Google Keep Launches, Offers Tough Competition to Evernote

Google Keep – A Preview of “Keep What You Are Thinking”

In its carefully-plotted quest to take over the entire internet, Google yesterday released their “Keep” service. It had been previously rumored and “accidentally leaked” a short while beforehand, but now that it’s out, how good of a job does it do at what it claims?

Keep is clearly taking shots at Evernote, which is currently the most-popular note-taking service available right now. For those of you who haven’t used either, both services are intended to be used primarily on your smartphone, for taking notes, capturing images and sound bytes for later, and basically keeping track of your life. They can be accessed from anywhere, whether it’s your tablet, phone, or desktop.


Keep has Interesting Features:  Google Keep comes with fewer features than Evernote, which is loaded with things like tags, categories, and more efficient organization. Keep allows you to categorize your notes by color only.

Although, Keep has some features that Evernote doesn’t, most notably the ability to create checklists, which can be very helpful for to-do lists and other everyday organization tasks.

Upwardly Mobile:  Keep is obviously created to be mobile-first, and on smartphones, the interface is great. You can clip things from your mobile browser, take snapshots on the fly, and record voice notes. On the desktop however, you can only create checklists, basic notes, and attach files that are already on your computer.

Simple is Best:  The best part about Keep though, and the way in which it most distinctly distinguishes itself from Evernote, is its simplicity. While Evernote’s features are great, they all hit you at once. Keep has none of that. When loading the desktop site at drive.google.com/keep, there is simply a blank box for a new note and your previous notes lined up beneath it. In line with Google’s minimalistic visual style, the notes are organized by a few simple colors and there are no extra frills. While Evernote may be good for those who compulsively take and organize notes digitally, Keep is great for the rest of us. It offers a simple way to ‘keep’ what we’re thinking and have it available to us wherever we are.

Like all Google services, starting out basic signifies nothing in relation to its eventual evolution. Google consistently starts out with a simple, solid product and adds features as people use and discuss it. So while it may not satisfy everyone’s needs in a note keeping app, it will evolve and grow over its lifetime. It may not have killed Evernote yet, but it has certainly sounded what may well be the death knell for any other note-taking software.

 

Options on the Internet for Kids

Finding Media and Apps on the Internet for Kids

My two kids can't keep their hands off Daddy's iPad, so it's important that I find age appropriate applications, movies and TV shows that I consider to be educational, or at least a valuable use of their time.  While I love recommendations from other parents with kids the same age, I also have a couple resources at my disposal to track down the gems in the sea of available media.

Common Sense Media (www.commonsensemedia.org) provides ratings for every category of media: books, movies, TV shows, games, applications, websites and music.  But it's more than just a simple ratings website.  Their rating system is based upon recommendations from child development experts nationwide who provide criteria for what content and activities are suited for each age range.  Their ratings are multi-layered, giving you guidelines for age-appropriate content while also evaluating the "messages" provided by the game and whether or not the application or website has a good "learning potential" for your child.


Browse by the type of media you're trying to find (such as "movie reviews"), or keep up to date with what's hot with their "New This Week" and "Editor's Picks" features.  Reviews are sorted by age range, and you can click on multiple ages simultaneously if you have a couple different ages in your household.  They even have a section for children with special-needs or learning-differences.  Lastly, suggestions are provided for parents to enhance the media experience, explaining how to explore, discuss and enjoy the content, even providing sample questions to get your kids talking about lessons and themes.

OK (www.ok.com) covers all-things movies.  Movies are rated by users, so the data is pooled into the rating system that then gives an age range (OK for 6+, for example) and also a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down," denoting if the movie is worth your time.  Users post detailed movie reviews, much like you see when you use Netflix, but they're generally family-oriented reviews that contain details to help you decide if the movie is right for your family.

Search for movies based on MPAA rating (G, PG, etc.), where the movie is available for viewing (Theater, Redbox, Netflix Streaming or Netflix DVD) and look for the genre you're interested in.  Connect through Facebook to share when you rate movies or write your own reviews.  Follow other reviewers that share your taste and standards, allowing you to build a community of movie reviewers to suit your own family.

