The analysts at ForeSee.com conducted a survey with results that showed tablets and smartphones scoring a 77, on their 100 point scale, with PCs down ten points at 67. Smartphones were used 65 percent of the time with tablets taking up the other 35 percent. People are finding mobile devices to be the more compelling experience for media and entertainment purposes.

Apple's iTunes scored the highest in content sources with Netflix and HBO Go in 2nd. HBO Go still requires a cable TV and HBO subscription, which I know prevents me from using it and likely impacts the number of users. Amazon is in fourth place and I think one reason is that it isn't available on all Android devices, only Kindles. Amazon Instant is available on the iPad and without this support would likely be rated even lower.

I use my iPad for a lot of video content from Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, and direct network access like ABC. I can understand why Crackle is rated one of the lowest since I consistently see errors and connection failures with that service. Hulu Plus is rated down with Crackle as well.

It was interesting to read the full report and see that a majority of people accessed content from their devices on their home WiFi connection. You would think people would stick with their larger TVs for media content, but maybe they are using mobile at the same time as their TV. Only nine percent used their wireless carrier network to access media.

Survey participants also reported that 65 percent use their smartphone for mobile media while only 35 percent used a tablet. Readers know I am more of a smartphone guy than a tablet guy and my experiences reflect the findings in this report.

Many of us use Office daily and set that experience as the standard for word processing. The folks at Quip just announced the release of their new word processor that focuses on collaboration, mobility, interactivity, and simplicity.

Quip is free for personal use with a subscription-based model for businesses. You can try out Quip for free at your business first before visiting the Quip business page to figure out the best option for you.

There are iOS apps for the iPad and iPhone available now with an Android preview that just lets you view documents and make comments. There is no desktop client, but you can sign in and access Quip from a web browser. I signed in through my Google account and the process was quick and easy.

There is a desktop view and a document view with the document view presenting a "thread" of changes, comments, and other parts of the document collaboration along the left side of the display. Controls for editing appear near the cursor and in the upper right of the document and are self-explanatory.

You can use the @ symbol to link documents, insert an image, create a table, or mention someone in your contact list. The merging of web connectivity within the document is pretty slick. However, you can still use Quip offline on your iPhone or iPad as well and then changes get synced automatically when you make a connection.

You can download the document as PDF and share it outside the Quip system or print the document. There is no saving as a Word document or anything like that as they offer a new and simple system for the user.

I think Apple did a good job in offering a fresh user experience for word processing with its iWork suite on the iPad, but Quip looks to add some interesting features with collaboration.

If you are interested in the Nexus 7 tablet and would like the chance for a free 2012 version in MINT condition, along with two cases, please listen to MobileTechRoundup show #301 and enter our giveaway.

Pricing and availability

Google announced the Nexus 7 last week and stated the device would be shipping by 30 July. Retailers, I believe Best Buy was first, jumped the gun on Friday and that opened the floodgates so that Amazon, Staples, and others let customers purchase them as well.

I pre-ordered on from Best Buy, but was able to find one at a local store so picked it up on Saturday morning and will return my pre-order one when it arrives. The 32GB WiFi model is available for $269, this is the one I purchased, and the 16GB one is $229. There will be a 32GB LTE model coming in the future for $349 that will support AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon data networks.

Retail package and first impressions

The Nexus 7 comes in a vibrant blue retail package, narrower and slimmer than the 2012 Nexus 7 retail package, much like the device itself. An USB A/C adapter and USB cable are included in the package, along with a small Quick Start Guide.

The first thing that stood out to me when pulling the Nexus 7 from the retail package was the narrower form factor. The 2012 model is thin and well designed, but it always felt a bit too wide for holding in one hand while manipulating with the other.

I also noticed the rather wide upper and lower bezel on the new Nexus 7 and am trying to figure out if this will bother me or not. I do like the all black color scheme, where the 2012 version had a silver frame.

Specifications and hardware

In my previous Google Nexus 7 post I listed some of the improved specifications found in the new Nexus 7. Key specifications include:

• Android 4.3 operating system
• Qualcomm Snapdragon S4, 1.5 GHz quad-core processor. Read Brian Klug's breakdown to see even more about the processor that shows it is more than just a S4 as well.
• 2GB RAM
• 16/32GB internal storage
• 7.02 inch 1920x1200 HD IPS display with Gorilla glass (323 ppi)
• 5 megapixel rear camera and 1.2 megapixel front facing camera
• 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
• 3,950 mAh battery with Qi wireless charging
• Stereo speakers with surround sound provided by Fraunhofer
• Dimensions of 200 x 114 x 8.65 mm and 290 grams

The display is fantastic and is one of the aspects of the 2012 version that I wished was better when I purchased it. That is no longer the case as the Nexus 7 display can't be beat. The stereo speakers sound great and are a welcome addition.

I have an Energizer Qi charging plate that supports charging two devices wirelessly and one device with a cable. The convenience of charging without having to plug in the cable is great and I am getting spoiled by more and more of these devices having this functionality.

While I don't ever use my tablets to take photos and haven't sought out tablets with a rear facing camera, the camera seems decent on the Nexus 7. I like the photo sphere functionality and the Nexus camera experience.

Android 4.3 software

The 2012 Nexus 7 Android 4.3 update is starting to roll out so it will soon have the latest Android software to match the new Nexus 7. The new Nexus 7 comes with the latest version of Android and a couple things I have noticed so far are the ability to rotate the screen (took a separate utility on the previous Nexus 7), the new Play Games service, and user profile support. Steven shared his top five features of Android 4.3 and I look forward to testing out more of these functions.

Experiences and functions to test

I read a few magazines I am subscribed to on Google Play and they look even better on the high resolution Nexus 7. I regularly rent videos from Google when I travel and look forward to testing out this functionality on my commute and future travel. The stereo speakers sound great with Google Play Music and will be great to share videos with family and friends.

The Nexus 7 is less expensive than the iPad mini and with my heavy usage of Google services it is a fantastic tablet option. I will be looking for a case to prop up my Nexus 7 for video consumption. As I use the Nokia Lumia 925 on T-Mobile, the Nexus 7 will meet my mobile Android needs.

Did any readers pick up the Nexus 7? Anything else you want me to test out on the device? I also ordered a Chromecast and will be testing out how well it works with the Nexus 7 soon.

