Apple's WWDC Scheduled for June 5, 2017

Apple has officially announced that its WWDC 2017 will take place between June 5th and 9th at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. The 2017 Keynote will be taking place on June 5th at 10:00 am Pacific Time with expected announcements related to the new iOS 11 for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch and macOS 11 for the Mac. Rumors also suggest we may hear about new hardware ranging from the new iPhone 8 to iPad Pros and maybe even a Siri home device.

Don't hold your breathe on getting tickets however, because as usual they are already gone!  Tickets, which were priced at $1,599, were distributed by random selection at the end of March, and free tickets provided to scholarship winners were handed out in April. 

The official WWDC invite to developers said "Technology alone is not enough. Technology must intersect with the liberal arts and the humanities, to create new ideas and experiences that push society forward. This summer we bring together thousands of brilliant minds representing many diverse perspectives, passions, and talents to help us change the world."

Apple typically uses their invites to tease some of the undertones of the event. In this case we could be seeing a major push towards a more interactive technology with more VR or augmented reality. Or we could see something completely out of the norm. It really is hard to say!

Apple expects to host about 5,000 developers, with hundreds of Apple engineers available to answer questions and host app development sessions. Developers who cannot attend will be able to watch the sessions through the WWDC 2017 website, and the WWDC app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. 
 

Amazon Free Shipping Threshold Lowered Back to $25

If like me, you hate to pay for shipping on anything you buy, then Amazon has just made your day. The company has, very quietly, dropped their threshold for "Free Super Saver Shipping" back to the original $25 it was back in the good old days. Prime One-Day Delivery will still be eligible on orders over $35.

Even though Amazon has reached record profits over the years, competition for your buying dollar has reached new heights. Numerous other online retailers offering $35 free shipping thresholds, including Target, Jet.com and Walmart, which recently introduced free two-day shipping on orders over $35.

The new minimum shows Amazon competing for shoppers who don’t pay $99-a-year for Amazon Prime, which includes free two-day shipping on millions of items as well as access to music and video. These customers are the Seattle-based company’s most loyal shoppers. Amazon will make non-Prime shoppers wait 5 to 8 business days for free shipping on more than 50 million items.

All this geek can say is kudos to those companies out there that keep the competition going! Lower prices are almost always a plus for us consumers.

Comcast Launches Xfinity Mobile Wireless With $65 Unlimited Plans (Sorta)

"America's Most Hated Company" may have just given customers another reason to hate it by launching of Xfinity Mobile, the company's first attempt at breaking in to the wireless market. With the new service Comcast will offer its customers TV, home internet, home phone and wireless service under one umbrella. Yes that means you will likely get more calls and marketing pushing an upgrade to the bundled. the service.

The service will be back-boned by a combination of Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots and Verizon's existing  network.Giving customers cellular coverage through Verizon at times when they can not connect to one of Comcast’s millions of Wi-Fi hotspots. The phones will automatically connect to those locations, similar to how Google’s Project Fi works.

Comcast is promising no line access fees, with unlimited talk and text on up to five lines. All you will pay for is data usage. Combined with its internet service, it will have "unlimited" mobile data access available for $65 per month, per line, while its "best" bundle package brings the price for unlimited access down to $45 per month. As with most of these "unlimited" plans, unlimited truly doesn't mean unlimited. Customers using more than 20GB a month will end up being throttled, severely in this case based on what Ars Technica is reporting.

If you'd prefer to pay only for the data you use,  Xfinity Mobile will offer a $12 per GB plan, which customers can switch to and away from within the app, even in the middle of a month. Families can mix-and-match on an account so that each person can choose the way to pay for data that makes sense for them.  This means that at any time users find that they’ve used more data on a “By the
Gig” option one month, they can switch to “Unlimited” for that month, then switch back the next month with no penalties. Additionally with Xfinity Mobile, Comcast is offering 24/7 customer support via text message and a dedicated Xfinity Mobile call center support team. Hope it is better than their existing service!

As far as devices are concerned the company has already confirmed Xfinity Mobile will sell the the iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus for the service. They aren't being as transparent about what Android-based products will be offered, but it confirmed that it will “feature the best devices from Samsung and LG”. Hopefully, that means customers can get the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus and the LG G6 via Xfinity Mobile.

For more details on the new service checkout the full Comcast announcement and Xfinity Mobile fact sheet or the Xfinity Mobile corporate websitee where you can also pre-register for more information.

Review: GateKeeper Wireless USB Smart Key and Intelligent Computer Lock

When it comes to security one of the most overlooked areas I typically see is one of the most basic fundamentals, utilizing your built in lock-screen to keep prying eyes out of your device. This seems to be true whether we are talking smartphones, tablets or PCs. For most of us I think it is a matter of inconvenience, or for me the forgetfulness of simply not remembering to lock my screen (my timeout time is a bit long as well).

Luckily for me the folks over at GateKeeper have come up with a new option that I've been fortunate enough to test out for you guys! GateKeeper has developed a wireless intelligent key that automatically logs you in and out based on your proximity to your computer or workstation. No longer do you have worry about timeouts or remembering to lock your computer. You simply carry your wireless Keyfob around (on your badge, in your pocket whatever) and walk away. Once you are no longer within your pre-defined range GateKeeper will automatically lock your PC for you.

The GateKeeper Key and USB Lock communicate using Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology to authenticate you when you are in proximity to computer. It has an effective range of 30 feet and can be controlled to limit the range from anywhere between 3 and 30 feet. The GateKeeper key is 50mm x 25mm x 6mm; 10gm or roughly the size of a Tile Bluetooth Tracker (as seen below) while the USB dongle is a standard micro size used by other wireless devices.

GateKeeper next to the Tile, XY3 and TrackR Bravo

Your credentials are encrypted with military-grade AES256 encryption and stored on the computer. No private information is stored on the Keyfob and credentials are never transmitted over the air – so nothing private can be sniffed or obtained from taking a Keyfob. Once the GateKeeper software and USB transmitter are installed the computer will automatically lock if they are removed.Giving you just one more level of security.

