Consumer Tech Radar
Articles by bsnyder
Consumer Tech Radar
How to make sure your PC doesn’t auto-install Windows 10
These two simple steps banish that pesky Windows 10 update alert in your system tray and ensure your PC never updates to Windows 10 on its own without permission.
Consumer Tech Radar
iOS 9.3 brings Wi-Fi calling, VoLTE to Verizon iPhones
Apple's iOS 9.3 software update lets Verizon Wireless customers place voice calls over Wi-Fi, and they'll soon be able to use VoLTE for higher quality, more reliable cellular calls.
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Sloppy Windows 10 upgrade process leads to unwanted updates
Microsoft is the target of much criticism this week, following reports of a wave of 'forced' Windows 10 OS upgrades. Here's one possible reason why some people found themselves with unwanted Windows 10 updates, and how you can avoid being tricked.
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March Madness apps for iOS could put corporate data at risk
A new report suggests many of the most popular March Madness apps for iPhone and iPad request access to potentially sensitive information, and they could endanger corporate data stored on BYOD phones and tablets.
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Facebook’s new Live Video could wreak havoc on your data plan
Everybody loves live video, and Facebook knows it. But just a few hours spent using its new Live Video feature each month could quickly eat up your wireless data allotment and cost more than you think.
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Comcast, telcos spent $88M to influence lawmakers in 2015
Do you ever wonder why U.S. cable companies aren't more heavily regulated? One possible reason: Comcast and other telcos spent $88 million on lobbying last year, or more than the aerospace and real estate industries, according to Open Secrets.
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5 key steps to take before you sell an old smartphone
Selling a used phone is a great way to make some extra cash, but it's important to delete all of your personal or corporate data before you do. These five tips from an IBM security pro can ensure you know how to remove sensitive information.
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Verizon keeps its crown in latest wireless performance report
All of the Big Four U.S. wireless carriers claim to have the best and fastest networks, based on 'independent testing' from a variety of sources. Verizon Wireless has topped RootMetrics' ranking for some time, and it continues to lead that pack.
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Two-factor authentication, and how it protects your passwords
If you're not already using two-factor authentication to secure your passwords, you're putting sensitive personal information at unnecessary risk. Here's how two-factor auth works, along with a tool to help you get started with the tech.
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Why AT&T’s attempt to kill municipal broadband in Tenn. matters to all Americans
The city-owned broadband network in Chattanooga, Tenn., is one of the fastest in the United States, but AT&T is lobbying to block network expansion and ensure other cities throughout the country don't follow Chattanooga's lead.
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Why 6 Republican senators think you don’t need faster broadband
The big ISPs and their allies in Congress want the FCC to lower the Internet speeds required to qualify as broadband service, in an obvious move to win more government subsidies.
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MetroPCS courts Sprint customers with deep discounts and free phones
T-Mobile and its MetroPCS subsidiary took a shot at Sprint this week with a new promotion designed to steal customers. The deal won't be right for everyone, but it's a reminder that consumers have more options than just the 'Big Four' carriers.
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Google releases self-driving car performance report as U.S. proposes $4 billion in funding
The U.S. government made it clear this week that it's solidly behind autonomous cars, but Google's safety record shows some real challenges that must be addressed before self-driving cars hit the roads en masse.
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What Intel’s new sixth-gen ‘Skylake’ chips mean for PC users
New Windows laptops with sixth-generation Intel processors offer significant advantages over older systems, including better battery life, but most of them don't come cheap.
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AT&T finally joins modern wireless world, kills off contracts
AT&T plans to abandon the wireless contract this month, a move that should ultimately mean more flexibility for consumers, who will also save money in the long run despite higher up-front costs.
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How to fix Microsoft’s latest software update blunder (updated)
Microsoft pushed out yet another problematic software update, and it erases customizations made to the 'normal' template in Word 2016. The company confirmed the issue, and though it hasn't released an official fix, it offered a way to recover lost tweaks.
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How to pay less for TV and get much more
Why continue to pay for cable or satellite TV options you never use? This eight-step strategy can help you significantly reduce your TV bill without giving up the services you really want.
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LifeLock fined $100 million for false claims
LifeLock hit with huge fine after being fined for the same offense five years ago.
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FAA mandates registration for all non-commercial drones
Sparked by reports of near collisions between consumers' drones and passenger planes, the FAA passed regulations that require U.S. hobbyists to register their drones.
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Amazon beefs up Prime streaming, but is it worth the price?
Amazon this week unveiled new, paid add-ons for its Prime streaming video service. As premium TV content goes cable free, consumers get more options — but people who don't do their homework could regret 'cutting the cord.'
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‘Big Four’ wireless carriers get poor scores in Consumer Reports ranking
The results of a new consumer satisfaction survey suggest it's a good idea to at least consider the small U.S. wireless carriers before signing on with one of the 'Big Four.'
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No, Christmas lights won’t slow your Wi-Fi — but these gadgets will
A silly story about Christmas lights slowing Wi-Fi to a crawl went viral, and though holiday decorations aren't likely to cripple your signal, a few common household gadgets very well could.
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VTech hack exposes personal data of 4.8M customers — and their kids
A popular toy manufacturer is the latest victim of a large-scale hack, and the breach opened the door for more damaging future attacks on the company's customers and their children.
