Want to Understand Net Neutrality? Burger King Will Explain

Tech News and Opinions

Burger King explains net neutrality

Burger King just put out this short video about net neutrality, and it’s actually pretty awesome. Don't miss it.

States and Cities Keep the Battle for Net Neutrality Alive

States are starting to make good on their promises to fight for net neutrality in the wake of the Federal Communications Commission's recent decision.

Amazon Alexa Loses Voice in Super Bowl Ad

Amazon’s Alexa loses its voice in the company’s new Super Bowl ad, starring CEO Jeff Bezos. — but a replacement seems to be on the way.

Microsoft issues emergency Windows update to disable Intel’s buggy Spectre fixes

Microsoft has been forced to issue a second out-of-band security update this month, to deal with the issues around Intel’s Spectre firmware updates.

What’s Coming in Windows 10’s Redstone 4 Update, Available March 2018

This article contains features that have arrived through Insider Preview version 17083, which was released on January 24, 2018.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

10 Free Driver Updater Tools (Updated January 2018)

These free driver updater programs make it easy to keep your drivers updated. Use one, and you won't need to deal with Device Manager so much, nor will you need to go find the right driver from your hardware maker yourself. JRC: I really like “ Driver Booster.” It works!

7 ways to boot into Safe Mode in Windows 10

If you have used Windows 10 for a while, you might have noticed that the "old ways" of booting into Safe Mode no longer work. Here is how it works today.

Windows 10 privacy guide: How to take control

Where do you draw the line on personal privacy? The right options are different for everyone. In this guide, I show you which privacy settings help you create the right balance of privacy and convenience in Windows 10.

Opinion: Cheap Windows Laptops Will Only Waste Your Time and Money

You get what you pay for. And, while you will save money in the short term, you’ll pay for it in time, frustration, and ultimately money when you have to pay to replace or fix the laptop after it breaks.

What is cloud computing? Everything you need to know about the cloud, explained

Updated: An introduction to cloud computing right from the basics up to IaaS and PaaS, hybrid, public, and private cloud.

Mobile Computing

The Best Portable Chargers For Every Need

If your phone is getting a little too old to last the day—a portable charger can keep you online. Here, we’ve rounded up the best chargers for your needs.

Best Android apps for following the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics

On February 9, 2018, the world is going to turn its eyes to PyeongChang, South Korea where the Winter Olympics are going to be held.

3 Ways to take a screenshot on Android

Whether or not your Android phone has a home button, here’s how to take a screenshot

Notes 101: How to Pin Important Notes to the Top of Folders

You need a way to quickly identify the notes that are most important, and that's where pinning comes in.

Apple Is Reportedly Redesigning iBooks, And It Could Change The Way You Read In A Major Way

Books itself is allegedly being revamped, with an improved interface that moves more immediately to the books you're currently reading and a redesigned digital bookstore space.

How to switch Apple IDs on your iPhone or iPad

There are, on some occasions, reasons why you might want to sign out of one Apple ID and into another. Whatever your reason, here is how to do it.

Today’s Tips are Far More Interesting Than the News

Tech News and Opinions

Facebook killing news is the best thing that ever happened to news

The message is clear: in the messy news landscape of a post-Trump world, Facebook would like to distance itself from the ugly stuff. The stuff it doesn’t understand. The stuff it obviously can’t control.

5 ways your Amazon Prime subscription can make you healthy

I was surprised to discover just how much health and wellness content comes free with Prime.

Rebirth of the PC market? Holiday shipments grow for first time in 6 years

Worldwide shipments of desktops, notebooks, and workstations hit nearly 260 million units in 2017, the market's most stable year since 2011, according to IDC.

Warrantless phone, laptop searches at the US border hit record levels

One leading Democratic senator says the newly-enacted directives explicitly allow border officials to try to bypass the password or encryption on a device without reasonable suspicion.

Saying goodbye to Windows 8: Where did it all go wrong?

Microsoft's ill-fated operating system was a 'bet-the-company' moment that didn't pay off.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Office 365 Apps Now Available to Everyone in the Windows 10 Store

The entire Office suite isn’t available from the Microsoft Store, but the core apps are here — which means you can get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access, and OneNote. Note: Download each app individually.

