Share files on Gmail up to 10GB with Google Drive

Have you ever tried to send an attachment through Gmail and the file was too big? I’m sure many of you have, as their attachment size limit used to be only 25MB. After Microsoft introduced 10GB attachments in Hotmail, Google was behind the curve.

Now Google has integrated its cloud-based service: Google Drive into Gmail, allowing users to transfer files up to 10GB in size.

Google Drive was introduced by Google in April, allowing users to store up to 5GB for free; each additional 25GB costs only $2.49.

After users opt-in for the new “Compose” feature for Gmail, you can select (or even drag and drop) files from your computer up to 10GB in size. Not to mention with the new feature users can navigate throughout Gmail more quickly and easily all while composing a message, with the new compose pop-up window (much like chats only bigger).

Also with the new compose feature, users will now see a contact picture from Google+ of the recipient entered in the “To, Cc, or Bcc” line.

Additionally, your recipient will always have access to the most up-to-date version of your file stored on Google Drive; you or your recipient can now make changes back and forth to the shared document and all of the message recipients will see the changes to the file next time they access the document online.

Much like DropBox or SkyDrive, with Google Drive you can now access all of your stored files anywhere, anytime. But look out DropBox and SkyDrive, Google specializes in integrating all of its services, and with the new Gmail integration, Google Drive should gain further popularity.

Sources: Gmail Blog- Introducing the new compose in Gmail, Gmail and Drive – a new way to send files

The Galaxy Note II, a better "Phablet"?

It's a phone, it's a tablet...it's a "Phablet". The Samsung Galaxy Note II, the newest "hybrid" smartphone released by Samsung, combines many of the key features of a smartphone and a tablet to create a new and revolutionary product, the phablet.

The Galaxy Note II is the successor to the popular Galaxy Note, a 5.3 in. smartphone that was big success. The new and improved Note contains many upgrades from the original Galaxy Note, including a larger display. At 5.5 inches, the Galaxy Note II has a larger screen than most smartphones on the market and is considered by some to be a "mini tablet". The Galaxy Note II also has 4G LTE (on select networks), an 8 Megapixel camera, a quad-core processor, expandable memory using a micro-SD card, good battery life, and runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean).

Another feature that gives the Galaxy Note II that tablet "feel" is the inclusion of a stylus with the smartphone. Samsung has done a lot of work to improve the interaction and usability of the stylus and has done a good job. The stylus is a key feature of the Galaxy Note II that allows users to take handwritten notes, write papers, draw, and various other productive tasks that are much harder to accomplish with a human finger. This phone also comes with software exclusive to the Galaxy Note line such as S Note and S Planner. These two applications take advantage of both the large display and the included stylus. They focus on productivity and are great for anyone working on the go.

The Galaxy Note II is an interesting device since it is in that "middle ground" between a smartphone and a tablet. The only true thing that really keeps this device from being classified as a small tablet is the ability to make voice calls over a cellular provider. Having such a large display truly puts this phone into a different category than many other popular smartphones such as the iPhone 5, the HTC One X, and even Samsung's own Galaxy S III. While these phones all have a screen of at least 4 inches, the 5.5 inch screen of the Note truly dwarfs the rest.

While the large display is certainly the selling point and the biggest benefit of the Galaxy Note II, it is also its greatest weakness. Such a large display affects the way that one interacts with the phone. This smartphone is one that cannot be used with one hand, it is simply too big. No matter what you want to do on the device, whether browsing the web or sending a text message, two hands are required. While there are many people who like the immense size of the screen, I for one think it is too big. While I certainly understand the purpose of the screen size, I feel it is too much. Having a phone that cannot be used in one hand and bulges out of any pocket it is put into is something that I feel would be quite annoying.

That being said, I feel that the Galaxy Note II is a great smartphone, especially for anyone that will use it for productivity tasks or work. The included stylus, the great battery life, and the fast processor all come together to form a great phone. While it may not be for everyone, it will be a great phone for many.

Nexus 4 Release, and The State of Android

With the announcement of the Nexus 4 from Google on Monday, the new flagship Nexus smartphone, Google is seeking to expand their dominance into the mobile world. A recently released report now shows that in the third quarter of 2012 Android had 75% of the global smartphone market share. Because of the increase in popularity, Google is increasing their efforts to maintain the customer base they enjoy, along with attracting new customers during the upcoming holiday season.

The new flagship Nexus device has many improvements over the Galaxy Nexus, the previous Nexus smartphone. Some of the new features include an upgraded 8 Megapixel Camera, a 4.7 in. display with 320 ppi, wireless charging capabilities, and Android 4.2, the newest Android OS. The device is expected to be available on November 13 on the Google Play online store. The unlocked version of the phone will be available in both 8 GB and 16 GB storage options starting at $299 for the 8 GB version. There is also an alternative purchasing option available as T-Mobile will offer the 16 GB version for $199, with a two-year contract, starting November 14.

While the features of this phone certainly are great, there is one feature lacking that is a big question mark for many potential buyers, no LTE support. With most of the new "high end" smartphones having LTE, such as the Galaxy S III from Samsung and the iPhone 5 from Apple, it is curious why Google decided to shy away from this new data standard. One reason that Google is giving for this omission is that the goal for the Nexus 4 is to be a "world phone" and one that anyone can use. LTE is not yet available in many parts of the country, and really only available on the three networks of Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. LTE is also not available in many parts of the world, and therefore is not a feature that many people can access. Google also wants to keep their "flagship" smartphone separate from carrier involvement and wants to have the "pure Google experience" no matter what carrier. While the HSPA+ network that Google plans to use works well and is available in most of the country, it is no match for the data speeds that LTE offers.

