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Android Cell Phone FAQ: Put Your Fears to Rest

July 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

With the ubiquitous Apple ad campaign for the iPhone — from billboards to cabs to subway terminals, and other public spaces — you would think the computing giant is running away with the cell phone market, as well as taken over the world. Not true.

It turns out Apple’s smartphone operating system, iOS, and the iPhone, have a very worthy opponent: Android. So, if you own a prepaid blackberry or you’re an Android user suffering from an inferiority complex because of all the Apple propaganda, it’s time to put your fears to rest. You will see that the Android army is much bigger and better equipped than you think.

No one will EVER beat Apple in the smartphone market, right?

Wrong. In 2010, Androids made up 33% of the smartphone market, compared to 22% by iPhone. From 2009 to 2010, Android’s share of the smartphone market increased by 16% while Apple only experienced a 4% bump. Over the past two years, activations of Android phones have increased up to 100,000 a day. If this were a candy market, Android would be a chocolate bar and the iPhone, black licorice.

Are Android phones cool enough for hipsters?

Definitely. Androids are perfect for young, tech-savvy professionals living in the city, who love to drink PBR in a can and wear trucker caps, better known as hipsters. In fact, people under the age of 34 make up 60% of Android users. Past your mid-30s it’s time to stop being a hipster, well, at least stop wearing skinny jeans.

Can a business tycoon use an Android?

Yes. More Android owners use their devices for other things than playing games. Consider 37% of users spend the majority of their time on email and 21% on games. Compare that to iPhone users who drop seven times more money on games.

Plus, there are numerous Android business apps available that can do everything from build spreadsheets to manage projects and make monetary transactions.

Can Android users help save the economy?

Sure. Android users are good spenders, who can help pump money into the economy. For one, each month Android users are twice as likely to make a purchase or payment on their smartphones as owners of other devices. In addition, Android owners are active consumers, clicking on ads 81% more than their iPhone counterparts.

Just how manly are Android users?

 Very; 73% of people that own an Android smartphone are male. Meanwhile, males make up 57% of iPhone users. While reports that women find men who own iPhones more attractive have been overblown, owning a smartphone still can’t compare to owning a dog.

Isn’t Android another corporate tool for world domination?

No way. Unlike other devices that run on technology from Apple or Microsoft, Android is the only open source operating system used on major smartphone devices. That means, its 12 million lines of code is available for all to see, in significant contrast to other proprietary systems that keep all their information well guarded, likely hidden in a deep mountain cave shared by Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Satan.

So is there only one phone, like iPhone, that features Android technology?

Not at all. You can find Android on 7 of the 10 best-selling smartphones in the world. For those keeping score in the battle against Apple, that’s 7 to 1. And it doesn’t stop there. Android also operates on numerous devices including TVs, e-readers, netbooks, and tablet computers.

Are there enough Android apps to satisfy an app-addict?

Always. In the past two years, the Android Market increased the number of its apps from 16,000 to 70,000. Since its release, there have been more than 1 billion apps downloaded. That should keep any user on an app high.

Did most Android users sign up because the phone was a Christmas gift from their grandmother?

Of course not. Nearly 10% of Android users were actually once iPhone users. Meanwhile, over half of Android users chose an Android device as their very first smartphone. And a whopping 100% of people that received an Android smartphone for Christmas from their grandmother said they have a cool grandmother.

Is it true that Android is only big in Germany like David Hasselhoff?

 False. While nothing will reach the heights of popularity like David Hasselhoff in Germany, the Android is pretty big in the U.S. with 66% of its users residing there. China comes in second; followed by numerous countries in Europe, including Germany.

Conclusion

Are you still fearful? These answers should help alleviate any concerns current and potential recruits to the Android army have about Android’s place in the world of smartphones.

As it turns out, Android is doing quite well with its bad self, making a name in a plethora of electronic devices. Like in a game of Risk, Android is growing around the globe and will continue to do so for years.

Filed Under: Benefits, Productivity

Staying Organized with Technological Advancements

July 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Google Calendar

Image by HRC via Flickr

There are many ways that technology can help individuals stay organized. Whether in a business sense or simply for personal use at home, gadgets can help to eliminate clutter and reduce how much a person must rely on paper documents to stay on top of appointments and other events.

The Google Calendar is very useful for anyone with a Google account, as it allows for updating from anywhere with Internet access. Many individuals choose to sync the calendar items with their Smartphones in order to keep track of things while on the go. Another great tool is iGoogle, which allows users to customize their Google home page to feature news and updates on subjects about which they are interested in learning. This saves time because users won’t have to visit multiple sites to get the latest information. Craft enthusiasts can create online scrapbooks instead of paper scrapbooks that will take up space and clutter the home.

