Sprint Sucks!!

I just wasted three days of my life trying to become a Sprint customer. Three days and several hours! Am I angry? You bet I am! Angry and frustrated. So what happened? I will try and keep this tale of woe short so not to drive you away.

A couple of weeks ago, I ran an article here about how customers of other smartphone providers can get one year of unlimited talk, text and data free from Sprint just by switching…no contract and no catches. For reasons I won’t go into here, I wanted to switch from Verizon to a new carrier. So I decided to give it a try.

According to the article, this offer was not available in stores and could only be completed on-line. So I went through all the pain of providing my information including a credit card number and indicating my willingness to pay for Sprint to overnight me a Sim Card. I clicked on the last button to place the order and a message popped up saying there was some difficulty and I needed to call an 800 number to finish the deal.

So I did. I was connected with an Sprint agent who was obviously speaking to me from some far off foreign land. From there I was passed off to another agent, obviously in the same country. He did not quite know what to do but gave it his best shot. I was on the phone with him for over two hours while he figured out what to do. He didn’t have a hold button so I could hear women and children in the background, all speaking some foreign language I could not identify. Apparently he worked from home.

It took two hours for him to figure out what to do but he finally created an account for me. There was no information in the account, like my phone number as I needed a Sim Card. So, he connected me to another agent who would supposedly get me a card. That agent had no idea what I was talking about. She gave me another phone number to call.

So I did. After a long discussion, with a new agent in that same far off land, she told me she could not overnight me a card like their ad said and that it would take 2-5 days. She advised me to go to a local Sprint store and get a blank card. We made arrangements for her to call me back in the morning at 9:00 AM for the final setup. I went to my local Sprint store and got the card. End of day one.

Day Two: 9:00 AM came and went…no phone call. After relaying my story to the fellow in the Sprint store, he advised me to call the American-based Sprint 800 number. So I did. That phone service kept hanging up on me because I could not provide my phone number. I never did get to talk to a human…American or foreign. Ridiculous!

Finally I called the original 800 number and got to talk with another helpful woman, again in a far off foreign land. We were doing good but she had problems getting my number cut loose from Verizon. So I called Verizon, with her listening in…and after a little difficulty, Verizon made my number available for transfer to Sprint.

However, after the call, she never came back on-line. I called and called, but could not get her back. I finally gave up for the day, figuring she or someone would call me back. That never happened.

Day Three: I made one last call to that far off foreign land and got some jerk who didn’t know his ass from his elbow. He said he could not make the transfer. At this point I lost my composure and told him to wipe my account off the Sprint ledgers and that I was done with Sprint. I would find some other carrier. Free service would have been nice but it wasn’t worth what I went through for three days.

Bottom line, I am still with Verizon for now, but will continue to look for a better rate. The main reason Sprint fell to last place years ago among the 4 main providers was there terrible customer service. Well, from my experience, that has not changed. They might be saving a lot of money by having their customer service in some far off foreign land, but is it worth it? I think not. If they had made this special offer available in their local stores, it might have been a different story. But they could not help me.

Apparently I am not the only one who is dissatisfied with Sprint. You might want to check out what other current Sprint customers think on Reseller Ratings.com. I think I will be avoiding Sprint in the future…free or not!

Thanks for listening. There is good information below including more on the ransomware currently savaging Europe plus some very helpful tips for your computers and portable devices. So keep on reading. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Petya, WannaCry: Ransomware is going global

WannaCry should have been a major warning to the world about ransomware. Then the GoldenEye strain of Petya ransomware arrived. What’s next?

Petya cyberattack victims have paid thousands in Bitcoin but won't get their files back

Victims of the ongoing Petya cyberattack have paid £7,064 ($9,000) in Bitcoin to hackers so far to try and get their files back — but they won't have much luck. The ransom website has been blocked.

Microsoft aims to simplify Windows 10 PC set-up with Windows AutoPilot

Microsoft is adding several new management features to Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and its Intune mobile-device management service this Fall.

Trump Accuses Amazon of Not Paying 'Internet Taxes,' Which Aren't a Thing

In an apparent attempt to discredit The Washington Post, the president posted one of his most confusing tweets since taking office.

Tom Wheeler defends Title II rules, accuses Pai of helping monopolists

Former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler spoke out against the FCC's proposed repeal of net neutrality rules this week, saying the repeal will help monopoly broadband providers abuse their dominant position.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Tips to make you a better Windows 10 multitasker

Be more productive -- or at least more efficient -- with these tips.

Windows 10 will hide your important files from ransomware soon

Microsoft is making some interesting security-related changes to Windows 10 with the next Fall Creators Update, expected to debut in September.

Yahoo Mail rolls out a rebuilt, redesigned service, including a new ad-free option

The update includes a new design, feature set, and technology stack, as well as a new subscription plan for desktop and mobile called Yahoo Mail Pro

Google News gets a fresh new look and more features

There’s now a new navigation column on the left side which you can customize by different topics of interest including Sports, Entertainment, Food, and more.

Parallels Toolbox for Windows launches to simplify your computing life

Parallels is best known for its Windows virtualization tools for Mac, but not today. Parallels Toolbox is debuting on Windows with a whole range of one-click tools that are designed to make your computing life a little easier.

Mobile Computing

5 Fixes For The iPhone "Storage Almost Full" Notification That's Ruining Your Life

Here's how to make it go away once and for all

iOS 11 will change how you'll use your iPad forever

iOS 11 is ambitious because it represents a break from the past, one where Apple is willing to add genuine complexity to iPads and iPhones in the name of productivity.

Set phone reminders for anything

Your phone can act as a combination of secretary and to-do list when it comes to reminding you about what you need to get done

Emoji 5.0 is official, here's all 56 new emoji coming soon

We now have the full list of emoji that will be included in the big Emoji 5.0 (Unicode 10.0) update. Here’s the full list of the 56 new emoji.

Google Photos adds smarter sharing, suggestions and shared libraries

Google today will begin rolling out new sharing functionality in Google Photos, first unveiled at the company’s I/O developer conference in May.

Google's first-ever storewide Play Store sale is now underway!

These covers apps, games, books, and music. Over the course of the next few weeks, you will see discounts wherever you look in the Play Store, and some of these may be super-enticing.

New Ransomware Attack Sweeping Europe

Tech News and Opinions

A new ransomware attack is infecting airlines, banks, and utilities across Europe

The most severe damage is being reported by Ukrainian businesses, with systems compromised at Ukraine’s central bank, state telecom, municipal metro, and Kiev’s Boryspil Airport.

Six quick facts to know about today's global ransomware attack

Tuesday saw a second major cyberattack in as many months, affecting several countries and dozens of major companies -- and that's just the start.

Google hit with record $2.7B fine for abusing search dominance

The figure is twice as big as predicted -- and there could be more to come for the search giant as the European Union looks into Android.

