TechnoBulb

Benefits of Hiring a Message Taking Service for Your Business

2013-04-30T01:36:00.002-07:00

Small business owners often work very long hours to make sure that their venture has the best possible chance of success in the early days. However, no matter how hard you work and for how long, if you cannot afford to hire a full-time assistant when you first start up your own company, there will be times when potential customers are unable to speak to anybody and it is at such times that they may well decide to contact another supplier who has a representative free to take their call.

The importance of having a real person answering customers’ enquires whenever you are unable to do so cannot be overstated. Just think about how you feel when you call a retail outlet to ask about a product they sell and have to leave a message on a machine instead of talking to somebody and you will know why this eventuality should be avoided at all costs when you are trying to establish a new business.

Possible solutions

If you cannot afford to hire a full-time receptionist or it does not make sound financial sense to do so, you will have to think of another solution that will ensure prospective customers can talk to a friendly, well-informed company representative whenever you are unable to come to the phone. Message taking services, sometimes bundled as part of a virtual office package and sometimes sold as a standalone solution, offer a cost effective way to handle the problem that does notinvolve making a long-term commitment. Flexibility is important when you first start out in business as it is very difficult to forecast future turnover with any degree of accuracy and therefore what level of services you may require in six months’ or a year’s time.

The main benefits

We have already touched upon two of the biggest benefits of hiring a firm to take messages on your behalf but to make it easier for you to evaluate your options, they are listed below with some notes on why they could be important to your business.

· Making your clients feel important - machines may be efficient at recording messages that people leave but they do not make your clients feel special so they should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Whether you use a service such as those outlined above or have your calls forwarded to a mobile phone when you are away from your desk, do not use an answering machine to field enquires on your behalf.

· Presenting the right image – if prospective clients get the impression that your company is operating on a shoestring, they may be less inclined to give you their valuable custom. A professionally trained and experienced receptionist will ensure that callers have a positive impression of your organisation after they have put down the telephone.

· Customised responses – unlike a machine, a receptionist that works for a message taking service can be given instructions on how to deal with different types of calls, thereby ensuring that any urgent business is attended to promptly.

About the Author: Message Direct is a private telephone answering service company based in UK. Handling more than 20 million calls since 1994, it is one of the leading businesses who offer message taking and call handling services for both businesses and private sectors.

Essentials Gadgets Every Boss Should Have

2013-04-15T02:21:00.000-07:00

When it comes to keeping on top of your managerial responsibilities, sometimes you need all of the help that you can get! Fortunately, this is quite easy to do thanks to the wide variety of devices that are now available in stores. So that you choose the best of what is available, here is a brief rundown of what is on offer so that bosses everywhere can equip themselves in the right manner when it comes to tackling their workplace responsibilities with ease.

Smartphones

Combining the usefulness of a mobile phone with the sheer power of a personal computer, these gadgets are absolutely essential when it comes to managing your company in the right manner. They provide corporate benefits in the following different ways:

· Multiple communication avenues, including phone, mail, chat and SMS

· Organisational apps that focus on project management, scheduling and more

· Easy researching through portable internet access and search technology

· Quick calculations and budgeting through the relevant software updates

One major advantage of smartphones is that they allow you to manage your workplace even if you aren’t there. Answer emails on the way home, send out memos before bed and even conduct video calls over breakfast. For the busy boss, these gadgets are a must have to successfully keep track of everything that is going on in the office.

Laptop Computers

While these portable devices have been popular for a while, they are still essential for the busy corporate manager. Not only have these gadgets developed significantly over the years but they have effectively wiped out the traditional desktop computer. Laptops offer the average boss an advantage when working as they allow complete flexibility in the office. They can be taken wherever is needed so that you have all of the information and researching capabilities that you require, regardless of what is being done. They also come with peripherals such as the external hard drive so that you can expand your storage capacity as your business grows over time. Irrespective of the operating system that you choose, a decent laptop is really the cornerstone of any successful manager’s career. Without it, he or she would be flailing in the water when in the office.

You can also take advantage of new technologies through these portable computing devices. For example, cloud storage solutions are now utilised by a large number of managers around the world. By keeping all of your important documents in a secure location on the internet, you and your workers can have access to them wherever you are. This means that the laptop you carry won’t have to contain all necessary files for you to be fully operational as an efficient manager. Instead, everything immediately required can be placed on your computer with everything else being backed up on the cloud. The combination of these two technologies is vitally important to any boss who wants an added edge when running their company.

Tablet Computers

Finally, the keen employer should make use of a tablet computer or two when it comes to running their company. These portable devices feature touchscreen capabilities in a wide variety of corporate fields. From conducting workplace presentations to drawing up quick plans in staff collaborations, these gadgets are quite versatile. They are also incredibly light, making them easy to carry around wherever you want to go. Finally, they combine the screen size of a laptop with the application diversity found on smartphones, resulting in a portable powerhouse that is suitable for a variety of in-office tasks. The successful boss will make full use of all the above mentioned devices for a streamlined, more productive work setting.

About the Author:

Toshiba is a trusted brand when it comes to buying an external hard drive, laptop, or DVD player. More information about the company is available at http://www.toshiba.co.uk/.

Choosing the Right Internet Package for You

2013-04-03T22:36:00.002-07:00

The web can seem to be quite confusing at first. Despite the fact that it is now in basically every household nationwide, very few people actually know how to choose a package that suits their needs. This is because the jargon and technical nature of the subject lead many to just give up and pick whichever option seems easiest. Deciding on one particular internet package is not too difficult though as we will show you through the pointers below.

Look Beyond the Headlines

When searching through the different options, always ignore the flashy text promising rock bottom prices. These deals often come with restrictive terms and conditions which can be costly if you break them. Instead, read over the fine print and find out how much you’re actually obligated to pay. In this way, you can more accurately compare what’s on offer when it comes to personal web connectivity.

Aiming for Speed

One of the big selling points of any internet package is the speed that it offers. Here, you’ll need to be aware of the following points:

· The upload and download speeds vary significantly so it will always be good to enquire about both. The best telecom companies will gladly tell you about these factors prior to you signing up.

· The speed is actually affected by the distance to the telephone exchange, the quality of the cables, and how many people are using the service. Find an online app that tells you what your speed is likely to be so you are not paying for something you’ll never receive.

Just do the research here and you’ll find out everything you need to know to then make a better decision in the end.

Look at the Long Term

While some providers will give you special introductory rates, find out how much you’ll be paying once this period is over. You should make sure that you can afford your fibre broadband throughout the entire term of the contract. Again, a decent internet company will be completely transparent when it comes to how much they’ll charge you for their services at the beginning and end of the term of agreement.

Restrictions and Conditions

Also double check whether you are actually eligible for the web package you’re interested in. For example, some services may only be available to certain regions as anything outside that is simply too far from the telephone exchange or doesn’t even have the right cables laid down. Another scenario is a special promotion offered to new customers. If you have been using a provider for some time, you will not be eligible in this case either.

Charged for Excess

It is also important to find out what happens if you go over the download limits that are stated. In some cases, your net may be capped, making everything slow down to a crawl. You may also be charged extra for these additional up and downloads, inflating your utility bills quite dramatically. To prevent this, make the right enquiries and find out how much you’ll have to pay if you do use too much bandwidth on a monthly basis. If this happens regularly, it might be more cost effective to move to another package.

Additional Costs

One fee that is often left out of the monthly internet rate is the initial phone line rental. Again, this will have to be researched before signing anything so that you know exactly how much you have to pay at the beginning of the contract. This rental fee will also be charged on a yearly basis, so you’ll have to include this in your budget when managing your standard expenses.

About the Author:

Nicole McLean writes for Telecom - a company that provides a wide range of telecommunication services such as prepaid mobile phones and fibre broadband.

How Advanced Technology Has Transformed the Delivery of Care

2013-04-01T04:21:00.000-07:00

No other industry other than Health care has the prominence influence of technology on it. Without the dominance of the technology advancement health care sector seems limping entity. One of the most significant arenas is the aging services array, where without high tech intervention it looks like colorless rainbow. At one hand life expectancy of human beings are increasing and to make it consistent incorporation of technology is must and on the other hand fighting against aging is another big concern.

