Studies Show: "Going Green" Is Better For Your Business

You've probably noticed that environmentalism has become a sweeping trend in America today. It seems like just about everyone is "going green." But it's more than just popular alternative lifestyle. Have you ever considered how "going green" can benefit your business? What if it had the power to increase sales and decrease costs?

According to a recent study by the Office Depot Small Business Index, 61 percent of small businesses are trying to go green. If you still haven't actively thought about making your business more environmentally friendly, you are quickly falling behind. It is important to keep your business up-to-date so that it can continue to grow and expand.

The Office Depot Small Business Index also found that 39% of small businesses were hesitant about going green due to concerns about cost. Many people are under the false impression that environmentalism is costly. This assumption, however, is not the case at all.

Here are some of the facts:

1. Switching to energy-efficient lights, changing equipment, and conserving water will help to make your utility bills lighter.

2. Reducing waste will shrink disposal costs and ultimately force you to find innovative ways to recycle or reuse the supplies that you already have.

3. Refilling printer cartridges will be much cheaper than purchasing new ones each time your ink and toner runs out.

4. Utilizing social media outlets instead of traditional paper advertisement choices will help to save you paper, ink, and time.

If you advertise your business as one that is Eco-friendly, perspective customers will view your business as honest, responsible, and reliable. This is due to your effort to take your part in making our world a better place. Plus, people who are trying to be more environmentally conscious may see hiring you as an opportunity for them to contribute to a greener society.

Swapping paper flyers for social media options will also allow you to reach a broader audience and add a personalized touch to your business. You can stay easily stay connected to your customers with emails and blogs. Most importantly, you have the power to promote your business with networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. These social media outlets are a fast growing trend in today's society. They are the newest and easiest way to connect with your customers. Communication is essential, and these social media outlets make for the easiest and most efficient form of communication.

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Laser Projection Keyboards: Replacing Large And Heavy Wired Keyboards

In the age of tablet computers and smart phones, virtual keyboards are indeed important in typing fast and easy. Because most displays are delicate and most of the time small, having a keyboard that you can carry all the time will make it much easier for you to type normally just about anywhere.

A laser projection keyboard is a new projection technological innovation that features a virtual keyboard outlining on a flat plane. This keyboard will permit you to type whenever, anywhere without cables or even heavy devices. A little device projects the keyboard on non refractive and flat areas like tables, reading stands, and surfaces.

Benefits of Laser Projection Keyboards

With this technology, keyboards are now portable and can be carried just about anywhere without having carrying huge bulks of tools. Virtual laser keyboards can be used with iPhones, Androids, Blackberries, and many other types of smart phones that are already out in the market.

The virtual keyboard reflects complete QWERTY keys on the area using a red diode laser. This type of laser doesn't make use of switches or any type of physical moving components to function. It stands on a square bottom connected to a smart phone or PDA through USB cables or Bluetooth technology.

Each letter you type on the laser keyboard will be registered on your word processor, e-mail, or any kind of programs which require typing. It operates like a normal computer keyboard that you utilize. It is just lightweight, smaller in size, and most of the time, more sensitive. Actually, it can also produce real taping sounds like you commonly hear on usual keyboards.

Utilizing a virtual keyboard, you can take full advantage of the room for typing. Smart phones, tablets, and PDAs usually come with small touch screen keyboards. That's why, individuals with fat digits find it difficult to type. Projected keyboards offer larger keys that are almost the same with the typical pc keyboard dimension.

Laser keyboards are also easier to keep because you really don't have to clean anything! These keyboards do not have wires and other movable parts to manage and clean as well. Virtual keyboards are never influenced with spilled fluid and other factors that might affect a typical computer keyboard.

Disadvantages of Laser Projection Keywords

These keyboards have their downsides too. Virtual keyboards are very hard to bring outdoors because it's tough to have a flat surface outside. In addition to that, excessive lumination specifically the UV light from the sun's light makes it hard for you to see the keyboard. At times, reflection also affects your typing because most surfaces have some level of reflection.

In general, utilizing a laser projection keyboard is beneficial in numerous ways. It may have a few downfalls but like in other devices, you have to handle these disadvantages especially if it can make your life much simpler in return.

Laser projection keyboards are one of the leading modern gadgets for computers today. To know more about these keyboards, please check out http://www.laserkeyboard.com/.

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The Technology Myth

A common misconception about technology is that young adults and teenagers are more proficient users than those over 35. The technology age, it would appear, had bypassed the Baby Boomers and Generation X.

As a technology educator I have great pleasure dispelling this myth. In particular, working with teenagers gives me an insight into how they use technology and why. I've found there are some aspects of technology where teens and young adults excel whilst in other key skills their knowledge is sadly lacking.

Undoubtedly teens and young adults are amazing texters. I simply can't text like they do and am all fingers and thumbs. This can be explained, in part, by a research study that found texting has altered the teenage brain so that their fingers have more dexterity than an adults. They can text a message via satellite in the time I'm dithering about trying to insert a full stop.

Also, their mobile phone relationship is a highly personalised one. The phone is their lifeline and they use them as watches, calenders, communicating and organising their daily lives. The installed apps can guide, amuse or entertain them non-stop so that their attachment to the device becomes all consuming. This mobile phone obsession rarely extends to those over 40, who have difficulty understanding the key role a mobile phone plays with the younger generation.

The phone is also hugely popular as a means of social networking. Teenagers are not necessarily engaging online by using superior technology skills - most of them are watching videos or sending messages which requires little skill. The more challenging aspects of technology - using software still needs to be taught.

I believe technology efficiency requires three key skills regardless of age:

Interest
Aptitude
Practice

Interest: If you have an interest in something then you tend to pursue it. To understand how to use software you need to read books, watch tutorials, join a class or find some other means of tuition. If you are keen to enhance your technology skills then nothing can prevent the joy of learning.

Aptitude: Having taught many people to use various software I've concluded that some people have more aptitude than others. Why are some people better basketball players than others? Why are others superior cooks to their peers? What makes a better driver, cyclist, swimmer, writer? It is aptitude. We cannot be good at everything but we can excel at some. People who enjoy using technology generally have an aptitude for it. They will take risks, experiment with software, tinker when they get the chance and most importantly they rarely panic if something unexpected occurs.

Practice: I've taught software for years but if I don't keep practising then I forget it. For example, I teach a lot of Adobe software like Flash, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Indesign and Premiere. However, if I go too long without teaching software I start to forget things - quickly. The only way to stay on top is to practice. The more you practice the better you get. The better you get the more you practice.

It is never too late to enhance your technology skills. You may find you have an aptitude for it. What you won't find though is that age makes the slightest bit of difference.

You can find more articles by Sue Bell at http://midlifexpress.com/

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The Upside of Getting a Second Hand Smartphone

Smartphones are the most sought-after phone nowadays. People who are looking to buy a new phone will most likely purchase any of the units that are considered to be in the smartphone category. So what makes this line of phones popular in the mass market? It's simple; you can do more with it than just make calls and send text messages.

People have become more conscious of not just their immediate environs but also to what is happening halfway around the globe. Everyone has become aware of world events that there is that need to be connected online all the time or as much as possible. When your old phone had limited capabilities when it comes to connecting to the Internet, a smartphone can easily do that with just a few adjustments to the phone's settings.

The only downside about this great gadget is the price. It is a lot more expensive compared to the lower and older phone models with limited capabilities. You would have to shell out a fairly large amount of money in order to get a hold of the latest smartphone available on the market.

But if you are not that choosy and are willing to get a second hand or refurbished unit, then you do not have to fret. There are places that you can go to sell used smartphones. Maybe you have a friend that is thinking of getting a new phone so you can ask him or her to sell his or her old unit to you at a low price. The money from the transaction can be used to buy the new phone that he wants.

Other places where you can check that are asking to pay me for my smartphone are free classified ads websites and eBay. Visiting these websites will give you the option to choose which mobile phone you would want to buy. For sure there are a lot of people who are looking for people just like you who are willing to pay me for my smartphone. You just have to be cautious when dealing with people you meet in here because you are not really sure about the quality of the product that they are selling. It is best to check first if they are a legitimate seller before dealing with them and parting with your hard earned money.

Getting a second hand smartphone is not a bad idea especially when you are not really decided on which unit to get. With the many brands available like HTC, BlackBerry, Apple iPhone and Samsung, for sure you will be at a loss as to what to model and brand to choose especially when you do not really have a background on how these things work. Purchasing second hand phones will allow you to try out different brands without spending too much. If you finally decided which model to get after trying out the different brands of second hand smartphones, then you can go ahead and purchase a brand new one.

This way, you will know how to maximize your smartphone and get your money's worth from it. Visit cashforsmartphones.com for upgrade.