Virgin Mobile is no longer selling Android phones

Options are generally a great thing for consumers, and Virgin Mobile would probably agree — as long as you like iPhones.

Google won't scan your Gmail anymore for ad targeting

The tech giant will stop combing through emails to tailor ads. But it’s not like it doesn't have all your info anyway.

Making sense of Microsoft's Surface lineup

With its new Surface Laptop and a major internal makeover for the Surface Pro, Microsoft's line of PCs now includes four models. Here's a closer look at where each one fits in the competitive landscape.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Microsoft revamps Skype in a bid to do battle with iMessage

Its revamped service combines familiar Skype features like instant messaging and international calling with third-party service integration, improved group chat, and photo sharing with the ability to add annotations and emoji stickers.

How to use Microsoft Excel's Conditional Formatting

Set up your spreadsheet to highlight important data automatically.

How to Stop Twitter Videos From Autoplaying

Thankfully, they do so without sound, but it can still be annoying, and if you’re on mobile, it can burn through your data cap.

Windows 10 themes can spruce up your PC, and they're free in the Windows Store

As of the Windows 10 Creators Update, Windows desktop themes are available in the Windows Store to download and install on your fully updated machine.

Troubleshoot Performance issues in Windows 10/8/7

If you are facing performance-related issues like Non-responding programs, freezing, system crashes, sluggishness, etc. , on your Windows PC quite often, then you can try a few of these suggested tips. They may help you resolve such issues.

Mobile Computing

Common iPhone battery problems and how to fix them

Sudden shutdowns got you down? Battery life next to nil? iPhone feels like it's on fire while charging? I've got fixes.

How to Set Apple Maps to Avoid Tolls and Highways

If Apple Maps is your navigation tool of choice and you prefer avoiding toll roads, staying off the highways, or both, it’s easy to tweak Apple Maps to meet your needs.

Facebook's Messenger adds new Snapchat-like filters, animated emoji, and masks

Today Facebook has announced a bunch of new ways to add a bit more fun to video messaging via its Messenger platform.

Here are 45 temporarily free and 61 on-sale Android apps to start off the week

There are quite a few, as is usual for a Monday, so buckle in.

10 best transit apps for Android

You can find transit apps all over the place that help you find a variety of transportation. Here are the best transit apps for Android.

Become an expert at Safari for iOS with these 8 tips and tricks

Hide your frequently visited sites, remotely close Safari tabs on other devices, turn web pages into PDFs, and more.

Lots of Windows 10S Reviews Are In…Not Good

Tech News and Opinions

Reviewers give a giant thumbs-down to Windows 10 S

Microsoft shipped a new edition of Windows 10 last week, preinstalled on its elegant and eagerly anticipated new Surface Laptop. How did reviewers react to Windows 10 S? Spoiler alert: They hated it. They really, really hated it.

California may restore broadband privacy rules killed by Congress and Trump

State law could protect customers' browsing history, but FCC rule is still dead.

iPad Pro vs. Surface Pro: 5 ways to choose

Apple's and Microsoft's top tablets aim to replace your laptop, but can they? Here's how to find out.

Microsoft Surface Pro vs. Surface Laptop vs. Surface Book vs. Surface Studio

The computers are so good, even Apple is following Microsoft's lead.

Advanced CIA firmware has been infecting Wi-Fi routers for years

Latest Vault7 release exposes network-spying operation CIA kept secret since 2007.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to use Gmail's Google Tasks as your daily to-do list

Dedicated to-do apps abound, but one of the best may be right in your inbox. Google Tasks, integrated into Gmail, provides a simple way to create ordered task lists, complete with due dates, and even turn emails into action items. Here’s how to get started.

How to search Google

These hidden tricks that will help you find what you need faster.

How to Give Your Facebook Profile a Custom URL

How to add an easy to remember username to your Facebook account, and with it, get a simple URL you can point people to.Let’s look at how.

Microsoft Brings Dictation to Office

You’ll need to install a plug-in for this to work. But you also won’t need to be on the latest version of Office, or using some Office 365 subscription.

Google Launches Go-To Job Aggregation Site

The initiative will allow Google users to search for jobs either on mobile devices or personal computers, and to use a set of filters to obtain highly targeted results pulled from many different sites across the Web.

Mobile Computing

How to Back Up All Your Photos with Amazon’s Prime Photos

Many Amazon Prime subscribers don’t realize that in addition to free shipping and Prime Instant Video, they also get unlimited photo storage for all their computers and mobile devices.

Download: Sega Forever Free Classic Games For iOS And Android Launches, Details Here

Sega, one of the most well-known gaming companies in the world, is releasing a new collection of free-to-play retro games for the iOS and Android platforms under the Sega Forever brand.

Android vs. iPhone: 6 Android features missing from iOS 11

Sure, iOS 11 looks cool, but Android's still cooler in some key ways.

Everything you need to know about the JPEG-killing HEIF format Apple is adopting

HEIF is the new photo format that Apple is using to replace JPEG. And it probably will replace JPEGs, because the iPhone is the most popular, most-used camera in the world, and as of iOS 11, most iPhones will be switching from JPEG to HEIF.

How to transfer all your stuff from one Android phone to another

No one wants to spend forever moving all their stuff to a new phone. Here's a quick and painless guide to get you up and running fast.

Amazon Buys Whole Foods. The Ramifications are Huge!

In case you missed it, Amazon plans to buy Whole Foods for over $13 billion…thereby entering the brick and mortar side of retail in a big way with over 450 stores. Will this change the grocery business? You bet it will! It will also change all retail business in a big way.

Amazon has been eating away at many retail businesses since its inception. Remember Borders Books, Barnes and Nobles, and hundreds of other small bookstores? Same is happening to toy stores. That’s the Amazon Effect. Amazon cornered the on-line shopping world and has now become the “Everything Store.” They can now bring their expertise to the traditional retail world with new concepts that will shake up everything.

Do you use Amazon? I sure do! I am a Prime Member and shop them for most everything these days except groceries. I’ve used them for years because their customer service, prices, and broad choice of products makes them so easy and wonderful to use. They are an exceptional company that offers true value for my dollar. Now, I can get a plethora of products delivered to my door the same day that I order them on-line.

When its 114 outside as it is as I write these words, home delivery sounds pretty good. And that is what we can come to expect from Amazon/Whole Foods…probably at pretty good prices. Wal-Mart will be forced to do the same…and as I do much of my grocery shopping at Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, that is OK with me. I could write a whole blog about Wal-Mart competitive food prices.

As for Whole Foods prices, they are higher than most grocery stores…but there is already talk that Amazon plans to lower prices and shed the high price image of Whole Foods stores. We shall see.

My first three stories go in-depth on what this all means for us normal, everyday consumers, and how some of the traditional stores we have been shopping at for years may disappear in the next couple of years. I encourage you to read them.

