Windows 8.1 is Blue
“As many expected and hoped, Microsoft is going to make the coming Windows Blue update to Windows 8 free for existing Windows 8 and Windows RT users. Microsoft’s Windows Chief Financial Officer Tami Reller, during an appearance at the May 14 JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, shared the pricing news. Reller also acknowledged [...]
> MoreGoogle I/O Conference Highlights
This past week digital behemoth Google held the public spotlight as they laid out their vision of the future. Full CNet Story
> MoreABC Network Provides Live Stream App…with a hitch!
ABC has quietly revolutionized its app for iPhones and iPads with a button called “live.” Users around New York and Philadelphia will be able to live-stream all the programming from ABC’s local stations there, the first time that any major broadcaster has turned on such a technology. Full Story
> MoreShane’s Top 5 “MUST HAVE” Summer Tech Toys
1.) DryCASE – The Waterproof Case for the Windows Phone, iPhone and Android. DryCASE is a flexible, crystal clear waterproof bag that allows complete use of your Phone , while keeping it dry and clean.http://www.drycase.com $39.00 2.) PivotHead – Pivothead Video Recording Eyewear, is the first step in redefining True Point of View video [...]
> MoreInternational Space Station Closes Windows
The operating system is used extensively on the International Space Station has been Windows XP. On the other hand the majority of the ground-based support systems for the ISS back on Earth are Linux-based. Soon, the dozens of laptops in use on the ISS will all be running Debian 6. According to Keith Chuvala, a [...]
> MoreGlobal Mom Relay Comes to an End
The Global Mom Relay strives to make an impact in two ways: by telling stories of motherhood, and by harnessing the power of social media to make a tangible difference in women’s lives. In the course of the Relay, we’ve heard a range of voices of mothers from around the world. The stories themselves are just [...]
> MoreNew Facebook Phone Goes for $.99!
The world’s first Facebook phone has been out for less than a month and AT&T has already slashed its price from $99 to $1. The Uber social network launched the phone to fanfare—and later, mixed reviews—in mid-April. The Android-powered HTC First featured complete integration with Facebook Home, a new app designed to make sharing even [...]
> MoreElectronic Travel: Foster Braun
Foster on Vacation in British Columbia Two biggest issues: Power and Wireless Access Power: You can have the very best gadgets in the world but if they don’t have enough power; they are just added weight to lug through TSA, Customs and Airports. I carried my MacBook Pro laptop and got pretty good battery out [...]
> MoreElectronic Travel: Shane Hamelin
Since Foster and Shane came back from their respective vacations, we wondered what the best and worst aspects of the experience were for them. Shane Hamelin (Cancun, Mexico) Just coming back from Mexico, this was NOT easy. I set up a skype US phone number, added a Skype app package and called T-Mobile to change service [...]
> MoreA Boy and His Atom
A group of IBM Research scientists recently set out to make what turned out be the Guinness World Record-certified smallest stop-motion film ever. Called “A Boy and His Atom,” the animated film features a small boy having a good old time as he bounces around, playing catch, and dancing. The twist? The film was shot at the atomic [...]
> More3 D Nightmare? Printable Handgun
3 D printing can be described as both a dream and a nightmare come true. “Defense Distributed, a Texas-based group working toward nonprofit status, has given Forbes images of what is being called the world’s first 3D-printed handgun. The gun is capable of firing standard handgun rounds and is made entirely of plastic, except for a nail that’s [...]
> MoreBoston’s Surreal Digital Manhunt
Crowd sourced video helped the FBI identify the two bombers responsible for the Boston Marathon Masacre. It was a feat that would have been unthinkable as little as 5 years ago. Smartphones are everywhere in the first world; who needs CCTV?
> MoreAereo is Coming to Detroit … What is It and Why Should You Care.
Aereo is based on a very simple idea. Many people want to cut the cable cord, but find it hard to watch the major broadcast networks even with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna. Aereo takes several existing technologies and creates a packaged solution for these people. First, Aereo sets up clusters of miniature antennas in an [...]
> MoreWorst PC Slump on Record Blamed on Windows 8
Windows 8 haters are dancing a merry tune because of a recent IDC report that lays the cause of the biggest PC sales slump (record 14% down over previous quarter) at the feet of the new Microsoft OS. These reports gloss over the fact that this has also been the biggest selling quarter for tablets [...]
> MoreEmail Opens on Mobile Devices Close to Tipping Point
Commercial emails opened on mobile devices are on pace to surpass PC opens by the end of 2013, according to recent research from data and digital messaging solutions provider Knotice. Full Story
> MoreMalwareBytes RootKit Scanner
MalwareBytes, our favorite free malware scanner, now provides a free Root-kit scanner. Root-kits are small malicious programs that hide in unused boot sectors of your hard drive or in files or folders not visible to the Windows files system and therefore not scanable by standard anti-virus programs. If your computer continues, and I’m talking every [...]
> MoreGoogle Turns the Heat Up on Office
Google launched its Microsoft Office substitute, Quickoffice, for Apple’s iPhone, Android smartphones and Android tablets, fulfilling a promise made in December. The release follows the launch of Quickoffice for Apple’s iPad late last year, when a Google executive said that iPhone and Android versions “are on the way.” The move was also preceded by a [...]
> MoreVerizon Launches $10 Million Powerful Answers Awards Program
DETROIT – Verizon on April 3 launched its Powerful Answers Award, a $10 million challenge to find innovative ideas in three core focus areas – healthcare, education and sustainability. Entries must use Verizon networks and technology (wireless, cloud, broadband, etc.) to help deliver solutions that address societal challenges, deliver social benefit and grow markets. Full [...]
> MoreFirst Look at Facebook Home
Thursday, April 4, Mark Zuckerberg rocked the world of smartphones. The boyish Prince Charming of social media announced the launch of Facebook Home and impressive overlay on Android smartphones premiering on HTC’s new First model. Full Story in Techhive.
> MoreApple Two Step ID
Apple introduces a two step security system for its users.
> MoreWindows 8 Finally Rolls Out Update on Basic Apps
Windows 8 Mail, People, Calendar apps get minor (but welcome) updates The half-baked communication apps in Windows 8 and RT have been an object of derision since the OS was released nearly six months ago. A new update promises improvements in performance, reliability, and usability. But temper your expectations. Full Story
> MoreT-Mobile Drops Contracts
T-Mobile, the fourth largest U.S. cellular carrier, has announced sweeping changes to its phone plans. “Customers love smartphones, everyone hates contracts,” John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile USA, said on stage Tuesday at the company’s Uncarrier event. And with that the company killed the idea of two-year contracts. Full Story at ABC.com
> MoreTime for the iWatch?
Looks like it’s time for the iWatch. Once thought to be a crazy idea growing in the Apple orchard, the iWatch (or whatever its final moniker) is being talked about as a serious competitive device by all the big players: Samsung, Sony and, yes, Apple.
> MoreMicrosoft Tries to Woo Developers with Cash
Microsoft offers developers cash to write Windows 8 apps Microsoft is now offering developers $100 for each Windows 8 and/or Windows Phone 8 app they write, up to a total of 10 apps per Store. This limited-time promotion — which started March 8 and runs until June 30, 2013 — is known as the ”Keep the [...]
> MoreApple Commentator Switches to Android!
Cries of Heresy Andy Inhatko is know for being one of the most balanced commentators on technology in a field that is filled with fanboys of every brand. So when Andy wrote his now famous article: Why I Switched from iPhone to Android all hell broke loose in the Garden of Apple.
> MoreBezos Retrieves Apollo 11 Engines from Atlantic Depths
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos likes to gamble big and this time it paid off in an incredible find at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. A recovery team funded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has plucked two rocket engines from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean that were used to send astronauts to the moon more than [...]
> MoreSamsung Galaxy 4 Launch
Samsung’s Big Play A gala launch and lots of unique applications surround Samsung’s latest smartphone launch. But could there be a problem lurking? Despite all the hoopla, there isn’t much new in the way of hardware that hasn’t been done before and in some ways better. So what will the deciding factor be in your [...]
> MoreGoogle Looks to Build a Common OS
Google to Combine Android and Chrome OS Does anyone else see the irony in this? Google is reportedly considering creating a single Operating System combing its popular Android smartphone platform with its baby Chrome OS. I will be you dollars to donut holes that the media mavens who hate Windows 8 will LOVE this but [...]
> MoreFacebook Shows Off New Look
Facebook’s new look is similar on PCs, smartphones, and tablets. The company says it wants everything to be consistent, so users don’t feel lost, or wind up with missing features when jumping from platform to platform. At a press event at headquarters, Mark Zuckerberg repeatedly used the phrase “personalized newspaper” to describe the direction of [...]
> MoreReplacing Productivity Apps in iOS
Four productivity-boosting replacements for stock iOS apps Rick Broida If you’re an iPhone user, you’re no doubt familiar with stock apps like Calendar, Mail, Notes, and Reminders. These are key tools in any mobile worker’s arsenal, and yet all four have room for improvement. Some would say a lot of room.
> MoreWorking at Home Work at Risk
First Yahoo, now Best Buy ends home working for staff Best Buy has announced an end to its initiative allowing workers to telecommute — just like Yahoo.
> MoreBig Patch Tuesday Coming for Microsoft
Patch Tuesday: Microsoft to fix four critical flaws, all versions of IE at risk again Prepare your systems (and a strong pot of coffee): Patch Tuesday is on deck for another month. Microsoft will release patches for seven security vulnerabilities, four of them considered ‘critical.’ By Zack Whittaker for Zero Day
> MoreEvernote Hacked!
Evernote Resets Everyone’s Password One of the Internet’s most respected note taking apps was breached by hackers on Friday, March 1. In order to avoid any possible loss of content, the site boldly reset everyone’s password. Internet Advisor co-host Foster Braun thought that his Evernote had been hacked and immediately changed his password when he discovered [...]
> MoreCell Phones “Emasculating” …Really, Sergei? Really?
Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin Claims: Smartphones are ‘emasculating’ CNet News Lost in Translation Mobile phones may generate the fastest-growing segment of Google’s revenue, but the experience of using them still bothers Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Speaking at the TED Conference in Long Beach, Calif., Brin told the audience that smartphones are “emasculating.” “You’re standing around and just [...]
> MoreNew Adobe Flash Vulnerabilities
Adobe issues emergency patch for zero-day Flash vulnerabilities Cnet News Adobe Systems released an emergency security update Friday March 1 that addresses a trio of vulnerabilities in Flash, two of which the company said were already being exploited by hackers. Today’s surprise update — the company’s third for the browser plug-in this month — patches [...]
> MoreBig Brother ISP’s Are Watching You
“Copyright Alert System” launches to catch illegal downloaders CNet News The “Copyright Alert System,” aka “six strikes,” kicked off today with the cooperation of five major Internet service providers. The goal of the new campaign is to curb copyright infringement by going after consumers rather than pirates.
> MoreApple vs. Samsung Judge Overturns Award
Apple v. Samsung: Judge orders new trial on some damages, cuts award by $450M CNet News Article The judge in last year’s landmark Apple-Samsung patent case today cut damages on some Samsung products found to infringe Apple’s patents. Judge Lucy Koh, of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California slashed $450.5 million off [...]
> MoreForums Closed While Under Reconstruction
Forums Under Repair Please use Contact Us form on homepage for questions We are working on a new and improved Forum page for the Internet Advisor. In order to avoid spam and make sure your questions are answered, we are shutting down access to the Forum on our homepage. Please use Contact Us on the [...]
> MoreRick Broida Battles Win 8…again! ;-))
Geek Vs. Geek: Is Windows 8 Dead? Our Gadget Guy Rick Broida never misses a chance to criticize Microsoft’s Windows 8 OS. This time he tackled the subject of whether anyone should move to Windows 8 with eHow writer Dave Johnson. If you are considering moving to Windows 8, this might be the poison pill for [...]
