline mode that lets you download maps and get directions even when you're not connected to the internet.

Another Important Day For Apple Devices

Just like last week, Apple issued another out-of-the-blue announcement. And just like last week, there was no big Apple event. But unlike last week, most of us who follow Apple new this was coming…we just did not know when.

What Apple did yesterday was update all the operating systems for all the devices it makes…including MacOS, iOS, WatchOS, and TVOS. These are all incremental updates…improving the current OS for each devices. The big updates will probably show up this fall. Still, there are some new features you should know about…and those are outlined in our first article in the Mobile Computing section below.

Now, I don’t own an Apple watch nor do I own an overpriced Apple TV device. Probably you don’t either. But many of you have iPhones and iPad’s that use iOS so you should know about this update.

My schedule prevented my from updating my big MAC, but I did update my iPad and iPhone. Both went smooth. The biggest and most important new feature for iOS was a brand file structure. The current file system in these devices is many, many years old. This new file system is more modern and powerful and has features that really moves Apple forward. (There is a new file system coming for MAC also, but was not a part of this update)

I won’t go into the system other than to say it will increase the storage space on your devices. On my iPhone, I picked up 2GB of storage space. On my iPad, which has a much smaller drive, I picked up nearly 1.5GB of storage. If you go into your settings before you update, write down the remaining storage size. Then do it again after you do the update. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I doubt you will see any difference in the way your device operates, but just know it is a good thing.

Read the articles below to learn more…and be sure and do a complete backup of your devices before you update. -JRC 

Tech News and Opinions

Drone footage shows crews racing to finish Apple Park by April

Apple employees are set to move into the Apple spaceship campus just next month, but based on the recent drone footage there’s still a lot of work to be done on Apple Park.

 

T-Mobile announces new features to protect mobile users from scams

The mobile carrier is set to unveil two new programs, Scam ID and Scam Block. The former is a service which will identify scam calls and alert the potential scammee. The second automatically blocks all calls that Scam ID catches.

 

Microsoft Promises More Flexibility, Transparency for Windows 10 Updates

These changes were of course driven by customer feedback. And they relate both to updates—the ongoing “Windows as a service” and upgrades, which is what happens when you move from one version of Windows 10 to the next version.

 

With Uber's misdeeds, Lyft aims to look like the good guy

Reeling from scandals, including an alleged incident at a karaoke-escort bar, Uber appears to be back-pedaling while Lyft is on a positive PR campaign.

 

Google Home vs Amazon Echo

Who's the better fit for your home?

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Microsoft OneDrive tips and tricks to make the cloud work for you

If you're considering trusting OneDrive to help you manage your projects on the go, or you already use it, take a look at these tips and tricks. They just may help you "become one" with OneDrive.

 

8 Unique Web Browsers to Try

If you're looking to switch things up on your PC, these alternative browsers could have you saying farewell to Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Edge in no time. JRC: I love Vivaldi.

 

Why You Shouldn’t Use (Most) Alternative Browsers Based on Google Chrome

This article discusses the problems with some of these alternative browsers, and why we no longer recommend using them—with a few exceptions. JRC: Vivaldi is not on the list.

 

How to Wipe Your Hard Drive

Planning to get rid of your PC? How can you make sure all the personal files on your hard drive are erased and unrecoverable?

 

How to Change the “Sent From Mail for Windows 10” Signature

If you’d rather use a custom signature or no signature at all, it’s easy to change or disable the signature for each account.

 

Mobile Computing

Everything you need to know about Apple's macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS updates

A busy day for Apple. Here is all the important info on all the new updates for Apple devices.

 

You must back up your iPhone and iPad before upgrading to iOS 10.3

iOS 10.3 is out, and it's vital that you have an effective backup mechanism in place for your iPhone before you upgrade.

 

How to Increase and Manage iCloud Storage from Your iPhone or iPad

If you’re saving your photos, videos, content, files, and app data via iCloud, too, you’re likely to be maxed out pretty quickly.

 

How to protect your Apple iCloud account

A hacker group claims to have access to 250 million iCloud accounts. Worried about them destroying your iCloud music, pictures, and documents? Here are three things you should do right now.

 

It's Time to Spring Clean your Phone Apps

It can be tempting to let apps accumulate on your phone until you start to run out of space, but apps you don’t use still have whatever data you put into them. They’ll still eat up your bandwidth to update themselves.

 

Google adds 'Free App of the Week' section to Play Store

Google is now making it super-easy to find a new Android app to try for free.