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Ways to Keep Your Computer Network and System Safe: 1-2

Protecting your computer network isn't as simple as IT professionals make it look. There are many factors to consider in the strategy of computer network protection. Many people feel as if there are few inexpensive do it yourself tactics in the industry of computer network protection. Those people would benefit greatly from what this article entails. There are a few steps, however, that a consumer may take that are simple enough to accomplish by themselves. They are as follows:

1. Use common sense, especially when browsing the Internet. We all know that free stuff is very tempting, but bad guys know it even better. Keep away from shiny animations promising you fortunes, or at least a free iPad. Fake security alert pop-ups, software hacks and key-gens, "no-name" applications swearing to fix all your PC issues will probably try to install malicious software, compromise your private information and join your computer to some bot-net. Never install any software from a website unless you know exactly what it is and what it does, and you actually went to that website to install it. Some websites will prompt you to install software to scan your computer for virus, to allow you watch a movie or to play a game and so on. Be wary of such things. Best practice would be to install Java, Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight from official sources to be able to access majority of on-line multimedia and disregard such prompts unless you really know what you are doing. Most of free apps out there come with some kind of add-on, toolbars and extensions which will clutter and slow down your system, try to make you buy something and track your on-line activity. If you have enough will power or dignity avoid the dark side of the Web, sites advertising hacked software or applications cracks and passwords, bittorrent trackers etc. Besides some legal issues, those sites are the place to go if you want to test your antivirus and Internet security software.

2. Apply the latest security updates to the operating system and third party applications on your machine. Usually, on the second Tuesday of each month Microsoft releases security patches. On Windows 7, click Start, type windows update and hit 'Enter'. In the 'Windows Update' window, click 'Check for updates' to perform a scan. If your computer misses any patches you will be presented with the list of them, where you can select the ones you wish to install. This process can be automated using Windows update settings. If you need any additional info on some particular updates you can get it in corresponding Microsoft KB article. Even if you are a Mac user, regularly check for software updates. Security updates released for Mac OS X are usually incorporated into the next Mac OS X Software Update. Applications like Java, Adobe Reader, Flash Player, MS Office Suite and Web browsers are used by millions of people around the world, which makes them high-priority targets for hackers. Check for and apply security updates to them at least once a month, as well as to other software you have installed on your system.

To view this article in its original blog setting, along with other similar articles, go to the following url:---http://blog.etech7.com/blog/?Tag=Networking

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How to Save Money on the Cost of an Intraoral Camera and Still Get High Quality

When it comes time to buy an intraoral camera for your dental practice, you are sure to have a lot on your mind. In the past, you may have made a purchase that did not work out well. Not only do some people spend too much money, but there are many dentists who realize that their expensive camera was not able to stand up to the rigors of everyday use. In turn, they more or less spent a lot of money that could have been used for other expenses.

There are many things you can do to save on the cost of an intraoral camera. The first thing you should consider is learning as much as possible about what you really need. The more time you spend learning about the market the better off you are going to be. Soon enough, you will realize that there are many options out there - some of which are more affordable than others. Along with affordability, you need to consider the features you are getting for your money as well as the reliability.

Another thing you can do is to speak with other dentists about which intraoral camera they use. This is one of the best ways to learn more about what others are doing, down to every last detail. Do not be surprised if you find that one camera is more affordable than others, despite the fact that it has a wide range of features. In other words, the best intraoral cameras are not always those that cost the most. You may soon realize that you can save a lot of money buy still get what you expect in terms of features.

Finally, there is a lot to be said for where you shop for your intraoral camera. If you are going to save as much money as possible, you need to make sure you are using the internet - this is not something you ever want to overlook. When it comes down to it, you are sure to save a lot of money when you shop online. Even if you are not aware of what goes into this, you should realize once and for all that online stores have what you are looking for in terms of competitive pricing. You may not have purchased supplies online in the past, but this is something that you want to consider doing in the future.

After all, reputable USA based direct sellers will always be able to offer a more competitive deal due to the fact their costs are not burdened by armies of reps in the field.

If you are under the impression that an intraoral camera has to cost an arm and a leg, you should take a few minutes to research online. In no time at all you will understand that you can save a lot of money on this expense. Believe it or not, you are in position to keep money in your pocket even though you are in need of new equipment.

By following this advice, you can save money on the cost of an intraoral camera. Along the way, you will realize that you made a great decision that can help your patients live a better life in the future while increasing the practice bottom line due to the significantly increased case acceptance.

How to shop for and buy an Intraoral Camera / at a price you are comfortable paying. Are you ready to save?

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How to Find Fixed Price Computer Repairs

In recent years, laptops and PC's have become extremely popular amongst all ages across Britain. Whether it is for business or personal use, the majority of households own one, or both of these devices. Furthermore, businesses are greatly reliant on computers, which have become an integral part of their day to day functions.

Statistics show that 82.5% of the UK's population are connected to the internet, a number which is constantly increasing, further highlighting the extremely high demand and use of computers. However, as with many complicated electronic products, things can go wrong with computers and laptops, often at the most inconvenient of times. Perhaps your laptop or computer won't switch itself on, or may even turn off for no apparent reason while you are using it. A common problem for those who use laptops and computers are internet related, for example constant pop-up adverts and viruses or spyware infections, causing the computer to run much slower than normal. For business users, computer downtime, that is when a computer cannot be used, is a major problem.

If your laptop or computer incurs a problem and like most people, you are not a technical genius, the quickest and easiest way to resolve the problem is to seek a computer repairs company. Finding a company which offers fixed price repairs is good starting point as you will have a clear idea of the price you will be expected to pay, before your computer is even examined. The service you can expect from fixed price computer repair companies varies from one to another, thus ensure that you check their website or call them directly before booking an appointment.

Many repairs companies will come directly to your home or place of business, and often the computer can be repaired on the same day. However, for certain services and repairs, your computer may have to be taken to a workshop. If this is the case, it is important that you trust the company to both repair your computer and safely return it to you. Thus, do some research; an established business is usually a good choice. It takes time for a company to be considered reputable, something which often goes hand in hand with experience. Searching the company's website for reviews and comments from previous customers will also give you a clearer idea about the service you can expect and whether they would be the right choice for you.

If you are looking for fixed price computer repairs then Home PC Doctors should be able to help. They have fully qualified computer technicians who work on a no call out charge and will provide you with a fixed price before they start the repair.

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How To Create An iPhone App - Discover A Verified Method To Build Them The Right Way!

Do you possess a great thought and you just prefer to discover how to make an iPhone app? If that's the case, do you possess the important abilities or understanding of computer programming capabilities? These are typically a number of the basic questions that men and women be sure to ask on learn about to make your own app by themselves. Lots of industry professionals have composed text books as well as articles or blog posts about how you can develop an iPhone App idea.

Since their inception way back in 2008, Apple's Application Store has in reality managed more than 500,000 iPhone applications. By January '11, around 10 billion programs were down loaded. On account of the market place at The Apple Company Mobile App Store, a lot of people have become wealthy due to creating his or her own one of a kind mobile phone apps. It is also a platform which usually conveys how individuals are unlike one another. One good example is the thousands that iFart iPhone App developer received as a result of his own theory.

Step 1: Create A Clever Idea.

Certainly, there are already large numbers of creative minds these days concerning iPhone apps; hence make perfectly sure that the one you have will stand out clearly from the other individuals. Contemplate if most people will love when using the app. Establish a very innovative option or possibly one that is definitely far better.

Step 2: Obtain A Macintosh

Only Macintosh personal computer users can utilize development tools for ones iPhone.Which means you need a Macintosh or Mac Mini personal PC in order to place the applications inside the Mobile app store.

Step 3: Sign-up As Being An Apple Developer

You have to be an Apple Developer before you employ the solutions of Mac specific tools. It is extremely easy to sign up you just need to impart them with information they need before saying yes onto their agreements.

Step 4: Download And Install The SDK For The Purpose of The iPhone

Depending in regards to the OS that would be operating on your iPhone, actually download the particular variation of SDK that meets your situation. The exact SDK has lots of forms and test codes.

Step 5: Actually Down Load XCode

XCode is known as a completely functional IDE that has a smooth work-flows which allows the revising of source program code Debugging techniques are actually integrated also. Additionally it is yet another huge download and can also take some time.

Our next steps is generally easy. Produce the iPhone Application making use of the templates you actually down loaded using the SDK; learn the Cocoa software program the mobile application by using objective C; try it through the iPhone emulator. If it's a good one, then you will end up getting big payment returns.

To master more regarding iPhone app building in an easy as well as exciting approach, go to how to make an iPhone app or even http://howtomakeaniphoneappi.org/

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Standard Mobile Devices Do Not Comply With Healthcare Security Requirements

As medical service providers increasingly use mobile phones and devices to view medical records and access patient databases, mobile data security has become a growing issue of concern in the healthcare industry.

