5 Car Gadgets for 2011

People have been buying cool gadgets for their cars ever since cars came out. The gadgets available in the first half of the 1900’s weren’t nearly as cool as the ones available today, but people were just as fond of them as they are of gadgets now. Just think – in those days having a radio or air conditioning was a real treat, while today these things come standard in most cars. Maybe one day things we consider nifty gadgets will become required parts of cars. Until then though, here are five cool car gadgets that any driver in 2011 would be glad to have.
1. Bluetooth – Bluetooth enabled cars are becoming a popular option for drivers. With a Bluetooth enabled car, you can patch your cell phone through without using a physical connection. That means you can answer phones by using the audio system in the car and dial numbers verbally. This hands free system is especially welcome since holding a cell phone while driving has become illegal in many states over the past few years. Car manufacturers that offer this option include BMW, Nissan, Chrysler and Toyota.

2. Real-Time Traffic Information – While Europeans have had this option available to them for several years, it’s just starting to make its way over to the United States, With a real-time traffic information system, you will be able to see traffic information on a screen mounted in your dashboard. With this knowledge you will be able to determine the best route home. It’s like having your own personalized traffic reporter in your car! Acura offers this system in its cars under the name of AcuraLink, while BMW’s cars are equipped with a Total Traffic Network. You're going to want to make sure you have sufficient auto insurance with toys like this. It can be very expensive to replace them.

3. In-Car Media Storage Device – It can really be a hassle to listen to music if most of your music is stored in digital form. You either have to plug in your iPod or burn CDs from your computer to listen to in the car. Some cars, such as the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Mercedes-Benz S Class, have tackled this uniquely digital problem by adding in-car hard drives. You can store your music directly on this drive and listen to it without a portable storage device! Some companies are also working on letting people just plug in a memory stick via a USB port.

4. Heating and Cooling Cupholders – Does your coffee go ice cold before you’ve even had a chance to drink it in the car on your way to work? Or during the summer, does your iced latte heat up way too quickly? Car manufacturers have worked to find a solution to your beverage temperature woes by creating cupholders that will either keep your drink warm or cold. These types of cupholders can be found in cars like the Cadillac Escalada ESV Platinum edition, the Dodge Caliber and the Range Rover Sport.

5. Self-Parking Capability – Do you have a hard time parallel parking? Let your car do the work for you! All you have to do is enter some parameters into the navigation computer, and the car will park itself in a parallel or traditional spot. Currently only available in the Lexus LS 460 and Toyota Priuses sold in Europe.

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Essential Apple Apps

So, you’ve just made the big purchase and have bought your new iPhone or iPad, and now you have to fill it with apps. But which ones? The app store is full of hundreds of different apps for everything under the sun, but navigating your way through them can be irritating. Here is a quick list of essential apps to add to your new phone or iPad. Apps can be separated into two categories: productivity and procrastination. Every iPhone or iPad comes with a mixture of both, including a note pad and a link to YouTube. You can add to these to make your iPhone or iPad to make it more enjoyable.

Productive:

Navigation app.

There are quite a few of these online, so you have your pick of the litter. Make sure to pick one that will work in your area, because some are for specific countries like the United States or Australia, and you’d hate to pick an app that doesn’t work in your country. Some companies release free or lite versions of their products, but these are only cut down versions of the full product, and it might not let you do all that you want. You might have to pay for a full navigator, but it will be worth it.

Lists and task apps.

These apps help you to create to do lists and organise when projects are due. Most of the basic ones include a project database as well as a daily to do list and a shopping list function, while the more expensive ones come with collaboration software, so you can send your list to others in your team. The iPhone and the iPad each come with a calendar, but these apps add functionality to it, so you can keep track of the project and how close the due date is.

File access.

Being on the go is common place in business, but you don’t have to worry about missing out on important information or files with file access apps. These allow you to set up ‘drop boxes’ on your work or home computer and sync those files with your device. You can be working on your report or presentation when you’re on the train going to work, and then upload the changes to your computer.
Procrastination:

Music apps.

There are a few in this category, but the best ones that should be on every iPhone or iPad are the ones that can listen to any song and tell you what it is. Apart from making it easier to buy a song when you hear it playing on the radio, this is a great way to settle bets and arguments.

Brain teasers.

Crosswords, Sudoku, and quick math games help you to keep your brain active while passing the time. Some of the paid apps will let you keep score, so you can challenge your friends and see who’s the fastest.

Pin ball.

The old arcade favourite is back on your phone. Great for a quick game when you’re stuck in line at the grocery store or when you’re stuck in a meeting at work. Just make sure the sound is off.

Many different companies make these types of apps, so have a look at the reviews and see which one is right for you.

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Ergonomic Chairs for Your Gadgets

Whether a user is working or leisurely browsing the net, accumulated hours spent in front of the computer and modern gadgets could result in repetitive stress injuries (RSI) and other type of injuries. RSI is a condition when the joints are stressed because of frequent and repetitive motions or movements. RSIs affect the wrist bone and ligaments, disk compression in the neck, hands, and elbows.
Posture-related injuries may also occur, especially in the lower and upper back, neck, shoulders, and joints. Most often than not, uncomfortable workstation design and long-hours of sitting in front of the computer compounds these type of injuries. Sitting for prolonged hours may not seem like a problem at first, however, staying in the same position for hours may cause fatigue, reduced circulation, pain, and stiffness.

Finding the Right Ergonomic Chair for Your Gadgets

Most of us who spend more time in front of the desktop computer, laptop, and other gadgets require an ergonomically-designed chair and workstation to prevent these injuries from occurring. Finding the right ergonomic furniture is important and requires research and product comparisons. Here are just some essential details that an ergonomically-designed chair should have:

*Chair Backrest: An ergonomic chair should have a backrest with a width of at least 12 to 19 inches that can be tilted forward or backward to support the natural curvature of the spine. The backrest should have a locking mechanism in place to secure it in a comfortable angle.