Make sure to listen to MobileTechRoundup show #301 to find out how to enter our giveaway. Due to shipping costs, the Nexus 7 giveaway is limited to listeners in the US and Canada. Show topics include:

• Chromecast: a great $35 impulse buy that should get better with age
• The new Nexus 7
• Wireless charging woes
• 2012 Nexus 7 giveaway!
• How about that Lumia 1020?
• HTC 8XT for Sprint is a solid device
• Three new Droids announced for Verizon

Running time: 70 minutes

Listen here (MP3, 59.2MB)

Subscribe to the show with this link (RSS)

Yesterday Google announced the new Nexus 7 device that leapfrogs the iPad Mini, for now. I own last year's Nexus 7, but just pre-ordered a new 32GB WiFi model at Best Buy yesterday and here are seven reasons I made that decision.

The new Nexus 7 comes in 16GB ($229) and 32GB ($269) WiFi models that will be available on 30 July. A LTE model that works on T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon will be available in the future for $349. With my smartphones now all having tethering capability I went for a 32GB WiFi model that you can pre-order at Best Buy now, but am still considering the LTE model too.

Reason #1: I need Android in my life

I use Gmail, Google+, Google Play Movies, Google Maps Navigation, and more Google services on a daily basis and have now integrated their services into my life. I love my HTC One, but as a smartphone reviewer I jump between a lot of mobile operating systems. Having a Nexus 7 gives me a portable, consistent Android companion that helps provide Google services even if I am using a Windows Phone 8 or BlackBerry 10 device for my smartphone needs.

Reason #2: Android OS updates

The new Nexus 7 launches with Android 4.3 and like the previous model and Nexus smartphone line, it will get the next versions of Android first. We will likely see Android 5, aka Key Lime Pie, sometime before the end of 2013 and you can bet the Nexus 7 will get that update.

Reason #3: The price is right

The WiFi only models are $229 and $269, which are more expensive than last year's Nexus 7 offering for a lot more device. When you look at the iPad Mini at $329 and $429 though, the Nexus 7 is attractively priced.

I understand the iPad Mini has a slightly larger display, but the new Nexus 7 blows the iPad display out of the water. You can look at comparable Amazon Kindle Fire HD unit and see they are similar in price, yet the new Nexus 7 offers an optimal Google experience rather than an Amazon one.

Reason #4: 9 hours of HD playback

My daily commute consists of 2 hours of train riding and I can be found on an airplane about once a month. I like renting movies from the Google Play Store and with the 3,950 mAh battery on the new Nexus 7 it looks like I can travel across the country and be covered for entertainment.

Reason #5: High resolution display

The new Nexus 7 comes with a 1920x1200 pixels LCD at 323 ppi, which is a jump from 1290x800 pixels and 216 ppi seen on last year's model. As most of my smartphones now have pixel density like this, my eyes are spoiled by high resolution displays.

The iPad Mini has a 163 ppi display while the iPad 3 that I enjoy using has a 236 ppi display. I can't wait to see the new Nexus 7 display in person next week.

Reason #6: Qi wireless charging

Nokia spoiled me with wireless charging in the Lumia 920 and now I want that in all of my devices. I have three Qi wireless charging pads at home and in the office and find it much more convenient to just set down a device on the pad rather than messing around with a microUSB cable and figuring out which end is up to plug it in.

Reason #7: Stereo speakers

The HTC One is a device that has also spoiled me, with its fantastic BoomSound front facing speaker system. The new Nexus 7 has stereo speakers with Surround Sound powered by Fraunhofer and if it is anything like the amazing sound found on the Chromebook Pixel I will be impressed.

While I use headphones on my commute and airplane, I also often show videos from YouTube and Facebook to my family with my HTC One so having good speakers is important to me as well.

Related ZDNet Nexus 7 articles

• Tech spec showdown: the new Nexus 7 vs. iPad mini
• Google teams with Asus on upgraded Android 4.3-based Nexus 7
• Google Nexus 7 takes over non-essential functions from my smartphone
• Nexus 7 tablet: One week in
• Google Nexus 7: a device that finally raises awareness of the 7 inch form factor
• Ten tips to get started with your Google Nexus 7 tablet

There is a new line of SYNC devices, ranging from $25 step counters to the $130 SYNC Burn Fitness Band I have been checking out. At launch you will find the SYNC Burn and SYNC Elite (a $40 activity tracker). While most activity trackers last from one to two weeks and are rechargeable, these SYNC devices all last a year or more with integrated non-rechargeable batteries. This makes wearing and using these devices even more convenient than other competing products and not having to worry about charging them up is an important factor to consider.

Out of the box with the SYNC Burn

The SYNC Burn comes in an attractive red and white retail package with the Burn next to an iPhone on the front cover. You can lift up the flap to see the Burn device under clear plastic with more details on the device's capabilities shown on the back.

I opened it up and looked all over for a charger or a charging port before realizing the battery is integrated into the back and functions like a powered watch would. The two pieces of the wrist band were separated from the Burn face piece in the box, but it was easy to slide them into place.

The red and black color scheme reminds me of my MOTOACTV and looks good enough to wear every day. You will find a User Guide in the package along with a free 6 month MVP membership to MapmyFitness (yearly membership is $29.99). MapmyFitness is the service you use on your iPhone to sync directly to the SYNC Burn and the MVP membership gives you an ad-free experience and tons of enhanced features.

Walk around the hardware

The SYNC Burn looks like a watch and is a great size for most people. There is a small display that has a blue backlight when you press two buttons together at once. On the display you will see a goal progress bar at the top, time/day/date, selected activity and associated activity data. The display will change as you press buttons and move through different functions, including today's data, weekly data, workout timer, and heart rate data. The numbers are large enough to be easily viewable in most conditions.

On the front, below the display, is the main front button. This button is used to toggle between the different activities, check your heart rate (press and hold), and activate the backlight (press at the same time as the top side button).

On the right side there are two buttons, a top one and a bottom one. The top one changes the mode of operation, enters the settings (press and hold), and works with the front button to activate the backlight.

The bottom side button is used to start/stop/reset the workout timer and change the day in weekly mode.

Software and functionality

There are four primary modes on the SYNC Burn; time, today, weekly, and workout. By default the Burn will go back to the time mode if you leave the device alone. From the time mode you can use the front button to change what activity data you are viewing.

The today mode shows you hourly activity level, selected activity, and data for the day. The weekly mode works the same way, but by providing you a view of your weekly data.

The workout mode lets you record data for a specific activity for up to 10 hours. The timer must be started, using the lower button, for data to be recorded. The data will remain in view until the timer is reset and you perform another workout.

