** Note ** – This article was updated to reflect the release of .2582 which quickly came after post about the .2576 release. We’ve adjusted all links below to reflect the .2582 listings.

While last week saw the release of BlackBerry OS 10.3.1.2558, this week is already starting with a fresh push of OS 10.3.1.2582. The update has started arriving officially on some devices but like all releases these days, you don’t have to wait for the OTA. The files are available for download in the CrackBerry Forums that can be used to update using Sachesi plus, there is now several autoloaders for all devices that have been created.

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Don’t lose your Google info or Gmail archives to a password hack. Set up two-step authentication to protect your most important assets.

When it comes to data you want secured, your email accounts are probably close to the top of the list. Though email is technically an unencrypted medium, the average hacker might not go to too much trouble to grab a single message — but they’d love a peek at your history full of password resets, not to mention getting potential access to your bank accounts or other private information.

Strong passwords can help, but to be as secure as possible, you want to enable two-step authentication.

What is two-step authentication?

Two-step authentication is the most prevalent way to secure your accounts: It asks you to authenticate that you are who you say you are by supplying not only your password, but a unique code supplied from your phone or an external app. It ensures that those accessing your accounts have access to your physical devices as well as your virtual passwords, and makes a simple password crack or social engineering hack a lot more insufficient in actually accessing your personal data.

How to set up your Google account with two-step authentication

Google was one of the first companies to offer two-step authentication for its user accounts; the company even created an option for third parties who want to offer two-step support for their services called Google Authenticator. Companies like Facebook, Tumblr, and Dropbox all use Google’s service, as does Google itself.

As such, Google’s experience with two-step authentication makes it a remarkably simple process to set up. Here’s what you need to do.

1. Visit Google’s 2-Step Verification page and click on Get Started.
2. Enter your Google email and password (or just your password, if you’re already logged in to Google).
3. Click the Start setup button.
4. Add a phone number that Google can send the six-digit verification code to. (For semi-obvious reasons, this shouldn’t be your Google Voice number: If you use that phone number, you might end up locked out of your account.)

   

5. Verify your phone number by entering in the six-digit code Google sent you.

   

6. Choose whether or not to add your current computer as a trusted device.

   

7. Confirm that you wish to turn on two-step verification.

   

And you’re set! Google will now send your phone a six-digit code for any app that uses Google’s web interface to authenticate your account.

How to use Google Authenticator

If you don’t want codes sent via text message, you can also enable Google Authenticator; this allows you to receive a randomly-generated code from programs like Authy or 1Password or Google’s own authenticator.

You can use Google Authenticator for a slew of different services in addition to your Google Account; you just need to make sure they have code generation turned on. Each service has a slightly different way of enabling this, but in general you should find it under the Security section of your preferences.

Here’s the setup screen for your Google accounts:

When you click to enable code generation, you’ll be presented with a barcode; scan this with Authy, 1Password, or Google Authenticator to add the account.

Once you’ve added your account, use the code generated by your app of choice to activate two-step code generation back on the original service.

Enable per-app passwords

Though most third-party Mac apps that hook into Google’s services use the company’s web interface to authenticate your account, support for this on the system level for iOS and OS X isn’t quite there yet — though it is coming in iOS 8.3 and OS X 10.10.3.

In the meantime, you don’t have to sacrifice your two-step security elsewhere until those updates come around: You can use your traditional username and password fields by generating one of Google’s per-app passwords. They’re not as secure as two-step authentication, but it guarantees that if someone breaks into that application, they’ll have a one-time password only good for that program and can’t get into your account on the web.

To access per-app passwords for your Google account, visit your Google account settings, then under the Signing in section, click on 2-Step Verification.

From there, select the App-specific passwords tab and click the Manage application-specific passwords button.

Once you’re in the management section, you can generate a new app-specific password for your application, or revoke passwords for any old applications you no longer use or that may have been compromised.

Although this release has been available since BlackBerry OS 10.3.1.2558 started rolling out, if you’ve not updated to that release or any version higher you can now officially update the BlackBerry Blend app for BlackBerry 10 to v1.1.0.67 from BlackBerry World. Hard to say what has changed though, as it looks like they used the same change log from a previous release.

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Boeing is reportedly in talks with major tech companies such as Apple and Google in providing “high-throughput communications satellites.”

According to Reuters:

Jim Simpson, vice president of business development and chief strategist for Boeing Network and Space Systems, told Reuters the big technology firms were keen to expand Internet access around the world to help them grow.

The real key to being able to do these type of things is ultra high-throughput capabilities, where we’re looking at providing gigabytes, terrabytes, pedabytes of capability.

