New Names–Same Stories…Sorry About That

Sometimes I despair when looking for stories that will interest my readers and fulfill my mission to you. And so often, it seem I keep reporting the same kinds of news stories over and over…just with different names.

Today, we have hackers stealing millions of credit cards, another retail technology store on the verge of extinction, and the good and the bad of the new Windows 8, etc. And sorry about that…but these were the most interesting stories I could find in the last few days. And, sadly, they are relevant to our tech world…so I publish them.

However, there is some good info in here, buried down towards the bottom…I pray you can find one good story that will help you out. I sure hope so. - JRC

Hackers Grab 1.5 Million Visa, MasterCard Numbers

It's no longer just a possibility. Visa and MasterCard are the latest victims of a security breach. Global Payments, an international credit card processor Relevant Products/Services, on Sunday confirmed that hackers had stolen credit card numbers of as many as 1.5 million customers.

Best Buy: Grasping At Straws

Nearly three months after a post-Christmas nightmare at my local Best Buy led me to conclude the company was in the early stages of going out of business, I still hear every day from customers, employees, and former executives with new horror stories.

Three Killer Problems That Threaten Windows 8

Windows 8 has a lot of features to recommend it. It's smaller. It's faster. It's smoother. However, it has three flaws that worry me a great deal.

Microsoft: Metro Not Just an Interface, It’s a Philosophy

Long-time Microsoft watchers like me are marveling at the company’s transformation. Slowly but surely, the siloed behemoth that once couldn’t get its desktop and mobile operating system teams to talk to each other is now starting to glide forward as one vast entity. The most visible refection of this sea change: design.

What is the Windows Store?

Windows Store is exactly what it sounds like, an app store for Windows 8. And even in this Consumer Preview version of Windows 8, where we can access only free apps, it's pretty clear that Microsoft has answered the needs of customers and provided a great apps platform that will extend the capabilities of the OS well into the future.

Google Claims Latest Chrome is Speedier

Google last week patched nine vulnerabilities in Chrome and boosted the speed and reach of the browser's hardware acceleration with the launch of version 18. According to the company, Chrome 18 enables accelerated Canvas 2D on Windows and Mac machines with compatible graphics processor units (GPUs), and expands support for the WebGL 3D standard to older systems.

Google's Art Project grows with 151 museums across 40 countries

It allows users to browse thousands of works of art in exceptional detail and uses technology like Picasa and App Engine along with technology that enables Street View to enter museums and collections.

Meet the new Ad-Aware, nothing like the old

Ad-Aware Free Antivirus Plus (download), Ad-Aware Personal Security (download), and Ad-Aware Pro Security (download) are substantially new programs. More so than any recent version of Ad-Aware, the suite is usable, lightweight, and worthy of your attention.

Most Popular Weather Site: Weather Underground

Last week, we asked you which sites you trusted for accurate, reliable weather forecasts, and then we took a look at the top five weather web sites. Now we're back to crown the champion, based on your votes.

Shocking News About Best Buy and Paul Allen

 

See…I too can write tabloid-style headlines. Actually, the two stories referred to in the headlines are a bit of a surprise. Regarding Best Buy, they seem to be continuing the downward trend of store closings by traditional brick and mortar stores. One can understand the continued demise of Blockbuster and other video stores with the rise of Netflix. And this year, Americans are projected to view more video from the Internet than via DVD’s of Blu-ray's. So, of course, video stores are doomed.

But don’t forget that once mighty retail store chains like The Good Guys, Circuit City and others also went bye-bye in the night. After all, it easier to buy stuff with your computer…the prices are almost always cheaper and the variety of products to choose from is overwhelming. And count me as one of those people who loves to shop with my keyboard. It is just so much easier and I don’t mind waiting a day or two. I guess I’ve acquired patience in my old age.

But enough of that. Again I have rounded up some good articles for this edition of Rants and Raves, so…have a good read. - JRC

Best Buy to close 50 big box US retail stores

Still driving to your local Best Buy to fondle all the latest gadgets before swiping your card, or hopping to the web to pull the trigger? That tradition could be short-lived, if you happen to live near one of 50 big box retail stores that the company plans to shutter in 2013.

Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen a Victim of Identity Theft

Federal authorities this month charged a US army deserter with identity theft. His victim? Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

IE10 in Windows 8: Metro style vs. desktop style

Windows 8 packages Internet Explorer 10 in two different flavors--Metro and desktop, each with their own pros and cons. Which one is better, and how can you manage both?

How to decide: should you buy a new iPad or a Kindle Fire?

With all the buzz these days about tablets, it turns out some folks are still trying to understand which device to buy. Not everyone out there is steeped in the latest tech news, and to most civilians, a tablet is a tablet is a tablet. And that's why this article.

I'm sick to death of Android

I’ve spent over two years as an Android user. The next time around, I’m going elsewhere unless substantial changes take place in how Google manages its ecosystem and OEM/Carrier partners.

Review: 7 password managers for Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, and Android

To keep the list manageable, I've focused on programs that have both a desktop and a mobile version available, with the desktop taking precedence.

Harry Potter Adventures Go on Sale in E-Book Form

Harry Potter's adventures have finally gone digital, now available at author J.K. Rowling's Pottermore site. Rowling for years resisted making the books available in digital form. The books are available only through the Web site; they are compatible with major electronic e-readers, including Amazon's Kindle and Sony's Reader.

New Google tool lets you PROBE YOURSELF

Google may want to silently worm its way into everything people do online: but it's now offering a tool that allows users of its services to see some of what Google sees about them. The giant advertising company said in a blog post that it will now give users the opportunity to access detailed analysis of, for example, how much email they have sent and information about their top search queries.

These Short Videos from Microsoft Will Help You Do Useful Tasks in Windows 7

Microsoft has a set of short videos about many of the everyday things that anyone using Windows 7 needs to know how to do.

Speed Reading III - Free Download

Speed Reading III is a simple, free tool that tests your reading speed but not your comprehension. It's designed to help you increase your reading speed and concentration, which can boost comprehension.

Today…Half News…Half Tips and Downloads

I always try to find a balance between important tech news and useful tips and quality downloads. Well, I am not sure if you could call it balanced, but they are divided equally…and I think all of them have some relevance.

My balanced coverage of Windows 8 continues with some good info on the new operating system. Also, last week I mentioned my fear of the future for Android operating systems and tablets…well the not-so-good news on that subject continues to unfold. If you are like me and undecided between and iPad or an Android tablet, this article is well worth a read.

In the tips department, if you use G-Mail, be sure and check out the simple tip on making your e-mail better. I did it and it is quite good. And if you want to check out the new Photoshop 6, its free to download now (beta, of course). Whatever your interests, I am sure I have something here for you…-JRC

Richard Clarke: China has hacked every major US company

Cybersecurity advisor Richard Clarke is warning the U.S. that its major companies are being regularly infiltrated by Chinese hackers employed by the Chinese government to steal R&D.

Google Drive expected to launch in April: Is it too late?

Google is expected to launch an online storage service dubbed Google Drive, or GDrive, as soon as the first week of April, according to GigaOm. Considering how strong a leader Google is when it comes to cloud-based productivity solutions (Google Apps), it's a little surprising that the Goog hasn't introduced a bona fide cloud storage service yet.

Windows 8 Beats Windows 7 In Performance Tests

Windows 8 has been greeted with mixed reviews, some users just aren’t happy with the new Metro Start Menu, but one things for sure, they won’t be complaining about the performance increases. PCWorld have been carrying out some benchmark testing of their own and in all but one test, Windows 8 was quicker.

Windows 8 will support Retina-class displays

If manufacturers follow suit, Windows 8 tablets and hybrids will sport displays that rival, or exceed, the Retina Display on Apple's newest iPad. Writing in Microsoft's Building Windows 8 blog, Steven Sinofsky directly addressed the new iPad's screen and discussed upcoming tablets with dots-per-inch (DPI) densities of at least 135. "Much higher than many of us are used to," he wrote.