Before you use the device, you should set the time, custom user data (gender, birthdate, unit format, weight, and height), and daily goals. Your user data is used to help calculate stride length and distance covered by your steps. Goals include levels you with to achieve for steps, distance, and calories.

A very cool function of the SYNC Burn is the ability to measure your heart rate. You simply press and hold the large front button to see your heart rate, percentage of maximum, and a small heart rate graph. The more often you take your heart rate, the more accurate the calorie burn rate will be.

Smartphone pairing

The only way to currently get your data off of the SYNC Burn and stored online is to sync wirelessly, via Bluetooth Smart, to an iPhone 4S or 5. This syncing is performed via the MapmyFitness application that also then backs up your data to their servers. You can use the free ad-supported application or sign up for MVP and get much more functionality. I hope to someday see Android support as well.

Smartphone pairing is carried out through the Workouts part of the application. You need to first pair up the SYNC Burn with your iPhone and then you can use the MapmyFitness application.

While each day is labeled a Workout, it doesn't mean you actually worked out in a focused event. The number of steps, distance covered, calories burned, and a graphic representation of when those steps were taken across a timeline are shown. You can then also share that data manually or edit the captured data.

Daily experiences with the SYNC Burn

I like the hardware of the SYNC Burn and appreciate that you never have to charge up the battery so you can use it for a year. The information seems fairly accurate and the heart rate tracking is interesting. It makes a nice watch alternative and for the most part I was using it as my tracker and watch at the same time. There is no sleep monitor on this model, but you are encourage to always wear your Burn as data is captured while you sleep to use in the calorie burn calculations.

I appreciate the ability to sync wirelessly to an iPhone and this was my first time using the MapmyFitness application. The data seen on your iPhone is pretty basic and I want to see my heart rate data as well. Even when I logged in and checked out the MVP service I can't see the heart rate data. It appears that the heart rate information is used simply to help refine the calorie calculator.

The SYNC Burn is comfortable thanks to the fully adjustable band that should fit just about everyone's wrist. The Burn is easy to use and sync to your iPhone. Holding the top and front buttons for the backlight is a bit odd, but I got used to it and didn't need to look at the display that much in the dark.

The KEF M500 headphones come in a solid black and white retail package with a cool exploded view of the headphone internals under the front flap. Inside the box you will find the headphones, 1.3 meter flat cable with gold plated connector, 3 button inline remote and microphone, flight adapter, extra 1.3 meter cable with no remote, 6.3mm connector, and handy carrying case.

There is very soft material covering the memory foam ear pads and these might be the most comfortable ear pads I have tested. The soft material with padding is on the top of the arch that rests on top of your head as well.

The 3.5mm connector plugs into the back of the left side headphones. The flat cable design feels quite durable and doesn't tangle easy either.

The arms and frame of each ear piece is brushed aluminum and feels like a premium quality product. While giving the headphones a quality feel, the aluminum also helps make the headphones pretty light.

The earpieces rotate 90 degrees and also swivel up about 135 degrees to fold up into quite a compact form for storage and easy carriage. These headphones are not powered and do not have noise cancellation. That said, sound output is excellent. The design of the hinge, called a Smart Hinge, allows the earpiece to fit over the ear and reduce sound leakage around the ear cup.

I wear glasses much of the time and most over-the-ear headphones start to press on my ears and make them sore after a couple of hours. I was pleased to feel such comfort with these headphones and never experienced any discomfort while testing them out.

I made a few calls using the remote and people said I sounded great. I also used the remote to control the volume levels while listening to music.

Specifications include:

• 40mm driver
• Frequency response of 20Hz to 20 kHZ
• Sensitivity of 103 dB
• Impedance of 32 +/- 15 percent Ohm
• -20 dB noise attenuation
• 208 gram weight

I looked at several different headphone solutions over the past couple of years, check out my 2012 holiday gift guide, and looking through that list I would have to say the KEF M500 is a solid competitor. It is the same price as the Beats Executive earphones and $100 more than the Logitech UE 6000. I like that no power is needed to experience amazing sound and they are extremely comfortable.

Sound output was clear and loud with no excessive bass or anything extra to take away from the music. Their performance was fantastic and audiophiles may want to take a look at them.

You can find the KEF M500 headphones direct from KEF for $299.99 or through other retailers, such as Amazon.

Regular readers know I am more focused on smartphones for working and playing on the go, but still have a couple tablets around. My preferred Android tablet is the Nexus 7, but I have to say that these two new Samsung 8 inch models almost had me clicking the buy button on Amazon. They are vastly improved over the original Tab 7 I owned a few years ago, but as a previous Galaxy Note II owner they appear to just be large devices with very similar hardware design elements.

Samsung Note 8.0 on AT&T

My local AT&T rep sent along the Galaxy Note 8.0 and as a very data-centric user this device is appealing to me. My Note II was a good test to see if I would use the S Pen enough to justify the cost and screen size. When I look back on my usage patterns, I rarely found it necessary to use the S Pen. However, part of that was the fact that I could only fit a few words on the display, even at 5.5 inches. The Galaxy Note 8.0 solves that issue with a much more ink-friendly sized display.

The Galaxy Note 8.0 doesn't support phone calls, but the data connection works on LTE and HSPA+ for a very fast experience when you are outside the range of a WiFi network. With AT&T, it only costs an additional $10 per month to add the Galaxy Note 8.0 to your current plan. You can also purchase a WiFi-only Galaxy Note 8.0, reviewed here on ZDNet.

Specifications of the AT&T version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 include:

• 1.6 GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor
• 2GB of RAM
• 16GB internal storage with microSD card slot
• Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS
• 8 inch 1280x800 pixels display
• 5 megapixel rear camera and 1.3 megapixel front facing camera
• 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, DLNA
• 4,600 mAh battery
• Dimensions of: 8.29 x 5.35 x 0.31 inches and 12 ounces

New devices are launching with Android 4.2, but the Note 8.0 has been out in other parts of the world for a couple months so that helps explain why it was released with this version. There are a few nice updates in 4.2 so I hope Samsung updates the device soon.

The Note 8.0 has a center physical button with the menu and back capacitive areas on either side. The microSD and SIM card are on the left side, under covers, with the power and volume buttons located above the IR port on the right side. I have grown to be a huge fan of the IR port on my HTC One to control my TVs and appreciate having one on the Note 8.0 as well. The headset jack is on top with the microUSB port on the bottom. The 5 megapixel camera is centered on the upper back and takes decent photos.