Google Chrome now lets you permanently mute annoying websites

The best new feature of the new Chrome is the ability to mute entire sites that autoplay videos. There are a number of sites on the web that have decided to annoy users by playing videos that follow you while you scroll a page with the sound on.

Firefox 58 arrives with tracker blocking to make browsing faster, and fixes for dozens of security flaws

Firefox 57 had a critical flaw that could be triggered when the browser makes a WebRTC connection using "touch tone" signals common in old landline handsets

How to create a full system backup in Windows 10

It's an oldie but goodie: Creating a system image of your Windows 10 PC in case your hard drive goes belly up and you need to recover your files, settings and apps.

This Incredibly Detailed Time Tracker Is Free

Who knows where the time goes when you're at your computer? If that's a problem for you, then here's a possible solution.

Mobile Computing

iOS 11.2.5 is now available for iPhone and iPad

The update primarily adds support for HomePod ahead of its release next month, but includes a few other goodies as well.

Apple will soon let you turn off its iPhone-slowing software

The tweak is arriving in an upcoming iOS update set to arrive this spring.

What Is 5G, and How Fast Will It Be?

5G is supposed to be faster than a typical home cable internet connection today…and it’s wireless, too.

Launcher 10 brings a dash of Windows Phone to Android

Say hello to Launcher 10, one of the Android home screen options I've been using regularly. It's the closest thing you can get to a real Windows Phone experience on Android today.

How to save and sync your passwords for free

One of the top-rated password managers includes cross-platform syncing in its free offering. Here's how to get started.

Google's Files Go app uses AI to declutter your phone

Files Go is a storage manager that automatically looks through your device's apps and internal storage to serve up recommendations on files you can delete.

Is The iPhone X Headed for Oblivion So Soon?

Tech News and Opinions

Apple may discontinue iPhone X when next model arrives

An noted analyst predicts Apple will kill off the original iPhone X once the second-generation model hits stores.

iPhone 8 sold better than the iPhone X in 2017

The iPhone X’s new design notwithstanding, a new report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) relays that Apple’s flagship iPhone was not the most popular iPhone model during the recent holiday quarter.

Amazon Go: No checkers, no lines. We take a look

The new Amazon Go store in Seattle features something different: no cashiers. All you need is the Go app on your phone and an Amazon account.

Whole Foods employees reveal why stores are facing a crisis of food shortages

Whole Foods employees say the problems began before the Amazon acquisition. They blame the shortages on a buying system called order-to-shelf that Whole Foods implemented across its stores early last year.

6 ways to keep packages from getting stolen off your porch

Defend yourself against "porch pirates" and other would-be package thieves.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

This site makes browsing Netflix simple again

Tired of spending more time trying to find something to watch on Netflix than actually watching stuff? Flixable aims to fix that.

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.

How to get started with Story Remix in Photos on Windows 10

Microsoft introduces Story Remix, which is a new experience that makes it super easy to take your pictures and videos to create videos that bring your content to life with transitions, 3D effects, soundtracks, and styles.

The ultimate Windows 10 Fall Creators Update resource guide

In this new release, Windows 10 brings a new set of small and big features and improvements, including visual changes, support for emoji, and even a better handwriting experience. OneDrive Files On-Demand brings placeholders back.

PC-phone convergence is happening, but not how you think

Instead of phones becoming more multifunctional and replacing laptops, new computers at CES 2018 are embracing the best phone features.

Mobile Computing

How to back up and restore text messages on Android

Backing up text messages on Android isn't part of Google's cloud service, mainly because Google isn't in the text messaging business. But it can be done!

5 Best Android Apps of the Week

Here are five of the best new or overlooked apps and games. You’re sure to find some hidden gems in these recommendations. Go forth and download!

How to Use the Amazon Alexa App on Your Smartphone

Amazon’s artificial intelligence-powered voice assistant, Alexa, is spreading like wildfire and we’re seeing more and more useful Alexa skills roll out every day. I

20 handy things you didn't know Google Photos can do

If you’re not using Google Photos, there is one good reason to at least try it. How’d you like to have an unlimited backup of all your photos and videos

How to tell if your iPhone battery needs replacing

Apple is now offering to swap the battery in older iPhone's for $29, but will having this done speed up your device?