Survey: 'Ice Cream Sandwich' can't stop Android fragmentation

Despite Google's release of the Android 4.0 OS last year, which was supposed to provide a unified platform for both tablets and smartphones, developers are still throwing their hands up dealing with fragmentation in the Android realm

Mandela's vast personal archives brought online

Thousands of handwritten documents, photographs and videos of Nelson Mandela have been digitized and placed online Tuesday in a massive archive of the life of South Africa's first black president.

A Very Simple Gmail Tip

Here’s a dead simple way to make your life in Gmail much, much better.

Photoshop CS6 Beta is a Free Download Packed with Content-Aware Improvements, Video Editing, and More

Adobe has released a free public beta of Photoshop CS6. It comes packed with all the features of the potential retail program which include improvements to the handy content-aware system, an expanded video editing tool, and more.

Download the Audio Pronunciation of English Words from Google

Here’s a little tip that some educators and students may find useful. You can directly download the audio pronunciation files of English dictionary words from Google and practice pronunciation on the go.

Fresh wallpaper, updated automatically

It's back! Due to popular demand, Microsoft is relaunching this free Windows 7 theme that sends you two new photos from Bing every week, updated automatically through an RSS feed.

Great News!!!There is a New Angry Birds Game

The good news: Angry Birds in Space is the newest game of the genre and its available now. The bad new: it is only available on the iPhone, the iPad, and Android devices. But, I am sure you will be able to get it soon on computers. They can’t keep a good bird down!

And speaking of angry birds…I am done with all my rants about Windows 8. I have hammered it enough. I think you all understand my feelings by now. So, from here on, I will only report stories about Microsoft’s new operating system and will do my best to be fair….and trust me, there will be lots of stories between here and the October release date.

And speaking of predications, I said that someone would up with an add-on for Windows 8 that brings back the Start button. Well, it has already happened. The folks at Stardock have done it…so if you are running Windows 8 Consumer Preview, you can download it here. I have not tried it out as I no longer have Win 8 on any of my computers.

And be sure and check out the story on the Titanic Tweets in the #7 story below. I follow it and love it…very clever. April 15th is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship that was called unsinkable. Read on…JRC

Feds accuse AT&T of making millions from calls by Nigerian scam artists

The Justice Department on Thursday accused AT&T of defrauding a federal program out of millions of dollars and assisting Nigerian scammers. According to the lawsuit, AT&T knowingly billed the federal government for calls placed by international scammers through IP Relay services, a program for the hearing-impaired.

iPad 3 LTE comes to Verizon, and all hell breaks loose

The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that less than a week after being delivered to customers, Verizon iPad 3 users are already getting hit with large overage charges to the tune of $10 per gigabyte. This is a result of Apple's new HD+ tablet's ability to download data at broadband-like speeds (10Mbps+) and thus enabling bandwidth-intensive applications such as Netflix, Hulu+ and even large app downloads themselves to quickly consume a 5GB or 10GB monthly data plan allotment in a matter of days.

Report: Spam filters are getting worse

Industry stalwart Virus Bulletin released sobering report about state of commercial spam filters. Bottom line: We may be in for another round of problems

Microsoft Gives Office a Metro Makeover

Officially, Microsoft's Office 15 is in a hush-hush preview stage, available only to select testers sworn to secrecy. But at least one reviewer claims to have gotten hold of a copy, and he's reported that the next version of Microsoft's Office suite carries some obvious nods to tablet users and makes significant use of Windows 8's Metro interface.

Tech Buzz: Windows 8 and the Perception Game

For Windows 8 to succeed, buyers will have to see it as the best blend of the iPad and the MacBook Air, which is a compelling value. If they see it as an overly complex mess, it will be the next Vista. My peers are split on how this is likely to turn out.

Nokia Filed Patent To Link Mobile Devices To Tattoos

The Finnish firm's filing with the US Patent Office describes tattooing, stamping, or spraying "ferromagnetic" material onto skin—or a fingernail—and linking it to a mobile device

Tweets Chronicle Journey of the Titanic in Real Time

April 15, 2012 is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. To recognize this event, The History Press opened a Twitter account that “live” tweets the journey of the Titanic. The account describes events up-to-the-minute as if it were 1912.

20 Free Photography eBooks

Actually there are more than that here.Whether you are a beginner, a dedicated enthusiast, or a pro, there are books and articles here for you.

Rovio brings Angry Birds into the next generation with Angry Birds Space

With Angry Birds Space for iPhone, Angry Birds Space HD for iPad, and Angry Birds Space for Android Rovio Mobile changes that, giving the game more than just a fresh coat of paint - in fact, it redefines the rules. With video.

How Windows 8 Drove Me To The Apple Store

Buying a tablet computer has been on my agenda for a few months now. I don’t move quickly on decisions like this as I like to investigate all the options to make the right choice…after all, we are talking a lot of dollars here.  I looked at the first generation of Kindle Fire and decided it looks good, but the second generation will be better…and a 7” screen is just a little too small for me.

Over the holidays, I looked at several Android-based tablets, but was not in love with any of them…except for the new Asus Transformer Prime which came out a few days before Christmas. That looked like a killer machine…except it was not available anywhere to see, much less purchase (and it still is not except if you want to wait a month to get one). But, while I would be buying a pig-in-a-poke, it was still on the list.  So, I postponed any decision till later. I knew Apple was going to release their 3rd Generation iPad in March…and knew it would be an excellent machine. So I waited.

Then came the announcement of Windows 8 operating system for both a tablet and desktop computers. I really bought into this concept and was willing to postpone my decision until Autumn (it was announced today it will be released in October) if the system was good. Well, you know from previous posts that I am severely disappointed in Windows 8…and the more I played with it, the bigger the disappointment became. Now, I am to the point where I would never put Win 8 on my desktop, much less buy one of their tablets. Microsoft had a good idea but executed it poorly. Frankly they made me mad with their shortsightedness…me, a long-time loyal and happy Windows user.

When the announcement came about the new iPad, it sounded impressive. The subsequent reviews have all been raves. My friend and photo buddy Dave from Wenatchee has the first iPad and loves it…and having played with his, I knew it was good…so #3 must be a killer. So, I made up my mind that sometime in the next two to three months I would make my purchase. The choices were down to the Apple iPad 3, the Asus Transformer Prime, or a new 2nd generation Kindle Fire with an unknown release date.

This weekend, Dave came into town on his way to do a show in Houston. We decided to visit the Apple Store on Sunday to get a good look…this coming after he tried playing with Windows 8 on my laptop. We got into a long discussion about how dumb Microsoft is to come out with a product like this. So my blood was up, as the saying goes.

With all this as a background, we went to our local Apple Store and took a look…a long look. The screen on this thing is unbelievable! Its just like a high definition TV, only better. I watched some movie clips and was blown away. And the installed applications on the demo units just amazed me...so easy to use. I was in love.  When I walked in the Apple Store, I had no intention of buying one and figured they would haven’t any in stock after the huge weekend of sales (see story below). But they did…and after a bit of an internal struggle I bought one! I still can’t believe I did it.

And you know what? I love it. It works well with all my most important applications, including Microsoft products. I’ve installed several applications and they all work well. I’ve even got my bookmarks from Firefox into the Apple browser. I know now I made the right decision about which tablet to buy.

In this arena, Apple just knows what it is doing…while Microsoft stumbles and fumbles to get their first tablets out. As for Android, they are so fragmented with so many versions, and it doesn’t have near the number of applications available as Apple. The iPad is so well executed and easy to operate. Thanks, Microsoft for making my decision so easy. 

Windows 8 Tablets: a Recipe for Confusion?

Is Microsoft headed for disaster later this year when Windows 8 debuts on tablet devices some of which will not be able to run Windows 7 desktop apps, despite supporting an optional desktop interface?