Setup within the software is pretty straightforward. You have options for setting up you lock or login to your computer, range of proximity, a signal strength indicator and a few options for notifications. Personally I prefer and recommend using the touch to login option as this allows you to keep your device locked when you are nearby and aren't ready to use it. Otherwise once you are back on range your computer automatically unlocks (as it should).

Aside from the software for your PC is software for your phone that allows you to use your phone as a tracker and locator for your Gk Keyfob. The software (Android) or our phone did not want to pair with our device so we didn't get to fully test it. The app will connect to the GK Keyfob and a meter will indicate how far it is from the smartphone. As you walk around, the app will indicate whether you have moved closer or further away from the GK Keyfob. Using the "LOCATE" feature will also cause the GK Keyfob to buzz making it easier for you to find your lost valuables.

A Geek's Opinion About The GateKeeper

I am notorious for leaving myself logged on while I'm doing other things around the office or while I'm out working in the field. Luckily, the worst thing that I've had done to me was a little Facebook prankery. Having said that, within the first day of using it I learned that this little device is a must have for me, in fact I think they should be must have's for most (out of)office environments! It literally is a set and forget device, and unlike my timeout for my Windows lock screen I don't have to worry about someone jumping on my laptop before the timeout takes affect.

A second major plus is the addition of a remote lock button that allows me to lock my computer instantly from across the room. This can come in handy if you are browsing some more sensitive material or have something on the screen that might need to be quickly hidden away even though you are in close proximity.

In terms of effective range and connectivity we had no issues at all. We tested it at the shortest (3ft), and furthest (30ft) ranges and never once had false locks or issues with our GateKeeper not locking. Personally I'd set it for somewhere in the mid-range as I did have it lock my screen a few times when I thought I was still in range. As mentioned I also prefer using the touch to login option as there was no option to keep my laptop locked when I was in range and this was the only way to do so.

 I wish I could have tested the phone app out, but that might be an issue with my phone rather than the app for the GK. If I do it to work I'll be sure to post and update.

The complete GateKeeper System starts at $60 on Amazon, or you can get a 2 pack for $90 directly from GK. If you try them out let us know what you think!

YouTube TV Is The Company's New $35 Per Month Pay-to-View Service

[Update: YouTube TV is Now Live! and is currently available in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, and Philadelphia] 

When YouTube reached the major milestone this week of surpassing a billion hours of daily content being watched it did so on the backbone of the company's all to familiar free video service. In order to reach the next major milestone however, the company is taking a totally different approach. One that takes aim at cable companies and other streaming giants alike!

At an event in Los Angeles the company debuted YouTube TV, a streaming service that combines live content from broadcast and cable television networks with content from several of your favorite YouTube creators.

Here’s what YouTube TV offers:

• Live TV streaming from ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, regional sports networks and dozens of popular cable networks. YouTube TV gives you the best of live TV, from must-see broadcast shows like “Empire,” “The Voice,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Scandal,” to the live sports you want. YouTube TV includes major sports networks like ESPN and regional sports networks like Fox Sports Networks and Comcast SportsNet, so you can watch your favorite NBA or MLB teams. We’ve also partnered with local TV stations, so you’ll also get sports and local news based on where you live. And YouTube TV offers dozens of additional cable channels, so you won’t miss out on the latest news from MSNBC or Fox News, popular shows and movies from USA or FX, kids programming from the Disney Channel or Sprout, or reality TV from E! or Bravo. You can also add Showtime, or Fox Soccer Plus to your networks for an additional charge. In total, YouTube TV gives you access to more than 40 networks, listed below.
• A cloud DVR, with no storage limits. With YouTube TV, you’ll be able to record live TV and never run out of storage. Your cloud DVR can record as many shows as you want, simultaneously, without using precious data or space on your phone and we’ll store each of your recordings for nine months.
• A service that works great on all your screens. You can watch YouTube TV on any screen—mobile, tablet or computer—and you can easily stream to your TV with a Google Chromecast or Chromecast built-in TV. YouTube TV works on both Android and iOS. And your cloud DVR goes with you, so you can stream your recordings on any device, whenever and wherever you want.
• YouTube Red Originals. With a YouTube TV membership, you can watch all of our YouTube Red Original series and movies right on the new YouTube TV app.
• Six accounts, one price. Every YouTube TV membership comes with six accounts, each with its own unique recommendations and personal DVR with no storage limits. You can watch up to three concurrent streams at a time.
• Half the cost of cable with zero commitments. A YouTube TV membership is only $35 a month and there are no commitments—you can cancel anytime.

YouTube TV will be available soon in the largest U.S. markets and will quickly expand to cover more cities across the country. At launch it will have over 40 networks available for streaming and will allow you to connect up to six separate accounts to share with friends and family. Visit tv.youtube.com and sign up to find out more about the service and when it will launch in your market.

Review: STM Radial 15" Laptop Messenger Bag

When it comes to laptop accessories nothing is more important than a great laptop bag. Not only does a great laptop bag make it easier to carrier your machine, but it offers better protection and organization. Something that geeks like me, that are accident prone and tend to forget everything, need the most!

When selecting any device, gadget or accessory I tend to go for function over form. I could carry around just about anything, no matter how it looks, as long as it does what I need when I need it. When it comes to laptop bags this means I need good protections for scratches, bumps and the occasional spill. It also means I need tons of space to carry along my add-ons. Things like my charger, mouse, tablet and phone (and chargers) additional battery packs and a few other odds and ends! The STM Radial shines in all these areas!

STM Radial Specifications

• Main material(s): 300d dobby with water resistant coating, lining: 200d poly
• Device space: 9.3 x 13.2 x 1.2 in, designed for 15" laptop with extras
• Capacity: 10L - more than 15 compartments
• weight: 1.98 lbs / 0.9 kg
• Cableready organization: proprietary cable routing system utilizes purpose built pockets, ports between sections, and integrated cable management to store, access, and charge your various devices while keeping your bag organized
• Sling Tech System - a padded sling suspends your devices from the bag's floor, and the bottom corners are wrapped in additional padding for the ultimate in digital gear protection

 

Keeping Things Organized

The STM Radial laptop bag is designed to comfortably fit up to a 15″ laptop with plenty of space for additional mobile devices. On the outside you'll notice there are good sized zipped pocket on the front, two side pockets (one zipped), and a handy drop in rear pouch for reading material. The main interior compartment is secured with two quick release buckles that can be cinched down to secure the contents inside. Here you'll find an additional assortment of small to medium pockets (I counted 12 in total, with one hidden) and the main laptop compartment that has a soft padded surface on all four sides to aide in protecting your laptop.