More Cord-Cutting Info and Other Tips

As you may have guessed by now, I am a passionate cord cutter. I do not have cable TV in my home. Rather, I use a nearly infinite source of entertainment and information offered on my Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices. The first article below compares all the current services offered by the major non-cable TV providers.

If you have read this blog before, you know I am a DirecTV Now subscriber and a pretty happy one at that. To be honest, I don’t use it all that much, but will be now that spring and summer are approaching and there is more useful content coming. But, as a subscriber, I got a big bonus yesterday.

You may or may not know that some major content providers provide separate video applications over and above their cable or satellite offerings. These would include ESPN, HBO, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, Disney, and several others. Here is what makes them special: ESPN has a multitude of channels not offered on cable or satellite. With their special WatchESPN app, you get all those channels in one location to watch when you want.

If you are an HBO subscriber on cable or satellite (or DirecTV Now), you can only watch a program at a certain day or time. With their special “HBO Go” app, you can watch any movie or show they offer any time you want…including many they no longer show on their regular channels. Same is true in one form or another with other content providers.

These apps are available for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast and other devices including mobile devices. But the kicker is you have to be a cable or satellite subscriber to those channels. But, yesterday I found out that as a DirecTV Now subscriber, I am finally entitled to access to all those aps. So for $40 a month, the price I pay for DirecTV Now + HBO, I now can use those apps…and have loaded some on my devices. I will probably watch more of them than use DirectTV Now. FYI: Here is a list of all those available bonus channels.

Changing subjects…Here are a couple of other non-related browsing tips you might find useful:

Most browsers now offer the ability to view web page content without seeing the other extraneous stuff you see on pages. No, it is not an ad-blocker app, it is called “Reader View.” It is not available for every page…look for the little open-book icon at the top of your browser, usually below the tabs. You will love it!

Another great browser tool that is an add-on (or extension) is called “Autopagerize.” It auto loads articles that are several pages long, all onto one page. How many times have you Goggled something only to find yourself continually clicking over and over to see the next page. With Autopagerize, it just keeps adding them to the bottom of the first page. I love this one…and it is total free for just about every browser on the market.

Well, I hope you found all this useful. For more tips and tricks and just plain good info, just keep on scrolling down. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

PlayStation Vue vs. Sling TV vs DirecTV Now vs YouTube TV

For those fed up with their cable or satellite TV company, there has never been a better time to cut the cord.

 

WikiLeaks’ New Dump Shows How The CIA Allegedly Hacked Macs and iPhones Almost a Decade Ago

The new documents show how the CIA was ahead of the curve in attacking Apple computers.

 

Senate votes to let ISPs sell your Web browsing history to advertisers

ISP now stands for "invading subscriber privacy," Democratic senator says.

 

Estonia has 1.3 million people: Here's how it plans to get 10 million e-residents by 2025

Just over two years into its plan to offer people who are not Estonian citizens or residents a digital identity, Estonia sees fintech and blockchain services as the way to achieve its ambitious goals.

 

LastPass Quickly Fixes New Vulnerabilities

A Google security researcher has discovered new vulnerabilities in the LastPass password manager. The good news? LastPass already fixed them.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

What’s the Difference Between Notepad and WordPad in Windows?

Don’t dismiss them out of hand—while neither are as powerful as paid software in the same niches, they might just do for you.

 

Microsoft Online Services Hit With Another Outage

Many users are reporting issues of logging in or not being able to access their content on services like OneDrive or Outlook.com

 

Why Is My PC Making a Clicking Noise?

If you hear a distinct “clicking” or tapping coming from your PC, it’s probably worth investigating.

 

Google announces Family Link, a tool for managing Google accounts for kids under 13

Family Link lets you create a Google account for your under-13 offspring with advanced parental controls built-in.

 

How to use Mentions in Windows 10's Mail app

Microsoft recently rolled out its Mentions feature to the Windows 10 Mail app. Here's how it works.

Mobile Computing

 

New iPad vs. iPad Pro 9.7-Inch: Apple Tablet Showdown

The new iPad is the most affordable Apple tablet you can buy; let's see how it measures up against the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, which has a few advantages over its more affordable counterpart.

 

Hidden Tips for Mastering iOS 10

Apple packed a lot of improvements and tricks into its latest OS, and now—a few months after its release—we revisit those tips and add a few new ones.

