Zune, Xbox 360 & Windows Mobile Phones

Will the XBOX ONE’s Reliance on Broadband be a problem for Rural Gamers?

Dec 102013

It’s been over three weeks since the XBOX One released and the console has been received with positive reviews. For most part, the console is a welcome addition to the consumer’s home entertainment system, becoming the bridge between gaming and other means of media consumption in the home. The console was designed to control multiple devices, allowing connections to cable boxes, surround sound systems and other devices for a unified connection to one’s television. The system contains a Blu-Ray drive that is used for movies and the games themselves. The system uses the Kinect camera, which is a device that can be used to control the console with voice commands. One can turn on the console, start and switch games, watch TV, and all other types of commands simply by stating “Xbox, [command]” and it will do it. Award-winning XBOX Live carries over from the XBOX 360 and original XBOX, with paid XBOX Live Gold membership needed for online game play, use of internet-connected apps and other premium features of the XBOX One system.
With both the XBOX One and the Playstation 4 becoming more internet dependent for the best overall experience, folks who own either platform but yet live in rural parts of the United States find themselves in a somewhat sticky situation. There’s a need for extremely fast connections, both downloads and uploads, because of the new utilization of in-game video recording and sharing for both consoles plus an increase in the total amount of players playing on servers. Unfortunately, in most areas don’t have access to cable, fiber or DSL internet connections, and satellite broadband can provide the speeds needed to play, but concerns about latency (the time it takes for data to travel from a device to a server and back) makes playing games online very frustrating. Also, game developers are moving towards more digital downloads for games, paired with software updates and patches, demand for solid internet connections has never been more critical.

Does the pressure fall on internet service providers to make sure that they can provide both reliable connections that can meet the demands of these consoles? Particularly because both systems aim to be integrated social experiences for the end user and the fact that downloaded games and updates are increasing in size, ISP’s have to be able to make their networks capable of handling the increased traffic. Advances in broadband technology and especially in satellite technology might be able to bridge the gap for gamers who are now more connected to the internet than ever.

This post was written by Jerry Williams of Blue Fire Broadband, a wireless internet provider for rural areas looking to help fill the digital divide and provide a true broadband experience to those living in rural areas.

5 Tips on Shopping Online

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Dec 102013

Reports have consistently shown that women are the major online buyers in the world. The average age of these shoppers is 42 years. They spend an average of $400 USD per month on online purchases.
Tip 1:
Bookmark Reliable online Shopping Sites
It is important to bookmark the reliable sites. Bookmarking the sites is an important step towards building confidence. The sites will be a click a way so that you can access them easily without searching for them. When you do not know what you are looking for, there is likelihood that the search engines can misguide you.
The top three e- commerce sites
The leading ecommerce websites are known for their huge amounts of revenue and large number of people who are being served by the websites. Alibaba.com, Amazon and eBay have taken the top slots in electronic commerce. They are great platforms which on which buyers and sellers meet to trade virtually.
Tip 2:
Ignore Suspicious Offers Sent by Email
Always learn to avoid spams whenever you receive them. These are messages which contain viruses and other attachments which can install strange programs to your computer.
Tip 3:
Verify the Unbelievable Offers
Verification of the reliability of malicious ads must be done. This is an important step which should be done before you send any money for shopping. Now what do people commonly buy online? On top of the list of what is commonly bought is the computers, toys, consumer electronics and apparel.
Tip 4:
Double Check Payment Sites URL
It is a good practice to take a closer look at the URL to make sure that it is the right one.
Tip 5:
Use Reliable Security Software
Buy the best security software which can identify the fake online websites.

An infographic by the team at PriceCollate

5 Of The Best Pieces Of Tech To Pair With Your Phone

Tech No Responses »

Dec 092013

The development that has occurred in the world of mobile phones during the last 20 years has been phenomenal. They have gone from clunky, garish devices that far from lived up to a name which denotes portability, to pocket-sized pieces of technology which we cannot live without and which perform every function we could ever ask for.

As a result of this, the world of technology that can be paired with, and controlled by, your mobile phone is continually expanding. The recent high profile launches of a number of different SmartWatches have caught everybody’s eye in this area of the industry, but what other ingenious devices are on the market?

Bluetooth Oven –

Tech giants LG are currently leading the way in integrated kitchen technology with their Lightwave oven which can be completely controlled from the comfort of wherever you are in the world via your mobile phone. Simply put the food in the oven before you leave for work in the morning and then as you leave the office in the evening you can set the cooker to your desired temperature and enter the appropriate timings in order for it to be ready when you arrive home.

