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Tech Tidbits

Help & Advice from the GoTo Tech Guru
​for your everyday tech questions & problems

What is RAM?

9/28/2018

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People always say you should upgrade your RAM.  But what is it, anyways?  Random access memory, or RAM, is one of the most important components of not only desktop PCs, but laptops, tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles.  Without it, doing just about anything on any system would be much, much slower.   But what is RAM really?!
#iphoneipad #android #chromebook #mac #windows #techgadgets
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You've been charging your smartphone all wrong

9/21/2018

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But are you charging your smartphone properly?  According to research, you are probably making charging mistakes that are shortening your battery's lifespan.

Here are a few dos and don'ts of battery charging you may not know about.

#batteries #iphoneipad #android #chromebook #mac #windows
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What is Thunderbolt?  Here’s everything you need to know

8/31/2018

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Computer peripheral cables are hard enough to keep track of without people throwing around words like “Thunderbolt” and “USB Type C.”  Thunderbolt may be particularly confusing, since this connection technology has gone through several different phases, and is making the jump from Apple to laptops and PCs in general.

But knowing the difference between these different ports is important, especially when you’re thinking about which computer is right for you. These days, don’t be surprised if you look at a new laptop and see nothing but “USB-C” and “Thunderbolt.”

So, what exactly is it? Let’s take a look.

#reviews #techgadgets #mac #windows
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Not all USB-C cables are the same!

8/27/2018

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The latest generation and type of USB cable, known as USB-C, is much faster than all prior versions, such as USB 1.1, 2.0, 3.0.  It does away with micro-USB cables, mini-USB cables and a lot of confusion that goes with them because it's one-size fits all.  USB-C can also functions as a power cable.  But if you don't buy the correct type of USB-C cable, your connected device may be under powered, or worse, over powered.  Read here for all the in's and out's.  As always, The GoTo Tech Guru is here to help!
#reviews #techgadgets #mac #windows
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5 free programs you may not have heard of until now

8/20/2018

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Free software isn’t advertised as widely as paid software, so you may never have heard of the brand that could radically improve your digital life.  Still, they’re out there, waiting to be discovered.  From cybersecurity to photography to screen-sharing, the perks of these programs can’t be overstated.  Check some them out here!
#mac #windows #software
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Protect your Webcam from Intruders

7/9/2018

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One of the most popular new trends hackers are using is to steal access to a user's webcam and spy on the user for potentially ransom-worthy footage.  If the camera on your computer has been compromised, hackers may have an open window into your life and you may never know.  So how do you know if hackers have infiltrated your device and what can you do about it?   Find out here!
#windows #mac #security
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10 incredibly useful ways to use a USB drive you didn't know

6/9/2018

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Check out these 10 handy, fun and downright helpful ways to use USB thumb drives.
#techgadgets #mac #windows #security #software
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Good USB-C headphones hard to find — 6 of the best currently available

3/21/2018

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More and more smartphones are adopting USB-C, a rising cable standard — but there aren't yet many quality USB-C headphones available.  Some device makers are now releasing their own branded USB-C headphones to sell alongside their USB-C smartphones.  Many USB-C headphones are on the pricier side and may have limited smartphone compatibility.  Read the full story.
#iphoneipad #android #mac #windows #techgadgets
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Microsoft Office 2019 will require Windows 10

3/5/2018

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Microsoft is planning to release the next version of its standalone Office Suite 2019, sometime in the second half of 2018, with preview versions coming in the second quarter.  But if you want to install it, you're going to need a computer running the latest Microsoft operating system, Windows 10.  This only applies to the standalone single-purchase version of MS Office, not the ongoing monthly or annual subscription service, called Office 365.  Get the details here.
#windows #news
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Apple to provide access all your medical records

2/25/2018

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Soon Apple and its partnership with a number of leading medical institutions will let your iPhone be the portal to your entire medical data.   Get the details here!
#mac #iphoneipad #news
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Chrome extensions can hijack computers to mine cryptocurrency and record your every move