You may also find some other interesting stories and tidbits in the rest of this blog, so why not give it a good look. Thanks. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Amazon to buy Whole Foods for $13.7 billion, dives into bricks, clicks, groceries

Amazon said it will keep Whole Foods running under current leadership as it expands its physical and grocery footprint in one swoop.

Amazon vs Walmart: It's on!

According to Credit Suisse, over 8,600 brick-and-mortar stores may close their doors in 2017. Bebe, JC Penny, Sears, and Macy's. Get ready to kiss them good-bye. Malls? They'll be as quaint as vibrant downtowns.

The real reason Amazon buying Whole Foods terrifies the competition

Whole Foods under Amazon's stewardship will almost certainly accept lower profit margins than it does as an independent chain — and that spells trouble for everyone else in the grocery business. Some interesting videos included.

Nearly 200 million US voter records leaked by GOP firm

Personal details of American voters were stored on an unsecured and exposed server.

Apple Music isn’t even close to catching up to Spotify

The score: Apple 27 Million...Spotify 140 Million.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to manage your music library

It doesn’t matter how big your music collection is if you can’t find the tunes you want. This in-depth guide will help.

ProtonMail makes its free VPN service available to everyone

ProtonMail, the encrypted email created by CERN and MIT scientists, has released a new product in response to the administration's roll back of Obama-era internet privacy rules...a VPN services that is free for life.

Windows 10 customize touchpad

One of the biggest improvements the Creators Update recently brought to Windows 10 was enhanced support for Precision Touchpads, the built-in mousepads on select laptops that support multi-touch gestures.

Microsoft's Modern Keyboard hides a fingerprint sensor

Microsoft has quietly unveiled the Modern Mouse and Modern Keyboard, its next generation of Windows 10 input devices.

Use your TV as a computer monitor: Everything you need to know

Will it even work? The short answer: Yes, although you may need a special cable depending on what type of input/output ports you’re working with.

Mobile Computing

How secure is your favorite messaging app?

Here are four benchmarks to evaluate the security of your favorite app.

Cortana can now be set as the default assistant on your Android device

The personal assistant arms race is heating up, as the latest update for Microsoft's Cortana can now easily replace the Google Assistant.

Best Microsoft Office Alternatives for iOS

If you're used to the Microsoft Office suite of apps but for some reason want other options, then check these out for your iPhone.

Would you pay $25 a month for a premium Angry Birds membership?

The developers of the new Angry Birds Evolution game sure hope so.

Sprint offers a free year of unlimited data. What's the catch?

No, it's not a joke, but it is a limited promotion. Here's how you can get access to the deal.

Seven tips for shooting nature photos with your smartphone camera

Nature is full of interesting stuff, and, thanks to smartphones, we’re almost never without a pretty-good-quality camera.

What is “The Internet of Things?” Find Out Here

Tech News and Opinions

Everything you need to know about the Internet of Things in less than four minutes

Now you can learn everything you need to know about IoT by watching the latest episode of Explanimators from Microsoft Story Labs

Microsoft's 'Office in the Windows Store' release is coming June 15

The full versions of Microsoft's Office apps, brought to the Windows 10 Store using the 'Project Centennial' bridge are set for imminent release.

Google Drive To Let Users Backup Their Entire Computer To Cloud

It was only a matter of time before a popular cloud-based storage stepped out of the shadows of that particular industry and attempted to play its hand to monopolize the market

Windows 10 S Review: Faster, Simpler -- and Incredibly Painful To Use

It joins Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro as the three versions of Windows aimed at consumers. However, confusingly it is not an upgrade to either, but a class of Windows in and of itself.

US internet company refused to participate in NSA surveillance, documents reveal

The company, which wasn't named, quietly pushed back in the government's secret court against the National Security Agency's surveillance program, but ultimately failed.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How best to change your display settings in Windows 10

Use Window 10's built-in tools to tune your display.

The 5 Best Free VPNs to Maintain Your Privacy Online

There are both paid and free VPN services. Free VPN services will likely use your data for their own commercial goals or bombard you with ads. They’re also slower and less reliable than paid VPNs. Here are a few free VPNs that you might want to consider signing up to.

Windows 10 tip: Manage your saved Wi-Fi networks

Every time you connect to a wireless network, Windows saves your connection properties. Here's how to trim unwanted networks from that list and how to prevent metered networks from blowing up your monthly bill.

Firefox 54 is out: 'Faster but no memory hog like Chrome'. So is it time to try it again?

Mozilla says its thrifty multi-process architecture delivers speed and stability without hogging memory. JRC: I am using the new version and it is definitely faster.

How to Change Your Display Name on Twitter

There’s a long tradition of people changing their names to a joke or pun because it’s Christmas or Halloween, or just for no reason at all. Here is how to do it.

Mobile Computing

How to Use a Cell Phone for Dramatic Night Photography

Whether you’ve packed your camera bag light or are simply looking for a creative way to make a picture work in extremely dark conditions, your mobile phone flashlight is a surprisingly capable and adaptable lighting tool.

Microsoft Updates iOS Photo App 'Pix' With Artistic Filters Powered by AI and Deep Neural Networks

The company said that the Pix team used neural networks to browse massive datasets of classic paintings in order to "learn the essence of what makes a given style of painting recognizable."

6 super YouTube tricks for Android and iOS

You'll get an eyeful once you watch your first YouTube video in virtual reality. Also: browse videos in private, double-tap to skip ahead, and more.

5 steps to make your own in-flight entertainment system

Plane trips can be long, but it's now pretty easy to take entertainment with you to pass the time.

Should you be excited about the Essential Phone from the co-creator of Android?

When the co-creator of the Android operating system announces a smartphone, you pay attention. Andy Rubin recently introduced the Essential Phone, a bid to give the iterative smartphone market as much of a jolt as Android itself did.

XP Users: Beware of New Cyberattacks

Tech News and Opinion

Don't Be Fooled by the Comcast PR Machine: It Has Always Opposed Internet Freedom

Years of lobbying and litigation has made it clear Comcast wants to turn the Internet into a toll road and run the booth

Microsoft warns of 'destructive cyberattacks,' issues new Windows XP patches

Last month's devastating WannaCry ransomware outbreak was just a warning shot. In an unprecedented move, Microsoft today released critical security updates to block another wave of similar attacks, making those patches available on unsupported versions like Windows XP and Server 2003.

Verizon now owns Yahoo, as Marissa Mayer resigns

Yahoo's president and CEO resigns as Verizon closes its $4.48 billion deal to acquire the internet pioneer.

Microsoft shutters Docs.com, pushes users to SlideShare and OneDrive

Every now and then, a company will make a product or service that arrives on the market, is ignored by most people, and then is shut down without warning -- and very few people actually care.

Microsoft unveils the $499 Xbox One X, the most powerful console ever

The big takeaway? It's significantly more powerful than the PlayStation 4 Pro, so much so that it can run some games at 4K/60 frames per second.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to delete your Google data

You have some power over the data, and we'll show you how to wield it.