Medical records contain an abundance of personal information such as name, date of birth, Social Security number, credit-card numbers, and employer information, making these records a prime target for cybercriminals. According to a recent article, between January and May 2012, 29 healthcare security breaches had already occurred, affecting approximately 935,000 individuals.

According to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health and Information Technology (ONC), off-the-shelf smartphones in today's market typically meet 40 percent of security requirements called for by HIPPA and MU Stage 2 Standards. On the high end of the spectrum, iPhones and BlackBerrys only achieve 60 percent of the recommended criteria after manual configuration.

Currently, ONC is conducting research that will assist small to medium sized health care provider organizations secure mobile devices that process health data. Mobile security for these organizations is essential, as they may not have an IT department or data security partner to manage their devices and the sensitive information that they hold. Implementing the appropriate security applications for these devices will safeguard against the loss of patient data.

The ONC is also in the process of compiling a list of best practices for various mobile security scenarios. This guide, published later this year, will outline wireless pitfalls such as unsecured WiFi access, email on mobile smartphones and unsupervised "bring-your-own-device" methods. Circulating these best practices throughout a national healthcare network will assist smaller medical service providers in adopting and executing health IT.

When implementing security for mobile devices, healthcare facilities should also consider how to securely dispose of wireless devices once they have reached the end-of-life. Data security breaches can occur even after a mobile device has been retired and medical service providers need to dispose of devices in a way that does not jeopardize patient data. Partnering with a certified mobile phone buyback and recycling company ensures retired healthcare devices are put through a comprehensive, multi-step mobile data deletion process that keeps confidential information secure.

Developing health IT is essential to ensure mobile phones and devices in the healthcare industry remain protected. Hospitals and health providers have a responsibility to their patients to maintain the proper and secure handling of wireless devices. Additional protocols need to be established assuring out-of-the-box smartphones are protected from data breaches.

The author likes http://www.e-Cycle.com.

The author recommends http://e-cycle.com/

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Apple iPhone and Android Mobile Application Development

Willing to develop a quality mobile app for iPhone or android OS? You are at the right place. This article is all about the parameters that must always be considered while designing and developing smart phone apps. For developing good mobile application you must have an excellent concept on which you are going to create the app. Because all that matters is idea behind the app, which makes it different from thousands of other available applications over iTunes and Google play.

If you consider my suggestion, never ever use any shortcut or ineffective tool for designing your application. Always follow complete and standard protocols if you are really willing to develop an effective mobile application. Over the web you will find enormous number of pages and links redirecting you to various tips and procedures for creating mobile phone apps in most simple way, never ever waste your time those tricks, as what you will do there is just waste of time. And if you make something out of there then it will not be a quality product.

Try always to keep design and interface of app as simple as possible because mobile users don't like complex designs of applications. While designing your app always keep the language simple for convenient interaction of mobile phone users with proper display of buttons and options. If you are a smart phone user and regularly downloads applications from Apple iTunes or Play store, consider what you like in your favourite apps, always try to provide best designs and functionalities in applications executing best of the efforts you can.

Here I am going to tell you the key things that you must perform while developing your mobile phone application. Before launching your app compare the features of your product with all successful applications available over the market released from the production of best Apple iPhone and android mobile application development companies. Just imagine if there appears a comment on your app "This application is copy of That app", what will be the reaction of other person that reads the review of your apps, definitely you will lose a user. So never ever make a copy of existing applications available over the market, always use innovative ideas while development.

Planning is one of the most important phase of your application's successful development, planning of a project includes estimation of all the work that are to be performed for creating a successful app, it includes projects feasibility, time consumption, investment and other resources estimation. So if you want to develop any sort of android or iPhone app, every activity should be in a planned manner.

Before starting your work keep in mind that great developers does not always makes great applications but only unique and finest ideas will lead you to make apps that gets publicity in market of iTunes and Google play.

I am Daniel Jones, I love to write and publish my professional experience over web and share with people worldwide. I have been working on mobile applications from last many years.

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Widgets Can Improve the Development of Cross-Platform Mobile Applications

Widgets are quickly becoming an indispensable tool for developers that want to improve the functionality and features of cross-platform mobile applications. Until recently, it has been necessary for developers to build and rebuild native apps for the various platforms like iOS, Android, RIM, Symbian, etc. With the advent of responsive design app development platforms however, these redundancies can be eliminated. "Agnostic" mobile web widgets are key to this evolution. This article will explore why and how these widgets can be used for the creation of cross-platform apps.

Mobile widgets - What are they?
A mobile widget is a small portable mobile application with a very simple user interface and a specific functionality. Widgets typically provide access to real-time, live data such as weather reports, stock market information, news, sports scores, etc. Whether users are looking for the nearest gas station, traffic status, or a flight arrival time, widgets are the perfect solution for adding dynamic content to apps. However, widgets can never replace the functionality of apps, but can significantly contribute to the development of cross-platform mobile apps.

Limitations of native mobile apps
Mobile applications became very popular within a very short span of time because they add excellent functionality to mobile phones. However, native apps could only work on the platform to which they were "native" and therefore developers had to create multiple versions for multiple platforms. The evolution of mobile cloud-based applications and widgets however, has dramatically simplified the creation of cross-platform apps.

Advantages of web widgets for cross-platform app development
Thousands of developers around the world are creating open source widgets every day because they are easy to build and maintain and are extremely desirable to mobile and tablet app developers. Widgets also provide an excellent opportunity to distribute monetized content and games to large audiences via those app developers. More, mobile widgets can be deployed in low-end devices like Nokia 2700, Samsung S5230, LG enV2, etc., with Internet connectivity, using mobile widget platforms.

The demand for widgets
As discussed earlier, widgets are not just for smartphones, thus extending the potential reach to consumers. For example, many big players, including Yahoo, Google, and Facebook already have a huge database of widgets which are compliant with multiple platforms, like phones, tablets, browsers and websites.

The Importance of HTML5 for future widget creation
The introduction of new technologies like HTML5 has made development of mobile widgets much easier. HTML5 enables existence of a unique open standard API supported throughout all platforms, thus developers need not re-create the same widget for multiple platforms. HTML5 widget creation is much easier and more cost-effective. And since these widgets load faster and require lesser bandwidth to perform, more users are likely to adopt it, thus increasing the scope of market space.

Fragmentation issue for widget platforms
Despite all of their advantages, mobile widgets are not as robust as native apps. Widgets designed to run on multiple platforms have limited functionality as they are not able to access a device's API. To further complicate the issue, mobile manufacturers like Nokia, Samsung, Blackberry, and LG have their own widget implementation mechanisms in place. The industry is working to overcome this problem by standardizing widget APIs. JIL (Joint Innovation Lab) and OMTP (Open Market Terminal Platform) are among the organizations dedicated to finding a solution. In the meantime, we believe that widgets can provide the greatest value when deployed as feature enhancements to cloud-based mobile apps for smartphones and tablets.

Application Craft is the world's finest 100% cloud based development environment for mobile, tablet and desktop. If you are looking for a good ' mobile development platform ', we are a solid choice. Our IDE runs in your browser without plugins and despite being browser-based, it has all the power of a full-featured desktop application. Sign up now and build your first app free using our mobile application development tools.

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Mobile App Development Becoming The Essence Of Any Business

The Mobile App Development seems to be the necessity of any small scale or large scale business. There are various platforms available for this and the top contenders include- iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows.

Apple iOS: To develop an iPhone app, the iOS Developer Center provides the app developer with various tools, guidelines, debugging tests, and criteria for developing apps based on the user requirements.

Android: On an Android platform, a developer can build an app using Java by downloading the free SDK (Software Development Kit). The SDK has sample apps, source code, the developer tools, and emulators. It also provides technical articles, videos, and instructions to help develop apps. There is an initial developer registration charge of $25 so as to distribute the apps in Google Play, the Android app store.

BlackBerry: BlackBerry is yet another mobile platform which supports several apps, mobile websites, widgets, themes, etc. To provide these on BlackBerry's App World, a fee is charged for every 10 apps that a developer submits.

Windows: Windows platform has not gained as much popularity when compared to its counterparts but the user interface makes it unique. The development program for the Windows platform provides the best practices documentation for marketing an app.

Here's a list of some of the best app building tools

AppMakr - This is an iOS, Android, and Windows based tool which offers a browser-based platform that is easy to use. It provides features like- JavaScript, custom CSS and push notifications, and location- aware Geo RSS. Even though the tool is free by paying a monthly subscription of $79 the developer can access much more advanced features.

Mippin - This can be considered as one of most user friendly tool which allows in building apps for iOS, Android, and Windows. The tool also helps the developer to publish apps in iTunes, Windows, Google Play, and Amazon stores.

