2025 November eBytes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scam eMail Tom Kreuzer Received
Microsoft's Notepad, Photos, and Paint Apps Are Now Powered by AI. Here's What They Can Do
Hulu Is How Much?! Your Guide to Streaming Service Costs and Price Hikes
Is OpenAI's Atlas browser the Chrome killer we've been waiting for? Try it for yourself
Think You Know Windows 11? These 31 Tricks Will Change Everything
Try These 20 Hidden Tricks Inside Apple's Safari Browser for Better Browsing
The Complete Guide to Smart TV Platforms: Which One Is Right for You?
Internet Data Caps Explained: How to Avoid Overages and Find Unlimited Plans
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scam eMail Tom Kreuzer Received
PCC Member Sends an email to Tom Kreuzer that has his correct member name and email:
Hello Tom, Sorry to bother you, are you available on email for a question?
Tom Kreuzer Responds:
I am available now for a few minutes.
Member Replies to email to Tom Kreuzer:
Glad to hear from you
I've been trying to purchase an Apple gift card by email, but I can't do this now because all my effort purchasing it online proved abortive. I intend to buy it for a friend’s daughter who's having her birthday. Unfortunately she is down with cancer of the liver, Can you get it from your Amazon account? I'll reimburse you back as soon as possible. Please let me know if you can handle this so I can tell you the amount and how to get to her.
Tom Kreuzer Responds:
You can buy an Apple gift card in person at any place that has cards like Target, Best Buy, WalMart, Walgreens, and others and skip the online order.
Member Replies to Tom Kreuzer:
Kindly help me get $200 Apple gift card.
RED FLAG WARNING. Tom Kreuzer suspects this is a scam and calls the PCC member to tell him his email has been hacked and that a scammer is sending out emails to people in his contact list asking for an Apple Gift card. I told him to change his email password ASAP, check his sent folder and contact anyone who was contacted. Stay Safe.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Microsoft's Notepad, Photos, and Paint Apps Are Now Powered by AI. Here's What They Can Do
Here's how I use Copilot for AI-powered help in several built-in Windows 11 apps.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hulu Is How Much?! Your Guide to Streaming Service Costs and Price Hikes
HBO Max is the latest streaming service to get a price increase, following Disney+, Peacock, Netflix, Apple TV, Hulu, and more. Here's how we got here and what you can expect to pay.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/your-guide-streaming-service-costs-price-hikes-how-much
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Is OpenAI's Atlas browser the Chrome killer we've been waiting for? Try it for yourself
Here's everything OpenAI's ChatGPT-powered browser can do, and how to access it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Think You Know Windows 11? These 31 Tricks Will Change Everything
Unlock Windows 11's hidden features, get the most out of AI tools, and customize your PC like a pro with these game-changing tips.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/31-windows-11-tricks-that-will-change-everything
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Try These 20 Hidden Tricks Inside Apple's Safari Browser for Better Browsing
Safari offers a variety of features and settings to help you navigate and use the web. And you’ll find a couple more handy options in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/hidden-tricks-inside-apples-safari-browser
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Complete Guide to Smart TV Platforms: Which One Is Right for You?
Amazon, Apple, Google, LG, Roku, Samsung, and Vizio each bring their own app stores and streaming perks. We're here to help you choose the best fit.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/the-complete-guide-to-smart-tv-platforms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internet Data Caps Explained: How to Avoid Overages and Find Unlimited Plans
Unlimited data isn't always unlimited, even if it says so on the label. Here's everything you should know to avoid surprise fees and find a broadband plan that truly fits your needs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Links - News, Tips, & Downloads
We tested every iPad model. Here are the ones worth your money - From the iPad Mini to the iPad Pro, ZDNET tested all the iPad models available to help you choose the right one for your needs.
https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-ipad/
How much RAM do you need in 2025? My expert advice for Windows and Mac users - Considering upgrading your slow PC? Wondering how much RAM is enough? Here's what you need to know.
Is Your Gmail Inbox a Mess? Use These 3 Tricks to Fix It Fast - Forget third-party tools. Gmail already has everything you need—if you know where to look.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/is-your-gmail-inbox-a-mess-use-these-tricks-to-fix-it-fast
What to Do if Your Computer Freezes and Becomes Unresponsive - If your computer has slowed to a crawl, or stops working entirely, here's how to see if it's an easy fix or something that needs more attention.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/what-to-do-if-your-laptop-freezes
Your Browser Is Leaking Information About You. Here’s How to Stop It - Browser fingerprinting is a sneaky way your web activity is tracked, and no matter what browser you use, it's probably designed to allow it. Still, you can protect your privacy with a few extra steps. Here's how.