Microsoft Shows Off Big Changes for Windows 10

New features include a more easily resizeable user interface for the Start menu and Action Center, the ability to pin favorite Web sites and other improvements to the Edge Web browser, Cortana intelligent digital assistant, and a pen-based handwriting experience.

The best Chrome extensions to view, edit and save PDF files online

Chrome offers various extensions that simplify dealing with PDF documents.

How to Burn Any Video File to a Playable DVD

Streaming may be the most convenient way to watch most movies, but it doesn’t hurt to have a physical copy of your movies or home videos as a fall back. If you want to make a backup copy of your movie collection, or just burn a playable DVD of your own videos, it’s pretty easy—and free.

6 Ways to Organize your Personal Life Using Evernote

Use Evernote for your everyday tasks, such as creating to-do lists, keeping personal records, and saving important documents. When it’s all organized in Evernote, you can quickly find what you’re looking for.

Mobile Computing

How to restore an iPad to factory settings

Do you have plans to flog your old iPad before a new one comes out? Or, perhaps, you’ve downloaded some new software that’s caused it to bork. Either way, your device will need to be reset.

iPad Pro 10.5 review: overkill

A little more than a year after Apple released the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, it’s replacing it with a new model, the iPad Pro 10.5.

How to set up a safe, kid-friendly iPad or iPhone

Don't hand over an aging iOS device to your eager youngster before doing a little kid-proofing first.

It's not too late to stop your phone from wrecking your neck

Bad posture really can mess up your spine. It happened to me, but there are things you can do to prevent the problem and feel better.

How to Take Better Photos on Your Phone

First of all, realize the phone is a “real” camera. Ignore anyone who tells you otherwise.

Moving from Android to iOS: Lessons learned helping with a transition

There are many reasons people choose one operating system over another and no single OS is best for everyone.

DirecTV to Support only Chrome Browser

Tech News and Opinions

Kaspersky files antitrust complaint against Microsoft for disabling its anti-virus software

According to Kaspersky, “Microsoft uses its dominant position in the computer operating system (OS) market to fiercely promote its own – inferior – security software (Windows Defender) at the expense of users’ previously self-chosen security solution."

Lawsuit Alleges FBI Used Geek Squad to Spy on Customers

Digital privacy advocates at Electronic Frontier Foundation have filed a lawsuit against the US Justice Department, alleging that the FBI used Best Buy’s Geek Squad to search for child pornography.

British PM on terror threat: Let's blame Facebook, not our police cuts

Faced with increased pressure from the UK government to prevent terrorist activities online, Facebook has pledged changes which will make the social media platform a "hostile environment" for extremists.

Real books are back. E-book sales plunge nearly 20% - Apr. 27, 2017

in the U.S., where e-book sales declined 18.7% over the first nine months of 2016, according to the Association of American Publishers. Paperback sales were up 7.5% over the same period, and hardback sales increased 4.1%.

Google is About to Kill Support for the Nik Collection

Oh boy, this one is going to upset a few photographers. Google have slyly “announced” that they are about to cease updating the Nik Collection of software.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

DirecTV Now will work exclusively on Chrome, dropping Safari & Internet Explorer in July

Now, without any official notice as of this writing, customers visiting the site on Safari and Internet Explorer are being told to download Google Chrome as other browsers will no longer be supported after June.

Excel tutorial: How to import and parse complicated data

You've imported data into Excel and it's a mess! Here's how to fix it.

The Best Keyboards of 2017

Whether you're working or playing, your keyboard is an integral part of your desktop setup. Our buying advice and top-rated reviews will help you find a keyboard you'll love.

The big picture - Google Photos

Google Photos just hit 500 million monthly users — now it plans to make your camera roll obsolete.

How to get the classic Windows Solitaire game on Windows 10

Do you miss the classic Solitaire game that used to ship with Windows? In this guide, we show you how to bring Windows XP's Solitaire back to Windows 10.

Mobile Computing

Microsoft adds ability to add, edit contacts in Outlook on iOS

Microsoft finally is adding the ability to add and edit contacts from its Outlook on iOS application. Android Outlook users will get the same functionality 'soon.'

15 Cool Smartphone Camera Tricks You Should Know

Some are helpful, some are neat, and some are just plain insane.

Why some iMessage texts are blue and some are green

Short answer: Blue ones have been sent or received using Apple's iMessage technology, while green ones are "traditional" text messages exchanged via Short Messaging Service, or SMS.

Want Fast Charging? Don’t Use Your Car’s USB Ports

Unfortunately, the built-in ports in your car are pretty anemic when it comes to amperage.

Best Free Android Apps - Updated 2017

This list of Best Free Android Apps now includes 239 apps in multiple categories.

The Important New Stuff From Apple’s Big Show

Monday was Apple’s first public performance in almost 8 months. The occasion was WWDC (World Wide Developer’s Conference) held in San Jose. This is an annual event where developers from all over the world arrive to see what is happening at Apple and how they can develop new products for the company’s ever-changing line-up of products. It lasts almost the entire week, but the highlight for us non-developers is the lead-off keynote address.

And Apple did not disappoint. 2.5 hours from beginning to end, Apple introduced us all to the future features in all its operating systems including MacOS, IOS for iPhones and iPads, WatchOS, and TVOS. They also introduced a new edition to the iPad line, a new powerful Mac Pro, upgrades to MacBooks, and a brand new product for the home. I am leaving out a lot here, but the stories below should give you a good overview.

Sadly, the only product we can get our hands on today is the new 10.5” iPad Pro. The rest are off in the future…sometime in the fall for the OS updates and other products in December. This is quite normal. They gave developers new versions of the OSes that are coming in the fall so they can get a head start on developing new products or upgrading existing ones.

There were a lot of changes announced for all the operating systems, but I won’t talk about them here as they are so far off in the future. We will cover them more in-depth when they are released. However you can get more details below in the tech news section as it is entirely devoted to Apple.

Our first story is a 19 minute video that condenses 2.5 hours of products into a much more acceptable time. The second story breaks down all the big announcements in a little more detail. The last three stories highlight the three most important product announcements (in my humble opinion). 

The HomePod is the only really new product announced this day. It is something very similar to Amazon’s Echo and Google Home. However this one is focused on music and contains several high quality speakers to give your room the sound quality it deserves. It won’t be out until December, but reporters who heard a demo of it say that it sounds very good.

So that is what happened in San Jose on Monday. The stories below should wet your appetite for more Apple info, if you are so inclined. If not, well there are also some great tips and tricks below for your current products, so have at it! -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Watch Apple’s two-hour WWDC 2017 keynote in 19 minutes

If you missed it, here’s a supercut of the entire two-hour keynote edited down to a snack-sized 19 minutes featuring iOS 11, iMacs, HomePod, and more.

All of Apple's big announcements from WWDC 2017!

