Save Money on Tech

If there’s one thing we Nerds learn early it’s that technology doesn’t come cheap. Even after you shell out the dough for the computer, home theater set up or mobile device, you have to pay for Internet, data plans, and tons of monthly subscription fees to keep the toys buzzing and clicking. This week, I'll share some ways that I've found to enjoy my tech to its fullest and live the "nerd" lifestyle for less.

Drop your cable or satellite. Recently, my husband and I ditched satellite TV. It took us almost a year of paying over $100 a month before we finally took the big leap and we haven’t missed it. We're paying less per month and simply using more of the services we were already subscribed to.


It may not be for everyone, but if you're already paying for services like Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime, they can easily take the place of satellite or cable. If they're not on Hulu, current TV shows can be streamed directly from network websites: ABC, CBS, and NBC all offer several weeks worth of online content you can stream for free. I used to keep up with Dancing with the Stars this way.

Want to watch on the big screen? Gaming consoles (like X-Box, Playstation of Wii), Roku, Apple TV and some newer BluRay players can all stream content directly to your TV. Google just introduced a new device called Chromecast (www.google.com/chromecast, $35) which fits into the palm of your hand and attaches directly to your HDTV, working similarly to Roku and Apple TV. It requires another device such as a Smartphone, tablet or laptop to operate, but works with both Android and Apple products, allowing you to stream the Internet and content from Netflix or Google Play (movies, TV shows and music).

Even if you aren’t willing to ditch it entirely, contact your satellite or cable provider about downgrading to a “broadcast basic” package and then stream the rest of your content. Just making the call will likely lead to discounts from the company working to keep you as a customer.

Ditch the landline. I haven't had a land phone line since 2003. Are you still paying for a land line in addition to the monthly mobile phone bill? Stop that! If you simply can't drop it for sentimental reasons, consider switching to a Voice-Over-IP (VOIP) service. Services like Vonage (www.vonage.com) hook up a phone to your Internet either through a converter box or using a special IP phone. These services aren't free, but they're generally cheaper than what you're paying monthly for AT&T.

Ditch those long distance charges and make calls directly from computer to computer using VOIP. Providers like Skype (www.skype.com) and Google Talk (www.google.com/hangouts) have free options for video and voice-only calling. Users should be aware that VOIP can't completely replace all of your phones as it doesn't support emergency calling.
For those that use a landline for faxing, consider scanning your documents and emailing them to the recipient. Need a phone line for your home alarm? Ask your monitoring company about mobile packages that allow your alarm to contact dispatch over a cell connection.

If you'd still like to have a land phone line for emergencies, call your phone provider to ask about “measured rate” plans that will cost much less per month but more per call, then use VOIP, Skype or your cell for most of your calling needs.

Lower your mobile phone bill. It's hard to resist surfing the Internet while you're sitting in the doctor's office, but if you're not hooked up to WiFi, those minutes can add up fast. Try to make sure you're always connected to WiFi, and turn off apps that switch to the phone network when WiFi is unavailable.
Providers like Skype have applications for mobile-to-mobile calling for a small monthly fee, and video isn’t required. Use them as often as you can on your mobile device when you're connected to WiFi and save minutes with your mobile service provider.

We all love our texting but charges can add up fast. Disable automatic text alerts from social media and consider using a free texting app instead of texting through your service provider. If you're Facebook friends, you can download and use Facebook’s free Messenger app and message for free through the application. You don't even have to exchange phone numbers that way.

Review your bill every month and make a note of the small charges that weasel their way onto your bill, including app charges. Make sure to cancel the additional "services" and contact your service provider to have the previous charges reversed.

Moto X Announced

Moto X Announced by Google

There have been rumors around the internet for months concerning the “Moto X.” So what exactly is the big deal about this phone, which is the result of close collaboration between Google and Motorola?

Today everyone finally got their answers at Motorola's press conference during which they officially announced the Moto X. The phone is the first hardware manufactured by Google, which owns Motorola. As a result, the phone is sleek, glossy, and well-designed; any phone nerd's dream. It includes two cameras: a 10-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front camera. It can be customized with 16 or 32 gigabytes of memory. And the front panel, back panel, and accents, can all have their colors customized, with a total of 540 possible combinations.


But the real power of the Moto X doesn't come from its hardware. It comes from the software within. It's the first phone to use always-on voice activation for Google Now, which is included with the phone. Users can say “Okay, Google Now,” at any point, and the phone will start listening for commands. Users can use the voice interface to find directions, set alarms, search for information, or text contacts. Google Now also detects when the user is driving and provides navigation instructions for relevant waypoints.

