Facebook Finds Fraudulent Posts to Hijack 2018 Elections

Tech News and Opinions

Facebook has detected a coordinated effort to influence the 2018 US midterm elections

The bombshell disclosures come after Russia's usage of Facebook to meddle in the 2016 US presidential election, but Facebook is as yet not explicitly linking the new efforts to Russia.

Cord Cutting Isn’t Just About Money: Streaming Services Are Better Than Cable

Cord cutting is picking up steam. Forecasters are predicting a 33 percent increase in people dropping their cable subscription this year over last—faster than analysts predicted.

The Best Laptop Bags Under $40

So you just bought that dream laptop. Super-powerful. Amazingly thin. And so expensive that you have barely any money left for a bag to carry it around in. We’ve got you covered.

An Analysis of Substitutes for Google’s Products

If you are parting with Google’s services altogether, here is a worthwhile compilation of alternatives.

Best music streaming app: Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon and Google Play compared

We compare the big six streaming music services to find the best one for you.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Use Windows 10's individual display scaling to perfect your multi-monitor setup

One great thing about Windows 10 is that it has lots of small but essential tweaks for power users.

How to Enable Windows Defender’s Secret Crapware Blocker

A hidden setting intended for organizations will boost Windows Defender’s security, making it block adware, potentially unwanted programs, PUPs, or whatever you want to call this junk.

How to Enable Dark Mode for Gmail

Microsoft just added a dark mode to Outlook.com, but Google is way ahead of Microsoft. Gmail has had a dark theme for years. Here’s how to enable it—and get a better, more complete dark mode for Gmail, too.

Supercharge Google Calendar: 30 Tips, Tricks, Hacks and Add-Ons

Even though it appears to just be a basic calendar app at first glance, Google Calendar has the features you need to manage almost any calendar needs.

The best free office software 2018

Free office software that's easy to use, packed with features, and fully compatible with Microsoft Office documents.

Mobile Computing

Instagram: Everything you need to know

Whether you need a refresher of the app or want to stay on top of the latest news surround it, here's everything you need to know about Instagram.

How to back up your iPhone or Android phone

Make sure you never lose your precious photos and videos.

Google Assistant is better than Siri in every tested category – except one

Google Assistant is far and away the overall winner, head-and-shoulders above the competition.

Best Android Phone With Removable Battery in 2018

There's just something about a removable battery, and Motorola has once again come through with the best options for budget users

Which Android Tablets Should You Buy For Under $100?

There are a number of reasons to buy a cheap tablet, but which ones are worth your money?

Obscura is free to download in the Apple Store for the next 2 months

If you're someone who loves everything photography and wants to try something new, fun, functional, and now, FREE! ... Then you have to check out Obscura.

Google’s Free Office 365 Replacement–11 Apps in One

Office 365 for personal use costs $7 a month and is an excellent collection of apps. I use it almost daily and have no intention of cancelling it (I pay $10 so it can run on up to 5 computers). There is also a free version on the Web.

But, if you don’t want to pay for Office…or don’t like Office, you might consider Google’s free Office Suite of apps. In many ways, it is better than Office. There are 11 apps that integrate with each other. Most likely, you probably use some of them now.

They include G-Mail, Google Contacts, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Forms, Google Keep, Google Drive, Google Sites, and Google Hangouts.

These all work together and are accessed via your browser. You should also know that while the apps all work well for single use, you can set up collaboration for more than one user.  If there is any drawback, it would be that they are all web-based rather than being on your computer. It depends on your Internet connection speed if that is a drawback for you.

To learn more, you need to read our first story in the Desktop/Laptop section. It is a highly regarded Office Suite that might be worth a look.

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft's plan to try to win back consumers with 'Modern Life Services'

Microsoft is hoping to repair its tarnished image with consumers by trying to position its cross-platform apps and services as making them more productive.