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6 important considerations before you cut the cord
'Tis the season to cut the cord and stop paying those ridiculous cable bills. Cord cutting can be more trouble than its worth, however, if you don't do your homework. These 6 tips will ease the process and ensure you get your money's worth.rn
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Yahoo Mail ad-block ban proves the Web is broken
Many online publishers view ad blockers as threats, so it should be no surprise that some, including Yahoo, are fighting back. However, such moves could have lasting effects on the modern Web.
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Google Voice Search is getting smarter
Recent improvements in the Google app let the search engine understand you better and handle more complex queries delivered in natural language.
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FCC says sites can ignore ‘do-not-track’ requests
Despite a recent FCC ruling in the favor of sites that gather user data for advertising, savvy Web surfers don't have take no for an answer when it comes to privacy, thanks to two useful anti-tracking tools.
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Comcast, cord cutting and the rise of broadband data caps
Broadband Internet service is already expensive, and Comcast wants to raise the price for people who 'cut the cord' and use more than 300GB of data per month.
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Microsoft OneDrive price hike could push consumers to cloud rivals
Microsoft is putting the squeeze on its OneDrive users by cutting storage limits and raising prices, at a time when many other cloud vendors offer more affordable consumer storage options.
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Cord cutting more attractive as streaming-video market heats up
As the new Apple TV hits store shelves, the cord cutting movement is gaining momentum thanks to an increasing number of attractive programming options and significant market developments involving Time Warner Cable and Comcast.
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Firefox’s new anti-tracking features best Chrome and Edge
The latest version of Mozilla's Firefox browser packs a set of new privacy features that block cookies and online analytics services, and disable user tracking.
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Smartphones, tablets might not be bad for kids after all
A respected group of pediatricians that previously warned against the use of electronic devices by kids has changed its tune, but other experts suggest old school toys and books are still better options.
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Will self-driving cars have to pass road tests?
The autonomous cars of the future may need to pass driver's license tests before they hit the road, according to researchers.
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2 good reasons to avoid Microsoft’s Edge browser
Microsoft Edge doesn't current support browser extensions, and a new feature spotted in a leaked version of Windows 10 is sure to annoy anyone who wants to use Chrome or Firefox instead of Edge.
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Lenovo REACHit on Windows 10 offers smart search across devices, the cloud
The new Lenovo Yoga 900 convertible is slim, sleek, and ultralight, and it will feature the company's REACHit smart search option, a unique extension of Windows 10's Cortana virtual assistant.
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AT&T to ‘lifelong customer:’ Shut up, talk to the lawyers
Send a thoughtful suggestion to AT&T's chief exec, and what do you get? A letter from the company's lawyers suggesting that you quietly go away.
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The latest Windows 10 PCs are slim, powerful and pricey
Better battery life, less weight, faster processors and sleek designs are a few of the reasons to consider retiring your long-in-the-tooth Windows 7 PC.
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Firefox’s new IM, privacy features are worth a look
Mozilla announced two new versions of its Firefox browser, an official release with valuable new IM features, and another beta version that adds advanced privacy controls.
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Sprint sells Apple Watch, but beware fine print in ‘iPhone Forever’ deal
Sprint announced it will sell the Apple Watch starting Friday, and it also has a good deal on the new iPhone 6s. However, consumers should be aware of a huge loophole in the offer before signing new contracts.
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Consumers increasingly dissatisfied with PCs, tablets
Junkware, poor support, and slow processors are among consumers' top complaints about desktops PC, laptops, and tablets, according to a new survey that placed Apple at the top and Acer at the bottom of a consumer satisfaction ranking.
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T-Mobile will sell you an iPhone 6s for $124 less than Apple
T-Mobile is currently selling the 16GB iPhone 6s for significantly less than Apple, but the deal is an 'introductory offer' so interested buyers should act fast.
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Netflix thinks its customers are too dumb to download video
Amazon Prime subscribers can now download select movies and TV shows for offline viewing, but Netflix says it won't enable downloads because the option will confuse its customers.
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Surprise! Best Buy prices often on par with Amazon
Best Buy closed the price gap on electronics and tech gadgets during the past years, and its in-store prices are often just as low — sometimes lower — than Amazon.com, according to new research.
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Excellent experience at Best Buy spotlights lousy Lenovo support
A recent trip to Best Buy to purchase a new PC turned into a great experience for one CIO.com blogger. Unfortunately, Lenovo's terrible tech support quickly put a damper on the situation.
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Good riddance to bad U.S. wireless service contracts
Verizon and Sprint recently joined T-Mobile in the movement to kill wireless service contracts, and AT&T is likely to follow in the near future. For most consumers, that's a good thing, but a lack of contracts means you'll pay more for new smartphones.
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Why you should be (very) wary of Windows 10 if you own an older PC
Despite Microsoft's massive Windows 10 advertising blitz, many older PCs do not support the new OS, and it can be absurdly difficult to determine if your system is supported.
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Wireless network tests prove competition boosts quality across U.S. carriers
Verizon and AT&T topped the latest U.S. wireless network rankings, and they're neck and neck when it comes to service, but Sprint and T-Mobile made significant gains and are catching up to their larger rivals.
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9 signs your computer’s hard drive is about to die
Losing data can be a real disaster, but thankfully hard drives often show warning signs before they die. If you observe any of these nine signs of impending failure, back up your drive immediately and prepare for the worst.
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