*Chair Seat: A width of 17 to 20 inches can fit most users. Avoid bucket seats but select the ones that are deep enough to allow contact between the back and the lumbar region.

*Pneumatic Lever: An ergonomic chair should have a pneumatic lever that can adjust seat height to fit the particular requirements of the user. The ideal chair should allow the individual to sit with feet flat on the floor. The seat height should be within a comfortable range of 16 to 20.5 inches and should allow a 90 degree elbow angle.

*Lumbar Adjustment: The ideal chair should provide adequate lumbar spine support. There should be a feature that allows specific users to adjust the height and width of the lumbar support accordingly.

*Swivel and Movable Features: The user should be able to safely swivel and maneuver the chair in any direction or location within the room. The built in wheels or casters at the bottom of the chair should afford mobility and yet can hold up to 100 kilograms per caster.

*Material: The seat cushion and filler should provide comfort during prolonged work periods. The fabric covering the seats and backrests should be made of breathable material. Avoid too soft seats since this could cause frequent position adjustments to maintain posture.

*Armrests: This feature may be optional, depending on the preference and comfort of the user. The important thing is for the user to have unimpeded arm movement while using the computer and other gadgets.

Other Factors to Consider

It is important to have an ergonomically designed work station to go with your chair. The perfect height of the workstation depends on the chair specifications, plus comfort and usability factors. An ideal workstation workstation should allow the user to maintain a 90 degree elbow angle while typing or browsing.

There should be enough leg room to allow changes in leg position. The leg space should be free of drawers, table and legs, and other obstructions. The workstation should have a space big enough to accommodate your desktop computer, laptop or other gadgets. The space should be maximized, so that frequently used equipment or materials are all within reach by the user.

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Five Gadgets A Geeky Mother Would Love

Springtime is here, and Mother’s Day is just around the corner. And, your mom is a hopeless gadget geek. And you have no idea what to get her for Mother’s Day. Have no fear – just check out this list of helpful suggestions, and you’ll have a gift that will make your geeky mom happy in no time.

1. Kindle -- this landmark e-reader is lighter, thinner, and more affordable than ever. Amazon.com now offers two new Kindle versions: one with wifi, for $139, and the other with 3G, for $189. Moms love to read, and a geeky mom will appreciate being able to carry her library of thousands of titles around in her purse with her. The wifi model can connect to the Kindle Store from any wifi connection – but if hotspots are few and far between, the 3G model connects automatically, with no need for a contract or an account since the access is free to Kindle owners. Sweet.

2. External Memory -- Moms love to save things. Millions of things. All kinds of things. About you. So why not give her the gift that keeps on giving: external memory! A 1 terabyte Western Digital My Passport drive connects via USB 3.0 or 2.0, and offers more storage than even a mom will ever use. Currently, this external drive is available at Amazon.com, for $99.99.

3. Flip MinoHD – Let your mom express her artistic talents as a film maker with the latest Flip Video Camera. The 3rd generation Flip MinoHD records up to 2 hours of high definition video and has 8GB of storage – and will only set you back $178

4. iPad – Don’t let anyone fool you: your mom would love an iPad (if she hasn’t already rushed out and gotten one) – and the newest model starts at $499. If you shop around, you may still find lingering stock of the original iPad available from Apple resellers online at great prices. iPad is several gifts rolled into one: e-reader, game system, computer, Internet and email device, and social networking hub.

5. Digital Photo Frame: the Aluratek 8” hi resolution digital photo frame, not available in stores, can be purchased from walmart.com for $39.54, with free store pickup (or an additional cost to have it shipped directly to your home.) Mom will be able to view images at 800x600 resolution on this high quality frame that supports SD/SDHC cards and USB drives for importing pictures of those special times mom will want to cherish.

Those are a few ideas that I hope will help you select a perfect gift for your geeky mom. Happy shopping!

Mackenzie Bryant is a technology blogger who enjoys writing about gadgets and cloud based services. She currently writes for alliedsatellite.com

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7 Tips for Saving Money on Gadgets

A recent article here on The Gadgets Blog told you about ten gadgets that can help you save money. But how do you save money on gadgets in general? Here are seven tips for getting the gadgets that you want without spending more than you can afford:
1. Create a budget and stick to it. The number one way to make sure that you don’t overspend on gadgets is to make sure that you have a family budget and that you don’t exceed it.

2. Be a second wave adopter. It is certainly fun to be an early adopter of new technology (the new iPad anyone?) but this also means that you’re going to pay the highest price for the product. Wait a couple of months and most gadget prices will go down.

3. Don’t be afraid to buy used gadgets. Those early adopters that do pay a lot for their new products often try to recoup their losses by selling their gently used gadgets to others. You can often get a like-new item for a much lower cost. Always make sure that you shop with reputable sellers and get information on warranties when buying any gadget online.

4. Sell the gadgets that you aren’t using anymore. Every time that you replace one gadget with another you should sell the old one. This offsets the cost of the new purchase.

5. Choose gadgets that serve multiple purposes. Single-function gadgets are fun but they are often a waste of money. Get products that do more than one thing. For example, get a smartphone that doubles as a digital camera and a GPS and you don’t need to buy those other items separately.

6. Use promotional codes when shopping online. There are discount codes for most gadgets that you’ll want to purchase. Take the time to find one that will reduce the cost of your purchase.

7. Buy gadgets with a good rewards credit card. Get a good cash back rewards card and pay off the purchase immediately to avoid interest charges. Many cards offer higher rates of cash back on seasonal categories so hold out until the season when you get the most back on gadgets and do your buying then.

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5 Reasons Why Gaming Accessories are Right for Everyone in the World

It doesn't matter whether you're playing Hello Kitty Island Adventures, browsing the internet, or rocking hardcore World of Warcraft – you should take a serious look at gaming accessories and peripherals for your computer. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Gaming Accessories are Sexy.

Gaming accessories always look cooler. Just look at the image with this post. Does your mouse look that cool? I suspect, sir or madam, that is does not. Girls love a guy with a sexy gaming mouse. It's true. Guys will probably want to use it, too. Win-win.

