Saturday 26 November 2016

Where Do The Richest Americans Live?

Sizing up the homes of Bill Gates and other top members of the new Forbes 400 list

BY FANG BLOCK Related image

Pictured here are (from left to right) Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates, .

COMPOSITE: GETTY IMAGES

Have you checked the newest “Forbes 400: The Full List of The Richest People in America” yet?

Surprise, Bill Gates, with a net worth of $81 billion, is ranked No. 1 for the 23rd year running. Meanwhile, his friend Warren Buffett fell to third place for the first time in 15 years with a net worth of $65.5 billion.

Thanks to soaring stock prices of hot tech firms, CEOs at the helm of those companies seem to have been accumulating wealth at a much faster pace than others. Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos gained $20 billion to boost his net worth to $67 billion, making him the second-richest person in the U.S.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg jumped into fourth place, his highest rank ever, with a net worth of $55.5 billion. However, Oracle founder Larry Ellison landed at No. 5 for the first time since 2007. His net worth is $49.3 billion.

Standing on the No. 6 spot is former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, CEO of the eponymous firm Bloomberg L.P., who has a net worth of $45 billion.

These six richest multi-billionaires have a combined $363.3 billion at their withdrawal, most of which is still held as stakes in the companies they founded. However, part of their fortune is vested in real estate. Mr. Gates, for one, owns a Washington mansion worth about $170 million, several horse ranches across the U.S. and shares in some luxury hotel chains through his private investment firm, Cascade.

Here, take a look at the residences the six richest moguls call home:

1. Bill Gates
Worth: $81 billion
Home: Medina, Washington

Mr. Gates, 60, spends most of his time at his 66,000-square-foot Medina, Washington, mansion, nicknamed Xanadu 2.0 after the title character’s estate in Citizen Kane. The mansion overlooks Lake Washington. It took Mr. Gates seven years and $63.2 million to build this house, which is filled with lots of high-tech features. He purchased the lot for $2 million in 1988, but it’s now worth an estimated $170 million, according to public records.

2. Jeff Bezos
Worth: $67 billion
Home: Medina, Washington

Mr. Bezos, 52, in the process of building his e-commerce empire, scooped up a vast amount of real properties over the years, earning him the No. 26 spot on The Land Report’s list of America’s largest landowners last year. In terms of residences, he has a 165,000-acre ranch in West Texas, a waterfront house in Washington state, three linked apartments in Manhattan’s Century Tower, and a 12,000-square-foot Beverly Hills estate that boasts Tom Cruise as a neighbor, according to Forbes.

His home at Medina, Washington, close to Amazon’s headquarters, boasts 5.35 acres and about 29,000 square-foot of living space. Aside from the main home, there’s also a caretaker’s cottage and a 4,500-square-foot boathouse on Lake Washington.

3. Warren Buffett
Worth: $65.5 billion
Home: Omaha, Nebraska

Although the shrewdest investor on earth holds multiple real estate investments, Mr. Buffett, 86, is known for living humbly.

His home sits on a corner in Omaha, Nebraska, which he bought in 1958 for $31,500. Mr. Buffett has lived there ever since. The house, originally built in 1921, underwent several expansions to make it a cozy and comfortable 6,500-square-foot home for the man who has a net worth of over $65.5 billion.

4. Mark Zuckerberg
Worth: $55.5 billion
Home: Palo Alto, California

The youngest richest entrepreneur docks most of his wealth in schools, health and other philanthropies. His real estate portfolio include his home in Palo Alto and a 9.9-million pied-a-terre near Dolores Park in San Francisco.

Mr. Zuckerberg, 32, purchased his first Craftsman-style 5,000-square-foot home in Palo Alto in 2011 for $7 million. He snapped up four of the houses surrounding his home in the following years for about $43.8 million to better keep his privacy. But his plan to tear down and rebuild those four homes has been stalled.

5. Larry Ellison
Worth: $49.3 billion
Home: Woodside, California

Oracle executive chairman Larry Ellison, 72, has an extensive real estate portfolio. He has bought up large parts of whole neighborhoods in Malibu and around Lake Tahoe. He owns a $70-million Beechwood Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island; a garden villa in Kyoto, Japan; and 98% of the land of Lanai, Hawaii’s sixth-largest island, which he purchased in 2012 for $500 million, according to published reports.