The senior citizen average life expectancy has increased more than 36% and the baby boomers are on the verge of getting old by now, so maximizing the number of elder adults are thriving for more technology elevation. As people are getting old, supportive health care is expected. By incorporating technology tool with health care Centre for Aging Services Technologies (CAST), is trying to provide the innovative way to complementing resident health care services.

Since two decade now we have utilized the technology in our daily care services like electronic health records is one of the biggest examples. Memory care communities, touch screen interference to monitor brain fitness, these are all really helpful to accelerate the community health care experiences.

Electronic Health Data system has made the entire data processing system easy and organized. It helps to eliminate the duplicate data file, and crunching the time of processing at the same time. It is a single window to all the data records, easy to handle the record history and helps in the curation process. It brings win - win situation to both the patients and the physicians, as it is handier for the physicians to get the accumulated data at one place for further investigation and the patients can use the same data resources for future consultation.

Fully integrated passive monitoring system is another trademark in healthcare. It is a tool to monitor daily activity older community people; this system learns the regular activity of the older community and monitor it accordingly, and it gives signal if there any abnormality in their action or any health emergencies.

This system dynamics are based on non-intrusive motion sensors to be responsive to the daily activity and it does not allow any intrusion in person’s privacy or personal life. This system mainly introduced on the basis of a fundamental idea of enhancing care services for the older adults of our society, who are in need of better and advanced medical health supports. After collecting the sensors of the daily activity of the person it sends the notifications to the person is there any urinal infection or something unwanted and unwelcome changes occur. This notification even goes to the nearest health care giving centre to provide the assistance to the patients and complement the needful.

New and innovative technology system not only have given a better cure option to the community but provides an option to get alerted even before something serious or injurious happens to our life.

Kristen is a freelance writer who writes on different topics such as fitness, health and lifestyle. She holds bachelor’s degree in electronics. Her famous articles includes article on dietbrandreviews.com. She loves to travel and make new friends.

Update your Apps or be forgotten

2013-03-30T00:01:00.001-07:00

Now, you have realized how important creating an app is. Be it for the promotion of your business or website or to improve the total functionality of your business, apps are very handy. They are what make the awesome iDevices work to their potential. Using all the functions that these devices offer is a good sign of functionality and should be kept in mind while thinking about iPhone application development. A good app integrates many different utilities offered by the iOS environment like the camera, location services (GPS), internet, gyro meter, multi-touch gestures etc. in order to make their apps do more. Games use the internet in order to connect to other players, apps designed to show you a suitable place to eat use location services and if you integrate them with Facebook, they are able to give you more suitable results. These are just a few examples of wonderful all round functionality. It adds the edge to your app.

Apple releases a new iPhone every year. The changes seem subtle, but they are there. The camera gets better, the GPS gets more accurate, the touch is more responsive, the music is clearer; the world is a better place to live in. Many new functionalities are added. And after the release, the iOS is also updated regularly. You can expect at least two major software upgrades for iDevices in a single year. Bugs are removed, security features are added, the interface is better, a basic clean up and tune up for your phone.

What does all this have to do with iPhone application development? First of all, tracking the changes and updating your knowledge about all the things the device has to offer is a very important task. Then, you have to think about your app and what functions you want it to offer. If your app doesn’t need to use Bluetooth, cross it off your list; if the game you are developing doesn’t have to use the camera, don’t include it. Too much can get irritating and including something just for the sake of novelty is pointless; it should serve an important function and integrate seamlessly; it shouldn’t create another set of issues to solve and codes to debug.

A very important task that should be undertaken is updating the app. And if you are keeping track of all changes that Apple is making to its devices, you can update accordingly. A new phone usually means better resolution, so update your app with better graphics and quality images. Improve the quality of audio and video if it is there in your app. Integrate maps, Bluetooth, the gyro meter whatever you need into your apps. Improve your app or else it will be forgotten.

Updates bring up a whole lot of flexibilities to the world of iPhone application development. Technology is improved upon every day, everyone knows that. Keeping up with it is important. There are rumors that Apple will include a 3D capable screen for its next phone. The possibilities are endless, keep up with it.

Kristen is a freelance writer who writes on different topics such as technology, gadgets and social media. She holds bachelor’s degree in electronics. Her famous articles includes article on iPhone application development. She loves to travel and make new friends.

Google Unveils Hi-Tech Glasses to Developers: When Do We Get Ours?

2013-02-19T22:18:00.001-08:00

If you thought Project Glass was just another crazy idea Google threw out there for the sake of conversation, think again. The search giant is moving forward with the initiative and has invited the developer community along for the ride. Members of the Project Glass team recently announced the Glass Foundry, a set of events offered to developers in the Glass Explorers program. These lucky programmers are the first to receive access to the gadget and tools for building on it.

To quickly recap, Project Glass is the codename for the pair of hi-tech glasses Google first introduced in the spring of 2012. These glasses are reminiscent of smartphones or tablets in the sense of how they let you complete a variety of tasks commonly performed on such devices. For, instance, you can send text and email messages, listen to music and watch videos, pull up directions, use voice control, and more. Needless to say, the mere mentioning of such an exciting concept sparked up some interesting conversations amongst the internet community.

A Hush Situation

It would appear that getting them in the hands of developers means Google’s glasses are inching closer to the consumer market, but at this point, no one is quite sure how close. In fact, Google is very adamant about keeping them out of the hands of consumers — for now.

Google reportedly made developers sign a strict non-disclosure agreement specifically drafted to keep certain information about the glasses top secret. According to a report on ReadWrite.com, attendees are not allowed to share any information regarding Project Glass, be it interviews with the press, photos, or videos. In order to share details with members of the media or the public otherwise, developers must first get approval from Google.

Not taking any chances, Google has taken serious steps to make sure that the information stays in-house. Developers will be assigned to an account that stores all the content related to the glasses. This account will also be designated for the feedback and notes collected over the testing period. What’s interesting in all this is that Google will be using its location-based technology to track the device so it has intimate knowledge on the whereabouts at all times. According to the contract, any violation of the agreement carries the stiff penalty of being blacklisted by Google.

It’s kind of amusing, but also no surprise that Google is being aggressive in its mission to keep the juicy details on the hush. There’s a lot riding on this thing, so naturally the company only wants the public to have limited information while the project is still in its development stage. More than likely, developers will play nice and abide by the rules because they have a lot on the line as well. Getting in at the ground-level on what could be one of the biggest initiatives the tech world as seen in years would work wonders for individual careers.

General Guidelines

Google continues laying down the law in its terms and conditions, which exist independently of the NDA. All developers at the Glass Foundry events will be allowed to play with the glasses and the really luck ones will even get to take a pair home for further testing. However, these users must follow more specific guidelines that are strict and sort of difficult to enforce.

For example, Google doesn’t want the glasses used outside of the United States. And get this — only the developer the glasses have been assigned to is permitted to use them. Other interesting guidelines warn against using the device while driving, engaging in sports, or using sharp objects.

Google has admittedly called Project Glass an experiment. Others, critics, haven’t been so kind, calling it a failure in the making among other things. With that said, the effort it has made to take the project from interesting concept to consumer product hints that it has big plans for the futuristic glasses. Getting the expertise of the developer community onboard is a smart move that could play a key role in a successful launch. While possessing capable hardware is vital, the fate of this initiative may very well hinge on the efficiency of the integrated software technology.

Is anyone out there pumped for Project Glass? Will you be one of the early adopters, or is this another gadget you end up passing on? Have your say in a comment.

About the Guest Author

Aidan Hijleh is a freelance copywriter and serves as the Non-Profit Partnership Liaison for Benchmark Email. Aidan advocates free email marketing services to assist with the flourishing of grassroots organizations.

