Image Credit: ©Depositphotos/koya979

While we would usually think of rooting any device as only for techie geeks, in the case of Android the practice is so widespread there are even apps to help you do it.

There are some risks that if you don’t do it correctly you will turn your Android phone into a paperweight, so DO be sure to follow the instructions.

Rooting Android is NOT Jail Breaking

Just to be clear, rooting simply means gaining access to the root directory of the operating system that your smart phone runs. That is different than jailbreaking.

As Gary at TrendingPhones explains in How to Root Android:

“Rooting is something which is allowed and it is needed to run some applications. There is little to no chance of damaging or ruining your phone because if you have problems attempting to root your device you can simply restore to factory settings.”

Gary assures us that this is the very best video explaining the process:

How to Root Your Android Phone [VIDEO]

Many apps need you to have root access, so more and more people are rooting their Android phones.

What about you? Is your phone rooted? How did the process go for you?
Tell us why you did it and how it works for you in the comments.

I’m sure you will want to check out these Best Android Apps, too.

CES is where manufacturers roll out their latest goodies and serious reviewers share what they love – and hate – about new gadgets of all kinds.

This infographic, courtesy of The Editors at Electronics Reviews shares the very best in these categories:

• Best Car Tech
• Best TV
• People’s Voice Award: Nvidia’s Project Shield, a Powerful Android Game Controller
• Best Smartphone: Sony’s waterproof Xperia Z
• Best Camera

Image source: Best Choice Reviews

Have you seen these new devices? Were you at CES 2013?
Tell us what you like and don’t like in the comments below.

Sony Xperia Z Water-resitstant phone. Click image to see full specs & more photos.

Sony kept specs for their new flagship smartphone under wraps until yesterday at CES 2013. Previously some images had been leaked and rumors indicated the phone would be an Xperia C650x Odin.

What Sony actually announced at CES 2013 was the Sony Xperia Z and ZL.
Whether this is the same phone or a different model has not yet been determined.

Only now can we share with you the complete details on this new phone Sony hopes will be their giant killer flagship product. The camera on this phone is getting rave reviews – but the most unique feature is being fully touted visually.

Xperia Z ~ The First Water-resistant Smartphone

The coolest thing about the new Xperia Z is that it is water-resistant – but given the way it is being demonstrated by reviewers, buyers will think it is waterproof.  There are videos of this phone being totally underwater in a fishbowl (for 10 minutes the video claims) and this video from CES 2013 of Sony’s Dunking Test:

Hopefully Xperia Z buyers will realize that the phone is only water
resistant if the plugs are all closed and in good condition!

Being water-resistant is a very useful feature for any smartphone. Who hasn’t accidentally splashed liquid on a phone or even had one fall out of their pocket into the toilet? Note that the phone is WATER resistant.

While it will stand up to other liquids better than most phones IF the plugs are closed, remember that anything sweetened or carbonated could be a very different story.  You can often dump water out of a computer keyboard, let it dry, and it will still function. Sweeteners will stop your PC keyboard from working and substances like Coca-Cola are even worse because they will lift land patterns right off circuit boards!

In a pinch you can use cola to clean your battery cables – so don’t let water-resistance cause you to take unnecessary risks with even a water-resistant smartphone.

SONY XPERIA ODIN

Trendingphones tipped us to their post about the Sony Xperia Odin being the top search on their site, so we know that Sony has been able to generate interest and curiosity about this new phone.

GearBurn writer Robin-Leigh Chetty provided more details about Sony Odin models, but not enough to know whether the Z is the rumored Odin or another phone with the Odin still under wraps.

SitesGadget reported the Sony Xperia Odin and Yuga Comes With A Slim Body which these two new phones do have. This post by Chris Smith at AndroidAuthority gives the Xperia Odin and Yuga Specs – and it sounds like the Z.

PhoneArena speculated that Sony would call the Odin the Xperia X and the Sony C660X would be called the Xperia Z.

VIDEO REVIEWS of the Sony Xperia Z:

In this video, PocknetNow.com shares unknown before now details in the video below and their Sony Xperia Z Review.

• Water resistant – possibly even waterproof
• 5″ HD display ~ 1080p screen
• 13 MP camera
• Quad-core SoC
• 2400 mAh battery
• Sony NFC TV
• Google’s Android Jelly Bean OS
• Available colors: purple, white, black

Sony Xperia ZL is similar in specs to the Xperia Z, but not water resistant.

SONY XPERIA Z:

• Official Sony Xperia Z Details
• C/Net CES Special Coverage: Sony aims to make a splash with waterproof Xperia Z

 What do YOU think about Sony smartphones?
Do you own one? Are you planning to buy one?
Tell us in the comments.

Credit: Outstyle (via DepositPhotos.com)

With the advent of social media and blogging being used as a promotional tool, many e-commerce merchants want to integrate their online store with their blog sites and/or utilize the WordPress software they’re most familiar with to design and run their online store.

