Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ get 128GB and 256GB capacity options

Thanks to 4K video recording, movie files are getting much larger. I recently bought an iPhone 8 Plus 64GB and was excited to use the 4K60 functionality. While it worked well, I very quickly ran out of available storage, making it an overall poor experience. While 4K is great, 64GB of storage just wont cut it. Samsung has finally seen the light, and today, it announces that it will be selling both the Galaxy S9 and S9+ with 128GB and 256GB storage options. This will make 4K video recording a much better experience. Video aside, it will also allow more… [Continue Reading]

How to upgrade your PC to the Windows 10 April 2018 Update now

The latest feature update for Windows 10 is available to users now. But while Microsoft might have started the process today, it will likely be quite a while before you’ll be offered it. Only newer PCs will get it at first, and it might take weeks, or months, before it reaches your system. The good news is, if you’re willing to take a bit of risk, you can start the upgrade immediately. To install the April 2018 Update, all you have to do is go here, and click on the Update now button. A small upgrade file will download. Launch… [Continue Reading]

Windows 10 April 2018 Update rolling out now

After months of testing, and a bit of a delay due to the last minute discovery of a blocking bug, the Windows 10 April 2018 Update is now available to install. Microsoft is taking things slowly, with the global rollout out via Windows Update beginning on May 8. There’s a good chance you won’t be offered the download immediately, but you will be able to manually update your system from now if you want. Highlights of the new feature update include: Timeline -- Gives you the ability to view all the apps and files you’ve been working on across your… [Continue Reading]

81 percent of organizations see an increase in cyber security challenges

A new study from IT solutions provider US Signal reveals that businesses are seeing a greater number of security challenges. The survey of security experts from a cross-section of organizations also shows 40 percent of respondents experienced at least one security incident in the last, and 13 percent didn't know if they had. The top three challenges are seen as: protecting against email-related threats like ransomware, malware and phishing; transitioning legacy systems that no longer receive security updates; and ensuring the company is always up to date with patches and current software versions. "Knowing how real and damaging the threats… [Continue Reading]

Six great hidden features in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update

The Windows 10 April 2018 Update, which begins its rollout today, has a number of big new features, most notably Timeline, Focus Assist, and numerous Edge improvements. But some of the lesser known features and changes found in the new feature update are arguably even more welcome. Here are six improvements you should know about. SEE ALSO: How to delay the Windows 10 April 2018 Update Fix Blurry Apps Some desktop apps can look blurry when your display settings change. In the April 2018 Update Windows can attempt to fix this. Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced… [Continue Reading]

T-Mobile and Sprint are merging to create a customer-focused 5G juggernaut

In the USA, there are four major cell service providers -- Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Of that group, two are considered more "budget friendly" and low-quality -- Sprint and T-Mobile. While that is absolutely true of the former, the latter is actually very good, offering affordability, solid coverage, and fast speeds. Believe it or not, Verizon and AT&T have more than quadruple the numbers of T-Mobile, and Sprint combined. It has often been rumored that T-Mobile and Sprint were discussing mergers, potentially forming a company that won't just compete with Verizon and AT&T, but potentially leapfrog them -- especially… [Continue Reading]

Wikipedia now offers link previews -- but you can disable them

When you decide to look up anything on Wikipedia, you run the very serious risk of falling down a rabbit hole that will take you many hours to find your way back out of. To help avoid the problem of going off on too much of a tangent, the site recently introduced a new link preview feature. It's a simple idea which means that it is possible to preview a page before you visit it, simply by hovering over the link. But it's not to everyone's taste. If you've noticed the new feature and want to kill it, you'll be… [Continue Reading]

Satechi launches USB Type-C Pro Hub with Ethernet for Apple MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro is proving to be quite disastrous for many folks, with a too-delicate keyboard being a common complaint. It seems that dust can get under the keys, causing them to malfunction -- a frustrating experience to say the least. Yours truly has been dealing with a defective display -- a costly and annoying failure. One of the biggest complaints about the MacBook Pro, however, is a lack of ports. Apple went all-in on ThunderBolt 3/USB-C, leaving no traditional USB Type-A ports, video out, or card reader. Luckily, this is easily remedied by purchasing dongles and docks. Today, Satechi… [Continue Reading]

Microsoft adds some last minute polish to the Windows 10 April 2018 Update

Having finally named the next big feature update for Windows 10, and come up with a release date for it too, Microsoft now has to actually get it ready for non-Insiders. The RTM build, Build 17134, has already made its way through the Fast, Slow and Release Preview rings, and Microsoft has today pushed out an update which will tidy things up a little. SEE ALSO: Microsoft officially announces the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, available on April 30 The Fall Creators Update is now easily the most installed Windows 10 update ever Microsoft releases Windows 10 Redstone 5 Build… [Continue Reading]