Sneak Preview of Samsung's Tizen Mobile Operating System

2013-02-16T01:17:00.001-08:00

The evolution of operating systems has been absorbing to witness. Inarguably, Microsoft's Windows was the first computing user interface to achieve dizzying popularity driven by surging desktop and laptop sales. But since the advent of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, other reputable interfaces like Apple's iOS and Google's Android have captured buyers' hearts. Now here comes "Tizen," a novel mobile operating system created and spearheaded primarily by Samsung.

An exclusive foretaste of what Tizen is all about:

Fundamental Properties

→ Tizen is a user interface engineered specifically for mobile devices like smartphones, netbooks, tablet computers, smart televisions, and in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) gadgets (explained later) - to name a few.

→ Besides being truly portable, the operating system is distinctive because it provides the same enhanced performance on all host devices. This is largely accomplished owing to the embedded software development functionalities that facilitate heightened HTML5 operations and multi-device compatibility.

→ Tizen can be termed as an open- source product that is founded on specific industry standards. Technically, the operating interface is composed of a Linux core accompanied by Enlightenment Foundation Libraries (EFL) as well as the WebKit programming cycle.

→ Tizen is pictorially represented by the main logo, bearing the Tizen brand name, composed in the "Pluto Bold" font as well as a unique "p inwheel" symbol (at the logo's top-right side). These discrete elements coalesce to form the branding that is formally known as "the lockup."

Background and Creation

The operating system is actually a part of a high-profile, ongoing exercise named the "Tizen Association," which is jointly executed by Samsung, Intel, and the Linux Foundation. Formulating a truly liberal user interface, one that will work with all major internet applications and browsers, is the prime objective of the association. Besides the above aim, the association seeks to engender newer iterations and service alliances through research, broad-base marketing efforts, and impart industry education.

Application on Different Devices

→ On Smartphones

Smartphones that embed Tizen would benefit from facets such as:

- A highly potent, quick, and tractable operating system that is also superlative at handling multiple tasks concurrently.

- Boosted multi-touch proficiencies.

- Customizable screen resolutions to aid performance and usability.

- Three-dimensional window graphics.

- State-of-the-art image, video, and music output.

- Service infrastructure and support based on locations. - Advanced sensor infrastructure.

→ On Tablet Computers

Tablet users will specially gain from Tizen's superior touch functionalities. Besides, the new operating system also offers excellent internet surfing, data administration, and multimedia generation.

→ On Laptops and Netbooks

Due to Tizen's immanent speed, amenability, and versatility, users of these devices will benefit from boosted functioning, lithe, a better feature set, and a more immersive interface all around. Note that since touch-and-type hybrid devices are all the rage currently, users would be able to exploit Tizen's advanced touch facilities to the fullest.

→ On IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) Gadgets In-Vehicle Infotainment gadgets are devices placed in passenger vehicles; the devices provide multiple services such as GPS navigation, movie and music generation, internet access, and more. Tizen has supreme innate competencies that facilitate a more comprehensive and entertaining interaction.

→ On Smart Televisions

Owners of new-age Smart television sets will be delighted to imbibe that:

- Tizen harnesses the entire arsenal of Linux's liberal and intensive programming standards. Due to this, the operating system is also primed for gadgets such as set-top boxes and Blu-Ray players.

- Tizen also has improved internet functionalities that facilitate Smart TV owners to watch television and simultaneously activate a variety of applications and entertainment options.

With regard to the above, Samsung are slated to introduce devices equipped with Tizen by the second quarter of 2013.

Outlook and Conclusion

The Tizen concept is certainly innovative and practicable as well. In fact, Tizen could veritably give Android and Apple's iOS interfaces a run for their money in the future. Let the battle commence!

About the Guest Author This article has been brought to you by Celestine Mayer of http://www.xfinityonline.com , offers savings and current information on xfinity tv.

Google Introduces a New Mobile Ad Format

2013-01-04T00:34:00.001-08:00

Google is a leading search engine used by many PC and laptop users around the world. It is not surprising to see that it is a favorite engine in the mobile platform as well. However,the drawback when browsing the Internet on mobile phones is the ‘fat finger’ issue. People with big fingers inadvertently tap on an option they didn’t mean to or click on ads they never wanted to see. This is not only annoying after sometime, but also time-consuming when you browse. Google is well known for its efficiency. The search engine has come up with a new mobile Ad format to solve the problem of ‘accidental taps’.

Google announced the new ad feature a few days back. The company has stated that the feature will help avoid the ‘fat finger’ issues that most users are prone to. People accidentally tap on the banner ads without intending to. This gets irritating and you are taken to a website that you had no intention of going to in the first place. There is no great deal in this for advertisers as they are paying for the click that does not have any value.

The product director of mobile ads, Jonathan Alferness has stated that the problem has already been taken care of in text and app based ‘Ad’ formats. These ads come with a blue arrow which takes you to the ‘visit site’ button. You must tap again to visit the advertiser’s page. In short, Google will ask if you really wish to visit the advertiser’s page. Though this was tested a few years back, it came into practice only in June.

Now, Google has taken a similar path of ‘confirmed clicks’ for their other leading formats of ads like banners. However, there is no blue arrow in this feature. When you tap on the banner’s center, it is taken for granted that you really want to visit the ad page and you are taken to that particular site. If you tap the sides of the banner ads, you are taken to the prompt page which you have to tap again to view the ad page. This new format was fully launched a few days back. This format will be available on all the image ad banners available on smartphones. This will considerably bring down the pay-per-clicks. On the other hand, it will generate genuine clicks which will be healthier for advertisers.

With the new concept of Mobile AD Format, people can avoid going to unnecessary advertisement sites. Marketers on the other hand don’t have to invest in fruitless clicks. This will be a win-win situation for both the users and advertisers. Since Google has designed these concepts, Alferness has stated that the company did not follow any specific model. He further added that the company is indifferent to those who try to copy the particular model and that they considered the heart issue rather than the possible competition in future.

With Google taking steps to provide a better User Interface, will the other mobile platforms follow suit? We have to wait and see!

Teyona Dame

About the Guest Author:
Teyona Dame is a tech-lover and enjoys to write interesting articles about technology. She writes for xfinity, a site that offers savings and current information. She loves to guest blog on different interesting websites.

5 Great Apps For Rooted Android

2012-12-29T18:12:00.000-08:00

To root or not to root. This is the commonly considered question of the modern-day Android user. Rooting is the Android operating system’s answer to iOS jailbreaking and is becoming an increasingly hot topic. Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 soar in popularity. There are many guides out there on how to root your device but there’s not much information on why you would want to in the first place. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some great apps available to you should you decide to take this route.

1. Root Explorer

This first application is a great example of one of the excellent things about rooting. Root Explorer allows you to access not only the files saved in your device such as Word documents or images, but allows you to access the entire file system that runs Android including the exclusive data folder. Even if you’re new to rooting, you’ll find increasing use for being able to copy, rename or delete operating system files, change the permissions, file ownership and groups, extract zip files or rar archives and execute scripts. Essentially, Root Explorer affords you complete control over every aspect of the operating system’s files, opening doors for tweaking and adjusting later on.

2. Silent App Uninstaller

If you experiment with new apps on a regular basis, you’ll be familiar with the feeling of finding yourself having to free up space by uninstalling the unwanted ones. Navigating around Android and individually selecting apps to uninstall can be painful. Thankfully, Silent App Uninstaller let’s see you scroll through and select all of the apps that you want to uninstall and then press one button to do it in a single batch. The app developers, XDA also has an extended version called File Expert which adds even more functionality.

3. Titanium Backup

If you’re going to experiment with rooting, it’s a good idea to keep information safe and backed up and Titanium Backup is great way to do it. This powerful backup application can restore all of your data, apps and also links. Included in the list of excellent features is scheduled backups to be created and information can be moved freely around between on-board memory and an SD card. Further excellent features include the ability to remove unwanted bloatware apps which came pre-installed with your device. To finish off the extensive feature lists, you’ll be able to synchronise your backups with Dropbox automatically and even save a data for different users.

