Audience Questions

Audience QuestionsHour 1

Hour 1 Hour 2 Hour 3

Why does my internet access stop when I receive a text message?

Watch Christian from Anaheim, CA Comments

Christian is on Virgin Mobile and every time he receives a text message, his data stops for about 30 seconds. Leo says this is just a disadvantage of CDMA technology, which is what Verizon and Sprint use. Since Virgin Mobile is on the Sprint network, he won't be able to do this. AT&T would allow him to do this though because it is a GSM network. The good news is that with the move to 4G/LTE, all carriers will be able to handle voice and data simultaneously.

Didn't Apple just copy everything they own from someone else?

Watch Rick from Long Beach, CA Comments

Rick feels Apple is being hypocritical by suing Samsung, since they haven't really invented anything new. They merely refined existing technology. Leo says that if Apple owns patents, they have to protect them. Apple does innovate, even after refining a technology. The problem is that software patents really hamper innovation because the patent law duration is 17 years, and that's an eternity in software development. This is why Leo says reform is needed.

What mobile phone would be best for my mother?

Watch Ken from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Comments

Ken has been thinking about getting his mother an iPhone, but Leo thinks the iPhone may be too complicated for elderly parents. Leo got his mother the Jitterbug, and she loves it. It has big buttons, emergency urgent response buttons, and features that help older callers. In Canada, there's the Doro phone, which is recommended by AARP. Members can get the Doro for $10 a month.

Ken was also thinking of an Android phone, but Leo says Android is more of a tinkering OS. The Lumia 900 Windows Phone 7 may be a better option.

Why has my AT&T reception been decreasing over the past couple months?

Watch Alex from Mission Viejo, CA Comments

Alex uses an iPhone 4 on AT&T and over the past couple of months, his reception has gotten so bad it doesn't work where he lives anymore. AT&T sold him a MicroCell to boost his signal but that doesn't help him when he leaves his house. Leo suggests asking people in his area what they use for their carrier, and maybe he could switch to something else.

Leo also suggests asking other people with AT&T if they're having issues with their reception. If they aren't having trouble, then it could be his phone. Leo says it's weird that the signal has degraded over time, and that could be an issue with the nearest cell tower.

Audience QuestionsHour 2

Hour 1 Hour 2 Hour 3

How can I watch NFL games while on the road?

Watch Peter from New Mexico Comments

Leo says that live TV over the internet is coming, but right now, many require a pay service subscription. It won't be too long before the NFL follows the lead of Major League baseball. In the meantime, he can use the Slingbox, which will allow him to connect it to his cable/satellite box and then log in to watch while he's on the road.

According to the chatroom, he can watch the NFL pre-season and download a free NFL app for iPhone, iPad or Android. The streaming of the pre-season is $15. He can also watch the NFL Sunday Ticket on his iPhone or iPad if he's a DirecTV subscriber.

How can I get wi-fi hotspotting on my MetroPCS Android phone?

Watch Morris from Santa Ana, CA Comments

Leo says Android is fully capable of being a wi-fi hotspot without rooting the phone, but it's up to the carrier whether or not to allow it. If he can't find the hotspot function, then the carrier probably isn't allowing it. He could install software that would do the hotspot by rooting it, but he might be in violation of his contract and MetroPCS could use that as an opportunity to discontinue his service or charge him extra.

The chatroom says there is a program called FoxFi which actually doesn't even require rooting the phone.

Why can't I get internet access on my laptop despite it showing it's connected?

Watch Sam from Garden Grove, CA Comments

Sam has tried replacing drivers, restarting the router and modem and even bypassing the router and connecting directly to the modem. Leo concludes that there's something wrong with software on the laptop, and is most likely a Windows issue. He says it could either be security software that's blocking the connection or a virus that's doing it. Leo first recommends disabling his McAfee antivirus. It could be that the antivirus is being overzealous and is cutting out wireless activity.

Don in the chatroom says that McAfee's last update actually broke all internet connections to all ISPs. McAfee says he can boot into Safe Mode, with Networking, launch McAfee and look for the latest McAfee update and delete it. Get the new update (6809) and then install it.

Leo's really not a fan of McAfee at all. He should go with ESET Nod32. If he doesn't want to pay for antivirus, he could get the free Microsoft Security Essentials.

(Disclaimer: ESET is a sponsor).

How can I recover my data after performing a quick format?

Watch Robert from Las Vegas, NV Comments

Leo says stop using the hard drive immediately. Fortunately, a quick format doesn't really erase it, it merely earmarks it for being erased. There's some great, free, unerase utilities out there. Leo recommends Recuva.

Audience QuestionsHour 3

Hour 1 Hour 2 Hour 3

What computer should I get for nursing school?

Watch Elizabeth from Orange County, CA Comments

It's best to contact the school first to see if there's any specific OS that they'd prefer. There may be utilities that are centric to the curriculum that require a specific type of laptop.

In general, Leo says that portability is important. Tablets are great for that, but the problem is that it isn't great for content creation, such as writing papers. So Leo recommends either a MacBook Air or a Windows based Ultrabook. They're light, powerful, and cost less than a $1,000.

Leo likes the Asus Zenbook for Windows. The Samsung 9 Series is gorgeous. She doesn't really need the most powerful chip either. An i5 will save her some money that she can use to boost her RAM. The Lenovo IdeaPad is a good option if you're looking for a desktop replacement.

She should also budget for a Kensington Lock and a subscription to Carbonite to protect her computer and the data that's on it.

Why aren't attachments being forwarded in my email?

Watch Earl from Riverside, CA Comments

Leo says it's normal for attachments to not go along for the ride when forwarding email. It's a security feature. Attachments are dangerous and even images can be infected. Leo understands it's a hassle to save the image out and then re-attach it. Leo also thinks that Earl may be in compact view, not standard which would prevent him from forwarding attachments. He can also check to make sure he's not forwarding just plain text, and he could try a different browser as well.

There's a setting in his webmail that would allow him to compose in RTF or HTML instead of plaintext. The chatroom suggests reading this tech note from GMail - http://support.google.com/mail/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=97577

How can I use iTunes with my Android phone?

Watch Tim from Nashville, TN Comments

Tim has a Samsung Galaxy S III and wants to use his iTunes music on it. Leo recommends DoubleTwist. It'll see his iTunes library and move it over easily. He could also use AirSync to sync wirelessly. For podcasts, Leo likes Dogcatcher as a great "podcast" utility.

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