Office 2019 for MAC and Windows Has Arrived

Tech News and Opinions

Office 2019 launches for Windows and Mac

Office 2019 will roll out to all consumer and commercial customers over the next several weeks.

New Echo devices and more: Everything Amazon announced

Wall clock? Microwave? Amazon expands its line of Alexa-enabled devices while refreshing its smart speaker lineup.

Microsoft: Here's why we're declaring end of password era

Users will soon be able to sign in to business apps with their face, fingerprint or PIN rather than use a password.

iPhone XS, XS Max launch, drawing smaller crowds but plenty of fans

Stores around the world open their doors to those seeking the new iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch Series 4.

NYT sues FCC, says it hid evidence of Russia meddling in net neutrality repeal

FCC broke law by hiding net neutrality comment records, lawsuit alleges

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Microsoft warns Windows 10 users to free up storage space for the big October update

Microsoft is also warning users that Windows Update literally does not verify that enough space is available before commencing. So if the device runs out of space while updating to the next version of Windows 10, the installation simply fails

How to back up your desktop, documents, and pictures with Microsoft OneDrive

In Microsoft OneDrive, you can back up and protect three important folders from their default locations. Learn how by following this step-by-step guide.

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

The default configuration of Microsoft Windows 10 is adequate for most situations, but for many of us there is always some tweaking that can, and should, be done.

How to erase specific autosuggested URLs from Chrome, Firefox, and IE

If you’ve ever spent a boring night surfing around the web chances are your browser’s autosuggest function tosses up many unwanted ghosts.

How to Draw and Manipulate Arrows in Microsoft Word

Whether you need to point to an image for emphasis or demonstrate where to click for interactivity, there is a wide range of arrow shapes that you can create and customize in Microsoft Word. Let’s take a look at how they work.

Mobile Computing

These are all the ways you can save data and monitor your data usage

ost people don't need an unlimited data plan. With contract data plans offering up to 10GB per month and off-contract plans from carriers both big and small, there is a data plan that works for almost everyone and chances are using one will save you money.

Google Calendar v6.0 update brings the Material Theme UI

oogle Calendar is the go-to calendar solution for most Android users, and the next time you open the app, you'll likely notice that things look a bit more — Googely.

Android phones: Dialing 911 now automatically shares your location

Android phones now help emergency services find mobile callers faster and with more accuracy.

Speed test shows how much faster your old iPhone will be after the iOS 12 update

Old iPhones users may wonder whether they should upgrade their phones or wait. The answer is definitely yes. iOS 12 is a lot better than iOS 11, and the following speed test proves it.

iOS 12: What's new in the Photos app

We all take a lot of photos, but are horrible at actually sharing them.

Spotify vs. Google Play Music: Which should you subscribe to?

Music subscriptions can help set the tone for your life: they can help keep your energy up and your fingers tapping out a rhythm. Here is a deep look at Google Play Music and Spotify to help you figure out which service is more deserving of your money and music.

Special Edition: The New iOS 12–In Depth

iOS 12

iOS 12 is now available: How to update, best new features and more

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch runs iOS 11, it will run iOS 12. That means all iPhones starting from the iPhone 5S ($230 at Amazon.com) onward. That's the short answer, but we also have a more detailed answer

iOS 12 review: the fixes are in

This year’s update puts the emphasis first on working better, instead of just looking better.

iOS Shortcuts User Guide

The Cupertino firm published an iOS 12 Shortcuts User Guide to help users get used to the app and its capabilities.

Five security settings in iOS 12 you should change right now

Here’s what you need to do to take advantage of the new settings and lock down your device.

The best third-party Siri shortcuts you can try right now

Perhaps the best new feature in iOS 12: The idea behind shortcuts is to automate multi-step tasks. While Apple offers a variety of premade shortcuts, third-party app makers are also offering their own

Tech News and Opinions

FCC chairman says California’s net neutrality bill is ‘egregious’ and ‘illegal’

The bill, which was passed last month, enacts even stricter net neutrality rules than those the FCC recently overturned. But it goes up against at least one major blockade: a commission rule banning state net neutrality laws.

