Technology + Lifestyle

The popularity of iPhones has led to an explosion of applications designed specifically for mobile devices.

Today, smartphones even have apps that target people with specific interests. Boaters, for instance, now have access to thousands of applications that can make their marine adventures safer and more enjoyable. The plethora of options, however, often means that mobile phone users have a hard time deciding which applications they should use.

Knowing some of the best boating apps for the iPhone will help you choose the options that you need most.

Best iPhone Boating Apps for Navigation
Navigation has historically been difficult for even the most seasoned boaters. GPS applications for the iPhone, however, make it simple to determine where you are and where you’re heading.

One of the most useful iPhone boating apps for navigation is Marine:

US West (From California to Bering Sea) Water Map Navigator.

This application gives you access to tons of NOAA maps and nautical charts that will help you reach your destination safely. It even includes lots of extra maps for nearby parks, lakes and travel destinations.

In addition, this application has an intuitive user interface that lets you zoom and rotate the screen, mark locations on the map, search for your favorite spots, and geo-tag locations just by moving your finger. You can also choose Marine apps with charts from other areas of the world besides the US West.

For under $5, this is a great iPhone app that offers plenty of information for the money.

Google Earth is also a great tool that makes navigation easy. It not only shows you where you are, but provides pictures of ports that you might approach during your journey. Plus, Google Earth is a free app. You can’t go wrong with that.

Best iPhone Boating Apps for Safety
You can never be too safe when you’re out on the water. Choosing the best iPhone boating apps for safety will help you avoid problems and make smart decisions.

The Watercraft Safety Training Course app is hard to beat in this area.

It contains over 45 minutes of instructional video that will help you learn important safety guidelines. The videos cover topics such as:

• Using flotation devices
• Operating your boat safely
• Preparing for a trip
• Emergency response
• Maintenance for your boat

It’s the perfect option for both novice and expert boaters.

Best iPhone Boating Apps for Weather
Changes in weather can have a significant impact on your day out on the water. Once you leave the shore, though, it is often difficult to tell what types of weather patterns are approaching. A reliable weather application for your iPhone solves this problem. Weather Alert USA provides accurate weather information directly from NOAA.

In addition, the app alerts you of weather warnings, watches and advisories issued for your area.

These are the best iPhone applications currently available for boaters. They help the captain to stay safe and dry, know where he or she is going, and avoid such things as boating accidents. New apps are released every day, though, so be sure to keep your eye out for updated software that will make your next boating trip as safe and fun as possible.

The Apple iPad is the preeminent tablet which has recently hit the market. This product has an attractive shell and interface. Due to this, it has become very popular amongst those who love their technological gadgets. However, the iPad has had mixed reviews. If you are wondering “is the iPad right for me?”, you may need to consider the pros and cons of this product.

The Pros of the Apple iPad

Apple is a company that is known for its design and high quality products. Listed below are some of the positive aspects of the recently released Apple iPad.

- The iPad is great for those that like to watch movies and television, listen to music and play games on their computer. This tablet has access to the iTunes store. When a user goes to the online store they can purchase any entertainment items they wish. This includes a multitude of both Apple and third party applications.

- The size of the iPad is one of its most talked about features. It is slim and small enough to carry around with you. It is also large enough to see high quality graphics and videos.

The Cons of the Ipad

In terms of negative aspects of the iPad, it is important to understand that the iPad was not designed to be a replacement for a computer. This means that its features are somewhat limited.

- The battery of the iPad cannot be replaced. This will prove to be troublesome in the future if the battery dies.

- Adjusting to a virtual keyboard can take some time. Because of this typing out work and e-mails on the iPad could prove to be awkward and time-consuming.

- Almost all of the computers that are released by Apple today have an inbuilt webcam. The iPad does not. What this means for users is that they will have to buy a separate camera connection kit in order to use a camera with their iPad.

- Flash is one of the most popular pieces of_software on the internet. Numerous websites use flash. Unfortunately the iPad does not support this software. This means that many websites will not display correctly on the iPad.

- The iPad runs on the same user system as the Apple iPhone does. Unfortunately it has also inherited the problem of only being able to do one thing at a time. Two applications cannot be used at the same time on the iPad.

- The iPad does not have a USB port. This means that you cannot use any hardware unless you shell out for the USB port kit.

- Lastly the biggest disadvantage of the iPad is the cost of the product. It is far too expensive for the functions that it performs. However, what you are paying for is the Apple brand name.

