2024 December eBytes
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Update your iPhone, iPad, and Mac now to patch these serious zero-day security flaws
The end of ChromeOS is a new dawn for cheap Android laptops
100+ Big Winners: The Best Tech Products and Services of the Year
The Best Personal Finance and Budgeting Apps
27 Windows 11 Tips and Tricks You Need to Know
The Best Free Online Streaming Music Services
Apple Intelligence for Photos Tested: Is It Better Than Google Photos?
Mini PC vs. desktop vs. laptop: Which is the best computer for you?
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Update your iPhone, iPad, and Mac now to patch these serious zero-day security flaws
The emergency updates resolve two zero-day flaws that may have already been exploited in the wild.
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The end of ChromeOS is a new dawn for cheap Android laptops
It's the beginning of the end for ChromeOS as Google faces a pivotal challenge: compete with Apple's Arm dominance while leveraging AI and custom silicon to redefine affordable computing.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-end-of-chromeos-is-a-new-dawn-for-cheap-android-laptops/
The end of ChromeOS is a new dawn for cheap Android laptops - It's the beginning of the end for ChromeOS as Google faces a pivotal challenge: compete with Apple's Arm dominance while leveraging AI and custom silicon to redefine affordable computing.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-end-of-chromeos-is-a-new-dawn-for-cheap-android-laptops/
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100+ Big Winners: The Best Tech Products and Services of the Year
Our expert-curated list of the very best technology we've tested across 16 key categories in 2024 doubles as your ultimate holiday shopping list.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-tech-products
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The Best Personal Finance and Budgeting Apps
Need a replacement for Mint? Make sense of your budget, get a grasp on your household spending, or check your credit score with the best apps we've tested for managing your personal finances.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-personal-finance-services
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27 Windows 11 Tips and Tricks You Need to Know
Customize your Windows experience, learn about the best new features, and squeeze the most out of your desktop OS with these tips.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/best-windows-11-tips-and-tricks
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The Best Free Online Streaming Music Services
You don't need a subscription to stream your favorite songs. With these tested and recommended streaming music services, you can enjoy sweet tunes without spending a dime.
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-free-online-streaming-music-services
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Apple Intelligence for Photos Tested: Is It Better Than Google Photos?
We test Apple Intelligence features in the Apple Photos app to see how well it can erase people from the backgrounds of photos, understand natural language searches, and more.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-intelligence-for-photos-tested-is-it-better-than-google-photos
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Mini PC vs. desktop vs. laptop: Which is the best computer for you?
PCs come in all shapes and sizes. Before picking a specific model, you need to be sure you're getting the right form factor for your particular needs. Here's how to decide.
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Links - News, Tips, & Downloads
5 Android Features That'll Make You Toss Your iPhone - Pledge your allegiance to Apple? Even with iOS 18's enhancements, some things are just better on an Android phone.
https://www.pcmag.com/articles/5-android-features-thatll-make-you-toss-your-iphone
How I Used AI to Turn My 3rd-Grade Diary Into a Shockingly Polished Podcast - NotebookLM is a fun way to familiarize yourself with Google's AI tools. I used it to turn a grade-school journal into a mildly entertaining podcast about my 8-year-old self.
PC on the Fritz? How to Factory Reset a Windows Computer - If your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC is struggling, or you're looking to sell, it could be time to restore the computer to its out-of-the-box settings.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/factory-reset-windows-10
Microsoft's Latest Device Is a Mini PC for Cloud-Based Windows - The $349 'Link' device features no local apps or data storage. Instead, it's designed to run Microsoft's Windows 365 and services from the cloud.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-windows-365-link-mini-pc-cloud-based
How to Turn Off Live Photos On Your iPhone (and Save Storage Space) - Live Photos turns iPhone pictures into looping mini movies. But they take up a lot of space. Here's how to turn it off in the Camera app and on existing images in Apple Photos.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-turn-off-apple-live-photos
Done With Elon? How to Get Started on Bluesky Social - Bluesky has seen a surge of sign-ups as people look for a Twitter-like experience minus the toxicity of Elon Musk's X. Here’s how to set up and use an account on this X alternative.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/what-is-bluesky-social-how-to-sign-up-use-x-alternative
How to Scrub Your Home Address Off the Internet — and Keep It Off - These expert tips will keep your address off the web, from map apps to Google searches.
https://www.cnet.com/home/security/how-to-scrub-your-home-address-off-the-internet-and-keep-it-off/
DataBreach.com Emerges as Alternative to HaveIBeenPwned - The site comes from Atlas Privacy, which has compiled information on data breaches to help victims learn if they're affected.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/databreachcom-emerges-as-alternative-to-haveibeenpwned
Which OS Is Best: Windows, macOS, Linux, or ChromeOS? - Not sure which desktop operating system is best for you? We help you choose by comparing the top options based on availability, interface design, ease of use, and app and game compatibility.
Upgrading Made Easy: How to Automatically Set Up Your New iPhone - Did you just get the new iPhone? Speed up the setup process by using Quick Start, which will transfer core settings from your old Apple phone to your new phone in a few taps. Here's how to do it.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/automatically-set-up-a-new-iphone
Is OneDrive moving all your files? How to take back control of your Windows storage - 3 ways - Here's how your local files can get hoovered into Microsoft's OneDrive cloud storage without your knowledge and how to clean up the mess.
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Ask a Question - Send any Tips & Downloads, Ask a Question, For Sale, or articles to: TheMiningPCC@gmail.com
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Q. From a PCC Member - I was looking for someone who has installed car play on cars that don't have car play capability. I see there are many car play installations that you install that don't use the screen on the car. “Keep Your Eyes on the Road: 13 Apple CarPlay Tips Every Driver Should Know” This article is great on the use of car play if you have car play capability on your car.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Glad you found some info. Car Play can only be connected on cars that support it. Most cars in the last five years that have an infotainment screen support Car Play for Apple devices or Android Auto for Android devices. If a car does not support Car Play you can still use Bluetooth to play music, make or take phone calls, text, sometimes Alexa, etc. Some old car models may support a special phone to car connection like my 2016 Honda does. If you have an older model car look at your cars owners manual for what it supports.
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Q. From a PCC Member - I have a friend who just bought a new PC. He’s taken the hard drive out of his old PC and he’s wondering what he can do to dispose of it safely and securely. Do you have any suggestions?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. To totally destroy a SSD or HDD drive, people will drill multiple holes in the drive. I have heard of people putting them in a fire pit or fireplace also. It also is possible to disassemble the drive and then use a hammer.
Any reputable PC recycler, like a Best Buy, will destroy the drive when they recycle.
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