His estate in Woodside, California, with an estimated value of $110 million, is modeled after 16th-century Japanese architecture, complete with a man-made 2.3-acre lake.

Getty Images

6. Michael Bloomberg
Worth: $45 billion
Home: Manhattan, New York

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, 74, has more than a dozen of properties worldwide. He spends most of his time at his Upper Estate Side townhouse, but he also owns estates in the Hamptons in New York, as well as in London, Bermuda, Colorado and Florida.

Mr. Bloomberg’s townhouse, located at 17 East 79th St., spans five stories with a limestone exterior. During his three terms as mayor, Mr. Bloomberg lived in the townhouse instead of Gracie Mansion. However, he apparently has a plan to turn it into a mega-mansion. Since 1989, he has been gradually buying up units at 19 East 79th St., the townhouse co-op that’s right next door to his current residence. Out of the six units in the white 1880 Greek-revival-style building, Bloomberg now owns five of them, according to The New York Observer.

Write to Fang Block at fang.block@dowjones.com

Finally You Can Track Your Car Using Your… SMART DEVICE TRENDS

Tiny Device Allows You To Track Your Car Using Your Smartphone

Have you ever lost your car on a parking lot? It happens. You park and go shopping. When you get back, you don't have a clue where your car is. Then you start roaming around clicking on the panic button on your car keys so the alarm goes off. It can be frustrating, especially on a hot, sunny day.

No, you don't need to install an expensive GPS system to keep track of your car. That's way too expensive. You would need to pay a monthly subscription fee just to use it. Don't we have enough bills to pay already?

The device "TrackR" has the size of a coin and can be placed everywhere

But is there a way to track your vehicle without spending a fortune? Yes, now there is!

A California-based startup company was able to make this a reality. They created a tiny device that works with your smartphone, and it could be exactly what you're looking for!

What is it?

It's called TrackR. It is a state-of-the-art tracking device the size of a quarter. It's changing the way we keep track of the important things in our lives.

With TrackR you'll gain peace of mind, knowing you can find your car quickly.

How Does it Work?

It's easy! Install the free TrackR app on your smartphone, connect the app to your device and you're ready to go! Simply attach TrackR to whatever you want to keep tabs on. The entire process of setting it up only takes 5 minutes or less.

You can attach it to your keys, briefcase, wallet, your latest tech gadgets and anything else you don't want to lose. Then use the TrackR app to locate your missing item in seconds.

Forget expensive GPS systems or tracking services. Nobody wants to pay expensive monthly subscription fees. We understand how stressful these things can be, and this is the reason why TrackR was created. This device is your VIP when you need to take care of more important things in life.

Remember the car scenario above? If you have the TrackR, you can just hide it under your car's floor mat, in the trunk or in the glove compartment. Somewhere it won't be found if your car gets stolen.

If you forget where you parked your car, whip out your smartphone and open the TrackR app. Tap on the "lost item" icon on the screen and the app will tell you the exact coordinates of the last known location of the TrackR.

How Much is it Going To Cost Me?

You're probably thinking that this device is very expensive... False! TrackR only costs $29! That's a small price to pay for peace of mind, isn't it?

Where can I buy TrackR?

You can buy it directly from the company's website. They ship worldwide and you'll receive your TrackR within a ~week.

Watch The Video Below To See How TrackR Works:

What else can I do with TrackR?

As we said before, TrackR has unlimited possibilities. The device is small and unobtrusive enough that you can attach it to your pet. Put it on their collar, and the issue of searching for them as they scamper off to nearby places will be over! Attach it to your keys and wallet, and never waste a minute rummaging the whole house for it.

TrackR even comes with a double-sided adhesive so you can stick it to your laptop or under your bike seat. Track down and punish the thieves who steal your expensive things!

Attach it to everything that's important to you!

Step by step instructions on how to use Trackr

Now that you are aware of the potential of this curious device, all you need to do is to follow these 3 steps:

1. Get Trackr from the manufacturer website. You’ll get it delivered to your home in about 1 week.

2. Link Trackr with your Smartphone (iPhone or Android) and place it next to the object you don’t want to lose.

3. Download the free app and always have in hand the location of your belongings. As Simple As That!

Tech Q&A: How to protect your email from hackers

By Kim Komando
Published November 26, 2016
The Kim Komando Show

Illustration picture.

