For a variety of reasons, millions of phones are “drowned” each year. When your phone stops working after falling into the sink, toilet, bathtub, swimming pool, muddy puddle, lake or the ocean, can it be saved? In many cases the answer is “yes,” if you do the right things and don’t do the wrong things. Hold the rice... here's what you need to know if your device is dunked, and the tale of my unsuccessful attempt to teach my phone to swim...

A despairing reader writes, “I’ve managed to mess up my Windows PC to the point of no return. I give up, and now I just want to reset it to its factory-fresh condition and start all over. How do I do that?” Read on and I'll tell you how, and why you might NOT want to do this...

Are you one of those people who hates Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems - otherwise known as voice mail jail? Automated voice menu mazes can be annoying, frustrating, and time-wasting. It is especially irritating when a voice-recognition system didn't understand your request and makes you repeat yourself in an ever louder voice. Here are some tips to help you break free of the voice menus and reach a customer service agent who can help...

What's the secret to getting a discount on your next smartphone activation? Are Killer USB gadgets coming to destroy your computer? Has T-Mobile solved the robocall problem? And will sketchy dudes in white vans really pay you twenty bucks for a DNA sample? Get answers in today's Geekly Update -- it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and, comment!

I am often asked: 'Are discount inkjet cartridges really a good deal? I've heard they can ruin your printer, void your warranty, and that the quality is lacking. Others have told me they're great and can save you lots of money. What's the scoop on those cheap ink cartridges?' Read on for my advice about discounted, refilled or remanufactured inkjet cartridges...

If, like many people, you use Google’s suite of online services heavily, you may wonder if data stored on Google’s servers needs to be backed up elsewhere, just as data stored on your local drives should be. Nobody expects to lose their data, but stuff happens. Let's take a look at some of the best Google backup solutions out there...

The online world gets more dangerous every day. The AV-TEST Institute reports over 350,000 new malware samples are discovered DAILY. Thousands of social media accounts are hacked per day; and untold millions of consumer records that were compromised in data breaches are used by hackers in increasingly clever attacks. Your defense systems must be kept in tip-top shape. Here are five ways to harden your system against hackers...

Here’s a common question: “I've seen those commercials for Magic Jack, a gadget you can plug into your computer to eliminate your phone bill. It sounds too good to be true... is MagicJack a scam, or does it actually work? Can it really replace my landline?” Read on for answers...

Solid-State Drive (SSD) technology has been taking over the hard drive market rapidly, as economy of scale results in lower prices. But there's always been uncertainty about the useful lifespan of a solid-state drive, as compared to a traditional magnetic drive. Will your SSD conk out suddenly, or will it last for years? Read on...

Are reports of new photos of a black hole real, or just an April Fools prank? Why are robotic space bees buzzing around the International Space Station? Will deactivating your Facebook account stop them from collecting your data as you move about the Internet? And in the wake of massive data breaches, should you trust a credit reporting agency with access to your online bank account? Get answers in today's Geekly Update -- it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and, comment!

Sometimes it seems like Web pages are “taking forever” to display, so you might assume the problem is a slow computer or flaky Internet connection. But perhaps it’s your Web browser that is performing sluggishly. A little maintenance can speed things up. Read on to learn how browsers bog and some practical pointers for putting more pop in your page loads...

It’s obvious that Amazon is the 800-pound gorilla of e-commerce. Recent ecommerce stats show that Amazon captures about HALF of all online sales. But it’s not the only digital department store. Let’s look at some of the others to see how they compare to Amazon...

Many homes have WiFi “dead zones” where radio signals are weak or non-existent. WiFi extenders (also called wifi repeaters, range extenders, or wireless signal boosters) can fill such gaps, enabling your teenagers to keep their video gaming in the basement instead of taking over the living room couch. An extender can also let you live the dream of Web surfing in a hammock out in the back yard. Here is some recommended gear to make it happen...

I've never been a fan of insurance, protection plans, or extended warranties for electronic devices or even appliances. In fact, I make no bones about my disdain for these “protection rackets,” which are all heavily rigged in the seller’s favor. Why else would they try so hard to sell these plans at the point of purchase? Here's what you need to know about mobile device insurance, extended warranties, and my thoughts on what’s wrong with them...

What was the funniest online April Fools Day prank this year? Is the Microsoft tech support scam finally over? Will NASA pay you nineteen thousand dollars to do absolutely nothing? And why does Facebook want to know your email password? Get answers in today's Geekly Update -- it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and, comment!