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Software: MSN for iPad (Free App)

On a post on the (LINK) MSN blog (http://msnblog NULL.msn NULL.com/blogpost NULL.aspx?post=10c87c2c-6d2e-4ce6-8666-f8acdaa28614&_nwpt=1&lc=1033), Microsoft announced today the availability of the MSN app for iPad.

Today we are launching MSN for iPad in the US. Available via the iTunes App Store (http://itunes NULL.apple NULL.com/us/app/msn-for-ipad/id497011996?mt=8), MSN for iPad introduces a beautiful way to stay in the know with MSN

The post includes a demo of the new iPad app.

<span id="hkmuob-id-6156" class="hkmuob_noscript">Video: Introducing MSN for iPad in the US (http://www<span class="HkMuob_display"> NULL</span>.bing<span class="HkMuob_display"> NULL</span>.com/videos/browse?mkt=en-us&amp;vid=ca8edada-6986-437b-906c-229fa3269091&amp;from=sharepermalink&amp;src=FLPl:embed::uuids)</span>

 

Explore MSN

The MSN channels, you know and love are displayed on the rich front page, including:

  • News: Stay in the know with breaking news and video from MSNBC.com.
  • Sports: Find the latest stories, predictions and award winning news on your favorite teams from Foxsports.com.
  • Entertainment & Celebrities: Browse movie reviews, read about your favorite musical acts and more in the entertainment section. Stay up to date on the latest celebrity news and gossip from Wonderwall.

  • Editor’s Picks: Explore the best content MSN has to offer hand-selected by our editorial team.
  • Video: With a tap of a finger you can watch the most popular videos on MSN.
  • Money: From financial advice to savings tips, stay up to date on your money matters.
  • Living: Whether you’re interested in celebrity fashion, the latest beauty trends, or budget solutions for your family, MSN Living has always been your go-to destination with great content from your favorite print brands.
  • Autos: Get car information and expert advice from MSN Autos while you’re on the go.

     To download the MSN app you can visit the (LINK) iTunes store (http://itunes NULL.apple NULL.com/us/app/msn-for-ipad/id497011996?mt=8)

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Alert: Beware of Facebook Freebies! (Post via Facecrooks.com)

The following post comes from (LINK) Facecrooks.com (http://facecrooks NULL.com/Scam-Watch/beware-of-facebook-freebies NULL.html). They are a great resource for Facebook information. (Thanks to Facecrooks for allowing the repost)

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no_scam-150x150   Very few words can capture one’s attention more than the word ‘FREE.’ You would think that the constant use and overuse by marketers worldwide would eventually desensitize us to its power, but such is not the case. Just seeing the word on a page, in an online advertisement, or hearing it on the television or the radio is enough for the average person to stop and take notice.

Facebook scammers and spammers have enjoyed great success with the lure of false promises. At any given moment, you don’t have to look very hard to find the following “Free” offers or scams on Facebook:

  1. Free iPads, iPhones, Personal Computers or Tablets
  2. Free Gift Cards & Vouchers
  3. Free Airline Ticket Offers
  4. Free Facebook Credits
  5. Free Facebook Events
  6. Free Virtual & Game Items

99% of the time, the end game encountered by unsuspecting users is either a survey scam or a marketing gimmick where you have to complete several ‘special’, ‘reward’ or ‘bonus’ offers to qualify for the promotion. These offers often cost real money, and we have yet to hear of a case where the participant actually received anything after jumping through all of the hoops. (if you know of someone that has, please have them send us an email with the details – info@facecrooks.com (info null@null facecrooks NULL.com))

What’s in it for the scammers?

So why do the scam creators go through all of the trouble? If there is a word more powerful than ‘FREE,” it could be ‘MONEY.’ The more benign scams are run by marketing companies that get paid a commission for each survey completed or offer accepted. Users often submit their name, date of birth, home address, email address and phone number while signing up for the ‘special’ offers. As you can imagine, this is a treasure trove of data for unscrupulous marketers and identity thieves.

Another danger with survey scams is the potential for malware infections. Users are often tricked into downloading what they think are games, browser plug-ins or other files. If their system isn’t protected, then they could unknowingly install a virus, keylogger, or all sorts of other malware.

How can you protect yourself from these scams?