The interesting thing to watch going forward will be whether or not Google's flagship device will suffer because of a lack of LTE. The Nexus is sure to be an attractive offer based on the "bargain" price for the high end specs, along with the unlocked option to use on any carrier. The ability to be used on any carrier will be a benefit to many businesses as they will have the flexibility to use the carrier of their preference. Also, people who enjoy an unlimited data plan on networks such as T-Mobile or Cricket will be able to use this "high-end" device without fear of data limits that plague Verizon and AT&T customers.

With Android's dominance in the smartphone market expanding, Google's attempt to bring people into the Nexus family is a move that, if successful, can greatly help Google. While the partnership Google has established with their various hardware manufacturers is good, Google places extra emphasis on their Nexus line. If the Nexus 4 is attractive enough to many consumers to sway them away from the iPhone 5, a task that quite honestly will be difficult, then Google will not only have themselves a popular "flagship" device, but will also deal a little blow to their archrival as well.


Source: The Verge - Nexus 4 Review

Find out what is going on in the Tech Army World.

What are the Top 10 Money Making Missions?
What other companies have joined and what do they do?
How do I join the Tech Army Organization ?

Innovative Power Supplies For Mobile Workers

Innovative Power Supplies For Mobile Workers
by Laura Chapman

Technology finally appears to be catching up with the mobile worker, allowing for more and more professionals to operate effectively outside of the office. There are two major obstacles the world has worked to overcome in recent years, internet access and power.

Through 3G networks, internet access is improving for out-of-office workers, providing a wealth of benefits. Interactive maps allow individuals to easily find specific locations, while cloud computing means travelling workers can access company files from beyond the physical confines of the workplace.

Power supplies in laptops and phones differ greatly from brand to brand, and again depending upon an individual’s personal usage. Typically, a business person working away from the office will require more than the average amount of power during the day. If you run out of battery it can cause many difficulties.  In the event of a business emergency, where can an out-of-office worker locate a power supply?

Mobile power sources

Rail travel

Some trains now offer both Wi-Fi and power points for mobile phones and laptops to make life easier for mobile workers. This can be extremely beneficial to businesses as it means travel time can be utilized more effectively – preparation which may once have been limited to office hours can be done on the way to a client visit. If you require Wi-Fi and power for your electronic devices, check with the rail company before you book your seat.

Travelling by road

Sometimes rail travel simply isn’t the best option – for example when the train station is 20 miles from your final destination. If you are travelling by car, there are many in-car chargers available to help you keep your batteries topped up. The PC247 60W Universal Power Car Adapter/ Charger has a choice of eight adapters  and plugs directly into your car’s cigarette lighter for laptop-charging on the go. There are many similar devices that cater for mobile phones, too.

Travelling by foot

The most innovative device for charging up your mobile technology comes in the form of a back pack. The Voltaic OffGrid Solar Backpack charges mobile phones, tablets and notebooks using the power of the sun, so it’s ideal if you’re travelling on foot, on a train with no chargers or even planning on working al fresco.

The travel gadget features a removable solar pocket which captures and stores the sun’s energy to be transferred to your mobile devices – and also boasts 1,500 cubic inches of space in which to store everything you need for the ultimate mobile office. If that’s not enough space or you simply don’t like the style of the carrier, you can attach the solar panel to other bags to provide a stylish power solution wherever you are. They can be attached to basically anything which will be in the sun, such as bike racks or even your suit.

The backpack’s solar panels are lightweight, waterproof and relatively robust so you don’t have to worry about stepping out in the rain or being jostled about on public transport. As you travel in the daylight the panels will charge up on the go – but you can also charge up the universal USB battery before your trip by using a USB from a laptop or by using a DC or an AC cable. The battery will charge using a power source in 5.5 hours, or by using the sun in 7 hours of direct sunlight. The battery offers up to 19 hours of talk time for mobile phones – and for just one hour charging in the sun you will benefit from three hours talk time.

When using the sunlight to charge the backpack you are utilizing sustainable resources to power your equipment. On top of that, the backpack is manufactured from recycled plastic bottles (PET), assuaging even the greenest conscience.

In terms of what you can carry, the bag has been designed with business users in mind, offering a padded laptop pocket and mobile phone pouch on the shoulder strap of the pack. Plus, it boasts internal wire channels which allow you to charge up your devices while you’re on the move.

Mobile technology has come on leaps and bounds in recent years making working out of the office more of a realistic possibility than it has ever been before.

The Apple Map Fiasco

By James Kenny

CC http://bit.ly/OWhIfS

On what is supposed to be a triumphant week for Apple with the release of their new flagship iPhone 5 and the updated iOS 6, there is one glaring problem that has many of Apple's customers up in arms, the updated Maps app for iOS 6. Since the release of iOS 6 to the public on Wednesday, there has been criticism from all over the globe decrying Apple's new mapping application, which takes the place of the standard Google Maps app that has existed on the iPhone from the very beginning.

The replacement of the standard Google Maps application by an app that was built and designed by Apple themselves is just another battle in the ever continuing war between Apple and Google for domination of the world's mobile market. Apple, with this update to iOS, is attempting to cut as many ties to Google as possible, most notably with the new mapping application and the removal of the standard YouTube video app, which of course is owned by Google.