The following are five plugins and five themes that allow merchants to use WordPress to set up and manage an e-commerce store.

5 WordPress E-commerce Plugins

Here are five plugins that allow a merchant to add e-commerce store functionality to their existing themes.  These offer a convenient way to convert a site without a complete redesign.

1. WP E-commerce

WP E-commerce is an e-commerce store plugin that works with many standard WordPress themes.  It supports popular payment methods such as PayPal and Google Checkout along with more traditional forms such as recording checks and money orders.  Features such as multi-tier pricing, cross-sells, and quantity discounts are also included along with many other features necessary for selling products online.

Price: Free  |  Learn more.

2. WooCommerce

The WooCommerce plugin can integrate with standard WordPress themes, or easily go with one of Woothemes’ themes.  It features a robust set of reporting tools, flexible tax calculations, integrations with popular payment methods such as PayPal and Google, and many order management and inventory management features.

Price: Free (with premium extensions available)  |  Learn more.

3. Jigoshop

Jigoshop features many basic e-commerce features, such as order and inventory management and goes further by offering even more integrations and features through additional, purchasable extensions.

Price: Free (with premium extensions available)  |  Learn more.

4. Cart66

Cart66 has both free and premium versions.  The free version has basic order management features, with the premium versions adding essential functions such as inventory tracking, live shipping rates, and sales reports.

Price: Free – $299  |  Learn more.

5. Shopp

Shopp is a full-featured shopping cart that includes many order and inventory management features along with SEO features, a WordPress integration, and integrations with popular payment gateways.

Price: $55 – $299  |  Learn more.

5 WordPress E-commerce Themes

The following are five themes designed specifically for e-commerce sites to make it easier to have an online store and blog on the same site.  Some of these themes require one of the plugins listed above for full functionality.

1. Lorem & Ipsum

Lorem & Ipsum is one of the newest e-commerce themes available through the ThemeForest.net marketplace. It offers unlimited color customization to make the theme fit with your existing brand, and you can choose from multiple slider options depending on how you want to feature your products. This is a WooCommerce theme, so you’ll need that plugin to take full advantage of the e-commerce features.

Price: $55  |  Learn more.

2. BLANCO

BLANCO is a clean and elegant WordPress e-commerce theme. It offers compatibility with two different e-commerce plugins including the WooCommerce plugin and the WP E-commerce plugin from GetShopped.org. The great thing about a simple, clean e-commerce theme like this is that all of your visual emphasis goes toward your products.

Price: $55  |  Learn more.

3. Opulence

This WordPress e-commerce theme is another pretty clean option. It’s promoted as a theme for fashion retailers, but the simple design means you could use it for just about anything. The design is responsive, and it is currently compatible with three different e-commerce plugins — WP e-commerce, Jigoshop, and WooCommerce.

Price: $59  |  Learn more.

4. Organic Shop

Organic Shop is another WooCommerce theme. While the default version is designed with organic, beauty, and spa products in mind, it offers greater flexibility than that. The design is still on the simple side, and it gives you the opportunity to choose from unlimited color schemes. That means you can tailor the look of this e-commerce theme to any product type you can imagine.

Price: $55  |  Learn more.

5. Handmade

Handmade is different than the other designs we’ve featured here because it doesn’t use a minimalist design scheme. It’s more for crafty or feminine e-commerce shops. But that’s why it stands out. You’ll need the WooCommerce plugin for this theme. The included OCMX framework makes it easy to incorporate ads into your shop if you need an additional income stream.

Price: $55  |  Learn more.

More WordPress E-commerce Themes

The e-commerce themes above were some of my favorite designs. There are quite a few more options though. Here are some “runners-up” that you might want to consider:

• Boutique
• Boutique Shop
• Clip Cart
• DownloadShop
• eStore
• Eureka
• FreshShop
• Icarus Business
• Kassyopea
• Phomedia
• Sally Store
• Simplicity
• Sliding
• Vintagestyle
• Viroshop

Share your thoughts.  What WordPress e-commerce carts do you use? Do you have a favorite WordPress e-commerce theme that we haven’t mentioned here? Tell us about it in the comments.

Image Credit: ©Depositphotos/rozelt

Keyboard manufacturers have quietly changed their keyboards and they do not make it easy to notice BEFORE you order it online or buy it and get it home.

Before you buy a new keyboard, here’s what you need to know:

Many are NOT traditional desktop size or layout any more. The default has changed to a laptop layout with flatter keys in a different place. The keys may also be smaller than you’re used to and the keyboard may be flimsy and have a totally different feel.

Here are the choices you have to make to choose the right keyboard:

• Wireless, USB (flat connection), PS/2 (round, purple connector) or ADP jack (Apple) ~ Not sure what these are? See the images on this page.
• Layout: QWERTY (what most of us use), AZERTY, QWERTZ, HCESAR or one-handed?
• Standard (traditional desktop), laptop (flatter, smaller with the insert, home, end, delete, page up and page down keys in a different location than PCs originally used),
• Standard, illuminated, lighted or backlit ?
• Special keyboards; ergonomic, multi-media, gaming, “Internet”, membrane, glass, larger keys or larger print type

USB or PS/2 TYPE CONNECTIONS?

