Podcast: Play in new window | Embed
Tech News & Commentary
Richard in Habsburg, Mississippi asked us: “I recently received a wifi antenna for my desktop computer (plugs through a USB cable connector). It works fine for free internet, I’ve had free internet for the past four months, is this okay? Is there anything illegal about doing this? I also have a an antenna, its a analog digital converter box for my Tv with a clear TV antenna and it works free and good too. I have been able to shed Comcast from internet and TV and it is great. Am I doing anything wrong?”
Richard, Using someone else’s WiFi network may or may not be legal depending on where you are. Usually, it’s illegal but few people get in trouble.
Here in Florida, for example, it’s a third-degree felony, but not many people will get in trouble for it. Sometimes even using your neighbors WiFi with their permission is not allowed because of the service contracts that users sign when they get internet access.
The thing is, you probably won’t get caught sitting at home on a desktop on someone else’s WiFi, it’s not like you’re going to be parked at night in some dark alley with the screens glow making your ski mask stand out in the darkness…
You are most likely safe, and you are most likely also breaking the law, if you want to be on the legal side, you should probably be paying, but you’re probably not gonna get in trouble.
For more information tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
Consumer Reports Feature With James McQueen
All across America, more and more people are taking photos and videos on their tablets. The built-in lens may seem convenient, but there are challenges in taking tablet photos that can ruin your shot. Consumer Reports Electronics spokesman James McQueen is here with some simple tips to take better photos with your tablet.
George in Delaware listening on WDEL asked us: “You were talking about an app that will protect people when they are walking down the street. They hold the button on their telephone and if something happen and they release it, the police will come and find them. I would like to know the of it so I can order some for my daughters.”
George, The name of the app you inquiring about is SafeTrek. All you need to do is download the FREE app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. There isn’t anything special that needs to be purchased in order for this to work. The button is within the app and is an on screen button that senses your touch like all other buttons on the phone. The only difference is that you need to press and hold your finger and then release it once you feel safe, and then you MUST make sure to enter the PIN, so a distress call isn’t sent out, when it’s really not needed.
For more information tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
The “Into Tomorrow” team discussed the latest apps that they have been playing with recently.
• Samantha recommends: LinkedIn, FREE
- “My app of the week is LinkedIn. This is a social media app that allows you to “friend” colleagues from everywhere. I personally use it as a sales tool. Before I call upon a business, I check out the CFO, HR Director, etc. I will then “friend” them and it makes those cold calls a little less chilly. It also has a messenger section that you can email the person if you do not have their company email. It is free for your android and IOS devices.” — Samantha
• AppCheck recommends: Craft Beer App, $0.99
- “Enjoy a craft beer app in a stylish and informative design recognized for its quality and innovation by Apple, Gizmodo, Appolicious, LA Times and others!”
What are your favorite Apps? Let us know at 800-899-INTO and we’ll feature them in this segment!
Tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast for more details
Guest Segment:
Ron Regev, Chief Music Officer – Tonara
Claudia in San Jose, California listening on KLIV 1590 asked us: “I have a Samsung Note 2, for some odd reason my contacts are always duplicating. What am I doing wrong?”
Claudia, What might be happening is that you may have several accounts on your Samsung phone that are syncing your contacts and causing the duplication. Most times apps like Facebook, Whatsapp, Google, and Tango to say the least can cause such frustration. To fix this problem, simply go into your setting and then into “Your Accounts” and uncheck the “Sync Contacts” box.
It may be that it’s simply Google being Google. Your Google account, which you do have when you have an Android phone, has contacts. Your smartphone itself has a contacts app. It’s very common for Google to synchronize your smartphone contacts with your Google contacts in the cloud.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it makes it possible for you to have access to your smartphone contacts when using Gmail on a computer. But it can be confusing. You might want to open your Contacts app on the phone and see if it has an option for “groups.” If it does, deselect either your smartphone contacts or your Google contacts, so it only displays one of them.
For more information tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
Kelly in Oxford, Mississippi listens on SuperTalk 105.5 asked us: “I heard there was a way to change the layout of windows 8 to look like windows 7. Could you give some insight on how this is done? It would be greatly appreciated.”
Kelly, In order to change the appearance of Windows 8 and 8.1 to look like Windows 7, you will need to download a software called ”Classic Shell”. Classic Shell is a free software that changes certain features on Windows 8 to appear as Windows 7, such as changing from Windows 8 Start Menu back to the Windows 7 Start Button.
To find the link, simply go to Classicshell.net and just download the software. The whole process should take about 5 minutes. Of course, there are other programs that you can use as an alternative to this one, but you would have to take out your wallet for those because they can go up to 5 bucks in price.
For more information tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
Dave in Kingston, New York called us and gave us his review of System Mechanic.
Thank you, Dave!
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Hydreon:Fake TV – Burglary Deterrent Device
iolo: Copies of System Mechanic – Tune-up your PC to increase performance and reliability.
Tylt: ALIN Screen Protectors for the iPad Air
“Into Tomorrow”: Microfiber Screen Cleaning Cloths with Dave’s cartoon on them, for all your smartphones, tablets, TVs, camera lenses and computer screens!