Much of the criticism of the new mapping application has been about missing locations, such as the Statue of Liberty, and the lack of public transit directions. While the new mapping application offers iOS users free, voice guided turn-by-turn navigation for the first time, a feature already included on android phones, it does not necessarily make up for the many omissions that exist. Part of the problem is the fact that Apple is relatively new to the "mapping game" and that compared to what is arguably the industry standard, they come up a bit short. Apple is confident, however, that the more people use the iOS 6 application, the better its mapping system will get, just as Google maps improved with millions of users' input. In the meantime, however, customers of Apple's popular mobile operating system are not pleased and are demanding Apple fix the problems that exist.

Ultimately it remains to be seen how Apple will update its new Maps application, and if it will indeed improve to the standard that Google Maps has set. It is rumored that Google may release a standalone app that, like they did with YouTube, may satisfy the needs of iOS users. While this will assuredly prolong the war between the two giant tech companies, it may satisfy the customer base that just wants to know where they are going.

Power Point Projectors
Most business class projectors will do a good job displaying your PowerPoint presentation. If you have a small presentation group, a 2000 lumen LCD projector will be able to produce a nice and clear picture. For larger audiences you should consider a 5000 lumen LCD projector.

Amazon's Appstore is Proving to Be a Success

According to data that was recently released by Flurry, an analysis firm, Amazon made a smart decision to open its own app store because it is bringing in more Android app revenues than Google.

Flurry decided to look at a “basket of top apps” that were available at Apple’s App Store, the Android Market/Google Play Store and Amazon’s Appstore over 45 days during January and February this year. It found that for every dollar that was spent on iOS apps, 89 cents was spent on apps in the Amazon Appstore and only 23 cents was spent on apps from the Google Play app store.

"Amazon's bet to fork Android in order to put consumers into their own shopping experience on Kindle Fire appears to be paying off," Flurry said in a blog post. "Showing its commerce strength, Amazon already delivers more than three times the revenue in its app store compared to what Google generates for developers."

"For some possible insight, let's consider the DNA of each company. Apple runs the highest revenue-per-square foot generating retail store on the planet as well as the successful iTunes store," it said. "Amazon, who invented the one-click purchase, perfected online shopping with data, efficiency and customer service. Google's strength is in scalable online search engine and advertising technology. Running a store, retail or digital, has not been Google's traditional core competency."

It will be interesting to see if Amazon continues to be successful in the Android app sales business. Right now, it sure looks like they have a leg up on Google, and it will stay that way for awhile.

Sources: PCMag - Study: Amazon Trouncing Google in Android App Revenue and Flurry Blog - For Generating App Revenue, Amazon Shows Google How to Play

Apple is Present in More Than Half of American Households

Apple products can be seen almost anywhere these days. With iPhones, iPads, iPods and MacBooks, Apple is definitely finding its way into the American household. According to a survey that was conducted by CNBC, more than half of all American households own one or more Apple product.

That means that more than 55 million U.S. homes own some kind of Apple product, and CNBC says that this number will only be going up. Of those polled, a quarter of the individuals said that they would be buying an Apple device sometime within the next year.

“It's a fantastic business model — the more of our products you own, the more likely you are to buy more,” says Jay Campbell, the vice president of Hart Research Associates, which helped to conduct the CNBC survey. “Planned obsolescence has always been a part of the technology industries sales model, but Apple has taken it to a whole new level.”

The survey found that the majority of Apple consumers are younger, college-educated males. It also showed that, not surprisingly, the more money that an individual made, the more Apple products that they tended to have. Seventy-seven percent of individuals making $75,000 or more owned at least one Apple device, and on average, owned three devices; while only 28 percent of individuals that made $30,000 or less owned at least one Apple device, and on average, they owned 0.6 devices.

It’s crazy to think how many devices Apple has sold. When the third-generation iPad was released, more than 3 million devices were sold on the first weekend. According to the CNBC survey, it really looks like in the future it’s only going to get better for Apple.

Sources: CNBC - Apples Are Growing in American Homes and PCMag - Half of American Homes Own at Least One Apple Product

SMBnow.com is news of, for and by SMBs!
SMBnow.com... The Small & Medium Business Magazine!

Nokia Lumia 900 Available for Pre-Order from AT&T

If you've been patiently waiting for AT&T's newest Nokia Lumia handheld then your patience has just paid off because the mobile provider has just opened the doors on pre-orders for the Nokia Lumia 900, just ahead of its April 8th release date. If you have been anticipating this device for a while, you can finally reserve your very own Lumia 900, complete with the Windows Phone 7.5 operating system, from AT&T.

In case you haven't been following this device, the Lumia 900 is an AT&T Windows Phone that comes with a ton of features, like 4G LTE, IE9, 4.3" ClearBlack AMOLED screen, 8MP auto-focus camera with dual LED flash, Carl Zeiss optics, HD video recording, 1MP front-facing camera, 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, integrated Facebook and Twitter, 16GB of internal memory, Xbox Live, Office 367, Zune, Bing Maps, Local Scout and a whole host of apps.

Unfortunately, the color options for the Lumia 900 are limited. Customers can choose between a black or cyan outer shell with a white version expected to arrive by April 22 (though that one isn't available for pre-order). A lot of people will be interested in the price, though, as this phone will certainly save you money. If you grab one directly from AT&T, you'll have to shell out a measly $100 and sign a new two-year agreement. However, if you grab one from Walmart, you'll only pay $50. The Walmart deal is only available online though, so don't expect to pick it up in-store.

Oh, I almost left out the best part. If you do happen to pre-order your Nokia Lumia 900 from AT&T, you will receive it on April 6, two full days before it is actually released. The announcement was recently made official on AT&T's website, which should give some users a little more incentive to buy. $100 for a brand new Windows smartphone that you can get two days before everybody else does sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

Source: Engadget - AT&T now accepting Lumia 900 pre-orders, only those seeking cyan or black need apply
AT&T, Walmart

Short-throw projectors only require half the projection distance of traditional projectors. The projector can be placed just a foot or so from the screen. This is nice because it keeps the projector and screen near each other instead of having a long throw projector that people can accidentally block.

