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.
Android Market Becomes Google Play
Posted on 06. Mar, 2012 by dfloyd in Apps, Mobile Applications, android
Google takes a step toward its consolidated “Googleverse” by transforming the Android Market into Google Play. The goal is to provide a comprehensive media solution for applications, entertainment, books and more. Competing with Amazon and Apple, Google hopes users will find a simple place to search, buy and download media to computers, smartphones, tablets and more.
By way of introduction, Google is offering “Seven Days to Play,” which includes .25 cent offers and other discounted deals on music, movies, apps and books for seven days. Google Play is now the hub for purchasing, storing and searching for music, apps, games, ebooks and video. According to Google, Google Play offers the following:
- Store up to 20,000 songs for free and buy millions of new tracks
- Download more than 450,000 Android apps and games
- Browse the world’s largest selection of eBooks
- Rent thousands of your favorite movies, including new releases and HD titles
Jamie Rosenberg, Director of Digital Content posted an official announcement on the Google blog today. He writes, “Google Play is entirely cloud-based so all your music, movies, books and apps are stored online, always available to you, and you never have to worry about losing them or moving them again.”
According to the full announcement, the rollout of services varies by country as follows:
- USA – music, movies, books and Android apps
- Canada and the U.K. – movies, books and Android apps
- Australia – books and apps
- Japan – movies and apps
- Everywhere else – Google Play will be the new home for Android apps
How To Stream Music from Your Android
Posted on 02. Mar, 2012 by dfloyd in Mobile Applications
While everyone is waiting for Google’s version of AirPlay for Android, you can experience all the benefits of AirPlay now using a Roku player. Juice for Roku is the easiest way to stream music, photos, and videos (using share feature in video apps when available) from your Android. There are some other streaming options that require you to setup your computer or Android as a streaming server, but these options require downloading server software and some technical setup.
I have my system setup to stream via Apple TV on the iPhone, through a media server that works on Roku and by connecting my computer to the network, but the easiest solution if Juice for Roku. You can literally download the software on your Roku, on your Android and launch. Then your streaming.
Here’s a quick step-by-step solution.
1. Add the Juice channel to your Roku.
2. Download Juice for Roku on your Android. Note: This software costs $2.99, but it is worth every penny of it.
3. If you have more than one network at your house, make sure that your Roku and your Android are on the same network.
4. Launch Juice on Roku, then launch Juice for Roku on your Android. (You can also hit the Launch Juice for Roku from your Android to open the Roku app). The app should find your Roku and connect. If you have more than one Roku on the network, look under Setup/Options to select the Roku unit that you want to use.
5. Troubleshooting. If you have problems, Juice for Roku has a built-in “Help” link that can help you solve the problem.
6. Juice for Roku is also a Roku Remote that allows you to control all Roku functions and select and control other Roku apps.
7. At this point, you cannot stream music and photos at the same time, but that would sure be cool.
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>
Christmas Shopping with Your Smartphone
Posted on 02. Dec, 2011 by dfloyd in Mobile Applications
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone. If you’re still shopping for gifts, then here are some apps that can help you shop with your smartphone in hand.
The Coupons App
I’ve tried clipping coupons, but I usually end up leaving the stack at the house. Built-in coupon apps are handy, but some have a limited base of 
stores. The Coupon App has quite a popular Android and iPhone following. In addition to coupons, it offers gas pricing, which is a pretty sweet. Using location based sorting, this app delivers coupons and pricing information about businesses nearby. It also incorporates voice search, sharing and a handy bar code price comparison tool. The Coupons app is available in Android Market and Apple Store.
Search Your Stores
With the explosion of Smartphones in 2010 and 2011, many retailers have invested in apps to connect with their smartphone shoppers. So whether you like shopping at Target, Walmart, Toys “R” Us, Zappos, or Amazon, there’s an app for that. In fact, there’s an app for many more stores that I can list here, so if you have a favorite store be sure to search for it in the Android Market or the Apple Store.
Reviews?
Surprisingly there are not many reviews apps in place. Maybe because the standing champion, Amazon, is difficult to beat. With Amazon’s extensive catalog, you can search via name, picture or bar code and pull up instant reviews (and even order on the spot if you so choose). Amazon Mobile is available in the Android Market and the Apple Store. Consumer Reports offers a range of reviews, but the app will cost you $4.99 per year in both the Android Market and Apple Store, and so far the reviews are that great. It might need some time to get the kinks worked out.
Make a List, Check it Twice
Keep track of your holiday gift buying and gift budgeting with a Christmas shopping list. Here are two free shopping lists that might perfect. For the iPhone, try Christmas Gifts List Free.
It’s a free version of a paid app (the free version has ads). The Android Market offer a similar app called Christmas List Pro, which is currently listed as free, but has cost in the past. Both apps let you create budgets, add persons, and even use PIN/password protection to keep prying eyes away.
Catalog
I used to love the toy catalogs until my wife hid them all. If you’re like me and you love shopping by catalog, you might have a hard time on your smartphone. There are some great apps, but it appears their available only on the tablets (downer). If you’ve got an iPad, Android tablet, or Kindle Fire, you might check out the Google Catalog or the Catalogue by the Find for some great catalog applications.
