Steve Jobs Offers Free Case and/or Bumper AND new IOS 4.0.1 OR full refund

Steve Jobs avows to take care of everone...... Video. Also - new IOS 4.0.1 to fix bug in signal strength algorithm.

Consumer Reports: Bumpers fix iPhone 4 reception issue

The Bumper solves the signal-strength problem. So does a piece of duct tape, as we reported earlier, or just being careful how you hold the phone. But these options all put the onus on consumers to solve or pay for a fix

Mozilla yanks password-stealing Firefox add-on

"It was discovered that this add-on contains code that intercepts login data submitted to any website, and sends this data to a remote location," Mozilla confirmed. "Anybody who has installed this add-on should change their passwords as soon as possible

Class-action Suit Against Apple and AT&T gets Green Light

The lawsuit reportedly merges several suits filed by iPhone buyers starting in late 2007 and seeks an injunction to keep Apple from selling "locked" iPhones, which can be used on the AT&T mobile network only, in the United States. It also seeks to prevent Apple from maintaining its authority to dictate what iPhone programs users can and can't install on their devices.

Apple faces backlash over latest iPhone

Consumer Reports, the non-profit magazine, on Monday published a review online that stated it had tested three iPhone 4s in controlled settings and found that touching the lower left corner “can significantly degrade” the signal, causing dropped calls.

Windows XP gets yet another reprieve from Microsoft

Originally, downgrade rights — the sanctioned ability of Windows volume buyers to apply their new Windows licenses to older versions of the product — were due to expire around 2011 for Windows XP. But on July 12, the Softies gave XP yet another reprieve.
Users who purchase new PCs installed with Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate will now be able to downgrade to XP up until January 15, 2015 (for Windows 7 Professional) or January of 2020 (for Windows 7 Ultimate>

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 07-11-10

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 07-11-10. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Remember this coming Tuesday is Windows update day, do your updates!
AlaskaJoe

Earl's Cyber Steals and Deals

33% OFF Borders coupon: 33% off one item for members, online or in-store
For Borders Rewards members only, Borders cuts 33% off the regular price of one item via coupon code "BAB7973E". Shipping starts at $2.98 or get free shipping on orders of $25 or more. ends July 12.

Borders has launched their eBook store, and with it they are offering over 1 million free ebooks!

Zonet ZEW1605 802.11g Wireless PCI Adapter WIRELESS G 54MBPS PCI CARD PCI - 54Mbps
$0 w. Rebate and $2 shipping Free after Rebate and $2 to ship

Save 30% on High Definition Dell Monitors. Get the 24-inch Dell ST2410 Full HD Widescreen Monitor for $260 - 30% coupon = $182. The ST2410 features 1920 x 1080 resolution, 50,000:1 contrast ratio, 5ms response time, and 0.277mm Pixel Pitch. Inputs include HDMI, DVI-D, HDCP and VGA. The smaller but otherwise similar 23-inch Dell ST2310 Monitor is $230 - 30% coupon = $161. The DVI and HDMI inputs support HDCP allowing these monitors to display signals from high resolution video sources like digital set top boxes and Blu-ray players. Use Coupon Code: BWMHLGDHF9CP3R at checkout. Offer expires July 28 at 7 am

Dell Inspiron 570 Desktop with 18.5" Dell HD Monitor is $614 - $24 discount - 20% coupon = $472. Processor: AMD Athlon™ II X4 Processor 630 (2.8GHz, 2M, 4C) Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English Memory: 3GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM2 at 1066MHz Hard Drive: 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache


15.6" Toshiba Satellite L500D-ST2543 base laptop $399.00 from Toshiba Direct
Get the 15.6" Toshiba Satellite L500D-ST2543 base laptop $499 - $100.00 = $399.00 from Toshiba Direct. It includes: AMD Athlon™ II Dual-Core Processor M320, Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 3GB memory, 250GB hard drive, ATI® Integrated Graphics, DVD SuperMulti drive, 15.6" 1366x768 native screen resolution.