First Windows 8 Tablet to Launch in October from Lenovo

A recently leaked report supposedly has all the info on what vendor will be launching the world's first Windows 8 tablet. But what most people are focusing on in this report is not which vendor will have the first Windows 8 tablet but when that tablet will release. According to "unidentified sources" cited by The Verge, Lenovo will be the first company to release a Windows 8 tablet, complete with an Intel chip, in October of this year.

There have been a plethora of reports leaked over the past few months claiming that Microsoft is aiming for an October release date, which would fall in line with this most recent Lenovo rumor. However, Microsoft "doesn't comment on rumors or speculation" so nobody really knows when exactly we will see Windows 8.

What is a possibility is that this rumored Windows 8 tablet from Lenovo could very well be the same one that the company showed off at CES earlier in the year. That particular tablet, which the company called the IdeaPad Yoga, sported a 13.3" screen and is able to be transformed into a notebook, complete with its own built-in keyboard.

Most companies have kept their Windows 8 products under wraps, except for Dell. Dell has been very forward in announcing its Windows 8 tablet plans for the future. CEO of the company Michael Dell even went as far as telling Bloomberg that his company is going to launch a Windows 8 tablet the very same day the OS launches. If this is true and the rumor of the Lenovo tablet is true, we may see some day one competition on the Windows 8 tablet front.

No matter who breaks the gate first, whether it's Lenovo or Dell, they will be quickly followed by some stiff competition from other companies like Asus, Samsung and HP. Just the other day Nokia Design Chief Marko Ahtisarri stated that his company would soon be launching a tablet onto the market. It is widely believed that this tablet would also build around a Windows 8 operating system, broadening the competition even more if it's true.

Source: CNET - Lenovo to launch first Windows 8 tablet==in October, report says

Put your eye on the problem with Camera Security Now, installing security cameras since 1999. We install in the US and we can help you do it yourself.

Call us toll free 877-422-1907 between 8am EST and 5pm PST M-F. Talk to an expert about your serious security camera needs.

Music Unlimited Adds Offline Playback to Android App, Comes to PS Vita As Well

If you are a Music Unlimited subscriber as well as an Android user then have I got news for you! If you have ever wanted to take all your Music Unlimited playlists with you wherever you go, even when you don't have a mobile connection, then your solution has just arrived as Music Unlimited has just announced offline playback functionality for its popular Android app.

The app, with this new feature, allows you to download your Music Unlimited playlists and play all the songs that you have added wherever you go, whenever you want. What makes this even better is that your Music Unlimited playback functionality isn't limited by your mobile phone's service. Even if you are in an area that has absolutely no cell service, like an airplane, you can still listen to all of your favorite tunes.

Activating offline playback on your Android is really simple too. If you are already a subscriber to Music Unlimited, then all you have to do go to My Library, then Playlists. Once there, select the Options menu for the playlist you want to have available offline and then select "Available Offline". That's it, once that is done your playlist will be completely available even when your Android has no signal at all.

If you ever go offline, all you have to do is select "Switch to Offline Mode" in your Android hardware menu. Then you can browse by album, artist, song or playlist within your Music Unlimited catalog. However, functionality for Music Unlimited doesn't stop there.

Sony has also just announced that Music Unlimited has just become available on the company's brand new PS Vita handheld. If you are already a subscriber to Music Unlimited on your PC or PS3 then you will also have availability on your PS Vita. The service is available to download now from the UK PlayStation Store.

With the ability to have your Music Unlimited tracks on your PC, PlayStation 3, PS Vita and your Android in both online and offline settings, there will never be a time that you can't rock out to your favorite Barry Manilow song! What, no Manilow fans in the house? Whatever.

Source: Sony Entertainment Network - Music Unlimited Android App Gets Offline Playback
PushSquare - Music Unlimited Launches on PlayStation Vita
Engadget - Music Unlimited app arrives on PlayStation Vita, Android version gets offline play

Computer Service Now

eReader Sales Plummeting in the First Quarter of 2012

According to a report released by DigiTimes Research, eReader shipments around the globe will be dropping rather significantly in the first quarter of 2012. DigiTimes said that this drop in the shipments of eReaders is due to the current availability of tablets that have similar functionality and are cheaper.

According to the report released by the daily tech newspaper company based in Taiwan, eReader manufacturers will most likely only ship about two million units in the first quarter. This is a huge drop from the nine million units that were sold in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Of course, certain quarters always do better than others, simply due to the time of year that it is. Certain eReaders like Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s Nook are incredibly popular gifts to give during the holiday season, so that definitely causes a spike in eReader sales. Despite all of this, DigiTimes claims that the release of more practical, less expensive tablets like Amazon’s Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble’s Nook Tablet will put a large dent in the sales of eReaders.

"The launch of Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet PC has resulted in a substitution effect for Kindle e-book readers, pushing Amazon to reduce its orders for e-book readers from upstream suppliers since the beginning of 2012," the researcher reported.
However, DigiTimes said that in the future they believe that eReaders will “bounce back and positively flourish.”

"Overall, global shipments of e-book readers amounted to 22.82 million units in 2011, increasing 107 percent from a year earlier," the firm said. "Annual shipments of e-book readers are expected to top 60 million units by 2015."

