Newsletter Archives

• Understanding Windows Subsystem for Android

  Posted on September 4, 2023 at 02:43 CDT by Simon Bisson • Comment in the Forums

  WINDOWS 11

  

  By Simon Bisson

  Fill the “app gap” by running Android applications on your PC.

  PC software is disappearing. Where there used to be full-featured desktop applications, there are now mobile apps and the Web. That’s a problem, especially when it comes to working with smart homes and financial services. We don’t always want to use a browser for devices such as doorbells and security cameras, and reaching for a phone to respond to an alert quickly takes you out of your flow.

  That all adds up to a growing app gap, with the PC rapidly left behind.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.36.0, 2023-09-04).

  Windows 11 Amazon Appstore, Android, Android Apps, Microsoft Store, Newsletters, Windows Subsystem for Android

• The season of devices

  Posted on September 4, 2023 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  ON SECURITY

  

  By Susan Bradley

  It’s the time of the year when PSLs hit the menu.

  What? You don’t know what PSL means? Of course you do, because Pumpkin Spice Lattes arrive at those coffee shops you find on nearly every street corner. You can’t miss them.

  As summertime fades into fall, it’s also the season of rumors about the new phones and tablets that will soon hit the headlines. And that means it’s time for me to take a hard look at all my devices in this category.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.36.0, 2023-09-04).

  On Security Android, Backups, Battery charging, Battery life, iOS, iPhone, Newsletters, Password managers, passwords, Patch Lady Posts

• My day on jury duty

  Posted on July 31, 2023 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  ON SECURITY

  

  By Susan Bradley

  The last time I was called upon to perform my fundamental American civic duty was years ago. It hasn’t changed much, except for technology.

  There were bar codes, large displays that broadcast PowerPoint slides, and a YouTube video that explained jury service. That video went so far as to explain who sat where in the courtroom. (I thought that was obvious, but apparently I have watched way too many Perry Mason episodes.)

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.31.0, 2023-07-31).

  On Security Android, iPhone, Lockdown Mode, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, Routers, Travel, Wi-Fi

• How to manage your browser cookies

  Posted on April 17, 2023 at 02:44 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  INTERNET

  

  By Lance Whitney

  Browser cookies can be helpful or harmful, depending on how and why they’re used in your browser. The key lies in taking control of them.

  You probably already know that Web browsers use cookies to save certain information. Over the years, cookies have developed a bad rep because many websites and advertisers use them to track your online activities for the purpose of sending you ads and other targeted content.

  But cookies can also help you by storing key details at websites that you frequently use. The trick here is knowing which cookies are good and which are bad, and how to manage them in general.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.16.0, 2023-04-17).

  Internet Android, Chrome, Cookies, Edge, Firefox, iOS, Newsletters, privacy, Safari, security, Web Browsers, Windows

• Make Windows 11 as cool as your phone with Android apps

  Posted on January 9, 2023 at 02:44 CST by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  

  By Brian Livingston

  After many, many requests, Microsoft finally added the capability to run Android apps when it released Windows 11.

  Every iPhone and Android phone user knows how convenient it is to carry in your pocket or purse any number of apps that bring you weather, traffic, emails, texts, games — even rocket science, if that’s your thing.

  However, unlike the ease of use of a smartphone — where you can install virtually any app with just a few clicks — Windows 11 presents you with a series of “gotchas” that can discourage even the biggest Microsoft fanatic from adding an Android app.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.02.0, 2023-01-09).

  Public Defender Android, Android on Windows, Apps, Newsletters, Windows 11

• Choosing the right email program

  Posted on July 11, 2022 at 02:44 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  SOFTWARE

  

  By Lance Whitney

  Whether you use a Windows PC, iPhone, iPad, or Android device, there are a number of options for email clients other than the usual suspects.

  The email program you use depends to a large degree on the type of device or operating system you use. On a Windows PC, you may turn to the default Windows Mail client, or to Outlook if you subscribe to Microsoft 365. Those of you who own an iPhone or iPad will likely fire up the built-in Mail app. And most Android users probably stick with Gmail.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.28.0, 2022-07-11).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Software Android, Apple, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Email Clients, Windows

• Want more power and control? Turn on developer mode.