How to use Alexa’s voice support on your iPhone, right now

Here's how to access Alexa's voice commands on iOS. Plus, a tip for using Alexa on your phone to control your home from anywhere.

Net Neutrality: Let the Lawsuits Begin!

Tech News and Opinions

Wave of lawsuits filed to block net-neutrality repeal

A group of attorneys general for 21 states and the District of Columbia sued Tuesday to block the rules. So did Mozilla, the maker of the Firefox browser, public-interest group Free Press and New America's Open Technology Institute. Others may file suit as well

Congress demanded NSA spying reform. Instead, they let you down

Both the House and Senate reauthorized the controversial surveillance powers, without any meaningful debate, amendments, or privacy reforms.

Apple expands US capital spending, plans to add 20,000 jobs, invest in data centers

Apple joins the chorus of companies outlining revised capital spending plans, as it repatriates offshore cash to the US.

CES 2018: Alexa, Google Assistant want to be everywhere this year

These voice assistants want to be on the go with you, plugging into smart glasses, smart earbuds and even smart toilets.

What is the Internet of Things? Everything you need to know about the IoT right now

The Internet of Things explained: what the IoT is, and where it's going next.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Is my PC vulnerable to Meltdown and Spectre? InSpectre tells you

Steve Gibson's free InSpectre tool tells you if your PC is patched against the Meltdown and Spectre CPU exploits.

5 ways to clean up your Facebook news feed

Has your Facebook news feed become a jumble of uninteresting or annoying posts that you skip over to get to the stuff you do care about? It doesn't have to be that way.

Excel percentage formulas: Percentage of total, percent increase or decrease, sales tax and more

These formulas can get you through everyday tasks from determining sales tax (and tips) to calculating increases and decreases.

9 ways to protect and fix cords around the home

Instead of buying new cords, there are many ways to keep your cords like new with inexpensive items.

Think Firefox Quantum is fast? Try Firefox 58, out next week, says Mozilla

The incoming Firefox 58 brings faster page loads thanks to a new compiler and streaming compilation.

Mobile Computing

Turn your iPhone/Android into a satellite phone

Being out of cellphone reception is no problem if you own a satellite phone. Here's how to never miss a call again no matter where you are in the world, and yet still keep your iPhone or Android device.

CES 2018: Alexa, Google Assistant want to be everywhere this year

These voice assistants want to be on the go with you, plugging into smart glasses, smart earbuds and even smart toilets.

Popular app CCleaner for Android could be turning into crapware

The app is being completely reskinned and rebranded to “Avast CleanUp.” They have removed some of the core features, but yet the app is now 5 times larger.

How to See Your Most Used Apps on Android

Have you ever wondered which apps consume most of your time? The best part is that finding this info is as simple as installing an app from the Play Store.

How to set up a new iPhone by restoring it from an older device

How to to transfer the contents of an older iOS device with a newer replacement, but the newer iOS hardware is already set up and running, just not with your stuff.

How to use the World Clock on iPhone and iPad

About to call the grandparents in the Old Country but aren't sure if it's the middle of the morning or the middle of the night? About to travel and want to keep track of the time where you're going even if you haven't gotten there yet? Don't worry — the World Clock for iPhone and iPad has you covered!

Who is the Best Cheap Cell Phone Service? Answer Here

Check out the best cell phone services that don’t cost and arm and a leg. Leave the big boys behind. Read our first story in the Mobile Computing Section.

Also read the the first story in the Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks section on how to avoid going over your home Internet data cap. Nothing but good tips and timely information in this edition of Rants and Raves.

PS: As for the CES Show in Las Vegas, I will have a complete wrap-up in our next edition. Frankly, I was not very impressed with this year’s show.Lots of robots and new voice-activated services, mostly by Google and Amazon.

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft: No more Windows patches at all if your AV clashes with our Meltdown fix

Your antivirus must be compatible with Microsoft's Meltdown-Spectre fixes for you to get patches this month or in future.