Q: All the news about hacking has started to freak me out. Did the hackers use a sophisticated attack to go after John Podesta’s email?

A: No, they did not. These hackers apparently used one of the oldest tricks in the book. Podesta allegedly received an email that alerted him, “Someone has your password.” It was a classic phishing email that enticed him to hand over his new password to the hackers at a bogus site. He could have avoided the whole mess by setting up basic security on his account. Click here for more about the hacking and the steps you should take now, so you don’t become a victim.

Q: I have two pre-teens and just purchased an Apple TV. I’m new to this kind of viewing. Is there a way to censor what they watch?

A: Yes, you can adjust the settings so that your children aren’t exposed to mature content based on film or age ratings. With Apple TV, it’s simple to set up. From the main menu, go to Settings > General > Restrictions. The system will ask you for a four-digit passcode so that your kids can’t switch it off without you knowing. It’s just as easy to turn off the restrictions when the youngsters are in bed and you have a hankering for “Game of Thrones.” Many people don’t know that with the right apps, you can turn your TV into a classic art display or earth viewing station. It’s very cool! Click here for three apps that you’ll love on your Apple TV.

Q: I finally finished my novel, and I want to test it out as an ebook. I’m thinking of putting it on Kindle, but I’m not sure if it’s a good deal. Any suggestions?

A: Many authors are publishing ebooks because they’re economical and easy to distribute. You can often reach a global audience within 24 hours. KDP is Amazon’s ebook self-publishing service, and it’s very powerful. As always, make sure to read the contract carefully, but the deal is pretty good: You can publish through Kindle exclusively and earn up to 70 percent royalties, or you can publish through Kindle and other services, like Apple’s iBooks, and earn up to 30 percent royalties. Of course, there is much more to know. Click here for a step-by-step guide to publishing your ebook and making money at it.

Q: I love my iPhone, but my husband loves Android. I am in the market for a new car but I only want a car with Apple CarPlay. Who manufactures cars that have Apple CarPlay?

A: Apple CarPlay automatically syncs a car with an iPhone. It lets you use certain apps through an in-dash display, rather than on the phone itself. In fact, the system syncs up to the designated phone without having to remove it from your purse or pocket. You can get directions, make phone calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music. Apple CarPlay is included in a slew of cars from Acura to Volvo. Click here for a complete list of cars with Apple CarPlay for you and Android Auto for your husband.

Q: I am a tattoo artist. I saw the Facebook Live videos of your show. I would like to show Facebook live videos of my work. How do I get started?

A: Live-streaming is the new way to express yourself and show the world what’s going on in your life. Using a smartphone or tablet, your circle of friends, family, customers, business associates or fans see you in live video and audio over the internet. Open the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet. Go to your profile and open up the status bar. You’ll see the “What’s on my mind?” prompt and towards the bottom, select “Live Video.” From there, it’s a series of steps that I have written up in detail. Click here to learn how to use Facebook Live as well as insider secrets for promoting it and getting the best-looking videos.

Want more good advice? Be sure to listen or download my podcasts, or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to the Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet or computer. From buying advice to digital life issues, click here for my free podcasts.

Keeping your secrets safe on Amazon, Google, Facebook and Netflix

By Kim Komando

Published November 26, 2016

The Kim Komando Show

Illustration file picture. (REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Files)

When a relationship gets serious, we start to share more of our lives. We borrow each other’s cars. We move in together. Inevitably, we start sharing each other’s technology and even our passwords.

But your device says a lot about you: Your pastimes, your taste in music, your curiosities and the things you shop for. So how do you maintain your privacy online, even with the people who are closest to you?

Here are a few simple tricks to help you keep your secrets under wraps. (Note: Apps and websites do not always work the same across all devices and operating systems. If something isn’t located in the menus precisely as I say, look around for a similar action.)

Amazon

Amazon tracks not only what you have purchased, but also what you have browsed. If you share an Amazon account, both can pose a major problem especially this time of year.

The good news is that you can easily cover your tracks. To erase your browsing history, from your account settings, look for the Personalization section. Go to Personalized Content >> View and Manage Your Browsing History. Here, you have a few options. You can remove only certain items or all items as well as turn off browsing history, so you never have this issue again.

