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IPv6 tunneling broken with latest AirPort updates

9to5Mac is reporting an issue involving Apple's AirPort utility and Time Capsule updates released last week. A number of Mac users who use IPv6-based tunneling to connect to their devices have found they can no longer do so after installing the latest firmware and updates to their AirPort and Time Capsule devices.

This problem mirrors similar past issues with firmware updates on Apple's router devices, and is likely from a small configuration bug in the firmware. Unfortunately the issue likely can only be fixed with a supplemental update. In the meantime, if you use IPv6 tunneling and are … Read more

Advanced Port Scanner identifies open and closed ports on your networked PCs

We'd bet you know exactly how many doors and windows there are in your home, and whether each is properly secured. How about your Windows PC? It has doors and (small-w) windows too: they're called ports, and they're how the world gains access to your computer, your data, and your privacy. So, do you know how many ports your computer has, and where they are, and their status? Famatech's Advanced Port Scanner is a free tool that can help you answer those critical questions. It can scan all your ports or just those in ranges you … Read more

Apple wins patent for new way to send power to homes

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted Apple a patent for a new way to supply power to a home through the use of an "intelligent power-enabled communications port."

The inventor was Tony Fadell, a key executive who worked for Apple on the iPod and iPhone, until leaving to found Nest, a company that makes a 'smart thermostat,' the idea being that it will be able to plug in to "the Internet of things."

You can read details of the patent filing here. Patently Apple also offers a write-up.

Three reasons a Windows 8 laptop leads, MacBook lags

This week Hewlett-Packard offered a few good reasons to consider a Windows 8 laptop over a MacBook.

Those arguments are embodied in an upcoming 3-pound HP EliteBook Revolve business ultrabook "convertible" that was announced this week.

The MacBook Air is a fine design (I use one every day) and the new 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro is an even better design. But the Apple way isn't the only way. Here are three features that the MacBook ain't got.

Built-in 4G: The EliteBook Revolve offers built-in 4G LTE or HSPA+. Wi-Fi-only MacBooks are getting a bit stodgy. It'… Read more

Top 5 features missing from iPhone 5

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The iPhone 5 has arrived, and it's pretty great. But I can't shake this nagging feeling that Apple could have done more.

A week ago, CNET's David Carnoy penned a great roundup of the most-wanted features that didn't make it into the iPhone 5. It seemed like easy pickings for a Top 5 video, so I imposed a ranking, stood in front of a camera, and created the video you see before you (click here if you don't see a video at the top of this … Read more

HP slides out 11mm-thick 24-inch display

Hewlett-Packard is adding a new thin X series monitor -- this time a 24-incher.

The new HP x2401 24-inch-diagonal LED backlit monitor has an 11-millimeter profile encased in a glossy black-piano finish and brushed-metal case.

Sporting a resolution of 1920x1080, it taps MVA (multidomain vertical alignment) to deliver good viewing angles and 5,000:1 and 10,000,000:1 static and dynamic contrast ratios, respectively.

DisplayPort and HDMI ports are built in. And wall mounting is also possible.… Read more

Home networking explained, Part 3: Taking control of your wires

Editors' note: This post is part of an ongoing series. For the other parts, check out the related stories.

Now that you have learned about the basics of home networking in Part 1, and how to optimize your Wi-Fi in Part 2, in Part 3, it's time to get your hands dirty and learn how to take control of your network completely.

All home networks start with a network cable. Even if you plan on using all wireless clients, in most cases you will still need at least one cable to connect the wireless router and the broadband modem. … Read more

Back up your favorite music

If you are looking for a third-party application to back up your iPod music library to Mac OS X, xPort may be an option to consider. It detects your iPod as soon as you plug it in, and presents you with two powerful buttons aimed at saving your favorite music. The only downside is that it works only with the iPod, and not other Apple products.

When you launch xPort, you're greeted by a clean, easy-to-understand interface. As soon as you see the iPod's audio content, xPort gives you several ways for content backup: you can select the … Read more

Proxy ports showing formatted text in Mountain Lion

In OS X, Apple supports the configuration of various network proxy servers for individual ports in its Network system preferences. In some instances users have been reporting odd formatting issues in which entered proxy port settings either adopt commas or decimal points, though the proxy settings still work just fine.

As with most network services, proxy settings require a specific communications port to be set so network traffic can be directed to the appropriate background tasks that require it. In many cases such as Web browsing (port 80) or FTP access (port 21) these ports are fairly well established and … Read more