2. Cool Features

Have you ever sat down at a desk and had a mouse jump around with the sensitivity way too high? Or have you ever used a mouse that was tuned so low that it crawled across the screen? Gaming mice usually have a feature where you can change mouse speed with the click of a button – no menus or setting needed.

Some mice also allow you to add weight cartridges, so you can fine-tune the weight to your liking. Others might allow you to play in either wired or wireless mode.

3. Durability

Gaming accessories are really made to last. Back-lit keyboards are designed to endure nerd rage! The back-lit keys never fade, can endure slamming, take multiple inputs, and hey... it's back-lit. (see reason 1) Headsets and mice are constructed with similar durability.

4. Ergonomics

Because gaming mice command a signifcant portion of the market, manufacturers are under pressure to make them comfortable over the long-term. Gamers demand something that won't wear their hand out after days of play.

5. Similar Cost

Gaming accessories like keyboards, mice, and headsets are not much more expensive than regular accessories. The Logitech G500, for example, can be found online for about $45. It lasts forever, tracks accurately, has a weight cartridge, and is amazingly comfortable.

Whether you're a gamer or not, I always strongly suggest starting with gaming accessories before wasting money on a keyboard or mouse that is uncomfortable and poorly constructed.

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Electronic Digital Signage Can Convey Information Efficiently

In this fast paced and busy world, people appreciate communication and information. Reliable information is often hard to come by and yet it can make life much simpler and easier. For instance, a person waiting for a train at a station platform appreciates information relating to when the train is expected, if it is late or running slightly early and if there are any delays on the track. Other appreciated information may include where the ‘quiet’ carriage is located for those who would like to do some work in a peaceful environment on their journey and for those who are suffering from hunger pangs, where the buffet cart is located on the train. However it can be difficult to convey such large amounts of information to a large group of people at any one time. This is why many companies today are investing in electronic digital signage.

Electronic digital signage allows information to be displayed to a large group of people with ease and efficiency. Electronic digital signage is used in a wide variety of places for a diverse range of reasons. It is used in train stations, post offices, cinemas, bus stations, shopping venues and large events grounds. Electronic digital signage basically refers to a digital sign which can be altered and changed by a main computer system. This digital sign can display relevant information to those people who will see the sign. This can be used in queue systems, for example, electronic digital signage may be used at a bus station to convey to people waiting in queue which bus will next arrive, its destination and perhaps even how long the next bus will be. Electronic digital signage may also be found in shopping stores at checkouts to convey which checkout is available to the waiting customers as part of modern and effective queue systems. Cinemas also employ electronic digital signage to show people which film is on next and when the next one will start, how many tickets are available and which screen the film might be showing in.

There are many reasons to invest in digital signage for any business. Digital signage far surpasses hand written signs or permanent signs, as a digital sign can be changed as often as needed to display new information to people. Electronic digital signage also puts people at ease and leads to less frustration and anger when people may have to wait for a service. For instance, someone waiting for a train is more likely to become angry if they have not been told the train will be delayed, or by how long. If a person is informed beforehand that the train may be delayed and by how long they may feel more in control of the situation and become less frustrated. Without a doubt, electronic digital signage is a vital asset for any company or business in this fast paced and busy world in which we live and in which people of all sorts thrive off information and knowledge about events. Investing in digital signage may lead to happier and more contented customers.

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10 Gadgets to Help You Save Money

There are plenty of gadgets out there that will entertain and amaze you, but what about a gadget that can do something we’re all trying to do more of – save money. Plus, these 10 gadgets won’t just be able to save you money, they’ll also still be unique and amazing too.
1 – DIY monitoring system

If you wanted to have a video monitoring system set up to enhance security at your place, a professionally installed system could cost you up to $2,000. However, you can make your own video monitoring system with a few affordable gadgets, and save yourself that money.

To make a monitoring system you can use to view your house while you are away, or at work, you simply need enough web cams to capture the places you want to watch, some wiring and some free software which you can easily download from the internet. To allow you to monitor your home from wherever you are, and record the film for archiving, you will need to connect your system to a wireless router. This system won’t cost you more than $200 and could cost as little as $50 if you already have some of the equipment, saving you thousands compared to a professionally installed system.

2 – Digital photos

With digital cameras so small and easy to use, and high resolution cameras on most mobile phones, you undoubtedly have a lot of your family’s important moments documented photographically. Instead of just saving these photos to your hard drive and forgetting about them, let your digital camera save you money by putting those photos to work.

You can buy photo paper for your home printer relatively inexpensively, plus many department stores have systems where you can very cheaply edit and print your own images. You can then turn your family snap shots into birthday, Christmas or Mothers’ Day gifts for example, blowing up photos to poster size, framing photos or making cards.

3 – Computer entertainment

You probably think of your computer as a gadget which costs you money, rather than one which can save you money, but when you look at all of the entertainment options available on your home computer, you will start to find a myriad of ways to save. For example, you can go to the websites of your favourite television networks and watch TV shows and movies for free – and legally. You won’t have to pay for a cable connection and you can save on movie rentals.

4 – Internet calling

Get back on your computer to save even more money, this time on your phone bill. There are a number of free programs and systems which you can sign up to, to make calls over the internet for free. For example, if you sign up for a free Google Voice account you can send text messages and make and receive phone calls just by adding a headset. Skype may be better suited to your free calling needs if you make a lot of international calls, and you can also use a webcam with your Skype account. By using your computer for all of your calls, you may even be able to do away with a landline phone all together.

5 – eReaders

Gadgets such as the iPad or the Tablet are more of a significant initial investment, but if you look at the capabilities they have with regards to reading magazines, newspapers and books, you can cancel all of your subscriptions and purchase eBooks for a fraction of the price you’ll find in a book store. Plus, if you connect to a Wi-Fi network you won’t have to use up all of the data allowance on your phone plan to download your reading materials.

