When most people think about cool apps, they think entertainment and games, and yes there are some really cool fun apps around; in fact they dominate all the app markets. But there are also many apps that can help us with our day jobs and many of those are also rather cool, so here are two really cool workaday apps that once you try them you will wonder how you managed without them.

One of the coolest work related apps around is Jump which will work on the iPhone, the iPad and on any Android smartphone such as the Galaxy SIII. The app allows you to access your computer and apps from a remote location, which means that you can work from anywhere; you simply control your computer from your smartphone or tablet. It uses RDP (remote desktop protocol) and VNC (virtual network computing) and it is very secure and it can be set up automatically. You connect to your computer through a host name or IP address and it makes use of all the multi-touch, pinch zoom and other powerful facilities of your mobile device. There is a free version which allows you to connect to a single computer, and a paid version that allows you to connect to as many computers as you wish.

Businesses are also creating their own apps for customers to browse their range of services and products. These apps are also free and can be found on the iTunes store, such as the motors.co.uk app.

If you get around a lot in your job, then you will know how difficult it is keeping track of your expenses and receipts. After a few weeks on the road putting your expenses together can be a burdensome chore especially when you have a backlog of work to catch up with. What you need is Expensify, and app that keeps track of all of your business expenditure. Expensify runs on your mobile device and connects to the cloud. With it you can scan all your bills and receipts, record your purchases, log your mileage, sync with your credit cards, scan business cards and many other things that you need to record on the road. Later you can generate expense reports and analyse your expenditure.
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Are you one of those who cannot seem to live a day without their precious computer?  If so, you’d better make it an effort to properly maintain your unit in top working condition.  If you do not take care of your computer properly, there are many unfortunate things that might happen to your computer such as a hardware malfunction may occur – maybe your cooling fans are making weird loud noises lately whenever you turn on your computer or it may have seemed to stop working altogether.  You might also be one of those people whose computers will suddenly restart without warning or worse, the dreaded blue screen of death will pounce on you when you least expect it.

Computers may not have a life of their own, but they can still become “sick” (due to viruses, hardware failure, etc) if not properly taken care of, and if it gets worse, they may also be inevitably brought to the “hospital” (in this case, the service center for repairs).  

Just like humans, the life expectancy and functionality of a computer deteriorates if not given the proper attention, maintenance and care.  Nowadays, when almost everything we do is done digitally, a malfunctioning or broken computer is something that you never would want to happen anytime.  In order to prevent this dilemma, you need to know some tips on how to keep your computer at home always clean and running well:

1.  When it comes to computers, dust is your mortal enemy. One of the most essential things that you can do to help protect your computer is to always keep it away from dust and dirt.  You can give your computer a good dusting by means of vacuuming it regularly and properly (use the blower function).

2.  Never set your computer on top of a carpet.  This is because carpets easily harbor and produce dust, dirt and bacteria as well as they are known to significantly produce lots of static electricity.

3.  As far as your computer is concerned, smoke is also your mortal enemy.  Cigarettes or anything that produces smoke can cause tar formation that can quickly coat fans and clog heat sinks, which in turn can cause your computer to overheat and wreak massive damage to other components.  Similarly, using your computer next to an open fireplace or burning incense near your computer can cause serious damage as well.  Smoke can really cause your computer to break down, so it is best to keep it away from all types of smoke.

4.  LCD screens are prone to getting covered with dust, dirt, hair, pet dander, fingerprints and unknown matter.  LCD screens are fragile, so you need to know how to properly clean it without damaging it yourself.  The cheapest and safest way to clean your LCD screen is to use a very soft cotton cloth that is lightly dampened with water.  You can also opt to buy special one-use wipes available in electronic shops. Never clean your LCD screen with any glass-cleaning products or other chemicals.

5.  If you value your computer, then canned air is your best friend.  Even if you frequently clean your computer unit, you can never keep it as clean as you would like it to be, as computers are filled with fans that eventually sucks in and blows out all the air in the room.  Canned air contains compressed air that can be blown out of a straw at high speeds to effectively remove dust from your computer.  Make sure that you do not blow the dust INTO the computer.  Instead, remove the cover of your computer, and blow the dust away from it.  After that, vacuum the surrounding area.

