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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Cyber Monday deals 2011: Apple iPod, Samsung HDTV, Kodak Camera, Acer Laptops, Apple iPads and More

By Henry Funk

When a record-breaking Black Friday is behind us, Cyber Monday is ahead. However, while Black Friday was full of mile-long lines and trampling crowds, Cyber Monday deals can be accessed from the comfort of your own computer. Cyber Monday was created in 2005 by a unit of The National Retail to encourage Americans to shop online on the Monday after Thanksgiving. The Cyber Monday deals 2011 point to Americans' growing comfort with using their personal computers, tablets and smartphones to shop. During this special period of time, some of America’s largest discount retailers including Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and Target offer some good sales which were free or drastically reduced in price. The retailers also offer hourly deals and free shipping to capitalize on that trend. Cyber Monday deals 2011, which is a part of Cyber Week online specials, lasts until 2 December 2011 with new deals being added daily. A customer said, “Cyber Monday is far more exciting to me than Black Friday. I do not enjoy the traffic and chaos involved in shopping at a mall”


Apple iPod nano 8GB, 16GB bundle w/ choice of starter accessory: The sixth generation Apple iPod Nano, in 8GB or 16GB, offers sleek and colorful design and customers will receive a choice of headphones or a charger/USB kit


Apple iPod nano 8GB, 16GB bundle w/ choice of starter accessory: The sixth generation Apple iPod Nano, in 8GB or 16GB, offers sleek and colorful design and customers will receive a choice of headphones or a charger/USB kit




Samsung UN22D5003 22-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, which is used exclusively with The Boss’ PS3 console and offers stunning pictures and head-on, is on sale on Amazon


Samsung UN22D5003 22-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, which is used exclusively with The Boss’ PS3 console and offers stunning pictures and head-on, is on sale on Amazon




Acer AS5250-BZ669 Notebook comes with AMD Dual-Core Processor E-350, Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit), 15.6


Acer AS5250-BZ669 Notebook comes with AMD Dual-Core Processor E-350, Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit), 15.6" HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED Back-Lit Display and ATI Radeon HD 6310 Graphics with 256 MB of dedicated system memory


 


FujiFilm FinePix AX330 14MP Digital Camera Bundle is sold with a case, an SD Card and 50 redeemable film prints at $59


FujiFilm FinePix AX330 14MP Digital Camera Bundle is sold with a case, an SD Card and 50 redeemable film prints at $59




Element 40″ Class LED 1080p 120Hz HDTV 1.6″ ultra slim, which allows for wall-mounting and nearby light sources won't interfere with picture quality, is at $399.98


Element 40″ Class LED 1080p 120Hz HDTV 1.6″ ultra slim, which allows for wall-mounting and nearby light sources won't interfere with picture quality, is at $399.98




$49 Sony Speaker Dock for iPod and iPhone 4 also great sound, but also incorporates an alarm clock and AM/FM radio


$49 Sony Speaker Dock for iPod and iPhone 4 also great sound, but also incorporates an alarm clock and AM/FM radio




Kodak M583 14MP Digital Camera allows users to post pictures instantly to social media. The $79.88 product is packed with the cool bundle options, included in the price


Kodak M583 14MP Digital Camera allows users to post pictures instantly to social media. The $79.88 product is packed with the cool bundle options, included in the price


 


Acer Gray 17.3″ AS7750-6423 Laptop has its Intel Core i5 processor, 640GB hard drive, webcam and more at $538


Acer Gray 17.3″ AS7750-6423 Laptop has its Intel Core i5 processor, 640GB hard drive, webcam and more at $538




Apple iPad 2 with Wi-Fi (16GB) w/ Choice of Color and Starter Accessory (syncing cables and a car charger) is offered at $499


Apple iPad 2 with Wi-Fi (16GB) w/ Choice of Color and Starter Accessory (syncing cables and a car charger) is offered at $499






 


Cyber Monday Deals 2011 - iPad 2 and iPhone 5 Popular


 


Related links:


Wal-Mart Black Friday 2011: Biggest Deals Online You Should Buy


Walmart announces first early Black Friday TV deal


Apple: New iPod Nano Watch and iPod Touch 2011 Unveiled



About the Author:

Jolie Crussel, an economic expert, is keen on analyzing the economic situations in the world. Currently, she often delivers lectures on economic solutions to students and provides advice for many firms.