Even small business owners and employees can use technology to keep track of products and services. Instead of keeping lengthy logs of every item that comes into the warehouse or store, there are tracking devices that can quickly scan products, log them into the database, and be done. This eliminates the need for boxes of paperwork to keep track of items. It also helps to save time for employees who can perform a simple search with a few clicks, instead of having to hunt through logs.

When trying to get a home or office organized, turn to technology to help. Backing up files is smart, and it can be much simpler than trying to keep paper trails.

Filed Under: Benefits, Productivity Tagged With: , ,

Get the MOST From Your HD: Tips & Warnings

July 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

High definition (HD) is all the rage nowadays. In fact, if you don’t have HD you certainly must be living under a rock . . . or in the Middle Ages . . . or without a TV. If you are one who has yet to embrace the HD revolution, now is the time.

You probably have a lot of questions running through your mind: How do I set it up? How do I optimize HD? Who is the best direct tv provider? No worries! All of your questions are about to be answered. If you follow these tips, you’ll never experience a friend stopping-by, asking why you don’t have HD (when you actually do, but it’s misconfigured).

Setting up HD

Image Credit: farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4033645889_38dfe4a4ae.jpg

It’s now time to set up your new HD TV. This includes much more than mounting it to the wall and making sure the TV fits in with your decorating style (or lack thereof). This is your new HD TV and you want to make sure you are getting the best picture, all the time. Here are some tips for getting set up correctly:

  1. Where will you place your TV? The most important step is to mount your TV where you’ll get the optimal viewing pleasure. If you place your TV above your fireplace, you may end up with a cramped neck every time you sit down to watch your favorite show. It’s recommended to sit closer, rather than farther from your TV. For example, a 42-inch, 1080p TV should be 4 to 6 feet from your seating arrangements. Much closer than you may have realized. A viewing angle of about 40 degrees should be about perfect.
  2. Keep your TV eye level. If you put your TV on a stand or mount it to the wall, it makes no difference. Your screen should be eye level, with no interference from a light source, such as a light fixture or a window.
  3. Get a surge protector. But not just any surge protector. You’ll need a good AV surge protector. This will keep your TV safe from voltage spikes, lightening, or any other power surges.

Optimizing HD

You’re all set up and now it’s time to make the most out of your TV time. You’ll want to make sure you have optimized your HD TVto get you the best picture.

  1. Choose the aspect to ratio different. A standard-definition TV uses a 4:3 ratio. Your HD TV has a 16:9 ratio. Choose to “pillarbox” the image at an unaltered 4:3 image ratio. This will give you a nice viewing experience in standard definition and will give you the “wow” factor in HD.
  2. Set up your DVD player. Your DVD player is likely set to your old TV — to a 4:3 ratio. You need to reprogram your DVD to play in a 16:9 ratio. Press the “setup” button on your remote control and then look for the output option. This is where you’ll set the new ratio. If you have an HD DVD player or a BluRay, go ahead and eliminate this step.
  3. Label your inputs/outputs. An HD TV has a lot of inputs and output connections. If you label these inputs and outputs, you’ll save yourself a lot of frustration down the road. For example, you can label one option “DVD player” instead of leaving it as “AV 4.
  4. Program all of your remotes. If you have multiple remotes, you’ll want to program them so you know which remote goes with which device. If you’re really smart, you’ll invest in a universal remote that will get rid of all the extra remotes.

Best HD Providers

 

Image Credit: farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/4002309085_a1e78bc16d.jpg

Now that you know how to set HD up and get the most out of it, it’s time to choose a provider. There are many HD providers that can get you up and going, but you want to make sure you choose a provider who will get you the features you want — at a price you can afford.

DirecTV:

DirecTV is probably one of the best known names out there when it comes to quality TV service. When you choose Direct TV for HD services you’ll get:

  • The best picture; in fact, crystal clear picture
  • 1080p HD picture — known as BluRay format plus 1080 movies
  • Cinema quality and video store selection, without leaving the comfort of your home.
  • FREE HD Service when you choose CHOICE XTRA, CHOICE ULTIMATE, or PREMIER packages.
  • 160 full-time HD channels

Some of the channels DirecTV offers are:

  • Food Network
  • NFL Network
  • HGTV
  • TLC
  • TNT
  • FX
  • HBO
  • And many, many more

DISH Network

Here you have another company offering quality HD services. With DISH Network, you can expect:

  • HD free for life, with certain packages
  • Brilliant color
  • Unprecedented details
  • Best HD content
  • The ability to watch one show, while recording another
  • Pause, record, and playback live TV

Some of the channels from DISH Network are:

  • Animal Planet
  • ESPN HD
  • Cartoon Network
  • Bravo
  • USA
  • Travel Channel
  • And many, many more

It’s Time for HD 

 

For a true TV experience, it’s time to invest in an HD TV. You can have access to better picture quality, making it seem like you are at the movies when you are at home in your pajamas. There will be no more squinting to see your screen and you can finally watch TV the way it was meant to be seen.