Microsoft to world: You will browse Metro-style, or else

True, IE10 for Windows 8 will come in both a streamlined "Metro" version and a desktop version. But Microsoft is clearly pushing the former, though it risks confusing the heck out of users.

Apple iPad Review

Here is a very in-depth review of the New Apple iPad, complete with video and examples.

New iPad Launch Numbers: Three Million Sold

"The new iPad is a blockbuster with three million sold--the strongest iPad launch yet," Apple's Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing, Philip Schiller, said in a statement.

Has Google lost its magic?

Google may still be raking in the profits, but the mojo behind Gmail, Chrome, News, Translate, and Docs has started to fade in the face of stiffer competition.

Review: Five Ways To Control Your Privacy on Google

A new privacy policy from Google is stirring debate and worry. With the new data Google is collecting, Google gets can tailor ads that align more precisely with your interests, and those personalized ads are among the most lucrative for the company. Users should know what's happening and heed five tips to guard privacy if they feel the need

Remember Obama's National Broadband Plan? Neither Does Anyone Else

When he came into office in 2009, one cornerstone of President Obama's technology policy concerned correcting this via grants included in the economic stimulus package. In 2010, Obama delivered the National Broadband Plan. And last year, the president talked to Congress about his hopes to bring broadband to 98 percent of the country, and using wireless technology to do it. Little has worked.

Internet accounts for 4.7% of U.S. economy

The Internet contributes more to the American economy than the entire federal government, according to a new study by the Boston Consulting Group.

Prospective Employees Now Being Asked for Facebook Login Details

It's no surprise that employers check out the Facebook profiles of prospective employees—after all, you can learn a lot from what people choose to broadcast. But reports are amassing of employers asking recruits for their login details—and that's a step too far.

Gmail now tells you why it flagged an e-mail as spam

Gmail users can select any message banished to the spam folder and see a "Why is this message in Spam?" notice near the top. The notice will display a brief explanation accompanied by a "Learn more" link to a page describing the many reasons certain messages are considered spam.

Outlook4Gmail Freeware

Outlook4Gmail enables you to synchronize your Outlook contacts with your Gmail contacts, including name, phone number, address and other contact details.

The Other Side of the Coin–iPad Bad…Windows 8-Good

In my last blog, I hammered Microsoft and Windows 8 pretty hard…and at the same time, implied good things about the new iPad. Well my feelings haven’t changed a lot, mostly because I have stayed away from Windows 8 in the last couple of days.

But in the interest of fairness, I thought I would publish a couple of articles about why you should not buy an iPad and why Windows 8 is what we need to get our work done. I have also included a new article how to safely install Windows 8, using a virtual system powered by Oracle’s VirtualBox (free). It is a safe way to try out Windows 8 without actually installing it as part of your computer system. I have not tried it yet, but am willing to give it a go, now that I’ve calmed down a bit.

In other news, Firefox has come out with a new version; Patch Tuesday has come and gone with some minor changes (except for one really big one); and a new search engine that looks very promising without all the screen garbage that Google uses. I will be checking that one out also.

So in the words of the immortal Jackie Gleason, “…and away we go!” – JCR

16 reasons NOT to buy a new iPad

Every other tech pundit and reviewer in the business will be out there trying to tell you why you should buy an iPad. Not me. I've had my fill of Apple PR reps, back when I headed up some Apple projects and later as a member of the press.

Why Windows 8 matters for real work, and so will Windows 9

The bottom line is this: to do real work with real computers you need a real operating system. You need Windows. Nothing else, really, will do.

Step by step: How to safely test-drive Win8

Using safe, free virtual PC software, you can set up and run the Windows 8 Consumer Preview inside your current PC without affecting your other programs or your installed version of Windows. This method lets you test-drive Windows 8 without having to make potentially risky changes to your current setup. There’s no need for dual-booting, special partitions, and so on.

40% of U.S. Government Web Sites Fail Security Test

Approximately 40% of federal government agencies are out of compliance with a regulation that requires them to deploy an extra layer of authentication on their Web sites to prevent hackers from hijacking Web traffic and redirecting it to bogus sites.

Microsoft Issues Scary Warning in Otherwise Light Patch Tuesday

Microsoft on Tuesday issued its standard monthly set of software patches, and by all accounts it was a relatively uneventful month, with six patches, only one of which is rated as Critical. But that Critical fix is a big one, a remote desktop flaw that the software giant essentially promised would result in attacks within the month.

Firefox 11 Adds Add-On Sync, Solves Add-On Compatibility Issues

Windows/Mac/Linux: The latest version of Firefox is available for download, and with it comes the ability to synchronize your extensions across desktops and operating systems with add-on sync

Get Organized: 11 Tips for Managing Email

With a few very simple organizational tricks, you can be more efficient with email. Some of these tips utilize functions found in most email programs, but many of them are ways that you can change your own habits to affect your email workflow.

A Promising Alternative Search Engine

Google has been my search engine of choice for years but I am growing less and less satisfied with its search results. They are full of search engine optimized chaff. I have tried a number of computer related searches lately and I like DuckDuckGo's results better. It is free of the clutter that Google now has and does not have all those paid ads masquerading as search results that Google displays.

How Can I Sync My Files Without Having To Store Them Online?

Thankfully, there are several tools you can use to sync your computers directly, bypassing the need for you to use an online server as a middleman. Here's an overview so you can choose the best one for your needs:

The Good: The New iPad…The Bad and Ugly: Windows 8

I’ve been playing with Windows 8 on and off for nearly a week now, and here is my preliminary opinion…it stinks. I don’t like it, I won’t buy it, and when I get around to purchasing a tablet computer, it won’t be running Windows 8…at least that is how I feel right now. Here is why:

It doesn’t work very well…plain and simple…and it makes no sense to run a Metro interface on a regular computer.  Several Metro apps just sit there and stare at me. After several days of trying, I got the Windows Mail App to finally work today...not sure how that happened. And that doesn’t mean it will work tomorrow. I‘ve had apps that worked one day, but not the next. Most are slow to load, although some are fine. For instance, I loaded the Kindle Metro-style app for Windows 8 and it worked well.

But last week, I loaded the Evernote Metro version and it is horrible…it works but is absolutely worthless! I’m sure they will make it better, but for now, don’t bother. The regular Evernote works normally when I switch from the Metro interface back to the desktop. I also created Metro interfaces to my favorite programs like Firefox and they work…but all they did was switch me back to my desktop interface…then run. So, Microsoft, please tell me why I need a Metro interface? The fact is I don’t. The so-called Metro tiles are nothing more than big square icons…and I’ve got plenty of those now.

The truth is that Windows 8 is made for a tablet…not a desktop. I really wanted to like it as I see what Microsoft is trying to do…and in theory it is a good idea. But it doesn’t work very well for a desktop or laptop computer user. So, I won’t be upgrading. But, all of us will have no choice later this year if we go out to buy a new computer…because that is what will be installed.

By the way, I tried to install it as a dual boot system on one of my Windows 7 computers on a newly created separate partition, but it refused to load. Said I didn’t have enough space…100GB is not enough? But they said it would run in 20GB. I tried and tried different options including a virtual drive…nothing worked…so I have officially given up that idea. There’s several hours of my life I won’t get back.

Want to see what its like for veteran Windows users trying out Windows 8 for the first time? Check out the videos included in our very first story. But there is more in here than just Windows 8, so read on. JRC

Windows 8 fails the 'dad test'

A couple of YouTube videos show 'normal' Windows users tackling Windows 8 for the first time. The results are sobering.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview: Does This Even Make Sense?

There are in fact, very serious issues to discuss around Windows 8. Very, very serious issues. And I have yet to really raise these issues in a meaningful way. So I'll do so now.