Not a computer geek? One thing you’ll want to know is the difference between commonly used cables. Originally, mice and keyboards used what are known as PS/2 connectors. The keyboard connection is purple and the mouse is green. See the image below:

jack PC keyboard with PS/2 connection ~ Image Credit: ©Depositphotos/jannyjus

Newer keyboards and mice and many other peripheral devices usually attach using USB connections. (See the image below.) A USB cable has a flat end and newer computers have many USB ports on them – sometimes on both the front and the back. There are also storage devices that plug into USB ports as do wireless keyboards and mice.

PC keyboard with USB cable ~ Image Credit: ©Depositphotos/eteimaging

Don’t worry if you don’t understand all of the above. Unless you or the person you’re buying for have special needs, here are some tips to help you:

PC KEYBOARD BUYING TIPS:

• If the person using it primarily uses a laptop they might want one of the new laptop layout keyboards so the keys are in the same place and the keyboard feels the same.
• For a desktop computer user or someone who does data input or types for a living, avoid the new smaller laptop layouts and choose a standard size and layout with curved key tops.
• Serious bloggers who spend a lot of time online and especially those who are over 40 might love a lighted, large print keyboard like the AZIO 3 color LED Bold x2 Large Print keyboard I’m typing this on.
• If maximum productivity interests you and are willing to learn a new layout, consider testing a one-handed keyboard
• Some swear by ergonomic and split keyboards, but most who try them don’t like them or end up sticking with them. More might use them if the cost of trying them out weren’t so high.

You can’t really know how you will like a keyboard until you use it. I had a friend pick up a replacement keyboard and that is when I found out that the default style had changed.

YOU MAY NOT LIKE THESE KEYBOARDS

The new Logitech Wireless Combo MK360 is very different than a traditional Logitech. Even though it was obvious the layout was different, the size was smaller, the keys were flat and even the mouse was downsized, I thought I would eventually get used to it. I didn’t.

These smaller, flatter keyboards are harder to stay centered on so you make more typos. The little nub that tells you you’re on the right keys is less obvious so when you move the mouse and back you end up on the wrong key.

The smaller keys and mouse make my hand cramp – and I have really small hands. So I really doubt that men or anyone who types a lot would prefer this smaller size.

It is likely that many major brands will be defaulting to a laptop type keyboard, so if you use a desktop or type for a living you’ll want to be more selective. If you primarily use a laptop, you may want to scoop up this deal:

Clearance Priced Logitech Wireless Combo MK360 at EGAGroupUSA.net

YOU MAY LIKE THIS

I almost didn’t order the AZIO keyboard because some of the reviewers did not like the difference in how the keyboard feels. It has a lighter, bouncier touch than the keyboards I usually prefer.

The keyboard having choices of three colors of lighting (blue, red, or purple) makes it easier on my eyes. Personally I prefer the blue, but reviewers have other preferences.

For me as a power user, there is no perfect keyboard because what
I most want is a lighted keyboard with curved keys, larger type,
and action like the original IBM and DELL keyboards had.

The only way you’ll know for sure is to try one – and they are fairly inexpensive, so if being able to type without other lighting on and read keys in less than optimum conditions appeals to you, I encourage you to take one for a spin.

My eyes and hands appreciate the one I have. The image below shows the three colors and the larger keys with big letters. Perfect for someone who needs reading glasses, but doesn’t wear them when typing. Click the image below for product reviews and more details.

Image Credit: SuperMediaStore.com ~ They have this keyboard at a great price.

WHERE TO BUY COMPUTER KEYBOARDS

If you’re buying online, you may have to look at many images to try to figure out which keyboards have flat versus curved keys and which layout they use (standard or laptop).  You can also read the reviews to help you decide. See my tips in Deals or Duds: How to Save Big and Avoid Getting Burnt.

While big box stores and Amazon are good places to read reviews and see all the choices, I encourage you to support your small local computer repair shop or independent online ecommerce store.

Amazon and corporate brands are cheaper because they squeeze their suppliers and retailers and keep the profits for themselves. This creates economic decline and eventually we end up with only businesses that are barely surviving or have already failed and jobs that do not pay a living wage.

Spend a little more and have the satisfaction of knowing you made the world a better place. You’ll also get better service and have someone to get assistance from when you have a computer problem.

Image Credit: ©Depositphotos/Leonardi

BEST ANDROID APPS

Did you know there are an average of 103.9 Android apps launched every day? How can you possibly figure out which apps are worth downloading? Get recommendations! Here are some posts worth reading:

• Best Android Apps
• 100 Best Android Apps
• 5 Facebook Apps for Androids
• Android Market App Center ~ Reviews ~ Best Free Android Apps ~ Recommended Top Paid Apps
• How to Make Your Android Phone Faster

If you love your apps, do your app developers a favor and instead of buying from Amazon Apps, buy from these top alternative app distribution sites so more of the profits goes to the little guy:

• Slide Me
• GetJar
• Mobango
• Appsfire

PROMOTING ANDROID APPS

Why do some apps make the big time and others fizzle? How do app developers and app distributors promote apps?