MyAppBuilder - The tool is exclusively used to create apps for Android and iOS platforms. The tool comes with a monthly fee of $29 and lets the developer submit two applications a month. One of the best part of the tool is the developer does not require a technical background.

RunRev - The RunRev's LiveCode helps in developing apps for iPhone and Android. This is multi-platform tool, which can help in creating live prototypes and utilize the complete features of the iOS and Android OS. The RunRev's site also offers with exceptional tutorials that help in building apps. The tool is available in the market with price ranging from $299 to $1,499.

Michael is a copywriter who provides information about mobile application development, iphone game development.

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Changes in E-Banking

E-banking is the way services are offered through electronic delivery channels. The first technology to offer this was the automatic teller machines, better known as ATMs. However, with the internet revolution there are new avenues available for both the bank as well as the customer.

Customers have faster access as well as 24/7 availability. The banks are seeing a more efficient way of operating offering cost-saving capabilities. Today technological advancements allow a customer to make a deposit by iPhone. This might one day result in making mobile payments at ATMs much less used. Another of the recent advancements in e-Banking is using the iPhone to make a bank deposit. The customer first takes a photo of the front and back of the check and these images are then transmitted to the bank. Once the bank verifies the images the check is then deposited.

This technology has also opened the door to allow customers to perform on-phone trading. Customers can also file claims if they have been involved in an automobile accident. If someone is in the process of purchasing a new home, or car, or other "big-ticket" item there are also loan calculation abilities. Several banks are using what is called, "touch phone to pay." This is also known as 'contactless payments." One of the major phone carriers, Nokia, is one of the phone companies marketing the person-to-person payments. The company allows customers to send money to other users of mobiles. Customers can also pay monthly bills, including utilities. Mobile companies are taking a long look at the fact there are more than four billion mobile users globally and only 1.6 billion bank accounts.

All businesses are presently taking a look at what the future might offer. These companies must look at what is already available; what is available in the U.S. and Europe; what is (and is not) available in many foreign countries. There is a wide-open market for phone to phone payments. This could result in being an answer to cashless payments. These payment abilities are already available in Africa and South Asia. Other countries, such as India, offer huge potential. The mobile payment technology will make it possible to pay babysitters as well as e-retail purchases.

There is no doubt that the world, as a whole, is facing a new technology that will once again make life a little easier. The competition will add tremendous options for consumers in the future.

To learn more about e-banking, read more of our articles on our web portal.

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Security Is Your Friend When Your Friends Are Secure

So, you run into an old friend at a concert who you haven't seen in years. The music is loud and he or she is in a hurry, so you agree to catch up over lunch next week. Later, you realize that the number you've got is way out of date. Now what?

Why not call a friend who knows your long-lost buddy and get the number from them? Problem solved!

In our personal lives, there's nothing wrong with that. But when it comes to mobile, it illustrates why both you and your long-lost friend need robus security on your phones. Here's why:

Every time you download an app, you grant the developer permissions to access certain kinds of data. A mapping application will certainly ask for permission to access your location data. A communications app will likely need some ability to see your phone or messaging logs. If it's a contact management app, you probably wouldn't think twice about allowing the developer to store contacts from your phone on their servers. For the most part, this is all fairly straightforward and not surprising at all.

What might surprise you is what happens to those permissions when the app you've downloaded has the ability to show ads.

Ad networks are critically important members of the mobile app ecosystem. If it weren't for them, many developers would have no way to make money for all their hard work. What many casual users don't realize, however, is that ad networks get access to the same permissions you've given to the app itself.

The good ad networks (and we mean the vast, vast majority) aren't doing anything with those permissions that you need to worry about. However, there are a few that take advantage of those permissions to send spam messages to your friends, sell their numbers and more.

If you've got a security solution on your phone that is aware of the ad networks that can access your data, your contacts are protected from this kind of nastiness. But what about you?

Remember that YOUR information is likely on every one of your friends' phones. If they don't have a security app like you do, your phone number and social data could be at risk whenever they download an app with an aggressive ad network.

So be a real friend and get your friends to download and use a security app that protects you from bad ad networks. It's good for them... and for you.

TrustGo Mobile Security protects you from viruses and malware, plus risky ad networks that can compromise your data and your privacy.

Download it today for Android at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trustgo.security

Or learn more at http://www.trustgo.com/

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Will Microsoft Surface Change the Face of Mobile Video Conferencing?

With Microsoft announcing the launch of the Windows 8 based "Surface" tablet they have seen a gap in the market. Tablet computing has hit the consumer market by storm with Apple and Samsung being the major players, but within the enterprise market there has been little penetration. Blackberry and Cisco have both failed miserably with their Playbook and CIUS whilst Apple and Samsung still do not have the features being demanded by IT security and infrastructure departments.

In the enterprise world a new laptop for example must work with existing management and security tools and it must be able to run the company's existing applications. These are often internally developed applications designed to run on Windows. This will be key to the success of Surface within the enterprise.

The Microsoft difference should allow enterprises to continue to use their same management toolset and internal applications but just extend the profiles to include "Surface" users. When "Surface" can be treated no differently to a laptop then it makes the case for implementation becomes a whole lot easier.

The Surface, will no doubt come with MS Lync embedded which will bolster Microsoft's penetration into unified communications and videoconferencing. Adding connectivity to video conferencing gateway will allow Surface to participate in video conference calls with any room based system, iPad, iPhone, Desktop or Mac both within and outside of the organisation.

By far the majority of laptop users in the enterprise also have a desktop PC it will be interesting to see the impact that Surface will have on traditional standalone video conferencing devices and on desktop video conferencing. It makes much more sense to have video conferencing running on Surface and remove the additional desktop appliance all together and that follows why would I want video conferencing installed on my PC at all taking up valuable screen real estate?

It is clear from the exterior design; to the magnetic cover of the Surface that Microsoft intend to go head to head with Apple but also providing some extras like USB 3 in the Pro version.

Questions do remain:

How will Microsoft price the Surface? - Will they be pitching at the iPad pricing, laptop pricing or some kind of middle ground?

How will Windows 8 be received by the enterprise? - The majority of enterprise leapt from XP to Windows 7. Will they be willing to have a mixed OS environment?

Apple are clearly the leaders with mobile apps. and hardware desirability. Will Microsoft be able to make a respectable dent in this?

Mark Stainton-James is a recognised technology leader with over 20 years of experience in managing global teams and setting technology strategy for many of the worlds leading financial institutions.

http://www.vceverywhere.com/ is a video conferencing exchange provider allowing any video conferencing endpoint to communicate with any other end point regardless of platform.

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Five Tips For Securing Your Laptop

It is important to keep your laptop safe and secure as it could be damaged, lost or even stolen from you. By not keeping it secure then it is most likely to cause an impact on you in terms of a financial nature as you will have to replace the device and all the software that was installed onto it. It will also impact on you in terms of time as well because you will have not all the data that was on the laptop.

It is important to look after your laptop and these five tips will ensure that your laptop is safe and secure minimising the impact it has on you.

The first tip when it comes to securing your laptop is to make you have a backup of your data before travelling with it. If you already have security software on the laptop, there well maybe a feature that allows you to make a backup of data onto another drive or a cloud server.

The second tip for securing the laptop is having a strong password as it will make sure people will not be able to access your private data. Try to set a password that has 8 characters minimum and is using uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers or a combination of both.

The third tip is to purchase a laptop bag, which can be brought online or from any computer retail store. By placing the laptop into a bag it is offering protection from any bumps and knocks it might get and is also comfortable to carry around. The best type of bag is a backpack as it looks less noticeable when travelling with it in public. It is important to make sure that the bag has a zipped compartment and has padding within inside as well.

The fourth tip is make sure that you keep the laptop with you at all times because when you leave it somewhere, there is an element of risk that it could get stolen or you forget where you have placed it.

The fifth and final tip for keeping your laptop safe and secure is not to use it in a public place as it makes visible to thieves. If you do need to use the laptop in a public place, then it is best to do so from a quiet place. Thieves maybe putting off from stealing your laptop if does not look that expensive.

Save On Laptops is one of the leading companies in the United Kingdom that specialises in Laptops. It is an internet only retailer which helps keep prices low. The site is run by Box Limited, a highly established company formed over sixteen years ago.

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Which Payment Solutions Will Last and Which Are Just Fads?

With the rise of digital technology and the smart phone leaping over all else, the payment solutions for phone bills and other services have also changed drastically over the years. The more you look the more you see these changes and options showing up for online payment through text applications and so forth. The real question is though, which of these payment solutions will stick for future integration and which will fade out with time?

If you've recently had any dealing with Bank of America or any other major banking retailers in the US, then you've more than likely been told to check out their latest banking system via smart phone (using Android OS or iOS). These banking options such as transfer abilities through multiple banking accounts, digital payment of bills and so on have become an essential part of many peoples' lives. But will these payment methods live on?

