Free Music Concerts Schedule

Free Music Concerts in the San Francisco Bay Area Cities

 Music on the Square Redwood City
Fridays,   6-8pm
June 7 – September 27, 2013

June 7 • Bon Jovi Tribute, Steel Horse
June 14 • Elton John Tribute, Kenny Metcalfs Elton John Tribute (early years)

June 14 • Elton John Tribute Kenny Metcalfs Elton John Tribute ELTON – THE EARLY YEARS captures 1970′s Elton John like no other tribute band. Seven seasoned musicians recreate an early Elton John show complete with bell-bottoms, platforms, glitter and sequins. Frontman Kenny Metcalf channels Elton while playing piano and providing lead vocals. Elton – the Early Years has entertained thousands and continue to walk in the legendary footsteps of th

June 21 • Yacht Rock, Mustache Harbor
June 28 • Pop/Soul, Pride & Joy

June 28 • Pop/Soul
Pride & Joy
During its 25 years of phenomenal success, Pride & Joy has remained the most popular band on the Bay Area music scene. This group is the Pride of the Bay Area and a Joy to anyone who loves to dance. They have achieved this by presenting the most timeless pop/soul music of our time in an electrifying high-style show that pulls the audience directly into the heart of their performance. “It’s always been natural for us to reach out and drawin the audience.We make the people feel they’re part of the performance because they are.”
July 5 • Johnny Cash Tribute, Cash Tribute
July 12 • Beach Boys Tribute, Surfin’ Safari
July 19 • Beatles Tribute, The Sun Kings
July 26 • Blues Festival Kick-Off, The West Coast Soul/Blues Review featuring – Pam Hawkins, Roman Carter and Jackie Payne
August 2 • 10 Piece, 60′s Soul Mash-Up Dance Party!, The Mashtones
From Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Sly and The Family Stone, Ike and Tina Turner, Martha & The Vandellas, The Isley Brothers, and many more
August 9 • Foreigner Tribute, Foreigner UnAuthorized
August 16 • Hits from the 80′s, 90′s, Love Fool
August 23 • Journey Tribute, Journey Revisited
August 30 • Santana Tribute, Caravanserai
September 6 • Reggae, Native Elements
September 13 • Michael Jackson Tribute, Foreverland
September 20 • Rockin’ Blues & Classics, The Kevin Russell Band
September 27 • Salsa, Mazacote

Santa Cruz Friday Night Music on the Boardwalk

2 shows for each band: 630 pm & 830 pm
June 14 – August 30, 2013

June 14 ABC “The Look of Love, Pt. 1″

ABC

ABC helped kick-start the Eighties with their own brand of pop for the new decade. In May, 1982 their debut album “The Lexicon of Love” crashed straight into the UK charts at number one, showcasing their ground-breaking collection of hits including “Tears Are Not Enough“, “Poison Arrow“,  “The Look Of Love” and “All Of My Heart“.

ABC’s Martin Fry is a revelation, an ageless soul man belting out Vegas glitter pop and uptown House in his electric blue lounge suit.

ABC audiences and the press all agree that the energy and the vocals of the band today easily match what they put out back in the 80′s , giving audiences worldwide a great night of music and entertainment.

June 21 Gin Blossoms “Hey Jealousy”
June 28 Santana Original Lead Singer Gregg Rolie “Black Magic Woman”
July 5 The Tubes featuring Fee Waybill “She’s A Beauty”
July 12 Blue Öyster Cult “Don’t Fear The Reaper”
July 19 Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven “Low”
July 26 Berlin featuring Terri Nunn “Take My Breath Away”

Berlin featuring Terri Nunn

For fans of electronic music and the far-reaching wave of style and pop culture that followed in the wake of the 80s,  Berlin vocalist Terri Nunn is an icon.

As the charismatic vocalist for a band that virtually launched electronic dance rock in the U.S., Terri earned the No. 11 spot on VH1′s list of the “100 Greatest Women in Rock.”

 

At this high-energy show enjoy hits like “No More Words,” “The Metro,” and “Take My Breath Away” which was featured in the 1986 movie Top Gun and reached #1 on the Billboard Top 100.

Aug 2 Y&T “Summertime Girls”
Aug 9 War “Low Rider”
Aug 16 Foghat “Slow Ride”
Aug 23 Eddie Money “Take Me Home Tonight”
Aug 30 Papa Doo Run Run “Santa Cruz Beach Party”

Music at the Market San Jose, Sand Pedro Market
Friday, from 7 pm – 9 pm
On-going in 2013
Music each and every Friday (and sometimes on Thursday and Saturdays, too).  Fridays are being powered by San Jose Jazz.