• Read Android App Development for Fun and Profit – Get Paid for Downloads.
• Discover best practices to achieve maximum exposure for your app in this infographic from StartApp:

MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT:

Need someone to make a mobile app for you? Check out these listings:

• Mobile Apps
• Handhelds: Smartphones: Android
• Mobile Computing » Application Developers
• Computers » Mobile Computing
• Mobile Computing » Handheld Devices

Do you develop Android apps (or applications for iOS, iPhone or other mobile devices? Get listed in DIRJournal so people can find, hire and buy from you.

Young costume designer Henry created this costume or his white albino mouse – or is that a rat? Either way, you can find out more about Henry on his site Ringo’s Rat Tales.

We have an R2D2 rat so we must need an R2D2 Cat

:

R2D2 Costumes for Kids

The cutest R2D2 costumes are for children. Here are some of our favorites:

Nathan’s mom made this R2D2 costume from Tyvek, a clothes hamper
and various tapes (duct tape, electrical tape, Tyvek tape)

I don’t know what it is about this R2D2 from a cardboard box? -
but we like it. Found on Twicsy. Shared on Twitter by @Nooli68

Adorable Star Wars Clothing for Toddlers

Image Credit: eSpecial Needs Blog

How To Create A Special Halloween Costume For Your Child

Tiana Martin won Best Individual Costume for her R2D2

Even Wired.com shares How to Create Your Own R2D2 Costume

R2D2 Costume Mom Blogger and Etsy Seller Morgan Moore made

Make your own R2D2 costume out of a laundry hamper.

If you want to make your own homemade costumes check out the other
R2D2, C3PO and Star Wars costumes at Coolest Homemade Costumes.

Image Credit: Flaming Zombie Monkeys

Have you seen a great R2D2 costume we should include here?
Share a link to it in the comments and we will put the best ones into the post,
with attribution to the source and who shared it.

While one analyst claimed lines were 89% longer and this C/Net iPhone 5 Review gushes that this is the “iPhone we’ve always wanted”, Apple’s stock has already dropped because sales of the iPhone 5 are less than expected.

iPhone 5 Social Media Mentions

Almost as many negative comments as positive have been recorded on social networks – which are quite likely reducing desire to buy the new iPhone. These graphs show there is not a great outpouring of positive comments on social media about the iPhone 5.

Further analysis would be necessary to find out exactly which of the issues are causing the most negative comments. See the video reviews below for what those issues are.

iPhone Video Reviews

C/Net Video iPhone 5 Review Pros:

• Larger screen (longer)
• Faster processor
• 4G speeds which can be twice many people’s home wifi

iPhone5 Review Cons:

• Some networks can’t do voice and data at the same time
• iPhone 4 cables won’t fit

Engadget iPhone 5 Video Review

• IOS 6.0
• Extra row for apps at the bottom
• 1136×640 display size
• Panorama Mode
• Passbook
• Thinner, lighter, taller than 4S
• Two tone colors
• 8 mega pixel camera

Social Media Sentiment

Murray Newlands talks about why he feels fans are so disappointed in this short video:

Having watched those iPhone Video reviews what do you think?

Is that the iPhone you’ve been waiting for or will having to buy new cables, or not being able to use voice and data at the same time on Sprint or Verizon or not liking the new Mapping app put you off buying?

Tell us whether you’ve bought one, want one –
or decided it isn’t for you in the comments.

BeFunky Photo Editor

The built-in iPhone camera app doesn’t have editing features. It takes too much time to upload the photo to a computer or use a web-based app to edit it. Save time by editing right in the iPhone with a photo editor app like BeFunky Photo Editor. Its features include crop, effects, rotate, sharpen, photo frames and photo sharing through popular social networks.

Find My iPhone / Find My Friends

With iCloud.com and Find My iPhone, you can locate your misplaced iPhone. It may not be able to tell you the exact spot in your home, but at least you have it for those times when you lose track of it. What if a family member or friend hasn’t heard from you and wants to check on you? Using iCloud.com isn’t an option because you’d have to share your Apple ID — an unacceptable option. Work around that with Find My Friends. You send an email request to family and friends to get and give permission to track each other. When they approve, you’ll be able to track each other as long as the “Hide from Followers” option isn’t off.

Flashlight (O)

The light from the iPhone can help you navigate darkness, but it may not be bright enough or you have to keep touching the screen to prevent it from dimming. Flashlight (O) is brighter and comes with a strobe light and a built-in compass. Be aware apps like this drain the battery when in use.