Of course. The answer is simple and explanation is even simpler. It is due to ease. Ease of access and use is something that the general public crave. That's why the smart phone was created in the first place! Because they are simple and easy to use for people of all ages. What's more, so are their applications and methods of online payment via Bank of America apps, Wachovia, etc.

If there is absolutely one form of smart phone and mobile device payment that will not die out, it is definitely being able to pay bills using your personal banking application and account information simply by using your mobile device. Some things on the other hand don't seem to have quite the same fate. For instance, all too common "Text #### for more information!" ads that you see pop up from time to time while watching TV or surfing the web.

These advertisements seem to be the bane of mobile devices and their existences and it shows. Back in the day, kids and minors (and admittedly, sometimes adults who just didn't know any better) would text these numbers like crazy for goofy ringtones or some stupid love calculator, you name it. It was something that people would go crazy for. But now with the advancement in technology and the rise of free to play and free online applications and software, these are slowly dying out and soon will become a thing of the past. And I think we can all thank technology advancements for that.

There are more interesting articles about P2P payments on our website; visit and read them for free.

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Mobile Payment Trends Are Shifting Quickly

According to the latest payment news dominating headlines all over the world, the trend of the moment in the financial world is the mobile payment platform. It seems like the mobile payment bug has bitten everyone in the financial world and beyond. Shoppers love this platform because of the convenience, it offers them. While merchants are into it because they want to maximize the shopping experience of their customers. The carriers and financial institutions are keying into it, because of the new market opportunities, it opens up for them.

Mobile payment offers a platform where goods and services are paid for, through a cell phone. It is a very convenient payment method for retailers. This is why many people are catching the mobile payment trends bug. When this payment platform is fully established, the days of cash, checks and credit cards as a means of payment for goods and services bought, will no longer dominate the mode of payment news headlines.

The source of funding for transactions involving mobile payments include credit cards, debit cards as well as ACH e-checks. Other mode of funding transactions in this platform are still being explored by industry experts and regulators.

This platform offers several variations to customers. Therefore, customers can choose the most convenient platform which best suit their needs. These variations include SMS-based transaction payments and near-field communications.

Another option also available on this platform is the direct mobile billing payment method. In this method, the amount charged for goods and services bought is deducted directly from the customer's credit. While the web payment where money is sent to the merchant account from the buyer's online bank account is also available on this platform.

This industry opens up a lot of potentials for financial institutions, mobile carriers and mobile software application developers. These key institutions are seeking new ways to improve the services offered in the industry. Thus new innovations which will make the mobile payment industry more convenient and reliable should be expected. This will improve customers' confidence in the industry, thus attracting more people who are skeptical about this payment platform. The resultant effect is rapid growth in the industry customer base, which will be beneficial to all the stakeholders in the industry.

The future of payment for retail transactions lies in the mobile platform. With improved and reliable services, many people will be ready to dump the traditional mode of payments for goods and services and embrace the new mobile payment trends.

Mobile payment trends are changing so fast; keep up by visiting our website and reading more articles.

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Android App Development: The Need of the Changing World

Android gadgets sell like the proverbial hot cakes, and young folks wouldn't consider going out from their homes without an Android phone.

The task of Android Apps Development has altered the focus of many IT firms. Less than a decade ago, software development was the only source of earnings for most businesses; nevertheless, the popularity and growth of smart phones, paired with higher number of folks using smart phones to browse the internet and check their mails has transformed the way IT businesses work.

With thousands and thousands of users and enormous amounts of downloads, Android Applications Development field is humming with action. A lot of individuals enjoy various types of apps; it complies with their amusement, business, utility and a variety of other requirements.

At the preliminary stage Android Apps Development experts ware viewed as professionals who provides extension to computer software development; nonetheless, with changing time companies mastered to implement the exclusive characteristics and uses of Android phones to produce apps tailor-made for the smart phone. The outcome was development of a variety of apps did just what software development did, but which equipped the smart phone attributes.

So, you had quite a few browser apps, shopping cart apps, travel apps, social networking apps, and games apps designed particularly for Android phones. A number of IT firms utilized their competence in software development for PCs and laptops, and made Android app development teams for Android apps development. Their development teams concentrated on what can be termed as 'traditional smart phone development-the development of Android apps that are comparable in size, scope and performance to software development for PCs or laptops.

But now, a significantly huge number of folks are making it a habit of asking the question, 'Is there any app for this?' So now, an Android Applications Development expert is not restricted to creating sophisticated apps that deliver improved performance, or providing complicated services. For example, there are eateries that give out their menus in form of Android apps. They do not want any intricate or interactive program: all they require is an app they can give to their consumers. So they get an app designed which lists their food products and helps the user track down their nearest outlet using their Android.

The reputation of these types of applications has started out a new door for smaller sized IT companies that wish to enter the Android Apps Development career. Software development companies at entry-level, whose primary area of skills is development for pc's, are the ones who stand to obtain the most from this pattern.

Big companies are generally not engaged in developing small applications as they do not pay much, and such IT firms desire to go for bigger projects. But for software development firms trying to get a grip in the Android apps development industry, creating small applications is a pretty good choice.
It's not simple for small IT organizations to remain competitive with their bigger counterparts on their own turf: they find it too complicated to bag big projects without significantly limiting their revenue. But the requirement of simple and small applications for Android (apps that can be reasonably designed within a week) have given a terrific chance for beginners and small IT firms to obtain experience and profits by means of apps development and Android Apps Development.

Alex Morgan is a software developer who is working as an Android Apps Development in a leading mobile software company in US and providing his services there. Along with that, he also likes to share his vast knowledge about various Android Applications Development techniques through his articles and blogs.

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Translation Software - Guide on How to Get the Proper One

Today, more and more people are switching to different kinds of translation software for them to be able to translate their texts to other languages. As humans discover new ways to stay connected to one another, more individuals will be needing fast and cheap translation tools that will enable them to remain connected to people who do not speak and write the same language.

Translation software are becoming more common and advanced nowadays, that is why the demand for this program is increasing. And with many software choices out there, it is important for you to determine which best suits your needs. For you to do that, you should follow the useful tips provided in the list below.

HOW TO GET THE PROPER TRANSLATION SOFTWARE

TIP #1. Do your own research regarding the translation applications and their features. Most of you must know this already, but it still is worth mentioning. Try to look for a translation software that has the features suitable for your needs. Reading through user reviews is also one good way to determine if a translator is worth-trying or not.

TIP #2. If you are going to use the software for translating several documents that need formatting, then you should go for a software that meets this requirement. Currently, there are only few translators on the internet that have this feature. You will know that it is the right software if it does not create complicated formats of texts or images.

TIP #3. The best translation app should be user-friendly. Look for a software that is easy to use and very responsive. Spending on a complicated and non-interactive software is pointless and will just waste your money and time. Before you download the software, take a look at its demo first for you to ensure that it translates your texts without giving you a hard time.

TIP #4. Next thing you need to consider is the translation quality. Of course, you want it to be 100% accurate and precise. A good translation software should be able to convert your texts into Chinese, Spanish, or Portuguese as accurate as possible. It should not only translate the words in multiple languages, but also recognize the language you write as well. It should translate in a contextual manner, and not word for word.

TIP #5. Download only from reputable websites. A reputable software provider should answer its visitor's queries promptly, especially when their software is on some sort of trouble. Browse the internet and look for positive comments on the software developer. And if they are providing full customer support before and after purchase, then that provider is definitely reliable. Choosing a website that offers advanced training on professional translation for its users is also recommended.

TIP #6. Finally, look for the translation software's dictionary and try to know how many words it can hold. The larger its dictionary is, the more accurate the translation will be. The best translation software should include terminologies and phrases for sensitive word conversions.

There you have the list of the things one should consider before downloading or purchasing a translation software. Follow these tips carefully and you will surely find the right translation app that matches your needs.

Ortsbo helps translate English to Spanish and seamlessly integrates with today's most popular social media platforms. Ortsbo cab be used as best translation app with instant translation capability, real time multi-lingual social media chat connects to PC and Mac computers, mobile browsers as well as all major chat platforms including MSN, Google, Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo! and others that enables users to chat and translate in real-time.

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Three New Impressive Apps for the iPhone

Apple has sold over 250 million units in the first five years since the launch of the iPhones. And of course, the App Store is the main reason for this success. Just by browsing through the App Store, one can discover thousands of exciting apps. Therefore, the task of selecting an app has become baffling. Let me introduce three impressive apps for your iOS device.

Image Southwest Parks: This app has a lot of high resolution images of Southwest parks. From desert parks of Arizona to the red rocks and canyons of Canyonlands, users can see and experience them all inside Image Southwest Parks. As more than 100 images are geo-referenced, users can simply consult the app to find out how close they are to their destination while traveling to these areas. By tapping on information button, users could make this app show the name of the park above every image. However, it hides 80 percent of the image with a layer. I think developers would remove it, when they update the app. Image Southwest Parks is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and requires iOS 3.2 or later. It costs USD 1.99.

