Archive for December, 2009

Use Your Cell Phone as a Wireless Modem

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Use Your Cell Phone as a Wireless Modem

Phone Web browsers and apps can handle many of your on-the-go Internet needs, but sometimes you have to use a laptop. What do you do if no Wi-Fi hotspot is in range? That’s when tethering–sharing your smartphone’s 3G Internet connection with your laptop via USB or Bluetooth–can be a lifeline to…

On Your Side: Refurbished GPS Device’s Outdated Maps

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
On Your Side: Refurbished GPS Device’s Outdated Maps

After we contacted TomTom about Pollman’s issue, a representative stated that, though Pollman’s GPS unit doesn’t qualify for its map guarantee, the company would offer him a free map upgrade. Shortly thereafter, TomTom updated Pollman’s account, en­­abling him to download the current map.

Help File: Wiping your data from your computer

Sunday, December 27th, 2009
Help File: Wiping your data from your computer

Q: How do I ensure my data’s gone from my old computer before I dispose of it?

Smartphones were the tech story of 2009

Sunday, December 27th, 2009
Smartphones were the tech story of 2009

Considering the time and expense involved, the biggest story in technology this year could have been the largely successful transition to digital television that wrapped up in June. But 2009’s most significant tech developments took place on much smaller screens

New cash for your old technology

Sunday, December 27th, 2009
New cash for your old technology

Now that the gift-giving holidays have passed, ’tis inevitable that last year’s now-obsolescent gadgets end up forgotten inside a closet or a desk drawer. Or worse still, in a trash can on the way to the local landfill