The iPad has many fantastic features and this makes a good product for those who know what they are getting into. Do not think that the iPad will replace your desktop computer. It simply does not have the functionality to do that.

When the iPad first came out, many business owners were wondering how they could apply the powerful device to their normal business functioning. However, as the tool has demonstrated its immense abilities, people are starting to ask a different question:

How can I adapt my business to take advantage of this great new tool? Here are just a few quick things you can do.

Know Your Application Options

There are just over 200,000 applications on the Apple market as of the time of this writing. This means that you have great solutions for almost anything you want to do. The trick is to learn about the applications that will be useful, learn about limitations, and adapt your standard policies and procedures accordingly.

Soar Through the Cloud

Cloud computing solutions make it easy to access data and software from any location where you have internet access. With an iPad web subscription, that will mean basically anywhere with even vague signs of life.

The iPad absolutely thrives in the cloud, and there are only a handful of cloud programs that have any issue with iPad’s Opera browser. In these situations, other app options will often resolve the issue. Whether you’re setting up a new CRM system or looking for ways to store files, look into cloud. Cloud storage and services are affordable, mobile, and effective.

Use Exchange Servers

There are a lot of options when it comes to exchange servers for email, so it’s simple enough to find one that suits the needs of your business. By using exchange mail, you will be able to access your messages, write new ones, and synchronize your account data across multiple platforms — iPad included.

Use Appropriate Formatting

While there will be one iPad application or another that can open any given file type, it’s a good idea to limit the number of apps employees have to learn. Decide on two or three “standard company formats” (.doc, .rtf, .pdf, you name it) and stick with those options for anything official.

Send Out Files and Memos in E-Reader Compatible Format

If you want to make reading up on company documentation simple, send out all of your updates in a format that’s e-reader compatible. PDF is the most common format used, but other options are available.

Enable Remote Access

Working on an iPad shouldn’t mean losing touch with any of the details on your work computer. There are numerous programs that allow for screen and file sharing between Apple’s epic tablet and a PC, Mac, or even Linux system. RDP, Mocha VNC, and iTeleport are just a few examples.

Provide Training

If you’re going to invest in powerful tools, it’s important to teach people how to use them. The iPad is fairly user friendly, but it’s a very good idea to train your staff on how to take advantage of all the in-depth features. Training guides and how-tos are often available online if you want some help putting together a presentation. If you want to become the ultimate asset to your company, you can even take Mobile Development courses so you can create apps that will be beneficial to not only you, but everyone else too.

There’s no doubt that iPad’s latest beast of a tablet is highly appropriate for business use. By following the simple suggestions above, you ensure that you’re getting the most out of your new gadget.

You are independent. OK, you are your own sovereign nation.

You depend on maps. You depend on food to fuel your body. Total lack of food leads to an eventual canceled trip. A lack of quality trip apps can be worse than a canceled trip. It can be the trip that stops you from ever traveling again.

Here are six tools that will get you from flight, to car, to gas, through traffic, finding the lost parked car, and finding a new car when you can’t find your old, lost one. Get a smart phone. You’ll need it. Food, remember?

1. FlightTrack

Finding your plane can be a terrible event, especially when you are already fighting traffic in a new town. You lost the note with the arrival time? As long as you have the flight number, you will have more that departure and arrival. You also get a picture of where the plane is on the globe, actual take-off and landing times and air-speed. It’s $4.99 to use, but when you really need it, it is a blessing.

2. Zipcar

If you have traveled at all, you know what a Zipcar is: instant rental and the cars are parked everywhere—pick it up and go without the sale hassles. This app shows you where to find available cars, reserve it instantly and even unlocks your car’s doors. (Not as independent as you thought? Taxi Magic: it’s the Flight Track of taxis.)

3. GasBook

It’s simple: GasBook plots fuel stations for you on a map then lets you bookmark the stations. It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s 99 cents.

4. Inrix Traffic

If you rented your own car, this one is perhaps the gem of all apps. Green is good. Red is bad. INRIX pinpoints traffic snags and desired routes. If it’s green, take it. If it’s red, don’t. It’s that simple. It pinpoints your exact location, outlines road conditions and even marks construction zones and accidents so that you can avoid the snags.