LuxeFinds Color Shopping Engine

You need to find black shirts for everyone for the family photo or you need a pair of shoes in a certain color. Just pick the color you want and LuxeFinds Color Shopping Engine lists items matching the color. If only the app could search for tables, bedding and kitchen items.

OpenTable

While you’re out, you decide you want to go to a restaurant. Rather than using one of many local places finder apps, use OpenTable. You not only find nearby restaurants, but also you can view menus and make your reservations within the app.

PaperKarma

Tired of getting snail mail spam? Take a picture of the latest junk mail and submit it to PaperKarma. The app keeps track of all your submissions letting you know the status of each. It works because we’ve received noticeably less junk mail since we started using this.

ShopSavvy

Don’t you hate it when you’re in a store and don’t know if the product you’re looking at is a good price? Use ShopSavvy to scan the barcode or QR code to get a list of prices from local and online stores. The app won’t have every local store, but it’s adding more stores.

Tunein Radio

TuneIn radio lets you access over 70,000 radio stations and two million on-demand programs that include streams from BBC, CBS and ESPN. Want to listen to a song? Search for it to see what stations are currently playing it. TuneIn can play in the background while you use other apps as well as allow you to pause and rewind live radio.

Zello Walkie Talkie

Remember talking to your friends on a walkie talkie? Now you can do it from your iPhone with Zello. Zello works with Android, BlackBerry and PCs, so your friends without iPhones can use it to talk to you. Zello also has community channels so you can network with others passionate about a shared interest or learn a new language with users from all over the world.

What apps do you recommend?

Belkin Chef Stand + Stylus

This pair isn’t just for cooks as it gives users the ability to interact with the iPad without worrying about making it dirty. The stylus and stand are hand-washable.

ComfyShell

Sometimes a small, flat gadget can be tough to type on. That’s not a problem with ComfyShell, which acts like a pillow for the iPad.

Duo Pop

Add popping controllers to play games with friends and family using compatible apps available on iTunes. Such games include In the Know, Guesstimation, Swoop and What on Earth?

Elecom Bluetooth Folding iPhone/iPad Keyboard

This light-weight portable folding keyboard comes with a carrying case, six multifunction buttons and a built-in stand.

GelaSkins

Beautiful thin front-and-back protection available in many designs ranging from maps and art to patriotic and patterns. Artsy? Create your own.

iGuy

Add character to the iPad with this protector that can stand on its own two feet and offers protection.

iStation

Turn the iPad into a retro desktop station reminiscent of the original Apple computers. iStation is available in two finishes, one is a faux wood finish with a white keyboard and the other is a white pearl glossy finish with a black keyboard. It includes buttons and dials for controlling volume, music and other features. Note: this is no longer available, but still worth a mention as you can request to be notified when it’s available.

L5 Universal Remote Control

Forget about keeping track of two or three remotes for one entertainment station. The customizable L5 Remote can control the TV set, DVD player, DVR and any other IR remote devices. It doesn’t require batteries, WiFi or a wall outlet. The L5 Remote app is free, so you can design your own remotes before buying the accessory.

Monster CleanTouch Pen

Erase the smudges and fingerprints on the iPad with this pen that has an integrated clean cloth. Draw on the screen with the invisible pen, let the solution do the job for five to 10 seconds and wipe it clean with the cloth. The solution leaves behind a thin coating to prevent scratches and residue build up.

Nomad Brush

Convert the iPad into a blank canvas and use this paintbrush that won’t scratch the screen.

OtterBox iPad 2 Reflex Series Case

OtterBox makes industrial strength cases that have prevented many gadgets from breaking. The case includes a screen shield that also acts as a stand, plus the case protects the front and back of the iPad.

Square Credit Card Reader

Plug in the square into the iPad, install the free Square app and start collecting credit card payments with the iPad. The credit card reader is free as Square charges 2.75% per swipe.

Wi-Fi Body Scale

Use this scale with the Withings app to keep track of your weight, lean mass, fat percentage and BMI. Its dashboard can manage up to eight users.

ZAGGfolio

For those wanting more than a portable keyboard, the ZAGGfolio contains a removable and rechargeable Bluetooth keyboard and a built-in stand system for a sturdy experience that’s resembles typing on a laptop. It supports the iPad 2 in landscape and portrait orientation.

What other useful iPad accessories have you seen? What are your favorites?

We think it’ll never happen to us. But it happened to New Orleans. It happened to Joplin. Emergencies don’t play favorites. They’ll happen wherever and whenever the conditions say. What we can do is be prepared to limit the impact and these apps for the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry will help.

BeWeather

The app provides six-day and hourly forecasts for locations around the world. You can select three locations for quicker access. U.S. users can receive push notification for weather advisory notifications and animated radar maps.

Available for BlackBerry.

Price: Free and paid versions available.

Emergency Button (Android) / PanicPro (iPhone)

Press the button to send distress signal that identifies your location. Set up the app to include a phone number and email address to have recipients receive notification when you press the button. Of course, the apps require having a signal, something not always possible in emergencies.

Available for Android and iPhone.

Price: Free.