GoHardDrive.com has the Avolusion SATA to IDE Hard Drive Adapter for $4 with free shipping. Compliant with serial ATA specification, supports up to 2TB 3.5" SATA hard drives, and features JMicro JM20330 chipset

Newegg has the EVGA 512-P3-1213-LR GeForce 210 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card and OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $70 - $25 rebate [Exp 7/31] - $20 rebate [Exp 7/15] + $6 shipping = $31 shipped

Apple Store has the refurbished Mac Mini 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 160GB Desktop (MC238LL/A - fall 2009 version) for $499 with free shipping. 2GB RAM (up to 4GB), 160GB SATA, SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi 802.11n, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

Lenovo has the Lenovo G555 - 087326U 15.6" Notebook for $599 - 15% off with coupon code USPLENOVO708 [Exp 7/14] = $509 with free shipping.AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core M320 2.10GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD ATI Mobile Radeon HD4200 512MB, DVD-R/RW DL, 802.11b/g/n, Win 7 HP x64

Dell has the Mitsubishi 73" WD-73C9 DLP 1080p HDTV for $1699 - $500 off with coupon code STCLMMJ3Q$BXVM [Exp 7/11] = $1199 with free shipping. Features ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners, 120Hz, and three HDMI inputs. Use this to block that pesky living room window, and never see daylight again

Newegg has the Samsung EcoGreen F2 HD103SI 1TB 5400 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive for $70 - $15 off with coupon code HD7915 [Exp 7/11] = $55 with free shipping.

MWave has the Hitachi HDS721050CLA362 (0F10381) 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (Bare Drive) for $40 + $0 shipping = $40 shipped with free "M" Club membership

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) With the obvious direction we need to move in concerning getting off of oil there are so many interesting articles out there it is a little overwhelming at times. This one grabbed me; imagine 1,500 miles on a single gallon of gas. That is what a team in Ottawa achieved in a contest for most miles per gallon. The catch they came in second because as they put it they had an enormous gas leak. What gives me hope with this kind of research is we will need to use gas for at best another ten years; it is encouraging to think we may get the mileage high enough to make the transition easier. http://www.ottawacitizen.com

2) I rarely use links involving doomsday projections, but this one just seemed to be needed. It is a very current article talking about just how bad the gulf oil situation may turn out. I have heard and read several stories on the net speculating along these lines. But, this one just sort of put into perspective how bad it could be. I guess I will just have to hope it is not going to turn out that way, but the idea that there is a precedent for this type of event I have been hearing about is scary enough. http://www.americanpendulum.com

3) Hope I am not stealing a little thunder from our newest show segment here, heck they may have beat me to the punch already. Anyway this is an article about a phone app the people at MIT have come up with that may bring a major medical boost to third world countries. They have come up with a simple device that clips onto the screen of a cell phone to analyze the vision of a person in the field. We seem to be getting a little closer to Star Trek technology every day. http://web.mit.edu/

4) If you think it is just cars that are moving into greener technology pastures this might make you think a little different. A electric bicycle company has new product prototype they are in process of trying out, a hydrogen powered bicycle. Looks to be a while before they can get it into production, but nice to know it may be in our future. Maybe next a Mr. Fusion bicycle running on banana peels, and old sandwiches like in Back to the Future. http://asia.cnet.com

5) I think this is a first a crossover geek link and a medical link. Just thought it was interesting that a computer game could save a child’s eyesight. Although it sort of makes sense, I have a feeling this will not be the last story we see about this treatment. Kind of makes me wonder if there are not more of these simple fixes out there. http://kotaku.com

Microsoft to patch critical Windows, Office flaws - TUESDAY patch

Microsoft said that it expects to issue four security bulletins as part of next week's Patch Tuesday, closing critical holes in both Windows and Office

Run Android on Your Windows Mobile Phone

Your Windows Mobile phone may already have the capability of running Android. This article shows you how to do it and the type of phone you’ll need.

Apple Battles Frauds in iTunes - WSJ.com

Apple said its iTunes servers weren't compromised, but starting Tuesday it will require more frequent entry of a user's credit-card security code when making purchases on iTunes or accessing the service from a new computer. VIDEO

Happy Birthday USA

Happy July 4th everyone.

