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Apple’s “iCloud”: Which features will be free, and which won’t?

Apple’s “iCloud”: Which features will be free, and which won’t?

by ben patterson | Aug 2, 2011 | how-tos, the cloud

Not all that long from now, Mac, iPhone, and iPad users will be able to store their contacts, calendars, photos, music, and more in the “cloud”—or rather, in Apple’s iCloud, to be precise. Slated to go live in the fall, Apple’s new service...
How to download—again and again—your purchased TV shows from iTunes

How to download—again and again—your purchased TV shows from iTunes

by ben patterson | Aug 1, 2011 | desktops, home video, how-tos, laptops, phones

Videos are probably the biggest space hogs around when it comes to computer hard drives; just ask anyone who’s ever purchased and downloaded an entire TV season from iTunes. Indeed, a single HD episode of, say, “Mad Men” from the iTunes Store weighs...
Are you paying too much for smartphone data?

Are you paying too much for smartphone data?

by ben patterson | Aug 1, 2011 | how-tos, news, phones

Unless you’re on Sprint, there’s a good chance your cell phone carrier has you on a short leash when it comes to speedy wireless data. Indeed, most carriers now limit, or “cap,” their 3G and 4G data plans at levels ranging from 200 MB to 10 GB...
Mac OS X Lion tip: Getting the hang of desktop “spaces” in Mission Control

Mac OS X Lion tip: Getting the hang of desktop “spaces” in Mission Control

by ben patterson | Jul 29, 2011 | how-tos, laptops

Did you know that there’s more than one desktop on your Mac? Yep, it’s true—and in “Lion,” the just-released update for the Mac operating system, you can pretty much have as many desktops as you want, each filled with its own assortment of open...
How to keep your Facebook apps and games from posting to your wall (quick tip)

How to keep your Facebook apps and games from posting to your wall (quick tip)

by ben patterson | Jul 28, 2011 | how-tos, privacy, social networks

Love playing FarmVille on Facebook, but wish it would stop posting updates to your Facebook wall like “Jane needs a Sawhorse!” or “Louis needs your help in the Craftshop”? Well, good news: Facebook’s privacy settings let you customize...
Fox TV’s new restrictions for Hulu viewers: Your questions, answered

Fox TV’s new restrictions for Hulu viewers: Your questions, answered

by ben patterson | Jul 27, 2011 | home video, how-tos, news

Starting next month, you’ll have to prove you’re a paying customer of an “approved” pay-TV provider to watch new Fox TV episodes on Hulu or Fox.com the day after they’re aired—otherwise, you’ll have to wait more than a week before...
Why AT&T and T-Mobile phones won’t work on Sprint or Verizon (in the know)

Why AT&T and T-Mobile phones won’t work on Sprint or Verizon (in the know)

by ben patterson | Jul 25, 2011 | how-tos, phones

Thinking of jumping from AT&T to Sprint or Verizon Wireless? If you do, be warned: you can’t take your existing phone with you, even if it’s been “unlocked” to work on any carrier. Why? Because there are two very different flavors of...
Need help installing Mac OS X Lion? Help is here!

Need help installing Mac OS X Lion? Help is here!

by ben patterson | Jul 23, 2011 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

Check out my step-by-step guide for installing “Lion” on your Mac, my top 5 reasons for installing Lion in the first place, and 5 ways in which Lion turns your Mac into an iPad. Also: Find out how to fix Lion’s new, “natural” scrolling...
Mac OS X Lion tip: Drag your most-used mailboxes into Mail’s new Favorites bar

Mac OS X Lion tip: Drag your most-used mailboxes into Mail’s new Favorites bar

by ben patterson | Jul 22, 2011 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

The new, iPad-like Mail application in Mac OS X Lion (the revamped system software for the Mac that just went on sale) boasts just two columns: one with a list of messages, and another that shows the body of a selected message. Personally, I love the new, cleaner...
Can I get a smartphone from Verizon without a contract? (reader mail)

Can I get a smartphone from Verizon without a contract? (reader mail)

by ben patterson | Jul 22, 2011 | how-tos, phones

Ted writes: My T-Mobile Dash is on its last legs and it’s time for a new phone. Because T-Mobile is still likely to get swallowed by the cretins at AT&T I will probably just make the move to Verizon at the same time. So, I am wondering … can I buy a...
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