“Protect your iPad or tablet without hiding its beautiful design with our Kicks: Small, thin, silicone-rubber rails that prevent your iPad from slipping, scratching and damage. The protective rails run along the backside, providing minimal safekeeping for your valuable life tool. Adheres to your device using 3M Damage-Free adhesive. Easy to use and apply, even comes off without leaving any marks.” – BlueLounge product page.

I found out about Kicks earlier this week and quickly placed my order.  At $11.95 (plus shipping) for 2 pairs, these great new add-ons won’t break the bank and the BlueLounge track record made clicking on the Buy Now button a no-brainer.  I’ve already purchased several items from their catalog, including the CableDrop (featured here), CoolFeet and Refresh.

KICKS REVIEW

I’ve only had the Kicks in place for a few minutes now, but I can already see the benefits of these protective strips.

• Beautiful Design – light grey color blends into the iPad, thin enough that they don’t look out-of-place
• Easy to Apply – works exactly as advertised – holds on strong but easily repositioned without leaving any kind of glue marks
• Protective – you can set the iPad down anywhere without fear of scratching the back
• Work With Smart Covers – you can still angle your iPad and (if you place the Kicks properly) you can even protect the edge of your iPad

My Ipad2 with the Kicks in Place

HOW TO GET YOUR KICKS

If you are an iPad owner (or know someone who is), head on over to the Kicks product page at bluelounge.com to purchase or check for local stores that might have them in stock using their store locator.  Here in Houston, BlueLounge products are carried at the Container Store.

Be sure to look around their website a bit.  If you like the idea of Kicks, you’ll be amazed at some of the other items in their catalog.  And don’t forget to follow BlueLounge on Facebook and Twitter.  Who knows what they will come up with next.

Gaming, for myself and many like me, is a term reserved for console game systems (like the XBOX 360 and PS3) and desktop computers.  I’ve been playing games for years and when someone mentions a “gaming system” I think of fast graphics, surround sound and a controller.  That’s what seemed so “off” in Steve’s speech.  How can you “game” on the iPad when there are no buttons?

CES 2011

Fast forward to January 2011.  iPad in hand, I traveled to CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, where over 34 football fields worth of electronic gadgets were on hand for viewing, touching and testing.  Of the thousands of new tech toys I saw, many were geared for use with the iPad, but only one caught my attention enough to warrant a purchase.  That item was fling.

Geometry Wars

At one small, unsuspecting booth at CES I came across two guys from Ten One Design who were showing off the fling, a tactile joystick for the iPad.  In the simplest terms, the fling is a button on suction cups that attaches to the front of your iPad.  Use one or pair up two of them for a controller-esque experience.  Only a few seconds passed before I was standing with the “flinged out” iPad in hand playing one of my favorite console games of all time Geometry Wars.  One word crossed my lips. “Awesome!!”

After the Demo

I played for 5 minutes, then finally headed on my way, but that experience changed the iPad for me forever.  Upon returning home to Houston, I pre-ordered a pair of fling controllers and 2 weeks later they were in.  I’ve now had my fling controllers for a couple weeks and I can’t put the iPad down.  These simple little add-ons have made the iPad a true gaming experience for me.  In fact, within 48 hours of receiving the flings I had cracked the top 10 on the all-time leaderboard for Geometry Wars, something I could never have done simply using my thumbs.

What Now

If you are interested in seeing the fling in action, check out the official demo video:

The fling lists at $19.95 or you can pick up a 2-pack for $29.94 at tenonedesign.com right now.

UPDATE: In my research since posting this article, I came across a few more great reviews of the fling, including this article on Apps for the Fling Joystick.  In case you were wondering on what games to get for your fling, this is a great reference tool to start with.

** Just so you know, I was not compensated in any way for this post.  Ten One Design did not ask me to write this article.  The views and comments above are all mine.

iPads. iPods. Smart phones. Laptops.  Desktops.  You name it.  There are hundreds, maybe thousands of expensive gadgets on the lists of “must have” Christmas gifts this year.  If you, or a loved one, receive one of these gifts there are steps that you MUST take to protect your new gift from the inevitable.  We’ve got you covered.

Physical Protection

First things first.  If you want your new gadget looking like new for more than a couple of days, you’ll need to take it out of the package and move it straight into a cover, sleeve, or case of some kind.  A protective case will keep your shiny new gadget from getting scratched or cracked.  The problem is, retail stores and mall carts make all of their money by jacking up the price on these simple little necessities.  Here are some ways to protect your device and save money.

