BRUCEB NEWS
Isaac Asimov Tried To Warn Us
Isaac Asimov published the novella “The Mule” in Astounding Science Fiction magazine in 1945. A few years later it became the second half of Foundation and Empire, the second book of the Foundation trilogy. Asimov’s Foundation books are among the most celebrated…
Windows Search Is Broken And It’s Bing’s Fault
Microsoft is mucking around with Windows Search. It might be better someday, although it’s not like anyone was screaming for changes. But hoo boy, is it obvious that the B team…
LastPass Is Slow
LastPass is slow. It’s hard to overlook. If you’re using LastPass, I want you to keep using it! You need a secure way to keep track of passwords and confidential information. For…
Google, Microsoft, And Unethical Behavior
Two weeks ago, Google changed its web search results to fool you into clicking on paid ads by mistake. Last week Microsoft announced that an upcoming update for Office will force…
Rules For Computer And Online Safety 2020
These are the rules for computer and online safety in 2020. You can download a copy here. Only your vigilance will protect you against bad guys. You will be safe if you are…
Google Real-Time Transcription Is The Coolest Technology Of 2019
You can record speech on a Pixel phone with Google’s new Recorder app, and it will transcribe the words into text in real time. You can save the text and search for words later….
R.I.P. Windows 7
Windows 7 has passed on. It is no more. It has ceased to be. Windows 7 has expired and gone to meet its maker. It’s a stiff. Bereft of life, it rests in peace. It’s off the twig….
Why You Should Be Skeptical About 5G In 2020
Previously: 5G Will Be Important, But Not In 2020 The carriers’ 5G upgrade will change our world over the next ten to fifteen years. That’s not the message you’ll get from the…
5G Will Be Important, But Not In 2020 (Despite What The Ads Say)
We are about to be assaulted. An overwhelming advertising blitz will begin in earnest in 2020, trying to convince you that you should upgrade your phone and your mobile service…
The 2019 Bruceb News Year In Review
(This will be the last Bruceb News article until I recover from an upcoming business conference trip to Hawaii. Happy holidays!) I think I accomplished two goals in 2019: writing…
Data Brokers: The Companies Hiding In The Shadows That Know Everything About You
Your personal information is being bought and sold by companies that lurk in the shadows. You’ve never heard of them. That’s the way they like it. This is the most important…
Spotify Unwrapped 2019: My Top Ten List Is 260% Better Than Last Year
Spotify has launched its annual Spotify Wrapped website, where you can look back on your year of music listening, including your top artists and top songs. You’ll find…
Should You Pay For Dark Web Monitoring?
Your personal information is for sale on the dark web. Don’t worry, I’ve got in mind that you don’t know what the “dark web” is, other than a scary name. I’ll tell you more down…
Pixel 4 And Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
Google has two new phones, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. They’re quite nice. If you had one, you’d like it. They might not tempt iPhone users to leave the Apple world, but anyone…
Headcrabs And The Future Of Virtual Reality
The future of virtual reality may depend on headcrab zombies. Last week, game developer Valve Corporation made a bombshell announcement: it will release a new VR game, Half-Life:…
Install Google Lens, Then Remember To Use It
I’m going to give you a difficult assignment. I want you to install Google Lens on your phone. That’s the easy part. Then I want you to remember to use it until it becomes second…