Back Home Safe and Sound…Did I Miss Something?

After three days of grueling driving through 6 states, I am back in Tucson. The trip was much longer than it should have been as roads were closed because of flash floods and washed-out highways…so had to do a lot of backtracking and detours. And I wasn’t alone: cars, RV’s, and thousands of trucks were forced to drive on two-lane roads through Nevada, so the going was very slow. But, I finally made it home. Now, I understand we are going to be hammered again with rain and winds, remnants of tropical storm Odile. Heavy rains and flash floods…the fun never ends.

While I was somewhere in Southern Idaho, Apple decided to hold their big event to announce the new, larger iPhones, as well as the new Apple Watch, and Apple Pay. In addition, they announced the release date for iOS 8, the operating system used by iPads and iPhones…and that just happens to be tomorrow! Am really looking forward to that.

As for the iPhone, I think I am going to go for the big one…but, no rush as my contract isn’t up till late December. As for the Apple watch…it won’t be out till next year and I could care less. And we shall see how Apple Pay unfolds in the future. There are stories here covering all these new toys.

And we will get our first look at the new Windows 9 on Sept. 30. It is only a preview and they are aiming this preview at the Enterprise customers as that is the source of the majority of their income. They are really trying to woo these guys back into the Windows fold as 99% of the Enterprise businesses wanted nothing to do with Windows 8. Regardless, much of what we see on that date will apply to us home and small business users, so pay attention. Look for Windows 9 to show up in April.

There are a lot of good articles in this edition so let’s get to it! - JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft invites media to meet the next version of Windows

Microsoft will show off some of the enterprise-focused Windows Threshold features at an invitation-only event in San Francisco on September 30.

Windows Threshold screenshot leaks: What's there, what's not

A leaked build of what Microsoft might distribute as its soon-to-be-released Windows Threshold Enterprise Tech Preview (aka Windows 9) provides a snapshot of the next version of Windows.

Apple's new iPhones, Watches, and apps

Apple announced a bushel of new products: not one but two iPhone 6s, three Apple Watches, iOS 8, Apple Pay, and assorted other apps. Here's what you need to know about the goods.

Apple iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus preorders top 4M in first 24 hours

Apple says it hit a record in the first day of sales. However, it confirms demand outstripped initial preorder supplies, so some customers will receive their new iPhones as late as October.

Apple Pay – How it Will Change the Way We Buy

Apple Pay is an entirely new system which has the potential to revolutionize the world of mobile payments. There is going to be a transition period while the iPhone 6 is adopted because it is the only generation of iPhone that will work with Apple Pay.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Google Revives My Maps So You Can Create and Share Custom Maps

Google unleashed a new, overhauled version of its well-loved (and little known) custom maps tool, called My Maps. It's pretty powerful and cool. With it, you can create a trip itinerary, note hotspots in any location, and otherwise personalize Google Maps.

Personalize the Windows 7 Start menu

You can do a lot with the Windows 7 Start menu. You can put your favorite programs front and center. You can replace big, easy-to-hit icons with smaller ones that take less real estate, and you can control the behavior of clicking on Documents or Music.

6 Ways to Actually Use 1 TB of Cloud Storage

The cloud storage wars are heating up. Microsoft now offers 1 TB of cloud storage along with Office 365, and both Dropbox and Google are offering 1 TB at just $10 per month. But the real reason companies are offering so much storage is because they know most users will never actually use anything near 1 TB of storage. Here’s how you actually could.

Here's what Apple's iCloud Drive will cost you, compared with its competition

With a new cloud storage service coming soon from Apple, it's time to see how all the top services compare on price and storage.

12 Hidden Firefox Functions for Browsing Like a Boss

You may be familiar with the many third-party extensions and add-ons that can amplify Firefox's functionality, however there are a lot of little tricks already baked in to the software that you may not be using.

 

Mobile Computing

The 18 Most Important Features in iOS 8

What's in iOS 8 that will change the mobile life of your everyday iPhone and iPad user? Quite a bit, as it turns out. Here are the most important changes coming in iOS 8, based on what Apple revealed at WWDC and reports about the beta software.

PadGadget’s iPad Tips: How to Update to iOS 8

On Wednesday, Apple will make iOS 8 available to the public for download. Thanks to a few technology tweaks a few years ago, Apple has made it possible for users to simply tap “Download” in order to update their devices to iOS 8. However, nothing ever goes as smoothly as that.

15 Essential Apps for Every Photographer's Smartphone

"Photographers, however, should not get caught up just using their phone as a camera; there are apps that can help you plan shoots, get model releases signed, add GPS data to your photos and much more. "

How to Switch Among Open Apps on Your Android Device

When you run an app on your Android device, you can minimize it and return to the home screen easily by touching or pressing the Home button. However, what if you want to quickly get to an open app from within a another open app?

How to improve battery life on any mobile device

Poor battery life is a problem that affects all mobile users. This guide could help you better understand what is draining your battery.

On My Laptop, Chrome Stinks While Internet Explorer Soars

Never in my life did I expect Internet Explorer to be the fastest browser on my computer. But it is. I am still on vacation and have had ample opportunity to play with my laptop. As mentioned here before, I don’t love this laptop. It is running Windows 8.1 with all the updates, but I just think the hardware is too slow. By the way, Windows 8.1 with updates is much better than the original Windows 8 and is very usable.

Back to the topic at hand. I always install Chrome and Firefox on all my computers. Of course, Internet Explorer comes standard with every version of Windows. In everyday use on my Windows 8.1 laptop, IE speeds are absolutely amazing. It is definitely the fastest browser of the three. Firefox runs well but is still a bit slower than IE.

As for Chrome, it is so slow as to be unusable. In fact, it is so bad that I uninstalled it. Now, just to be clear, I am not running any scientific tests here. I am just going from site to site and watching the browsers do their stuff. I do know that Chrome works well on my Windows 7 desktop computer. I still use Firefox on that computer as my main browser. I have ignored IE on my desktop computer but I think that I might re-evaluate it when I get back to Tucson.

As for this week’s tech news, Apple has officially set Sept. 9 as the date it announces all its new products. I look forward to it but won’t be able to watch it as I will be traveling. Damn!

There are some good tips and tricks in both the computer and mobile sections of this edition. Hopefully you will find something that will interest you. So read on and enjoy. –JCR

PS: As I will be traveling on an extended road trip later this week, there will be no blogs for the next two weeks. Sorry about that…but will be back to normal soon.

 

Tech News and Opinions

Apple iPhone 6 event officially set for Sept. 9

Invites from the Cupertino, Calif., electronics giant give almost no hints, saying "wish we could say more." But the general consensus is that Apple will unveil its next smartphone.

Four 4K TV facts you must know

A standard 1080p TV bought in the next few years will remain perfectly viable for as long as you own it. Sure, it might not be able to play the most cutting-edge 4K content at 4K resolution, but you probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway.

Microsoft reissues flawed Windows security update

A new version of MS14-045 has been pushed to Windows Update and the Download Center. Microsoft strongly recommends that users uninstall the old version first.

Chrome's Faster, More Stable 64-Bit Builds Now Available on Windows

If you're running a 64-bit version of Windows, you can now download a 64-bit capable version of Chrome that includes better performance, security, and stability.

Microsoft's Windows 9: Much ado about little, given cloud shift

Windows 9 will be important---if only to put Windows 8 to bed---but could be the last of Microsoft's big bang OS releases if CEO Satya Nadella's cloud-centric plan works out well.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

How to Create a Strong Password (and Remember It)

“Be sure to use a strong password” is advice we all constantly see online. Here’s how to create a strong password — and, more importantly, how to actually remember it.