1) ebay – The #1 auction site on the planet is the ultimate thrift store for cell phone and gadget accessories.  You get more selection and pay a fraction of the price for the exact same covers, shells and screen protectors.

SkinIt.com - Custom Skins

2) skinit.com – Give your gadget a personalized touch with a protective skin.  These stickers do a great job of protecting your device from scratches and they look cool.  Just make sure you add on a bumper (rubber band around the outside) or use a sleeve of some sort to prevent damage from drops and falls.

Security

Here is something you have probably never heard.  You MUST lock down your device.  If your new gadget is stolen or “borrowed” your personal information is up for grabs.  Think about it, you check your bank balance, shop online and send/receive private messages on these handy-dandy little tools and that all becomes accessible if your device isn’t protected.

Lock Your Device!

1) Passcode Locks – Check your settings on your device.  There is a way to lock it down so a password or pattern must be entered to use the device.  In iOS devices (iPods, iPads, iPhones) this is a simple 4-digit code that must be entered.  It might slow you down a bit, but you’ll thank me if your gadget is ever stolen.

2) Location Apps – iPhones (all iOS devices for that matter), Android devices and computers have downloadable applications/programs that can be used to locate or remotely wipe your phone in the event that you can’t find it. Find My iPhone, Device Locator and LoJack are just a few that you can find through your app store of choice.

Don’t Just Take Our Word – update added 6-01-2011

A recent post from The Lookout Blog (a mobile security company in San Francisco) supports our thoughts above via a simple infographic.  Jump on over (by clicking on the image below) to see how people are using their smartphones and read the 8 Simple Privacy Tips to Put Your Mind at Ease.

INFOGRAPHIC - Is Anything Private on Your Phone Anymore?

Warranties

Sure, your new gadget probably came with a warranty, but have you filled out the paperwork and mailed it in?  Can you locate the information when you need it?  When does it expire?  Does it cover drops, spills and scratches?  Here are a few tools to help with all of these issues.

1) WarrantyElephant.com – Store your warrant information online and they will send you reminders as you get closer to the expiration date.  You can even upload the warranty itself and a copy of your invoice/receipt so you don’t have to hunt for it when the time comes.

2) SquareTrade.com – Manufacturer’s warranties are very limited.  Department/retail stores offer additional warranties, but they are expensive.  Square Trade offers warranties on your gadgets and it doesn’t matter if you bought it at Best Buy, on eBay or received it as a gift.  Their service received the highest ratings from every review site and their warranties are often available at half the price of other companies.  Check out their site and/or read the JumpstartMyPC article to see what they protect.  This is one amazing service.

So there you have it.  Everything you need to protect your gift this Christmas season.  The information is FREE and we hope you find it helpful.  All we ask is that you pass this on to friends and loved ones so that they can benefit as well.

Happy Holidays everyone!

The freedom to surf on-the-go is still fairly new and so are the challenges associated with doing so.  One problem that crops up occasionally is finding a site that you have already visited.  Maybe you were out gymnastics practice with the kids, surfing the web with your CLEAR USB modem, or sitting in a movie theater playing on your iPhone (before the show started of course),  when you went to Google and searched for something that caught your eye.  Three days later, you realize that you want to revisit that site, but you can’t remember the URL or enough information to locate it again via a Google search.  You also find yourself lost in the “where was I and which device was I using when I looked at….” struggle.

Mobile

Thanks to some incredibly smart minds at Google, this battle can come to an end.  The new Search History link  (announced via the Google Mobile blog) “helps you quickly get back to sites you’ve been to and see items you have starred from your Android, iPhone, or desktop searches.”  Using this feature could not be easier.  Simply log into Google on your mobile device and the new History link will be there.  The one prerequisite is that you must have enabled “Search History” from the Settings area.

Google Mobile Search History

The History link will take you to a page that details the sites you have visited as well as Starred Items.   Starred Items are web sites or pages that you have specifically chosen as “your favorites” while surfing at home or on-the-go.  If you see a site that you simply must research later, tag it by clicking on the star icon (in Google search) and it will be waiting for you the next time you visit your history page.