Baby Monitor –

As a parent there is a need to be on top of everything at all times, but for the most part this is pretty impossible. However, with the Withings Smart Baby Monitor you can at least be in control of everything related to bed time. Just download an app from the app store and the monitor streams real time, HD footage of your sleeping angel straight to your mobile. You can manoeuvre the angle of the camera to check your child’s surroundings, have a two-way conversation to sooth them off to sleep and even play them a lullaby.

Musical Shower Curtain –

Yes you read that right, American-based long running company Hammacher Schlemmer have created a shower curtain which is fully compatible with your IPad and other electronic devices. The curtain has a speaker at each end and a specially designed waterproof pocket into which you place your device. The music can then be controlled via a panel on the inside of the curtain; meaning all that’s left to do is enjoy your shower karaoke session.

Remote Controlled Door Locks –

It’s surprising that something as straight-forward as a lock and key entry system has lasted this long in a world driven by technology, but it may be on its way out thanks to a new wave of remote controlled door locking devices. The locks can be opened and closed via your phone from anywhere in the world and will eliminate that nagging feeling in the back of your mind as to whether you did indeed turn the key when you left home that morning. Some models will even allow you to grant entry to certain people who wouldn’t normally have a key and for certain lengths of time.

Printers –

The humble printer has also received a great deal of development in recent years and there are now portable versions available as well as standard sized ones which allow you to print straight from your mobile phone. This Pogo printer from Polaroid gives you the chance to print perfect pictures on the go in the space of just a few clicks, whereas this one from Epson allows for any type of document to be printed from your phone or PC over a Wi-Fi connection.

Featured images:

License: Creative Commons image source

By Chris Mayhew

Chris Mayhew loves the world of technology and is interested in the increasing amount of devices you can now pair with your phone. Soon, it seems, our whole lives will be controlled remotely via our handheld devices. He would recommend Éclat Marketing to any tech company in need of a professional PR agency.

6 Reasons Your Company Is Reluctant To Move To The Cloud

Tech, The Zune No Responses »

Dec 092013

The world of computing has seen a huge paradigm shift in recent times. This shift has been from in-house servers to cloud computing. While the companies who have made the switch are all gung ho about their adaptation of new technology, there are still some companies which are not sure about the viability of the cloud.

There are top six reasons your company still hasn’t ‘gone to the cloud’

Security

Security has to be the biggest reason because of which your firm hasn’t yet made the switch. Despite the huge success of cloud computing there are still some concerns as to how the hosts will deal with the hackers and if the data is safe enough. Though physical security provided by cloud is unmatched, the concerns regarding hacks and denial of service still lingers upon. The data on the cloud is very much prone to attack and if a malicious hacker gets access to some sensitive information, he can wreak havoc in the company’s fortune and future avenues.

Data transfer

The speed of the transaction depends upon the speed of the internet, so transfer of large data can prove a troublesome job in cloud. In the case of in-house servers the transfer is very fast but if the internet connection is not up to the scratch the whole purpose of cloud is defeated.

Technical issues

The information on cloud can be accessed anytime, anywhere but sometimes there is dysfunction in the service. This dysfunction can be due to power outages internet dropping or other cloud related technical issue. Even the best of providers and hosts face these issues but the firms which haven’t incorporated cloud give this a big reason.

Latency

Latency refers to the time difference in getting the required information after it has been requested. In-house servers have very short latency as everything is on the system already, but in case of cloud the quality of the service provided, location of cloud servers, internet connection, weather, all play an important role. Also if the usage increases, latency also takes a hit.

Understanding

Getting hold of the concept of cloud is one thing but to understand every activity leading to a successful operation is very difficult. One cannot possibly know what and where the information is stored. The companies are at host’s mercy for the information as he owns all the information and provides it with the data it wants. To overcome this SLA competence should be stronger and it should be made sure that very critical information is not hosted on the cloud.

Integration

The integration of existing systems and hardware with the cloud is a big issue companies face when making the move. Even the basic hardware equipment’s like printers, e-mail, mobile devices all require integration techniques to make it work in tandem with the cloud. This integration cost somewhat provides an anticlimax. The gloss of cost saving is also reduced as integration takes up a lot of capital.

