Get Free Software Diagnostic and Malware Removal at Microsoft Stores

Is your computer running a bit sluggish? Perhaps you've been hit with a bad malware infection? For those of you that might need a little assistance figuring out what the issue is or removing that pesky malware bug Microsoft is offering to lend a hand. That is of course if you live in an area with a Microsoft store.

Microsoft’s in store Answer Desks, is offering customers five free services, regardless of where you bought your computer. It doesn't matter whether you got your PC from Microsoft, or somewhere else. Simply bring your PC into a store near you and they’ll provide you with “extended diagnostics on any device.” They also offer free software repair or support, remove viruses and/or malware, and they’ll also offer to give your PC a tune up in order to boost its performance.

Microsoft’s Answer Desk page also says that you can get an appraisal on store credit for your gear through the company’s Recycle for Rewards program.

Microsoft doesn't make it totally clear as to what each service entails or how thorough the check-ups will be. Each service is listed at $99.0o through the Answer Desk page. Meaning you could save yourself a few hundred dollars and get your PC fixed up and finally tuned in the mean time.

All You Need to Know About Google I/O 2014 Day 1

 Developing news will be updated as more details emerge! 

During today's 7th annual Google I/O developer conference Google took the wraps off several new projects, devices and services the company has plans to release this year. Some we already knew about like Android Wear, while yet others were the objects of pure speculation.

Here is a break down of a few of the major new updates from Google:

Android L:

Due to be released this fall Android L is the newest version of the Android operating system which features numerous new OS improvements. The Android L release will be what Google is calling "the biggest release ever for Android" which includes hundreds of enhancements and new features. Google will – as rumored – enable ART as the default runtime replacing the aging Dalvik. Thanks to ART, which supports features like Ahead of Time compiling, Just in Time compiling, and interpreted code, Google can offer a performance jump of 2x compared to Dalvik.

Other improvements include 64-bit chip support, though not just ARM-based processors that are found in a lot of  mobile device today -- it also supports 64-bit x86-64 parts from Intel and AMD, along with the MIPS64 architecture from MIPS. In terms of graphics performance, L will support features like tessellation, geometry shaders and computer shaders, as part of the so called Android Extension Pack. Finally, battery life will be improved as well in the L release, thanks to features like a new battery saving mode, scheduling of maintenance tasks, and coalescing of CPU tasks.

Android TV:

Building on the success of the Chromecast, Android TV will bring all that you love about the Android experience like your favorite apps and games right to your living room. In short Android TV builds in Google’s search services directly into your TV-watching experience, through a set-top box or as part of your TV. You can use voice search to find a live TV show, a good flick from Google Play, or a music video on YouTube. Plus, because it’s Android, you’ll be able to play your favorite Android games, reimagined for TV and with a gamepad.

Android TV has access to the popular streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and Spotify, and many more. There’s a specific Android TV store set to arrive with the launch of Android L, which contains apps, steaming services and games that are specifically optimized for Google’s TV service. Android TV will be coming to a variety of form factors, including TVs, set-top boxes, and streaming boxes. Sony, Sharp, TPVision, Asus and Rasr are all currently developing products with more manufactures reportedly doing the same.

Android Auto:

Delivering a Google Now type experience for the car, Android Auto will make it easier and safer to use Google's connected services while driving down the road. When Android Auto connects to your car's display, it will automatically show information relevant to your driving habits based on the information that Google and Google Now already knows about you.

You'll have access to Google Voice search for things like Maps and Navigation, music and phone commands such as replying to incoming text and email messages using Google's voice input and text-to-speech systems. The familiar commands should be recognizable from Google Now on the phone. Google stated that it has 40 automakers and suppliers partnered up as part of the Open Automotive Alliance and standing behind Android Auto.

Android Wear:

We first learned about Android Wear back in March when Google officially the new OS platform that is the company’s vision for the future platform for smartwatches and other wearable devices. Android Wear extends on the mobile Android OS platlform, and its ecosystem of apps, bringing those features to the “wearable market”.

You get the information you need, quickly at a glance—just like you’re used to doing with your watch. Just say “Ok Google” to ask questions or to get stuff done. Get alerted when it's time to leave for dinner. Call a cab to take you there. See the traffic on the way. Text a friend once you're seated. It’s all right there, on your wrist, easy to see, right when you want it. Two new Android Wear devices are available today with the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live, going up for order on Google Play, and the Moto 360 from Motorola will be available in the coming months.

Google Fit:

Recently previewed, details around Google Fit are still a bit vague. Google didn't go into much detail about the new project however it did announce a new set of APIs which are meant to help Google users keep track of fitness goals with wearables, sensors, and data-logging apps by letting those apps and devices share information with each other. Google named a number of partners including LG, RunKeeper, RunTastic, Adidas, Basis, Nike, and Motorola. Google specifically mentioned wearables, but the only device named for integration during the presentation was Nike's Fuel system.

Android One:

Targeting the budget minded and developing markets, Android One is Google's attempt at pushing into markets where smartphone ownership isn't as prevalent as it is in more developed markets. This means budget smartphones with stock Android and great specs. The sample device shown at I/O was manufactured by Micromax and comes equipped with a 4.5-inch display, dual-SIM support, SD card support, and an FM radio. This device will run stock Android, will have automatic updates (just like the Nexus line), and will cost less than $100.

Since the company is targeting the developing world, Google is initially teaming up with Indian smartphone makers like Karbonn and Spice.


Source: Google Official Blog

Supreme Court Unanimously Says No to Warrantless Cellphone Searches

Tech users and digital privacy rights supporters won a major victory today as the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a unanimous decision upholding the rights of citizens against warantless searches. The ruling handed down today re-enforces the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable search and seizure as it applies to new technologies.

Cellphones are not the same as other physical objects, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion. "One of the most notable distinguishing features of modern cell phones is their immense storage capacity," he wrote. "Before cell phones, a search of a person was limited by physical realities and tended as a general matter to constitute only a narrow intrusion on privacy. ... Most people cannot lug around every piece of mail they have received for the past several months, every picture they have taken, or every book or article they have read -- nor would they have any reason to attempt to do so."

At the heart of the decision is the difference between what material evidence a suspect might carry on their person compared to just how different 16 gigabytes of information on a phone as well as information stored via the cloud is from that material evidence.

But with a cellphone, "the sum of an individual's private life can be reconstructed through a thousand photographs labeled with dates, locations, and descriptions; the same cannot be said of a photograph or two of loved ones tucked into a wallet."

Because so much data can be found by searching even an inexpensive cellphone, police must in most cases obtain warrants to search them, the court ruled. "The fact that technology now allows an individual to carry such information in his hand does not make the information any less worthy of the protection for which the Founders fought. Our answer to the question of what police must do before searching a cell phone seized incident to an arrest is accordingly simple -- get a warrant."

Today ruling largely stemmed from two separate cases, one from California (Riley v. California) and one from Boston Massachusetts (United States v. Wurie). Both cases involved arrests whereas information obtained from police searching cellphones of the defendants led to them being charged and convicted.

In both cases, the issue raised before the Supreme Court was whether the warrantless searches and subsequent chargers were deemed reasonable

"These cases require us to decide how the search incident to arrest doctrine applies to modern cell phones, which are now such a pervasive and insistent part of daily life that the proverbial visitor from Mars might conclude they were an important feature of human anatomy," Chief Justice Roberts wrote. In both cases, the cellphones in question "are based on technology nearly inconceivable just a few decades ago," when precedent-setting cases were decided.