6 – Coffee machine

Anyone who needs a regular caffeine hit knows that they can make their coffee for less than $4 a cup, but when you pass that cafe on your way to work, the temptation is hard to resist. That is unless you pass the cafe with a coffee already in your hand – one you have made at home with your own coffee machine. You probably have a coffee machine, percolator or even a plunger at home somewhere, and even if you don’t as you save on bought coffee costs each day, your gadget will pay for itself very soon.

7 – Flash drive

You can purchase a simple flash drive, or USB memory stick for as little as $20 to save you on the cost of CDs and DVDs to use as backups, or the even more significant cost of an external hard drive. You will also save time with your files all easily accessible on one drive, plus you can keep using your flash drive by deleting the old backups and replacing them with new ones, unlike CDs or DVDs which can be burned to only once.

8 – Sensor lights

Many people have sensor lights in their driveway so they can find their way to the door safely when getting home late, but what about inside. Adding an automatic lights out switch to your internal lights can save you yelling ‘who left the lights on in here’ when you walk into yet another empty, but flood lit room. Sensor lights can be set to turn off in 1, 5, 15 or 30 minutes after detecting movement so that you truly only use the lights in the rooms which are being used.

9 – Personal energy generator

Have you ever wondered how much energy you use running around all day at work, or after the kids? Well if everyone who owns a mobile phone used their own momentum to power their phones electricity needs would drop by 25.4 million kilowatts, which equates to the amount of power used by 21,000 households in a year.

With the Personal Energy Generator you can put it in your handbag, briefcase or backpack and the gadget will collect all of your kinetic energy, which you can later use to charge your phone, iPod or other mobile device. A Personal Energy Generator is an investment of around $150 but you will be saving on the power you use charging your devices, plus you’ll be saving the planet.

10 – Air purifying light bulb

We have all heard of energy saving light bulbs, and many people have made the switch already, but the newest money saving gadget is an energy saving light bulb which also purifies your air. The light bulb lasts up to 10 times longer than a standard incandescent bulb and also removes smoke, pet dander, odours and dust from the air. You will be paying around $20 for two bulbs, but you will be saving on your family’s health, and on power usage.

Athuor: Alban is a contributing author at Home Loan Finder, a home loan comparison website.

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Facts you must know about analog and digital TV

Television has become one of the most important gadgets in the modern world. It has evolved with time. From the analog TV sets to digital TV sets, these gadgets really have taken the world by the storm. You must know the basic details of these TV sets so that you can understand the difference between an analog television set and a digital television (DTV) set.

What are the difference between an analog TV and a DTV?
The DTV has really taken over the much basic analog TV broadcasting. The DTV provides much better broadcasting quality than the analog does. The digital broadcasting offers much better sound and picture quality. This allows the stations to provide better visual and audio quality. The digital broadcasting also allows a lot of other advantages apart from this. Apart from one analog program, a digital broadcaster can provide one very High Definition (HD) analog program and many other Standard Definition (SD) analog programs at the same time. A broadcaster can offer both video and data services that weren’t possible with analog broadcaster.

What one needs for a DTV picture reception?

A person can go for either of the two:

A TV set with a digital tuner

Or

An analog TV set which is connected to a digital-to-analog converter box.

You’ll need a suitable antenna that is connected to the TV set or the converter box. That can be external antenna or an internal one. So, it completely depends upon you. If you already have a digital set, you just don’t need any additional equipment except for the antenna. You must have all the equipments that you need for digital broadcasting. That can be integrated or may be available separate. The analog sets that have digital-to-analog converter box can very well help you give that digital reception but not that good as the real digital broadcasting.

Just remember that if you want to convert your analog TV to a digital one, get all the knowledge beforehand so that you don’t mess up later on. There are a lot of ways you can manage to do that and it’s not that tough. You can also ask your friends and relatives about these things.

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4 Awesome Wi-Fi gadgets that you should know about

In today’s world, having a Wi-Fi gadget is no more considered to be a status symbol. In the last ten years or so, people have grown a strong affinity for technologically advanced gadgets and the easy availability of the same has also increased their popularity among the masses.
Today’s electronic market is flooded with a variety of gadgets and it really becomes tough for an average person to make a choice. These devices are undoubtedly a geek’s ‘dream come true’, but at the same time the gadgets need to be selected with a little expertise and know how. Read on to know about 4 really cool and awesome Wi-Fi gadgets, available in today’s markets.

4 Awesome Wi-Fi gadgets

1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ50S - Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ50S is a 9.1 mega pixel digital camera that comes equipped with a built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Other features of the camera also include a 10X optical zoom as well as 1 year free of charge Internet access available at T-Mobile Hotspot. After you connect it to the Internet, you can use Google's Picasa Web Album so as to upload and/or edit photos and mail them to your pals.

2. Apple iPad – Since its inception in the second quarter of 2010, this amazing product, courtesy Steve Jobs, has taken the world by the storm. The Apple iPad has Wi-Fi connection and thus this touch screen tablet device has gained a considerable amount of fan following from across the globe.

3. Barnes & Noble Nook E-Reader – This is a fabulous gadget that surpasses its closest competitor, since it includes the Wi-Fi facility. The Barnes & Noble Nook E-Reader has a bright, colorful screen and you can access a million book titles as well as a total of 500,000 free books with this device. This is a fabulous gadget and the Wi-Fi application makes it even more special and more popular.
4. Sony PSP-3000 - Here is something that all the game enthusiasts would die for. You would be able to play all the latest games on this hand held gaming console. What more, this gadget also has Wi-Fi connectivity and therefore can be used as an access to a variety of online activities.

Wi-Fi gadgets are gradually changing our perspective of electronic gadgets and gizmos and at the same time they are making our imaginations into reality. Now that’s what should be called a modernized form of evolution!

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Blog – Effectively maintaining your blog on gadgets

Blog is like an online journal. Blogs are a popular lot and also helps you in popularizing your business. If you are into a gadgets business or if you are just a gadgets buff, you can start a blog on gadgets. However, in order to popularize your blog, it is extremely essential for you to maintain the content and quality of the blog.