4. CPU Tuner

Many Android devices represent some of the first overclockable mobile hardware on the market. Essentially, this means you can get a little bit more horsepower (or less to save battery) out of the processor in your mobile device. If you regularly play games, you can increase the CPU speed for the gaming session and achieve smoother frame rates and a better user experience. Alternatively, you can reduce the CPU speed to get a longer battery life if you’re not going to be using your Android for anything too intensive. If you’re travelling on a long journey and only want to use, for example, an e-book reader and mobile phone with no data connection, you can underclock the CPU by 30% to make sure your battery device stays live the entire journey.

5. Adfree Andriod

To finish off this fivesome of excellent rooting example apps is Adfree Android. This app does pretty much as it sounds and creates the opportunity to block the vast majority of unwanted adverts in your Android experience. While this in itself is awesome, this app is a great final example of the kinds of tweaks which are on offer to improve your user experience for a rooted Android gadget.

We hope this has given a taste of the kinds of awesomely nerdy opportunities which open up with rooting. Remember, whatever method you choose to root and whatever device you own, always make sure you make time to do your homework thoroughly before getting stuck in and always backup your information before you begin.

Steven Gates

About the Guest Author:
Steven Gates is an experienced writer and tech enthusiast who help people root motorola xoom, Galaxy S3 and other Android devices.

The Power of Twitter for Online Business

2012-12-28T21:58:00.000-08:00

When Twitter started, many people thought it would be just another short lived fad but with over 500 million active users, Twitter is definitively here to stay. What’s more, it is an extremely useful tool for any new or existing business. Any self respecting business now has a Twitter account, and it is proving to be an invaluable low cost marketing tool not to be ignored. Here are some of the reasons why you should harness the power of this ever rising social network platform.

It’s a Great Networking Tool

You can reach a far greater number of people in a much shorter time. Twitter is a bit like texting, but with a twist. You can send up to 140 character messages. The message appears like a news headline. Many use quirky or punchy sentences to attract the attention of other Twitter users. You can connect with existing or potential customers, build links with other businesses, and even get feedback in almost an instant.

It Can Boost Sales Very Quickly

Businesses can alert customers about their latest offers or a special event. Twitter is great if you want to find out last minute travel deals, if a band is playing in your local pub, or even if you’re in need of a plumber to fix that boiler that has let you down at the last minute! It’s a great tool for traders to pick up last minute business. If your computer is out of reach, you can still access Twitter via your phone, meaning you never lose a business opportunity.

Twitter Can Help You Stay Above The Competition

With Twitter, everyone is connected, and you will be able to find out what your competitors are up to by using Twitter search, which incidentally is free. You can read what the competitor is talking about and also read what customers have to say about your business or your competitor’s business. If there is a complaint somewhere, you’ll soon hear about it and even tweet a solution to the customer.

Twitter Helps You Stay Up-to-date With The Latest Trends

This is particularly useful for design and technology industries where you need to constantly keep up-to-date with new trends and ideas. But every business should stay informed and know what is happening within their industry in order to stay ahead of the game. Twitter enables you to find out information quickly and to follow what everyone else is thinking or doing. People share everything on Twitter, and each tweet is an opportunity to stay informed, help someone, or solve a problem.

If you think that Twitter is just another social media tool to waste more time on, think again. If you use it correctly, it could greatly enhance your business and your customer relationships. It is worth spending some time to get acquainted with the site and see how your business could benefit from this platform. One of the many advantages of Twitter is that you can share your tweets on other websites and social networks, thus expanding your business circle even further. Done correctly, having a Twitter account can really be an asset to your business.

Kristen Jonnes

About the Guest Author:
Kristen is a freelance writer who writes on different topics such as business,technology and Social Media. She holds bachelor’s degree in electronics. Her famous articles includes article on web design berkshire. She loves to travel and make new friends.

Simple Tips to Avoid Identity Theft

2012-12-19T19:46:00.001-08:00

As tech espionage continues to flourish and regularly redefine the term spying, one should always be on the lookout for hackers and their penetrating maneuvers. Identity theft is one thing that is really on the up. When one exercises their little grey cells about identity theft, the first thing that one thinks about is computer hacking or bill stealing from trash cans; however, what we don’t realize is that it is a much broader horizon and can involve private information theft from a cell phone or PC through cell phone tracking or PC monitoring. Like for instance if one were to lose their phones or tablets, they can be caught off guard, in every sense of the term possible, if someone with a malicious intent gets their hands on the said device. They can use your phone’s browser to log into saved accounts, and basically wreak havoc with your privacy, and in turn your identity. This can also be the case for your bank account, where the wreaking havoc act can take monetarily catastrophic proportions; like for instance with a PayPal account or any other online account. Hence, steering clear of these acts or cell phone tracking and PC monitoring is extremely important in this day and age, and here are a few tips as to how you can do it.

1. Avoid Saving The Login Information

This can easily be disabled from the browser options, and would ensure that even if your device were to stumble upon a stranger’s lap, it would still take a lot of effort from the person’s part to unearth your data.

2. Avoid Loaning Out Your Device

There might be people that you might trust, but trust me, logging into someone else’s account does have its temptation. Therefore, the safest thing to do is to avoid sharing your device as much as you can. This in turn would help you avoid unwarranted penetrations into your privacy.

3. Secure Your Device With a Password

Adding a password to the tablet or a phone, can help you shore up the security of your phone. Also do make sure that the password is not an obvious one, like 1234, ABCD, your name, your date of birth, or anything you’re openly passionate about. Plus mixing and matching various characters and symbols would also help your cause.

4. Immediately Report Lost Device

Whenever you lose your device, it is imperative that you report that loss to your service provider, as soon as possible. The provider would in turn disable the device, which would ensure that anyone who might find it would not be able to misuse it – hence, reducing the menace of hacking.

5. Avoid Storing Your Contacts Online

There is many a tale which divulges how the websites of the carrier providers are hacked by the tech mafia and the users’ contact information stolen. In order to avoid your contact list becoming an open secret, avoid storing them online, and then the hackers would not have an easy access to your private data.

Natalia David

About the Guest Author:
Natalia David is a known figure in the field of tech writers. Her works has been of great help to readers, earning her a large fan following. Readers follow her to keep up with the dynamic field of tech-world. This article was written by her for mobistealth.comYou can follow her on twitter @NataliaDavid4

5 Reasons To Choose Nokia Lumia 920 Over it's Competitors

2012-11-27T00:04:00.000-08:00

Nokia lumia 920 is the latest flagship phone from Nokia, which features some of the coolest innovations made on gadget world till now. Everyone knows the incomparable hardware quality and durability of any Nokia product. The smartphone market is very much competitive and people are almost left with no clues to choose the best phone that caters to their needs. So, here i would try to explain 5 points why Nokia's lumia 920 beats them all, those features that you don't get on it's rivals yet.

1. PureView & Puremotion HD+ Technology

Nokia's unique pureview camera with Optical Image Stabilization and a Carl Zeiss lens ensures its pictures and videos are stunning, bright and blur-free, no matter what the lighting conditions are. Zeiss lenses are the best of it's kind and used for very high-end cameras to produce the top-notch picture quality. No other mobile camera has even come closer to this. The Nokia Lumia is packed with PureMotion HD+, a display that is the world's fastest, brightest and most sensitive touchscreen ever made. This superb display makes every colour crisp and clear. The touchscreen is super sensitive and works with fingernails, fingertips, and fingers covered with gloves. What more can you expect from a touch screen?

2. Wireless Charging

It's a goodbye to messy wires from Nokia. As we know, none of it's competitors has this cool new feature of charging without plugging in. One can charge his Nokia Lumia's battery without the traditional hassles, simply by placing it on a wireless charging pad. These brand new wireless charging pads for lumia 920 comes in various sizes, shapes, and colours. There is also an added benefit, since it is Qi compatible you can use any wireless charger that you find somewhere with your phone. Wireless charging is as simple as placing your phone on the desk. To make things more easy, Nokia Lumia 920 recharging plates would be installed in several public places like airports and hotels.