6.  When you are assembling your own computer or you have a computer internal component that is in need of a replacement, invest in computer parts that are of very good or high quality as they are less likely to break down easily.  Buying high-quality computer parts from a reputable company such as NMBtc.com ensures that you really get your money’s worth.

If you follow all of the guidelines listed above in taking care of your computer at home, you will be assured that your computer will be able to perform well and it may even serve you for a long time.  Most computer users agree that the best way to make sure that your computer will run efficiently and smoothly for a long period of time is to simply exert some effort (and probably spend a few bucks) in maintaining your unit.  Do not hesitate to spend a bit when maintenance time comes, as it is much better than having no choice but to be forced to buy a whole new computer, right?
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More rumours about the up coming Apple smartphone release have recently surfaced. The site 9to5 Mac has reported that they have a source from inside the Apple campus and they have spoon feed them the features of the new phone and it sounds very interesting. Firstly as has been stated already by many different rumour sites they new phone will have a smaller dock connector.

The source also stated that their are two prototypes of the Apple device in the wild these are codenamed the iPhone 5.1 and the iPhone 5.2. They tell on that the two models both had the same long and thinner form factor than the current iPhone, not much longer however the phone is meant to be considerably thinner. Along with this the new phone is meant to have a 3.9 inch screen, the source said that this was in both models and has a higher resolution that the current iPhone at 640 x 1136 pixels. This makes the screen have an aspect ratio of 16:9 which you film buffs out there will know is the same aspect ratio as they use for wide screen films, which will mean that if this is true the iPhone will naturally be able to play wide screen films. On the previous iPhone because of the 3.5-inch screen the wide screen aspect ratio always looked very squashed and didn’t tend to play well.

The new iPhone 5 (left), maybe, vs the iPhone 4/4S on the right

This was all they let on from their source inside Apple, however that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to come. At the end of the article they wrote that exact thing. Stating that:

“We have a lot more coming this week, including processor specs, maps and other goodies…”

I don’t know about you but I am eagerly awaiting news on Apple’s newest phone.

Guest article written by: Tom, he is a massive Apple geek and works in I.T. When he isn’t writing about Apple he is writing for his Smartphone news blog or his tech news blog

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We all love our cars! Those machines we use to go around the metro and we will do anything to convert those to eye candies. Lots of customizations are available like upgrading muffler, springs, tires, decals and body kits etc. But have we stopped for a while to put useful techie upgrades? More than beauty is brains, so time to enhance your car’s technology!

There are lots of ways to enhance a car’s functionalities. Let us dive into these different aspects of upgrades for that techie feel!

Entertainment Upgrades

Usually, cars will only have AM FM radio tuners, but not video entertainment equipments. Consider adding LCD screens on your dashboards and/or in front of passenger seats. The screens may be installed with TV receivers or for that high tech feel, consider combining them with DVD or Blue Ray players for watching movies on the go!

Also, have you thought about upgrading the quality of radio station signal reception? Try to have satellite radio receivers! When you travel too far away from a station’s home base, the signal breaks up and fades into static. With satellite radio, signal strength for all radio stations will be guaranteed undisturbed no matter what the distance throughout the globe.

Then to fully utilize your video and radio upgrades, consider upgrading your sound system. Look for those high performance speakers and amplifiers for that heart pouncing sound experience in your car that will surely make others take notice!

For that added ease of music integration, consider installing adaptors to be able to install iPods in your car. The iPod is perhaps the most versatile music player so utilize it install it in your car for the best music player experience.

Navigation and Communication Upgrades

Here are some of the most useful upgrades your car may have. Cars will always have their primary use of getting around the metro, so consider upgrades that will aid in navigation or communication.

For real time help in navigation, the ever popular GPS will always be the best choice. Consider installing a GPS receiver that has great maps to ensure a hassle free travel. Installing internet services inside your car is perhaps the wisest upgrade as it will not only provide entertainment, but it may also serve as communication and navigation support for your car as there are messenger and Google Maps apps available. Blue tooth technology may also serve useful, more so if you have wireless video and audio players for that wireless file transfers. Then for that ease of getting inside your car, why not go for keyless car entry? Install the receiver in your car and simply have the wireless key inside your pocket and approach your car to unlock the doors! No need for those button presses for that hands free unlocking experience.

