This week on the podcast we're talking about phantom vibrations in your pocket, free Wi-Fi for everyone (with cable internet), and life at your local hackerspace. Also, we're solving Apple TV jailbreak problems, speeding up slow Windows boot times, and getting Chrome to keep your activity a secret.
This week on the podcast we're talking about phantom vibrations in your pocket, free Wi-Fi for everyone (with cable internet), and life at your local hackerspace. Also, we're solving Apple TV jailbreak problems, speeding up slow Windows boot times, and getting Chrome to keep your activity a secret. How to Watch or Listen to This Week's Episode
You can watch the episode by clicking the play button above, but there are plenty of other ways to get it:
- Directly download the video (MP4) or audio (MP3) version.
- Watch it on our YouTube Channel.
- Watch it on Revision3.
- Listen to it on SoundCloud.
- Subscribe to the HD, SD, or phone-sized, and audio-only feeds on iTunes.
- Subscribe to the HD, SD, phone-sized, or audio-only (MP3) RSS feed.
News and Discussion
Phantom Cellphone Vibration Syndrome
Phantom cellphone vibration syndrome describes that moment when you think your phone is vibrating but you've just imagined it. It's easy to develop a habit that encourages to check our phones often when there are constant notifications. The trick to eliminating—or at least minimizing—this effect is limiting your notifications.
Google Chrome Becomes the Number One Web Browser
Google Chrome has displaced Internet Explorer as the most popular browser on the web. This is pretty big, considering Microsoft held the majority long after Internet Explorer became pretty widely hated. Although IE9 is definitely an improvement over past versions, it's still not that great. Another browser's assumption of the number one title has been long overdue. As mostly Chrome users here at Lifehacker, we're happy to see it take the top spot.
Cable Companies Are Bringing Free Wi-Fi "Everywhere"
Want Wi-Fi virtually anywhere you go? Major cable providers are banding together to offer free Wi-Fi for their collective customers. That means if you subscribe to any of the participating cable providers for internet access, you'll receive access to any of their Wi-Fi hotspots around town. This is really great if you use Wi-Fi on the go, and at least a nice bonus if you don't. It also serves to demonstrate how uncompetitive the cable companies are, which has always been a problem. At least this time around we're reaping a benefit of it.
How to Get Involved with a Local Hackerspace
Last week Alan took a look at Hackerspaces and showed us how to get involved. What's a Hackerspace? It's a place you can go in your local community to complete projects with other DIYers. It's a good place to get help from others plus share tools.
Questions and Answers
Each week we answer a few questions from readers and listeners. Here's what we tackled this week.
How can I speed up my sluggish Windows boot time?
Whitson offers up a bunch of solutions. For a rundown, check out our Top 10 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Boot Time.
How can I automatically delete my web history and cache when closing Chrome?
Go to chrome://settings/content and check the box next to "Clear cookies and other site and plug-in data when I quit my browser." We offer a couple of alternatives in the podcast, but that's the specific answer to the question.
Can I jailbreak an Apple TV 3? If not, is there any disadvantage to buying the Apple TV 2?
There is no jailbreak for the Apple TV 3 yet, and the most recent 5.1.1 jailbreak doesn't include one. On the plus side, the latest jailbreak includes a method for iOS 5.1.1 on the Apple TV 2. Additionally, Seas0nPass, the primary jailbreak for the Apple TV 2, now supports iOS 5. Learn how to install it and install XBMC—the main reason to jailbreak in the first place.
Because the Apple TV 3 has yet to be jailbroken, Apple TV 2s are currently fetching a high price on the resale market. If you're really set on a jailbroken Apple TV 2 you might want to consider waiting around. That said, there are plenty of other awesome set top boxes. The Verge offers an in-depth comparison of most of them. If you're looking for an XBMC-like experience, Google TV can run Plex and it's basically the same thing (and, in some ways, better). You can also just build an XBMC box on the cheap.
Downloads of the Week
Each week we talk about our favorite downloads. Here are our picks for this week.
Lifehacker Mini Apps
We've been working together to create some posts with built-in mini apps to help you learn if it's legal to use headphones in your state, get a good workout in just 20 minutes, and customize your function keys. Be sure to check them out.
MailStore (Windows)
MailStore is a single-purpose app that connects to your email, backs it up, and doesn't bother you otherwise. It's just about perfect.
Windownaut (OS X)
Windownaut overhauls window management on your Mac so you can arrange your windows in a multitude of ways, customize the functions of its title bar buttons, and lots more.
Sworkit (Web/iOS/Android)
Sworkit generates random workouts that focus on various parts of the body (or all of it) that can last anywhere from five minutes to an hour. It's a lot like our 20 minute workout mini-app, but it works for variable timeframes and you can take it with you on your mobile device.
ReadyForZero (iOS)
Previously mentioned debt-management webapp ReadyForZero has come to the iPhone to help you stay on top of your financial obligations anywhere you take your mobile device. It assists by tracking payment due dates, showing you an overall look at your current debt situation, and reminding you when it's time for a payment so you can ensure you don't miss it.
How Do I Submit a Question?
There are three ways to send in your question:
- Record a video, upload it somewhere, and send a link to tips+asklhshow@lifehacker.com
- Call (347) 687-8109 and record a question. Calls are awesome! We like them!
- Email your question to tips+asklhshow@lifehacker.com.
Please keep your questions as brief as possible. This means about 3-5 sentences for emails and 30-60 seconds for calls and videos. Your questions can be specific, but broader questions are generally better because they'll apply to more people. For example, "how can I breathe new life into my old PDA?" is much better than "what can I do with an old HP iPAQ 210?" Either way, we look forward to hearing from you!
This podcast was edited by Kyle J. Norris.
Newspaper, Computer, and Clock (by Brandon Hopkins) provided by the Noun Project.
![The Always Up-to-Date Guide to Jailbreaking Your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad [iOS 5.1.1]](/media/2012/05/25/the-always-up-to-date-guide-to-jailbreaking-your-iphone-ipod-touch-and-ipad-ios-5-1-1-0-54.jpg "The Always Up-to-Date Guide to Jailbreaking Your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad [iOS 5.1.1]")
![The Always Up-to-Date Guide to Jailbreaking Your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad [iOS 5.1.1]](/media/2012/05/25/the-always-up-to-date-guide-to-jailbreaking-your-iphone-ipod-touch-and-ipad-ios-5-1-1-1-54.jpg "The Always Up-to-Date Guide to Jailbreaking Your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad [iOS 5.1.1]")
Jailbreaking is a process that changes little by little with each iOS upgrade. Rather than always publishing new guides, we're simply going to keep this one up to date. If you want to jailbreak your iOS device, you've come to the right page.
iOS: The Chronic Dev Team has just released its new jailbreak too, Absinthe 2.0. The jailbreak works with the new iPad, iPhone 4S, and all previous models running iOS 5.1.1.
iOS (Jailbroken): Have you ever gotten a notification on your iPhone and wished you could just see the last few words of the message instead of having to open up the app? Reveal will make your lock screen and banner notifications scrollable and expandable, so you you can read the whole thing at a glance. 