Cool Mom Tech (www.coolmomtech.com) provides reviews and recommendations for tech and applications.  Their tagline: "We're not techies who parent, we're moms who use tech in our everyday lives."  Follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest, or simply click on "Best Kids' Apps" and you're greeted with pages of suggestions laid out in a blog-like fashion with pictures and links to more detailed reviews.

Mashable (www.mashable.com) has a nice weekly feature called "Top 5 Apps for Kids This Week," found under Lifestyle --> Family & Parenting.  Ratings are given for ease of use, educational benefits and entertainment value of the application, and age appropriateness levels are given as well.  Keep in mind some of their recommended applications are not free.

Children's Technology Review (www.childrenstech.com) has been studying children's interactive media products since 1985.  They provide ratings on products and applications in a similar way to Consumer Reports - extensive road testing and set criteria is used to evaluate each product they review.  Like Consumer Reports, it's a fee-for-service: $30 per year for a monthly PDF newsletter emailed to you.  Each issue contains about 50 reviews of tech toys, websites, apps, video games and more.

Every child is different and learns at a different pace, so not all rating systems will be perfect.  They're intended as a guideline to help you in your decision-making with regards to what content your kids are exposed to.  Ultimately, you know your child best and you will be the best determinant of what he/she is ready for.  Remember, always screen content before you hand over the iPad or turn on the TV.

Wireless Security UPDATE: Reaver

A New Program Thwarts Wireless Security: UPDATE

In December we posted this article, reposted here so to jog your memory:

Having wireless internet access is awesome, especially with how many devices these days use the technology. And with proper network security, we can be sure that al our data is safe from intrusion…as long as we don’t make any silly mistakes, right? Well, that would be nice. However, there is a new piece of software in distribution that makes it easy for anyone with the know-how to crack into your wireless network. It’s called “Reaver” and it’s available to anyone online. Now don’t worry too much just yet – most people using it are just going to use it to try and get free internet access where they’re not supposed to have it. But this can cause slowdowns on your network or, if you have sensitive files, can be a possible bigger problem.

Reaver works by exploiting a flaw in your wireless router. The flaw was originally designed simply to make setup easier for the end user – you. However, it can be exploited by someone using this tool to gain your wireless password, which gives them access to your internet just like another one of your computers. You might not even be able to tell. This flaw is called WPS, and even if you turn the feature off, the program can still use it when you can’t.

So how do you protect against these attacks? Well here’s the worst part of all this (I promise it’s the worst part.) You can’t…yet. Stay tuned in the future for updates, as there will no doubt be some new solution, but for now there’s just one piece of advice that can never be repeated too much:

Use a secure password. The way the program works makes it harder to determine your password the more complicated it is. As we’ve written about in previous articles, there’s an easy way to come up with a secure password: use a phrase that has significance to you but to no one else. For instance: andreacollectspetrocks. This way you’ll have a password that will take so long for the computer to guess that it will eventually give up. Stay current on updates if you’re concerned further about this issue!

Since this article was posted, however, there's been some developments. The fundamental flaw in the router is still there, but it can be helped. Download DD-WRT for your router from http://dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database and install it. DD-WRT is a piece of 'firmware,' software which runs on your router's hardware. But be careful: you'll have to be relatively tech-savvy to install it and set it up. If not however, our computer repair techs at Nerds On Call would be happy to help you set it up. Keep posted for further updates and stay safe!

 

 

 

Boost WiFi at Home, Part 2

Boost WiFi at Your Home, Part 2

After last week’s article about how to boost your WiFi network, I’m sure you headed straight out to buy a Wireless-N, dual-band router and removed all the cement or brick walls in your home or office to allow for optimal placement and signal transmission, right? No? Never fear.  While an up-to-date router is an integral part of a stable, strong WiFi network, there are even more ways to improve your home or office network that don’t require a sledge hammer or building permit.

First, a quick recap of last week’s tips one through three: upgrade to Wireless-N, eliminate signal interference from other networks or electronics in the area, and install your router in a central, high location for a clear, unobstructed signal.

Step four: kick out piggy-backers.