Pixlr, a Great Online Photo Editor, Is Now Free on the Desktop

If you haven't tried out Autodesk's fabulous Pixlr, a capable photo editor in the browser, you should. It's good. And now, it's available as a free desktop program for Mac and Windows.

Ten Top Windows Tips

Here is a selection of ten of the all-time most popular Windows tips. All of these have been viewed at least 100,000 times

Five ways to improve battery life on Windows

Having battery life problems on your Windows 8.1 laptop? These tips will help you squeeze the most juice out of your battery.

The Windows Maintenance Challenge: Part 2

Can commercial, third-party maintenance software outperform Windows’ built-in, free tools? This is the conclusion of a two-part series that will help you determine which PC maintenance tools — free or paid — yield the best results on your specific system.

 

Mobile Computing

These are the best messaging apps on iOS

Thankfully, there are plenty of free and good alternatives to iMessage. Some are more secure, some have more features, and none of them is owned by Facebook. Let's take a look at what's available and how these very different messaging apps compare on a number of key features.

The best Android clipboard apps

The open and modular nature of Google's platform provides you with some cool third-party options. All it takes is a few apps to power up your Android clipboard so you can be more productive than ever before.

Health in iOS 8: Explained

Health is the name for a new, built-in Apple app coming with iOS 8. It serves as both a repository for all the health-related data accumulated by your iPhone, your apps, and your accessories, and a dashboard to help you make better, more visual sense of it.

Google's News & Weather App Gets A Massive 2.0 Update

The 2.0 release, years in the making, is now available for most Android 4.0+ devices.

Verizon set to launch voice-over-LTE service nationwide

The VoLTE network, which will provide high-definition voice service and a new Skype-like video chat service, will debut for consumers in the coming weeks.

I am Still Here in Spite of the Earthquake

Yes, it was a humdinger of a quake and it really hit the city of Napa very hard…lots of structural damage. And yes, I did feel it here in Walnut Creek. I was laying in bed semi-awake when it hit. It didn’t bother me as I have been through many of them, being a California native. At first I thought one of the dogs I babysit was banging against the bed…then realized he wasn’t in the house. Then I knew it was a quake.

But I wouldn’t let an earthquake ruin my fun. This weekend I went to my first Indy car race in Sonoma and got to get close up with the drivers and their cars. Also got to see some of the great legends of the past including Johnny Rutherford and Mario Andretti. It was a 2 day event with lots of racing.

The climax was the Sonoma Grand Prix featuring 22 Indy cars racing over a 2.3 mile road course. A fun race to watch and photograph. The last ten laps were about exciting as you will ever see with cars running out of gas before the finish. Two cars ran out of gas right in front of me…they just barely crossed the finish line when the tanks went dry.

I was sitting high up on turn two and got to see the real chaos that ensues at the start of a race. There were spinouts and bumps and cars going off the track…and I photographed the whole thing. Fortunately every car got back on the track and continued racing. From my vantage point, I could see about 2/3 of the course and was able to see almost all the action.

Of course, we didn’t know if there would even be a Sunday race because of the earthquake. The epicenter was only a couple of miles from the race course. But, after a thorough inspection by race officials, the track was declared safe for racing. But there was still the problem was getting to the race track. The main road into it from the south was shut down. But, fortunately, after some inspection time, they opened the road in time for me to get on the road to the track. So all was well in the end.

The other event I attended a week ago was the first football game ever played in the new Levi Stadium, home of the 49ers. Bottom line: a great stadium but a lousy game. Still glad I went. I used the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to get down to Fremont…then took a bus from there to the stadium. The BART train I was on had mechanical difficulties in a tunnel under Oakland. That was interesting sitting in the dark with all the power off. But we eventually limped into a station and got on another train.

So its been an exciting week for me, but not all that exciting in the tech world. But that is normal for August. The real action will be in September when Apple offers up its new iPhones and possibly some other goodies…and Microsoft gives us the first peak at Windows 9. I am excited for both…but, of course I am a nerd.

I hope you find some things of interest in this edition, so let’s get started. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Over 1,000 US businesses are affected by the attack that hit Target

The hack that cost Target and its partners more than $200 million may have caused even more damage than we thought. The New York Times is reporting that the same malware used in the attack also targeted more than a thousand other US businesses, based on a new assessment from the Secret Service.

Windows 9: Microsoft faces four daunting challenges

The rumor mill says a public preview of the next big Windows release will appear this fall. But don't get fixated by features. This release isn't a "big bang" but is actually just the starting gun for the next stage in a very long race.

How Apple took over the only segment of the PC market that still matters

Everyone knows the PC market has been in decline for the past few years. But one segment of that market is doing spectacularly well, and one company has managed to carve out enviable sales and profits by dominating that niche. Guess who?

The fight for net neutrality goes to round two

With 1.1 million (and counting) consumer comments to ponder and an alliance of tech companies nipping at its heels, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission enters round two of the fight for net neutrality.

Former Microsoft CEO Ballmer steps down from the board

In his note to current Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Ballmer noted he had become "very busy" in the six months since he left Microsoft. He is now the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team. He also said he would be "teaching" (at Stanford University, I've heard).

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Download 275 Free Resume Templates for Microsoft Word

The templates are spread across different categories, thus catering to different job types.

The Best Tune-Up Utilities

Is your PC getting slow, clunky, and generally run down? Fire up one of these programs and turn that old jalopy back into a streamlined sports car.

Windows 8.1 Update 2 is Here, But It’s a Big Letdown

Microsoft was hyping Update 2 at one point, promising it would bring the return of the Start menu to Windows 8.1 and make all those disaffected Windows users happy. That didn’t happen.

21 Flickr Tips for Photo Fanatics

Yahoo's photo service gives users access to one friggin' terabyte of storage. Here are 21 tips to help you make the most of it.

27 of the Best Chrome Extensions You Should Check out Today

Sometimes, achieving what you want is a little harder and takes a little longer than you’d really want. It’s for that reason that we’ve put together a list of 27 of the most useful extensions for Google’s Chrome browser.

 

Mobile Computing

Apple announces battery replacement program for the iPhone 5

If you purchased the iPhone 5 early in its life and your battery seems to need charging more often than usual, pay attention: Apple has just announced an iPhone 5 battery replacement program for phones that "may suddenly experience shorter battery life or need to be charged more frequently."

Are we in a mobile app glut? Report says most US phone owners aren’t downloading apps

Nearly 2 out of 3 U.S. smartphone owners don’t download a single app in a given month. Isn’t this the age of the mobile app economy? It is, but most of the growth is long over at this point in the cycle.

Over 90% of Apple Devices Run iOS 7 While only 20% of Android Devices use Latest OS

The report shows that, based on data gathered across 682,000 devices, Android fragmentation has quadrupled since 2012. This year, 18,796 distinct Android devices were tracked as compared to 3,997 two years ago.

10 Things You Didn't Know Your Android Phone Could Do

Whether you're rocking the latest Android device from Samsung, HTC, or LG, these tips will help you get the most out of your phone or tablet.

10 Things You Didn't Know Your iPhone Could Do

You may be missing out on some of the iPhone's most powerful features.

Comcast and Obamacare…Two Studies in Screwing America

As I am still on vacation and I don’t want to get upset, I will not do a rant on our #1 story…The Obama Health Care Website debacle. I will only say that if you think this was bad, wait till government-run health care kicks in.

This week I got to visit the big Apple Store in San Francisco…a two story elegant retail establishment on Market Street at Stockton. I continue to be wowed by the staff and customer service at all their stores. I am still thinking about a new Apple laptop or possibly a new iMac. I got a lot of questions answered on this visit.

They also performed some minor surgery on my iPhone for free even though the phone is long out of warranty. Every retail store in America should take lessons from these guys. By contrast, I also visited a Microsoft store across the street in a shopping mall. I was not even greeted, even though I sat down to play with a Surface 3. An interesting contrast.