5. Edmunds

This iPhone app is useful if you’re trying to research car makes and models, find the right price to target with True Market Value, and search within a certain radius of your location for new cars. This is pretty much the ultimate “new car” finder if you want to skip out on being hounded by those car salesman who are practically frothing at the mouth when you pull into the dealership. You can also tweak the car to your liking and send the specs to your email.

6. Park‘n Find

You may never need this app, but if you ever do, you will think the gods just saved your bacon. Finding the car at the mall is impossible at certain times of the year, like the holiday shopping season. Out of town is nuts. You can’t tell one block from another in the city, especially if you’re from a small town in the middle of nowhere. When you’re on a business trip, the last thing you need is the worry of a lost rental.

This app pinpoints your car on an aerial map and tells you which direction to walk. Park’n Find even keeps track of parking meter time. So relax. Have dinner at that lovely Italian restaurant with real espresso. The rest is handled for you.

Independent? Yeah. Even though you depend on the Internet for car prices so you have your power at the dealership, and Yelp to find places to eat that won’t kill you, you’re independent.

Just a varying definition for the word. Independence is knowing how to access information instantly- sometimes, to have the freedom you want, you have to learn how to depend on others so that the independence has full autonomy.

Without dispute, the television is perhaps the most visible entertainment source in the average home.

Americans spend five hours or more per day viewing television. In competition with the television is the Internet, which has just as many people on it surfing and browsing websites, chatting on forums, and listening to music. Alone, the television and the web are two separate entities that perform their specific duties quite well. Coupled together, the two technologies keep people entertained, informed, and on the cusp of advancing technologies.

Google TV

The online media giant has created a new experience in television viewing. It has combined the entertaining venue of television with the flexibility and convenience of the Internet to create a package that is impressive and user-friendly. The computer transforms into a feature-rich platform of goodies that offers video playing, a photo slide-show viewer, a music player, gaming console, television channels, apps, news, and more.

Google TV offers a collaboration with Jinni.com, which will provide more features and sources of premium content to the user. Jinni.com is an application that provides semantic searches and social features for Google TV sources. Google also has negotiations and plans with companies like Sony, Logitech, and Intel to place the Google TV technology inside their units, including Blu-ray players and companion boxes. With these new developments, Google is planning to innovate television watching and take it to an exciting new level in entertainment.

Apple TV

The Apple TV made its foray into the entertainment world in September 2006. The company announced it would begin manufacturing and distributing television products. Loyal Apple followers were ecstatic and showed their appreciation by helping Apple to achieve record sales that tripled in the fourth quarter of 2007.

The technology of the Apple TV is in the form of a digital media receiver. It is a network appliance in a small form that plays content originating from sources like the iTunes store, YouTube, MobileMe, Flickr, and most all Mac OS X or Windows-based computers. Depending on the needs of the user, the Apple TV can function as a home theater device or as a digital media receiver. The device boasts 160 GB, which is now Apple’s main model. Although the sales were strong and the technology was innovative, the Apple TV never gained the attention and success as the company’s other products like the iPhone, iPod, and even the iPad. The television segment still has a strong customer base despite its unpopularity.

The entertainment industry is profitable and competitive with businesses online and offline vying for the consumer dollars. Online media and technological giants like Google and Apple recognize the economical potential in the entertainment industry. The television technology they have developed (including software tools and plug-ins) is very sophisticated and has loyal followers perplexed over which one is actually better than the other.

For now, consumers will have to wait to see which company takes the lead.

With so many demands on our time these days, we really need to maximize our time as much as possible.

Fortunately, even though the pace of life seems to be increasing, there are many ways that we can save precious moments by automating certain tasks and utilizing technology to take care of some of the tedious responsibilities (that none of us really WANT to take care of).

What  actions can tech take the weight off of?

Hand Writing Checks

Not only is it time-consuming, to manually write out checks for bills every month, it also takes time to mail and process checks. Plus, if you’ve ever stood behind someone in line who is trying to pay their electric bill at a grocery store (they exist) you know how annoying it is to stand behind them.

Automate and simplify the process by paying bills online. Today, there are many options to choose from based on your preferences, like:

• Electronic Bill Pay is a bank-provided service that sends payments to your vendors (electric company, phone service, etc.) from your account.
• Auto Bill Pay authorizes the vendor to automatically withdraw the amount of the bill every month from your banking account.
• Online Bill Pay Services are free and fee-based online services that receive bills, show monthly due amounts and provide vendor payments, all in one convenient location.