What you need to know about the third-generation iPad (FAQ)

The new tablet is set to hit store shelves on March 16. Apple has already outlined the basic new specs of the device. But there is still some confusion around what some of these new features are and how they can be used. In this FAQ, CNET answers some of these questions and provides a basic primer on what Apple is calling simply, the new iPad.

New iPad vs. Top Android Tablets: Specs Compared

The new iPad is finally here, but how does it stack up against the top Android tablets available right now? Check out our side-by-side comparison.

Go feds! E-books are way overpriced

For the last couple of years, electronic book buyers have paid a high price for one Apple CEO's ambition to make life miserable for Amazon.

Encyclopedia Britannica's 2010 edition to be its last

The company decided that the 2010 version (which costs $1,400) will be the final edition. Britannica will sell its remaining 4,000 copies of the encyclopedia, and then end its run.

Cell phone battery life charts

In the following charts, you'll find the tested talk-time battery life for hundreds of cell phones and smartphones, past and present. Models are grouped by manufacturer, so be sure to check your phone's corresponding chart to see our test results.

446 Places for Free Books and Audiobooks Online

Some time ago I went looking for some free eBooks and was surprised to find that there are many resources for this. I decided to put together this list of sites that offer free eBooks as a reference.

On the Web: The Khan Academy

With a library of over 3,000 videos covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, art and history and 315 practice exercises, this great site is on a mission to help you learn what you want, when you want, at your own pace. I’ve done 3 videos on art history and they were very interesting.

There is a New iPad in the World with a Killer Screen

Last Wednesday, it was Microsoft’s turn…yesterday was Apple’s big day in the sun. In San Francisco, the company introduced the newest version of it’s extremely popular tablet…the iPad. And no, before you ask, it is not called the iPad 3…not yet anyway. For now, it is “The New iPad.” Obviously, that name cannot last for long.

The newest and biggest feature is it’s retinal display…pretty much double the pixels of the iPad 2. In fact, it has a higher definition than any hi-definition TV. So, I imagine it must look incredible. I look forward to seeing it soon…it will be released for sale on March 16. It won’t be long after that I will head over to my local Apple store for a peak.

Apple also introduced a new version of its Apple TV. Not a whole lot new here except a better user interface. It looks very much like a Roku box. You can read more about the iPad and Apple TV and watch videos in our first two stories.

As for Windows 8, I have done nothing with it in the last two days, so nothing new to report there…I’ve had other projects going that took up most of my time. But, sometime in the next few days, I will install Windows 8 as a dual boot on my old Windows 7 desktop computer that I have reactivated for this test. So, more comments and impressions coming soon.

As for Windows 8 news, I have included a few new stories at the bottom of this blog. I realize many of you will not be trying out the Windows 8 consumer preview, so I expanded this edition so not to exclude stories that may be of more interest to you…and moved the Windows 8 stories to the bottom. And while I have two stories on using the new system preview, I’ve also included two stories on the important values and philosophies that Windows 8 is bringing to the world. I would urge you to read those two stories to get a better handle on what all this means.

Enjoy. JRC

Apple's new iPad: Hands-on

The iPad's new screen is a stunner. That's really all you need to know about the new iPad (yes, that's the name). That, and a reminder that pricing still starts at $499 for a 16GB Wi-Fi model, with 4G starting at $629. Also includes an informative video.

Apple Introduces New Apple TV - Review

As expected, a new Apple TV set-top box was announced at Apple's media event today. While the exterior hardware looks nearly identical to the old model's, several new features were announced. This story includes a video.

One-Third of U.S. Adults to Own a Tablet by 2016

The upwardly revised tablet sales estimates from Forrester Research are due in part to the introduction of the Kindle Fire by Amazon and the Nook Tablet from Barnes & Noble. "Both devices, in our view, expand the addressable market for tablets with their significantly lower-than-iPad price points."

Google Consolidates Entertainment Services into Google Play

Google on Tuesday announced a new online service called Google Play that consolidates previously separate entertainment-based online services into a single location that's easily accessible by users of the company's Android mobile OS. Ultimately, what we're looking at here is a rebranding of the Android Marketplace that better positions the service to compete with Apple's dominant iTunes Store.

Get Organized: Digitizing Personal Documents

Computers are very good at searching and retrieval. No matter how fast and efficiently you think you can find and retrieve information in your house from pieces of paper, rest assured, computers can do it faster. That is the A-number-one reason you should digitize many of your personal documents.

Connectify - Turn your Laptop into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

Transform your Windows laptop into a Wi-Fi hotspot at the click of a button so you can share a single Internet connection. Lets you share an Internet connection in a more user-friendly fashion than Windows’ built-in Internet Connection Sharing.

How to get more RAM: Add more memory to your computer

A good article from Microsoft on how to determine how much RAM you need, how much you can add to your computer, and how to do it.

A Windows veteran looks at Win8 Consumer Preview

If you download and install Windows 8 Consumer Preview, released late last week, I can almost guarantee that you won’t like it. Microsoft is not building Windows 8 for the garden-variety Windows expert. You and I aren’t being ignored, exactly, but we’re not at the top of the Win8 food chain. As perplexing as it might sound, aiming Windows 8 at a different demographic is probably a good decision. But it still might lead to Windows’ demise.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview: Does This Even Make Sense?

There are in fact, very serious issues to discuss around Windows 8. Very, very serious issues. And I have yet to really raise these issues in a meaningful way. So I'll do so now.

How to Dual boot Windows 7 and Windows 8

If you like to try Windows 8 but don't want to give up Windows 7. Here's how to dual boot Windows 8 with your current Windows 7 installation so you can run them both side by side. All you need to do is create a new partition for Windows 8, install it on that partition, and then edit your new boot menu so Windows 7 stays the default OS.

How to customize your Windows 8 Desktop

The Windows 8 Desktop starts off as a clean slate with no clear access to the applications and features you need. Here are some tips on how to create the familiar Desktop you know and sometimes love.

Windows 8–My First Experiences

When Windows 8 Consumer Preview was released last week, I immediately grasped what Microsoft was trying to do…connect the desktop to the tablet to the smartphone. I loved the idea, and I liked the Metro interface. I hoped for a great experience so I could recommend it highly.

Well, it is early days yet…but so far, not so good. I have had Windows 8 up and running on my Netbook computer for 3 days now…and I am not in love. Darn! I wanted to be, too. Now, I admit my Netbook is my slowest, least powerful computer in my arsenal, but Microsoft said it would work…and it does…partially.

First, it took almost 4 hours to download it and get it up and running. I thought Microsoft said it would be quicker. I installed it right on top of my Windows 7 system, so maybe that does take longer. But after it was up and running, some of the Metro buttons would do nothing. The mail, contacts, calendar and weather apps would not work. Later I got the weather to work by installing it from the Microsoft App Store. But even though I uninstalled and reinstalled the mail app (of which calendar and contacts are part), it still does not work.

So, bottom line is some of it works and some of it doesn’t. It isn’t an issue as I can still get to my desktop and work normally. And I don’t want to sound too negative as parts of the OS work just fine. But I feel like the author of our very first story here…there is no reason to change unless you are going to get a Windows 8 tablet.

But I am not done testing and am not willing to give up. I still like the concept and will keep on playing with it. Sometime in the next week, I will install it on a more powerful computer, this time using the dual boot method. It is early days yet, so stay tuned for more updates. I am not writing it off yet.

Oh, and by the way, if you go to Windows 8, there is a huge learning curve, as it is not like anything Microsoft has done before. With the start button now gone, you will struggle at first. Believe it or not, I had a devil of a time trying to turn the computer off. It took some experimentation and an article on the Net to help me out.

As for today’s updates, I tried to minimize the Windows 8 stories and give you info to help you right now. So let’s get going… JRC 

Windows 8: Something old, something awkward

Though Windows 8 introduces some nice new features, they're minimal. If you aren't planning to get a touch-enabled tablet any time soon, Windows 8 should be near the bottom of your wish list. But if you're considering a move to a Windows-based tablet, you'll want to dive into Windows 8 with both feet.