Price Checking
Some of the apps I’ve already mentioned include bar code searching and price checks. But if you would like a dedicated price check app, you might want to check out RedLaser in the Android Market or at Apple Store. While there are other comparison apps like Shopsavvy (the one I’ve been using), Red Laser has so many downloads and reviews in both the Android and Apple stores that it appears to be the app to get. I haven’t tried it yet, but I downloaded and will be comparing it against ShopSavvy.
Now that your Smartphone is loaded up with Christmas shopping apps, you should be ready to don the red cap and white beard for a holly, jolly day!
Verizon Brings Messaging to Android Tablets
Posted on 21. Nov, 2011 by dfloyd in Mobile Applications
Verizon Wireless recently updated the VZ Message 2.0 app, and now you use your Android tablet to send and receive messages for no additional subscription fee. Simply download and install VZ Message 2.0 on your Smartphone and Tablet. With both devices connected to the same network, pair the devices.
Now you can create, send and receive text, picture, and video messages on both devices! Plus, VZ Message 2.0 offers the ability to pair with up to four Smartphones.
Overview of New iOS 5 Features
Posted on 13. Oct, 2011 by dfloyd in Mobile Applications
I updated my iPhone 4 with the latest OS today. Expecting to see fireworks, I didn’t even see a sparkler. At first, I was puzzled about all the ballyhoo surrounding an OS updated. As it turns out, over 200 things were added, changed and simply improved. What I’ve explored thus far, I like. Highlights of the update include:
- All new Notification Center
- iMessage
- Newsstand
- Reminders
- Twitter integration
- Camera update (single to tap focus, exposure lock, pinch to zoom gestures, grid lines)
- Photos update (picture enhancements, iCloud syncing, organizing)
- Safari updates (iCloud reading list, tabbed browsing)
- MAC/PC Free (no computer needed to own or use device)
- Mail (more formatting features, flag emails, improved search)
- Calendar (easy to use and iCloud integration)
- New Accessibility Features
- Air Play Mirroring
- Multitasking Gestures on iPad
- Game profiles
- Wi-Fi Sync
I spent a few minutes today trying to set up the notification center and the newsstand. So here are few thoughts on those. I’ll revisit some of the other features later.
Notification Center 
Before you even see the notification center, you’ll notice a difference in the way updates like missed calls, and calendar reminders appear. To customize Notifications based on your needs/use, go to “Settings” on your iPhone and select Notifications. Now you can decide how updates appear (and sound if they have a sound), as well as which programs are allowed to deliver notifications. Entering your Notification Center is as easy as sliding your finger down from the top of screen. A pull down window appears with notifications. I actually love this. It’s a quick and easy to catch all my updates.
Newsstand
The newsstand appears on your screen as an empty bookshelf until you start adding news sources. You can click the library setup and review a range of publications. But navigation must still be developing for the iPhone. I couldn’t search and didn’t see that many news sources. Then I visited the Newsstand in iTunes and found a way to search, see more news apps and add them to the iPhone.
Another challenge is that many of the news sources appear free. But before you start downloading every publication, you should no that free isn’t always free. I downloaded some of these free magazines, but when I opened them, there was no content. The empty app requires you to subscribe or pay per issue. That’s fine but not totally clear. I think on the iPad this will be really cool, but the iPhone is so small it’s still kinda cool…but not quite. I like the color interface, but the features in Kindle are more appealing for someone like me who likes to track and highlight what I read for future reference.
Overall, I think this is a solid update but it may not be obvious to users who don’t actually interact with all the changes. It opens the door for iCloud and a host of other apps to come.
Why did you just check your Facebook on your Smartphone?
Posted on 11. Aug, 2011 by Cellular Sales in Mobile Applications
Smartphone are outselling PCs. Suddenly everyone is checking Facebook, reading emails and sharing videos on their smartphones. As more and more people use smartphones, more and more people stay connected online more often. All day. And sometimes all night. What do people do with all this online time? Many of us are sharing so many videos, stories, newspaper articles, emails and jokes that they become viral.
In the recent study, “Social Transmission, Emotion, and the Virality of Online Content,”
Jonah Berger and Katherine L. Milkman attempt to answer the question of what makes viral content viral. Their findings offer implications on one of the driving forces for our fascination with the smartphones, especially with checking Facebook, email and forwarding videos/photos/stories.
Did you know that somebody tweets a New York Times article every four seconds? Why do people share? Berger and Milkman examined 7,000 New York Times articles and tried to understand why some articles make the “most emailed” list. In the end, they determined that emotions are one of the most powerful drivers for sharing information and causing it to become viral. Some of their findings include:
- People share useful and practical information.
- People are more likely to share emotional content rather than non-emotional content.
- Positive content appears to be more viral.
- But anger and anxiety-producing content also tends to be viral.
Apparently, we all like to feel something. And we like it even better if it’s positive. According Berger and Milkman, we also like to share our experiences. 59% of the people surveyed said that they share online content frequently. Do you share stories, videos, or other content online?
The next time you grab your Android, iPhone or other mobile device to share a text, a tweet, a story or a video, you’re probably most likely sharing something that makes you feel good, bad or angry.
- Doug Flyod
Sketchbook Pro on Android OS
Posted on 25. Jul, 2011 by Jay Witherspoon in Mobile Applications
Sketchbook Pro just released an Android tablet version of their amazing digital sketching software. Available for the Android phones and tablet as well as the iPhone and iPad, Sketchbook comes with digital pencils, pens, markers and airbrushes. Its multi-touch gesture interface is easy to use and has the resources to help you create everything from cool sketches to amazing art.
Follow Us!