> MoreHow to Disable Java on Apple
Attacks this week on Facebook and Apple employees using a Java exploit have led to calls to eliminate the software completely. It should be noted that in the latest versions of Apple’s OSX, Java is disabled by default. Even if it is enabled but lies unused for 35 days, it reverts to being disabled. Nonetheless, [...]
> MoreGoogle Pixel Laptop Takes Aim at Microsoft
Will high priced browser-based laptop harm Microsoft? Normally Google’s Chromebooks are at the very bottom of the laptop entry fee…until now. Pixel is the newest addition to the Chromebook like weighing in around the same price point as the basic MacBook Air and Microsoft Surface Pro. Is this a serious contender or another serious mistake [...]
> MoreRoyal Oak Schools – iPads In Classroom
Mobile devices usually are discouraged — even taken — from students in classrooms, but not Oakland Elementary School. The PTA, teachers and district officials pooled their money to buy 38 iPads for $15,000, making Oakland the first public school in Royal Oak to put electronic tablets into every classroom. Other elementary schools will follow. Full [...]
> MoreApple: Not so Bullet-proof
Java Vulnerability Exploited Apple has admitted that they were targeted recently in a carefully orchestrated attack. The Cupertino company also just released a patch and fix for the vulnerability. In an email, Apple provided Macworld with a statement on the breach, saying: Apple has identified malware which infected a limited number of Mac systems through a vulnerability [...]
> MoreMITechNews.Com Weekly Features Debuts
This week’s program launches a new feature MiTech News with Mike Brennan. Catch MiTechNews.Com at 4:50 PM each Saturday during the Internet Advisor. Mike Brennan is founder of Michigan News Network, and serves as Editor & Publisher of Mitechnews.Com. Brennan has worked since 1980 as a technology writer at newspapers in New York City, San [...]
> MoreMeteor Shatters Russian Cold, 1000 Injured
CNN Video and Report on Russian Meteor Strike As the earth awaits the near miss of a massive asteroid, nature gave a small sample of what might happen if it did hit. Friday morning Feb. 15, 2013 a meteor streaked across the skies of north central Russia casting a blinding light, shattering windows with its [...]
> MorePebble Watch Beats Apple to Smart Watch
A feisty group of young entrepreneurs (are there any other kind in this digital age?!) has launched Pebble an attractive smartwatch that connects to iPhones and Android devices. Check out The Pebble Watch for full details.
> MorePresident Signs Cybersecurity Order
Presidential Cybersecurity Order President Obama has signed an executive order that eases the way for the government to share information with private corporations about cyberthreats and attacks. The objective is to make the process of discovering and combatting cyber attacks easier at a time when the Internet is where World War III is already happening [...]
> MorePoisoned Pundits
The Wild West… nature of the Internet has made fools journalists and journalist look like fools. Never has this been more apparent that the recent rise of the Poisoned Pundits. They are tech writers with an ax to grind, typically fanboys or girls of one brand or another. Most often their stories seem written for [...]
> MoreApple Invents Dick Tracy’s Watch
After new details emerged about an Apple smart watch on Sunday, Mashable was wondering what such a timepiece might look like. Read full Article.
> MoreMap of 220 MPH Trains
High Speed Future? Whether a high-speed rail system ever gets built in the United States is still up in the air, but if it is, artist and activist Alfred Twu has figured out exactly where those speedy rail lines should go. Map
> MoreWhy Do Windows Computers Slow Down?
Computer help forum: Why do all Window systems slow down over time? by: Lee Koo (ADMIN) January 31, 2013 3:48 PM PST Computer gets slower with Time by waytron - 2/8/13 4:01 AM In Reply to: Why do all Window systems slow down over time? by Lee Koo (ADMIN) A computer slowing down over time is pretty much a fact of life [...]
> MoreDid you know Internet 2013
Pingdom profiles the Internet in 2012 with lots of statistics Have you been wondering how to describe the Internet in 2012 in numbers? We have and we think we have at least some of the answers. How many emails were sent during 2012? How many domains are there? What’s the most popular web browser? How [...]
> MoreTake a Simple Test to Beat the UPnP Vulnerability
A couple of weeks ago it was discovered that it’s possible for viruses to quickly spread among unsecured or WEP-encrypted Wi-Fi routers in densely populated urban areas. The FBI has Strongly Recommended that all users Immediately Disable Windows’ Universal Plug n’ Play Support. Steve Gibson is a noted security expert and has been featured on Internet [...]
> MoreThe New BlackBerry Launches
Canadian company that once dominated business communications rolled the dice on a new OS and phone. BlackBerry formerly known as RIM (Research in Motion) launched a series of new phones including the iPhone 5 clone Z-10 running an all new OS 10. Here is a link to all the other stories and reviews of this critical [...]
> More“Malwarebiter” Cyber Threat: DO NOT INSTALL
‘Malwarebiter’ (an obvious attempt to copycat Malwarebytes, the excellent anti-malware software) is being advertised as the ‘Worlds Greatest Anti-Malware Software.’ It is really a fake Anti-Malware software product that identifies legitimate files as malware and fails to detect any real malware. In addition, the “Malwarebiter” web site is actually spreading malware, a drive-by exploit in [...]
> MoreHurry Windows 8 Upgrade Pricing About to End!
Even if you don’t plan on upgrading to Windows 8 right now, buy the upgrade for just $39.99…Now!! After January 31 the price will skyrocket to an incredible (and unacceptable IMHO) $199.99…for a wretched upgrade. Microsoft is trying to drive sales of new PC’s with Win 8 already installed by choking off the upgrade market. [...]
> MoreHow to Remove Sweetim malware
Sweetim is a nasty piece of download malware that is showing up all over my family’s PC’s. Hijacks your search by burying itself as an extension in IE and Google (don’t know about Safari and Firefox yet.) Found a super site on the Net with a full solution that may fix a bunch of other viruses/malware [...]
> MoreFacebook Graph Search Explained
Emily Hay, the Internet Social Media Advisor, has a simple but very understandable explanation of the new Facebook search engine called Graph Search. The engine may be more important to local businesses than it is to common users right now. See the full article
> MoreMicrosoft Announces Office 2013 Price Structure
Here comes Office 2013 and Office 365 prices. In the past Redmond has only offered pricey Office application suites that contained more programs than most users ever got to know (when was the last time you used Access?) The good news is that Microsoft is offering a whole new way of working with Office: subscription. [...]
> MoreThe Big Show is in Detroit: NAIAS 2013
After years of bad news this year’s North American International Auto Show is a celebration of the rebirth of Detroit’s rusty heart. Now you can enjoy all the details and find your way around the enormous show with the official NAIAS 2013 app available for both iOS and Android smartphones and devices.
> MoreGary Baker Predictions for 2013
Gary Baker Technology Predictions for 2013 Well, the easiest predictions are to predict the trends that we saw in 2012 will continue in 2013 and for the most part that will be true. It is easy to predict that we will continue to see: · Mobility gain more mindshare · The cloud being used more [...]
> MoreThe Best of CES
The votes are in ladies and gents and we have the winners. Drum roll please!! CES winners. Next we will be calculating the odds of ever seeing these devices in the wild for for retail sale!
> MoreLook Out World…Surface Pro is About To Land!
One of the first reviews on the soon-to-be-released Microsoft Surface Pro (Jan. 26 or 29) is a rave review from Gizmodo. Get ready for the hater storm of tech writers whining about battery life etc. This is a 10″ tablet/laptop/desktop that is redefining mobile computing in ways that we never be undone.
> MoreBest List of Windows 8 Tips
Windows 8 Tips Compendium Got a new computer for Christmas with Windows 8 and don’t know where to go for help? Go no further; Paul Thurott is the king of Windows 8 and has compiled an excellent list of tips for beginners and mid-range users to this new Microsoft operating system.
> MoreHoney, I Shrank the Computer
Lenovo continues to serve up some delicious new technology with its full Windows 8 convertible tablet, the IdeaPad Yoga 115.
> MoreLenovo Idea Centre Horizon – table top computing
Imagination meets reality at CES 2013. Lenovo serves up some jaw-dropping technology with its new Idea Centre Horizon that you might want to install in your Jettson home with this wild convertible all-in-one that works as a gaming platform just for starters. Minority Report here we come.
> MoreFoster’s Predictions for 2013
Microsoft Crucial year: Leadership must change. Balmer needs to lead or be replaced and with him the whole “silo” mentality. Surface Pro will mark the end of the PC era and the battle of the hybrids will intensify. Windows Phone 8 will struggle along in 3rd place, but will not disappear, too tightly integrate with [...]
> MoreShane Hamelin’s Predictions for 2013
1.) Google going to integrate AdSense and advertising for local businesses into Google Maps turn by turn navigation. 2.) Apple will DUMP plans to make its own TV, TV Manufactures will be offered the chance to license the Apple iOS interactive TV software. 3.) End of Email or at least the beginning of the end. [...]
> MoreCal Carson’s Predictions for 2013
Tech Predictions for 2013 1) Despite the growing proliferation of set top TV content alternatives ( Roku, Apple TV, …) On Air, Cable, and satellite will still be the predominate sources for content. 2) A manufacturer will break the 100 inch LED flat screen barrier by the end of 2013. Paving the way for [...]
> MoreEd Rudel Predictions 2013
1.Mobile devices will continue their march towards dominance. Mobile web access will overtake the PC. Mobile Security will need to be ramped up and the continued expansion of Internet served / time based usage applications, Like Office 360, and private corporate app stores become mainstream. 2.Flexible or curved touch screens flood the market. These could [...]
> MoreCES Preview: Not the Greatest Show on Earth…just one of the biggest!
The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) has come to a pivotal point in its existence: Microsoft will not longer give the keynote speech or even be present (holding their own events throughout the year like Apple) and Many of the mobile developers are holding out their devices (new smartphones/tablets/phablets etc.) for the Mobile World Congress in [...]
> MorePC Sales Slump in Late 2012
Is this further proof that we are living in a post-PC world? Not necessarily according to ZDNet blogger Ed Bott. The issue may have more to do with ailing international markets and the fact that PC’s aren’t as “sexy” as tablets and smartphones and are a lot harder to wrap at Christmas!
> MoreApple Picks Winners for 2012
The House that Steve built is arguably the most profitable technology company in existence today so it is only fitting that they share the top Apple devices/news from 2012. There were lots of both!
> MoreGalaxy 3S Beats iPhone 5 Best of 2012
Best Device of 2012. Apple may have won in court against Samsung but the iPhone 5 takes a second seat to the Galaxy 3S according to CNet.
> MoreInstagram Now Has The Right to Sell Your Photos
Who knew that the Evil Empire would reappear wearing the mask of friendly Instagram? Guess the Midas touch of Facebook on the once darling of the photo apps has left a smudge and a bad odor in just about everyone’s nose. Full Story
> MoreTech Prep for the Holidays
Tech Prep for the Holidays There are a number of things you may need to do to be ready for you new tech gifts for the holidays. New devices may put demands upon your existing infrastructure that it cannot support. You can be ready ahead of time that will make that holiday morning more enjoyable. [...]
> MoreConsumer Alert: Telephone Scam Claims to Know “You’ve Got Virus!”
Listeners and friends are reporting the return of a disturbing phone call scam. You don’t have to be online to be tricked by this one but once you make the changes they recommend, YOU ARE INFECTED! The only remedy is your unwillingness to give anybody any personal information regardless of who they claim to be.
> MoreApps Give Preschoolers a First Look at TV Shows
Apps for Preschoolers – NY Times According to new research commissioned by Sesame Workshop, producer of PBS’s “Sesame Street,” mobile device ownership is booming as TV set ownership declines. Eighty-eight percent of the parents surveyed said they owned a television, down from 95 percent in 2010. Twenty-one percent said their children first interacted with “Sesame [...]
