Technology Reviews | Internet Startups | Social Media

With visual, manual, and cognitive distractions while driving, it’s surprising that there are so few accidents. Nearly 11% of all drivers admit to using cell phones while driving, knowing cell usage delays response time as much as being over the blood alcohol limit. With nearly 20% of all crashes involving distractions, isn’t it time to learn more about this crisis, and prevent it from becoming worse? After all, car insurance companies don’t offer an iPod plan.

click to enlarge

Do you remember when only fancy schmancy people owned cell phones?

People who were VIPs in their own little world of business, people so important that they figured could never afford to be out of touch no matter where they went? You’d be in the grocery store checkout line and Mr. VIP would whip out his phone. “Yeah, yeah, I’m just buying some bread and milk. Yup. OK. I’ll be home in 10 minutes.” You’d roll your eyes and think, “What a jerk.” Back then, though, moments like these were an anomaly.

Now there are five-year-olds with their own mobile phones, even people who have second and third cell phones, using something called Line2.

Mobile phones have changed a lot in the relatively few years since they hit the market. The history of the mobile phone can be explained with three general categories, based on the shape and style of the phone.

The Brick

Most of us can remember the time when these phones didn’t get service in very many places and the phones tended to be largish, a bit bulky, and very basic. You could make and receive calls, and that was about it. Over time, the cell phone got smaller, and the smaller your cell phone, the better you felt about yourself. Small and silver became what people looked for in a cell phone.

The Flip

Then, along came the flip phones. Everybody wanted a flip phone. That was just a stylistic change. In terms of substance, the phones got more coverage, they worked in more places. You had your contact list. You could send succinct text messages. And then, wonder of wonders, your phone could TAKE PICTURES. This provided hours of fun and the occasional criminal prosecution.

Also, you could personalize your ring. This was a big deal. You could have a specific SONG that allowed you to know who was calling instead of some of those early boring digital beeps or even more annoying ubiquitous two or three melodies that every cell phone used.

But truly this was just the beginning of what phones could do, well maybe just the middle, but then again, we don’t know the end, so it’s safer to say it was just the beginning.

The Slide and the Touch

Later developments of the phone have led to what we call Smart phones, which can access the Internet. These phones let you download and send information from the web, they have keypads that let you text like mad, as texting has become very trendy. They let you take and send pics, video, and they allow you to check your email, your Facebook, etc.

They have apps that help you find your car in the parking lot, automatically check on your home, some are a universal remote, they have games, games, games.

The more they can do, the less you want to be on your own.
We don’t know what the future holds, but considering the tremendous technological growth from The Brick to The Slide and the Touch, it’s exciting to wonder what’s next in store in the evolution of the mobile phone.

The world of the Web has many entryways, but the most important one for web developers, webmasters, and other advanced users is an FTP file uploader.

Thus, it’s important that you take your time in deciding which FTP client to download and, of course, master. For those who haven’t yet selected a favorite, this list provides a great starting point. For those who already have a preferred FTP uploader, the following items make for the perfect grading rubric — letting you decide if it may be time for a change.

Budget

There are three different cost types for FTP clients. Some of the more high-end programs require a subscription, with most subscriptions being annual and allowing use of legacy versions after expiration. Other programs are one-time buys that provide permanent licensing. Others still, including the ever-famous FileZilla, are free of charge, thanks to the open source community. Before you begin your hunt, decide which of these categories you’re open to.

OS Compatibility

What operating system do you work on most of the time? Do you always work on that system? Might you transition at some point in the future? Knowing what operating systems your FTP client is compatible with will allow you to avoid painful snags down the line.

Security

All FTP clients attempt to get the greatest level of security possible, but some succeed more fully than others. Consider how important security is to you; while FTP being used for simple web storage may not need multiple layers of security, webmasters of major sites would do well to invest in highly secured resources.

Speed

While you will be limited in upload and download speed both by your server and your internet connection, your FTP file uploader will definitely contribute to your overall speed. Additionally, different queueing structures will make the process more or less time intensive for you as a user.

Feature Needs

There are programs that range from zero calorie FTP clients that give nothing but the skeletal features to behemoths loaded with every possible method of file control and compatibility. Decide what exactly you need, since the additional features will often come at the cost of both intuitive interactions with the program and overall software performance.

Client Feedback

Take a look at reviews from people already using the program. This will give you an idea of the nit-picky complaints as well as under discussed strengths for each FTP program. Looking through archives of these reviews can also give you an idea of the owner’s frequency of updates and upgrades, and how quickly they resolve any issues that come up.

There are dozens of great FTP Clients available for every operating system. Each one serves the needs of a unique audience (and, if it doesn’t, won’t exist for much longer). Be sure to explore your different alternatives thoroughly before making your final decision; this FTP program will likely be an important part of your web development tool belt for many years to come.

User interface design is a very in-demand design career field.

As a beginning UI designer, you can look forward to great paychecks and unique challenges with every new project. However, you can only experience these benefits if you learn what it takes to be a successful designer. As such, here are three tips you can use to learn more about this career field and begin developing the skills you will need to become a successful UI designer.