In addition, the phone responds to gestures like a double-twist-of-the-wrist, which will pull up the camera from any screen. The idea behind this is that users should be able to capture moments as they happen without having to go through menus to find the camera.

Another feature of the Moto X touted by Google and Motorola is the active display. The screen uses AMOLED technology, which means that instead of unlocking and turning the phone on all the way, users can touch the screen to get at-a-glance information about updates. The screen also stays dim when this display is up, so it's not distracting or painful in dark environments.

The Moto X will be available “...late August, early September” for $199 (16GB) or $249(32GB) with a two-year contract.

Image from phandroid.com

 

Nexus 7 and Android 4.3 Jellybean Announced

If you've been considering getting a tablet but nothing has caught your eye yet, you might want to take a second look at Google's Nexus 7, which just received a major update, along with its operating system, Android 4.3.

Google today announced the release of updates to two of their flagship products, the Nexus 7 and the Android operating system.

The Android update, number 4.3, codenamed “Jellybean,” offers a number of incremental changes to the operating system. The biggest change is the addition of restricted profiles. Restricted profiles allow parents to change application behaviors on their childrens' accounts. This means parents can restrict their kids from making purchases, accessing inappropriate content, or changing system settings, much like parental controls on Mac and Windows operating systems.


Android 4.3 also added support for Bluetooth Smart, which is a low-energy version of the close-proximity Bluetooth profile. At the announcement event, one of the Google interns got on stage and did jumping jacks to demonstrate Android's ability to pull in measurements from a bluetooth heart-rate monitor.

The update also adds support for much better graphics, supported by some of the new hardware put out by Google, including the Nexus 7.

The Nexus 7, which has been Google's flagship tablet, also received significant updates. The biggest change was an increase in pixel density. The new Nexus 7 has a screen with higher resolution than the printed page, making it the most precise tablet screen on the market. It has a 1900x1200 pixel screen, which allows it to play full HD videos and games. In order to support this, the new Nexus 7 also features upgraded hardware, like a faster processor, doubled memory, and stereo speakers. The screen size however remains the same.

Google also refocused on Android as a gaming platform with the Nexus 7 announcement, revealing the “Google Play Games” app, which allows you to connect with your friends who also play games, and compares you across leaderboards. Several new games were also demoed on the Nexus 7, including a new Prince of Persia game and several racing apps. Also included in the Google Play store update was the option to rent textbooks for six months at a time.

The Nexus 7 starts at $229 for the 16GB version with Wi-Fi Only.

Android Phones Vulnerable to Hackers

Android Vulnerability Patched

Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, installed on three quarter of a billion devices. Having a master key to all of those would give a hacker near-total control in the mobile world. Fortunately, this doomsday scenario has been narrowly avoided.


Bluebox Labs, a computer security company, recently discovered http://bluebox.com/corporate-blog/bluebox-uncovers-android-master-key/ a vulnerability in the Android operating system that leaves “99%” of Android users open to the possibility of malicious software. But the most shocking thing about this discovery is not only the breadth of the vulnerability, but its depth as well.

The “Master Key” vulnerability, if used by a hacker, would allow them to access all of a user's data on their phone. This includes text messages, account access, and photos. It is unknown at this time the full extent of this vulnerability's use.

This vulnerability makes it possible for a hacker to change the code of an app without modifying its cryptographic signature. What this means in practical terms is that a hacker could develop an app and deliver it to the Google Play store and have it downloaded by people wanting to use its functionality. Those who download the app would confirm the app's access to the file system. Then without anyone's knowledge, the hacker could then change the code of the app to act as a trojan horse, gathering data and personal information from the user's phone. This process would be invisible to the user, aside from a slight slow-down.
[pullquote]"We have not seen...any exploitation"[/pullquote]
Now the good news is that the vulnerability has already been patched by Google. They've shipped it to providers like MetroPCS and Verizon, who will deploy the update to their users' phones in the next few weeks.

More good news: According to a statement http://www.zdnet.com/google-releases-fix-to-oems-for-blue-security-android-security-hole-7000017782/ sent by Gina Scigliano, Google's Android Communications Manager, “We have not seen any evidence of exploitation in Google Play or other app stores via our security scanning tools.” So in the meantime while you're waiting for your phone to update, don't download any sketchy apps. If you're worried that you may have been infected already, you can install https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bluebox.labs.onerootscanner to check for infection.

 

Take Better Photos with these Smartphone Photography Tips

Smartphone Photography Tips for Better Pictures

We take our Smartphones with us everywhere, so chances are when you're ready to snap a quick picture of your kid or four-legged friend doing something especially cute, you're not going to have your fancy-schmancy camera handy. Yet more often than not, these fast photo-ops end up looking dark or fuzzy and out-of-focus. Here are a few tips for making your Smartphone photos go from blah to beautiful.