Jessica Johnson Live Friday May 31st @ 7:00pm
Mystique Band Live Friday June 7th @ 7:00pm
The Ugetsu Project Live Friday June 14th @ 7:00pm
Latin Sound Machine Live Friday June 21st @ 7:00pm
JC Smith Band Live Friday June 28th @ 7:00pm

Jazz & Blues by the Bay, Sausalito
Gabrielson Park
630 pm – 800 pm
May 31 – Aug 23, 2013o

Concert in the Park, Pleasanton
Lions Wayside Park, Neal and 1st Steet
700 pm – 830 pm
June 7 – August 30, 2013

Evergreen Village Summer Music Nights, San Jose
Evergreen Village Square
630 pm – 830 pm
June 14th – August 23, 2013

Rockin’ The Plaza, Davnille

Blackhawk Plaza
7 pm – 830 pm
July 5 – August 23, 2013

July 5 – Foreverland 
A Michael Jackson tribute band 
*FREE Fedoras
July 12 – The Boys of Summer
A Don Henley/Eagles tribute band 
*FREE beach balls
July 19 – David Martin’s House Party
*FREE Durag
Party dance beats from 60′s Beatles to the Black Eyed Peas
July 26 – Mustache Harbor 
Building a mustache army capable of creating a Soft Rock Explosion created by A.M. Gold
*FREE mustache
August 2 – Zydeco Flames
A high energy Rock & Soul band 
*FREE Air Guitar
August 9 – Pride & Joy 
Dance with timeless pop/soul music 
*FREE sunglasses
August 16 – The House Rockers
Premier Zydeco band with sizzling roots rhythms 
*FREE Mardi Gras Beads
August 23 – Elton: The Early Years
Captures 1970′s Elton John like no other tribute band 
*FREE glasses
*One gift per guest while supplies last.

 

 

 

Friday     Sunday     Monday     Tuesday     Wednesday      Thursday

Saturday

Vasona Vibraions Los Gatos
Saturdays, from 5-7 pm
June 1st – July 27th, 2013
Vasona Lake County Park 333 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, (408)354-2608

On the lawn near the Ranger Office, and just down the hill from the pedestrian entrance at University Ave and Pepper Tree Lane.

Highlight – Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic – Zydeco Music!

Classical Series – Redwood City
600 pm – 730  pm
June 29th , July 20th, 2013

Redwood Symphony
Saturday, June 29th
6-7:30pm

Redwood Symphony is an all-volunteer orchestra dedicated to the performance of ambitious, contemporary repertoire as well as the great orchestral classics with a special emphasis on education. Its August 2012 performance of the Berlioz Requiem at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco was critically acclaimed. Directed by Maestro Eric Kujawsky, members of the Redwood Symphony will offer familiar classical favorites from Bizet and Tchaikovsky along with a Sousa march and violinist Stephen Waarts will play selections from works by Saint-Saens and Mendelssohn.  A special treat this year will be a Beatles song, a preview of the concert the symphony and White Album Ensemble of Santa Cruz will perform across Broadway on August 10th at the Fox Theatre.
Tickets and more info at www.RedwoodSymphony.org.

San Jose Live Music

San Pedro Square, San Jose

On-going in 2013

8 pm – 10 pm (except where noted)

Janelle Lasalle Live Saturday June 8th @ 8:00pm
Brooke Dabalos Live Saturday June 1st @ 8:00pm
The Honey Wilders Live Saturday June 15th @ 8:00pm
Scarry Little Friends Live Saturday June 22nd @ 8:00pm
Daydream Nation Vol. 15 feat. The Bang!, Skinny Ricky & The Casual Encounters Saturday June 29th @ 7:00pm

Angel Island Live, San FranciscoMay – September 2013
200 pm – 430 pm
Varied Artists every Saturday & Sunday afternoon.

Sunday

Sounds of the Shore Redwood City
Music by the Water, Marlin Park
500 pm – 700 pm
June 23, July 21 & August 18, 2013

Los Gatos Music in the Park Artist Line Up
Sundays, 5-7 pm
Civic Center Lawn
June 16th – August 25th, 2013

Highlight: Long Train Running (6/30) Doobie Brothers Tribute; James Garner (7/7) Johnny Cash Tribute

Stern Grove San Francisco

Sundays at 2:00 pm
June 16 – August 18, 2013

Highlight: Michael McDonald & Boz Scaggs (6/16); Ramsey Lewis & Dee Dee Bridgewater (6/23)

Concerts in the Park, Santa Clara
Central Park Pavillion
230 pm – 400 pm

July 8 – August 19, 2013

Highlight: Sidesaddle & Co.  (8/5) Bluegrass

Classical Series - Redwood City
500 pm – 630 pm
July 21, Sept 22, 2013

Angel Island Live, San Francisco

May – September 2013
200 pm – 430 pm

Varied Artists every Saturday & Sunday afternoon.