Articles Source: Cyber Monday deals 2011: Apple iPod, Samsung HDTV, Kodak Camera, Acer Laptops, Apple iPads and More



Monday, November 28, 2011

The Best Selling Apple iPhone 4S And The Exciting Samsung Galaxy Nexus - Which Is Better?

By chris westley

The new Apple iPhone 4S has been making waves ever since its release and it quickly became the Apple’s fastest selling product. Many consumers love the specifications and design of the manufacturer’s new flagship handset. Several other manufacturers though, are releasing smartphones with equally impressive specifications. One of them is the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.


As the latest Google Nexus phone, a lot is expected of the device, but how does it stand up against the benchmark set by the iPhone 4? In this article I intend to find out, by comparing a couple of the key features of each handset.


Screen


The Apple iPhone 4 has long been considered the best smartphone in terms of screen resolution, with its sought after retina display being carried forward to the iPhone 4S. This boasts a resolution of 640x 960, and is called a retina display because the resolution is so high that individual pixels cannot be distinguished by the naked eye. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is one of only a small number of new handsets which offer a higher resolution than the retina display, which is quite an achievement. Packing a whopping 720x 1280 pixels, this takes touchscreens to a whole new level. Both handsets are therefore ideal multimedia devices; photos, videos, games and web pages are all displayed in the utmost quality and clarity. On paper, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus beats the iPhone 4S in this department, but it is questionable if the difference will be noticeable during everyday use.


Camera


When choosing a new mobile phone, one of the first things that people look at is the built in camera, and its quality carries a great influence over the decision of which phone to choose. Both the Samsung and Apple handsets impress in this respect. The iPhone 4S carries a higher pixel count, at 8 megapixels compared to the 5 megapixel camera of the Galaxy Nexus. It should be made clear at this stage that a pixel count is not the only factor in determining the quality of a photo. However, both handsets can shoot video in 1080p quality, and both offer autofocus, LED flash, touch focus, geo-tagging and face detection. The iPhone 4S has a few extra features like video stabilization and some hardware improvements over the iPhone 4. In my opinion, the iPhone 4S just has the edge when it comes to the camera. The Samsung handset is by no means a bad camera phone, but the extra pixel count and extra features of the iPhone 4 puts it just in front.


Choosing between these two handsets will be largely down to personal taste, and preference for a particular brand or operating system (iOS or Android). Both handsets offer downloadable apps, fast internet browsing, dual-core processors, and numerous innovations. In terms of the screen and camera, I would say that the iPhone 4S just has the edge over the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The Samsung has a better screen resolution on paper, but the retina display of the iPhone is so fine that the human eye cannot distinguish between pixels, so it’s resolution is as good as it needs to be. The camera is arguably slightly better on the iPhone 4S, so overall this handset gets my vote.


At the end of the day, these are two of the most cutting edge flagship smartphones, and whichever one you go for, you will surely not be disappointed.



About the Author:

Check out the best iPhone 4S deals and Samsung Galaxy Nexus deals



Articles Source: The Best Selling Apple iPhone 4S And The Exciting Samsung Galaxy Nexus - Which Is Better?



Samsung Galaxy S plus i9001 Among the Better Android Smartphones

By sam johnson

The Samsung S Plus i9001 has a very slim design and weighs 116 gms.  It has some great features like the Super AMOLED touch screen with a 480x800 pixel resolution on a screen that is 4.3” wide. The main camera on the phone is 8 MP with auto focus and LED flash features. The HD video has a capability of 1080 pixels. Samsung has loaded the camera with capabilities like a panoramic shot option, stop motion and even cartoon shot options. The OS is the Google Android Gingerbread and the user interface is pre loaded with TouchWiz v4.0 with a sleek and modern theme. The Galaxy S plus access 3G and Wi-Fi 802.11 proves 21 MBs if on a wireless network.  The battery life is good with 8 hours and 40 minutes of talk time and up to 710 hours of standby time.  The processor is a dual core 1.2 GHz with a 1 GB RAM and storage capabilities that have an option of 16 GB or 32 GB.   


