The Best Browser For On-Line Privacy

Tech News and Opinions

Facebook lost control of our data. Now it's paying a record $5 billion fine

It turns out the company will pay a price after all for its endless scandals. But don't worry, Facebook made $22 billion last year.

Microsoft will give away software to guard U.S. voting machines

The tech giant says it has tracked more than 700 cyberattacks by foreign adversaries against U.S. political organizations so far this election cycle.

iPhone loyalty falls to all-time low, new report suggests

The survey, conducted by BankMyCell, says that iPhone retention is down 15 percent over the last year.

Apple is updating old iPhone and iPad models to fix a GPS issue

The tech giant is updating devices as old as the iPhone 4s.

Quantum Supremacy Is Coming: Here’s What You Should Know

Researchers are getting close to building a quantum computer that can perform tasks a classical computer can’t. Here’s what the milestone will mean.

How to buy a TV (summer 2019 update)

It's sometime in the middle of 2019, but buying a new TV is the same as ever. In other words, it's still kinda overwhelming.

Cord-cutters beware: Amazon's TV antenna listings are rife with dubious claims

Shoppers shouldn't take all the marketing promises vendors make at face value.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

This is the browser you'll want if you really care about online privacy

The Brave browser focuses on stopping websites from tracking you. JRC: I use this browser now exclusively. It does one heck of a good job. Highly Recommend!

6 Best Free Registry Cleaners for Windows

A registry cleaner is a 3rd party software that analyses your Windows registry, finds outdated entries and deletes them.

How to Quickly Install Apps on a New Windows PC

One of the very first things I do when I’m faced with a fresh operating system is to fire up its default browser—Edge or Safari—and head straight to Ninite (Windows) or macapps.link (Mac).

How to transfer files from a USB flash drive to a PC on Windows 10

If you're a beginner trying to copy files to and from a flash drive, use these steps to perform the task on Windows 10.

Don't put up with a slow PC, fix it yourself

Trying to get work done on a computer that keeps slowing to a crawl is annoying and frustrating, but it doesn't have to be that way.

How to Get Google Calendar on Your Windows Desktop

Combine the tech giants with Google Calendar widgets and apps

7 Google privacy settings you should enable now

Unfortunately, unless you work at it, there's a good chance your every digital move is being tracked, analyzed, packaged, and sold to not just the highest bidder, but to any and all bidders.

How to update drivers in Windows 10

There are two ways to update drivers on Windows. The boring and simple way, and the slightly harder way.

Mobile Computing – All OS’s

Make your iPhone last longer with this battery tip

Adjusting your iPhone's "Background App Refresh" setting can help you save battery life and data.

Use your phone camera to translate languages on the fly

An update to Google Translates camera tool means better translation for you.

11 things my Android phone does way better than your iPhone

For the past year, I've been carrying a succession of Android devices and iPhones, learning the ins and outs of each one. But a collection of small, usability-enhancing features keeps me coming back to Android as my everyday choice. Here's my list.

How to stop those annoying website notification prompts

No, I don’t want your website to notify me — and I don’t want you to ever ask again

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

4 iPhone Apps That Are Always Tracking Your Location — Even When You’re Not Using Them

You may be shocked to learn about the number of apps that are constantly tracking you, even when they really don’t have a good excuse for doing so.

The Best iOS Walkie Talkie Apps to Use Instead of Apple's

If you don’t want to wait for Apple to fix up Walkie-Talkie, there are plenty of third-party alternatives that can fill the gap.

How to properly clean your Apple Watch and its band

You should clean your Apple Watch periodically to ensure the longevity of your device.

Apple iOS update targets that old iPhone you've got lying around

The update prevents a GPS issue impacting some older devices.

How to organize photos and videos into albums on your iPhone or iPad

Stop constantly searching through your entire library and get organized.

Best iPad for Reading in 2019

The iPad Air (2019) is our favorite iPad, especially for those primarily looking for a tablet for reading.

Mobile Computing – Android Only

WeNote is a Google Keep alternative with a built-in calendar and Google Drive sync

It’s an app for all your notes, to-do lists, reminders, etc. just like all the rest, but it’s full of features like icon customization for notes, locking notes behind passwords, stickying notes to your status bar, and much more.

Check If Your Android Device Has Been Infected by Malicious Adware

Google may have removed the apps from the Play Store—which means they are no longer available to download and may even be disabled or uninstalled—but that doesn’t mean BeiTaAd has been scrubbed from your device.

