My first blog !: How To

HOW TO SAVE ON YOUR CELL PHONE AND BROADBAND BILL

Death, taxes, and bill shock. The first two are unavoidable, but luckily, there are a number of ways to avoid unnecessarily high mobile phone and broadband bills. Starting with the former, it’s important to figure out how and when you use your phone. Unlimited talk and texting plans are great for chatter bugs, but if you only whip out your phone for emergencies, don’t overpay for headroom you'll never use. Along those same lines, you can reduce your reliance on cell phone minutes by using your landline to make calls, or by using VoIP services like Skype. Another way to sidestep cell phone charges is by integrating Google Voice into your daily usage habits. Google Voice supports free SMS text messaging to the U.S. and Canada, and you can also make and receive calls without tapping into your cell phone minutes. Don't let your wireless carrier nickel-and-dime you to death with supplementary add-ons, like premium voice mail, roadside assistance, and other option al features. If you absolutely need the peace of mind that comes from an extended warranty (or were born clumsy), shop around for the best rates and service. SquareTrade is one of the most popular third-party providers of warranties, and you can typically find online coupon codes good for 20 to 30 percent off. Finally, decide if it’s really in your best interest to commit to a long-term contract, especially if you plan on getting a feature phone. Prepaid and pay- as-you go plans can be obtained for as little as $10/month. On the flip side, if a long-term contract is in the cards, utilize strength in numbers by splitting a family plan not just with immediate kin, but with a close friend, co-worker, roommate, or a family member who doesn’t live with you. Wireless carriers typically charge $10 to $15 to add a line to a family plan, and if you and a friend split the entire bill, you both can come out ahead. Saving money on your broadband bill starts the same way: by analyzing your usage habits. The most obvious way to save some coin is to make sure you're not paying for an ultra-fast service tier if all you're doing is roaming the web in search of lolcats and updating your Facebook status. Don’t be afraid to downgrade your service to see if a lower speed suits your surfing style. Bundling your TV, phone, and Internet service can reduce your bill, and it also gives you increased bargaining power. Times are tough all around, and if you call your ISP to cancel your service, they’ll usually try to sweeten the deal in some way so that you'll stick around. If not, ask to speak with a supervisor to let them know you're leaving for a cheaper competitor. Of course, you don’t have to bluff. Services like Sonic.net offer relatively low-cost broadband-plus-phone service, albeit it’s limited to California residents. Need more help? BillShrink.com is a great resource to find out if you’re overpaying on everyday expenses, including wireless service.

HOW TO SAVE ON YOUR CELL PHONE AND BROADBAND BILL

Death, taxes, and bill shock. The first two are unavoidable, but luckily, there are a number of ways to avoid unnecessarily high mobile phon...

