Engadget’s summer gear guide 2012: smartphones

June 1, 2012

I am on my smart phone ALL the time! And if you are anything like me, you want to know all the latest apps and all there is to know about the newest and best phones on the market. Gearing up for summertime and keeping in mind that I have to work remotely I must have a fast working phone. Here is Engadget’s summer gear guide to smartphones for 2o12.

Summer Gear Guide 2012: Smartphones

By , Engadget

As you prepare for adventures with friends and fun in the sun, just remember that a great smartphone should be at the top of your gear list. Whether you’re looking for travel tips, a new place to hang or even directions to get there, your smartphone will have you covered. It can help you check-in for flights, rent a car and even get great deals on places to stay. Go ahead and leave your point-and-shoot camera at home, because many of today’s best smartphones excel at photography and allow you to immediately share your memories as they’re captured. If you plan to travel abroad, be sure to spring for an unlocked handset to avoid those nasty roaming fees. Whatever your particular needs, our smartphone selection is geared to make your decision as painless as possible – and more importantly, ensure that you have a fun and rewarding summer. Dive in on the other side of the break.

For the complete list of the summer guide for smartphones Click Here.

Editor’s choice: HTC One X 


How Tablets Are Transforming Business Intelligence

May 15, 2012

I recently have been looking into purchasing a tablet and during my research for different ways tablets can increase business productivity I came across this article from TechCrunch on the various ways to monitor news. I like to keep an eye on the news daily and I am always interested in knowing what’s going on locally and globally. I got some really great ideas on news apps and how to simplify my daily news feeds.

By Mitch Lazar, TechCrunch

Staying on top of your game and understanding the competitive landscape is essential to winning in the modern business world. A huge component to staying ahead of the curve is keeping a close eye on competitors in your market, which entails maintaining a watchful eye on industry news. Some companies turn to expensive news monitoring services to keep track of their respective industry, but in reality there are more viable options. Emerging tablet news and information services like Flipboard, Pulse and others are proving an incredible companion to business and consulting executives in staying current with industry changes occurring around them.

Jeff Cavins, CEO of Fuzebox, recently wrote in Business Insider that the explosive uptake of tablet computers is fueling the growth of what he called the new “iPad economy.” Cavins said: “The iPad is shifting the way businesses function, changing how executives interact and transforming the economics of today’s business operations.”

The iPad economy is a growing reality across the globe, and businesses are turning to enterprise apps to help them succeed. Simple RSS readers are used to condense multiple streams of content from a variety of sources into single channels, granting users access to diverse content all in one place. Some applications have further simplified news aggregation by using innovative search technology that goes beyond the function of RSS readers to deliver richer streams of highly targeted information to business users – a critical asset to businesses large and small.

Better Search and Filtering Offers Essential Time Savings

Gesture Based Information Consumption Increases Efficiency

Bookmarking Makes for Easier Follow Up

Read More from TechCrunch Here

Editor’s note: Mitch Lazar is CEO of Taptu. He Founded CNN and Cartoon Network Mobile. He was a former journalist at CNN and one of the co-founders of CNN.com. Prior to joining Taptu, Mitch headed Yahoo! Mobile Europe.


Small Business Tips: How to Stop Cyber Attacks

April 17, 2012

I am someone who is on the internet most of the day. At my desk or on my phone I am working on something that has me connected to the world-wide web. I recently have been getting an increase of spam mail and even spam text messages, which makes me nervous. So I did a little research on how to protect myself from the dreaded cyber attack, hackers and spammers.

“Since an increasing number of small business owners are using internet for advertising, promoting or for doing some basic activities, they are becoming an easy prey for hackers who are still living at large. Though steps have been taken both at region and country level to contain such cases, there is no apparent signs of immediate relief. Small business organizations just like their big corporate counterparts are very much susceptible to external and internet security threats and if these treats are overlooked, this might have a serious consequences later on. Here we are going to share 5 tips that a small business company can adopt.” Just take a look:

Posted by  at www.Noobpreneur.com This article is one of the excellent contributions from our team of experienced guest authors.

Have a backup ready
You never know when things may go away of your hands and you lose all the data that holds key to success to your business.

Pinpoint the Weakness
Since you are a small business owner, you have to make sure that you have perfect knowledge of most the vulnerable areas of your business.

Get Your Workers Educated About Security
To uplift a culture of security, you need to take some steps proactively.

A Contingency Plan
Though you will certainly despise the idea of being targeted by hacker, this might befall at any point of time.