Google Just Released a New Gallery App for You to Try

As a follow-up to Google’s surprisingly popular Files Go app, Google just released Gallery Go, a lighter gallery app to make managing your photos super easy.

Best Android Games of 2019

Whether you're new to Android and need some fresh, new games to start building out your Google Play library or simply looking for the latest trendy games that are worthy of your time and attention, these are the best Android games you can find right now.

Fix "Failed to obtain IP address" error on Android

Those who have encountered the “Failed to obtain IP address” error on Android are not alone. It seems to pester users of all Android phones and software versions. We’ll tell you why you’re getting the annoying error and how to fix it.

10 best podcast apps for Android

If you’re a fan of the medium and are in the market for a new podcast app, here are the best podcast apps for Android!

How to Watch You Tube Your Way

Tech News and Opinions

Hey YouTube, stop showing me videos I don't want to see

Remove those annoying video suggestions once and for all.

Microsoft is shutting down its online versions of Hearts, Spades, Checkers and more

Unfortunately for the fans, Microsoft's online card games are going away entirely. But, Solitaire is safe.

Microsoft July 2019 Patch Tuesday fixes zero-day exploited by Russian hackers

Microsoft patches 77 security flaws, including 15 rated "critical."

Amazon Music Growth Outpaces Spotify, Apple Music

A new report says that Amazon is growing subscribers for its music service faster than market leaders Spotify and Apple. Spotify still dominates from a subscriber number perspective, of course. But Amazon could surpass Apple Music if the current growth rates hold.

How to Speed Up Your Internet Connection

Internet connections could always be faster. Whether your downloads are crawling, streaming feels like a slideshow, or you just want to maximize your speeds, here’s how you can accelerate that connection.

The new MacBook Air is significantly slower than the old MacBook Air

Thinking of buying a new MacBook Air to replace your existing one? Be aware that Apple's cost-cutting means that it is slower than the older model.

California and Florida: Where the majority of robocalls come from

Your phone rings, and, for the third time today, you see a spam call is coming through. You send the call to voicemail and think, “Who is calling me?”  Chances are, the call is coming from inside the United States.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to Turn on HDR in Windows 10

A round of updates has made Windows 10 compatible with HDR10 and simplified the process to enable HDR, so your games, apps and movies should benefit more easily from turning this mode on.

Firefox 68 is out: New dark reader view, better extensions

Mozilla has released Firefox 68, introducing a new dark reader view, a curated list of recommended extensions, an easier way of reporting bad extensions, and new options for IT admins to customize Firefox in the enterprise.

Keep Firefox from leaking your data everywhere on the internet

It's time to start using Firefox's solid collection of content-blocking tools.

Keep Google Chrome from spilling your secrets to prying eyes

Until Chrome starts helping you guard your privacy, these browser extensions can help.

How to Create, View, and Edit Bookmarks in Google Chrome

Bookmarks in Google Chrome save a link to a website you want to return to later, much like when you put a bookmark in a book. Here are several ways you can create, view, and edit your Bookmarks.

The best antivirus protection of 2019 for Windows 10

Your PC needs protection against malware, and free antivirus software may be enough. Here's what to get for Windows 10, and what's worth paying extra for.

Google Keep Notes: 10 tips and tricks to become a master

Google Keep Notes might be the most underrated of Google’s services. It’s more than just a place to jot down your thoughts—it’s also the missing link to bring Docs, Calendar, Photos, and the rest of Google’s services together.

How to Create and Manage a Table of Contents in Microsoft Word

Using a table of contents in your document makes it easier for the reader to navigate. You can generate a table of contents in Word from the headings used in your document. Here’s how to do it.

Mobile Computing – All OS’s

How to securely erase the data off your iPhone or iPad, Android device, Windows PC, hard drives, SSDs, and flash drives

Making sure that your personal information is safely and securely erased from devices that you are no longer using is a good thing. Here's a quick guide to securely wiping hard drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), flash drives, and even iOS and Android devices

AT&T will block fraud robocalls for free, but blocking spam calls will cost extra

AT&T will charge $4 month to automatically block all spam robocalls.

Best phone mounts and holders for cars

Keep your phone (and your GPS directions) in sight with these mounts.

Emoji are getting more inclusive on your iPhone and Android phone—even if you're a vampire

In case you forgot to buy your phone a present, it’s World Emoji Day today. And to celebrate, Apple and Google have unveiled a slew of new emoji based on the approved characters in Unicode 12 that will be arriving in iOS 13 and Android Q later this year.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

The safest way to free up storage space on your iPhone or iPad

Running out of space on your iPhone or iPad? Here's how to free up space on your device without losing files and data that you need.