The Smartphone has a series of live weather based wall papers in landscape and portrait mode with a QWERTY keyboard. The 3D technology allows the user to slide through 7 customizable home screens without any delay. With the large screen size and a fast processor the galaxy S offers a 3.5 G support with maximum download speeds of 7.2 mbps and uploads of up to 5.76 Mbps plus Wi-Fi connectivity that supports 802.11 networks and the traditional ones as well.


The Samsung S Plus i9001 offers good multimedia options including MP3, Windows media, DivX, OGG, AAc etc. there is a FM radio and a built in digital compass making navigation  easy. This great Smartphone is available with many special deals and offers. The Samsung Galaxy S Plus Sim free option is always the most popular among buyers. With the option of the Samsung Galaxy S plus Sim Free the user can activate his phone immediately and also choose the network provider of his choice.  The other good schemes to choose from are the contract deals that last for 12 to 24 months, the Pay As you Go schemes and offers where there are free gifts on every purchase of the handset.



About the Author:

Sam Johnson is known for writing judicious reviews regarding popular mobile phones like Samsung Galaxy S Plus and also provides other information regarding Mobile Phones and like Samsung Galaxy S Plus i9001, Specification and Features.



Articles Source: Samsung Galaxy S plus i9001 Among the Better Android Smartphones



Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Google Music Store For Android: Features, Tips & Tricks

By Chris Elliott

Google Inc. has officially announced the new and much-anticipated online music-download store at its Android event in Los Angeles Wednesday afternoon after over a year of negotiations with multiple record labels. The new Google music store features more than 13 million songs from three major music companies, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and EMI as well as Merlin. Especially, the Artist Hub allows artists to directly upload original tracks to the store and set their own prices. Google is expected to sell out $1 apiece and movies for around $1.99. Most importantly, Google hopes to quickly capture market share from Apple Inc.’s iTunes, Amazon, and other digital music services.




Google unveiled the new Music store which allow devices running its Android software to buy, store and stream MP3 files


Google unveiled the new Music store which allow devices running its Android software to buy, store and stream MP3 files




The gMusic iPhone app is one of notable feature of Google music player apps. The app does natively stream your Google Music tracks to your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad (as an expanded iPhone app) and the tracks can be up to 20,000 units from your music library


The gMusic iPhone app is one of notable feature of Google music player apps. The app does natively stream your Google Music tracks to your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad (as an expanded iPhone app) and the tracks can be up to 20,000 units from your music library




Google music store for android: The service includes an online storage locker which includes any songs you buy from Google's Android Market (both the web interface and a new version of the mobile app)


Google music store for android: The service includes an online storage locker which includes any songs you buy from Google's Android Market (both the web interface and a new version of the mobile app)




Google Music Manager helps to add songs from your computer to the Google Music service in order to be enjoyed from anywhere


Google Music Manager helps to add songs from your computer to the Google Music service in order to be enjoyed from anywhere


 


EzineSeeker.com


Google music player android: Google would prefer users to choose a device running its Android operating system which has approached the popularity of the iPhone




EzineSeeker.com


Google Music player for Windows: This Google app allows you to you use this service as a desktop application mainly for accessing/controlling it with multimedia keyboard and taskbar buttons




Google’s music storage can keep more than 13 million songs and Google has forged partnerships with 1,000 record labels


Google’s music storage can keep more than 13 million songs and Google has forged partnerships with 1,000 record labels




The music-download store works closely with its Google+ social network


The music-download store works closely with its Google+ social network






 


Google Music Store For Android


 


Related links:


Famous Doodles of Google


Google+ vs. Facebook: Ten Notably Similar Features


Google Launches Online Music Store



About the Author:

Jason Ford works as a web developer and an editor of a weekly technology magazine. With the passion in technology, he has published numerous articles to provide readers reliable information about technology products and hot technology events around the world.