 

Apple Workflow app: What it is and how to use it

Apple bought an app called Workflow on Thursday. The app automates stuff you do all the time on your iPhone and iPad and turns those tasks into a simple button.

 

How to use indoor maps in Google Maps

One of the more useful additions to Google Maps is the ability to navigate within malls, museums, libraries, or sports venues.

 

8 handy things to do with your new Google Assistant

From telling it what to call you to playing tic-tac-toe, here are some nifty ways to get started with your new Assistant.

 

Help! My family plan's gotten out of control

Gathering friends and family onto one family plan can save you big bucks, but is it worth the headache?

Suppose Apple Announced New Products and No One Came

Well, that headline is a little misleading, but still cute. What really happened is Apple announced several new products including a new iPad…but they did it with a press release rather than an event. Kind of a big surprise, really. Maybe the iPad and tablets in general have lost their mojo. Sales for iPads have been decreasing for 9 straight quarters.

The new 9.7 inch iPad is just called “iPad” and is cheaper and faster than previous entry models. It comes with either 32GB or 128GB and is priced at $329 ($100 more for the 128GB version). The new iPad will be available to order on Friday, March 24.

But, there were other new products announced and one discontinued. First there is a new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus…now in bright red.  Surprising is the fact it will come only in 128GB and 256GB configuration. Price starts at $869.

Next, Apple announced that their 4” iPhone SE will get a storage bump to 32GB and 128GB. The base model will sell for $399. Also announced were a slug of new, overpriced Apple Watch bands and a couple of new iPhone cases.

Finally, Apple is releasing a new, free video editing app for iOS called “Clips.” It is designed to help you capture, edit, and post short, shareable videos to your social networks. You can filter your videos, create animated captions called Live Titles, and add music and emoji's. It is coming in April. That probably means we will also see the latest upgrade to iOS 10.3 in April also.

I mentioned that Apple discontinued one item. That would be the iPad Mini 2. It has been available for quite some time as a cheaper alternative to the current iPad Mini 4. While Apple has not killed off the Mini line, there is only one model left…the iPad Mini 4 with 128 GB of memory…$130 more than the now-deceased iPad Mini 2. You can probably find the Mini 2 in stock at places while supplies last. I saw one at Costco just the other day.

There were several rumors floating about that said there were some new iPad Pro models being released very soon. That still may happen but don’t know when. And I don’t know if it will be by a press release of a real live event. Things have sure changed for Apple.

 

Tech News and Opinions

Apple's quiet release of its cheaper, faster iPad proves no one cares about tablets anymore

The iPad franchise has gone from headlining marquee Apple events to showing up in a quiet announcement via press release.

 

The Productivity Wars Are Heating Up; Google and Amazon Take on Microsoft

If Microsoft is not careful, there are several competitors, namely Google and Amazon, who are building up their arsenals to take on Office with the hope of tapping into the lucrative cash flow from these services.

 

Millions of records leaked from huge US corporate database

The database contains more than 33 million records from government departments and large corporate clients which get sold onto marketers.

 

Future of the PC is an intelligent cloud that connects a family of devices

The modern PC is evolving but not into a single form factor, as some may believe

 

Amazon will now tell Prime members what to wear via a new “Outfit Compare” feature

Now the online retailer is looking to dole out its fashion advice to the masses, too, through a new feature called “Outfit Compare,” which is currently available to Prime members.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to use a Chromebook: 10 must-know tips, tricks, and tools for beginners

Chromebooks are dead-simple to use, but just like any PC a little tweaking makes your experience that much better.

 

Windows 10 Tip: Start Your Transition to Microsoft Edge

If you’re interested in switching to Microsoft Edge from another browser—or perhaps you just wish to access your bookmarks, browsing history, and saved passwords—you can do so more easily once you’ve installed the Windows 10 Creators Update.

 

Chrome quietly received a big 3D graphics boost

You should see faster performance, new texture types and visual effects (such as volume-based effects and tone mapping).

 

Shut up already! How to turn off unwanted web page sound

Sick of advertisements blaring when you visit a new web page? Here's how to stop annoying audio.

 

Microsoft begins blocking updates for older Windows versions on newer hardware

Windows 7 is supported until 2020, and Windows 8.1 will get updates until 2023, right? Not if you're trying to run those older Windows versions on new hardware, as some frustrated customers discovered this week.

 

Mobile Computing

Galaxy S8 and beyond: Samsung bets big on Bixby's AI

The digital voice assistant will debut soon on Samsung's next flagship phone, and the company plans to quickly add it to more products.

