2017
OnePlus 5T: The good and the bad
There are hundreds of reviews on the internet explaining the specifications and showing performance tests. I won't rehash any of that information. Instead, I will provide my personal opinion on the phone. My opinion is based on a short usage window thanks to a friend that lent me the device. This will be a short, easy to read review that can help you make a purchasing decision (if you are on the fence). The OnePlus 5T Screen The OnePlus 5T moved to an 18:9 (tall and narrow display).
How to protect your Bitcoin from theft
Bitcoin is all the rage, and everyone is talking about it. Any discussion or write up about Bitcoin usually starts with the fact that is it a decentralized digital currency. Decentralized means that no government or company controls it and it also means each participant is on his/her own when it comes to protecting their Bitcoin investment. With US fiat currency saved in a bank, you have a high level of confidence that the money will be there in a day, week, month or a year.
My history with mobile gadgets
I've been involved in technology for a long time and bought my first real personal digital assistant (PDA) in 1997. It was an Apple Computers MessagePad (Newton) 130, and it was a thing of beauty. It had handwriting recognition, an external keyboard attachment and fueled my geek dreams about what wondrous technologies the future would bring. Along the way, I owned hundreds of devices including Palm pilots, Treos, Handspring devices, Nokias and almost every other portable gadget in between. As you can imagine, I also bought the first iPhone and almost every one since (in the last ten years).
Essential now has an Android 8 Oreo beta porogram
Android 8 Oreo is the next thing for Android devices and everybody is working hard to bring it to their phones. Now Essential has implemented a special Oreo beta program for owners of its beautiful Essential Phone. Where Samsung allows you to install the Oreo beta (on the S8 and S8 Plus) via OTA update, Essential will force you to use ADB. Essential does provide clear instructions but this can be seen as a natural filter that disqualifies anyone that doesn't really understand how Android works or understand what a beta is.
OPSEC - Introduction to Malware
What is malware Malware is shorthand for Malicious Software and has been around almost from the start of computing. Its main purpose is to harm the computer or the user. Malware has been known to steal login credentials, monitor the user, tamper with information (breaking integrity), steal information or just making the system unusable. Malware can be designed by a nefarious teenager in his mother's basement looking to make a name for himself or by a state-sponsored threat actor against activists or journalists.
Google's FilesGo File Manager cleaner is now available as beta
TL;DR : Go here and download this app (while it's available). Earlier this week, we saw FileGo leak on the Google Play Store but it was quickly taken down. FileGo is specifically built to help users (even novices) manage and clean files from their devices (duplicate photos, application cache files, etc). FileGo also contains a function (similar to Apple's AirDrop) that allows Android users within close proximity to transfer files to each other. FilesGo is still beta software (aka it could still have bugs) but in my testing has been reasonably reliable and hasn't crashed yet (tested on a Nexus 6P and Note 8).
Essential phone get's another $50 price drop at BestBuy
I wrote a short article about the merits and issues with the Essential phone here. I wrote that review because dozens of readers wanted to know if the phone was worth it at its newly reduce $499 price. Another day and another discount for the struggling Essential phone. Now BestBuy is kicking in another $50 off (bringing the price to $449.99). For $449, you can buy a beautiful unlocked Android smartphone with the latest specs including: Snapdragon 835 4GB of RAM 128GB of storage Dual cameras If you read my review, there are some shortcomings but at $449, it is hard to complain.
Is the $499 Essential phone worth it?
No other Android smartphone in 2017 has been as polarizing as the Essential phone. Created by the father of Android, many of us (tech reviewers) wanted a no compromise phone we could love. A device that would be a trailblazer showing other manufacturers what is possible and ushering in an new era of innovation through competition. Instead the Essential phone is a device I want to love but can't. Essential recently dropped its Canadian and US price and many readers wanted to know if I could recommend this phone at the new price.
Important issues with the Google Pixelbook
So the Google Pixelbook is the most elegant expression of what a Chromebook could be. There are dozens of review on the internet extolling the wondrous virtues of the device. I think it is a fantastic device for the right user because it is fast, hassle-free and as secure as a mobile computing device can be. Instead of just writing another copycat article about the positives, I wanted to share some of the less than perfect elements of the device. To ensure you can make an educated decision.
Samsung releases ad to mock Google's Pixel 2 XL screen issues
We regularly see mobile carriers release commercials mocking competitors but we rarely see this with smartphone manufacturers. Samsung has been watching all of the flack reviewers are throwing at Google regarding the screen on its new flagship Pixel 2 XL. And good ol Sammy decided it's time to use Google's misstep to its advantage with a short commercial talking about the incredible screen on its own devices. I'm in the market for a new smartphone and actually ordered a Panda Pixel 2XL from Google (scheduled to arrive Dec 18).