If someone is using your network without your knowledge it'll definitely slow things down.  WiFi networks are easier to hack than you may think, even if you've set up a WPA security key (i.e. password) on your network.  If you don’t have a password on your network, for the love of Star Wars please go do that now.  Login to your router, turn on WPA encryption and set a password.  You’ll need to also update all of the computers and devices on your network so that they provide the password when connecting.

Unfortunately, there are free programs that allow anyone to hack your network’s password, giving unscrupulous WiFi leeches access to your network.


If you think you may be the victim of a network hacker, check out the free network monitoring software offered by Zamzom.com (http://www.zamzom.com/).  Follow the tutorial video to see how the program identifies all the computers and devices accessing your WiFi network.  Use the tutorial’s tips to lock down your network or contact a trusted networking professional to help you determine if a router firmware program or stronger hardware firewall may help.

Step five: prioritize your programs.

It’s very common for network speed to slow when experiencing heavy traffic.  If your WiFi network experiences a rush-hour clog when everyone in the house is online (downloading videos, streaming media, playing online games, etc), your router’s “Quality of Service” (QoS) settings may be able to help direct traffic.

Use QoS to set rules that your router will follow to prioritize the programs and functions you need (like surfing the net) over those that may be hogging your bandwidth unnecessarily (like the kids playing online games when they should be doing homework).  Or you can elect to prioritize certain devices (like your computer) over others (like the Xbox).

Unfortunately, not all routers support QoS, so you'll have to check your user manual or make sure to purchase one that does if you're buying new.  For a detailed walkthrough, check-out Lifehacker’s article “Ensure a Fast Internet Connection When You Need It” (http://lifehacker.com/326543/ensure-a-fast-internet-connection-when-you-need-it).

Step six: extend your router’s range with a repeater or DIY tweaks.

For less than $30, you can add a stronger receiver to your computer or laptop, allowing the system that’s always had trouble connecting due to distance from the router, obstacles or poor receptiveness to miraculously get online.  The Rosewill RNX-N180UBE USB External Antenna Wireless Adapter (www.rosewill.com/products/1721/ProductDetail_Overview.htm, Amazon, $23) plugs into your computer or laptop’s USB slot.  The antenna increases the receiving strength of your computer.

If you’re short on funds, you can explore your inner Nerd with a DIY antennae made with aluminum foil, a file folder, some glue and scissors.  Just search YouTube for "WindSurfer Antenna" for a video tutorial.  Some users swear they’ve seen as much as an 82% increase in their wireless strength, but your mileage may vary.   But for the bargain price of free, there’s nothing to lose.

Companies Announce Streaming Television Options

Future of Television:  Pay-Per-View – Personalized Streaming Television

Since the advent of streaming video, consumers have been presented with a few options: either they can watch a limited number of shows for free on the internet, pay for video rentals of TV shows after they’ve aired, or pay for an expensive cable/satellite bill that includes the cost of hundreds of shows they’ve never watched nor will care to watch.

One of the lead telecom providers in the US plans to change that. The Wall Street Journal announced recently that Verizon is planning on offering a pay-per-view TV subscription service. The model would allow subscribers to only pay for the television shows that they actually watch, with more popular shows  being offered at a lower rate and more obscure shows costing a bit more. Currently the company is in talks with smaller media companies, according to the WSJ, as the content delivery program would require cooperation across a number of networks.


This sort of customization has only recently become available through the content delivery options that the evolving web has produced in recent years. The telecom giant has already started to merge its TV and internet services with its fiber optic, or FiOS network. Fiber optics allow for not only much more data to pass through to the consumer, but to do so at much faster speeds than traditional copper data lines. The FiOS service includes internet, telephone, and television access, and this combined approach would make it much easier for the company to implement a “metered” usage system such as the one announced.

A similar system is also being developed by Intel, but this project could threaten to “kill the cable industry as we know it,” according to Forbes. But that’s not inherently a bad thing. The service would run through the internet and only charge for the watched shows. In addition to this, it would act as a “Cloud DVR,” allowing users to watch any past TV show without having recorded it, as well as have control over the broadcast, such as pausing and rewinding live TV.