> MoreMicrosoft Surface RT Lands In Retail Stores: Field Trip 12/15/12
In a surprising turnaround Microsoft abruptly announced this week that it was expanding the sales of its inaugural laptop the Surface RT to Best Buy and Staples. Day One Visit: Staples: No one in the store but great display, a bit hidden in computer section but very knowledgeable sales person Justin Miramonti knew all about [...]
> MoreWhen A Gift Card is Not A Gift
Avoid Gift Card Gotchas Great article about the hidden costs of Gift Cards. To be frank, it’s getter to give cash; one size fits all and there are no returns! ;-[)
> MoreSurprises Abound in CNet List of Biggest Tech News of 2012
You might be as surprised as we were when the name Apple did not appear at the top of the list. Hmmmm. Mojo slipping post Jobs? We’ll see. Here is the complete article.
> MoreFree Shipping Day Monday, Dec. 17
High shipping costs are one of the biggest “hidden costs” of shopping online, until now! Free Shipping Day is scheduled online for Monday, Dec. 17, and already has over 1,200 stores signed up to participate. With new retailers being added every day, shoppers aren’t the only ones procrastinating this year.
> MoreHoliday Buying Guide: 9 Tips to Save on Electronics
By Andrea Woroch Even as adults, we hold out hope that maybe come Christmas morning, the present of our dreams is miraculously waiting under the tree. Unfortunately as we age, our desires aren’t so simple. Lego sets and Barbie dolls don’t cut it. Instead we long for flat-screen TVs and anything made by Apple. Unless [...]
> MoreMichigan #3 in High Tech Growth Nationwide
The once renowned rust belt is snatching victory from the mouth of defeat. Building on the high tech heritage of the auto industry, the Great Lakes State is showing signs of being one of the hottest places in the US for high tech growth. According to MichTech News, “A new study released Thursday by Engine [...]
> MoreSyria Vanishes from the Internet
An international web wachdog is reporting that on Nov. 29 the entire nation of Syria suddenly dropped off the Internet. Phone lines have also been severed electronically. Just as we are reveling in the growth of online shopping and how connected our smartphones are, we have a grim reminder of how tenuous our connections may [...]
> MoreThe Do’s and Don’t's of Online Shopping
Woman’s Day has a little something for everyone in your family, from fashion to etiquette, meals and more …and a great list of things to keep in mind if and when you go looking for holiday presents online. Perhaps “everybody is doing it”, i.e. buying digitally, but not everyone is doing it wisely.
> MoreiPad Favorite Shopping Cart Online
Online sales went crazy this year and don’t look to let up any time soon. One of the huge changes this year is the number of people using mobile platforms to do their shopping…and the Apple iPad is the most used shopping vehicle on the Web.
> MoreCan You Hear Me Now?
Remember that smug add from Verizon about their cell phone coverage? Believe it or not, the whole idea of taking your phone with you wherever you went began 20 years ago! Unless you were a Kangaroo, you weren’t going to tuck any of the originals into your back pocket or purse.
> MoreCyber Monday Cheapskate Deals
Don’t miss Rick Broida’s list of some incredible deals for Cyber Monday and beyond.
> MoreZut alors! Did U.S. Attack France?
CNET The United States has been charged with launching a cyberattack against France — a claim the U.S. government has categorically denied. According to L’Express , a French news outlet, sources with knowledge of a cyberattack that occurred in May have said the U.S. was behind the attack. The news outlet claims that the attack [...]
> MoreHappy Holidays: Spending to top $43 Billion
Online retailers will have good reason to make merry this holiday season. People shopping via the Internet will spend to the tune of $43.4 billion during November and December, according to a report out today from ComScore. That figure is a 17 percent gain over last year’s online holiday spending, which itself rose 15 percent [...]
> MoreUnhappy Holidays
McAfee security experts warned that this holiday season will see a rise in scams and spams in a PC Magazine post. Hopefully forewarned is forearmed in your case. Read the full article.
> MoreMicrosoft Update for Windows 8 Holes and More
Windows 8 has just been launched and it already joins its illustrious siblings in lining up for vaccinations against potential intruders. Catch all the plugs on Patch Tuesday.
> MoreYour First Hour With Windows 8
Don’t let the nay-sayers scare you away from Windows 8. Windows Secrets newsletter has an excellent article that will help you start using the revolutionary new operating system without a lot of grief.
> MoreBe an Informed Voter
General elections are approaching November 6, 2012. Do you know what will be on the ballot? Do you know how you are going to vote on the Constitutional Amendment proposals? Do you know who is running for your local public offices? Why wait until you get to the polling booth (provided you know where that is!) and [...]
> MoreExtraordinary Interactive Photos of Storm Destruction
Thanks to Ed Rudel for giving us the link to these remarkable pictures posted by ABC News that a palpable experience of the destruction wrought by Superstorm Sandy this past week. This doesn’t appear to work well on portable devices e.g. iPad or Windows Phone 7 but will work on most desktops. Move your mouse [...]
> MoreThe Ultimate Windows I Upgrade Guide
Everything you need to know about upgrading to Windows 8 in one article by ZDNet columnist Ed Bott.
> MoreWindows 8 Surface RT Review
It’s hard to find well balanced reviews of the new Windows RT Surface; reviewers either seem to be lovers or haters, no middle ground. That’s why this review by Erik Franklin, Senior Editor at CNet. It is fair, balanced and neither overly critical nor unwilling to look at the downside (e.g. lack of Apps.)
> MoreCheapest Ways to Upgrade to Windows 8
In the very near future you might want to upgrade to Windows 8 but you don’t want to pay the usual Microsoft tariff. So here is an article by Ed Bott that will help you take advantage of some of the bargains out there for this coming buying season.
> MoreThe PC is Dead….Right?
Depending on your perspective the personal computer is a dinosaur waiting for extinction or a faithful friend you wont abandon. The trends seem to be moving more and more to the mobile digital devices and that will eventually affect all our computer experiences. Read Full Story
> MoreThe Dock is Dead?
Apple changed the dock on its new iPhone 5 and the world exploded in complaining. But wait; maybe it doesn’t matter anymore if the digital world is going wireless!
> MoreT-Mobile and Metro PCS Merge
Deutsche Telekom’s American love child T-Mobile gobbled up the consumer friendly, no contract, local cell standard Metro PCS. The resulting player will step into the ring much more effectively with big boys Verizon and AT&T while Sprint is rumored to being ready to jump into the bidding again for Metro PCS following a recent stock [...]
> MoreBig Changes Coming in Office 2013
Microsoft launched a major reworking of the ubiquitous Office suite of productivity tools this week but with some huge changes. Basically hopes you are going to be encouraged to buy this package by sip and slurp! Hint: Cloud based sytem with frequent updates, 5 (count ‘em) licenses (3 PC and 2 Mac!) and downloadable apps.
> MoreBarbarian Strikes Again
For an unlucky second time in 4 years, our announcer Foster Braun managed to serve an unwelcome beverage to his expensive laptop. So what can you do avoid this kind of disaster other than live in a bubble and what can you do if it happens to you? The staff of the Internet Advisor will [...]
> MoreMapplegate
Apple has egg on its face and Tim Cook is willing to say so publicly. In a step that few would have expected from founder Steve Jobs, the new CEO of Apple admitted that the company had goofed badly when they chucked Google maps for their own combination of courses under the Apple Maps App [...]
> More5 Million and Counting: First weekend of iPhone 5
Any thought that iPhone 5 would be a poor cousin to its predecessors vanished this weekend. Sales records were set when 5 million iPone 5′s leaped off the shelves in just 9 countries. More to the point, in the near future iPhone 5 will go on sale in 20 more countries and, when the dust [...]
> MoreWhere the Heck are we Apple?
Apple decided it would do its own map program and not use Google any more starting with iOS6 (released 9/19/12) and the new iPhone5. The howling from disgruntled users and bloggers just waiting for a chink in Apple’s armor to appear on their spiffy new phone has not stopped since. Patience is called for as [...]
> MoreMicrosoft Patches Internet Explorer
Not a good week for the folks in Redmond. First Internet Explorer was hit with a zero-day exploit and then Germany recommended that all its citizens avoid IE entirely! Fortunately Microsoft has now launched an update that patches this latest crater.
> MoreThe Apple (taxman) Cometh
An intriguing article about the new iPhone 5 and its new age connector is stirring up the dust on our Internet Advisor Facebook page. Check 0ut the article and then feel free to weigh in on the argu…(ahem) discussion on our FB site. Actually it’s pretty tame considering some of the heated commentary about the [...]
> MoreChina Home to Mother Of All Malware Sites: 3322.org
Microsoft investigators found more than they bargained for when they traveled to China according to documents just released in a Virginia courtroom. Redmond operatives scour the globe looking for the source of phony operating systems installed on new computers. In China they swept up 20 new computers and discovered that three of them were already [...]
> MoreCNET Live Coverage of Apple Event Sept. 12, 2012
For your convenience we are sharing a link to the CNet Live Coverage of the Apple product launch Sept. 12, 2012 in California. Coverage begins at 10 AM PST (1 PM EST). Everyone is anticipating the launch of iPhone 5…and some other surprises. Check in to find out for yourself.
> MoreAmazon Lights a New Fire
Amazon officially took the wraps off of three new Kindle Fire HDs this week in California: Fire HD with the 7-inch screen that will sell for $199, and Fire HD with an 8.9-inch screen, 8.8mm thick, starting at $299 for 16GB and $369 for 32GB. Fire HD with AT&T’s 4G LTE support priced at $499 for [...]
> MoreNokia Unwraps Classy New Windows 8 Phones
The famous Finnish phone maker set the pace for Windows 8 phones this week in New York. The Lumia 920 reflects all the hardware that reviewers have been warming to for months plus extraordinary software and some unmatched (so far) hardware tricks. Full Story
> MoreParents Rules for Internet: Sheri Kam
As promised here is a great graphic that Sheri Kam, a recent guest (8/25/12 podcast) put together to help her young daughters be prepared to deal with the Internet. Feel free to copy for your family. Thanks Sheri, great tips!
> MoreCharlevoix Connected County
BOYNE CITY – Picturesque Charlevoix County long noted as a tourist haven now has a new designation – it has been recognized as a “Connected” community through its comprehensive broadband action plan.The Connected program, led by the non-profit’s state affiliates, supports the building of a comprehensive action plan for a connected community by reviewing the [...]
> MoreIFA 2012: Guten Tech!
Internationale Funkausstellung in Berlin has been around since the 1920s, but the show has never gotten so much attention. This time might just overshadow CES in Las Vegas and CeBIT in Hannover, Germany. Sony, Panasonic, Philips and many more join Samsung, but not Apple.
> MoreApple’s $1,049,343,540 Victory Over Samsung
Follow the full coverage of all the in’s and out’s of the Apple/Samsung trial and its repercussions on CNet. Excellent in-depth coverage of the trial, the verdict and the consequences. The verdict will be immediately appealed but its consequence can’t be undone.
> MoreSaving Face for Parents of Teens
We are supposed to be leading our children but by the time they get to middle school, we are a couple of generations of social media behind. (Remember My Space?) Emily Hay, CEO of Hay There Social Media and Sheri Watkins developed Saving Face for Parents, a 7 video series to help parents understand and [...]
> MoreMacGroup Detroit: August Meeting 8/26/12 Moutain Lion
> MoreCollege Internet Hook Up Tips
Getting junior ready for college is not just about getting new computer devices and software; you have to understand and be ready for the whole university Internet security experience. Have good security in place before you hook up to the university system. Image (clone/completely copy) your student’s hard drive and keep a copy at home [...]
> MoreWoven Wind Project
The skills of native weavers and American volunteers have found a way to create electricity and jobs out of the wind. Appropriate Technology Collaborative, led by John Barrie and university volunteers have found a way of helping local Guatemalan women weave the blades of windmills that will produce power and employment. The Appropriate Technology Collaborative is [...]