Monday

There are currently no events happening on Mondays

Tuesday

Flavors of Jazz, Santana Row

Various Outdoor Restaurant Patios
630 pm – 830 pm
July 2 – Aug 27, 2013

Commentary: Sadly, 50% of these are at LB Steak House, where vegetarians and vegans fear to tread. Still can’t understand the trend of opening Steak House after Steak House. Sad commentary on our society supporting unhealthy, artery-clogging food.

Friday     Saturday     Sunday     Monday     Tuesday     Thursday

Wednesday

Sunnyvale Music Series Sunnyvale
5:30pm-8:30pm
June 19th – August 28th, 2013

June 19 – Pacific Standard Time (70’s  funk/r&b) www.pacificstandardtime.com
         
June 26  – Entourage Band (r&b, funk, new school)              www.entouragetheband.com 

July  03 – Sage (old school, r&b, dance)                 www.sagemusic.com

July 10 – Rodeo House (hi-nrg country rock)   http://rodeohouse.com/fr_home.cfm

July  17 – Tortilla Soup (salsa, latin, funk)                 www.tortillasoupmusic.com

July 24 – Long Train Running (doobie bros. tribute band)  www.longtrainrunnin.com

July 31 –  Touch-N-Go  (r&b, dance) – Clyde’s Favorite FUNK R&B Band

Aug. 07 – Radio (r&b, top 40)      www.radiobandmusic.com

Aug. 14 – 2  Bands! Classic Rock Double Shot
Steel Horse (music of bon jovi) www.steelhorsemusicofbonjovi.com/
OTR (rock, 70′s to today) http://www.otrband.net/

Aug. 21 – Busta-Groove! (top 40,  dance)                  www.busta-groove.com

Aug. 28 – The  Hitman (r&b)                    www.thehitmen.com 

Summer Sounds Concerts, Oakland
City Center Plaza Stage,13th and Broadway
1200 pm – 100 pm
June 6 – August 29, 2013

Napata and the Kisses – Wednesday, June 20
Napata and the Kisses is a non-stop revue featuring all the best traditions of American music – from the supple rhythms of Latin jazz to hard hitting R & B.

Zydeco Flames – Wednesday, June 27
Head to the Deep South with the Zydeco Flames and enjoy the West Coast’s premier Zydeco band, rooted in traditional Creole folk sounds.

KJ Allstars – Wednesday, July 7
Covering club hit artists like Flo Rida, Rihanna and Katy Perry; Vallejo’s KJ Allstars will get you on your feet with a rockin’ good time you won’t soon forget.

Hot Einstein – Wednesday, July 18
Hot Einstein turns it up playing classic covers of rock, pop, soul, and rhythm & blues classics you know and love while mixing in some original tunes of their very own.

Alexa Morales – Wednesday, July 25
Singer-songwriter Alexa Morales will move you with her lush vocal arrangements and jazz/pop/Latin fusion sounds.

Concerts in the Park, Santa Clara
Central Park Pavillion
630 PM – 800 pm

June 20th (Blues) & June 27th (Cajun and Zydeco), 2013

Catherine Russell @ Los Gatos – Dynamite Singer

Jazz on the Plazz – Los Gatos
Los Gatos Town Plaza
630 pm – 800 pm
June 26 – August 28, 2013

Kicks off with fantastic performer, Catherine Russell     June 23rd

Highlight: Monterey Jazz Festival Country High School All-Stars (8/21)

Music in the Park – Redwood City

Stafford Park
6 pm – 8 pm
June 19 – August 14, 2013

June 19 • Rock/Pop
Cocktail Monkeys, Specializing in Rock, Pop, Motown & R&B

June 26 • Jump Swing
Lost Dog Found has been the driving force of the current swing revival in San Francisco since 2010 Hot Swing Is Back!

July 3 • Party Band
Livewire Showcases a great mix of the best danceable songs from the 1970s and 1980s through current hits, Livewire covers your favorite rock and dance songs from a variety of artists including Michael Jackson, Billy Idol, Journey, LMFAO, Katy Perry, and many others.

July 10 • Americana
Bundy Browne & The Expresso Rhythm Section (Rick Sigman, Dennis Harper, Casey Smiley) play a unique blend of original music in the “Americana” style, with hints of Bluegrass, Rhythm & Blues and a touch of Reggae.

July 17 • Latin Salsa
FLO – Funky Latin Orchestra
Flo is pleasured and ready to sweep you off your feet with the smooth and energetic sounds of the Mambo, Latin Jazz, Old Skool Funk, Lain Rock, R & B, Pop, Oldies, Salsa and any other surprises that may be pulled out of their hat!