Verizon offers free iPhone, then bills customer for it

The offers can be hard to resist - buy one get one free - But are you really getting a freebie? Sometimes not.

Microsoft's Outlook.com gets a dark mode

Outlook online users now have an option that's easier on the eyes in dimly lit places.

How the Russian hackers infiltrated the DNC: A timeline

President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and denied the allegations, siding with the Russian leader over evidence detailed by US intelligence agencies. But it did happen. Here's how:

Surface by the numbers: How Microsoft reinvented the PC

After a disastrous launch and a big writedown, analysts were ready to write off Microsoft's Surface division five years ago. But instead of disappearing, the Surface division has been a surprising success.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

An Intro to Google Office Suite

G Suite ties all of Google's apps together into the original online office suite. Odds are, you already use some of Google's apps every day.

How to make YouTube five times faster if you don’t use Chrome

Google’s redesign still relies on an API that’s only implemented in Chrome , making other browsers render YouTube five times slower

How to Control Line and Paragraph Spacing in Microsoft Word

Word offers some handy preset values to use, but you can also take full control by specifying exact spacing. Here’s how

How to use multiple desktops in Windows 10

The multiple desktops feature in Windows 10 has been tweaked for the April 2018 Update.

How I learned to stop worrying and love USB Type-C

While the rest of the world is enthusiastically adopting the all-in-one USB Type-C standard, Microsoft and Apple are stubbornly sticking with their proprietary connectors. That's why I no longer carry a Surface or an iPhone when I travel.

Mobile Computing

Twitter: Everything you need to know

Over the years, Twitter's become the go-to place to learn about current events, new movie trailers, fresh memes, and to scream about politics

Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers in 2018

Want to rock out by the pool? Get yourself a waterproof speaker!

If Your iPhone Keeps Dying, Check for Weirdly Behaving Apps

There will come a time when you can’t make it through the day on a single charge. But consider this: it might be an app’s fault instead.

FaceTime: The ultimate guide

How do you use FaceTime to make audio and video calls to anyone with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac? Easily!

Google Pay: Everything you need to know

Google Pay first started rolling out to handsets in early 2018, and while there's still some work to be done, it's clear that Google is finally ready to take on Apple Pay with everything it's got.

Google Assistant: Everything you need to know

There's a lot going on with the Google Assistant — let's break down the important stuff.

An In-Depth Look at How to Buy Your Next Monitor

Tech News and Opinions

Russian hackers are inside US utility networks

Russian hackers infiltrated the control rooms of US utility companies last year, reaching a point where they "could have thrown switches."

Samsung's Foldable Smartphone Slated for Next Year: Report

Samsung plans to launch a foldable-screen smartphone early next year, according to a Wall Street Journal report, possibly priced at US$1,500.

Microsoft's Not Abandoning the Consumer, But Its Future is Productivity

Microsoft is on a path to make Windows a lesser-known brand and its promotional efforts will continue to put less focus on Windows and more on individual products.

The 2018 MacBook Pro has a problem with overheating

The new 2018 MacBook Pro might be fast, but all that Core i9 processor power is useless if the system can't cope with the heat it generates and has to throttle the performance.

Amazon Prime Day crash: internal docs reveal scramble to fix

Amazon wasn't able to handle the traffic surge and failed to secure enough servers to meet the demand on Prime Day, according to expert review of internal documents obtained by CNBC.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Computer Monitor Buying Guide

Here's everything you need to know about buying your next computer monitor

When your laptop's touchpad stops working

Have you ever tried to use a Windows PC without a mouse, touchpad, or other pointing device? It’s all but impossible.

Here’s How Gmail, Calendar, And Other Google Apps Might Look Soon

Google is overhauling all its apps, and a new video gives you an idea of what that might look like. Spoiler: it’s all very white.

The Best Portable Hard Drives For Every Need

Your laptop only has so much storage on it. Get some extra space that perfectly suits your needs with these portable hard-drives that you can toss in your laptop bag.

