Android App Updates You Should Know

Are you app-savvy? Yeah, don’t you know the world is going app-savvy these days and if you are one among them then you should know about the updates well? Isn’t it? There are a lot of app updates that are released every week. This post jots down the various apps updates that were released this week.

Vine App:

The Twitter’s Vine App has released 2 updates this week itself. One of them was for the Windows Phone and the other one for Android users. With this update the Vine App comes to all the Android users including the Gingerbread users. However, the android device limitations are present thus it will allow the users to view only videos and no one can actually create any type of content. On the contrary, Vine for the Windows Phone is now known as the version 1.1 and this now adds the drafts support to all windows devices.

This update has an ability to include the capability to actually save and even resume the Vines. Additionally, there is a slight visual tweak added to the notifications icon for vine. The Android and Windows Phone users will now be able to download the twitter’s Vine app from their respective Google Play store and Windows Phone store respectively.

ESPN Sports Center App:

ESPN Sports Center App has updated their Sports app for providing a more personalized user experience for all their users. There are several things in the new update such as the ScoreCenter has now been updated as the SportsCenter. The speed is highly improved and it is very fast to use. Furthermore you can get your team news and other scores in just an instant, there is also a content central for every team of yours and the leagues. There is an addition of ESPN Now which will act as your one-stop-shop solution for your real-time scores and other social updates. Finally there is an additional feature called Inbox which is a dedicated home browser to have all your personalized content raging from news to the alerts and even scores.

Skype for Android

The famous Skype has got its new Android update and it is updated entirely for the extensive support of audio and also video calls not just for the phone but for the tablet owners also. This however makes the Skype App the first ever app by Android app developers to actually offer a clear picture in the image window thus having the option to see the video call even after you move to other apps.

This update lets users to multitask while on the Skype audio calls and/or video calls. This feature is now however available for only the giant users i.e. the tablets owners however there is no word yet on whether this feature can be expected to arrive in smartphones. Android users can download the Skype or update it from the Google Play Store.

Google Wallet – Version 2.0-R141

The Google has already introduced a very convenient way for adding the cards in your smartphone via Wallet App. Now recently Google has introduced the Google Wallet – Version 2.0-R141 with several additional features and functionality. With this new update add a credit card or debit card just by clicking a picture of it. The card number and the expiration date will now be captured automatically via camera. Now if you have forgotten your card then you can use this Google Wallet Card for all your spending needs from your Wallet Balance at almost all the millions of MasterCard selected locations. What’s more you can now withdraw cash at select ATMs also. This update will also have minor bug fixes and also various performance improvements.

Android App Updates You Should Know

Choosing Best Birthday Gift for Mom

Mother is a special person in the family. She is the person who takes care of the needs of everyone in the family. If your mother’s birthday is just around the corner, buying her a special gift is a great way to make her feel special. If you are looking for gift items for your mom there are options galore. Some of the best gifts that are a hit among all moms are discussed below:

Books

Books are one of the best gifting items in the world. If your mom loves to read, she would surely appreciate your idea of buying her books. Make sure that you consider her interests and buy her a couple of best-selling books in the genre. Recipe books are a hit among all moms.

Handbags

It would be hard to find a woman who doesn’t love handbags. Presenting a stylish, new handbag would surely bring a wide smile on your mom’s face and it would earn you a special place in her heart. A handbag is certainly a very practical choice as birthday gift as it would help her to carry her essential things every time she steps out of home. Make sure that you choose a handbag of the favorite color of your mom.

Salon or spa treatment

Mothers work hard day in and day out. On her birthday you can give her the much needed break from the daily routine by gifting a salon or spa treatment gift voucher. Over the internet you can find plenty of spas offering gifting vouchers; a hair treatment, body massage or a pedicure would do wonders for her to make her feel relaxed. You can consider visiting the spa with your mother and spend some quality family time while indulging in a relaxing massage or body treatment.