The Note 8.0 is a bit wide for me to use for extended periods in one hand since they made a bezel that would allow you to hold it around an edge and then use the S Pen on the display. There is a S Pen silo on the lower right side and I found the design of the S Pen to be just fine for daily usage.

A few of the advanced functions seen on the Galaxy S4 are here on the Note 8.0, including multi-window and reading mode. I valued using multi-window on my Note II and it is even better on a larger display like we see in the Note 8.0. There is not a ton of extra AT&T or Samsung apps so the Android experience is pretty clean. I find value in these newer versions of TouchWiz as well.

Overall, I enjoyed using the Note 8.0 and saw I could pick up a WiFi-only refurb for $320, which really interests me. The full price of the WiFi model is $380, but if you buy at Samsung they are also offering you $25 in Google Play credit. The AT&T model is priced at $399.99 after a $100 savings with your contract. If I used the S Pen more on my Note II then I would buy one, but I don't think I can justify that advanced functionality. You can buy a Note 8.0 in white or brown/black and as a fan of brown I would likely get that color. I personally found the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 to be more interesting for my needs as you can read below.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0

When I pulled the Tab 3 8.0 from the box, my first impression was that this was an awesome improvement over the Tab 7 inch I used to own. The width is perfect for my hand and it still amazes me how thin the device really is.

Specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 include:

• 1.5 GHz dual-core Samsung processor
• 1.5GB of RAM
• 16GB internal storage with microSD card slot
• Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS
• 8 inch 1280x800 pixels display
• 5 megapixel rear camera and 1.3 megapixel front facing camera
• 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, DLNA
• 4,450 mAh battery
• Dimensions of: 8.26 x 4.87 x 0.275 inches and 10.9 ounces

As you can see in the specs comparison, the Tab 3 is narrower, slightly thinner, and lighter than the Note 8.0. The Tab has a dual-core processor, compared to quad-core, slightly less RAM, and slightly smaller battery. However, it has the latest and greatest version of Android, the same camera, same storage capacity, and same display resolution.

The Galaxy Tab 3.0 has nearly the same design elements as the Note 8.0, with the exception of the SIM card slot on the AT&T model I was testing out and the S Pen silo. The back camera is offset on the Tab 3 8.0, but has the same quality and performance. I personally don't care about the back camera on a tablet anyway, but the front camera is useful for video calling.

In terms of software, the latest version of Android and TouchWiz add in Smart Stay, screen mirroring, and a slightly updated settings layout. A major improvement is the use of the slick new Samsung camera utility. There are other improvements in 4.2.2 as well and I just hope Samsung upgrades the Note 8.0 soon.

The Galaxy Tab 3.0 is available for $300, which is just $55 less than the Note 8.0 WiFi when you account for the $25 Google Play Store credit. This makes the Note 8.0 a bit more compelling to me with the better specs and more functional tablet with the S Pen capability. If I used a tablet more, these are two I would seriously consider. They are not the least expensive tablets, but I think there is good value here.

The Case Prodigy case offers the best stand solution I have tested with six angle lock positions that secure in place with fairly strong magnets. You can pick up your iPad in the case and it stays in the angled position. A case like this shows that the Apple Smart Cover is not a very good solution for propping up your iPad. I don't trust my Smart Cover as it opens way too easily and does not hold my iPad securely in an angled position.

The strong magnets along the top flap hold the kickstand in place like no other case I have tested. Most cases offer one or two positions, but those are not always optimal for viewing your iPad. The top flap that covers the display as you carry your iPad around flips around to the back. There are ridges along the back that the kickstand extension fits onto. If you have a need for multiple viewing angles then this is the iPad case to check out.

The Case Prodigy case is designed for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation full-size iPads. The case provides access to the camera, all ports, and buttons, and supports the sleep/wake functionality. A flap secures the case with a magnetic closure system so you can carry around your iPad in a fairly secure enclosure. While in use, the flap secures on the back of the case too so it stays out of the way when watching media.

The black vegan leather (means it is synthetic material that doesn't come from an animal) material is textured and attractive with the ZooGue logo on the top securing flap. The case measures 9-7/8 x 7-3/4 x 3/4 inches and weighs in at 1 lb, 1 ounce. You can purchase the ZooGue Case Prodigy for $59.99.

While consumers won't be getting Pebbles with Kickstarter on the back, they will be buying a fantastic watch and I thought I would share some of the great things I like about the Pebble. I paid $115 for my Kickstarter Edition and Best Buy will be selling them for $149.99.

There are several basic notifications included out of the box on your Pebble and to be honest call notifications are extremely useful to me. I generally carry large phones that are carried in my pocket. Rather than having to dig the phone out every time a call comes in, my Pebble shows me who is calling and gives me the ability to send the call to voicemail by pressing in on the lower right button.

I like when smart watches like this give you information you can view in a glance rather than having to pull out your phone and be rude to people you are hanging with.

I originally was a backer for an orange Pebble, but the colored ones were made later in the process and after they offered to let us switch to black I took them up on it. While the rubber band that comes with the Pebble is nice, I wanted to add a bit of customization and splash of orange.

The Pebble comes with a standard 22-mm band and I found a Kevlar one with orange highlights on Amazon. I installed the band and like the look and feel on my wrist.

The Pebble is a watch first and one of the easiest things to do is to switch watch faces. I found the My Pebble Faces website where there are a ton of watch face options, apps, and games. With an Android device, like my HTC One, I simply visit this site in the browser and select to download the watch face, app, or game to then see the Pebble utility launch and install it to my connected Pebble.

My favorite watch face so far is Text Watch, but I also like Revolution.

Another app on Android that I use to manage my Pebble is Pebble Notifier. This free utility lets you send notifications from most all of the apps you have loaded on your device to the Pebble.

I use various devices to track my runs and one of the original apps that was advertised on Kickstarter was Runkeeper. With the Pebble and Runkeeper you can view your exercise progress that is running on your connected smartphone right on your wrist.

In addition to viewing my basic running stats, I am also able to control the music playing on my smartphone with my Pebble.

I am a major fan of lifestyle activity trackers and think they provide just enough of a reminder with some motivation to improve your health. Withings' new Pulse is now available for $99.95 and brings much of what you find in the Fitbit or UP, but with the addition of an integrated heart rate monitor and some additional intelligence.

My current preference is for the Jawbone UP, primarily due to the wrist band form factor and the support for 3rd party services that extend its functionality. Withings also has an extensive ecosystem with their products, including over 100 app partners.