Well it is time for me to continue my vacation so I will let you carry on from here. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

The billion dollar web site you paid for

Whoever heard of a pure IT project that cost a billion dollars to build (so far)? A GAO investigation goes deep into just how bad the process of building HealthCare.gov was.

Think Comcast’s service sucks now? Just wait until it merges with TWC

To get a sense of how bad things are getting for America’s most unloved cable company, consider some of the Comcast horror stories that have become hits at Reddit’s technology page over just the past three days:

Microsoft to deliver Windows 'Threshold' tech preview around late September

Microsoft is aiming to make available a technology preview of Windows Threshold (aka Windows 9) around late September or early October.

Meet the new, reversible USB

The official design for the next-generation, reversible USB has been finalised, and it can be plugged in upside down.

Email Is Still the Best Thing on the Internet

The gentle, dependable workhorse that everyone relies on and nobody owns

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

How Music Affects Your Productivity

Music has a way of expressing that which cannot be put into words.
It is for this reason (and many more) that music is regarded as one of the triumphs of human creativity-but does music itself help one to create?

The Windows Maintenance Challenge

Can commercial software maintain your PC better than Windows’ built-in and free tools? This article is the first in a series that will help you determine which tools — free or paid — yield the best results on your specific PC.

Google Expands Its Safe Browsing Service to Block PUAs

These threats typically take the form of helpful downloads, but they actually quietly switch your homepage, other browser settings, and in general modify operating system defaults.

How to kill unwanted processes and applications that slow down Windows

I know something better than free software for this job: software that comes with Windows. All current versions of Windows come with a tool to help you trim back what's running at the moment.

9 things you should know about surge protectors

Surge protectors are an inexpensive way to protect your gear against random power spike damage. They're not all the same. Here are a few tips before you start shopping.

 

Mobile Computing

What Does Airplane Mode Do, and Is It Really Necessary?

Airplane mode disables a device’s cellular radio, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth — the wireless transmission functions. But many airplanes now offer in-flight Wi-Fi, and cellular access may be coming to planes soon — so where does that leave airplane mode?

The 10 Best Tablets

Looking for something to bridge the gap between laptop and smartphone? Android, Apple, and Windows, these ten top-rated tablets fit the bill.

How to find your parked car with an Android phone

One of the most annoying things about owning a car is parking. First you have to find somewhere to park, which can be very difficult in big cities or at popular events. Once you finally find a spot you’re just dying to get out of the car. Oops! You forgot to take note of where you parked. Now you’re ready to go home, but you have no idea where to find your car.

Tom Hanks Releases Manual Typewriter App for iPad

Actor Tom Hanks has released his first iPad app which is an accurate recreation of three manual typewriters. It could have easily been a gimmicky app that is used once or twice, but this is something different. The attention to detail and the overall aesthetic of Hanx Writer makes this an app you’ll enjoy typing with for hours on end.

Popular paid Android keyboard SwiftKey goes free for all

SwiftKey is taking the freemium route, where the app itself is free, but you spend money on new themes.

Microsoft Gives Up on Win 8. Is the Surface Tablet Next?

I arrived safely in Walnut Creek and am firmly ensconced on the patio for this week’s tech blog. It’s been a while since I have been able to sit outside and write on my computer. Summers in Arizona aren’t conducive to outdoor activities.  Although it can be very warm here also, this week has been wonderful. The fog has come in from San Francisco almost every morning, guaranteeing a nice day.

Some interesting news out of Redmond these days. Microsoft has scaled back its updates for Windows 8.1…meaning all the fancy updates like a Start Menu will be held back and used in Windows 9. You can read all about that in story #2. There will be an update to Windows 8.1 this next week, but Microsoft is not calling it Update 2. It appears Microsoft is just giving up on 8.1 and hopes to recapture its fan base with Windows 9 next year.

You can also read about the huge losses that Microsoft has sustained with its Surface line of tablets (story #1). There is strong speculation that the new Microsoft CEO will pull the plug on it. I am betting he won’t.

The company has released a new Windows laptop for around $250 to compete with the cheap Google Chrome laptops. If I was looking for a cheap laptop, I would rather have the Microsoft one than the Google one.

PS: The latest rumor is that the big Apple event to announce the new iPhones and new wrist wear products is scheduled for September 9. I look forward to that. OK, while I prepare the BBQ for tonight’s dinner, why don’t you read the rest of this blog. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

The Surface Damage Is Mounting At Microsoft

With close to $2 billion down the tubes and a new CEO more interested in operating systems than devices, the days of the Microsoft Surface tablet could be numbered.

Microsoft Scraps Windows 8 Major Updates. Bets The Farm On Win 9

It's official, Windows 8 is a write-off. Sales for the operating system have been poor and now it is even starting to lose market share to Windows 7.

Microsoft's Windows 'Threshold' expected to add virtual desktops, drop charms

Microsoft is going to do more than reintroduce a Start menu as part of its plan to make Windows 9, a k a 'Threshold,' more appealing to Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 users.

Why you shouldn't be scared by the 'largest data breach' ever

Experts say the reported heist of 1.2 billion account credentials is legit, but caution that for most people there's little they can do -- or should be worried about.

America's Weather-Tracking Satellites Are in Trouble

The sats we use to predict the paths of snowstorms and hurricanes are nearing the end of their lives, and a replacement won’t be fully operational until 2018. Which is a problem.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Here's the easiest way to unsubscribe from annoying emails

Gmail and Outlook step in to make it easy to unsubscribe from newsletters and mailing lists.

Are bad email habits wasting your time?

Making a few simple changes to the way you handle email will help you improve focus, save time, and communicate more effectively.

Underused tools hiding in Windows 7 and 8

Back in Windows’ younger and simpler days, its coders hid small programs and features — called Easter eggs — in the OS for others to find. Microsoft eventually banned those unofficial applets, but there are still some relatively hidden features in Win7/8 that users find helpful. Here are my favorites.

A minor Microsoft Windows 8.1 Update 2 still on tap for August 12

Microsoft is still on track to deliver a second update to Windows 8.1 in August. But don't expect it to include any major features or to be mandatory.

Why Are Most Programs Still 32-bit on a 64-bit Version of Windows?

Your computer is probably running a 64-bit version of Windows. But take a look at the Task Manager and you’ll see most programs on your system are still 32-bit. Is this a problem?

 

Mobile Computing

What is “Other” Storage on an iPhone or iPad?

Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to your computer, open iTunes, and you’ll see a large amount of space used by “Other” storage. iTunes won’t let you delete any of this “Other” data to free up space.

How to troubleshoot and fix common issues with your iPhone and iPad

When you experience poor network connections, slow or sluggish performance, or even times when the device simply won't respond, there are a wide range of symptoms that may have one thing in common, a simple solution.

The best Siri feature you're not using

In an informal survey of iPhone users, a grand total of zero knew about this insanely handy Siri trick -- which, bonus, might save your life.

Why you should wait for Android L before buying a new smartphone

The new version will be launched by the end of the year and you would do much better with a smartphone that has been tailored to run on Android L than one that is getting the update.

The State of Android & Audio

Over the past several years, mobile has become the go-to platform for most people’s media consumption. From audio playback to movie streaming, there is a growing amount of content available in your pocket and on your tablet, and the market is still expanding.

Mobile Carrier’s Greed Finally Gets Some Govt. Attention

It’s amazing how much the major cell phone carriers got away with over the years with no one but consumers raising shouts of anger. Of course consumers don’t have the money or the lobbying power to get the government to act.

But sometimes these phone companies go too far, even for Washington. So the lawmakers and government agencies must step in to raise some questions. But, whether they will do anything about it, remains to be seen. I think our first two stories explain the issues better than me, so I will just let you read it for yourself.