Note: The Google mobile experience is available on the iPhone and for Android users.  However, if you are one of the daring few that have switched to Opera on your Android device (61 million people and counting), you may see limited functionality.  I’m sure this will be taken care of in an update, but for now you’ll have to use the default browser to take full advantage of the History link.

From Your Computer

The new History link on your mobile device is not the only area you can use to view your search history.   It simply “completes the circle” for your browsing experience.  The idea of capturing your search history has been around for some time in the PC world and Google has another set of tools for those who want to use the Search History feature at their PC, laptop or other non-mobile device.

Search History is Available for Non-Mobile Devices As Well

Web History is available to everyone and you don’t need a mobile device to benefit from this wonderful tool.  Even if you only surf the web from your home computer, you’ll find the History page helpful and easy to use.  Your past searches and followed links are presented by day and time.  In addition to what you would expect to find, Web History provides some additional functionality:

• Manage your history and delete if necessary
• Get search results relevant to you (based on your history)
• See trends in your surfing habits

To view or enable your Google search history on a PC, simply visit http://www.google.com/psearch

If you have ever taken your laptop with you on a trip, you’ve had this issue.  If you’ve ever taken more than one gadget (iPod, PSP, GameBoy, Camera) to work, you’ve been frustrated by this issue.  If you’ve ever used a laptop or messenger bag to transport your tech, you’ve fought this issue.  Carrying any kind of electronic device(s) means carrying the power cable and any/all other accessories with you wherever you go.  As soon as the second item hits your bag, things get complicated.

Cables tangle, screens get scratched and everything in your bag drops straight to the bottom.  This makes finding any one item next to impossible (without dumping the contents of the entire bag) and, most likely, it is going to shorten the life and look of your gadgets and devices.  For any tech/gadget nerd, this is just not acceptable and, if you are anything like me, you want to take care of the items that you paid so much for.  There is a bit of pride in owning an iPod that is 2-years old, but looks like you just bought it.  Throw-in the fact that “no scratches” and “like new” make great tag lines for any product you want to sell on eBay, and you’ve got yourself a good set of reasons for taking care of your gear.

That is exactly where Cocoon comes in. Their line of products is available “to protect and safely transport our most precious virtual cargo as we navigate the real world.” At the heart of the Cocoon line is the GRID-IT! system, “an internal organization system that allows the user to customize and reconfigure the interior organization as their needs and cargo evolves.”

The GRID-IT! CPG8 (just one of many available)

Pure genius! This year you are carrying an iPod Classic, a PSP 2000 and a Canon PowerShot Digital Camera.  Next year, when you switch to an iPad, a GameBoy DS 3D and a Flip HD, you won’t have to go out and buy a new GRID-IT!, or any other system.  Your items will still fit and stay protected in their Cocoon, thanks to the GRID-IT! organization system – “a rubberized woven elastic object retention system for gadget organization.”  There are a limitless number of configurations you can use to store your tech toys.

The Organization System is Available in Different Colors

GRID-IT! is going to find it’s way into my shopping cart today, but that might not be the only item I’ll be ordering from Cocoon.  They carry of full line of products aimed at creating “a place where the technological extensions of our lives and work could be kept safe and organized.”  There are hundreds of products, including:

• iPad cases
• Airport friendly cases and bags
• Blackberry cases
• Messenger bags
• Slings
• Laptop cases
• Totes
• Backpacks
• Camera Bags

By the way, I was not paid or compensated in any way for my review of Cocoon and their product line.  I am simply a fan of protecting my gadgets and I thought you might share that passion.  Check them out today and share this article with anyone you know that might be interested in doing the same.

Cocoon Web Site: http://www.cocooninnovations.com/

Each of these recommended accessories requires some hardware and/or skills that you might not have.  Each has been highlighted, along with links to the application/program or the web site where you can get more information.

Accessory 1: An HDTV Antenna

Hardware Requirement: The antenna
Skill Level: If you can turn a screwdriver, you can do this

Covered already in the article Buh-Bye DirecTV, Hello TiVo – How I Ditched Cable, the HDTV antenna is a must-have accessory for anyone looking to get the most out of their TiVo (Premiere or HD).  You might have cable service, but an HDTV antenna will pull down super high quality broadcasts for FREE!  Whether you decide to lower your bills by ditching cable or simply want a backup (in case that cable service acts up), the HD antenna will not cost you too much and will provide years of service without any monthly fees.