House votes to renew surveillance powers revealed by Snowden

The vote gives the NSA the power to continue collecting information sent over the internet by foreigners outside the US

Hundreds of Smartphone Apps Are Spying on Your TV Watching. Here’s How to Disable Them

That’s kind of a non-optional part of modern living: amassing huge amounts of consumer data is how companies like Google operate.

Opinion: Everything is too complicated

Most people have no idea how any new gadgets work, and are already hopelessly confused by the tech they have.

Everything you need to know about Prime Reading

It is a private library that lets Prime members read free. Prime Reading includes a selection of more than 1,000 books and magazines.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to Avoid Going Over Your Home Internet’s Data Cap

If you find yourself within these artificial constraints set by your ISP, you have to carefully watch what you do online. Here are some tips to keep you under your cap and free from overage charges.

How to Use Rulers in Microsoft Word

Word’s rulers let you control the margins of your page and the indentation of paragraphs. They’re great for precisely lining up images, text, and other elements

How to connect your phone to your Windows 10 PC

With Fall Creators Update, you can link an iPhone or Android phone to your PC so you can start browsing on your phone and continue on your computer.

3 browser annoyances and how to fix them

In their unyielding efforts to catch eyeballs, websites often resort to aggressive tactics to engage you, the fickle, easily-distracted web reader.

What Is Microsoft Azure, Anyway?

If you’ve followed Microsoft news, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Microsoft Azure, formerly known as Windows Azure. This cloud computing service is a big part of Microsoft’s business, and it competes with similar services from Amazon and Google.

Mobile Computing

The cheapest cell phone plans available

These alternative carriers offer the cheapest cell phone plans you can get today. JRC: I dropped Verizon some months ago and now use Cricket. Very happy with them as the company is owned by AT&T and uses them as a carrier.

Outlook 101: How to Connect Third-Party Apps to Your Calendar

Outlook (for iOS) will let you connect four third-party applications with its in-app calendar: Evernote, Facebook, Wunderlist, and Meetup

How to fix slow multitasking on iPhone and iPad

If you find that multitasking is slow on your iPhone or iPad, you might need to turn off the Accessibility Shortcut.

The Best Apps to Help You Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

Set goals, get fit, eat smarter, keep calm, sleep better, and learn new skills in 2018. For iOS and Android.

What To Do If Your Smartphone Is Hot

Most phones also have safety measures built in. That said, it’s still possible for your smartphone to get hot; maybe even too hot. Here’s what to do.

CES 2018: 8 awesome Android announcements you might have missed

While the Intel-AMD love affair and Google Assistant-powered speakers might have snagged most of the headlines, Android fans still found enough cool things on the show floor to entertain them.

Spend $13 to add wireless charging to your Android phone

It's amazingly easy and affordable to add this capability to your existing phone. Here's how.

Updates on Processor Security Flaws & Net Neutrality

Some good news on both fronts. First, Microsoft has patched the security flaws on Intel Chips running Windows 10. In the last edition, I noted I had not received the update yet. The following day, all my Windows-based computers were updated. Firefox, Safari, and Edge have also issued patches for your protection. Chrome says it has one coming in its next update on the 25th.

Apple Mac computers were partially fixed in the last MAC OS update with another fix coming in the next update now in testing. A patch for their iOS devices (iPhone and iPad) were issued in the last 24 hours with the release of iOS version 11.2.2 (see below). If you use the iPhone or iPad, make sure you update.

All the fixes issued will probably slow down your devices. The good news is that the slowdown will not be noticeable on either Windows 10, MAC, or iOS devices. The bad news is Microsoft is warning that Windows 7 and 8 computer users will notice a decrease in system performance. Also in the bad news category, some AMD-based computers are crashing after the update. And some Anti-Virus software is still blocking the updates.

The slowdown will also be quite noticeable on computers running Linux…up to 30% slowdown. As noted in an article we ran last week, Linux is used to run cloud storage services like iCloud, Amazon Cloud Services, Google Drive, OneDrive, and others. These companies are working full time to fix this issue.

The reason for the slowdown is the vulnerability lies in the section of chips that work to speed up computer processing. But, as I said, most of us will not notice any slowdown in our computing. I sure haven’t.