Finding good tech stories in summer months is difficult to say the least. You should see some of the stupid stories that on-line publications are putting out these days to fill up space. With that in mind, it is a good time for me to take a bit of a vacation.

I will shortly be heading north to the Bay Area once again to relax and housesit (and dog-sit) a beautiful home in the hills above Walnut Creek. I will be gone for about 45 days…but will not leave you in the lurch. I will still publish this blog about once a week instead of the normal two times. I have big plans for the time I will be gone.

For instance, I will attend the first football game ever in the new 49er’s stadium; then a Giants game in AT&T park, followed by my first ever Indy Car race up in Sonoma…and that is just part of the agenda. I think my vacation will be far more exciting than any summer tech news. But, don’t worry…I will still be watching and reporting.

So read on while I go pack up my stuff for the long journey. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

FCC 'deeply troubled' by Verizon's plan to slow down LTE for unlimited data customers

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler isn't happy about Verizon's plan to start slowing down customers on unlimited data plans this October. In fact, he seems really angry about it.

Senate committee: Mobile phone 'cramming' widespread, profits carriers

Mobile carriers have pulled in hundreds of millions in profits through third-party charges tacked onto customers’ bills without their consent, according to a report from a U.S. Senate committee. But will anyone do something about it?

There’s no longer any doubt that Microsoft is in China’s crosshairs

Almost a hundred investigators paid Microsoft’s offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu surprise visits yesterday, seizing financial statements, emails, contracts, and two working computers.

Microsoft OneNote iPhone, iPad, & Mac apps updated with new features

Microsoft updated its OneNote apps for iPhone, iPad, and Mac today with a number of highly requested features including the ability to insert files, lock and unlock protected sections, PDF printouts, and much more.

LibreOffice 4.3: The best open-source office suite gets better

Microsoft Office has a worthy competitor in the new LibreOffice, the best non-Microsoft Office Suite.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

I killed Facebook and left its body in the woods

Facebook is dead. I killed it. You'll find its remains somewhere on the eastern shore of Maryland, in the forest beside a creek. I'll never hear its notifications again, at least not over the chirping of birds and the rumbling crescendos of

Use Outlook's auto reply features to free your vacation from email

Here you will learn how to use Outlook’s Automatic Replies feature to do some of the heavy lifting while you’re away so you can take back your vacation. And avoid getting the stink-eye from friends and family while you’re at it.

Control your desktop, or Windows will control it for you

To gain control of your own desktop, right-click that desktop and select View. You'll find several options there for controlling how the desktop looks

Wonderful Browser Addon Lets You Search Text Of All Visited Pages

If such a feature sounds like something you'd appreciate, and if you use the Chrome browser, then your luck is in. A free extension called All Seeing Eye gives you precisely that functionality.

How to Find Drivers for Unknown Devices in the Device Manager

Windows can identify most devices and download drivers for them automatically. When this process fails — or if you disable automatic driver downloads — you’ll have to identify the device and hunt the driver down on your own.

 

Mobile Computing

How to perform a factory reset on your Android phone or tablet

As with every other smartphone operating system, Android gives you the option to wipe your phone or tablet within the settings menu.

iPhone gets first free app for encrypting voice calls

An open-source project has released the first free application for the iPhone that scrambles voice calls, which would thwart government surveillance or eavesdropping by hackers.

Facebook is about to make everyone use the standalone Messenger app

Facebook announced that the time is just about here...starting "over the next few days" everyone will need Messenger to chat directly with their Facebook friends on mobile devices (iOS, Android and Windows Phone).

Everything you need to know about Android launchers

Android launchers are apps that can spice up your phone's home screen or act as a personal assistant. Here's what you need to know about how they work and how to choose one that's right for you.

Best Mobile Finance Apps

Keep an eye on your budget while shopping, get alerts for upcoming bills, and pay back your friends here and now with some of these great mobile finance apps.

How Microsoft Got $10 a Month from Me

Well, I finally did something I swore I would never do…I subscribed to Office 365 Home User Edition. So, now I pay $10 a month for the privileges of using all Microsoft Office products…some of which I will never use.

So why did I do it? A couple of reasons. One: my son needed it for his two new computers and I bought it for him as a birthday present. Two: I wanted both of us to each have the one Terabyte of OneDrive cloud storage comes with the subscription. That alone is worth $10 a month when you compare cloud storage prices in other places. I don’t know about you, but I have become of big fan (and user) of cloud storage.

For my $10, I also get continuous Office upgrades without having to do a thing. And I get 5 user licenses, two of which went to my son. As for the products, there are more there than I need. These days, I only use Word and Excel on an occasional basis and these new versions are just fine. If I ever need them, I also get Access, Publisher, and PowerPoint.

But I did get a nice surprise when I downloaded Office 365: Outlook has been greatly improved over the last time I used it. In fact, it is so good, I made it my program of choice for e-mails, calendars, and to-do lists. It is fast and efficient and gives me additional features that no other program in its class can offer.

Over the years, I have had a love-hate relationship with Outlook. For now, it is all love and kisses. It is fast and extremely useful. So, I feel vindicated that I was willing to spent the $10 and am getting plenty for my money…and I made my son happy, which is everything.

As I said, the five license home edition is $10 a month. There is also a one license version for $6 that also gives you the one terabyte OneDrive cloud storage. You can also try some or all of the Office 365 products for free for 30 days. You might want to check it out.

It is time now to get to the business at hand. As you many know, there is very little happening this time of year as far as technology news goes. But, I think I have put together a pretty good newsletter this time full of tips and tricks…so have at it. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Microsoft explains quantum computing so even you can understand

Quantum computing may someday blow away today's smartest machines. It's weird and heavy on the physics, but Microsoft thinks you can handle it

Google granting majority of 'right to be forgotten' requests

The Internet search-engine giant unveils updated statistics on "right to be forgotten" requests in Europe, showing it has approved more than half the requests.

How Apple and Google plan to reinvent healthcare

The tech titans are about to throw their muscle behind big platforms for digital health and fitness

Apple refreshes MacBook Pro line with minor upgrades, no price rise

Apple has updated its Pro laptop line -- all 15-inch models will come with 16GB RAM but with no price increase, and the old 13-inch has even got cheaper.

Hilton Hotel To Let You Use Your Smartphone As Room Key

The Hilton Hotel chain, which already allows those staying to check in using their mobile devices, will soon permit guests to use them for purpose of entering and exiting a room during their stay, promoting the kind of seamlessness that already ought to be a feature at such a high-end chain.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

When your computer won't turn on

A lot of problems can keep a computer from booting Windows (or any other operating system). Fortunately, you can get a pretty good idea by noting how and when the PC fails

Free Windows 8.1 Apps To Work Smarter

While you can still install regular Windows software that runs with a more conventional keyboard and mouse, the Windows Store is slowly building up a great repository of Windows 8.1 apps.

Six clicks: Microsoft Word tricks to make you an instant expert

There's much more to Word than just pointing, clicking, typing, and spell-checking. In this gallery, I present six of my favorite hidden features to make you more productive when creating and editing Word documents.

See who is using your Wi-Fi on Windows

Whether it's a problem, or just a preventative measure, it's always a good idea to be aware of what devices are connecting to your home network.

This Site Lets You Check If A Hotel’s WiFi Sucks Before It’s Too Late

Bad WiFi might as well not exist, but most hotels don’t really seem to care about connectivity quality. As long as they can check that little “WiFi Available” box on the amenities list, they’re happy.

 

Mobile Computing

How to Shoot, Edit & Publish Videos From Your Android Phone

Here, we take a look at some of the tools and techniques beginners can use to shoot, edit and upload videos from their Android smartphone.