This wide array of compartments with several different sizes was one of the biggest benefits for me. I found a place for just about everything I could think of that I need to carry with me on my typical work day. I also managed to add a few none typical extras in there just in case! The easy access to the external pockets was perfect for traveling and travel documents while keeping everything else out of site.

Keeping Your Devices Charged

One of STM's more innovative features is their Cableready design. The side and front pockets of the STM Radial contain cable routing ports. These are designed to pass a USB or Apple lightning cable through into different sections of the bag. The side pocket is large enough to hold a mid-size portable charger or if you have a high capacity power bank, this can be stored in the front section. A third option I used was passing my headphone cables through so that I could listen to podcasts and music on my tablet while leaving it out of sight and out of harms way in my bag.

One thing I would warn you about is heat! If like me you have a couple of those pesky devices that generally run a little on the warm side when charging, you might want to avoid doing so in your bag!

Portability And Protection

The STM Radial messenger bag can be carried in a variety of ways to make your life easier. You can use the top handle to carry it like a normal bag, or more comfortably on the shoulders or across the body. The main strap features a removable shoulder pad with a non-slip inner surface and Quick cam retainers for easy adjustment. There is a good amount of length, unfortunately there is no option to add a long strap if need be. The back of the bag also has a luggage pass-through for securing the bag to the handle of your wheeled luggage, making it easy for travelers to carry-on.

The weather resistant outer material feels extremely durable and did a great job at beading and repelling small spills and rain when I tested it. The inside shell was nice and soft and seemed to offer enough protection from scratches, but I would have liked a little more padding for accidental drops. When jostling things around everything stayed in place quit well with nothing really slipping or falling out of its compartment.

Conclusion
Being a telecommuting geek that does a lot of work on the go I know first hand the importance of keeping things safe, secure and organized. For me the STM Radial Messenger Bag does just about everything you can ask from it and then some! It really gave me an all-in-one solution for storing everything I need for my day to day and travel needs. The price might be a bit on the higher end for some, but in my opinion is would be well worth it. I'm going to give the folks at STM two thumbs up on this one!

The STM Radial sales from $79.95-99.95 at several of your favorite retailers (including Amazon) and comes in three colors: Black, Steel and Moroccan Blue. If you want more details or more info on STM products check them out at https://www.stmgoods.com/ and on Twitter @STMGoods.

Cybersecurity and Antivirus Software Vendor Kaspersky Launches An OS, Because Why Not

When it comes to operating systems most people will only be able to give you a couple names. Typically those would be would Microsoft, Apple/macOS/iOS, Android and Linux (semantics aside here). Most people would likely be surprised that there are several well know players out there that are actively looking at ways to break into the operating system market. Some in fact have, and failed miserably.

That however isn't stopping one of the better known security and antivirus vendors out there from throwing their hat into the ring. Widely know cybersecurity and antivirus vendor Kaspersky has announced  this week the availability of KasperskyOS. What the company is calling a new "secure operating system" aimed at network devices, industrial control systems and the Internet of Things.

In a post on his official blog, Eugene Kaspersky (chief executive of the company) announced the new product and offered a quick overview of what how the operating system hopes to keep system more secure and what their end game is. For you geeks they have been kind enough to cut out the sales and marketing approach and give some hard details. For the rest I'll summarize what Kaspersky has to say about their new OS below!

The Future of Embedded and IoT Security: Kaspersky Operating System from Kaspersky Lab

First off KasperskyOS is meant to be highly flexible. Their goal is to have an open project that is specialized specifically for niche projects and products. So don't expect to see it on any of your machines anytime soon. They are shooting more for enterprise applications that anything else. However, according to the KasperskyOS whitepaper, supported architectures include: x86/x64 CPU's: Pentium II or higher, ARM CPU,: ARMv7 or higher, and Ethernet: Realtek RTL8139, Intel i82580.

Security is built from the ground up with a secure Default Deny system at the process level and is wrapped into a microkernel. In simple words, it’s a system that does what it’s instructed to and is unable to do anything else. Unlike most operating systems, where as user interaction can bypass security controls, KasperskyOS is extremely locked down. It divides objects into isolated entities which only allows for very limited interaction between packages creating a wall between the OS, applications and security levels.

To create a package that could be applied in several different areas of granular customization, Kaspersky has developed three basic products into one:

• An Operating System (KasperskyOS)
• A standalone secure hypervisor (KSH) for running virtual machines
• A system for secure interaction between OS components (KSS)

All three components work in tandem to try to build upon each other to create the secure environment. The systems are being called a "project offering" and not "a boxed solution with a cure-all for everyone." The company says their intent is to working closely and collaborate with vendors and developers to configure these systems based on their requirements to meet their individual security needs.

Get The Most Out Of Your Super Bowl LI Viewing Experience With These Apps

We are just a few short days away from Super Bowl Sunday and whether you are rooting for the the New England Patriots or the Atlanta Falcons, or just tuning into the game for the commercials (like of us geeks do) one thing is for sure. You want to get the most out of your Super Sunday! And these days to do so it seems as though you need to have more than one device handy.

Luckily there are several amazing apps out there that will help you tackle your Super Bowl LI viewing experience. Here are just a few that we highly recommend you download before the big game starts (at 3:30pm PST Sunday BTW).

FOX Sports GO

This year Super Bowl LI will be shown on FOX and the good news is that FOX has already said they will be live streaming the entire game to their in house streaming app, FOX Sports GO. The app will feature a more traditional live TV approach to streaming with local and national advertisements and not much else. The good news however is that the game will be available in its entirety on FOXSportsGo.com, using iOS, Android, Windows, and Amazon tablets or through connected devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire and XBOX One.

