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.

Download MailStore

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.

Download Windownaut

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.

Download Sworkit

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.

Many of us are more productive when working in a "third place", but you don't have to visit a coffee shop to get that productivity boost. If you have a hotel nearby, you can make that your more comfortable, makeshift workspace.

Although not all hotels offer free Wi-Fi (check this HotelChatter report to find which ones do), the Wall Street Journal reports that hotels are starting to welcome mobile workers to their lobbies because when the lobby is buzzing with locals, it improves the atmosphere and makes the hotel seem more popular.

Hotel lobbies tend to have comfy chairs, relative quiet, and sometimes other amenities. Compare that to crowded Starbucks stores with tiny tables.

Not all hotels may be open to Wi-Fi squatters, though, so best to check the vibe at the hotel first.

Why All the Locals Are Lounging in the Hotel Lobby | The Wall Street Journal

Photo by Dirk de Kok

Wi-Fi at the hotel may be as essential as hot running water these days, but unfortunately not all hotel chains offer travelers free or reliable wireless internet. In its annual report, HotelChatter breaks down which hotels serve up free Wi-Fi and which ones charge you for that signal.

The report calls out five best and five worst hotel chains, as well as international chains and advice for where to stay in specific cities in the US (if Wi-Fi access is your main concern). The five best chains listed by HotelChatter are Kimpton, Penninsula, Fairmont, Ace, and Swire. These are all small hotel chains—the largest is Fairmont Hotels, with 64 hotels in all. It seems smaller hotels may be more considerate of guests' needs for amenities (like Wi-Fi). Kimpton Hotels, at the top of the list, is a boutique hotel chain that offers a loyalty program, including free wine-tasting in the afternoons.

The worst hotels are the ones that charge between $9.95 and $14.99 a day for Wi-Fi: Westin, W Hotels, Marriott, Hard Rock, and Hilton. But they're not the only ones that charge for Wi-Fi, as you know.

Check out the full report for more details. This infographic (click to expand) from HotelChatter sums up the somewhat complex scene very well. Your best bet is to book a budget hotel; otherwise, follow the flowchart at the bottom and the loyalty rewards program to see if you can get free internet.

The 2012 HotelChatter Hotel WiFi Report | HotelChatter

This week on the Ask Lifehacker podcast, we're learning how music affects your ability to work, getting great deals on mobile apps, and protecting your passwords on public Wi-Fi networks. Also, Facebook blows a billion dollars on Instagram, terms of service contracts are no longer the ironclad documents companies wanted them to be, and a whole lot more.

Sorry the episode is late this week. We had some issues getting it live yesterday, but here it is! We should be back on track for Mondays next week.

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

This week we're talking about Facebook's acquisition of Instagram, Google+'s new layout, a few legal issues, and the return of Ze Frank.

01:01 Facebook Buys Instagram
Last week, Facebook acquired Instagram for $8 billion. If you're not familiar with Instagram, it's a social photography app that lets you take pictures with your iOS or Android device, apply vintage filters and frames, and share them online with just a few taps. It's the most popular app of its kind, but many people are upset about this acquisition because they're concerned that Facebook will ruin Instagram. While none of us are really worried, if you want to make the switch we've compiled some alternatives for iOS and Android.

05:37 Google+ New Look
Google+ updated with a new look, making it appear much like Facebook's timeline but with a lot more whitespace. Don't like the whitespace? Use the Whitespace Remover extension for both Chrome and Firefox.

08:21 Breaking Terms of Service
You know how you always read every terms of service contract in its entirety? Even the updates? Well, you're the only one. Everyone else pretty much skims them or ignores them entirely. For those of us who don't take the time to page through the enormous documents, there's good news! Breaking a terms of service contract is no longer a crime.

11:15 WTF Is CISPA?
Remember SOPA, the bill that wanted to censor the internet? Nobody liked it, but now we have CISPA and it's being backed by big companies like Microsoft and Facebook. It's not nearly as bad as SOPA, but it's still something to keep an eye on. Thorin runs down why companies are supporting it, if you'd like to learn more.

14:23 Ze Frank Is Back
Poignant and funny internet superstar Ze Frank is back with a new show. He was best known for his daily show called The Show with Ze Frank that frequently featured tips and thoughts with a Lifehacker-y angle. As a result we're happy he's back with A Show with Ze Frank. The first few episodes are up if you want to check them out.

Questions and Answers

Each week we answer five questions from readers and listeners. Here's what we tackled this week.

15:52 Should I get the latest and greatest computer or buy something cheaper?
Although Pash, Whitson, and I all have powerful self-built desktop computers, we also chose the MacBook Air as our laptop because it is fast enough. Whitson has his desktop for gaming purposes, I have mine for video editing/encoding, and Pash doesn't really use his anymore. For writing and browsing, the MacBook Air is more than sufficient. This is all to say that if you don't have a reason to get a powerful computer, you're better off saving money or going for something more compact. All computers are fast nowadays. Most people can do what they want to do on an iPad. Unless you know why you need a faster machine, don't spend extra money for speed. Either put that money towards things that'll matter more—like an SSD or more RAM—or keep that money in your pocket.