  1. The first step is to be aware that scams like this are prevalent on Facebook. If you have the mindset that most of the ‘free’ offers you encounter are bogus, then you’ll be a step ahead of the game.
  1. Think before you Click! If the offer sounds too good to be true, then don’t click that link! There is no way a company can afford to give every Facebook user a $25.00, $50.00 or $100.00 gift card. A little common sense here tells you that something is way off base.
  1. If the offer being presented sounds like it could be legitimate, then contact the company to verify the promotion. Visit their website or contact them on the telephone. This will only take a few moments and could save you a lot of trouble down the road.

As the old saying goes, “if it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is.” No where are these words of wisdom more applicable than on Facebook!

Apple: Using an iPad 3G without getting a data plan (Basically Wi-Fi only mode)

apple  In this economy there are times where you just don’t want to pay for all the bells and whistles. People are always looking for a way to cut the “FAT” out of expenses.

One way to save a little is to not pay the ridiculous prices cell providers charge for data services. (Keep in mind, that some of you may be under a data contract that has REALLY HIGH PENALTIES if you cancel, so check how much its going to cost you before trying to get out of your data plan) For those that already have expired contracts or can get out of your data plan, you could be seeing $50 or more a month in savings while still being able to use your device via Wi-Fi.

The specific situation I will be addressing at this point comes because of helping a friend (Shannon this one is for you) that has a 3G iPad from Verizon that she would like to use but doesn’t need the 3G access.  Since the main uses for her iPad will be at home where she is already paying for internet (and has Wi-Fi) or maybe while out at Starbucks or McD’s.  The error / issue she was getting was an error message about “Needing access to her account”.  That message is because the 3G service is turned on with the iPad 3G by default.

 

So here is how you convert the iPad 3G in to a Wi-Fi iPad

 

Steps -

  1. Turn on your iPad. (Ok I know this one is obvious but I still have to include it)
  2. Go to the “Home” screen on your iPad.
  3. Tap “Settings” –> Then tap “Cellular Data”
  4. Change the selection that says “Cellular Data” to “Off” (3G service is now off)
  5. At this point, The iPad should automatically detect wireless networks (as long as you are somewhere that has Wi-Fi, so yes make sure you are in a Wi-Fi area)

                -> If your Wi-Fi (or the Wi-Fi in the area you are in) is secure, You may be asked to type in a username and password to connect, depending on the network security settings. .

6. That’s it, you should now be able to use your iPad with only Wi-Fi

 

Additional Notes -

  1. You may see random values displayed for Cellular Data in the General Settings when after you turn off cellular data. If you do you can ignore it. These numbers do not represent any real data being transferred (At the moment cant really explain why the numbers appear)
  2. Also Keep in mind these changes don’t have to be permanent, its just a matter if contacting your iPad provider and getting a data plan from them, then turning the Cellular Data back on to get your iPad back on a 3G data plan

 

Apple: (From Gizmodo) Apple Security Breach Gives Complete Access to Your iPhone (ALERT)

apple Gizmodo is reporting that a new vulnerability has been found that affects iPhone, iPod, and iPads

From Gizmodo -

Right now, if you visit a web page and load a simple PDF file, you may give total control of your iPhone, iPod touch (http://gizmodo NULL.com/tag/ipodtouch/), or iPad to a hacker. The security bug affects all devices running iOS 3.1.2 and higher.

Update: Initially we thought that this exploit only effected iOS4 devices, but it turns out all iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads running 3.1.2 and higher are susceptible.

The vulnerability is easily exploitable. In fact, the latest one-click, no-computer-required Jailbreak solution for iOS 4 devices (http://gizmodo NULL.com/5601874/jailbreakme-20-jailbreaks-all-apple-ios-40-401-and-321-devices) uses this same method to break Apple’s own security (although in a completely benign way for the user).

The result is that, without any user intervention whatsoever, that program can do whatever it wants inside your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Anything you can imagine: Delete files, transmit files, install programs running on the background that can monitor your actions… anything can be done.

The short answer to this issue is that you need to be careful and not click on any links to PDFs on your iPhone, iPod, or iPad until Apple releases an update to this issue.

The complete post can be found on the Gizmodo site (LINK:) http://gizmodo.com/5603319/ (http://gizmodo NULL.com/5603319/)

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