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.
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