Syncing Files: Amazon Cloud Drive and Google Drive

Posted on 03. May, 2012 by dfloyd in Mobile Applications, android, iOS

In the last couple weeks, Google Drive and Amazon Cloud Drive have both released desktop versions of their online drives. These desktop applications make it easy to keep your music, videos, pictures, and documents available online via any device such as a computer, a smartphone, a tablet, a media player or even your television.

Up to now, the most common application for online drives has been syncing music via services like iCloud, Amazon Cloud Player, and Google Play. With the explosion of tablets, smartphones, SSD laptops, more and more people want access to all their files anytime. Now music, video, ebooks, documents, spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations, movies, and much more can be easily access via cloud services like Dropbox, Box, Amazon Cloud Drive and Google Drive.

While Amazon and Google have both offered some form of an online drive for the past year, their recent desktop versions make it easy to upload files to your cloud drive. Here’s a quick snapshot of both services.

Google Drive
Working similar to the Mobile Me service, Google Drive installs a “sync folder” on your desktop. You can sign up at Google Drive. In order to use it, you must have a Gmail account. Google Drive comes with 5GB of free space. Once you install the drive, it immediately syncs all your online Google Docs to the sync folder on your computer. Whenever you want to add a file to Google Drive, simply drop the file in your sync folder. If you’re online, it will automatically sync folders. If not, it will automatically sync files as soon as your online again.

You can create new folders in your Google Drive folder, move files between folders, and add/remove files. Google Drive immediately syncs folders, files, and any changes you’ve made.

Amazon Cloud Drive
The Amazon Cloud Drive does not install a sync folder on your computer. It installs an icon in your system tray. Once you install the application, you can click on the Amazon Cloud icon. Then you’ll need to sign into your Amazon account (or create an account if you don’t have one). Like Google Drive, it comes with 5 GB of free space. To sync a file, simply drag a file or folder to the Amazon Cloud icon, and it will instantly begin to sync the files.

I wanted to test it’s ability to detect file types, so I added some MP3 files to the Amazon Cloud icon. Then I opened the Amazon Player on my Android. The MP3 files were on my Amazon Player ready for play or download. It’s a simple process, but if you want to add multiple MP3 files, Amazon recommends you Launch Cloud Player.

Which cloud drive is better? So far, I can’t recommend one drive over another at this point. Currently I am syncing files to iCloud, Box, Dropbox, Amazon and Google Drive. I want to compare how they develop and what process is simplest. If you want to share files, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box offer simple share solutions. Amazon doesn’t appear to offer a sharing solution at this point. All services offer the ability to expand the drive size based on some type of fee.

Apps for Seniors

Posted on 24. Apr, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, android, iOS

Wireless technology is fast becoming popular among senior citizens. From tablets to smartphones, seniors are discovering how wireless is more about providing accessible tools and less about the latest trend. While some techies track new smartphones like teens track the latest pop song, there is a much larger emerging market that is discovering how technology can offer applications that support every day needs.

I have a friend who is turning 80 this year. He’s had a mac for about three years, and his favorite website is Facebook. The technology has given him a way to stay in contact with friends and family all across the country. Plus, it’s given him an opportunity to meet and engage a variety of people he would never have met otherwise. His story is similar to many seniors who are now turning to smartphones and tablets. So how might this technology meet their needs?

Communication
Seniors can stay in touch with children, grandchildren using tools like Skype. I know one man who is in his 60s. He still spends part of his time on the road. The iPad is a gateway for him to spend time each evening talk with his wife and family via Skype. Meredith Bower over at Curiosity.com mentions a neat communication app for seniors. A Story Before Bed gives grandparents the ability to record a video of them reading a story for their grandkids. 