 

The Best RAW camera apps for shooting with the iPhone!

What are the best RAW camera apps available for my iPhone?

 

7 apps that are quietly killing your data plan

Stop these popular apps from running up monthly data charges.

 

Flipboard (for Android) Review & Rating

Flipboard is an excellent news-reading app that gathers articles from around the web and delivers them to your Android device in attractive Smart Magazines that you can tailor to your own interests. JRC: I use this app on every device I own. I also curate 3 magazines in Flipboard.

 

8 Android app shortcuts that are actually useful

Save yourself some taps while freeing up storage space, creating reminders, scanning receipts, recording audio notes, and more.

 

Gmail App Now Lets You Send and Request Money

The Gmail app on Android could be your new payment hub, assuming you are a fan of Google Wallet and need to send cash to people on the regular through email.

Russians Spies Hacked Yahoo?

Tech News and Opinions

Justice Department indicts Russian spies over Yahoo hacks

The Justice Department on Wednesday said it's indicted four hackers responsible for the second-largest online breach in history.

 

Marissa Mayer will get $23 million ‘golden parachute’ when Verizon completes Yahoo purchase

That payout will be a mixture of cash (around $3 million), equity, and benefits.

 

Apple found guilty of iPhone price-fixing in Russia

The tech giant had retailers coordinate on the prices of the iPhone 5 and 6, says the country's antimonopoly agency.

 

E-Book Sales Down 17% In First Three Quarters Of 2016

Nielsen Book determined that 2016 overall saw a decline of 15% in adult e-book sales, leading to a total decline of 16% in 2016 over 2015, including all age groups.

 

3 Reasons You’re Not Getting Sharp Photos

There are more than a few ways to improve your chances of getting sharper images. Here are a few tips to get you started.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Why Are My PC Speakers and Headphones Making Weird Noises?

There are dozens, maybe hundreds of explanations for unwanted sounds coming from your speakers. Luckily, the most common issues are fairly obvious.

 

How to Delete Your Accounts From the Internet

Deleting accounts you've created on the internet isn't always easy. Here's how to leave several big-name services, from Facebook and Google to Netflix and Hulu

 

Windows 10 Tip: Get the Creators Update on Your Own Schedule

This week, Microsoft began advertising how you can get the Windows 10 Creators Update as quickly as possible. But what if you wish to hold off a bit

 

Microsoft finally fixes 'critical' Windows security flaw after patch delay

The software giant made customers wait a month before rolling out a fix for a serious Windows security flaw with public exploit code.

 

Creators Update includes a few features for Windows Defender

It starts with security against memory and kernel attacks.

 

Mobile Computing

Disable WPAD in Windows to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi Networks

Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WPAD) gives organizations a way to automatically configure a proxy server on your system. Windows enables this setting by default. Here’s why that’s a problem.

 

Burner Accounts 101: How to Get Extra Numbers for a Smartphone

When you don't want to hand out your own phone number, don't buy a separate phone, just download one of these burner apps to your existing smartphone.

 

7 Easy Ways to Make Your Android Phone Less Annoying

Smartphone frustrations can snowball and add real stress to your day. Here are seven quick and simple things you can do to make your life just a bit easier.

 

Microsoft's Arrow Launcher for Android gets another big update

The biggest feature coming along in this update is tablet support, but there are a number of other little handy additions.

 

How to get your iPhone or iPad ready for iOS 10.3

It's likely that Apple will release iOS 10.3 before the end of the month, which means you have some time to get your hardware ready for the upgrade.

 

Should you buy a refurbished iPad?

Buying a refurb can save you a bunch of money, but buying from the right place will save your sanity.

The New Windows is Close While An Old One Nears Death

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft to begin Windows 10 Creators Update sign-off process this week

This coming week, Microsoft is expected to begin its internal sign-off process, in which the company will compile RTM (Release To Manufacturing) candidates and then release it for Insiders to test before deeming it good enough for the public.

 

Windows Vista has less than a month to live

If you’re one of the few people still using it, you have just a few weeks to find another option before time runs out.

 

Net neutrality DOA? Here's what's next for the internet

GOP says net neutrality hurts business. Democrats say changes will harm consumers.

 

Android is set to overtake Windows as most used operating system

Microsoft Windows holds the slimmest of margins over Android, and they could trade positions very soon if current trends continue.

