How to simplify overlapping cloud storage services by Joe Kissell

There’s no shortage of choices for cloud storage, but that leads to another problem: how do you decide which services you truly need, and which files to put where? If you’ve signed up for as many cloud providers as you have files, it’s time for an intervention (or at least a moment of clear-headed contemplation). I’ll admit it: I’m an online storage junkie. At one time or another I’ve synced files to the cloud using Amazon Cloud Drive, Amazon S3, Bitcasa, Box, DollyDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, SpiderOak, SugarSync, Wuala, and probably a few others I’m forgetting—not to mention using online backups from Backblaze, CrashPlan, and Mozy, and storing photos...

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Conquer your inbox with the best email apps for iOS by Derek Walter

Apple’s stock mail app got some nice upgrades with iOS 8, but it still lacks many of the more powerful features found in other third-party email apps. With so many different choices out there, you may be wondering what the best alternative is for your needs, so we tried out a handful of the most innovative email apps that want to be your inbox managing assistant. Each of these apps take vastly different approaches to email. Some help you categorize the jumble of messages to mine the gems, while others ruthlessly cut through the clutter to achieve a pristine and empty inbox. I tried out all of these apps on an iPad mini, as it’s compact enough to bring everywhere and use...

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What do you get from a $199 PC? More than you might expect by Ed Bott

Summary: HP's new dirt-cheap Windows laptop looks like a Chromebook and is practically the same dimensions as a MacBook Air. Just don't call it a netbook. When I heard that I was going to receive an HP Stream 11 to review, I was skeptical. You would be too, if you knew that the Stream 11 sells for $199.99 and comes in your choice of blue or pink plastic cases. But after spending a couple days with this budget PC I came away impressed at what you get for two C-notes. No, it will not replace my Surface Pro 3, nor are you likely to exchange your MacBook Air for a Stream 11. But I would certainly recommend it over a Chromebook for anyone who does...

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iOS 8.1.1 Now Available — Improves Performance on Older Devices by Jim Karpen

Apple has released the iOS 8.1.1 update, which is now available for download. It fixes some minor bugs, but more important, it improves the performance of iOS 8 on older devices, such as the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4s. Many users of older devices regretted upgrading to iOS 8, especially those with an iPhone 4S. Hopefully iOS 8.1.1 will take care of the performance problems people had been experiencing. iOS 8.1.1 can be installed on the iPhone 4S and later, the iPad 2 and later, all models of the iPad mini, and the fifth-generation iPod touch. As always, you can install the update via Wi-Fi by going to Settings > General > Software Update. And you can also update your device...

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The ultimate guide on how and where to use Apple Pay by Leah Yamshon

Roughly one month after we first saw a demo of Tim Cook scanning an iPhone at a cash register to buy stuff, Apple Pay arrived for the rest of us to check out. But before you go blowing your entire paycheck on everything from big handbags to Big Macs, there are a few things to keep in mind about the platform. Read on to learn more about how Apple Pay works, how to get your iPhone ready for it, and most importantly, where you can go test it out yourself. What's the latest? Bi-Lo Holdings, a parent company of three major U.S. grocery store chains—Bi-Lo, Harveys, and Winn-Dixie—announced on November 18 that its stores will now be compatible with Apple Pay. This...

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7 essential steps to secure your smartphone or tablet by Kim Komando

Your smartphone - or tablet - knows a lot about you. It's packed with your contacts, emails, photos, texts and browsing history. You probably have it set to log in to your Facebook or Twitter app automatically. If you shop or bank on your phone, it's probably holding your account logins and credit card numbers. In other words, you want to keep other people as far away from it as possible. Just thinking about someone else on my phone and what they could do with the information in it gives me the chills. Unfortunately, and I'm sure you know this, friends and family like to snoop, thieves have no trouble walking away with gadgets in public and hackers...