The top iPhone and iPad apps on App Store

App Store Official Charts for the week ending July 7, 2019:

Easy Access To Shooting Raw Photos (iOS)

The problem is that Apple confoundedly hasn’t included Raw support with its own camera app, which means that you still need to use a third-party app that has built support for shooting and editing Raw photos.

How to Use Search Suggestions in Safari & Chrome on Your iPhone

When searching the web on your iPhone, you can use the search suggestions that appear below the search bar in Safari or Chrome instead of typing out your whole query. Usually when you tap a search suggestion, it immediately searches with those terms.

10 Best Apps for Language Learning, Brain Games, Math & More

Let's go over ten of our best picks for free and paid apps that will help you on your lifelong learning journey.

How to Sell Your Old iPhone for Top Dollar

The iPhone has one of the best resale values of any smartphone. You’ll get more money if you sell it yourself and skip the trade-in. Here’s how to prepare your iPhone, pick a price, and make the sale.

Mobile Computing – Android Only

How to access and use emoji on Android

Emoji are awesome little glyphs that can be combined, communicated, and interpreted a million ways and counting.

15 tips and tricks for Google Chrome on Android (2019 edition)

Some of them can make switching between tabs quicker, improve your experience on shaky internet connections, or remove unnecessary functionality

What is hardware acceleration and why does it matter?

While not always an accessible option in most smartphone apps, hardware acceleration is used by a number of popular Android apps, including YouTube, Chrome, Facebook, and more.

WhatsApp not working? Here are 5 easy fixes to try

There are a few possible reasons why WhatsApp is not working on your Android device. Thankfully, all of them can be fixed relatively quickly.

How to change and create Waze voices: A step-by-step guide

Waze, like other navigation apps, comes with a guiding voice to assist during the drive. If you’re getting tired of listening to the same Waze voice every day, this is for you.

How to Use Your Phone to Check for Skin Cancer

Tech News and Opinions

President Trump cannot block his critics on Twitter, federal appeals court rules

The decision from the New York-based appeals court upholds an earlier ruling that Trump violated the First Amendment when he blocked individual users who were critical of the president or his policies.

Apple is reportedly giving up on its controversial MacBook keyboard

Finally!! The first laptop to get the new keyboard will be a new MacBook Air model due out this year, followed by a new MacBook Pro in 2020.

Updated Outlook on the web is coming to Office 365 customers starting this month

The update includes a fresh interface and features aimed at improving communication and scheduling.

Firefox's Ad-Free Premium Browser Will Cost $4.99 a Month

Last month, the company revealed it would offer a paid version of its popular Firefox browser, and now a page on its website confirms more details.

We found these 9 hidden YouTube features

There's a world of deeper features to uncover and explore -- some which you might not have even known you wanted.

People actually lined up to buy AMD's new Ryzen 3000 desktop CPUs

How excited are PC fans for AMD's new Ryzen chips? They lined up to buy the CPUs on launch day.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to back up your Google Photos library now that Google Drive auto-sync has shut down

Another useful Google feature bites the dust.

Gmail Tips and Tricks: 10 Things You Need to Know

Thankfully, there are ways to master your inbox before it masters you. Here are 10 Gmail tips and tricks to help you get control of your email.

Microsoft Your Phone app now lets you see Android notifications on PC

The app received a major update this week, giving users the ability to see all their Android notifications on their desktop or laptop.

Best Google Search tips, tricks, and hidden shortcuts

There are a handful of tricks to get the most out of Google's search bar, which will help you ensure your results are relevant to what you're looking for.

How to Check Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength

A stronger Wi-Fi signal means a more reliable connection. This is what enables you to take full advantage of the internet speeds available to you.

How to clear cookies from your browser

Clearing cookies from your web browser is simple and easy, and doing so could help protect your private data while you're online.

How to See the Applications Using Your Network on Windows 10

Windows can show you which applications are using your network right now and how much data they’re transferring. You can even see a list of apps that have used your network over the last 30 days.

This is your secret weapon for Amazon Prime Day deals

The simple Amazon Assistant tool for Chrome, Firefox and Safari does triple duty.

Mobile Computing – All OS’s

4 ways to check for skin cancer with your smartphone

Your phone can help you recognize suspicious moles and marks, but you should still see a dermatologist or doctor.