Conclusion

In the end we can say that with all the good things of cloud, comes along some serious pitfalls which need consideration and attention. If not given so, cloud computing will do more harm than good and I am sure no company would want that.

Featured images:

License: Creative Commons image source

Renuka Rana, Editor at Hosted QuickBooks DotCom spends considerable part of her time in writing about technology including cloud hosting, Hosted PBX and cloud hosting. When not writing, she loves to dig deeper into knowing the best and the latest technology in industry.

The Financial Risk to Launching a New Console

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Dec 082013

This infograph is an insightful look into the actual financial implications of Sony launching a new console on the market, using information from past sales, hardware requirements & specifications and the current climate of the gaming market.

This infograph also looks into the possibility of 3D gaming with Sony, as they have already been pioneers in the home 3D experience developing 3D cameras, 3D TV’s and the world’s first head mounted 3D display. However if 3D gaming is going to be an option, consumers then need to buy 3D TVs and headsets which ultimately contribute to the obese price of the PS4 package (estimated $1,340).

How will Sony battle Xbox to keep itself unique? How many units must Sony sell to stand a chance of success? Will the PS4 try to kill the used games market? Instead of racking up goals on FIFA 12, click on this infograph to find out the answers to these questions.

Many thanks to Ladbrokes Games for their input into this gaming infographic.

Is It Worth Buying A Next Generation Console?

The Zune No Responses »

Dec 062013

The PS4 and the Xbox One is here and a new generation of gaming is here. Admittedly, with all the gaming options available today, it hasn’t received the same fanfare as many people would have expected.

The question on many people’s minds is whether it’s worth buying into the next generation. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why, eventually, everyone should be playing a next generation console.

Upgraded Graphics

Both consoles from Microsoft and Sony herald another step towards gaming replicating real life. The graphical quality has improved again. Although only hardcore gamers will truly be able to appreciate the extent of the changes, even the casuals will be able to tell the difference when they play.

More Entertainment Options

The role of the traditional console is long gone. We started to see it with the previous generation. The console is now a platform where you can play films, watch TV, and play music. It’s something which is designed to dominate your living room space.

The Xbox One has taken this quite literally with the design of its console. It’s huge. It’s designed to make you throw out the DVD player and make a nice little space for your Xbox One.

The Games

Developers haven’t exactly jumped at the chance to produce games for the Xbox One and PS4. The move has been rather sluggish. In fact, most of them have divided their resources so they can produce games for both the previous and next generations.

GTA V is the biggest example of this. Rather than wait a couple of months for a release, Rockstar decided to cater to the PS3 and Xbox 360 first. It’s a major shift in developer attitudes.

What we do have to remember is this is only the beginning of the process. Yes, the choice of games for the new consoles is quite sluggish. It doesn’t really entice a casual gamer to go out and purchase one for Christmas.

Regardless of the state of gaming choice now, we know sooner or later developers will ditch the previous generation and move onto the next generation.

Gaming has become more flexible. You don’t have to rigidly stick to release dates. The shopper of today is living in a world where economies are down and disposable income levels are down, as well. Sales will slow down and a lot of people will wait until Christmas or next year to purchase next generation consoles.

Developers, therefore, have no need to rush for a range of games upon immediate release. They can afford to wait, because they know their target audience is also waiting. Sales will trickle through.

So Should I Buy Now?

The debate over whether you should buy a next generation console right now is another topic completely. What you should do is start saving. The time is ticking on the previous generation. Eventually, all gaming production will cease and these consoles will be confined to gaming history as relics.

It might take a year or two, but time is running out and everyone must move at some point.

Tom Taylor is the author of this wonderful post. He writes articles on a plethora of topics and niches. He recommends the Jogos Friv website to his readers who are passionate about online gaming.

Tablet Releases In 2014: Which Come Out On Top?

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Dec 052013

Many people remember a lot of critics laughing at the iPad when it first came out as being something unnecessary and indulgent, but tablets have really come to the fore of technology. It is expected that half of 2014’s PC sales will be tablets. Their popularity is soaring because now they pretty much twice as light as simple laptops for work and are a great entertainment system.

