All too often the fact that human lives are increasingly enmeshed with and dependent on ever more complex, and ever more inscrutable, technologies is considered a good thing. Negatives don’t generally get dwelled on. And for the most part people are expected to move along, or be moved along by the tech. Read More
All too often the fact that human lives are increasingly enmeshed with and dependent on ever more complex, and ever more inscrutable, technologies is considered a good thing. Negatives don’t generally get dwelled on. And for the most part people are expected to move along, or be moved along by the tech. Read More
If you unlock your Android handset using a pattern, you should consider using a PIN code instead. Because new research shows that Android unlock patterns are really not secure. If no one sees you swiping your finger over your screen then you may be OK, but how many of us even try to hide it? There are various ways of stopping people from accessing your phone. Apple has been innovating with biometrics, first with Touch ID, and now, with the iPhone X, Face ID. But Android users tend to be stuck choosing between a pattern and a PIN. Only one...
Read the full article: New Research Proves Android Unlock Patterns Suck
There is nothing like finding a great new TV series that you can binge-watch for hours or days. But you will eventually hit a point where you don’t know what to watch next. Even your friends don’t have any recommendations left. Don’t worry, these sites have your back. Of course, most of the TV series recommendations today are all about what you can stream. You will probably need to choose between Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. And personally, I would recommend you buy an HBO Go subscription too. 1. Vulture’s Streaming Guide: For Beginners, Based on Service Entertainment site Vulture...
Read the full article: 5 Sites to Find Which TV Show to Watch Next
Spotify has a new playlist for you, and this one has the potential power to make you feel young again. Unless you are still young, in which case it has the power to transport you all the way back to 2012. “Your Time Capsule” is a literal time capsule of songs you’ve listened to over the years. Despite increased competition from Apple Music and others, Spotify is still the music streaming service to beat. And part of Spotify’s enduring appeal is its ability to craft personalized playlists for each individual user. These take all of the effort out of finding...
Read the full article: This Spotify Playlist Can Make You Feel Young Again
Emilio Ferrara has been thinking about botnets for over a decade. As the first social networks climbed out of the mire, he noticed that they were very easy to game. Now, it seems, all of those early tools have finally been weaponized. I spoke to Ferrara about his research work as well as his fascinating study that found that Twitter bots can be used for good. In this episode of Technopia we… Read More
Smart home devices are great for adding convenience to your everyday life, but they can also play a really important role in keeping an eye on your vacation house, your short-term rental, or on your home while you’re out of town. With everything from smart plugs to an all-in-one smart home solution, you can figure out which device best suits your budget and your concerns based on where your vacation home is located, and how connected you want it to be. 1. Security Camera The first thing you’ll probably want to do is keep an eye on your summer home,...
Read the full article: Closing Up the Cottage? 8 Smart Gadgets to Keep It Safe and Secure
Nvidia Shield TV, the Android TV-powered smart TV streaming box that offers 4K and more, now also includes built-in support for Google Assistant. Nvidia’s integration of Google Assistant was first revealed way back in January, but the feature was announced as something that would be coming later. Now it’s arriving to Shield devices courtesy of Nvidia’s 6.0 software update.… Read More
Halloween is right around the corner, do you have your scares prepared? Rather than buying disposable props from the store, why not 3D print your own? The cost of 3D printers is dropping, and there are now options for people on most budgets. If you are new to 3D printing, we have a beginner’s guide which will teach you everything you need to know to make the projects in this article. Of course, Halloween isn’t just about the scary, it’s also a time to show off your awesome costumes, and a 3D printer can come in handy here too! In...
Read the full article: Make Halloween Your Own With These Petrifying 3d Prints
Windows encryption tool Syskey is being removed in the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. The utility encrypts password information stored in system databases that are in turn stored in the Windows registry. Its original purpose was to prevent unauthorized, offline password cracking attempts. However, scammers realized they could use the integrated utility to lock users out of their systems, forcing them to pay a ransom (pre-ransomware, but still in use in telephone scams — there are thousands of YouTube videos). In other environments, Syskey provides pre-boot authentication, where the user is challenged for a password before the operating system...