> MoreBack-to-School Computer Buying Guide
One of the most frequently asked questions on our show is “How should I go about buying a new computer?” This week Mark Kyrnin, at About.com posted an excellent checklist for parents and students alike that we reproduce here in part. For all the links attached to the story see the original article at about.com [...]
> MoreDeadly New Super Virus On the Loose
There is a new cyber beast loose in the Mideast according to reports this week from security experts at Kapersky. Gauss now enters the common vocabulary of digital fear along with Stuxnet and Flame. Full Story
> MoreLook Out for LinkedIn Phishing Scam
Normally businesslike LinkedIn has been hit be a phishing scam that may make you look twice. It appears to be a request to “Rate” someone you know directly who is part of LinkedIn. It is, however, a phishing scam designed to infect your computer and further propagate the virus. Report from LinkedIn
> MoreGoodby Hotmail, Hello Outlook
One of the most venerable webmail services on the Internet just got a beautiful new facelift and name change. Long time users of Hotmail (Live Mail) got the opportunity at the beginning of August to shift over to a nice new look under the name of Outlook.com. In this case, Microsoft should be safe with [...]
> More“Metro” is dead…the name that is
What in the world is going on at Redmond? Microsoft hastily announced this week that the name “Metro” had been banished from the Softies vocabulary immediately and without recourse. Hints of a “European client” objecting to the the name have surfaced but Microsoft has been famous for meticulously vetting their names before applying them to new software [...]
> MoreThree Web Services Worth Paying For
Rick Broida’s most recent post in his CNEt Marketplace Blog features three extraordinarily high value online services that even a cheapskate like Rick is willing to part with a few dollars to buy!
> MoreMobile Moves Michigan Free Exhibition July 31
This is a free exposition for the general public to see what Michigan-based firms are currently providing and/or utilizing to provide wireless technology in many industrial settings. Where: Motor City Casino When: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 Schedule: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
> MoreMicrosoft Security Advisory: Fix Deadly Gadgets
Almost all of us who run Vista or Win 7 have little ”gadgets” like the clock, calendar, pictures and newsfeed that would just show up on our desktop. Unfortunately hackers have found a way to use them to get into your PC so Microsoft is now offering an automated fix to the problem. All you have [...]
> MoreApple iOS App Store Gets Malware
That smug look is fading fast among Apple fanboys who used to think themselves invulnerable to the attacks of malware. Seems the Apple malware police in the iOS App store are pretty sloppy or maybe just haven’t gotten enough practice. Russian security agency Kaspersky sussed out a key poisoned app and who knows how many more their [...]
> MoreKindle’s Bible?
A british hotel is stepping where angels fear to tread. They have removed the bedside Bibles from the bedside tables and have replaced them with Kindle ereaders! The Bible is still there in electronic form and people of other faiths can download their sacred scriptures from Amazon so all is not quite lost.
> MoreVirgin Mobil Pre-paid iPhone just $30/mo as of June 29, 2012
Huge announcement Friday, June 29. Look out AT&T and Verizon, Apple’s popular iPhone 4 and 4S are now on the loose with pre-paid plans for as little as $30/month. Read the fine print carefully but this offer from Virgin Mobil (Sprint’s subsidiary) is a big one. If your phone works well on Spring right now, [...]
> MoreGoogle Nexus Q
Google has been desperate to get into your living room and hasn’t done too well so far with TV. Looks like another swing and a miss with the Magic Cubelike Nexus Q entertainment device.
> MoreGoogle Glasses
It’s glasses, it’s a computer, it’s a digital camera/video…no…It’s Google Glasses! Google started their I/O Conference in San Francisco this week with a dramatic entrance including skye divers, BMX bikers jumping off of buildings, a human fly and a wild video demo of what could be a future pair of your glasses, and computer.
> MoreLook Out World Here Comes Surface
With all the hype that Hollywood could muster, Monday, June 18, Microsoft announced that it is launching its own line of tablets called Surface in two basic flavors: 1) a tablet that will compete with the current crop of consumer devices led by the iPad and other Android tablets. 2) A gustier “tablet” with a [...]
> MoreWindows Phone 8
Batten down the hatches. Microsoft looks like it is betting the farm on this hand. The week of June 17 not only saw the unveiling of Redmond’s new class of tablets but also the entrance of Windows Phone 8 Looks like the newest things about the phone will be under the hood, but incompatible with [...]
> MoreSocial TV: See it Tweet it!
When TVs first came out, they gave us the revolutionary ability to experience something that we weren’t able encounter in-person. Broadcasts today bring us virtually everywhere from daily happenings in own neighborhoods to sporting events and political happenings around the world. It seemed as though the only way we consumed up-to-the minute activity was by [...]
> MoreGE Works: A Ray of Light in Guatemala
Frequent guest Tina Watson tells the story of American technology being spread around the globe to benefit developing countries in GE Works: A Ray of Light in Guatemala. The Appropriate Technology Collaborative designs, develops demonstrates and distributes new technologies that improve the quality of life for the world’s poorest people. We have several projects currently in development including low cost medical diagnostic tools, very low [...]
> MoreDigital Bookmobile Visits Metro Detroit
Digital Bookmobile National Tour Showcases Detroit Area Libraries’ free eBook & audiobook downloads Learn how to download with just a library card and Internet-connected computer or device The Digital Bookmobile is a high-tech tractor-trailer that tours the continent spreading awareness for digital libraries and eBooks; events at Detroit-area public libraries will provide an engaging experience [...]
> MoreCyber Security on a Crash Course with Cyber Warfare
Richard Stiennon, a noted security expert and frequent guest on the Internet Advisor is concerned about some of the consequences of the alleged development of the Stuxnet virus by the US high command. In Operation Olympic Games, Project X, and the assault on the IT security industry, Stiennon expressed his concern that: The use of [...]
> MoreAllegations of Secret US Cyber Warfare Shake the World
On June 1 David Sanger published an article in the New York Times titled Obama Order Sped Up Wave of Cyberattacks Against Iran allegedly uncovering a long history of aggressive American cyber offensives that began during the Bush era after the turn of the century. While the White House is being tight-lipped, commentary and speculations are [...]
> MoreCutting the Cord: Resources by Rick Broida
Rick Broida, The Gadget Guy has provided us with a list of resources for Cutting the Cord/Kicking the Cable Habit. Refer to these when listening to the podcast for the May 26, 2012 show or to do your own investigation. TV/movie services: Amazon Instant Video (http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Video/b?ie=UTF8&node=2858778011) Crackle (www.crackle.com) HBO Go (www.hbogo.com) Hulu/Hulu Plus (www.hulu.com) iTunes [...]
> MoreAnnouncing the Gadget Guy: Rick Broida
Rick Broida: Writer • Blogger • Tech Geek is now the Internet Advisor Gadget Guy. Rick will bring us special gadget news and bargains once a month on the show. Get to know Rick through some of his other blogs. Check The Cheapskate for the best deals on tech. Read The Tech-pert for gadget reviews and buying [...]
> MoreT-Mobile Announces No Contract Broadband Accounts
The number three player in the cell phone market is looking to shake up the scene with a tempting offer. The pay-in-advance, overage-free solution that offers an allotment of mobile data, makes it possible for customers to choose a pass that best fits their data needs without committing to a two-year contract. Full story
> MoreMixed Messages: Facebook Opening on the Stock Market
It was going to be bigger than the Mayan calendar event or it was going to be a complete failure. We are talking about Friday’s Initial Public Offering of Facebook stock on the New York Stock Exchange. After a day of mishaps and a slight surge, FB shares ended a few cents above the IPO [...]
> MoreFacebook Prepares for $100 Billion IPO
Facebook is scheduled to be valued at $100 Billion in stocks making it the second biggest IPO in history just behind search giant Google. This is remarkable when you think that the world’s current leading social media network was launched only eight years ago in Mark Zuckerberg‘s college dorm room. The company earned $1 billion last [...]
> MoreGranny Gets Her Smartphone!
The huge cell phone convention CTIA in New Orleans is finally over leaving most more confused than convinced about their next device. Amid a blizzard of smartphones, the Doro PhoneEasy 740, may stand out as a truly new segment buster. The thickish Swedish device is chock full of features focused at the swelling tide of [...]
> MoreLook Out: New “Ransomware” on the Loose
New malware strain locks up computers unless ransom is paid. A type of “ransomware” hitting users across Europe demands payment for alleged copyright violations, according to a Swiss security blog.
> MoreMike Wendland Offers 3 Great FREE apps for Mom
Our friend and local tech authority Mike Wendland wants you to help mom get a handle on her busy life with three great, free apps for mobile devices. These time saving and organizational applications will help every soccer mom sane as she wrangles the little critters between sports. Mike is a national commentator for NBC [...]
> MoreWorld’s Leading Terrorist Had Lousy Security…Online
It is being reported that the man who held the world at bay and succeeded in hiding from American forces for so long, had lousy online security. This lapse has helped authorities find unencrypted documents that give a chilling window into the disturbed mind of Osama bin Laden during his last days just before he was [...]
> MoreGoogle Drive joins the battle of the cloud
Forecast: Cloudy and getting cloudier every day. Google entered the cluttered online storage wars this past week when they launched their own service called Google Drive. Even though it looks suspiciously like DropBox, it is tied into the huge Kingdom of Google, including Google Docs which may give it the edge it needs to become [...]
> MoreRussia Hackers Rake In $4.5 Billion In 2011
If you ever wondered why these low lifes keep filling your mailbox with spam, here is the answer: Money and lots of it. Read the full story in the Michigan Tech News.
> MoreThree Ways to Research Your Family Tree
The do-it-yourself approach to getting the lowdown on your ancestors may lead you down a series of blind alleys. An alternative to the high-end genealogical resources offered by Ancestry.com is the personal and affordable services of a mom-and-pop operation. by Dennis O’Reilly The April 2, 2012, release by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration [...]
> MoreHow to Recycle Your Household Electronics in Michigan
Personal media players and data assistants, laptops, notebooks, computers, televisions, cell phones and the list goes on and on. These wonders of modern technology are filling our lives and our garbage cans. Many of these products are still usable; others have reached the end of their useful lives. All have components that may be reusable, [...]
> MoreFacebook Gobbles Up Instagram
Instagram for Personal and Small Business Use by Emily on April 14, 2012 in Getting Familiar , Our Blog By Emily A. Hay, Founder, Hay There Social Media Written for the Internet Advisor Show on WJR 760AM. Check out the social media toolkit and links to podcasts . We’ve learned that Facebook has acquired Instagram for a “modest” $1billion, pretty much [...]
> MoreKapersky to the Rescue for Macs
Don’t know whether your Mac has been hit by the latest piece of malware called the Flashback Trojan and wouldn’t know what to do if you did? Try using the Kapersky Flashfake Tool.This premier security company is offering both a tool to check and see if your precious Apple is poisoned and if it is, [...]
> MoreHow to Check and Disinfect Your Mac
The first really nasty Trojan to hits Macs slithered onto 600,000 Apple computers worldwide. F-Secure, a world leader in security, has posted a way to check and see if your Mac is infected and if so how to clean it up. Please note that this is meant for experienced users and needs to be done [...]
> MoreCardholders Hit by Security Breach: Good week for Bad Guys
Payment processor Global Payments suffered a security breach affecting MasterCard and Visa, according to The Wall Street Journal. The breach was closed and no first level data such as user name, account number or SS ID were leaked, but Visa still dumped Global Payments for allowing the leak to happen in the first place.
> MoreOver 600,000 Macs Infected with Flashback Trojan
There is a worm in the Apple or in more than a half million of them. The new Flashback Trojan requires no interaction to insert itself into the Mac computers; just visit the poisoned website and Wammo! Apple released a patch later in the week but the fears are rising that this is just the [...]