I am interested in the Withings Pulse and may have to pick one up to test out. It looks to have much of what I have in my Fitbit One with an altimeter that does help motivate me to take the stairs more often. An altimeter is missing in my Jawbone UP. The Withings Pulse also provides more real-time data while running, but still cannot compare to a full GPS fitness watch. THe two week battery life is also about double what most other trackers provide.

My resting heart rate is a good measure of my fitness level and I do like that the Withings Pulse provides this functionality. It is also a good indicator of stress and this data is captured and then also synced to your iOS or Android device. Wireless Bluetooth syncing is supported by the Pulse to its Withings Health Mate application.

The activity tracker market is growing and it is great to see competitors launching new devices with unique functionality. Do any readers plan to pick up a Pulse?

Related ZDNet mobile health articles

• Fitbit adds Android direct syncing support for Galaxy S III and Note II users
• Life-tracking tools for a better, healthier you: Fuelband, Fitbit, UP compared
• Jawbone UP: new internals and attractive mobile app provide stylish life tracking (review)
• Jawbone announces the UP Platform and acquires BodyMedia
• CES 2013: Fitbit announces Flex wristband, watch out Nike and Jawbone

Recon is holding this special pre-launch sale for the Pilot Edition Recon Jet until 21 July and after that date the price jumps up $100 to $599. Google Glass is currently only available to those who ordered last year for $1,500, although it is believed a lower-priced consumer version will launch later this year.

The Recon Jet is targeted to the active person who wants to wear a pair of black or white (I ordered black) sunglasses with the Recon Jet mounted to them. They are ideal for the biker or runner, but can also work for the worker in the field who needs to keep his hands-free. I am a runner who uses various GPS watches to monitor and capture my running data and also spend time in the field as a naval architect and marine engineer.

The Recon Jet has 9-axis sensors, 3D accelerometer, 3D gyroscope, altimeter, pressure sensor and a temperature sensor to capture data itself with the ability to connect to other devices via Bluetooth, WiFi and ANT+. It is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB flash storage. There is a 16:9 WQVGA display that presents various pieces of data and information to you.

Battery life is estimated at 4-6 hours, depending on the connections you have active, and that should last for most events. The battery is removable too and can easily be swapped out if you need to use the Recon Jet for a longer period of time while out and about.

I can see the Recon Jet helping me stay focused on the road rather than looking at my watch or smartphone display as I run and think it may also help provide that extra motivation to hit the road more often.

A SDK will be available for developers and I imagine the popular iOS and Android fitness app developers, like RunKeeper, will work to get their apps working with the Recon Jet.

This is a great Christmas gift for the tech guy who already has everything and I can't wait to hit the rainy road in December with the Recon Jet.

Improvements over version 1

I liked the audio quality and volume, ability to change out the battery with a standard Nokia BL-5C model, and ability to charge up your mobile device in the first model. The only thing really missing compared to other portable speakers was the ability to use it as a speakerphone and connect via NFC. One of these was added to version 1.5, along with several more improvements.

You will find the following improvements in the RocksteadyXS 1.5 speaker:

• Integrated mic for speakerphone functionality, including button to answer/hang up from the speaker directly.
• Dual purpose USB: Play music stored on USB stick or charge up your device.
• Connect up to 2 devices simultaneously with 4 paired devices stored in memory.
• Battery charges faster and still lasts for over 10 hours of playback.
• Higher quality and longer cables, USB and 3.5mm audio.
• Default connection is now Bluetooth so Mode button doesn't have to be pressed for wireless connections.
• Low battery warning notification when in Bluetooth mode.

As you can see the folks at Killer Concepts provide significant improvements in the Rocksteady XS 1.5 speaker over what we saw just a few months ago. The price remains the same at $99.99 as well.

Box contents and hardware design

You will find everything you need in the retail package, including the Rocksteady XS 1.5 speaker, Li-Ion battery (Nokia BL-5C), user manual, orange colored 1.2 meter 3.5mm audio cable, 1 meter USB cable and USB wall charger. As a fan of orange, I liked seeing the high quality audio cable in this color with a usable length.

The speaker itself feels just like the last model and that is a good thing. It has an all aluminum construction while feeling light in your hand. It has curved edges and corners with the battery compartment access serving as the stand that rests on a table.

The only physical difference you will see in this new model is the phone icon below the play/pause button that is used to answer and hang up calls. You cannot use the button to initiate a phone call, such as through a voice dialing application.

Performance and experiences

The Rocksteady XS with Speakerphone does not sound as good or last as long on a charge as the UE Boom speaker I recently tested, but that speaker is twice the price. When you look at the sub-$100 market, the RocksteadyXS sounds great and is my personal favorite available for such a reasonable price.

I was able to turn up the volume all the way and still enjoy music with very little distortion. There was not too much bass or treble and the music, various genres, sounded good. The speakerphone worked well, but I don't make a ton of calls anyway. It is a rather small speaker and with the aluminum construction it seems like it could take a beating and keep working.

A couple years ago I asked if there was a clear winner between a Kindle Fire and B&N Nook Tablet. It turns out there is now, as Barnes & Noble announced they will no longer manufacture color Android-based tablets and instead focus on their core business of eReaders.

Amazon came out with the Kindle Fire at a time when the iPad was really the only successful competitor in the tablet space. Today, we see low-cost Android tablets all over the place, including $99 models available at Wal-Mart, and Barnes & Noble's financial results show it is tough to compete in that market with the Nook HD and HD+.

B&N stated they do plan to work in partnership with third party manufacturers to co-brand color tablets, but we will have to wait and see how that turns out.

If you visit the B&N site right now you can see the Nook HD is available for just $129 (regularly $199) and the Nook HD+ for $149 (regularly $269) so if you have been thinking of one of these devices, now might be a good time to pick one up before stock runs out.

In addition to being the first ebook company to launch a color reader/tablet device, I think a lot of Amazon's success is also due to their media and shopping ecosystem. The Kindle Fire is attractive to Prime members because of free video streaming, and because shopping through the full Amazon store is made easy on a Fire.

If you want to read ebooks, then nothing beats an eInk display device, so it makes sense that a bookseller is going to focus on that market and see what develops in the color tablet market in the future.

Related ZDNet content

• Amazon Kindle Fire vs. B&N Nook Tablet: Is there a clear winner? (review)
• Word, Excel and PowerPoint on your Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet? (Android Office app showdown)
• Which do you prefer, the Amazon Kindle Fire or B&N Nook Tablet?
• Fewer distractions on ebook readers give you better reading experience than on phones
• Barnes & Noble announces Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, its first eReader with a lit screen
• Is wireless really even necessary in an ebook reader?

