Zune, Xbox 360 & Windows Mobile Phones

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

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.

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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.

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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

Video Games No Responses »

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?

The Zune No Responses »

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.

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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.

There Are Different Gadgets In The Marketplace Today That Will Help You Live A Greener Life

Gadgets No Responses »

Dec 032013

The planet is becoming a lot more polluted every single day which is probably one of the leading reasons that more individuals are looking to live a greener life. There are new gadgets being created on a regular basis to help folks live green, but you’re in addition going to discover that a lot of these gadgets will additionally help you save money. Whether you’re looking to conserve electricity or lower your water consumption there are different gadgets available which can help you accomplish this. As you continue to read you’re going to see that we are speaking about a couple of these products in this article and explaining how they’re able to help both your wallet and the planet.

Something you are going to find which I believe is really neat, is really a product that will be able to tell you and how much energy or electricity a product is using. The product itself is rather simple to use because you are simply going to plug it into an outlet and plug your product into the product, and this product will measure the quantity of electricity being used. Many products in your house may end up using electricity while you are not using them, this device can enable you to know which products these are so you could actually unplug them in order to save energy. You may possibly also find that certain units you have in your home use considerably more energy than others, this means you can reduce the amount of time you use these products in order to conserve energy.

Something else you are going to find is that the new low flush toilets will additionally have the ability to work just as well as the old fashioned toilets. Many of the older low flush toilets would still have to be flushed twice which actually wind up using more water than the older devices. You will find that you’ll end up conserving water with these when compared to the older models because you’ll not need to flush twice in order to remove all of the waste.

One more thing men and women are starting to look at again are the low flow faucets that are available to be used in both kitchens and bathrooms while still providing the pressure that you would like. Many men and women will wind up replacing the entire faucet system, but you should be aware that they sell low flow heads that still present you with great pressure. For people who live in a city type area and need to pay for your water you should comprehend that this will be a great way to decrease your monthly water bill.

Being environmentally friendly is becoming much easier thanks to the products above but you will discover that other things can also be done to live a greener life. Living green isn’t easy for many people but you’ll find a large number of of the products being created nowadays can actually make this a lot easier.

If You Are Sick Of Cell Phone Contracts, You May Want To Look Into The LG Optimus Prepaid Android Phone With Virgin Mobile

Mobile Phones No Responses »

Nov 262013

For those of you looking for a new mobile phone or even if you are simply fed up with contracts there are alternatives for you. If you are new to the world of cellphones, you may find that the service you are looking to sign up for may require a contract as well as some kind of deposit if you don’t have any credit yet. If you don’t wish to leave a deposit or sign a contract, you can always buy yourself a pre paid mobile phone service. As a matter of fact, you can get a LG Optimus Prepaid Android Phone on the Virgin Mobile system at what might be a a cheaper price, based on how much of a deposit some of those other services are asking.

Some of you may want to know how much this is going to cost you to get the phone and the pre paid service. For those of you who are wondering, you will discover that the LG Optimus Prepaid Android Phone With Virgin Mobile can be bought from Amazon for $79 off the retail price, so you will just pay $120.99. You need to also understand that this is only for the cost of the LG Optimus phone and will not include the minutes for the phone. If you choose to get this phone you will also be using the Virgin Mobile service for your minutes. But one thing you will discover is that the minutes can be purchased for anywhere from 5 to 10 cents, this will be based on how many minutes you want to purchase. You can likewise sign up for monthly plans that range from $25 per month to $80 per month, depending on how many minutes you prefer each month. You must also keep in mind that these plans are a pay as you go plan, and there is no yearly contract.

Of course, one of the nicest things about this package is that you will get to own the LG Optimus, which uses the Google Android OS. For those of you who have seen or used mobile phones with this operating system, you already know that this is a phone that can do almost anything. Another great thing you are going to see regarding this phone is that it also comes with voice recognition software which will enable you to do things by just talking to the phone. Also, you will be quite impressed with the LG Optimus phone’s 3.2 inch touchscreen.

Another cool feature that comes with this mobile phone is the fact that you can watch films right on this phone. And if you want, you can even try listening to your fave radio stations with the phone’s built in FM radio. The LG Optimus prepaid Android phone even goes further as it is a camcorder and a camera too. If you are interested to find out everything that this cell phone can do, you can head on to Amazon and read the product description page. The individuals who have purchased this phone from Amazon have actually given this phone a 4 out of 5 rating which is amazing for any phone.

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