Did you know that the picture quality of FREE over-the-air (OTA) HD signals is unmatched by cable or satellite providers?  ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX… Depending on your area you might get 10 HD channels or 60.  For more information on what channels you can receive and what type of HD antenna would be best suited for your area, visit http://antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx.  You only need to enter your zip code to find out more.  No registration or purchase is necessary to use this site.

Accessory 2: TiVo iPad and iPhone Apps (updated 7-21-2011)

Hardware Requirement: iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad
Skill Level: Easy
Link 1 (iPad): Click Here to Get App via iTunes
Link 2 (iPhone/iPod touch): Click Here to Get App via iTunes

The TiVo Premiere and Premiere XL both come with a standard “peanut” remote and, while the XL’s remote has lighted keys, neither has a QWERTY keyboard.  Since you’ll be searching for shows, movies and actor names in the TiVo interface, a better input method is a must.  One option is the TiVo Slide Remote, available from TiVo.com for $59 (as of 7-22-2011), but iOS users can save the money by downloading the official TiVo app for their device.

The official TiVo app, which is FREE by the way, turns your iPad or iPhone into “command central for your TiVo DVR.”  You’ll be able to search, browse, discover and share the show you’re watching quickly and easily.  Other features allow you to view guides, schedule and manage recordings and even get recommendations.

The iPhone TiVo App from iTunes

Accessory 3: pyTiVo

Hardware Requirement: PC or Mac (running Windows, Linux, OS X, Ubuntu, Solaris or Linksys NSLU2)
Skill Level: Difficult
Link: Click Here for More Info from SourceForge.net

Do you have home movies or other digital recordings stored on your PC and would like to view them on your TV.  Your TiVo Premiere (or other compatible TiVo) can play videos from your PC with the help of pyTiVo.  pyTiVo installs on your computer and creates a link to your TiVo.  From there on out, simply drag and drop any video files you choose and start watching them in minutes.  The program is FREE!

Setup of pyTiVo will take some time and some familiarity with computers.  The instructions provided via sourceforge.net are detailed enough to walk just about anyone through the process.

Play Files from Your PC on Your TiVo

Accessory 4: CAT6 or CAT5 Cabling

Hardware Requirement: Router
Skill Level: Medium to Difficult

It may seem like a step back from the world of wireless adapters and communicating without cables, but there is no speed like the screaming data connection you can get from good ol’ CAT6 or CAt5 cabling.  TiVo does not come with built-in wireles, so you would need to shell out $40 or more for a G or N network adapter.  You might be able to save even more if you go with “non-branded” wireless adapters, but you’ll need multiple if you want to transfer information between multiple units.  There is just no comparison between the $80+ dollars you’ll spend on adapters and the enhanced data speeds of $30 worth of cabling.

With services like Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand and Blockbuster just a click away, you don’t want to sacrifice anything.  Netflix is pure streaming entertainment and the slightest hiccup in your wireless network will cause you some serious frustration.  So, if you can stomach wires run throughout the house or are willing to climb up in the attic and run wires through the walls, you can save money and build an entertainment network in your house.  I ran the wires and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Related Articles in the Hello TiVo Series

• Cancel Your Cable/Satellite and Save Money While Adding Functionality
• Buh-Bye DirecTV, Hello TiVo – How I Ditched Cable
• Buh-Bye DirecTV, Hello TiVo – How I Ditched Cable – Part II
• Living With the TiVo Premiere – Day-to-Day Digital Living Reviewed

From The Original Search Page Until Now

Over the years, that main Google page has not changed much, but now there is much more going on behind the scenes.  “Googling” something has slowly evolved into a very intelligent, yet simple, way to find information on any topic imaginable.  Over the last year, Google has introduced new search technology like Social Search and Location Aware Mobile Searching.  And now, almost entirely under the radar, some new features have emerged from the Google Labs to further “enhance the experience of searching and help you find exactly what you’re looking for.”

Thanks to an update of the Official Google Blog, the latest updates to the Google search experience have been detailed and displayed for our viewing and surfing pleasure.  Marissa Mayer (VP Search Products & User Experience) posted This week in search 6/6/10, in which she detailed the new Spelling Correction Features, Mobile App Results and Changing Your Google Background Image.  I’ve taken some time to review these new features and here is what they have to offer:

Spelling Corrections

Have you typed in some keywords before, only to see that Google has caught your mistake and offered up the “Showing results for….” text at the top of the search?   That search enhancement (shown below) was great, but meant that the mistake was not caught until you had already run your query.