Let’s say you want to make it more difficult for someone to find out what you have ordered. Amazon will not completely delete your order history, but you can archive individual orders. Casual snoops will have a harder time seeing what you have purchased. From your account settings, go to Your Orders. Select the item you wish to hide and select Archive order.

You can use the Amazon app as an additional holiday security measure. Suppose you have purchased a pair of shoes for your spouse, you’ve archived the order, and now you’re waiting for the package to arrive. But you’re receiving so many boxes this time of year, how do you know which delivery to open and wrap?

With the Amazon app, you can scan the barcode on the box to immediately find out what’s inside. It works like a charm – unless your spouse has secretly ordered something for you!

By the way, Amazon has added a slew of new benefits for Prime members from unlimited photo storage to free ebooks. Click here for seven Amazon Prime perks you’re probably not using.

Google

Google often auto-completes your search terms based on personal information, such as your location and previous searches. Anyone looking over your shoulder or borrowing your device might be surprised by the guesses Google makes. Google products that collect your information include Chrome, Google Maps, and YouTube.

To delete your search history on Google, you need a Google account. Just log in, go to My Activity, and remove items individually.

Better yet, take control of the data Google saves about you. Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to stop Google from collecting data about you.

Most browsers have a similarly easy way to delete your browsing history, and the controls tend to be in your browser’s preferences. Keep this in mind, especially if you’re researching something a little unusual.

Facebook

For many of us, Facebook is like a sprawling digital yearbook. Maybe you have a family computer, and you usually forget to log out of Facebook. Other people use the same computer, they stumble into your Facebook account, and they notice your conspicuous search history.

Your significant other may wonder why you’ve become so curious about the person you once invited to the prom, no matter how innocent your interest.

The easiest way to avoid an awkward conversation is to open your Activity Log on your Facebook page. Select More from the column at left >> Search >> Clear Searches. Or you can remove each search item one by one.

Your Facebook Activity Log stores a lot of data about you. Click here for tips to clean it up and prevent things from coming back to haunt you.

Netflix

We all have our guilty pleasures, especially when it comes to movies. You may have privately viewed Lars Von Trier’s "Nymphomaniac" and thought it was a great work of art-house cinema, but that could be hard to explain to a roomful of people.

If you want to hide past screenings, just go to My Account >> Viewing History. Be advised that items aren’t always deleted immediately; it may take 24 hours for your lists to update on all devices.

Netflix also allows you to create multiple profiles. Many households don’t bother with this unless they have children, but if you want to keep your viewing history private, you can create a personal profile and protect it with a password. Click here to learn how to do this as well as access secret Netflix categories.

Go incognito

Every major web browser including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, and Opera has private, or incognito, browsing settings. Turning this feature on means your browser will ignore cookies including ad-tracking cookies and won't record your browsing history. It's almost like you weren't online. Click here to learn how to enable this simple step to keep your browsing history a secret.

Maintaining privacy is one of my favorite themes. To learn other ways to protect your information, be sure to listen or download my podcasts, or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to the Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet or computer. From buying advice to digital life issues, click here for my free podcasts.

Google to label malicious sites as repeat offenders

Published November 26, 2016

Google is set to introduce a "Repeat Offender" tag to its Safe Browsing feature. (Reuters)

It’s Google’s version of The Scarlet Letter.

The tech giant is set to punish websites violating its Safe Browsing standards by applying a “Repeat Offender” tag, eweek reported.

The change, announced in a Google blog post on Nov. 8, is set to begin this week for users of Google Chrome and other browsers. The warning will remain in place for a month and only be taken down if Google believes the site no longer poses a threat.

The “Repeat Offender” tag was developed to combat sites that are intentionally harmful and duplicitous. In the past, those sites would typically remove the security issue after being flagged by Google – but just for long enough to get the Safe Browsing warning removed. Then the initial security issue would pop back up.

“As a result of this gap in user protection, we have adjusted our policies to reduce risks borne by end-users,” Brooke Heinichen, a member of the Safe Browsing Team, wrote in the Google blog post.

Safe Browsing has been available to users on desktop and Android systems since December.

More than 2 billion Internet-connected devices worldwide are protected by Safe Browsing, DigitalTrends reported.