How Trump’s tariffs will hurt US tech companies

On Monday, the US Trade Representative (USTR) finalized a new round of tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports, and the impact on tech companies will be severe.

New Update for Adobe Creative Cloud Will Exclude Older Operating Systems

he tech giant is discontinuing a number of older OS and Windows features in its next major update, essentially forcing users to update their operating systems in order to continue using the software.

Leonardo da Vinci's Earliest Notebooks Now Digitized and Made Free Online: Explore His Ingenious Drawings, Diagrams, Mirror Writing & More

This collection includes some of Leonardo’s earliest notebooks. Codex Forster I, now online, contains the earliest notebook the V&A holds, dating from about 1487, and the latest, from 1505.

Firefox to block some technology that tracks you on the web

Expect better performance and more privacy -- and displeasure from online ad companies.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to create an image backup in Windows 10 and restore it, if need be

Safeguard everything on your hard drive with this guide

Windows 10 how-to: Ed Bott's free tech support and troubleshooting guide

A curated list of the best sites for support information about Windows 10.

Windows 10 October 2018 Update: The 7 best new features

See the biggest changes coming to Windows 10 next month.

After Windows 10 upgrade, do these seven things immediately

You've just upgraded to the most recent version of Windows 10. Before you get back to work, use this checklist to ensure that your privacy and security settings are correct and that you've cut annoyances to a bare minimum.

How to Remap Your Keyboard

If you're looking to change key functions on your computer's keyboard in Windows, we have three different methods that can help you.

Mobile Computing

How to Make Android as Secure as Possible

Mobile security is a big deal, probably now more than ever. Most of us live on our phones, with financial information, calendar appointments, family photos, and more stored on our devices. Here’s how to keep your Android phone secure.

Top 5 ways to block spam calls

Those annoying spam calls are on the rise, but here are five excellent solutions.

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Which music service is best for you?

Here’s how to choose between the two big names in music streaming.

The 12 Best Note-Taking Apps for iPad and iPad Pro (2018)

Scribes, you have options. Capture your ideas with these iPad note-taking apps

The 5 best weather apps with the most accurate forecast

The best weather apps can help with everything from forecasts and weather alerts to traffic and health-related updates.

Apple’s Big Day: New iPhones and Watches

Tech News and Opinions

Apple announces iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR: price, release date

Apple unveiled its newest iPhones Wednesday: the iPhone XR, starting at $749; iPhone XS, starting at $999, and iPhone XS Max, starting at $1,099.

iPhone XR, XS, XS Max: Apple's three new iPhones start at $749, $999, $1,099

Apple's high-end iPhones have dual 12-megapixel cameras, OLED displays and faster A12 Bionic chips. A cheaper, colorful version comes with an LCD screen.

Apple Watch Series 4 starts at $399, packs larger displays and EKG sensor

The new smartwatch is set to bring a series of new features to your wrist and a 30 percent larger screen.

iOS 12 is coming Sept. 17

The next generation of Apple's mobile operating system arrives next week. Here are all the release dates of their new products.

Microsoft's October 2 Fall Event: What to expect

Microsoft's Oct. 2 event in New York City is expected to feature more than just a couple refreshed Surface devices. Windows, Office, Cortana, and other software and services will likely get cameos, too

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Here’s What’s New in Google Chrome 69

Chrome 69, which marks the browser’s 10-year anniversary, is a huge release. The slick new theme is the most visible change, but there are more new features.

Best Chrome Extensions: 50 Google Chrome Extensions That Make Life Easier

There is a veritable smorgasbord of software that can totally enhance your browsing experience. We’ve hand-picked 50 of what we think are some of the best Chrome extensions out there.

How to make your own fonts within Windows 10 with Microsoft Font Maker

You can make your own font within Windows 10 in just a few minutes, using the free Microsoft Font Maker app within the Microsoft Store.

Should you upgrade to Windows 10 October 2018 Update?

I recommend you install it. Not for the new features necessarily, although some look promising., No, you should update because it will keep you and your PC more secure.