Spell Check in Your Results

Now, “If you’re typing a query for which there are no search completions to offer, and yet some of your search terms do seem to be misspelled, Google Suggest will now offer a ‘Did you mean’ suggestion for your query—giving you an option to correct your spelling right away and get on with your search.”

Spell Check While You are Typing

Mobile App Results

Smart-phone and iPad/iPod Touch users out there have a new feature to ooh and aah over.  As Marissa Mayer states “In an effort to make apps even easier to find, this week we launched a new feature for mobile search that helps users on Android-powered devices and iPhones find and download mobile apps.  So the next time you’re looking for the latest action game, multimedia app or travel tool on your phone, we’ll show you a special result at the top of your mobile search results showing basic information about the app you’re looking for, including title, price and publisher.”

Search for "Weather App" on Android Device

This feature is fantastic because it will help introduce time-saving apps that we might never have found out about from “normal” channels.  As demonstrated by the screenshot above, it seems that simply adding the word “app” triggers this Marketplace search on an Android device.  A search on an iPod Touch/iPhone with the same keywords (weather app) resulted in similar results.  The only difference was that the Weather Channel and Weather Channel Max apps appeared in those results.

Search for "Weather App" on iPod Touch

Background Image for Google Searches

An entire article, titled Freeze frame!, went up on the Google Blog last week to highlight this new feature.  In short, you can now customize your searching experience with a favorite photo or image on the background of the Google homepage.  Place your own photo or choose something from a Picasa Web Album/public gallery.

A Custom Background of Me at the MS150

From the Google blog: “To get started, head to google.com and look for the “Change background image” link in the lower left-hand side of the page. Keep an eye out for more fun announcements with this feature!”  Who knows what wonderful features they have in store for us.

Start using these new features today and keep an eye on the Official Google blog for more updates on exciting search features and more.

Related Articles on Google Searches from JumpstartMyPC.com

Google Social Search is Coming! Are You Prepared?
Google Search Suggestions – Not Just for Jokes Anymore
Searching the Future with Google Alerts

Grocery IQ is a FREE application (originally priced at $4.99) for smartphone users and is currently available for iPhone and Android owners.  The tool, powered by coupons.com, was designed to help users with a number of typical grocery shopping activities (listed below):

Create Grocery Lists

iPhone List

Create a simple, itemized list of everything you need to pick up at the store.  Enter items via keyboard, voice command or barcode scanner and be as generic or specific as you would like.  For instance, I need milk, but I don’t buy a specific brand, so I simply type in “milk” and there it is on the list.  On the other hand, if I want to buy specific sodas, I can enter in “Diet Dr. Pepper” and choose that very specific item (2-liter, 12-pack, case, etc.) from the Grocery IQ database.

iPhone Barcode Scan

The single best thing about this product is the ability to use the barcode scanner that is built into every iPhone and Android phone to add items to the list.  That’s right, in case you were not aware, the camera on your smartphone doubles as a barcode scanner (minus the red laser shooting out of the lens).  All you have to do is hold the camera still over the barcode for a couple of seconds and the phone picks up the barcode.  From there, you are presented with a match or prompted if the barcode is not in the database.  So far, I have only come across one item that did not show up in their database.

So, grab your phone and head to the kitchen.  Scan all the items that you need to buy at the store and type in any that you can’t scan.  It literally takes just a couple of minutes.

Organize Lists

Android List

Scanning and typing all of your grocery items into the application is just the beginning.  You can create lists for different grocery stores (in case you split up shopping by products), add item details and even organize your items by aisles.   You’ll never have to head back to the other end of the store again, since your list will be organized in the same way you shop.

My favorite part of the organization is favorites.  If you have a few items that you buy every single time you go to the store, you can simply add them to the favorites section and you’ll never have to add them again.

In the future, I would love to see individual stores work with this application to do the organizing and research pricing for you.  In a perfect world, I would simply scan in the barcodes of items I needed and the list would populate, in order with pricing and comparisons to other stores.  While they are at it, they can go ahead and have my groceries waiting for me when I arrive or deliver them, for a fee.