Though Boeing declined to share specific details regarding the discussions, the Reuters report mentions that a deal is likely to be finalized by the end of the year. As to what Apple will do with a communications satellite is unknown at this stage, it is possible the Cupertino giant is looking to Boeing’s offerings to enhance its mapping data.

Source: Reuters

Apple has divided the Apple Watch into three collections, each featuring a distinct material — stainless steel, aluminum, and gold.

Those three collections come at three very different price points. That might make it seem easy to choose between the less expensive Apple Watch Sport, the premium Apple Watch, and the high-end Apple Watch Edition, but there are a few other factors to consider — including weight, durability, color options, and collectability. Here’s everything you need to know to pick the perfect Apple Watch collection for you.

Heavy metal

Apple uses four distinct materials in its three watch collections — 7000 Series aluminum for the Sport, 316L stainless steel for the Watch, and 18-karat gold and rose gold for the Edition. (The space gray anodization on the Sport and space black diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on the Watch don’t add to its weight).

Apple Watch Sport (aluminum) weights:

• 38mm: 25g
• 42mm: 30g

Apple Watch (stainless steel) weights:

• 38mm: 40g
• 42mm: 50g

Apple Watch Edition (gold) weights:

• 38mm (rose gold): 54g
• 38mm (yellow gold): 55g
• 42mm (rose gold): 67g
• 43mm (yellow gold): 69g

So, if money is no object but weight — either lightness or heaviness — is important to you, that’s a good starting point.

Scratch resistance

All versions of the Apple Watch have the same density and quality of Retina display on the front, though the material used to protect that display differs between the Sport and the Watch and Edition. Likewise, all three models include inductive charging and heart-rate sensors on the rear casing, but the material used for those backs and the lenses differs.

• Apple Watch Sport offers an Ion-X glass display, composite back, hard coated optical polymer lenses.
• Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition offer a Sapphire crystal display, ceramic cover, and sapphire lenses.

As such, if the absolute highest levels of durability are important to you, the sapphire and ceramics offered by the Watch or Edition might be important to you.

Strap ins

All Apple Watch bands are compatible with all Apple Watch cases of the same size. So the 38mm white sport band can fit the 38mm Sport, Watch, or Edition; the 42mm Milanese loop can fit the 42mm Sport, Watch, or Edition; but you can’t mix a 38mm casing with a 42mm band.

When you buy your first Apple Watch, you must choose a paired band, but those bands differ between collections. For example, the sport band included with the Edition has a matching gold pin. Other bands aren’t available as part of an initial purchase: If you’re looking into buying a Sport watch, you’re stuck with a sport band of some color unless you wish to purchase a separate band.

That said, not all bands may be available for purchase separately on launch day, and we expect certain bands to be in short supply once they are in stock. So if there’s a particular band that interests you, you may want to make sure you get it as part of your initial purchase (if available). Additionally, not every band is going to good with every collection, so if fashion is a concern, getting a collection that Apple has carefully matched may end up looking better for you in the long run.

Bands also have their own distinct weights; Rob Griffiths of Many Tricks collected and created a spreadsheet with each collection’s band weights and options, if you want to weigh your choices.

Apple Watch Sport collection includes:

• Silver case with white sport band
• Silver case with blue sport band
• Silver case with green sport band
• Silver case with pink sport band
• Space gray case with black sport band

Apple Watch collection includes:

• Steel case with white sport band
• Steel case with black sport band
• Steel case with black classic buckle
• Steel case with Milanese loop
• Steel case with link bracelet
• Steel case with black modern buckle (38mm only)
• Steel case with blue modern buckle (38mm only)
• Steel case with pink modern buckle (38mm only)
• Steel case with brown modern buckle (38mm only)
• Steel case with black leather loop (42mm only)
• Steel case with blue leather loop (42mm only)
• Steel case with stone leather loop (42mm only)
• Steel case with brown leather loop (42mm only)
• Black case with link bracelet

Apple Watch Edition includes:

• Rose gold case with white sport band
• Yellow gold case with black sport band
• Rose gold case with rose pink modern buckle (38mm only)
• Yellow gold case with bright red modern buckle (38mm only)
• Yellow gold case with black classic buckle (42mm only)
• Yellow gold case with midnight blue classic buckle (42mm only)

You can add to your band options over time, but if you want a certain one now, you might want a watch from the collection that includes it.

Who should get the Apple Watch Sport?