Emergency Information

Store your medical information and emergency contacts including one primary as the default contact. The app includes a one-touch call button for making an emergency call.

Available for BlackBerry.

Price: $1.99

First Aid

Illustrated guide with instructions and information for handling first aid and emergency situations. Content is always available on phone regardless of signal or connection.

Available for BlackBerry.

Price: Free

ICE: In Case of Emergency

App holds all of your health information in one place. This includes a list of people to call, insurance information, medical contacts, allergies, medical conditions, medications and special instructions. The app can call all contacts. Depending on which ICE app you install, some have a feature to unlock a password-protected phone.

Available for Android, BlackBerry and iPhone (different companies)

Price: Free

iHurricane HD

The app with push can track multiple hurricanes on an interactive map and send email alerts. It relies on GeoLocation to let you know how far you are from an active storm and view surrounding satellite images.

Available for Android and iPhone.

Price: Free with in-app purchases available.

MyRadar Weather Radar

Shows animated weather radar for your current location to check the weather for your area. The app covers the 48 contiguous states in the U.S. Other options include providing weather warnings and alerts, and push notification.

Available for Android and iPhone.

Price: Free

Pocket First Aid & CPR

This app saved a life in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. You can look up first aid procedures, such as CPR, choking, bites, diabetic emergencies and more. It also provides a first aid checklist of things to have in case of an emergency. Procedures include illustrations and videos to guide you through an emergency even when your phone has no connection. It stores medical and insurance information for you and others.

Available for Android and iPhone.

Price: $1.99

Police Scanner Radio (BlackBerry) / 5-0 Radio Police Scanner

Listen to live police and radio scanners from around the world for news, events and reported crime. iPhone app includes aircraft and train feeds. BlackBerry app runs in the background.

Available for BlackBerry and iPhone.

Price: BlackBerry: $1.99. iPhone: Free and paid versions available.

What apps do you recommend for emergencies and medical situations?

Image from sxc.hu user enimal

The downside of having a web-based or cloud-based email account is that it could be hacked. Accessing email online has many advantages that outweigh the possibility of hacking. Besides, those using computer-based email can still become victims of hacking by opening suspicious attachments or clicking phishing links.

Even if your email account remains safe, follow these steps to lower your chances of dealing with the aftermath.

1. Change your password. Anytime any account is hacked, always change your password ASAP. Make an effort to create a strong password and avoid duplicating your old password. People often change one number in the password, such as changing from “gadg3ts1″ to “gadg3ts2″.

2. Check your email settings. Verify all settings remain the way you set them up. Hackers might change your signature settings or have all emails forwarded to them in hopes of obtaining login information for your other accounts.

3. Run full malware and virus scans. Even if you use anti-virus software, download and run anti-malware software. For more information on this, read Bare Bones Guide to Keeping Your PC Clean. If the scanner finds malware or a virus, clean the computer and confirm it’s gone. Once verified, change your passwords again to be on the safe side.

4. Review your email account for passwords. Some people store passwords for other accounts somewhere in their email app. In this case, they need change those passwords especially if they use the same password to access email in other websites. Also, check for any sensitive information posted in email, such as bank account and credit card numbers. Find another place for storing this information.

5. Secure your accounts. Do a review of your logins and sensitive information to ensure you’re using strong passwords. Check to see if you posted the information where someone can access them. Also, take advantage of web-based app security options to add extra security on your accounts. For example, Google and Facebook provide verification features for extra protection. When you sign into Gmail or Facebook from a different device or computer, you enter a code to verify you’re the owner of the account.

To use verification in Google Mail, select your avatar or Gmail address and choose Account settings from the options that appear. Under the Security section, verify 2-step verification is on. (See screen shot.)

For Facebook verification, select Account Settings > Security from the top menu. Ensure Login Approvals is set to required. (See screen shot.) If not, select Edit and tick the box next to “Require me to enter a security code each time an unrecognized computer or device tries to access my account.”

6. Notify your contacts. Often, you find out your account has been hacked thanks to a contact notifying you based on a suspicious email your contact received from you. This lets you know that the hacking resulted in emailing your contacts. Send an email to the contacts in your address book letting them know about the hacked account and not to open any attachments sent from your email address. Apologize for the email and explain that you’ve taken steps to prevent it from happening again.

What other steps can people take to secure their accounts? Where can people safely store information they need to easy access from any computer or device?

With the use of cloud computing and applications like Drop Box and GoogleDocs, all you need is access to the World Wide Web, and you’ve got it all at the tip of your fingers. You can store tens and thousands of important business documents in what feels like ‘extra-terrestrial digital zones.’ You can see cloud computing is going to be bringing about some revolutionary changes in how technology stores and manages data in the future. There have already been some very innovative and funny ways in which we’ve seen people using this nifty cloud system. We share with you 4 of the best we’ve found.

