Monthly Archives: August 2012

Slingbox Streams Your TV Anywhere In The World

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Whether you’re just on the go or away on vacation, Slingbox makes it easy to keep up with all of your favorite television shows. Slingbox is a device that allows you to watch your TV from your PC, your laptop, or your mobile device. You can fast forward, rewind, pause, and even change channels with a virtual, on-screen remote control. You can even set your DVR to record your favorite shows while your away.

Slingbox comes in two versions, Solo and Pro. The Solo broadcasts in standard definition, the Pro in full 1080i High Definition. The Pro edition also lets you connect up to three additional AV sources for a complete entertainment center at your fingertips. Both come with easy-to-install pass-thru connectors.

Slingbox is compatible with both PC and MAC, with available support for the iPhone and iPad, Android phones and tablets, Blackberry, Windows Phones, and Palm devices.

If you have questions about Slingbox, drop us a line at sweettips@friendlycomputers.com. Don’t forget to ask about our new specials and the computer repair services available in your area.

Remember, Why Call A Geek When You Can Call A Friend!

A Guardian Angel In Your Pocket

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A new app available for the iPhone has brought personal security into the 21st century.

myGuardianAngel is an app that will notify your friends and family if there’s an emergency. It allows you to pick members of your contact list and add them to an emergency contact group who will get an alert when the app is “triggered.” The people on your list receive a text and email that there may be trouble. The message contains your GPS location and a link to audio and/or video captured by the phone.

When activated, the app will record 30 seconds of audio and video footage. The recordings are uploaded to a secure server almost instantaneously, so in the event of a crime being committed, destroying the phone won’t destroy the evidence. The app can also be used in situations that aren’t quite dangerous, but potentially could be. By concealing your phone, audio recordings sent to the server could be just enough to let your loved ones know that you may be in trouble.

myGuardianAngel is available for iOS devices, and at just .99¢, it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.

If you have questions about myGuardianAngel or need assistance setting the app up, send us an email at sweettips@friendlycomputers.com, or call us at 888-PCFRIEND.

Remember, Why Call A Geek When You Can Call A Friend!

Don’t Fall Victim To Phony Tech Support From Microsoft

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Recently, many consumers have been faced with strange telephone calls from people who say they are technicians from Microsoft. These “technicians” claim that your computer has been infected with a virus and that they need to log into your computer to fix it. Of course, these people are not from Microsoft. They’re part of new breed of cyber criminals who’s one and only goal is to scam consumers of their hard earned money.

The con has been around since 2008, but the latest incarnation employs new technologies and professional looking websites, all used in an effort to convince you of their legitimacy. And from the latest reports, the new tactics appear to be very effective at luring people into the scam.

The calls are generally from individuals with heavy foreign accents. They guide the victims to an area of their computer where error logs are recorded and inform the consumer that these are a direct result of the virus. The next step is to lead them to a website that will give the imposter complete access and control over their computers. Then, they’ll inform the end user that their Microsoft license has expired and they need to pay money to renew it. It only seems to get worse from there.

Friendly Computers wants to help keep you protected from these ruthless criminals. First, Microsoft will never call you to say your computer is infected with a virus. If someone calls you claiming to be from Microsoft, hang up immediately. Second, never give someone access to your computer unless it’s a company that you’ve worked with in the past or with someone you know personally. And third, keep your usernames and passwords in a secure place and never share them with anyone.

If you have questions about the Microsoft Scam, or if you’ve received one of these calls, call your local Friendly Computers for assistance in ensuring your information is secure. Or send us your questions to sweettips@friendlycomputers.com. Don’t forget to ask about other computer repair services available in your area.

Remember, Why Call A Geek When You Can Call A Friend!