Yahoo! Tech Advisors

Ballmer hints at extension for XP

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:55:00 -0800

With concern over the end of the road for Windows XP reaches feverish levels, Microsoft appears to be altering yet again its Two good friends of mine just bought a big, beautiful Samsung plasma HDTV, and I finally had the chance to take a look over the weekend. Flicking on the 50-inch, 1080p set, my pals tuned into Discovery HD, and yeah, it looked good—it just wasn't in HD. ...

AT&T hems, haws over free Wi-Fi for iPhone

Mon, 12 May 2008 16:26:44 -0800

First it was on, then it was off. Then AT&T posted a list of 17,000 locations where you could get your free iPhone Wi-Fi—and then the list disappeared in a puff of smoke. ...

How to delete "undeleteable" files

Mon, 12 May 2008 15:17:55 -0800

Ever try to trash a file on your Windows computer, only to get a message from the OS that "the file is in use" or "the file is locked" or some other excuse why it can't be removed from your hard drive?

You can try Safe Mode, process killing, and other ...

BlackBerry unveils the 9000 — er, the Bold

Mon, 12 May 2008 14:18:55 -0800

Looks like the spy shots of the long-rumored BlackBerry 9000 were right on target. Now dubbed the Bold, the latest BlackBerry—complete with 3. ...

Eye-Fi launches more wireless cards

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:45:14 -0800

Eye-Fi, the winner of our Last Gadget Standing competition, is adding two new cards to its product line. ...

HD movies coming to Amazon Unbox in the near future

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:43:51 -0800

Still wondering why Amazon Unbox doesn't offer any high-definition movie rentals? Yeah, me too. ...

Fake, infected media file attacks half a million victims in a week

Sun, 11 May 2008 17:52:49 -0800

In what is being called the largest fake media file outbreak in three years, some 500,000 people have nearly fallen prey to a phony music or video track that is actually a spyware-infested Trojan horse. ...

PC gamers shun Vista, sticking with XP

Sat, 10 May 2008 16:46:23 -0800

One of Windows Vista's biggest selling points was that it was the only way you could get DirectX 10, the software component that would be required to play the very latest video games in their full glory. ...

Microsoft makes students an offer they can't refuse

Sat, 10 May 2008 01:52:22 -0800

Now here's something more software companies should do. Apparently, Microsoft is offering students with an .edu address a 91 percent discount on its Any blogger who's been to CES or some other exhausting conference is probably thinking what I'm thinking? I must have one of those.

TheWe've seen all types of iPod accessories, and yes, some of them have included baseball caps. But if you're more of a beanie type of guy (or gal), check out the iLogic Sound Hat. ...

AMD accuses Intel in vendor payoff scheme

Fri, 09 May 2008 17:18:36 -0800

There's no love lost between rival chipmakers AMD and Intel, and this week's news isn't going to improve the relationship. According to legal filings and news reports, AMD alleges that Intel has First came the news that Time Warner is Today's kids are having much more trouble buying M-rated games than I ever did sneaking into R-rated movies, according to a new government report.

Last month, I featured three laptop sleeves with carrying straps, which I believe are becoming increasingly popular among young women everywhere. ...

OtterBox goes pink for breast cancer awareness

Fri, 09 May 2008 05:00:16 -0800

Most of us gals have a love/hate relationship with pink gadgets, but perhaps we can put all our differences aside to help a noble cause like finding a cure for breast cancer. ...

Where's my stimulus payment?

Fri, 09 May 2008 03:37:44 -0800

Wondering when your stimulus payment will arrive? According to the IRS website, millions of economic stimulus payments will be sent out starting May 2 until July 11, but if you can't wait to find out when yours will be in the mail then head over to

NBC gives iPhone users access to full episodes of 'The Office'

Fri, 09 May 2008 02:15:30 -0800

Ben tells us Once touted as a model of efficiency and good design, Philadelphia's citywide Wi-Fi network is set to shut down at any moment. ...

Power trip: Globetrotter's guide to charging your gadgets

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:43:42 -0800

Watch out—even with the right adapter, that power socket in your far-flung hotel room could fry your precious gear. Find out how to keep your AC on the up and up while you're on the go.

Surveys say many U.S. couch potatoes are still clueless about next year's looming

Thu, 08 May 2008 14:54:17 -0800

You thought you had your hands full with spam and your garden-variety software viruses, eh? Well, hang on to your seat: A new type of threat is just now being tinkered with in research labs. Called "

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:43:45 -0800

Stung by reports that it might install piracy filters on the Zune, the software giant goes on the defensive, promising that it has "no plans or commitments" to do any such thing. OK... ...

Hands-on with Samsung's touchscreen Glyde

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:30:00 -0800

On paper, the just-announced Glyde has almost everything it needs to trump the iPhone, including 3G data access, GPS, and slide-out QWERTY keypad. ...

Spoil Mom with geeky gear on Mother's Day

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:02:13 -0800

Mother's Day is once a year, so make it count this year by treating Mom to some cool gadgets. Chris Null shared someNew legislation which toughen penalties for software piracy (including music, movies, and computer programs) passed a big test in the House recently. ...

Volvo: 100% safe car by 2020

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:42:05 -0800

With all the talk of terrorism, Avian flu, and mid-air plane crashes, it's always important to step back and remind ourselves that

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:00:48 -0800

The latest "Grand Theft Auto" game did, indeed, make a mint last week—but not at the expense of the high-flying "Iron Man", despite all the hand wringing in Hollywood.

First, let's look at the Gone searching for a service pack for either Windows Vista or Windows XP? If you've looked for either on Windows Update in the last few days you'll have come up empty handed, as Microsoft has pulled the service packs from distribution due to incompatibility problems with Microsoft's ...

Wi-Fi and kids: Parental controls beyond the PC

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:57:00 -0800

When we talk about online safety for kids and teens, the conversation often starts and ends with web browsers and social networks. ...

To disconnect or not to disconnect

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:40:27 -0800

Does a day off really mean a day off for you? No info snacking and constant email checking on your Blackberry. No surfing the web for work-related nuggets. Screen time of only the most leisurely kind. ...

Gadget Love: The Movie

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:59:24 -0800

We've reached the end of my Yahoo! Tech sojourn, and I figured it was fitting for me to leave you with a look at the world of gadgets from a personal perspective. So here's the link to a movie I shot on the streets of New York, asking people about their relationship with the things they carry in their pockets...

100 ways your iPod can up your IQ

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:48:39 -0800

Unless you think you're already too smart, try a few of these podcasts and apps. Expand your mind.

Low-Tech answers to high-tech problems

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:19:02 -0800

Easy fixes with stuff around the house sure beats buying another gizmo.

Toy Fair Previews Trends for the Fall Season

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:44:30 -0800

It's a kinder, gentler Toy Fair as science kits replace sabers.

Tech that keeps an eye on your home

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:59:36 -0800

Do-it-yourself home security may do the trick.

Are Unlimited Calling Plans a Bargain or an Up-Sell?

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:13:35 -0800

Don't confuse unlimited with a bargain.

Emily Post Meets Electronic Etiquette

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:51:16 -0800

Tips from Emily Post's great-granddaughter tell us that etiquette is as important in the real world as it is on the Internet.

Meet the Wii-Alikes

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:44:05 -0800

Nintendo’s Wii is the Barak Obama of the video game world. Nintendo preached that if you give families a game that’s fun for the whole family, then they will come. Change will happen. And so, we came and enjoyed ourselves as the Wii transcended age and gender barriers.

But you never get to sit on your laurels very long in this business. ...