Supercharged

Latest Episodes:

52: Public Shaming 2.0 Apr 23, 2015

Show notes

This week on Supercharged we're talking about public shaming plus figuring out what to do with an old MacBook. And more...?

Links for this episode:

So You've Been Publicly Shamed
Jon Ronson's book, or the reason for the main topic on this episode.
How One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco’s Life
As she made the long journey from New York to South Africa, to visit family during the holidays in 2013, Justine Sacco, 30 years old and the senior director of corporate communications at IAC, began tweeting acerbic little jokes about the indignities of travel...
Repurpose an Old Computer for Any Room in the House
Most of us have our computers on our desks or our laps, but there are so many other places in and out of our homes that can make a great spot for an old PC.

No sponsors this week, just shame!

51: She's Drunk the Kool-Aid? Apr 16, 2015

Show notes

This week on Supercharged we’re talking about killing net neutraility, sexism in the tech industry, and the Apple Watch again. We’re also answering your questions about replacement batteries and learning to code.

Guests: Melanie Pinola and Darren Herczeg.

Links for this episode:

Apple Put A Woman On Stage—Okay, She's A Supermodel, But It's A Start
For once, Siri wasn’t the only woman on stage. Apple has a notoriously poor track record with inviting women on stage during its conferences. On Monday’s live event, however, CEO Tim Cook introduced model and humanitarian Christy Turlington Burns to discuss her experiences using the Apple Watch to run a half-marathon.
Is GamerGate Anti-Feminism? Well, Duh
In the wake of Intel’s unfortunate and (I believe) misguided decision to withdraw their advertising from Gamasutra, I’ve seen some amount of bile aimed at The Verge for their headline: “Intel buckles to anti-feminist campaign by pulling ads from gaming site.” This has prompted no small number of people in my twitterfeed to erupt in anger. “Do you really that #gamergate is anti-feminist?” many gamergaters have ranted.
How 'dongle' jokes got two people fired and launched DDoS attacks
An incident at the annual Python developer conference has led to allegations of sexism, death threats, the firings of two people, and -- apparently -- multiple DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attacks.
The wireless and cable industries just sued to kill net neutrality
As expected, the FCC will have to defend its new rules in court.
An Alternate Narrative of Ellen Pao Emerges Under Cross-Examination
During the emotional peak of Ellen Pao's cross-examination this morning, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers' attorney Lynne Hermle held an enormous board game on her shoulder, clutched at a Buddha and presented a book — all gifts Pao and one of her partners had exchanged.
Ellen Pao loses gender discrimination case against Silicon Valley investment firm
The case of Ellen Pao vs. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has reached a conclusion: The jury found KPCB not guilty of sexual discrimination on all four counts.
Anker® New Laptop Battery for Macbook 13" Apple A1185 A1181 MA254 MA255 MA472 MA561 MA566 MA700 MA701 MB061 MB062 Series - 18 Months Warranty [Li-polymer 3-cell 5600mAh]
Battery type: Li-polymer; Capacity: 5600mAh; Cells: 3-cell; Voltage: 10.8V. 100% New from Manufacturer. Up to 500 recharge cycles over the life of the battery.
NuPower Notebook Batteries
Things You Should Never Say to Women Working in Tech or Science
As you know, women are underrepresented in STEM fields—and many are leaving these professions in droves. Part of the problem: the alienating and clueless things said to female scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by their colleagues.
The Tech Skills and Courses Google Recommends for Software Engineers
Software engineering is one of the most in-demand and best paying careers, but learning computer science can also pay off even if you don't do it professionally. Google has a guide on the courses and experiences future software engineers should consider.
Top 10 Ways to Teach Yourself to Code
Programming is one of the most valuable skills you can pick up in these modern times, whether for career prospects or to stretch your brain and create something awesome. If you're just getting started on your coding journey, here are ten tips and resources to set you off on the right foot.
Get a College-Level Computer Science Education with These Free Courses
We're lucky to have access to so many excellent free online courses for just about anything you want to study, including computer science. Here's a curriculum list that strings various free computing courses into the equivalent of a college bachelor's degree.
The Case for Learning C as Your First Programming Language
We could probably debate forever which programming language is best to learn first—it could depend on your goals and other considerations. Mac developer Evan Miller, however, makes a strong case for learning C first, likening it to learning to drive stick shift.