Yesterday James wrote about his recent experiences using a large 5.2 pound laptop and how that made him realize that mobile technology has turned him into a wimp. I wanted to offer another view of mobile technology and describe how my mobile gear has helped me become stronger, faster, and healthier.

I can relate to the feelings James expressed when it comes to carrying a gear bag full of gadgets and gizmos and in the past I regularly hauled around 10-20 pounds of laptops, tablets, phones, battery packs, and more. I have since moved to a minimalist commute with my Surface Pro and three or four phones packed into a small WaterField Designs Muzetto Outback messenger bag. It doesn't really bother me to carry more in a larger bag, but I found I was mainly just hauling gear I wasn't really using and like my new essentials approach.

So how is mobile technology helping me get stronger, faster, and healthier? I have tested and written about many life-tracking tools over the past couple of years and have now settled into using the excellent Jawbone UP band that continues to innovate and integrate into my life. Life-tracking tools like the UP, Fuelband, and Fitbit are great for providing some motivation to take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk a bit more to achieve the next level, go to bed a bit earlier to meet you minimum goals, and act as the conscious you need to be just a bit healthier with your daily life.

For serious exercise, nothing beats the MOTOACTV for exercise tracking, sharing captured data with your preferred services, and music playing to help you give just a bit more effort. I may soon be replacing my MOTOACTV with one of the upcoming TomTom sports watches or maybe even an updated MOTOACTV.

Sometimes I run with my smartphone and even enable live services through RunKeeper where my progress is shared with my Twitter and/or Facebook friends as I am out on the road. I find motivational comments from friends to really help keep me going at times and am still blown away that people can "virtually" join me as I participate in activities.

There are also a growing number of excellent health-related applications for smartphones. Samsung even integrated some functionality in the Galaxy S4 with its S Health application. I find the programs related to pushups, pull-ups, and sit-ups to be very helpful at improving my strength and will be using the pull-ups one soon as I train to compete in my second 12+ mile Tough Mudder event. Your smartphone can serve as an excellent coach and help you achieve your fitness goals.

Tracking your diet is also easier now and since many of us always have a smartphone with us we can capture what we eat immediately and upload that data to numerous food tracking sites. I find it revealing when I am diligent about tracking my meals and snacks and think we can all live healthier lives if we pay attention to what we are consuming.

I could have gotten healthier without this mobile hardware and software, but in the past when I tried that it was very difficult to maintain my enthusiasm, track goal progress, and view results that lead to even more motivation. Mobile technology makes these monitoring, tracking, and incremental program progress easy and fun.

A couple years ago I though running three to four miles at an average pace of 10 minutes per mile was great. Through the help of mobile technology I am now able to run 10-12 miles as I train for my second half-marathon coming up in two weeks. If you told me back then that I would go out and run for two hours straight I would have told you that is just crazy. Now it is a normal part of my training routine and I owe a lot of that success to my mobile gear.

Related ZDNet mobile health articles

• Capability and ease of use earned MOTOACTV a place on my wrist (review & gallery)
• Life-tracking tools for a better, healthier you: Fuelband, Fitbit, UP compared
• Jawbone UP: new internals and attractive mobile app provide stylish life tracking (review)
• Jawbone announces the UP Platform and acquires BodyMedia
• TomTom announces new GPS sport watches free from Nike ecosystem

While I own several phones and a couple of tablets, I still prefer to use a dedicated ebook reader for reading ebooks due in large part to the minimized distractions, display quality and outside usability, and very long battery life. The Kobo Aura HD is the best ebook hardware available today and ebook fans will love the customization options and quality reading experience.

Hardware

The primary difference between the Kobo Aura HD and other ebook readers is the display resolution. For a long time, nearly all the displays on these devices had 600x800 resolution (167 ppi) and that was just perfectly fine for ebook reading. The latest generation of devices bumped that up to 758 x 1024 pixels resolution (212 ppi) and I agreed that was even better and that was likely where we would see these eInk display devices stop.

Then the Kobo Aura HD comes along with a 1440 x 1080 pixels resolution (265 ppi) and raised the bar to another level. I don't think there is anything bad you can say about the display, especially as you start messing around with font settings customized to your preference.

In addition to the highest resolution eInk display, Kobo also was able to offer up a lighting solution that has no visible glare spots along the edge even when brightness is set to 100%. Their ComfortLight front light solution evenly lights up the entire display.

I was perfectly happy with my Kindle Paperwhite, even with the couple of brighter spots along the bottom, but now the Kobo Aura HD spoiled me as they show it is possible to provide lighting evenly across the display.

There are no hardware buttons for page turning so access to settings, page navigation, and text entry is all performed on the touchscreen panel.

One thing about the Kobo Touch eReader I bought in 2011 that stood out from others was the unique design of the back. That device has a soft touch back with cushion pattern design and feels great in your hand. The new Kobo Aura HD also has a unique design with ridges that remind me of a stealth fighter.

I am not sure how much it helps with holding the device, but my fingertips do naturally fit into the center seem while the ridge fits along the length of my fingers. The Kobo Aura HD is a fairly wide device at xx inches and while I can hold it in a single hand it is a stretch for my fingers. I prefer holding it with the edge resting in my palm and my fingers supporting it along the ridges.

Unlike other ebook readers with integrated lighting, the Kobo Aura HD has a button dedicated to toggling the light on and off. The device software is also smart enough to keep the same light setting when you switch the active mode on again. I prefer a hardware button for the light since it saves you a couple taps on the display.

There is a microSD card slot on the bottom for unlimited expandability of book content so it is a device that can grow with you over time.

Specifications

The primary specifications of the device include:

• 1 GHz processor, reported to be 20% faster than others
• 6.8 inch WXGA Pearl eInk display at 1440 x 1080 pixels resolution
• 4GB internal memory and microSD card support for 32GB cards
• 802.11 b/g/n WiFi
• Battery life up to 2 months
• Dimensions: 175.7 x 128.3 x 11.7 mm and 240 grams
• Support for EPUB, PDF, MOBI, jpeg, gif, png, tiff, txt, html, rtf, cbz, and cbr
• 10 font styles and 24 font sizes

Software

To access menus on the Kobo Aura HD you simply tap near the center of the device to have top and bottom buttons activated. If you tap on the left or right side while reading a book then your pages may turn so make sure to try to tap the center.