Ways to maintain gadget blog
The ways in which you can make your blog cool enough just like any other gadget and maintain it are:

1. Gain more knowledge on gadgets – If you really want to start and maintain a blog on gadgets and if you want it to be popular enough amongst the people, if you want to earn some money from it, you need to gain more and more knowledge on gadgets. If you are a gadget buff, it may not be much of a problem to acquire knowledge on the same. Even if you are not much into gadgets, you can easily gain knowledge on gadgets through online research.

2. Have articles on recent gadget releases – Include some good quality articles into your blogs about the gadgets that have recently been relapsed in the market. Have separate sections for separate kinds of gadgets. Like, you can have a section on the recently released ones, another on most popular ones, yet another on the best ones, another section on cheap ones and so on.

3. Install some interesting pictures – In addition to the articles, you can also include some interesting and attractive pictures representing the gadgets. This will attract the visitors. Other than the pictures, you can also include some fresh design in your blog.

4. Participate in the discussions – You should also keep comment parts after each article and also participate in the discussions. This creates a sense of reality in your blog. As a result, more and more people might get interested in participating in your blog.

You can also maintain a forum in the blog where people can discuss about their thoughts on gadgets. In addition, if you are into social networking, you can popularize your blog more through your participation in the social networking sites.

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10 Gadgets Every College Student Should Have

Going to college can be a challenge if you don’t have the right tools. In today’s age, there are so many gadgets that you can take advantage of that not only will make your life easier, but help you get better grades down the road.
There are 10 gadgets that every college student should have. Now granted, these gadgets may be outdated in the future but you will find that each and every one today is going to be more than beneficial for you and your education.

1. LCD Writing Tablet – Instead of using your paper and notebook, this tablet is going to allow you to take notes on a digital pad. Once you’re done, you can upload all your notes to your computer. This is a great way to save on paper, and not have to worry about borrowing a pencil.

2. Recorder – Unless you have an Android or iPhone, you’re going to more than likely need a digital recorder. These recorders are going to make it easier to record the lectures your professor is giving out. This is a great way to go back and re take notes.

3. USB Drive – Long gone are the smaller floppy discs, and CD Roms where you burn data onto them. Now, a small USB drive will be more than enough to start gigabytes of data. Today, this little USB drive can cost you a few dollars.

4. iPad – The iPad is an amazing piece of technology that I would highly recommend every college student considers. While you can get a keyboard attachment, you’re going to find that you can do just about everything with this gadget from surfing the web to taking notes.

5. Android / iPhone – If you can afford the cell phone data plan, I would highly recommend a smart phone. There are so many cool college applications that you can use to help with your classes. From taking pictures of your blackboard to using it as a digital recorder, there are many applications you can download at no additional charge.

6. VOIP / Magicjack – If you don’t have the funds to afford a cell phone plan, I can understand because I was in your shoes once! Instead, consider something such as Magicjack to hook up to your computer. This is going to allow you to make calls for next to nothing.

7. Moving alarm clock – In college, it’s hard to wake up in the morning. What you’re going to find out is that there’s a good chance that you’re going to hit the snooze button. The moving alarm clock not only is loud, it’s going to move around your room at the same time.

8. Kindle – I love the Kindle and not only can you download some of your textbooks onto this gadget, you can download thousands and thousands of books onto it as well. Why carry around a handful of books when you can put them all onto one gadget?

9. 3 in 1 printer – A printer is going to be necessary, and while you can print from your library, a 3 in 1 will allow you to print, scan as well as copy. Some printers out there will also allow you to fax as well. Surprisingly, you can get a good model for less than $150.

10. Noise cancelling headphones – These headphones are going to be great for those with a roommate. You’re going to find that when you want to listen to music, or even watch a TV show, you won’t have to bother anyone else.

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This was a guest post that was written by Elizabeth Cutten. You can find more of her work at FindCollegeCards, a student credit cards resource.

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Finding Real Electronic Gadget Giveaways Online

Who wouldn't love to receive a free ipad, iphone, xbox or Wii in the mail? If you've spent even a few hours on the web than you've no doubt seen advertisements for all kinds of electronic gadget giveaways of this sort popping up. Most of us just tune these messages out figuring it has to be a scam of some kind. After all, if it's too good to be true than it probably is, right? I mean come on, obviously these gizmos are expensive so who in their right mind would give them away for free? There must be a catch. Well the answer to that line of reasoning is yes, and no. In this article I want to talk a little about how to actually find legitimate websites that specialize in gadget giveaways, contests and sweepstakes that do in fact deliver on their promises.

How Do Free Gadget Giveaways Work?

It's all related to a concept known as referral marketing. Basically you, as a visitor to one of these giveaway sites, are asked to perform a series of surveys, polls or other offers that the advertiser (the company paying the referring site for your visit) wants you to complete. You will generally be asked to perform a number of these surveys and offer details before you qualify to receive the electronic gadget. This can require a bit of time and energy on your part but if your willing to sacrifice a few hours then you will in fact be sent the item being promoted. So while it's not a completely “free” to get your hands on these electronic gadget giveaways, they don't for the most part equire you to shell out any actual money.

How Do You Find Legitimate Giveaway Sites?

Most people would tell you to just do a search in google to find these sites, the only problem with that approach, in my pinion, is the fact that the big G no longer returns the kind of quality results that once set it apart from other search engines. Even with the recent changes google has made to it's search engine it still has a tendency to throw back a lot of junk. Over the years the spammers have become quite skillful at manipulating the rankings.

That's why I always recommend web 2.0 properties when looking for the best give away deals. The reason is because the communities on these sites do a pretty good job of commenting, giving thumbs up ratings, and an all around honest review of the merits of one electronic gadget offering versus another. On Facebook alone you can find a fan page for most of the legitimate give away sites and their offers, and where there's a fan page there are real humans giving real ratings! Other great resources to check out are Youtube (again, look at the comments and the likes it gets), Squidoo and Hubpages. Good
luck and may all your free gadgets giveaway dreams be fullfilled ;)

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What to do with your old cell phone

If you upgraded recently and have evolved from their mobile phone model before and want to properly dispose of your cell phone, then verify a variety of methods to try to recycle and resell that you can use.