Filed Under: Benefits

Staying Within a Budget

July 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Budget and Spending

Image via Wikipedia

Members of the lower class, middle class, and upper class can probably better relate to one another during a struggling economy. Even individuals who had high-paying careers a few years ago may be struggling to make ends meet, after budget cuts at work or even being laid off from a big company.

Creating and sticking to a budget is a must in order to pay for the necessities and not have to live paycheck to paycheck every month. Some people may think budgeting is a negative way to manage money, but it will actually help them to realize where there money is going every month. The first step is to sit down with a few months worth of bank and credit card statements. Figuring out how much money must go toward living expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, groceries, utilities, and car payments is a must in figuring out how much is left.

After this has been determined, setting reasonable limits is step two. If at all possible, budget some money to be saved from every paycheck. This puts dollars into a fund for emergencies or unexpected expenses that may arise, and prevents the stress of wondering how these expenses will be covered.

Step three is to stick to the budget! It may seem easy at first, but those who enjoy a lavish lifestyle and are more materialistic may have a hard time not shopping. However, just keep remembering the feelings of financial strain and stress involved with not having enough money to pay the bills, and hopefully budgeting and saving for the future will become second nature.

Filed Under: Benefits, Prioritizing Tagged With: , ,

Keep the Relationship Strong

July 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The good news is that strengthening a relationship doesn’t require great amounts of sacrifice, money or – to some extent time – although it may require a little of all or some of these qualities.

The overall goal in strengthening a relationship is to reinforce to your partner that they are the most important thing in your life – not just the most important person, but supreme above all other pursuits you might undertake or enjoy. If you are able to secure this emotion on a regular basis, you are on the right track to keeping your relationship happy and healthy.

 

Square Dance Group

Image via Wikipedia

The first bit of advice is to remember your feelings during your initial time of courtship. You were automatically motivated to please the other person. In fact your sole reward during this time was to be with your partner and that was completely satisfying to you.  Keep that attitude alive as the days and weeks begin to accumulate. Over time, of course, the auto response mechanism that kicked into gear at the beginning will won’t work so automatically. You will have to exert some effort to remember and to respond as you did when you were dating.

The second bit of advice is to find activities you enjoy doing together. Though watching television technically counts, it isn’t as effective as a pursuit which requires interaction. Corny perhaps, much more powerful are those couples who go square dancing together, or play cards. I would suggest taking classes as a couple – learn a new language or how to program a computer. It doesn’t matter as long as you both enjoy it and you do it together.

 

Filed Under: Benefits Tagged With: , ,

Spending Quality Time with Family Members

July 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
My photos that have a creative commons license...

Image via Wikipedia

Many families are finding it more difficult to spend time together, especially as children grow and become more involved in extracurricular activities. However, families who have meals and spend leisure time together are proven to be closer to one another emotionally, and children feel more loved and valued. This can lead to a lifelong bond between siblings and parents, and build good self-esteem within the children.

Finding activities that the children can enjoy together doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. Board games, planting gardens, playing sports in the backyard, or even watching television together are ways to enjoy the company of one another. Parents can also plan small excursions, such as picnics or trips to local amusement parks. It can be fun for a child to spend one-on-one time with a parent as well, as this provides a chance to discuss problems and successes in their daily lives, as well as learn more about each other.

No matter what the lifestyle or background of a family, those who are part of the upper class, middle class, and lower class can all enjoy family togetherness. Starting these habits when the children are young will help make it a priority, and will build relationships that will last a lifetime. Even just having the kids turn off the technology for a few hours, whether that includes cell phones, video games, or computers, will often help them relate to and bond with one another.

Being part of a family is a wonderful opportunity. It provides individuals a chance to be a part of something special, and spending time together is an important part of keeping the bonds strong.

Filed Under: Benefits, Time Management Tagged With: , ,

Tips to Improving Your Relationship

June 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Unfortunately, an unwatched garden will grow weeds and the beautiful plants that were put there by loving hands will be choked out by nothing more than neglect.  This metaphor describes the potential damage a relationship can suffer if not cared for correctly.

When this sort of circumstance results, many people give up on the garden, seeing the weeds (problems) as too large to remove, and sadly no longer find the plants worth saving.  Fortunately there are many who recognize the problem and want nothing more than to restore their beautiful garden to its original splendor.

Romeo and Juliet

Image via Wikipedia

It can be done with a little work.  Here are some helpful ideas to get you back in the agricultural (loving) mood.