As for Net Neutrality, 30 Senators have banded together to force a vote in the US Senate to overturn the FCC ruling. If it passes there, it will go to the House for a vote. If that passes, it goes to the President for his signature. The bad news is the President will almost certainly veto it. 

However, after the official FCC ruling is published in the Federal Register, look for a ton of lawsuits to be filed. This is going to be a fight to the death.

Tech News and Opinions

Senate will force vote on overturning net neutrality repeal

Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) has mustered the 30 votes necessary to force a vote on the FCC’s decision to repeal net neutrality.

Net neutrality suit gains support from tech’s biggest companies

Just one day after Ajit Pai's FCC released the text of its order to gut net neutrality, a lobbying group that represents the largest tech companies in the world has decided to take legal action.

Microsoft says older Windows versions will face greatest performance hits after Meltdown, Spectre patches

Windows 7 and Windows 8 users running older processors, like 2015-era Haswell or older chips, will be most affected by performance issues.

Intel announces 'major breakthrough' in quantum computing chip

Intel has announced a 49-qubit quantum chip at CES 2018, with CEO Brian Krzanich calling it a major breakthrough in quantum computing and the next step to "quantum supremacy".

AMD Is Making a Really Great Case For Ditching Intel-based Computers

AMD's new processors are not the slow and cheap alternative. It’s, potentially, the faster and cheaper alternative.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to Check if Your PC Is Protected Against Meltdown and Spectre

Warning: Even if you’ve installed patches from Windows Update, your PC may not completely protected from the Meltdown and Spectre CPU flaws. Here’s how to check if you’re fully protected, and what to do if you aren’t.

Why You Should Switch From Google Chrome to Firefox

It’s just as fast, if not faster, than Chrome, and integrates tools to boost your privacy online while making it easier to share and save everything you find on the web.

Don't Buy A Hard Drive Until You've Read This.

Which manufacturers' drives are the most reliable, and which models are worth paying slightly more for?

Amazon Bringing Alexa to Windows 10 PCs

Microsoft is partnering with some of the biggest Windows device makers, including the likes of Lenovo, HP, Asus, and Acer, to bring Alexa to new Windows 10 devices this year.

Tech tricks to help you organize your digital photo library

Get more out of Google Photos and Apple Photos.

Mobile Computing

Apple releases iOS 11.2.2 for iPhone and iPad

The patch is to fix the Spectre vulnerability that came to light earlier this month. Definitely install this one ASAP.

The iPad Gestures You Should Master

From the always-on Dock to the new multitasking options, you’ll need to figure out how to move your fingers around that screen if you ever want to ditch that laptop for good and go tablet-only.

How to tell if your iPhone battery needs replacing

Apple is now offering to swap the battery in older iPhone's for $29, but will having this done speed up your device?

Google Pay combines Android Pay and Google Wallet under one brand name

The times they are a-changin’ for Google’s payment systems. The company has announced the merger of Android Pay and Google Wallet into a single brand, Google Pay.

Android Phones with the Best Battery Life

As a companion to the Best Android Phones, we’ve rounded up the Android Phones with the Best Battery Life. If you need a big battery to get through the day, these are the phones for you.

Android security: Flashlight apps on Google Play infested with adware were downloaded by 1.5m people

Android users looking for simple tools found their devices infected with aggressive LightsOut adware.

Special Edition: The Huge Security Flaw in All Processors

Do you own a Desktop computer? How about a laptop? What about a smart phone or tablet? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have a big security problem. The whole tech world is abuzz about this newly discovered security flaw infecting most computing devices. And unlike security exploits of the past, this one is not software or OS centered…this one is built into your computer’s main processor chip. That includes all manufacturers…Intel, AMD, and ARM.

And while it has just been uncovered this week, the flaw has been built into processors since 1995!!! That is amazing.

There are two exploits, currently in the wild, that can hack these flaws. Known as Meltdown (only affects Intel chips) and Spectre, they can take over your computing device and get all your information.

The problem can only be fixed via software updates. There is nothing Intel or the other chip manufacturers can do about it. So, major companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google and others are working on fixes. Microsoft has created a fix and started sending it out on an emergency basis yesterday. As of late this afternoon, none of my PC’s or laptops have received it.