  Posted on June 20, 2022 at 02:44 CDT by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  

  By Brian Livingston

  Most digital devices and software applications have a little-known side of themselves called “developer mode.” Once you turn this baby on, you can have previously undreamed-of power literally at your fingertips.

  Tech companies normally remain quiet about these features — except with regard to actual app developers — because boneheaded users can fall into hidden bear traps and not know how to get themselves out. But if you read up on the capabilities you want, you can enable features that you’ll wish you’d had from Day One.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.25.0, 2022-06-20).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Public Defender Android, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Public Defender

• Protect yourself from iPhone and Android spying

  Posted on April 18, 2022 at 02:44 CDT by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  

  By Brian Livingston

  As technology marches forward, there are more and more things for us to watch out for. One thing you might not be aware of is how easy it is for someone to listen to everything you say through a smartphone, such as an iPhone — even if the device is turned off.

  That’s right. That innocent-looking glass slab on the next table could be picking up everything you say and transmitting it 100 meters or so to an Apple AirPod earpiece, in the case of an iPhone, or to any wireless headphones, by using an app for Android phones.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.16.0, 2022-04-18).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Public Defender Android, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, iPhone, Spying

• Using Microsoft OneDrive on your Android device

  Posted on March 1, 2021 at 01:02 CST by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  ONEDRIVE

  Using Microsoft OneDrive on your Android device

  By Lance Whitney

  You can access, view, and edit your synced OneDrive files from your Android phone or tablet.

  Microsoft OneDrive is an effective tool for backing up, syncing, and sharing documents and other files across your computers. But the program is also adept on a mobile device. In February, I covered the process for using OneDrive on an iPhone or iPad; now it’s time to see what it can do on an Android device.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 18.8.0 (2021-03-01).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Microsoft 365 Android, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, OneDrive

• What’s the best way to lock your Android phone?

  Posted on July 5, 2020 at 02:30 CDT by Jamie • Comment in the Forums

  Android security

  Security vs. convenience: What’s the best way to lock your Android phone?

  By Lincoln Spector

  You want your smartphone to be locked down so that no one but you can find your secrets. But you want to unlock your phone quickly and easily.

  You can’t have the best of both worlds. You must choose between the best security and the easiest entry. But with the right precautions, you can have reasonable security without constant annoyance.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.26.0 (2020-07-06).

  Android, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Security Android, AskWoody Plus Newsletter

• The new Office for Android

  Posted on May 11, 2020 at 01:00 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  OFFICE

  By Lincoln Spector

  Microsoft recently took a major step in letting us do some work while we’re running around town (which we look forward to doing again, someday).

  For years, MS Office on Android phones and tablets wasn’t really Office; it was a collection of separate and watered-down versions of Word, Excel, and so forth. But the new Office Mobile for Android (info page) combines Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with some additional capabilities, into a single app. The new Office is now a fairly useful suite … for use on smartphones and tablets, especially because it’s still free!

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.18.0 (2020-05-11).

  Office Android, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Mobility, Office

• The Chrome OS FAQ, Part III: You’ve got a Chromebook. Now what?

  Posted on December 16, 2019 at 01:15 CST by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  

  GOOGLE CHROME OS

  By JR Raphael

  So now that you’ve read Parts I and II of our Chrome OS FAQ, you’ve worked out what Google’s operating system is all about — and possibly picked out the Chromebook that’s right for you.

  Whew! It’s been a busy couple of weeks. (If you missed the first two parts of this series, no worries: just head over to issues 16.44.0 (2019-12-02) and 16.45.0 (2019-12-09) to get all caught up.)

  Now we’re ready for the really fun part: taking your first steps into the world of your shiny new Chromebook. Getting around Chrome OS is mostly self-evident — especially if you’re an experienced Windows user — but there are some initial steps you’ll want to take to get everything set up and configured the way you like it.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.46.0 (2019-12-16).

  Chromebook Android, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Google Chrome OS, Working offline
• « Older Entries