How Secure is My Password lets you know just that

We've all heard it before; you need to select a lengthy password, one that's hard to guess. Not a dictionary word. And it has to have some capital letters in it too, and some digits, and a symbol or two won't hurt either.

That's a handy set of rules to keep in mind, but How Secure is My Password helps us understand why they're important.

It's basically like a full-screen version of one of those password-strength meters websites sometimes use. But instead of showing you a bar going from "weak" to "strong", it shows you an estimation of how long your password would take to crack. That's a much more visceral way to understand why your password is strong.

For example, when I entered "rabbit", it came back with "your password is one of the 500 most common passwords. It could be cracked almost instantly". "rabbit5" would take two hours, "$rabbit5" would take 38 days, and "$rabbitZ5" would take 237 years. It's quite enlightening to see what a difference three simple characters can make.

How Secure is My Password lets you know just that originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 05 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/05/how-secure-is-my-password-lets-you-know-just-that/

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Microsoft files antitrust complaint against Google in Europe, showdown imminent

Microsoft, citing Google's tyrannical 95% share of the European search market, has lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission. It's not like Microsoft is breaking any ground here -- the European Commission has been investigating Google's alleged violation of European competition law since November 2010 -- but there's no doubt that the addition of Microsoft's gravitas will affect the proceedings.

Microsoft's complaint reads like a sincere and plaintive cry for help against the Google Overlord. Microsoft lists no less than six damning reasons why Google's behavior is anti-competitive -- from Windows Phone 7's incompatibility with YouTube, to its nefarious handling of Google Books -- and finishes with a wide-eyed plea to the European Commission to please find Google guilty.

For those of you that have been following Microsoft's own antitrust troubles over the last decade, don't worry: MS is quick to point out the irony in the situation. "There of course will be some who will point out the irony in today's filing. Having spent more than a decade wearing the shoe on the other foot with the European Commission, the filing of a formal antitrust complaint is not something we take lightly. This is the first time Microsoft Corporation has ever taken this step. More so than most, we recognize the importance of ensuring that competition laws remain balanced and that technology innovation moves forward."

It sounds like Microsoft, having well and truly gone through the wringer, wants Google to be held similarly accountable. That's fair enough, right?

Microsoft files antitrust complaint against Google in Europe, showdown imminent originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/microsoft-files-antitrust-complaint-against-google-in-europe-sh/

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Swappable Soles Let These Boots Adapt To Any Condition [Boots]

No one wants to spend their money on a uni-tasker. They want as much bang for their buck as they can get, so Korkers has expanded their line of convertible fly fishing boots for use in snow and ice as well. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/6tjOD6Ip9YI/swappable-soles-let-these-boots-adapt-to-any-condition

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HTC’s Answer To iCloud: A New Deal With Dropbox

Slotted in the middle of HTC's Android phone announcements tonight in Barcelona, the CEO of HTC, Peter Chou, revealed a new development that is the handset maker's answer to Apple's iCloud: a deal with Dropbox, currently the big name in cloud storage. HTC says that those who buy an HTC One, the company's new flagship device, will get 25 gigabytes of storage free for two years -- a huge deal, considering that currently it costs $9.99 per month for 50 gigabytes of storage (two gigabytes is the only free service offered).

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/_FsLvOR9kOo/

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Sony plans largest ad campaign in 'many years' to launch new Xperia smartphones

Sony didn't just reveal some new smartphones at its Mobile World Congress press event today. It also took the opportunity to announce that it will be launching what Sony Mobile CMO Steve Walker describes as "by far the largest brand advertising campaign that we have run for many years." He went on to say that Sony would be "significantly increasing" its marketing investment in 2012, but failed to get any more specific than that, noting only that the company would be "engaging consumers in new and very creative ways." There's also no word on when that campaign might start, but the company's two latest smartphones are slated to roll out sometime in the second quarter of this year.

Sony plans largest ad campaign in 'many years' to launch new Xperia smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 13:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/26/sony-plans-largest-ad-campaign-in-many-years-to-launch-new-xpe/

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HTC updates Beats Audio, makes it work with any third-party app

Let's just say we were underwhelmed by the first iteration of HTC Beats on the Sensation XE. But now it looks like the technology has been revamped for the latest One handsets, so -- once we've tasted the pudding -- we might just have to revise that opinion. The new Beats is claimed to make music sound more "authentic," and whereas the previous version could only be activated inside HTC's stock music player, this time it'll work with YouTube, Pandora, Spotify and any other third-party Android app. What exactly will it do with those apps? And will it move beyond its current gimmicky bass-boost status? We'll just have to wait and listen.

HTC updates Beats Audio, makes it work with any third-party app originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Feb 2012 16:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/hsphYfCqACY/

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We Discover the Best iPad Bluetooth Headset

A lot of iPad applications now enable users to engage in online audio and video conversations. Of course, the iPad contains a built-in mic and speaker system to be used in such conversations. However, using an iPad Bluetooth Headset is still preferred by many because it gives a relatively clearer sound and more focused mic as compared to the built-in sound devices. A Bluetooth headset, however, has been gaining popularity because it gives users wireless mobility that is not available [...]

Source: http://tabletbuzzblog.com/we-discover-the-best-ipad-bluetooth-headset/

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Google Latitude check-in deals now available across the US

Recently, Google has been busy beefing up Latitude to make it more competitive with other location apps -- and more fun to use. Location history was added recently, iOS users can post check-ins via Latitude, and now Google has begun rolling out location-based deals which are tied to the service.

If you're in the U.S., you can now score local savings at participating merchants by checking in with Latitude. Google will also be offering "status deals," which users can unlock by visiting a particular merchant on a regular basis. Mashable notes three status levels: regular, VIP, and guru -- though partners can apparently customize those titles if they choose.

Right now deals are available from merchants like American Eagle Outfitters, Arby's, Finish Line, Macy's, Quiznos, and RadioShack.

Google Latitude check-in deals now available across the US originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/08/google-latitude-check-in-deals-now-available-across-the-us/

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AC picks: Apps from the world of rock music

Everyone likes different music, so some of you out there probably won't find anything contained within that will whet your appetite. Personally, I love rock music. If there's guitars involved there's a good chance i'll give it a try. It's a pretty diverse category with so much different -- and killer -- music to offer. 

As more and more people get smartphones, we're starting to see musicians use apps as a new way to reach their fans. Everyone (well nearly everyone) uses Facebook, Twitter, Google+ to keep up with their idols. But what about an app? Like all apps the offerings vary in quality, but a lot offer some really nice features for fans to take advantage of. 

What we don't seem to have is just an RSS reader with a smattering of pictures and tour dates. Video catalogues, music clips, even notifications are all available from some of the biggest and best in the world of rock. We've picked out a selection of apps to get you started which you'll find linked below. 

• Slayer
• Foo Fighters
• Incubus
• Red Hot Chilli Peppers
• Linkin Park 
• Five Finger Death Punch
• Ozzy Osbourne
• Bullet For My Valentine
• InnerPartySystem
• Bad Company
• Bon Jovi
• Nuclear Blast (label)
• Snow Patrol
• Skunk Anansie
• Pixies
• Black Label Society

If there's any that you guys feel deserve a mention, shout out in the comments and we'll build the list up. Lets rock!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/fD3HvBTThIs/story01.htm

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