How to use Camera for iPhone and iPad: The ultimate guide

If the iPhone — or iPod touch or iPad — is the best camera you have with you, the the Camera app has to be one of the best, and most important apps on your device. It has a ton of functionality and perhaps you should spend a little time to learn how to use it.

Flight Tonight App Finds Last-Minute Airfare Deals

The best airfare prices are usually found more than three weeks before a flight departs. But travelers who have some flexibility could take advantage of falling prices the day of departure. iOS only for now

5 reasons my phablet is fabulous

The author of this article has been living with an awfully big phone for just over four months. His conclusion? Size really does matter."

The best new features coming in Apple's iOS 8 iPhone Camera

Apple’s iOS 8 update for iPhone, iPad will be a great plus for photographers – here's why.

The iPad is Too Damn Good for Corporate Profits

I normally don’t talk about earning reports for the various computer companies, but I found the recent Apple report quite interesting. No, it wasn’t about the all money and profit they made, but about the sales of their most important products.

To summarize: their iPhone sales were up but their iPad sales were down almost 10%. I understand their phone sales being up, even though we will see all new models in two months. As for the falloff in iPad sales, I think that is easy to explain.

I and many other analysts believe people love their iPads so much and they work so well that they don’t feel a need to upgrade. That was pretty much how I felt. I got lucky as a friend wanted to buy my iPad 3 as he had no computer and that was all he needed. So I gave him I great price, then bought myself the new iPad Air (#5 if your counting). I wanted it because it was so light…35% lighter than my old one...important as one gets older. But it runs almost exactly the same as my iPad 3, even with a better processor!

iPads are still selling well, make no mistake about that…and they should sell well as it is an excellent product. It is just that corporate culture demands more sales and profits, and quality is not as important. Sad.  But, I look for Apple to keep up their high quality as it is their greatest strength. That is why I am thinking of buying an Apple laptop sometime later this year. 

PS: Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted at the earnings call that we are going to see a lot of exciting new products at the next Apple Event, probably around 9/19. I am looking forward to it.

OK…enough about Apple. Let’s take a look at the important news and computer tips and tricks. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

What you need to know about 802.11ac Wi-Fi

The Wave 2 update for the relatively new 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard promises even faster and more efficient networks. Here’s what to expect — and why you might want to wait a bit before purchasing that new 802.11ac router.

What are the limits of Kindle Unlimited?

Amazon's new e-book subscription service gives members unrestricted access to an extensive library for a monthly fee, but here are five things to consider before signing up.

Amazon Boosts Prime Music Selection

The company announced it has added hundreds of thousands of songs and hundreds of new playlists to the Prime Music library.

How Google plans to lock you away from iOS and Windows

Google is now making the case that if you want the full Google experience, you need to use Android devices and Chromebooks together. In other words, Google is taking a page from the Apple playbook, and pushing users to lock themselves in.

What 'one Windows' really means (and doesn't)

The CEO of Microsoft said just a couple of days ago, "We will streamline the next version of Windows from three operating systems into one single converged operating system for screens of all sizes." Is Microsoft building a single version of Windows that will run on phones, tablets, PCs and gaming consoles? Nope. Here's a refresher as to what really is happening.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Google Docs: 3 incredibly useful tools for edits and revisions

Google's cloud productivity suite, whatever you want to call it, has been making inroads in the world of work and collaboration. And it's not just because there's no software to install, it auto-saves your work, and it's free.

How to Survive and Thrive on the New Google+

There have been big changes to Google+ recently, and there are a number of things you need to do consistently to get the most out of this social media community.

Do You Really Need to Defrag Your PC?

You don’t need to manually defragment a modern operating system. The longer answer: let’s go through a couple scenarios and explain so you can understand why you probably don’t need to defrag.

Get started with Facebook Save

On Monday Facebook announced a new link-saving service called Save. The feature, which will begin rolling out over the next few weeks, allows Facebook users to save a link found in the News Feed to his or her account. With the item saved, the user can then recall all saved items at a later time.

How to automatically set Bing daily image as Windows 7/8 Logon Screen

How would you like to be “greeted” by all-new image from Bing.com when you log into your computer every day? In this article, we will teach you on how to automatically set Bing’s daily background image as your Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 logon screen.

 

Mobile Computing

25 More Tips for Mastering iPhone Photography - 100 Tip Series

These are the final 25 tips. The first paragraph contains links to the other 75 tips. If you use your phone as a camera on a regular basis, whether its and iPhone or not, you should go through these tips.

iPad: Safer choice for many over Android

Those trying to decide on a tablet will find choosing the iPad (either size) to be a lower risk over Android.

Google will stop calling games 'free' when they offer in-app purchases

Google has agreed to add protections around games' in-app purchases to ensure that children won't rack up unwanted charges on their parents' credit cards.

Does iOS malware actually exist?

There actually has been some iOS malware, but it's shockingly rare. It's all thanks to Apple's rigid control over app distribution.

New Google Maps for Android and iOS Takes a Jab at Foursquare

Located in the bottom right corner of the app, the Explore button gives you an overview of what's nearby. It's not only location-sensitive — the feature also pays attention to the context, meaning you'll get different results depending on the time of day and the weather.

Kindle Unlimited: Last Week’s Rumor is this Week’s Fact

Disclosure: I’ve been a Kindle user for quite a number of years now and am an avid reader. Since my first Kindle, my reading has increased a thousand percent over when I just had printed books. I am a big fan.

Kindle now offers an unlimited reading service for books and audiobooks for $10 a month (first month is free). It’s like the Netflix of books. Whether it’s a good deal for you or not depends on your reading habits. At first glance it seemed like a good deal for me. Then, I started thinking about it.

Every day, I get a newsletter from Amazon called the Kindle Nation Daily and another independent newsletter called BookGorilla. Both offer books at substantial savings, often free for a short time. My Kindle device is loaded with books I obtained from Amazon because of those newsletters.

The other day I received a four volume fiction series for free. Not long ago, I got a 5-volume edition for the same price.  Over time, I found several good books that were also free…and also a few stinkers. Because they were free, I just deleted them.

Another example: There was a book I have been wanting for 2 years since I met the author at the Tucson Book Festival. Titled, “The Last Gunfight,” it centers around the gunfight at the OK Corral and how it changed the West. Since it happened around 70 miles southeast of where I live, it was a topic of interest to me. And author Jeff Guinn is an excellent writer who explores his topics in depth.

I had not purchased it as it was $11 for the Kindle and I had plenty of other books to keep me busy. Well, on Sunday, the book went on sale on the Kindle Nation Daily for one day for $1.99. I snapped it up and am voraciously reading it now. I also bought the audiobook version of it for $1.99. Thanks to Whispersync, I can read the book or listen to it in the car and the two stay in sync.

As an Amazon Prime member, I also get one free book a month to borrow and read, then return. And, still another benefit: Amazon gives me a free book at the beginning of each month that has not yet been published. So, I am already up to my ears in unread books…so Kindle Unlimited may not be the best deal for me.

And there are other places to get books for free. My favorite is the Open Library. There, it is possible to read six million e-texts at your convenience on a Kindle, or any other tablet. You can borrow up to five titles for two weeks at no cost.

My point is not to disparage Amazon for the Kindle Unlimited plan. For many, many people it may be just the ticket. I think it is a good addition to the Amazon line of products.

But let’s move forward. This edition is filled with interesting and thought provoking news stories as well as some handy-dandy tips for your computers and portable devices. So let’s get to it! -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Amazon Kindle Unlimited

We reported this as a likely rumor in the last edition...now it is a fact. Amazon this week launched a new subscription service for e-books and audiobooks. Dubbed Kindle Unlimited, the service lets readers consume content in a way that is similar to subscription music and video services.