A Million Downloads for Windows 8 Preview on First Day

Whether or not Windows 8 will be a hit, the consumer preview released on Wednesday is flying off the virtual Relevant Products/Services shelves. Microsoft Relevant Products/Services tweeted Thursday that the consumer preview hit a million downloads within one day of its release.

Microsoft extends consumer support for Windows 7, Vista

Microsoft recently tacked on five additional years in the form of Extended support for all editions of both operating systems for individual users. Full support for every edition of each OS will now last for approximately 10 years from release date, pointing ahead to January 14, 2020, for Windows 7 and April 11, 2017, for Vista.

Office 365: Office in the Cloud still promising?

In a hardworking, digitized world, it’s hard to imagine tools more sought after than those that show up reliably on any portable device and work well — or at least as well as advertised. Whether Microsoft’s Cloud-based Office 365 is that tool — in fact or even in potential — is still an open question.

The Pirate Bay tosses all torrents

One of the Internet's largest torrent-downloading sites is no longer offering torrents, but that doesn't mean the site is being shuttered. Now users can access files with magnet links.

What is OLED TV? Why You Should be Excited

By now you've probably heard about OLED, or organic light-emitting diodes. LG and Samsung both revealed potential models at this year's CES, with the LG winning CNET's Best of CES Award. Make no mistake, this is the most important advancement in TV technology in over a decade, and a vast improvement over both LCD and plasma.

How to Manage Your USB Devices Better

Most of us probably have a number of USB devices for our PCs. In fact, the USB port has become almost a universal way to attach things. If you are like me, you could use a convenient way to manage and keep track of all those gadgets and devices. And that is just what a free utility called USBDeview from NirSoft provides. It is a device manager specifically for USB devices and has a number of quite useful functions.

Smithsonian turns to 3D to bring collection to the world

A new effort under way at the world's largest museum and research institution could eventually mean more of its 137 million objects will be publicly available, even if just via 3D digital models.

Best Free Microsoft Downloads

There are literally thousands of free utilities available from Microsoft but they are buried so deep in so many different sites that it is almost impossible to find them. In this list we've assembled the best freebies we could locate, all in one (very long) convenient list.

Special Edition– Shock!! Windows 8 May Change Everything

On Wednesday, Microsoft unveiled the beta version of its new Windows 8 operating system and released it for everyone to try. Instead of being called a beta, it was released as “Windows 8 Consumer Preview.”

It caught most tech writers, including me, completely off guard. Before the release, many journalists thought Windows 8 could be a major flop. Most have changed their tune. For example, USA today said, “we really are on the threshold of a whole new era of personal computing.”

Here is part of the reasons why: Windows 8 is designed to run both as a tablet and desktop operating system. It has both a touch interface and the standard desktop interface we are all used to. You choose which one you wish to use. And the “Metro” touch interface works equally well as a touch system or with a mouse. In other words, Windows standardizes everything in one operating system so a user can easily move from his or her desktop or lap environment to a Windows 8 tablet, with each having access to the other via Skydrive.

While Apple and Android tablets were built from smartphone operating systems, Windows tablets, when they appear, will be built from a computer operating system. What you run on your desktop will also run on your tablet. This makes so much more sense than any of the current tablets offer. As a user of an Android smartphone, I make many compromises and workarounds to get the important information from my desktop and on to my phone…not all successfully. I want simplification and Windows 8 maybe the answer…time will tell.

I was also surprised how much I like the Metro-style interface on the desktop. It makes so much sense in so many ways. I have something similar on my desktop now that continually shows me time and weather and links to my various apps, but Windows Metro goes beyond what I have done on Windows 7. I am excited to try it out.

I downloaded Windows 8 and will hopefully get it up and running on one of my computers this weekend. If you read the second article, you will find there are many ways to do an installation, including upgrading right on top of Windows 7. You can get Windows 8 from the Microsoft Web Site. Although Windows 8 final edition may not be available until late summer or fall, the Consumer Preview is good through January.

This edition of Rants and Raves is all about Windows 8, nothing else. I wasn’t planning to do that, but there is so much information about the operating system that I wanted to try and answer all your questions. Hopefully, you will be amazed as I am. - JRC

Welcome to the Windows 8 Consumer Preview

This article will serve as a high-level introduction of sorts, providing you with a basic overview of what's new and different in this second and most crucial milestone on the way to Windows 8. But scattered throughout the discussion below, you'll find links to numerous other articles about the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

How to install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Believe it or not, it's a pretty easy thing to do. You don't need to look up an arcane command to access your BIOS, you don't need to partition a drive, and you don't need a blank DVD, a second PC or even a USB thumb drive... unless that's how you roll. With just an internet connection, you can perform the entire operation on any existing Windows 7 machine without any outside help, just so long as it fulfills the minimum requirements.

Windows 8 Beta: Hands-on with Microsoft's tablet-friendly OS

Microsoft pulled back much of the scaffolding and secrecy surrounding Windows 8 today at Mobile World Congress. I've been using the Windows 8 beta (download), officially known as the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, for the past week, and it's by far the most integrated and capable operating system Microsoft has ever put out. Includes a video.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview hands-on

Another in-depth look at all the new features of Windows 8, both as a tablet and desktop operating system.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview: The Windows 8 App Previews

A look at some of the new Metro-style apps that come with, or are available, with Windows 8 Consumer Preview. All apps in the Windows App Store are free during the preview period.

Windows 8 and bundling: What a difference a decade makes

Microsoft is taking some emboldened steps toward bundling formerly separate apps and services in Windows 8. For the longest time, bundling was a dirty word among Microsoft execs. It probably still is, given the trouble the Redmondians got into just a decade ago or so with U.S. antitrust authorities over “bundling Internet Explorer” with Windows.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview runs well on netbooks (mostly)

Windows 8 Consumer Preview may be optimized for computers with touchscreens and high resolution displays, but Microsoft’s latest operating system also runs reasonably well on netbooks and other older computers.

Windows 8 could leapfrog Android to be the true iPad competitor

The iPad isn't going anywhere: it has huge popularity, a massive app catalog, and dominating market share going for it. However, that spot at No. 2 seems wide open. Android tablets have been far from compelling thus far, leaving the doorway open for Windows 8 tablets to stake a claim that no other Windows tablets have previously been able to capture.

IE holds rival browsers at bay

This article includes a video showing off Internet Explorer 10. A preview edition of the new browser is included with Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

On The Threshold of Two Major Events

Tomorrow, Microsoft releases “Windows 8, Consumer Preview” for all to see and download. We’ve known about this for a few weeks. But, not to be out done, Apple sent out invitations today to a major event it is holding in San Francisco on March 7. Besides the date and time, the invitation only says:

“We have something you really have to see. And touch.”

This probably means Apple will be introducing the long-awaited iPad 3…at least that’s what all tech journalist say will happen. I believe we are going to see some really big changes in the iPad, including the possibilities of an 8” model, a display that packs 4 times the number of pixels in the iPad 2, and a faster processor, to name a few. I look forward to this event as I am in the market for a tablet.

But, back to Windows 8. I also am anxious to see this (and download it) also as Windows is my operating system of choice. The biggest change in Windows is the so-called “Metro Interface.” From what I’ve seen, this interface is for tablet computers although a desktop/laptop computer user will supposedly have no problems with it as it is mouse-friendly. This is a big, big gamble for Microsoft. I will download Windows 8 on one of my computers in the next few days and see how it looks and operates.

Our first story will give you a good look at what you can expect to see tomorrow in Windows 8. More coverage of this new operating system along with my first impressions will be published here soon. – JRC

Windows 8 Consumer Preview: What should testers expect?

