Opera Coast has been updated to version 4.1, which adds video boost, a feature that helps you start watching videos as fast as possible

Video boost automatically reduces the size of video in order to keep buffering to a minimum. If you’re already using Coast’s Opera Turbo feature, you’ll find that video boost has already been enabled.

This update to Opera Coast also brings the following changes and improvements:

• Swipe back while browsing a secure site (HTTPS), like your bank or email site, to go back without refreshing the previous page.
• From the latest news feed, swipe down to return to searching.
• Share pages you find directly to Pocket, Evernote, Pinterest and Kik.
• Enjoy a more stable and bear-free Opera Coast.

You can download Opera Coast 4.1 from the App Store now.

• Free – Download Now

Microsoft has confirmed that sales of its Microsoft Band fitness band will expand to Best Buy, Target and Amazon in the US. It will also become available in the UK for the first time on April 15.

Following the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Infinity Ward bosses Vince Zampella and Jason West were unceremoniously ousted from the company for ‘breaches of contract and insubordination’, (what the BBC would call a fracas). What followed was a mass exodus of what was seen as Infinity Ward’s core talent, the majority of which joined West and Zampella’s new venture, Respawn Entertainment, who went on to launch the successful Titanfall with EA backing.

At least one of those early defectors has now returned to Infinity Ward. Todd Aldermann is now Infinity Ward’s multiplayer project director after spending time with Respawn, League of Legends’ dev Riot Games and his own studio Scary Mostro.

These custom Passport screen protectors utilize the highest grade materials and cutting edge technology to provide a film worthy of protecting your device. Each protector is precision-cut to ensure an exact fit on your display and an advanced silicone adhesive technology allows for simple, water-free installation and removal of air bubbles.

FiftyThree, the developer behind Paper, have announced a new set of tools for the popular iPad drawing app, coming next month.

The tools, called Think Kit, include a marker with a ruler, scissors, and a paint roller. The idea behind Think Kit is to make creating things like charts faster and easier, according to FiftyThree:

Launching this April, Think Kit will dramatically speed up the creation of diagrams, charts, and presentation sketches for those times when you need to quickly show an idea to a client, to your team, or to a classroom full of students.

Think Kit will be available to users at some point in April. FiftyThree has not yet announced if the Think Kit will be available as an in-app purchase, or for free, like the rest of their tools.

Source: FiftyThree

These unique iPhone 6 bumper cases fit perfectly around the edges of your device and feature raised side buttons for quick and easy access. Even with the combination of aluminum and shock absorbent TPU, they’re amazingly thin and lightweight. Available today for only $19.95!

These days, simple passwords aren’t good enough to secure your data. Hackers are too good, and security systems flawed. Longer complicated passwords created by generators like 1Password and Safari’s iCloud Keychain can help, but the best way to lock down your accounts is to add extra authentication options.

What is two-factor authentication?

Two-factor 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 when it comes to accessing your personal data.

Wait, does this mean I have to sign in with extra codes every single time I log in? Sounds tedious.

Nope: Two-factor authentication is designed for initial logins from new devices — specifically, the situation where someone might get ahold of your password from a multi-million password hack and try to log in from their device, and to prevent social engineering hacks, where intruders attempt to trick you (or your loved ones) into revealing your security questions or other personal information about your accounts. Two-factor authentication largely replaces your security questions: This not only helps you avoid needing to remember your random answers, but it also removes the risk of relying on potentially easy-to-find information.

Two-factor unfortunately can’t prevent someone getting ahold of your accounts by accessing your physical device, but that’s why Touch ID and strong Mac passwords are important.

Why is two-factor authentication so important?

Passwords are weak, broken, and by all accounts, outdated: Having to remember a random assortment of numbers, letters, and possibly (but not always) other characters can be tough on your memory and easy for attackers to compromise, especially when technology like Touch ID exists. Apps like 1Password can help with organizing and memorizing your passwords and even help you create super-long strings, but you’re still reliant on a single password to keep you safe. Two-step/two-factor authentication requires two different keys to log you into your account, significantly amping up the level of difficulty for any would-be hackers to access your personal information.

What accounts can I set up with two-factor authentication?

Over the past few years, lots of web services and banks have hopped aboard the two-factor bandwagon — more than we can properly list. The folks over at Two Factor Auth, however, have kindly put together a master list of services that support two-factor or two-step authentication, along with links to how-to documents, what methods of two-factor authentication they support, and how to contact a service you use to request that they implement two-factor authentication.

How to secure your accounts with two-factor authentication

Here at iMore, we’ve put together a bunch of articles on some of the most popular services that support two-factor authentication — as well as the easiest ways to set it up — to help you keep your accounts safe and away from prying eyes.

• How to set up two-factor authentication for iCloud
• How to set up two-factor authentication for Google
• How to set up two-factor authentication for Dropbox
• How to set up two-factor authentication for Facebook
• How to set up two-factor authentication for Twitter
• How to set up two-factor authentication for Tumblr
• How to make two-factor authentication easy with Authy

What if I lose my phone (or have it stolen)?

One of the big fears with SMS or code-based two-factor authentication is the potential loss of your primary authentication device: If you don’t have your phone, you can’t get SMS messages, et cetera. Thankfully, most services offer recovery keys or special passcodes that can unlock your account in case you don’t have access to your cell phone at the present moment. Make sure to write these down in a safe place; I use 1Password’s secure notes feature for this, and also store a hard copy in my office.

Need more help with two-factor authentication?

Running into trouble setting up two-factor authentication? Have a question about turning two-factor on for your favorite service? The iMore Forums are a great place to get advice and help from other members of our community; you can also ask a question in our new Q&A forum and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

As promised earlier this morning, sales of the Microsoft Band wearable fitness device have started on Amazon.com in the US. Previously, the only other official retail outlet for the device was via the Microsoft Store website and retail stores.

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament begins today and for those who partake in March Madness there are a few Windows Phone apps in the Store to help you survive all the highs and lows of the games.

March Madness, for those not familiar, is one of the most popular sporting events around. Seventy-two teams will compete over the next few weeks to ultimately crown a NCAA Men’s Basketball Champion. The event will generate billions in revenue and millions will be lost in job productivity due to everyone calling in sick to watch the games.

The number of apps exclusive to the NCAA Tourney have slimmed down a bit over the years but we were able to find a few for this roundup that should only help contribute to the chaos we know as March Madness.

Yesterday afternoon, I and Richard Devine were special guests on the recently launched MS Mobile Show (MSMobileshow.com) talking about Windows 10, flagship phones, Microsoft Band and more with hosts JJ Hammond and Vernon E L Smith.

In case you missed the live broadcast, you can now download the podcast to your favorite device, stream the audio, or watch the video hangout on YouTube.