This week's sponsor is Lynda.com!

50: Quetiapine Latuda Apr 09, 2015

Show notes

On this week's episode we're talking about surviving in the workplace, divorcing on Facebook, and how we understand surveillance issues. We're also answering your questions about student discounts, iPad virus dissemination, and Chrome extensions.

Links for this episode:

34 Discounts Every Student Should Use
One of the best perks of being a student is the discounts you get when you flash your student ID. Perhaps the retailers sympathize with the amount of new things a student has to purchase at the start of the back-to-school season. Or maybe they are simply cashing in on our buying spree. Check out the awesome discounts students get to enjoy on electronics, clothing, and more.
Why Do Chrome Extensions Need to Access All My Data?
I'm a big fan of Google Chrome and I love using extensions. However, I've noticed that a lot of them request permissions to access all of my data on every site. Why is this? Should I be worried?
Many Browser Extensions Have Become Adware or Malware. Check Yours Now
This week, Ars Technica and How-To Geek released some pretty startling news: a lot of browser extensions are either injecting ads into the sites you visit, or are tracking your entire browsing history—possibly without you knowing. Here's what's going on.

This episode is brought to you by Lynda.com and Hoban Cards!

49: Meerkat Got Periscoped Mar 31, 2015

Show notes

This week on Supercharged we’re talking about travel hacks, the Ellen Pao verdict, and religious freedom laws. We’re also answering your questions about domain names, e-Ink tablets, and blocking texts.

Links for this episode:

Apple's Tim Cook speaks out against discriminatory 'religious freedom' laws
Apple CEO Tim Cook has used the editorial pages of The Washington Post to condemn laws that allow businesses to refuse service to homosexuals or other groups on the grounds of "religious freedom." Calling the legislation "something very dangerous happening in states across the country," Cook says these laws "rationalize injustice by pretending to defend something many of us hold dear. They go against the very principles our nation was founded on, and they have the potential to undo decades of progress toward greater equality."
Amazon Cloud Drive Now Includes Unlimited Cloud Storage Plans
Amazon on Thursday announced two new unlimited cloud storage plans for Amazon Cloud Drive, enabling users to store an endless amount of photos, videos, movies, music, and files. Amazon users can choose either the Unlimited Photos Plan for $11.99 per year or the Unlimited Everything Plan for $59.99 per year, with a free three-month trial available for each plan for customers that want to try the service.
Jury finds Kleiner Perkins not liable on all claims in Ellen Pao's gender discrimination case
After less than 72 hours of deliberation, the jury in the gender discrimination lawsuit against Kleiner Perkins found the powerful Silicon Valley venture capital firm not liable for all four of Ellen Pao’s claims, including retaliation and failure to prevent retaliation. There was a dramatic, last minute upset when Judge Kahn realized there was a miscount on the fourth claim. They needed nine out of 12 jurors for a decision and only eight voted "no." They went back into deliberations and came back with nine out of 12.
Meerkat is dying – and it’s taking U.S. tech journalism with it
About three days after it received a lavish new funding round, Meerkat died an ugly and embarrassing death. It is hard to decide whether the Great Meerkat Debacle that has unfolded over the past week is a tragedy or a comedy — probably a bit of both.
The Best Way to Fold and Pack a Suit Jacket
If you're planning a trip and need to pack a suit, the folks at The Compass have the perfect way for you to fold your suit jacket so it doesn't crease, and looks just as good at your destination as it did when you left.
Pack Your Suit Inside Out and Rolled to Prevent Wrinkles
Packing an entire suite in your luggage without wrinkling it is pretty difficult. Travel site Travel+Leisure shows how to pack the suit in a small area without ruining it with wrinkles.
Fold and Pack Your Suits Like a Dry Cleaner for Wrinkle-Free Portability
Packing suits for travel doesn't mean they must succumb to wrinkles. This dry cleaner's technique demonstrates a simple method that will allow your suits to travel in any luggage and arrive in pristine condition.
Japanese way of folding T-shirts!
A quick way of folding t-shirts.
How to Lie, Cheat, and Steal Your Way to a Perfect Flight
Flying generally sucks, but it doesn't have to be awful. If you're willing to break a few rules and compromise your status as an upstanding moral citizen, the dark side has a few secrets to help you have a more enjoyable flight.
How to Fit Two Weeks Worth of Luggage Under the Airplane Seat in Front of You
Back in the day, checking your bag on a trip only cost you 20 minutes of your time after a flight. Now you're lucky if it only costs you $20. With rampant theft, high bag check costs, and overhead bins filled to the brim, learning how to pack efficiently matters more than ever. With the right strategy, you can fit everything you actually need into the seat in front of you.
Johnny Jet
The travel insider. (Recommended by Brian.)
The Points Guy
Travel rewards maximization.
Earn 40,000 Points with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Read more: http://www.johnnyjet.com/2015/03/earn-40000-points-with-the-chase-sapphire-preferred-card/#ixzz3W0LnVv9D
If you ask any savvy frequent traveler to list his or her top three travel credit cards, chances are good that the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card will be on that list. Chances are very good, actually.
How to Jump Ship from GoDaddy to a Better Web Host and Registrar
Regardless of your feelings about GoDaddy's moral standing, their service is frustrating and restrictive. If you're sick of paying for crappy hosting and want to jump ship, here's how to leave GoDaddy behind for one of many better web hosts on the net.
How Do I Block Unwanted Text Messages on My Cellphone?
I'm getting stupid texts from people I don't even know and I can't get them to stop. It's costing me money! What can I do to block them from texting me?
How Can I Block a Number from Calling My Cellphone?
I've been getting tons of spam calls lately—like, multiple calls per day. I'm on the national Do Not Call list, but I'm still getting these robo-calls! Is there anything else I can do?
'Comic Papyrus' Is Basically Your Biggest Typographic Nightmare Come True
What's the most hated font in the world? Most of you would probably answer: Comic Sans. A fair guess, given the sheer amount of CS-hating that exists online. (See here, here, here and here. And that's just on The Huffington Post alone.) A smaller segment would probably shriek, "Papyrus!", that 1982 creation that tries to mimic calligraphy but fails miserably. Alas, you'd all be wrong. Because, thanks to a cheeky designers at Barth and Co., there is a Frankenstein font that puts all other typographical disasters to shame. That font is Comic Papyrus.
Onyx BOOX T68 Lynx with Google Play
6.8? E Ink ULTRA HD touchscreen e-book reader with IVONA Text-To-Speech system, Bluetooth 4.0 and built-in light.
SENATE BILL No. 568: Religious freedom restoration act (PDF)
Provides that a state orlocal government action may not substantially burden a person's right to the exercise of religion unless it is demonstrated that applying the burden to the person's exercise of religion is: (1) essential to further a compelling governmental interest; and (2) the least restrictive means of furthering the compelling governmental interest. (Thanks Jonathan!)

Support Supercharged by purchasing the Awkward Human Survival Guide or Pixel Love Playing Cards!

48: Parry, Feint, and Thrust Mar 26, 2015

Show notes

This week on Supercharged we’re talking about winning arguments, virtual reality porn, and the social implications of technology. We’re also answering your questions about blogging, buying a Chromebook Pixel, and hopefully more!

Links for this episode:

Sesame: Your Key Reinvented
Sesame replaces your keys with your phone in seconds. It also fits on your lock in seconds, without removing or swapping anything.
Crapware in uTorrent Land
Popular BitTorrent client uTorrent is causing a stir by bundling crapware that mines for cryptocurrency with idle CPU processing in its latest update. You can opt out when installing—though some users claim they were never asked for permission—and it's easy to accidentally click "okay." Including adware isn't a new tactic, but this is one is particularly slimy.
Why VR could be the next big thing in porn
It's all about perspective.
Fantastical 2
"The calendar app you won't be able to live without." Supposedly. Hopefully you can live without $50, too.
The Definitive Guide to Winning an Argument
Winning isn't everything, but it sure is nice. When you don't see eye to eye with someone, here are the best tricks for winning that argument.
Just a Drop!
Eliminates personal odors from the toilet bowl before they get into the air.