First you need to do when you have an old phone is a phone in order to assess its value. If you're someone who wants to upgrade to the newest and best start immediately after the launch and the phone now is a good quality and is built on technology that is not obsolete, you can flip to sell either domestically nor in the online market.

If you have not bought a new phone in over 12 months or more, and the model you are looking to get rid of outdated, so you can check in cell phones try to recycle and how you can generate cash freer in the process.

Once you have assessed the status of cell phone which you are willing to get rid of you can make your choice, regardless of whether the mobile phone recycling or to sell that mobile phone. If you are looking for the recycling of mobile phones, you can find a place for the phone correctly with the support of basic research in an online search engine for recycling centers.

Further research units of mass recovery recycle mobile phone, you can turn to charities where you can give your old mobile phone and give them the opportunity to renovate and resell or recycle the phone them self. There are many places and methods you can use when searching for recycling mobile phones, simply use the Internet as an aid in your search.

If the phone is relatively new and you are looking for a phone only for more functional or recently released, then you can check on the methods of selling mobile phones. There are two common methods you can use, there is an online auction house or a Web site, the other is to use local methods with local advertising and used electronic buyers in your area.

When seeking to maximize the resale of your old mobile phone, the Internet is the market selling the best for their extensive connections, but if you're looking for quick cash, then electronics and pawn shops is the place where to go.

In general, if you want to get rid of your old mobile phone, and you want to do with how environmentally and economically efficient, then take a look at the above methods to recycle mobile phones.

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HTC Flyer Pre-order and Pricing Unveiled

HTC has been known for producing oustanding Android phones but now the company has made another smart move. Earlier this month, it has announced the start of its quest to dominate the tablet arena when it introduced its own android enabled device during the Mobile World Congress, the HTC Flyer.

Armed with a 1.5 GHz single-core processor, 1 GB RAM, the HTC Flyer has quite a lot of things to boast. It was designed with an aluminum unibody, features 1024 x 600 screen resolution, 32 GB flash storage and runs on Android 2.4 (Gingerbread) upgradeable to Android 3.0. Adding to its great features is the fact that it has an HTC Sense 2.1 custom user interface, a feature that is seen on company’s smart phones.

HTC also thought of the needs of ‘netizens’ when they created this android tablet. The 7 inch gadget supports Adobe Flash, allows multi-window browsing where you can zoom by mere pinching, and features Google Maps, Youtube and a lot more other great applications availabe in the android market. The size makes it portable to carry around with ease and enjoy a full tablet experience right at your finger tips. The Flyer comes with a stylus as well. It’s not just any capacitive stylus, it’s a work of N-Trig, a company that assures precise writing and drawing experience.

Other characteristics of HTC Flyer

Battery Life: HTC Flyer is powered by a 4000mAh battery which can last for about 4 hours when using continuous video playback.

Camera: Photo and video lovers might find this android tablet suitable to their needs. The main shooter has 5 MP while the front-camera, usually for video chats, has 1.3 MP.

OnLine Services: OnLive cloud gaming service, this is one of the features that stands out in HTC Flyer. It comes in an app form which gives you acces to on-line games without having to install anything on your device.

Expected Price and Launching Dates

The launching date of this stunning device has not yet been officially announced but according to rumours, the HTC Flyer will most likely reach the US consumers in early April.

In Europe, German Amazon.de is already accepting pre-orders fixing the price at 669 euros or 563 pounds. The site may not have specified the exact lauch date but If you want to get your hands on this gadget upon launch, placing a pre-order would be a great .

For UK consumers, it has been reported by DigiTimes that according to a JP Morgan analyst, Motorola is set to launch Xoom (the first android tablet running 3.0), LG is set to be next, then HTC will follow. It is expected that HTC Tablet will not be shippped until the 2nd quarter of 2011. If you cannot wait for a couple of months you can choose one of the best android tablets to buy now.

With its good track record, HTC made a good choice in creating their own tablet. Looking at the already existing tablets in the market, HTC Flyer is a good start for a company that is a new in the tablet industry.

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Best & Worst Laptops of 2010: Know Before You Buy in 2011!

Consumers are not always aware of what is happening in the market until they need to buy something. Computers can cost a tidy sum, and even budget PCs run a few hundred dollars. It is important to know which are rated as good buys, and which are wastes of money.

Best Laptops of 2010

* Since taste varies, choosing the best laptop computers of 2010 is not easy, but some were clearly ahead of the game based on reviews and sales figures. Some that made the cut are:
* Apple MacBook Pro: Mac lovers will be thrilled that this portable is at the top when it comes to the best of the best. Apple is known for its technical support which is way ahead of many others in the business. The attractive design and system performance are also impressive.
* The Dell Inspiron 14 was also a big player in this area in 2010. Dell continues to provide consumers with reasonably priced laptop computers that offer great performance and usability. The Adamo XPS and Vostro V13 also kept the Dell flag flying.
* The Satellite helps to keep the Toshiba brand on the top of PC lover's lists. If minor performance issues are addressed it will be tough to beat.
* The Lenovo brand continues to improve each year. For 2010 they were rated highly by many reputable reviewing sites. The ThinkPad T410 scored highly partly because of its keyboard.
* HP was out there with the best of them when it came to notebooks in 2010. The ProBook 531m earned its props not only due to looks, but also for the keyboard and screen display.

Worst Laptops of 2010

Of course there were some laptop computers that simply didn't live up to expectations. Brand names had nothing to do with this, as some were manufactured by established companies. Also, some weren't all clunkers, they just scored badly in some areas. Some of these include:

* Samsung as a brand didn't sit quite right with laptop computer buyers in 2010. Its R530, while decent for basic computing, is not ideal for resource-heavy work.
* Fujitsu didn't make the grade in 2010 when it came to battery life which is really important. The MH380's keyboard was criticized, as was the T4410 design which was seen as outdated.
* MSI, while putting out reasonably priced laptops, has a way to go to gain reviewers' respect. With the exception of the MSI X340, few of the company's laptops were received favorably.