"Finally, there is an element of pervasiveness that characterizes cell phones but not physical records. Prior to the digital age, people did not carry a cache of sensitive personal information with them as they went about their day. Now it is the person who is not carrying a cell phone, with all that it contains, who is the exception," the ruling says. "A decade ago police officers searching an arrestee might have occasionally stumbled across a highly personal item such as a diary. But those discoveries were likely to be few and far between. Today, by contrast, it is no exaggeration to say that many of the more than 90% of American adults who own a cell phone keep on their person a digital record of nearly every aspect of their lives -- from the mundane to the intimate. Allowing the police to scrutinize such records on a routine basis is quite different from allowing them to search a personal item or two in the occasional case."

In their ruling the court acknowledged that the ruling will have an effect on the ability of police to combat crime, but reminded us that privacy must prevail!!

Intel 2-in-1s: Getting The Best of A Tablet And Laptop All-In-One Device

The argument over which is better the laptop or the tablet is a never ending one. Each has their own merits with neither necessarily being a "winner," only a preference based on your specific needs. However, when choosing out latest geek gadget we asked ourselves, why choose between either? Why not get the best of both and get something that will offer the extremely convenient and portable features of a tablet, with all the powerful features a laptop has to offer?

When looking for the latest addition to our gadget family we took many factors into consideration. First, and foremost we had to think about what tasks we would need the device to handle on a daily basis and what we thought would be imperative for the device to perform. For example, for us a keyboard or the ability to use a keyboard is essential. Try typing out several long blog posts on a touchscreen and you will soon see why! We also needed something that offered a great deal of portability. I like to travel light and carry as little as possible.

Filling all of our needs has always been a bit tricky. Being tech junkies, of course we also have impeccable taste, so whatever devices we decide to grace the office with have to meet the highest standards. Given this, we decide to add our second #Intel2in1 device.

Meet our new Dell Venue 11 Pro! She came to us fully loaded and ready to tackle any of the geekiest tasks we could toss her way. Under the hood is an Intel Core i5 4210Y processor (3MB Cache, 1.5 GHz Dual-Core) processor, Windows 8.1, 4GBs of RAM and 128GB internal storage. To keep productivity up we added on Dell Tablet Keyboard with a built-in rechargeable battery that Dell says will increases our Dell Venue 11 Pro tablet's battery life by 50 percent.

As a stand alone tablet the Venue 11 Pro offers a 10.8 inch IPS Display with FHD (1920 x 1080) resolution with 10-pt capacitive touch. Which paired with Windows 8.1 gives you a fairly good tablet experience. Multi-touch is really response, the screen is bright and clear and videos really pop. Coupled with the keyboard and wireless Logitech mouse however, is where we really see her shine. The Core i5 and 4GBs of RAM means she purrs like a kitten, especially when compared to our other tablets and even our Samsung ATIV 2-in-1 that features an Intel Atom CPU. Multi-tasking with even some of the most demanding tasks we needed to accomplish was flawless.

Battery life was one area we were really concerned. We have not had the best of luck with out laptops nor our tablets. We are heavy users that like to have a full bright screen while running multiple programs. Both of which eat through battery life quickly. Both tablets and 2-in-1s should have great battery life. Tablets are built around a comparatively lower-powered processor, which typically gives tablets better battery life versus a 2-in-1 and considerable better life compared to laptops.

Here we were extremely surprised. Under fairly heavy usage our Core i7 based Samsung laptop gets a few hours at most battery time. Our tablets usually fair pretty well, but they aren't used nearly as much. When using the Dell Tablet Keyboard the battery on our Dell Venue 11 Pro was still running strong after 3+ hours, with 60-65% battery life left. That means we could have easily made it through a full work day on a single charge. Something we just can't do with most of our other devices.

The ability to seamlessly switch from a powerful tablet to an equally powerful, fully productive, laptop that really made us decide on an #Intel2in1 device. When on the go we can unplug and slim down with just the tablet, yet still have full access to all our Windows apps and content. Then when we need to ramp-up the power usage we can plug in our accessories like a keyboard, mouse or even external HDD and have more than enough juice to keep up with all our need.

For more details on the Dell Venue 11 Pro be sure to check back for our full review, which should be available shortly. If you need more details on selecting the best device for you checkout these suggestions from Intel!

#spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel This could include Intel providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

Steam's Summer Sale Get Discounted Games Until June 30th

PC gamers hope you have your credit cards handy. The annual Steam Summer Sale has kicked off with major discounts to several of your favorite game titles. Whether you are a seasoned gamer, a novice or just someone looking to try out some new games, this sale offers a bit of everything for everyone!

For the next ten days, you take advantage of huge savings throughout the Steam store on thousands of games. Aside from the daily offerings there are also Eight-hour Flash Sales. You can even help select what goes on sale with the the Steam Community's Choice Flash Sales.

More than a hundred products will be featured as Daily Deals throughout the sale, with new deals popping up every 24 hours.

In addition to the sale Steam is offer the bonus Steam Summer Adventure. A chance for gamers to collect, trade, and craft 10 Summer Adventure cards that can only be earned during the sale. Players can earn in-game items, community rewards, and points for their team by crafting badges throughout the sale. At the end of each day, the team with the most points wins.

Need some suggestions to get the best deals during the sale? Here are a few that usually help us get the most bang for the buck!

• Add your must have games to your wish list! During the daily deals or flash sales it is easy to overlook some of your favorites. Having them in one handy place makes it easier to track when or of they do go on sale. Set reminders and track those Flash Sales first! The Flash Sales refresh every eight hours and have four games with deep cash saving discounts each time. Since the Flash Sales section get the deepest discounts and rotates frequently it is best to track them first to get your games for really cheap.
• Check each day for the new Daily Deals! The Daily Deals refresh every day at 1 p.m. Eastern and usually have between eight and ten games each time. The discounts are generally lower than the Flash Sales, but some are still extremely compelling. 
• Keep a close eye on those Community deals! Steam is letting the Steam community vote for one of three games to get a discount each day. These deals last about a day, and you can weigh in on which one you want. The result is up to the community, but it's usually the biggest title or the steepest discount that wins.

Review: D-Link DIR-818LW Wireless AC750 Dual Band Router

A few weeks ago we introduced readers to the new more colorful line-up of D-Link routers including the new DIR-818LW. This batch of consumer friendly home routers promises to not only bring you the latest in home networking connectivity with dual band Next Generation AC750 technology and Gigabit LAN but also promises to 'Bring Color To Your Life' and add some style to your home network with four different colors to choose from: Red, Teal, Black and White.

D-Link says the new routers are perfect for any house looking for a reliable and strong home network ideal for HD video streaming, online gaming and multiple user activities.

D-Link DIR-818LW Features and Specifications:

• Next Generation AC750 Technology for increased speed, range, and reliability to ensure coverage throughout your home.
  
  • IEEE 802.11ac wireless LAN
  • IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless LAN
• Dual Band Performance for faster speeds with less Wi-Fi interference and maximum throughput.
  