Intel made this decision after GoogleTV and AppleTV failed to spark interest in their microprocessors, judging that they would be able to revolutionize the industry by themselves. The program ships out to selected members this month, and will be tweaked and refined until it is available to all consumers.

Whether or not either of these technologies takes off, it is clear that the consumers have spoken; they want their TV when they want it and they don’t want to pay for anything but their content. The ball is now in the corporation’s court, and these few offerings are the signs of their return volleys. Stay tuned for the future of television!

Been Hacked? Here's What to Do

So You Think You’ve Been Hacked – What to do next

Headlines have been shouting out, that the FBI recently investigated a website which had obtained personal information of high-profile people, and posted it online. Their credit card and social security numbers were available for anyone to see. These numbers have been conned out of the victims, through various methods of hacking.

Now it's unlikely that anyone would want to target you specifically in order to take your information, but hackers have special tools that allow them to mine the information of hundreds or thousands of people and computers at the same time, exploiting any holes that they find.

In previous articles, I've covered a lot on how to protect yourself from spyware, malware, and hackers. But preventative measures don't always do the trick, or sometimes you learn about them too late. So what are you to do when you think your account has been hacked, or someone is stealing your information?


First Step: Call your bank or credit agencies. If you are able to access your finances online, chances are that a hacker can too. Banks can review and stop any suspicious activity on your account. It would also help to get a credit report to check if any accounts have been opened in your name. If you're only suspicious, you can set up a fraud alert at an agency like Experian, Equifax, or Transunion. For three months, they will make sure that any creditor must contact you by phone whenever someone requests credit in your name.

Second Step:  As always, scan and update your computer, while this may not fix what has been hacked, it should help to close those vulnerabilities that allowed them in. Use Malwarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials to check for viruses. Update your flash, Java, and PDF plugins as well.

Third Step:  Change your passwords. If you suspect that anyone but you has access to any of your online accounts, simply change your password. The quicker you do this, the less opportunity the hacker has to actually inflict damage. While you really shouldn't use the same password for every site, many people still do. My personal strategy is to pick a few memorable passwords and then create variants for different sites. Instead of making them more complex like many people recommend, consider simply making them longer, with more personal meaning for you. A computer is more likely to guess Hunt3r2 than it is Ilovebakedbeansuccotash.

Finally… if in doubt call a pro – like your local computer repair expert if your problem is more complicated than you can handle.  These are good steps to get you started. There are dozens of types of attacks, and the only way to truly combat each one is to talk to an expert in the field. So make sure to get all the information before proceeding to fix the problem.

 

Tired of Spotty Reception? Boost WiFi at Home

Boost Wifi Reception at Home with These Tips

Wi-Fi makes connecting to the Internet seem like magic.  There's a wonderful signal passing through the air that makes my phone work faster and unplugs my laptop from the cable - miraculous!  If you're affected by slow speed or bad reception, however, staying connected can be a drag.  Try these tricks to improve your home or office WiFi.

Step one: consider your hardware. 

If your router is even a few years old, it may be time to upgrade.  A router that’s slow or incapable of transmitting a lot of data at once will compromise your whole network.

Anyone using an older generation of wireless router (designated as Wireless-A, -B, or –G) should consider upgrading to a Wireless-N router, especially if you have multiple systems connecting simultaneously, stream HD video to your computer or TV, or play online games.  Wireless-N supports a larger bandwidth, meaning your network can process more data simultaneously.  It won’t get bogged down as quickly by multiple devices getting online at the same time or accessing a large file.


While Wireless-N routers are backward-compatible, the best performance improvement requires that your device support a Wireless-N connection as well.  This may require that you upgrade the WiFi access card in a desktop or laptop.

Step two: eliminate interference.

If you have neighbors with WiFi networks in close enough proximity, it can interfere with your network’s stability.  There are a number of channels routers can operate on and if you're using the same channel or one too "close" to your neighbor it will degrade your signal.  WiFi Stumbler (www.meraki.com/products/wireless/wifi-stumbler, free) is a network locator application that provides a graph of the channels available to you.  Choose a channel with the most space around it as possible.  It's OK to pick up some competing signals near you so long as they're weaker than yours.  Don't choose a channel with a strong competing signal - pick a one that keeps its distance from other signals.