SAYONARA, CABLE OR SATELLITE A SURFEIT OF FREE/CHEAP STREAMING OPTIONS HELPS YOU STICK IT TO THE MAN

A true cheapskate realizes that in today's age of low-cost broadband and high-quality video streams, paying $100-plus a month for cable isn't the entertainment necessity it used to be. But before you cut the cord, you need to know where to go to find what you want to watch. Let us beyourguide! First, a word of warning: Some streaming websites walk a gray, unlicensed legal line, offering a ton of very current content, but constantly playing whack-a-mole with copyright enforcement agencies. Malware can be a concern, too. We'll mention a few of the top options; if you choose to surf these gray areas, you do so at your own risk. The same goes for torrents. Got it? Good! Let's get streaming. MOVIES Cinema fans have the most options when it comes to cutting the cord, starting first and foremost with the 800-pound gorilla in the streaming video world: Netflix Watch Instantly. For just $7.99 a month—that's around a quarter a day, if you're counting—you can stream anything from the service's library as often as you want. Finding newer releases is a bit hit-or-miss, but Netflix nevertheless has a tremendously deep movie catalog full of interesting titles, along with robust device support, 720p HD video, and 5.1 surround sound, to boot. Crackle has also been rocking our socks in recent months. The Sony-owned venture is completely free and jam-packed with over 300 kick-ass movies, with a focus on sci-fi, action, comedy, and horror flicks. Plus, Crackle is available on a ton of devices, including iOS and Android, Sony electronics, Roku, and the Xbox 360. New titles are nonexistent, though, and the SD streams are a bummer during full-screen viewing. If you're a fan of classic movies, Entertainment Magazine Online (EMOL.orgl streams a cornucopia of films made priorto 1970. CinemaNow, iTunes, and Amazon Instant Video are pricier a la carte options for movie rentals or digital purchases. Spending a fiver on a movie rental doesn't seem too bad, but it can add up quickly over the course of a month. On the plus side, these services carry virtually every title you can think of, with most available in HD. Crackle's catalog is packed with awesome action, comedy, and genre movies, and it's free. TV SHOWS The services discussed in the movie section apply here, too. The a la carte options also sell TV episodes; Crackle is a good source for older sitcoms, original content, and anime; and Netflix Watch Instantly has a ton of television offerings, most notably its wide collection of children's cartoons and documentaries. Speaking of documentaries, check out DocumentaryStorm.com, a killer site that adds a new documentary every day. Many come embedded from high-quality sources like National Geographic, PBS, TED, and VICE. Of course, there's always Hulu. Hulu carries several recent television shows, with new episodes often appearing the day after they air on cable. The coverage has gaps, however, and ABC, NBC, Fox, and Comedy Central supply a lot of the content. Numerous older shows are also available. The base version is free, but it forces you to watch shows only on your PC and only in standard definition. Upping to Hulu Plus for $7.99 a month unlocks device support and HD streams. Every flavor contains ads. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyJNXHKXKrtQNvI6e7trJzwQASKx1NKqOKx7sFRUbRLAugvCjjTYWqyX2OmA4eOIHAPWCcIS60X3ejY5ON1pkc2LLWjQenidlmX9Olow_7Ps9fqy3BMM9UnGQwYcQn8rV6vyNFGa5YDTe/s1600-h/image%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1035CP02D4jwJJ7EcO2IxPZAJmcY5Kz5irSJxEVVFaFPvhuyZ9laYeSR0vxTlSg3iieG3PCDg3WGlA7_YMPqnDC_8TbnK8YiFX5QEEonCIR5SlPBMk9p0gFfsvQyfnr_SpBO-98WT_BN0//?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="188"></a> TV-Links.eu is one of those questionable "gray area" websites, but it's been around forever and streams a huge selection of shows. We prefer its legal counterpart: Installing an HD TV tuner in your HDTV or HTPC. Add Windows Media Center lor an equivalent) and you've got a free, full-blown DVR solution foryour localTV stations. Hulu has a lot of free TV shows, but the SD video quality and numerous ads suck. SPORTS Wannabe cord cutters often cite the lack of sports options as part of their reluctance to commit to a cable-free lifestyle. That's not quite true these days: TNT live-streamed more than 40 NBA playoff games last season, while the NFL streams both its Sunday Night Football games and its playoff games. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bC0YnKyCpkq7Ecogifz32KZZkmFQ4jCQjqW7p08mGqcfbBtHm9V7wJClZo0sbhS-BszexCf7rTC7juX2q0QoWSSutsOsLUKaon7-E4dOTIMIO7XgZrMNPyKq6wM5lcjzvyRYCfjoCRLU/s1600-h/image%25255B5%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uZcEOXmbN5hYYR2K53WQG2RDWFcAysyCcnOD-VaqzpJn09ULhNi_STn7CdQ_c0txIpL6-STO7w1bnIPPjQcwNpf5vRrpzAgX7_SDQVsZd3Y6bAZwCvdXL2MkIyrljAJdxOfDBCkzVeW7//?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="184"></a> The big games may be covered, but everyday game coverage is severely lacking, making it difficult for cheapskates to root, root, root for the home team unless you purchase a streaming subscription from your league of choice—and those aren't cheap. Season-long passes for streaming the NBA, MLB, and NHL fall in the $100 to $200 price range depending on the sport and the particular package. The NFL's Game Rewind only costs $40 for the season, but it doesn't stream live games, only full replays that go live the day after the real action takes place. Once again, an HD TV tuner slapped in an HTPC can nab any signals your local stations broadcast; that's probably the best bet for cord-cutting sports fanatics. In the ever-present gray area, FirstRow Sports live-streams ESPN and pretty much every live sporting event from around the world. It's also proven remarkably resilient to takedown efforts. In a pinch, you can head to Justin.TV, where people often put up low-quality live streams of their TVs whenever a large sporting event takes place. Just don't act surprised when the MPAA sends you a nasty letter. Crackle movies shows browse

SAYONARA, CABLE OR SATELLITE A SURFEIT OF FREE/CHEAP STREAMING OPTIONS HELPS YOU STICK IT TO THE MAN

A true cheapskate realizes that in today's age of low-cost broadband and high-quality video streams, paying $100-plus a month for cable ...