Family Research
I was eating supper the other night with an older couple who kept telling me stories about their favorite service: Ancestry.com. Leveraging the research potential of the Internet, Ancestry.com is helping people research family trees and build an extensive online database of family history information. The smartphone and tablets apps provides users with a steady stream of new discoveries about relatives, family heirlooms, living relations, pictures, gravestones and more. Reading With the wide range of reading apps like Kindle, Nook, Aldiko and more, seniors are re-discovering many of the classics from their youth. I have one older friend who started reading through Moby Dick, Captain Nemo and more on his iPhone several years back. Now he reads virtually all his books on the iPad. The adjustable font size and lighting allow him to keep reading long after his wife has gone to sleep.

Health
Researching and tracking health issues has never been easier. With apps like WebMD, users have the tools that can help them research health issues and improve decision making, plus it give access to first aid information (with requiring an Internet connection). Plus there are a variety of wellness tools and information apps from providers like Mayo Clinic.

Travel
As seniors take to the road, they can take a favorite PBS travel companion along. Popular tour guide and travel show host, Rick Steves offers a range of apps, podcasts and books for the smartphone and tablet. He offers both audio tour information and tour booklets. Additionally, there are a wide range of other tour guide apps like PocketGuide, Tour Eiffel, Digi Guides, TourBuddy, and more that give seniors a personal guided tour through various travel sites around the world.

Cooking
An iPad in the kitchen replaces a shelf full of cookbooks as iPad and Android tablets offer a wide range of great cooking tools like AllRecipe, Cooking Lite, Menu Picker, CookFresh, Conversions for Cooking, BigOven and many, many more.

Games
From Suduko to Crossword Puzzles to Word with Friends, seniors can discover a variety of classic and new games that will keep them engaged with friends and family while playing games at the same time.

How To Turn Off Apps on iPhone

Posted on 19. Apr, 2012 by dfloyd in iOS

If you’re iPhone battery seems to be depleting too fast or your iPhone seems to be running slow, you can try turning off some of the background apps. This shouldn’t be a problem, but there may be some apps that are draining too much battery life or processing too much in the background.

The way Apple designed the multitasking feature, background apps should not cause a slowdown and increased battery drain.

The reason? It’s not real multi-tasking.

When you switch from one app to another on your iPhone, you essentially pause the background app. It cannot continue draining resources. At the same time, some apps do continue to run in the background. For example, if you’re listening to a music app and want to check your email, you want the music to continue playing.

The iOS multitasking feature is designed to pause applications but allow certain functions to continue. These functions include:

  • Background Audio
  • Voice Over IP Services
  • Background Location-based services
  • Push notifications (think timers, alarms and such)
  • Task completion (if the task started before switching apps, it will complete)

There may still be times that you want to turn off background apps.

Here’s how you do it:
1. Unlock the iPhone, then double click on your home key.


2. The top of screen fades, but the bottom row remains. All the apps on the bottom row are currently running in background.


3. To close an app, touch and hold a specific app. The app icons should slightly shake and a red minus sign appears in the top left of each app.


4. Simply tap the red minus sign to close the app, then scroll from right to left to view (and close) all the apps running in background.

New iPad Means Spectacular Graphics and Blazing Speed

Posted on 15. Mar, 2012 by dfloyd in 4G LTE, iOS

The new iPad appeared on the shelves just after midnight at Telstra, Australia’s phone company stores. Within hours, US customers will begin lining up here for yet another Apple event. This is not the iPad3 or the iPad HD but simply iPad as though Apple is starting all over again. While they do in fact, bring a variety of changes to the new iPad, it is not dramatically different from iPad 2. There are several changes, but the two most significant changes include the “retina display” and 4G LTE, these are so dramatic that some people see this as a “game-changer.”

Retina display has 1 million more pixels than HDTV.
Boasting a pixel display of 2048 x 1536, the new iPad has four times the amount of pixels of any other mobile device. Walt Mossberg from All Things D says that “It has the most spectacular display I have ever seen in a mobile device.” He continues, “Using the new display is like getting a new eyeglasses prescription — you suddenly realize what you thought looked sharp before wasn’t nearly as sharp as it could be.”[1]

In Apple’s promotion video they speak of the new iPad as “an invisible iPad,” or a “magical pane of glass that can become anything you want it to be.” I guess with graphics this amazing, the tablet seems disappear in a “magical pane of glass” that lets you see, engage or create any world you desire.

