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Articles by bsnyder
Consumer Tech Radar
Consumers love to hate the companies that deliver pay TV and broadband
A survey of thousands of consumers shows that a lack of competition and “abysmal” customer service make cable companies and ISPs the most disliked industries in the country.
Opinion
Goodbye cable; hello gigabit broadband
Our consumer blogger finally cuts the cord and installs ultra-fast broadband. Here’s what he learned.
Consumer Tech Radar
Cunning hack attacks built-in Windows anti-malware software
Quick action by Google and Microsoft appears to have put out the fire. But it’s another reminder that running old versions of Windows can be dangerous.
Consumer Tech Radar
Are poor communities “redlined” out of AT&T’s fiber-to-the-home service?
AT&T deploys ultra-fast broadband in rich neighborhoods, while poor communities are stuck with slow DSL, researchers claim.
Consumer Tech Radar
How to know if your smart TV can spy on you
The voice control function of your smart TV can be used for eavesdropping while other features of your set may be collecting data as well.
Consumer Tech Radar
Charitable donations made via PayPal may be going astray
Donors who use the PayPal Giving Fund claim in a class action lawsuit that few of their donations reach the proper charity.
Consumer Tech Radar
Sprint’s unlimited data plan is filled with ‘gotchas’
Sprint’s new plan offering five lines of unlimited voice, texts and data for $90 a month is a good deal for a year – after that the price soars.
Consumer Tech Radar
Thumbs up for T-Mobile; thumbs down for Verizon and AT&T
Recent consumer surveys give T-Mobile high marks for service, but find that customers are increasingly unhappy with larger rivals AT&T and Verizon.
Consumer Tech Radar
Sorry consumers, you’re stuck paying for a set top box
The new FCC chairman brings the hammer down on pro-consumer policies put in place by the Democrats.
Consumer Tech Radar
Why the FCC’s latest net neutrality defense is hollow
The outgoing Democratic chairman of the FCC says 'zero-rated' streaming services from AT&T and Verizon likely violate net neutrality rules, but that might not matter when Republican Ajit Pai takes the reins of the commission later this month.
Consumer Tech Radar
You could soon have to pay streaming-video sales tax
Some cities and states want to tax the streaming services that destroyed Blockbuster and other video-rental companies, and that could make it much more expensive to cut the cord.
Consumer Tech Radar
Everything you need to know to cut the cord and ditch cable
Thinking of cutting the cord and saying sayonara to cable for good? We've got you covered with this easy-to-digest rundown of all the hardware you'll need and the services that deliver the most value.
Consumer Tech Radar
T-Mobile’s free DIRECTV NOW deal is full of gotchas
The 'Un-carrier' continues to roll out offers that sound too good to be true ... until you read the fine print. T-Mobile's latest DIRECTV Now ploy is an all-out insult to AT&T.
Consumer Tech Radar
5G will give you blazing fast broadband at home
You’ll have to wait for 5G on your phone, but ultra-fast wireless will deliver speeds that blow away your cable connection.
Consumer Tech Radar
Finland is a tiny wireless nirvana the U.S. could learn from
It's clear that lively competition in Europe yields better wireless service options for consumers. Unfortunately, even more wireless consolidation may come to the United States under President-elect Trump.
Consumer Tech Radar
Beware these gotchas in T-Mobile’s ‘free’ iPhone 7 offer
T-Mobile's Black Friday offer includes 'free' Apple iPhone 7s and Samsung Galaxys, but details in the fine print might make it less appealing to some consumers.
Consumer Tech Radar
Facebook trolls should learn from Amazon’s new Prime ad
Abusing friends and relatives on Facebook has become all too common, particularly following the recent presidential election. Amazon took a refreshing tack in a new Prime ad — and internet trolls should take note.
Consumer Tech Radar
Today’s cable TV may not be better but it sure is more expensive
An FCC study found that cable TV costs have increased nearly four times as fast as the overall cost of living in the United States, and though many consumers have access to more channels, they may not actually watch any of them.
Consumer Tech Radar