Techbyter Worldwide (formerly Technology Corner) With Bill Blinn

Some new features, including a bit of privacy for the latest version of Google Chrome. The New York Times hits a home run with its websiste update. The Nexus tablet listens when I talk. If you sometimes have trouble sending e-mail, maybe you need another server. In Short Circuits ... I rescind a program recommendation that I made a few weeks ago. (Oops!) And is Net neutrality dead or just wounded?

Have you ever wished you could create your own music? You can! Lifelong learning has been with us since sometime in the 1980s and it's becoming even more important. Fortunately, it's easier to accomplish now. In Short Circuits: The smallest of the 4 cellular providers, T-Mobile, seems to have AT&T quaking in its oversized boots. One well known anti-malware company has acquired another and the combination should worry thieves. Office supplies: The need for many formerly standard supplies has been all but eliminated. And when my network disappeared, restoring it turned out to be a challenge.

If Santa brought you a new camera, maybe you're looking for a way to improve your videos. Coming off a strong year for sales, tablet computers are expected to sell well again this year. So far, by biggest surprise is how useful small tablets are. The United States continues to fall further behind the rest of the world when it comes to Internet speeds, but we continue to pay far more for slower service. In Short Circuits: 2,000,000 websites went offline on New Years Eve, a German news magazine says the NSA plants bugs and malware, Netflix is testing a lower-priced streaming plan, and New York City has a clever way to let residents know where snow plows are.

A huge data breach at Target. For those who need just a little 4G, a solution. A White House panel recommends major NSA changes. And in Short Circuits: Facebook decides to be even more annoying, Delta says passengers won't be allowed to use phones during flight, a car that runs on hydrogen, and an example that shows not all Internet crooks are evil geniuses.

Some of the largest Internet companies say government surveillance has gone too far. If you're still using Windows XP, you should update before April. Microsoft wants to help you find a better password. In Short Circuits ... A new version of Firefox has lots of helpful security features. And Adobe has released updates of just about everything photographic.

Crooks from around the globe want your money. If you'd prefer to keep it, this week's program has some helpful suggestions. This is such an important topic that it's the only topic in the main section. In Short Circuits ... Jeff Bezos and the incredible Amazon drone, Microsoft's NokiaPhone is closer, and yet another music service.

I lied about not being here this week. A look at a remarkable learning resource. Which is right for you -- IMAP or POP3? IGoogle is gone and IGHome is here. In Short Circuits: The FCC considers allowing cell phones during flight. Amazon challenges Netflix. And -- really -- next week is a bye week.

My favorite text editor has released a major upgrade. With Thanksgiving approaching, it's time to be thankful for the wealth of free and donation-ware applications that are available. And in Short Circuits ... The Windows 8.1 update that should have been easy turned out to be the hardest, Facebook makes an offer SnapChat has refused, and what a difference an S makes.

There's just one report in the main section of today's program because it's such an important topic. I have an iterview with the operator of Bleeping Computer about the threat posed by the CryptoLocker Malware. And in Short Circuits ... The end of Blockbuster and Amazon offers a deal to independent book stores.

If you're tired of spam and would like to make checking your e-mail more efficient, I have a suggestion that will do both. Ghostery is a clever plug-in for all of the major browsers that makes it possible for you to know who's watching when you surf. In Short Circuits, Adobe says its recent hack attack was even worse than thought, allegations about the National Security Agency continue to surface, and following September's recommendations from an advisory committee, the FAA relaxes rules on the use of electronic devices on airplanes.

Sometimes I'm puzzled by Adobe Illustrator, but the Creative Cloud version has some features designers will like. People who have upgraded to Windows 8.1 have generally had success, but some surprising problems await, too. In Short Circuits, this is definitely the year of the tablet, Facebook allows and then drops a beheading, and a couple of well known tech writers leave their newspapers.

The latest version of Xara Designer Pro extends the program's reputation for value. Google and Facebook can both use your words and images for free, but you can opt out. In Short Circuits, Windows 8.1 finally hits general availability, Intel reports lower earnings, and Microsoft prepares to roll out new versions of its phones.

Be forewarned: This is an uncommonly surly program. Windows 8.1 will soon be available and Microsoft seems to be attempting to make everyone happy. Webroot appears to be a good choice for protecting your computer; I'm checking it out now. As seems to be typical of companies with lots of money to spare, Facebook threatens to sue a programmer who has improved Facebook. In Short Circuits: Snake oil disguised as gold and Adobe wants you to change your password now.

Phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated. Laptops will still have to be stowed on airliners during takeoff and landing, but the FAA gives the green light to smaller devices. In Short Circuits: Beware the WhatsApp fraud, subscribing to publishers' backlist books, no more comments on the Popular Science website, and the Apple spaceship prepares to land. Oh ... and by the way ... Happy Mad Hatter Day!

What you may not know about batteries, but should. An update on DivX. In Short Circuits: The good guys win one for a change, Google buys Bump, but why? Adobe releases Lightroom 5.2 update, and examining Google's Canary in the coal mine.

Those who miss the look of film but who don't want to return to buying, shooting, and developing film will want to look at Exposure 5. Fraudsters have rediscovered an old ploy involving weddings. I've taken another look at Evernote. In Short Circuits, Apple introduces a faster Iphone and a cheaper Iphone. Google has a court date. Netflix scores a win in England. And UNFRIEND isn't exactly new.

The video player DivX played a nasty trick on me this week, so it's gone from my computer. Router technology has changed and you may be in the market for one soon. I have a tale to tell about that. How many fake messages do you get each week from people who want to be buddies on Facebook or LinkedIn? How about Skype? In Short Circuits: The FTC catches a webcam maker in a lie, a new look for the new Yahoo, Amazon combines real books and e-books, and Ballmer (neither gone nor forgotten) does what's probably his final big deal.

So many people say the PC is dying that some people are actually beginning to believe this nonsense. The people who create malware are getting smarter and some of the fraudulent messages they use have realistic appearances. You can still outsmart the crooks. Were the Ballmer years good or bad for Microsoft? The answer is YES. In Short Circuits: The New York Times website was knocked off-line again this week. This time it was an attack, not a bad update, and it's going to get worse. And Microsoft has released Windows 8.1 to manufacturing, while simultanseously snubbing Technet and MSDN subscribers.

Don't look now, but your phone or tablet may be sharing information you don't want to share. Three years ago, I wondered why anyone would want a color ebook reader; this year, I wonder if anyone can find a monochrome book reader. In Short Circuits: Facebook's founder wants to spread wireless Internet access worldwide. YouTube releases a new version of its app for Apple and Android devices. A big battery on your Iphone can double as a wimpy taser. And Netflix gains exclusive access to Weinstein films, but not until 2014.

If you're looking for the one perfect portable computing device that suits every need, my recommendation is to forget about it. The problem with trying to use a computer to find a Wi-Fi hotspot is that you need to be connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot to use an online service to find Wi-Fi hotspots. In Short Circuits: Some investors are suing Microsoft as the company readys Windows 8.1 for release in October. Cisco's profits are up, so the CEO has announced that now is a good time to fire 4000 people. And the New York Times website was offline for several hours on Wednesday and the smoking gun seems to be located at 620 Eighth Avenue in Manhattan.