Security Agreement
It is good to get your employees signed into a security agreement, as they will have a legal obligation to inform you whenever they see something unusual.

Click here for the complete list of  the 5 tips.


21 Counter-Intuitive Break Ideas to Boost your Productivity at Work!

April 3, 2012

I don’t know about you but, I have Spring fever! I find myself wishing I could be outside because the weather is so nice, so on my breaks at work I like to step outside and enjoy the nice breeze and sunshine. Everyone is guilty of working a long day and not stopping for break but, fact is that everyone needs a break and here are some ideas to give your body and mind a little rest and to boost your productivity at work. I especially like number 3 “Step outside for a fresh perspective”.

“Every self-help program talks about the importance of taking a 10-15 minute break to boost your productivity. Breaks give us much needed time to rest our eyes, move around, stretch our stiff muscles, get more blood and oxygen flowing to our brain, to unwind and obtain a fresh outlook on complex work problems.”

By Arina Nikitina Stepcase Lifehack

1. Listen to a guided meditation. There are plenty of 10-15 minute meditations that allow you to trigger your creativity, let go of muscles tension and take your mind of the work at hand.

All you have to do is put on a headset, close your eyes and enjoy peace and relaxation even in the midst of work chaos.

2. Share your break with a co-worker. Alone, you might not always have the strength to pull yourself away from the computer, but if you have a friend taking breaks with you, it is much easier to stick with your break routine. In addition, it offers a great opportunity to bond with your colleagues and get to know them better.

3. Step outside for a fresh perspective. Leaving a stuffy office and letting yourself enjoy the warmth of the sunlight, the coolness of a breeze and the freshness of the spring air can do miracles to your mind and body. You will come back feeling rejuvenated and ready to approach your work with new energy and a fresh perspective.

4. Close your eyes and take 10 deep breaths. Stand up and walk away from your desk. Find a quiet place, where you can sit down, close your eyes, smile to yourself and take a few deep breaths. Imagine tension, stress and anxiety leaving your body as you breathe out, and peacefulness, positivity and relaxation filling your mind with every breath that you take.

5. Say NO to tension headaches. Slowly roll your neck to the right noticing a slight tension in your neck muscles. Hold this position for a count of 120 (2 minutes), then turn your head to the opposite side and repeat. Enjoy the feeling of warmth and flexibility return to your neck and shoulders.

Read all 21 ideas here.


Get Organized: Create Better To-Do Lists from PCMAG.com

March 19, 2012

Is your to-do list more of a burden than a useful tool for getting things done? Reshape how you write and manage your lists, and they could make you happier and more productive.

How effective is your to-do list? Do you cross things off it throughout the day? Is it a scrolling and never-ending beast? Does it fill you with dread and remind you of all the things you haven’t done? Does it help you achieve the important things in your life?

It’s amazing how little thought can go into the making of a to-do list. Considering all the time and effort people spend trying to make their projects and businesses more productive, you’d think we might have the same focus on personal habits, as it’s the personal habits and actions that inform the larger work. A to-do list may sound trivial, but if it’s central to how you accomplish the tiny steps that help you accomplish the larger project or business venture, then it needs to be rock solid. If your to-do list is the foundation of your work, take a minute to think about whether your lists are effective, and how you can improve them.

Read More from PC Mag Here


Could telecommuting work for your start up?

March 6, 2012
Telecommuting  and teleworking have had a quiet start in New Zealand but elsewhere in the world are seeing a rapid increase in popularity, with estimates of around 40% of the American workforce working remotely at least part of the time.
So – what is telecommuting and how does it differ from teleworking?
Both terms refer to employees who work remotely rather than in a specific office at a specific desk each day. In strict terms telecommuters are considered employees who work from home – thus commuting only by phone or internet. Teleworkers, or mobile workers, are employees equipped with the technology that allows them to work anywhere; they may spend some time in a central office, some at home, and some on the road, working from hubs or cafes.
To read more click Here

zBoost: Featured on Daytime – Home Office Segment

October 26, 2011

The zBoost SOHO was featured on Daytime yesterday in a home office segment presented by Lifestyle expert Brian von Dedenroth.

Working from home is a great benefit but can be less than ideal if you don’t have a home office ready for business.  Key items to a well fitted home office is a dedicated area with plenty of work area and storage space. A window is definitely an asset and if it’s a quiet area, all the better.

At Wi-Ex we have had numerous customers call to say they have spent significant funds to set up a home office in their basement or some other area of their home only to find that they don’t receive cell service.  I had a similar experience when I set up my home office.  I have a room with a beautiful view of our backyard and was determined that my desk would be in front of that window.  Sounded great in theory, until I had to run outside to the driveway yelling, “Can you hear me now?” every time I made or received a call.  A zBoost SOHO was the next and one of the most important additions to my home office.