When looking to buy PCs the battle of the brands will always exist. For 2011, before making any buying decisions search for reviews. Some brands that are highly rated are:

* ACER is known for being innovative, and if its Ferrari One is anything to go by, 2011 will be a good year.
* ASUS is not afraid to bring out new winning technology which makes this brand worth watching.
* Lenovo as stated above is a cut above many laptop manufacturers.


This knowledge can save you frustration and, of course, money in the long run. In these trying economic times especially, everyone wants real value.

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HDTV in the News: What's Upcoming, & What's a Myth

The technology surrounding HDTV gets a lot of attention. While some of the HDTV news is pretty accurate, there is also some of it that's pretty mythical. That's mainly because the technology is always changing and advancing, and it's often hard for the industry to stay ahead of the new developments that have occurred.
It's also due in part to over-zealous consumers who may often mistakenly spread or start their own idea of HDTV news before the facts are proven.

All of this goes to prove how popular the technology has become and how it's going to continue to impact the industry. With so many changes, it is hard to keep up with it, but we've compiled a list of facts and myths to try and keep things straight. Take a look at some of the news surrounding this impressive technology and you'll see why it creates such a buzz.

News: OLED Displays
The displays will become even narrower and skinnier than they are now. There are going to be newer lighting and designs structured into current year models. The original look of the bright screens on the original OLED TVs are going to become a thing of the past, although industry experts cannot say for sure what the price tag on the new look will be.

Myth: Wii HD
This rumor has been circulating for a while, but still no proof that this will actually happen. When the rumor first began, it was speculated that Nintendo would sell the ramped-up Wii's for less than $200, which would be a veritable steal for the consumer. But, at the end of 2010, there was no Wii HD, and no confirmed plans from the company as to its debut.

News: Laser TVs
They are expected to also become sleeker and slicker with current year models. The current laser television technology hosts several different rear- and front-end projections. With many of the laser television sets on the market today, the bulk of them are rear projection sets.
These sets use a digital light processor that reflects light towards the screen from a light source. Within the unit, these somewhat bulky components will be slimmed and trimmed down more in order to create an outer shell that makes the unit skinnier.

News: Plasma TVs
They are going to get larger, and get there fast. Whereas many of the plasma television makers have been able to produce extra large units, they have not been for consumer use. However, all of that is about to change and be made available for consumers to buy the very large television, upwards of 50 inches or more. Consumers demanded it and the industry is answering them.
CONCLUSION

HD TV technology will always be a popular conversation in most any consumer circle. As there are more changes to the technology, there are more consumers who become aware of its impressive entertainment qualities. Conversations and news about it will grow as well. Until then, this current list of facts and fiction will be around.

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iPad 2 Could Be Unveiled March 2

Apple will reportedly unveil the iPad 2 on March 2, giving the world its first glimpse of the successor to the iPad, which has sold more than 15 million units. This leaves the tech world just under a week to rev up even more speculation surrounding the iPad 2 feature set, as well as keep a watchful eye on Android competitors arriving on the market.

Amid reports of iPad 2 delays until June, tech pundits corroborated their sources and believe March 2 to be the date Apple will unveil the new tablet. Kara Swisher at All Things Digital scooped the date, John Gruber of Daring Fireball says this "sounds right on schedule" and Miguel Heft at The New York Times reports next Wednesday is D-Day, too. Expect to hear about press invitations in the next few days, too, if March 2 is indeed the iPad 2 day.

iPad 2 specs ahoy

In Apple's traditional secretive manner, no official details about the iPad 2 have been unveiled, something that leaves plenty of space for speculation and reports from sources "close to the matter" or "familiar with company plans." However, by putting together reports on the iPad 2 specs over the past few weeks, a clearer picture emerges.

In a natural evolution, the iPad 2 is expected to be thinner and possibly lighter than its predecessor. It's possible Apple could opt for a higher-resolution display on the iPad 2, but because of developers' issues over a new resolution to work on, this could be unlikely. There is, however, the high chance to find a faster processor (maybe dual-core?), more RAM and a better graphics chip in the iPad 2.

Dual cameras have also been on the table for the iPad 2, but most recent reports indicate that the new tablet will have at least a front-facing camera to use with Apple's FaceTime and other video calling apps like Skype. Dual radio chips are also said to appear in the 3G iPad, allowing people to use the tablet with AT&T or Verizon. Price-wise, the iPad 2 is believed to stay within the same price points as the original, which would be sold alongside the new version at a lower price.

The real competition begins

Apple might have had the tablet market to itself last year (with the notable exception of the Samsung Galaxy Tab), but this year Android is tackling the tablet market, too. Android phones are outselling iPhones worldwide, so could we see a similar behavior in the tablet market also?

Verizon is now selling the 10-inch Motorola Xoom tablet, though at a higher price than the equivalent iPad and without Flash support initially. Samsung, HP and Research In Motion are also on track to launch their tablets this year, something that will make it more difficult for Apple to sell as many iPad 2s as the original model.

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iPhone 4 vs. Droid Incredible a Verizon smartphone showdown

The iPhone 4 is now on Verizon's network. But the Droid line of smartphones, running Google's open-source Android operating system, is already there ... and it's not going anywhere!

In an earlier article, I compared the iPhone 4 to the Droid X, Verizon's top-of-the-line Android smartphone. Now let's see how it compares to the Droid Incredible: Verizon's budget Droid, at only $99.

Droid does

HTC says that the Droid Incredible was inspired by an Italian sports car. It's not as minimalist as the iPhone 4's sleek, industrial design, but the ridges along the back help you grip the phone (per the Engadget review), and the extra buttons on the front serve a purpose. The menu is hidden in most apps until you tap the Droid's Menu key, freeing you from distractions; and the optical trackpad seems useless at first glance, but when you need to position the cursor while working with text it's a lifesaver.

