Posted on

Why VPNs are Taking the World By Storm (and Why You Need One)

119077042 3321480634595942 5403610597961757622 n

If you’re active online in any capacity these days, then you’ve probably heard something about Virtual Private Networks. From web articles to social media ads and sponsored content on platforms like YouTube, it’s a technology that is at the center of a lot of discussions these days, and with the VPN market growing rapidly, it’s clear that they’re not going away any time soon. But what exactly are VPNs all about, why are they seeing such widespread adoption by individuals and businesses alike, and how do they benefit users? Let’s discuss.

Continue reading Why VPNs are Taking the World By Storm (and Why You Need One)

Posted on

Smartphone Trends to Watch in 2024

friends smartphones calling june242020 min 1334018122

Smartphones have become essential in our daily lives, constantly evolving with new technologies. In 2024, several key trends are set to shape the future of smartphones. From groundbreaking innovations to enhanced connectivity, the industry is on the brink of exciting developments. This article explores the most significant trends to watch, including advancements in technology, the impact of 5G and beyond, the future of foldable phones, and the rise of AI in smartphones. Understanding these trends will help you stay informed and make better choices when selecting your next smartphone.

Continue reading Smartphone Trends to Watch in 2024

Posted on

Benjamin Franklin Middle School’s Annual Phone-free Friday Night Declared a Success

402832083 727308182756683 6324424595392083793 n e1700437419323

photos courtesy of the Ridgewood School District

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Benjamin Franklin Middle School  students dropped their phones at the door for the school’s second annual phone-free Friday night! The theme was scavenger hunt, and the students had a blast!
This amazing event that had our students away from their screens for an entire evening!

Continue reading Benjamin Franklin Middle School’s Annual Phone-free Friday Night Declared a Success

Posted on

Smartphones And Lithium Batteries: A Perfect Match For Extended Usage

friends smartphones calling june242020 min 1334018122

In an increasingly interconnected world, smartphones have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. From communication to entertainment, navigation to productivity, these pocket-sized devices have revolutionized the way we interact with the world around us. At the heart of this digital revolution lies the humble lithium-ion battery, powering our smartphones and enabling us to stay connected and productive for longer periods than ever before. In this article, we will delve into the symbiotic relationship between smartphones and lithium batteries, exploring the evolution of battery technology, their key features, and the impact on user experience and the environment. To learn more about this topic, click here https://goldenmateenergy.com/products/12v-lifepo4-lithium-battery.

Continue reading Smartphones And Lithium Batteries: A Perfect Match For Extended Usage

Posted on

Want to Improve Your Forex Trading Skills? Here’s How

external content.duckduckgo 34

Forex trading has exploded in recent years. With the advent of trading apps that people can use on their smartphones, stock trading has never been easier. As it has become more accessible, amateurs have a desire to get better. This article aims to give you some tips on how to improve your forex trading.

Continue reading Want to Improve Your Forex Trading Skills? Here’s How

Posted on

Rutgers study found Smartphones Are Lowering Students’ Grades

69304770 10157417544219061 1131182252760236032 n

“Smartphones” make you stupid 

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New Brunswick NJ, The ease of finding information on the internet is hurting students’ long-term retention and resulting in lower grades on exams, according to a Rutgers University–New Brunswick study.

The study, published in the journal Educational Psychology, found that smartphones seem to be the culprit. Students who received higher homework but lower exam scores — a half to a full letter grade lower on exams — were more likely to get their homework answers from the internet or another source rather than coming up with the answer themselves.

Continue reading Rutgers study found Smartphones Are Lowering Students’ Grades

Posted on

Planned Obsolescence: Why 21st Century Products Seem Built to Fail

mobile phones

Is that cookware set’s non-stick coating already flaking off after less than 1 year of moderate use through no fault of your own? Does that phone seem to run slower shortly after a new model was released? Are you going bonkers because no repair shop in the country seem to carry that spare part for your beloved lawnmower? If the answer is yes many times over, you may be dealing with a case of planned obsolescence, a fancy word used to explain why today’s consumer products are no longer as resilient as Grandma’s.

What’s Planned Obsolescence?