 

More People Have Netflix Than a DVR

That's a huge change from 2011, when 44 percent of households had a DVR and just 28 percent had Netflix, according to a report conducted by Leichtman Research Group.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Untangling the mesh: Everything you need to know about Wi-Fi systems

Here is an in-depth explanation of the good and the bad of Wi-Fi systems (aka mesh networks) and their alternatives that will make your home Wi-Fi great.

 

Microsoft's playable ads let you try apps without downloading

Click a promo and it'll stream the full app for 3 minutes, giving you a feel for how the software works without forcing you to quit what you were doing before.

 

Best Windows 10 Apps for March Madness

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is just around the corner and for those who partake, the Windows Store has a few apps that might help you survive all the highs and lows of the tournament.

 

Use the Hidden PowerCfg Tool to Optimize Battery Life on Windows

The PowerCfg command is a hidden tool on Windows. Beyond just tweaking power-management settings, it can generate some sophisticated HTML reports on Windows 7, 8, and 10.

 

How to Run Windows 10 From a USB Drive

Yes, you can load and run Windows 10 from a USB drive, a handy option when you're using a computer saddled with an older version of Windows.

 

Mobile Computing

 

Japan's decluttering guru Kondo now has an app for tidying up

The app called "KonMari," was launched a few months ago and gives out organizing tips, allows people to share before and after pictures, and provides a platform for her followers to socialize.

 

When cell phone disaster strikes, you have some options

Don't wait until your phone is stolen or submerged to prepare for the worst.

 

How to access your iCloud Photo Library on the web

How do you access your Photo Library, and all your pictures and videos, from anywhere? With iCloud on the web!

 

10 best video chat apps for Android

Video calling is about as easy as it can possibly get these days. You can do it on computers, mobile devices, and even tablets.

 

11 Uses for Your Old Smartphone

Do you have an old smartphone lying around? Turn it into something cool.

The Great and Not-So Great Media Streaming Devices

Since PC Magazine just released its latest ratings of the current batch of media streaming devices (story #1), I thought its a good time to talk about these devices based on my own experiences. Of all the devices listed, I have first-hand experience with the Amazon Fire Stick, the Roku 3 and the Roku Stick, and Google Chromecast. I know…I am a nerd.

First, let’s mention one I have no experience with and is doubtful I ever will. That would be the Apple TV. PC Magazine talks about it but does not give it a rating. They use pretty light-weight language in their short review so as not to offend Apple. As I don’t have to worry about that, I think it is a device not worth owning…unless you might be an Apple Fan Boy and will buy anything they sell. I’m not.

It is way, way overpriced compared to the others ($150-$200), is highly Apple-Centric, doesn’t support 4K, and doesn’t support two of the biggest content providers: Netflix and Amazon. As a great portion of my TV watching is done on these two channels, the exclusion of those two makes Apple TV a no-go for me.

As for my Roku devices and my new Amazon Fire Stick, they are definitely excellent products. I’m really enamored with the Fire Stick ($39) as it has fantastic voice search built-in using Alexa and excellent picture quality. It is fast and efficient in its operation.The voice search is about 95% right on the money. 

I still love my Roku 3 device ($79) and use it on a regular basis. As I wrote here once before, the picture quality is just slightly less than the Fire Stick, but is not really noticeable unless you spend a lot of time comparing the two. Definitely recommend it.

As for the Roku Stick ($29, $39, $49), it is much slower in operation than the Roku 3 or Fire Stick. The picture quality is excellent. I don’t use it much as it is on the bedroom TV and I do most of watching on the 50” TV in the living room. More comfortable seating there also.

As for the Google Chromecast ($35) I can’t recommend it. After using it for a short time before I bought the Fire Stick, I didn’t like it very much. There is no remote control…you must use a tablet or smartphone to operate it. I found that to be a great nuisance, especially when using it with DirecTV Now . The picture quality was good, but not great.

Bottom line…if you want to spend the least amount of money for one of these devices, get the Amazon Fire Stick. You will not regret it. If you want to spend a little more, get the Roku 3 or better. They do have many more channels to choose from and there are some models with 4K capability. 

A quick word about DirecTV Now…it still is not available on any of the Roku devices, but does work well on Fire Stick. I did not use DirecTV much in February, but will be using it more from now on as baseball is here as well as the Stanley Cup playoffs and Indy Car racing (am not a basketball fan). And I do watch the occasional film on Turner Movie Classics. Love some of those old movies.