If you have a lot of electronics in or around your home, you may also benefit from a "dual band" router.  Single band routers operate on the 2.4 GHz band, a relatively crowded signal interface used by many wireless phones, microwaves, baby monitors, and many more common electronics.  A dual band router operates on both the standard 2.4Ghz radio and less crowded 5Ghz radio, offering a signal that’s less prone to interference.  If you can’t upgrade to a dual-band router, move your router as far from conflicting appliances as possible.

Step three: location, location, location.

WiFi transmission can be blocked or weakened by obstructions between the router and the device. Don’t hide it away in a cabinet - position your router centrally, without too many thick walls to block its signal.  Point antennas vertically and elevate it if possible.  WiFi signals travel best down and sideways, so placing your router in the attic or a on a high shelf may give your signal a little boost.  One caveat: if it drops signal often or requires frequent resets, make sure your router is easily accessible.

Stay tuned next week for more ways to improve the strength and reliability of your WiFi network.

 

Avoid Social Media Scams with These Tips

Stay Safe by Avoiding Social Media Scams

From identity theft to fake contests to "send me money" scams, Facebook and Twitter are host to all manner of Internet criminals looking to swindle unsuspecting users out of money or information.  Don't fall victim!  Here's how to identify and avoid the most common social media ploys.

Tug at your heartstrings. Most people want to help someone in need, and criminals are on the lookout for any way to exploit this.  Within hours of the Newtown Connecticut shooting, "victims" pages popped up everywhere.  Some of these were created by scammers asking for donations.  Another common ploy is to hack into your friend's account, then send you a private message asking for money, claiming to be traveling abroad and stranded.  The easiest way to avoid this one is to contact family members to verify they really are traveling before even thinking of sending money.


The lure of "free stuff."  Whether it's a Starbucks Gift Card or an offer from Cheesecake Factory that tempts you to click, resist the urge.  This scam is a phishing attempt wherein the culprit tries to get hold of your personal and/or financial data in order to sell it or use it to perform identity theft, credit card fraud, etc.  You'll be prompted to fill out a survey, likely with personal information, which will in turn be used to harass or spam you outside of Facebook or Twitter.  You'll also spam all your friends with messages about the fake offer.  When in doubt, never give a 3^rd party Facebook application access to your personal information.  If you suspect you may have done so accidentally, visit your Account Settings page, click on Apps and remove anything you don't recognize, trust and want to have access to your personal data.

"Improve" your Facebook experience. Come on, you know you wanted to add that "dislike" button.  How about changing the color of your Facebook profile?  Both of these lures will have you filling out surveys with personal information and spamming all your contacts to do the same.

Curiosity killed your account.  You receive a Direct Message with an alluring question: "Is this YOU in this video?"  Click on the link and you're prompted to download an update to your Flash player that is really malware.  Hidden code within causes a Facebook "like" to appear on your timeline, encouraging your friends and family to click and become victims as well.  Both Twitter and Facebook were hit hard with these malware attacks last year.    Another popular one offers to let you "see who has viewed your profile." It’s just another ploy to gain access to your personal information through surveys and malicious applications.

They offer you easy money, for a fee.  Whether it's a promise to make thousands of dollars working from home, or the offer of a dream job as a Mystery Shopper, any "job" that requires you to pay up front is most definitely a scam.  Be suspicious of anything that sounds too good to be true.

Word to the wise: always check where a link is directing you before you click.  Hover your cursor over the link without clicking it - the website will display in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.  I once received an email telling me my account was going to be shut down because it had been hacked.  The email contained a link I was to "click on to verify my identity."  My warning bells rang.  Instead of clicking the link, I contacted customer service, and I was glad I did.  There was absolutely nothing wrong with my account.  If you're ever prompted to "confirm your email account," or "verify your password" following a link you received in a private message or an email, don't do it.  Go directly to the website and log in from there.

There are resources at your disposal if you suspect a fraud.  Snopes (www.snopes.com) tracks Internet scams, rumors and misinformation.  Arm yourself with info about the latest scams through the Better Business Bureau: go to http://www.bbb.org/scamstopper.  Facebook itself has a "scams" page in their help section.  They provide tons of information about making your account more secure so you're protected in the future.