Articles Source: Google Music Store For Android: Features, Tips & Tricks



Saturday, November 19, 2011

Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet PC 2011 Review: Price and Specifications

By Steve Brown

Amazon has just released its new Kindle Fire. If you are wondering, the Kindle Fire is a tablet, which can download apps, surf the Web, display books as well as play video and music. Here is the review about Amazon’s Kindle Fire Tablet PC released date, price, as well as specifications.


Kindle Fire is known as the first full-color, touch-screen device for the shopping giant. At an incredible price of only $199, Kindle Fire will be the best choice for people who want to own a tablet PC that features all of the most important functions found in other tablet PCs like the iPad 2 but couldn’t afford something like that.


Some people use big phrases when talking about the Fire and even call it “iPad killer”. It is no doubt that the Kindle Fire is the best Kindle. The device does so much more than display books. It shows movies, TV shows and Web pages. The Fire also does email, lets users play game and makes any reading done as well.


The Kindle Fire feels solid and well made. It is a black rectangle with a high-gloss display and a soft-touch rear panel. The Fire is not so heavy that users feel strain when holding it for extended periods. This black square device is a little chunky, but has a comfortable size for carting around.


The Kindle Fire features a very clear, bright and colorful 7-inch screen, which is a bit larger than the old Kindles and a bit less than half the size of the iPad’s. Inside the Fire is a speedy dual-core processor and 8GB of storage. Kindle Fire has no camera, no microphone and no 3G connectivity but it is powered with Wi-Fi. The Fire's software is based on Google's Android operating system.




The Kindle Fire is the first full-color, touch-screen Kindle


The Kindle Fire is the first full-color, touch-screen Kindle




The Kindle Fire is available in the U.S. starting Monday for $199


The Kindle Fire is available in the U.S. starting Monday for $199




Amazon’s first color tablet computer starts shipping November 14, 2011


Amazon’s first color tablet computer starts shipping on November 14, 2011




The Fire's software is based on Google's Android software. Battery life is excellent on the Kindle Fire


The Fire's software is based on Google's Android software. Battery life is excellent on the Kindle Fire




The smaller size does make the Fire more portable than an iPad; it will fit nicely into a handbag, for instance.


The smaller size does make the Fire more portable than an iPad; it will fit nicely into a handbag, for instance.






 


Related links:


Nook Tablet vs Kindle Fire (Spec Comparison)


2011: Year of Tablets


Outstanding Tablet PCs of 2011 Unveiled



About the Author:

Jason Ford works as a web developer and an editor of a weekly technology magazine. With the passion in technology, he has published numerous articles to provide readers reliable information about technology products and hot technology events around the world.



Articles Source: Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet PC 2011 Review: Price and Specifications



Nook Tablet vs Kindle Fire (Spec Comparison)

By Henes Pitt

Both Amazon's Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble’s Nook Tablet go on sale this week. They will definitely become the hit of the holidays. Before the launches of these two tablets, smaller devices either cost over $300 or feature serious limitations. Amazon's Kindle Fire starts shipping Tuesday, the 14th November 2011 for an incredible price of only $199, becoming a well-designed and integrated tablet affordable to most buyers for the first time. Two days later, Barnes & Noble’s new Nook Tablet, which is designed to take on Kindle Fire by offering additional features, is also expected to be put on sale for $50 more at $249. Let’s make more comparisons between Kindle Fire and Nook Table, including how the specs of these two tablets compare.


The Kindle Fire have received mostly positive reviews thanks to its low price and the Nook Table seems to be likely to get the same ideas although reviewers have not got their hands on it until later this week.


Both Kindle Fire and Nook Table are similar in appearances. The Fire is a bit smaller and thinner and the Nook Tablet is a bit lighter. This small different between the two devices could be due to the plastic used to make the bezel.


