Showing posts with label Stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stuff. Show all posts

Mobile Phones: Making The World Smaller

The field of communication is experiencing a great deal of innovative changes that are creating a global village. Before the invention of the telephone, it was unimaginable that one could ever actually talk to somebody even twenty miles away. In the world of today, we can't even bring ourselves to picture what life would be like if we could not speak across oceans and continents.

Less than twenty years ago a telephone was attached to a wall and could move only as far as the telephone cord. Today, even in our homes we are able to discuss about about the weather and everything else under the sun from not just the drawing rooms, but also from the kitchen, the bathroom, the attic, or any other place you can picture. The credit for all this went to the cordless phone.

There was a time when the car phone was seen as being a major advance. Who would have imagined that there would come a time when you could talk while you were going from one place to another. Yet, even with cordless phones and car phones, we continued to be attached to something – in this case, the house and the car respectively.

Then the big boom happened! We saw the invention of something that heralded great changes in the way in which the world carried out its communication. The age of the mobile phone had now begun. The contrast was great between this era and the era when letters had to be posted whenever some message of great importance was involved. Back in the days when post was the only way to communicate quickly, one could never have imagined receiving an instant response. But now, as mobile phones continue to boss over our lives, the buzzword is instant communication.

We are the children of the communication era, and are able to watch the rise of newer and newer modes of communication. Certainly, the most deserving representative of this global village is the mobile phone. We are no longer tied down by telephone cords. We are able to talk to our near and dear ones, our colleagues and mentors, and whoever else we would like to even while going from one place to another.

Gone are the days of trying to recall important phone numbers. We have passed the days of looking for a pay phone if we want to make a call. The good old mobile phone is ever ready to make whatever call we want it to!
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Motorola Xoom Android 3.0 Honeycomb Tablet Reviews

Motorola Xoom be the first tablet that comes with Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system that is specifically designed for tablets. I got a chance to play with it (along with the Atrix) at it’s Dubai launch today. The Motorola Xoom is a bit shorter than the iPad but offers a bigger sized 10.1″ screen with a higher 1280×800 resolution which gives it a 16:9 aspect ratio for watching movies without the black bars around the screen. It also felt a tad bit heavier than the iPad. 

Motorola has managed to keep the size smaller than the iPad by reducing the bezel which could be a good or bad thing. You hold bigger tablets with two hands and with a smaller bezel, your thumb will be on the screen every time you pick the device up which could possibly tap the screen when you wouldn’t want it to. I’ll reserve my judgement when I receive a review sample which should hopefully be around the time it is launch by the end of March in the UAE (end of Feb in the US.)

We will see two models launched in the UAE- one with just Wi-Fi and the other with W-Fi and 3G and Motorola is working on getting a contract version with the local telcos to avoid higher upfront costs. They did not provide any pricing information but the Best Buy leak suggested $800 in the US so my guess would be around AED 3,500 here.

 

There is no button on the Xoom and the bottom bit becomes the nav/notification area- whatever your orientation is. Even though the unit is currently in beta, it felt incredibly zippy. The dual-core 1.0GHz Tegra processor along with 1GB RAM certainly helped with that. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Tab, app are specifically designed for tablet usage with Honeycomb as you saw with the Gmail and YouTube app.

Motorola might have to pull a few more strings besides a Super Bowl ad tease if it wants to sell the Xoom at $800. The entry-level price of the iPad is a whole $300 lower, if the leaked promotional material from Engadget is accurate. When comparing to the closest iPad match, the Xoom will still be $70 more expensive that the 32GB 3G iPad ($730). The iPad 2, expected some time this spring, will most likely have the same low entry price (and matching specs), while the older (current) iPad model could also be sold at a discounted price alongside.

There could also be another deal breaker for the Xoom. According to the fine print in the leaked promo, in order to activate WiFi on the Xoom, you will have to purchase a minimum of one month data subscription with Verizon. The Xoom can work on Wi-Fi and on Verizon's 3G and 4G/LTE network, but does that justify disabling the Wi-Fi capability if you don't want to use 3G? Although it's only one month of data, it will cost you $20 for 1GB of data on Verizon's plans for Xoom's, or up to $80 for 10 GB (same as plans for Samsung Galaxy Tab on Verizon).