Wordistic: This is a word making game for the iPhones where users have to race against the clock to try to qualify for the next ever quickening level. After launching Wordistic, users could see letters pouring from the top of the screen. They have to tap on them to make a word out of them. This app also presents word suggestions at the bottom of the selected letters. Wordistic has a good soundtrack and more importantly it is exclusively composed for this app. However, it really lacks a Help area as it is quite difficult to navigate through some parts of the app. Wordistic is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and requires iOS 4.3 or later. It also has Game Center integration. This app costs USD 0.99.

Thwart: It is a new board game that tests luck and intelligence of the players. It has seven games - Singles, Doubles, Triples, Quads, Singles +, Mixtures and Mixtures +. The rules are pretty much the same for all these games - placing the tiles on to the board in a variety of patterns. Thwart can be played as solo or between 2 to 4 players. Enabling countdown clock could make this game a bit harder, while availing the Hints feature could make it an easy one. The interface is easy to navigate around, but it doesn't have a pleasing look. Maybe a better background and better fonts could do the trick. Thwart game is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and requires iOS 3.1 or later.

People love apps that are fun and simple to use. But more importantly, they need to deliver the magic. I think, most of the iPhone apps offer rich user experience and are able to do new things a desktop website cannot do. All these three apps have been freshly released on the App Store and they could make your life more fun.

Author bio: Steve August is an iPhone app reviews expert and Chief Editor of AlphaDigits, a website that publishes Android app reviews and iPad app reviews. Developers can contact him through AlphaDigits to get their apps reviewed.

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Window Phone 7 and Further Versions Aim to Give Its Users a Perfect Web Browsing Experience

The core parameters to be tackled in order to achieve the rich mobile web experience as specified by MS officials are:

1. User Interface of the Browser.

2. Compatibility of the WP enabled devices with a wide array of website layouts.

3. Considering battery conservation and its smooth rendering performance.

The desktop specialist houses a separate team that is incessantly working hard and implementing strategies that would serve the common man with the best mobile browsing experience. This team is trying its best to enable the contents and services on the mobile browsers more appealing to the users when using their Window Phone.

WP 7 is slowly and steadily stepping into the mobile space with leading companies developing stuff on the IE9 for the Mango. The most popular sports channel ESPN had great feedback about the process of developing for the IE9 browser on WP. Their mobile site development team was quiet satisfied about the CSS3/HTML5 support and pointed out that the process of developing on the IE9 had a similar environment as that on the Personal Computer.

For that scintillating experience of your favorite sport on the ESPN, be sure you visit their website on the Window Phone; I bet you will be overwhelmed with what the ESPN has done onto their mobile site on the IE9 browser. The IE9 browser is that wonder browser that will remind you of the days of desktop browsing but now on a smaller mobile screen.

Mobile browsing is not just about accessing content pages or static websites on the mobile device. Watching videos online too is another aspect the Window Phone team considers for improvement. In other mobile operating systems, YouTube videos are perhaps watched on a dedicated app for that delightful experience even if the video site HTML5 compatible. But, Window phone device can directly play your desired video directly without downloading any app. I think it's one of coolest features of the Window Phone 7 enabled device.

Another noteworthy trait of the Microsoft's goals is that it wants to appeal to the common man audience with simplicity and greater functionality. By keeping track of Window Phone users the development team has done major changes to its UI by keeping the address bar at the bottom of the screen, the refresh button was moved out of the address bar as desired by the Window Phone owners and an ample breathing room for the browsing is created for that perfect experience while digging into the internet space.

Last but never the least is the Mango app marketplace. The users can download their utility apps from the app market worry-free as the apps uploaded are of high quality and no junky stuff unlike the other app marketplaces. So in case you are already a proud window phone owner, you are probably happy and in case you want to try a hand at owning it then your decision is never wrong in my opinion. Developers too can enjoy a profitable journey by creating apps on this platform and am sure the returns are lucrative in the days to come.

Endeavour - The Mobility Company, is always updating on the various mobile application development platforms and welcomes any new platform like window phone application development to create productive applications in the field of retail, healthcare, banking and enterprise mobility. Photo Editor+ is one such app on the Window Phone market place that Endeavour has developed for photo sharing and editing.

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Mobile Banking Security

Any bank or credit union pretty much has to offer mobile banking. This is because the customers demand it, people want the ability to pay their bills and view balances among other things. Very few people, especially the younger generation do banking the old way. Some are even beginning to offer services of uploading a scanned check for deposit.

Because of this, almost any bank, including large or small has some kind of mobile banking. Of course this is great, but oftentimes mobile banking security is neglected as they implement the changes quickly. With banks having a lot of sensitive information, it is very important that security is taken seriously. Not only that, but some high profile banks have been hacked in the past. Banks are a target for hackers, not only for the information they hold, but others do it for political reasons.

Steps have been implemented at most banking websites. Usually they go above the typical user name and password. Some require a code every time you login from a new location, ensuring that you are able to access your personal email or cell phone. This is one step to verify who you are. Others have security questions that you must answer. The answers are supplied when the user signs up. This of course cuts down on problems. Others require a password that is hard to guess, consisting of random numbers and letters, lowercase and upper case. Some even require you to change your password periodically.

Of course the best mobile banking security will be vulnerable, because nothing it truly secure. But if the right steps are taken, it will ensure that the bank will most likely not be targeted. The customer needs to do thinks on their end as well, such as having a good password, not sharing it with others, and using secure connections. It would be very easy for someone to get a banking password at a wifi hotspot. Also the customer needs to make sure they log out of shared machines.

Mobile banking security should not be overlooked. If a site is targeted and successfully penetrated. The bank opens themselves to a lot of liability. Furthermore, when high profile cases make the news, a lot of customers lose confidence in the bank and even close accounts and bank elsewhere. Having customers data exposed is a public relations nightmare and should be avoided at all costs.

If you are tasked with banking security in your company, read more insightful articles on our webpage.

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BMW App Suite on iPhone for Entertainment and Safety of the Driver

BMW thoroughly knows the taste of their customers when it comes to technology and luxury. This is the driving force for this German based car manufacturer to be a world class pioneer when it comes to its cars updated with superior technology integration. All of us admit that iPhone devices are so much a part of our lives and little had we known that these devices could gradually become a natural extension of your BMW car! This is however in existence now and the customers have all the reasons to rejoice in their new found iPhone apps within their car.

The BMW fans can again raise their expectation bar to further heights with the app demonstrated at the International Auto Show 2012, New York. The intentions of the app developers at BMW's App Center Mountain View Technology office with this rollout of the Engine Manufacturer's app suite was to integrate the popular music sharing online community called MOG on the car's audio system along with Stitcher and ubiquitous Pandora. With a sole intent to amplify the usability of the phone applications and the already existing iPhone device features that have been a part of the previous apps, this app at the Auto show is launched to provide incomparable services with no complex enhancements that is achieved by evading the creation of totally new programs.

What the driver in you can expect from the brand new BMW app suite?

The app enables the drivers to listen to whatever they want at any instant of time. They could listen to a personalized radio frequency, individual songs or private albums or hear to some top notch narrative journalism from The New Yorker magazine or elsewhere! All this could happen as a multi tasking feature is prevalent with these set of apps that are freshly released. Another impeccable feature of this invention is that when the driver receives a call on his iPhone that is lying on the BMW station (it is an in-car cradle for iPhone), he or she can attend the call instantly by using the switch that is mounted on the steering wheel. After the call ends, the music resumes to where it was interrupted with an inclining volume change till it reaches the set volume intensity. This wonder happens without any touch on to the car dash board. This feature excites any driver who is having his or her friends in the car or is aimlessly driving for fun.

The striking stories are endless with the new app suite of BMW as the iPhone charges as you drive away your favorite car! And if there is any bonus, the antenna strength is enhanced too.

It is wisely pointed out by International Business Times that, "these apps are the traditional selling point for both BMW as well as for Apple Inc".

So what does the Automobile Giant teach the SMBs about leveraging mobility?

SMBs should learn from the strategies of BMW in building intuitive apps for their products or services in a way that will leave their customers with a sense of connectivity that is not desperately forced but is a natural reflex to use the mobility functions within their product/service offers.

At Endeavour, we get demands for iPhone application development from clients who are specializing in various business verticals whose target audience are majorly iPhone users. With an intention to reach out to those users who are connected on other mobile platforms like android, Blackberry or Window Phone 7 our in house mobility consultants are capable to develop apps on these platforms too.