OnePlus 5T specs and release date
It's time to upgrade my phone and I am waiting to see what OnePlus releases as their OnePlus 5T model. In the above photo (from GizChina.it) , we see that the launch will likely take place on November 16 (for India at least which is where we believe this slide was created for). Got a second, reliable confirmation here, claiming a post-11/20 release. https://t.co/KDvBH8y7NO — Evan Blass (@evleaks) October 25, 2017 And everyone's favorite leaker, EVLeaks also confirmed a November release date.
Changing Google.com country domain no longer works
Google power users knew that changing the Google country top-level domain (ccTLD) would allow you to find results optimized for another country or language (e.g. searching Google.ch instead of Google.com to get more swiss biased results). There are a tone of reasons why I used this little trick: Accessing Google.com results when terminating a VPN in another country Travelling to a European country that skews results (right to be forgotten) and wanting "real" information returned and much more In a blog post, Google announced that results will now be customized based on the user's location (without regard for the country ccTLD input in the URL).
ChromeOS 62 rolling out now with Krack patch
Google started rolling out Chrome 62 to Windows and Mac clients about a week ago and now most Chromebook users should have received the update. For those that haven't realized it, Chromebook updates typically lag behind their Windows/Mac counterpart by about a week. <img src="https://ekiledjian2.micro.blog/uploads/2025/5dc282352a.jpg" alt=""> What does ChromeOS 62 bring? ChromeOS 62 brings an improved file manager, improved OS notifications, and most importantly vulnerability fixes (including the famous KRACK vulnerability). Pressing and holding a file in the file manager now allows you to select a file (or more) instead of bringing up the right-click menu.
Microsoft takes aim at Google Chrome vulnerabilities
July 2014, Google launched it's project zero initiative to identify Zero-Day vulnerabilities in commercial software thus making computing generally more secure. Google's modus operandi is to inform affected vendors and give them 60 days to release patches. After the 60 day window, they go public even if a patch is not yet available. “Our standing recommendation is that companies should fix critical vulnerabilities within 60 days — or, if a fix is not possible, they should notify the public about the risk and offer workarounds.
Chrome for Windows helps recover your browser from hijacking
Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox are all mainstream browsers that work extra hard to keep you safe in cyberspace. Each company has taken a different approach, but users are more protected than ever before. Nothing is foolproof though. What happens when badware gets through those defences and takes over your browser making your leisurely stroll through cyberspace painfully slow or dangerous by stealing your passwords? In the latest version of Chrome for Windows, Google adds more tools to the arsenal.
You're going to love the DuckDuckGo Terms of Service
Terms of service are professionally written notices you agree to every time you use a new smartphone, install a new software or sign up for a new web service. Consumers are rightfully annoyed by 50+ page terms used by large companies. Sometimes, you stumble on a company that has "good" terms of service in that they actually protect you (the consumer). This write up is about DuckDuckGo because I receive several dozen emails from readers every month asking if they really are a good alternative (from a security perspective to use).
What is DXO Mark Mobile and should you care?
Over the span of a couple of weeks, we saw three phones released, and with every release, the manufacturer touted the device's incredible "best ever" DXOMark Mobile performance rating: Samsung released the Galaxy Note 8 with a DXO Camera score of 94 Apple released the iPhone 8 Plus with a DXO Camera score of 94 Google released the Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XL with a DXO Camera score of 98 Manufacturers love touting these scores to "prove" that they have designed the finest camera a distinguished tech user could ask for.
Which Smart Assistant is the smartest
Silicon Valley has been promising life-changing personal digital assistants for years, but we all know most are semi-useful at best. A new research project to measure the IQs of these "smart assistants" concluded that Google is the smartest but has an IQ equivalent to a six-year-old (Google received a score of 47.28 while a typical 6-year-old would receive a 55.5). An average adult would rate between 85-115 points. Where does the "digital golden child" (aka Siri) score? It received a very disappointing 23.
Skimmer Scanner app for android
Real security requires vigilance, even for consumers. One issue we have been hearing a lot over the last couple of years is credit/debit card skimmers. A skimmer is a cheap hardware device that blends into the credit/debit card processing machine of a retailer. When processing your transaction, the skimmer copies your card information and somehow makes it available to the "bad" guys. An open-source Android app, called Skimmer Scanner, is promising to help consumers win this battle. The company behind this project, SparkFun, explains why thieves love gas stations.
What you need to know about the new Apple Watch Series 3
The biggest change to Apple's smart watch lineup is the addition of LTE connectivity (a $70 option over the non-LTE Series 3). This new Dick Tracy style watch will allow you to make phone calls (with your same number), send and receive messages, use internet connected apps and stream music from Apple Music. The new OS, which will work on all devices, brings improved exercise and heart tracking, Siri finally can speak back to you. The heart rate functionality is dramatically improved tracking your heart-rate pre-working (resting), during and post-workout.