Support Supercharged by purchasing the Awkward Human Survival Guide or Pixel Love Playing Cards!

47: The Home Automation Gateway Drug Mar 19, 2015

Show notes

This week on Supercharged we’re talking about disappearing drug markets, USB-C’s major security drawback, and home automation. We’re also answering your questions about Nintendo, getting into tech reporting, and using your own domain for email.

Guests: Ben Robinson, Tony Gutierrez, and Darren Herczeg.

Links for this episode:

The new MacBook's single port comes with a major security risk
After years of development, USB Type-C is making a very big debut. Last week, Apple announced its new MacBook would come with just a single Type-C plug for both power and data, a move that allowed for the slimmest MacBook ever. A few days later, Google unveiled the new version of its flagship Chromebook Pixel with the same Type-C port. To the extent that hardware components can have a moment, USB Type-C is having one.
Evolution Market disappears, admins reportedly make off with $12 million in Bitcoin
The Evolution Market, considered by many to be the most popular online drug and illegal merchandise marketplace since the original Silk Road, has mysteriously folded without a trace. Also gone are an estimated $12 million in Bitcoins according to some of the site’s former merchants.
23andMe plans to move beyond genetic testing to making drugs
Genetic testing company 23andMe wants to use the vast amounts of genetic data it has gathered over the last few years to start making drugs, according to Bloomberg. Instead of focusing on screening people for various diseases, the company plans to make therapeutic agents that will target these diseases and possibly cure them. It's a pretty big departure for the company that failed to get FDA approval for its DNA testing kit and that only just received FDA clearance to sell a test that looks for markers of Bloom Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that's associated with sun sensitivity and increased cancer risk.
The August Smart Lock
The August Smart Lock provides intelligent, secure access to your home. Now you can control who can enter and who can’t—without the need for keys or codes. And you can do it all from your smartphone.
SmartThings
Once you have the SmartThings Hub and free app, you can add as many devices as you want to customize your smart home.
CamIO
BlueIris
Video security and webcam software.
Soneter SmartFlowH20
Soneter's family of innovative water meters and monitoring products are changing the way homeowners, landlords, and facility managers protect their properties and monitor and control water consumption. Using advanced ultrasonic sensors our meters are able to accurately measure flow in pipes without cutting the pipes to install (non-invasive). No tools are required for installation. Simply attach the device to the pipe to be monitored and flow data is transmitted wirelessly. Web-based monitoring and reporting means that real-time usage and alerts as well as historical reports can be viewed on mobile devices, laptops, smart phones, etc.
Rocky IV
Darren's prediction for the future of home automation.
What Is Bitcoin and What Can I Do With It?
Everywhere I go, I see Bitcoin popping up more and more. Many web services accept payments in the form of Bitcoin, and some even sell their homes for the stuff. I know it's a digital currency, but where does it come from and how is its value determined? More importantly, should I bother earning it and using it for any reason?

This week's episode is brought to you by the folks at Lynda.com!

46: Apple: Charging More for Less Since 1984 Mar 12, 2015

Show notes

This week on Supercharged we’re talking about what actually happened at the Apple Watch event (spoiler: not much), Google’s new car insurance tool, and when you should pay more for high quality goods. We’re also not answering your questions because you guys sent in a lot of comments, so we’ll talk about those instead!

Links for this episode:

Chromebook Pixel review (2015): less expensive, still impractical
Though the Pixel looks the same as its predecessor, it feels like a big improvement, thanks to its tripled battery life and lower price. Chrome OS has come a long way too, to the point where the idea of doing everything online doesn't seem like as crazy an idea as it once did. That said, as well-designed as the Pixel is, $999 is a lot to pay for a laptop that only runs Chrome OS, especially when comparable Mac and Windows machines can run all manner of desktop apps -- including the Chrome browser.
Introducing Google Compare for U.S. car insurance
Whether it’s buying the right car insurance or finding the best credit card, people want an easy way to understand and compare financial products online. In fact, when it comes to buying car insurance, 80% of drivers think they’d find a better policy if they could compare more than two providers.* That’s why today we’re introducing Google Compare for car insurance in California, with more states to follow. This represents the newest addition to a suite of Google Compare products designed to help people make confident, more informed financial decisions.
Everything Apple Announced Today that Actually Matters
Apple had their big press conference today and revealed all kinds of new details about the Apple Watch, revealed a new MacBook, announced cable-free HBO access, and talked about ResearchKit. If you didn't feel like spending your morning watching their press conference, we did it for you. Here's what they announced that really matters.
The Apple Watch Battery Will Be Replaceable
New details are still emerging about the Apple Watch following yesterday's big "Spring Forward" event in San Francisco, with a new report pointing to a completely replaceable battery for Apple's new wearable.
Inside Apple's New Force Touch Trackpad
Although this past Monday's Apple event was mostly dedicated to the Apple Watch, the most exciting (and perplexing) new piece of hardware was the updated MacBook. But one of its new features, the Taptic Engine-enabled "Force Touch" trackpad, also found its way into a refresh of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, which iFixit tore apart immediately.
The Best Reason Not to Buy an Apple Watch Yet
The Apple Watch is a tantalizing piece of hardware. After years of rumors, you can almost finally slide one onto your body. I'm here to throw a wet blanket on your wrist; almost no one should buy one of these things.
Apple Donates Over $50 Million to Increase Diversity in the Tech Industry
Apple's annual shareholders meeting is currently underway at the company's headquarters in Cupertino, California, and one big item on the agenda, according to Apple’s human resources chief Denise Young Smith, is a plan to partner with a few non-profit organizations on an effort to bring more women, minorities, and veterans into the tech industry.
http://lifehacker.com/why-researchkit-is-the-most-exciting-thing-apple-announ-1690533190
Apple announced several things yesterday, but ResearchKit, the company's new medical research and health platform, is clearly the technology with the most potential to actually improve people's lives. Services like it are already at work around the globe, helping doctors and patients manage symptoms and improve health. Here's why it's important, and how it could actually change health care for the better.
When It Makes Sense to Buy Quality Instead of Saving Money
Being frugal doesn't just mean saving money—it means spending your money wisely. That also means some things may be cheap now, but actually cost you more in the long run, while other times it makes sense to spend more now for a better, longer-lasting experience. Let's take a look at when it makes sense to splurge now to save later.
Do wristband heart trackers actually work? A checkup.
More wrist-based heart rate monitors are hitting the market, letting you gauge your fitness with a quick read of your pulse. But as Sharon Profis discovered after a visit to the doctor, these optical monitors may need more R&D.
Fitness Bands With Heart-Rate Tracking Are Missing a Beat
The newest trend in wearable technology sent me to the cardiologist.

45: Not Exercising Is NEAT! Mar 05, 2015

Show notes

This week on Supercharged we’re talking about Apple’s watch event, streaming HBO, and fitness hacks. We’re also answering your questions about burnout and Bluetooth unlocking.

Guests: Paul Shaw (Personal Trainer/Boot Camp Fitness Instructor) and Thorin Klosowski (Writer at Lifehacker).

Links for this episode:

Apple Putting Banners Up at Yerba Buena Center Ahead of March 9 Event
Apple began its efforts to decorate the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco yesterday, putting up the scaffolding that would allow workers to hang colorful banners and logos, and as of today, the first decorations have gone up.
Rumor Suggests 12-Inch Retina MacBook Air Could Launch During March 9 Apple Watch Event
Apple could be planning to introduce the much-rumored 12-inch Retina MacBook Air during its March 9 Apple Watch event, according to one site that claims to have sources within Apple. The Michael Report believes Apple will use the event to debut the ultrathin MacBook, which is rumored to have a Retina display and a redesigned chassis.
MacBook Air Refresh With Broadwell Processors and Intel HD 6000 Graphics Appears Imminent
Apple's MacBook Air hasn't been updated since last April, which means the company's line of ultraportable notebooks is due for a refresh. New screenshots from the forums of Chinese site Feng.com suggest an update is imminent, depicting the specifications of a MacBook Air with one of Intel's Broadwell processors. According to the user who posted the screenshots, they're from a 2015 MacBook Air that was produced by Foxconn.
HBO and Apple in Talks for $15/Month Apple TV Streaming Service Launching in April
HBO is in talks with Apple over a partnership that would see its upcoming standalone web-only subscription television package available on the Apple TV, reports Michael Learmonth, writing for International Business Times. CNBC has also confirmed that Apple and HBO are in talks in the video tweet posted below.
Pebble Time Steel is a dressed-up version of Pebble's latest watch
It was just a week ago that Pebble launched the Time, its new smartwatch and software platform on Kickstarter. The company has raised over $12 million in funds and taken pre-orders for more than 65,000 watches. But as to what CEO Eric Migicovsky alluded when the campaign launched, the company isn't quite done with new product announcements.
Shyp just fixed the nightmare of online returns
The easiest way to return unwanted items ever.
Burn Calories Using NEAT - Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis
N.E.A.T. stands for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. Dr. James Levine is credited for his research and findings on NEAT. According to Dr. Levine, "You can expend calories in one two ways. One is to go to the gym and the other is through all the activities of daily living called NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis). It appears that NEAT is far more important for calorie-burning than exercise in nearly everyone."
How Sitting All Day Is Damaging Your Body and How You Can Counteract It
Do you sit in an office chair or on your couch for more than six hours a day? Then here are some disturbing facts: Your risk of heart disease has increased by up to 64 percent. You're shaving off seven years of quality life. You're also more at risk for certain types of cancer. Simply put, sitting is killing you. That's the bad news. The good news: It's easy to counteract no matter how lazy you are.
How Can I Start Getting in Shape in 20 Minutes a Day?
According to the New York Times, interval training is the lifehacker's shortcut to exercise and fitness. If 20 minutes of exercise a day is enough to seriously improve my fitness, I'm game, but I'm not sure what interval training is all about or how to get started. What do I need to know?

This week's episode is sponsored by Lynda.com, my favorite place to learn stuff!

44: Fruity Pebble's Non-Ionizing Radiation Feb 26, 2015

Show notes

This week on Supercharged we’re talking about more fun malware, Pebble’s new smartwatch, and productivity hacks and myths. We’re also answering your questions about what the most productive people do and Simple’s banking problems.

Guests: Jeff Steinke (of BlueFletch, @jeff_steinke), Alan Henry (of Lifehacker, @halophoenix), and Darren Herczeg (@DarrenCorp on Instagram).

Links for this episode:

Seven Productivity Myths, Debunked by Science (and Common Sense)
The end goal of "productivity" is to spend less time doing the things you have to do so you have more time for the things you want to do. Of course, if you follow every morsel of productivity advice out there, you probably spend more time moving papers and emails around than actually getting anything done. Need to simplify your routine? Let's put an end to some common productivity tropes once and for all.
More Productivity Myths, Debunked by Science (and Common Sense)
“A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind.” “If you had more hours in the day, you'd be more productive.” These are common productivity tropes you've probably heard before, and you may even be wasting time trying to follow them when they don't make sense for you. Let's take a look at some of the most popular claims about productivity, and see if there's science to back them up.
The Other Superfish-Like Malware You Should Check Your PC For
Last week, the internet erupted in anger after discovering Lenovo has been bundling Superfish, a horribly insecure piece of adware, on new machines. Superfish isn't the only program of its type out there, though. Here are a few others you should check your PC for.
Making Time: how Pebble built its next smartwatch
Pebble’s offices are the typical mix of very serious work and casual, laid-back mess that’s endemic to startup culture in Silicon Valley. I’m here to see the company’s next smartwatch, and CEO Eric Migicovsky is eager to show it. But first we’re getting a tour of Pebble’s garage-turned-office, which sprawls across three buildings on a Palo Alto block and houses about 130 employees.
Google now lets you upload 50,000 songs to the cloud for free
Google's taking a big step out in front of its music streaming competitors today. The company has just announced that effective immediately, you'll be able to upload up to 50,000 songs from your personal music collection and store them in the cloud through Google Play Music — all for free. The previous limit was 20,000.
Bundled Crapware Has Come to Macs, So Hone Your BS Detectors
There's an old belief that Macs don't have the same crapware/malware problem that Windows does. However, with the rise of Macs over the past few years, that's no longer true. Our friends at the How-To Geek explain how OS X crapware works, and how to avoid it.