Movie tickets

If your mother is a move buff, you can make her birthday memorable and special for her by taking her out for a movie. This is not only a great way to help her relax but also it would give her the opportunity to do things that she loves. You can either gift her a few tickets of her favorite movie so that you she can enjoy her day out with her gal pals or you can go out with your family members or have a gala time celebrating her special day.

Flowers

Flowers are a classic gift item for all special occasions, especially your mom’s birthday. There is no better way to express your loved feeling towards your mother than giving her a bouquet of beautiful flowers.

Gift basket

This is another wonderful choice of gift for your mother’s birthday. Consider her interests and hobbies and including her favorite items like chocolates, cakes and other food stuff that would make her feel happy and relaxed.

No matter, the type of gift you choose for your mom makes sure that you personalize it and add a special message with it to express your unconditional love. Also ensure that you wrap the gift well to make it look more attractive. If you are looking for gift ideas for your mom, you can consider visiting http://gourmetbasket.com.au/ where you can get beautiful Gourmet Basket.

Choosing Best Birthday Gift for Mom

Do Broadband Speed Tests Allow You to Judge Internet Quality?

There are dozens of internet speed tests out there, but which one should you use? Internet speed tests vary – accordingthe tests they do and the information they provide. While some speed tests will just test the speed of your internet connection, some will assess the quality of your connection as well.

When it comes to getting the most out of your internet connection, it shouldn’t just be about the speeds you receive. Try to find a speed test that assesses the speed of your connection and the quality. Before we go into what you should be looking for from the test, first we’ll look at some of the jargon you might come across.

Packets

Packets are pieces of information that are sent to and from your computer. For example, any webpage you look at is sent to you in packets, which your computer receives and puts together to form the page. The same applies for every email you send – each email is sent in packets for the receiver’s computer to reconstruct.

Ping

Ping a method used to send packets of information or messages from one computer to another. A ping test is used to determine whether your computer can communicate with another computer over the network. It can also be used to measure lag.

Network latency

This is the amount of time that it takes for the ping to reach you and to be sent back (usually measured in milliseconds).

Packet loss

Packet loss occurs when a packet doesn’t reach its destination. Packet loss slows down the time it takes to load a page, for example, as the lost packets have to be resent.

Jitter

Jitter is the difference with the maximum and minimum latency results of a ping test. This can be a good test of network stability.

What results do you want to see on your internet speed test?

When you do an internet speed test, it’s important to be able to understand what the results actually mean. What you’re looking for is a low ping number (less than 10 milliseconds is good), and high download and upload speeds. You can use iiNets tool to check your internet speed.

Next look at packet loss. Ideally you would want 0% packet loss, however, that’s not always possible. Packet loss can be caused by a bad connection, interference or overburdened network hardware.

For everyday internet use, 1% or 2% packet loss is usually acceptable. If you are playing real-time online games or you are video-conferencing however, even 1% or 2% packet loss may be too much.

Next up, it’s jitter. If you do one ping test and you get a ping number of 1 millisecond, and you do another test and it’s 10 milliseconds, you have a lot of jitter. The higher the jitter, the less stable your connection is.

Again, high jitter shouldn’t really be a problem with everyday internet use, but you may notice it if you do a lot of online gaming, video streaming, or video conferencing. You are likely to notice it – and be annoyed by it.

If you are experiencing problems, you may be able to fix them yourself. Check for online guides, check your equipment, speak to your ISP, and if that doesn’t work, consider calling in a network technician.

Do Broadband Speed Tests Allow You to Judge Internet Quality?

Secure eCommerce Websites Selling Strongly

There was a time when the only shopping trolley that you saw was on a visit to a supermarket; not any more. The trolley and basket symbols are now used extensively on eCommerce websites that have made major inroads into consumer spending.

 

Patience

The idea of going online to actually buy products and services is still relatively new. In the early days the pioneers of eCommerce actually budgeted for a loss but were committed to the concept of trading online. Their patience has been well and truly rewarded with online shopping starting to cause serious problems to High Streets everywhere. In the more rural areas of the UK the Government is extremely keen to provide good broadband services. These areas such as parts of Scotland and Cornwall have been at the forefront of trials of new technology by BT and the population of these areas are more than happy to get better Internet provision and eCommerce alternatives.