Experiment with apps. You can generally take better pictures with your phone if you're using an app to do it. Photo apps often have settings that may not be offered with the standard camera on your phone. There are tons out there to choose from, so experiment to find one that matches your own personal style. Better yet, download a couple so you have some variety from shot-to-shot. Start with CameraZOOM FX for Android (http://www.androidslide.com/camerazoom) or Camera+ for iPhone and iPad (http://campl.us/) – both are great for beginners while offering cool features.

If you want to make your photos more unique or "interesting,” Hipstamatic (http://hipstamatic.com/), Instagram (http://instagram.com/#) and FxCamera (http://fxcamera.com/) emulate old, cheap cameras with digital effects. Doesn’t sound like a selling feature? The end result is a retro, unique style for your photos and easy-to-use options to modify colors or tweak your photos on the fly.

Camera settings. Once you've settled on the app that's right for you, make sure you perfect the settings before you start shooting. First, make sure the camera’s resolution is set to the highest quality. The last thing you want is to take some really spectacular photos only to discover they're completely pixilated when blown up on your computer screen. Next, enable the "stable shot" setting on your application. Sometimes it's hard to hold the camera steady and prevent picture blurring - this setting won't allow you to snap until your hand is stable. Lastly, allow your phone’s camera to acclimate to the current lighting conditions and then adjust for white balance and exposure within the application. Experiment with different exposure settings to find the vibrant photo you're looking for.

Lighting. This is good photography 101, but it really can make or break your photo. Make sure your subjects are facing the light source and if the lighting in the room is dim, turn it up before you shoot. Better yet, move your subjects outside if you can - natural lighting makes for a much better photo. Watch the flash, too. Sometimes the flash goes off when you really don't need it and people's faces in your photo end up washed-out and pasty-looking. If it's dark and you're sure you need the flash, try muting it with a piece of tissue paper or a white sticker. That way, you'll still get some light from your flash, but it won't produce as much glare. When trying to capture a photo at night, take advantage of your camera's night mode (if it has one). It can make the difference between getting the shot you want and a totally-black picture.

Get the cool shot. Try to focus on one subject, rather than the scenery around it. Get up-close and personal when you can - you'll get a much more detailed photo. Aim to get at least a few pictures on-the-sly (you know your kids never want to "pose" anyway). Your subject’s demeanor will be a lot less stiff and self-conscious. Shy away from using the digital zoom. You can avoid some really lousy (read: blurry) pictures, and frankly that's what your fancy-schmancy camera with the mega-lens is for. Last but not least, always keep your camera lens clean; you know how dirty cell phones can get.

Back up frequently. It's so easy to forget to back up the pictures taken on your Smartphone - much more so than even your camera when you've been out-and-about shooting. Downloading your pictures directly to your computer is best (rather than emailing from your phone), because it will preserve the highest resolution possible. Then you can run those photos through your computer's photo editing software for last minute color adjustments. Experiment with black and white rendering too - it's always better to take your photo in color, and then change it to black and white later. If the image is well-composed, you can do some rather cool things with software to make it even better.

Waterproof your Phone and Other Gadgets this Summer

Waterproof your Phone & Gadgets

It's finally the summer and it's time to spend less time indoors and more time soaking up sun. Whether you have a pool or head to the lake to get your fill of vitamin D, everyone spends more time outdoors in the summer. And most of us will end up bringing at least a few gadgets with us, like our cell phones. But while the beach is a relaxing place for us humans, our phones don't react to well to sand, water, or heat - common ingredients for summer fun. Fortunately they're not too hard to protect. We've gathered a few ways to summer-proof your devices here.

An essential part of summer is heat, and it's only getting hotter. Unfortunately your cell phone doesn't react to heat too well. Overheated phones will shut off, and running your phone for too long at a high temperature will permanently damage its battery. Make sure not to leave your phone in a hot car, and pay attention to how hot it is when you're using it. If you don't need to use your phone for a bit and it's getting hot, just turn it off and let it cool down. Also, charging your phone only at night will keep it cool and save energy.

For physical damage, consider buying a protective case for your phone. For a bit of money (around $100), consider the OtterBox armor series. If you're a professional device-dropper or if you just spend a lot of time in dangerous situations, this case can protect your phone underwater and can protect it being dropped onto concrete.

If you're not too worried about water, but you want to protect your laptop or tablet from the bumps and drops of everyday use, the Just Air Cushion https://www.justaircases.com/ provides a lightweight and inexpensive ($30) way to protect your devices from unfortunate falls.