These 3 Simple Things Will Make Your Phone's Batter Last Longer

Skip the battery-saving apps. Forget force-quit. Here are the simplest ways to save the most juice.

Delete Facebook, but save your data with a phone or computer

Learn how to delete or deactivate your Facebook account and the steps to protect yourself before you do.

Best USB-C Portable Battery Power Packs in 2019

Whether you prefer your power banks big or small, these are the best ones around!

How to get free books for your Amazon Kindle

Thousands of free Kindle books are out there. You just have to know where to look.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

7 iPhone Apps That’ll Change Your Life

Wanna spice up your life? There's an app for that.

How to create smart playlists in Apple Music on iOS (finally)

A new iOS app called Miximum can create smart playlists, and even sync them to the regular Apple Music app. It is, as they say, a game-changer.

The 11 Best Running Apps for iPhone in 2019

Track your run with the best running apps on iOS, including workout trackers, route builders, specialty biometric trackers, and unique music apps. If you're a serious runner, you'll want these running apps on your iPhone.

6 new uses for your old iPad

Your old iPad might be worth selling, but it might also be worth keeping.

Beyond the Tablet: Seven Years of iPad as My Main Computer

For the past seven years, I've considered the iPad my main computer. Not my only one, and not the most powerful one I own, but the computer which I use and enjoy using the most.

Why is my iPhone slow? Tips to keep your iPhone running well

If your iPhone is noticeably slow, there are several things you can do to help it run faster.

Mobile Computing – Android Only

Fake Samsung firmware update app tricks more than 10 million Android users

"Updates for Samsung" app promises firmware updates but only shows ads and wants money for (working) downloads.

25 Million Android Phones Infected With Malware That 'Hides In WhatsApp'

As many as 25 million Android phones have been hit with malware that replaces installed apps like WhatsApp with evil versions that serve up adverts.

Android apps are harvesting your data even after you tell them not to

When you deny a mobile app permission to collect personal data from your phone, it's reasonable to expect it abides by that. But a new study of popular Android apps found that's not always the case.

How to block websites on Android

If you often give your smartphone or tablet to your kids, having parental controls and blocking inappropriate content is a must. You can also utilize website blocking to kick your social media habit or to avoid distracting content when working.

How to fix the Google Play Store "download pending" error

We have all encountered problems with Google Play at one time or another. Every app has its issues, so this is no surprise.

The Best VPNs For Android

There are some well-known VPN providers which also have a specific Android app, including TunnelBear VPN, Express VPN, PureVPN, and ProtonVPN.

Best Unlocked Android Phones on Amazon for Every Budget in 2019

Whether you're planning an international trip or you just prefer not to be financially tied to your carrier, it's never a bad idea to buy your next phone unlocked.

Happy 4th of July!

Tech News and Opinions

Ebooks Purchased From Microsoft Will Be Deleted This Month

Anyone who bought ebooks through the Microsoft Store is in for a rude shock in the coming days. The good news? You can get a refund. The bad news? All of your books are going to be deleted this month.

How to Spot a Fake Review on Amazon

Amazon and other e-commerce websites are flooded with bogus reviews. These online tools will help you identify a fake review on the internet and keep you from spending cash on a terrible product.

With new feature update calendar, Microsoft finally settles on a sensible Windows 10 release schedule

Microsoft announced that its next feature update will be the most low-key Windows 10 version ever. You could even call it what it really is: a service pack. Here's why Microsoft wants no upgrade drama as 2020 approaches.

Microsoft is notifying users if their devices aren't ready for Windows 10 1903

Some Windows 10 users are seeing notifications from Microsoft that their devices are temporarily blocked from receiving the Windows 10 1903 update.

Bill Gates calls failure to challenge iOS his 'greatest mistake'

Describing his “greatest mistake ever,” Gates said the failure to become Apple’s main competitor in the mobile space cost Microsoft $400 billion.

iPadOS Will Almost Make Your iPad a Real Computer

If you’ve used an iPad, you know that they’re missing a lot of critical features people use on computers. Support for mice and external storage devices, a proper desktop browser, and better multitasking—these are all arriving with Apple’s new iPadOS.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to Properly Clean Your Gross Laptop

Like any computer, laptops are dust and grime magnets. But a dirty laptop isn’t just a cosmetic nightmare—it can also cause poor performance and overheating. So, how can you clean your laptop properly?