Speaking of creating worlds, the world renown artist David Hockney is sure to use this new iPad is his fabulous creations. He recently opened at the Royal Academy with a show that literally filled all that halls with colorful landscapes, some of which were created on his iPad. Hockney is known for utilizing emerging technologies as tools for his creations, so the new iPad is sure to capture his aesthetic attention.

Kevin Tofel over at Gigaom suggests that “the new iPad has all of the tools to morph the tablet into a stellar video content creation tool.”[2] Jonny Evans believes the graphic breakthrough makes iPad more important than television, and that it may be ushering a whole new era of creativity using mobile devices. He writes,

Think about it. Working together across different disciplines, photographers, video producers, musicians, sculptors, philosophers, and others can begin to build new entertainment experiences.
The sensors included within these mobile devices open new opportunities for creative arts. Ambient light detectors, dual microphones, gyroscopes — these things are opportunities for artists and developers to find uses for tech which go beyond the manufacturer’s intentions.
Introduce location-awareness and augmented reality support to the new digital tool kit and it isn’t hard to imagine new forms of creative expression…[3]

All this new graphic power requires a faster processor and more battery power. So the new iPad introduces a quad-processor, but don’t expect it to be faster than iPad 2. The extra processing power will be dedicated to processing graphics. This requires more power. In order to continue offering a battery that has 10 hour suppor, Apple has made the iPad slightly thicker and heavier.

Internet speeds that are probably faster than most wired connections.
The other big feature of this new iPad is 4G LTE. When Walt Mossberg appeared on the WSJ video set, his new iPad to stream the same show via 4G LTE. It’s an impressive display of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.

CNET ran a comparison of the AT&T and Verizon Wireless 4G LTE networks, and Verizon comes out on top for speed, coverage and data.[4] Plus the new iPad hits just as Verizon Wireless expands its 4G LTE coverage yet again, reaching over 200 LTE markets (with 400 markets and 260 million people by the year’s end). [5]

[1] Walt Mossberg. “New iPad: A Million More Pixels.” All Things D, March 14, 2012
[2] Kevin C. Tofel. “Will the new iPad spark a new video creation revolution?” GigaOm, March 15, 2012
[3] Jonny Evans. “Why Apple’s iPad is more important than television.” Computerworld, March 15, 2012
[4] Lynn La. “The best iPad carrier for you.” CNET, March 14, 2012
[5] Michelle Maisto. “Verizon, AT&T LTE Expansion Arrives in Time for New iPad.” eWeek, March 15, 2012

Your Own Personal Magazine – Feedly

Posted on 21. Feb, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, android, iOS

Feedly is one of best solutions I’ve seen for tracking news, blogs and website updates. It delivers the content you want to follow in a format that looks a lot like your own personal magazine. Plus, it will sync across multiple platforms, so whether you’re on the phone, a tablet, your computer or a public device, you can instantly see the news you want, save the news your want to revisit and share the stories you want to broadcast to the world.

Here’s a quick run-down of the features I like:

1. Feedly Supports Multiple Platforms
On most days, I alternate between an iPhone, an Android tablet and a Macbook Pro. I downloaded the Feedly app for my iPhone and Android, and I added the Feedly extension to my Chrome and Firefox browsers (it also has an extension for Safari).

2. Feedly Can Be Easily Customized
Changing Feedly is easy and fast. I simply click on my name in the upper right corner and select Organize, Themes or Preferences. Organize gives me the option to drag and drop feeds between categories or move entire categories into order of priority. Themes offer a choice between different color themes. Preferences allows me to choose start page content, default layout, Facebook feeds, Twitter feeds and more. The moment I make a selection, Feedly saves the change.