One other issue on the subject of cutting the cord: I got very used to no commercials on Amazon, Netflix, Acorn, and PBS, so when I see them on DirecTV channels, it drives me up the wall. Once you free yourself of commercials (for everything except sports, of course) you really get used to watching shows uninterrupted from beginning to end. Just a warning.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but thought you might like to know my experiences with cord-cutting. And now…on with the show. -JRC   

Tech News and Opinions

The Best Media Streaming Devices of 2017

We pit the highest-rated streaming boxes and sticks against one another to find out which one is your best bet for watching shows, movies, and more on your television.

 

IBM built an atomic hard drive

IBM announced they have drastically reduced the space required to store a bit of information down to that of a single atom.

 

Facebook enlists AI tech to help prevent suicide

Now Facebook is ready to take a first and significant step in building a safer and more supportive Facebook community by significantly strengthening its own suicide prevention tools.

What to expect from the Windows 10 Creators Update

Microsoft is putting the finishing touches on the next big update to Windows 10. Here's what you can expect when the Creators Update begins rolling out to the general public next month.

 

Microsoft reduced Windows update sizes by 35 percent

With the "Creators Update," downloads will be significantly smaller.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

The Easiest Way to Fix Wi-Fi Issues: Move Your Router (Seriously)

Are there Wi-Fi dead zones in your house? Before you do anything drastic, you might be able to fix it by simply moving your router.

 

Windows 10 Tip: Turn Off File Explorer Advertising

While the Creators Update will include a number of important improvements to Windows 10, the escalation of File Explorer advertising isn’t one of them. Here’s how to turn it off.

 

What’s the Difference Between Office 365 and Office 2016?

There are two ways you can buy Microsoft Office. You can buy the traditional Microsoft Office 2016 product, or get it as part of an Office 365 software subscription. Here’s the difference.

 

Google's Keep is now an excellent sidekick to its productivity apps

Now, it’s getting an upgrade that’ll make it useful for creating professional documents.

 

Explore the galaxy in full 3D with Celestia

There are lots of free space exploration programs around, but Celestia is one of the best.

 

Mobil Computing

Samsung's Tab S3 and Galaxy Book take on iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4

With no Galaxy S8 announcement at Mobile World Congress this year, Samsung turned to its Android and Windows 10 tablets to fill the void.

 

Google Allo update adds Android Auto support and animated emojis

Google has updated its Allo messaging app that is now a lot more useful to those who spend a lot of time in their car.

 

Google says many of the holes revealed in the CIA leak are already fixed

Earlier this week, WikiLeaks released more than 8,000 documents that revealed how the CIA targets Android phones.

 

Apple to WikiLeaks: Our latest iOS stops potential CIA hacks

You should apparently update to the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system on your iPhone or iPad.

 

How to take photos on an iPad that don't suck

Rather than struggle and switch between your iPhone, iPad, and DSLR, you could learn how to master the ways of the iPad camera with a few of our helpful hints.

 

How to extract your messages and voicemails from your iPhone or iPad

How do I extract messages and voicemails from my iPhone or iPad? There's an app for that!

Microsoft Locks Out Many Users

Were you locked out of your Microsoft account in the last couple of days? I sure was. Microsoft suffered authentication problems that have yet to be explained. As of now, the problems seemed to be solved…at least according to articles I read on the Net.

I was going a little crazy as I could not get mail from my live.com address, not to mention even logging in. My e-mail programs reported authentication problems. I even went to the trouble of looking for other e-mail programs for my Windows computers. As I was making one more attempt to log in using the Microsoft Mail application, it suddenly cleared up. And now all is well.

FYI: I did not find another Windows-based e-mail program that I liked…and as my needs are simple, the Microsoft Mail program works well for me and looks good…that is when it recognizes my email name and password. PS: I use “Spark” for my email software on the MAC and Outlook on iOS devices.  I admit I love playing around with different software applications.

 

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft Hit With Authentication Issue, Many Users Were Locked Out

If you are trying to login to your Microsoft account today and are being told your password is incorrect, it can’t find your account, or your two-factor authentication has failed, you are not alone.

 

FCC Blocks Rules to Let You Control How ISPs Use Your Data

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, however, says the move simply "granted the telecom industry its wish."

 

Windows updates to become more reliable and predictable, with fewer surprise reboots

It'll be easier to stop Windows from rebooting in the middle of something important.