July 24 • BluesThe Pruneyard Music Fest - Campbell
2013- Unclear if event is happening this year
The Madison Blues Band featuring Kerry Daly on vocals is a six piece Chicago and Texas style blues band mixing upbeat dance tunes with soft torch ballads. We cover the spectrum of blues by the original artists- from Magic Sam to Bonnie Raitt adding our own sparkle gets our fans up and dancing.

July 31 • Zydeco
The Zydeco Flames have gained a reputation as the West Coast’s premiere Zydeco band.The Flames’ sixth CD release “Fire It Up”, provides fans with hot Zydeco in the tradition of masters like Clifton Chenier, Buckwheat Zydeco and Queen Ida.

August 7 • Motown
Pure Ecstasy is a Hot Band and a Class Act! From Motown, R&B, Jazz, Soul and Classic Standards, Preston Turner has assembled the Bay Area’s finest vocalists and musicians that can fulfill all of your entertainment needs.

August 14 • Rock/Soul
Jokers & Thieves play soul and funk dance grooves that keep people jumping, Jokers & Thieves also plays the new popular radio songs that fans recognize and enjoy.

Summer Concert Series, Menlo ParkFremont Park (University & Santa Cruz Avenue)
630 pm – 800 pm
June 19 – August 14, 2013

Note: June 19th – Block Party from 5 pm – 9 pm – Up Santa Cruz Avenue

The Pruneyard Music Fest - Campbell

In the back – by Hobees – Camera Theater
Wednesdays, 6 pm – 9 pm

2013- Unclear if event is happening this year.

Friday     Saturday     Sunday     Monday     Tuesday     Wednesday

Thursday

Campbell Summer Concert Series, Campbell
Orchard City Green/Ainsley House; 70 N 1st Street
630 pm – 800 pm
June 20 – August 22, 2013

Highlights: Long Train Runnin’ (6/20) (Doobie Brothers Tribute), Isis and the Cold Truth (7/18) Rock & R&B, The Hitmen (8/15), 70s Funk, Disco, Latin

Summer Concert Series, Mountain View
Locations Vary – Check the website
630 pm – 800 pm
July 11 – August 9, 2013

Highlight – 8/1 - Pacific Mambo Orchestra  A 19 piece big band! Salsa, ChaCha and Merengue!

Summer Concert Series, Cupertino
Memorial Park Amphitheater
630 pm – 800 pm
June 6th – July 11th, 2013

Highlight: Volifonix (7/11) Hair-On-Fire Hot Rock/Funk

Summer Concert Series, Fremont
Central Park
600 pm – 800 pm
July 11th – Aug 15, 2013

July 11
Jukebox Heroes Decades of Billboard Hits July 18     Unauthorized Rolling Stones Tribute Band

July 25
Diablo Road Saddle Rack Country Band

August 1
Big Cat Tolefree New Flava Blues & Soul

August 8
East Bay Mudd Big Horn Band Playin’ R&B Hits

August 15
The Houserockers

Almaden Valley Summer Concert Series in the Park, San Jose
Graystone Park
630 pm – 800 pm
July 11 – August 1, 2013

Highlight: The Groove Kings – (8/1) Dance & Party Music

Music in the Glen, San Jose
Willow Glen Elementary School
630 pm – 830 pm
June 27 – August 8, 2013

Summer Jazz Concert Series, Palo Alto
Stanford Shopping Center btwn Nordstom and Crate and Barrel
600 pm – 730 pm
Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums
June 14 – August 16, 2013
June 14
The “summertime blues”

Stanford Jazz Workshop Faculty All-Stars
June 21

Citizen Rhythm Project
June 28
Citizen Rhythm is another evolution of fusion

Guitar Goddesses
July 5
guitarists Mimi Fox, Jane Getter and Leni Stern join forces to create an exciting new band called Guitar Goddesses.

Project de Congueros
July 12
Conceived by renowned jazz drummer Jaz Sawyer and percussionist Adrian Areas (son of legendary percussion master José “Chepito” Areas)

The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol
July 19
premier jazz vocalists on the scene, Faye Carol remains true to her Mississippi roots

Kai Eckhardt Zeitgeist
July 26
Internationally recognized for his pioneering work in the John McLaughlin Trio and the super-jamband Garaj Mahal

Dayna Stephens
August 2
Internationally renowned saxophonist/composer/educator Dayna Stephens is a force to watch out for.

Mads Tolling Quartet
August 9
Mads Tolling is an internationally renowned violinist, composer and member of the Grammy-winning Turtle Island Quartet.

Quinn DeVeaux and the Blue Beat Review
August 16
Led by the magnetic vocalist and guitarist Quinn DeVeaux, the Blue Beat Review distills the blues, gospel, country, and soul into a funky celebration.