Best laptops of 2018: Cheap PCs, gaming laptops, 2-in-1s, and more

Our top picks feature the best tech advances in portable PCs, from new CPUs and GPUs to new materials.

Mobile Computing

Essential iOS Apps for 2018

Trying to find the perfect iOS apps can be tough, and we’re willing to bet that your iPhone or iPad is full of pages and pages of apps. There’s just so much out there, Allow us to help you with our freshly updated Lifehacker Pack for iOS.

The ultimate guide to finding and killing spyware and stalkerware on your smartphone

Surveillance isn't just the purview of nation-states and government agencies -- sometimes, it is closer to home.

12 mobile apps to organize and simplify your life

Simplifying your life doesn't have to start with a self-help book. Achieve greater simplicity and happiness with these 12 Android and iPhone apps.

Google Photos Material Design is here, along with a new swipe gesture

Google announced that the Google Photos Android app would get a revamp this year, and now it looks like that revamp is rolling out to everyone.

Here's Why You Don't Need an iOS Antivirus App

Every iOS app is kept inside a sandbox. This means that a malicious app won’t be able to secretly steal data or infect other apps.

Best Cloud Storage Services for Photos

It’s smart to build in redundancies, storing your pictures in more than one place, including in the cloud.

Special Backup Edition

Special Note: I am leaving shortly for a much deserved vacation from the Arizona heat and humidity. But I will continue to publish Rants and Raves, but only once a week instead of twice. Upon return to a hopefully cooler Arizona, I will resume twice-a-week publication. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

California lawmakers give thumbs-up to 'gold standard' net neutrality bill

The bill offers the strongest protections on net neutrality yet and sends a message to the rest of the country.

Microsoft improves Office 365 device limits for subscribers

Microsoft is increasing the number of devices you can use with Office 365 Personal and Home subscriptions.

No, the desktop PC isn't dead

Reports of the death of the desktop PC may have been exaggerated.

How Big Tech Swallowed Seattle

Two tech titans made billions and remade the city. Is it any better off?

Apple will repair iPhone 8 manufacturing defect that causes freezing

Apple says that a small percentage of iPhone 8 devices might be affected by a "manufacturing defect" that can cause random freezing and other problems.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to properly back up your computer

Accidents happen, and if they do, you’ll want to make sure that you’re ready. That means routinely backing up your computer.

Fail safe vs. fail secure: What everyone gets wrong about backups

When it comes to encrypting your backups, is data loss or data theft your bigger threat?

Choosing the Right Format for Your External Hard Drive

While browsing the Internet for your external hard drive, you come across weird terms like NTFS, HFS+, FAT32, and exFAT. While your instinct may be to find out if it’s some weird slang acronym defined only on scandalous websites, you may fare better by reading below.

Firefox to Block User Tracking, Data Collection on Websites by Default

Mozilla, maker of Firefox, has good news for users of its web browser concerned about where their data is going. In the near future, the company plans to block user tracking on websites by default.

Best cheap laptops under $300

It's possible to get a great laptop for only a few hundred dollars.

Mobil Computing

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

If you back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you’ll have a copy of your information to use in case your device is ever replaced, lost, or damaged.

How to Back up Your Android Phone to Your PC

While Google will preserve a lot of your data, there are other methods and backup programs that will allow you to save the same data. Read on to find out how to back up your Android phone’s content to your PC.

20 amazing things you didn't know Google photos could do

Get ready to become a next-level Google Photos user when you discover all the amazing things it can do.

12 Best Android Phones of 2018 (New, Unlocked, and Cheap)

Wonder what the absolute best Android phone is right now? We have the answer, and some alternatives, too.

33 Google Maps Tricks You Need to Try

Google Maps is a Swiss Army Knife chock-full of hidden navigation, geospatial search, and customization tools. Here's how to unlock your map app's full potential.

The best note-taking apps to use in 2018

The best note-taking app needs intuitive features and a nice-looking design. Bonus points if it has cloud storage, autosave, offline access, and voice-to-text recognition.