That seems hard to believe after considering the drop of eReader sales in the past two quarters. Can sales really grow 3X in the next three years? Who knows? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Sources: DigiTimes Research - Global shipments of e-book readers to slip to 2 million units in 1Q12 and PCMag - Report: Tablets Putting a Big Hurt on E-reader Sales

Computers, Desktops, Laptops, Servers and the latest in Portable Tablet PCs are available from your computer rental company, Rentacomputer.com.

Talk to a Rentacomputer.com Tech Travel Agent Today!
Call Toll free 800-736-8772.

The Child Pad Tablet is on Its Way

On Thursday, March 1 Archos announced that it will soon be releasing a tablet that is designed specifically to provide a fun and safe experience for children.

The tablet is being called the Child Pad. The 7-inch tablet is light-weight and perfectly made to fit comfortably in a child’s hands. Although the specs are not amazing, the tablet will run Google’s latest OS, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

The Child Pad is the first tablet that Archos has ever created to directly market children. It features a 1-Ghz processor and 1GB of RAM. As of right now, Archos has not released information concerning processor type, internal storage capacity or screen resolution.

Based on the available information, it seems as though the Kids App Store that will be available on the tablet will be powered by AppsLib instead of Google. The store will offer children 14 categories with more than 10,000 apps.

"As a pioneer in the portable audio and Android tablet market, we realize the importance of providing a tablet that can offer hours of entertainment for all ages, especially kids," says Henri Crohas, Founder and CEO. "Archos strives to offer great tablets with only the best of features at affordable prices and we expect this tablet to bring a smile to the faces of kids and parents everywhere."

According to Archos, the Child Pad will comply with both the CIPA and COPPA regulations. This will help to ensure a safe tablet experience for each and every child. The company said that there will be parental controls and safe web browsing. The security will be provided by Edition Profil, which is a developer of parental control software.

Archos said that the Child Pad will be available sometime before the end of March, and it will cost consumers $129.

Sources: Tom's Hardware - Archos Introduces Child-Friendly Android ICS 7-inch Tablet and PCMag - Archos Unveils a $130 Ice Cream Sandwich Tablet for Kids

DVD Video Projectors are exactly what they sound like, a combination unit that combines a DVD media player with a video projector, cutting out the need for multiple pieces of electronics and wiring.

Asus Confirms Android 5.0 Jelly Bean, Wants to Be First to Get It

Asus has a very close relationship with Google, home of the extremely popular Android operating system. Android is so popular that everybody wants to be known as the first company to offer a product that features the latest and greatest Android OS, including Asus. Well, it just so happens that Asus is hoping that its relationship with Google will allow the company to be the very first to offer devices running Android 5.0, otherwise known as Jelly Bean.

Asus prides itself on its ability to efficiently upgrade to the latest Android OS, as the company was the first to provide tablets operating Honeycomb and the first to update its tablets with Ice Cream Sandwich. Corporate Vice President of Asus Benson Lin stated in an interview with TechRadar, "Asus is very close to Google, so once they have Android 5.0 I think there will be a high possibility that we will be the first wave to offer the Jelly Bean update."

Asus recently announced its 3-in-1 Padfone device at the Mobile World Conference 2012. The device incorporates a mobile phone, tablet and netbook all into a single device that runs Android's Ice Cream Sandwich. Asus hopes that the Padfone will help the company gain momentum in the mobile market. If the company produces good handsets, the promise of a quick upgrade to Android Jelly Bean could see consumers attracted to the device.

Other companies, like LG, have already committed to upgrading their own 2012 range of handsets to Android 5.0 Jelly Bean as soon as it becomes available. It will be very interesting to see which company turns out a Jelly Bean device first and what that could mean for business.

Source: TechRadar - Android Jelly Bean could come first from Asus
Droid Life - Asus Calls Android 5.0 "Jelly Bean" - Says They Will Be One of the First to Release It
DroidDog - Asus hopes to be first with Android 5.0 Jelly Bean
Engadget - ASUS claims it may be among first to get Android 5.0, confirms Jelly Bean moniker

Computer Service Now

AT&T to Get Samsung Rugby Smart on March 4th

Samsung has developed a new rugged smartphone, designed to withstand some rough handling. The device, known as the Samsung Rugby Smart, has been popping up here and there but the company has just announced that the Rugby Smart is officially coming to AT&T stores on March 4th. If you have been waiting for a Samsung smartphone that can withstand heat, dust, dropping, water and just about anything else you can throw at it, then you only have about two weeks to wait.

The Rugby Smart is said to be completely waterproof, meaning you can fully submerge this baby for as long as 30 minutes in up to one meter of water. The actual phone is built to military-specification 810F standards which means that it should be able to handle quite a beating as well. Samsung has issued a press release detailing full specs of the Rugby Smart as well, so you can fully understand what this phone will survive.

The device is also said to launch with Android 2.3 as an operating system and come with a 3.7" WVGA Super AMOLED screen. In addition to that, the Rugby Smart will have 4GB of internal storage, 1,650mAh battery and a 1.3MP front-facing camera for video chat and a 5MP rear-facing auto focus camera with LED flash and 720p HD recording. As far as physical size is concerned, the Rugby Smart will measure 12.19mm thick and weigh 4.2 ounces. The device will be officially launched at AT&T on March 4th for a reasonable $100.

According to Senior Vice President of Devices for AT&T Jeff Bradley, "The Samsung Rugby Smart is perfect for active customers who need another level of durability with their smartphone." Dale Sohn, President of Samsung Mobile, added, "We continue to bring the highest quality devices - the Rugby Smart is the ultimate smartphone to withstand extreme conditions. AT&T customers are now able to stay connected with a durable smartphone while experiencing even the roughest environment."