1. Printing off the Clouds

Yes, this seemingly impossible feat has finally become possible. Thanks to our trustworthy friend – Google. It sort of is, anyway. What you’ll be needing is a development build from Chrome for your Windows. You can remotely print documents held anywhere in your cloud computing network with this feature.. If you’d rather not use Google, you can throw in a few bucks for another remote printing option like Pogoplug or Dropbox.

2. Don’t Forget the Milk!

You may or may not be amongst those absent-minded ones amongst us who regularly forget to pick up the milk, but one thing is for sure – a running and easily customizable to-do list 24/7 will help keep you on your toes. Cloud computing applications like TeuxDeux and Remember the Milk are task management tools that will let you prioritize and list your tasks, tick them off as you go, and even ‘remind you’ of deadlines. This could be an email or text message sent to yourself. Looking to procrastinate on your to-dos by going offline? This clever technology works offline and syncs with your calendar on Google while it has access to wi-fi, keeping you on track even in annoying service areas.

3. Panda Anti Virus on the Cloud

You’ve seen it all now. It’s the first ever free anti-virus software on the computing cloud network, and it’s offered online for free download. Indispensable services like anti-virus can be priceless for your company. Although the level of security on offer is still disputable, and it’s in its initial development stages. The extremely light interface due to its cloud-based system means high speed protection. They really might be onto something here.

Now, that must have given you a hearty laugh! The ironic thing is, as funny as these situations where cloud computing stepped in to save the day may seem, they’re actually quite practical and potential occurrences in your daily life. Makes you think whether you’ve optimized your use of those clouds yet, doesn’t it? Or have you still got your head stuck in the clouds?

The Apple iPad tablet computer in particular has proven to be an invaluable aid in classrooms of all types, allowing teachers to better present, test and track their material and helping students to better study, research and understand the ideas being taught to them.

If you’re a teacher at any level looking to integrate the awesome power of the Apple iPad into your classroom, get started with these eight best iPad apps for educators:

1. WritePad

Keeping track of tens of students, each with their own needs and requirements, can be an overwhelming task, but the WritePad app for iPad makes it simple to take quick, handwritten notes with each converted into readable text with the touch of a button; for every moment that brings an important idea to mind, your iPad offers the convenience of a notepad and the power of a personal computer.

2. Fast Forward Academy

This is a must-have app for those into financial accounting and reporting. From various tests and cpa examination available to the online community to help your students in group learning, this collection of apps is simply awesome!

3. Numbers for iPad

This Microsoft Excel-compatible spreadsheet app for the iPad helps you to keep track of students’ grades with ease, allowing you to import your existing spreadsheets in .xls format or start fresh with the iPad.

4. Discover Wikipedia

This incredible app combines the nearly endless educational resources offered by Wikipedia with a magazine-style overlay in order to turn potentially stale text into a more interactive and pleasant-looking experience. With a built-in search feature, the Discover app can be used easily as a reference for any topic under the sun, both in the classroom and at home.

5. QuickVoice Recorder

Record mere seconds of a fleeting thought or an entire lecture with the QuickVoice Recorder app for iPad! This useful tool allows you to record any length of audio, limited only by your iPad’s available storage space, offering an excellent way to review your in-classroom process, including lectures, student interaction and question and answer periods.

6. Teacher’s Assistant Pro

The Teacher’s Assistant Pro iPad app gives educators the ability to quickly and easily track all aspects of their individual students’ progress, allowing for quick notes on everything from behavioral incidents to personal achievements. The app’s extreme customizability makes it suitable for any classroom and student demographic, providing both general and specific tools for different scenarios.

7. Keynote

Keynote provides teachers with the ability to create full-featured presentations directly on their iPad, combining textual data with pre-made themes or custom animations, graphics, charts and tables, videos, audio and more in order to deploy an interesting and interactive experience to students. Combined with the iPad’s ability to be easily hooked up to an external monitor or projector, the Keynote app for iPad suddenly becomes a dream for presenting engaging material to any classroom.

8. gFlash Pro

Whether you’re a teacher, a student or simply someone with an interest in trivia, the gFlash Pro app for iPad provides you with endless variations of tests, quizzes, games and flash cards on a wide variety of subjects, serving as a standalone tool for educators looking to brush up on a given topic or a source of infinite inspiration when it comes time to construct your own classroom materials.

9. Evernote

If you prefer to type on your tablet rather than take handwritten notes then taking advantage of the fantastic Evernote iPad app is practically required! The hassle-free interface allows for typed or voice entries, syncing your notes between computers and other mobile devices in order to allow you to access them from anywhere at any time.

When connecting your clients to the property of their dreams is a must, real estate agents who are in-the-know turn to the many invaluable search tools available across the internet. Whether you’ve got a favorite search tool or are venturing into online real estate tools for the first time, use our list of these five top-notch real estate search tools to help your business focus on what matters – making sales!

1. New York Times Real Estate Listings

If you’re buying or selling property in the New York City area, there is no resource more efficient and information rich than the New York Times real estate listings. Still gracing the black and white pages of the newspaper itself, the listings are also offered on the New York Times website, featuring a slew of quick search and alerts features to keep you in the loop regarding new listings in your favorite neighborhoods.