The future of computing is a battle for your personal information

The organizations that are looking to invent, and dominate the next era of computing are, at their heart, based on advertising revenue, and in the process of owning the future, these companies and their device-based competitors will treat the personal information of consumers as a prized commodity.

Google created a team to stop the worst attacks on the Internet

Google has embarked on a series of efforts in recent months to bolster its internal security, as well as improve security across the entire internet. The latest and greatest of these to date is "Project Zero.”

Why Is Internet Still So Slow And Expensive In The U.S.?

Most people in the United States can't get a decent Internet connection. That seems like a simple enough problem, but there is no easy solution. A lot needs to be sorted out before we get decent connections at an affordable price.

Bing continues its gains against Google at the expense of Yahoo

The only metric that matters is usage share and for June, it looks like Bing is on the right path as it has increased to 19.2% of the search engine market, up from 18.8% in May and 18.7% in April for the US market.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Learning Windows Search: Stop Hunting and Start Finding!

Having all your stuff on your computer is great, until you can’t find it. You’ve probably got a ton of photos, documents, music, and even videos lurking on your hard drive Wouldn’t it be great if you could just type a few words into a search box and have your stuff magically appear? Actually, you can.

Why Aren't You Using a Password Manager Yet?

Want to keep your online accounts safer, and be quicker at all your Web activities? You need a password manager-and many of them are free. Here are some tips for getting started.

Get more out of the Windows Taskbar with these 3 shortcuts

As the go-to location for dealing with and switching between open programs, the Taskbar may be the most clickable location on your desktop. But there’s no reason you can’t spice it up with a few keyboard tricks to make things a little more efficient.

How to add Google Now reminders using your desktop browser

Phone not handy? Just type your reminder into a Google search box. Here's how.

17 Skype Tips to Help You Master Web Calling, Video Chat

Making a call can be as easy as a double-click on a name in your contacts list, but Skype can do much, much more than that. And that's where these tips can help.

 

Mobile Computing

13 ways to optimize your Android smartphone

Listen up, Android users: It's time for a smartphone tune up. Don't get me wrong, most Android devices work fine out of the box. But with a few minutes of manipulation and a few helpful apps, you can optimize your phone to make it more powerful, useful, and efficient.

Avoid the Android vampire apps

Some Android applications will drain your smartphone or tablet of battery life, storage or bandwidth like a blood-sucking fiend. Here's what's what with the worst of the worst.

New Garmin Viago Navigation Application Launches For iOS And Android

Garmin well-known for its GPS navigation hardware has this week announced the launch of a new Garmin Viago navigation application which is available to purchase with prices starting at just $1.99 for both Android and iOS devices

Why wait for iOS 8? Seven cloud-friendly apps for your photos

Big improvements to iCloud are coming which promise to make it easier to keep photos neatly organized and easily accessible in the cloud. But there are a number of iOS photo apps that have already embraced the cloud.

How to move your music and photo libraries from one iOS device to another

Apple has done a pretty good job of getting your various media and photo libraries on to your iPod or iOS device. Getting them off is another matter entirely.

A Few Rumors worth Reporting

I dislike dealing with rumors in this blog. I would rather report just facts. If and when rumors become reality, I will report them. But, today I will make a few exceptions as these rumors come from usually reliable sources.

First, from Apple. Rumor says the next big Apple announcement will come on or around Sept. 19. They will announce new iPhones…a 4.7” model and a 5.5” model. The current iPhones are 4”. So millions of people (including me) can hardly wait for the new larger models. But the current rumor is that the 5.5” model may not be available until early 2015. Seems there may be production problems.

There are also rumors that Apple will finally release its iWatch that has been in the works for quite some time. With their recent hiring's of watch marketing experts, I think we will almost assuredly see it in Sept. 

And speaking of watches, the very strong rumor is that the proposed Microsoft watch is not a watch…rather it's a Gear Fit-style health tracker that happens to deliver phone notifications and timekeeping. Also, I was going to tell you about a rumor that Microsoft was going to lay off up to 15,000 people, but just a short while ago, the boys from Redmond announced that 18,000 employees will be given their walking papers (see story #4).

There is one rumor out of Amazon that is close to becoming reality: they will shortly introduce an all-you-can-eat book rental program…for $10 a month you can borrow as many books as you want for your Kindle devices. They will put over 600,000 e-books and audio books into this library. 

As for Google, Nexus rumors are out again and this time include new Nexus tablets including 6”, 8” and 9” models. If true, we shall see them, probably around the holiday season.

OK, that is enough stuff from the rumor mill. Let’s move forward now to what reality hold for all of us. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Move over, Windows; Google and Apple are movin’ in

With nearly infinite and virtually free cloud storage available, and with archrivals Google and Apple offering big ecosystems of apps and media, Microsoft seems to have the short end of the stick. Will Windows be able to compete in this brave new world?

DDoS attacks intensified in first half of 2014

The volume and intensity of DDoS attacks in the first half of the year reached new heights, according to research.

Microsoft launches a price assault on Chromebooks

Microsoft is aiming straight for Google's Chromebooks this holiday season. At the company's partner conference today, Microsoft COO Kevin Turner revealed that HP is planning to release a $199 laptop running Windows for the holidays.

Microsoft lays off 18,000, including a third of Nokia

As expected, the axe fell at Microsoft on Thursday, but the depth of the cut is surprisingly brutal: 18,000 Microsoft employees will find themselves without jobs over the next year, and the company is "moving now" to eliminate the first 13,000 positions.

The FCC Is a Symbol for a Corrupt, Broken American Government

The FCC somehow publicly lost 500,000 public comments on a petition they were mandated to create. It might not matter, anyway. Telecoms are outlobbying net neutrality advocates 3:1. That's all that matters in all of American government.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

14 Mozilla Articles to Help Make You a Better and Safer User of the Firefox Browser

Do you use Firefox as your Internet browser? It turns out that even regular users are often unfamiliar with the rich resources available at Mozilla.

10 Simple, Time-Saving Computer Tricks

If you don't know these 10 basic tips, you could be wasting a lot of your time. They're easy to learn, and the payoffs are big.

What Keeps Waking My Computer Up?

Sleep mode is great for when you are not using your computer, but what do you do when ‘something’ is constantly waking it up? Today’s SuperUser Q&A post has some suggestions to help diagnose, and catch, the guilty culprit.

How to create an anonymous email account

This article is aimed at people who want anonymity, but the stakes if they’re found out aren’t at risk of death or imprisonment. Also keep in mind that no system is foolproof. But for most people, the instructions here should be good enough.

Chromebooks beyond the cloud: Everything Chromebooks can do offline

The basic complaint is that Chromebooks become nothing more than dumb, worthless, keyboard-equipped pieces of glass when your Internet is not working. Nothing could be further from the truth today.

 

Mobile Computing

Microsoft kills off its Nokia Android phones

Microsoft is planning to scrap its Nokia X Android efforts and replace them with Windows Phone in the future. The news comes as part of today's announcement that Microsoft is cutting 18,000 jobs in the next year. No surprise here.

The best calendar apps for iPad

We are big on making lists, organizing, and planning out our lives around here. One list is just not enough, especially if you use your iPad and iPhone for very different things. PS My favorite one is Calendars 5 by Readdle...it is fantastic and worth every penny.

The best weather app for Android

With smartphones, we can have insanely accurate weather reporting and predictions at our fingertips everywhere we go. Weather apps are a huge part of my daily routine

The best weather app for iPhone

Weather seems like a pretty mundane topic, so it may come as a surprise to some that the best weather apps are fun to play with and pretty to look at.

Lifehacker Pack for Android 2014: The Essential Android Apps

In just a few short years, Android has grown from a small project within Google to the most prolific mobile operating system on the planet. The app ecosystem has grown right along with it. In our annual Lifehacker Pack for Android, we chose the best, most useful and most essential apps you could ever need on your phone.