Yes, we have an amazing amount of Free Concerts in the San Francisco Bay Area – Fremont Free Concerts, Los Gatos Free Concerts, San Jose Free Concerts, Sunnyvale Free Concerts, Marin Free Concerts, San Francisco Free Concerts Redwood City Free Concerts, Santa Clara Free Concerts in the Park, Los Altos Free Concerts, Campbell Free Concerts Summer Music Series , Cupertino Free Concerts, Santana Row Free Concerts, Summer Music Nights, Concerts in the Park, Summer Music Series, Summer Music, Summer Concert Series, Music in the Park, Jazz on the Plazz, Rockin’ The Plaza, Free Concerts in Danville

The post Free Music Concerts San Francisco Bay Area – June – August 2013 appeared first on Clyde's Blog about all things Tech.

Note: these tips are primarily for Windows PC’s. For help with an Apple device, give us a call.

Credit: ph0rk

Computers slow down as they age. Some of that is a result of older hardware. However, there are some great free tricks to speeding up your computer. If you’re tech savvy, you may be able to do them yourself. But if you don’t want the hassle feel free to give us a call.

1. Stop Running Non-Essential Programs

Take a look at the programs that you are running. Do you have lots of programs that boot up when you start your computer? We recommend stopping all non-essential programs. This will free up memory and help speed up a slow computer.

2. Replace RAM

If you can afford it, we recommend upgrading your computer to the maximum amount of RAM. RAM (RAM) is a form of computer memory that your computer uses to store and access data. The more you have, the faster and more efficient your computer can be. If you’re computer is on the older side, the RAM will probably be affordable. And you’ll notice a difference in the speed of your slow computer.

3. Do a Full Shut Down

Is your computer always running? If so, you should completely shut it down and power it back up again. Some programs do not release the memory they store when you close them. By doing a complete shut down, you may find your computer runs faster than before.

Note: if you’re computer is acting really strangely or like it may have a virus, give us a call first before shutting down.

4. Empty the Recycle Bin

If you’ve had your computer for a while, you may have a lot of files hanging around. Empty your recycling bin on a frequent basis to free up space on your computer. Always review the contents before emptying, just to be safe. By emptying the recycling bin, your hard drive will be able to allocate space to the things you care about keeping – and speed up your computer.

5. Install an Anti-Virus Software

Sometimes a virus or malware can be the cause of a slow computer. If you notice your computer slow down suddenly, you may have a virus. That’s something you need to take care of immediately. A top notch anti-virus software can help you identify and remove malware. We can recommend and install an anti-virus software for you, or clean a virus off your computer.

How to Speed up a Slow Computer

These are the most user-friendly ways to speed up a slow computer. For other tips or questions, feel free to leave a note in the comments or contact us directly. We have lots of experience in coaxing new life out of a slow computer.

The post How to Speed up a Slow Computer appeared first on Clyde's Blog about all things Tech.

Zipcar.com (Credit: jm3)

Car sharing is a type of car rental that lets people rent cars for shorter periods of time. With car sharing, you can rent cars by the hour. And unlike traditional rental services, you don’t (necessarily) have to visit a business to pick up your car.

Car sharing – great for those on a budget

Car sharing is great for people who do not drive very often or are on a limited budget. In the city, it’s often too expensive (and unnecessary) to own a car. Car sharing for city-dwellers is a great option for those infrequent times where you need a vehicle.

One great thing about car sharing is that the rental includes insurance. So you won’t have to maintain expensive auto insurance – it’s all included.

The other big perk that we alluded to is that you may have a car nearby. No need to go very far out of your way to rent a car.

The top car sharing companies are Zipcar, GetAround, RelayRides and City Car Share. Some of these companies are only in urban areas, while others can be found many places. All of them are high-tech, so you can sign up online and even use mobile apps to rent cars quickly and easily.

The hot new thing in car sharing is to put your own car up for sharing. If you have an extra car that doesn’t get used very often, you can make a few dollars by renting it out. GetAround is one company that makes it easy and safer to earn money with your vehicle. Neat, huh?

Car sharing is an eco-friendly and budget conscious way to get around. While best for urban dwellers, many suburbanites can take advantage of local car shares. Different services have different price points and perks. If you’re feeling eco-friendly, check one of these companies out! Or let us know your experiences here.

The post Introduction to Eco-Friendly Car Sharing appeared first on Clyde's Blog about all things Tech.

1. Yelp – stellar reviews!

Credit: onebrainy1

One of the most popular apps for foodies, Yelp is a great way to locate local restaurants. In urban areas there are often hundreds of reviews for popular eateries. Yelp has both an online website and an app available (on both Android and iPhone).

Also, many local businesses offer advertising deals on Yelp that can save you a few dollars. Frequent reviewers can also become part of the Yelp Elite team. Definitely one of our favorite apps for foodies!