Now Firefox users can block noisy autoplaying videos, too

Sound blocking for autoplaying videos is coming to Firefox soon, and you can test it in Firefox Nightly now.

Mobile Computing

How to Find Restaurant Hygiene Scores and Violations on Yelp

It’s getting a lot easier to avoid getting violently ill from food poisoning, and to see just how divey your favorite dive bar is.

How to use your smartphone without leaving a trace

In this guide, we'll explain how you can prevent your device from logging and storing data where other people can easily stumble.

Why you should take Alexa with you on vacation

Alexa isn't just great for the home, it can also help while you're on vacation. Here's how

Create custom ringtones for your iPhone

Turn a song, sound clip, MP3 file or just about anything else into your very own iPhone ringtone.

How to use bubble and screen effects in iMessage

How do you make the bubbles slam or turn invisible, or the screen turn to lasers or fireworks? With iMessage effects!

10 new and notable Android apps from the last two weeks

The most notable release is, of course, Notes by Firefox, but Moment - Pro Camera and the Enpass6 Beta are also pretty useful.

Wal-Mart & Microsoft to Take on Amazon

Tech News and Opinions

Despite glitches, Amazon Prime Day 2018 manages another record

Customers ordered more than 100 million products in 36 hours.

Microsoft and Walmart team up to take on Amazon

Microsoft and Walmart are teaming up for a strategic partnership that will take on rival Amazon in both technology and retail.

EU hits Google with record $5 billion fine over Android antitrust practices

Most of all, the EU is worried that this harms you, the consumer, by restricting your choice and preventing innovation that could lead to better mobile experiences in the future.

GOP congressman introduces bill to reinstate net neutrality rules

Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) also signed onto a Democrat-led measure to restore the 2015 Open Internet Order

Searching 'idiot' gets Trump: Protesters game Google Image algorithm

Protesters are publishing articles that associate the word "idiot" with Trump while sharing and upvoting other articles that do the same.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Google Maps just got a great new feature and you probably didn’t even realize it

Google Maps on the web has been getting new features all the time lately. After all, the bigger screen of a computer does come in handy when planning new trips and researching destinations.

OneNote for Windows 10 picks up flurry of new features

Microsoft is rolling out a slew of new features for everyone to check out in OneNote for Windows 10.

Microsoft To-Do for Windows 10 now lets you mark tasks as 'Important'

Now everyone can separate their most important tasks from everything else.

Windows 10 quick tips: 10 ways to speed up your PC

Want Windows 10 to run faster? Take a few minutes to try out these tips, and your machine will be zippier and less prone to performance and system issues.

Why Does Google Chrome Say Websites Are “Not Secure”?

Starting with Chrome 68, Google Chrome labels all non-HTTPS websites as “Not Secure.”

Mobile Computing

iPad Slow? Learn How to Speed up iPad, Even Older Ones

There are lots of different reasons why your iPad may be running more slowly than it did when you first bought it, and luckily there are just as many ways to speed it back up again!

The Google Assistant app will walk you through your day

The new feature, for both Android and iOS, pulls in a bunch of relevant information from across Google services, including calendar, reminders, stocks, package deliveries, flights, restaurant/movie reservations and suggested Actions.

5 Travel Itinerary Apps You Shouldn't Board a Plane Without

After some trial and error, I've found that these are, without a doubt, the best travel itinerary apps for building anticipation before I board and making the most of every minute once I touch down at my destination.

Future of Smartphones: 5 Predictions for the Next 5 Years

Smartphone innovation lately has been mostly incremental rather than innovative. Here's what the future of smartphones may hold

How to connect to an Instant Hotspot with your iPhone or iPad

Looking to get the most out of Instant Hotspot? Here's how to connect with your iPhone or iPad!

10 new Android apps worth checking out

New apps need lovin’ too, right? Every day there are thousands of additions to the Google Play store, but many go unnoticed and never receive the attention they deserve.