Apple made a lot of announcements at WWDC 2017, including the latest versions of iOS, macOS, and watchOS. There were also new Macs and iPads for those looking for new hardware. Here are the top announcements from the keynote

Apple refreshes larger iPad Pro with 10.5-inch display

The company revealed a new addition to its professional-focused iPad Pro lineup.

Apple’s new HomePod smart speaker brings Siri home

The Siri-powered, music-focused device, priced at $349 and available in December, joins an increasingly crowded list of smart speakers.

iOS 11: What it does for your iPhone and when it’ll launch

The biggest changes come to Siri, Apple's voice assistant; interfaces like the lock screen, App Store and Control Center; and AR software that's going to mesh the virtual world onto your own.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to unsend Gmail messages with the Undo Send feature

Undo Send, one of the most popular creations to ever come out of the Gmail Labs, was finally made a stock Gmail feature a couple of years ago. Here’s how to make sure it protects you from yourself.

Chrome 59 is out: Bug fixes, native macOS notifications, Windows 10 Action Center support in the works

Google has integrated Chrome notifications with the macOS Notification Center and is working on adding support for Windows 10's Action Center.

Make your Windows desktop move with Wallpaper Engine

Live wallpapers aren't a new invention, but they're not exactly common on Windows 10. But, there's always someone out there that can make these things happen, as is the case with Wallpaper Engine.

Computex 2017: what you missed from the year's biggest computing show

It’s arguably the most important show of the year for the desktop, laptop and components you’ll want to buy in the future. With lots of pictures

7 Excel tips for huge spreadsheets: Split Screen, Freeze Panes, Format Painter and more

The bigger and uglier your spreadsheet is, the more you need to keep a handle on the data.

Mobile Computing

Apple stops showing 32-bit iOS apps in your search results

It's a not-so-subtle hint that developers should move to 64-bit code.

How to use iPhone widgets — swipe right

They're called "widgets," and they're actually one of the most useful features on the iPhone if you take the time to learn how to customize them and add your own.

Microsoft Announces the New Skype

Microsoft announced a major new version of its Skype app for consumers. The app is available worldwide today on Android and iOS, but it will ship on Windows and Mac soon

10 best facts apps for Android

There are those people who like to pop open an app every now and then and learn a few little fun facts. Here are the best facts apps for Android!

How to Make Cortana Your Default Assistant on Android

Android phones and tablets launch the Google Assistant when you long-press the Home button. But you can make this shortcut launch Cortana if you prefer Microsoft’s assistant instead.

Google Has Allegedly Killed Its Andromeda Project

A long-rumored Google project that would combine Android and Chrome OS into a single platform has allegedly been scrapped. What does this mean for the future?

At Last! DirecTV Now Shows Up on Roku

It took way longer than expected, but Roku finally notified its customers they could get DirecTV Now on most, but not all of their Roku devices. That distinction is important. Older versions of Roku devices cannot get it yet, but Roku assures its customers they are working to get it available for everyone.

I have a Roku 3 device in the living room, and an older Roku stick for my seldom used TV in the bedroom. The stick cannot get DirecTV at the present time. Our first article below will tell you which devices can get it. If you are about to buy a Roku device or want to signup for DirecTV Now, be sure and check that list first.

How about the quality? Well I have only had it two days. On Tuesday, I watched part of a baseball game along with samples of different channels. They all worked just fine…high quality pictures and no frozen screens. But last night was the big test. I watched 3.5 hour of Stanley Cup hockey and the picture was outstanding with absolutely no video or sound glitches. It was perfect! FYI: I was watching it on a 49” screen.

I mentioned here before that I bought an Amazon Fire Stick to watch DirecTV Now, back in January. The picture was excellent, but not perfect. I would get 2-3 frozen screens during a hockey game or baseball game. Sometimes I would get jitters in a pictures, easily fixed by pausing and immediately restarting. After last night’s viewing, I began to wonder if the problem lies in the lesser expensive sticks…not having enough horsepower to work perfectly. I don’t know if that is true or not, but you might keep it in mind before buying any device designed for TV programs over the Internet.

I hope my experiences are of some help. Have a great weekend! -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

An early release of DIRECTV NOW available on select Roku devices

AT&T’s video streaming service, DIRECTV NOW, which offers live sports, on demand, premium channels, popular shows, and hit movies – is now available on select devices...but not all.

 

Opinion: Microsoft is making the Mac look old and stale

Apple has been neglecting its desktops and laptops for mobile, while Microsoft has been busy reinventing the PC.

 

Five years of Apple blunders, mistakes and missed opportunities

Don't let Apple's massive cash pile and huge revenues lead you to think that the company hasn't made some huge blunders and mistakes.

 

North Korea reinvents the 'iPad'

While North Korea hasn't exactly been respectful of intellectual property and trademarks in the past, this blatant violation sets a new bar for the military dictatorship.

 

How Microsoft Path Guide has the Potential to Define the Future of Indoor Navigation

With today's mapping apps you can navigate to a museum in an unknown city but you may be seemingly lost once you enter the same. Microsoft Path Guide is the latest app from the Redmond giant that aims to address the issue of indoor navigation.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to Protect Your Privacy in Windows 10

The Creators Update offers a few enhancements to your privacy settings.

 

External drive died? Your data may still be easy to recover

The following is for external drives that are out of warranty and/or without a recovery contract. If you need the data, you might want to try these tricks.

 

How to save Windows Spotlight images to your PC in a few clicks

The Windows 10 app SpotBright lets you save Windows Spotlight images to your PC. Note: I’ve been using this app for months and it is excellent! Fantastic photos.

 

Google's improved search seeks to make us all art experts

The search giant has improved its engine so art-related searches are more informative than ever.

 

How to Disable the New Transparency Effects in Windows 10

If you don’t like this effect, you can flip a switch to disable transparency in all parts of Windows 10, from the taskbar and Start menu to apps like Calculator and People.

 

Mobile Computing

How to Sync Notifications Between Windows 10 and Your Phone

Appointments and notifications you set up in Windows 10 can also pop up on your smartphone

 

How to Customize Your iPhone Dock

Did you know that you can customize your dock? You can place your favorite apps in the dock for easy access anytime.

 

iPhone and iOS app organization made easy with this hack

If you have lots of pages of apps on your iPhone, it can be a pain to move them around. But we have an easy solution.

 

6 ways to make the most of Android's Clock app

Who needs an alarm clock when you've got your Android phone handy?

 

How to Find and Use Android Instant Apps

Instant Apps allow users to check out most of the features of an app without actually installing it by using deep links and running in a modular environmen

 

Use external storage to expand unexpandable Android phones

If your phone lacks a microSD slot, you can still add extra storage. Here's how.

Lightweight News Today, But Some Great Tips!

Tech News and Opinions

Intel unveils monster 18-core Core i9: 'First teraflop-speed' consumer PC chip

As well as the Core i9, Intel has lifted the lid on the whole new Core X-series of high-performance CPUs.