Options along the top include home, brightness level settings, battery life indicator, and top menu denoted by three bars. A press of the top right menu will pop up an overlay that lets you search Kobo, adjust brightness, toggle WiFi, view the battery percentage, force a sync, access help, and access the settings.

The main settings of the device include account management, light/sleep/power settings, date and time, language, reading settings, Reading Life and notifications, WiFi manager, device information, About screen, and extras. The extras include games (chess, solitaire, word scramble, sketch pad, sudoku) and a web browser.

Options along the bottom bar include reading status on the left that opens up a pop-up showing stats for the chapter, upcoming chapter, graph of future chapter length, and stats for how many hours are left in the chapter and book.

Tapping the double-ended arrow at the bottom gives you quick access to a slider to help you jump around the book. The book icon gives you access to the table of contents, annotations, search, dictionary, and translation dictionary.

Tapping the font icon gives you access to the font customization settings. Here is where you will find more functionality for font customization than what you see on any other ebook reader. You can choose from ten font faces, 24 font sizes, various line spaces, various margins, and three types of justification.

You can tap the plus or minus to jump between font size, line spacing, and margins or just tap somewhere along the indicator line to go right to that setting. You will see the page change behind the pop-up to reflect the settings you choose dynamically.

You can tap on the advanced button to further adjust the font weight and sharpness, again with an indicator line and plus/minus buttons. On the advance screen there is a side-by-side window below the settings to show you what your settings will look like before you apply the settings.

If you are particular about the fonts on your ebook reader you will not find a better device for customization than the Kobo Aura HD. It truly is a device for the ebook aficionado.

The last menu item along the bottom, in the far right corner, lets you force a sync, share on Facebook, add to your bookshelf, mark as finished, or access the reader settings (page turning zones, page refresh frequency, and page number placement).

Kobo was one of the first to launch an ebook reader with social integration and continues that on the Aura HD with their Reading Life functionality. Reading Life also now lets you view your reading stats that include book progress and time to complete, chapter progress and time to complete, hours of reading, page turns, average pages per minute, and library stats indicating how many books you finished and the total amount of hours you have been reading on your Kobo.

Another aspect of Reading Life is the awards Kobo provides, via different badges, when you achieve different metrics. Badges and awards include page turn levels, reading time metrics, social network connectivity, and more. These are fun, but not essential for my personal reading experience.

Daily usage experiences

The Kobo Aura HD is fantastic, plain and simple. There is nothing else I could ask for in an eInk device and I applaud Kobo for their work on this device. The Kindle may be the Kleenex of the ebook reader world, but I hope people take a serious look at alternatives like the Kobo Aura HD.

Sony used to be the premium ebook reader company with devices that were made of metal and pushed the technology forward. That premium crown now goes to Kobo with their Kobo Aura HD.

The Kindle Paperwhite is a solid ebook device with 6 font styles and 8 sizes compared to 10 font styles and 24 sizes on the Kobo Aura HD. The Kobo Aura HD doesn't have easy access to public library titles, but it does use the open EPUB standard and I was able to load up all of my EPUB titles purchased over the years from various stores.

Pricing and availability

You can purchase the Kobo Aura HD now for $169.99. When you look at the Kindle Paperwhite, without ads, priced at $139 then you will quickly see the Kobo Aura HD is priced right with the most advance technology and customization available.

It is available in the black (Onyx) color I checked out or in white (Ivory). I have several ebook readers on hand, including an original Sony PRS-505, couple Nooks, a Kobo Touch, and a Kindle Paperwhite, but I am still considering the Kobo Aura HD because it offers the absolute best ebook experience and I love my ebooks.

I may give away some of these devices to family, friends, and Twitter followers and move to the Kobo Aura HD soon.

Back of the package shows some basic device information.

The Kobo Aura HD in the box with the screensaver activated.

The back of the Kobo Aura HD is angled to fit well within your hand.

The power switch and backlight button are found on the top.

A microSD card slot and microUSB port are found on the bottom.

Kobo has had textured and angled backs before, but this one is unique.

Another view showing the angled back.

Kindle, Kobos, and Nook lineup.

The Kobo Touch and Kobo Aura HD.

Settings display on the Kobo Aura HD.

On screen keyboard

Pop-up guides to help you understand how to use the device.

You will find more available fonts on the Kobo Aura HD than any other ebook reader.

Adjusting font settings while reading a book

Navigation options

Book options from right menu button

Navigating while reading

Looking up a word in the dictionary

Annotate on the Kobo Aura HD

Adding a note

Home screen view

Reading badges earned on the Kobo

An ebook achievement is earned

Text is extremely crisp

You can see lots of content with small fonts

The Ultimate Ears Boom speaker comes in a number of color schemes and can be used alone or paired with another. I compared it to the Beats Pill, Jawbone Jambox, and Braven 650 and found it to be the best of all. It has all the latest and greatest technology, including Bluetooth with a range of 50 feet, ability to pair with up to eight devices, NFC for ease of connectivity, a battery life of up to 15 hours, and mic for speakerphone functionality.

Retail package and initial hands-on

The UE Boom arrived in a cylindrical container and before I opened it up I thought it was going to be a rather large speaker, similar in size to the Big Jambox. After sliding the cylinder of of the outer advertising sleeve, it splits open down the length to reveal the speaker centered in the compartment.

A small upper compartment houses a lime green USB to microUSB cable and short Quick Start Guide. The cable is durable and the specifications state is is designed for increased charging capacity with additional voltage.

A lower compartment houses a matching lime green USB to A/C charging adapter with prongs that flip out to fit into an outlet.

Ultimate Ears sent along red and white colored speakers. Two were sent so I could test out the dual mode functionality (discussed below). The red color, almost orange, is on the acoustic skin with plasma coating that makes the UE Boom water and stain resistant. The speaker grille material feels excellent in the hand and seems very durable.

The white part of the speaker has a rubber feel that runs along one length and the top and bottom. Large plus and minus signs appear near the top of the lengthy rubber material. These are actually buttons to control volume. If you press and hold the two buttons at the same time you will get a voice prompt telling you what the battery percentage remains.

Specifications and hardware

Along the top you will find the Bluetooth button and LED above the center power button and LED. On the bottom you will find the 3.5mm audio jack and microUSB port for charging. There is a D-ring centered on the bottom and when you remove it you will find it fits into a standard tripod mount in case you wish to mount the speaker on a stand.

