On Sunday AT&T rolled out their new Mobile Share Advantage Plans and, along with them, their online comparison tool that shows you just what the new plans will cost you. Digging in this morning it’s pretty evident that only a handful of people currently on Mobile Share Value plans will actually save money with these new plans. Click through to see the math and the details.
Barbra Streisand Says iOS 10 Will Be Released September 30th
According to Barbra Streisand, Apple will release iOS 10 on September 30th. I know what you’re thinking: what does Barbra Streisand know about Apple’s release dates? Normally, Bryan Chaffin would be the first to say “nothing.” Followed by “Gimme a break.” But she has an interesting story, and it starts with Siri mispronouncing her name.
Is it Worth it to Switch to AT&T's New Plans? Maybe
AT&T is doing away with its Mobile Share Value plans and introducing Mobile Share Advantage this weekend. The new plans do away with data overage fees in favor of throttling your connection when you use too much, and may save you money. But don’t rush out and change your contract without checking to see if you really are getting a deal because not everyone wins with AT&T’s new pricing.
PSA: New Mac Malware Tries to Trick Less Savvy Users
There’s new Mac malware in the wild aimed at users who may be a bit less savvy on the nerd scale. Discovered by Malwarebytes, this malware uses interface shenanigans to trick users into permitting other malware to be installed.
Apple, Google, FCC Team up to Stop Spam Robocalls
The Federal Communications Commission is ready to crack down on robocalls, and Apple, Google, and AT&T are on board with the plan. The FCC’s new Robocall Strike Force aims to reduce the number of spam robocalls and unsolicited calls, and it looks like at least 30 companies are ready to join in and help.
Twitter Will Let Users Block @Mentions from Strangers
Twitter announced Thursday a new set of controls that allows users to not see @mentions from strangers. The move is being viewed as a response to Twitter trolls, though it’s more of a mask than a fix. When enabled, incoming mentions from people you don’t follow simply won’t be shown.
Apple Retail Drops 'Store' and I Think I Like It
Apple is in the process of rebranding its fleet of Apple Stores to a fleet of just Apple. The company is removing the word “Store” from those locations, turning them from retail outlets to outposts of the company itself. Bryan Chaffin thinks this is splendid
Uber Wants all of the Self-Driving Vehicle Market
Self-driving cars just took a big leap forward, and it’s Uber who’s behind the wheel. The ride sharing company is rolling out self-driving cars in Pittsburgh this month as the first step in a much larger autonomous vehicle plan.
OS X: Renaming a Bluetooth Device
If one of your Bluetooth devices (like your Magic Keyboard or Magic Mouse) has a name you aren’t fond of, how do you change it? The process is a bit different than it used to be, so we’re going to go over what you’ll do!
Target Blames Apple for Lower Sales
Target released its 2nd quarter results on Wednesday, including a 1.1% decline in revenue year-over-year. In a conference call with analysts, executives cited a 20% decrease in sales of Apple products during the quarter as one of the principle reasons for its overall performance.
Don't Count on iPhone 7 Pro Joining Apple's Lineup
It’s a safe bet we’ll see the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in September, but don’t get your hopes up for the iPhone 7 Pro. The rumored new addition to the iPhone family isn’t coming, nor is Apple planning to drop the “Plus” moniker in favor of “Pro.”
A Clever Microsoft Ad Gets to the Heart of Apple's Fuzzy iPad Message
The early iPads were a sensation. It seemed that Steve Jobs had brought forth the successor to the Mac. However, things have not gone as planned with the iPad, and Apple is scrambling to construct a clearer branding and imperative for the iPad. Even Microsoft senses the difficulty and has poked fun at Apple’s newfound toaster-fridge mentality.
Apple Embraces China with New R&D Center
Apple plans to open a new research and development center in China before the end of the year, according to company CEO Tim Cook. The facility will be a first for Apple in China, and will be another way to help Apple shore up its presence in the country.
How to Tell Which Leaked iPhone Photos are Fake
As September 7th’s iPhone 7 launch looms ever closer we’re seeing more and more leaked photos showing what claim to be photos of Apple’s soon to be announced next generation smartphone. Those photos may be fun to see, but there’s a good chance they’re fake and it doesn’t take much to suss them out when you know what to look for.
Mophie Powerstation XL External Battery (Manufacturer-Refurbished): $39.95
We have a deal on a manufacturer-refurbished Mophie Powerstation XL External Battery. This beefy battery holds 12,000mAh, and delivers current in either 500mAh, 1A, or 2.1A, depending on the device you’re charging. It has two USB ports for simultaneous charging, and is itself charged with a standard Micro-USB port. You can get this device through our deal for $39.95.
There Ain't No Such Thing as Free TV (TANSTAFTV)
The science fiction writer Robert Heinlein reminded us that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. (TANSTAFL). The same applies to TV. If you watch TV over the air, there will be commercials. Lots. If you subscribe to cable, most channels will also have commercials. If you stream or buy content that doesn’t have commercials (Blu-ray or the OTT services) you will pay what the industry sees fit for you. While cord cutting looks to be appealing cost-wise, for now, the industry is never going to settle for decreased revenues in the long run. A recent Hulu decision proves that.
Apple: We're Seriously into Augmented Reality
Apparently it’s big news that Apple is working on augmented reality projects—or more accurately, Apple CEO Tim Cook stripped away enough of his code-speak and made it very clear his company is seriously pursuing AR technology.
Universal 3-in-1 Lens Kit for Smartphones and Tablets: $11.99
Check out this clever idea, a clip-on Universal 3-in-1 Lens Kit for Smartphones and Tablets. Because it’s held on with an adjustable clip, it will fit just about any iPhone, iPad, or Android device. It comes with three lenses, a 180 degree fish eye, a wide-angle, or a macro lens. You can get this lens kit for $11.99 through our deal.
Leawo Professional Media for Mac: $19
We have a deal for you today on Leawo Professional Media for Mac. This software converts multiple video formats, and it can read and rip DVDs and Blu-ray, and it has a 2D/3d converter. This software retails for $119, but you can get it through our deal for $19.
OS X: Installing the Older Version of Microsoft Office
On September 22, Microsoft is going stop allowing its Office 365 customers to download Office 2011. So if you need to take advantage of the time remaining to grab the older version of the popular Office suite, there’s no better time to do so! We’ll show you how.
Autonomous Vehicles Might Develop Superior Moral Judgment
Much has been written now about the moral guidance for autonomous cars and trucks. It’s a difficult problem that involves quantifying then instantiating into software the logic of life and death decisions. It would be nice for society to have more time to ponder, but the pace of technology leaves us precious little time for that. Machines are going to make moral decisions very soon. Shall we let them?
Zus Smart Car Charger and Locator: $29.99
Check out this handy gadget, the Zus Smart Car Charger and Locator. Plug it into your car’s A/C outlet and it will charge your devices through USB ports. It’s a smart charger, too, in that it sends the current each device needs. But, it also serves as a locator by communicating with an app on your iPhone so you can find your car. You can get this device through our deal for $29.99
Patent Filing Error Means no Military Apple Tanks are Coming
Yesterday the internet was busy speculating about why Apple patented an articulated joint system that’s perfect for military vehicles. The patent seemed out of place for an electric car, and it turns out that’s the case because the law firm handling patents for Apple says it was accidentally assigned to the wrong company thanks to a clerical error.
1010! for iOS is Fun, Addictive, and Just Enough Like Tetris to Love
Tetris lovers, I have a game for you called 1010! (The bang is part of the name.) 1010! is clearly rooted in the tradition of Tetris, but it changes some things around. It’s fun, challenging, and has that just-one-more call.