Overall, to use basic Wi-Fi connectivity on a Motorola Xoom you would need to pay $800 for the tablet, plus $20 for a month of data and up to $35 in activation fees, bringing the cost of the Xoom at a grand total of $855. That's still $25 more expensive than the top-end 64GB 3G iPad. So, if this is indeed Motorola's pricing scheme for the Xoom, Apple doesn't really have to worry about Android tablet domination any time soon.
READ MORE - Motorola Xoom Android 3.0 Honeycomb Tablet Reviews

Tips for Corporate Gift Online Shopping

Corporate Gift Online Shopping - With the availability of the internet, it is much easier to see different types of corporate gifts. Sites that offer wide range of gift items are easy to find too. The comfort and ease these sites bring give you the advantage of avoiding the stress of rushing to the department stores and saving time to conveniently shop at the comforts of your home or office. However, too many sites and choices can sometimes bring confusion, especially if you do not have an idea what and where to buy your corporate gifts.

But the truth is, it doesn’t matter if you know what to buy or not, what is important when shopping for corporate gift items online is the content of the site itself. In other words, knowing what type of gift items to buy is not only the way to avoid confusion when buying corporate gifts online; you also need to know are the sites to should go to and the services these sites have.

So what are these?
Price – Some would treat corporate gifts as investments on business relationship and thus, price counts. Although this is correct in some ways, you should always be wise on the price of the gift items you will give (that the price of the corporate gift will provide good return). Meanwhile, when looking for a corporate gift online, price should always be checked from one site to another. Like departments stores, different online sites offer the same items at different prices. If you have a particular item in mind, make sure you shop around and compare prices.

Volume discounts – Many corporate gift sites online offer a very wide array of gift items to choose from but only a few offers volume discounts. If you are buying on volume, it is recommended to search for sites that offer such discount. If you, however, are only planning to buy one or two items as a corporate gift, you only have to search for sites that offer specially items or items you are looking for.

Free delivery – Most sites offer this. Sometimes this service is included to every purchase, sometimes you have to pay extra. The gift you purchase is either delivered to you or to the intended receiver. Make sure you check the site's delivery policy before purchasing.

Specialties – If you are looking for a particular item but do not know what site to go, it is a good to visit first the sites that specialize selling on the item you are looking for. Not only you will get a better quality item, you can also receive a wide set of choices. Specialty shops may cost a little higher than others but it is a small price to pay for an assured quality.

Return policy - If in case you are not satisfied with the product you buy, the return policy is the only thing that matters to you. It may not be important to some buy knowing that you have the option to return the item and get the money you pay is always an ease.

Product categories – If you are shopping for several different items, sites with wide product categories come in handy. 

You may not have to apply all these when shopping for corporate gift items online. Just select on what is applicable to you.
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New iPad Bluetooth Keyboard Case You Should Have

What exactly is an iPad keyboard case? It’s a traditional iPad case that folds out to expose an internal keyboard.  And it typically will hold up the iPad at various angles so you can type.  With some of them, the keyboard will detach and with others it will stay stationary. 

Sena Bluetooth Keyboard Case

The Clamcase
Aida Case












Here are three of these types of iPad keyboard cases you might want to check out.

THE CLAMCASE
iPad keyboard case that looks more like a laptop than a case.  It is an all-in-one system that houses your iPad and actually looks pretty good.  The body of the case reminds you of a black Macbook.  Remember those? The Clamcase is not out yet but it is slated for the Fall of 2010 (which is now).

It has a bluetooth keyboard that offers a tactile feedback allowing you to compose and type quickly. The iPad automatically to the keyboard wirelessly which also means the 30-pin dock connector is free for charging.