2/23/2018

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Security researchers have uncovered 89 malicious Google Chrome extensions on the official Chrome store that can inject ads, code to secretly mine cryptocurrency, and load a tool to record and replay a person's browsing activities.  According to researchers at Trend Micro, this collection of extensions affected over 423,000 users and was used to form a new botnet called "Droidclub."  Find out here which extensions these are and how they work.  Learn more here about cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin.
#windows #mac #iphoneipad #android #security
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Google Chrome's ad blocker launches

2/15/2018

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As it gears up to launch Chrome's built-in ad blocker on February 15, 2018, Google shared some details about how the new feature will work.  First announced in June, the new feature will remove only the most intrusive types of ads that violate the Coalition for Better Ads' standards.  Find out the latest here.
#google #news #windows #chromebook #mac #iphoneipad #android
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iCloud in China? Prepare to share your data with a state-run firm

2/9/2018

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Apple is outsourcing its Chinese iCloud operations to a local firm in southern China starting on February 28th.  The move has been known since last year when Apple announced its partnership with the firm.  In February, Apple will transfer Chinese iCloud data to the GCBD-managed data center in Guizhou. It won’t make any visible difference to Chinese customers on the front-facing end, and Apple tells customers that data remains secure and private. “Apple has strong data privacy and security protections in place and no backdoors will be created into any of our systems,” it says.  Get the details here and here.
#mac ​#iphoneipad #security
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Major Computer Chip Flaw Affecting Most All Devices Discovered!

1/6/2018

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Design flaws in processors from leading chipmakers could let attackers access sensitive information. The flaw impacts more than just Windows, Macs and iOS devices and affects most all computers, phones, tablets, watches, smart TVs and the like.

This is a flaw in the computer CPU chips at its most fundamental level and is NOT a virus, so cannot be eradicated by anti-virus or anti-malware software.  It will require several levels of fixes to include no less than:  the operating system, BIOs, and CPU driver.  At this time, no hardware replacements are necessary, just firmware and software fixes.  However, due to repair complexity, if not done properly and by a professional, it could render your device completely useless, otherwise known as "bricking". 

For questions or to have your computer repaired, call The GoTo Tech Guru!
​How did this happen and what's the fix? 

#security #news #iphoneipad #chromebook #mac #tv #virus&malware #windows #android
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Apple Extends ‘StainGate’ Repair on Select Macs

11/27/2017

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Following a barrage of complaints about “stain damaged Retina Displays” spanning as far back as 2014, Apple announced this week that for the second time since October of 2015, the company will be extending its warranty program offering free screen repairs for select 12-inch MacBook and 2013 or newer MacBook Pro models afflicted by “anti-reflective coating issues.”  See what models are eligible to be covered here.
#mac #news
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How to Clean AirPods and Keep Them Clean

11/1/2017

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"While they may be small, light, fascinating and truly unique, AirPods are also, unequivocally, little dust magnets. EarPods, Apple’s standard, 3.5 mm headphones, fall into the same category. And while the latter may be included with your new iPhone free of charge, going out and dropping $159 on the latter is no small decision to make; so protecting either investment is crucial – not only to help sustain optimal functionality, but also to properly and sanitarily dispose of all the dust, grime, wax, and other particles that manage to make their way inside as you use them. Here, we will provide three key steps to properly clean and protect your EarPods or AirPods so they’ll last as long as possible."  Find out all you need to know here!
#iphoneiPad
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Selecting a Battery Backup for Your Computer

10/30/2017

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A cheap power strip might protect equipment from power surges, but it does nothing to help when the power goes out and your system comes to a halting crash.  Your hard drive is constantly reading and writing, even when you're not doing anything on your computer.  Your hard drive, where all our critical files and data reside, can be irreparably damaged when it is in the middle of a read/write and there is an unexpected power loss, such as due to a lightening storm.  Although you may not notice obvious damage immediately, slowness in your computer or when things stop working / working correctly as they used to are signs there has been damage.  Additionally, during storms and even on clear, sunny days, there are power surges and brown outs (lulls in power).  These can damage your computers electronics as well.  Although a surge protector can protect again power surges, it won't do anything about brown outs.  