 

 

 

Options for Computers for Seniors in Your Life

Computers for Seniors

When you think “cutting edge technology,” you probably don’t think “senior citizens,” but recent advances in technology are aimed at making life easier for grandma and grandpa, as well as those that care for them.  These devices make it possible for the less tech-savvy to stay connected to friends and family and for remote caregivers to monitor health and wellness.

Associate Professor of Psychology T.J. McCallum, Ph.D., of Case Western Reserve University conducted a three-month study wherein he found that seniors that used technology had higher self-esteem and greater social interaction than those that did not use technology.  Social media, email, online gaming and video chat offer a great way to connect with friends and family or find support among the many interest groups hosted online.  Yet many seniors are unfamiliar with computers and/or have difficulty navigating the Internet, and the learning curve for new technology can be steep.


The drawbacks are that it’s pricey for the specifications: 2 GB of RAM is pretty paltry and a 1.8GHz processor won’t be winning any speed tests.  It’s not meant to be upgraded, though on the bright side that means that you won’t be installing additional programs to use up the few available resources.  In order to remain simple the software is locked down.  Grandma won’t be using Gmail or hotmail, but instead the Telekin supplied email.  One user pointed out that it’s only available in English, but frankly I’d welcome never getting a panicked call that the computer is suddenly only “speaking” German.

Advances in home monitoring have allowed many seniors to extend the time they can remain at home, while offering remote caregivers peace of mind.  The GrandCare System (www.grandcare.com) uses a dedicated Internet connection and wireless sensors throughout the house to allow designated caregivers to send communication to their loved one, view activity and monitor their health and wellness as they go about their daily life at home.  Sensors track certain kinds of movement, such as if there’s an unusual amount of activity at night, if the medicine cabinet fails to open at the right time, or if the refrigerator is unused for an extended period of time. If grandpa, for example, forgets to take his pills, doesn’t get up at the usual time, or opens the door at an odd hour, a caregiver alert will be sent via text, email or phone.

The GrandCare System also integrates into a touch screen computer hub that’s designed to be simple and easy to use.  Friends and family can send pictures, messages, keep a calendar up to date with appointments or send videos that are viewed with one touch.  Easy access to Skype (for two-way video chat), Facebook and YouTube allows seniors to stay connected.  The system runs about $500 for installation and $100 in monthly fees for a one-bedroom apartment.

Even seniors that don’t yet need extensive monitoring can benefit from systems that will support the add-on of such services at a later date.  Lowe’s IRIS (www.lowes.com/iris) Smart Home technology is expandable.  Today you can use the home security and programmable lighting and climate management; when you need them, additional sensors can be integrated into the system to monitor activity and send alerts to loved ones if something strays from the norm (like if the lights don’t turn on at the regular time or the refrigerator doesn’t open).  The system also supports an emergency alert pendant.

There are a variety of standalone devices that can allow remote monitoring of senior’s health.  From medication management systems that will dispense medication at programmed times and doses, to remote health monitoring systems that allow doctors to track vitals over the Internet, technology is really a senior’s best friend.  If you or a loved one is struggling to find a solution to an elder-care issue I haven’t mentioned, send me an email.  There are many other products that may be able to help.

Six Strikes Anti-Piracy Program Begins

The Copyright Alert System: “ Six Strikes ” Anti-Piracy Program

The last week of February 2013 marked the official launch of the Copyright Alert System, a joint program between major internet service providers, aka ISPs (AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, Cablevision and Time Warner) and entities working to protect content copyrights, such as The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).  This system is also known as the “Six Strikes” Anti-Piracy Program since users suspected of participating in the sharing of copyright-protected material will receive up to six warning notices from their ISP, with escalating consequences for repeat offenders.


Under the program, content creators will monitor public peer-to-peer networks for what they believe to be illegal sharing (i.e. piracy) of their property.  They will provide the IP address of the parties involved to the internet service provider, who will then send a warning to the holder of the account accused of illegal downloading or file sharing.  ISPs are free to decide what consequences to link to each warning, and each has reported a different plan of action.