3. Windows SkyDrive

The windows SkyDrive is the best cloud service from microsoft that allows it's users to store all music, photos, various files and even apps that are in Sync with their pc. SkyDrive is also provided for both Mac and PC computers. It helps users access all their important files wherever they are, skydrive will have them synchronized. All you need is a web browser to access them. No more worries over attachment limits and the software being used.

4. Streaming Music With Dolby

Nokia Lumia 920 is packed with many awesome features and one among them is the capability to stream music for free with Dolby for headphones. While most of the other smartphones has to find proper Websites to access streaming music, lumia 920 gets it for free from the incredible Dolby. This indeed is something that music lovers can never afford to miss.

5. Ergonomic Design and Colours

One of the best features of the lumia phones is they come in cool designs and vibrant colours that can suit the preferences and lifestyle of every user. These two new lumia family members from Nokia features a durable polycarbonate body. All the buttons and camera module are made out of scratch-proof ceramic, so that you can be relaxed while using it in rough conditions. Moreover, the new lumia phones are made from 100 per cent recoverable materials and is fully recyclable, which makes it eco-friendly too.

The innovative Nokia Lumia 920 has many more hot features other than those mentioned here. You can't afford to lose the unique Pureview technology and Carl Zeiss lens which could completely change your digital imaging experience. The Wireless Charging feature makes it even more mobile that it is. So, what is your next smartphone? Share your views with us.

Windows 8 At a Glance

2012-11-25T20:44:00.000-08:00

Microsoft has launched its new operating system Windows 8 in the market. A completely new and inuitive user interface is the first thing to note about this latest release from Microsoft. The new Windows 8 is made to work like a charm on touch screen devices with it's live tiles homescreen. It is difficult to review an OS as people are not interested in the OS but with its applications. You can also read our previous post on comparison between Windows 8 and Mountain lion. So here is a brief review of Windows 8:

User interface:

Windows 8 has transformed computing experience with its brand new mobile-inspired start-screen. You do not require the start button anymore. The fresh interface enables the user to check all the information without opening many applications. The tiles run at full screen and are double the size (350×150) from the previous (150×150) but cannot be minimised or reshaped as you could in the earlier version. These tiles are unavoidable and the USP of Windows 8. It is easy to use and a perfect switch from the traditional desktop. It might take little time to use this freely but once you get the hang of it, Windows 8 is truly exceptional.

Piloting the desktop:

You have the opportunity to download windows 8 apps. All you need to do is download that app and simply click its style button on the Start screen. You can place all your favourite apps or the most used apps on the start screen. This helps to simplify your work.

Windows Personalising:

You can control the look of your new Windows 8 but only to a certain extent. You can personalise the background of the screen by selecting the theme which depicts you personality. The background has different colours, patterns with borders. As the Start screen has the group titles, moving the most used title to the left side of the screen is easy. In this you can customise the applications and the tile size.

Improved Graphics:

This operating system has new and improved graphics providing the user with speed that has accelerated the system. It uses DirectX API and SVG. This has given a fresh view to the OS and the performance of apps is double that of Windows 7.

MS Office intergradation:

Microsoft Office 2013 performs better on Windows 8. You can now simultaneously store all your documents in the SkyDrive when you sign in through your Microsoft account. This way you can store all the files related to your work at one place. This is most useful when you are constantly moving from home system, laptops and a work PC. This new Office gels well with the new Windows 8.

Storage:

It comes with a new file system ReFs. This includes BitLocker, 8.3-format short filenames and so on which ensures that your files, even the older ones which are rarely used aren’t corrupted. Plus, you also get integrated malware software which protects your storage files and your system.

Bottom Line:

Windows 8 is the best when you can interact using your fingers. Though you can use it on the desktops which have the older versions with a mouse and keyboard, you wouldn’t be experiencing the true Windows 8. It is best computable with the latest touch PC available in the market. With the new amazing features and stunning looks, Windows 8 surely scores well with its users. The above mentioned are a few features. It also has new specs like the Microsoft store, SkyDrive and so on. So, what do you think of the cool new Os from Microsoft? Do share your views with us.

Jennie Jill

About the Guest Author:
This guest post is written by Jennie who is a specialist in financial blogging from Manchester. Reach her at crazy-payday.co.uk

How to Extend the Battery Life of Smartphones

2012-11-09T01:48:00.001-08:00

Everyone has a smartphone nowadays, be it Symbian, Windows phone, iOS or Android. A smartphone is only smart as long as it has some battery charge left in it. As the technology has advanced, smartphones are now loaded with tons of capabilities that it never had before. But the more features it has, the poorer it's battery backup. None of the tech advancements seem to have improved the battery efficiency of gadgets.A low battery warning on your phone can mess things up for you in many different ways. So, is there a way to elongate the battery usage? Ofcourse, there are some tips that would help you extend the battery charge for a few more hours. Here is a compilation of tips that can help improve your gadget's battery backup.

1) Avoid Vibration Mode

Many people just use vibration along with their ringtone. It is totally unnecessary, either vibration or ringtone will do. Vibration consumes a lot of battery charge compared to ringtone. But there are also times when vibration is necessary, limit its use to such situations alone.

2) Do Not Switch Off

Some people think it would save some battery charge, but what actually happens is the reverse. Never switch your phone off frequently without any important reason. A lot of battery power is wasted during every booting of your smartphone.

3) Lower The Display Brightness

You don't really need the display brightness set to 'high' when indoors. Always try to have the brightness settings 'low' in your phone as it will not only help in longer battery life, but also save your eyes from strain.

4) Turn Off Backlight

Reduce the backlight turnoff period to 5 seconds,which is just good enough for most of us. The battery charge is simply wasted when your display glows longer without any use.

5) Avoid Screen Savers

Well, screensavers were used in very old monitors to avoid screen damage due to static image. Our present day displays doesn't need it actually. So, avoid using screensavers in your phone as it would simply consume much of your battery charge.

6) No More Keytones

Keytones are irritating beeps that you should definitely avoid. And yes, you are also saving some battery charge when keytones are turned off.

7) Limit Your Gaming

With all those stunning games that are available for our smartphones, it's hard not to play it. But, games are also known to be notorious battery eaters. Inorder to extend your gadget's battery life, gaming must be limited.

8) Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

When not in use, turnoff your phone's bluetooth and Wi-Fi as it can ruin your battery charge by automatically searching for networks.

9) Close Unused Apps

With the superior multi-tasking capabilities of smartphones, it is likely that we forget to close an app after using it. These apps, keep running in the background consuming RAM as well as our precious battery. So, always close the apps after using them or employ a task manager for taking care of it.

So, that was a handful of simple tips which should help your smartphone hold the charge longer. If you have some points that i missed, feel free to drop a comment below.

Cloud Computing Made Clear

2012-11-06T17:03:00.002-08:00

The sky’s the limit as far as cloud computing is concerned. Here’s a quick look at how to clear up this most nebulous of technology terms.

Cloud computing has officially taken over. It is everywhere and on everyone’s lips. You can’t go a day without seeing an advert relating to it. But what does it really mean? What can Cloud computing do for you? Where will the wind take cloud computing next?

Cloud consistency

The cloud is essentially made up of a series of interconnected IT services and infrastructures that can be hooked up to via a network. In itself it does not sound so exciting and it does not differ much from what existed before. The main novelty is that it is accessible to via a network. A cloud service is defined by its ability to back up and sync data across multiple devices.

There are a whole range of cloud services and all the usual suspects have floated various cloud applications. My personal favourite Spotify, is even accessible on your iPhone, Amazon and Google Apps are the leaders in the popularity stakes. Other big names are iPlayer, Kindle Cloud Reader and Sony’s upcoming playstation is another one to watch out for.

SugarSync, SkyDrive and Dropbox are some of the more well-known online storage and back-up services. These services are particularly sought after by offices. With all the information stored in the cloud office-based companies can slim down their offices and have their employees work from home happy in the knowledge that they can easily share and access all the relevant information in a secure online environment.

Is the cloud real?