2. OpenTable – hassle free dining

Credit: Robert Scoble

Hands down the best reservations app out there. OpenTable has a clean, simple design. The location-enabled app is perfect for finding restaurants in your area, right now.

Frequent users can also earn dining points, which are redeemable for gift certificates! The app is available for Windows, Android and iPhone users.

3. Fooducate - be more health conscious

Fooducate is an Android app that helps users take control of their health. This app has been featured by many top news agencies. It also has a 4.5 star rating on Google Play. Use your phone to scan store barcodes and choose healthier options.

4. Untappd – beer, need we say more?

Credit: Physical Flaws

Find awesome local beer near you! Untappd is the Yelp of the beer world. Use this location-enabled app to find great beers near you. Share your experiences by writing reviews. And get personalized suggestions from the app for future beer tasting.

This app is only for users over 21 years old.

5. Savored – last minute deals

Savored is a Groupon company. With this app, you can get access to last-minute dining deals nearby at hefty discounts. This app is best suited for non-busy hours like weekday evenings. This is an awesome app for foodies to save big on dinner.

Our favorite Apps for Foodies

There are so many great apps for foodies out there. Which ones are your favorite? And what are you using them for? Let us know in the comments.

The post 5 Great Apps for Foodies appeared first on Clyde's Blog about all things Tech.

Credit: MakerBot & Creative Tools

Scenario: As an inventor you have a cool idea. You’d spec it out and create a 3D model on your computer, then shop around for a company to prototype it for you. That’s expensive. It’s time consuming. You have to go to an outside business for every prototype.

The benefit of a 3D printer is to turn your ideas into reality. And to do it quickly! 3D printers are changing the way businesses and hobbyists prototype and model products.

With a 3D printer you can print your prototype yourself!

Awesome things you can do with 3D Printer Technology:

3D Sugar Creation (Credit: gruntzooki)

1. Print FOOD! Seriously, the technology is evolving but people have already printed crazy objects out of food. Think printed pasta, faces made out of sugar and even pancakes.

2. Beautiful Textiles. Look for more customized clothing, hats and other consumer goods to be printed using a 3D printer technology. 

3. DIY Home Goods: Did a plastic piece break off your computer? Missing that extra piece for your favorite boardgame? You can recreate common objects from scratch with 3D printer technology.

4. Home Business Prototyping: Do you like to invent and tinker? 3D printer technology is perfect for the tech-savvy inventor.

Using computer technology, you can model and print each iteration of your projects (fairly) easily. Check out this picture from Creative Tools & MakerBot, where they’ve created the same prototype Rabbit in different sizes.

Credit: Creative Tools & MakerBot

Warning: Today’s printers are still pretty advanced. They feel more like commercial machinery and require a tech savvy user. They’re also fairly expensive – often over $1,000, not including materials. Likewise, creating a 3D model is no easy matter – it takes some careful study and training. For the right users, they can be a good investment.

TechShop has 3D printers available for use. Check them out to get your feet wet!

3D printer technology is evolving every day. It’s becoming more user friendly and there are plenty of designs available online to choose from. Have you used or seen a 3D printer in action? Let us know in the comments.

The post Awesome things you can do with 3D Printers appeared first on Clyde's Blog about all things Tech.

According to Consumerist, the average cable bill is around $86 (NOT including internet or phone services). And a new report from the NPD Group shows cable bills are rising by 6% per year. At this rate, you’ll be paying $200 per month by 2020!

This is a follow up to our article on Cutting the Cable – Watch TV without Paying (Legally).

1. Netflix

Credit: thms.nl

For $7.99 per month, you can enjoy unlimited streaming of movies and television from Netflix.com. For an additional $7.99 each month, you can also rent DVDs via mail. There’s a huge selection and Netflix is even starting to produce some of it’s own shows, like House of Cards with Kevin Spacey.

2. Hulu

The Hulu website offers a large selection of free television shows and movies for streaming online. Many of these shows can be watched for free. For a broader selection, you can purchase membership with Hulu Plus for $7.99 per month. You’ll get access to current season shows and additional content. Hulu also offers many international shows, some of them only carried on Hulu.

3. RedBox

You may have seen RedBox vending machines at your local grocery store or 7-eleven. Redbox is a vending machine which carriers many current movies for rent. New releases are available in DVD and Blue-ray formats. Rental prices range from $1.20 – $3.00 per day.

4. Library

For a fantastic and FREE option, consider your local library! You’re already paying for it at tax time.

Libraries often have great selections of both current and historical movies, documentaries and international films. Many have complete sets of TV shows, too. Find a local library here. (Just remember to return your videos on time to avoid late fees!)