Many banks even have the ability to email or mail checks to non-businesses as well. This means that you can email money to your sister for her birthday or transfer funds directly to her account.

Manually Depositing Paychecks

Direct Deposit is available by even the smallest companies these days and provides tremendous benefit and time savings to you. Usually the funds are available earlier, sometimes midnight the night before your pay date. In addition, the funds are immediately accessible, making it easier and quicker to pay bills.

Most direct deposit options also allow you to set-up an automatic deposit to your savings account, making it easier to save money every month. You can denote a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the total paid.
There are also banks that allow you to stick your paycheck into the ATM and it will automatically scan and deposit money for you. Bank of America, and other banks have implemented this feature already.

Hand Writing Taxes

Let your computer do the manual calculations of taxes for you and benefit from a huge time savings every year. Noone really wants to sit down and go through their taxes by hand and lets face it. Unless we’re mathamatical whizzes with accounting degrees, we aren’t going to even know where to start.

Those “books” you see on TV are long gone- so many people are looking into software that can handle this for you.

Options include:
• Software Programs installed on your computer that allow you to input your tax information manually or electronically.
• Online Tax Preparation Services are free or fee-based services, approved by the IRS, that both collect and electronically submit your taxes.

Both options also provide the ability to periodically save your progress, allowing you to do your taxes five minutes at a time in-between your two-year old’s questions about their belly button and pulling dinner out of the oven.

Save even more time by having your Federal Return automatically deposited into your account instead of waiting weeks for a physical check. This means you can play and spend your money sooner. What?! I meant to say… this way you can responsibly save and not worry about needing money for while.

There may not be a way to safely speed up the time it takes to deliver a mini-van full of 6 year olds to soccer practice, but with suggestions like these, and online services such as Subscription.com, you can definitely save some time, money and potentially a lot of aggravation, too.

Eliminate some hassle and rework by streamlining some of life’s more laborious tasks and you might even find enough time in the day to take a deep breath before learning how to extract paint from your artistic child’s hair!

Often times when employers adopt new technology it is for the better.  New technology can make the job easier for employees, increase workplace productivity, allow for better metrics reporting, and increase communication in the workplace.  Despite the advantages, employers have taken one large step backwards in the past few months.

The move from paper job applications that can be completed at the physical location of a business to online applications and application management has proven to be extremely detrimental to job seekers.  Couple that with automated phone systems where callers are only allowed to leave a voice message, and you have an impenetrable employer.  These technological advancements have only made it easier for employers to ignore new candidates and have left many candidates frustrated and left in the dark. [click to continue...]

Sometimes people ask funny questions. Has anybody ever asked you which ring tone is the best one out there? Obviously, this is the kind of thing that no two people can completely agree on. Even finding a short list that matches your best friend’s could be a super challenge. So how do you decide what kind of ring tone you want to hear whenever someone calls you up and hits you with a text message? Truth be known, the decision is kind of a hard one for most people to make, since there is just such a huge volume of different options available to you.

On the one hand, you have a massive library of songs to choose from. Every kind of song that has been released over the past ten years or so has been made into a ring tone. And in a lot of cases, you can actually download a song and make it into a ring tone if you so desire. And if songs just are not your thing, you have millions and millions of options when it comes to different kinds of sound effects and spoken words. You can get Jenna Jameson to entice you to pick up, or you can get Stewie from Family Guy laughing with ever increasing hysteria — and a whole lot more possibilities.

Another question you will have to think through as far as the best ringtone goes is, how much are you willing to pay for it? Not all ring tones are created equal, and Free ringtones are not necessarily any worse than the kinds that you will have to pay for. As you go through all of the choices at your disposal, you will doubtless come across a whole bunch of ring tones that sound awesome. In the end, you may just need to pick a winner out of a hat.

Niche social network baron Matt Heaton (creator of ActiveRain) is back with a niche social network for amateur athletes and sports teams. Born from a Heaton’s own personal experience as an amateur athlete looking for more interaction with others, Timu.com seeks to solve the problems and inadequacies of the other larger social networks in relation to how they deal with amateur athletes and sports teams.

In Thier Own Words.

Timu is a social networking platform specifically built to solve the communications problems encountered by athletes, sports teams and their fans.

Timu seems to take the notion that simplicity is excellence.  Thier social network offering is easily navigable and not in the least bit overwhelming to the newcomer.  For the interested bystander, a public news stream is available broadcasting the latest [click to continue...]