Share Your List

Do you share the grocery shopping with another household member?  Maybe you take turns going to the store?  Grocery IQ allows you to synchronize lists among users of the application or simply email a copy of the list to someone else.  Either way, the details are there and you can rest assured that your “significant other” won’t come home without the most important item on the list or (worse) the wrong item entirely.

Coupons On-the-Go

Android Coupons

Since Grocery IQ is powered by Coupons.com, they have made coupon clipping a part of the application.  Search the online list of coupons available from Coupons.com and “clip them” for use at the store.  iPhone users can even print the coupons they find directly from the application, to an HP printer.

For a small segment of Grocery IQ users, the true tech comes into play.  Safeway shoppers (which includes Randalls here in Houston, TX) can actually download coupons to their “Savings Card” from within the application and use them at checkout without ever printing them off.   The Safeway Coupon Link program is actually available from several other partners, including shortcuts.com, cellfire and P&GeSAVER.    Can you imagine saving money by simply surfing the web and saving coupons to the card that you already use at the store?  Amazing.

My only issue with the Grocery IQ program so far is the lack of “coupon linking.”  By this, I mean that the application should search my list and find digital coupons that match the item descriptions.  Take this a step further and add a function that allows me to scan items as I put them in the cart.  Grocery IQ would then search the web and save any corresponding coupons to my “savings card” while I shopped.  The technology is there and I would be willing to pay for that application.

Bonus for Android Users

Wanna see something really cool?  That same barcode scanning technology that we mentioned in the Lists section above can be used to install the Grocery IQ application itself.  Simply open up the app called Barcode Scanner and scan this image (barcode shown below) to point your phone at the application install page.  Yes, you can even scan images on a computer screen.

I have written about Dropbox repeatedly and used their product religiously since a good friend introduced me to the service.  If you haven’t already been introduced, let me the one to tell you all about it (see Introduction below).  For those of you who are already fans, this week’s news was like getting a new double-album and a FREE concert.  You veterans can jump on down to the WOW! section to see the latest from our rock stars.

Introduction

JumpstartMyPC.com was started to help PC users get the most out of their computer and no product exemplifies this idea like Dropbox! Dropbox is a file-syncing, file sharing, online backup tool that you can access from just about anywhere and you can start using it for FREE! I have written about this product many times, shared it with clients, friends and family and I use it myself, every single day. If you aren’t using it yet, you are in for a real treat.

Dropox is a storage application and service operated by Evenflow, Inc. The service enables users to store and sync files online and between computers. There are many great features to this product, but best of all IT IS FREE. Click below and watch the video (created by the folks at CommonCraft) to see for yourself.

Features

A complete feature list is available on the Dropbox web site, but we have a few highlights for you:

• File Syncing – Start with 2GB of storage for free and synchronize any file type to as many computers/devices as you want. Within seconds of adding a file to your Dropbox, it is synced to any and every computer you have installed Dropbox on.
• File Sharing – Want to share files with friends and family but aren’t sure how? If you can right-click, you can use Dropbox to send anyone a link to a file. Create a shared area for pictures, movies or even work documents.
• Online Backup – Your files are stored on the Dropbox servers, so if your computer crashes or you accidentally delete it locally, your file (and previous versions) are still available.
• Security – Without going into a lot of technical jargon, your files are secure. User names and passwords are required to access any files and all of the transmissions of your data are encrypted.

Pricing

Getting started with Dropbox is FREE and they start you off with 2GB of space. You can refer friends, family and colleagues to increase this space up to 10GB, which is adequate for most users. To give you some perspective, I use Dropbox for JumpstartMyPC every day. I’ve been storing blogs, invoices, install files, images, etc. for 7 months now and haven’t even used 30% of the 3GB provided to me.

If, or when, you feel that you need more space, you can sign up for the Pro 50 ($9.99/mth) or Pro 100 ($19.99/mth) account.  Yearly plans are also available and you can save some cash by paying for the year in advance.   Although the pricing is fair, it is my hope that pressure from similar services and an upcoming Google storage offer will cause the Dropbox folks to lower that pricing a bit.  That being said, if I fill up my 10GB of space, I won’t hesitate to pay for the Pro 50 plan.

WOW!