> MoreEmily A. Hay: Yelp Help and Google Places For Small Businesses
Emily Hay YELP HELP AND GOOGLE PLACES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES by EMILY on MARCH 14, 2012 in ACTION PLANS Hay There! When it comes to listing your business online, there are many roads to take, but which one leads you down the right path? Since each business has its own strategy and goals, it’s hard [...]
> MoreNasty People on the Internet: a Guide to Knowing Your Digital Enemies
Originally published in netforbeginners.com March 28, 2012 Yes, unsavory people are everywhere on the Web. These people will sucker you into embarrassing yourself, convince you to trust them with your passwords, infect your machine with remote-control software viruses, cause you emotional grief, and even make you feel personally attacked and threatened. Here is the Wanted [...]
> MoreAdobe’s latest critical security update pushes scareware
Adobe’s latest critical security update pushes scareware By Ed Bott | March 29, 2012, 10:38am PDT Summary: Adobe just released a critical Flash Player security update. Good news: it includes a new automatic updater for Windows. Bad news: Adobe’s download page pushes a misleading “system optimizer” designed to scare users into paying for unneeded repairs. Update: [...]
> MoreGamble on Microsoft Security Essentials Pays Off
There was a lot of skepticism when Microsoft launched yet another attempt to protect Windows OS without choking it to death with protection…and doing it for free. Recent reports seem to say that those of us who gambled on Microsoft Security Essentials getting it right this time, won…in a big way.
> MoreFind Out Whether Your Computer is Pwned
As part of the DNSChanger malware campaign hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide were affected. Is you computer one of them? Here is a link to an article by Dennis O’Reilly with links to a test that will tell you whether your computer is clean or not and what to do about it.
> MoreOperation Ghost Click Delays Shutting Down Hacked Servers
Hundreds of thousands of computers that were poisoned by DNSChanger malware were scheduled to be silenced under FBI orders with in a short while but have received a stay of execution until July 2012.
> MoreTwitter Turns 6
What looked like a rather silly, self-serving exercise in 2006 has helped to topple regimes during the Arab Spring and regularly provides the earliest reports of breaking news. But where is it headed and will it last? Full Story
> MoreApple Store Fraud Steals Spotlight
Just when Apple was about to gloat over all those shiny new iPads, a very disturbing story of online fraud has arisen. There is a growing outcry about the sloppy security on Apple’s iTunes and particularly its App Store that have allowed hundreds of accounts to be hacked and fraudulently charged for goods and services.
> MoreDoes Microsoft Have a Leak?
That’s the question that has been hounded the Redmond, California software giant following recent revelations of code theft. Chinese hackers have released proof-of-concept code that provides a roadmap to exploit a dangerous RDP (remote desktop protocol) vulnerability that was patched by Microsoft earlier this week.
> MoreGovernment Scrutiny May Lead to Lower eBook Price
Just when Apple thought it had a strong foothold in the epublishing world, the government is threatening to break possible price fixing. The Justice Dept. announced it plans to sue Apple and five major publishing firms for price fixing. Don’t you wish the title was: Government Scrutiny Leads to Lower Gas Prices? Sorry that’s just [...]
> MoreAnonymous Catches a Virus
According to some news sources, Anonymous hackers may have had more to worry about than one of their own becoming an informant for the FBI. Apparently someone slipped the hacker collective a nasty little trojan of their own that infected members’ machines. Wonder if their anti-spyware caught it! Earlier in the week it was reported [...]
> MoreInterpol Nabs 25 Anonymous Hackers
The notorious international “hacktavist” flaunted authority once too often. Police authorities in Colombia and Chile rounded up 25 members of the organization and hundreds of computers when the group hacked into the South American government’s websites.
> MoreInstalling Windows 8 Consumer Preview
In an unusual move, Microsoft is making the current “beta” version of their revolutionary new OS Windows 8 available for the daring to download. If you are feeling “froggy” jump on this guide to downloading and installing the new OS. BTW word is that it is really simple to install and get working. Have Fun!
> MoreTexting for the Blind
A new app will allow visually impaired people to let their fingers do the talking. The free open-source app, called BrailleTouch, is based on the Braille writing system long the written language of the blind and visually challenged. Braille users have shown that they can communicate up to six times faster using this technology.
> MoreSue You Apple
Proview, the Chinese company which originally licensed the name iPad to an Apple subsidiary in China isn’t satisfied with creating legal headaches on its home turf. Now they have brought the game to America and are suing Apple in its own backyard, claiming copyright infringement. Proview is seeking to have all iPad sales stopped in [...]
> MoreCash Mobs Make Hometown Business Sparkle
On Sat. Feb. 18 show Andrew Samtoy, co-founder of the Cleveland Cash Mob described how these impromptu gatherings of strangers have helped out small businesses around the country. Here is a feature article that describes this grassroot movement that has grown from the original Cleveland Cash Mob in the fall of 2011.
> MoreInternet Advisor Webmaster Recognized
We are very proud to announce that the brains behind our website, Vince Chmielewski is finally getting the credit that he deserves. This article gives some insight into the very busy life of a computer technician, business owner and family man. Vince has not only been behind the scenes on our homepage, he has also [...]
> MoreIran Shuts Down Internet Access
The conservative Muslim regime in Iran won’t risk an “Arab Spring” uprising with Tweets and YouTube videos. So rather than control it, they just shut the Net down completely.
> MoreGermany Says, “Nein!” to Net Censorship
ACTA (Anti-counterfeiting Trade Agreement) seemed sure to sneak by public reaction until last week when protests broke out across Europe. Now Germany has thrown a huge wrench into the machine by refusing to sign the agreement. Passage requires a unanimous approval by all 27 EU members. ACTA is the international version of SOPA/PIPA proposed anti-piracy [...]
> MoreFacebook IPO Big Winners
When Facebook launches it initial stock offering, a few people who placed their bets a while back are about to get very rich. The list of big winners in the Facebook stock fall out might surprise you with everyone from characters in the movie The Social Network to one of the other giants in the [...]
> MoreSuper Bowl Super Command Center
The biggest sporting event of the year draw nearly 11 million viewers and hundreds of thousands of Tweets, Facebook postings and more. An official Super Bowl Media Center is open for business during football’s holy grail moment staffed by 50 people. They will be looking out for terrorists and the way to find the best [...]
> MoreApple’s Piggy Bank Explodes!
Maybe next year we should let whoever is running Apple deliver the State of the Union Address because their state is certainly solvent and has more cash than the good old US of A! During the 4th quarter of 2011 alone The Boys from Cupertino hustled 37+ million iPhones following the introduction of the iPhone [...]
> MoreReady or Not Here Comes Timeline
When Timeline first appeared on Facebook it created a big backlash. Looks like none of that matters to Mark Z and his minions because we are all going to get to like it, like it or not. By early February we will all look the same (in terms of general layout) on FB. Sure you [...]
> MoreDownload King Collared in His “Safe” Room
The head of Megaupload was cornered by New Zealand Police inside his armed fortress. The FBI has accused Kim “Dotcom” of earning $42 million from pirated material in 2010 alone. ”New Zealand police said two firearms and several luxury cars were removed from Dotcom’s mansion.” according to the Wrap. The license plates on the cars [...]
> More“Greedy and Evil”= Apple new iBook License
Blogger Ed Bott makes a business of reading EULA’s (End User License Agreement). You know, the things that pop up when you install software and you automatically click “agree” without reading a word!? According to Bott, Apple’s license for its new iBooks publishing software essentially says that it owns whatever is published with it!
> MoreiBooks 2.0 A New Apple for Teachers
Jan. 17th Apple unveiled their next move toward world domination…OK this time the target is the world of academics. iPads are immensely popular among students and teachers alike and now Apple is providing the tools to bring the stuffy world of academia into the interactive 21st Century.
> MoreRiots Postpone Apple iPhone4S Sales in China
Irate scalpers rioted outside the Beijing Apple store shortly before the doors were to open for sale of the iPhone 4S. Apple declared that it was just trying to protect its salespeople and other customers from the wealthy thugs who gobble up the phones and sell the prestigious smartphones for big ¥’s! Here’s a video [...]
> MoreConsumer Electronics Show Preview 2012
Here’s a preview of CES 2012, traditionally THE event for launching new tech products. This year, however will be the swan song for Microsoft at the big Vegas show. More and more big tech companies are eschewing the ginormous costs of exhibiting in favor of their own Developer’s Conferences.
> MoreTop 10 Tech Breakthroughs of 2011
Science raced ahead at ever quickening pace in 2011. Check out this list of the 10 most exciting discoveries of the past year which will impact our lives for years to come. Extreme Tech Slide Show.
> MoreBill Gates Says Yes… He Won’t Be Back
The founder of Microsoft put to rest the rumors that he was going to be returning to take the helm of his corporation. Seems Bill and his wife are just fine, thank you , handling their charitable concerns even though many have opined that MS would find its direction again in Mr. Gates returned. Full [...]
> MoreHP Makes webOS Open Source
Technology company Hewlett-Packard says it’s making its webOS mobile software available as open-source software that any developer can use and modify freely.
> MoreBad Week in Court for Apple
The company Steve Jobs founded may be riding high on sales right now but there were a few big bites taken out of his Apple this week. China ruled that the iPad may not be sold under the Apple trademark in that massive Asian market. But , heck, with all the counterfeit Apple products being [...]
> MoreAT&T Customer Service Worst for 2nd Year
If you are an AT&T customer this may not be breaking news. Consumer Reports has once again named AT&T as the very worst communication company for customer service. Consider the irony of the fact that AT&T is fighting the FCC ruling that it can’t gobble up T-Mobile which has been noted as one of the [...]
> MoreLook Who’s Tops on Cyber Monday Sales
It’s not likely a surprise to anyone, but on-line activity in the retail category has increased year-after-year and this year was no exception, according to a Brand Keys survey. Cyber Monday got off to a turbo-charged start with an increase of traffic of nearly 25%, which translated to nearly $1.25 billion in sales. According to [...]
> MoreFree Desktop Connect For Mac’s AND PC’s
Need to connect to and control a Mac from your PC? One quick and easy solution can be found in Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop feature.
> MoreBell Ringers Go Digital for Salvation Army
One of the most revered traditions of the holiday season is getting an upgrade. Salvation Army bell ringers have braved the cold for decades ringing their tiny bells to raise support for the charities efforts. Now donors can come in from the cold and give online as well.
> MoreThai Floods Threaten the Cloud
Floods of the century have ravaged Thailand devastating cities and ruining the economy. One of the unintended victims may be the Cloud, the place where more and more computing is done. Full Story
> MoreHP Pins Its Hopes On Slate2 Win 7 Tablet for Enterprise
Hapless HP has high hopes..that a new version of its proven Win 7 Slate tablet can attract business users. This may be a winning move since the device uses both pen input and a touch screen technology along with an operating system that is a proven winner in enterprise and a favorite among windows users. [...]
> MoreDebt Agencies: Target cellphones
If you thought that replacing your home phone with a cell phone would keep the bill collectors away, think again. Eileen Ambrose of the Baltimore Sun wrote an in depth article on the legislative battle going on over keeping debt collectors from hounding us everywhere we go on our portable phones. The full article appeared [...]
> MoreGov. Snyder Sees Broadband Essential for Michigan’s Revitalization
By Wil Payton, Communications Specialist,Connected Nation “From government and schools to hospitals and private industry, our cyber networks are integral to Michigan’s infrastructure, economic growth, and quality of life.” Connect Michigan applauds Governor Rick Snyder for recognizing broadband as a vital component for revitalizing Michigan’s declining infrastructure. “Broadband is one of the infrastructures of the [...]
> MoreStuxnet 2.0 New Version of Super Virus Spotted
Top malware researchers are sounding the alarming. An upgraded version of the Stuxnet virus which was so deadly accurate in its attack on Iranan nuclear facilities has been discovered in the wild. So far no targets have been identified but the the virus seems to be mainly reconnoitering key sites like Certificate Authority and industrial sites [...]