The UE Boom has top of the line specifications that include:

• Support to connect eight devices, two at the same time that you can alternate between
• Bluetooth range up to 50 feet
• NFC enabled to assist with easy pairing (works with Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry 10)
• Maximum sound level of 88 dBA
• Frequency range of 90Hz to 20 kHz
• Drivers measuring 1.5 inches, 4 Ohms, and two 2 inch passive radiators
• Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery with up to 15 hours battery life
• Dimensions of 7.1 inches length/height and 2.6 inches in diameter with weight of 19 ounces

You can have fun with the dual connectivity and let a buddy connect to the UE Boom and then switch back and forth between devices to enjoy various content.

I connected my HTC One to the speakers and then walked two rooms away with one of the speakers and the music continued to play flawlessly. The 50 foot range is valid and the speakers can be used adequately to power audio in a typical house.

iOS and Android software

In order to use two speakers together, you need to connect an iOS or Android device. There is no way to have both speakers connected physically, through daisy chaining, or wirelessly without the UE Boom application. As you can see in my screenshots, the UE Boom application lets you pair to two speakers wirelessly and then have the speakers work in stereo with a left and right channel or in stereo individually with both speakers powering your audio experience.

In addition to controlling the pair of speakers, the mobile application lets you manage the name of the speakers, view battery level, set the alert language, change equalizer settings (loud, vocals, or intimate), toggle alerts sounds on or off, and view/manage the speaker firmware.

The last icon on the app launches the detailed user guide that will answer all of your questions and is a very nice reference.

UE Boom experience and wrap up

Like my previous experience with the Logitech UE 900 earphones the UE Boom offers a top notch audio experience. Audio was crisp and clear, even at maximum volume levels. With the two speakers operating in stereo, my focal point for the audio source was right in the middle where there was no speaker. The sound wasn't bass heavy and like the other UE products gave me a sound that seemed true to the content.

Logitech UE has smaller and larger Boombox solutions and while they are good, the UE Boom stands out above them both, IMHO. The UE Boom is portable, has all the greatest functionality, and is a fantastic portable speaker solution.

You can purchase a UE Boom for $199.99 each. After experiencing the dual mode functionality of the speakers it would be tough for me not to purchase and enjoy two speakers. The available colors of the UE Boom include Moss green and blue, black and red, blue and white, pink and red, red and white, and complete white. The UE Boom comes with a 2-year limited hardware warranty.

Opening up the UE Boom retail package. Note the two compartments at the ends of the speaker.

Top and bottom compartment contents

Quick Start Guide

UE Boom pair

Top of the UE Boom

Bottom of the UE Boom

Red speaker material

UE branding

UE Boom compared to other speakers

UE Boom Android application

UE Boom Android application

UE Boom Android settings

Regular readers know I am a huge fan of subscription music services because I have a small personal collection and enjoy listening to music from many different genres. I bought into the Google All Access service, but will also take a look at the likely Apple announcement and evaluate which service works better for me.

Apple reportedly now has deals with Warner Music and Universal Music while discussions with Sony continue. Microsoft was one of the first to launch a subscription music service with the Zune Music Pass, but it wasn't really until Spotify, Slacker Radio, and Rdio appeared on multiple platforms before people started seriously considering streaming subscription music services. It will be interesting to see if Apple can come in and refine the offering, much like they do with other mobile services and features.

I am a huge fan of my Surface Pro with Windows 8, and over the last couple of weeks I have been using it quite a bit as a tablet with the included stylus. There have been rumors of smaller form factor Windows 8 tablets, and Engadget has now posted the news and press release for the upcoming Acer Iconia W3 8-inch tablet.

The 8 inch form factor is new for Windows 8, but what makes this device even more compelling is the low $379 price that includes Office Home & Student 2013. The press release focuses on holding the device in one hand which may appeal to field workers and students on the go. You can pair the 8-inch tablet with a full-size Bluetooth keyboard accessory.

Specifications of the Acer Iconia W3 include:

• 8.1 inch backlit LED with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution
• Dual core 1.8 GHz Intel Atom Z2760 mobile-optimized processor
• 32 or 64 GB internal storage with microSD card slot
• Up to 8 hours battery life

There is a microUSB port and a micro-HDMI port for connecting to external devices. There are no USB ports so the device really is more of a companion device than a laptop replacement. Given the relatively low price, comparable to iPad and Android tablets, it looks to be a good choice for those who need a full Windows experience on a small device.

Related ZDNet Windows 8 coverage:

• Surface Pro: My week as engineer and train commuter
• Microsoft Surface Pro review
• Microsoft blows Surface Pro launch, but Best Buy and Staples provided excellent customer service
• Surface Pro versus MacBook Air: Who's being dishonest with storage space?
• Forget about difficult Surface Pro repairs, Microsoft Complete coverage is just $99
• Goodbye Surface RT, hello Surface Pro: I won't miss getting work done again
• Microsoft Surface RT gesture and keyboard shortcut guide

Evernote was hacked a couple of months ago, requiring all of its users to reset their passwords. This shook my confidence in the online note-taking and archiving service, which I use to store lots of personal information. 

I am pleased to report that Evernote announced three new security features to ensure the security and privacy of our data.

The three new security features include two-step verification (two-factor authentication), access history, and authorized applications. Let's take a closer look at these new security features.

Two-step verification

This method of security is designed to help keep your account secure if someone happens to obtain and enter your password. In addition to just your password, a verification code is required and that comes to you via a text message or app on your phone. Thus, someone would have to have both your password and your phone to hack into your account.

Evernote also states they will give you a set of one-time backup codes in case you are traveling or do not have access to your phone and need to enter a verification code.

Two-step verification is optional and before you enable it make sure you have access to your selected secondary verification method or you could be locked out of your account. This security level is available to Evernote Premium and Evernote Business user only. As they refine and establish the process, they will open it up to free account users.

Evernote warns that you may find partner apps stop working with two-step verification. If that happens, you need to set up application passwords for each app in the security section of Evernote.

Access history

My bank has an access history list where it shows when and from where my online account was accessed for a certain period of time. Evernote now lets you view your access history for the past 30 days. Access history includes all versions of Evernote, which is important for someone like me who uses Evernote on a number of computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Authorized applications

If you lose your computer or phone, you can attempt to wipe it remotely before the thief gets your data. With the new Evernote security settings, you can view where you have Evernote installed and remotely revoke access on that computer or phone. The next time you launch Evernote on that device you will need to enter your password.

I am pleased to see Evernote take security and privacy seriously and offer up the latest and greatest tools for maintaining control of our data. With the new reminder functionality for iOS, Evernote is becoming vital to my daily work flow and my confidence in data security is fully restored.