Please share any tips or products that have made your home office more productive.


Wi-Ex at CEDIA 2011

September 14, 2011

Last week the Wi-Ex team headed up to Indianapolis for CEDIA 2011. Between hosting training classes, giving away an iPad and winning a CustomRetailer Magazine’s EXC!TE Award, the Wi-Ex booth was quite busy! If you weren’t able to make it, see pictures of our booth below:

Commercial Solutions Division Kits


Proud member of CEDIA and recipient of EXC!TE award

 

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth or attended a training class! We look forward to staying in touch with you!


zBoost Offers Show Specials and iPad Giveaway at CEDIA

September 8, 2011

Award Winning zBoost Commercial Solutions Division Boosts Data and Voice 

Atlanta – September 8, 2011 – Wi-Ex, a leading provider of commercial and consumer cell phone signal booster kits, is showcasing its new zBoost Commercial Solutions Division Kit at CEDIA.  Displayed in booth 4434, the zBoost Commercial Solutions Division (CSD) improves cellular voice and data signal within buildings from 10,000 to 250,000 square feet.  CEDIA attendees can get started with a special offer on zBoost products and a chance to win a free iPad.

“The zBoost Commercial Solutions Division provides an affordable and uncomplicated solution designed to meet the needs of challenging indoor environments,” said Sharon Cuppett vice president of marketing with Wi-Ex.  “Today’s mobile lifestyle requires a strong indoor cell phone signal for users to stay connected to work and family.  Our commercial solutions benefit multiple wireless device users by reducing dropped cell phone calls and increasing cellular data speeds on iPhones, DROIDS and other smartphones, as well as iPads, tablets and air cards. This can translate to attracting and keeping tenants, as well as increasing employee production.”

CEDIA attendees have three ways to enter the drawing for the iPad including dropping a business card off at the Wi-Ex booth 4434, placing an order for the show special during the show or attending a Wi-Ex training session on September 9 or September 10 in the Michigan room at the Marriott at 10:00am.  Only one submission per qualifying action is allowed with a maximum of 3 submissions per person.  The drawing will be held at the Wi-Ex booth at 3pm on September 10.

The Wi-Ex Commercial Solutions Division Kit provides solutions to increase cellular coverage inside buildings ranging in size from 20,000 square feet to 100,000 square feet. The Commercial Solutions Division Kits, a 2011 EXCITE Award Honoree, contain the equipment list, system design, installation tips, and engineering support.

CEDIA SHOW SPECIAL

CEDIA attendees can receive special pricing for orders made during the show on zBoost products including:

  • zBoost SOHO – Designed for consumers, zBoost SOHO cell phone signal boosters extend a Cell Zone™ for multiple users and ALL devices operating on 800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands except those using Nextel/iDEN, 4G or 2100MHz. The zBoost SOHO boosts signal up to 3000 square feet, making it perfect for your home or office.
  • zBoost CI YX745 – a BiDirectional Amplifier (BDA) System which captures and amplifies the cell signal to extend a Cell Zone up to 12,000 square feet.  The zBoost YX745 is designed for the professional installer and sold only to professional installers supporting both 800MHz (Cellular) and 1900MHz (PCS) bands.
  • zBoost RF Signal Meter – reads the signal level for best placement of an antenna or aiming of a directional antenna.  In addition, it will help the installer identify the signal strength and variation inside the building to aid in the placement of the internal antenna. It is designed to operate in both the CELL and PCS bands.

Benefits of zBoost include:

  • Decreases dropped or missed calls
  • Enhances the performance of your connected device, cell phone, smart phone and wireless data card
  • Extends phone battery life (uses less power when signal is stronger)
  • Works with all phones and U.S. carriers (except Nextel/iDEN)
  • Maintains network integrity using patent-pending technologies
  • Manufactured with the highest quality control – (individually calibrated)