> MoreAmazing New Camera Allows Focusing AFTER Shooting!
A new camera was launched this week that may help those of us who are all thumbs with cameras absolute pros! The Lytro is a weirdly shaped little camera with a tiny LCD screen that lets you mess with the focus after you have finished taking the pictures. The should take care of about 50% [...]
> MoreMichigan Launches Cyber Command Center
Following a national gathering on cyber security, Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan has established a center for Cyber Security in Ypsilanti, MI near the heart of two great universities and the Metro Detroit area.
> MoreState Of Michigan Wins 5 IT Awards, Most Of Any State In Nation
The State of Michigan won five awards in information technology, more than any other state, at the National Association of State Chief Information Officers in Denver, Colorado. Michigan Tech News
> MoreSteve Jobs Dead at 56: A Genius Passes
Apple officially announced the death of its co-founder, Steve Jobs, who passed peacefully at his home surrounded by family. Perhaps this was Steve’s last “one more thing…” a favorite phrase he used at the end of length Apple product launches to announce the most innovative “next big thing” in computing. Jobs has suffered for many [...]
> MoreMicrosoft Kills Google Chrome Browser!
Under the guise of protecting computers from a password stealing Trojan, Microsoft security software killed Google’s Chrome browser on thousands of computers earlier this week. Redmond was soon back-pedaling furiously trying to change the anti-virus software that targeted one of its most aggressive competitors in the browser wars. That’s one way of handling the competition: [...]
> MoreCitizen Scientists Make Two Huge Discoveries
Ordinary folks have made some extraordinary discoveries. First a group of online gamers solved an HIV puzzle that has baffled scientists for years. Then a volunteer Web group collaborated to discover two new planets. Remarkable what happens when we work together. Wonder what would happen if Congress could do the same thing!
> MoreFacebook gets a Facelift and Many Hate the New Look
Outrage, amusement and confusion seem to top the list of reactions to the huge changes in Facebook. One has to wonder about the timing of Google+ in opening its doors to everyone just as Facebook is changing just about everything. Right now outrage seems to be the sentiment of the day on my Facebook page. [...]
> MoreEveryone’s Invited to Google+
Now we’re all special. Google+ is open to one an all. Google’s attempt to challenge Facebook has been a closed party that required an “invitation” while it was in beta. That has all changed as Google+ shifts into high gear. Give it a try but we predict that it is going to be hard to [...]
> MoreAT&T Launches First 4G LTE Networks
Without much fanfare, the number two cell carrier in the nation announced that it is launching its first 4G LTE networks in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio. AT&T has been scrambling to catch up to Verizon, T-Mobile…well, just about everybody else in the telcom world! Don’t expect any blazing speeds yet partly because no one [...]
> MoreWindows 8 Unveiled for Developers
This is the big dance for Microsoft. Tuesday the boys from Redmond took the wraps off Windows 8 at their developers conference hoping to entice attendees to get on board the band wagon for their newest operating system. Is it for tablets or for PC’s? Where is the Microsoft version of iPad? Lots of questions are [...]
> MoreLightning Strikes Twice: iPhone 5 Prototype Lost in SF Bar
It’s like a bad remake of Ground Hog Day and Apple can’t wake up to make this nightmare go away. Unbelievably another Apple employee left a prototype of the top secret iPhone 5 in a San Francisco watering hole. The owner of the Cava22 bar in San Francisco jokingly said that he might have to start [...]
> MoreiPad is Shaking Up the Entire Computer Market
Steve Jobs was famous for declaring his products game changers. Looks like even the former Apple CEO may not have even imagined the kind of revolution his tablet would create. This little beauty is turning the whole IT industry upside down and transforming a niche market into the next big thing in computing.
> MoreLong Live the King: Steve Jobs Steps Down
One of the most creative visionaries of our time and moulder of culture through his products has called it quits. Steve Jobs officially resigned from Apple as its CEO today citing his inability to do his job. Full Story “Mr. Jobs will become chairman, a position that did not exist before. Apple named Tim Cook, [...]
> MoreHP Drops the Bomb: No more WebOS
HP stunned the computing world today by announcing that it is dropping its recently announced TouchPad and the WebOS that runs it. Looks like a lot of people have a less expensive but now abandoned TouchPad. Here’s the whole story.
> MoreMacGroup Detroit Celebrates 25th Anniversary
The premiere Apple/Macintosh support group in Michigan and one of the largest in the country will celebrate a quarter century of tinkering with all things Apple. The meeting is held at The Birmingham Temple, Sunday, 3:00 PM, August 21, 2011. Click here for directions. There will be a special guest speaker and loads of prizes for members to win. Don’t [...]
> MoreAug. 12, 1981 The IBM Personal Computer Arrives
That’s right on this day in history one of the most critical tools in our modern lives was unveiled by IBM:The PC (Personal Computer). The 21-pound PC cost $1,565, boasted 16K of memory (Hey, that’s about as much as one of the cheaper Mac Book Airs!) Could anyone have imagined a world filled with tablet computers, [...]
> MoreBing Beats Google At Searching!
According to this article from Information Week if you want more accurate results in our searches, use Microsoft’s Bing search engine. Personally I like to compare them side by side every now and then to compare them. One tip for better searching is to use a complete phrase rather than just one word. Despite the [...]
> MoreThe Ten Best Anti-Virus Program for Macs
Ok, so we admit that Macs aren’t virus-proof! Happy? Here is a collection the ten best anti-virus programs for Macs. Thanks to Steve Yuhasz for contributing this.
> MoreIBM PC Celebrates 30th Anniversary
No one c0uld have imagined the revolution that a handful of IBM engineers, working under the strict corporate radar, would do when they invented the IBM Personal Computer 5150 on Aug. 12, 1981. This article contains the fascinating history of a world-changing technology that happened because 12 engineers decided to think outside the box. Full [...]
> MoreOakland County Recognized Nationally for Digital Prowess
Oakland County was named number four in the nation for its use of technology in helping its citizens meet their needs. Nice to see that Technology Alley is not just a slogan but the real thing in Oakland County. Congratulations L. Brooks Patterson and company! The survey was conducted by The Center for Digital Government.
> MoreGoogle Flags Malware On Searches
Not all Google news is bad news. As mentioned on our program this past weekend, Google as found a way of alerting pe0ple who use their search engine (that’s most of us) when their is malware trying to download on our computers. Here is what the warning looks like:
> MoreGoogle+ Deletions: Death Wish?
All hell broke loose the weekend of July 23 when Google abruptly started throwing people overboard on Google+. No one is safe; celebrities like Arriana Huffington, ex-Google employees and people who preferred using a pseudonym rather than their real name to protect their privacy found themselves out in the cold. The problem is once more, [...]
> MoreGoogle Grrrl Power!
Three outstanding young women were named top prize winners in Google’s inaugural Science Fair. The search giant combed through 7,500 entries from 91 countries before naming Lauren Hodge, Shree Bose and Naomi Shah for their outstanding projects. These bright young ladies make up for a lot of sad headlines and make you really believe [...]
> MoreGoogle + Hits 10,000,000 Users as of July 12, 2011
Google Buzz was a bust but Google + looks like a must. One analyst predicted that by the end of day, July 12, 2011 Google+ would have 10 million users. Could Facebook have finally found its match? Think of all the things that Google can integrate with Google+: immensely popular Gmail and Google Apps, which [...]
> MoreMicrosoft Office 365: Ready for Prime Time?
Microsoft announced the release of its contender for Office in the Cloud with the release of Office 365 Beta. Reviews are mixed and there is a lot of very direct comparing going on between Google Apps and the incredibly complex pricing arrangement of Office 365 not to mention its convoluted structure. In all fairness, this [...]
> MoreGoogle+ is here. Has Facebook met its match?
Google+ arrived now the question is: Did Google get social right this time or this just another run at beating Facebook at being the social networking king? Check out this demo of the Google+ Project.
> MoreDomain Name Explosion?
ICANN the international agency charged with controlling domain names, like .com, .edu., .org etc. has opened up a pandoras box of new domain names. Some fear that it could create utter chaos as well open up wonderful opportunities for businesses to brand their own domains, e.g. .apple, .microsoft or .ms etc., etc. Domain names can end in [...]
> MoreGoogle Voice to the Desktop!
For those of you who have used Google Voice on your smartphones, we don’t have to “sell” you on the value of just talking to the Google app and having it look up an address, find a store or other location for you. It is a whole lot less deadly than texting while driving and [...]
> MoreFour Key Takeaways from Apple’s New Strategy
This past Monday Steve Jobs and Apple announced a three fold plan for the future that will affect not only Apple products but, if the iPad and iPhone are any indication, the rest of the electronics industry. Commentator Mark Sigal has four interesting insights into the implications of the new Apple Lion OS, iOS 5 [...]
> MoreOnline Technologies Shines in the Cloud
Online Technologies has hosted the Internet Advisor since our first show more than 13 years ago and their CEO Yan Ness will be our guest on Sat. June 11. We are proud to announce that they received recognition for their participation in World IPv6 Day this past week and were listed among the Top 25 [...]
> MoreHere Kitty, Kitty…Apple to Launch new OS Lion next week
At their Worldwide Developers Conference Apple has announced that it will be launching its new Operating System called Lion and the next iOS version for its iPad and iPhone. Full Story
> MoreWindows 8 Touch Oriented OS
Windows unveiled their new operation system Windows 8 this week. Full Story
> MoreSkype Posts Bug Fix
Skype was down for a better part of day this week because of a buggy update (so what’s new?!) They have released a simple update for Windows users and Mac and Linux fixes are on the way. Guess who is getting blamed?! Microsoft!
> MoreGoogle Wallet and Pay Pal Lock Horns
Google barely had the wraps off its new mobile payment service when long time online pay service PayPal brought suit against it. Full story
> MoreMicrosoft Buys Skype for $8.5 Billion
No sooner had rumors begun about a fight for Skype between Microsoft, Google and Facebook, than Remond, WA biggest business announced victory…but an expensive one, $8.5 billion for a company valued at $2-3 billion. One author sees this as an expensive game of “keep away” for Microsoft. What do you think?
> MoreHow to Change Your Facebook Settings to HTTPS
Here is how you make sure that you are secure when you are using Facebook but don’t forget that using common sense is probably the best defense you can have. 1.) Go to Account in the upper right corner 2.) Account Settings 3.) Account Security 4.) Check first box under Secure Browsing (https) Check the [...]
> More13 Features of Office 365
Microsoft has a new cloud based version of Office called Office 365 designed for businesses. Here are 13 outstanding features of this new virtual Office setup.
> MoreMS Office 365
Here is something to consider if you don’t need MS Office very much and certainly don’t want to pay for it. Office 365 is cloud based. Gary Baker
> MoreThe top 15 innovative mobile apps to watch in 2011
Taken from CIO magazine. These are the apps to watch as various tablet platforms take off this year. Gary Baker
> MoreIs the iPad Really Eating into PC Sales?
Mike Elgan is a blogger with a flair for the dramatic and a year ago he brought nearly the whole blogosphere down on his head for predicting that the iPad spelled the end of the PC dominate era. His most recent reflections are well worth the read as one analyst after another re-calibrates the impact that the [...]
> MoreNew FireFox Browser is a Powerhouse
Browser was are the new battle field for tech companies and the new open source FireFox has thrown down the gauntlet to Microsoft’s sleek and speedy IE9.
> MoreAmazon Unleashes Mighty Music Cloud Power
I am right now loading my Cloud Drive with all the music on my computer. When it is done (in a couple of hours) all my legally obtained music will be stored in the cloud (aka. Amazon’s server) and I will be able to stream any of my music to any device or computer I [...]
> MoreVote for Your Favorite Team in the Imagine Cup
March 23 kicks off another milestone for the Imagine Cup student technology competition. Right now, the People’s Choice Awards are live. You can check out the finalists, view videos of their projects and vote for your favorite team, including LifeCode. The Software Design and Game Design teams with the most votes will be crowned champions [...]