In order to protect your computer against power lulls and interruptions, you need a battery backup, appropriately named an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS). UPS units provide a buffer against power supply interruptions ranging from a few minutes to an hour or more depending on the size of the unit.

A simple way to think about the importance of a UPS unit is to think about working on a desktop or laptop computer. You’re at home, your computer is plugged into an appropriate surge protection strip, and you’re busily finishing up some reports for work. A summer storm suddenly knocks the power out. Although the lights go out, your work on the computer is uninterrupted because it switched over to the UPS battery power seamlessly when the flow of electricity from the power cord vanished. You now have plenty of time to save your work and gracefully shut down your machine, preventing any damage.

For more information on UPS's, read this article.  
For help with purchasing and installing, call The GoTo Tech Guru!

#mac #chromebook #windows #batteries
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How ‘Apple Pay Cash’ Will Work in iOS 11

9/26/2017

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In addition to Apple Pay, Apple Pay Cash could be available with iOS 11.  Apple Pay Cash is the company’s upcoming peer-to-peer payment system that will allow iOS users to send (as well as receive) payments to family and friends.  It’ll feature deep integration with iMessage and Siri.  
Read all about it here!​
#iphoneiPad
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10 Weirdest Apple Concepts and Products

9/18/2017

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Apple is known for its innovation.  But not everything is successful nor hits the market due to "being before its time" or just plain being weird.  Check out the curious, strange and innovative here!
#mac #iphoneipad
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5 Secrets Apple Doesn’t Want You to Know

9/16/2017

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​Ever wonder what goes on inside Apple as a company?  Like what their profit margins are?  Read here for the scoop!
#mac #iphoneipad
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Fitbit Ionic vs. Apple Watch Comparison

9/12/2017

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If you're in the market for an e-watch and are considering the Fitbit vs. Apple Watch, this article is a must for you!  Fitbit has a new competitor to Apple, the Ionic with a load of compelling features!​ Fitbit has a new competitor to Apple, the Ionic, with a load of compelling features!  Read on for the scoop!
#iPhoneiPad #mac #news
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Use Your iPad as a Second Monitor

8/27/2017

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Did you know you could use your iPad as a second monitor on your PC or Mac?  All you need is your iPad (and a stand), an app and the USB cable between your iPad and PC/Mac.  Just follow the steps in this article!
#mac #windows #iphoneipad
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Apple AirDrop for Easy File Transfer

8/21/2017

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If you haven't used Apple's AirDrop feature to send files to other Apple devices, you're missing out on a powerful feature!  Apple AirDrop enables iPhones, iPads, and Macs to easily transfer files between each other over the same Wi-Fi or Bluetooth network.   It's an excellent solution if you want to quickly get something to someone in the same room.   If you are further away, or in different places then you may want to email items using MailDrop, send links to shared content in iCloud or anther cloud-based storage system, or use third party services such as MailBigFile.  AirDrop does not work across platforms, such as between iOS and Windows devices or iPhone/iPads/Macs and Android devices.  Read here for the scoop!   As always, The GoTo Tech Guru is here to help!
#iPhoneiPad
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Apple Granted License to Begin Testing Next-Gen 5G Wireless

8/3/2017

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The FCC has pproved Apple to begin testing of the nextgen 5G Wireless broadband technology!  Get the latest scoop here!
#mac #iphoneipad #news
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Apple to Exchange Qualifying 2012, 2013 MacBook Pros with Newer Models

8/1/2017

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As of July 26th 2017, Apple will no longer offer full exchanges of MacBooks with battery failures for newer MacBook Pro models.  Apple customers that are inquiring about replacements have been instructed that new battery inventory will be available in 15 business days instead.   For on whether your MacBook qualifies and what to do, read this article!
#mac #news
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