Today's broadcast is a replay from the past. Enjoy.

Got 37 Bucks? Have a Laptop - The 7-inch eBay netbook really does cost under $40

It's actually $37!! The 7-inch netbook runs on Windows CE and has 2GB storage. "What's the catch (apart from the extraordinarily underpowered internals)?" asks Charlie Sorrel. There appears to be none

OnComputers Radio show Podcast 06-27-10

This was a short show because of technical problems. Next week is the 4th of July and we will be playing a rerun. Have a safe and sane holiday!

This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 06-27-10. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.

Today's App Corner: Hurricane

We have 2 paid apps this week because there are no free apps in this category.

Hurricane season is here. Whether you are tracking because the storm is approaching you, or you just study weather, check out the app Hurricane. If that is too pricey for you, a less expensive and less elegant app, Hurricane Tracker will do much of the same.

Links from the Gregg Zone

1) I have been sort of quiet in regards to the oil spill in the gulf, I have been interested in the effect of our basic destruction of our planet for long time. I have been seeing some incredibly disturbing stories lately. I am worried that this is going to be much worse than what is being presented to us. There seems to be some real concerns with the dispersants I have posted one article, and one news story on Youtube. http://www.sfgate.com

http://www.youtube.com

2) I have forever been a fan of illusions they demonstrate so well that what you perceive to be truth is only a factor of your point of view. For me this holds true in everything from political views, to science, and accepted laws of physics. So when I ran across the top illusions of 2010, well let’s just say I felt it belonged here in the Gregg zone. http://illusioncontest.neuralcorrelate.com
3) This is another of those topics that seem to keep popping up in various forms, the idea that technology is reaching some sort of crescendo regarding evolutionary advancement of our species. A blending of mans consciousness and machine, creating a sort of immortality. I find this line of contemplation utterly fascinating. We are privileged in that we live in a time of such speed of progress that the changes are evident to a degree never before observed, we are witnessing either a great beginning, or a catastrophic ending. This is an interesting article on the subject here. http://www.dailygrail.com/
4) As an example of the previous post in the medical field I found this to be interesting in that twenty years ago it would have been headline news. In today’s world with technology speeding along at such an increased rate it only rates a place buried on the back pages of the web. In biblical times this was considered a miracle today it is just accepted, with a caveat like what took so long. http://www.newscientist.com
5) For my geek offering I ran across this and thought it might be worthy I am not much of a gamer other than spider, minesweeper, and the like, but this sounded like it might be a very big deal for games, and other applications, regarding internet personalities like the avatar news anchor post I put up a month or two ago. http://www.gamepro.com

Earl's Cyber Steals and Deals

Ends Sunday Specials at Newegg. Western Digital Elements 1TB USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive for $100 - $30 instant coupon = $70 shipped. Weighing in at only a few ounces, it fits easily into a pocket or a purse. This drive comes with a USB 2.0 interface which does not require any power adapter as it is powered directly through the USB cable. It is compatible with Mac and Windows. Use Promo Code: EMCYWZW53 at checkout.

ASUS MS236H Glossy Black / White 23" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor w/HDMI 250 cd/m2 ASCR 50000:1 for $230 - $50 savings - $20 rebate = $160 shipped. Use Promo Code: EMCYWZW45 at checkout.

Western Digital External 1.5TB USB 2.0 Hard Drive for $120 - $35 instant savings = $85 shipped at Dell. This external USB 2.0 drive is preformatted for immediate use. Simply plug it in to a USB port of your system to add high-speed storage. The WD Elements Desktop External Hard Drive is an ideal choice to manage all your digital content between work and home. June 23rd 6AM CST.