The case also flips 360 degrees so you can use the iPad in multiple positions and still keep it housed inside the enclosure.  And speaking of the enclosure it has a smooth but grippy rubberized exterior for better holding and carrying around.

Another feature is what they call the infinity stand.  This is a feature of the case which allows and endless combination of positions to accommodate your needs.

There is no pricing yet listed on the website other than a range of prices they are asking what people would pay for one.  I would pay $99 for one but not $169.  These are definitely a very nice and sturdy looking case.  So far I like the look of this one and it’s made out of a strong ABS plastic so it should withstand quite a bit and not break.

AIDACASE
another very nice looking iPad case with a keyboard built in.  This one actually looks like a leather folio but inside it reveals a nice full-size keyboard.  It is called the Keycase Folio Deluxe.  The keyboard is a Bluetooth wireless keyboard which is made out of silicone.  One nice thing about that is the protection you will get form spills.  It also allows for very quiet typing so if you are concerned about noise then you might want to consider this case.
Something else that is really nice is that the keyboard has a built-in rechargeable battery.  It can last up to 45 hours per charge and it can also be charged using a USB connection.

On the case, there is a magnetic clasp that keeps it closed and this extends the entire height of the case which helps to secure the iPad in place.

This iPad case with keyboard looks pretty darn good.  Customers that bought it had a few slight issues.
1.  They wish it was real leather for better durability
2. The silicone keyboard is much better for short messages and not long documents

Other than those two minor issues, people see satisfied with it overall.

Sena Keyboard Folio Case
Sena is a strong hopeful to the current lineup.  It is made from the finest quality European leather and includes an integrated Bluetooth wireless keyboard.  It offers a book style look and a side folding design with cutouts for all of the ports and speaker.

It has a soft velvet protective lining on the inside while the iPad is kept secure by a leather strap and further protection via a secure flap with snap enclosure.

The Sena is handcrafted and thus it is a little more expensive coming it at $149.  However you can pre-order for $129.  The keyboard itself has 45 hours of battery life and is ergonomically sound with a low profile and nice soft buttons (it has a silicone face).

The press release did not say when the Sena iPad keyboard case would be shipping but they are definitely taking pre-orders so that’s a good sign.  This is definitely a case that is perfect for an executive or frequent traveler that uses the iPad as a notebook replacement.

The Sena name is synonymous with high quality and durable products so it’s likely that this case will also function very well and hopefully allow you to type without a lot of distraction or noise.

http://www.senacases.com/apple/apple-ipad-cases
READ MORE - New iPad Bluetooth Keyboard Case You Should Have

Nextbook NEXT 8.4 Android Tablet Review

Nextbook NEXT3 is a large 8.4Android tablet which can serves as a eBook reader, video player, music player, photo viewer and web browser. The color display offers 800 X 600 pixels resolution. Running on Android OS 2.1, Nextbook NEXT3 8.4″ is powerd by ARM926 EJ dual-core 600Mhz processor, coupled with 2 x 128MB DDR2 RAM along with 2GB Flash memory (system Memory 1.1GB) . There’s SD Card slot to increase storage capacity.

I realize that this is a trend several hardware manufacturers are going toward, and I’d like to take this moment to ask them to stop. Having physical buttons may offend some aesthetically, but they’re very useful. Especially in instances where an app stops working or the display stops responding to taps. As happened several times when using the Next3. Of course, there is always the chance that the entire system is frozen and it needs a hard reset. However, the Back or Home button would have sufficed for most of the problems I encountered.
As an eBook reader, Nextbook NEXT3 comes with a free, preloaded 25 books. Partnered with Borders.com, you can easily access to Border online bookstore and download eBooks directly with the built-in Borders apps. You can also browse the web from any hotspot via the integrated Wi-Fi. When fully charged, you can read up to 5 hours.