FOXSportsGo Android | iOS | Other Platforms

NFL Mobile

NFL Mobile is the official go to source for anything NFL related. As the official NFL app it will be your direct source for news, video clips, and live streaming for NFL Network subscribers on Verizon or Bell. The app will allow you to set your favorite team for quick access to the latest news and analysis from the Stories and NFL Now sections. Tablet users can access NFL Network 24/7/365 and NFL RedZone if they're eligible subscribers of AT&T U-verse, Charter, Cox, DirecTV, Optimum, Verizon FiOS, DISH, and many more providers. If you're not a subscriber of any of those service providers, you can check into the NFL Now tab for breaking news and analysis.

NFL Mobile Android | iOS

Official New England Patriots/ Atlanta Falcons Mobile Apps

For you fans out there choosing sides this weekend there is nothing better than getting your favorite team's latest news and in=depth team specific analysis. For that your best option is always going straight to the source! Both teams have great apps that feature the latest news, media and in-depth game details, with their own subjective spins of course!. These apps will give you access to on-demand and LIVE video and audio broadcasts straight to your phone. You can check out photo galleries of the team and Cheerleaders, purchase gear from their respective pro shops and even connect with other fans!

New England Patriots Android | iOS
Atlanta Falcons Android | iOS

ESPN Mobile App

Even those of you that aren't hardcore sports geeks will know that ESPN is a fan favorite and is always a major player on game day! They offer just about anything the hardcore Patriots or Falcons fans — or you bandwagoners can ask for. With their app you get up-to-the-minute scores (from all sports not just the Super Bowl), complete news coverage, live streaming of coverage and commentary and loads of video highlights.

ESPN Mobile App Android | iOS
WatchESPN App Android | iOS

Add More Fun to Super Bowl Sunday

For you geeks out there that are looking to add a little more than just sports to your game time fun we haven't forgot about you. Here are a few apps we think are must have's for any Sunday Funday, including some of our favorite cooking and recipe apps and a few "just for fun" apps that will help make your Super Bowl Sunday that much more enjoyable!

• Clippit (Android | iOS) - this cool little app lets you create and share video clips and GIFs from live TV. Perfect for recording that awesome TD or your favorite Super Bowl LI half-time moment.
• Yummly (Android | iOS) - possible one of the best recipe apps out there, Yummly guides you through your dish selections based on your previous likes and any dietary restrictions you may have. 
• Allrecipes Dinner Spinner (Android | iOS,) - this cool little app uses a neat spinning system for helping users find just the kind of recipe they need.
• Weber app (Android | iOS) - one of my must have's for any BBQ geek out there. The Weber app offers recipes, multiple countdown timers , tips and tricks and more.
• EZ Football Pool (Android) - take the hassle out of creating football squares! This nifty little app does all the work and you can send the links out to your friends, even those without the app, so they can join the fun from home.
• Mixology (Android | iOS) - this app perfect for helping you find some cool new drink ideas, or for those learning to make cocktails at home for the first time!

Of course our list could not be complete without mentioning Uber and Lyft (and plugging out link of course). For those going out to celebrate the big game with friends and family or anyone having a house party, Lyft and Uber are essentials in my eyes! Not only are they among the safest and easiest ways to get around, they will keep you from getting a flag on your play with a DUI on your way home.

Google Updates Google Maps Ride Services With New Features

For you ride-sharing aficionados you may have noticed that Google has been doing all they can to get more and more integration built into Google Maps. It all started last year with the introduction of ride services mode, which added the option to find information from favorite ride sharing service alongside option for walking, driving or public transit.

Over the past year Google has taken that integration to an even greater level. Now offering options for hailing your ride from most of the popular ride sharing services and even cab companies. Today, they are pushing Google Maps integration even further making it even easier for you to book a and pay for your ride directly from Google Maps, on both Android and iOS globally.

With Google's new updates, you'll now see more types of ride options and more actionable information. When you open ride services mode, instead of a long list of ride service providers and ride options, you’ll see the familiar Google map, along with a carousel of ride service providers in your area. You can then tap your preferred provider to see a complete list of ride options and special offers or promotions.

In addition to allowing you to book rides directly from Google Maps, Google is working to allow you to pay directly from within Maps without the further need for each ride sharing company's app. In Uber for instance (once you have the update) all you'll need to do is sign into your existing Uber account (or create one). Then you can book an Uber ride, track your driver on the map, and connect with your driver—all from within the Google Maps app.

Of course while you are passing the time riding with your driver Google hopes that you'll use Google Maps to look at information about your destination while en route. With just a swipe you can see everything about your favorite destination from menus, hours, photso ect.

Yahoo Not Dead After-all

On Monday it was announced that Yahoo's acquisition by Verizon was almost complete. The deal would see Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, co-founder David Filo and others resigning from the company's board and the company being renamed Altaba. A move which many thought would mean that Yahoo would be no longer. Reports from today however have breathed new life into Yahoo as a brand. It now appears that much of what makes Yahoo, well the Yahoo we know, will live on under the Yahoo name.

In their U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing Monday Yahoo said that it will shed almost everything that makes it Yahoo, including its name, when its deal with Verizon closes. This is were things are a bit confusing for some. Like many companies Yahoo is diversified and it made up of two major assets of very differing backgrounds.

The first asset, and most well know by the general public, is their worldwide network of internet portals. This makes up Yahoo.com, Yahoo Mail ect. The second major asset is a 15 percent stake in Chinese internet giant Alibaba. This is in essence what is going to remain of Yahoo Business while Monday's deal will see the company sell its portals, and its brand to Verizon for $4.8b.

Verizon is the expected to merge Yahoo's portal activities with AOL, which it bought in 2015.
In July, just after Verizon announced the Yahoo deal, AOL CEO Tim Armstrong told TechCrunch: "The Yahoo brand will be staying with us for a very long period of time, we'll be investing in it."

In the end, this all means that despite the major issues Yahoo has faced over the past couple years with several major data breaches and major ups and downs with CEO Marissa Mayer. The company you most likely know Yahoo for being will still be alive and kicking. So you won't be in danger of loosing access to your Yahoo Mail account, or any of your favorite services they offer. At least not for now!