Future Technologies

The possibilities do not stop here. There will be more technology that will come our way to further enhance our vehicles. One most valuable soon-to-come upgrade is perhaps the collision avoidance system. The system will consist of sensors that are placed within a car to warn any danger that lies ahead on the road. Other information such as near by car speed and distance may be relayed to the driver, and even additional stuff like speed needed to be reduced for going around a curve may be included. All of these combined will ensure maximum precautionary measures for the driver to take for that safety feature.

There are also Google and Apple applications out there to quickly access navigation, voice actions and other features while driving. Android and Apple mobile phones can be used as hands free navigation and infotainment devices. Even Microsoft has developed in car hardware with Windows software to aid in navigation.

The most promising future upgrade is perhaps the automatic driving system, Autonomous drive feature for cars will have the ability to let the driver just sit back and relax while the car detects its surroundings and road conditions for it to roam by itself towards a human chosen destination! Now how is that for an upgrade!

So there! Have enough cash? Tired of those common car upgrades that enhance a car’s body? Try to have any of the mentioned upgrades and you will surely get your money’s worth! Having these useful and unique upgrades will surely make more heads turn. 

Guest article written and submitted by Mike, a TechPatio reader – thanks!

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Cyber attacks are a major concern at present, and there are many questions hovering around the minds of cyber security experts pertaining to what kind of cyber attacks can be expected and how can we combat them. With a range of sinister cyber attacks hitting Sony to Stuxnet, cyber security experts have come up with a range of cyber threats. Hereís a peek view at some of them.

Threat #1

SSL vulnerabilities will be attacked by hackers, and IT consultants will be working towards increasing the security of web communications. Cloud-based technology is being made more technologically secure and evolved as it is a powerful shield in the antimalware sector. However, considering the previous attacks, cyber experts expect that it will be a battle between the good and the bad.

Threat #2

Smartphones and their Apps being a rage, a new dimension of cyber attacks has cropped up. Security experts have evolved antispyware and antivirus measures in computers, and hence the hackers will move towards the smartphone sphere. A surge in attacks is expected on the Android and iPhone systems in the form of malicious links, spyware, and rogue Apps.

Threat #3

In the past, there have been instances of malware targeting government systems and many federal agencies with virtual websites.

The Stuxnet worm is an example of how such software can penetrate government systems and extract confidential information. In the year 2010, a Stuxnet worm was targeted to disarm an Iranian nuclear facility. This snowballed into a major issue and fingers were pointed at the Israeli government. Recently, a virus called Sykipot Trojan was targeted at smart cards used by US government officials to access high-profile firms. These attacks can only be protected by a strong security system, which will require constant evolution of the existing software.

Threat #4

Security experts claim that attacks this year will be more targeted and cater to a specific group of people. This trend was observed last year too, as unique malware was created to affect only the computers of the targeted people. This might be directed at many people working in an organization or at an individual too. Attacks of such nature are called zero-day attacks, which exploit a certain vulnerable aspect of the software, which is unknown to the user or software developer.

Threat #5

You can see a lot of Apps and programs being developed on cloud technology. Now the onus lies on the IT security experts to come up with new strategies to protect it. Panda Antivirus equips your computer against Web threats and other dangers posed by cloud technology.

Threat #6

Due to many reasons, the general public has failed to maintain security levels in systems. There has been a surge in the growth of malware, viruses and spyware in the recent past owing to the delay in antivirus definitions updates.
Ransomware mainly targets businesses and encrypts or disarms your computer till the victim doesnít cater to the demands of the hacker. The recent ransomware attacks were targeted at British users and posed as a notice sent by the Metropolitan Police. You can avert ransomware attacks by installing the new Panda Antivirus.

Threat #7

If antivirus definitions are not updated, then the system becomes a potential target by hackers. Recently, hackers have come up with rogue apps of all the popular apps that are frequently downloaded and used. Rogue apps function exactly like any clean software, but in turn induce malware to your computer.

Guest article written by “AskReview”, who recommends good security software for protecting users from cyber scams. Read Vipre antivirus review and Panda antivirus review which are among the best and get to know them inside out with full feature analysis, performance metrics and latest screenshots. You can compare them side by side to get best software as per your need.