The two new tablets from Amazon and Barnes & Noble are similar in many specifications. The both two tablets have a seven-inch color display, a 1-GHz dual-core processor. Although they have no camera and no 3G connectivity or Bluetooth, they are powered with Wi-Fi. Besides, both run basing on highly customized versions of Google's Android operating system.


However, the Fire and the Tablet have several differences in specs. While the Fire is equipped with the least storage of 8 GB and no memory-card reader to expand it, the Tablet have 16GB and can add more with a micro SD storage card.


With wireless turn off, the Kindle Fire’s battery will last up to 8 hours of reading time or 7.5 hours of video watching in comparison to the Nook Tablet’s battery life of 11.5 hours for reading and 9 hours for viewing videos




The Amazon Kindle Fire (left) and B&N Nook Tablet (right). Which do you buy?


The Amazon Kindle Fire (left) vs B&N Nook Tablet (right). Which do you buy?




The Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet will definitely become the hit of the upcoming days


The Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet will definitely become the hit of the upcoming days




Barnes & Noble offers Nook Tablet customers a wide array of Nook Apps


Barnes & Noble offers Nook Tablet customers a wide array of Nook Apps




Nook Tablet will be officially released this 17th of November


Nook Tablet will be officially released this 17th of November




Amazon’s first color tablet computer started shipping November 14, 2011


Amazon’s first color tablet computer started shipping November 14, 2011




The Kindle Fire is available in the U.S. starting Monday for $199


The Kindle Fire is available in the U.S. starting Monday for $199






 


Related links:


Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet PC 2011 Review: Price and Specifications


Outstanding Tablet PCs of 2011 Unveiled


2011: Year of Tablets



About the Author:

Jason Ford works as a web developer and an editor of a weekly technology magazine. With the passion in technology, he has published numerous articles to provide readers reliable information about technology products and hot technology events around the world.



Articles Source: Nook Tablet vs Kindle Fire (Spec Comparison)



Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Hybrid Cars Get New, Racier Image

When most people think of hybrid vehicles, they imagine practical, mild-mannered vehicles. But could we soon see hybrid race cars burning up the tracks?


In March of 2010, Porsche unveiled three hybrids at the Geneva Auto Show – one for the road, one for the race track and one that is a genuine Porsche supercar. These innovative new Porsches – the Cayenne S Hybrid, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid and the 918 Spyder – show that hybrids can be sporty, fast and powerful.


The Cayenne S, Porsche’s first production hybrid, features a sophisticated parallel full hybrid system with the combined power of a 380 horsepower V6 combustion engine and an electric motor. The car has the potential to significantly enhance fuel economy at high speeds – when the driver lifts off the accelerator at cruising or highway speeds, the gasoline engine can be switched off and disengaged from the drivetrain, enabling the vehicle to move along without combustion or electric power.


The GT3 R’s innovative hybrid technology has been developed especially for racing. The front axle features two powerful electric motors that supplement the car’s 480 horsepower, naturally aspirated four-liter flat-six that drives the rear wheels. Instead of the heavy batteries usually found in a hybrid road car, an electrical flywheel power generator resides next to the driver to deliver energy to the electric motors. The 911 GT3 R Hybrid competed in the 24 Hours on the Nordschleife of Nürburgring in May 2010, leading for eight hours before retiring after 22 hours and 15 minutes for mechanical reasons. In the 2010 Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta it finished 18th out of a starting field of 41 cars.


With the 918 Spyder high-performance mid-engine concept hybrid sports car, Porsche is displaying its expertise in the field of highly efficient and low-emission drive technology. The 918 Spyder prototype with plug-in hybrid technology combines high-tech performance features with electric mobility to produce a fascinating range of qualities. It has an ultra-compact car’s emission levels of 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer, and it consumes just three liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, but can go from 0 to 62 mph in just under 3.2 seconds and reach a top track speed over 198 mph.