Apple has also created a fix for its MAC operating system, but there is no evidence my MAC has received it yet. Apple is not commenting about fixes for iPads or iPhones.

This vulnerability has only been uncovered in the last couple of days, so there is a lot of misinformation out there. I’ve put together a special section for this edition about this vulnerability and what is being done. I have eliminated all the misleading info and just published the important information about the flaws, what is being done and what you can do to protect yourself.

The regular sections about computing normally included in this newsletter are still here, so you better start reading. I hope all this info helps. –JRC

 

Computer Chips Security Flaw News

What you need to know about the Intel flaw everyone's freaking out about

Silicon Valley is abuzz about 'Meltdown' and 'Spectre' – new ways for hackers to attack Intel, AMD, and ARM processors that were first discovered by Google last year, and publicly disclosed Wednesday.

How to protect yourself from Meltdown and Spectre CPU flaws

Practically every modern processor is vulnerable. We're updating this list of fixes as they become available.

Microsoft pushing out emergency fix for newly disclosed processor exploit

Outside of its normal Patch Tuesday cadence, Microsoft is issuing an emergency update to address a recently discovered processor exploit.

Windows Meltdown-Spectre patches: If you haven't got them, blame your antivirus

Microsoft has warned users that its patches for the dangerous Meltdown CPU bug won't reach them if their third-party antivirus hasn't been updated to support this week's Windows security update.

Intel Misled Industry on Security Vulnerabilities

Caught in the center of a security vulnerability storm, Intel has done the unthinkable and understated the severity of the problems. Yes, there is a lot of blame to go around here.

Other Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft patent points to folding dual-screen notebook

The patent contains a number of images depicting a unique hinge and a few that show a foldable, two screen device that appears to work in a number of configurations.

Reddit posts show increase in misinformation in 2016 Election

Researchers find a surge in links to controversial sites and redditors from "fringe" forums. The company's CEO says Reddit is "digging deeply" on potential abuse

2017 was a dumpster fire of privacy and security screw-ups

2016 may have killed every famous person we ever cared about, but it was tame compared to the dumpster fire of security screw-ups and privacy violations that 2017 had in store. Here's our look back.

Opinion: Apple seems to have forgotten about the whole 'it just works' thing

I didn't spend the big dollars of Apple hardware only to have to put up with continual software headaches.

White House puts the kibosh on personal phones

Next week personal phones will not be allowed in the West Wing.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

The best PC games of 2017

These games stand out even in a banner year for gaming.

The Best Non-Mechanical Keyboards

There are still plenty of keyboards on the market using conventional rubber dome and scissor-switch construction, if you like that sort of thing.

How to Fix a Stuck or Repeating Key on Your Mechanical Keyboard

If a single key on your keyboard is either efusing to egister or rrrrepeating when you strrrrrrike it, you have a few options for fixing the problem before replacing the entire keyboard.

How to Get Detailed Information About Your PC

Sometimes, you need to find information about your PC—things like what hardware you’re using, your BIOS or UEFI version, or even details about your software environment.

How to fix your Wi-Fi network

Wi-Fi trouble? The tips and tricks in our troubleshooting guide will help solve your problems.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

Best e-reader apps for iPad in 2018

Your iPad is a great device for reading books, magazines, and other content, you just need the right app! Here are our favorite e-reader apps for iPad.

How to Remove Apple Music from the iPhone’s Music App

Apple Music is heavily integrated into your iPhone’s Music app. This is great if you’re a subscriber, but the constant prompts and reminders to join get pretty tiresome if you’re not.

100+ Apps iOS Users Need on Their iPhones in 2018

There are a lot of apps out there that can help streamline and enhance your experience beyond Apple's own default options — and we've hand-picked over 100 essentials.

100+ Apps Android Users Need on Their Phones in 2018

From custom launchers and icon packs to weather apps and file explorers, there's something for everyone in this list.

Best tip ever: Set up Find My Device as soon as you get your phone

There are several options available for remotely tracking your Android phone, but Google's own Find My Device service is one of the most convenient around.

