The Fireside

With September coming up shortly, that means there will be new iDevices coming out, as well as another version of iOS. Here\s what to expect in iOS 12: Performance Faster and more responsive The things you do every day are faster than ever — across more devices. iOS has been overhauled for improved performance on devices as far back as iPhone 5s and iPad Air. Smoother animations Animations are smoother across the system. So when you do things like bring up Control Center, swipe while multitasking or scroll in apps, it’s more fluid and responsive. Up to 40% faster app launch * Apps launch faster in day-to-day use. And when you're pushing your iOS device to the limit, multitasking between lots of apps, they launch up to 2x faster. * Up to 50% faster keyboard display * The keyboard appears faster and typing is more responsive. Up to 70% faster swipe to Camera * Swiping to Camera from the Lock screen happens faster so you never miss...

Chipset 1.8GHz Quad Core, Intel® Atom™ Imagination PowerVR Series 6 Graphics 2D/3D Engine Memory 1GB RAM 8GB storage Ports 18W DC power HDMI out (1920×1080@60Hz) Micro-USB 2.0 Wireless 802.11ac 2×2 (MIMO) Bluetooth 4.1 Weight 235g Dimensions 120mm x 120mm x 20mm The console will sell at about $100, and the controller will go for about $40 and will be released Nov. 3rd. 

From Dropbox: Recent news articles claiming that Dropbox was hacked aren’t true. Your stuff is safe. The usernames and passwords referenced in these articles were stolen from unrelated services, not Dropbox. Attackers then used these stolen credentials to try to log in to sites across the internet, including Dropbox. We have measures in place to detect suspicious login activity and we automatically reset passwords when it happens. Attacks like these are one of the reasons why we strongly encourage users not to reuse passwords across services. For an added layer of security, we always recommend  enabling 2 step verification  on your account. Update: 10/14/2014 12:30am PT A subsequent list of usernames and passwords has been posted online. We’ve checked and these are not associated with Dropbox accounts.

If you are one of the (un)lucky few, you just need to back up your data, wipe it, and visit your local Apple Store or Apple-approved retailer for a fresh new battery. One major catch: If you've got a busted screen or other damage, you have to fix that first, on your own. But if that's not a problem, the program has already started in the US and China, with other countries to follow on August 29th. Check your serial here: https://ssl.apple.com/support/iphone5-battery/

This is a post forany parents who may be getting the wii u for their kids. And I mean 10 or under.

It happened not long ago, but Microsoft has ended its support for one of their operating systems, Windows XP.  Microsoft has had their share of flubs over the years. My own experience consists of Windows 3.1, DOS, (is that made my Microsoft? I'll be sure to check when I'm less busy), Windows 95, Windows 95, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. Also, I've used Vista, 7 and a little bit of 8. It was Windows XP that I've used the longest, however.  It launched way back in the fall of 2001, and built upon and enhanced (in my mind) upon the structure that Microsoft had been building since Windows 95, and were finally able to perfect at that point with technology and resources.  It used the familiar appearance and engine that began with Windows 95, but upgraded and enhanced it. It went on to further enhancements through Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Windows 8 uses an app based approach.  XP also launched with Home and Professional editions. Professional allowing mo...

Again, in a series of blog posts, this is to help you out, the reader, for your shopping this time of year. I don't know what your budget is, but here are some suggestions I'm passing your way.....

I'm probably the last on the planet to know, but here are the details on Apples new mobile phone, the iPhone5S ....

There are some technological gizmos I'm interested in getting in the near future.

This will be included as kind of a forward in my first book....

Well, it's Christmas time/ holiday season, so that means gift cards! And buying gifts for others, of course. So I'm dedicating this post to some gift ideas, whether it's buying for others or yourself. Not for me, but I am a bit biased in that they are things I like....Price range varies.