Most ISPs will send the first few warnings via email to the account holder.  Several providers will require account holders of IP addresses involved in illegal file sharing that receive a third or fourth notice to watch educational videos about legal sources of copyrighted content, acknowledge receipt and understanding of instructional materials, read and click-through messages that appear in their browser via a pop up or website redirect, or call their ISP’s customer support line to participate in an instructional conversation about copyright and legal sources of copyright-protected content.

If an IP address continues to be submitted to the alert system, some ISPs will take more drastic action.  Verizon has reported plans to cap the data speed of repeat offender FiOS customers, leaving them with speeds roughly equivalent to dial-up for two to three days.  Users will be given a 2-week notice before speed is capped in which they can appeal the piracy accusations.  The fee for appeal is $35, but it will be refunded if the American Arbitration Association (AAA) finds in the user’s favor.

Cablevision has announced it will suspend customer’s internet service for 24 hours after the fifth and sixth alerts if the accusation goes unchallenged.

Time Warner, AT&T and Comcast have to-date announced no plans to throttle internet speed or suspend service for repeat offenders.  Instead, their mitigation involves a series of alerts that, if ignored, will steer users toward required instructional conversations with ISP representatives.

Even if you aren’t personally involved in illegal content sharing, account holders are responsible for the actions of anyone on their network.  Program participants hope that receipt of a warning will encourage account holders to take measures to restrict unauthorized activity on their network by talking to household members, limiting unauthorized access by encrypting their WiFi network, and/or installing software or hardware to block access to peer-to-peer sites.

Updated Facebook Newsfeed Coming

Facebook Newsfeed gets Facelift

Facebook users will be seeing a significant number of changes coming from the familiar blue-and-white website in the near future. In a press conference today, Mark Zuckerberg announced that they would be rolling out some dramatic alterations to the website’s layout.

The new layout will come in the form of a news feed redesign. Facebook is attempting to unify the look and function of the website over all devices, including tablets, desktops, and mobile phones.


Another significant change being made is the separation of posts from pages that you like. Users like George Takei, who frequently posts, complained that posts from pages such as his own were getting buried in Facebook’s algorithm and not showing up on users’ feeds at all. In response, Facebook created a separate news feed which displays all activity from pages that you’ve liked in Twitter fashion. It will update live and can be completely customized.

In addition, the visuals have been upgraded to feature content more prominently, instead of the text that users tune out while using the website. Photo albums have been revamped to be front and center, filling the news feed with larger and more efficiently spaced graphics. This trend toward graphics is being implemented throughout the site, leading to a cleaner interface that feels at home on phones and tablets, while retaining the same look on the desktop.

This announcement comes shortly after Facebook announced testing of their Graph Search and about a year after the Timeline change came to profiles. Facebook hopes to be an all-purpose social hub with these changes and recapture some of their user base who is leaving it for other sites.

 

These changes will be rolling out over the next few months, though you can ask to be put on the list of people that it rolls out to first, if you want. Eventually the change will come to everyone, but it will be modified based on how people use it, as well as user feedback. The announcement can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/newsfeed

Get Turn-by-Turn Navigation in your Car

Turn-By-Turn Navigation for Your Car

by Heather Neal

In the "old days," if I was going somewhere new I'd call the business and ask for directions - a daunting proposition since not everyone is "good" with directions.  Those days are thankfully over and today I rely mainly upon the GPS in my car, with a little of my own instincts.  For the vast majority who don't have GPS standard-equipped in their car, how do you get where you’re going?

There are several great turn-by-turn navigation applications for Smartphone users:

Google Maps for your mobile phone (www.google.com/mobile/maps/, free, iPhone and Android) offers a wide variety of features in addition to navigation.  Find any location with a quick search and it'll suggest multiple routes, integrating traffic, highway construction and toll road information so you can avoid delays.  Directions are provided with a voice that sounds more human than machine and knows how to pronounce most street names correctly.  When you make a wrong turn, re-routing happens intelligently so you're not driving all around town to get back on track.  Walking and public transit directions are also provided if you decide not to drive, including estimated travel times and fare information.  Sync with Google Local for reviews of nearby restaurants and save your favorite locations for easy navigation to them in the future.


