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Chris Spera
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Featured Reports
Top 10 Changes iOS 7 Needs
April 04, 2013
In recent years, iOS has been at the back of the pack for innovation in mobile operating systems. If iOS is going to remain a heavy hitter, it needs a serious overhaul in the upcoming version 7. Here are the top 10 things it needs to have to hit it out of the park.
Dell Latitude 10-ST2 Windows 8 Pro Tablet: the Good and the Bad
April 01, 2013
The Dell Latitude 10-ST2 is billed as a full Windows 8 Pro tablet and Microsoft Surface Pro competitor. Like Windows 8 itself, the product isn't completely baked yet.
Windows Blue's Got Me Down
March 28, 2013
Microsoft has allowed that something called "Windows Blue" exists. Too bad the company seems hell-bent on taking Windows in the wrong direction.
Logitech Keyboard for Apple Handy, Pricey
February 12, 2013
Connect up to three iDevices simultaneously and quickly switch between them with just a keystroke with Logitech's latest, Mac-worthy, wireless keyboard.
Top GPS Apps for the iPhone - 2013 Edition
January 23, 2013
Apple Maps just doesn't cut it for everyone, so there is a rich market of GPS alternatives for the iPhone. Many are good. In this review we test Google Maps for iOS, Navigon USA, Gokivo, MapQuest, Scout, Nokia HERE Maps, Waze and even Apple Maps.
Can Waze Save Apple Maps?
January 03, 2013
Incorporating Waze navigation and local search into Apple's Maps app and service would address many of the problems that have earned Apple its poor mapping reputation. Unfortunately for Android users, Apple would probably pull the plug on Waze use, or at least relegate them to second-class status.
Resale Sites For Gadgets Flourish
December 13, 2012
The flood of new electronics from Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and others creates a secondary market for resale of the buyers' old devices. eBay, Cragslist and Amazon.com are popular for this, but a new generation of sites — including Gazelle, Glyde and USell — have emerged to specialize in resale of phones, tablets and other such devices. There are important differences between them.
Microsoft Scroogled Site Challenges Google Shopping Honesty
November 30, 2012
Are you getting Scroogled? What does that even mean? Microsoft wants you to believe Google Shopping is a rip-off and has dedicated Scroogled.com to explaining it all. (Hint: Bing is a much safer place to holiday shop.)
Where Are All The iPhone/iPad Lightning Accessories?
November 29, 2012
Where are all the Lightning accessories? It's now almost December -- two months after Apple's new Lightning connector debuted on the iPhone 5 -- and there is still practically no Lightning-compatible iOS hardware available. Owners of the new Lightning-equipped iPad Mini, iPad 4 and new iPods are waiting, too.
5 Best Tablets For The Holidays
November 20, 2012
Looking for the perfect gift for your beloved this year? Something tells us a tablet might be just the ticket. BYTE looks at five: The Apple iPad 4, the iPad Mini, the Samsung Galaxy 10.1, the Microsoft Surface, and the Kindle Fire HD.
Windows 8 Upgrade: No Touch, No Good
October 31, 2012
BYTE's Chris Spera has been using Windows 8 since the first preview version. There's a lot to like about it on the new touch PCs and tablets, but upgrading Windows on your old non-touch PC to the new OS isn't worth the trouble.
The iPad Mini Success Depends on Apple-Controlled Issues
October 08, 2012
Apple needs to make its case for the iPad Mini in four ways. It has to: sell the size; make room for it without acing out the iPad; make sure apps and content look great on the smaller screen; and not price gouge.
T-Mobile, MetroPCS: Merger Has Legs
October 04, 2012
T-Mobile and MetroPCS on Wednesday formally announced their intent to merge to form a new mobile carrier called T-Mobile. You can count on this one getting approved, despite the technology hurdles, but where does it leave Sprint?
T-Mobile To Merge With MetroPCS
October 04, 2012
Update: The merger of T-Mobile and MetroPCS is set to happen. The business models and network technologies don't match, but the problems are fixable and the end-result could be good for both T-Mobile and MetroPCS, definitely for Deutsche Telekom and even for Sprint.
Windows Fits in on the Mac With Parallels 8
October 03, 2012
Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac is the best way to turn your Mac into a Windows machine. The new version lets Windows running in a virtual machine, including Windows 8, take advantage of Mountain Lion features such as dictation.
RIM Customers To Face BES Fragmentation
September 10, 2012
RIM has clarified how current BlackBerry devices, BB10, and BlackBerry Enterprise Server will--and won't--work together, and it ain't pretty. The plan is not for a unified mobile device management console, but a two-headed solution that will require new servers and training.
Your Purchased iTunes, Ebooks Die With You
September 06, 2012
The iTunes license is nontransferable. So when you die, all access to the content you've bought goes with you. BYTE's Chris Spera thinks that's messed up.
Change In RIM Technology Signals Beginning Of End
August 22, 2012
Is a report that Blackberry 10 devices won't work with current Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) servers true? If so, it spells doom for RIM and the Blackberry way of life.
How To Create An OS X Mountain Lion Install USB Drive
August 14, 2012
Here's how to use a free utility, Lion Disk Maker, to create a boot drive for clean installations or emergency use on your Lion- or Mountain Lion-compatible Mac. Create a bootable USB thumb drive like we did, or a bootable DVD.
Wi-Fi Plus Cellular: Is iOS 6 Feature Consumer Friendly?
August 10, 2012
When Wi-Fi loses steam, iOS 6 can switch iPhone and iPad connections over to the cellular data network. Designed as a backup to Wi-Fi, is this new iOS feature all it's cracked up to be? Some users could end up with bigger cellular bills than they anticipated.
HTC Doomed? Strategies It Should Try
August 08, 2012
Once the darling of the converged device world, HTC has been having a rough go of things lately. It has two choices to stay afloat: License RIM's BlackBerry 10 OS, or work with Google to fill in the holes in Android. Either is just crazy enough to work.
AT&T, Verizon Shared Data Plans: Which Is Better?
July 19, 2012
AT&T just joined Verizon in offering a shared data plan. Which is better for you? We compare plan tiers and device costs.
RIM Keeps Manufacturing Out of China
July 17, 2012
The cost arguments for shifting manufacturing to China must have been overwhelming, but Research In Motion CEO Thorsten Heins decided that RIM's reputation for security wasn't compatible with trusting its designs to Chinese state-run companies.
Samsung Enjoined From Selling Galaxy Tab 10.1 in US
July 02, 2012
In a stunning move, a judge grants Apple a second injunction in less than a week against Samsung for patent violations, this time against its Galaxy Nexus smartphone.
Splashtop Releases 'Next Generation' Remote Desktop App For iOS
June 27, 2012
Splashtop 2, the latest version of the desktop remote control app for iOS, supports new hardware, including the Retina display; speeds network traffic; and makes connections easier. Splashtop 2 can remotely control either Macs or Windows PCs from an iPad or iPhone.