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The world wide web has certainly changed the way how we live nowadays.  We might not actually realize it, but many of us are shopping, socializing, studying, banking, playing and even working online.  In order for us to perform all these things (and it is the norm that many of us need to do these things at the same time), we typically need a fast and reliable broadband connection.

What Does Broadband Mean?

Broadband is known as a high bandwidth connection to the Internet.  It is quicker and easier to utilize than the conventional telephone and modem because information can be transmitted and downloaded much faster than ever before.

The word “broadband” is what people tend to describe fast Internet access.  According to Wikipedia,

“Internet access is the means by which individual terminals, computers, mobile devices, and local area networks are connected to the global Internet. Internet access is usually sold by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that use many different technologies offering a wide range of data rates to the end user. Consumer use first became popular through dial-up connections in the 1980s and 1990s. By the first decade of the 21st century many consumers had switched away from dial-up to dedicated connections, most Internet access products were being marketed using the term “broadband”, and broadband penetration was being treated as a key economic indicator.”

What are the Common Types of Broadband that are Available Today?

There are actually many types available worldwide, but below are the most common types of broadband connection:

1. DSL Broadband

• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a technology which delivers broadband connections over conventional copper telephone lines that are already installed to offices and homes.
• DSL lets you to download web pages, graphics, text, video and music in real time.
• DSL broadband can be further categorized into two:

1. Asymmetric DSL (ADSL)

• With ADSL, the information is downloaded more quickly than it is uploaded.
• ADSL is typically the suitable option for homes and small businesses.

2. Symmetric DSL (SDSL)

• With SDSL, the downloading of information is about the same speed as its upload speed.
• SDSL is typically the suitable option for medium to large businesses that send huge volumes of information.

2. Cable Broadband

• This type of broadband connection is delivered to your computer by means of a cable.
• Cable companies are the ones that provide cable broadband Internet services.

3. Wireless Broadband

• This type of broadband connection is the suitable option if access to DSL or cable broadband is unavailable.
• Wireless broadband can be further categorized into two:

1. Fixed wireless broadband

• This type of broadband connection is delivered to your computer by means of radio signals instead of cables.

• This type of broadband connection is delivered to your computer by means of other technological devices such as portable modems, mobile phones, USB wireless modems, or other mobile devices.

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As a small business owner, you’re doing everything you can to make your online presence the best it can be. And without incurring extra expenses. In addition to installing that new DS3 line, which gave you more bandwidth at a lower cost, you should also explore some of the cool tools the web offers. Combined with your new juiced-up internet abilities, these 5 web tools will help you boost productivity, save time and money, and connect with the people most important to your business—your clients:

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In the past 30 years, mankind has made great strides with technology. The internet, which was first created as a government-only network in 1982, is now easily accessible on everybody’s mobile phones. With that capability, we are able to do so much more than ever before. For instance, your home security system can now be controlled right from your smart phone or computer; all you need is the right, integrated security system. With wireless home security devices, such as the LifeShield system which we will use as our example for this article, you can have full access to your home security, day or night, with their remote monitoring application.

Benefits of Remote Monitoring

Whether you’re at work, on vacation or just out running errands you can see whatís going on at your home in real-time. You can see what time the maid service left or what time the kids came home from school. You can even check on your pets with access to video footage and camera snapshots. You’ll never have to second guess the safety of your home or family again.

LifeShield’s mobile application also gives you full control over your system so you can arm or disarm your alarm even when youíre not home. These features are great for families on the go or for those of us who need a little more convenience in our lives. LifeShield’s remote monitoring is also very easy to set-up. Because the system is integrated, it comes with everything you need. All of the system components are wireless, so set-up can be completed in about an hour. You wonít even need an installation technician to come to your home!

What is Wireless Security?

Traditional home security systems can be hard-wired or wireless. However, more and more burglars are outsmarting older hard-wired systems because there are no extra layers of protection. All they have to do is cut your phone line and your home security is useless. LifeShield’s wireless systems are different. Their cutting edge technology gives you four layers of backup protection so your home is always secure. This wireless technology also makes your system very easy to set-up and customize. You can select which areas of your home you’d like to protect with motion sensors, glass-break sensors, environmental sensors, in-home cameras, etc… Your options are nearly endless.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature of LifeShield’s security system, and that which makes it unique in its field, is the web-based LifeView application that comes with it, which allows homeowners to easily check in on their homes any time of day from anywhere in the world, via smartphone or laptop computer. As technology continues to advance, home security will inevitably follow – and that’s a wonderful thing!