Waze (www.waze.com, free, all platforms) offers some fun features that may inspire you to give it a try.  It has a social component that automatically shares real-time traffic information and road alerts with other drivers.  Report road delays, accidents and police speed traps you see during your commute and learn about what’s in your path from fellow "Wazers."  Waze will even re-route you mid-commute if there's a better way around such an obstacle.  Share gas prices by reporting them at the pump so everyone can save a couple bucks and Waze will direct you to the cheapest station on your route.  Connect with friends through Facebook to coordinate arrival times if you're all headed to the same concert, or arrange a friend's pick-up: they request it, you accept, and then they can track your arrival time by "seeing" how close you are to them, all through the application.

There's potential risk with phone applications.  Using them while actively driving means picking up your phone to look at it (unless you have incredible restraint), and it's always dangerous to take your eyes off the road fumbling for your phone.  Even if you mount it to your dash, you may find the smaller screen more difficult to see than a stand-alone GPS device.  Do your own cost-benefit analysis to decide what's right for you.

Should you opt for a portable navigation device (PND), there are some must-have features.  A wide screen is vital for easy visibility. Make sure the device lists directions as text in addition to mapping, and it should offer re-routing around highways or toll roads.  Full-featured devices can replace your car's trip computer, serve as a Bluetooth for your cellular phone or even an MP3 player, and prices vary widely as a result based on these additional perks.

The Garmin Nuvi 3490LMT ($250, Amazon.com) is one of the highest-rated PNDs  by Consumer Reports and CNET, and for good reason - it's literally packed with features.  Use it as your bluetooth device for calls and texts.  Voice-activated seamless navigation makes it completely hands-free.  Its thin, sleek design makes it easy to drop in a pocket and improved graphics allow you to view landscapes in 3D.  Lifetime free traffic updates are included, in addition to map updates you can download up to four times a year without a subscription fee.

Those looking for a lower price point should consider the TomTom GO Live 1535M ($150, Amazon.com).  Similar to the Garmin, it has voice recognition, traffic reports (provided to you in HD!) and hands-free Bluetooth calling.  Lifetime Map Updates are included, totally free.  The “cool-factor” lies in its connection to TripAdvisor, Yelp and Expedia to help you choose your route, letting you navigate through areas with the attractions or dining options you prefer.  Integrate with Twitter so you can update family and friends through voice commands, in a safer manner than texting while driving.

With literally hundreds of devices to choose from, boiling it down to two suggestions really doesn't do the field justice.  Do your research, making sure to compare user and professional review sites to find the device that's right for you.

Rumors of Youtube Streaming Music Service Surface

Youtube Streaming Music Service to Come Soon?

There’s already a host of streaming music services available, like Spotify or Pandora, but soon there may be another, created by the most powerful company in the world.

Fortune reported today that “Youtube…will launch a subscription music service later this year.” This information was provided to Forbes by an unnamed source, and Google declined to comment, perhaps testing the waters with their ambitious idea.

The company, which owns Youtube, already has a content delivery network for downloadable content. This service, Google Play, allows users to purchase music, but does not allow anyone to stream without first paying for the song. Many people already use Google’s Youtube to stream music, but the additional streaming of video is expensive for both Google and its users. To put this in perspective, take into account Youtube’s statistics page, which claims that 72 hours of video are uploaded to Youtube each minute. This video is analyzed against 500,000 of copyrighted material (much of which is music), resulting in a total of 200,000,000 videos which have had some sort of copyrighted material in them. Many of these videos were taken down as a result. Being able to stream this, provide royalties for the studios, and reduce the bandwidth, would be a perfect solution to the problem.

In addition, a free streaming music service would allow Google to do what it does best: sell ads. Currently the company sells ad space on webpages, their search results, and before clips on Youtube. This addition would allow them to provide ad space for streaming audio ads, a target medium that Google has no access to.


All this comes shortly after Google unveiled its Glass project, which integrates a small computer into a wearable eyepiece. As it is able to access the internet, any future iterations of the project would allow the users to constantly stream music from their sunglasses. If that isn’t cool, I don’t know what is. Let’s hear it for the Nerds!