Apple Expects Lots of Upgrades When iPhone 6 is Released

Oops. I wrote most of this blog yesterday, but forgot to send it. Silly me. I won’t bore you with any additional comments since I am so late, so I will just send it as is. Sorry about the delay.

Tech News and Opinions

Apple's iPhone 6 upgrade cycle may be largest ever, say analysts

Pent up demand for a larger screen iPhone 6 is likely to drive a big upgrade cycle, but first Apple will have to deal with inevitable buying pause ahead of the launch.

How Apple and Google are merging the PC with the smartphone.

We are seeing the start of what I expect to be a long-term trend to make PCs look and act more like smartphones, and to bring to the PC some of the functions of the phone.

World Cup final sets records on Facebook, Twitter

Germany vs. Argentina proves to be the biggest sporting event in Facebook's history, while Twitter says the game generated the most tweets per minute.

Aereo keeps the legal war going despite Supreme Court loss

The streaming-TV startup's new legal tack embraces the ruling against it, arguing that the decision means Aereo deserves the same copyright license cable companies get.

Google Maps rolls out handy distance calculation tool

Rolled out Wednesday for desktop users of Google’s popular mapping tool, the feature allows you to see how many miles your planned road trip’s going to cover, or the distance you cover on your regular cycle trip around the neighborhood.

Computer Tips and Tricks

How to Install, Remove, and Manage Fonts on Windows, Mac, and Linux

Whether you want to use a new font in a Word or just change your operating system’s system font to give it a different look, you’ll first have to install the font on your operating system

AnyDesk Freeware

AnyDesk is a remote desktop software that makes it easy to connect to a remote computer and control the desktop as if you were sitting in front of it. Free!

Speed up your PC's boot time by finding the worst startup offenders

One of the pains of Windows is how long it takes for an older PC to start up. Sometimes this can be caused by hardware problems like a faulty hard drive, but more often than not the culprits are all those programs trying to activate at boot.

How to Bypass and Reset the Password on Every Operating System

On Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X, you can gain access to a computer’s unencrypted files after resetting the password — the password doesn’t actually prevent access to your files. On other devices where you can’t gain access to the files, you can still reset the device and gain access to it.

A Simple Guide to Indexing the Kindle Books You Read for Evernote

Today, I want to share with you how I index the Kindle books I read for Evernote.

 

Mobile Computing

Apple Is Dumping Old iPhones for Cheap on eBay

Unlocked iPhone 5 models are selling for $200 less than their original price

iOS: How to use iPhone, iPad earphones in 13 tips

There's 13 handy functions available from the earphones you get standard with iOS devices -- you can even speak to Siri. Not only this, but many third-party headsets offer the same functionality. It makes sense to know what you can do.

New Wi-Fi standard is coming. 802.11ax could reach 10Gbps

The aim of the new standard is to quadruple wireless speeds to individual clients and not just to increase the overall speed of the network.

Quick Tip: Use iTunes to Transfer Files to Compatible Apps On Your iPad

As long as you have a computer running a recent version of iTunes, it’s fairly easy to transfer files to an iPad using the USB cable (30-pin or Lightning, depending on your device)

Best photo editing apps for iPhone

As the cameras in our iPhones get better and better, so do the editing tools that are available to us on the App Store. But what photo editing apps for iPhone are the best of the best?

The End of Windows 7 Clarified

In the last issue, I published a story about support ending for Windows 7. I think I should clarify what that means and how it might affect you. Microsoft  generally offers mainstream support for five years after the release of an operating system. This includes feature updates, security updates, and performance enhancements.

On January 13, 2015, this so-called mainstream support comes to an end. That means they won’t be offering any updates and you cannot call Microsoft for support without paying. But don’t panic. Microsoft will continue to supply security patches until sometime in 2020. That is what most of us care about at this point anyway.

In April of 2015 (or thereabouts), Microsoft will release Windows 9 (or whatever they call it). Supposedly, it is designed to woo Windows 7 users back into the upgrade fold. And if true to form, it probably will. By that I mean every other operating system that the company releases is a dud…followed by a real winner. Windows 8 was the dud after the success of Windows 7.

And according to Gartner, 2015 will be a revival year for the desktop and laptop PC’s (see story #3), just because it is time for lots of people and companies to upgrade hardware. In spite of what you may have read here and in other places, the PC is not dead. It is alive and well on millions of desktops (maybe billions). And if Windows 9 is a good one, that will definitely spur desktop sales.

There: Now you have a complete picture of what to expect in the future. There is much more to this edition than the future of Windows, so read on and enjoy. Have a great weekend! -JRC  

 

Tech News and Opinions

'We help people get stuff done': New Microsoft CEO dumps device and services focus, embraces productivity

Microsoft's focus going forward is on anywhere, everywhere productivity, be it Office-style work or less traditional definitions of the word. And yes, Nadella says Microsoft will leverage its web of devices and services to enable that.

Roku beats Apple TV -- again -- on usage, purchases

Roku is No. 1 for set-top-box purchases and usage, and the gulf between it and No. 2 Apple is widening, a study says -- but opportunity may rouse the sleeping giant.

The PC isn't dead, and OEMs need to get ready for the coming upgrade superstorm

This week analysts at Gartner predicted that worldwide PC sales were set to grow, and that much of this increased demand will come from upgrades.

Trouble with the curve: What you need to know about curved TVs

After a month living with a curved TV at home, and more time in the lab comparing it to flat TVs, the author learned a few things. Here's the short version.

Firefox web browser popularity wanes

There was a time when Firefox was the number two web browser, but those days may never come back.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Cloud storage vs. external hard drives: Which really offers the best bang for your buck?

Assuming your data will not be hacked, stolen, or burnt to a crisp in a house fire, which solution—cloud storage or an external hard drive—is more cost effective, byte for byte?

Google Drive 2.0 reaching desktop users

The new and improved Google Drive brings forth a much more user-friendly interface, simulating that of a regular desktop file manager.

Five Computer Security Myths, Debunked by Experts

We're no strangers to helping you secure your computer, but there are some computer security myths and stories that keep getting passed around, even though they're clearly not true.

What is the System Reserved Partition and Can You Delete It?

Windows 7 and 8 create a special “System Reserved” partition when you install them on a clean disk. Windows doesn’t assign a drive letter to these partitions, so you’ll only see them when you use Disk Management or similar utility.

Clip the web with me@onenote.com

Microsoft just made it easier than ever to clip the web - now, when you send an email with a URL to me@onenote.com, they will clip a screenshot of the webpage along with the email's contents into your OneNote notebook.

 

Mobile Computing

Mobile security: Apps to protect Android devices

There are hundreds of free and paid security apps for Android phones and tablets. But many of those offerings are of uncertain quality. Here’s a sampling of some of the best software for keeping Android devices free of malware, managing passwords, locking up your data, and more

iPhone or Android: it's time to choose your religion

Life will surely be sweeter once every gadget you own relates intelligently to every other, but to get there, you'll have to decide where your loyalties lie. Your smartphone preference will dictate your choice of tablet, TV, car, watch, and even fitness tracker.

Reduce the time it takes to charge your device

This quick and simple tip will help you charge your Android, BlackBerry, iOS, or Windows Phone device faster.

The 10 iOS Apps You've Never Heard Of (But Should Use)

With 1.2 million apps in Apple’s iTunes store, there are plenty of unsung heroes—apps that are worth your while, but most likely have escaped your attention.

Best airport companion apps for iPhone

From terminal maps to flight delays to lounge and parking information, these are the very best airport companion apps for iPhone!