Microsoft is launching the Consumer Preview of Windows 8 on February 29. By going with the “Consumer Preview” name rather than the traditional “beta,” the Softies are emphasizing that the coming bits are ready for everyday users to try on their x86/x64 PCs and tablets. So what are those who download the Windows 8 CP likely to encounter?

The post-PC future: Where Microsoft and Apple are driving us

There's a dramatic change now under way in personal computing, and Microsoft, the traditional PC powerhouse, and Apple, the reborn-and-rising power in personal computing, are the ones driving it. Here's where they're taking IT and users

Best budget tablets

Sometimes "the best" just isn't in the budget. We've collected our favorites of the tablets priced substantially less than the iPad and its high-end competition.

Windows Live, R.I.P.

Windows Live appears to be on its last legs, with Windows 8 ushering in a new generation of monosyllabic, Metrofied analogs. Here's a scorecard of what's changing

The Best of Mobile World Congress 2012

This event is on-going as we speak. There's an absolute flood of new phones, tablets, and other gadgets being introduced this week at Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona…and reporters are there to go through the show and bring you hands-on impressions of the best devices.

Google+ users spend increasingly less time on site

Despite a growing base of members, the search giant's social-networking effort is still in the minor leagues with users spending just 3.3 minutes per month on the site. Note: Me included. I am finding it less and less valuable.

So how much is a fair price to pay for an e-book?

This issue is going nuclear and a lot of people believe that charging $10 or more for the portability and convenience of an e-book is ridiculous. Remember how much money e-readers were supposed to save book buyers? It was among the big reasons why 20 million Americans decided to take the plunge.

The 10 Best Job Search Websites

There are dozens of sites designed to find you the perfect job. From them, we've picked our 10 favorites. Though we can't guarantee you'll find your dream job right away, you'll certainly have a panoramic view of what's out there. Who knows, you may even decide to explore a new career path.

Best Free PDF Tools

Why spend money on Adobe's outrageously expensive Acrobat Suite in order to manipulate PDF files when there are freebies available that will do just about anything you want? Whether you want to annotate PDF pages, edit pages, extract pages, append pages, merge pages or whatever there is free tool available to do it. And you can find them all here in this one huge annotated list.

President Says We Have Privacy Rights

Privacy is back in the news this day…with the announcement by the President that he is backing a so-called “Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights.” And, he may get the support of all the major Web browser manufacturers.

Now that is something when a company like Google, who knows most everything about you anyway, will support your right to privacy. Seems a bit ironic, that’s all. Anyway I look for the Congressional Hollywood Whores to try and attach riders to the bill to help out their entertainment friends…but of course, when it comes to Congress, I am the eternal pessimist. Sorry.

There are some other interesting things going on in this edition, so I will let you get right to it. -JRC

Obama unveils Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights

The Obama administration plans to work with Congress to enact legislation to protect peoples' online privacy based on a Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights being unveiled tomorrow. At the same time, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, and AOL are committing to work with Do Not Track technology in most major Web browsers

Tech firms agree to privacy protections for mobile apps

In an effort led by California's attorney general, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and others have agreed to require developers to inform users about data usage policies before they download apps.

Google Planning Data-Display Glasses

You're in a new city, and, through a pair of thick-rimmed glasses, you view data Relevant Products/Services overlaid onto your view of buildings, streets, fellow travelers, and more. This vision of a Terminator-like accessory is looking more likely, following new reports that such a device Relevant Products/Services will be released by the end of this year by -- who else? -- Google.

Airwaves to Be Freed Up for Faster, Better Wireless

A bill to auction off pieces of the public airwaves currently used for broadcast television so that they can be freed up for wireless Relevant Products/Services Internet is making its way to President Obama's desk. Members of Congress are promoting it, in part, as a jobs bill. The President is expected to sign it.

Why the FBI thinks you (and I) may be terrorists

If you are concerned about your privacy and always pay cash, or use peroxide to dye your hair, you fall within the subjective category of being a suspicious person.

11 ways to make Gmail smarter

Gmail is great, but it's easy to make it even better. These tricks and add-ons can help you make the most of your e-mail. Gmail comes packed with plenty of smart, sleek features, and smart users are discovering (or building) new ones every day.

How to Remove Your Google Search History Before Google's New Privacy Policy Takes Effect

If you want to keep Google from combining your Web History with the data they have gathered about you in their other products, such as YouTube or Google Plus, you may want to remove all items from your Web History and stop your Web History from being recorded in the future.

The Windows Start menu super guide

Since the debut of Windows 95, the Start menu has offered an easily navigated and extensible haven for all the programs we don’t use every day. In Part 1 of a series of stories on getting the most out of Windows’ Start menu, we start with the basics: pinning applications, folders, and files.

Angry Birds Chrome

Why waste your phone's batteries when you can play Angry Birds on your browser? It's just as addictive and as fun as the mobile version. And that's why your productivity will end here.

Google Continues Tripping Over Privacy Issues

They are at it again. Poor Google…well not really. They are anything but poor. Not that long ago, they were accused of scanning wireless Web locations for web traffic while taking photos for Google Maps. All a big accident, according to them.

Now, they are being accused by Apple of side-stepping the privacy settings on Apple's Safari browser to track usage on iPhones and Macs without permission. Microsoft has made a similar charge regarding its Internet Explorer browser. Another inadvertent mistake? Hard to believe as that kind of behavior requires some heavy duty programming. Will be interested to see how Google wriggles out of this one…especially with Congress now getting involved.

And speaking of privacy, I have been using both “Do Not Track Plus” and “Ghostery” (both previously recommended here ) on my Firefox and Chrome browsers and they are shutting down tracking cookies before they get on to my computer. Both free, of course. Consider doing it yourself. - JRC

Google Accused of Tracking Safari Usage Without Permission

A Stanford University graduate student has released a report that accuses Google and three other ad networks of side-stepping the privacy settings on Apple's Safari browser to track usage on iPhones and Macs without permission.

Microsoft: Google bypassed IE privacy settings too

In the wake of reports that Google had sidestepped privacy settings in Safari, Microsoft announced today it had discovered the Web giant had done the same with Internet Explorer.

Google Privacy Fiasco Lesson: There Is No Privacy

Google is in some hot water for bypassing privacy controls on the Safari Web browser in iOS devices--and allegedly on Internet Explorer as well--to surreptitiously track users’ online activities. While Google deals with the backlash and regulatory scrutiny from the FTC, there is an important lesson to be learned: privacy is dead.

Apple settles class-action suit over iPhone 4 antenna problem

Nearly two years after tech blogs screamed "Antennagate!" over problems with the iPhone 4's reception, owners will be getting a little pocket change for their troubles. Apple over the weekend settled a class-action lawsuit filed about the issue, promising to pay $15 or give a free case to everyone in the United States who bought one of the wildly popular phones.

What you can expect from Windows 8

With the Windows 8 Consumer Preview beta edition just around the corner, now is a good time to examine what we know and don't know about Microsoft's forthcoming OS, and what IT should look for when the Consumer Preview hits as expected on Feb. 29.

SkyDrive Integration Coming Soon to Windows Vista, 7 and 8

Many Windows users who partake in Microsoft’s free cloud storage service, SkyDrive, have always found it odd that the software company did not make it easier to access those cloud-stored files directly from the desktop. There are third-party ways of doing this, but it has always seemed like integration that should be included from the box.

Shocker: Facebook Users Hate Surprise Photo Tagging

Facebook photo junkies, take note: Failing to consider the wishes of others before posting their picture on the social network might just get you in trouble. A new survey from computer security firm Sophos found that nearly all Facebook users think it's rude when someone posts a photo or video of them without asking their permission first.

How to Set Up Your Wireless Router for Skype

Every router features management software which has configuration options for the router. If you take the time to get familiar with those settings, you can maximize performance—whether it's a $50 router or a $200 router.