  • 2.4 GHz band: 2400 - 2483.5 MHz
  • 5 GHz band: 5150 - 5725 MHz
• Four 10/100/1000 Fast Gigabit ports give you high-speed wired connectivity.
• USB Port - Create your own personal cloud
• Backward Compatibility to work with existing and future Wi-Fi devices.
• mydlink Cloud Services to remotely monitor your network using your smartphone or tablet.
• Latest home networking security
  
  • 64/128 bits WEP
  • WPA & WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
  • WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
  • Advanced Features: QoS (Quality of Service), DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), Firewall Network Address Translation (NAT), Guest zone and IPv6 ready

D-Link DIR-818LW Setup

Setting up most home routers these days is a snap. Gone are the days of needing to load extra software and fumble through several different screens, while trying to figure out several different default passwords. D-Link offers a quick easy guide to get you started and the router walks you through most of the snags you might hit. For us it was pretty much a matter of plug and play.

Start with powering down your network all the way up to the modem. Connect all your wired connections and start powering on your devices. Start with the modem first, allow it to make the hand shake with your ISP and make sure the connection is up and running. Then power on your D-Link DIR-818LW. Once you green lights across the board, indicating a good connection, power on your PC, laptop or whichever device you are going to use to finish the setup.

From there you can log into the http://dlinkrouter.local homepage or http://192.168.01 and you'll be guided through the rest of the setup. We found the basic setup to be fairly intuitive and easy enough that the average consumer shouldn't have any issues. You'll be prompted to setup the basics like wireless security, network passwords ect. For any entry level router such as this, targeting the general consumer, I'd like to have seen a more user friendly interface. However, the basics are easy enough to navigate, yet it still offers the most demanding geeks all the tools and toys they need for tweaking their networks to perfection!

D-Link DIR-818LW Performance, Speed and Range

Testing performance, speed and range can be a bit tricky. There are a wide range of factors that have negative impacts on wireless networking performance. Things like obstacles like walls and surround terrain, what channel your router uses, the placement of the wireless router, and even interference issues from other routers or everyday items like cordless phones, microwave ovens, ect. can all contribute to poor performance. In our testing we try to set each router up with the same basic settings in the same basic environment.

Given this is our first dual-band Wireless AC router we were a bit surprised in some areas and a bit disappointed in others. Speed and range wise we saw a slight boost over our Linksys E4200v2. Utilizing the 2.4Ghz band and at the furthest possible testing distant there seemed to be a very noticeable boost in speeds. General testing under normal ranges there wasn't any significant change, nor did we expect any given the equipment used.

Testing under the 5Ghz channel we saw a bit of disappointment as range was fairly limited. This wasn't surprising as generally the higher frequencies bands tend to have lest range than that of the lower frequency bands. While we did have coverage throughout the office, we would like to have seen a bit more performance. With the 2.4Ghz band we saw nearly twice the range 30-60ft was our max testing radius and the 5Ghz band saw significant drop off at 15-20ft.

Final Thoughts and Conclusions
For those looking to make an upgrade from an older Wireless N, or god forbid Wireless G router and and are finally looking to break into the AC router market, the DIR-818LW won't be a bad option. As an entry level device it offers solid performance and offered a lot of options for a nice price.

If you already have a top notch Wireless N router such as the Linksys E4200v2 or another router offering 900Mbps speeds, then the speed and range will be fairly similar, making it a bit less of an upgrade option. For those users you may want to spend the extra money and get something with a bit more bang and more speed like the D-Link DIR-850L or another router offering AC1200 or above speeds.

The one aspect we loved was the dual channel option. At any given time we have 10-15 connected devices ranging from tablets, to phones, to PCs and laptops, even a couple streaming devices like the Chromecast streaming content. It was great to have a dedicated channel to offload some of the connections to giving them their own dedicated network and bandwidth. With that we never once saw a slow down even when streaming across multiple devices.

The one major aspect we found flaw with oddly enough wasn't the router itself. It was with the mydlink website and remote interface. The site utilizes Java which we tend to not have installed on our devices due to a) not using it almost anywhere else on the web and b) security concerns over the past several vulnerabilities. Other than that, for the average home user, we found the D-Link DIR-818LW to be well worth the $79.99 price tag.

Apple Drops Price And Performance On Newest Entry Level iMac

Apple, a company probably best known for offering "premium" devices at a premium price, has made a surprising move announcing a new entry level iMac with a $200 price drop. With that discount however comes a bit of a cost, a major drop in performance.

The new Apple iMac features a 21.5-inch LED-backlit screen, a 1.4 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8 GB of memory and a 500 GB hard drive. That's far less powerful than Apple's previous "low-end" iMac, which had a 2.7 GHz processor and a 1 TB (1,000 GB) hard drive. In fact that’s roughly half the processing speed of other quad-core iMacs and identical in almost every way to the MacBook Airs.

Apple generally isn't known for offering 'entry level' mainstream devices to consumers. Their niche has always been offering a 'high quality' device with a 'premium' look and feel. Recently however, the company has made moves to break that mold by offering lower cost 'budget' friendly options such as the new iPhone 5C. Still the company generally doesn't reduce prices on their devices until the model ages, or the company releases an updated version. Even then those models retain the same components, or even offer slight improvements with, for example, a boost to the processor.

Stephen Baker, an analyst with the NPD Group and an expert on U.S. retail sales believes the recent reductions in price and new offerings of budget friendly devices is a move to take Apple to a more mainstream market.

"There's a lot more attention paid to volume at Apple," Baker said. "The earlier MacBook Air price changes, the amount of discounting that's going on with the iPad and iPhones as well, it feels like there's a lot more attention at Apple to getting to more mainstream pricing and more mainstream customers."

Even with the reduction in price Apple is still charging customers a 'premium' over current Windows based models with similar specifications. The average price of a Windows based touch-screen all-in-one with similar specifications and screen size is roughly $800. While the average for non-touch Windows all-in-ones can be found for well was under $500. So Apple's $1,100 is still pretty high.

Will that matter to consumers, no probably not. For those Apple fans looking to buy Apple just for the sake of having Apple, or because they want the new unified experience Mac OS X Yosemite offers the price drop will just be seen as a bonus.

The less expensive iMac is already available on Apple's website and will ship within 24 hours. But it won't yet come preloaded with OS X Yosemite, the operating system Apple unveiled at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference earlier this month. Customers who buy the iMac now can download OS X Yosemite for free this fall.

Source: Apple

Easily Root Your Galaxy S5 and Other Android Devices Thanks to 'Towelroot'

Mobile device security it a priority Android developers and device manufactures. Google and OEMs like Samsung have been working to add as much protection as possible to their devices for years. While extra security is a good thing for all consumers, it has its downsides for us geeks that like to root and customize our devices to our liking.

Having root access to your Android device means you can make almost any changes you'd like, even system-level changes which include new custom ROMs (the OS that runs the phone). Back in the early days of Android it used to be trivial to root an Android device, but they’re much more locked down these days.

As a consequence of OEMs added a new level of security and more security features like Samsung's KNOX, it has become harder to gain root access to many of the new Android devices such as the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S5. Until recently the AT&T and Verizon versions of the Samsung Galaxy S5 were unable to be rooted prompting XDA members to take up a collection for a bounty on a root method that topped over $18,000.

Enter famed developer and noted hacker George “Geohot” Hotz. Geohot has come forward with a working root method that not only roots the Galaxy S5, but it also roots almost every other Android phone currently on the market.