Harry Potter Magic Crashes Website

More news, tips and tricks for your computer enjoyment. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

J.K. Rowling Publishes New Harry Potter Story, Crashing Website

Potter scribe J.K. Rowling made millions of wishes come true on Tuesday morning when she penned a new short Harry Potter tale and posted it on the Pottermore website. Too bad that act of kindness crashed the site.

Microsoft Is No Longer Windows First

Redmond is now strongly focused on making sure all your devices play nicely with one another, no matter where you are or what OS you're running.

Microsoft warns of pending support deadlines for Windows 7 and more

Microsoft officials are beginning to sound the end-of-support warning bell for customers running a number of its popular products, including Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and more.

Ordinary Web users reportedly snared in NSA surveillance

In 9 out of 10 cases, account holders in a cache of intercepted communications were not the intended targets, according to the Washington Post.

Windows XP users left high and dry as Oracle ends Java support

Windows XP hold-outs pay attention. If you run the Java runtime on XP, it looks as if the current version is about as good as it gets. The next version, 7u65 and 8u11, due to ship in the middle of July, will not support or run on XP.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Patch Tuesday for July 2014

Things are fairly straightforward this month, with six bulletins, two of which are critical patches dealing with remote code execution holes.

How to Unsend a Gmail Message, Plus More Great Google Tricks

If you hit 'Send' too soon, you can still stop that Gmail email from going through—but only if you take these steps first.

Find Out What Your PC's Been Doing, With This Event Log Explorer

If you're troubleshooting a computer, or you simply want to learn about all the things that go on in the background, a browse through the event logs can be very revealing. This program is free.

How to Completely Delete Facebook From Your Life

Whether it's to alleviate privacy concerns or avoid digital distractions, more people are trying to figure out how to fully disconnect themselves from the social network giant that we live and breathe.

Download a Treasure Trove of 130 Free Ebooks from Microsoft

It has happened before, and it is happening again. Microsoft's MSDN blog has released a whole new batch of free technical ebooks that cover everything from Windows 8, to Office 2013, to SQL Server, and more.

 

Mobile Computing

US bans uncharged cell phones, laptops from some flights

The Transportation Security Administration says that security has been stepped up on certain flights into the US. This includes asking passengers to power up their devices.

iPhone Gets Extra Lenses Courtesy of Olloclip

This device helps the iPhone’s camera improve great optical quality, and with this better than ever Olloclip camera attachment, it combines better software and makes it possible to take truly amazing and stunning pictures.

How to get the most from a tablet on vacation

The tablet can be a good companion on summer vacation. Here's how to do it right.

Google Aims to Defrag Android Universe

As any Android user knows, the version of the operating system you're using can vary widely because it depends on parties other than Google. That's why nearly two-thirds of users are running a version of Android introduced in 2012 or earlier.

The Cost of Continuously Checking Email

Multitasking, as many studies have shown, is a myth. A more accurate account of what happens when we tell ourselves we’re multitasking is that we’re rapidly switching between activities, degrading our clarity and depleting our mental energy.

This and That

A couple of weeks ago, I recommended you look at a new program called Advanced Uninstaller Pro. It looked pretty good, and after further testing, I can tell you that it is better than Revo Uninstaller…a decent program that I have used and recommended for years. Over time, I noticed Revo missed finding a few programs I wanted uninstalled. AUP doesn’t seem to miss any and has found some programs installed that I didn’t know I had.

It also adds addition features that make it a more complete program. One caveat: It offers a nice feature called “Daily Health Check.” It is easy to use and does a nice job getting rid of junk files. However, I did notice that a couple of my programs started acting twitchy after I used it. Nothing major and I was able to fix them. So if you use the health check, just be aware of that. But don’t let that deter you from using this fine program.

If you ever used the latest iterations of Microsoft’s Office, you are probably aware of the Ribbon. Frankly I never liked it. If you would like to use an exact replica of Office without a Ribbon, check out the free WPS Office Suite (see story #6). This software is so close to being Office I am surprised Microsoft has not sued them.

I recently joined the Adobe Creative Cloud for photographers. Which means for $10 a month, I always have the latest versions of Photoshop and Lightroom. If you use either or both of those programs, do the math…it is definitely worth the money.

I took myself completely out of the Android world when I sold my Nexus 7 tablet.  I am much happier and life is simpler. My mobile computing life is all Apple now and my desktop and laptop computers are all Windows. And believe it or not, they all talk to each other. Android phones are pretty good, but their tablets leave much to be desired.

I must admit that I still don’t like my Samsung laptop very much (the computer more than Windows 8.1) and am thinking I might replace it with an Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Screen. But I won’t do anything until after the next Apple event in August or September. Those computers are expensive so will have to think long and hard. And we will see if the promises of the next Mac and iOS systems are fulfilled. I will let you know.

So that’s all for me, so let’s get to the stuff you might find interesting. Have a great 4th of July weekend. -JRC

 

News and Opinions

Windows 8 usage declined in June while XP usage increased

Net Applications says overall use of Windows 8 declined from May to June, reversing a long-standing trend of tiny increases

Windows 9: The empire's last hope

Microsoft looks to reboot the franchise with a morphing Start-enabled take on the troubled two-faced Windows 8

Sheryl Sandberg Stops Short Of Apology For Facebook Mood Study

Facebook’s chief operating officer said Wednesday she was sorry a controversial study that manipulated nearly 700,000 people's Facebook accounts was “poorly communicated. But she stopped short of actually apologizing for the study itself.

Internet Connection Speeds Are Up Globally, Lag in the U.S.

Although the U.S. did see a quarter-over-quarter increase of 10% at 10.5 Mbps, its growth is not on pace with the rest of the world, and it now ranks 12th out of the 98 countries surveyed.

Hackers Infiltrated Power Grids in U.S., Spain

Hackers operating somewhere in Eastern Europe have penetrated the networks of energy companies in the U.S., Spain, France and several other countries and may have gained the ability to carry out cyber-sabotage attacks.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Best Free Office Suite: WPS

WPS is ideal for those familiar with Microsoft Office 2003 prior to the creation of the 'ribbon' feature in 2007. It will let you feel perfectly at home. To say that it is similar to Microsoft Office would be the understatement; they are practically identical.

Outlook ties in Office Web Apps for document collaboration

Beginning Friday, Microsoft's Outlook Web App integrates features that allow saving changes in documents attached to emails-all without the hassle of downloading the files, saving changes, and emailing them back.

Digital independence day: Your guide to DIY, open-source, anonymous free computing

The Founding Fathers may never have considered digital independence, but you can. Technology's marching toward smaller, non-upgradable devices and oodles of free cloud storage threatens to chain you to specific services or platforms. Fight back with our tips.

Share a hard drive with everyone on your Wi-Fi network

Take advantage of your router's USB port with a little trick that lets you share a hard drive with anyone on your Wi-Fi network.

Maximize your Wi-Fi

Does your home Wi-Fi need some help? Here are some great tips for squeezing your network connection for all it's worth.

 

Mobil Computing

Early Android L tests show serious battery life improvement

Under tightly controlled conditions, Ars Technica managed a whopping 36 percent better battery than KitKat, without even using the battery saver mode.

The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones

These top-rated headphones let you block out the world around you, and enjoy your music or the sweet sound of silence.

Make your Android Device Smarter with These Apps

The onset of powerful third-party apps spurred that progress into overdrive, so much so that most of what we do on our phones these days isn’t even possible on the full-size desktop computers they are derived from.

101 iPad Tips & Tricks

This list of over 100 iPad tips and tricks is broken down by tips to help you get started, use the keyboard better, surf the web on the iPad easier, sync your photos, data and calendars as well as get the most out of your iPad with entertainment apps and services

Find Saved Passwords on iPhone & iPad in Safari

The Autofill feature of Safari makes logging in to websites much easier in iOS, not having to remember and type in every single password for every website under the sun that you come across.