How to Get the Best Use from the 7-Zip File Archiver Program

Although 7-Zip is a very popular utility, many people probably just install it and use the default setup. However, 7-Zip can be configured in various ways and you may want to set it up so that it better fits the particular way that you work. Here is how to get the best use from 7-Zip.

Wish I Could Think of a Cutesy Headline

I must be running short of brain power today. I can’t think of one smart-ass headline for today’s blog. But I can tell you it is chock full of useful (and sometimes) important information. No doubt you will find at least a couple of useful stories today (I hope).  So since I can’t think of a good headline, let us just get one with the news” - JRC

Microsoft Fixes 21 Security Flaws

Did you update your Windows Computer? Microsoft on Tuesday issued nine security updates addressing 21 separate flaws in products such as Windows, Internet Explorer (IE), .NET, Silverlight, and SharePoint. Several of the fixes address critical flaws, including some that could aid in so-called drive-by attacks.

LibreOffice 3.5 released, introduces new grammar tool

The community behind the LibreOffice project has released version 3.5 of the increasingly popular open source office suite. The update introduces new features and improvements that were developed by the project's growing body of contributors.

New MSN Site Updates Users on Topics Trending on Twitter, Facebook

Microsoft's MSN launched its msnNow site that puts together brief summaries on topics that are trending on Facebook, Twitter, Bing, and news site BreakingNews.com on a website accessible on PCs, tablets, and mobile phones.

All the Google Search Tips in one Video

The search team at Google has created a short video that puts all the useful stuff you can do on Google.com, plus some related search tips and tricks, in one place.

Are your mobile apps spying on you?

The controversy over Path, a mobile social networking app that hoovered up its users' address books without telling them and got spanked for it, has just become a much bigger deal. How much do mobile apps really know about you? More than you might think.

Is your free Anti Virus tool a ‘resource pig?’

A reader’s complaint about Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) spurred head-to-head comparison tests of AV-software resource usage. I put six popular, free antivirus tools through their paces and measured their impact on startup and shutdown times, disk space, and RAM use.

Create Photo Collages Using Pictures of your Facebook Friends

The team behind Shape Collage, a popular photo collage software, have launched Loupe, an online tool that will help you create collages using Facebook photos. You can either use your own photo albums and turn them into collages or the app can also pull photos from the albums of your Facebook friends that are visible to you.

Get Organized: 25 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Organization and productivity go hand-in-hand. Learn even a few of these keyboard shortcuts for Windows PCs or Macs to improve your efficiency.

Top 15 free tools for every Windows desktop

Some people collect Windows utilities like windshields collect bugs. But for most of us, the word "utility" is key. If we find ourselves not using the tool a few times a week, we give it the heave-ho. Here are 15 utilities that belong in every Windows user's bag of tricks. They're all free for personal use.

Best Phone and iPad Apps

I normally don’t talk much about smartphones and tablet applications as there are so many different types of them on the market. This newsletter/blog has always been about Windows computing, either on the desktop or laptop. But, I cannot ignore the cellphones and tablets because so many of you have them…including me.

So, in this edition, I’ve included special articles on the best applications for iPad, iPhone, and Android Smart Phones. I’ve also included updates on the new Kindle Fire tablets and iPad tablets that will be coming out in the very near future. Of all the products mentioned, I only have an Android phone, which I like very much. Later this year, I hope to acquire a tablet of some type…am just waiting for the next generation to show up before I make up my mind.

But, I haven’t forgotten you mainstream computer users, as there are some interesting stories that may concern you. Pay close attention to the “Do Not Track Plus” add-on for all Web browsers. I‘ve installed it on Firefox and Chrome and it seems to work very well. Onward…-JCR 

Microsoft warns of dangerous IE browser vulnerabilities

These most severe vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user simply views a specially crafted web page using Internet Explorer. Microsoft is warning all users of its Internet Explorer web browser to immediately apply the latest security patch as a precaution against malicious hacker attacks.

Terrific software and support ... for criminal botnet builders

Shadowy vendor of botnet construction kits based on Citadel Trojan provides platform with customer service that commercial software companies could learn from.

Windows 8 — streamlining the update process

It appears that Microsoft has heard our complaints about a tedious part of the Windows updating process. Changes in Windows 8 should make the never-ending task of installing patches a bit easier, by reducing mandatory system restarts.

Why Your MP3s Sound Bad: High-Resolution Audio Explained

There's more to digital music than MP3 and AAC files, as Neil Young recently reminded us. Here's why high-resolution audio is important.

Do Not Track Plus add-on stops the tracking paparazzi

If ad-blocking is the hacksaw of Internet-protecting add-ons, the overhauled add-on Do Not Track Plus bows today as a finely honed scalpel, excising tracking behaviors embedded in sites without destroying the modern Web. With video.

Amazon readying 9-inch Kindle Fire for 2012, analyst predicts

Bartley told investors in a research note this week that the 9-inch Kindle Fire could launch by the middle of the year. He didn't provide further details on the tablet, but did say that the 9-inch model should increase Kindle Fire sales this year from an expected 12.7 million units to 14.9 million.

Apple in 'crunch mode' preparing apps to demo iPad 3

Apple is expected to unveil its next-generation iPad at a event in San Francisco scheduled for the first week of March, according to a report.

Best Free iPad Apps

But here at Gizmo’s Freeware, we only select the best from the free ones running in full screen on your iPad, while iPhone apps running on the iPad in 1x or 2x mode are excluded from this list.

Best Free iPhone Apps

After using an iPhone for two years, I've learned that lots of things are just easier to do on the iPhone and it's great always having it near. If you are just starting to use an iPhone, I hope this list gets you up to speed with a lot of really great tools.

Best Free Android Apps

Android apps (short for applications) are mobile software designed for running on the Android operating system, which is one of the most popular platforms used in cellphones, tablets and other mobile devices. To help you get the best of the free ones, we have selected some gems in each category and added them here in a convenient list with clear and brief descriptions of each application item.

Eastman Kodak…Going…Going…

For me, it was a good day…and a bad day. The good: Microsoft announced Windows 8 Consumer Preview will be released on Feb. 29…and they introduced a version of OneNote for Android (they have already done it for iPads and iPhones). I love OneNote as it is my favorite and most used application. It is always running on my computer, and now I can access all the info on my Android Phone. As soon as I heard about it, I installed it and it is fantastic. Extremely readable and usable.

I was also happy to learn the exact release date of Windows 8 and am looking forward to installing it on one of my computers. I will keep you updated. Included here are more screenshots of the operating system and, as a bonus, some early photos of the new Office 15, which won’t be available for awhile.

The bad news, for me personally was that Eastman Kodak is slowly disappearing forever into the sunset. They filed bankruptcy a short time ago and today announced they will no longer make cameras. That saddens me personally as I grew up using Kodak cameras…from the little brownies all the way to higher end film cameras. For so many years, Eastman Kodak was the leader in all aspects of photography…from cameras to film to darkroom materials and more. I’ve used many of their products in the field and in the darkroom, so I hope you will pardon me as I feel a bit sad.

But life goes on and so does this newsletter. -JRC

Kodak to stop making cameras, digital frames

The Rochester, N.Y.-based company, which filed for bankruptcy protection last month, said it will phase out the product lines in the first half of this year and instead look for other companies to license its brand for those products. Once the products are phased out, Kodak said its consumer business will focus on photo printing and desktop inkjet printers.

Microsoft to launch Windows 8 Consumer Preview at MWC

The Windows 8 Consumer Preview is launching in Barcelona during the Mobile World Congress on February 29.

Screenshots: Windows 8 Consumer Preview + Office "15"

Thanks to an exhaustive blog post and video about the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, Microsoft's ARM plans, and Office 15, we now have our best peek yet at the future of Windows. Here are some shots from that video, which reveal the Windows 8 Consumer Preview and Office 15 Technical Preview.