 

How to Use Netflix’s Secret Category Codes to Satiate Any Movie Craving

How to Use Netflix’s Secret Category Codes to Satiate Any Movie Craving

 

AMD Ryzen 7 1800X Review

Look out, Intel. AMD's Ryzen 7 processor can go cycle-for-cycle with your best processors. And for a lot less money.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

 

How to install apps on a separate drive on Windows 10

When your PC has limited storage space, or you simply want to keep things separate, use this guide to install or move apps to a different drive on Windows 10.

 

Clippy is back, and this time it's coming for your browser

The world's most infamous paper clip is back in the form of a Chrome extension called Clippy Everywhere!

 

The 25 laptops with the best battery life

These are the current laptops, tablets and 2-in-1 hybrids with the longest battery life.

 

How to Clean Up Your Facebook News Feed in Just a Few Taps

Thankfully, Facebook has developed some tools to help you sort and clean up your News Feed.

 

How to Find Your Windows PC’s Serial Number

But you can often find a PC’s serial number with a simple command, a peek in your BIOS, or on the hardware itself.

 

Mobile Computing

How to customize Notification Center on iPhone and iPad

Can't find that notification that just popped up on your iPhone screen? There's a way to fix that!

 

20 Secret iPhone Tips And Hacks That You Didn't Know About

These are some of the best iPhone hacks you didn't know about, and exactly how you can find them.

 

How to Fix Inaccurate Charge Percentages by Calibrating Your Phone’s Battery

This process should work on iPhone, Android, and even tablets or laptops (almost all of which use lithium ion batteries).

 

Newest Lightroom designed to help snap those tricky photos

Adobe tackles tricky lighting with its newest phone software for photography. And it goes beyond standard JPEG images.

 

When is Google Assistant coming to my phone?

According to Google's announcement, the personal voice assistant that launched on the Pixel phone will slowly make its way to all devices in the US with English set as the device language.

 

13 Secret Codes That Unlock Hidden Features on Your Phone

Coders have a storied tradition of baking in secret passageways (or sometimes, just fun little Easter eggs) that can only be accessed by inputting a special "key." And so that tradition continues in the mobile age.

Someone’s Fat Finger Brought Down the Internet

Well, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but an itty bitty typing mistake at Amazon Web Services brought much of the Net down. As our level of technological sophistication keeps growing, the possibilities for major problems also grows. Not only in this example, but just look at the number of holes for hackers that keep opening up as our devices and operating systems grow in in sophistication. Due diligence is the watchword for developers and technicians. For more information on this, check out our first story.

On another subject, the rumors about the next iPhone are growing on a daily basis. Now, I hate rumors. I prefer to see a product’s final version instead of speculations prior to release. But I may have to make an exception for the iPhone 8. Some fascinating rumors are out in the wild now, some of them coming from highly respected publications, such as the Wall Street Journal. As many of us are iPhone users, I thought you might find some of the more credible rumors interesting…so here goes:

• The phone will have no bezel and will appear as a single sheet of glass
• With no bezel, there will be no physical home button
• Virtual buttons will replace home button
• Touch ID and the camera will be built into the display
• The screen itself will be a flexible OLED display
• It will use less power and offer a better contrast ratio and colors
• The display may be curved
• They will do away with the lightning port and replace it with USB-C
• It may also have wireless charging
• It will have a higher water-resistance rating
• Some models may be around $1,000

Again, these are only rumors. And we won’t know the final results until October when the phone is announced. If you would like some in-depth analysis of these rumors, just click here to read more about it.

Well, there is plenty of news and tech tips here to keep you busy, so I will let you get to it. I hope you have a great weekend. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

How a single typo brought the web to its knees

This week, an Amazon Web Service (AWS) failure caused a massive outage all over the internet. Today, we know why: a typo.

 

Mobile World Congress 2017

Here is the latest news and updates from this year's Mobil World Congress in Barcelona.

 

These are the most exciting phones at MWC

LG, Sony and Samsung --the most popular phones on CNET now introduced to us at Mobile World Congress 2017.

 

Mossberg: The PC is being redefined

The redefinition of the PC is an ongoing thing. Even students who might otherwise be permanently attached to their phones are still likely to use a MacBook, Windows laptop, or Chromebook some of the time.

 

Google's YouTube TV will offer a streaming cable TV service for $35 a month

The plan is to launch YouTube TV in the US, an internet-based television service that will offer access to local broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and the CW, along with a bunch of cable networks.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

​Gmail boost: Now you can receive 50 megabyte attachments to your emails

Starting this week, Google will help Gmail users in this scenario by letting them open up any files of up to 50 megabytes (50MB) in size.