Want to Keep Using Your Galaxy Note 7 You Better Not Upgrade It After December 19th!

Samsung is fairly adamant about the fact that they don't want any of the remaining Galaxy Note 7 devices out there to cause issues. So much so that they have confirmed plans to release an update to the devices that will essentially make them useless!

In their announcement Samsung states:

Consumer safety remains our highest priority and we’ve had overwhelming participation in the U.S. Note7 Refund and Exchange Program so far, with more than 93 percent of all recalled Galaxy Note7 devices returned.

To further increase participation, a software update will be released starting on December 19th that will prevent U.S. Galaxy Note7 devices from charging and will eliminate their ability to work as mobile devices.

If you have not yet returned your device, you should immediately power it down and contact your carrier to obtain a refund or exchange.

With about 93% of US sold Note 7 returned Samsung still has about 133,000 phones unaccounted for. Meaning that despite all of the warnings and offers Samsung has made., some of you are opting to hold on to your devices and run the risk of the defective batteries causing issues. While I personally wouldn't opt for that option and would have returned by device following the recall. I can understand wanting to hold on to your phone. Especially since there just isn't anything out there to fully replace it.

If you are one of the bold few that don't want to heed Samsung's warnings and don't want to take advantage of Samsung's full refund and up to a $100 bill credit from select carrier or retail outlets. Then you better avoid any future software updates as it looks like they are going to do their best to brick your phones.

Update: Verizon has just confirmed that they will not be pushing the update during the holiday season as they are concerned that it may leave some customers without a device to use. they are further concerned that the update may make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation. They are however, still urging everyone to take advantage of the current offers for a full refund, exchange and/or the $100 credit.

Apple May Owe You A Free Battery Here's How to Find Out

If you are an iPhone 6S owner and have been having issues with your battery suddenly running flat or your device suddenly shutting down the problem may not just be you. It may in fact be due to a faulty battery and Apple may owe you a free replacement.

According to Apple's support page the problem affects "a very small number" of iPhone 6S handsets manufactured in September and October of 2015. The phone affected are limited to specific serial run so finding out if you are one of the afflicted is pretty easy! All you need is the serial number of your iPhone 6S and you can check it on the linked support page.

To find your iPhone 6S's serial number, go to Settings > General > About.

Once you have your serial number check it here.   If you qualify for a free battery replacement, you can take your iPhone 6S to an Apple retail store or an Apple authorized service provider, or contact Apple Support about sending in your phone for repair.

It should be noted that if you have any other issues with your phone such as a cracked screen Apple will require that it be repaired prior to replacing your battery. In either case Apple suggest that you make sure to prep your phone before you take it in, or send it off. To do so start by Back up your data to iTunes or iCloud. Then make sure you turn off Find my iPhone. Finally erase all your personal information and data by going to data and settings in Settings > General > Reset > Erase all Content and Settings.

If you believe your iPhone 6s was affected by this issue, and you paid to replace your battery, you can contact Apple about a refund.

Geek Gadgets: Inateck BP1109 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker Reivew

Portable Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen these days, so when it comes to finding one that is perfect for you your decision will often boil down to only a few things. How good the sound quality is. How portable the speaker is and how long the battery will last. Typically though,  little thought is given toward the aesthetics of  your speaker. The Inateck BP1109 might just change that!

Even though it appears as though they have been around for a few years, for most Inateck is going to be an unfamiliar name. The company offers all kinds of accessories or upgrades, including Expansion Cards, Power Supplies & Batteries, Cables & Tools, Wireless Accessories and Cell Phone Accessories. However, they specialize in HDD docking stations and enclosures as well as USB cables, chargers and other USB add-on solution. 

The Inateck BP1109 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is one of the company's newer offerings, though they have had a few different line-ups of wireless speakers in the past. The BP1109 aims to be ultra-portable without sacrificing style. It is built almost entirely from aluminum which offers a sleek modern design.

The circular design and slender 78x34mm (approx 3"x1.25") body makes it easy to slip into a bag. Unfortunately the speaker is a bit hefty. Weighing 260g which makes it conspicuous for a device of these dimensions. The weight certainly isn't ideal for carrying in a pocket! The majority of the weight comes from the reasonably-sized battery. It offers 6 hours of playback from 1-2 hours of charging.

The top of the device houses the plastic speaker grille. On the bottom, you'll find the basic control panel, a series of four buttons for volume, track transport, power, input mode and play and pause. A small panel on the back houses the charging port, 3.5mm input jack and a Micro SD card slot. You can play music over Bluetooth, via a traditional cable or directly from your Micro SD card. 

Unlike the beeps and chirps of other Bluetooth accessories, the BP1109 will say "Bluetooth on" and "Waiting for Bluetooth connection" when you turn it on, making it obvious what state the device is in. With a Micro SD card inserted into the speaker it will default to "TS Mode" and will automatically detect and play whatever media files are found on the card.

Inateck says the aluminum uni-body design enables the 3.2W speaker to project music "loud and clear" and eliminate excessive sound resonance. For the most part the circular design offers impressive volumes levels, and reasonable sound. Since the speaker is omnidirectional sound travels upward and out offering no real sense of direction or immersion which for some could be a negative. This works well however in an outdoor environment or group setting allowing for more overall sound dispersion something we saw as a bonus!

In testing sound quality was reasonable, but inconsistent based on the types of music played and overall range of the songs listened to. Songs with a heavy bass line bleed out at higher volumes, while songs with more of a mid-range focus came through loud and clear.

Conclusion
I listen to a wide range of music so I tested our Inateck BP1109 with everything from country to classical to jazz to rock and roll. I even threw in some house and heavy bass laden techno just to see where we'd stand, and all of them came through at respectable levels. Given the speaker is meant to be ultra-portable it won't knock you over, but it does offer enough volume to drown out the noisy neighbors or bother the old folks sitting pool-side force-ably listening along with you!