19:49 Is it safe to connect to unsecured public Wi-Fi?
No. There's a greater chance that you won't run into trouble, but that doesn't mean it won't suck if you do. Protecting yourself on public Wi-Fi is actually pretty simple. For the most part, you just have to use HTTPS when transferring sensitive information through the web browser (HTTPS Everywhere is a browser extension for Firefox and Chrome that makes this much easier) and make sure you're not providing unsecured network access to your computer. For added safety, set up Hamachi for secure browsing when you're on public networks.

23:49 What can I do about the tiny amount of internal storage (150MB) on my Android device?
Some Android phones just don't have a lot of internal storage and rely on the microSD card to do all the work. BUT, if you want to find out what's taking up space on your device you can just jump into your settings and go to the storage section. (The exact location of your storage info will depend on the version of Android you're using and, potentially, how your device's manufacturer has altered it.) If you find that your internal storage is filled with stuff you don't want or could put on your microSD card instead, you can always move it with pretty much any Android file browser app—including the one that likely came with your device.

26:31 How can I automatically convert videos I download with BitTorrent using Dropfolders and Handbrake?
If you're not familiar, Handbrake is a video conversion tool that takes virtually any input video and spits out an H.264 MP4 file. Dropfolders is a Windows application that watches for video files and automatically adds them to Handbrake to be converted. The person asking this question wants to automatically move videos downloaded by BitTorrent into a drop folder as soon as they complete so they'll be automatically converted to MP4 format by Handbrake. This can be done easily with an application called Belvedere. Mac users can do the same thing with Hazel.

29:06 Should I listen to music when studying/working and, if so, what music?
This often comes down to opinion and what works best for you. Most of us listen to music when working, and the type of music differs. Pash has a variety of tunes, Whitson listens to heavy metal and dubstep (which seems entirely counterintuitive but it works for him), and Thorin and I usually go for instrumental music/soundtracks during work because there are no lyrics, although that's only if I do listen to music in the first place. I tend to start dissecting the arrangements so I prefer silence. Basically, none of us are there same so you have to choose what works best for you.

But as for the science behind work/studying and music, it doesn't really help. There isn't any particular music that's going to actually help you concentrate or think better, but if certain songs get you excited and motivated you should definitely use those to get you started. That said, music can help you concentrate if you're in a noisy environment because it's blocking out the more distracting noise. So if you're working or studying in a coffee shop, for example, you'll want to bring a pair of headphones along. Overall, the best option is to use a white/brown/pink/etc. noise generator like the free one at SimplyNoise. That'll block out distractions best of all.

Downloads of the Week

Each week we talk about our favorite downloads. Here are our picks for this week.

WinPlusX (Windows)
If you're a Windows tweak addict, you probably use tools like the Registry, Computer Management, Disk Management, and Power Options often-apps that are extremely useful, but don't always have obvious or quick shortcuts in the Start Menu. WinPlusX puts them one keyboard shortcut away.

More info on WinPlusX

Flashback Tool
The Flashback Trojan infected a whole bunch of Mac users over the past few weeks. If you want to detect if you have it and remove it without much trouble, Flashback Tool will do the trick. Once you're free of Flashback (if you aren't already), be sure to install Apple's official Java update to patch the vulnerability.

More info on Flashback Tool

Morning Routine (Android)
People clearly have trouble getting up in the morning despite their alarm clock, which is why Morning Routine and other apps exist to make it difficult to actually turn off the alarm. Some require you to shake your device and others will shred money, but Morning Routine forces you to scan a barcode or two (on items in your pantry or refrigerator, for example). This requires you to concentrate enough to keep the camera steady and forces you to get out of bed—unless, of course, you start keeping cereal boxes on your nightstand.

More info on Morning Routine

Getting Great Deals on Apps
Apps are great, but they can get expensive if you keep buying every one that interests you. Last week Thorin looked at how you can watch for great deals so you're never paying full price for your apps. It probably won't save you a ton of money if you're looking to get a discount on cheap apps, but you can save a lot on pricey apps by knowing when to look for sales.

Using Your iPad as a Creative Tool
Last week, Thorin wrote a post on how the iPad can be used as a creative tool. He spoke with creative professionals, such as Jim Guthrie (who composed the music for the great game Sword and Sworcery EP) who've added it to their workflow. If you've wanted to make your iPad more of a content creation tool and less of a consumption device, definitely check out this post.

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 Mike Vannelli.

Newspaper, Computer, and Clock (by Brandon Hopkins) provided by the Noun Project.