Adult Stem Cell Research Unlocking New Medical Potential

Throughout research labs and clinical trials across the country, adult stem cells are emerging to offer a variety of medical solutions. While some applaud the shift away from embryonic stem cells, others are still uncertain about the real applicability of adult stem cell research.


Despite the array of misconceptions and caution surrounding regenerative medicine as a whole, shocking and promising discoveries are being made about cell therapies. One such discovery is the ability to extract adult stem cells from body fat, cryogenically preserve them in a stem cell bank to capture your current cell age and use them for personal treatment later on.


This technology, offered exclusively by American CryoStem, was developed in response to the growing applications of adult stem cells globally. To be notified when American CryoStem services are available near you, pre-enroll at www.americancryostem.com/pre-enroll-now. American CryoStem is a publicly traded company trading under the symbol (OTCQB: CRYO).


The Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine is growing entire organs in petri dishes using a patient’s own stem cells. Wake Forest doctor Anthony Atala has engineered ears, fingers and even pulsing, functional blood vessels.


Atala explains this technique, in which a patient’s cells are grown and placed on 3D biodegradable mold to create entire complex organs. After eight weeks of incubation and growth, the new organ is ready for a transplant with no possibility for rejection.


In Colorado, a leading spine surgeon successfully performed a lumbar disc procedure using adult stem cells to reverse the disc degeneration and regrow disc cartilage. The preclinical trial offers an alternative to artificial disc replacement and spinal fusion surgeries for sufferers of debilitating back pain.


Researchers are also exploring adult stem cell treatments to improve cardiac function after a heart attack. A hospital in Wales cured blindness from varying levels of cornea damage; researchers in Europe saved a man’s life by growing him a new windpipe; doctors in Cincinnati replaced a child’s missing cheekbones – all using personal adult stem cells. To learn more about regenerative medicine or stem cell applications, go to www.americancryostem.com.


Transform Lipo Fat Into Future Health Insurance

(NewsUSA) – Nearly everything can be recycled and repurposed for later use — even medical waste. Now, liposuction fat leftovers can be turned into adult stem cells, which can be stored as a tangible form of "bio-insurance" for the future."The evidence strongly suggests that fat stem cells can stimulate the repair process after a heart attack," said American stem cell researcher Douglas Losordo, MD, of the regenerative medicine program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.In addition to a heart attack, leftover lipo fat can offer a solution in the event of over 100 life-threatening diseases. For families with a history of diabetes, heart disease or neurological disorders, stem cells from fat may offer treatment options unavailable to others.Body fat is an abundant, renewable resource. Research shows that fat, or adipose tissue, is actually a better source of adult stem cells. It’s concentration can be up to 1,000 times greater than what can be extracted from bone marrow, it’s easily accessible and a less invasive procedure. Adipose tissue is currently discarded after liposuction when it could be put to better use. Storing today is essential because as you age, so do your stem cells, limiting their potential for future use.Beneath this umbrella of medical potential, the first adipose adult stem cell bank, American CryoStem, is providing a service and facility to store adult stem cells for future health applications. With American CryoStem providers, a viable fat sample can be extracted from a patient in a simple process taking less than 30 minutes. American CryoStem’s clinical laboratory then isolates the stem cells from the body fat, and the sample is immediately tested for sterility and cell viability. Afterward, the sample is prepared for long-term storage and secured at a FDA-compliant cryopreservation facility.Despite the startling possibilities of regenerative medicine, it’s greatly under-utilized in the U.S. Currently, American CryoStem is the only bank focusing solely on the storage of adipose-derived adult stem cells.To be notified when services become available in your area, pre-enroll with American CryoStem at www.americancryostem.com/pre-enroll-now today. To learn more, visit www.americancryostem.com or talk to your doctor. American CryoStem is a publicly traded company trading under the symbol (OTCQB: CRYO). For an investor kit, go to www.americancryostem.com/investor-relations.


Quick Fixes for Your Slow Computer

Computers are indispensable, but as soon as they slow down and problems arise, computers become a confusion-ridden technological beast.