As if the feature set and applications already released by the folks at the recently upgraded Dropbox headquarters weren’t enough, we were presented with several fantastic bits of news this week:

1. The official Android app is here – YES!!! I can now access all of my Dropbox files on my G1.  Android users (and there are a lot of us) can now have our files with us everywhere we go.  It’s like having a tiny briefcase in our phone.
2. Dropbox has an iPad app – WHAT???  How did you do that so quickly.  I haven’t been able to get a hands-on with the iPad yet, but some great screen shots have surfaced of the new app at work and it looks great.
3. Mobile API for “Dropbox Anywhere” – Developers can now get in on the fun.  According to cnet news, Dropbox “has worked with a number of developers to integrate their apps into the new data pipeline… All of these apps are able to tap into a user’s Dropbox storage to fetch data, and save it back without needing to use any of that device’s local data.”
4. Blackberry on the Way – Only listed as “quite soon,” the imminent release of the Blackberry app for Dropbox is on the horizon.  Last time a “coming soon” was announced (Android app), it took exactly one month for Dropbox to deploy the app.

Whether you are a Dropbox user currently or not, you can see that Dropbox is starting to turn up everywhere.  For those of you who need files on the go, anywhere at anytime, the one choice in cloud storage is becoming quite obvious.  Better start populating your Dropbox now so you’ll be ready for the revolution.

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 9

Console and PC gaming have grown into a multi-billion dollar business, with total sales of hardware and software (not counting PC’s) reaching $19.66 billion in 2009.  And while you might think that gaming is just for teenage boys, recent research has shown that the majority of male gamers now fall into the 25-40 age group.  According to the ESRB, almost 41% of PC gamers are women and the average American gamer has been playing for 12 years.

Before you make a decision on gaming or gamers, take a moment to reflect on your daily activities.  You might not consider yourself a traditional gamer, but how many hours of Facebook games have you played?  With titles like FarmVille, Mafia Wars, Bejeweled Blitz and Uno attracting millions of users each day, it is hard to find someone who doesn’t play any games at all.  I can tell you from experience that many of my customers and family members have only learned about computers through work or games.  I have a 90 year old grandmother who uses her Nintendo DS regularly and another who has played more hours of Scrabble and Boggle than you could even imagine.

The following sites are dedicated to gaming and gaming news. Add these sites to your inbox, Twitter follow list or Facebook “likes” and let the information come to you.

IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation, is probably the largest player in the video game news industry.  According to their own web site they are a “leading online media and services company obsessed with gaming, entertainment and everything guys enjoy.”

From the IGN web site, visitors can access up-to-date information on games for the XBOX 360, PS3, Wii, PC, DS, PSP and more.  Read reviews on games before you purchase and even rate them yourself.  In recent news, IGN has begun reviews of iPad games (found in the “Wireless” section) and added the new Facebook Like feature to it’s web site.  Find a game you like, leave a review and share it with your friends in just a few clicks.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/igncom
Web Site: http://www.ign.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ign

IGN Entertainment Covers it All

G4

The only thing that confuses me about G4 is the link between gaming, which dominates their web site, and their television station, which is ruled by programs completely unrelated to gaming.  I am not saying that these shows aren’t great, I just don’t get the connection.  In this day and age, I would think that a station could broadcast, gaming news, reviews, demos, etc. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Maybe that is the long-term goal.

Web Site: http://g4tv.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/g4tv
Facebook: http://facebook.com/g4tv

G4tv is All About Games... At least on the web site

Inside Social Games is for all of you “social gamers” out there.  Inside Social Games is a service of Inside Network, the first company dedicated to providing news and market research to the Facebook platform and social gaming ecosystem.  Although this site is really meant for developers, marketers and analysts, it has some great game reviews and news that you can benefit from.  Wanna know what the fastest growing game on Facebook is this week?  Looking for a review on a new game before you dedicate hours and hours to it?  This is the place.

While Inside Social Games is not the perfect option for consumers (Facebook users) it is currently the only dedicated option.  I have a strong feeling that this will change very soon, as these social games have become big business.  A recent article on GIGAOM stated that Zynga, the company behind social games like Farmville and Mafia Wars, would “likely be worth as much as $5 billion, if it were publicly traded instead of privately held.”  That is just one of the companies currently producing FREE games for social networking users.

Web Site: http://www.insidesocialgames.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/InsideNetwork
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/InsideSocialGamescom

Inside Social Games for You "Non-Gamers"

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.