If you’re into physical fitness and you want the lightest Apple Watch you can get; if you’re going to be rough enough with it — or likely to lose it — and want the most affordable replacement option possible; if you’re not sure about Apple Watch and want to try it out at the lowest cost-of-entry; or if you simply love the way the bead-blasted aluminum and those bright sport straps look, the Apple Watch Sport is for you.

Who should get the Apple Watch?

If you love watches and want something heavy but not too heavy; classic on the outside but ultra-modern within; made out of strong materials like stainless steel and sapphire crystal; and with the widest range of bands curated for any collection; or if you want a watch but aren’t precious about your metals, the Apple Watch is for you.

Who should get the Apple Watch Edition?

If money is no object; if you’re into haut couture, first class cabins, and 5-star or higher hotels; or if you simply want the first-run, first-expression product of Jony Ive and Marc Newson as smartwatch designers, get an Apple Watch Edition.

Ed: Welcome to this week’s edition of The Pixel Project: a weekly comic from Diesel Sweeties‘ Rich Stevens on Apple, technology, and everything in-between. Today: The Secret History of Rejected Apple Wearables

Read more comics from the Pixel Project on iMore.com.

The iPad Air 2 is an invaluable productivity tool when paired with a keyboard case that’s right for you. These are currently the best you can buy!

The iPad Air 2 is thinner, powerful, and more portable than any iPad before it. If you want to ditch your Mac and head out the door with your iPad, a well designed keyboard case can let you get some serious work done. As with most accessories, one keyboard case isn’t always one size fits all. These are currently the best iPad Air 2 keyboard cases in their respective categories.

1. ClamCase Pro

All around

The ClamCase Pro provides a decent amount of all over protection, has one of the best keyboard layouts we’ve ever used, and doesn’t add a lot of bulk. That’s why it gets our vote for best all-around keyboard case. It’s the best compromise and an option we think the vast majority of iPad Air 2 owners will love using.

• $169 – Buy now

2. ZAGG Rugged Book

Best protector

ZAGG offers a great typing experience, complete with a backlit keyboard. The Rugged Book offers the ultimate in protection as it contains several layers of shock absorbing materials. Disconnect the top portion of the case and use your iPad in tablet mode.

The Rugged Book adds some bulk but promises to protect your iPad Air 2 in the most extreme of circumstances.

• $149 – Buy now
• ZAGG Rugged Book for iPad Air 2 review

3. Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover

Best ultra-slim

The Ultrathin series by Logitech snaps on just like a Smart Cover would and protects the screen when not in use. It’s a good option for people that don’t want a keyboard cover attached all the time. The keyboard layout on the Ultrathin is spacious and a breeze to type on and the hinge lets you quickly adjust viewing angles to suit your needs.

• $79 to $89 – Buy now

4. BrydgeAir

Best quality cover

The BrydgeAir is a high quality cover style case that is made of high grade aluminum. The hinge style lets you easily slide in your iPad Air 2 and then remove it when you need to. The BrydgeAir affers a great typing experience with backlit keys and built-in speakers. It’s also one of the only options that’s compatible with both the iPad Air and iPad Air 2.

• $169 to $189 – Buy now
• BrydgeAir for iPad Air 2 review

5. Logitech Type+

Best folio

If folios are your thing, the Logitech Type+ offers a great typing experience but protects your iPad when not using it. You can also fold over the case and the keyboard gets de-activated to avoid accidental presses when using it in tablet mode. The Type+ is also available in a plethora of colors to suit any personality.

• $99 – Buy now

Your best?

If you regularly depend on a keyboard case to get things done on your iPad, what is your favorite for the iPad Air 2 and why? Be sure to let me know in the comments!

See also:

• Best keyboard cases for the original iPad Air

Doties is a minimalistic Windows Phone game that will test your speed, concentration and patience. The goal is simple – drag matching colored dots to the colored center dot. The challenge with Doties is that the center dot will randomly change colors.

Available for low-memory devices, Doties is a colorful time waster of a Windows Phone game that has a certain level of appeal. I see it being a nice option to pick up from time to time when you need a little help passing short bits of time.

MixRadio has broken away from Microsoft after the Line acquisition completed. To celebrate, MixRadio is running a limited beta program for both iOS and Android.

MixRadio today announced on its official Twitter account that this very day marks the transition to a limited company. We recently managed to take a good look at MixRadio for iOS, which was in private beta testing at the time, but now you’re able to sign up and get started with the popular music service.

Ready to get started? Check out the MixRadio website for more details on how to join the beta program.

Source: MixRadio (Twitter) (1) (2)

MixRadio has broken away from Microsoft after the Line acquisition completed, and is running a limited beta program for both iOS and Android.