Pros
- Achieves great volume level with dispersive sound
- Stylish design looks good while adding to the portability
- Can play music directly from a micro SD card - a major plus in my book
Cons
- Sound quality is inconsistent and can degrade at higher volumes
- Lacking in bass output
- Surprisingly high in weight relative to its size

Sound quality and clarity of course are very subjective and we each have our own preferences here. As I previously mentioned my experience was a bit inconsistent with some songs sounding great and others 'just ok'. At $20, the speaker is well-priced and has a build quality usually reserved for more expensive devices. On form and design alone I could give it a nod above some of the other units on the market in the same price range.

Battery life is rated at 6 hours, which most manufactures in our opinion over rate. So during our testing we hadn't expected the results we actually saw! We ran our speaker for 3 straight hours with no issues. Ran it again the next day for almost another 3 hours straight and honestly ran out of testing time for our day. I was actually shocked! We didn't get to test the full out to dead time, not because the battery ran out, but because we wanted to re-charge the speaker for other tests and just couldn't keep going till it died!

Overall I'm going to say I'm really surprised with our Inateck BP1109. It is considerably louder than the rest of the BT Speakers I have in the office right now and hold a charge considerably longer than anything I've had the chance to test. I wish the sound quality was a bit better, but I'll give this speaker a thumbs up!! 

Ticketmaster May See Some Real Competition Thanks to Amazon Tickets Expansion

We've all felt the pain of buying of having to buy tickets to our favorite concerts, shows and sporting events through Ticketmaster. Whether it be site issues, like constant crashes or lagging, or just the pain to our wallets from what most (like me) feel are trumped up convenience fees! Unfortunate as it is Ticketmaster holds a rather tight reign on the market. Thankfully we may soon see some real competition, and from a company that could set off some big waves!

According to reports from Ars Technica and Recode Amazon is looking to expand their Amazon Tickets Service, which until now has been a UK exclusive! The reports cite a number of job listings for Amazon Tickets positions based in Seattle, Washington found on the company's employment website. One such listing for a "Technical Program Manager, Amazon Tickets" offers the following job description:

Amazon Tickets is a start-up business with a vision of becoming Earth’s most customer-centric ticketing company, a place where event-goers can come to find and discover any ticket they might want to buy online. Amazon launched the Tickets business in the UK in 2015 and today offers customers the ability to purchase tickets to music, theater, and comedy events at great prices with a convenient purchase experience and world-class and customer support. As we grow our team to support our rapid expansion we are looking for talented individuals to join us in delighting customers and having some fun along the way.

If you are looking for opportunities to grow, and want to have fun while making history – join us!

Another listing discovered by Recode opens the door to an even more promising venture dubbed Prime Tickets. According to the report Amazon's hiring efforts are part of a new initiative to “position Amazon Tickets as the world’s premier destination for purchasing tickets.” According to the job listings Prime Tickets would integrate ticket sales into the Prime membership program, though details of how that would play out are yet unknown.

Prime Tickets, now that could be a real game changer! Exactly how Amazon could make it work is unclear, but as Ars Technica points out, it's possible that Prime Tickets could offer discounted tickets to Prime members if the service is indeed tied to the annual $99 membership.

Amazon first launched Amazon Tickets in the U.K. last year to sell tickets to concerts featuring artists like Elton John and theater performances such as “Wicked” and “The Book of Mormon.” Part of the company’s pitch has been that it displays ticket fees up front, and customers can easily pay with the payment method they have on file with Amazon. Expansion into other major markets means that Amazon has clearly had some success with the program. However, expansion into the US could be a bit more difficult, especially in terms of offering any sort of discount.

Live Nation (Ticketmaster's parent company) already holds a very dominant position here in the US. Which also means they hold a lot of bargaining power with venues and artits, mostly due to special deals that artists and venues strike up with ticket companies, and even some credit card companies that offer priority seating or special pricing for cardholders. Amazon would have to convince them to alter those agreements and open the door to competition, which won't be easy. If anyone can do it though it would be a company like Amazon that has more than 300 million active users and more than 50 million active Amazon Prime users.

Most of the Tickets job postings were updated within the past week, but there's no word on when a US-based Amazon Tickets could debut, or if in fact it will ever truly come to fruition. I can only hope at this point!

Play Overwatch Free For A Weekend Starting November 18th

If you haven't checked out Blizzard's Overwatch yet then here is your chance! The company is making Overwatch free to play next weekend  with full access to all 13 maps and 22 characters. For those that enjoy the game Blizzard will save your weekend's worth of progress should you choose to take the plunge and purchase the game. Just be sure to use the same Battle.net, Xbox Live or Sony Entertainment account that you played on.

The free to play weekend if open for gamers running either a PC, PS4 or Xbox One! And you'll have a full weekend of gaming excitement between November 18th and 21st! For more details and to learn how you can participate, read on below!

• Deployment Schedule
• Installation and Play Instructions
• Free Weekend FAQ

One thing to note is that PS4 and Xbox One players will need a PlayStation Plus and Xbox Gold subscription to take advantage of this offer while Windows PC users will be required to have a Battle.net account.

Samsung Invites Galaxy S7 Owners to Test Drive Android 7.0 Nougat

For owners of Samsung's Galaxy S7 you now have a chance to test out the latest Android operating system offered by Google, Android 7.0 Nougat. Samsung has opened the doors to a new ‘Galaxy Beta Program’ which will give users a sneak peek into what Samsung and Google have in store for the new operating system.

The Galaxy Beta Program, opens today, and will be open to all Galaxy S7 and S7 edge users residing in the U.S., U.K., and Korea, with users based in China being able to participate in the program shortly. Applicants are currently being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Throughout the Galaxy Beta Program period, users can get a feel for Android 7.0 Nougat with Samsung’s latest UX, and can provide feedback on performance, reliability and usability. Users’ responses will in turn help Samsung develop reliable, high-performing software and provide an improved and optimized experience to all Galaxy users.

Users that have an active Samsung Account and meet program requirements may apply for the program by downloading the Galaxy Beta Program app through Galaxy Apps or the Samsung Members app which is available through the Google Play store or Galaxy Apps depending on their country of residence.

What is Galaxy Beta Program?
Samsung conducts the Galaxy Beta Program which is owned, managed and operated by Samsung independently for providing a better experience and reliable software based on user feedback. If you participate in the Galaxy Beta Program, you have an opportunity to experience new features and the latest UX based on Android 7.0 Nougat first. During the Galaxy Beta Program, you can directly send us your feedback and experience about performance, stability and usability which will help us to improve software.