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Building The Business Case For The Mobile Payments Industry

Whether you have been managing and running your own business for years or if you have recently launched your own company, using mobile payment gateways can help with building and growing your business even more. When you want to expand the number of loyal customers and fans you have while also increasing the amount of revenue and income your business generates, you can use this industry to help you along the way.

Why Accept Mobile Payments?

In today's world, many people generally have cell phones and other portable devices available with them at all times, allowing them to access the internet to browse websites, download content, and even purchase new applications or software. If your company has a subscription service or downloadable content on the site for a premium price, accepting mobile payments is vital to helping to keep your brand relevant while also generating an entirely separate income stream from your online store or local business in-person. When you accept these payments, you not only increase the number of sales you get regularly, but you also open the doors to selling your content and applications all around the world without the limits of borders in countries and various states.

What Type of Business is Ideal for Implementing Mobile Payments?

Most business models fit in with using cell phone payments, ranging from traditional clothing and merchandise stores to blogs with subscription news feeds or downloadable applications including games or productivity software for mobile phones. You can create or have various applications developed to keep your fans and customers updated with new product and service releases while also allowing them to recognize your brand, building its recognition over time when you accept mobile transactions and others view your logo and business name on a regular basis.

How to Research the Mobile Payments Industry

You have the ability to look into finding out more information about this industry by looking online and also by researching various internet mobile gateway services. Online, you are able to compare the types of these gateways services that there are available based on the types of products or services you have to offer, the projected number of sales you believe you will get on a monthly basis, as well as the budget you have available to spend on paying for the services. When you pay for mobile payment services, you are also guaranteeing that your customer's information is sent securely and safely online, minimizing the risk of fraud or identity theft.

To learn more about the mobile payments industry, read more of our articles on our web portal.

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5 Android App Development Tips For Developers That Are Just Starting Out

The business of android app development is soaring and this is one of the primary reasons why more and more people are getting started on android app development. If you are a newbie, you need to keep in mind a few tips that will help you develop an Android app successfully.

Let's take a look at these tips:

Comprehensive Knowledge about all Resources

Don't go about developing an application for your android device in a half-baked manner. You must know about anything and everything that allows you to develop the perfect application. Now, there is no doubt that learning is a continuous process, but this does not mean that you shouldn't be better prepared. You will need to develop hands on knowledge and experience on the Android SDK and other associated tools, to ensure successful development.

Identify and Understand the Audience

You are custom developing the app for an audience, so you need to keep them in mind while building the application. So, put yourself in the shoes of the user and think about their likes and dislikes. By thinking like your users and by making it a habit, you will be ensuring that you will only implement the kind of features that they will like, which in turn improves your app's chances of being downloaded by the target audience.

Don't Be Overly Creative

If you are just starting out, it's important that you need to keep things simple. This is because by being creative, you might make things complex; there are times when in an attempt to render creativity to your android app, you will develop a needlessly cluttered code. This means the seamless quality of the app goes for a toss and the app is full of errors. This never makes for a successful application.

Aim for Optimum User Experience

Satisfying is one thing, and delighting is something else altogether; as an android developer, you need to aim for the latter. The user interface must be such that it makes using the app a highly satisfying experience for the users; and at the same time, offers a high level of user engagement. The idea is to make sure that the user is able to make optimum use of the app; and at the same time has a good time using the mobile app.

Detailing and Effort

Successful application development, whatever the platform is always in the details and you must never forget to take note of even the minutest of detail. If you ignore a particular app aspect as being too inconsequential, you might have to suffer the consequences at a later date. What's more, don't believe those tips that talk about shortcuts that help you develop effective apps faster. There are no shortcuts to developing a cutting edge android app that has the potential to scale the popularity charts.

So here they are - five tips that if implemented during the development process, can go a long way in building a high performance android app. Although these tips need to be kept in mind while starting out, you will do well to keep them in mind as long as you develop apps. These are those evergreen tips that never go out of fashion.

MyFirstMobileApp is a professional mobile app development company offering cutting edge custom android app development, iPhone app development and iPad app development services.

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Retailers Grow by Enabling MCommerce Solutions in Businesses

Mobile technologies are playing a vital role in the lives of the business merchants when it comes to exploring the possible ways to capitalize on a consumer's demands and requirements. With no surprise mobile phones are the 'middlemen' devices between the consumers and retailers which are majorly influencing the customers on various parameters like price comparisons, manufacturing details etc. Based on the data submitted by the online sources via the cell phones, customers use their discretion before committing on a deal that implies a financial transaction. M-commerce solutions are slowly evolving as a platform of technology that will exclusively serve the business fraternity and the end users in an ethical way leaving no room for faulty or blinded business transaction. In the present times it's a win-win scenario between the customers and the vendors using mobile technologies.

Smartphone deployment is synchronous to social media in this age of modern connectivity. It is a non debatable topic that mobile applications are hugely driven by the social media acceptance and relevance. Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and other sites help the retailers in targeting their specific audience in an effective manner by engaging them in communities and forums that relates the consumers' interests. For business owners it is of utmost importance that the marketing strategies involve the mobile and social media elements in order to reap 'never before' profits from the present techno-social partnership.

With the smartphones being the center of people's connect to the social media; the businesses are wisely using the social networks in engaging their customers by providing an option for signing up for the retailers' reward programs through their phones within the mobile web by using a unique text keyword. This ensures that the prospective product buyers are encouraged in all directions to visit the online market store on their mobile website to see and buy their products. About 56% of the Facebook users are believed to perform transactions with a view to buy products or services and with this scenario, the businesses happening in the internet space are more that the businesses happening in the actual store. Virtual sales on the PCs are now replaced by the mobile smartphone transactions as people now prefer buying products from their mobile phones.

Mobile eCommerce solutions enable the merchants to solve their prospective clients' queries which are mainly universal. Standing in long queues at the stores checkpoint for billing definitely is time consuming for the customers. With mobile payment systems the retail owner can enable the shoppers to pay at any point of time, this is one of main aspects the business owner can bestow on his/her customers. This move can earn the business a loyal customer base. The Near Field Communication technology enabled devices are responsible for this effective way of establishing billing points according to the shoppers' convenience. A technology like Near Field Communications is often nurtured by the retailing fraternity to stay ahead in the severe competition.

Times when retail outlets were frowned upon will immediately change the outlook of the customers when paperless billing and immediate delivery of products and services happen with a single click.

Endeavour- The Mobility Company is completely focused on the modern day mobile application development in field of retail, healthcare, banking and various other business verticals. Our company will be able to strategize the business perspective of any business niche in terms of leveraging mobility enterprise into the clients' environment. Whether the prospective client is customer driven or enterprise driven, out solutions reach out to cater to all kinds of demands in the competitive world.

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Easy Cash From Your Smartphone

Technology has indeed grown by leaps and bounds. Nowadays, everything that we have runs on battery or electricity. The advancements in mobile phone technology are proof of this. Just a decade ago, mobile phones were huge and bulky pieces of hardware with limited functionality. One could only make and receive calls with them and nothing much else. However, with the demands for mobility growing, the features of mobile phones became more and more advanced with applications added to them with every new model that was launched.

With these advancements and innovations, mobile phones have become smarter because they can do more than taking calls, which led to the birth of the term smartphone. It is a more appropriate term for these nifty gadgets because you can indeed do more with them. Aside from calls and text messaging, this new breed of phones can send and receive emails, organize your activities with their built in calendar, connect to the Internet and so much more. They have become a productivity tool, which is essential not just for the modern-day office worker but even for ordinary people as well.

Because of the rise in popularity of smartphones, the demand for them has increased. Manufacturers identified this demand early on. They are more than willing to develop new and more advanced phones faster than you can figure out how your present smartphone works. They now control how the market reacts when it comes to their products. They have elevated what was once just a "want" in people's priorities to a "need" that has to be satisfied.

Everyone wants the latest and the greatest when it comes to electronic gadgets. This scenario has led to the high turnover of secondhand smartphones that are available for sale. Consider yourself lucky if the store where you bought your phone offers a smartphone buy back option. This way, you don't need to worry about how to dispose of your present smartphone.

Taking advantage of a smartphone buy back program is an easy way for you to exchange your phone for cash. You will surely appreciate this when you find yourself in a situation wherein you are in dire need of cash. It is also nice to know that you will be able to recoup some of the money you spent purchasing the phone even after you realize that it is not that phone that you were looking for.

There are online websites that offer cash for smartphones. These websites are helpful to those looking for quick cash for their phones. If you suddenly find yourself in an emergency situation and you need cash, you can visit these websites to check for the price they are willing to give you for your phone. Of course, you must not expect to get a higher or even the same price you paid for it because these websites usually base their offer price on the model of the phone.

It is nice to know that smartphones allow us to be free from our desks and computers. The knowledge that we could use them to exchange for cash is another plus factor aside from the mobility and ease of communication they offer.