BEST OF ONLINE MUSIC

Buying songs through iTunes or Google's Play Store won't break the bank, but true cheapskates spin their songs using streaming music services. Anyone with an Internet connection and the willingness to endure a few ads can listen to millions of tracks for the low, low price of $0. Streaming music services are a dime a dozen these days; here are four that let you listen to the tunes you want, when you want them—in unlimited quantities—for even less than that. SPOTIFY Wait, isn't Spotify a premium streaming music service? Yep, but free subscribers can tap into all of Spotify's offerings in the desktop client, including the ability to make and share playlists or listen to any of the 16 million-plus songs in Spotify's catalog on-demand. The software even integrates songs stored on your local drives. STRONG SUITS •    Massive catalog of on-demand music •    Making playlists is easy •    Optional apps add a lot of features and functionality WEAK POINTS •    Facebook login is required •    Lackluster radio stations •    Mobile listening is iOS-only and limited to lamesauce radio GROOVESHARK Grooveshark's user-uploaded tunes give it a gargantuan catalog with hit-or-miss audio quality and a dubious, lawsuit-luring legal footing that has already caused Grooveshark's apps to be yanked from all the major app stores. There are ton of different ways to find and listen to music, though. Unfortunately, the interface is fairly horrible. STRONG SUITS •    Huge music catalog •    Includes unlimited on-demand, radio, playlist, and social listening options •    Upload your music collection to Grooveshark's servers, then stream it anywhere WEAK POINTS •    Legal issues could close the service •    Variable audio quality •    No sanctioned mobile apps for major brands; must sideload apps from the Grooveshark website •    Free listeners limited to radio functionality on mobile devices •    Fugly, clunky interface SLACKER RADIO Slacker doesn't offer on-demand listening to freeloaders, only radiostyle listening, but its library is 10 million-plus songs strong and the 200-plus stations are all curated by actual DJs for maximum awesomeness. Plus, freebie listeners get the same device support as paid subscribers, including mobile apps and home audio devices like Sonos, Sony electronics, and the Logitech Squeezebox. Yay! STRONG SUITS •    Large song catalog •    DJ-curated radio stations •    Full device support for free listeners •    Polished, attractive interface WEAK POINTS •    Smaller library than Spotify or Grooveshark •    Playlists and on-demand listening for premium subscribers only •    No rewinding and limited song skipping TURNTABLE.FM Turntable.fm shines by tickling your social bone. Up to five DJs take turns spinning songs for a "room," either using Turntable.fm's licensed music or uploading tracks of their own. Other users can hop into the room and listen to what all the fuss is about, up- or down- voting songs all the while. Oh, and did we mention the chat function and awesome customizable cartoon avatars? STRONG SUITS •    Outstanding social aspects and visual style •    Great for discovering new music •    DJing and customizing avatars is just plain fun •    Dozens of rooms with varying musical themes... WEAK POINTS •    ...but geez, there are a lot of electro/dubstep rooms •    U.S. only •    Limited licensed song selection •    Users have little say in what music plays HOW TO GET FREE READS It's great that e-readers make it possible to tote around a veritable library of books wherever we go. What's not so great is having to pay for all those tomes. Well, guess what? You don't have to. There are several ways you can satisfy your reading jones for free. Project Gutenberg [www.gutenberg.org) offers over 40,000 books in the public domain, giving you a great excuse to brush up on the classics. Free-eBooks.net showcases books by independent writers of both fiction and nonfiction, with Top 10 lists and member voting providing useful guidance. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you're eligible to borrow one e-book a month (with no due dates) from the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, which comprises more than 145,000 titles . And any Kindle owner, regardless of Prime membership, can borrow e-books from their local public library, if it uses the OverDrive system for online checkout. (For more info on this, see our February 2012 How To on the subject or visit www.overdrive.com.)

BEST OF ONLINE MUSIC

Buying songs through iTunes or Google's Play Store won't break the bank, but true cheapskates spin their songs using streaming music...