3. Instant Sync Across Devices
From reading articles to bookmarks to design changes, one change in Feedly is instantly appears on all devices.

4. Feedly Suggests Content
Whether you’re researching a topic, look for good sources of new content, trying to match some of your preferences or simply wanting to subscribe to an RSS, Feedly makes it fast and easy. Click on “Explore” and you get a snapshot of the sites that the editors at Feedly like. Simply choose the “+” sign by any topic or feed to subscribe.

If you have a site that you’d like to follow, type in the name of the site, and Feedly will search for a corresponding feed. Choose from the results, and it displays a layout based on the feed. You can decide to “follow” from the site page.

You can search via hashtag (#) to customize recommendations. Either enter # and search term in the search box (like #news), or click on one of the feeds you currently subscribe and then click again on the hashtag that is just below the title. Feedly suggests related feeds that may interest you.

5. Share Feedly
Send a favorite article to your Read It Later, Instapaper or Evernote account,  or share the article with social sites like Facebook or Twitter. Feedly offers a wide selection of forwarding choices.

Shop and Drop Wherever You Go

Posted on 08. Feb, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, android, iOS

Whether wrestling alligators in Louisiana, running the Bulls in Pamplona, or diving with the sharks in Cape Town, you always want to be ready when that urge to shop hits. Be prepared by downloading some of these shopping apps to your smartphone now.

EBay
One of the most popular and highly rated shopping apps, the eBay app comes with everything you need to search, watch, shop and sell on this worldwide marketplace. You’re always ready to bid on that Dukes of Hazzard lunchbox, those emerald beetle earrings, or the steampunk goggles for your mom. eBay for Android or iOS (iPhone/iPad).

Amazon and Google Shopper
Shopping should be as easy as snapping a picture, scanning a bar code, speaking a product or actually typing a word. At least Google and Amazon would like it to be that easy. Their respective apps can price compare from multiple vendors; sell you new, used or refurbished product; and keep multiple wishlists. Amazon Mobile for iOS; Amazon Mobile for Android; Google Shopper for iOS or Android.

Shopkick
We all deserve rewards for shopping don’t we? Shopkick says, “We sure do!” So they give us prizes for just walking some stores. With Shopkick, you can get gift cards, donate to charities, and turn shopping sprees into your own personal game show. Shopkick for Android or iOS.

Key Ring Rewards Care
I’ve got an old plastic cassette tape case in my car. It’s filled with reward cards for gas, coffee, bread, groceries, clothes and more. With the Key Ring Rewards Card app, I can kiss the memory of cassettes goodbye forever. This app scans in all my cards so that no matter where I’m shopping, I’ve got their reward card. Hey wait a minute, this makes me think of Shopkick. With all these rewards, I’ll want to start shopping every day, hour, minute. Key Ring Rewards for Android or iOS.

Craigslist Mobile
Forget the bricks & mortar, I want to barter with my neighbors. Que the Craigslist folks. With the portable Craiglist app in my pocket, I’m ready to search for nearby deals on that weight set somebody got for Christmas and got tired of after Christmas. Last summer, New York Times suggested that this app is better than the actual web experience. Craigslist for iOS. Craigslist for Android.

Big Deal
What’s the big deal? That’s exactly right, “What is the big deal?” Apps like Groupon and LivingSocial deliver big deals to my pocket on services, products and restaurants that I simply have to try. Groupon for iOS or Android. LivingSocial for iOS or Android.

Shopping List
Make your list. Check it twice. Or ten times for that matter. I’ve found that a shopping list app is one of my top used tools on the smartphone. “What was it my wife told me to get at THE Walmart?” I’m always ready to find what I’m looking for with my handy shopping list. If you search shopping lists on Android or OS, you’re going to find a big bunch of shopping lists. So I’ll go ahead and tell you two of the top rated and most downloaded shopping list apps.