Smartphone buy back option are present to other stores where you purchased your phone but if not, look for used cell phone sites online such as cashforsmartphones.com.

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NFC Mobile Payment Solutions Are Taking Off

Over the recent course of technological advancements one area of continuous growth and development has been mobile computing, specifically focusing on smartphones. The massive adoption by the public of touchscreen smartphones, ultraportable netbooks and tablet computers has led to new technologies utilizing these devices as a way to make everyday life easier. One such technology that is taking off rapidly is NFC mobile payment options. This form of contactless payment allows a user to make a purchase and send an amount of money in seconds using only a smartphone and an NFC-equipped machine or register.

NFC stands for "near field communications." It is a technology that allows two equipped devices to communicate with each other by only being near one another, with no contact or other input necessary. Typically the technology that powers NFC resides on a small chip and piece of software, allowing any mobile device to possess NFC capabilities if it's installed beforehand. For that reason most major smartphone manufacturers have taken to putting NFC capability into newer models of phones, allowing millions of people to use an item they carry with them everyday to make an NFC mobile payment.

NFC enables contactless payment between a buyer with an enabled device and an NFC-enabled terminal or register that accepts the payment. If someone uses an NFC mobile phone to purchase gas, they would swipe it in front of the specified area on the pump which would read the NFC data tied to the user's payment account and debit that account the preferred amount. With the swipe of a hand a transaction that usually takes minutes plus waiting in line is completed in a second. The idea that any purchase or monetary exchange can be done so simply has led to these mobile payment solutions taking off worldwide. Larger companies with more and more locations and uses are adopting the NFC technology to make quick payments. Banks use it to allow account holders to make deposits or transfers with a wave of their phone. Large retailers use it at express checkout lines for people who only have an item or two to pay and get on their way.

NFC mobile payment is not limited only to smartphones either. Banks have begun putting these chips into credit and debit cards so that payments can be made even quicker than cards normally allow. Because NFC can be put into just about any device, the speed at which the payment technology has taken off is astonishing and shows no signs of slowing.

To see how contactless payments is transforming mobile technologies and commerce; check out the website.

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Mobile Banking Applications Are Changing

Mobile banking applications are changing with the introduction of the mobile wallet. New mobile phone apps will enable us to trade stocks from our mobile phones. The mobile wallet will give us the ability to run our smartphone over a bar code scanner at the store to pay for purchases. IT specialists are working on new mobile apps to allow us to do this. Customers also use WAP billing as an alternative to paying for products online with a credit card, debit card or by using premium SMS for billing purposes.

The GFT Group, one of the world's largest providers of IT services, is working on new mobile apps for large financial organizations. These organizations will soon be able to use mobile banking applications, not only to manage their accounts and pay bills, but they will also be able to receive investment counseling and buy and sell stocks. The GFT group helps clients set up mobile apps by offering IT specialist's services and solutions specifically for their financial needs.

We already have the ability to use mobile banking apps to pay bills, access our bank accounts and credit card accounts, to get alerts in our email, and deposit checks in our bank accounts if the bank we use is set up to do this. The GFT AppStore is helping financial organizations develop mobile apps and platforms to specifically fit businesses needs. They are now setting up testing sites for their employees which enables them to fine tune this process.

The mobile wallet is moving to the forefront of banking solutions. Once NFC abilities (near field communications) are set in place, meaning banks, stores and other businesses, both online and off, are able to offer consumers the means to use them, we will see a change in the world of online banking. Experts say that by next year one in five cell phones will be NFC equipped to use mobile wallets.

Many banks and credit card companies enable their customers to pay bills and deposit checks over their mobile phone, although not all banks are set up for all types of mobile phones. WAP billing has become a viable method of paying for downloading music, games, wallpaper and ringtones by being billed via a mobile phone. Mobile banking applications are changing. Newer innovative apps are being designed and developed by IT specialists everyday and some companies now have the capabilities to allow consumers to use them.

For more information on WAP billing, visit our web site.

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Top Three Utility Apps to Try Out

From business to entertainment we use our phones for just about everything and mobile apps are great for many things. They can let you get location-specific data, meet up with friends, pay bills on the run and consume content. These apps have become handy companions as they can be accessed anytime. If you are exploring the App Store to get the right utility apps for your mobile device, this article can help you.

OrganiDoc HD: This app helps users manage all their docs, pics and videos on their iPads. It has four main areas - My iPad, Cloud Storage, Protected File and iTunes File Sharing. My iPad explores all the folders and documents that are located inside the iPad while the Cloud Storage displays the files that are stored in the cloud. Protected Area is there for users to save private data and keep it in a safe way and iTunes File Sharing lets them share files through the iTunes. Right from MS Office files and text files to images and videos, OrganiDoc HD supports a wide range of file formats. However, this app is not a file editor and just a storage facility. OrganiDoc HD is compatible with iPad and requires iOS 4.2 or later. It costs USD 4.99.

iBeen There: This app comes with all the essential features to let users record their vacation. It allows them to save any location as a POI (Point Of Interest) on a map of the world. After saving it, users can add images, videos and audio recordings to it. They can edit their POIs any time they like! Blog is an important section of iBeen There. It allows users to add a short note about the visit to a particular spot and more importantly they can also share this blog on Facebook. iBeen There asks users to enter proper address, city, state and country, even when everything is proper - I think it needs a bit of work here. This app is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and requires iOS 3.1.2 or later. iBeen There costs USD 1.99.

My List Shopping: This is a customizable list app for the iPhones. It provides an easy way to organize your shopping and grocery lists, holiday lists, wish lists, party planning lists and just about anything else. This app is loaded with hundreds of items from Apple Cider and Mellon Honeydew to Passion fruit and Shallots. If the users can't find a particular item, they can add it to the list manually. They can also add images and barcodes for the products. The developer has provided all the needed features inside the app. However, the interface could make new users to struggle a bit as there are buttons everywhere. My List Shopping is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and requires iOS 4.0 or later. This app costs USD 0.99.

As you can see, I have listed a few apps that you probably all know. Now go try these apps and choose your favorite!

Author bio: Steve August is an iPhone app reviews expert and Chief Editor of AlphaDigits (alphadigits.com), a website that publishes Android app reviews and iPad app reviews. Developers can contact him through AlphaDigits to get their apps reviewed.

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The Current Market of iPhone and Android Surging Ahead!

iPhone is one of the best tech wonders of the world because of its features and ability to create greatness out of the routine. It is easy to manage content, play smart music options, shoot with a better camera than its counterparts and work on the best UI around.

The iPhone is very well built and the most innovative apps reside in the App Store for iPhone users to make the most of the features. iPhone app development has ravaged the market with diverse set of applications especially great business apps and easy to use entertaining games. There are millions of users in the iPhone market and it is a craze worldwide to be an iPhone user. One can create output through enterprise apps in real-time which helps in integration with external third-party systems. One can easily interact with the ERP especially if he or she is an authenticated user. One can even transact remotely. There are various iPhone developers who have managed to enhance their skills with experience and the resultant apps in recent times have huge quality and innovation embedded in them. There are various utilities which are offered in recent times too.

Apple's App Store is just becoming larger than ever with a huge inflow of apps day in and day out. With the advent of new iPads, the latest being iPad 3, there are many apps which are perfect for the features offered. They capitalize well with the latest tweaks of the iPad 3 and this has made it possible for developers to respond to the demand and most have been delivered too!

One can say that the new Siri is efficiently working as the intelligent assistant and with iOS 6 expected to arrive in a month or two or maybe later, there are changes which might improve its working drastically which can help you manage tasks efficiently. The iPhone boasts of best in class location-based alerts and a drastically superior notification center than any of the smartphone platform offerings. There are enhanced Mail features which are perfect for every business along with a comprehensive Calendar which has inbuilt reminders and the seamless, efficient Safari browser. The iPhone can be synced easily with a PC or a laptop even with an online account.

At the same time, Android is making the right waves with the newest entrant Android 4.0, the IceCream Sandwich version which is now available in tablets too. Android 3.0, known as Honeycomb is also compatible with the previously launched Android-powered tablets.

The Icecream Sandwich is a great improvement over the Honeycomb version and boasts of a large number of features including with a better memory and better utilization of Android smartphone features and functions. The Android phone can now boast of even better smooth and seamless transitions and you can witness that in the latest ones: the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy Note which house the new version quite well.

The Android applications have increased their number in the store and the new apps are thoroughly advanced and powerful laced with multiple features. With a variety of smartphones in its arsenal, Android has a huge scope for innovation. One can even work around mobile app development to get tailored apps for both iOS and Android platforms if one needs a perfect fit the for the needs of a business.

iPhone Application Development company have team of skilled and experience Android Developers and iPhone Developers who develops apps for many platforms that suit for business needs.

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