Amazon starts offering refunds for unauthorized in-app purchases

Parents of kids who made unauthorized purchases within app hosted by Amazon will start seeing refunds.

The Biggest Software Flops of All Time

Software is a funny thing. It weighs nothing, but takes dozens or even hundreds of people to make. And sometimes it just doesn't work out. A fun look back at failed software.

Microsoft: USB-C isn't ready for Surface customers

'It’s not that it’s not great. It’s not that people don’t use it, but it’s not ready for these products yet. It’s not ready for our customers.'

Yes, Blockchain could reverse the course of civilization and upend the world's most powerful companies

Businesses often win by centralizing resources and extracting value, and today's governments and financial systems empower them to do it. Blockchain changes the equation.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to Free Disk Space Automatically with Windows 10 Storage Sense

"As laptops get smaller, storage space gets more valuable. For most Windows users, the amount of storage wasted on temp files and the Recycle Bin would free up a fair bit of space on our hard drive if only we could we could remember to get rid of it.

How to use Microsoft's Sway presentation program to tell a better story

Do you have a story to tell? Microsoft Sway is a versatile presentation program. Let Sway bring your story to life through beautiful, visual storytelling.

Microsoft Word Editor - your writing assistant

Editor checks your document or email message for spelling and grammar errors, and makes suggestions for writing style. Suggestions are based on the context of your writing, using machine learning and natural language processing.

iPad Pro vs MacBook: Which to buy and why

Weighing getting a svelte MacBook against an iPad Pro? I just went through the decision tree myself. Here's what I learned - and bough

Uncovering Templates, the Hidden Gem of Evernote

Templates are real timesavers, but how do you use them, and where can you find them? Now, everything you’ve ever wanted to know about templates in Evernote is all in one place,

Mobile Computing

'Judy' Malware Potentially Hits Up to 36.5M Android Users

It's 'possibly the largest malware campaign found on Google Play,' according to Check Point

8 paid iPhone apps on sale for free right now

These are paid iPhone and iPad apps that have been made available for free for a limited time by their developers. There is no way to tell how long they will be free.

Best iOS keyboards for your iPhone: RANKED

I focused on keyboards that are explicitly designed for typing and tried to weed out options with poor user reviews

26 Google Maps Tricks You Need to Try

The mapping product that can do everything can actually do a whole lot more.

Updates to Google Photos ensure you’ll actually see those party photos you’re in

Forgot to share photos of your party with friends? Google Photos will help.

Pimp your smartphone with the latest Android O Pixel launcher

If your device is running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow or above, you can now get it to work with the latest Google O Pixel launcher.

FCC Hands Control of Internet to Cable Companies

Here is a shocker: Hundreds of thousands formal documents sent to the FCC that support Net Neutrality have been ignored. An excellent in-depth report by The Register shows that the new Internet rules adopted by the FCC were written by cable companies, almost word-for-word. This is no surprise as FCC Chairman Ajit Pai was once an associate general counsel for Verizon.

To quote the article:

“The revised document demonstrates that not only is the FCC policy process going to be a sham, but it is being done with the active steering of special interest groups. Big Cable sends suggestions for changes to the FCC, FCC chair Ajit Pai makes those changes or adds in questions and asks for public comments, and then the FCC only considers the responses that support the cable industry's desired answer to the question asked in the first place. It's so blatant it's extraordinary.”

After the manhandling of a reporter by FCC security people, this whole FCC operation now reminds me of the National Socialist Party of the 1920’s and 30’s in Germany and how they handled dissent from their plans. Ajit Pai needs to be removed from his position. He does not have the interest of the American people as his first priority. Big business is in charge. I hope this is not indicative of what we can expect from our government for the next 3.5 years…but I fear it is.

I have never said this before, but I beg you to read this first article to understand what is happening here. It is important. We do not want special interests to control the Internet. –JRC

Tech News and Opinions

FCC revised net neutrality rules reveal cable company control of process

Almost all the changes in the revised document have come directly from the cable companies that will benefit most from the approach that the FCC is proposing. In some cases, it is embarrassingly transparent.

Windows 10 Device Usage: Creators Update After One Month

After a little over a month of availability, the Windows 10 Creators Update has been deployed to about 18 percent of all Windows 10-based PCs worldwide. That seems a little small to me.

New Video: A Drone's Sunset Flight over Apple Park

A spectacular video showing the nearly completed Apple Headquarters at Sunset.

EU close to making Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter block hate speech videos

The European Council has approved proposals that would require companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to block videos containing hate speech and incitements to terrorism. The proposals will still need to be passed by the European Parliament before becoming law.

Report: DDoS attacks are less common, but they're bigger

This report talks about changes in the frequency, size, and type of DDoS attack that the company has observed over the first few months of this year.

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

How to take screenshots in Windows 10

Taking screenshots with Windows 10's built-in controls is easy, but the methods to do so aren't exactly obvious.

How to Unfriend Someone on Facebook

You can unfollow people, but if you know you’re not going to run into them in the future, it’s often easier just to go all out and unfriend them. Here’s how.

How to get past Windows Defender SmartScreen in Windows 10

The SmartScreen filter in Windows 10 can sometimes stop you from downloading the app you want. Here's how to get past it, and why sometimes you should think twice before doing so.

How to protect your laptop in cargo when you fly

In this guide, learn about current regulations and how to deal with theft, insurance problems and hardware damage.

How Long Will Microsoft Support My Version of Windows With Security Updates?

Microsoft doesn’t support every version of Windows forever, and there are different types of support. For example, Windows 7 is no longer receiving “mainstream support”, but is receiving “extended support”—what does that mean?

Mobile Computing

How to make your Android phone and iPad play nice

Apple has its ecosystem on lockdown, and only Apple products can talk to other Apple products. That being said, there are still a few ways you can at least keep your data in sync between Android and iPad.

Gmail for Android and iOS is getting Smart Reply

By taking advantage of machine learning, Smart Reply can help you power through outstanding emails in your inbox by suggesting suitable replies that are friendly and conversational.

Google Photos for Android now offers easy archiving

Help eliminate the embarrassment of bad angles by archiving what you don't care for others to see

Timbre is a totally free app for editing video and audio

For Android: Timbre lets you do more than just edit mp3s: you can split and join audio or video, remove sections, and combine files together, as well as remove the sound from your videos or create audio tracks from them.

Google Assistant for iPhone Review

Google Assistant now lives on the iPhone. Its purpose lies in its name: to help you with your day-to-day life. Here is a quick review.

Redesigned Version of Microsoft OneNote Now Available on iOS

Microsoft took the unusual step of pushing out a redesigned version of OneNote for Mac and iOS ahead of its release on Windows and Android.