1. Stop blaming each other. This is such an easy habit to get into, but so destructive.  See the truth of the matter that in most circumstances both are to blame.

2. Learn how to communicate. Actually listen to each other, by empathizing with your partner’s point of view. Empathy entails more than just acknowledging that the other has a valid side to his/her argument but that there is emotion there which you also try to understand.

3.  Make time for each other: just the two of you.  That could mean seeing a therapist – particularly if it is what is needed to fix your relationship – or it could be simply doing something together you both enjoy; perhaps something you used to do together when you first started dating.

4.  Remember the love. It was there in the beginning.  Be the loving person you were at the beginning.

Filed Under: Benefits Tagged With: , ,

Building Skills, Offering Aid

May 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Volunteers

Image by vastateparksstaff via Flickr

It is an easy decision you want to volunteer and offer your support to those who need it. Charity is a concept that is worthwhile, and you wish to participate in it.

Such participation is not a simple task, however (not like finding the perfect engagement ring). You must instead understand the foundations of every cause:

Know Your Intentions

Volunteering seems to be a straightforward thing until you begin to learn about all of the endless goals, organizations and needs. Each seems noble and you find yourself unable to decide how to best apply your attentions (trying then to bound from one charity to the next and accomplishing very little). You must narrow your focus, discovering which causes most reflect your passions. This can allow you to choose programs that will inspire you to give all you can, rather than dividing your time ineffectively.

Seek Local Causes

The notion of traveling abroad, offering your services to international organizations, is a compelling one. It is also often impossible. You should begin your volunteering career on a local level. This will allow you to understand what will be asked of you and how much time you can give.

Communicate with Others

Charities are defined by their supporters. Meeting with these individuals is vital therefore for choosing the right group. You should take advantage of any orientation or training programs made available by organizations. These will allow you to introduce yourself to others and see if your personalities (and wishes for the cause) connect.

These ideas will allow you to better examine yourself and potential charities. Volunteering can finally be tailored to your desires.

Filed Under: Benefits

Living a better life!

May 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

 

Marine of the United States Marine Corps runs ... 

Image via Wikipedia

Are you regularly stressed and fatigued? Do you often spend long hours at work with little time for a personal life? Are you unable to get regular exercise everyday and are having weight issues? Are you dissatisfied with the way you are leading your life but don’t know what is wrong? If yes, then take heart in knowing that you are not the only one who is going through this phase.

Millions of people around the globe have similar problems with their lifestyles and don’t know what to do about it! Here are some tips on how you can incorporate little changes to your daily routine and attain a better lifestyle:

 

  1. You don’t have to hit the gym to get a daily work out. Making small physical exertions throughout the day is a great way to stay fit and burn calories. For example, if you are work, take a 15 to 20 minute walk after having your lunch. You could also take a short brisk walk a little while before going to bed. This will not only help you reduce stress but will help you burn more calories.
  2. Find someone who has had similar challenges like you and has successfully conquered them. Such people can be great role models and can effectively support and guide you.
  3. Don’t waste your weekends by lazing around on the couch watching TV! Instead, plan up a fun activity with family and friends. You could go out on a picnic, visit the local community sports center, go camping or trekking. Such activities are not just great ways to stay fit but are great family fun too!

 

Filed Under: Benefits Tagged With: , ,

Cricket Communications: One of the Best Places for Hourly Workers

May 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
184/365 Blackberry Messenger 

Image by CR Artist via Flickr

Some mothers have to work outside the home because of financial necessity, even if it is just part time. It is difficult, however, to find an employer that is understanding to a mother’s needs and also provides good pay and benefits. Every year, Working Mother’s Inc. comes out with a list of employers that treat their employees well, even those who work hourly. This list can be helpful when looking for employment.

Those looking for a new job may be interested to know that Cricket Communications was recently included in the Working Mother’s Best Companies for Hourly Workers awards. Employees at Cricket Communications only have to work 30 hours per week to be eligible for health benefits, and Cricket Communications also offers excellent pay. Sometimes, additional compensation is even give, such as free stuff or a prepaid Blackberry. This is great news for families that do not have health insurance, but do not wish to work 40 hours per week.

Cricket Communications also offers a fun work environment. Employees get to have the first peek at new cell phones and get discounts on their own plans. Cricket offers one of the most affordable cell phones, so the job is easy because the plans practically sell themselves. This take a lot of the stress out of the job.

All of the employers on the Working Mother’s list take exceptional care of their employees in the form of benefits, free stuff, and good pay. It just depends on the company and their goals. Mothers that need to find a job should look at the list when searching for a job.

 

Filed Under: Benefits Tagged With: , ,
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