Microsoft's Hotmail Rebrands to Outlook

Microsoft gave its email service Hotmail a complete overhaul on Tuesday, rebranding the portal as Outlook.com. The new Outlook is pretty, refreshing, and chock full of useful features.

The renovated service boasts a minimalist interface that borrows heavily from the tile-driven design of Windows 8. Facebook Chat and Skype's industry-leading video calls will be built into Outlook, and users can open Microsoft Office files directly in web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Unlike Gmail, Microsoft promises that it won't scan your inbox for keywords to deliver you targeted ads.

Microsoft makes it easy to switch from Gmail to Outlook, which has the ability to easily forward a Gmail account's inbox to Outlook.com with a few simple clicks. In other words, you can use Outlook's interface with your Gmail address.

Apple's Map Is Google Maps Killer

As many had anticipated, Apple announced at this week's Worldwide Developer Conference that it would ditch Google Maps as its primary mapping software for mobile devices. Google destroyed its relationship with Apple when it decided to go toe-to-toe with the iPhone by releasing Android in 2008

The new in-house mapping software will come bundled with iOS 6. If users want to get to Google Maps, they'll have to find and install the app themselves

When Apple's in-house map software debuts with iOS 6 this fall, it will be compatible with Siri and sport new 3D features. It will also offer turn-by-turn driving directions and highlight real-time traffic congestion, not to mention that Apple is partnering with Yelp to offer local information about more than 100 million businesses worldwide.

Several automakers, including BMW, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota have even signed up for a new program that will integrate a Siri button on car steering wheels and make use of Apple's new map system.

Finding bargains on electronics by surfing the web

Finding bargains in this internet era is never easier. Just a little internet surfing can reveal the best deal. Jennifer Openshaw wrote on MarketWatch how to using the web to track down the best deals on electronics. She suggested checking out the following web sites:

NexTag.com

NexTag is a large shopping search engine designed to search other shopping sites. It works a bit like Kayak.com, an engine that searches other travel sites for all the deals.

I especially like two NexTag features. One is a graph showing price trends for the product over the past eight months. The other is an alert function. You can set the price you're willing to pay and get an alert when a retailer offers it. It's like those alerts you get when your favorite stock hits the right price.

NexTag pointed to Amazon, which had a better deal than advertised, and TigerDirect and a few other "e-tailers." But it didn't find traditional retailers such as Target, Sears, or Circuit City. That's a shortcoming, because I think local buying choices should be considered. Still, NexTag is a good starting point to find the good deals.

Pricewatch.com

Pricewatch.com follows the Google approach to simplified search. But the retailer choices are heavily dominated by Wal-Mart; other prime locations like Amazon and TigerDirect aren't there. But the simple search will tell a lot, quickly, about the best prices.

StreetPrices.com

StreetPrices.com cuts a much wider swath through online and traditional retailers. It also dates the most recent update, handy in a market where prices are changing almost hourly. Here, too, you can set price alerts; you can also filter retailers based on their rating.

TigerDirect.com

TigerDirect is a direct retailer with pretty good variety and prices. What I like best, especially for you non-techie types out there, are the graphic-oriented explanations of how things work and what to look for in a product.

Shopper.com

CNET's Shopper.com site gives a good overall selection of retailers and prices, and techies will like the product reviews and comparisons. It's worth a look.

Mistakes that can invite identity theft on the internet

The following are common mistakes people make that can invite identity theft when surfing internet. You can avoid them by following simple tips described under each mistake.

Assuming Your Security Software Is Protecting You
Renew the subscription when the software prompts you. Make sure your security software is active when you're online and that it has been updated within the past week or so.

Accessing an Account Through an Email Link
If an e-mail message asks you to update your password, account number, or other information, don't take the bait. Access an online account only by using your existing browser bookmark or typing in the institution's Web address.

Using a Single Password for All Online Accounts
Use variations on one password. A well-crafted password uses a combination of at least eight letters, numbers, or punctuation symbols.

Downloading Free Software
Download freeware only from reputable sites.

Clicking on a Pop-up Ad That Says Your PC Is Insecure
When closing a pop-up, carefully click on the X on the upper left or right corner, not within the window. To avoid pop-ups altogether, enable your browser's pop-up blocker or use a free add-on blocker.

Shopping Online the Same Way You Do in Stores
Use a separate credit card just for your Internet shopping. Don't use a debit card. Sites that display "https" before their address when you're entering sensitive information and those displaying certification symbols from TRUSTe and other organizations are usually safe, but there are no guarantees.

Source: consumerreports.org
Graphic: wwnytv.net