Dubbed Towelroot, the new tool comes in the form of a downloadable APK file that makes rooting your device as easy as allowing your device to install from 'unknown sources', sideloading an APK file and clicking “make it ra1n.” Because this method is easy it should be noted you should only download Towelroot from the official page. That’s also where Geohot is accepting donations for his work via PayPal and Bitcoin.

Since the tool differs from all the standard root methods in that it uses an exploit to root phones, it should work on almost all phones running Android 4.4.2 or earlier. That includes all of Samsung’s recent phones like the Note 3, Galaxy S5, and Galaxy S4. All of LG’s newer flagships (G2, G3, G2 Pro, etc.) are susceptible as well. And that’s just the start.

If you've ever wanted to try rooting your phone and using a custom ROM it certainly doesn't get any easier than this! Just be aware this tool will probably void your warranty, especially on Samsung devices where it will trip the Knox security flag.

Facebook Will Soon Offer More Controls Over Targeted Ads

Facebook users may have recently started to notice more and more ads on the social media site that seem to 'know' what they've been doing online, the pages they like, or the searches they make. These 'targeted ads' are nothing new to the site, but soon you'll see more of this is a type of interest-based advertising.

On Thursday, Facebook announced that is will take a few new steps to improve their targeted advertising system. Adding in ads that not only cover your Facebook activity, but also your web searching and browsing history. However, the company has said they are also giving users more control as to what is shared and what ads they'll see. In their announcement Facebook said users will soon be able to opt out of their targeted ad system completely through controls in their Web browser and iOS and Android phones. 

You can opt out of Facebook's ad targeting in your web browser using the industry-standard Digital Advertising Alliance opt out, and on your mobile devices using the controls that iOS and Android provide.

Here's the details of how to opt out:

• Go to the Digital Advertising Alliance at www.aboutads.info/choices/
• If you are using an ad blocker or anything else that blocks cookies, you will have to turn that off.
• On the first screen, select the "companies customizing ads for your browser" tab.
• Scroll down until you see Facebook.Click the check box next to Facebook. Then click "submit."
• You can also opt out on your phone.
• For iOS users, open settings and go to General>Restrictions>Advertising under "Privacy" section. Select "limit ad tracking."
• For Android users, go to Google Settings>Ads>Opt Out of Interest-Based Ads and you're done.

For those that don't mind a few ads or want control over the other ads within the Facebook system. Facebook is introducing ad preferences, a new tool accessible from every ad on Facebook that explains why you’re seeing a specific ad and lets you add and remove interests that you are shown. So for instance, if you’re not interested in electronics, you can remove electronics from your ad interests.

Comcast Turning Customer Connections Into Massive Public Wi-Fi Hotspot Network

Comcast Xfinity subscribers take note, Comcast is actively rolling out an update to your service you may not even be aware of. An update that turns on a little known feature enabling your Xfinity router to be turned into a public hotspot!

Comcast is making headlines this week and not in a good way! We've already seen a number of stories, most notably from The Houston Chronicle, detailing the on-going roll-out of the new Comcast Xfinity Wifi service. The service, when switched on, provides internet access to Xfinity subscribers through the use of other current Xfinity subscriber's internet connections.

At the heart of the story: Comcast is turning some of the Wi-Fi routers placed in the homes of current subscribers into a “massive public Wi-Fi hotspot network,” but it’s doing so without giving customers the opportunity to opt out before the service is rolled out.

The new Xfinity Wifi service roll-out is in fact not new and the spread has been in effect for some time. However, it is just now starting to garner the attention it deserves!

Comcast says the hotspot – which appears as “xfinitywifi” to those searching for a Wi-Fi connection – is completely separate from the home network. Someone accessing the Net through the hotspot can’t get to the computers, printers, mobile devices, streaming boxes and more sitting on the host network. Comcast officials also say that people using the Internet via the hotspot won’t slow down Internet access on the home network. Additional capacity is allotted to handle the bandwidth.

However, we feel a bit skeptical of those claims. Security is always a concern when you have any outside access. There may also be concerns over piracy and other malicious acts. Even though Comcast assures users that they shouldn't be liable for any actions taken on the Xfinity WiFi as it’s set on a different track from your own.

How To Disable Comcast Xfinity WiFi Hotspot

Several different models of Wi-Fi routers are affected by this change-over, and Comcast does allow the service to be shut off. If you’ve got an Arris Touchstone Telephony Wireless Gateway Modem from Comcast, it’s likely you have or will have "xfinitywifi" turned on at some point. To turn this service off, you have only to do the following:

• Log into your Comcast account page at customer.comcast.com.
• Click on Users & Preferences.
• Look for a heading on the page for “Service Address.” Below your address, click the link that reads “Manage Xfinity WiFi.”
• Click the button for “Disable Xfinity Wifi Home Hotspot.”
• Click Save

Users only have the opportunity to disable the service after it’s activated. Meaning if you do not see a "Manage Xfinity Wi-fi" link, you do not have a home hotspot active. If you do not have a home hotspot active, you will not be able to disable it - because it isn’t there. A Comcast FAQ section further details Xfinity Wi-Fi.

Conclusion
Personally I hate opt-out services! Even though Comcast reportedly sent out notices about the hotspot feature, and email notifications will supposedly go out after it’s turned on, the feature is being turned on without its subscribers’ prior consent and you have to take action to not participate. I feel that should be the other way around. Comcast should have to get user consent before switching on the service. After all how many of us out there really read all those notices coming from Comcast?

What are your thoughts? Should customer be concerned that their internet connections are being opened up for public use? Share your thoughts in a comment below!

Be Rewarded From Bing Rewards For Staying Up To Date On The Latest Technology

Staying up-to-date on the latest in tech is a reward all of its own. However, earning prizes and gifts can make it all that much cooler. After-all, what geek out there doesn't like to get a freebie just for browsing the latest tech and gaming news or searching for their favorite tech gadgets?

With the Bing Rewards program you can do just that, and the cool part is the rewards are fairly geeky as well. You can earn points towards gift cards from geek favorites like GameStop, Hulu Plus and Amazon or get points for Xbox Live subscriptions and sweepstakes entries for Xbox games or a Microsoft Surface 2.

For you gamers looking for the latest news and trailers from your favorite Games Bing offers videos from several of your favorite site. With E3 just wrapping up you might want to checkout some of the latest news. Head over to Bing and search E3 2014 Games and you'll see an abundance of great videos and related search suggestions!

For those geeks like ourselves that are into tech news I suggest visiting Bing's Science and Technology News page. Here you'll see not only the latest news, but trending topics from around the web. Just remember each search offers you a chance at more Bing Rewards

Here’s how to make the most out of the Bing Rewards service:

1. Visit Bing.com to sign-up! You can sign up for the service by linking a Facebook or Microsoft account.
2. Earn credits by browsing the Web with Bing, referring friends and completing offers. Currently, you get one credit per every two Bing searches you perform, with a daily limit of 15 credits for using a PC and 10 credits if you use the mobile search.
3. Choose a reward and set your goals. Each reward requires a set number of points before you can make your redemption. Once you have a goal track and manage your credits. Your credit balance can always be seen at the top right of the screen when browsing on Bing.
4. Click Redeem from the dashboard to claim prizes. There are loads of options available with more and more being added all the time. Current rewards range from Starbucks and Fandango gift cards to Hulu Plus subscriptions and Xbox 360 sweepstakes entries. You can even donate your credits to a few of your favorite charities.

