Our favorite astronomer is back! What are we talking about? OSIRIS REX! Osiris-Rex! https://www.asteroidmission.org/ https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/29/21540873/nasa-osiris-rex-spacecraft-asteroid-sample-bennu-storage-success Also, for the really adventurous out there? We had a caller asking about Linux on Android! Whoo! Now, that said, this is for advanced users who are ready to write off a whole tablet in case things go south. https://beebom.com/install-linux-on-dex/ https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2019/10/samsung-linux-dex-cancelled https://linuxonandroid.com/ https://hackaday.com/2020/10/07/linux-fu-the-linux-android-convergence/
Time for iOS/iPadOS 14! (10/3/20 Part 2)
So, do you have an iPhone or iPad? Its time for the newest update! Don’t update yet, though! Wait for iOS/iPadOS 14.1. And we should mention that there is an iPhone settlement you might be eligible for… iOS 14 https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/ios-and-ipados-14-review-iphone-transformation-ipad-iteration/ https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-best-hidden-features-of-ios-14 https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-add-custom-icons-widgets-to-your-iphone-home-screen-in-ios-14 https://www.pcmag.com/news/15-imaginative-ios-14-home-screen-customizations And to Sam’s delight: https://www.theverge.com/21299727/apple-ios-14-home-screen-widgets-windows-phone-live-tiles
Setting a home Computer Lab 101! (8/15/20 Part 1)
Do you have kids of school age? Distance Learning! Are you going to be home schooling? Well, time to set up a home computing environment and we’re here to help! Setting up Windows 10 Parental Controls: https://www.lifewire.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-parental-controls-4801595 Netgear parental controls: https://www.netgear.com/home/discover/apps/lpc.aspx Linksys parental controls: https://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=134633 How to use Zoom: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-zoom
iOS and iPadOS 14 is coming! We take a look at it this hour! (6/27/20 Part 1)
Got an iPhone or an iPad? This is for you! iOS 14! Jonathan and Sam will be discussing the new stuff coming plus the upcoming changes to Macs while LD chimes in with his opinions. Ready? https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/06/apple-takes-the-wraps-off-ios-14-at-wwdc-2020/ https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ios-14/ https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/06/apple-reimagines-the-iphone-experience-with-ios-14/ https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/06/ipados-14-introduces-new-features-designed-specifically-for-ipad/ https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/06/apple-announces-mac-transition-to-apple-silicon/
Intel’s Lakefield: Setting the pace for future laptops and tablets? (6/13/20 Part 1)
Lakefield is the fruit of years of work from Intel, if not the industry at a whole. Lakefield Processors! We’ll be seeing a few things with it this year, but it should make for an interesting 2021! Given the scope of this, we’re giving you OUR notes for the show for lots of further reading! https://www.anandtech.com/show/15841/intel-discloses-lakefield-cpus-specifications-64-execution-units-up-to-30-ghz-7-w https://www.neowin.net/news/intel-details-its-new-lakefield-processors-for-dual-screen-and-foldable-pcs
Are you Authentic(ated)? (6/13/20 Part 2)
2FA ought be a part of your digital life. Authenticate This! Yes, it is annoying. But, its not as annoying as someone accessing your account after stealing, hacking, or figuring out your login! Many sites and services offer 2FA via text message, but unfortunately that is the weakest form of it. https://www.cnet.com/how-to/do-you-use-sms-for-two-factor-authentication-heres-why-you-shouldnt/ https://www.protectimus.com/blog/sms-authentication/ So, tell me about some of them… Much like sports teams, the overall landscape does change from year to year, so what’s “best” this year might not be next year. This is a good thing, though. https://gizmodo.com/the-best-authenticator-apps-for-protecting-your-account-1840711013 https://www.pcworld.com/article/3225913/what-is-two-factor-authentication-and-which-2fa-apps-are-best.html
Recycling and eCycling! Its time to clean up responsibly! (5/9/20 Part 1)
Are you cleaning up the house or office and finding lots of old stuff! Well, ecycling is open! Jonathan called! Saturdays and Tuesdays! E-Cycling’s Back! Can you spare some time to go looking for old computers, electronics, etc? Can it still be used? Can you clean it up and give it to someone? Can you clean it up and SELL it to someone? Are there parts that are still good? Can those be cleaned up and given/sold to someone? This has a LOT of “what about” and“if” questions , plus is a lot of work. Time to Recycle! https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling https://www.energizer.com/responsibility/battery-recycling/where-to-recycle-batteries https://interstatebatteries.com/recycling https://www.mauicounty.gov/BusinessDirectoryII.aspx?lngBusinessCategoryID=136
Batteries 101! (5/9/20 Part 2)
A tech reporter from Ananadtech did research finding that one smartphone company’s fast-recharge tech ages your battery prematurely. Wowzers! How do you keep your laptop, phone, and tablet batteries going for a long time? The Battery Episode Taking care of your laptop batteries! https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-care-for-your-laptops-battery/ Laptop batteries have a lifespan of X-many power cycles (0%-100%). Going from 100% to 0% is one power cycle. Going from 100% to 50% is half a power cycle. Cycles are like mileage. As the battery gets older and has more cycles, it starts holding less charge per cycle. Using your laptop’s more power efficient settings will help you get more mileage out of each charge. Windows Battery Saver – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/component-guidelines/battery-saver Windows Power Slider – https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/windows-10-give-power-slider-optimize-speed-battery Mac Energy Saver – https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202824 Shutting down programs or suspending services (like cloud services), wifi, etc., when not in use will help extend battery life. Reducing screen brightness will help as well. Nickel-Metal hydride (NiMH) versus Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) Old NiMH batteries used to develop “memories,” where they would not fully charge. This was a problem with the tech at the time. Li-Ion doesn’t have this problem. You do NOT have to completely discharge the battery before recharging a Li-Ion. Best practice is currently getting down to maybe 20% or so before recharging. You CAN keep Li-Ion batteries plugged in as power management is better now, and the device should stop charging once it hits 100%. Keeping it comfortable. Batteries do not like to get hot! If you’re doing resource heavy work, be sure to give your …
Working from Home! With Links! (3/28/20 Part 1)
Many folks are having to work remotely versus going to the office and being around people. Are you one of them? First time to this experience? Fear not, we’re talking about it! Working Remotely Useful links for you! https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-work-from-home-without-losing-your-mind/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryhannon/2013/09/02/10-tips-for-working-from-home/#2a5480b787ad https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-set-up-a-workable-home-office-1977403 https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-apps-for-a-second-phone-number/
Where’s the best spot for your wifi? (2/29/20 Part 1)
So, you got a nice wifi router. You spent a bunch of money on it. But, are you setting yourself back with bad placement? WiFi tricks! What’s the best way to get the best bang for your buck on your internet? And can you reuse old routers to improve your network? https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/02/the-ars-technica-semi-scientific-guide-to-wi-fi-access-point-placement/ https://www.howtogeek.com/104469/how-to-extend-your-wi-fi-network-with-simple-access-points/ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-turn-an-old-wi-fi-router-into-an-access-point/ Jonathan really likes Ubiquiti access points if you want to get yourself an easy way to expand your network! Q&A can also set these up for you!