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Alert: Has your identity already been stolen? 3 warning signs to check now by Kim Komando

Identity theft is real and serious. Millions of Americans have their identity stolen annually, and it's the fastest-growing crime in the U.S. according to the FBI. Estimates for identity theft victims in 2012 range as high as 16.6 million, and with the large number of data breaches happening this year we might see 2014's figure pass 20 million. Given those numbers, it's fair to say that everyone should assume their identity will be stolen at some point. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to protect it, but just know it probably won't be enough. Most ID theft victims don't even realize their identity is stolen until weeks or months after the fact....

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Conquer your inbox with the best email apps for iOS by Derek Walter

Apple’s stock mail app got some nice upgrades with iOS 8, but it still lacks many of the more powerful features found in other third-party email apps. With so many different choices out there, you may be wondering what the best alternative is for your needs, so we tried out a handful of the most innovative email apps that want to be your inbox managing assistant. Each of these apps take vastly different approaches to email. Some help you categorize the jumble of messages to mine the gems, while others ruthlessly cut through the clutter to achieve a pristine and empty inbox. I tried out all of these apps on an iPad mini, as it’s compact enough to bring everywhere and use as a...

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How to update Windows the right way by Kim Komando

The second Tuesday of every month is an important day in the tech world. That's the day Microsoft releases its regular updates for Windows, Internet Explorer, Office and other products. Other tech companies, like Adobe, often release updates that day as well. Microsoft used to call the day Patch Tuesday but it switched the name to Update Tuesday when it started including program updates along with security updates. The security updates usually include fixes for serious security problems that hackers will take advantage of if you leave them unpatched. Program updates can be any new features that Microsoft wants to add to Windows. Either way, if you want to keep your...

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Verizon 'supercookies' could be a boon to advertisers, hackers by Seth Rosenblatt

Supercookies could take a bigger bite out of your privacy than you think, say researchers. Here's what they're worried about. It's bad enough that Verizon and AT&T have unleashed a new breed of "supercookie" that can track your every online move, even as you switch between your smartphone, tablet and TV. Far worse is the possibility of abuse by advertisers, governments and hackers, privacy experts warn. "Any website you're going to end up on is going to get this supercookie," said Marc Maiffret, chief technology officer of cybersecurity company BeyondTrust. That opens the potential for these supercookies to be exploited by many more people than Verizon anticipated with its tracking...

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Home streaming 101: Tablet-smartphone-laptop-streaming gadget to your big screen by Komando

The days of just watching whatever happens to be on TV are coming to an end. On-demand streaming and download services let you watch what you want when you want. While lots of my listeners would love to jump into the world of online streaming, the big question they often have is how to watch online videos on your TV screen. After all, not everyone wants to squint at a smartphone screen to watch their favorite show, or gather the family round a laptop for movie night. Fortunately, getting your TV in on the streaming action isn't that hard. I've rounded up the most popular streaming options and I'll tell you what it takes to hook them into your TV. So, let's get...

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How to simplify overlapping cloud storage services by Joe Kissell

There’s no shortage of choices for cloud storage, but that leads to another problem: how do you decide which services you truly need, and which files to put where? If you’ve signed up for as many cloud providers as you have files, it’s time for an intervention (or at least a moment of clear-headed contemplation). I’ll admit it: I’m an online storage junkie. At one time or another I’ve synced files to the cloud using Amazon Cloud Drive, Amazon S3, Bitcasa, Box, DollyDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, SpiderOak, SugarSync, Wuala, and probably a few others I’m forgetting—not to mention using online backups from Backblaze, CrashPlan, and Mozy, and storing...

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Apple just fixed the issue that made it a nightmare to switch to Android by Kim Kon

There are plenty of reasons why even diehard iPhone users might want to switch to Android. Maybe you're fed up with Apple's iCloud privacy leaks. Maybe you don't want to pay so much money for the Apple logo and brand. Or you could just be attracted to Android's unique features and wide variety of phone choices. Whatever your reasons, one big reason to stick with iPhone was a bug that could stop you from receiving text messages on your new phone from other iPhone users. Apple's known about this problem for years, but it's only fixed it now. Whether it's because of legal pressure, consumer outcry or a new-found conscience, Apple's finally (and very quietly) released a new tool...

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Thanksgiving Day Foods that can kill your dog by ASPCA

Click on Read More to make this important chart large...

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