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Tech News & Commentary
Randy in Sartell, Minnesota listens on KNSI asked us: “I was wondering why there seems to be a problem with Windows 8 and usb ports. I alway have trouble getting them to read the devices. When they are connect they work half of the time and half of the time not. Any suggestions would be great.”
Randy, Windows 8 did have a problem with USB ports, in particular when disconnecting a device and trying to connect it again, and they’ve 
released a hotfix to get rid of the issue.
Make sure you’re updated to the latest version, that alone may make the problem go away, however there is a chance that it won’t.
If the problem doesn’t disappear once you’ve updated to the latest version of the OS, a page on Microsoft’s website should help you. It lists step by step instructions on how to modify your computer’s registry to make your USB ports work as they should, it’s fairly involved, but you should be able to do it if you follow the step by step instructions.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
“This Week in Tech History” Weekly Feature with Chris Graveline
Facebook Participation: Recent studies show that most Americans can’t live without their cell phones. What do you use your phone for and would you be able to go more than a day without your phone?
Erica said I use my cell for personal & business use. I take care of people’s vacation homes here in Naples while they are north! It would be very bad if I didn’t have my phone with me 24/7. I need to always be available incase of an emergency!
Edgar shared my phone sleeps with me, it even has its own pillow.
Lynne from Trenton, South Carolina stated HECK NO!! I would go through withdrawals along with a LOT of other people!!
Ryan from Exeter, New Hampshire said I went camping one time and managed to go two days before I had to drive around in my car while charging it. In seven years at work I’ve forgotten my phone three times, and I remember each day vividly.
Amanda said imagine having a typical female wardrobe and therefore very few pockets, most of which are only big enough for a quarter…This is why my phone is always in my hand and why I’m constantly dropping it -__- That being said I’d rather leave a dying phone at home for a short trip if I’m going to be with someone who has a phone, because a dying phone stresses me out more than missing the facebook updates.
Sandy in Austin, Texas said… Wait. People spend time without their phone???
Eric in Nashville, Tennessee listening on WTN 99.7 FM asked us: “I am wanting your thoughts on time management system apps for android. I have a Galaxy Note 2. I already have calendar that updates from my outlook at work. I would prefer not to have two different calendars.”
We have a simple solution for you. Here at Into Tomorrow we use Greenview Data, the cloud email service with a collaboration service Zimbra that allows us to sync with Outlook where we get all our emails, task, and calendar appointments.
For example android users need a Gmail account to download apps for their phone. So if you have your Gmail account linked to your phone and your outlook linked to your phone, you can go to the built-in calendar app on your phone to have all your appointments and reminders in one place.
To do this, go to into the calendar app and then touch the menu on your phone, there should be an option that says “Calendars”, next you should see “Display” at the lower left. After you touch that option, select which calendars you would to display on your primary calendar and touch “Done”.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Guest Segment:
Robyn Spoto, President/Co-Founder – MamaBear App
CEA Update with Allison Fried
The Consumer Electronics Association hosts a series of “CES Unveiled” events throughout the year, leading up to the International CES in January. And Allison Fried is here to recap the most recent event – in this week’s CEA Update.
Product Spotlight
We present to you the Asus MemoPad FHD 10″ Android Tablet that is part of our COOL Into Tomorrow HOT Summer Giveaway.
John in Bossier City, Louisiana listens on NewsRadio 710 KEEL asked us: “How do i improve my internet reception if my router is in another room?”
John, Depending on your current router’s model, you may be able to buy a similar one that will let you extend your network.
The setup varies a little bit depending on the particular router, but it will usually involve setting up the same network name and password and giving it the mac address of the router that’s creating the network you want to extend.
If you can run a wire to whatever room needs service, you may be able to connect an access point at the end of that wire and extend the network that way instead.
You can also use a wireless network extender, or repeater. Many wireless access points include a mode where they do this, and there are some dedicated repeaters that simply plug into an outlet like some kind of giant mutant air freshener. How they work is simple. They receive anything being broadcast on the frequencies used for wi-fi networks and rebroadcast them…for lack of a better word, “louder.” As long as you put the repeater where it can hear the existing network, it will extend it further into your house. I’ve used them in installations over the years, and they DO really work.
For more information tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Kanex: GoPower Pack – 6,000 mAh and 11,000 mAh battery packs with built-in stands for smartphones
Other World Computing (OWC): USB Universal Drive Adapter – The “Swiss Army Knife” of drive and data connectivity.
Bits Limited: Mini Squids — Travel-Sized surge protected power strips
Tylt: ENERGI Sliding Power Cases the Samsung Galaxy S4.
“Into Tomorrow”: Microfiber Screen Cleaning Cloths with Dave’s cartoon on them, for all your smartphones, tablets, TVs, camera lenses and computer screens!