Every new generation of tablets gets more and more impressive and the ones we’ll be seeing in 2014 are certain to make a few heads turn. Read on to find the best of the crop.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014

The name is slightly deceptive as this tablet has been available since late November, nonetheless, it’s intended to be a contender for the top tablet well into next year. Its resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels (299 ppi) makes it top of the market and its 16:9 display makes it awesome for watching HD videos. The most unique feature of this tablet is the S Pen stylus which runs on Wacom technology, allowing for easy writing and amazing sensitivity. If you’re someone who likes taking hand written notes, then this is for you. It comes with an 8MP auto-focus camera and a bright LED for illuminating low-light scenes.

Samsung Nexus 10

With the overwhelming success the updated Nexus 7 is currently enjoying, an updated Nexus 10 tablet is next up on offer. While nothing conclusive has been announced yet, people are already anticipating a new processor and the updated Android 4.3. With the current gen of Nexus 10 sporting a very high-res 2560×1600 display, 2GB of RAM and being powered by a dual-core Samsung Exynos 5 chipset, it doesn’t need much more to make it a leader in the tablet market.

Asus Transformer Pad TF710T

Asus’ anticipated tablet will be the fastest Android tablet it has ever released. Running on a Tegra 4 processor with a quad-core Cortex-A15 CPU 1.9GHz with 2GB of RAM and a 2560 x 1600 pixel IGZO-TFT display, you’d expect tremendous speeds indeed. But will that sacrifice battery life? Apparently not, since Asus claims it will run for 17 hours when docked, and 13 when not.

Microsoft Surface 2

Again, this is already out, but it’ll be one of the leaders for well into next year. Somewhat thick and heavy for a tablet, the Surface 2 borders on a very light laptop, but that’s its selling point. An all-purpose device, you can use it for work and your home entertainment. Running the full Windows 8.1 and possessing a USB 3.0 port, you’ll be able to do pretty much anything on it including attaching a hard drive and editing movies. Then you can take it home and play all those games you spend your whole day thinking about.

iPad Air

This deserves an honourable mention. Just like the original iPad, this model is expected to go strong for years after its release. Apple is certainly the leader when it comes to tablet technology, and I’m not saying that as an Apple fan-boy. PC and Android owners, like myself, will still appreciate the iPad’s remarkable speed and lag-free interface. Its display is top-notch and its portability has just been increased as it is less than 7.5 millimetres thin and 500g in weight. That is simply astonishing for all the power this tablet packs.

Featured images:

License: Creative Commons image source

Adrian Rodriguez is a freelance writer whose enthusiasm for technology often leaves him rather short on money as it all goes to buying the latest new gadget. He’s improved lately, however, by using the affordable services of Flexirent.

An Easy Way For You To Get Started With Video Advertising

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Dec 032013

It is now generally accepted that video advertising and marketing is a vital part of generating success on the web and many men and women expect to be able to see videos as part of any sales message that is delivered online. The enormous growth of YouTube is really all of the proof you need of the importance of this medium and the time spent watching videos will only continue to grow. For people who have not yet started video advertising you should realize that this can be very powerful for just about any business. In the following paragraphs we’re going to be discussing how easy it can be for people who have not yet started your video advertising.

Building a reputation for yourself is a thing that you’ll be able to do if you decide to give video advertising a try. There’s a lot of top marketers who will use more expensive equipment when doing this but you certainly do not need a big budget to get started. The usage of an easy flip camera or a smartphone can be all you need to get your message across. In the end it’s about what you say and exactly how you add value to your audience. As long as you are providing valuable content in your videos that people want to find out about you are going to find that the volume of viewers you have will continue to grow over time.

The use of PowerPoint slides can additionally be a fairly easy way to make a video presentation online. If you really don’t like the concept of your face being seen, this is certainly an alternative and if you still remember to keep your audience engaged this can be done quite effectively utilizing this strategy. There are currently video producing programs on the web today and additionally different types of software’s which will help you create videos faster than you most likely think. The majority of people who utilize these different sorts of programs and software’s are making use of them to be able to produce fast videos which are promoting some sort of an affiliate product. These sort of videos use a mixture of images, sound and text and the end result can look very professional.

If you master these basic skills, you will have a powerful way to drive traffic to your sites and many marketers have used video alone to really earn a good income online. The main channel for distribution is YouTube but the truth is when you have your video up it can be shared across social media platforms not to mention on your own website itself. You will also discover that YouTube also has a lot of its own features which are going to have the ability to help you edit your videos and also make certain that they get indexed in the major search engines. These skills are also marketable in themselves and there’s a lot of local organizations who might be willing to pay you to help them with their own video advertising and marketing campaigns.

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