Nextbook NEXT3 supports ePub, PDF, TXT and FB2 files, and can playback of most media files including MP3, MWA, WAV, OGG, FLAC, APE, AAC, AVI, 3GP/MP4, RM/RMVB, FLV, MKV, MOV and WMV. Other specs include 4 Way G-sensor, built-in speaker, 3.5mm jack and USB 2.0 interface. Software Suite Home & Office Edition DVD-ROM, Stylus and Protection cover are included.
READ MORE - Nextbook NEXT 8.4 Android Tablet Review

Punxsutawney Phil's Favorite Android App in Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney phil, groundhog day, puxatawny phil, puxatony phil, groundhog day 2011, Groundhog Day is just about here, and while it may not be the best way to predict how the remainder of winter may go it is indeed, a tradition that many take part in every year. The folks at Iconosys have whipped up a little app for the occasion that basically just serves as a reminder to reach out to your friends and family more often.

February 2nd is a very important date, especially for the groundhogs of the world. Today is their day. And one lucky “king of the groundhogs” deemed the day’s Punxsutawney Phil will predict whether we’ll have six more weeks of winter. Those trapped by the snow will surely be watching carefully.
"We need all the reasons we can to reach out to our friends and loved ones, and let them know we are thinking of them. This is a cute way to do so, and for no compelling reason at all, other than the fact that we want to let these people know we are thinking of them.  And not to mention that Groundhog Day Punxsutawney phil, groundhog day, puxatawny phil, puxatony phil, groundhog day 2011 with Bill Murray was one of my favorite movies of all time, too,” commented Wayne Irving, Iconosys CEO.

You can send "shadow" messages, track groundhog day predictions and more with the app. Just basically a fun app to download and play around with. Have some fun with Punxsutawney phil, groundhog day, puxatawny phil, puxatony phil, groundhog day 2011.
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Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike Map Pack Release

Black ops map pack, black ops first strike, black ops, black ops new maps, first strike. Activision and Treyarch have today revealed details around the first pack of downloadable content for Call of Duty: Black Ops, called First Strike. News of this pack first broke in December, but today its 5 new maps – 4 for multiplayer and one for the zombie game mode – have been detailed in YouTube video form. The pack will hit Xbox Live on Feb. 1st for 1200 Microsoft Points. No word on a release date for PC and PS3.





First Strike’s maps bring some new features to getting owned by pre-pubescant FPS prodigies. Kowloon brings the rooftop battle of the single player campaign to multiplayer, with the addition of ziplines to your battles. Discovery is a craggy arctic research facility split in half by a chasm that looks to create some cool pinch points and bottlenecks. Berlin Wall is pretty self explanatory, and apparently a haven for snipers. Stadium will see a lot of close quarter combat in the mezzanines around a hockey rink. Finally, the zombie map Ascension is, well it’s the one map not shown in this clip.

Staying up all night for the Black Ops First Strike Map Pack? All set with the $15 or the 1200 Microsoft Points for the First Strike DLC? We just have found out that Treyarch’s Community Manager Josh Olin has tweeted about the release time of the Pack and your wait is set to end in a mere matter of hours Black ops map pack, black ops first strike, black ops, black ops new maps, first strike.

Its is definitely not more than a couple of hours or so away and you will be able to not just enjoy the First strike Map Pack, but the new zombie map called Ascension, with brand new weapons and perks will be all yours. But a word of caution from the sources is that you need to pick the DLC pack that is compatible with your disc.

For all the users ensure that the language on your pack is “English”, in case your disc comes with the same language. While it might seem a minor point, the First Strike Map Pack in a different language will not work, or so we hear.

Just wait for the release update (which you will get here) and enjoy Black Ops with whole new collection of multiplayer maps Black ops map pack, black ops first strike, black ops, black ops new maps, first strike.
READ MORE - Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike Map Pack Release

iPod Workouts - A Trainer You Can Take Anywhere

iPod Workouts - A Trainer You Can Take Anywhere - Yesterday I was riding in my truck.  I went over a bridge that had some exceptionally quick and repetitive bumps.  As I crossed this relatively short bridge and passed an uneventful point in my life something happened that has had me thinking for a full day now.  I felt my belly jiggle.  And when I looked down, I could sort of see it jiggle from under my shirt.  I hated that. 