Such sites cannot provide the service of a good sales assistant that looks after you when you walk through the door but they have overcome that by offering online contact and secure payment gateways. It means that personal credit and debit card details cannot be accessed by anyone not authorised to do so; encryption ensures that no one at all sees your card details and the transaction can be completed without you needing to worry.

Information

If you are looking to create a successful eCommerce website you will need help. You will also need to make sure that you include a good deal of information on your pages not just a stark button which says ‘buy.’ If you look at one of the early pioneers, Amazon.com, you will see that clearly; excerpts of a book you may be thinking of buying, reviews and similar books that might also interest you. Amazon.com is a source of information as well as a direct retailer and that encourages people not only to return but also to buy. It has created just the right balance because the website is marketing as well as selling.

Create trust

Few people will buy from you the first time they go to your website. You have to have a user friendly and attractive website certainly but you must also have good content to make them want to return. You are attempting to build up trust in the consumer’s mind as a prelude to their return armed with a credit card.

This is the scene your expert will set when designing a website and planning the content that will accompany the products you are selling. You will also need your website developing so that it reaches a strong position on the search engines but that is also something you can leave to your expert. All you need to do is ensure that the proposition you are presenting to your visitors is attractive.

If you think your business could be taking advantage of eCommerce opportunities then look for expert local web design in Cornwall for help. If you want a good eCommerce website that will tempt consumers not just to look and compare prices but to actually get their credit cards out and buy, local knowledge is invaluable.

Secure eCommerce Websites Selling Strongly

The Loyalty Card

A Unibet gaming review: For many of us, our first experiences of the loyalty card system is probably a store card given to you by a supermarket chain. You hand it to the cashier when you have finished your shopping and once in a while you get a few bucks off your bill.

Money for nothing?

Well not exactly. In fact, money for nothing is a statement that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The loyalty card system is now used the world over, and the gambling industry has cradled it into its bosom where it now holds it tightly.

When you sign up to a casino establishment you will now be asked to also join their loyalty program. Just like the supermarket you have to hand your card to the dealer, or into the required slot on the automated machines, every time you play a game.

So what is the casino getting out of this?

Technological advancements now mean that the loyalty card system probably knows more about your habits than you do and this information is invaluable for the future marketing campaigns of the casinos.

The biggest casinos in the world are monoliths that house much more than just casino games. They are entertainment centres with shows, restaurants and spas also providing you with forms of entertainment.

Through the use of the loyalty card system the casinos know what you like to eat, when you like to eat and where you like to eat. They know how much money you are investing in all areas of their network; they understand how much you win, lose and on what games you like to play.

Like we said…they know you better than you know yourself, so it’s no coincidence that you never want to leave the place.

 

The Loyalty Card

Dedicated and cloud servers: the benefits of a partnership

The choice between cloud servers and dedicated servers is often presented as an either-or problem. However, it can be beneficial to look at this choice in terms of a blended solution. Some things make sense to run on a dedicated server while others make sense to host in the cloud. Selecting the right solution for the problem always yields better results. For this reason, we’re going to look at the pros and cons of dedicated and cloud servers before exploring the benefits of blending these solutions.

Dedicated servers

The traditional server that people think of is a dedicated server. It’s the gray box in the corner of the office or the sleek box on a rack in the server room. This computer is similar to a standard desktop, but it’s designed to run 24/7/365. It’s the computer that all the other company systems are connected to and when it goes down, the whole company loses access to data and systems.

When your systems are set up on a dedicated server, your business has complete control of all the resource on that machine. The CPU, memory and hard drive space are all dedicated to the needs of your business. Furthermore, when it’s time to upgrade, you must install new hardware or replace the entire server. This can take time, and it pushes most businesses to purchase a more powerful machine to minimize downtime from future upgrades. On the plus side, over time it costs less to buy server hardware than to rent it through the cloud.