For Android try Shopping List by Fivefly. There’s a free version and paid version (ad free). With this app, you can organize, manage, add pictures, set quantities and even synchronize phone to phone.

For OS try Shopping List by Hensoft. There’s a free version and paid version. You can create, manage, sort, sync and share via email (paid), connect lists with stores (paid), and even create recipes.

Mobile Learning on the Rise

Posted on 10. Jan, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, Mobile Applications, android, iOS

The use of online learning and mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) have both surged in recent years. Mobile learning represents the merging of these areas, combing the convenience of learning online with the versatility of mobile accessibility. This area is just beginning to grow, but there are already a range of mobile learning apps and several companies have already begun to embrace a mobile model for training employees.

According to the 2011 Survey of Online Learning, over six millions students and almost 1/3 of all higher learning students are taking at least one class online.[1] This demand is only expected increase in the coming years. As I’ve posted here before, smartphone sales have more than doubled over the past two years. In their 2012 trend report, Mind/Shift actually expects to see a greater integration of mobile devices with the classroom.[2]

Mobile Learners
A variety of applications have emerged to support the mobile learners through their smartphones and tablets. Real Simple Edu offers a wide range of course in math, science, medicine, business, law, english, languages and code. All their courses are designed to support iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Windows Phone 7, Blackberry phone, Blackberry tablet, Kindle Fire, Nook, Nokia, and Palm phone or tablet.

Several companies like busuu.com have begun designing language learning tools. They offer a range of courses that be downloaded to a smartphone. Each course contains audio/visual elements, synchronization with online profile, and a range of tools that are accessible with no internet connection.

Dale Carnegie and Associates has developed their own app store with three leadership training modules and a secrets of success app as initial offerings. McGraw and Hill is offering a range of courses for children as well as adults, representing the diverse targets groups of their various companies. In addition to their children’s apps and medical apps, one interesting app is a public speaking primer that helps the user develop outlines, avoids common mistakes and time the speech.

Public Speaking Speech Prep - McGraw Hill

Training on the Go
Various companies have begun transferring training programs to the smartphone. In 2011, the Army’s Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) announced that they are in the process of opening instruction to mobile devices such as iPads, iPhones and Androids. This allows soldiers to continue training on specific courses while in the field instead of having to attend classroom instruction or study in a computer lab.[2]

Companies like Dashe & Thomson work with organizations to design training solutions for mobile devices. The mobile workforce can access specific training modules in multiple formats that best fit their learning habits. They can access ebooks, watch videos, listen to podcast or tap some combination of the three. Learner progress is tracked and can be uploaded manually by the user or automatically by the company.

[1] Erb, Michael. “Study: Online Classes More Popular.” News and Sentinel, January, 3, 2012.
[2] Watters, Audrey. “12 Education Tech Trends to Watch in 2012.” Mind/Shift, January 3, 2012 <http://mindshift.kqed.org/2012/01/12-education-tech-trends-to-watch-in-2012/>.
[2] Army Looks To Use Mobile Devices For Medical Field Training. Broadband for America, January 28, 2011 <http://www.broadbandforamerica.com/blog/army-looks-use-mobile-devices-medical-field-training>

iTunes Match Launch Overwhelms Servers

Posted on 14. Nov, 2011 by dfloyd in android, iOS

Apple launched their new iTunes Match service today, which offers the ability to enjoy your entire media collection from any computer or iOs devices (iPhone, iPod, Apple TV). The immediate response was so overwhelming that Apple servers cannot meet the demand, and Apple is requesting users to check back.


Now that iTunes Match is available, the showcase showdown begins between Amazon Cloud Player, iTunes Match, Spotify and others. Each service has benefits and limitations. iTunes Match is not offered for Android devices; Amazon on the other hand, is available on Android but not iOs. While Spotify and other are available on both, they each have higher subscriptions costs. With the release of the Kindle Fire this week, the competition for streaming media is heating up.