New Technology : Hearing Is Believing: The Best Audiobooks Narrated by Authors

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I recently discovered that you can finally finish your reading list using audiobooks, as they allow you to multitask in a way that the traditional reading experience doesn’t allow. I also discovered that autobiographies and/or books written in the first person are best enjoyed when the author is reading the words rather than a third-party narrator. An audiobook is only as good as the quality of the narration. Even the best writing can fall flat if the narrator is unable to do justice to the words. And who better to bring the author’s true feelings for each word to life...

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New Technology : 8 Ways Upgrading to Android Lollipop Makes Your Phone More Secure

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As we shift more and more of our computing to the mobile space, mobile security becomes more and more important. These days our phones are full of sensitive information – from personal photos to bank login credentials. So how can we keep ourselves safe? Android Lollipop, the newly released version of Android, has a bunch of useful features, including Google’s new Material Design aesthetic. More importantly, though, it packs a big punch in the security arena, bringing in a number of features that improve security across the board. Let’s dive in and see what improvements you can expect when you boot up...

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New Technology : Ashley Madison Leak No Big Deal? Think Again

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You may be aware that Ashley Madison, a “discreet” online dating site targeted primarily at cheating spouses, was recently hacked. The site has garnered controversy for many years, largely by running ads like these: The hackers, who call themselves as “The Impact Group” are threatening to release data on millions of users (including compromising images and personal information) if the site isn’t taken down by its parent company, Avid Media Life, which owns a number of other hookup sites. The motive for the hack appears to be a moral objection to the operations of the site itself, although it would...

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New Technology : Amazon Local vs. Groupon – And the Winner Is…

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Groupon has controlled the “local bargains” market for some time now, so it’s exciting to see a big name like Amazon step up as a competitor with its Amazon Local service. But is Amazon able to compete? In this article, I will test and analyze both services – Groupon and Amazon Local – using a defined list of metrics that I consider to be the most important for people who are looking for fun local things to do or buy at steep discounts. These metrics are: Volume: How many listings are available to browse through? Value: How good are the...

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New Technology : Where Can I Find Old and New Interactive Fiction Games?

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Cindi Arteglier Asks: Back in the 1980s, I remember a game on my MS-DOS computer that was played solely by reading directions or clues, and typing responses. For example, “You are in a dark alley,” type: Turn left,” response: “You can’t turn left,” type: “Go straight,” response: “You find an axe,” type: “Pick up axe,” response: “There is a green monster about to attack you,” type: “Use axe,”… on and on. No pictures, strictly in the player’s imagination. In retrospect, of course, it is ridiculously tedious and lame, but at the time it was quite addicting. Any ideas of its...

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New Technology : 8 Devices To Keep Elderly Relatives Safe at Home

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Knowing that an elderly friend or relative is at home alone can be extremely worrying. Luckily, there are plenty of gadgets that are easily installed to help with this. These will help improve the safety of their property, and allow you to receive an alert when something isn’t right. In short, your mind will be more at ease, and your elderly relative will be safer in their home. Some of the devices below (and other smart security devices we’ve covered before) will need an Internet connection. But just in case this isn’t available, we’ve included a few that’ll still work offline. We’ve tried to select only...

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New Technology : How to Choose the Best Laptop to Install Linux

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It’s never been harder to install Linux. Don’t believe me? Just cast your mind back 10 years. Back then, it was just a matter of downloading an ISO, burning it to disk, pressing “next” a few times, and hoping you weren’t unlucky enough to have a Broadcom WiFi card. And if you didn’t fancy burning your own install disk, Canonical would send you one – for free. It was a wonderful time. Now, it’s less wonderful. Would-be Linux users have to contend with utterly awful hardware support, UEFI woes, and equipment designed to work with Windows, and Windows alone. If...

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New Technology : Creepy but Fun Surveillance Ideas with SmartThings

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Where would James Bond be without his gadgets? Luckily for the super-spy, he could always rely on Q to outfit him with the latest high-tech tools to carry out his espionage, but anyone not on the MI6 payroll might not be so fortunate. However, today it’s easier than ever to get your hands on top-notch tech. With a set of Smart Home devices like the SmartThings suite, you can spy and snoop to your heart’s content. Here are some fun ways to use a SmartThings Hub with a SmartThings Presence to keep a watchful eye over your surroundings. Snoop on...

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New Technology : Best Buy Sells Apple Watch, China Unbans Games Consoles… [Tech News Digest]

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Best Buy to sell the Apple Watch, China lifts ban on games consoles, Twitter fails to laugh at stolen jokes, Triller makes music videos look easy, mapping Grand Theft Auto V, and droning on about that drone rescuing a drone. Apple Watch Lands at Best Buy Best Buy is set to start selling the Apple Watch at its retail stores across the United States. Apple’s first-generation smartwatch will be available to buy in 100 Best Buy stores in August, and at more than 300 by the start of the holiday season. This makes Best Buy the first retailer other than...

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New Technology : The Best Free eBooks to Teach Yourself About Personal Finance

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Most of us cringe when we hear “personal finance”, but there’s no reason to fear it. If you want to get ahead in life, personal finance is a necessary skill no matter who you are. Wouldn’t it be great if you had greater financial security? We’ve covered several noteworthy personal finance blogs in the past, and we still recommend them if you’re a layman who trembles at the mere mention of budgets and numbers. These financial planning websites are incredibly useful as well. But if you’re looking for highly-focused, to-the-point resources that only take a few minutes to consume, then...

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