HOW TO GET HDTV FOR FREE

Ever notice how cable and satellite companies only call some channels "pay per view"? Well, the truth is, they're all pay-per-view, aren't they? Not once you cut that satellite or cable in favor of a hybrid stream- ing/ATSC strategy. ATSC is the fancy way to say free broadcast TV. This usually gets you your local network affiliates with national and local news, as well big event sports such as the World Series or Super Bowl. To see if you can go this route, first visit AntennaWeb.org and click on the "maximize your television reception” button under the home tab. Punch in your zip code and the web app will present a list of stations, how far away they are, their direction, and more importantly, what level of antenna you need. Since the most difficult part of picking an antenna is knowing what your needs are, many antenna makers now follow the CEA's color- coding. So if the stations you need to hit are nearby, an indoor antenna may suffice. If you're trying to pinch a signal from a station 50 miles away, you may need a directional antenna that can be moved. The color coding is confusing, but yellow and green are for areas with strong signals, while red and blue are the weakest signals, requiring directional antennas with amplifiers. Decoding the signal is easy if you intend to plug it into any modern HDTV, as each includes ATSC decoders. If you're looking for a PVR-like experience, TiVo boxes will function with ATSC signals, but you will have to pay a monthly service fee or pay up front for the lifetime service. An HTPC with an ATSC tuner will also replicate much of the PVR's ability to record playback. This antenna works in the following zone(s). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoZgXhc-L410DCusghw9N1f4GWk90VzBXfsLjz9cmVQMzrkUbx5vpOrgX_C7lEGvudGe_wpBUPARndRelaIFo6iRUCFEf8Y2xvGV4DG6uyFZdLCtAp7YKOqk8rbXQUuvQ2jc_ba4xU285/s1600-h/image%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxc4TKJp4nCugvYOffiliUQvJSEm3beGreNziwosnUGKMvVFrNeQ_NwHHEShwAvYp7hUnXHCQPc38q4G-lQjKzDE_Kg01d__MjDomLJbikoaW7bqUF_bnvhzt-cc3Hukrqh_rAFbVnSz4n//?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="149"></a>

HOW TO GET HDTV FOR FREE

Ever notice how cable and satellite companies only call some channels "pay per view"? Well, the truth is, they're all pay-per-...