Did you know: Microsoft recently celebrated Bing's fifth birthday? Microsoft launched Bing on June 3rd 2009 and has been working to polish the site and services ever since!



I'm required to disclose a sponsored partnership between our site and Bing. I have been compensated in exchange for this post in the form of payment, product or experiences.

Track What Your Chrome Apps & Extensions Are Doing With Your Information

What is a browser these days without all those handy extensions and add-ons? Pretty boring if you ask me! Browser extensions have become a major part of the browsing experience and off a quick easy was to enhance your browser capabilities, functionality, looks and even feel.

However, some extensions ask for broad permissions that allow access to sensitive data such as browser cookies or history. Some may even go well beyond that! For those that have always wondered what information their Google Chrome add-ons and extensions access, we now have an easy tool that will give us just that!

Last year, Google introduced the Chrome Apps & Extensions Developer Tool, which provides an improved developer experience for debugging apps and extensions. The newest version of the tool, which became available today, will allow any geek or power user that wants full details on any of their installed Chrome apps or extensions to see the precise actions that they performing.

Once you’ve installed the Chrome Apps & Extensions Developer Tool, it will start locally auditing your extensions and apps as you use them. For each app or extension, you can see historical activity over the past few days as well as real-time activity by clicking the “Behavior” link. The tool highlights activities that involve your information, such as reading website cookies or modifying web sites, in a privacy section. You can also search for URLs to see if an extension has modified any matching pages.

For developers, if you’re debugging an app or extension, you can use the “Realtime” tab to watch the stream of API calls as an extension or app runs. This can help you track down glitches or identify unnecessary API calls.

Source: Official Chromium Blog

Google Maps Lets You Explore 12 World Cup Stadiums

With the 2014 World Cup set to kickoff in just a few short days, Google has added an update to Google Maps and street view allowing football (aka soccer) fanatics the chance to  explore the sights and culture of this year’s football tournament from the comforts of home.

Rua Professor Eurico Rabelo - Maracanã, RJ

Starting today you can explore all 12 stadiums and the iconic painted streets, one of Brazil’s tournament traditions, in Street View—a digital legacy of the 2014 games for years to come. In addition to the stadiums and painted streets, images from hundreds of sites across Brazil, including Iguaçu National Park and St. Michael of the Missions, are also now available on Google Maps. If what you see in Brazil whets your appetite, you can also explore new Latin American imagery in Peru, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.

For those of you lucky enough to have tickets to the amazing festivities Google reminds you not to forget to pack Google Maps for mobile.

• Transit: With Google Maps transit available in all 12 host cities, Brazilians and visitors alike can rest assured they can make it to the stadium and other destinations routing the best path by bus or train.
• Indoor Maps: Make your way through more than 100 venues across Brazil, including airports, shopping malls and, yes, tournament stadiums with Indoor Maps.
• Turn-by-turn navigation: Zip through Brazil from Point A to Point B with Google Maps for mobile, giving you the most accurate traffic info, including real-time incident reports from Waze, and voice-guided directions.

Source: Google Lat Long Blog

Google Now Voice Commands Every Android User Needs to Know

Using voice commands to control your phone has been around for several years now. Still we see and hear from the average Android smartphone user that they have no idea how to use them or what they can do.

Google has worked hard to integrate more and more commands into the Google Now service and it has become a central part of the Android operating system. With tons of recent improvements the Google Now service has quickly made it easier than ever to control your phone just by speaking to it!

Thank to the team over at Phandroid we now have a great comprehensive list filled with all of the voice commands that you need to know to get the most out of voice commands on your smartphone. The list features all the basic functions such as snapping a picture, going to a website, checking voicemail or opening email, along with more complicated tasks such as giving you translations for English phrases into different languages and converting English measurements to the metric system.

Here are just a few examples from the full Phandroid list we use on a day to day basis.

• Go to [WebSiteName.com]
• Call [Contact Name]
• Send Text/Email to [Username - Subject]
• Listen to [Song Title]

There are plenty more and don’t forget, many if not all of these commands should work just as well with Google Glass and Google’s web voice search, as well. For more details and a quick how to, be sure to check out Phandroid’s full video below.

Spring Cleaning and Organizing Made Easier With Your Intel 2in1

Organizing your daily life around the changing seasons can always be a challenge. However equipped with the right technology those challenges are easy overcome.

With spring in the air and summer quickly ushering it's way in there are plenty of things to do around a busy house or office. Warmer weather means a change in apparel, a change in goods and services used and for many spring cleaning. Keep track of those tasks can be a real challenge. Today we will discuss a few ideas that will keep you on track!

Create a checklist and check it twice!

A checklist goes a long way to helping you stay on track. Take the time to sit down and build a list of tasks you want to accomplish, things you need to buy and things to put away or take out for the season. I suggest creating more than a few lists and keeping track of them on a portable device. This is where a portable #Intel2in1 comes in handy. You can use the keyboard for typing out the long lists and the on-screen keyboard and touchscreen for when you are on the go.

There are several apps out there that will fit the bill. However, I suggest using Google Docs. This way you can sync your lists between all of your devices and always have it with you on the go.

Start with and stick to the BASICS!

Now that you hopefully have your checklist started you should have a good idea of what you want to accomplish. For most one of the biggest parts of spring cleaning is getting rid of clutter that you don't need. Here is another area the right tech can save the day!

Schedule and maintain your spring cleaning
Use the technology at your fingertips to make a schedule and stick to it. For many getting started is the hardest part of all. Create a schedule, sync it to your calendars (and to the team if you have one) and make sure you set alerts and get on the ball. Make it a priority!

Organize your junk: Putting that mess away
I you could see the office of most geeks and tech bloggers on most days you'd know that there are always new products, new packages and new toys laying around. One thing I learned a long time ago was there may be a place for everything, but not everything will ever find its place. This is why I now have a two step process.

First I create labels for all my boxes, storage bins and everything else I can label. Anything that is in a drawer, cabinet or storage closet is also cataloged during the cleaning process. We won't tally every last screw, but being able to create a document or Excel that details what it in storage room 2 goes a long way!

Second I chart the clutter. You'd be surprised how much it helps to snap a photo or two of the area you just organized. This is another area our #Intel2in1 comes in handy. Not only can we snap photos but I've even on occasion used the Digital Pen to create small diagrams or added notes of where we packed things away.

Sale off the clutter
Garage sales are a thing of the past. With a camera, a #2in1 tablet, a couple apps and some creativity you'll be up and selling your unwanted stuff in no time! We suggest snapping a few pictures then editing them using the touchscreen or even better adding some creative art working using the Digital Pen. Then you can post your items to Craigslist, eBay or Amazon. Since you have your portable tablet staying updated on the items that you have listed should be a breeze.

Stay on top of your services
When the seasons change so do your service needs. Hot weather often means needing an AC tune up, oil change, additional lawn services and more. It is always good to maintain a good contact list with the right people to call if the need arises. It is also helpful to note dates of past services as there are many things that need to be done annually, semi-annually or within certain other parameters.