About Wi-Ex
Wi-Ex (www.wi-ex.com), a leading provider of cell phone signal boosters, developed zBoost, the first consumer-priced signal booster that “extended cell zones” for the small office/home office cell phone market.  Wi-Ex has expanded their “extending cell zone coverage” beyond consumers to corporate enterprises and large commercial applications.  From M2M applications to large commercial complexes to the rising number of teleworkers, the zBoost line provides a business-centric solution for improving poor in-door cell phone coverage domestically and internationally. The zBoost product line works with most carriers in the US and abroad including AT&T, Sprint, Vodaphone, Verizon and T-Mobile. The award-winning zBoost home and office solutions help today’s connected consumers including iPhone, iPad, Android (DROID), BlackBerry, and smartphone users with dropped calls and slow data. They were awarded a 2007 and 2010 Consumer Electronics Association Innovations Honoree by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and  a 2011 EXC!TE honoree.  They also were selected as a finalist for the 2007 and 2009 CTIA Emerging Technologies (E-Tech) Award. As the leader, zBoost has more awards, more sales and more locations than all their competitors combined. Wi-Ex continues to develop innovative products to meet the demands of an increasingly wireless society by enhancing wireless signals.

 


zBoost to Offer Installation Course at CEDIA EXPO on Award Winning Commercial Solutions Division Kits

September 1, 2011

September 1, 2011 – Wi-Ex, a leading provider of consumer and commercial cell phone signal booster kits, will provide CEDIA attendees the opportunity to learn about the zBoost Commercial Solutions Division process including how to quote, implement and optimize the solution. The Wi-Ex classes will be held on September 9 and September 10 at 10:00 am in the Michigan room at the Marriott as part of the CEDIA EXPO Manufacturer Product Training.

Showcased at CEDIA in booth #4434, the zBoost Commercial Solutions Division (CSD) utilizes Wi-Ex’s industry leading technology to provide custom installers with an affordable, large installation solution to meet its customers demand for a reliable indoor cell phone signal. The Wi-Ex CSD provides solutions to increase cellular coverage inside buildings ranging in size from 10,000 square feet to 260,000 square feet. This benefits multiple wireless device users by reducing dropped cell phone calls and increasing cellular data speeds on smart phones and air cards, which translates to attracting and keeping tenants as well as increasing employee production. The Commercial System Solutions Division Kits, available in 20,000 and 40,000 square feet and a 2011 EXC!TE Award Honoree, contain the equipment list, system design, installation tips, and engineering support.

According to the recent zBoost State of the Signal Survey, commissioned by Wi-Ex, a leading provider of consumer and commercial cell phone signal boosters, and conducted online by Harris Interactive in April 2011, 65 percent of online cell phone/smartphone owners experience problems with their cell phone or smartphone service including dropped calls or data, poor reception or dead zones in their home or poor signal reception or dead zones at work.  The survey also found that 71 percent consider their cell phone/smartphone their essential voice and/or data connection tool.

“A strong indoor cell phone signal helps customers maximize their experience on their smartphone, iPhone, DROID, iPad or other connected devices and tablets. However, with 65 percent of smartphone/ cell phone owners still experiencing things like dropped calls, poor reception, slow data and dead zones, there are a lot of unsatisfied users,” said Mike Cummiskey, vice president with Wi-Ex.  ”The zBoost Commercial  Solutions Division Kit provides a solution for complex buildings that will improve indoor cell phone signal, provide faster data and increase battery life.”

This class will provide a comprehensive overview of the CSD process, including how to quote, implement and optimize the solution.  Course attendees will receive a free zBoost CI YX699 professional signal meter, additionally there will be a drawing for a zBoost SOHO (YX545) at each training session.

The course outline includes:

  • Introduction
  • zBoost Product Line Review
  • Sales and Installation Review
  • Q & A

About Wi-Ex
Wi-Ex (www.wi-ex.com), a leading provider of cell phone signal boosters, developed zBoost, the first consumer-priced signal booster that “extended cell zones” for the small office/home office cell phone market.  Wi-Ex has expanded their “extending cell zone coverage” beyond consumers to corporate enterprises and large commercial applications.  From M2M applications to large commercial complexes to the rising number of teleworks, the zBoost line provides a business-centric solution for improving poor in-door cell phone coverage domestically and internationally. The zBoost product line works with most carriers in the US and abroad including AT&T, Sprint, Vodaphone, Verizon and T-Mobile. The award-winning zBoost home and office solutions help today’s connected consumers including iPhone, iPad, Android (DROID), BlackBerry, and smartphone users with dropped calls and slow data. They were awarded a 2007 and 2010 Consumer Electronics Association Innovations Honoree by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and  a 2011 EXC!TE honoree.  They also were selected as a finalist for the 2007 and 2009 CTIA Emerging Technologies (E-Tech) Award. As the leader, zBoost has more awards, more sales and more locations than all their competitors combined. Wi-Ex continues to develop innovative products to meet the demands of an increasingly wireless society by enhancing wireless signals.

 


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