Prime Day Begins…And Amazon Crashes

Tech News and Opinions

Amazon's website crashed as soon as Prime Day began

Amazon's website experienced issues for hours to heavy online traffic on Prime Day, the e-commerce giant's made-up holiday designed to boost sales.

PC sales are growing for the first time in six years

IDC's data crucially includes Chromebooks and excludes Windows tablets including devices with a detachable keyboard like the Surface Pro. Gartner counts Windows-based tablets as PCs and excludes Chromebooks or any non-Windows-based tablets.

Google's Gmail controversy is everything people hate about Silicon Valley

Developers blaming you for not knowing about data collection is why it’s so hard to trust tech right now.

Isn’t it time we declared our independence from bloatware?

Bloatware is any piece of software within an operating system that receives a disproportionate amount of prominence or system resources relative to its functionality.

Twitter releases tool to improve political ad transparency

Ad Transparency Center provides information about how much advertisers spent and what factors they used for targeting demographics.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Chrome and Firefox gain Windows 10 Timeline support with a new extension

Microsoft’s new Timeline feature in Windows 10 is designed to let you pick up where you left off on multiple devices. While Timeline supports Microsoft Edge for web browsing history, Chrome and Firefox have not yet been updated to officially support the new feature.

How to Create a Photo Book With Google Photos

A Google Photos album can cost anywhere from $10 to $75 based on the number of photos, and whether you opt for a soft or hard album cover. Here's how to get started.

Ed Bott's 10 most popular Windows 10 tips

How well do you know the ins and outs of Microsoft's flagship operating system? Every week, Windows expert Ed Bott delivers a new trick or shortcut. We've collected his most popular tips.

Windows 10 quick tips: 10 ways to speed up your PC

Want Windows 10 to run faster? Take a few minutes to try out these tips, and your machine will be zippier and less prone to performance and system issues.

5 Free and Easy Ways to Format Your 'C' Drive

Format 'C' to delete everything on your primary hard drive

Mobile Computing

What To Do If You Lose Your Two-Factor Phone

Many websites send security codes to your phone number to confirm your identity when signing in. You may use apps that generate security codes on your phone, too. But what happens if you lose your phone?

What to Do If You Find Someone’s Lost iPhone or Smartphone

We’ve already looked at what to do if you lose your smartphone so let’s take a different perspective: what to do if you find someone’s smartphone and want to return it to them.

These phones top failure rate charts

Samsung is number one on the list of manufacturers with high failure rates, according to a new report. Xiaomi and Motorola were number two and three, respectively.

Microsoft details big Office updates coming to mobile this month

Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint will all see changes on Android and iOS. Here’s what you have to look forward to.

What is 5G? Everything you need to know about the new wireless revolution

It is a capital improvement project the size of the entire planet, replacing one wireless architecture created this century with another one that aims to lower energy consumption and maintenance costs.

How to set up Android Auto on your phone so you'll actually use it

Android Auto works just as well using just your phone with a car mount and a Bluetooth FM transmitter — and you won't have to be bothered about thieves trying to steal your expensive car stereo.

Apple Revamping & Updating All It’s Hardware

Tech News and Opinions

Mac Mini Refresh, New Low-Cost Notebook, Apple Watches With Larger Displays and More Coming This Fall

Apple is working on updates across its entire product line for the second half of 2018, according to a new investor's note with refreshes expected for iPhone, iPad, Mac mini, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Apple Watch.

Amazon Prime Day 2018: How and when to find the best deals

Amazon's annual summertime sale is around the corner. Here's what to expect from this year's event.

Google's Gmail privacy policy has Congress asking questions

Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation sent a letter to Alphabet's CEO Larry Page on Tuesday, asking questions about how Google and Gmail protect users' privacy.

Microsoft is working on Movies & TV apps for Android and iOS

New iOS and Android apps for Microsoft's Movies & TV service are in the works, according to our sources.