Final thoughts
Technology certainly makes doing most of the tedious tasks much easier. Though I would say have the right technology just makes it that much more fun. Being the geeks we are we use as much tech as we can to take as much pain out of the process as possible. For us our #2in1 just happens to be the best option for everything involved. We love having a full keyboard or the longer typing sessions, camera for snapping pictures and full access to any of our apps we might need. If you want to checkout a few options click here to learn more about Intel 2 in 1. 

#spon: I'm required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel This could include Intel providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.

iPhones Being Held For Ransom, Possible iCloud "Hack" To Blame

Over the past several days reports of iOS devices being locked via 'Find My iPhone' and held for ransom have been mounting and as of yet no one can explain what is going on or how the hackers gained access to the iCloud accounts.

Reports initially began to trickle in earlier this week, when Australian newspaper The Age discovered Tweets and forum posts from owners of Apple devices from across Australia. Users were reporting receipt of a Find My iPhone message indicating their iPhones and other iOS devices gad been remotely locked by "Oleg Pliss". The message, seen below, is demanding payment of a US$100 ransom via PayPal to unlock affected devices.

It now appears as though the issue is much more widespread and encompassing! The original Apple Support community page has grown to include 27 pages (at post time) of iOS devices owners posting reports similar problems.

Of course the first thing people assume when they see their locked device is that somehow, Apple is to blame. It must be a vulnerability in iCloud, right? When asked to comment Ben Grubb from the Sydney Morning Herald got this response from Apple.

The blanket generic response "we take security seriously" statement doesn't mean much. Apple is denying any compromise of iCloud and implying that weak user credentials are to blame. This may in fact be case! We know from numerous reports that people often make very bad password choices. However, their response is dismissive and does little to reassure a customer.

So how is this iCloud hack being propagated?

At this time no one really knows for sure, and Apple sure isn't saying.The only statement issued so far follow those Mr. Grubb recieved:

In full, Apple said: "Apple takes security very seriously and iCloud was not compromised during this incident. Impacted users should change their Apple ID password as soon as possible and avoid using the same user name and password for multiple services. Any users who need additional help can contact AppleCare or visit their local Apple Retail Store."

The ransom may just be the beginning!

Locking a users iPhone or iPad and asking for $100 could just be the start of something far grater. If the hackers truly have full access to someone's iCloud account there is much, much more potential than just a small ransom.

For starters, most people use iClouds automatic back-up feature to keep their device contents in Apple's cloud. An attacker with control over someone's iCloud has full access to those contents and the ability to restore one of these backups to their own device. This means they get the victim's photos, videos, documents, iMessages, email stored on the device and basically any conceivable digital asset the victim has on their iPhone or iPad. It's a very large collection of extremely personal data.


There is also the potential and very real threat of stalking victims or using their location data. Find My iPhone present the location data of each device the hackers have on a map. Clearly that creates the potential for a serious invasion of privacy, particularly when you consider that families often have multiple devices under the one iCloud account.

In addition to the above threats we are hearing that it's not just iDevices connected to iCloud that have been breached. According to a few reports we've already seen Macs impacted as well. This opens the door to a whole new level of intrusions and data leaks.

The hard reality is that our digital lives are so intrinsically chained together across otherwise independent devices that a breach of a common service like iCloud can have very broad-reaching ramifications.

PlayStation Plus Members Get Access To Up To 6 Free Games Each Month

Sony is making some major changes to the way the way the company offers up free PlayStation Plus games. The new program, announced today, will kick off in June and will offer PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita users the ability to download two free titles from the PlayStation Store each month.

June will bring six new free games to Plus members. PS4 owners will get Trine 2: Complete Story, the puzzle platformer from Frozenbyte, and PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate, the twin-stick shooter from Q-Games. On PS3, Plus subscribers will be treated to Visual Concepts' NBA 2K14 and Sanzaru Games' Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. And PS Vita owners will receive Renegade Kid's Mutant Mudds Deluxe and Engine Software's port of Re-Logic's Terraria.

Checkout June's free titles in the video below:

Starting in July, every title in the Instant Game Collection will be available the first Tuesday of the month, and will be free for the month, until the first Tuesday of the following month, taking the guesswork out of how long the game will be available for free. In the coming weeks, you’ll see that several of the titles that have had a nice, long stint in the Instant Game Collection will be phased out, so if you’re new to the service and haven’t had a chance to download all of the titles available through PS Plus — or if you’ve been thinking about subscribing but haven’t yet — now is the perfect time to get all the great games available with PS Plus.

Protip: you don’t have to download the game to your hard drive (or memory card) to gain the entitlement — you can also go to the web store, add them to your cart and check out. Once the game says “Purchased” below it when you’re logged in, you’ll be set for the future as long as you’re a PS Plus member.

Source: PlayStation Blog

Registry Hack Extends Windows XP Updates [Update]

Thanks to a newly found registry hack Windows XP may live on! The hack first reported by BetaNews and later confirmed by ZDNet is fairly simple and only requires a short piece of code, making it easy for just about any user to perform.

The hack works by making a few minor changes in the registry of a Windows XP machine and works by basically tricking the automatic update servers at Microsoft into thinking the OS is Windows Embedded POSReady 2009. The OS is based on Windows XP Service Pack 3 and it will continue to get security updates from Microsoft until April 2019.

To apply the hack, create a text file with a .reg extension and the contents below:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\PosReady]
"Installed"=dword:00000001

Run it by double-clicking in Windows Explorer. After this is done you'll be able to launch and run Windows Update. It should be noted that there’s no way of knowing how long this trick will work -- Microsoft could update their servers to put a stop to it at any moment. Also, because you’re installing updates for a system other than Windows XP, there’s the possibility that not all updates will work as intended. But for those still wanting to squeeze a little extra life out of their Windows XP machine it may be worth a shot.

Update: Microsoft has issued the warning below to users that this hack may cause serious functionality issues, as well as not fully protecting a users XP machine. Definitely use caution if you try this at home!

"We recently became aware of a hack that purportedly aims to provide security updates to Windows XP customers. The security updates that could be installed are intended for Windows Embedded and Windows Server 2003 customers and do not fully protect Windows XP customers," a Microsoft spokesperson told ZDNet. "Windows XP customers also run a significant risk of functionality issues with their machines if they install these updates, as they are not tested against Windows XP. The best way for Windows XP customers to protect their systems is to upgrade to a more modern operating system, like Windows 7 or Windows 8.1."

eBay Hit By Security Breach, Users Prompted To Change Passwords

Earlier this week eBay was hit by a security breach that has prompted the company to issue a warning to all users to change their passwords! The company has reported that Cyberattackers compromised a 'small number' of employee log-in credentials, allowing unauthorized access to eBay's corporate network, and databases that contain user information.

eBay officials stated that the database contained encrypted passwords and other non-financial data. However, it was added that confidential personal information was also compromised. According to the report the database, which was originally compromised between late February and early March, included eBay customers’ name, encrypted password, email address, physical address, phone number and date of birth. However, the database did not contain financial information or other confidential personal information.

After conducting extensive tests on its networks, the company said it has no evidence of the compromise resulting in unauthorized activity for eBay users, and no evidence of any unauthorized access to financial or credit card information, which is stored separately in encrypted formats. However, changing passwords is a best practice and will help enhance security for eBay users.

How to change your eBay password

After a bit of criticism over the difficulties users faced with finding the right page to change their passwords eBay has simplified the process a bit. However, changing your password still requires a bit more work than most sites. For starters you need to find the right page, located here. Then the company requires a two step process. First they'll either send you a text, phone call or email.