5. Amazon

Credit: espensorvik

One of our favorite streaming options is Amazon. For those with Amazon Prime, you’ll get access to free streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows. Amazon Prime also has another perk of free 2-day shipping on all your Amazon purchases. Perfect for birthdays and Christmas shopping!

Amazon Prime is $79 per year (less if you’re a student). And there’s some chatter that Amazon will be dropping this price soon.

Dump your Comcast or Dish

With these new services, you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies at a fraction of your current cable bill. To maximize streaming options, we recommend a set top box like the Roku. And if you need any installation help, let us know!

Are you considering whether to dump your Comcast or Dish cable television? Let us know why in the comments.

The post Dump your Comcast or Dish – 5 easy ways! appeared first on Clyde's Blog about all things Tech.

Our Samsung Galaxy S4 review compares this phone’s perks with other available phones on the market.

Credit: E-Plus Gruppe Fotostream

This week, AT&T started the pre-order process for the Samsung Galaxy S4. The phones will begin shipping to users on April 30, 2013. Other major carriers should be announcing their pre-ordering soon.

Screen Display

The Samsung Galaxy S4 boasts a larger screen than its predecessor (the Galaxy S3). This new model comes with a 5-inch screen and 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. This screen size and resolution is an improvement from the Galaxy S3 and rivals the HTC One.

One rival for the S4 is the new HTC One, which also has a 1,920 HD screen with a slightly higher pixel count. But otherwise, most smartphones can’t touch the S4 in terms of resolution and screen size.

Battery Life

Early tests of battery life are promising. Android Geeks benchmarked the S4 against other smartphones and the results were favorable. The Samsung Galaxy S4 had nearly 14 hours of talk time and over 8.5 hours internet browsing.

The Galaxy’s Super AMOLED display is more efficient than traditional LCD screens, helping to extend the phone’s battery life.

The Samsung Galaxy S4′s battery life beat phones with smaller scerens! Woot!

Weight

The Galaxy S4 is a hair lighter than the S3, weighing in at 130 grams. This is more than the iPhone’s 112 grams (but you’re also getting a lot more screen real estate).

Most phones should be protected with a cover case in case you drop them. A case will add some bulk and weight to your phone but it can also prevent a cracked screen.

Storage

The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available in 16, 32 and 64 GB versions. For the moment, you can order the 16GB version online with AT&T. These are all standard sizes matched by other smartphones on the market.

If you’re a light user, 16 GB may be enough. But if you download lots of apps, take photos or video, consider the 32 or 64 GB versions.

We’ve heard there are some issues with loading pre-loading pages on AT&T’s website. So it may take a couple tries to complete your order. 

Pricing

AT&T announced pricing at $199 for the 16GB model with a 2-year contract. Pricing for the 32GB and 64GB models hasn’t been announced yet but will likely be $249-$399 range with contract. Expect competing carriers to offer similar deals.

Choosing the Samsung Galaxy S4

We’re so lucky to have our pick of great smartphones. And you can’t go wrong choosing the new Samsung Galaxy S4. In the Moment Computing‘s founder has a Galaxy S3 which he loves and uses obsessively. And he can’t wait to get his hands on the S4.

Once we have an S4 in our hands, we’ll update you with a more comprehensive review!

Are you excited for the new Samsung Galaxy S4? Let us know in the comments!

The post Considering the Samsung Galaxy S4? appeared first on Clyde's Blog about all things Tech.

Tip #1: Communication

Credit: stevendepolo

One of the best ways to protect your children is through communication. Talk with your kids about online threats like sexual predators, cyber bullying, viruses, pornography and scams. Let them know they can come to you for help or guidance.

Personal info. Remind them to be careful with personal information online. Anything they post online is permanent and hard to undo. They should NEVER give out addresses, locations, names or phone numbers to strangers online. Don’t post anything you wouldn’t say to someone in person!

Remember to consider non-traditional threats. Online gaming with in-game chat (like World of Warcraft) should be monitored. And the same thing goes for smartphone games and texting. Many options need to be reviewed to keep your kids safe online.

Tip #2: Set Rules for Internet Use

Take it slow! When you first give internet access to your child, take it slow. Tailor access to your child’s maturity level. And let them know up front that internet access is a privilege, not a right.

As the parent, you have the right to review the sites they visit, any social media posts and limit access to the internet. Children should disclose login/password details for social media and email websites to you for agreed upon monitoring.

Every child is different, so it’s up to you to gauge what’s appropriate. Just remember to take it slowly!

Tip #3: Internet Access

Turn off the Internet. One great way to limit internet access is to turn off your wireless router (or change the password). Turning the router off at night will ensure your kids aren’t browsing without your permission. Many routers have settings that allow you to turn off access at night.