MWave has the OCZ Obsidian 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 PC3 12800 Desktop Memory (OCZ3OB1600LV4GK) for $93 - $10 rebate [Exp 6/30] + $0 shipping = $83 shipped with free "M" Club membership. CAS Latency of 9 with timings of 9-9-9-26. [Compare]


Office Depot has the Toshiba Satellite L555D-S7005 17.3" Widescreen Notebook Computer on sale for $500 with free shipping. [Compare]
• AMD Turion II Dual-Core Mobile M520 2.3GHz, 4GB DDR2, 320GB HDD
• 17.3" LED 1600x900, ATI Radeon HD 4200, DVD SuperMulti Drive
• Windows 7 Home Premium x64, 802.11b/g/Draft-N, webcam/mic

SuperBiiz has the LG GH22NP20 22x DVD+-RW Internal Drive (Bulk) for $21 - $5 off with coupon code POPSICLE [Exp 6/27] = $16 + shipping. Shipping ranges from $7 to $10. A user review indicates that it'll burn at 22x with Verbatim and Taiyo Yuden media. It also supports speedy 16X DVD+R DL burning for those who need the DL capacity.


MWave has the Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive for $40 + $0 shipping = $40 shipped with free "M" Club membership. Western Digital covers this product with a 3-year warranty. [

iMate has the iSwap 1000 3.5" SATA II HDD Mobile Rack Enclosure for $14 with free shipping. Allows for tool-free hard disk installation, fits into standard 5.25" drive bay, and features anti-vibration rubber foot stand and security key lock (with two spare keys).
iSwap 1000 SATA II 3.5 inch HDD Mobil Rack S-ATA II 3.0 Gbps
[IM-FCKF-1000-BK] $28.99 $14.45

Tiger Direct has the HP Compaq dc5850 VS728UA Business Desktop for $400 with free shipping.
AMD Athlon X3 2.8GHz processor, 4GB DDR2 memory, 500GB hard drive
• DVD+/-RW writer, Windows XP Pro/Vista Business, ATI Radeon 3100

Newegg has the Hitachi Deskstar HD31000 IDK/7K (0S00163) 1TB 7200 RPM 3.5" Internal Hard Drive for $70 - $10 rebate [Exp 6/27] = $60 with free shipping. Rosewill RX-DU101 2.5" & 3.5" USB 2.0 External Enclosure included with purchase. Features 32MB cache, 7200RPM, an average seek time of 8.2ms, and a three year limited warranty


TigerDirect.com offers the Western Digital ShareSpace 4-Bay 2TB Gigabit Ethernet Network Attached Storage, model no. WDA4NC20000N, for $279.99. With free shipping, It features two 1TB hard drives (for a total of 2TB), multiple RAID configurations, Gigabit Ethernet, three USB 2.0 connections, and more.

AnyBizSoft continues to offer downloads of PDFtoWord PDF Converter 3.0 for Windows for free. It's $20 off our mention from last August (of an older version) and tied with our mention from last week as the lowest total price we've seen for such software. This software is designed to convert PDF to Word with page layout and formatting retained. Note that you'll need to become a "Fan" of AnyBizSoft on Facebook in order to get a keycode.

Staples offers the HP Pavilion p6510f AMD Athlon X4 2.8GHz Quad Core Desktop PC, model no. WW639AA#ABA, for $449.98. With free shipping, that's the lowest total price we could find by $60. Sales tax is added where applicable. Features include an AMD Athlon X4 630 2.8GHz quad-core processor, 4GB RAM, 750GB 7200 rpm hard drive, ATI Radeon HD 4200 128MB graphics, DVD burner with LightScribe, 802.11n wireless, 15-in-1 card reader, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Apple iPhone 4 Antennas

This is a very interesting article about the iPhone 4 antenna and cell phone antennas in general. I have a 3Gs with no 4 in sight. But I can attest to the fact that my phone is not affected by the way in which I hold it. Yes, I've tried to kill the signal and I can't. I've heard some people say they think it is all a software issue. I don't, I think it is an antenna issue. Is it still a very usable phone? Sure. Should you move your hand if you lose your signal. I would. Using a case should help and will probably help protect a phone with not 1 but 2 sides of glass. Is this a design flaw? I'd call it more of a design compromise. Or is that a compromised design?

How to upgrade to iOS 4

More fun for iPhone or iPod users ... How to upgrade to iOS 4 and IOS 4 Review <--