March, 2020

• 6 March

  FCC to vote on rules mandating illegal robocall blocking

  

  The Federal Communications Commission will vote later this month on rules requiring all companies that provide phone service to implement automatic call blocking technology to fight illegal robocalls. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai announced Friday that the agency will give phone and cable companies until June 20, 2021, to comply with the new rules.  In June, …

  Read More »
• 6 March

  Top 5 laptop pet peeves

  

  In its idealized form, your laptop is untethered, free to embrace its potential as a mobile computer, going from lap to desk to table at will. In reality, we’ve got to pause and plug these suckers in sometimes, which is where one of my top computer pet peeves comes from.  We’ve all figured generally where the space bar should be …

  Read More »
• 6 March

  Samsung reportedly suspends Galaxy S20 factory again over coronavirus case

  

  Samsung suspended production at its Galaxy S20 factory in Gumi, South Korea, for a second time on Friday after one of its workers tested positive for coronavirus, Reuters reported. Production is expected to resume on Saturday.  It’ll move some phone production to Vietnam, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap, and the floor of the Gumi factory where the sick …

  Read More »
• 6 March

  HelloFresh, Blue Apron and more: Spice up your meal kit creations with these easy kitchen hacks

  

  From gourmet-style entrees by Blue Apron and Hello Fresh to the more budget-minded menus from EveryPlate and Dinnerly, it’s probably safe to say we’ve reached peak meal kit. I use a few of the services myself, and while I’m thrilled to be experimenting with ingredients and flavors I never would’ve incorporated into my cooking without a little arm-twisting (cherry jelly on …

  Read More »
• 6 March

  Galaxy S20, S20 Plus and S20 Ultra: Where you can buy Samsung’s newest phones right now

  

  The wait is over. Starting Friday, March 6, you can walk into a retail store and purchase a Galaxy S20, S20 Plus or S20 Ultra. All three phones have improved cameras, a faster display, and 5G capabilities. The foldable Galaxy Z Flip, which Samsung announced at the same time as the S20 trio, quickly sold out after the company started taking …

  Read More »
• 6 March

  Future breakthroughs will take folding screens beyond phones and tablets

  

  I’ve watched the spread of folding-screen devices from a distance. I’ve been curious. But with high prices and weird construction and compromises, I often haven’t seen the point. That changed when I took a close-up look at some of the 2020 products boasting folding screens. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, and even the new folding Moto Razr, made sense when …

  Read More »
• 6 March

  Working at home because of Coronavirus? This remote

  

  More and more companies are asking workers to stay home due to Coronavirus concerns. If you find yourself in that boat, you might also find yourself wishing for a way to connect to your work PC. There’s actually an easy way to do that, and a cheap one, too: For a limited time, Cheapskate readers can get a 1-year RemotePC …

  Read More »
• 6 March

  John Legend voice cameo is leaving Google Assistant on March 23

  

  Musician John Legend’s celebrity cameo as a voice for Google Assistant is coming to an end this month. In a tweet Thursday, Google said the fun voice option will cease on March 23.  Google added the option last April and made Legend its first celebrity voice to serve as your digital helper. But we knew from the start that his voice …

  Read More »
• 6 March

  Sony’s next wireless headphones may have longer battery life, updated Bluetooth

  

  Leaked images and information on Sony’s WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones suggest the device could feature upgrades including Bluetooth 5.0 as well as up to 40 hours of battery life. Tech blogger Everton Favretto shared photos of the over-the-ear headphones on Twitter on Thursday, which were posted by Anatel, the Brazilian equivalent of the Federal Communications Commission. The headphones look quite similar to Sony’s …

  Read More »
• 6 March

  Dial up the audio in your home theater with the $269 Vizio SB36312 soundbar and subwoofer

  

  Getting great audio at home is a lot easier (and less expensive) than it used to be. Thanks to Dolby Atmos, modern home audio systems can replicate the cinema sound system experience better than ever, and Atmos is finding its way into ever more affordable speaker systems. Vizio’s SB36312 is just such a package. Armed with a pair of upward-firing …

  Read More »