**This Beta software is not the official version so it may cause unexpected errors or malfunction. Also it may not contain the full feature set compared with the final official software.**

If you run into issues and need to you, can re-install the official release version of the latest Android software by using the Smart Switch PC software. (You can download it from this link - http://www.samsung.com/us/smart-switch) Please connect your phone to your PC and launch Smart Switch PC software, then you can find the menu option ‘Update’ or ‘Device Initialization’ for restoration.More → Emergency software recovery and initialization → Device initialization).

For questions about joining the Galaxy Beta Program you can read the Galaxy Beta FAQs and for anything further related to software installation, registration and all other related inquiries, you can  contact Samsung directly at galaxybeta@samsung.com.

PlayStation Store Celebrates 10th Anniversary With A Sale

This month marks 10 years since Sony launched the PlayStation 3 and with it their very own online store. To celebrate, Sony has announced they will be offering up discounts on several of your favorite iconic game and movies titles in a massive two-week “PlayStation Store 10th Anniversary Sale.” The sale will feature some of the biggest hits from the past 10 years and will cover the PS4, PS3, and PS Vita.

Games can be had for up to 60% off for none PS+ members and up to 70% off for PS+ Members. Game titles can be found from almost any gaming genre and include several top titles. The full list is available on the PlayStation Blog:

Example game deals (less w/ PS+ membership):

• Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy (PS4) $24.49
• The Heavy Rain & BEYOND: Two Souls Collection (PS4) $19.99
• Far Cry 4 + Zombi Bundle (PS4) $29.99
• Wild Arms 3 (PS4) $5.99
• Rogue Galaxy (PS4) $5.99
• XCOM: Enemy Unknown Plus (PS Vita) $6.99
• Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories or Vice City on PS3 (PS2 CLASSIC) $3.99
• Metal Gear Solid VR Missions (PSONE CLASSIC) $2.99

Movie Titles:

• Man Of Steel (2013) $8.99/6.99
• Taken Trilogy $23.99
• Wolverine Double Feature $17.99
• 21 Jump Street $9.99

Sony’s initial deals will run from now until 8 a.m. PT on Nov. 15, at which point a new set of discounts will go live for the second week of the sale. To recognize and acknowledge those who have been with PlayStation Network from the very beginning, members with accounts of 9.5 years or more will receive an exclusive PS4 avatar. Details will be sent to those eligible via email. Additionally, there is a special edition 10th Anniversary PS3 and PS4 theme for all. You can download those here: PS4, PS3.

Need More Storage For Your Mac Mini? Checkout The OWC miniStack

I may not be the biggest fan of Apple as a whole, but I can give credit where credit is due and when it comes to deigns Apple has always been at the forefront. While I think there are plenty of great small form factor options on the market, a lot has to be said of the Mac mini. Unfortunately one of the biggest problems with these incredibly small packages is a lack of affordable storage options. Apple's entry level $499 Mac mini only packs 500GB of storage, upgrading that package to something a little better equipped will cost you anywhere from $200-500.

Adding in an external hard drive is easy enough, but what if you want to keep things simple and keep up with the high quality deign that likely drove you to buy the Mac mini to begin with? Enter the OWC miniStack. An external storage offering that is designed to easily stack together with Mac mini computers and other miniStack drives, so users can increase external storage without taking additional space on their desktop.

Because it features fast USB 3.1 Gen 1 connectivity, miniStack is a perfect solution to store and stream a personal collection of HD videos, music, and photos. Users who use a Mac mini as a server for their home entertainment system will enjoy miniStack as a natural extension of their media libraries. And for photographers managing large volumes of RAW images, or music producers who use a Mac for their workstation, miniStack accelerates pro-audio and photo workflows with powerful 7200RPM hard drives.

The durable aluminum enclosure, dedicated power switch, and integrated cooling fan make the miniStack a professional-grade solution that fits perfectly alongside virtually any Mac or PC at home.

Highlights:

• Perfectly stacks with Mac mini computers or other miniStack drives to save space
• USB 3.1 Gen 1 port
• Read: Up to 211 MB/s
• Write: Up to 208 MB/s
• Up to 6.0 TB capacity with 7200RPM drives
• Also offered as 0GB build-your-own-drive kit
• Durable aluminum enclosure
• Ultra-quiet MagLev cooling fan
• Mac & PC compatible
• Three-year OWC Limited Warranty* including award-winning technical support
• Includes power supply and a 36-inch (1m) USB 3.1 Gen 1 cable

Pricing & Availability

OWC miniStack is now available at MacSales.com and authorized OWC resellers in seven stackable configurations:

• 1.0TB (7200RPM) - $139.99
• 2.0TB (7200RPM) - $169.99
• 3.0TB (7200RPM) - $198.99
• 4.0TB (7200RPM) - $249.99
• 5.0TB (7200RPM) - $278.99
• 6.0TB (7200RPM) - $348.99
• Add Your Own Drive enclosure kit - $77.99

“The OWC miniStack is an exciting new addition to our external storage lineup. Its footprint is identical to 2010 and later Mac mini, so it’s a perfect external drive and Time Machine backup for our customers who use a Mac mini as a home computer, or with their home entertainment system,” said Jen Soulé, President of OWC. “We designed the miniStack to be our most convenient, stackable external storage solution—and we think our customers who use a Mac at home are going to love its compact and stylish design.”

Apple's Newest Innovations Seem To Be Samsung's Old Gimmicks

As Apple took the stage today to introduce their revamped MacBook Pro lineup, a lineup that hasn't seen any major changes since the introduction of Retina displays back in 2012 and hasn't seen an upgrade since 2015, two things become abundantly clear. Apple has lost sight of what made the MacBook Pro what it was, and they have lost all sight of any true innovation instead relying on gimmicks and minor upgrades to try to drive their products lines!

When updating means leaving your target audience behind!
Apple's MacBook Pro has long been the standard for a great deal of you professional geeks out there. Pretty much anyone who is anyone in video production, commercial graphic design and advertising has at one point in another relied on a MacBook Pro to get things done and rightfully so. They are work-horses through and through! When coupled with Apple-centric design software, there really isn't much that can be accomplished.