Read the full article: 4 Syskey Encryption Alternatives for Windows 10
Facebook has its own version of Apple’s Face ID. If you get locked out of your Facebook account, the company is testing a way to regain access by using your face to verify your identity. That could be especially useful if you’re somewhere that you can’t receive two-factor authentication SMS, like on a plane or while traveling abroad, or if you lose access to your email… Read More
Integrated speakers are common these days, in both laptops and computer monitors. But regardless of how expensive that laptop or monitor was, the internal speaker likely sounds tinny and unsatisfying — good enough in a pinch, but not something to use long-term. A set of desktop speakers is better because they aren’t confined by the space limitations of a laptop or monitor. This extra space allows them to include amplifier components, which are crucial for producing a high-quality sound. But good speakers aren’t cheap. In this article, you’ll find seven desktop speaker recommendations that will give you the most bang...
Read the full article: 7 of the Best Desktop Speakers to Buy Right Now
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Xcode, a small Czech team called Brightify has created Reactant, a framework that makes it easy to program iOS apps. The system is a Swift-based framework that offers live-reload of code, allowing you to add elements on the fly as you program. “The Reactant architecture dictates how to structure an iOS project from start to finish. It… Read More
Gone are the days of taking documents to the library to scan or spending a bunch of money on a scanner for your home. You can find many applications for Android, iOS, and Windows that put scanning at your fingertips no matter where you go. These seven awesome apps provide more than just scanning. They are smart enough to adjust and correct items for you, let you save them where you need to, and are perfect for both business and personal use. 1. Office Lens From Microsoft, Office Lens is a flexible, portable scanner with a nice set of features....
Read the full article: The 7 Best Mobile Document Scanner Apps
TechCrunch has learned that Apple has acquired a small French startup called Regaind, according to multiple sources. As always, Apple is very quiet when it comes to acquisitions, but it’s always interesting to learn more about Apple’s interests. We’ve reached out to Apple and the company sent us the following statement: “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time… Read More
Nobody likes managing email, especially when it’s time for a holiday. If you are going away, or just taking a staycation, you can use an automatic out-of-office (or vacation) reply to let people know that you won’t be reading or responding to emails during that time. Today we cover how to set up an out of office reply in five of the more popular email clients and web services. Apple Mail In Apple Mail, there is no dedicated setting for an out of office reply. Instead, you need to set up a rule. Fortunately this is very easy to do....
Read the full article: How to Set Up an Out-of-Office Email Reply on Your Mac
The SNES Classic Edition is out today, and is probably currently en route to those lucky enough to have scored a pre-order, and being picked up by bleary-eyed fans who set up early at game store locations around the world. Reviews have been almost universally positive for the small console, which is not surprising, so a lot of folks will probably also be in the market for accessories –… Read More
It seems like everyone is getting into the video business. First it was Netflix and Amazon. Then Apple recently announced that it will be producing original content. And now even Facebook is entering the game. Facebook Watch is a new service that lets Facebook users watch original TV shows created exclusively for the social network. But how does Facebook Watch stack up against the established big hitters on the streaming scene? Read on to find out. You Can’t Beat Free As of right now, there’s no cost to watch any of Facebook’s videos. Which puts it at a significant advantage...
Read the full article: Can Facebook Watch Rival YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime?
Apple TV isn’t just for watching films and television shows or playing games. It can also play an important role in your smart home. With Cupertino’s digital media player, you can now download and install apps to perform everyday home tasks such as checking your security cameras, monitoring your Wi-Fi network, and turning on your lights. To get started, all you need is a fourth- or fifth-generation Apple TV, a few dollars, and your imagination. In this article, you’ll learn about some of the most popular lifestyle and utility apps for Apple TV. Apple TV Apps for Lighting It shouldn’t...
