New Technology : Philips Hue Works With HomeKit: How To Make The Most Of It

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Apple’s HomeKit is some really exciting technology. First introduced with iOS8, it allows you to control compatible Smart Home devices from your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. But the amount of HomeKit compatible gear has always been somewhat disappointing. A year or so later, only a handful of devices have been released, and manufacturer interest seems to be waning. Or, perhaps not. Philips has finally joined the fray. The Dutch electronics giant has finally gotten round to integrating HomeKit into their Hue lighting platform, and it’s amazing. Here’s what you need to know. Getting Started With Hue and HomeKit The...

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New Technology : Get Android 6.0 Marshmallow Features Without Updating

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Google has now launched the latest version of Android, 6.0 Marshmallow, for its Nexus phones. But Android updates don’t roll out to all phones at the same time, especially the non-Nexus ones, and they often take a long time. But you get can some of the Marshmallowy goodness right now — regardless of what phone you have! Whether you’re on Lollipop, KitKat or older versions, you can get several of Android 6.0 Marshmallow’s best features on your phone right away. Not everything, mind you, but enough of the cool stuff. It’s easier if you root your Android phone, but even...

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New Technology : Windows 10 Is for Gamers: 6 Features You Will Love

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Microsoft has tried to integrate gaming into Windows in the past, but it’s never really worked. The “Games for Windows” service was a mess and the Xbox always got far more love. But now the two have been combined in Windows 10 in a way that makes it a great platform for gamers. Whether it’s streaming your Xbox One games to your PC, using the Xbox app, or enjoying high performance gaming with DirectX 12, Windows 10 is going to make your machine an ever better gaming experience. What gaming aspects of Windows 10 do you love? Be sure to...

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New Technology : You Need These 8 Android Apps to Be Ready for Halloween

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Children feeling sick after eating too many sweets? Cable television showing endless reruns of Blair Witch Project? Local supermarket shelves packed high with pumpkins? It must be Halloween! Halloween has grown to become one of the most popular American parties in recent years. While those in Europe view it mainly as an event for the kids, in the US it’s now an excuse for adults to get themselves dressed up in some outrageous fancy dress costumes. If you’re struggling to get into the spirit of things this year, don’t panic. Here are some of the best Android Halloween apps that’ll will...

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New Technology : How Do People React When Social Media Shuts Down?

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The other day I went to open Facebook on my phone. I don’t like to admit it, but I routinely check Facebook as it gives me a glimpse of the day’s news and of my family’s and friends’ activities. I waited, waited some more, and then realized Facebook wasn’t opening. No big deal. I tried opening the site with my Macbook. Again, nothing. I can’t say I was worried or shocked, just a little confused. Not to worry, I thought. I can message my friends on WhatsApp. Again, nothing. Now I was getting a little worried. I checked the news and noticed a flurry of...

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New Technology : Windows 10 Maintenance: What Has Changed & What You Need to Consider

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Windows 10 maintenance has changed. What does that mean for you? It means improvements to Recovery, and Security, while Windows Update is operating a different, albeit somewhat unpopular show. Privacy settings have also been given a massive (also largely unpopular) revamp to deliver greater control over your system, meaning there are a few new settings for you to play with. Let’s review the changes in detail. Windows Update Microsoft has implemented a new, somewhat aggressive Windows Update system aiming to keep everyone updated, all the time. It is a security masterstroke and will undoubtedly ease the shared burden of security issues,...

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New Technology : 7 Useful Excel Sheets to Instantly Improve Your Family’s Budget

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If you want to keep your finances on the right track, you need a budget.  The right budget will help make sure you’re saving enough, give you an idea of how much you should be spending on different categories of items, and let you know how much you have left over at the end of the month for fun spending.  It’s not always easy to set up a family budget, but these seven templates will give you the structure you need to get started. Family Budget Planner from Vertex42 This single-sheet budget template is one of the most compact available, and...

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New Technology : 5 Creative Hobbies That Will Make You a Happier Person

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In today’s productivity-driven culture, we all suffer from too much productivity-related stress. Too many of us are stressed at work, and when this seeps into our personal lives, we become depressed and ultimately forget how to cultivate happiness. And this is why it’s so important to have at least one creative hobby. Research shows that many creative hobbies have the power to improve our mental states — we’ll explore some of this evidence below — so it behooves us all to set aside some time every day for a bit of self-indulgent creative fun. When apps that help relieve stress...

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New Technology : No One Buys PCs Any More, Get Cortana on the Xbox One… [Tech News Digest]

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The PC loses out to mobile, how to get Cortana on the Xbox One, how to use the Google app, Overcast goes free on iOS, the new PlayStation 4 remote, and smashing 28 iPhones up for fun. PC Sales Are Still Dropping Those Windows 10 adverts are so ridiculous. The kid who changes the world is clearly going to be using a Mac. Not a PC. — Kirstie McCrum (@kirstiemccrum) October 11, 2015 PC sales fell by a considerable margin over the summer, with both IDC and Gartner estimating hefty drops between the third quarter this year and the third...

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New Technology : This $60 Budget App Is FREE For Students!

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Budgeting is a simple skill to learn — take one month to track everything you spend money on. The results might surprise you, but once you know where your money is going, it becomes that much easier to rein in your spending habits. But the actual tracking of expenditures can be a pain if all you have is a pen, some paper, and a calculator. That’s why you need You Need A Budget, which we consider to be the best budgeting software you’ll ever use. (Check out our YNAB review for more details.) The downside is that YNAB costs $60…...

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