The doom-signaling hourglass or pinwheel may not be so intimidating for computer-savvy individuals, but the majority of computer owners don’t understand them. PCs and Macs alike can slow down after a few years of use, and knowing what steps to take in that situation can save money on repairs and diagnostics. When troubleshooting a slow computer, there are a number of possible issues you can eliminate by going through a few steps.


    Reboot: It’s the simplest solution and often effective. If a computer is frozen or operating at a glacial pace, close all programs and reboot it before doing anything else. This can clear up minor issues and glitches.


    Check hard disk drive space: This is especially pertinent if you download a lot of files or images slowing down your Mac or PC. Verify that you have at least 200-500 megabytes of space left on your hard disk drive. To free up space, users can perform a disk-cleanup, or they can uninstall old programs and games.


    Scan for malware and viruses: Even if your computer has anti-virus software or an anti-virus scanner, experts recommend running additional malware scans. Viruses can disable functions and programs, not to mention slow down your computer’s processing capacity.


    Overheating processor: Today’s high-powered processors produce a lot of heat. If your fan or cooling system isn’t working properly, your computer will start to slow down and malfunction. Check to see if dust is clogging the fan or if the motor has simply stopped working. If pieces of the fan are loose, the computer should emit a buzzing or jiggling noise.


    Actively update: As inconvenient as it can be, running updates on your computer regularly is a huge piece of computer maintenance. This includes running updates on Windows, browser plug-ins and drivers. Programs and software will slow down rapidly, take forever to load and freeze often if they aren’t updated.


    Call an expert: Sometimes users must call the professionals. One reliable company is Geeks on Call, which offers on-site and remote computer assistance from certified, trained and tested experts. For more info, go to www.geeksoncall.com.


Switch to Smartphones and Reap Rewards

Believe it or not, some people are afraid of switching to smartphones. Only youth still abide by the “smaller is better” mentality, and some adults are boggled by handheld devices with more bells and whistles and fewer tactile buttons. Not to mention the data plan that costs extra each month. Despite these heavy considerations, upgrading to a smartphone yields enough savings to outweigh the other impacts – if you do it right.


Like any technology purchase, put some thought and preparation into the process. Not all smartphones are made equal, and you must find the one suited to you and your needs. Plus, it might help to know how to use the plethora of fancy features to maximize your investment. Check out these tech-friendly tips to get the most out of your switch.


1.    Research your ideal smartphone. Certain smartphones will be more suitable for your personal or work habits, and they don’t have to break the bank. Don’t settle for the first shiny phone that promises to change your life, consider what it’ll be used for. Some can help you make the transition a little less intimidating. The Kyocera Milano, for instance, is equipped with everything short of a Batmobile – both a touchscreen and a slide-out keyboard, advanced power-saving modes for battery life, improved web browsing, a detailed back-up assistant and more. And its entry-level price point won’t put a huge dent in your bank account. The Milano is available at Sprint (http://www.sprint.com). For more information, visit kyocera-wireless.com.


2.    Explore app stores. Half the fun of owning a smartphone is playing with all of the useful (and absurd) apps floating around. From head lice to shopping to sports, there’s probably a free app for it and, if used correctly, apps can stack up serious savings. There are apps to scan barcodes and compare prices for maximum shopping efficiency. GPS apps provide shortcuts and real-time traffic updates. Calendar apps record all of your important appointments with notifications. Yelp apps survey your immediate surroundings to find local restaurants, depending on your diet, preference or budget. Tap into the power of the app and use it wisely and your smartphone can become a true digital assistant. The Kyocera Milano has both a keypad and a touchscreen, which makes it optimal for almost any app.


3.    Go digital – try smartphone apps for mobile banking. Nothing can beat tangible records, but busy adults don’t always have time for even simple errands. Banking apps allow users to take pictures to deposit checks from anywhere or incorporate Paypal for depositing checks. This also works for record-keeping. Take pictures of receipts or other documents to have them on the go. This will help preserve records and keep them secure. This use provides another compelling reason to make the switch to smartphones.