 

How to share an internet connection using a wireless hotspot on Windows 10

When you need to share an internet connection with other devices, use this guide to quickly create a wireless hotspot on Windows 10.

 

How to force Cortana to use your default browser

A Norway-based developer recently created a program called EdgeDeflector that puts a stop to Cortana’s shenanigans.

 

Replacing Evernote with Bear

It’s another cloud-based note-taking app, and it doesn’t have half the features Evernote does. It is also exponentially faster and more pleasant to use. As it turns out, these things are related.

 

The Best Tune-Up Utilities of 2017

A PC tune-up utility is an application that digs deep into your computer and fixes trouble areas. It performs several functions.

 

Mobile Computing

Best Microsoft apps for Android

From heavy-hitters like Office to side projects developed by employees in their free time under the Microsoft Garage label, Microsoft has a lot to offer on Android.

 

How to Prevent Certain Photos from Showing Up in Android’s Gallery or Google Photos

There’s not an easy way to just let Gallery or Google Photos know you want to keep certain photos (or even folders) private. But there is a workaround.

 

Google's iOS Keyboard Updated with Voice Typing, More

If you use an iPhone, you know that the built-in virtual keyboard is lackluster at best. Fortunately, you have plenty of options. And one of the better choices, Google Gboard, just got a big update.

 

How to Share Your iTunes Library Among Multiple Devices

You have one iTunes library at home but you want to share it among different devices. Here's how.

 

Best way to shoot photographs at night with the iPhone

Shooting late at night can be a bit tricky, especially with an iPhone, but you don't need a 7 Plus to capture stunning pictures.

 

How SIM cards work

We deal with SIM cards on a daily basis in our phones (and sometimes tablets), but yet, we know very little about them.

First Look at New Phones from World Mobile Congress

Tech News and Opinions

Samsung boss to be indicted for bribery, embezzlement and hiding funds abroad

Lee was arrested earlier in February after being accused of bribing South Korean President Park Geun-hye to help him assume control of the Samsung Group.

 

All the phones we saw at Mobile World Congress 2017

There's a long list of new phones to be excited about.

 

Nokia now has three budget Android phones, but everyone will want the 3310 nostalgia model

For around $50 you'll get a 2.4-inch screen, voice and text messaging, limited Internet browsing via an Opera Mini browser, a 2MP camera, and a 22-hour battery

 

Mozilla announces acquisition of Pocket

Pocket is a popular app that allows you to save links from several browsers and other applications in an easily-accessible list.

 

Which Roku Should I Buy? Express vs. Stick vs. Premier vs. Ultra

Well, to start, there are no bad choices: every Roku device can stream Netflix, Hulu, and thousands of other channels in full HD, not to mention some great free video channels.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Three steps to make managing passwords easier

Dealing with passwords will probably never be painless, but you can at least simply the process

 

Shut down Windows 10 with just one click (or two)

Another version of Windows, another silly three-click process just to shut down your PC. Here are some faster alternatives.

 

How to Scan, Save, and Shred Your Tax Documents

Get organized with these tips on how to manage your tax documents, both physically and digitally.

 

How to make Word custom bullet points to enhance your documents

Even the most boring reports can use a bit of bling.

 

Windows 10 will soon let you block desktop apps from installing

The latest Windows Insider preview build of Windows 10 includes options to only allow apps from the Windows Store, but the feature appears to be set as allowing apps from anywhere to install by default.

 

Mobile Computing

iOS widgets: 6 of the best to replace Apple's own

iOS widgets are a great way to check in on your day. Apple gave us its own take on widgets with the core apps built into iOS 10, but you can do better.

 

Five best flight tracking apps for iPhone

If you're feeling lost in the air, these flight tracking apps will keep you grounded!

 

Best way to shoot photographs at night with the iPhone

Shooting late at night can be a bit tricky, especially with an iPhone, but you don't need a 7 Plus to capture stunning pictures.

 

Ghost apps live on to torment Android users

Even after they've been removed from the app store, rogue apps can still be causing hassles for the people that downloaded them.

 

17 new and notable Android apps from the last 2 weeks

Here is a roundup of the best new Android applications and live wallpapers that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous 2 weeks or so.

 

Android Messages will be the new default texting app Google wants you to use

It offers multimedia messages, read receipts, and other features you’d expect from a normal chat app like WhatsApp or iMessage.