7 things you wish you got for Christmas (or didn't know you needed) - from $5 to $500 by Kim Komando

What did you get for Christmas this year?  Maybe you were the lucky recipient of a shiny new tablet or gaming console. Or, maybe St. Nick didn't deliver every tech goodie that was on your holiday wish list. It's never too late to be your own personal Santa Claus. Here's what to buy during the big post-holiday sales, including some must-have accessories for your new gadgets. 1. A handy USB hub
 You'll need a simple way to keep all those new gadgets charged and ready to go. Pick up a good USB hub like the Sabrent 4-Port USB hub ($5.99) It's got four ports on one side, so you can kiss cable clutter goodbye. Plus, it's an easy solution for families looking for a central spot to...

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Get started with the iPhone 5c and 5s by Serenity Caldwell

Congratulations, you’ve snagged yourself a brand-new iPhone 5c or 5s. But before you get to playing with your new device, you’ll probably want to get to know it and set it up. Thanks to iOS 7’s step-by-step activation process, Apple’s made it pretty simple to get started; but just in case you need some extra help, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide for activating your new iPhone, transferring data from your old phone, and some suggestions for exploring its new features. Transfer your data You’ve moved to the latest and greatest in the iOS world, and to do so, you’re leaving your old device behind. But before you send it off with a fond farewell, you have to decide whether you want to...

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These popular movies are expiring from Netflix soon by Kim Komando

If you want to watch any of these popular movies on Netflix, you only have four days left to do it! That's because these films and TV shows are expiring soon! From Reddit: TV Shows
  EXPIRING JANUARY 1, 2014
 Dark Shadows (original from late 1960s)
 Mr. Bean
Perfect 10 Model Boxing (Volume 1)
 Saturday Night Live The 2000s
The Kids In The Hall Movies
  EXPIRING DECEMBER 29, 2013
 Transformers Dark Of The Moon EXPIRING JANUARY 1, 2014
 1492 Conquest Of Paradise
 50 First Dates 
As Good As It Gets 
Back To School
 Battle Of Britain
 Being John Malkovich
 Best Of Times 
Biloxi Blues
 Body Of Evidence
 Born On the Fourth Of July
 Braveheart
 Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
 Brick
 Can't...

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Review of Dell Venue 7

Review of Dell Venue 7 Tablet - WSJ.com Click on "corner icon" to make Blog Post larg...

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Where Will Your New Phone Break?

Broken smartphones have cost Americans $13 billion over the past five years, says warranty company SquareTrade, which also surveyed where in the home they break. Should you receive a new iPhone 5S or Samsung Galaxy S4 this holiday season, here's where to be careful. By Fast Company Staff Most recent smart phone accident was in the home: Bedroom Android: 12% iPhone: 8% Living Room Android: 21% iPhone: 17% Kitchen Android: 15% iPhone: 21% Bathroom Android: 13% iPhone: 16% Toilet Android: 9% iPhone: 9% Washing Machine Android: 4% iPhone: 4% Roof of Car Android: 6% iPhone: 6% Driveway Android: 13% iPhone: 10% A version of this article appeared in the December 2013 / January 2014 issue of...

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iTunes Tagging Basics and Tips

iTunes Tagging Basics and Tips Click on "corner" icon to make Blog Post larger.   Why not sign up for my newsletter? We will never sell or sell your email address. Unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter. Sign up for our Email Newsletter For Email Marketing you can trust Carl Thorne Expert Computer Consulting  voice: 404.229.0839 email: carlthorne@hthcatlanta.com web: hthcatlanta.com blog: hthcatlanta.blogspot.c...

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Microsoft Warns Windows XP Users Risk "Zero Day Forever"

Microsoft Warns Windows XP Users Risk "Zero Day Forever" Click on "corner" icon to make Blog Post larger.   Why not sign up for my newsletter? We will never sell or sell your email address. Unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter. Sign up for our Email Newsletter For Email Marketing you can trust Carl Thorne Expert Computer Consulting  voice: 404.229.0839 email: carlthorne@hthcatlanta.com web: hthcatlanta.com blog: hthcatlanta.blogspot.c...

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Fact or Fiction: Nine iPhone and iPad Battery-Saving Techniques Tested Click on "corner" icon to make Blog Post larger.   Why not sign up for my newsletter? We will never sell or sell your email address. Unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter. Sign up for our Email Newsletter For Email Marketing you can trust Carl Thorne Expert Computer Consulting  voice: 404.229.0839 email: carlthorne@hthcatlanta.com web: hthcatlanta.com blog: hthcatlanta.blogspot.c...

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5 Essential Tools Every iTunes User Should Have by Jonathan Seff

5 Essential Tools That Every iTunes User Should Have Click on "corner" icon to make Blog Post larger.   Why not sign up for my newsletter? We will never sell or sell your email address. Unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter. Sign up for our Email Newsletter For Email Marketing you can trust Carl Thorne Expert Computer Consulting  voice: 404.229.0839 email: carlthorne@hthcatlanta.com web: hthcatlanta.com blog: hthcatlanta.blogspot.c...