Record Skype conversations using Callnote

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mtAWYfQQWR9BM5EJ5Nn-S0Zz7VT_oj5uuZoPEGw-_hHEJAr4uB41hk9BbKW8KWUSzbDQAKUqPjfv1pgyjZ9NXOYjHXVkDPK7QG8yZ235drOllw6rVbGq2RoHFRjXfmA2MLl145O1BvRk/s1600-h/image%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkpg7we6Vp7rBZdFdadCilRR7-1pqXytJcMxZb5lpQo770dXXDYxF3Qk1mPyusXYMHu1_cc6UqHbZ2A4SgqMhs5MjeMeyeE38yEfQe2EO4kN9aguNOETYN35ZermY0BH_oUI9ma_iQFdQ//?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="image" width="244" /></a> 
<a href="" name="bookmark348">Now you can re-live any Skype conversation. We explain how to record a Skype call using free utility Callnote</a> 
SKYPE IS VOIP software that lets you make free phone calls over the internet. Install it on your PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet and, provided your recipient is also signed into Skype, you simply click their username to initiate a video call. You can chat until the cows come home, without racking up a single penny on your phone bill. (Do note that data charges may apply if you do not have an unlimited broadband connection.) 
It’s not difficult to understand why Skype has become so popular in recent years. This free service can put you back in touch with long- lost friends and relatives now living in faraway lands, but it’s so much more than a free call system. Able to also connect with landline and 
<a href="" name="bookmark349">Skype apps</a> 
THESE DAYS EVERYTHING seems to have its own app store, and Skype is no exception. There are some useful tools to be had if you're a regular Skype user. 
For conference calls, IDroo might prove handy. It's an interactive whiteboard that enables multiple users to visually brainstorm and collaborate on ideas. It lets you insert complex mathematical equations, and it works with Wacom graphics tablets, too, 
mobile phone numbers, with subscription and pay-as-you-go packages available, Skype could potentially replace your landline. It even has its own range of apps (see Skype apps, below). 
If you are using Skype for all your phone conversations, more advanced requirements can also be catered to. For example, you may have cause to record a conversation for reference or legal reasons. In the following workshop we’ll show you how to do this with a free app and the hardware you’re already using. Be sure to warn the recipient you are recording the conversation before you try it, though. 
To make and receive calls through your computer, you’ll need a microphone to speak into and some means of hearing the response, 
so you can scribble away with a stylus for maximum convenience. 
Clownfish for Skype is a useful app for enhancing international text conversations. 
It aims to read what you type in English and translate it into one of 44 other languages for the recipient. It's only as accurate as the current state of translation software, so don't 
whether that’s a set of built-in speakers or a pair of headphones. Most modern laptops will have an integrated mic, speakers and a webcam. PC owners - and laptop users who want better-quality audio - might prefer to spend $60 to $80 on a decent USB headset with mic, such as the Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000. 
Alternatively, if you want to replicate the traditional phone experience as closely as possible you can buy USB Skype handsets online from shop.skype.com. 
You don’t need any Skype credits to get started, and the free version of the Callnote app we’re using here will suffice for our purposes. David Bayon 
X 
expect a perfect bilingual conversation, but it supports text-to-speech and spellchecking in all those languages, and it's useful for getting your point across with minimal frustration. 
Finally, music lovers will surely appreciate ON AIR, which broadcasts information related to the track you're currently listening to on your Skype online status for everyone to see. It can pull in track information from a whole host of popular media players, including iTunes, Spotify, Winamp and Windows Media Player. 
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if Ed»/Sound Test Service 
1 Skype doesn't have its own recording facility, but it does have an app store 
• that lets you bolt on a third-party tool that offers this functionality. Access the app store by clicking the Tools menu and choosing Apps, Get Apps. 
2 The app store will pop up in a new window. Type Callnote in the search 
• bar, then click Get It Now next to the standard version. Ignore the low user rating: many of the complaints concern a now-fixed error in the Mac version of Callnote. 
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOFjinnWv6winwyo5dH0VUGZTjA4Dt6hO895E0oJV09QomITJt9VSJrH4t5HBfvA2LIKYS3mWt0jYDbx8nH3XQNPL9iYf3Xx3ivEOIgNRurw7yyX5DNpfd0aQceAAVYO6I8hayORUumKn/s1600-h/clip_image010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="clip_image010" border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqmqAfmzGMsPUfN9qy1IJdHvnZQtkudEEgQUrfkRp32okfpA5G4WxAlcjR_FHh8m4XFYl2k8MtYduFNIg1dFtODIX-BoSjkYqZYIopEryPsYT2IZcSmyHCJMph-U9PQLqAMWhyphenhyphen499vuQa//?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="clip_image010" width="244" /></a> 
3 Download and install Callnote, then open both Callnote and Skype. After a 
• few moments a message should appear at the top of Skype to say Callnote would like access. Cl \ck Allow Access. Ignore messages about registering Callnote Premium. 
4 We'll use Skype's test call feature as a demo. It's best to start recording in 
• Callnote before you initiate the call. Open Calinote's Call Recording tab, click Record, then start your call in Skype. Callnote can automatically record all calls and notify users about the recording. 
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKG5Aks2puG8KOFFbPuk32_c1_exKchnZ_0LfSHskA8hcakfH2QLcd6DwZKaHNoaO_3zKxwbnl12QDe7eZhGqPE6FI0fGcUaH-wbNjBH47gTMXF8au3x2FN0-EtEk9C4w38sqzi7qx5ii/s1600-h/clip_image012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="clip_image012" border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5diJDLN25AuZHY4vPefz0P51SuW6K-KEooU7vL4XwX1dyxWBXxbfhJujP3Jog_gJ6Ie9jg_xl1HczkR14Me6uhxNr6PcFAmKWeKxqdGkbKYjacO0l8UE5VRLOWOMYoNvXEEpXXux8ZG2C//?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="clip_image012" width="244" /></a> 
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcsWxwX9OeeEJgQbgPRZe0FoAWQPGBb2u6Swo3IOYeK5ly0VSOZUKdMOIowQLsOdqZ9xmR1CthGXSunJf09EF1EtalmCTFJUoBjuoMi4xq02LW6FiwGaW6sctTJge6U_XSLG-DGklQLgg/s1600-h/clip_image014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="clip_image014" border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjhF7vGWksYdHjd2k6KO3V-PahIj-gRFTE85oCHixrd6ESf0Xxm1EEkW9FvcKzrl7knG-EwlWp_5QRZG_2el54Fi_kh6nQc8ivfFrsthvIVAlaa8gH7lobpNpFhQ6bc6kx_nSd4NquH4J//?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="clip_image014" width="244" /></a> 
5 Recordings are stored in your Documents folder and displayed in 
• Calinote's Library tab, ordered by date and time. You'll see the recipient and duration of the call, and you can play recordings and edit their stored text information. 
6 One neat feature of Callnote is the ability to send recordings to Dropbox, 
• Evernote, Facebookand YouTube. Click the Account tab and linkyour social media accounts. You can also set up Callnote to automatically send recordings for safekeeping.

