Summary: Google delivers on its commitment to block intrusive ads in the Chrome browser, Microsoft plans to unleash a Beast Mode for Windows 10 power users and Apple. . . well, Apple’s just staining the furniture with the HomePod speaker. El Kaiser and J.D. also discuss other highlights from the week’s tech news and offer tips for rural Internet users who have little choice in broadband providers and have to watch every megabyte they use on metered cellular data plans. Punch up Episode 263 to hear it all!<br> Links to Stories on This Week’s Show<br> <br> * <a href="https://blog.chromium.org/2018/02/how-chromes-ad-filtering-works.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Under the hood: How Chrome’s ad filtering works</a> (Chromium Blog)<br> * <a href="https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/apple-homepod/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Apple HomePod Review: It Only Sounds Great</a> (Wirecutter)<br> * <a href="https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/HomePod++Teardown/103133" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">HomePod Teardown</a> (iFixit)<br> * <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-funds-its-favorite-experts-but-skirts-tough-critics/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Facebook Funded Most of the Experts Who Vetted Messenger Kids</a> (WIRED)<br> * <a href="https://www.engadget.com/amp/2018/02/14/windows-10-ultimate-performance-mode" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Windows 10 is adding an Ultimate Performance mode for pro</a>s (Engadget)<br> * <a href="https://newsroom.intel.com/news/expanding-intels-bug-bounty-program/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Expanding Intel’s Bug Bounty Program: New Side Channel Program, Increased Awards</a> (Intel Newsroom)<br> * <a href="https://www.marketwatch.com/story/exclusive-tinder-will-let-women-choose-same-rule-as-bumble-2018-02-14" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tinder plans women-talk-first option similar to Bumble</a> (MarketWatch)<br> * <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/14/business/media/streaming-wars-ryan-murphy.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">As the Streaming Wars Heat Up, Ryan Murphy Cashes In </a> (The New York Times)<br> <br> (Hopefully) Helpful Hint<br> <br> * <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/12/technology/personaltech/cellular-data-use.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Measuring and Managing Your Cellular Data Use</a> (The New York Times)<br> * <a href="https://www.att.com/esupport/article.html#!/dsl-high-speed/KM1069665" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tips to Minimize Data Usage</a> (AT&T)<br> * <a href="https://www.att.com/esupport/data-calculator/index.jsp" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> AT&T Data Calculator</a><br> * <a href="https://shop.sprint.com/content/datacalculator/index2.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Sprint Data Calculator</a><br> * <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/Tools/HotSpot-calc.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">T-Mobile Calculator</a><br> * <a href="https://www.verizonwireless.com/freedom/datacalculator.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Verizon LTE Data Calculator</a><br> * <a href="https://support.spotify.com/us/using_spotify/system_settings/bandwidth-and-data-usage/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Spotify Internet Usage Tips</a><br> * <a href="https://thatoneprivacysite.net/choosing-the-best-vpn-for-you/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Choosing a VPN</a> (That One Privacy Site)<br> <br>