Source: Engadget - Samsung Rugby Smart officially coming to AT&T March 4 for $100

DVD Video Projectors are exactly what they sound like, a combination unit that combines a DVD media player with a video projector, cutting out the need for multiple pieces of electronics and wiring.

Nielsen Defines New "Generation C"

Nielsen has recently categorized a new generation of Americans. They describe them as being “born sometime between the launch of the VCR and the commercialization of the Internet.” They are “Americans 18-34 [that] are redefining media consumption with their unique embrace of all things digital.” This generation is now being referred to as Generation C.

According to Nielsen, Generation C comprises 23 percent of the United States’ population. However, this somewhat small section of the population makes up for a very large amount of the media consumption and media device ownership in the U.S. Nielsen reported that people in Generation C are many of the consumers that are “watching online video (27%), visiting social networking/blog sites (27%), owning tablets (33%) and using a smartphone (39%).”

Interestingly, Generation C is actually not the largest group of consumers that watch online videos or use social networking services. Individuals in the 35-49 year old bracket actually account for 28% of these consumers, something that I found surprising.

However, those in Generation C are clearly the leading consumers of tablets and smartphones, a fact that I did not find surprising.

Generation C is definitely a new bracket that marketers and advertisers are adjusting their techniques to cater to.

Nielsen said, “Their ownership and use of connected devices makes them incredibly unique consumers, representing both a challenge and opportunity for marketers and content providers alike. Generation C is engaging in new ways and there are more touch points for marketers to reach them.”

Sources: nielsenwire - Introducing Generation C: Americans 18-34 Are the Most Connected and PCMag - Gadget-Crazed Youngsters Dubbed 'Generation C'

Security Camera Solutions

32GB Samsung Galaxy Nexus GSM Supposedly Canceled

If you were really looking forward to getting your hands on the 32GB version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, then I have some rather bad news. The GSM model was originally was supposed to be available with either a 16GB or 32GB model, but the 32GB has yet to make it into physical form. That may be due to the fact that online retailer Expansys-USA Samsung has officially canceled the device. Well, it may just be delayed, though recent reports aren't looking favorable.

The Galaxy Nexus was shipped without support for a micro-SD slot, which would allow for extra storage, leaving users to contend with whatever built-in storage their model came with. The Galaxy Nexus on Verizon comes with 32GB of storage, but everybody else, including GSM models, can only get 16GB devices. Lots of users have been waiting for the company to ship 32GB versions online with no luck.

An "official" comment from an employee at Expansys named Corey has just been released stating that Samsung has, for some unknown reason, canceled or delayed the 32GB model, though it is uncertain as to whether or not this information is viable. The statement reads, "We've just been notified this morning that Samsung has dropped the Galaxy Nexus 32GB from production. At this time it looks like they will not be releasing it. Not good news at all. Corey, EXPANSYS-USA."

A lot of people have been specifically waiting for this exact version to come out. The 32GB GSM Galaxy Nexus was also showing up as discontinued early Tuesday morning at the online retailer, though now it seems to have disappeared from the site completely. If more information on the 32GB model comes up, we'll be the first to have it, though the outlook doesn't look good that you will be getting this device any time soon.

Source: Android Community - Samsung Galaxy Nexus 32GB GSM canceled according to online retailers
Engadget - 32GB GSM Galaxy Nexus canceled, Google hopes you really like streaming

Put your eye on the problem with Camera Security Now, installing security cameras since 1999. We install in the US and we can help you do it yourself.

Call us toll free 877-422-1907 between 8am EST and 5pm PST M-F. Talk to an expert about your serious security camera needs.

Samsung Officially Reveals the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0)

Samsung has officially unveiled its newest tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0). This device is the successor to the original Samsung Galaxy Tab which was released back in 2010. The tablet runs Android's Ice Cream Sandwich operating system and is built around a 7" 1,024 x 600 PLS LCD display and comes equipped with a 1GHz dual-core processor paired with 1GB of RAM, WiFi and a 3MP rear-facing camera.

However, if you just bought a new Samsung Galaxy Tab and are upset, don't be because there is a lot of information about this device that suggests it is a budget model targeted at entry-level consumers. The main camera is fixed-focus and doesn't have an LED flash, plus the front-facing camera is only a VGA resolution camera as opposed to your standard 1.3MP or higher camera. In addition to that, the device is only 10.5mm thick, which makes it kind of chunky compared to most other tablets released by Samsung.

The reason for the bulk is to accommodate WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, A-GPS and HSPA+ connectivity. There is also 16GB to 32GB of internal storage along with a microSD card slot and a 4,000 mAh battery to top it all off, though Samsung has yet to announce how long the battery will last.

Like I said earlier, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is the operating system, making the Galaxy Tab 2 the first one released by the company to come pre-loaded with the software. Other software includes TouchWiz modifications, content hubs, ChatON IM, KIES Air and support for DLNA. That's all the information Samsung has released so far with specific pricing and release dates still unavailable, though it was announced that it's scheduled to be released first in the UK at the beginning of March.

Source: Engadget - Samsung unveils Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), offers Ice Cream Sandwich on a seven-inch platter
Slash Gear - Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 delivers entry-level Ice Cream Sandwich
SammyHub - Samsung's 7-inch Galaxy Tab 2, runs Android 4.0

A Copier Rental is a quick way to mass produce important documents for potential customers at an event or conference. Renting office equipment is simple and easy and it can also save you loads of time and money. Rentacomputer.com has been offering copier rentals to more than 1000 cities worldwide for over 20 years.