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/your-browser-is-leaking-information-about-you-heres-how-to-stop-it
I tested a $139 Chromebook for a week, and I've yet to find a better laptop deal out there - The Asus CX15 is an excellent budget pick for students, kids, or anyone who needs a simple everyday device.
Running Out of Space on Your iPhone? Before You Delete Anything Try This - Use these two iPhone settings to free up space without deleting anything.
Sick of All the Annoying Ads in Windows? Microsoft Doesn't Want You to Know That You Can Remove Them - Microsoft likes to promote its own services in Windows 10 and 11. Tweak these settings to stop the irritating tips, suggestions, and pop-ups.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-remove-most-annoying-ads-from-windows
Before You Sell Your Old Phone, Make Sure to Do These 4 Things - Upgrading to the iPhone 17 or Galaxy S25? Here's how to get your old phone ready for recycling, selling, or trading in—safely and securely.
Is That Video Real? 5 Tips for Spotting AI-Generated Content - AI-generated video has exploded recently, making it hard to tell what’s real, and what’s not. These tips can help you spot the difference.
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/is-that-video-real-tips-for-spotting-ai-generated-content
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ask a Question - Send any Tips & Downloads, Ask a Question, For Sale, or articles to: TheMiningPCC@gmail.com
**********************************
Q. From a PCC Member - I am considering this refurbished desktop HP from Target that the link points to. Could you take a quick look?. Any issues for home use? Not sure I need Win 11 Pro, but I don't know the difference between Home & Pro?
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. That looks good and would work, but not great. The Win 11 Pro has some additional features than the basic Home version has. Pro is on my laptop, desktop, and most refurbished because they came from big companies that use Pro. Something to be aware of is if you plan to use your old monitor. You may have had a VGA connection to the old computer from the monitor. This new desktop has 2 HP Display ports and may come with an HDMI connection for the display. You may need a cheap converter plug to connect to the new desktop.
I just looked out on Target and not many models right now. The models change from day to day. This is what a friend bought a month ago from Target about a week ago.
HP EliteDesk 800 G4, Tower Desktop, Intel Core i7-8700, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Windows 11 Pro- Manufacturer Refurbished $289.00
I searched the WalMart site just now and found this for $288:
Q. From a PCC Member - Thanks Tom. I ordered this pc from Walmart. One more question…I have one program that runs my wood carving machine. I’m in a Facebook group for these carving machines. Some guys are telling me the program should work on Windows 11 and others say it might not. Would it be possible to have both Win10 and Win11 on my new pc? I would only use Win10 to run my carving program. I load my design projects onto a card that I connect to pc via a usb port.
A. From Tom Kreuzer - Most software that runs in Wins 10 will run in Win 11 fine. Microsoft does have settings for a program that will not run in Win 11 that can be used to get most programs to run.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IomoGMmQUr4&t=11s
It is complex to have version 10 and 11 on one machine and should not be needed.
Sounds good.You should download the User Manual and keep a copy on your new computer if you have questions on ports and other info. Also, create a file with the specs of what you ordered that you should keep and can reference when needed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. From a PCC Member - I use BitWarden and Gmail on a Chrome browser (with DuckDuckGo search engine). BitWarden is an extension on my Chrome browser.
About three months ago I created passkeys for each of my Gmail accounts, with the passkeys stored on BitWarden.
When I launch Chrome, I enter my master password into BitWarden, then I launch one of my Gmail accounts, and it prompts me for my passkey that’s stored on BitWarden. Until now. For some reason, without having changed any of the account settings, Gmail no longer prompts me for my passkey — rather it prompts me for my password (which I can fill in using BitWarden). Also, in my Google Account Settings, under “Security,” I have “Skip password when possible” set to “On.” (although this has been the case all along). Any thoughts, how to diagnose, etc., why the passkey is seemingly no longer available.
A. From Tom Kreuzer, a PCC Board member. Security and what password or passkey prompt you see and when you see it, is up to the site or service you are using. Google can change what it wants at any time, so that may have changed. I have Google passkeys and like you sometimes I can use it and other times it wants the password. Google sometimes has a link to use other methods than the password and if you enter the wrong password will give other options like a phone text or OK on another connected device. Also, Google like many sites keeps track and will force a new login based on time and what feature you want access to. You may want to try clearing browser cache and cookies and reboot your PC. Corrupted or outdated browser data can sometimes interfere with how websites, including Google, handle sign-in methods.
Warning clearing the cache will affect other sites and settings that you will have to login or set up again. I searched for a policy from Google on when and how they use passkeys and could not find any. Sorry no magic setting.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------