Record Skype conversations using Callnote

Now you can re-live any Skype conversation. We explain how to record a Skype call using free utility Callnote SKYPE IS VOIP software th...

Migrate from iPhone to Android

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGIlUpDN1CLVENVK6nzEv63uOfzVziLQ0trtV3mv6LeA9qzt4ta4gdYG47nGJu-TYiBLVLZ3IkDcjSvTxUYKbl_R-5v0OFTqxA3wRXDBla53zmhYik9YOD1X0i-tX1tOnYS7icm65Lqin/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="clip_image002" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4Kky3hQZv_KOqYYHFmd4MWUuN2GGRUctmcs9D-7A4IKsaeL85O_HLIgfHEa4WxzlJBq-PQdLiCIWHOPJfee49bgGUDCuh-EkdfM-X2k-ljaVMr2REf3Z___7cSfPVHopf7q7XwMNFq3I//?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="clip_image002" width="244" /></a> 
  
Since it launched in 2007 the iPhone has been the undisputed king of smartphones. Google Android and BlackBerry were cheaper alternatives, but those who could afford it chose Apple's smartphone Not any more 
ANDROID'S GOOGLE PLAY now has more apps than Apple’s App Store, and its apps rival their iPhone equivalents. You can even use multiple music stores within Android. 
All things considered, you may be toying with the idea of moving from iPhone to Android. Here, we outline the things you ought to consider before you move, then show you how to transfer from iPhone to Android your contacts and calendar data, photos, video, music and e-books. 
<h3>
Things to consider</h3>
Not all Androids are equal. There are myriad Android operating systems, of which you should plump for Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean. There’s no guarantee your phone maker will upgrade the Android OS when a new version is released. 
Email, Twitter and Facebook work in Android much as they do on an iPhone — moving email and social accounts is as simple as entering your username and password on the new phone. 
Do consider accessories such as speakers, adaptors and cases you have amassed for your 
iPhone, however. Don’t assume that these will work with your new device. 
Apps are also a factor. Your favourite iOS apps should be in Google Play, but some still appear in the App Store first. If your apps were paid for, consider that you will have to pay a second time to download the Android versions. You’ll often find a difference in app pricing between the two platforms, with those for Android sometimes cheaper. 
Due to the differing specifications of the many Android smartphones on the market, not all handsets can install all apps. Any unsupported apps won’t be visible in Google Play when accessed via your phone; you can check their requirements using a PC browser. 
Bear in mind that some features native to iOS require you to install third-party apps on Android. There’s no native Android equivalent of Find My iPhone, for instance, although such a feature is often included with Android security software. And that’s another thing you might like to install, should you download any apps outside Google’s store. The best Android security apps let you track, wipe and brick your handset in the event of 
theft. These are usually free, and come either as standalone products or as part of your PC security software. 
For video-chatting there’s Google Talk and Hangouts. You can also install Skype. There’s no Android equivalent to iMessage, but the rest of the world is already using Viber and Whatsapp for mobile messaging. There’s no iCloud either, but plenty of cloud services including Google Drive are available. 
Most iTunes music files are DRM-free, which means you can play them on any compatible device. But there is no legitimate way of viewing iTunes video, Newsstand magazines, or iBooks on Android. 
<h3>
Contacts</h3>
The most important data you’ll need to transfer is your contacts. Having a free Google account (which you’ll need if you want to make the most out of your Android smartphone) makes this straightforward. 
Plug in your iPhone to your PC, then launch iTunes. Click your iPhone when it appears in the top right corner of the screen, then select the Info tab from the iPhone Summary screen. 
If you are currently synching your contacts over iCloud, open the iPhone’s Settings menu and move the Contacts slider from On to Off. Then head back to iTunes and enable Sync contact, selecting Google from the drop-down list. Sign into your Google account and your contacts are uploaded to Google. 
Signing into Google on your Android handset will make accessible the same contacts as on your iPhone. 
<h3>
Calendar</h3>
Migrating your calendar data is easy, and especially so if your iPhone calendar is synched with Google Calendar or another webmail provider such as Hotmail. You simply need to sync your new phone calendar with that online account. 
If you created your calendar on an iPhone and it is stored locally, go to Settings, Mail, Contacts, Calendars. If you have an existing Google account with which you are going to sync your Android phone it may be listed here already; if not, hit Add Account and fill in the details. Once you can see the relevant Google account, tap it and ensure the Calendars slider is set to On. When you sign into Google on your Android phone your calendar will sync. 
If your calendar is created on your iPhone and stored in iCloud you may need to purchase an Android app to help with the transition. SmoothSync for Cloud Calendar costs a few bucks and will sync your calendar from iCloud. 
<h3>
Music</h3>
Any music purchased on your iPhone should have already been synced with your PC or laptop. These files will be compatible with Android without conversion. 
One of the great things about Android is that your phone appears on your PC like a storage device. Drag-and-drop music files to it and Android will do the rest. You can also purchase music on your Android device from whichever download store you choose. 
You can also now sign up to Google Music 
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEb-ukR8_yQKX-rflazdBhVCD51mXBPRjJJpfBiGhsVrN8wA2XqfbRKadaOu_w01iiIbQXlb7-_q3NNUHci8ship8AjQNbzDl07wG3GWVlb0dLiumleSV4F2JoilF19oAgi1vfZuEOqQl/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfLy1bKrWGLnK43QitCewNyB3femQ9OEboiyPvl6b2EFV6TIUMoPIOOtYkdTlanuK6LWvAQm3XhoO6MJfceZMxcNNKskgi7PefyfOyq_muCf7r_yjyPlMm2NNpa27U3wAD5mCRIkBqU0C//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px; display: inline;" title="image" width="640" /></a> 
  