Samsung Galaxy S Advance Gets Pre-Order Status in U.K.

Reports are coming in that the Galaxy S III from Samsung won't be showing up at MWC 2012 this month which leaves the Galaxy S Advance as the only other smartphone to catch the eye of attendees. Even though it isn't available at the moment, the device has been popping up all over the internet via pictures and is largely considered to be the replacement to the Galaxy S Plus.

TechPinas has already claimed to have had some hands-on pictures from the S Advance, as well as a video of the new smartphone way before its release. Even though the S Advance lacks some of the power and features of the Galaxy S II, it is still a pretty solid device. The phone comes with a 1GHz dual-core processor along with 768MB of RAM, a 4" WVGA Super AMOLED display with curved glass (ala Galaxy Nexus) and a 5MP camera with LED flash. In addition to that, the S Advance also comes with a 1.3MP front-facing camera, 8GB of internal storage and Android Gingerbread for an operating system.

The biggest drawback to the Galaxy S Advance is that we won't be seeing it in the United States anytime soon. However, if you live in the United Kingdom then you're in luck because Clove, a smartphone retailer in the U.K., has already outlined pre-orders for the S Advance starting at £295, or $467. The device should ship around the end of February, more specifically the 27th so you better hurry if you are looking for a pre-order.

Source: Android Community - Samsung Galaxy S Advance spotted in the wild, hits pre-order status

TechPinas, Samsung Galaxy S Advance Philippines Captured on Video! Android 2.3.6, Confirmed!

Clove - Samsung Galaxy S Advance Available To Order, Launching Late Feb

Engadget - Samsung Galaxy S Advance snapped in the wild, pricing in tow

Power Point Projectors
Most business class projectors will do a good job displaying your PowerPoint presentation. If you have a small presentation group, a 2000 lumen LCD projector will be able to produce a nice and clear picture. For larger audiences you should consider a 5000 lumen LCD projector.

Google Announces New "Bouncer" Security

On Thursday, February 2 Google announced that it was adding some new security for its Android Market. This new security is being called the Bouncer. It will scan Android apps for any possible malware.

Google went on to say that Bouncer will scan all new and existing apps as well as the developer’s accounts. All of this will be done "without disrupting the user experience of Android Market or requiring developers to go through an application approval process," said Google's vice president of engineering, Hiroshi Lockheimer.

"Here's how it works: once an application is uploaded, the service immediately starts analyzing it for known malware, spyware and trojans," Lockheimer wrote in a blog post. "It also looks for behaviors that indicate an application might be misbehaving and compares it against previously analyzed apps to detect possible red flags."

Google will run every single app through the scanning process and alert users to anything that might be a potential issue. Developers' accounts will also be examined to make sure that any banned individuals do not try to come back.

Android malware issues were a big topic last year. Google does not have a particularly strict app approval process for the Android Market, which does make it a much more open environment; however, unlike the Apple App Store, the store is much more susceptible to malicious apps.

"We've chosen not to be the gatekeeper," said Alan Davidson, the former director of public policy at Google. "We don't generally go back and try to make sure that every app does what it says it's going to do. [Google is] really trying to maximize the ability of small app developers to get online."

According to data that was released by Juniper Networks, the number of malware issues from the Android Market jumped 472 percent just between July and November 2011. However, Google’s report was very different than Juniper Networks' report. Google said recently that in the second half of 2011 it saw a 40 percent decline in the downloading of potentially malicious apps on the Android Market.

"This drop occurred at the same time that companies who market and sell anti-malware and security software have been reporting that malicious applications are on the rise," Lockheimer wrote. "We know the rate is declining significantly."

Sources: Google Blog - Android and Security and PCMag - Google 'Bouncer' Now Scanning Android Market for Malware

SMBnow.com is news of, for and by SMBs!
SMBnow.com... The Small & Medium Business Magazine!

Power Bag for Working on the Go

If you are like me you have lots of little devices that tag along with you everywhere you go. There is nothing worse than being on the road and worrying about your batteries holding out throughout the day. Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a way to charge up your phone and Ipad and Ipod and other handy devices, all while on the road? Well, now there is.

Fūl has designed the Power Bag that can carry and charge your devices. The Powerbag contains a 3000 mha battery, a 6000 mha battery or a 9000 mha battery to fit your charging needs. It also contains pockets of various sizes and connectors to charge literally thousands of different kinds of devices including USB and Apple compatible connectors. With everything inside the bag, you never have to worry about leaving another charger behind in your hotel room while you are traveling.

Other features include adjustable straps, a power button on the outside of the bag, a plug-in to charge your bag and a meter display to check on the charging. This bag truly is invaluable to the traveling techie. Power Bags comes in three different styles including backpack, messenger and briefcase and run anywhere from $140 to $300. A 3000 mha battery in the messenger style bag is only about two pounds to add to things that I carry around with me anyway, and to be able to have them all together and charged is totally worth it. Powerbags can be puchased at BestBuy, Amazon, Staples and many more locations. For more information on Powerbags please visit their website.

Short-throw projectors only require half the projection distance of traditional projectors. The projector can be placed just a foot or so from the screen. This is nice because it keeps the projector and screen near each other instead of having a long throw projector that people can accidentally block.

Researcher Adds Photovoltaic Cells to OLED Screen, Starts on Path to First Self-Sustaining Smartphone

Here is some very interesting news for you. A crafty little researcher at the London Center for Nanotechnology managed to stuff a bunch of little solar power cells behind the display of a smartphone. According to Arman Ahnood, who just unveiled his design at the Materials Research Society at the end of last year, only 36% of the light produced by an OLED display is projected straight out. The other 64% is wasted as scattered light or bleeding from the edge of the display.