Assuming you selected the email option, eBay sends you a Reset Your Password message. Click the link in the email. That link brings you to a page where you can enter your new eBay password. If you picked the text option instead, eBay displays a form to enter a PIN and texts you that PIN. Type the PIN in the appropriate field on that form, and the page to enter your new password appears.

Why Changing Your eBay Password Still Isn't Enough

Given the personal information acquired by the breach, changing your eBay password alone isn't good enough. As with most data breaches we see attackers will use that personal information to the fullest extent. So we are likely to see several phishing attempts based on the attack along side several targeted, or 'spearphishing' attacks.

It’s not that difficult for would be attackers to put together a seemingly legitimate email that appears to come from a legitimate business — maybe it won’t be from eBay, but scammers will contact you and impersonate a person or companies you trust as a way of getting you to click on malicious links and share information they can use to commit financial fraud. Given this added threat is extremely important to stay vigilant. Don't blindly open emails and click links. Double check site credentials and make sure they are secured sites before entering any passwords.


Source: eBay Press Release

D-Link Wants To Add A Little Color To Your Home Network

Most home networking devices look, well, pretty blah! Your choices in colors don't vary much and you might as well forget anything that adds a splash of style. For us geeks that generally isn't an issue as we typically prefer functionality over form any day. However, for the typical user, style can be a concern.

Enter D-Link and their new line of AC750 Wi-Fi Routers (DIR-818LW). This new batch of consumer friendly home routers feature a cylinder form factor and promise to 'Bring Color To Your Life' with four different colors to choose from: Red, Teal, Black and White.

"Wi-Fi routers have never had the reputation of being the most aesthetically pleasing products in the home, and we set out to change that with our color routers," said Daniel Kelley, vice president of marketing, D-Link Systems, Inc.

D-Link says the new routers are perfect for any house looking for a reliable and strong home network ideal for HD video streaming, online gaming and multiple user activities. In addition with the free mydlink Lite app, users can easily manage their network remotely and see what websites are being visited, block unwanted connections and set up automatic email alerts when unauthorized connections are made on any iPhone, iPad or Android device.

D-Link AC750 Wi-Fi Router Features

• Next Generation AC750 Technology – increased speed, range and reliability ensure strong whole-home coverage 
• Fast Gigabit Ports – four 10/100/1000 Gigabit ports provide high-speed wired connectivity
• Dual Band Performance – up to 433Mbps on the 5GHz band and 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band for maximum throughput with less Wi-Fi interference 
• Backward Compatibility – works with existing Wi-Fi devices 
• mydlink Cloud Services – remotely monitor your network using your smartphone or tablet
• SharePort – stream content from a connected USB drive to multiple mobile devices with a free mobile app

Availability and Pricing
The new line of D-Link AC750 Wi-Fi Routers (DIR-818LW) is now available in four colors (red, teal, black, and white) for $79.99 exclusively at Amazon.com through May. Detailed specifications are available online at www.dlink.com/colorrouter.

You can look for our review in the coming weeks, until then additional information about the new routers from D-Link can be found here.

Microsoft Unwraps Surface Pro 3 With Massive 12-inch Screen

Microsoft may be the underdog in the tablet and smartphone wars. However, that hasn't stopped the company from trying. Earlier today the company unveiled its latest offering, the third generation of the company's Surface Pro tablets, the Surface Pro 3.

The new 2 in 1 devices are Microsoft's most powerful, thinnest and lightest Surface Pro yet. They will feature a 12-inch ClearType Full HD screen with 2,160-by-1,440 resolution, your choice of 4th-generation Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors as well as up to 8GBs of RAM and up to a 512GB SSD drive. All in a packed that weighs just 1.76 pounds and is 0.36 inches thin, which according to Microsoft makes it 30 percent thinner than an 11-inch MacBook Air.

The Surface Pro 3 is both a “full PC and a brilliant tablet,” says Panos Panay, Microsoft corporate vice president for Surface Computing, who unveiled the new Surface at a live event in New York City.

In addition to the new tablet Microsoft also announce a new line of Surface accessories like the improved Surface Pro Type Cover, which will take Surface Pro 3 from tablet to laptop in a snap. The new premium Surface Pen with pressure sensitivity to enable a more natural writing experience, while a full-size USB 3.0 port, microSD card reader and Mini DisplayPort allow for quick file transfers and easy connections to a range of peripherals.

Additional optional accessories, include a new Docking Station for Surface Pro 3 and a Surface Ethernet Adapter, to build a Surface Pro 3 that has all the features and capabilities of a complete laptop.

The Surface Pro 3 will go on sale tomorrow, starting at $799 for the Core i3 version with 4GB of RAM and a 64GB SSD. Core i5 and Core i7 versions will set you back $999 and $1549 respectively. The range-topping model will set you back $1,949 and gives you a Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. More information on Surface can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/surface.

Source: Microsoft Newsroom, Microsoft Surface Blog

Apple Sued Over iMessage Deactivation Failure

A former iPhone user has filed a suit against Apple due to issues with iMessages not forwarding SMS text messages to her new Samsung smartphone. Adrienne Moore says that she was forced to use Apple's iMessage system on her Apple iPhone 4 when her phone was updated to iOS 5. Resulting in issues receiving her text messages once she decided to leave Apple behind.

The problems for Moore began when she decided to dump her iPhone 4 for a brand spanking new Samsung Galaxy S5. Since then, Moore says that iMessage is still sending messages from other iPhone users to her deactivated iPhone 4, but is not forwarding them to her new Galaxy S5. To make matters worse, those sending messages to Moore were never informed that their messages were not reaching her.

Apple warns users that are moving their old SIM card and/or phone number to a non-iOS device to make sure to shut down iMessages before the actual move is made. However, rarely do customers receive that warning directly from sales reps. Nor do they receive adequate instructions as to how to disable their iMessage account. Without completely removing the number associated with iMessages other iOS devices will continue to send messages through the iMessages for up to 45 days before giving up.

An issues that so far, Apple has been unable or unwilling to fix!

Moore contends that she and other former iPhone users were not made aware of this. As a result, she and others missed "countless messages" which caused "irreparable harm." Moore seeks to broaden the suit to class-action status under California's unfair competition law, arguing that iMessage is not allowing customers of wireless carriers to have their contract fulfilled, by restricting the distribution of text messages.

Apple has not commented formally on the issue, but its customer support has been acknowledging the problem while unable to fix it.

If you want to transfer your SIM card or phone number to a device that doesn't support iMessage: Go to Settings & Messages and turn off iMessage. Apple has also said you can also text STOP to 48369 and that should remove it. However, be aware that neither method is immediate and can take several days to complete.More details can be found via this customer support page which instructs users how to turn off iMessage.

Source: Scribd via Bloomberg

FCC Vote Puts The First Nail In Net Neutrality's Coffin

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today voted in favor of advancing a hotly debated proposal that would allow for broadband providers to charge additional amounts towards companies that wish to offer 'priority access' to users. Opening the possibility of Internet service providers charging Web sites for higher-quality delivery of their content.

The proposal brought forth by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler proposal would allow internet service providers such as Comcast or Verizon to charge individual Web sites or services such as Netflix additional fees for the guarantee of higher bandwidth. Offering those companies tat do pay flawless service.