Court Rules Copying Photos Found on Internet is Fair Use

the court ruled that finding a photo on the Internet and then using it without permission on a commercial website can be considered fair use.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Google Unveils A Major Security Enhancement For The Chrome Browser

The stable build of the Chrome browser (Chrome 67) has been ungraded with a major security enhancement called Site Isolation that protects users from malicious websites that steal sensitive data.

How to use Task View features on Windows 10

Task View is a powerful system that provides an easy way to switch between running apps, work with virtual desktops, and resume Timeline activities, and in this guide, you'll learn how to use them.

July 'Patch Tuesday' fixes now rolling out for April 2018 Update PCs

Another batch of fixes is rolling out to Windows 10 PCs as part of July's Patch Tuesday releases.

What Is A Windows System File?

In practice, system files are those files that Windows depends upon to operate properly.

How to Merge and Split Tables and Cells in Microsoft Word

You can merge and split tables on the individual cell level, as well as on the larger, table-wide level. In this article, I’ll show you how to merge and split table cells and tables in Word.

Mobile Computing

Sprint Launches New 'Unlimited Plus' and 'Unlimited Basic' Phone Plans

Sprint today announced an update to its lineup of unlimited cellular plans, with four tiers that offer unlimited data, talk, and text, HD streaming, global roaming, and more.

Best photo-editing apps 2018: 11 apps to improve your snaps

The title explains it all. For iOS and Android.

The best Android apps you’ve (probably) never heard of

We’re all intimately familiar with the Facebooks, Instagrams, and WhatsApps of the app world, but what about all of those lesser-known Android apps with unique features that get drowned out by the big dogs?

Sync Your To-Do List Across Firefox Browsers and Android Devices with Mozilla's 'Notes'

“Notes by Firefox,” is an easy way to keep track of your thoughts without having to deal with a super-complicated extension—or, depending on your operating system, a separate app devoted to note-taking.

iOS 11 tip: How to fix broken Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connectivity

Are you having difficulties with wireless connectivity on your iPhone or iPad? Are you having problems connecting to Wi-Fi, cellular, or Bluetooth devices? Read on.

The 10 most important iPhone apps of all time

In the decade since Apple first launched the App Store for iOS, a lot of stellar apps have come along. Here are the ones that have made the biggest impact.

Check Out the New Microsoft Go Tablet–$399

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft takes aim at schools, consumers and businesses with Surface Go tablets, starting at $399

Microsoft's Surface Go tablets will hit shelves starting in early August 2018, and are meant for not just the education market, but also consumers and business users.

Europe Decides Not to Ruin the Internet

The European Parliament held a vote on the misguided new copyright reforms that posed a threat to memes, online encyclopedias, news organizations, and pretty much everything that’s good online. Incredibly, lawmakers decided not to do the dumb thing and voted down the bill.

A revamped California net neutrality bill is moving forward again

he bill was eviscerated last month, but now it’s back...and might just be the strongest Net Neutrality bill of them all.

The Future of Retail: 2018 and beyond

'Business as usual' is not an option in the retail sector, thanks to new technologies, changing patterns of consumer behaviour, and the influence of pioneering digital-first companies like Amazon.

Netflix is removing online reviews on July 30

You'll no longer be able to post written reviews as of July 30, and then in mid-August existing written reviews will be removed.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to Use Windows 10 - Guide for Beginners & Power Users

Here, you'll find over 100 Windows 10 tips and tutorials, split into nine categories and designed to help you learn the basics, disable common annoyances, save storage or be more productive.

How much RAM does your Windows 10 PC really need?

It's never fun to not have the right amount of RAM for the task at hand.

Why You Should Regularly Check Your Internet Speeds

The point of all this testing—and running your tests on the fastest connection you can get between your router and a device—is that you’re trying to find bottlenecks.

Chrome OS Vs Windows Laptops: Which Operating System Is Better For You?