Unfortunately though it looks like Apple has forgotten the needs of those professional users that have for years showed the company a great deal of loyalty. Year after year Apple has failed to upgrade the MBP line-up and when they have they have done so (in typically Apple fashion mind you) at the expense of the user and end user usability.

Today's new MacBook Pros are thinner and lighter than any previous model, with the 13-inch model weighing 3lbs and the 15-inch model coming in at 4lbs. The 13-inch model is 14.9mm thick, the 15-inch version a hair larger. In keeping with Apple’s design priorities, Apple has made the decision to remove all of your standard ports that you design professional might need, instead opting Thunderbolt 3 ports, using the latest USB Type-C connector.Unfortunately this means for most of you, you'll now need to carry around an army of dongles to get things done.

Imagine if you will trying to do a presentation at a client's site. They have HDMI, you'll need a dongle for that. No optical drive, means not having the ability to take client optical media or burn a disc to leave...without an external drive. No standard USB means no reading client flash drives without a dongle...as you can see this is quickly becoming a dongle nightmare!

Touch Bar gimmicks!
Perhaps one of the most talked about features we've seen today is the new “Touch Bar.” Apple has ditched all of the function keys at the top of the keyboard for an OLED strip that will offer users several different options based on what apps you’re running. Apple believes the new Touch Bar will be used as a productivity tool, since users can still easily access the tools and controls they need

If you’re in a music player, for instance, you will see several controls for music selection, volume ect. Switch over to Photoshop, and you could call up a variety of your favorite to use tools. When you’re browsing the web, it shows a search field and navigation buttons. It works in Pages, Keynote, Garageband, Terminal, and XCode. And of course, it makes the perfect home for an emoji keyboard.

The added functionality of the Touch Bar comes with a hefty price tag to the tune of a $300 upgrade! The 13-inch MacPro Pro without the touch bar costs $1,500. The new feature brings that price up to $1,800.

If this all sounds familiar, it is very very similar to the sidebar functions  Samsung introduced with the Galaxy Note Edge a few years ago. Yes a feature that, much like water-resistant phones, many Apple users called a gimmick at the time! Unlike the Edge screen on Samsung's phone the Touch Bar will be all about tools. Apple has already set guidelines prohibiting what the Touch Bar displays. App developers are prohibited from using the bar to display alerts, messages, scrolling content, static content, or anything else that commands the user’s attention or distracts from their work on the main screen.

Apple still demands a premium!
It wasn't all about gimmicks for Apple today. They did offer a complete update to the MacBook Pro lineup, though those updates still leave much to be desired especially given the hefty price tags Apple has attached to the laptops!

For processor, the new 15-inch MacBook Pro has a quad-core sixth-generation (NOT seventh-generation) Intel Core i7 chip and 2,133mHz memory. It has an ATI Radeon Pro graphics card with up to 4GB of RAM. You can get up a 2TB SDD and up to a (paltry by today's standards) 16GB of RAM. The 13-inch model has either sixth-gen Core i5 or i7 processors and Intel Iris Pro graphics. It has the same faster memory as the larger model, but only has 8GB of it.

Pricing starts at $1,499 for a standard, Touch Bar-less, 13-inch model and quickly increases to $1,799  with the Touch Bar and better CPU. The new 15-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,399 and tops out at $2,799 for a slightly better equipped unit. All three models can be ordered starting today, but only the low-end version is shipping immediately. The Touch Bar models will ship in two to three weeks.

Why the Healthcare Industry Needs to Take Hacking Seriously!

The healthcare industry thrives on information. Patient health records (PHI), payment files, and personal details pass through the servers of hospitals, healthcare providers, and insurance companies around the clock. However, doctors and industry specialists aren't the only ones eager to get their hands on this type of information. Hackers are always looking to steal sensitive information that can be used for fraud. The consequences of a data breach at a healthcare institution can range from lawsuits, to huge financial fines, to damaged reputations. Is the healthcare industry ready for the epidemic of security breaches that will only get worse as time goes on? Discover what organizations can do to vaccinate their networks against cyber-attacks.

Diagnosing the Digital Security Issue in the Healthcare World
The truth is that most networks at healthcare institutions are in need of some emergency care. It is a challenge for IT teams and security officers to keep up with the sophisticated tactics of today's global cyber criminals. This is troubling when you consider the sensitive nature of the information that is handled by healthcare institutions, especially PHI. Patients of all ages are at risk for having their personal information stolen, sold on the black market or used for exploitation. Healthcare hacking has become something of an epidemic in recent years. Some estimates even show that one in three Americans are victims of compromised medical records. This isn't that surprising when you consider that a healthcare giant like BlueCross BlueShield was the victim of a hack that exposed the records of more than 10 million people alone. The bottom line is that both big players and small players in the healthcare industry simply haven't been doing enough to stay ahead of threats.

Risks Must Be Fought With Care
It is essential for healthcare companies to analyze their networks and procedures on a routine basis. The first line of defense is an enterprise's staff. Employees need to be educated on strong passwords, smart email policies, and web security best practices. Of course, an empowered staff is also fortified by good security technology and protocols. An IT security team should make routine network assessments part of a comprehensive plan for keeping information secure. An initial assessment needs to be extremely thorough. In fact, many enterprises around the world are turning to a network penetrating testing firm to help them get a clear picture of how vulnerable their networks are, along with their HIPAA Security Risk Assessment. Hiring a firm to conduct a penetration test is essentially like bringing in a team of white-hat hackers to demonstrate what true hackers would do if they were attempting to breach a network in a coordinated and controlled manner. Unlike automated security measures, this test takes a real world approach using a combination of technology and human ingenuity. A team of security engineers attempts to identify and exploit every potential weak point that exists in the client network. The client is then left with a detailed and accurate analysis of how a network performs when it is under attack. This report can help IT professionals to address weak points and create extremely resilient networks. Of course, the solution doesn't end there. There is no question that hackers are always enhancing their tactics. A penetration test should always be followed up with routine analysis and testing.