Amazon now offers a smart home security installation service

Earlier today, we revealed that Amazon is bumping up the price of a Prime subscription by 20 percent, but this is not the only news coming from the online giant. A newly discovered and little-advertised portal on the Amazon site finds the company offering smart home security installation services. Ranging in price from $240 to $840, the Smart Home Services packages include the cost of both hardware and installation. In all, there are five packages to choose from, covering everything from simple smart lighting, to full-home security systems. See also: Amazon Prime subscriptions increase to $119 in the US --… [Continue Reading]

Office 2019 Preview is now available to download

We already knew that Microsoft was planning to release previews of Office 2019 towards the middle of this year, and now the first one is here -- for some people, at least. Microsoft has unveiled the Office 2019 Commercial Preview, and this is a chance for businesses to try out the latest version of the office suite. The PC version of the suite is a Windows 10 exclusive. Read on to find out how to get your hands on the software -- if, indeed, you can. See also: Microsoft to kill off OneNote's desktop app in Office 2019 to focus… [Continue Reading]

Microsoft officially announces the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, available on April 30

For a long time, it was believed that the next big feature update for Windows 10 would be called the Spring Creators Update, following in the footsteps of the Fall Creators Update, and the Creators Update. Then it was discovered that Microsoft was intending to call it the April Update, even though it looked increasingly like the new release wouldn’t arrive this month. Finally though, we have an official name, and a release date. SEE ALSO: The Fall Creators Update is now easily the most installed Windows 10 update ever Microsoft releases Windows 10 Redstone 5 Build 17655 for Skip… [Continue Reading]

Razer launches 'Abyssus Essential' optical gaming mouse

Gaming hardware and accessories often feature very over-the-top designs, making them look like futuristic alien technology. While this is cool for some folks, others prefer more basic products with more conservative designs. Today, Razer launches the Abyssus Essential optical gaming mouse which features a classic design. Razer calls the mouse "no-frills" and this is quite correct -- because of its ambidextrous design, there are no side buttons. Yes, folks, this is actually a 2-button mouse. While the scroll wheel is clickable for a third "button" it does not tilt for horizontal scroll. As it is a gaming product, it does have… [Continue Reading]

Best Windows 10 apps this week

Two-hundred-and-eighty in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 on the Windows Store in the past seven days. Microsoft seems to be working on a new edition of Windows 10. Windows 10 Lean is a compact version of the OS that has a much smaller footprint than other editions of the operating system. Check out Mark's article on Windows 10 Lean for additional information. As always, if I've missed an app or game that has been released this week that you believe is particularly good, let me know in… [Continue Reading]

Amazon Prime subscriptions increase to $119 in the US -- but you may avoid the price hike

At its earnings call yesterday, Amazon revealed that it is increasing the price of Amazon Prime by 20 percent for subscribers in the US. The new price kicks in from May 11 for new subscribers, and from June 16 for those with existing subscriptions. The increase sees the cost of Prime jumping from $99 per year to $119, and Amazon has not yet given any indication that the hike will be implemented in other parts of the world. There's also a little trick that you can try that may enable you to avoid the price jump. See also: 'Awexa, play… [Continue Reading]

Ubuntu Linux 18.04 Bionic Beaver is here -- download it now!

Ubuntu is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions -- if not the most popular. While it may not be everyone's favorite operating system, it is largely responsible for making Linux accessible for average consumers. It is fairly easy to install, simple to use, and has a convenient application center. Ultimately, it is a pleasure to use for both beginners and experts alike. Today, following an extensive beta period, the latest version of Ubuntu -- version 18.04 -- becomes available for download. Code-named "Bionic Beaver," it features GNOME 3.28 -- the best desktop environment -- rather than the now-abandoned… [Continue Reading]

The Fall Creators Update is now easily the most installed Windows 10 update ever

By now, most Windows 10 users would have been expecting to either be running the Spring Creators Update/April Update (take your pick of the name), or be waiting to be offered it. However, that’s not the case. With no word from Microsoft on exactly when the new feature update will arrive, the Fall Creators Update remains the latest (non-Insider) version of Windows 10. And it also has the greatest usage share of any Windows 10 update, ever. Its predecessor, the Creators Update, suffered from a slow and occasionally problematic rollout. A quarter of Windows 10 users still didn’t have it… [Continue Reading]