Google Assistant Launched for Apple Devices

I watched a video podcast this morning (iOS Today on  the TWIT Network) that praised the release of the Google Assistant on iOS devices. It is a fairly new app that has already been highly praised, but only ran on newer Android phones. I think it took everyone by surprise when it show up on iOS a few days ago.

The show’s hosts ran comparisons between it and Siri issuing the same voice commands. Google Assistant blew Siri away. It can do far more than Siri can do at the present time. Of course, we’ve know that Siri is the weakest of voice command apps. It is way behind Google Assistant, Amazon Echo, and Microsoft’s Cortana.  

I downloaded the Google Assistant this morning for my iPhone…and it also showed up on my iPad. Because my day was so hectic, I have not had a chance to even look at, but will do so very soon. Looking forward to giving it a spin. You can read about it in our Mobile Computing section below.

But be sure and read our first story about how Google is blowing the doors off of Apple (as is Microsoft). Apple is in danger of falling way behind in so many ways. Few of the most used apps in the Apple ecosystem are made by Apple. The only Apple apps I use on my Mac are Notes and iTunes. The majority are made by Google, Microsoft, and Adobe.

While Apple is the most valuable company in the entire world, it dare not sit on its laurels for too long. I look forward to see what they have to offer at WDDC in June. -JRC

 

Tech News and Opinions

Apple should fear Google. Here's why

Commentary: Google is crushing Siri and dominating the smart home, but Apple has a chance to strike back in June.

 

FCC Officially Votes to Gut Net Neutrality Rules

As expected, the FCC voted to move ahead with a plan that would dismantle net neutrality rules put in place by the previous administration.

 

Senators ask FCC why reporter was “manhandled” after net neutrality vote

Senators to FCC: Don’t roughhouse journalists who are trying to ask questions.

 

Microsoft's new Surface Pro has 13.5 hours of battery life and LTE option

Microsoft is launching a new Surface Pro today, and it’s dropping its numbering scheme as a result. While many were expecting a Surface Pro 5, Microsoft’s new tablet / laptop hybrid is simply the Surface Pro from now on.

 

Apple reveals it received a secret national security letter

Authorities demanded data from twice as many Macs, iPhones, iPads in the second-half of last year than the first-half, despite fewer overall requests.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

The 2017 ultimate guide to Gmail backup

Want to make sure you have a local or backup copy of all that mission-critical business and personal history in your Gmail archives? Here are your options.

 

11 Hidden Tricks Inside Windows 10

With such a complex, nuanced, and vast piece of software, it makes sense that there are little tricks and UI flourishes that most people don't even know about.

 

How to set up a new Windows 10 PC perfectly in one hour or less

Doing a clean install of Windows used to be a tedious process that could take the better part of a day. With Windows 10 and cloud-based software and services, you can get the entire job done in an hour or less.

 

How to Optimize Google Chrome for Maximum Privacy

If you’re concerned about the data Chrome sends to Google, we’ll explain what all the various settings do so you can make your own decisions.

 

How Long Will Microsoft Support My Version of Windows With Security Updates?

Microsoft doesn’t support every version of Windows forever, and there are different types of support. For example, Windows 7 is no longer receiving “mainstream support”, but is receiving “extended support”—what does that mean?

 

Mobile Computing

Google Assistant for iPhone Review

Google Assistant now lives on the iPhone. Its purpose lies in its name: to help you with your day-to-day life. Here is a quick review.

 

Redesigned Version of Microsoft OneNote Now Available on iOS

Microsoft took the unusual step of pushing out a redesigned version of OneNote for Mac and iOS ahead of its release on Windows and Android.

 

Tips and Tricks: Backing Up Your iOS Device

Apple has made things a lot easier since the introduction of iCloud in iOS 5. Since that time, we have had the capability to backup our devices to the cloud automatically.

 

Android Device Manager is now known as Find My Device

In Version 2.0, there are a few changes to make navigating the app a bit easier.

 

12 new and notable Android apps and live wallpapers from the last week

Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications and live wallpapers that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous week or so.

 

Google Voice updated to 5.2, adds new widgets and call screening

Google started rolling out another update to Google Voice, bringing things up to 5.2 The new version of the app brings widgets in three new size.

Notes, Updates and Corrections

There is still more news on the WannaCry ransomware we talked about in the last edition. Be sure and read our first three stories to learn the latest. A correction from the last edition…Microsoft issued a fix for this vulnerability a couple of months ago in Windows 10. It was the older versions that were still vulnerable. They have now been patched.

Yesterday, Google held its annual I/O conference for developers and announced several new products and upgrades for both Google and Android. There were lots of them, so our 4th story gives you an in-depth roundup of what was announced. There are some interesting new features and products coming our way, so be sure and take a look.

Regarding DirecTV Now, we are still waiting for an app so it can run on Roku boxes and sticks. They promised they would release one in the first quarter of this year, but it did not happen. DirecTV now says it will be out sometime in 2017. Rumor has it that since Roku is so popular, DirecTV is worried that too many new users will flood the system and bring it down. There are still some nagging little problems with DirecTV Now…so if the rumor is true, they should hold off on a Roku app until everything works a little better. I am glad I bought an Amazon Fire Stick so I could use the system.

And speaking of rumors…many tech journals are reporting that the upcoming Apple iPhone 8 will cost $1,000 or more. Wow! It would not surprise me if that is true since Apple has been raising their prices lately (with the exception of the new iPad which is at a great price). Anyway, $1,000 for an iPhone might be a deal breaker for many people. 

I still have not received the Windows Creator Update on three out of four of my computers running Windows 10. But the 4th one, my HP Spectre laptop is running just fine. I recently bought a 24” monitor and plugged the Spectre into it. Using a Bluetooth Mouse and Keyboard, it is now my main Windows desktop computer. With an i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and an SST drive, it would be silly not to use it. Make sure your next computer has an SSD drive…you will be amazed at its speed and reliability.

In the last edition, I included story about how to clean up your computer after the Creator’s Update installation. Make sure you bookmark that story for when you finally get the update. You will be shocked how much hard drive space you will recover.

While Arizona is one of just four states without blanket bans on texting while driving (except for school bus drivers), my home city of Tucson just passed a new law forbidding holding a cell phone while driving. So remember that if you ever come this way.

That’s it for me this week. I hope you have a great weekend. -JRC   

 

Tech News and Opinions

Hackers behind stolen NSA tool for WannaCry: More leaks coming

The Shadow Brokers group unleashed an exploit that fueled a global ransomware attack. Now they say they've got more where that came from.

 

Tim Cook’s refusal to help FBI hack iPhone is validated by ‘WannaCry’ ransomware attack

The FBI last year wanted Apple engineers to create a brand new version of iOS that would allow them to skirt around iOS security measures. Thank God he said "NO!"

 

Opinion: Upgrade already! If you're still using Windows XP, you're a menace to society

And, if you're an IT pro with decision-making capacity in an organization that continues to use XP, you should be fired.