So, what do I do about it?  Well, if I want to hop on some sort of bandwagon that may actually have the legs to make it into an actual established activity, I need look no further than in the front pocket of my backpack.  What’s in there?  Nothing short of a 20 gig powerhouse packed with nothing less than thousands of my favorite songs.  Yes, its my well used ipod.  I must confess that for the year or so that I’ve owned my ipod, the state of my belly has not improved, but seems to have actually deteriorated.  But, that was before I began to hear about a new use for it (aside from bothering friends into listening to a song that will “change their life”).

Ipod workouts are yet another thing that this apple product is doing that no one expected.  Obviously, a benefit while working out with your ipod is its mobility and its ability to absorb shocks that cd players can’t.  But, the new fad of ipod workouts has taken that at least a step or two further.  There have been several workout instructions that are now available to be purchased or downloaded.  This is like getting yourself a personal trainer that will walk you through your workouts whenever and wherever your heart desires.  Some of these can even come with images that can be displayed on your screen. 

The point is that at times one of the biggest obstacles in the way of you and a belly that doesn’t jiggle when going over bridges is knowing what to do during your workout and having the motivation to do so; and both of these may be significally minimized by using an ipod workout.
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Customized Shoes by Milk and Honey Shoes

Milk and Honey, If you've got an obsession with finding the perfect pair of shoes like we do, this site Milk and Honey Shoes is totally up your ally, just visit Milk and Honey Shoes website if you want your shoes customized to your own taste. How will it work?

Go to their “design now” page and click through the various different toe shapes (round, pointy, peep, etc.), heel backs (sling backs, closed backs), heel height (height preference, platforms preference) ankle straps (Mary Jane, around the ankle, etc) to create the silhouette of the exact shoe you want.

We are going to take a little moment on this lovely Saturday to cozy up and talk about one of our favorite things in the whole wide world … shoes, shoes, and more shoes. Great topic, right? And what is a gorgeous wedding dress without an equally gorgeous pair of kicks? That is where Milk & Honey comes into play. They are the one stop shop for designing your own custom shoes for your wedding day. You pick the material, color, heel height and embellishments and poof… your dream shoes are created.

Play around with different color combinations and material combinations to come up with something uniquely yours. If there is something you don’t see there, send Milk and Honey, Milk and Honey Shoes an e-mail (contact@milkandhoneyshoes.com) or call them at 310.691.3000.
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Personalize Your Ipod With Ipod Cases

Personalize Your Ipod With Ipod Cases - In today’s day and age, entertainment has become more high-tech than ever. Our computers have become sources of entertainment on every level – allowing us to watch movies, listen to music, and connect to the outside world from the privacy of our own homes. The iPod is the most recent example of entertainment reaching the next level. Now, more than ever, we are able to enjoy music and games no matter where we are; iPods have revolutionized the way we do this – allowing us to download songs into a piece of equipment no bigger than a pack of gum. Ipods travel with us everywhere we go – hidden discretely in our shirt pockets, handbags, and briefcases. And along with iPods have come a myriad of accessories that go along with it. From docking stations and chargers to car adapters and iPod cases, there are a variety of products from which to choose in order to personalize our iPod experience.

Just as you personalize your iPod by the types of songs and games that you purchase and download, you can further personalize your experience by choosing from among iPod cases. iPod cases are ultimately meant to protect your iPod from dirt and scratches. But iPod users have taken it a step further by choosing decorative iPod cases that reflect the user’s personality.

Choosing from among iPod cases ultimately depends on your personality, needs, and budget. Any retail store that sells iPods will also sell iPod cases. But you can also logon to the Apple website where you can browse through and purchase iPod cases that will be sent right to your door.

Today’s iPod cases come in every available color and material – fabric, leather, plastic – and a variety of artful designs. No matter what your hobby or preference, you can find iPod cases that reflect your unique personality. Many people choose to switch out their iPod cases depending on their mood or the season. There are even a full line of high-end, bejeweled iPod cases for people with higher budgets.
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