10 ways the iPhone changed everything

Ten years ago, Nokia was the world's largest phone maker. Microsoft was gearing up to launch Windows Vista. And the best new products at CES included a wireless TV and an MP3 player that streamed internet radio.

Then, on Jan. 9, 2007, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled a device that went on to change the world -- a $499 iPhone that came with 4GB of storage. It was a mobile phone, a music player and an Internet device.

 

10 things to tweak when setting up a Windows 10 laptop

Start the new year off right by setting up your new laptop right. Here are 10 settings to check or change.

1. Check for updates

Microsoft releases a steady stream of Windows updates. Your new laptop checks for updates automatically, but you can check manually by going to Settings (click the gear icon above the Start button), choosing Update & Security from the left-hand column and then clicking the Check for updates button. Or just type "updates" into the search box and click Check for updates. You can update your laptop this way instead of waiting for updates to install the next time you go to shut down your laptop.

 

LG UP970 4K BD player a tortoise to Samsung's hare at CES?

While several companies jostled to be the first to release a 4K Blu-ray player last year LG uncharacteristically waited a full 12 months to announce its own: the UP970. There are advantages to this approach: Firstly, there are about 100 4K discs available for purchase right now as opposed to a handful back then. Secondly, the standards involved are starting to sift themselves out so that potential buyers now know what they'll need their player to support. Namely things like HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

Ford gets another inexpensive GPS option at CES 2017 with Sygic

The Sygic Car Navigation app for Android and iOS will become the first GPS app to gain touchscreen compatibility with Ford's Sync 3 AppLink when it launches for 2018 Ford vehicles.

I'm sure that a number of drivers stopped paying attention to Ford's AppLink the moment that Sync 3 started supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Fortunately for those who aren't the biggest fans of Google Maps or Apple Maps, Ford hasn't given up on its own app connectivity technology and has continued to form new partnerships, such as this one with Sygic.

 

Cambridge Sound Management Nightingale

Most people can relate to the frustration of a bad night's sleep -- waking up groggy, wishing you could stay in bed for another hour... or three. Sadly, busy schedules often keep us from hitting the snooze button for too long.

Related Links:

New Sleep Number bed wants to take the weary out of your rest (hands-on)

Reinvent your sleep cycle with Hello's Sense

Samsung introduces SleepSense, a tracker for better, smarter sleep

Massachusetts-based company Cambridge Sound Management (CSM) wants to end this cycle with Nightingale.