 

Google I/O 2017: highlights from the developer conference

Here is all the highlights from the Google I/O Conference and all the latest innovations for both Google and Android.

 

Yahoo Mail For Windows 10 Is Shutting Down Next Week

Yahoo released a native Mail app for Windows 10 a while back, and naturally many people have been relying on this app to get their daily email fix. Well, we have some bad news.

 

Intel turns up the dial to Core i9 with new processors

Rumored high-end offerings look very juicy indeed

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

Windows 10 tip: Stop using the horribly insecure SMBv1 protocol

For years, Microsoft has been recommending that you disable the vulnerable SMBv1 protocol. The recent WannaCry ransomware outbreak underscores the need to take this important step. Here's how.PS: Its easy!

 

The 10 best Edge extensions so far

The catalog for the Microsoft Edge browser extensions isn't huge, but it's still got some helpful tools to enhance your web browsing.

 

10 Ways to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal

Check out these quick tips to get the strongest signal from your wireless router, extend and optimize your Wi-Fi coverage, and speed up your surfing.

 

How to use Night Light in the Windows 10 Creators Update

The Creators Update brings a built-in way to adjust your screen's color temperature and make it easier to sleep after a late-night computer

 

How to Use Microsoft Paint 3D

Paint 3D is a new application included with Windows 10’s Creators Update. You can use it to work with 3D models and put together 3D scenes. Your work can be shared online or even printed on a 3D printer.

 

How to Create a System Image Backup in Windows 7, 8, or 10

Let’s take a look at how to create a full backup image of your PC without the need for a third party utility.

 

Mobile Computing

20+ iPhone tips you’ll use frequently

Today I thought you might enjoy this collection of 20 lesser-known iPhone tips, which I do hope are of use to you.

 

Cheap 2017 iPad vs. 9.7-inch iPad Pro: How to decide

There is the iPad, and there is the iPad Pro. One is almost twice the price of the other. They are virtually identical, except for a few minor features. So which should you buy? And why?

 

Apple now has a how-to guide for iPhone camera users

Apple has a new new site dedicated to camera tips and how-to videos, which just went live.

 

Latest Google Maps update shows you exactly where to turn using Street View images

An update rolling out today to Google Maps is making it even easier to arrive smoothly at your destination by allowing users to see exactly where to turn and what lane to be in using Street View images.

 

Amazon refreshes its Fire lineup with four new tablets

Though the update is largely a refresh of existing devices (the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is new), it stands as a mark of Amazon's commitment to offering affordable, value-packed tablets that are geared towards dedicated customers.

 

Fresh Meat: 10 new Android apps worth checking out

Every day there are thousands of additions to the Google Play store, but many go unnoticed and never receive the attention they deserve. Here are some new ones that do.

Global Ransomware Attack Puts Lives in Danger

A ransomware attack is currently infecting computers all over the world on a massive scale. This malware infects computers and encrypts all the data, making the computers unusable. The hackers then demand that $300 be paid in Bitcoin to unencrypt the system. It must be paid within 3 days or the data is lost  forever. The map above shows the spread of the infection around the world. 

The reason the ransom is so low is to ensure the money gets paid. How many of you would pay that amount rather than lose your data and have to start all over again?

The good news is that Microsoft has issued patches for all Windows computers that protects against it. They even issued one for Windows XP which is no longer an active product for Microsoft and has not been patched for some time.

Sources say that the attack virus comes from a government agency, probably the NSA, if you can believe that. They stockpile computer flaws without telling anyone. Apparently someone stole this one and sent it out.

We first heard about it when several hospitals in the UK were shutdown. Soon, it spread to banks, phone companies, airlines, and other businesses. They were hit because they were running old versions of Windows and their IT departments did not keep up with security patches.

So be sure and read our 5th story about how you can protect yourself against these ransomware attacks. I also recommend you make a complete system backup on a portable drive, then disconnect it from the computer. This will allow you to restore your computer without paying any ransom. Just a thought. -JRC

Tech News and Opinions

Worldwide ransomware hack hits hospitals, phone companies

The ransomware attack has hit 16 NHS hospitals in the UK and up to 70,000 devices across 150 countries using a leaked exploit first discovered by the NSA.

 

Ransomware attack: The second wave is coming, so get ready now

A new stage of the WannaCrypt ransomware attack could arrive with the start of the working week. Are you prepared?

 

Microsoft slams spy agencies for 'stockpiling' vulnerabilities

Microsoft is criticizing government agencies for hoarding software flaws and keeping them secret, calling a massive, new ransomware attack a "wake-up call" to this problem.

 

WannaCrypt ransomware: Microsoft issues emergency patch for XP

Microsoft takes unusual step of providing direct support to unsupported systems as targets in 74 countries - including vast swathes of UK hospitals - have been impacted by ransomware attack across the globe

 

Simple things you can do to protect against ransomware attacks

In the wake of a worldwide cyber attack that has debilitated more than 200,000 organizations in over 150 countries, experts shared tips with ABC News on simple things you can do to help protect yourself against a ransomware attack.

 

Desktop and Laptop Tips and Tricks

What Happened to Solitaire and Minesweeper in Windows 8 and 10?

The classic desktop versions of Solitaire and Minesweeper are gone in Windows 8 and 10. But you can still play Solitaire and Minesweeper without ads, and without paying a cent.

 

How to securely erase any hard drive, SSD, flash drive, iPhone, iPad or Android device

Here's everything you need to know about securely wiping hard drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), flash drives, and even iOS and Android devices.

 

The Windows Store is looking a lot like the future of Windows

It’s been a busy few weeks for Microsoft: But one thing that stood out among the various announcements was a renewed focus on the Windows Store, which is increasingly looking like a central piece of the future of Microsoft’s operating system.

 

Don’t forget to free up gigabytes of space after the Windows 10 update

Once you’ve downloaded and installed the update, you might notice your hard drive has filled up a few extra gigabytes. It doesn’t have to be this way.

 

Transfer VHS tapes to your computer

The best ways to digitally transfer and store all your old analog VHS home videos.

 

Mobile Computing

Apple fixes dozens of security bugs for iPhones, Macs

The Cupertino, Calif.-based company rolled out 23 security fixes in iOS 10.3.2 and another 30 fixes in macOS 10.12.5, both of which were released on Monday.

 

9 Superb Free Apps that you Simply Must Install on your Android Device

With the release of versions 4.x, including ICS, Jelly Bean and KitKat, the Android system has since been improved with fresh functionality and more useful features added by default.

 

2 tricks to make iOS Control Center less annoying

If you get annoyed by Control Center popping up on your iPhone, here are two easy things you can do.

 

The 10 Best Outdoor Apps

Turn your phone into a star chart, a 360-degree camera, a botany expert, and more with these handy programs

 

Microsoft makes Windows play nice with Android and iPhone

Microsoft, of all companies, is the knocking down the walls between Apple, Google and itself.