Guest article written by: Max Oser is a not-so-secretly obsessed with celebrities and pop culture. He likes to add his own opinion to stories, and look at them from a different angle. He also likes to write about general lifestyle topics, such as home improvement, safety, and social media.

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It's not easy coming up with a great brand name

Yeah! It is definitely not easy. You always need to come up with something that is not common and something that is not taken by somebody else. You might have thought of every naming agency or company in town and thought of which one would be apt for you. There is surely something about a name and keeping a name for your business is the first step to paving the way for defining your company brand.

Whether you are a start-up company, planning to set-up a new wing, releasing a new product or service, you need to ensure you have a name that would go with the type of venture you are looking out for. While a naming company can always come to the rescue, you can always rely on the good old pair of brains you are gifted with. However, the naming companies know their job and it would be preferable that you let them do what they are good at.

If you are still stuck up on the importance of brand naming, given below are famous four pointers that will clear the air:

Your name is YOU: Everyone has a name and almost all are unique. Likewise, your brand name is an essential aspect of your brand. You will be advertising the name and alluring your target audience towards the product or service you are offering.

It tells something about YOU: If you happen to take notice, you will realise that not all business names tell anything about what they are selling or offering. While you are not expected to name, a deodorant ‘No stink’ you can definitely think of something that would be something different than your competitors.

Your Customers want YOU:  Always keep your target audience in mind. It is an art to wrap your customers round your finger. You must emphasise your product or service qualities. If a naming agency has been hired to give your brand a name, you need to brief them about the various aspects that you would like to be known as the features of your product or service. This would help in the long run to give a unique identity to your brand name.

Know YOUR Customers: As much as it is important to know your product or service, it is equally important to know your target audience. The naming company may or may not take this aspect in mind, but you need to take note of this. A major reason for this is that when your target audience and their basic temperament, habits, choices, it is easier to form a brand and eventually give an ideal name to your product or service.

While it is a raging fever to set up one’s own product or service, the naming companies are working overtime to cater to the needs. If you tap into your creative self and keep an eye for pitfalls, it will be easy to form a brand name that would serve as the cornerstone of your business and your profit in the eventually.

Guest article written by: Clayton Tolley is the owner and founder of Brandsymbol, a global naming agency located in Charlotte, NC. Clayton has over 20 years experience working with the world’s top brands.

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Apple is releasing it’s long awaited iPhone 5 this year and it is more than likely going to be a very big update. The iPhone 5 was thought by many people to be released last year but to many people’s disappointment the device didn’t get released and instead Apple only made a few minor updates and releasd the iPhone 4S, this adding strength to the theory that Apple release a major upgrade of it’s phone every two years. If it was every two years then this nicely matches the time it takes for the average phone contract in the US and UK to run out, either way it is time for a new and improved iPhone.

There has been a lot of speculation around the new device, how it looks, what will be changed and even if it will include any new hardware features such as NFC. Personally I don’t think NFC will be included in the next iPhone. What is likely to be included in the next iPhone has been spoken about in an article from iLounge, who have apparently got a source inside Apple who has insider information. Their source has been kind enough to tell them a few things about the next smartphone coming from Apple.

iLounge’s source stated that the iPhone 5 would be a taller device and also a little thinner with a 4 inch screen, which would be 0.5 inch larger than the current one, this is more than likely to compete with the current line up of Android phone such as the HTC ONE X. When commenting on their source iLournge said;

“What we’ve learned: the new iPhone will indeed be longer and thinner than the iPhone 4 and 4S. Approximate measurements are 125mm by 58.5mm by 7.4mm—a 10mm jump in height, nearly 2mm reduction in thickness, and virtually identical width. According to our source, Apple will make one major change to the rear casing, adding a metal panel to the central back of the new iPhone. This panel will be flat, not curved, and metal, not ceramic. Our artist’s rendition provides a rough idea of what this change will look like; it echoes the current-generation iMac design, to be sure.”

Another feature which iLounge’s source told them will be in the iPhone 5 is a smaller dock connector, this will be used in all of Apple’s upcoming products and just be physically smaller than the previous dock. This can be seen in the image below:

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