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How to Use iCloud Keychain by Joe Kissell

How to Use iCloud Keychain Click on "corner" icon to make Blog Post larger.   Why not sign up for my newsletter? We will never sell or sell your email address. Unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter. Sign up for our Email Newsletter For Email Marketing you can trust Carl Thorne Expert Computer Consulting  voice: 404.229.0839 email: carlthorne@hthcatlanta.com web: hthcatlanta.com blog: hthcatlanta.blogspot.c...

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Get to know iOS 7: Meet Apple's new mobile OS by MacWorld Staff

iOS 7 is here, and it’s packed full of all sorts of features you don’t want to miss knowing about. Update simplification As with iOS 6, you’ll be able to update your device over the air using Settings > General > Software Update. Update your device to iOS 7 for free starting September 18. Once you do, you’ll have to answer some questions about your privacy, security, and iCloud settings. And if you just purchased a new iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, you may also be prompted to download your free copies of the iLife and iWork suite. iPhone 5s users will also be asked to map their fingerprint for Touch ID access. iOS 7 and the iPhone 5s If you’re planning on picking up an iPhone 5s in...

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2 great new Surface tablets unveiled: Why I won't be buying either one By James Kendrick for Mobile News

Summary: As expected, Microsoft recently unveiled the second generation Surface tablets with much improved hardware. Unfortunately, that's not enough to get me to buy one. Microsoft is getting the hang of throwing device launch events. The debut of the new Surface tablets was an exciting affair that showcased the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2, complete with great refreshed hardware. Both new tablets will have state-of-the-art hardware components when they become available October 22. As good as both Surface tablets look, they each lack something which will keep my wallet firmly in my pocket. Surface 2 The Surface 2 tablet is the refreshed version of the original Surface RT. Of the two Surface...

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Roundup of Early iPhone 5S Reviews by Jim Karpen

  Wow, the headlines in my RSS reader suggest the new iPhone 5Ss is being very well received, with lots of superlatives. Here's the respected John Gruber on the Daring Fireball website: "This is what innovation, real innovation, looks like." He rebuts arguments that Apple has lost the ability to innovate and argues that the refinements in the iPhone 5S show real innovation. He offers a very detailed review of the camera, Touch ID, and the 64-bit architecture, including benchmarks showing how much faster the iPhone 5S is than the iPhone 5. And here's TechCrunch: "With the iPhone 5S, Apple once again wins the right to claim the title of best smartphone available." The review covers...

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Video Tour of Apple's New iPhones courtesy MacWorld magazine

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The worst deals in tech: Are you being fleeced by these 7 overpriced products? by Christopher Null

The coolest running shoes at the Nike store this year are the Nike Air Max+ 2013. They retail for $180, but when you break down the costs for the materials and the manufacturing and labor at the Chinese factory where the shoes are made, you’re looking at a product that costs less than $10 a pop. The remaining $170 covers marketing (to make you believe the shoes are worth the premium price) and a handsome profit for Nike. The company reports revenues of about $25 billion a year. It works the same way for many products in the tech world. As gadget enthusiasts, we accept the idea that products are worth what we’re willing to pay for them, and not what they cost in terms of product development,...

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5 tricks every email user needs to know by Kim Komando

Q. I'm spending more time than I'd like to admit reading and responding to email. It's seriously A. You're not alone! Research firms estimate that more than a quarter of a person's work week is spent dealing with email. Who knows what that translates to in terms of the time it takes to refocus on the task at hand? cutting into my work and stopping me from doing the things I need and want to do. Do you have any tips to help me handle my email a little better? As someone who receives more email than I can count, I've had to cook up special strategies. I've boiled down all of my favorite tips into five ideas that just about anyone can use. Each one can shave serious time off of your inbox management. Even...

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Your perilous future on Windows XP By Larry Seltzer for Zero Day

Summary: You've been getting warned for ages about the impending end of support for XP. Things are even worse than you've heard (especially if you run Internet Explorer). Expect a flood of new vulnerabilities and no help for them. An older relative (a really frugal but sharp guy in his 80's) once bemoaned to me about the scam in the computer industry pushing people to upgrade all the time. "Why" (I'm paraphrasing here) "should I upgrade a computer which does what I want it to do?" We're coming up on one really good answer to his question. As Mary Jo Foley reported the other day, Microsoft is stepping up their warning campaign about users still running Windows XP, which will reach end of life...

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Do you still need these 5 tech relics? by Kim Komando

Q: Do I really need a mouse pad? I've had the same one for years and it's pretty scratched up and gross. I'm going to chuck it soon, but do I even need to replace it?
 A. Mouse pads used to be an essential tool. However, unless you still have a very old mouse with a ball, you don't need one. Most computer mice use laser or optical sensors these days. They don't need a rubber surface to provide grip for the ball. So they'll work on most surfaces without trouble. Newer laser mice can even work on glass. That doesn't mean you have to ditch yours if it's still good, though. In fact, mouse pads can be a great way to express your individuality. They can show how big of a fan you are of something...

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