No matter where you're going this summer, make sure to install tracking software on your phone. With all the beach parties, vacations, and other outings over the summer, there's a lot of opportunity for your phone to get lost. Prey http://preyproject.com is a free app for your phone that allows you to track your phone if it's lost. 

Nerds On Call Reviews Blackberry 10

Nerds On Call Reviews BlackBerry 10: Back from the brink?

The BlackBerry used to be the undisputed queen of mobile computing. In the days when "smartphone" wasn't even in the culture's lexicon, a little company named Research in Motion developed the BlackBerry, a device which could manage your email on a phone, unheard of in 2003. The company has gone through many iterations of their software and their edge has been lost in recent years with the arrival of the iPhone and Android options. The company, however, has refused to sink. In a highly-anticipated press conference, they announced their new line of phones and new BlackBerry OS, which promises to be redesigned from the ground up. They also announced their name change from Research in Motion to simply "BlackBerry." So is it enough to bring the floundering company back from the brink? Possibly.


Possibly the best and certainly the most innovative feature in BlackBerry 10 is the keyboard. It scans through your emails and messages and generates a list of most-commonly used words and sentence structures. That way when you type, the word that you are most likely to type next appears above the next letter you'd have to type to spell the word. It's a good replacement for touch-typing, as the majority of smartphone users have had to resort to hunting and pecking on virtual keyboards.

The new Operating System also includes many other features: an iPhone-like voice recognition package, a camera that lets you choose pictures from before you took them, an improved app and content store, and built-in Flash support. Add to this the usual host of phone improvements and you get a pretty solid phone. Only time and software updates will tell if the new phones will be able to reclaim some of BlackBerry's territory in the smartphone market, but it looks to be a promising challenger. For the tech enthusiast or the businessperson who's looking to use a more "serious" phone than some of the options offered by iPhone or Android, it's a great choice.

Pay by Phone: Next big thing?

Take the Next Step and Pay by Phone?

If you’ve noticed offers at your gas station or grocery store to “pay with your phone,” you’ve seen what many claim is the future of how we’ll pay for goods and services: Near Field Communication, or NFC.  Whether you relish the idea of ditching your wallet in favor of swiping your phone everywhere you go or you shudder at the thought of losing a phone laden with all your credit card info, NFC is likely to gain in popularity in years to come.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are familiar forms of electronic communications that allow devices to transfer information back and forth.  They operate on radio transmissions and are designed to accommodate distance between devices.  Near Field Communication, on the other hand, utilizes electromagnetic radio fields which require the communication partners to be in close proximity - typically less than 4 inches apart.


Proponents point out the multitude of benefits beyond just a way to pay without pulling out your credit card.  If you’ve seen the commercials for the Samsung Galaxy S III where data is transferred from one phone to the other by tapping them together, you’ve witnessed integrated NFC in action.  Syncing data with other devices or transferring files is quicker and easier using NFC than via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

While many focus on the “mobile wallet” aspect of the technology (i.e., using your phone in place of a credit card to pay for goods or services), it can also be used to store public transportation passes and/or concert tickets, loyalty cards, even allow you to ditch key cards in favor of swiping your phone to access your office building, hotel room or parking lot.

The ease of using your phone for everything you previously had to dig out a plastic card for is appealing; however many are concerned about the security risks of having all this stored on such an easy-to-lose gadget.  I certainly envision someone snatching my phone for an afternoon shopping spree before I notice it missing.  Yet in truth, with how often I use my smartphone throughout the day, I’d be more likely to notice my phone missing than one of my credit cards.

Is it wise to consolidate access to every aspect of your life (bank accounts and credit cards, data, access to your home, car or office, etc) on your phone?  Proponents argue that it’s more secure than losing your wallet or purse due to the quick and easy ability to disable the device remotely (which is certainly faster than calling all your credit card companies if you lose your wallet).  NFC often establishes a secure channel and utilizes encryption when sending sensitive data like credit card numbers.  In conjunction with the required close proximity, there’s little risk that your data could be hacked by a passerby.

Should you get started with a service like Google Wallet (www.google.com/wallet) to store credit cards, loyalty cards and special offers on your mobile devices?  Maybe.  I like the idea of never again having to dig out my PetSmart card to get money off dog food, but to be truly useful more retailers need to upgrade their equipment to support NFC.  This means I’d have to carry phone and wallet to accommodate a day of errands.  However, if enough of the merchants you frequent support it, it may be worth looking into – provided you implement the mobile device security measures I highlighted last week.