Add contacts created outside of groups on this IPhone to: 
Sync Calendars 
Your calendars are being synced with your IPhone over the air from iCloud. Over the-iir sync settings can be changed on your iPhone. 
IN CONTACT: It's easy to sync your contacts. 
to transfer your files (seetinyurL.com/c7zkvd2 for a step-by-step guide). Google Music recently launched in New Zealand. 
<h3>
Photos</h3>
Moving photos from iPhone to Android is a similar story to that of moving music files, but with one significant difference. Back up your video and photo files from your iPhone to your PC and you can drag-and-drop them to your Android phone. Photos will be viewed in much the same way as on your iPhone. Videos you have ripped from DVDs or captured yourself will also play, although you may have to install a third-party player app. 
But videos purchased from iTunes are unlikely to play due to digital rights issues. 
settings Mail, Contacts, Calen... 
<h3>
Accounts iCloud</h3>
Calendars, Safari, Reminders and 5 more... 
idg.co.uk 
Mail, Notes 
Gmail 
Mail, Calendars. Notes Add Account... 
SAVE THE DATE: Migrate your iOS calendar over. 
In New Zealand, Google is yet to launch its Movies & TV service, so if you’ve bought a lot of movies on your iTunes account, you might want to stick with your Apple device. 
<h3>
E-books & magazines</h3>
E-books in all formats for which there is no DRM will transfer across easily. Simply back them up to your PC, attach the Android phone and drag-and-drop them across. 
Most people read digital books and magazines on phones and tablets via apps such as Kindle, iBooks, Zinio and Newsstand, however. The availability on Android of your preferred service dictates whether you can move across books and magazines. 
On Android the Kindle app works perfectly. Install the app, sign in and your books are ready to download. Any books you purchased through iBooks are gone, though. You need an iPhone or iPad to read them. 
It’s the same story with magazines - you can read magazines on third-party services as before, but issues you bought on Newsstand aren’t available to your Android phone. 
If you have an existing subscription it’s worth asking the provider what your rights are, but we suspect you will be unable to port a subscription from one device to the other. In this scenario the best-case solution may be a refund if you’re part-way through the subscription.

Migrate from iPhone to Android

Since it launched in 2007 the iPhone has been the undisputed king of smartphones. Google Android and BlackBerry were cheaper alternativ...