17 Social Apps That Will Actually Make You Social

For iOS and Android

Amazon’s Biggest Holiday Hit…The Echo Dot

Happy New Year from Tucson! I hope 2018 will be a good one for all of us.

Amazon had a banner Christmas gift season, as you might imagine. Their biggest seller by far was the Echo Dot. Millions were sold, according to Amazon…And I was one of those millions. Could not resist it at the sale price they offered for much of the shopping season…$29.99 (regularly $49.99).

It is sitting on my desk, near my computer. And if find myself using it several times a day. I will often ask it the current temperature…or to play my current Audible book. As it is tied directly to my Amazon account, it knows I live in Tucson…and it knows where I left off in my book. On New Years Eve, it actually sang Auld Lang Syne to me! That was a surprise.

But the biggest surprise occurred when I told it to turn on My Amazon Fire Stick and play music on Pandora. I wasn’t sure if it could do that, but it did. It has thousands of uses and commands it can obey, and I’ve barely scratched  the surface. Some may consider it a toy, but it is much more than that. I like it and will keep using it. I was not sure I would like it when I purchased it, but I do.

The other big story that has emerged this last week regards the iPhone battery on older iPhones. After several articles appeared showing that Apple was slowing down older iPhones, Apple admitted it was true and apologized. They said it was done to preserve battery life on older phones where the battery was diminished in its capacity to hold a charge. Of course they never told anyone they were doing it, which caused ever more outrage.

So, Apple last week announced they will replace older iPhone batteries on iPhone models 6, 6+, 6S and 6S+ for only $29 (reg. $79) for all of 2018...even if they are working fine. As I have a 6+, I will be taking advantage of their offer.

These stories and more are all below so why not get started. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Amazon reveals its biggest hit this holiday season, and it involves Alexa

The diminutive Dot sold in the “millions,” the ecommerce giant revealed.

Everything Amazon’s Alexa can do, plus the best skills to enable

Make the most out of Alexa by using these features and skills each day.

Apple will replace old iPhone batteries, regardless of diagnostic test results

Whether or not the battery retains less than 80 percent of its original capacity, Apple will replace your battery for $29. Offer good for all of 2018. (more info below)

Comcast accused of enrolling customers in programs without consent

Washington's Attorney General has filed an amended complaint alleging that Comcast subscribed more than half of its Service Protection Plan customers without consent since the option was first available in 2011.

This cartographer's deep dive into Google Maps is fascinating

Google Maps is far more powerful than you know

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Free Lightroom alternative Darktable is now available on Windows

Darktable is an open source "virtual light table and darkroom for photographers," and one that frequently pops up on "free Adobe alternative" lists online.

What’s the Difference Between a Power Strip and a Surge Protector?

You can tell whether a strip provides surge protection with just a few seconds of examination.

Free for all: How to find free (and legal) books and movies

Don’t be a pirate! There's an endless amount of public domain content on the internet, if you know where to look.

20 pro tips to make Windows 10 work the way you want

This list of 20 tips for Windows 10 will help you get a handle on your installation so that you can make it work the way you want it to work—as it should be.

These 7 features show why you should use Google Photos to store and manage all your photos and videos

Google Photos is Google's photo management service that works both as a gallery app on smartphones, tablets, and the web, as well as a good piece of software that uses the company's artificial intelligence to make cool stuff with your photos and videos.

Mobile Computing Tips and Tricks

7 signs Apple may be slowing your old iPhone

When should you seek out Apple's new $29 battery replacement? Here are some pretty good indicators.

How to get Apple's $29 iPhone battery replacement

What you need to know, and what you need to do.

8 ways to speed up your old, tired iPhone

Apple is slowing down older iPhones to conserve battery life. Use these tips to boost your phone's performance.

Get these essential apps for your new iPhone or iPad

If you're lucky enough to be given a new iPhone this holiday season, or used gift money towards buying the devices, the first thing on your mind is deciding what apps to download. Here is a list of essential apps that you really should consider using on your brand new hardware.

The 11 best apps for your new Android phone

If you're setting up a phone for the first time, here are 11 apps worth downloading that you might have missed.

9 Waze tips to get where you're going faster

Unlock the full power of the Waze navigation app.