The will o’ the wisp is in fact real and has a number of locations that have been chosen for the cool environment and for its isolation from interference or potential hazards such as floodplains or fault-lines. The world's major data storage centre are located mostly in the US and Europe although Asia and Australia and fast opening up their own cloud hubs.
All the cloud companies have their own data centre. The big players such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft tend have substantial presence in the States that are also supplemented by international data centre. The reality is that they can be stored anywhere and as such they tend not to be located in expensive areas.

What keeps the cloud afloat?

Data storage companies typically work by encrypting files that its users save online and then backed up on their servers. These files can then be accessed on any PC or handheld internet capable device. Any changes made to the files on any hardware the user happens to be utilising then become instantly transferred to the cloud so that the changes then get universally applied. Of course there can be crossovers, particularly if multiple users are making changes to the same file. A good storage company will typically record any file change over a period of time. These varying copies can then all be restored in the event that the user is not satisfied with the changes made to the original file.

Another Silver Lining?

Cloud computing is capable of doing much more such as applications that can theoretically be accessed anywhere. The problem is that whilst the ability to work entirely through a web browser exists the computer needs to always have internet access wherever it is. This is not yet entirely feasible, which is why cloud-computing has not yet quite gripped the public’s imagination.
One major drive for cloud computing is corporate desire. Offices can potentially circumvent the need to lavish money on expensive software license by having their employees work exclusively on the cloud.

Allie Cooper

About the Guest Author:
Allie Cooper is a young upcoming writer, a certified gamer known for weaving in her indelible wit into tech and game reviews, and writes about O2, tech companies, from UK and internet start-ups to bigger businesses.

Why Apple’s iPhone 5 Doesn’t Have Global LTE and NFC

2012-10-28T04:26:00.000-07:00

The exclusion of two features from the latest range of Apple iPhone 5 has raised many eyebrows all around world after the press release of the gadget. The two features that this iPhone do not support are global LTE and NFC mode of payment. But the omission of these two features has been conclusively explained by the executives of the phone manufacturers as well as the Apple fans and the tech geeks.

Some of the justifications behind exclusion of these two elements from the latest phones are as follows:

Carrier options:

It has been pointed out that the biggest flaw in the latest iPhone 5 has been the exclusion of bandwidth frequencies like 800MHz and 2.6 GHz that is most predominantly used by the mobile phone users of Europe and which is supported by almost all 4th generation phones. Since the LTE do not support these bandwidths in the latest range of iPhone, it is certainly going to lose out on a huge number of potential clients. To this critique the makers have replied that is high time for the major network carriers of Europe to develop their infrastructure and augment the options of LTE bandwidth frequencies.

Reason for excluding NFC:

The primary reason stated for explaining the absence of NFC card from the phone is that an antenna needs to be installed for supporting the NFC in a mobile phone. But in the sleek design and the metal casing of the phone it is extremely difficult to install the NFC antenna which in turn is going to support the payment options from the mobile itself.

Focusing on essentials:

Another explanation for excluding the Global NFC and LTE features from the phone is that the makers have concentrated their attention only on the essential and indispensable features rather than just making random inclusions. The team has indulged in a thorough market research to find out the most essential and frequently used technologies that should be included in the phone and thereafter developed the iPhone 5 on those essential elements and the exclusion of the unnecessary things.

Rationale behind not supporting the particular LTE bandwidth:

The executives of this brand has justified their decision to not support the two particular bandwidth by claiming that the commercial use of these bandwidths are much lower as far as the Apples' applications are concerned. If market research reveals that these bandwidths are being frequently and commercial used by the potential clients, they would certainly make the required changes immediately. Travelling back in time would definitely reveal that Apple phones never had much inclusive features. But it has still been able to create a large and loyal market. Therefore, the loyal Apple users would certainly make sure to accommodate themselves within the limited LTE support rather than complaining about it.

NFC is still not so popular:

Payments made through mobile phones are still not so popular among the common people. Market researchers have revealed that it is certainly going to enhance in the upcoming years but as of now, it is not so popular. Therefore, the manufacturers have decided to exclude this particular feature 'NFC' from their phone. Furthermore, the inclusion of this particular feature would need the cooperation with the banking institution, service providers and many other such institutions.

The manufacturers of Apple products believe in designing products that are useful to the targeted customers. Rather than incorporating some technology and then seeing its reaction, they believe in studying the opinion of the users and thereafter make necessary changes to meet up with the needs of their loyal customers.

Therefore, the manufacturers have taken the decision to sit back and watch the user's reaction on the latest gadget and thereafter get back to their work of developing a further advanced product.

Olunkunle Moses

About the Guest Author:
Olukunle Moses is a freelancer, blogger and gadget freak, he spends most of his time researching to get great content to his Technology blog Techatlast.com as well as his Apple inclined platform iTechWit for bringing out latest updates.

How to turn your Android Phone into PC Webcam Using SmartCam

2012-10-23T20:06:00.000-07:00

Today's online messengers has made communication easy to the grassroots, everyday, more and more applications are being developed to facilitate communication with your friends and families all over the world. Many of these messengers are enabled with live video chat. Most PCs in market do not come with a webcam, while some that has it has just trial version of camera manager software, which may deprive you of using your webcam. Some of these cameras have low resolution and you won't enjoy the video production.

Getting a webcam from market may be too expensive. If you have got an Android phone, the whole issue is solved; going to the market to acquire a webcam is just like dashing money into the trash while you can turn your Android Phone into a PC Webcam.

There are different applications that are designed to help turn your Android Phone into a PC Webcam, for example; SmartCam, IP Webcam and DroidCam. This article treats the setup of the SmartCam app, just because it is the simplest and most effective one to use.

IP Webcam is the most popular one for this purpose, but it only works with Wi-Fi while the recessive SmartCam is enabled for both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi option.

Steps to set up SmartCam so as to be able to turn your Android Phone into PC Webcam

Step 1

You need the SmartCam app for Android on your phone and the SmartCam Desktop client on your PC. The Smartcam Desktop works well on Windows and Linux. We will follow the Windows route on this work, but the processes are almost the same. Download and install the SmartCam for Android on your Phone, and SmartCam for Desktop on your PC, so you are good to begin the setup of turning your Android Phone into Webcam.

Step 2

As I said above, you can use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to connect your Android phone and PC. But here, let’s go through the Wi-Fi way.

¤Start the SmartCam app on your phone, tap on "Menu", and select "Settings" from the options available.

¤Choose TCP/IP (WiFi) for your connection option, insert you computer local IP.

¤If you don't know how to get your computer's IP, try this step, go to start>>Run and type in cmd, a command prompt will come up.

¤Type ipconfig/all and hit "Enter". A lot of jargons will show up, locate the IP on the "Wireless LAN adapter"

Step 3

Now, run your PC SmartCam, and ensure that the preferred connection is TCP/IP (WiFi) like that on your Android.

Step 4

You can now put "ON" your Phone WiFi, and connect your PC and phone to the same network. While SmartCam is running on your PC, open it on your Android Phone also, and Select "Connect Wi-Fi" from Menu.

Wait for a few seconds, and you will see an image from your Android camera coming up.

This application works for Skype, GTalk, Facebook and others, all you need to do is select them as the camera option via the chat platform.

Finally, you are good to video chat on your PC with your Android Phone as Webcam. Its fun, try it out, and give us a feedback on how much it is useful for you.

Note: This method will eat up your phone's battery more than normal, we recommend that you charge your phone all along while using it as webcam.

Olunkunle Moses

About the Guest Author:
Olukunle Moses is a blogger and online researcher, he loves checking into details of any interesting issues. During his social media funfair, he got stock up into Payday loan issues.

Can Tablets take the Place of PCs?

2012-10-18T02:28:00.003-07:00

When the tablet was launched it was promoted as being the middle ground between mobile phones and laptop computers, offering more power and functions than the former and greater portability and convenience than the latter. This led some to predict that tablets would eventually take over from PCs for a lot of people, and in some ways – although not all – this does seem to be happening. There are certainly some uses for which a tablet can represent a better option for a lot of people than a laptop.