Because the Droid Incredible is an Android phone, it can do things that the iPhone can't. While you're browsing the web, it reflows text to fit the screen width, so that you don't have to scroll horizontally while you're zoomed in. It can use a limited version of Flash, and the home screens can sport widgets, like the Mint finance one that lets you see your bank balance at a glance.

HTC's Sense interface takes Android to a new level, with sleek custom apps and widgets that let you easily check Facebook and Twitter. It also lets you pinch the screen to zoom out, and see all of your home screens at once. HTC Sense is shiny, and the animated weather widget is a nice touch.

Droid doesn't

The Droid's most obvious hardware deficiency, compared to the iPhone 4, is its lack of a front-facing camera. Its main camera has an 8 megapixel resolution, compared to the iPhone's 5, but unlike the iPhone it can't record HD video. The Droid also has a maximum of 40 GB of storage, compared to the iPhone's 16 or 32 GB, but only if you buy a 32 GB memory card for it; it only has 8 GB built-in. And you'll need at least a cheap 2 GB memory card, because some apps require it.

Speaking of apps, the Droid lets you buy them from Google's Android Market, which has over 150,000 according to Google CEO Eric Schmidt. But what he doesn't say is that one reason that number is growing so quickly is because it's much easier to put an app on the Android Market than it is on the iTunes App Store. There's no approval process, and many of the "apps" are just ringtones and wallpaper packs. The Droid does have access to the essentials, like eBay and Angry Birds ... but it's also loaded with garbage Verizon apps that you can't uninstall, unlike the Verizon iPhone.

Finally, the Droid's AMOLED display isn't as sharp as the iPhone's Retina Display, and looks washed-out when you're outdoors.

The verdict

The $100 savings over the iPhone doesn't stack up to the cost of a data plan. If you like Android's features, go with the Droid Incredible; otherwise, go for the iPhone. Keep in mind that both are going to go out of date soon, though, with 4G Android phones and this year's new iPhone model on the way.

Jared Spurbeck is an open-source software enthusiast, who uses an Android phone and an Ubuntu laptop PC. He has been writing about technology and electronics since 2008.

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The 5 Best iPad Financial Apps

The Apple iPad is another great gadget combining portability with power in enabling customers to view data, graphics, and documents wherever they may be. There are many great iPad financial applications that assist customers in managing their money.
The 5 best iPad financial apps can be divided into the following categories:

1.) Calculator
2.) Budget
3.) Expenses
4.) News
5.) Investments

Best iPad Calculator App: powerOne Financial Calculator

A good, solid calculator for crunching numbers on every day bills like car insurance to more involved cash flow calculations is always valuable. The powerOne Financial Calculator, made by Infinity Softworks, transforms the simple calculator into an "Advanced Calculating Machine."

Here is just a brief list of the calculations available on powerOne:

• Algebra
• Area
• Arithmetic
• Auto loan
• Bonds
• Cash flow
• Currency
• Investment
• Mass
• Medical
• Profit margin
• Real estate
• Trigonometry
• Volume

This powerful app has so many calculating features that it leaves all competitors in the dust. The library of templates - which can be customized for individual needs - may be one of the best features.

For a small fee, customers can acquire the powerOne Financial Calculator.

In July 2010, Apple staff recommended this app to their customers. According to AppAdvice, the powerOne Financial Calculator is "The creme de la creme of calculators." Apple customers gave it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Best iPad App for Budgeting: SplashMoney

Balancing the budget has been made much easier with SplashMoney (created by Splash Data) for the iPad. This is one of the best iPad financial apps because it is a mature budgeting tool.

SplashMoney helps customers clarify their financial positions by displaying account and transaction information. The display lists "Accounts" on the left and individual "Transactions" on the right.

It is easier for customers to understand the status of their budgets when viewing multiple accounts and transactions on the same screen. Multiple account types - checking, savings, credit cards, and money market - are supported.

SplashMoney uses "Direct Connect" to link with banking accounts. This app uses the Blowfish encryption for security protection. SplashMoney can be purchased for a small fee.

Best iPad App for Tracking Expenses: xPenseTracker

During business travel, keeping track of expenses on trips can be time-consuming and confusing. It is easy to lose valuable receipts, invoices and documents.

The xPenseTracker app, made by Silverware Software, has simplified the process of filling out expense reports. Not only can users manually enter their data into their iPad, they can also take a photo of their receipts permitting more organized expense reports.

Multiple expense reports can be created. Sorting can be done based on date, category or client.

The xPenseTracker app has nice large buttons that are easy-to-read. There is a small fee for the xPenseTracker.

MSN rated the xPenseTracker as a "must-use" app for 2010. Apple customers gave this app a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Best iPad App for News: Bloomberg

Accurate, timely financial news can be the difference between profits and losses when making trading decisions. Over the years, Bloomberg has become a trusted name in financial circles.

The Bloomberg app for the iPad offers a variety of economic news from around the world so that people can keep abreast of the most important market news of the day.

This financial app displays stock quotes, market statistics, price charts and market analysis. The multimedia content is probably the most attractive feature with links to other interesting subject material.

Consumers can customize options so they are more tailored to their own special financial interests. They can use the dashboard to track their portfolio of stocks, commodities or currencies.

One serious drawback is the dominance of banner advertisements on the screen. This is a recurring problem with "free" apps and all of Bloomberg's competitors have the same problems with their iPad apps.

Bloomberg has made this iPad application available for free.

The Bloomberg app has garnered a top rating by users at the App store. Apple customers gave this financial app 3 out of 5 stars.

Best iPad App for Investments: Stockwatch

StockWatch is a good, accurate iPad app for monitoring stock, bonds and mutual funds on more than 50 exchanges. Regular traders can easily keep an eye on multiple securities.

StockWatch, made by Toughturtle, has a great user interface where customers can view securites on their "Watchlist." Smaller screens display individual stocks and charts. This app can be purchased for a small fee.

Apple customers gave StockWatch 3 out of 5 stars.

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