Continue reading Planned Obsolescence: Why 21st Century Products Seem Built to Fail

Posted on

950 million Android phones can be hijacked by malicious text messages

cellphones_theridgewoodblog

file photo by ArtChick

Booby-trapped MMS messages and websites exploit flaw in heart of Android.

Almost all Android mobile devices available today are susceptible to hacks that can execute malicious code when they are sent a malformed text message or the user is lured to a malicious website, a security researcher reported Monday.

The vulnerability affects about 950 million Android phones and tablets, according to Joshua Drake, vice president of platform research and exploitation at security firm Zimperium. It resides in “Stagefright,” an Android code library that processes several widely used media formats. The most serious exploit scenario is the use of a specially modified text message using the multimedia message (MMS) format. All an attacker needs is the phone number of the vulnerable Android phone. From there, the malicious message will surreptitiously execute malicious code on the vulnerable device with no action required by the end user and no indication that anything is amiss.

In a blog post published Monday, Zimperium researchers wrote:

A fully weaponized successful attack could even delete the message before you see it. You will only see the notification. These vulnerabilities are extremely dangerous because they do not require that the victim take any action to be exploited. Unlike spear-phishing, where the victim needs to open a PDF file or a link sent by the attacker, this vulnerability can be triggered while you sleep. Before you wake up, the attacker will remove any signs of the device being compromised and you will continue your day as usual—with a trojaned phone.

The vulnerability can be exploited using other attack techniques, including luring targets to malicious websites. Drake will outline six or so additional techniques at next month’s Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas, where he’s scheduled to deliver a talk titled Stagefright: Scary Code in the Heart of Android.

https://arstechnica.com/security/2015/07/950-million-android-phones-can-be-hijacked-by-malicious-text-messages/

Posted on

Village Council formally approved the use of Smartphones as a means of paying for parking

PayByPhone_Meter

PayByPhone_Meter

Village Council formally approved the use of Smartphones as a means of paying for parking 

Ridgewood allows use of phones to pay for parking

MARCH 13, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Depending on your technological prowess, paying for parking in the village is about to get either a whole lot easier or much more complicated.

The council formally approved this week an amendment to Ridgewood’s code to include smartphones as a means for paying for time at parking meters downtown.

Ridgewood officials have been mulling a possible contract with Atlanta’s Parkmobile for weeks. Users of the company’s app can pay for spaces with their phones.

Village officials are still in negotiations with Parkmobile, but say that if all goes well, the system could be in place by May.

Officials said stickers with Parkmobile’s information would be affixed to each meter. They will still accept quarters.

The app is already in use in Glen Rock, Fair Lawn and Newark, and links directly to a credit card, debit card or PayPal account.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/counciloks-use-of-phones-at-meters-1.1288381

Posted on

Study: Smartphones stunting students’ social skills

kids-on-smartphones

Study: Smartphones stunting students’ social skills

August 27, 2014

LOS ANGELES – When you see a tween or teen on the street, in a store, outside a school building, sitting in a car, eating at a fast food restaurant…virtually anywhere…what are they likely to be doing? If your answer is staring at their Smartphone, you’d probably be right. And a new study done by the University of California Los Angeles says that can be a roadblock in a child’s ability to read emotions.

The UCLA psychology department looked at two groups of 11- to 12-year-olds. During the research, one group made significantly more progress than the other. The group deprived of all digital media, even television, performed significantly better at recognizing emotions than those allowed to keep texting and tweeting and talking on Facebook after just five days.

In an article published in Malay Mail Online, Patricia Greenfield, senior author of the study, complained, “Many people are looking at the benefits of digital media in education, and not many are looking at the costs. Decreased sensitivity to emotional cues—losing the ability to understand the emotions of other people—is one of the costs.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that as of 2009 22 percent of teens log on to their favorite social media sites more than 10 times a day, half log on more than once a day. Seventy-five percent own cell phones. Twenty-five percent use them for social media, 54 percent for texting and 24 percent for instant messaging.  No doubt those numbers have increased since that poll was published.

Researchers worked with a total of 105 sixth graders from a Southern California public school, a small but significant study. Half of those students spent five days at a nature and science camp where digital technology was strictly taboo. It seems participants were forced to interact with each other face-to-face instead of screen-to-screen.

All were tested before and after the five days.

https://eagnews.org/study-smartphones-stunting-students-social-skills/