Windows 8 bundled Metro apps revealed

The next beta of Windows 8 will apparently give us a healthy dose of Metro apps, whether we want them or not. Microsoft plans to release the Windows 8 Consumer Preview--basically, a pre-release version of the new OS available to anyone who wants to download it--on February 29. Microsoft is reportedly finalizing the Metro apps that will be bundled with the new OS.

The dark side of Apple's dominance

Apple may become the Microsoft of mobile -- for better or for worse -- as Android sales drop and leave the mobile industry fewer dollars to divvy up

Five Tips to Make Your Facebook Timeline Amazing

Facebook Timeline is coming. It's just a matter of, well, time. Here are five tips to make your Timeline pop (plus a bonus tip in case you don't like Timeline).

In world of copyright craziness, BitTorrent, Inc. soars to new heights

It's a turbulent time in the world of content distribution. Despite a successful protest against overly restrictive anti-piracy legislation, law enforcement has demonstrated its already considerable power to take copyright-infringing websites offline, and several hosting and torrent sites have gone dark voluntarily to evade prosecution.

OneNote Mobile for Android is now available worldwide

Mobile versions of OneNote are currently available on Windows Phone, iPhone, iPad, and now Android. No matter which platform you prefer, OneNote Mobile lets you easily capture and access all of your notes and ideas on the go.

The Best Android Phones

It was the introduction of Android that helped propel the app-based smartphone to what it is today. The thing Android offered, which Apple's iPhone couldn't, was choice. Since it was an open-source platform, several hardware manufacturers could use the OS on their handsets, and a variety of wireless carriers could offer those phones—and they did.

Get Organized: Clean Up iTunes (Part 2)

If your iTunes music collection is a mess, you might think it's too far gone to fix. It's not. You can clean up and reorganize your music, I promise! The trick is to do it in small chunks and in a way that ensures that your organization builds on itself.

Windows 8 Preview Closer Than You Think

We are probably only two weeks away from the release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview…as it is now being called. Will an upgrade be worth it? Hard to tell. Right now we know the biggest new feature is the so-called Metro Interface. It reminds me of a smartphone or tablet interface. Of course, those are both touch devices and my desktop and laptop are anything but touch devices.

Now, you can use your mouse to activate Metro buttons…or switch to the desktop interface you know enjoy with Windows 7. If that is the case, why pay for Windows 8? Well, I am sure there is more to it than that and I am going to try out the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on one of my laptops and let you know. If you would like to see the Metro Interface, check out our very first story.

I’ve also included a couple of interesting articles on photography in this edition, so be sure and check those out, if you are interested. As always, there are also other good stories here to keep you occupied, so enjoy. JRC   

Leaked Shots Reveal Windows 8 Consumer Preview

While we eagerly await the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, which is still expected to come sometime this month, two blogs have leaked numerous screenshots of what appears to be the release. And based on these shots, we can see some important differences between the current build, the Developer Preview, and the coming Consumer Preview.

Opinion: Five Reasons why Windows 8 will be dead on arrival

Some of the author's die-hard Windows friends are very excited by Windows 8 arrival later this year. Others fear that Windows 8 will be a repeat of Microsoft's Vista disaster. The author knows Windows 8 will be a Vista-sized fiasco.

Adobe Launches Sandboxed Flash Player for Firefox

In secure software development, sandboxing refers to the practice of isolating a process from the operating system in order to minimize the fallout of a potential exploit. This type of technology has gained popularity in recent years, primarily because of its use in Google Chrome, a browser that has never experienced a successful remote code execution attack so far.

Be everywhere: Google’s real social strategy

There has been a lot of talk about how Google+ is failing, going to fail, or is a waste of time for both individuals and brands. It would be foolhardy, however, to treat Google+ as down for the count so early in the match. After all, Google has a lock on key distribution channels that it can use to muscle Google+ into the forefront of the social media conversation.

New Malware Attacks Target Online Banking

A new online banking fraud scheme is on the loose. Users are tricked by an offer of training in a new "upgraded security system" after being logged into the bank's real site, after which money is moved out of the account but evidence of the theft is invisible. The scam involves what has been dubbed the Man in the Browser attack.

Your next computer could well be a tablet

Like it or not — and I know that some of you don’t — tablets are changing the way the world works and plays. Whether it’s an iPad, Kindle, Nook, or a tablet based on Google’s Android OS, mobile devices are swirling across the computing landscape. Here’s how to pick the right one.

12 Great Tips to Scan Your Family Pictures

In the age of digital photos, photo scanners are still around largely because most of us—or our parents and grandparents—have collections of old film-based photos. Most people would like to get those photos scanned, if they could only figure out how. If that's the boat you're in, here are some tips that can help.

10 Photography Tips for Enthusiasts

You don't have to be a pro to really love photography. If taking pictures is your passion, consider these tips and ideas to help expand your skills and bring new perspective to your work.

A Handy Tweaking Tool For Windows

I normally try to steer clear of system utility tools such as registry cleaners, generic Windows clean-up suites and so on, because in my experience they can do more harm than good. But a simple, free program called Tweak Me seems to work rather well, and it's easy to reverse any changes because you can keep track of the selections you make.

Great Tech Info To Occupy Your Mind…Until Sunday Anyway

While my last blog featured more news, this one features more good information, which is probably what you want the most anyway…and there is some good info here for sure.

And as Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday, I’ve included three stories that might be of interest…like how to watch the game for free on your computer. And, be sure and watch the preview of a Super Bowl commercial (see the very last story) that will air during the game. It may just make your day. Onward and Upward…JRC

Why Are Digital Cameras Disappearing?

Digital camera maker Canon is in a bit of a bind. Its high-end Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras are growing in popularity, but compact cameras -- the basic point-and-shoot variety -- are starting to tank except in "emerging markets."

What Actually Changed in Google's Privacy Policy

It shouldn't take a letter from Congress for Google to give straight answers about Privacy Policy changes. In fact, it took a letter from eight representatives to persuade them to provide straightforward answers to the public about their new policy. Here's what you need to know about the substantive changes in the new policy:

Looking ahead to Windows 8: five big questions for Microsoft

The beta release of Windows 8 is just a few weeks away. It should be nearly feature-complete, and expectations will be high. So what’s keeping managers in Redmond awake at night? Here are my top five questions.

What Tech Gear Sucks the Most Power?

We break down what tech gear costs you the most on your electric bill even when it's not actively being used.

Best Free Online Applications and Services

With online applications and services, you do not need to download and install them into your computer for using them—you just need to open up a browser and access them online. Not only that you can save hard disk space as they do not need to be installed, but also you can work with files that are saved online from any computer anywhere, without the need to carry a storage device even a USB stick around with you.

Probably the Best Free Security List in the World

This huge list of free computer security products and services has been compiled over several years and is continuously updated. The purpose of the list is to provide a comprehensive documentation of the security products available rather than specific recommendations.

Get Organized: Clean Up iTunes

Duplicate tracks, unnamed albums, a disarray of miscellaneous songs and audio files--if those words describe your iTunes music library, take these three easy and accessible steps to clean it up.

Watch the Super Bowl on Your Cell Phone or Computer

A Super Bowl phone-watching offering is being made possible through a collaboration involving the National Football League, Comcast's NBC and Verizon Wireless. That means you'll need service through Verizon Wireless to watch on an iPhone or an Android phone. Another option: You can watch for free on a computer instead at NBCSports.com.

Twitter Launches Ad Scrimmage Competition for Super Bowl

To help fuel the conversation this year, Twitter is sponsoring what it calls a first of its kind competition called Ad Scrimmage, where ads can compete to see which gets the most buzz in the week following the game.

VW tries to out-Vader its last Super Bowl ad

Bonus Story: I tweeted this link on Twitter and Facebook.  In case you didn’t see, here it is again. I will just say if all Super Bowl ads are half as great as this ad, we are in for a wonderful Sunday. Don't miss it!!