Ahnood created photovoltaic cells that line the back of and sides of an OLED display in order to capture some of this 64% of wasted light. The result? Free, harvested energy that can subsequently be used to power the phone or charge the battery. In other words, you now have a nearly self-powering smartphone.

The best part is that Ahnood's cells take the form of a thin film, similar to OLED and LCD displays themselves. Ahnood's idea is to bond this photovoltaic layer to the stack of films that make up an OLED display, which would ultimately produce OLED screens that automatically harvest wasted light. In addition to that, because OLED and LCD screens are not 100% opaque, these thin photovoltaic cells will gather ambient light from overhead lights or the sun.

As of right now, Ahnood's system only consists of a supercapacitor and some circuitry and only has an 11% efficiency rating. This is very low considering that commercial photovoltaic cells are reaching 30%, but Ahnood's is free energy. Ahnood's system can currently output a total of 5 milliwatts for a 3.7" smartphone screen, which is definitely a step in the right direction.

Ahnood's next step, as well as the next step for all the other researchers at the London Center for Nanotechnology, is to experiment with designs and materials to get the efficiency up to 90%. Once they get to that point, the system could extend the life of a phone battery by a few hours. Add in some more energy harvesting technology and we could very well see smartphones that can last more than a day on a single charge.

Source: ExtremeTech - Smartphone screens with built-in solar cells
IEEE Spectrum - Solar Cells in Smartphone Screens
Engadget - Arman Ahnood teases OLED display with solar cells, idealizes the self-sustaining smartphone

Put your eye on the problem with Camera Security Now, installing security cameras since 1999. We install in the US and we can help you do it yourself.

Call us toll free 877-422-1907 between 8am EST and 5pm PST M-F. Talk to an expert about your serious security camera needs.

Developer Newsletter Hints at March Release Date for Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone

This week's 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was definitely one to remember. So much new tech was on hand, serving the sole purpose of making a lot of people mad that they weren't there and eager for the coming months. One of the coolest gadgets in the smartphone realm came out of the Nokia booth in the form of the Nokia Lumia 900. The device was unveiled by Nokia CEO Stephen Elop and will run Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5. It is also the biggest and fastest smartphone to date according to Elop.

But even though Elop and Nokia divulged a lot in terms of the phone itself, what they carefully left out of the unveiling was precise information on availability and pricing of the Nokia Lumia 900 Windows Phone on AT&T. AT&T wasn't much help either, as they too left out any specific mention of a final release date or final pricing scheme.

A Nokia Developer Newsletter that has been circulating around the internet gives a little detail about when and where we will see this phone saying that the Nokia Lumia 900 "will become available exclusively through AT&T in March." In addition to that, netcast hosts Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley from Twit.TV gathered from sources of their own that the Nokia Lumia 900 will be available come March 18, just slightly more than two months after its debut at CES 2012.

Neither of these dates were confirmed by Nokia or AT&T at CES and neither company stated anything about pricing whatsoever, leaving people something to speculate about. Between now and March 18, on the other hand, there is another big electronics show set to take place at the end of February in Barcelona. This one is quite possibly more important for mobile device makers than CES, so you can expect Microsoft, Nokia and possibly even AT&T to give us a little more information about the Lumia 900 there.

Source: Engadget - Nokia Lumia 900 Coming to retail on March 18?
Pocketnow.com - Nokia Lumia 900 Expected on AT&T In March Says Dev Newsletter

Power Point Projectors
Most business class projectors will do a good job displaying your PowerPoint presentation. If you have a small presentation group, a 2000 lumen LCD projector will be able to produce a nice and clear picture. For larger audiences you should consider a 5000 lumen LCD projector.

AOC Unveils 22" 1080p USB Monitor

AOC has just announced its new 22" USB monitor in a recent press release. The USB monitor is a stylish, full HD LED monitor that receives power and signal completely from a USB connection. Being both energy efficient and affordable, the 22" USB monitor (also known as the e2251Fwu) offers simple plug-and-play connectivity, which makes it perfect for every tech savvy road warrior out there.

The e2251Fwu is perfect for business, gaming and entertainment use with its integrated USB port and high picture quality. If you are in the habit of running multiple applications, this is definitely a product you should look into. AOC states that the 22" USB monitor should be available in February for $199 and will also be showcased at the Bellagio, Monet 3 Ballroom at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show set to take place next week in Las Vegas.

According to Marketing Manager for AOC Robert Velez, "The 22-inch USB Monitor makes multi-screen computing more practical than ever with its plug-and-play setup, cord independence and low power consumption."

The e2251Fwu is extremely light and very thin and is an LED-backlit LCD monitor that comes with full 1080p HD resolution, 20,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 200cd/m2 brightness and a 5ms response time. The LED backlighting allows the monitor to consume 50% less energy than most monitors and the monitor itself features a removable stand that allows it to instantly transform into a digital picture frame or presentation display.

Integration with other desktop or notebook computers is easy thanks to the DisplayLink chip and the device itself is also supported by Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Mac OS X Tiger, Mac OS X Snow Leopard and Mac OS X Lion. In addition to that, Linux support is available through many standard distributions. Full specifications include:

• USB-powered LED display


• 250cd brightness


• 20,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio


• 5ms response time


• 1,920 x 1,080 resolution at 60Hz


• HDCP compatible


• 10.6mm thick


• Supported on all leading operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X and Linux

Source: Engadget - AOC reveals 22-inch, USB-powered 1080p monitor

Security Camera Solutions