While there may once have been a time when you decided between either a Windows or Mac computer, these days there's another option to consider -- the Chromebook.

Free Download: Add Mac-Style Hot Corners to Windows 10

Windows: Move your mouse to any corner to quickly see all your open windows, your desktop, or even start your screen saver.

Mobile Computing

Unlocked phones vs. contract phones: Which is better?

If you're buying a new phone, consider the advantages of an unlocked phone against those of one on a contract.

Criminals Can Steal Your Phone Number. Here’s How to Stop Them

Criminals can steal your phone number by pretending to be you, and then moving your number to another phone. They’ll then receive security codes sent via SMS on their phone, helping them gain access to your bank account and other secure services.

This new feature will make it tougher for cops and hackers to unlock your iPhone

Restrictions on the USB port will make it tougher for police to get access to your data.

How to improve your battery life with Low Power Mode for iPhone and iPad

Save those precious battery seconds and use Low Power mode!

These are the Android apps I can't live without

Among the millions of apps out there, most people have narrowed down their needs and found the apps that work for their lifestyle. Apps that feel like absolute necessities, without which your phone would feel almost useless.

Top 5 most popular Android apps from last week

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

How and Where to Buy a Refurbished Phone

Tech News and Opinions

Facebook acknowledges it shared user data with dozens of companies

The social network had agreements with 61 companies, ranging from AOL to UPS to dating app Hinge.

Federal agencies reportedly broaden probe of Facebook

The involvement of additional federal agencies in the Justice Department probe expands the spotlight beyond Cambridge Analytica's use of Facebook data to the social network's reaction to the scandal.

Microsoft details secret ‘pocketable’ Surface device in leaked email

A new and disruptive dual-screen device to blur the lines between mobile and PC

Intel teases dual-screen concept PCs

A prototype device with the EPD display looks more like a Moleskine notebook than a traditional PC, with a hinge in the middle for the two screens to close flat.

Why Microsoft, Samsung and Others Are Interested in Foldable Displays

Devices with foldable displays could eventually provide a boost to flagging smartphone and tablet sales. But it will take a while to get the technology right.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Let Windows 10's Cortana Show Me be your family's tech support

Microsoft’s free app is part of the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, and includes walkthroughs for many basic tasks—we have a full list below.

Excel: How to create simple and dependent drop-down lists

Using tables, named ranges, formulas, data validation, and table styles

How to See Who's On Your Wi-Fi

Is your internet sluggish? If you suspect a neighbor is stealing your Wi-Fi, these two apps can help you identify devices using your connection and help you boot them off.

Microsoft To-Do dark theme rolls out to everyone on Windows 10

After initially testing the mode with Insiders last week, the new dark theme is now rolling out with an update to the app for everyone

All of the Best Microsoft Word Keyboard Shortcuts

Even if you’re familiar with Microsoft Word, you might be surprised the number and variety of keyboard shortcuts you can use to speed up your work, and just generally make things more convenient.

Mobile Computing

Best Places To Buy A Refurbished Phone in 2018

We have all of the information you need right here to make a good choice in buying a refurbished phone.

Best Wireless Charging Pads for iPhone X and iPhone 8

iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X all support the Qi standard wireless charging standard, and here are our favorite contact-based chargers!

7 Best Photography Apps for iPhone

The built-in Camera and Photos app are fine, but they just aren’t up to scratch compared to the best photography apps out there. Let’s take a look.

What’s the best password manager for iOS?

Apple has begun supporting various flavors of password managers through APIs while also offering a fairly decent password manager built right into Safari.

New and upcoming phones: Galaxy Note 9 and others we're expecting in 2018

Most major flagship smartphones are now on a fairly regular release schedule and leaks are a part of this cycle. It is rare for a phone to be released today with any surprises so let's take a look at what is coming soon.

Best Android Launchers in 2018

Want to upgrade your Android experience? Try upgrading your launcher.