After weeks of public outcry over the proposal, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said the agency would not allow for unfair, or "commercially unreasonable," business practices. He wouldn't accept, for instance, practices that leave a consumer with slower downloads of some Web sites than what the consumer paid for from their Internet service provider. Wheeler stated his proposal, would consider the slowing of broadband connections by providers to be unreasonable and prohibited.

"When a consumer buys specified capacity from a network provider, he or she is buying open capacity, not capacity where the network provider can prioritize for their own profit purposes," he said. "Simply put, when a consumer buys a specified bandwidth, it is commercially unreasonable, and thus a violation of this proposal, to deny them the full connectivity and the full benefits that connection enables."

The proposal is not a final rule, but the vote on Thursday is a significant step forward on a controversial idea that has invited fierce opposition from consumer advocates, Silicon Valley heavyweights, and Democratic lawmakers. The FCC will now open the proposal to a total 120 days of public comment. Final rules, aimed for the end of the year, could be rewritten after the agency reviews the public comments.

We highly suggest that the public get involved and voice their concerns! You can send your comments to the FCC via this page: http://www.fcc.gov/comments. You may also email your comments to openinternet@fcc.gov.

California Passes Smartphone Kill Switch Bill, Why You Should Care!

Over the past few years we've seen carriers willing to do next to nothing to protect consumers from lost or stolen cellphones. Up until recently the only minor protection a consumer had was the newly enacted stolen phone database, which has seemingly done little to deter thieves as we've seen smartphone thefts continue to rise at alarming rate.

On Thursday, California legislators took steps toward becoming one of the first states in the country to pass laws requiring smartphones to feature stronger anti-theft technology. The California Senate approved a measure that would require every smartphone sold in California to include a so-called kill switch that allows victims of theft to disable a stolen device. The bill fines retailers between $500 and $2,500 for selling smartphones without a kill switch.

While many may argue that most smatphones have software with the ability to track a lost or stolen phone and many even include the ability to remotely wipe those devices. A kill switch, or reactivation lock could take those measures to an even greater level, one that could offer even more protection than that of a carrier's IMEI blocking.

If implemented correctly (and I'll admit that is a major IF) just knowing their would be victims have phones that can't full fledged kill switches could be a major deterrent to would be thieves. Who would steal a phone if you know for certain it could never be used again and could be locked and wiped immediately?

Just how bad is smartphone theft?

About 3.1 million phones were stolen in the U.S. in 2013, nearly double the number of thefts from the previous year, according to Consumer Reports. That totals more than $5 Billion dollars worth of stolen cellphones that need to be replaced world wide each year. Think that isn't bad? Smartphone theft also account for roughly 30% of all crimes in major US cities.

Checkout the infographic below for more!

Mute Those Annoying Tweets With The New Twitter Mute Feature

We've all got them, you know those annoying friends on our social media feeds that over share everything! Thanks to a new Twitter feature you can now block those friends while not offending them by totally un-friending them.

The new Twitter Mute feature, which Twitter announced early today in blog post, allows you to avoid seeing tweets from people you'd rather not engage. Leaving them the ability to see your tweets and retweets just as if you were still a happy follower.

"In the same way you can turn on device notifications so you never miss a tweet from your favorite users, you can now mute users you'd like to hear from less," Twitter wrote in its blog post. "Muting a user on Twitter means their tweets and retweets will no longer be visible in your home timeline, and you will no longer receive push or SMS notifications from that user."

People will still be able to see, "re-tweet," or comment on Twitter posts of those who have muted them, but the person doing the muting will not be looped into the activity.

To mute a user from a Tweet on your iOS or Android device or on Twitter for web tap more and then mute @username. To mute someone from their profile page, tap the gear icon on the page and choose mute @username.

Amidst User Feedback Mozilla Dumps New Tab Ad Placement In Firefox

Earlier this year Mozilla revealed a new plan to place advertisements in the Firefox 'New Tab' page until the user has begun browsing. A plan which, we feel, rightfully met with enough negative feedback that it has caused the company to change course and explore options for other features in the Firefox new tab page.

In a blog post, Mozilla's vice president of Firefox Johnathan Nightingale wrote:

A few months ago Darren posted about some experiments we wanted to do with the new tab page. It didn’t go over well. A lot of our community found the language hard to decipher, and worried that we were going to turn Firefox into a mess of logos sold to the highest bidder; without user control, without user benefit.

That’s not going to happen. That’s not who we are at Mozilla.

While it appears as though this plan was foiled by strong user feedback the company hinted that we may still see some new changes. Nightingale added that Mozilla will still be experimenting with other features in the Firefox new tab page in its pre-release channels.

According to the posting the company plans to test a mix of their own sites and other useful sites on the Web as well as potentially adding in a few layout changes. Nightingale suggested that these tests are,"purely to understand what our users find helpful and what our users ignore or disable." Stating that for now at least these tests are not about revenue and none will be collected. He did however leave the door open to future revenue generation through "sponsorship" which may come down the road.

New Android Ransomware Demands Payment To Unlock Phone

Security researchers have discovered a new piece of Android malware that depends a hefty payment to re-enable basic phone functions on an infected device and settle a supposed "fine" of about $300 for illegally viewing pornography.

According to the Ars Technica report the 'ransomware', dubbed Android-Trojan.Koler.A, uses the infected phone's geolocation functions to tailor a false security warnings to whatever country a victim happens to reside in. The screenshots, originally obtained by Bitdefender, shows the malicious software invoking an FBI warning which is the notice that's displayed on infected phones connecting from a US-based IP address.

Android Ransomware via Ars Technica

"The ransomware's main component is a browser view that stays on top of all other applications, Bitdefender Senior E-Threat Analyst Bogdan Botezatu wrote in an e-mail to Ars. "You can press Home and go to the homescreen, but a timer would bring it back on top in about 5 seconds. I managed to uninstall it manually by swiftly going to applications and dragging the icon on the Uninstall control, but it only works if the application icon is on the first row. Otherwise, one wouldn’t have the necessary time to drag it to the top, where the uninstall control is located."

The malicious Android software is automatically downloaded when users visit unspecified pornography sites using their Android phones. The site side-loads an APK file claiming to be video player used for premium access. To be infected, a user must change Android settings to allow out-of-market apps and then manually install the APK. According to the report the social engineering trick has already claimed at least 68 victims in the past six hours—40 in the United Arab Emirates, 12 in the UK, six in Germany, five in the US, and the rest in Italy and Poland.

Google Maps Update Adds New Features

Google has been busy of late adding loads of new features to several of the company's mobile applications. The latest app to see a slew of new updates is Google Maps.

A few of the more useful features we found are the addition of offline map viewing with a new “Save map to use offline” feature. A new smart lane selection feature, so as Google says you'll never miss an exit again and Uber integration. Now, as long as you have the Uber app installed on your device, when you check public transit and walking directions, Uber will appear as an additional option with an estimated time.

One addition that we see as potentially helpful for all of us party geeks, are the new filters options. Here you can browse through restaurants, bars and hotels by opening hours, rating, price, and more—where available—to find just what you’re looking for, right when you need it. For those of you that are always misplacing their cars there is also a new option to save locations for later making it easier for you to track down the car or a recently visited location after a night on the town.

Check the official Google announcement for more details on the update, which is available now for your iOS and Android devices.