> MoreLifeCode Team Makes US Finals of Imagine Cup
The LifeCode Team from Wayne State University has made it to the US finals of the Microsoft Imagine Cup again! LifeCode uses sensors attached to a person’s body which capture vital information, uses Bluetooth technology to transmit the data to their Windows 7 phone which in turn sends the data to “the cloud” (remote data storage servers) where [...]
> MoreMicrosoft Takes Out Huge Botnet
The folks in Redmond do more than develop software, they hunt down botnets and kill them! Witness the demise of Rustock, a botnet that at one point contained over 2 million zombie computers responsible for sending 30 billion pieces of spam a day.
> MoreRun a Website or Blog? You Can Help Japan Quake Survivors.
“If you run your own site — and we know lots of you do — you can use your pageviews and influence to help Japanese people struggling to recover from yesterday’s devastating natural disasters. All you need is a couple lines of code from the Hello Bar. Mashable News
> MoreLibya Finds New Way to Strangle the Net
While mid eastern users have found ways around other dictator’s attempts to block the Internet, Col. Moammar Gadhafi, Libya’s dictator, seems to be shutting down the Net for everyone but himself. His son Muhammad Gadhafi just happens to own one of the country’s largest ISP’s which would explain the level of skill needed to do this, but [...]
> MoreiPad 2 Launches
Apple threw down the gauntlet today to the horde of tablet computers that are barking at its heels by showing off iPad 2. It’s slimmer, more powerful, has two cameras and costs just the same as the first version. Ships March 11; let the games begin!
> MoreAnti-trust time for Apple’s Subscription Plan?
Looks like Apple’s announcement this week that it was going to take 30% cut of any new subscribers to apps from within iTunes (e.g. news magazines, newspapers etc.) AND not allow their subscribers to go back out to the app’s homepage and subscribe there instead. This has caused a firestorm from Sony and music subscription [...]
> MoreBroadband Boom Coming to the Boondocks?
This Saturday our good friend Charlie Hopper of in the upper, Upper Peninsula of Michigan (i.e. the beautiful Keweenau Peninsula) will talk about President Obama’s recent visit to Marquette to talk about expanding broad band to more parts of our country specifically rural areas. Charlie and his crew have been doing that for nearly 15 years and we [...]
> MoreHP Unveils Three Devices Running webOS
HP unveiled three new devices to challenge the smartphone and tablets that are already on the market with a new operating system: webOS. Is this too little, too late or could webOS be their secret sauce.
> MorePresident Obama’s Address at Northern Michigan University
> MoreGoogle Releases “Honecomb” OS
Wed., Feb 2, Google launched its eagerly awaited Android 3.0 operating system, nicknamed Honeycomb. This sweet new system has been optimized to work on the landslide of new tablets like the Motorola Xoom that debuted at CES in January and now are slowly starting to roll out. The comparisons with Apple’s iOS mobile operating system [...]
> More“The Daily” for iPad launched
Can this collaborative effort between Newsday and Apple keep newspapers relevant vs. online instant news? Would you subscribe to The Daily or just use free news feeds?
> MoreLoss of Steve Jobs: Impact on Apple now and future.
Bloomberg News has created an in-depth look at one of the most influential men of our time, Steve Jobs. Love him or loathe him, Steve’s vision of Apple computers and the recent wave of consumer products like the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad have revolutionized not just computing but our entire way of life. Watch this insightful [...]
> MoreChrysler Foundation Awards Grants to 15 Southeast Michigan FIRST Robotics Teams
Since 1989 Chrysler Foundation has been inspiring students in engineering and technology through their grants to FIRST robotics teams. This year more than $110,000 will be disbursed to 15 teams from 19 high schools in Southeast Michigan. Read the full story here and the complete list of teams.
> MoreThe Verizon iPhone is Official
The other shoe has finally dropped: The CDMA iPhone for Verizon Wireless will be available on Feb. 10, though existing customers can pre-order beginning Feb. 3. Pricing is set at $200 for a 16 GB model and $300 for the 32 GB device and you’ll have to sign a two-year contract. Unfortunately, the Verizon iPhone [...]
> MoreTV Maker Gets into Tablet and Smartphone Business
Vizio is best known for its TV’s but recent publicity may mean that they plan on jumping into the tablet wars of 2011. The tablet and smartphone shown in the article will be unveiled at the upcoming CES.
> MoreSkype Adds Video Chat to iPhones!
Holy Bandwidth, Batman, if you thought network congestion was bad on AT&T before, “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet”! With just one day left before the new year, Skype releases an upgrade that allows its iPhone/iPad app to do video calls. You will NOT need Apple’s FaceTime function to make this work; any old 3G network [...]
> MoreFacebook: King of the Web
Facebook has dethroned Google as the most visited website on the Internet as well as the most searched term. Next: Reach 1 billion users mark in 2011!
> MorePostal Trucks to Provide Rolling Data Network
This may be the only way to save the failing US Postal System: Turn all their trucks into rolling data gathering network. (Ed Rudel)
> MorePower failure may cost Toshiba 20% of its Flash Memory Inventory
.07 seconds power glitch and Toshiba may lose 20% of it Flash drive (NAND chip production) for 2011. Full Story
> MoreDeath of VGA in 2010
VGA has long been the standard for video displays but no longer in high definition world. Adios VGA.
> MoreNew iPhone App Tells You Where Your Product Is…in the Store!
No this isn’t just about finding the right store in the city where they sell what you want. This is about arriving at select stores and having an iPhone app that will tell you the precise shelf in the store where the product is located. This is be a boon for late shopping husbands and [...]
> MoreAcer Unveils Awesome Line Up of Computers
One of my first computers was an Acer and this line up has me looking over my shoulder again. Acer’s incredibly diverse line up of everything from 7 inch tablets to a laptop with two touch screens may turn Black Friday into a technological Fourth of July! Full Story
> MoreSkype 5.0 for Mac Big and Buggy ;-(
Skype has made a complete overhaul of its interface for Apple products and added a new look that fits the Mac OS better but there are lots of complaints about the amount of screen real estate that the Skype interface takes up. Ecamm did release an updated Recorder software but even they warn not to [...]
> MoreFacebook Adds New Messaging System
It isn’t quite email, but Facebook thinks that its new messaging system, Titan, is the wave of the future for digital messaging and considering that they now daily host over 375 million message/day, they could change the way we communicate. Don’t think that those of us who use email will necessarily give up our current [...]
> MoreA New Twitter is Coming!
What could it be?! Click more and watch the YouTube preview.
> MoreApple Releases Massive OS X Update
Apple released a monstrous package of fixes for 134 vulnerabilities in OS X 10 (Snow Leopard) software. To put this in perspective, Microsoft, which release a monthly package of fixes would have to combine the last six months to come close. Someone at MS is having a little chuckle and Mac users better wipe that [...]
> MoreThank you to all who have served in our Armed Services!
We salute all who have selflessly served their country and ensured the freedom we enjoy today! Tweet
> MoreBad Week for Blackberry Enterprise
First it was Dell announcing that they are going to switch 25,000 of their employees over from Blackberries to Windows 7 Phones. Then to pour a little more salt in the wound, Citibank and Bank of America said that they were going to ditch the Crackberry in favor of Apple’s iPhone. Rats jumping ship?
> MoreDetroit Free Press, now there’s an ap for that!
The Detroit Free Press is stepping into the 21st Century finally by publishing aps for iPhones and Blackberry phones. Compared to other news sites, this works pretty well on the iPhone and right now it’s free! Good time to try it.
> MoreWorld’s Tallest Mountain Gets WiFi!
This is really going to chafe those of you who are still on dial up: Mt. Everest now has its own 3G network to help climbers communicate with the outside world!
> MoreChina Claims World’s Fastest Supercomputer
Maybe it’s because the HPC 2010 Conference is being held in Beijing, China, but it looks like the Sleeping Dragon has leapfrogged the US in Supercomputing capacity. China claims that the Tianhe-1A, unveiled Thursday, set a performance record of 2.507 petaflops, easily surpassing the current record holder, the Cray XT5 Jaguar.
> MoreNetflix Gobbling Up Bandwidth
Used to be that we were concerned with all those rascals bit-torrenting and taking up all the bandwidth. Turns out that legitimate download site Netflix is taking up 20% of all available bandwidth! Check out this interesting report on Internet usage around the world.
> MoreFirst Impressions of New MacBook Air
Here is the firsthand report from the folks at CNET after 24 hours playing with Apple’s newest laptop. This was probably the biggest part of the Apple announcement this week. Look for more in depth comments both from Erik Anderson’s Mac Minute and the new Internet Advisor Tech Roundtable coming soon.
> MoreNew Rumor: iPhone for Verizon by December
Like a sighting of Big Foot, the rumors about the iPhone appearing on Verizon have surfaced again with one big difference: the source is the venerable Wall Street Journal. Gary Baker
> MoreNew Super Virus Attacks Power Plants.
A new smarter, more deadly virus called Stuxnet has targeted power plants in Iran. The virus is particularly powerful and has already launched itself against power plants in India and Russia. According to some reports, power systems have been held hostage for ransom and in one case may be responsible for a death. Agencies that [...]
> MoreBye Bye Open Office???
No more Open Office, the free alternative to Microsoft office developed by enthusiastic coders using Sun Microsystems development tools. The volunteers that develop and promote the free office software severed ties with Oracle on Tuesday and formed an independent group called The Document Foundation and may call the office suite, LibreOffice. Full Story Ed Rudel
> MoreRIM Introduces Next iPad Contender
Welcome to the Blackberry Playbook a smaller, business focused contender in the ever widening battle of the tablet/slate computers. Interestingly RIM is running the tablet on its own hybrid OS and included two cameras, bluetooth and WiFi connectivity…no 3G. Release date is set for early 2011.
> MoreNo iPhone for Verizon
No I-phone for Verizon, anytime soon. Apple wants a 4G network. Does this mean Sprint is a contender for Christmas, 2010? Full Story Ed Rudel
> MoreFCC Opens “Super Wi-Fi” TV Bands
FCC has opened up unused TV signals (the white noise between channels) for Internet broadband use. The Super Wi-Fi” technology may start to appear within a year. Full Story Ed Rudel
> MoreInternet Explorer 9 Beta Launches
Microsoft’s premier browser commands one in three visits to the Internet but in recent years has steadily lost ground to feisty competitors like Mozilla’s Firefox or Google’s lightning fast Chrome (both of which have Apple flavors while IE doesn’t!) September 15 Microsoft announced the launch of its newest Internet Explorer 9. Catch Ina Fried’s commentary on [...]
> MoreScientists Invent Super Capacitor…Your Battery on Steroids!
It’s the Onion Capacitor – when combined with today’s slow charging Lithium Ion batteries, are capable of powering a Laptop for days at a time and cell phone for Weeks. A Capacitor can be charged in seconds and then, in turn, charge the slow Lithium-Ion batteries used to power most portable electronics. Read the entire [...]
> MoreNew Kindle Released with 3G
Amazon is heating up the ereader market with the introduction of the newest Kindle that now contains 3G connectivity and not just WiFi. Wonder which carrier will benefit the most from this and what this means for future functions on the Kindle? Full Kindle Review
> More10 Things the Internet Has Killed or Ruined (and 5 Things It Hasn’t)
For good or for bad the Internet has had an incredible impact on things that we thought we would never see the end of like Yellow Pages! Find out who the victims and victors are in this interesting article from PC World. (Ed Rudel)
> MoreIntel to Buy MacAfee Security Firm
The giant of the chip making world has announced that it is buying one of the larger security firms for nearly $8 Billion dollars. Mediocrity pays off big!?!? MacAfee has taken some big hits recently for underperforming but that may have been just the thing that put them at a price point for Intel to [...]