Pixel Love Playing Cards

43: You're a Junk Hut Feb 19, 2015

Show notes

This week on Supercharged we’re talking about tattoo removal, Apple’s aiming too high with their watch, and building your own PC. We’re also answering your questions about focusing with music, Android tablets as photo frames, and hard drive troubles.

Links for this episode:

Apple wanted to build a far smarter Watch, but couldn't find the technology
New report suggests Apple's grand ambitions for a state-of-the-art health tracker had to be scaled down.
Canadian invents creme that removes tattoos
As hard as we try, most of us are going to do a thing or two that we regret over the course of our lives. This new creme will help erase some of those regrets, though: it can make tattoos disappear.
You can now save photos and files straight to Dropbox in iOS
When Apple released iOS 8 last fall, it made possible a lot of things that Android users have taken for granted for years now. Chief among those new features was the ability for third-party apps to work in Apple's sharing system, which meant you could do a lot more with various links and files in iOS. Of course, third-party apps needed to be updated to work in this new sharing system, so it's taken some time for these features to be completely taken advantage of.
How to Build a Computer: The Complete Guide
Building a computer from scratch gives you the perfect machine for your needs, but it can be daunting the first time around. Here's our complete guide, from picking the parts, to putting it together and installing your OS.
6 Essential Tips for First-Time PC Builders
Building a computer is the best way to get the perfect machine for your needs. We've shown you the basic steps before as well as some other tips, but there are certain things most of us learn after screwing up and wasting a lot of time. Here are a few things you can learn from veterans' mistakes.
The Always Up-to-Date Guide to Building a Hackintosh
Building a hackintosh—that is, installing Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware—used to require extremely restricted hardware choices and quite a bit of know-how. Now your options are vast and the installation process is fairly simple. With that in mind, here is our always up-to-date guide to building a hackintosh that will walk you through purchasing compatible parts, building your machine, and installing OS X all on your own.
PCPartPicker
A great resource for finding builds, guides, the best prices on parts, and more.
How to Test Your PC for the New "Superfish" Security Vulnerability
Security researchers have discovered a vulnerability in a piece of adware called Superfish that makes your computer vulnerable to all kinds of attacks. Superfish ships preloaded on many Lenovo computers, but can also be installed on any machine. Here's what's going on and how to test if you're infected.
Sony is no longer an electronics company
Sony announced last night that it's spinning off its audio and video divisions, much like it spun off its television division last year. That won't mean much right now; Sony still displayed interesting new Android-powered TVs at CES, and we're sure to see new crazy high-end Walkmans and camcorders with Sony branding from the newly independent AV division as well.
Vizio P-Series review: now is a great time to buy a 4K television
There are two things you should know before buying a TV in 2015: you should only buy a 4K TV, and there is barely any 4K content you can watch on it right now. That sounds insane, but right now insanity is the best option for a TV shopper. I’ve been testing the various ways TV manufacturers — especially Vizio — have been trying to deal with the madness. The most insane thing of all: it can actually work.
What To Do If Your Social Security Number Has Been Stolen in a Hack
Last week, health insurer Anthem lost over 80 million patient records, including sensitive information like social security numbers, email and physical addresses, and more. The fallout has already started, with Anthem customers getting bombarded with phishing scams. If you're an Anthem customer—or are just worried about the next hack—here's what you need to do to protect yourself.
1986 Apple fan fashion flashback
Go back in time to when the Apple logo had rainbow colors and collars were a-poppin'. The 1986 Apple Collection clothing catalog featured oversize sweatshirts and other '80s fashion atrocities.
Whitson Gordon: Computer Molester
You know, because.
How to Save Money When You Build Your Own PC
Computers are expensive, and every dollar counts if you're building one on a budget. If you pick the right parts, shop at the right stores, and use a few simple tricks, you can save quite a bit on that new PC.

This week's episode is sponsored by the wonderful online learning service, Lynda.com!

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