Be Committed to Learning

As a user interface designer, you must be committed to always learning new things. You must possess this skill because technology is always changing. With these changes in technology come new user demands. You must always be one step ahead of these user demands to ensure that your applications will be utilized.

Various blogs and websites provide tips and tutorials on the latest trends in UI design. As you begin your career, research these outlets and regularly visit a few you feel are beneficial.

By doing this, you will stay informed on the latest trends and will avoid falling into a creative slump. To be a great UI designer means remaining committed to learning and to always trying new techniques.

KIS(S) – Keep It Simple, Stupid.

A main factor to keep in mind as you start in out in the world of UI design is to keep your applications simple. If you are designing forms, keep them as uncomplicated as possible and eliminate all unnecessary fields. This will greatly increase the percentage of users who will complete and submit the forms instead of becoming frustrated and abandoning them halfway through the process.

With so many demands on their time, users won’t stay with your application if they can find an easier option somewhere else.

Remember, you can create the most beautiful design in the world, but if it doesn’t perform its intended purpose, it will never be used. When you begin each new interface design, focus first on function and then, if needed, incorporate other elements when the application as met its intended function.

Focus on the User

Your main focus as a UI designer should be on the individuals who will be using the interfaces you create. As such, you must be committed to making the applications as user friendly as possible and listen to the demands of users.

Of course, to meet user demands, you must first learn what those demands are. You can use beta testing and such options as online survey software to provide outlets for user input.

The more user input your receive, the more you can learn about what is working well and what should be revamped.

As you begin your career as a UI designer, you will likely discover that you have much to learn. However, by remaining committed to learning the latest design trends and meeting the needs of the application’s users, you will be well on your way to becoming a success in this quickly expanding industry.

If you’ve chosen one of the feature-packed Android smartphones, it won’t take long to realize that it has excellent capabilities in addition to the on-board MP3 player. Choose from one of these Android apps to turn your phone into a mobile entertainment center:

1. Ultimate Control with VLC Remote

Would you like to use your Android to control the media player on your VideoLAN Client (VLC)? This cool, little app makes it possible by adding a remote control feature to your phone.

2. Stay in Sync with doubleTwist

If you already use doubleTwist on your computer, this app syncs the audio, video, or photo files with your Android. It also comes with a catchy media player.

3. Play Your Favorites with TuneWiki

If you’re not satisfied with the Android’s pre-loaded program, TuneWiki is the best app for playing both audio and video files. This easy-to-use interface manages your music library, features Internet radio broadcasts, and provides lyric searches. You can even share your experience on Facebook, Twitter, or Blip.

4. Pandora, Your Very Own Radio Station

If you would love a personal DJ, add the Pandora app to your Android. This app can be configured to deliver the music that fits your personal style. If your tastes vary, create a different station for each mood. Pandora even helps find new artists with a similar sound.

5. Listen to Your Favorite Song NOW with Rhapsody

If you always know exactly what you want to hear, but you’re too impatient to wait for it, Rhapsody is the best on-demand music service for the Android. It requires a monthly fee, but this small charge means immediate access to millions of your favorite tunes.

6. Catch the Latest Podcast with Listen

If you’re hooked on one or more online audio programs, “listen” to them directly from your Android. Listen manages your podcasts, facilitates subscriptions to new channels, and will even remind you about anything that you’ve missed.

7. Listen to the Classics with Audible

Don’t lug around a stack of books. Use Audible on your Android to listen to audio books instead. This book-friendly app not only plays your favorite reading material, it also bookmarks your page so that you never lose your place.

8. See Your Favorite Show with SPB TV

If you’ve been tied to your living room for your favorite TV show or the big game, SPB TV allows you to see it from anywhere your Android can receive a signal. It even features picture-in-picture just in case you can’t make up your mind.

9. With Aldiko, You Won’t Need a Separate E-Book Reader

No need to carry a separate device to read e-books when you can simply load the Aldiko app. This surprisingly easy-to-read, customizable display makes reading easy on the eyes.

10. Love Magazines? Get Issuu Mobile

If you prefer magazines and newspapers to novels, Issuu Mobile could be your mobile newsstand. It manages subscriptions and lets you read your favorite publications on the go.

Now that you know about these useful apps, you’ll be even more convinced that the Android is the best smartphone on the market!

For those of you who haven’t heard of this yet, check out Microsoft Tag.

If you have an iPhone, you can try it out right there on the website and see what it does. Essentially, it gives you an online or printable “image” bar code type tag that you can place anywhere- within websites, email, outside on windows to your business or business cards… and when you run your iPhone over it, it’ll immedietely transmit what it has to show you.

That can be business information, a video, a URL, an image… whatever. It’s AWESOME.

GO TRY NOW. NOW NOW NOW.

Not sure if any of you have noticed (I didn’t til just now because I don’t really use this feature too much) but Facebook’s “friend suggestion” box is getting pretty wild and crazy.

If you hop in there, you can not only look at friends connected to mutual friends, but you can also narrow down by school (which also narrows down by what year you and your friends were in if available) and also down to city, etc.

It also keeps going and going and going. Hop in there and scroll down and check out the layout and amount of available friends to pick from. Overload!

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.