George Bertoli: Technologist Musings & Recommendations
Monday, August 3, 2015
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Asus ZenWatch Smartwatch
Received as a Christmas present, I have been wearing this watch ever since. Did I really need a Smartwatch? I didn't think so at the time, but I'm really finding that it comes in handy for finding out why my phone is vibrating without having to take it out of my pocket. It also shows me notifications while driving as I almost always have the Waze GPS app running on my phone.
There have been probably three or four updates to Android Wear since I've gotten it. It keeps getting better and better. Setting new watch faces was a challenge early on as you had to deal with separate apps for each watch face. This has been consolidated in Android Wear. There are still a few that haven't updated their app, but they should get to it eventually.
I keep the display always on so I can see the time and last notification. It displays in a dim monochromatic way. When the watch is "woken up" I get the full color display and notifications. Battery life has been GREAT! I go through my normal day and still have over 50% battery life available. I hear Moto 360 owners aren't so lucky.
More thoughts will be forthcoming...
There have been probably three or four updates to Android Wear since I've gotten it. It keeps getting better and better. Setting new watch faces was a challenge early on as you had to deal with separate apps for each watch face. This has been consolidated in Android Wear. There are still a few that haven't updated their app, but they should get to it eventually.
I keep the display always on so I can see the time and last notification. It displays in a dim monochromatic way. When the watch is "woken up" I get the full color display and notifications. Battery life has been GREAT! I go through my normal day and still have over 50% battery life available. I hear Moto 360 owners aren't so lucky.
More thoughts will be forthcoming...
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Foxit Reader Security Alert 01-13-13
Per PCWorld, the popular Foxit reader browser plugin can allow hackers
to take control of your PC. They are in the process of developing a
patch, but for now make Internet Explorer your default browser and avoid
using Chrome, Firefox, and Safari to view PDF files. See
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2025154/foxit-reader-security-flaw-reportedly-allows-attack.html
for more details.
[UPDATED 01-13-13] How to Update/Disable Java in Your Browser
On January 13th, Oracle has published a fixed version of hacker prone JAVA (Javascript is OK). Go to http://www.java.com to download and update to the latest version.
In case more security concerns develop, my friends at http://www.sophos.com have provided instructions on how to disable Java in all of the popular PC browsers in use today (see below), DO NOT disable Javascript however as it does not have the security issue.
Open Chrome and type chrome://plugins into the location bar.
Click Disable underneath the Java plugin.
In case more security concerns develop, my friends at http://www.sophos.com have provided instructions on how to disable Java in all of the popular PC browsers in use today (see below), DO NOT disable Javascript however as it does not have the security issue.
Chrome disable instructions
Want to disable Java in other browsers?
Here are our instructions for disabling Java in other internet web browsers:
Saturday, October 27, 2012
How to make Windows 8 Act & Look like Windows 7
Given that Windows 7 is or was almost perfect (for a Microsoft product), now a new version of Windows is threatening to kill productivity for businesses until they "figure out" how to interact with Windows 8. It is aimed more at the Consumer than Business professional. Works best
with a multi-touch touchscreen or trackpad, both of which are not found
plentiful in the wild at the moment.
Give it 6 months or so for the hardware to catch up. Until then stick
with Windows 7 or modify Windows 8 per the article below.
The folks at CNET UK have published a great article on how to transform Windows 8 into looking and acting like Windows 7. Some of the "tweaks" require some technical expertise, so it may not be for casual Windows users to try and install. Read more here.
The folks at CNET UK have published a great article on how to transform Windows 8 into looking and acting like Windows 7. Some of the "tweaks" require some technical expertise, so it may not be for casual Windows users to try and install. Read more here.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Test Your Brain Health for Free!!
BrainyApp was developed by Alzheimer’s Australia and Bupa Health
Foundation to raise community awareness of the risk factors for
Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia and on how to live a
brain healthy lifestyle.
New to Android, this app provides an insight to the health of your brain, heart, and body. This app should be a must for all of us that have had a family member afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, as we too may develop this debilitating disease.
UPDATE: I have found that the app doesn't work with Cyanogenmod 7.2 custom roms (you get Force Closes), your experience may vary. Please post your results in the comments.
Available now from the Google Play store.
New to Android, this app provides an insight to the health of your brain, heart, and body. This app should be a must for all of us that have had a family member afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, as we too may develop this debilitating disease.
UPDATE: I have found that the app doesn't work with Cyanogenmod 7.2 custom roms (you get Force Closes), your experience may vary. Please post your results in the comments.
Available now from the Google Play store.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
My New Favorite Android Radio App "Songza"
has captured my heart and is my new favorite Radio App, beating out Slacker and Pandora!! Great music lists, fantastic sound, stellar performance over 4G make this App really stand out. They utilize the "echo" and bass enhancement features from the super-FM radio stations (remember them?) to give you really great sound on your earphones and through your Bluetooth connected car stereo system. Give it a whirl, it's in the Google Play store.
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