How to tell if your Windows laptop battery is worn

Are you finding that the battery in your Windows laptop isn't lasting as long as it used to? Here how to tell if it is getting worn

How to Reset Chrome Settings to Default

When you reset Chrome to default, a lot of data gets deleted, but not everything. While you’re signed in to your Google account on Chrome, the following settings will revert to the default on all devices you’re currently signed in on:

How to stop automatic updates on Windows 10

If you're fed up with Windows 10 installing updates automatically, then use this guide to stop this behavior and decide when to install them.

How to turn off or disable App Notifications in Windows 10

If you do not like excessive notifications on your computer, there are quite a few ways to disable them. In this post, we are going to talk about cutting down on the number of notifications you get on your computer.

Here's how I turned a Chromebook into a powerful full-time work laptop

After three years with Chromebooks, I can say without a doubt that they are the best computers for most people.

Microsoft Edge vs. Google Chrome: What's The Difference?

They're more alike than they are different, and in many cases, the choice to use one or the other is simply personal taste.

Google Chrome gets some 'Brave' competition

"Brave" lets you see how many ads and trackers are being blocked on a daily basis. It was built specifically as an ad-free experience and has built-in ad blocking capabilities and anti-tracking technology. JRC: This is the browser I use now.

Microsoft's new OneDrive Personal Vault ups your cloud storage security

Microsoft's storage service wants to take over the space Dropbox is exiting.

Mobile Computing – All OS’s

5 Apps That Will Help You Find Cheap Flights Every Time

Of course, we’ve all used the tried and trusted Kayak app before, but there are others out there that might get you the best offer or price.

The Best Photo Editing Apps for Android & iOS for 2019

After testing seven mobile photo editing apps over a month, here are best ones we found.

Windows 10's calculator app gets ported to Android, iOS and the Web

The app is currently in the early stages but you can head to the Google Play Store to download the app.

Best gadgets 2019: the top tech you can buy right now

To help you overcome the problem of researching your own superior tech set up, we've collated a list of the best gadgets available right now.

Google Maps tells you how fast you're driving. Here's how

Google Maps has been rolling out the new speedometer feature to its users.

Why is the Google Calendar mobile app better than the desktop version?

It’s incredibly frustrating that using Google Calendar isn’t the same experience across platforms.

Mobile Computing – iOS Only

Best news apps for iPhone and iPad

Extra! Extra! These fantastic news apps for iPhone and iPad will keep you up to date!

How to set up a new iPhone and transfer old files

If you haven’t upgraded your iPhone for a few years, you might be surprised to see how much easier it is to move all of your data from an old device to a new one.

Awesome Note for the iPad, why didn't someone tell us?

How did we miss this? Version 1.2 of Awesome Note for iPad is already out, we are way behind! The app has a lot of us using it's iPhone version, so a iPad (big screen) version is a very welcome site.

Best business iPad apps of 2019

Some people think of the iPad as something of a toy – a basic computing slab suitable for little more than lounging on the sofa poking around at Facebook and Candy Crush. But those people would be wrong

iOS tip: How to clear your iPhone's RAM and make it faster

Finding that your iPhone is feeling a little slow? Here's a quick and easy trick to help speed it up without having to restart it or delete any apps or data.

How to Really See All Your Photos in the Photos App Instead of a Summary

For example, if you took multiple photos of the same flower, Summarize Photos will have one or maybe two displayed when you browse the Photos tab. Here's how to turn off Summarize Photos so you can view all photos on your iPhone.

Mobile Computing – Android Only

You Can Now See Your Android Notifications on Your Windows 10 PC

Microsoft is rolling out a new update to the Your Phone experience in Windows 10. It can now mirror your Android’s notifications, allowing you to get all your phone’s notifications right on your PC.

How to text from Windows 10 using an Android phone

Google launched Android Messages for web in 2018 that’s tied to its Messages app for Android. Meanwhile, Microsoft introduced its Your Phone app to the masses via the October 2018 Update (version 1809) along with the re-branded Your Phone Companion Android app.

5 Android apps you shouldn't miss this week!

The title says it all.

Here's the easiest way to find, lock, or wipe your lost Android phone

Losing your phone always sucks, but in 2019, it’s easier than ever to make sure the loss isn’t permanent. For Android users, it’s particularly easy.

Mozilla Firefox Preview for Android: A deeper look

Mozilla claims the browser is up to two times as fast as its previous Android browsers. It also comes with an unconventional interface and automatic tracking protection.