Fast start up for your pc

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<a href="" name="bookmark330">We show you how to use Autoruns to discover which apps are auto-starting with Windows and diagnose any problems</a> 
THE WINDOWS DESKTOP looks relatively straightforward, but behind the scenes are numerous running programs. These processes, for your security software, messaging client and more, will usually quietly get on with the task at hand and not give you any cause for concern. 
However, all sorts of programs will by default start with Windows, and the more apps you install the more time you’ll be left waiting to get into your PC as an increasingly bloated Windows takes longer and longer to load. An old PC can take several minutes to get to the desktop, whereas a new machine needs just 30 seconds or so. 
Of course, adware, viruses, spyware and other undesirables can load with Windows, 
too. If your PC is slow to boot or you suspect that it might have some form of malware infection, the first place to look is the list of items that automatically run at Windows startup. 
You may already be aware of Windows’ built-in msconfig utility and know how to use its Startup tab, but you may not realise its limitations. A much more powerful tool is Autoruns. This free utility provides the most comprehensive list of startup items of any software. You will be amazed at the number of programs, services and other things that automatically load when Windows starts. The only snag is the sheer amount of information can make it a bit daunting. Don’t be put off. 
Here we’ll show you how to view your startup items and find out whether they are malicious. You should compare this list before and after installing new software to see what has changed. A companion utility called Process Explorer can provide further information about startup processes. 
Autoruns itself can’t speed up your PC, but it can help point out the bottleneck. It’s then up to you to work out a solution. You might choose to disable or uninstall the worst- offending apps, or consider replacing them. 
Download Autoruns from tinyurL.com/2d8a7qt. Unzip the file, then right-click the setup file and choose Run as administrator. 
Roland Waddilove 
<a href="" name="bookmark331">Make Windows start faster with Autoruns</a> 
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh228IrWlSQooRdWD5LKx2hcmPNeyw9frNU0ucnBXf-qDrT1yJbxhaJ4j2iorgeNSkdSsJreu1VBeXJ_uIP9dQme3nDHJzMyuF3f1xjZH2j_S-OdecxQssf2FSGNJpiOwWtDM8sT4P-oq8o/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8FJ9yFGrRLEiBt2Ejt7YkzKdCPotV-t7CGTRpW8EchbH6JU4k85r_bQwL7NW-IxGcM8ZbCbTYYGcllDKVMkxvL8q3am72O5j16DbVRJ9gYZlTiXy6iEzbr9RbUvmn82GXhrgGe7-5jio//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px; display: inline;" title="image" width="640" /></a> 1 Autoruns lists everything that loads with Windows. Any entries highlighted 
• in yellow refer to files no longer on the disk, so you can clear the box beside them. Changes are instantly applied. Removing these from the boot process should speed things up. 
2 It isn't always obvious what process an entry refers to or whether Windows 
• requires it to boot up. Select an item to see useful information in the panel below; right-click it to search online for further information. 
 
 3 Before you next install some software, save a copy of your startup list. 
• Launch Autoruns, let it scan the PC, then select File, Save. This saves a copy of the current startup list and enables you to compare future startup lists to see what's changed. 
 
 4 Having installed some new software, launch Autoruns and select File, 
• Compare. Choose the file you saved earlier and examine each tab for entries highlighted in green. These are new additions and will cause Windows to start more slowly. 
 
 5 After installing just two programs, Autoruns' Compare feature reveals 
• large expanses of green. These are extra items that Windows has to load on startup and the more there are, the slower it will get. Try to avoid software like this, if you can. 
 
 6 After uninstalling the programs, Autoruns compared the startup list to 
• the original list. It is evident that the u ninstallers weren't able to remove everything - this is how Windows becomes bloated. You may need to manually remove some files. 
 
 7» Right-click an entry in the startup list and select Process Explorer from the 
• pop-up menu. This is a separate software utility; if you download it and run it on its own it looks like this. Launch Process Explorer, then minimise it out of view. 
 
 8 Now, when you right-click an entry in the startup list and select Process 
• Explorer, a Properties window can help you to identify an unknown item that may or may not be malware. A Kill Process button stops it running.

Fast start up for your pc

We show you how to use Autoruns to discover which apps are auto-starting with Windows and diagnose any problems THE WINDOWS DESKTOP looks...