Posts Tagged ‘iPhone’
Thursday, December 16th, 2010
Christmas is here and in just a few days millions of people will begin opening their presents from one another. Many of us will unwrap gadgets and/or electronics, but very few of us will be prepared for the inevitable. Those flashy new gizmos and whatnots will eventually meet with mechanical malfunction, a fatal fall, a catastrophic crack or even theft. Stuff Breaks and People Steal!
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.
Tags: Case, Christmas, ebay, gift, Holidays, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Lock, passcode, Protection, Screen Protectors, skinit.com, smart-phones, SquareTrade.com, Warranty, warrantyelephant.com
Posted in Free Programs, Security, Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
It’s back-to-school time here in the U.S. and that can mean only one thing… shopping. Yes, the age-old tradition of back-to-school shopping is in full swing and, for many parents out there, the final window of opportunity will be closing this weekend. The state of Texas has stepped in to offer a “Sales Tax Holiday” this weekend (August 20-22), a program also offered in many other states throughout the country, but is it enough to lure and your family away from the A/C and out into the heat of summer?
With the highest sales tax in the U.S. hovering at about 10.75% (California), you have to ask yourself if the savings are worth the effort. Crowded stores, long-lines, uncooperative kids and driving all over town might save you that 10%, but what if you could save more from the comfort of your own home or office? I think it is possible to save on your back-to-school shopping and, if you start today, you can still have your student(s) stocked up and ready to head off to their first day.
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Tags: Amazon.com, Android, back-to-school, barcode, Blackberry, high school, iPhone, online coupons, retailmenot.com, sales tax, sales tax holiday, school. elementary, shop savvy, supplies, tax free weekend
Posted in Online Shopping, Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
Years ago (not that many), there were only 1 or 2 places that you might find yourself searching the web, home or work. Now, thanks to laptops, iPhones, iPads, portable game systems and a myriad of high-speed internet connections (Wi-Fi, WiMax, 3G, 4G, etc.) you can surf the web from just about anywhere you can imagine.
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.
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Tags: Clear, desktop, Google, History, internet, iPad, iPhone, Laptop, Link, Mac, Mobile, PC, Search, smartphone, surf, URL, web, Wi-Fi, WiMAX
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
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.
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Tags: airport friendly, backpack, Blackberry, Camera, Case, Cocoon, GRID-IT!, iPad, iPhone, iPod, iPod Touch, organize, protect, PSP, sling, tote
Posted in Online Shopping, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
So you finally made the plunge to a TiVo Premiere (or two). If you haven’t yet, maybe you are just looking for that last bit of information that will push you over the edge and cause you to break out the credit card and order one up. For the last article in our Hello TiVo series (see Related Articles below for previous posts), I bring to you a list of “Accessories” that can make your TiVo ownership a truly rewarding experience (not that it was lacking to begin with). These accessories aren’t what you’re thinking. I’m not trying to sell you expensive gadgets here, but educate you on some low-cost tools that will help you get the most out of your DVR.
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Tags: accessories, accessory, Amazon, Antenna, app, application, Blockbuster, cat5, CAT6, DVR, dvr remote lite, hardware, HD, hdtv, iOS, iPad, iPhone, Netflix, network cable, peanut remote, Premiere, program, pyTiVo, router, Slide Remote, TiVo, wireless
Posted in TiVo & DVR Tech | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010
Google has and (hopefully) will always be primarily a search engine. Sure, Google has an insane amount of tools and applications for everything from your computer to your television, but searching the web has always been it’s primary function. It all started with a simple site and a box. No advertisements. No sports scores. No world news. Just a text entry area and a few buttons.
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.”
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Tags: Android, applications, apps, background, Google, image, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Picasa, Search, searching
Posted in Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Saving money by shopping online has been a passion of mine for at least 10 years and I have tried (repeatedly) to share my shopping tips and tricks with anyone who would listen. While I have convinced a few of you to use coupon codes, comparison shoppers and auction sites to save big money, there are still many of you who think online shopping is just…. silly. I am not sure why so many people think shopping should be confined to the walls of a big-box retail store, but I have heard a few arguments that I think carry at least a little weight.
- I like to see an item in person before purchasing
- I want to be able to return the item easily, in case it’s not what the site showed/described
- I need it now and can’t afford to wait a week
- I would only save a few dollars by buying online – it’s not worth the hassle
- I don’t have the time to sit at the computer and comparison shop
While there are times when you absolutely must have an item in hand immediately, I think most purchases are a little rushed and impulsive. Time is an important factor in shopping, but it doesn’t have to be a barrier. Thanks to the makers of some very smart applications for smart-phones, online shopping doesn’t have to be scary, time-consuming or unrewarding.
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Tags: Amazon, Android, application, bar code, barcode, Blackberry, iPhone, nokia, Online, returns, safe, scan, scanning, shipping, Shopping, shopsavvy, smart-phones, smartphones
Posted in Free Programs, Online Shopping | 1 Comment »
Monday, May 24th, 2010
One of my many hobbies/addictions is saving money on the web. I love to hunt for the ultimate deal by using price comparisons, coupon codes, cashback options, etc. I have had these tools at my disposal for at least 10 years now and have saved thousands of dollars, yet I still make some purchases in physical stores. Grocery shopping, although attempted as a web service years ago with Peapod, is not available here in Houston so I venture out to my local Kroger, Randalls or HEB at least once a week. Until now, these trips to the supermarket meant I had to leave the technology behind and earn my savings the old-fashion way (printed coupons). Thanks to Grocery IQ, that is all about to change.
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):
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Tags: Android, barcode, cellfire, Coupons, groceries, grocery, grocery iq, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, P&GeSAVER, randalls, safeway, savings card, scanner, Shopping, shortcuts.com, smartphone, supermarket
Posted in Free Programs, Online Shopping, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
This is NOT another article about the weaknesses of the AT&T network, but an open-letter to Apple and electronics manufacturers everywhere. When will the iPhone work in the place I really need it… the car? Sure, you can use the iPhone in your car, but when can I begin to use it as THE device in the car?
The iPhone and iPad seem to be everywhere. Try going out or turning on the TV without seeing a commercial, hearing a reference or actually seeing someone using one of these great devices. While the iPad is still very new and only 1,000,000 have been sold (there is a little sarcasm there), the iPhone has had years to make the rounds and find it’s way into the hands of over 50 million users (taken from TechCrunchies). The numbers are staggering, but the reasons are not. Apple has produced numerous solid products (multiple iPhones, iPod Touch, iPad) and made them easy enough for just about anyone to use. Add in the amazing list of applications available from the App Store and you have a product line that will be around for many years to come.
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Tags: Apple, car, dock, email, iPhone, iPod, navigation, safety, stereo, text
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
Do you have a favorite band that you just love to follow? You know, the kind of rock stars that have you waiting in line for tickets, buying actual albums in person and joining fan clubs. For you “non-music” people, maybe you have a favorite actor, author, athlete, etc. You just can’t wait for their next appearance or release. In my world (the world of computers and gadgets) Dropbox is that rock star!!
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.
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Tags: Android, app, Blackberry, cloud, Dropbox, file sharing, file syncing, folder, FREE, iPad, iPhone, Mobile, Online, Security, share, Storage
Posted in Free Programs, Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