> MoreMunicipalities Buy iPads to Save on Paper
The iPad has primarily been recognized as a consumer media device and not as a business tool. That is slowly changing as people in all walks of life are finding ways of using their iPads in their daily pursuits. One such case could save a small town nearly $18,000 in paper costs. Read full [...]
> MoreSelf-publish anything
Think you have the next great American novel in you but don’t know where to do to publish it? Here is an article that will help you to get just about anything published. Full Story
> MoreCompanies doing business on the iPad
Who says the iPad is just a consumer fad? Businesses are finding ways of using this computing platform to get work done more efficiently and perhaps kill a few less trees. Full story
> MorePay Per Click Club Meeting Aug. 3 in Livonia
On the Internet Advisor 7/24 program Meaghan McCann mentioned a free seminar on helping to get your website advertising to work better for you. Here is the information on the upcoming meeting. The website is www.payperclickclub.com Date: August 3, 2010 Time: 6:00 – 900 pm Place: EMU-Livonia, Room 425 Who: Any small business owner who [...]
> MoreThe Facebook Effect
The world’s largest social networking site just logged its 500 millionth user. Facebook has launched a site that lets people tell how it has impacted people’s lives. Maybe your story should be told there. Take a look at some of the other impressive statistics about Facebook. Full story in eweek.com
> MoreNew Michigan Broadband Coverage Map
If Michigan is going to compete in a global marketplace, we need to have strong, available access to high speed internet connections. Connect Michigan has just released its first interactive map that shows where high speed internet access has progressed in Michigan. Connect Michigan was commissioned by the Michigan Public Service Commission in conjunction with [...]
> MoreApple Responds to iPhone 4 Problems
Steve Jobs stepped up to the platform on Friday with a fancy slide show and basically confirmed what we all knew: the iPhone 4 has some serious antenna problems. The good news for iPhone 4 users is that Apple will give them a free wrap around guard that will solve the problem…if only they can [...]
> MoreIs This Apple’s “Toyota” Moment?
Consumer’s Report has recommended against the iPhone because of its antenna problems. Could it be that this is the PR disaster that may just knock Steve Jobs and Apple off their high horse the way that Toyota suffered when it repeatedly ignored or denied safety problems? Verizon is delighted with Apple’s problems as it gets [...]
> MoreMidwest Geek Vacation Hot Spots
Even geeks like to get out from behind the glow of their monitors every now and then. Eweek recently published a list of places to visit that should please even the most avid techno-nut in your family. Happy trails…and may you find open WiFi everywhere you go! LOL Geek Vacation Hotspots Cal Carson
> MoreGuess what this is!
Hint: picture was taken in 1956… It’s a hard disk drive back in 1956… with 5 MB of storage. In September 1956 IBM launched the 305 RAMAC, the first ‘SUPER’ computer with a hard disk drive (HDD). The HDD weighed over a ton and stored a ‘whopping’ 5 MB of data. Do you appreciate your 8 GB memory [...]
> MoreWorld Cup 2010…There’s an App for that!
I don’t know how many of you are soccer fans but I am a fanatic. I played a little in college and have grandchildren who are very good at it. I would rather watch a 0-0 soccer match like France vs. Uruguay on Friday than most other American sports except perhaps hockey because my wife [...]
> MoreCongratulations Lauren Baker
This coming Saturday Gary Baker will miss the show for a very good reason. He and his family will celebrate the graduation from high school of his oldest child, Lauren, who just also happens to be our Teen Tech Advisor (we will have to search for a much more sophisticated title in the near future! [...]
> MoreThe New Apple iPhone Released
Even Apple computer haters have to admit to intense curiosity when Steve Jobs trots out a new device or, as in this case, a rather remarkably updated version of an already popular Apple device. Monday, June 14, the president and guiding light behind Apple unveiled the newest version of the world’s arguably most popular smart [...]
> MoreFoster’s Caringbridge Blog
You are invited to visit Foster’s CaringBridge blog to follow his treatment until he returns later this summer.
> MoreMighty MacAfee Mess
A recent MacAfee Security update caused untold damage to Windows XP computers around the world. Hope yours wasn’t part of the mess. This goof wiped out entire business enterprises operations when it hit earlier this week. Full Story
> MoreOn the other hand: Israel Bans iPads!
Apple haters will love this. The nation of Israel is prohibiting travels from bringing iPads into the Mideast nation claiming that they will interfere with too many other products. This is highly suspicious behavior from a country noted for producing some of the highest level technology devices and components in the world. Full Story
> MoreiPad Keeps Country Running Remotely
The Icelandic volcano has paralyzed travel across much of Europe as the ash cloud slowly disperses. This has stranded many people including Norway’s prime minister. No problem, Jens Stoltenberg just whipped out his iPad and got down to the business of state from the airport! Full Story
> MoreIt’s official: iPhone coming to Verizon and Sprint
This week the Wall Street Journal reported that AT&T’s exclusive deal with the iPhone is over. Possibly by this summer, you could see iPhones showing up on the huge Verizon system and on Sprint. I will be interesting to see what they do with their red maps vs. blue maps of coverage battle!
> MoreFacebook Co-founder is back in start up business
Chris Hughes, the Facebook co-founder, has a new enterprise called Jumo, which soft launches today. “Jumo”–a Yoruba (African) word meaning “together in concert”–is a non-profit that aims to help people find ways to help the world. “We’ll be matching people based on their skills and interests with organizations around the world that need their input. [...]
> MoreFacebook users – Beware of email requesting you change your password
On March 17th 2010, McAfee sent out the warning concerning a facebook, password stealing email. If you receive and email telling you to reset your Facebook password, ignore it. The bad guys want steal your passwords and empty your bank accounts. Remember, Facebook will not send you an email forcing you to change your password. [...]
> MoreAnn Arbor Wants to Be Test Case for Google High Speed Net
Google recently put out a request for information to communities all across the country. It plans to use the information it receives to determine where to build its new fiber network. Ann Arbor city officials are anxious to have its citizens be some of the first in the country to benefit from this super fast [...]
> MoreTwitter Knows Where You Are
Look out, your next Twitter post could be letting the whole world know exactly where you are. The good news is that you can opt out of this new feature. Full Story
> MoreeBay app for Android now available
eBay continues to expand its mobile commerce presence with the latest addition to its application suite – the eBay application for Android. Bringing a streamlined eBay experience to Android phones everywhere, the eBay application lets on-the-go shoppers search, buy, pay, and check status of their eBay activity no matter where they are. The app is [...]
> MoreSelling Detroit by the Square Inch
An enterprising Detroiter is selling square inches of Southwest Detroit to people all over the globe. Jerry Paffendorf owns some property near Vernor Highway and has nearly 600 “inchvestors” from around the globe who want to put up mailboxes, create miniature cities and otherwise artful projects on the land. Jerry intends on installing a solar [...]
> MoreNew WJR App for iPhone and Blackberry
WJR is now available “live” on your iPhone or certain models of Blackberry, thru the WJR APP. To learn more you can go to WJR.com T he APP is free…and works better than ever. The audio is from the WJR.com streaming feed. Or if you have an APP search engine on your device, you can [...]
> MoreCould AT&T’s Success Be Its Undoing?
Not everyone jumped for joy when Steve Jobs announced that the revolutionary iPad device would be serviced soley through AT&T. The telecom giant has suffered severe customer backlash over dead spots, poor customer service and network congestion. How does adding a whole new category of bandwidth sucking devices help? And what about those brutally pointed [...]
> MoreIt’s an iPad!…Apple launches touch screen tablet!
It was the most expected surprise in recent memory, but Wednesday morning in San Francisco, Apple launched what some feel will be the next “game changing” device, the iPad starting at $500 for the 16 Gig base model (there are a total of 6 models some of which will run 3G and all will connect [...]
> MoreErik Anderson Grabs MAB Awards for OU!
We are very proud to announce that Erik Anderson (aka Big Red, Mac Boy etc.) our very own producer, helped Oakland University take home an unprecedented FOUR Michigan Association of Broadcaster Awards for 2009. Erik’s crew at WXOU helped garner: 1st place in News, 2nd place in Sports Play-by-play, 2nd place in Station Activities for [...]
> MoreNorton Security Suite Now Free to Comcast Customers
Starting, Jan 20th 2010, Comcast high-speed Internet customers can download Norton Security for free at www.comcast.net/security on a PC or Mac. Commercial customers can also download Norton Security Suite Business Edition at businessclass.comcast.net. The residential package is valued at $160 while the business offering usually sells for $490. Comcast has removed McAfee as parts of its Comcast [...]
> MoreText Messages From Haiti Quake Survivors Still Buried
CNN reports that text messages from deep inside the rubble of a bank brought searchers back to the building to look for the lost amid the rubble. Elsewhere “lower tech” ham radios are serving as vital link to the outside world when more cutting edge Internet connections are down. Ed Rudel
> MoreDetroit Auto Show Opens to the Public Through Jan. 24
It’s Detroit’s annual moment in the spotlight and this year there is a hopeful buzz surrounding the show. Visit this site for daily updates. This week the world’s auto pundits will weigh the recovery and the future of Detroit’s once proud auto industry.
> MoreGoogle Launches Nexus One Superphone
Pity poor Google. They are just the 500 lb. gorilla of the Internet and when they try and launch a cool new smartphone, the Nexus One, they look like the local high school sophomore chemistry class trying to explain a really cool experiment they did! Oh well, we can’t all be as cool as Apple [...]
> More2009: Year of the Social Networks
You know the game is changing when grandpa asks to “friend” you on Facebook! Social networking sites are not just expanding in shear numbers but are also growing more mature because of a broader and more sophisticated group of users spanning wider and wider age gaps. Ironically the paper and pen generation may be bringing [...]
> MoreApple is a Good Pick
Seems that Santa had something very nice for Apple stock holders this year: Amid speculation about a forthcoming tablet computer, the company’s shares have risen 145% this year. he stock surged $6.94, or 3.4%, on Thursday to close at a record high of $209.04. That topped the previous closing high of $207 on Nov. 17. [...]
> MoreBig Search Engines Not Immune to Scammers
A recent experiment showed that Yahoo and Microsoft’s Bing search engines could be suckered into giving high search rankings to scammers. Google didn’t fall for the ploy but admitted that the hackers are getting really clever at fooling search engines along with faking other websites. Moral of the story: Never give up your personal information [...]
> More10 Best Websites of the Last Decade
There was a lot of lively discussion around this topic during our marathon show Dec. 5. Check out this article from About.com and see what you think of their choices. We had a few extras thrown in during the Dec. 5 show and you can hear them throughout the podcasts of the show. Vince Chmielewski [...]
> MoreComcast Wants to Buy NBC/Universal
There goes the neighborhood. Comcast, the nation’s largest cable provider, has just announced its intentions to buy a controlling interest in NBC/Universal Studios. What will be the consequences of a single provider controlling both the content and the delivery of that content to millions of Americans? Serious concerns are being raised that a critical barrier [...]
> MoreNew AVG 9.0 Free Version Arrives
Long time listeners to the Internet Advisor know that Gary, Ed and Foster have all used AVG free anti-virus protection to keep their systems clean for years. AVG has just released its newest version of its respected free anti-virus but beware: it’s part of a huge security suite. Free doesn’t pay the rent so it’s [...]
> MoreSeattle Team Takes Home $900K Prize for "Space Elevator"
Space elevators are envisioned as a way to reach space without the risk and expense of rockets.
Instead, electrically powered vehicles would run up and down a cable anchored to a ground structure and extending thousands of miles up to a mass in geosynchronous orbit — the kind of orbit communications satellites are placed in to stay over a fixed spot on the Earth.
20 Goofy USB Gadgets & Gizmos You'll Love
This is what your IT department does when no one is looking! LOL Everything USB you’ve ever wanted, from stink-busters to toasters that print the morning news on your breakfast.
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