For starters, when it comes to gaming, for example, there is no question that the greater convenience of use that the tablet offers will make it more appealing than a PC.

After all, if you want the device purely for playing online casino or other types of game, you are not going to want to carry a computer around with you – even a laptop – whereas tablets can be easily carried around when you are on the move.

Furthermore the touch screen controls make them ideally suited to many types of games, rather than keyboard-controlled computers, so you can have a quick go at online slots wherever you are. When it comes to work use, tablets have both advantages and disadvantages compared with computers, as the same touch screen which is so beneficial when gaming can be a problem when it comes to work that involves the inputting of lots of data – because most people struggle to use the virtual keypad on a tablet over a long period.

On the other hand, tablets offer considerably greater battery life – often allowing around ten hours of use before charging is needed, compared with three or four hours with a laptop.

This is an obvious advantage both to those using them for work purposes, as well as those playing online casino games which require longer – like poker. However, on the downside, tablets generally also have lower computing power and storage space than a PC, which means they are probably some way off replacing PCs for working purposes.

Windows 8 and Mac OS X Mountain Lion: Comparison

2012-10-12T05:10:00.000-07:00

Microsoft and Apple are two great corporations leading the development of operating systems for pcs. These two rivals have recently presented their new versions of the OS – Windows 8 from Microsoft and Mac Mountain Lion from Apple. And the competition has reached the new level.

From technical point of view, these operating systems are very different, however, what concerns the functional point they have a lot in common. The latest world tendencies of mobile development have influenced the pc systems as well. They have become more “mobile oriented”. For example, Microsoft’s Windows 8 was developed to become a universal for tablets, smartphones and pcs OS, it has a new look of desktop, new touch-based system. Apple also has made several steps in this direction, but it still decided to make two different OSs - Mac X Mountain Lion for laptops and iOS 6 for mobile gadgets.

However, as I said previously, these operating systems differ in many ways. Which ones? Let’s see.

Start Screens

If to speak about start screens, Apple hasn’t made any great changes. Everything looks typical. There is menu bar, wallpapers, the OS X Dock, etc. The only noticeable change is a Launchpad that makes the Mac Lion a step closer to the mobile look. Launchpad will bring some set of programs that a user will choose from.

Microsoft has decided to make a revolutionary improvement in the start screen of its new OS. There are no icons and menus. Now there are Live Tiles that remind more app bars on your smartphone rather than program icons. Live Tiles are developed to provide the fast access to the programs used most. Of course, there is an option of switching to a custom lay out.

Notifications

Live Tiles aren’t only some sort of icons, they also serve as informational widgets you may get all the necessary information from. It is a new way of notification presented by Microsoft. The Windows 8 users will also get info from the banners of the programs, just like in Windows 7.

Notification functions in OS X Mountain Lion are performed by Notification Center where all warnings and notes are placed for the owner. They are sorted by the application. Pop-up notifications are also typical for this OS as well as dock icons showing numerical data about unread mails, for example.

App Markets

Both markets can boast of the great amount of applications and software products, but only Microsoft allows users to get trial apps before loading their paid versions.

Gesture Management

Gestures management is another “thing” of Windows 8 totally developed for touch devices. Everything can be done by gestures: switching among the Charms, app and toolbars management, etc.

Mountain Lion is a pc OS having a limited range of things that can be done by touching. It is mainly a well-known multitouch for app opening, change of screen size and so on.

File Search and Management

Finder is left in Mac X Mountain Lion OS so the users won’t find any great improvements in this field.

Windows 8 got two search systems: Metro Interface (for general search) and Windows Explorer (for file management) with Ribbon Toolbar update. Of course, it is not very convenient to switch between these two systems, but may be later Microsoft will join them in one.

Cloud File Storing

Clouding is another thing making these OSs closer to mobiles.

iCloud is used by Apple and in Microsoft’s SkyDrive service is used by Microsoft. Both services allow and data synchronization. SkyDrive and iCloud are free services, giving 25GB and 5GB of storage space respectively.

However, iCloud has one disadvantage. The users won’t be able to get an access to the online files via the Finder. SkyDrive in its turn works like an ordinary app through which the pc owners can use their online documents.

Well, making a conclusion, it should be said that both OS are stable and work well. The ranges of possibilities provided are alike. In some points Windows 8 wins but it is a totally new OS while Mac is an update of an older one. Which one to choose? It is only for you to decide.

Katerina Merzlova

About the Guest Author:
The post is written by Katerina Merzlova, a copywriter from Intellectsoft, a mobile app development company. To find out more about me and the team i work with, follow us on Twitter @Intellectsoft.

Helpful Tricks and Tips for iPhone and iPad Users

2012-10-10T02:18:00.000-07:00

Many iPhone or iPad users are still unaware of lots of features and functions of these smart devices. So, do you want to know some of the iPhone 5 tricks? I’ve tried to make a list of tricks and tips that every user of iPhone and iPad must know.

1. Direct Access to Applications

You can get your text message or a Facebook notification on your screen if your device is set to show pop-up notifications. This works even when the screen is asleep or the phone is locked.

2. Scroll Up by Tapping

It is not necessary for you to use your finger to scroll up. Simply tap once on the status bar, the top edge of the phone where battery life and time are displayed, and you’ll reach to the top. This works for contacts, email and websites.

3. Keyboard Shortcuts

Use of this smartphone becomes easier when you are aware of different shortcuts. You can simply tap and hold the “compose new message” button to create new message. You can see other address endings by holding down the period key when entering an email address. Apart from these there are many other iphone shortcut keys.

4. Jump from one App to Another

Jumping around apps in iPhone is possible without having to go to the home screen. A pop-up tray of apps appears when you double tap the home button and then you can swipe to the left to select the desired running app.

5. Screenshots

The images seen on your iPhone or iPad can be captured and saved on your device. You can take a screenshot of things seen on your screen by pressing the Home button and the On/Off button simultaneously.

6. Swipe to Search

Swipe left to right from the home screen in order to quickly find apps on your device. You can simply type the required app on the search box and reach to them in an instant.

7. Read Websites Easily

You can find Reader button at the top of a webpage. Tap it to see much clear version of the page.

8. Smarter Camera

The iPhone is equipped with a smarter camera which has a physical shutter button. The phone volume controller works as shutter button once the Camera app is opened.

Scott Garcia

About the Guest Author:
Scott Garcia is a tech blogger who contributes to the site ultratechtalk.com. You can find more information about him here.

The Tech Behind those Pesky Sales Calls

2012-09-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

Sales calls...they seem to come completely at random at some of the most inconvenient times. Yet, believe it or not, there is actually a reason you get calls for certain products. Many sales teams now use complicated technology to generate leads and determine what houses to call. Here is a look at some of that technology.

Hosted CRM
The hosted CRM is a smart database that compiles and relays sales leads to the sales team to immediately follow up on. What does this mean? Whenever someone fills out a form online, their information is filed in the database automatically. The system then routes the lead to the appropriate sales person. This is usually based on certain criteria, such as region, industry or lead type. Then the sales team goes to work. As they make contacts, the system keeps tabs on which leads were successful and generates reports for the sales teams to evaluate their work.

PowerDialer
This technology does exactly what it sounds like… it makes the outbound sales calls. With this Inside Sales dialer technology a salesperson can usually make 350 to 400 calls per day. On top of quantity, the PowerDialer also helps the calls to be more successful. The system automatically prioritizes which calls to make based on certain criteria that the salesperson has set. In other words, instead of scanning documents for candidates interested in the product, the salesperson has the system determine qualifications instead. The system also prioritizes new leads by automatically placing them at the top of the call queue. On top of all that, the machine allows the salespeople to create pre-recorded messages to leave on an answering machine while moving on to the next call.

ELF
Short for electronic labor force, ELF allows salespeople to enter criteria for how a lead should be followed-up on automatically. Usually this means the system will automatically send someone an email or a fax when he or she matches certain criteria. The system could also trigger an immediate phone call when, for example, an email that was sent out is opened by the consumer. Calls could also be triggered when a lead has been stagnant for a certain amount of time or has recently been updated in the system.