Read the full article: How to Use Apple TV Apps to Fully Automate Your Home
The Federal Aviation Administration announced new rules for drone use around key US landmarks including monuments and dams. Under the new restrictions, drones are not to fly within 400 feet of the designated landmarks. The FAA says these rules were implemented at the request of the US security and law enforcement agencies. These locations are just the latest to the growing list of the… Read More
It’s been a busy year for Sphero, with the release of products like R2-D2, Spider-Man and Lightning McQueen. But the robotic toy startup is still making non-licensed, non-tie in products too — including the Sphero Mini, its most affordable toy yet. “We wanted to make Sphero products accessible to everyone,” said co-founder and Chief Software Architect Adam Wilson. The… Read More
You want to get started with DIY, but you’re not sure where to begin. You see no point in paying for repairs when you could probably fix something yourself… you just don’t have the skills yet. But that doesn’t mean you never will. What you need to do is start getting your hands dirty now. Some simple DIY repairs you can do without worrying about breaking anything. Basically, you’re looking for something that will help you to develop the skills needed for DIY repairs and builds. Once you’ve mastered these five repairs, you should be ready to move onto more...
Read the full article: New to DIY? Start With These No-Stress Easy Repairs for Beginners
Spotify continues to impress and frustrate in equal measure. For every Discover Weekly, there’s a much-loved feature stripped out of the streaming music app. Often, it’s difficult to get those features back. One of the feature removals which has garnered most ire was the company’s decision to kill third-party apps in 2014. At a stroke, users lost the ability to get curated recommendations from record labels and magazines, find nearby concerts, give guests “party access” to accounts, and a whole lot more. Spotify has never truly managed to replace the lost apps, even though some third-party web apps can still...
Read the full article: 7 Spotify App Integrations Actually Worth Setting Up
Rovio, maker of the Angry Birds gaming franchise, saw a small pop of 6 percent in its first day of trading as a public company. After pricing its IPO at €11.50 per share — the top of its range — yesterday, today the stock opened on the Nasdaq Nordic exchange at €12.20, and at the current price of €12.23, the company has a market cap of $1.1 billion (€952 million).… Read More
Sharing your email password with someone is a big test of trust. And if you’re one of those people who uses the same password for everything, even though you know you shouldn’t, well it’s just an impossibility. With Gmail’s delegates feature, you can grant someone access to your account without revealing your password. You can add up to 10 delegates with a regular account and up to 25 with a school or work account. Delegates can read, send, and delete messages in your Gmail account. When an email is sent by a delegate, their email address will appear in the message as well. They...
Read the full article: How to Grant Gmail Access to Someone Without Sharing Your Password
We recently examined the difference between the Roaming and Local AppData folders in Windows. One commenter wondered further what the difference between the AppData and ProgramData folders is. Let’s take a look at these two folders and find out how their roles differ. As we discussed before, AppData is a folder inside your user directory. It contains data that is specific to your account. Usually, this includes configuration settings that are particular to your instance of an installed program. The ProgramData folder is located at the root of your C: drive. Like AppData, it’s hidden by default so you won’t see...
Read the full article: What’s the Difference Between AppData and ProgramData?
For better or for worse, we no longer live in 1999. As such, most of our monitors don’t have their own power buttons anymore. In fact, I’ve never seen a laptop screen with its own power button! But don’t worry, it is still possible to turn off your laptop screen. Perhaps more astonishingly, there are multiple ways to achieve this — seven ways, in fact. Keep reading to see how easy they are. 1. Close the Lid You can adjust your machine’s power settings so that when you close the lid, only your screen is turned off and nothing else....
Read the full article: 7 Ways to Turn Off Windows 10 Laptop Screen
Family Link, Google’s parental control software for Android devices, is now exiting its beta testing period and is now generally available to anyone in the U.S. without the need for an invitation. The software, which lets parents manage apps, set screen time limits and device bedtimes, can be used from either an iOS or Android device, but is designed specifically to manage a… Read More