Cloud servers

Unlike dedicated servers, cloud servers are virtual machines that run on a large network of servers pooling resources. Similarly, the resources that are provisioned to you with your cloud server are dedicated to your company alone. This is a major advantage over shared hosting plans, and it makes cloud servers comparable to dedicated servers in terms of performance. However, cloud servers go a little further than a dedicated server by allowing for unlimited hard drive, RAM, and CPU upgrades. This is because the resources provisioned to a cloud server come from multiple physical machines that make up the cloud. Since the resources for a cloud server are being rented, over time they can cost considerably more than a dedicated server.

Portions of a business IT infrastructure that are rapidly expanding can take advantage of these cloud servers by avoiding the expense of upgrading dedicated servers. As the business needs of the company expand or contract, the cloud server can also be easily configured to meet the demand. This can result in a great deal of savings. However, services that require a constant resource configuration for a significant period of time will cost less to operate on a dedicated server.

What would happen if these technologies were blended?

One of the best alternatives to simply choosing between dedicated servers and cloud servers is to create a blended network. The core of your business can be hosted on a dedicated server while cloud servers are used to scale these systems during times of peak traffic. Deploying additional cloud servers is quick and easy compared to setting up a new dedicated server. You can even take your Windows dedicated server assets and complement them with Windows servers running in the cloud, so you don’t have to switch to an entirely different OS platform to switch to the cloud. Additionally, these cloud servers can be taken offline if traffic subsides. This can provide the additional resources your business needs while keeping costs low if they are only needed temporarily.

While it’s impossible to predict the future, all signs appear to indicate that the cloud is here to stay and that it is very likely to become the new industry standard. With all the incredible benefits of the cloud platform, there simply aren’t very many things holding a company back from adopting it. All of the true downsides to a cloud platform can be protected against, and there isn’t any significant competition in the market.

Dedicated and cloud servers: the benefits of a partnership

Is Our Modern Technology Slowly Killing Us?

Lord knows, we love our gadgets. In today’s modern, technologically driven society, electronic appliances of all types are the order of the day. These range from modern television sets, with their shiny flat screens that are able to provide us with unprecedented levels of quality, to our tablets, computers and smartphones, which allow us to keep in touch with the rest the world with extreme ease. However, many people don’t know that a lot of these components, especially our computers and mobile devices, employ rare earth minerals, which are not only difficult to extract, but also pose an environmental threat if the equipment is discarded without a second thought. We all have to achieve a new consciousness to protect Mother Earth and create a sustainable technological revolution.

Built-in Obsolescence

On the one hand, all of our modern technological gadgets are great. Almost every manufacturer comes out with new models of everything from smartphones to tablets almost on a monthly basis. For many of us, an older cell phone, which may be approaching the end of its useful life, is easier to discard than repair. After all, it does not have all the latest features that many of us want and, therefore, is not very useful in the modern world. However, these older electronic appliances contain those rare earth metals, which are highly toxic and are a major source of pollution. Just tossing them into a landfill creates a major environmental challenge going forward. The “discard and forget about it” model is just not sustainable if we’re going to maintain even a semblance of ecological balance.

One Possible Solution

Almost all companies in the UK have a wide variety of computers and portable electronic devices which often need to be replaced. However, just tossing them out without a second thought poses serious risks. For one, the information on a computer hard drive or even on a mobile device may not be completely erased, even if the company thinks they have gone to great lengths to do so. The second is the fact that, once again, we are faced with the issue of causing additional pollution in landfills. The solution to solve both of these problems is to visit a company that will make sure that any information on old equipment is completely destroyed and that the individual components are recycled according to the latest and best practices.

What Is the Answer Going Forward?

Today’s electronics rely on rare earth metals for many of their internal circuits. We can only hope that scientists will find substitute materials in the future which are not only easier to extract from the ground, but which are also less toxic overall. If that balance can be achieved, we will arguably be able to manufacture less-expensive products while not creating such a harmful environmental impact.

Is Our Modern Technology Slowly Killing Us?