If your children have smartphones, you may need to take the additional step of collecting them. There are also a number of ways to lock-down a smartphone for safety, too. We’ll do a post on this in the future.

Tip #4: Protect Yourself

Especially if you share a computer, remember to protect yourself. A child can mistakenly download a virus or malware.

Anti-Virus Software. This may compromise your computer and your personal data. Be sure to install an anti-virus software and run regular scans. In the Moment Computing can help you do this. It’s vital and will be a big help to keep your kids safe online.

Tip # 5: Hardware & Software Solutions

Enable safe searching. Make sure safe searching and filtering is turned on in your web browser. This will prevent your children from accidentally finding pornographic or violent content. It also tends to filter out sites with malware or other viruses.

Parental Control Software. For more robust safety tools and online monitoring, consider specialized software. Actually, many internet service providers (ISP’s) have FREE online tools. They limit your child’s access to websites, chat and email.

Computer locations. Do you want your children to have internet access in their bedrooms? One great way to keep them safe is to only allow computers in public areas.  This way you can stick close while they’re online.

Keep your Kids Safe Online

In the Moment Computing can help you implement some of these hardware and software solutions. Keeping your kids safe is a real security issue. It’s a growing and evolving challenge. Don’t face it alone.

Internet access is a new challenge facing parents in the 21st century. Every year brings new devices, social networks and access to online content. We encourage you to craft a plan for keeping your kids safe online.

What tools are you using to keep your kids safe online? What challenges have you faced? We’d love to hear from you!

The post 5 Tips and Tools to Keep your Kids Safe Online appeared first on Clyde's Blog about all things Tech.

Credit: Tolbxela

What is a solid state drive?

A solid state drive (SSD) is a storage device which uses semiconductors to store your data. It’s different from a traditional hard drive (or hard disk) because it has no moving parts and is not based on magnetized disks.

If you use a USB memory stick, you’re already familiar with the concept of a solid state drive.

The lack of moving parts making a solid state drive much faster to read and write, and also more reliable and efficient. It’s a no-brainer!

Now is the time!

Solid state drives have been around for a few years now. But it’s just in the past couple of years that they’ve become inexpensive for consumers. With falling prices and rising capacity, solid state drives are becoming the standard on laptop computers. And mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers use solid state memory as well.

Did you realize your smartphone uses solid state memory?

Credit: William Brawley

Apple has been leading the pack, offering several laptops with a solid state drive included. Notably, the MacBook Air is equipped with a solid state drive and boots very quickly.

Pair SSD memory with Cloud Storage

One reason some people have been hesitant to upgrade is that solid state drives still come in smaller sizes. These days, you can buy an inexpensive hard disk with 1-2 TB, while affordable solid state memory is usually 100 GB – 250 GB.

However, since most people are using cloud computing solutions like DropBox and Google Drive, on-board computer memory is not as essential. (Check out our reviews of the top cloud storage providers!)

It’s easy to make the switch!

With our trained technicians, it’s easy to make the switch to solid state memory. And you’ll notice the difference in your computer’s performance. Faster booting, more responsive load times and less crashing are a few of the benefits. In the Moment Computing can help you – so please give us a call.

Have you upgraded your computer to a solid state drive? Or are you considering a switch? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

The post Consider Upgrading to a Solid State Drive appeared first on Clyde's Blog about all things Tech.

Why do we need Infographics?

Huge amounts of data are difficult for people to absorb. Replace that dense data with an easy to read, visual picture, and people will better understand what you’re telling them. Infographics can also be visually stunning in their design.

Credit: Stefan Leijon

To put it another way: I can give you a boring table of data about what people spend on electronics in the US. Or, I can show you a colorful drawing that breaks it down.

This infographic on Electronics does a few important things:

• It breaks down the data into bite-size chunks.

• It helps you compare data visually: we can see that San Jose residents spend 1/3 more than Oklahoma City residents on electronics.

• It’s easy on the eyes, especially for people with math phobias.

• It’s visually appealing – the colors, fonts and artwork are fun to look at. Certainly more fun than an Excel spreadsheet!

Create your own Infographics

Infographics are a great way to show customers important data, trends and statistics. More small businesses are jumping on the bandwagon and using infographics in marketing and other aspects of their businesses.

Infographic Resources

We haven’t used all of these infographic creation resources. But here are a few websites with tools for creating free infographics. Many of these sites also offer paid versions with more features.

Piktochart – Limited free tools available. Lots of paid options.

Infogr.am - Free tools available. Some nice options available.

Visual.ly - Limited free tools available. Less customization but good network for connecting with designers who specialize in Infographics.

Easel.ly - More great free options available.

There are many more tools out there. Infographics are a great marketing tool for your business. Let us know your favorite in the comments!

The post Infographics Explained appeared first on Clyde's Blog about all things Tech.