JabberDog
With a great name, JabberDog is an automatic voice broadcast system. It can be used to broadcast a message to a long list of people or it can be combined with the ELF system to do even more. For example, if someone where listening to a message from a sales agent and wanted to talk to an agent, the system would prompt them to press “1.” The call would then be redirected to the sales agent. If the consumer wanted an email, instead of talking to the sales agent, the system can prompt the consumer to press another key while listening to the voice message. One final option that’s particularly nice for the consumer is the system allows the consumer to press a key to opt out of any further contact from the company.

Christina Sanders

About the Guest Author:
Christina Sanders writes for several blogs nationwide. For more information about her, visit her website.

How To Delete A Facebook Account Permanently

2012-09-02T05:05:00.000-07:00

Want to say goodbye to your facebook account forever? You have come to the right place, this post will show you how to permanently delete a facebook account. Some people are just fed up of facebook and want to quit, some others are worried about the privacy related issues. Ofcourse, there are some privacy issues in facebook, if that's your problem please read this post-How to secure your facebook account. Facebook provides a deactivate option by default which doesn't remove your account permanently, but hides it temporarily from other users.
This post is meant for those who want to delete their facebook account permanently with no options left to recover it.

Please note that this post in no way motivates you to delete your facebook account. This tutorial is for those who have already made up their mind to do so.

How Is Deleting And Deactivating Facebook Account Different?

Deactivating your facebook account only hides your profile from other users on facebook. People won't be able to find you by searching your name. But, some of the information may still be visible to others, like the messages you sent to them. Facebook remembers all your profile/timeline information (like photos, friends, interests, etc.), just in case you may want to get back to facebook at some point. If you reactivate your account in future, your profile/timeline will be still there just as it was.

When it comes to permanently deleting your account, you will never be able to regain access to your fb account. All the personally identifiable information associated with your account would be erased from facebook's servers including your email address, IM screen name, phone numbers, mailing address, etc.. Some copies of your materials (like photos, notes, etc..) may still remain in facebook's servers for technical reasons. But these materials would be completely inaccessible to any of the users, so nothing to worry here. Now you know the difference between Deactivation and Deletion of a facebook account.
If you still wish to permanently delete your facebook account, follow the steps given below.

How To Delete A Facebook Account Permanently

1) Visit the link below:

Facebook account deletion page

2) Now you will be prompted to enter your facebook account password and some other information. Provide all the information asked on the page and confirm your request. After this, you will be Notified that your account has been deactivated and will be permanently deleted after 14 days.

3) Facebook is providing you with a 14 days grace period within which you can get back to facebook again. In that case, you simply have to cancel your account deletion request and you have your account back.

So this is how you can permanently delete your facebook account rather than simply deactivating it. You can use this method if your account posses serious security/privacy risks or if you just want to delete your profile forever.

How To View Desktop Version Of Twitter On Mobile/Tablet

2012-09-01T23:27:00.012-07:00

Want to surf twitter's desktop version on a mobile device? Many people wants to view twitter desktop version on iphone, ipad, windows phone or android devices. Relax, we have it covered here.
The internet is rapidly moving to mobile devices and the number of mobile internet users are growing fast. Most of the Twitter users tweet from a mobile device like smartphone or tablet. Twitter has a very fast loading mobile version which is convenient for surfing on mobile. But as we all know, the mobile version of any website lacks a lot of vital features. So is the case with twitter too. The worst thing is that you won't find any option to switch back to the desktop version in mobile.twitter.com site.
But there are times when you need to use Twitter.com (desktop) to perform some tasks like creating lists or just checking out someone's profile. I have myself been searching for the desktop view option on my smartphone for long. Finally, the UI switching link was found when i visited mobile.twitter.com from my desktop. So that's it, they provide the desktop switching link only when visited through a desktop pc. Anyway, for all those desperate people out there who wanted this UI switching link badly, i made this post.

How To View Desktop Version Of Twitter On Mobile/Tablet

1)Just open your mobile or tablet browser.

2)Visit this link-> Twitter desktop UI

3)That's it! You are now on the desktop version of twitter with your mobile device.

So, now you can bookmark this link for future use or share it with your friends on social networks. Have a good time!

Advanced Google Search Techniques

2012-08-12T05:57:00.007-07:00

If you ever had disappointing results from a google search, spare some time to read about the 'advanced google search techniques' right now. These advanced techniques can significantly improve the chances of finding what you want on the web.
The search techniques provided below, are sure to enhance your google search experience.

Advanced Google Search Techniques

1.To search for variations of a keyword, just use ~ in front of your keyword. Here is an example: ~Telephone

2.To exclude a search term from the results, just put a - in front of that particular search term. If you are searching for "best smartphones" and don't need any results about "android", then your search query is: Best smartphones -android

3.To find the sites that has a link pointing to your website, use link: in front of your site link. For example: link:technobulb.com

4.To avoid synonyms appearing in your search results, use double quotes around the search term. Using double quotes around your search term will restrict the search engine to give results containing that particular term alone. example: "Nokia smartphone"

5.By using OR between two search terms, you can search for results that may include either one of those words.
Note that the OR has to be in capital letters. For example: Olympics 2010 OR 2012

6.To find a website which has similar content to your site, use related: in front of your site url. For example: related:technobulb.com

7.To find a specific file in desired file format, use filetype: followed by your file format after your keyword. For example: Sherlock holmes filetype:pdf You can search for other formats as well.

8.To get search results in which your keyword appears in the content of a web page, use allintext: in front of your keyword. Google will ignore pages which dosen't contain your keyword in the body section. For example: allintext:Nokia pureview

9.To get results in which your keyword appears in the title of a webpage, use allintitle: before your keyword. example: allintitle:health tips

10.To search for pages with your keywords in the url, put Inurl: before your search term. example: inurl:nutrition

11.If a website is temporarily down, you can still visit it's cached version by google. Type cache: followed by the website url in the search box. For example: cache:technobulb.com

12. To search the stock rate of any company, type stocks: followed by the company name. For example: stocks:Nokia

13.You can find the information about any site using info: followed by the url.
example: info:yahoo.com

14.To get the definition of any word, put define: just before your word.
For example: define:calculator

15.To find all the google indexed pages of a particular website, type site: followed by the site url.
example: site:technobulb.com

16.If you want to exclude a website from search results, use -site: followed by the site url after your keyword.
example: css tutorial -site:w3schools.com

17.To find results for your search term from a specific website, use site: followed by the site url after your keyword.
For example: tablet site:technobulb.com

So, these are the commonly used operators on google search. Using them can save your precious time and also improve your googling skills. You may bookmark this page for quick reference later. Have a good time!

How To Run Android Apps On Windows Or Mac

2012-08-04T04:51:00.005-07:00

Have you wished to play Android Games on your windows or mac pc? Now stop wishing, the Bluestacks android emulator can help you run any android app on your desktop. The android platform has some of the most addictive games and apps available today. However, to make them work on your pc, a good emulator is necessary. Bluestacks is an android emulator which supports mac as well as windows platforms. This is a very good alternative for those who doesn’t like to play Android games on their Smart Phones because of it's limited screen size. So let's get started.

Run Android Apps On Pc

1) Download bluestacks emulator from the below links.

For Windows version ,go here- BLUESTACKS FOR WINDOWS

For Mac version, go here- BLUESTACKS FOR MAC

2) Just click on the "Download now" button and follow the onscreen instructions which are easy as all other app installations.

3) After installation, you can find bluestacks gadget on your desktop which let's you access your android apps easily.

4) Now you can download and try your favorite Apps and games from the google play store on your personal computer.

As the smartphone apps are based on low resolutions, keep them in the windows mode for a better experience.
Bluestacks comes with more than 10 preloaded Applications like the Talking tom cat and Drag racing. You are also provided with the feature to sync your android smartphone with bluestacks.
Having a touch sensitive display is an added benefit but it's good with the mouse pointers too. The app is currently in beta stage and bugs may be present. But considering that it's free to download and use, you should grab it now!