2. Trulia

For a full-featured experience aimed at property buyers and sellers in the United States, there is no online tool more suitable than Trulia. The service covers a wide range of areas including New York, San Diego, Los Angeles, Dallas real estate, etc. An entirely realty-focused website, Trulia offers features like integrated Google Maps with satellite view, seemingly endless search field possibilities, search saving and alerts, a full-fledged community to gain insight from and an extensive collection of real estate selling and purchasing guides – all with a membership that is absolutely free!

3. MLS

The king of real estate listings in North America, independently owned MLS offers search-centric websites for both Americans and Canadians with a database of listed properties larger than other any in the world! Offering deep search capabilities alongside an interface aimed solely at real estate listings, MLS allows you to gather detailed information about any property at a glance, providing easy-to-use photo galleries, all aimed at eliminating the need to make first contact with a buyer or seller simply to gather basic information.

Membership to MLS does come at a price given its completeness and real estate agents and avid flippers may find the added benefits worth the price; for the rest of us, searching, viewing and contacting is entirely free of charge and without limitations.

4. Craigslist

Reaching every corner of the world and drawing millions of real estate patrons each month, the long-popular Craiglist is a great spot to find deals and steals from owner-listed properties. Its inherent freeness does make Craigslist a draw for those looking to take advantage but a bit of awareness and a willingness to search promises you gems that cannot be found anywhere else in many cases.

5. Kijiji

Not terribly popular in the United States, eBay’s Craigslist alternative has proven to be a hotbed of real estate listings in many other parts of the world, most notably Canada. The ability to list for free means that many self-sellers utilize the platform and the ability to easily include galleries gives Kijiji a leg up on Craiglists where details and photos are concerned. Like Craiglist, Kijiji is broken down by city so zoning in on a particular area of interest is a breeze!

If so, you’re far from alone. In fact, the internet has evolved into such an incredible hub of instantaneous information that some scientists believe it’s affecting our memory.

However, while everything from how to cook the perfect steak through to the answers to life’s big questions are all available at our fingertips, there’s one thing that remains exceedingly difficult to find online: step-by-step advice on how to troubleshoot your car.

Yet don’t fret: here are four great sites that will help you on the quest to troubleshooting your car the Google way.

How Stuff Works

Arguably the web’s number one educational resource (after Wikipedia of course); How Stuff Works has grown through the years into an unbelievable learning tool.

With everything from historical lessons through to an insight into the inner workings of the great Einstein’s brain, How Stuff Works is the encyclopedia for the 21st Century.

Best of all, head over to the site’s highly comprehensive ‘autos‘ section to get instant access to information of a quality and volume unavailable even in most books.

AutoZone

AutoZone is a dedicated motoring site that, while its primary purpose is to sell, the site still offers a vast library of high-quality and best of all, free, information.

Simply register with the site (for free) to get access to AutoZone’s comprehensive vehicle repair section.

This section includes a fantastic feature that enables motorists to pinpoint precisely what is wrong with their vehicle according to characteristics including sounds and smells.

Also available is a huge selection of ‘vehicle repair guides’ that are again, completely free, and yet contain information of a quality akin to that which you’d get from a paid equivalent.

2CarPros

2CarPros is, as the name would suggest, a site owned and operated by two highly knowledgeable motor professionals.

The site is essentially based around questions and answers. Ask a question such as ‘why aren’t my brake lights working?’ and wait for a kind and helpful expert to offer you an answer.

In addition, visitors can ask their question directly to a team of car electronic technicians, by typing it into the central text box on the homepage.

In addition, the site contains countless detailed and illustrated articles that are also available to browse completely free.

Yahoo Autos

Finally we have a resource brought to you by one of the web’s longest-standing search engines; Yahoo.

A large portion of the site is dedicated to information on car manufacturers and warranties. Valuable information no doubt, but not much help when it comes to troubleshooting.

However, Yahoo Autos also boasts an impressive selection of vehicle repair tips and advice all, of course, for free.

The section is based around ‘frequently asked questions’ which although named as ‘frequently asked’ is actually one of the most comprehensive car question and answer libraries available online. Pretty much any imaginable problem can be answered by the copywriting team behind Yahoo Autos.

As well as the fact that all the answers are incredibly detailed, Yahoo Autos also benefits from a near absence of advertisements and underlying attempts to get you to purchase something. The site is let down however, by a lack of videos, photos and other illustrations that help to take a troubleshooting advice piece from good to great.

Lastly, if none of the above worked, try car insurance estimator to never have troubles like that in the future…

And finally:

Remember that no amount of pictures, videos and detailed descriptions is a substitute for hands on experience in troubleshooting problems with your car.

Taking the matter into your own hands is great, but remember that cars are dangerous machines, so if you’re unsure about your ability to find or fix a problem yourself, take the problem to a professional.

Here is a collection of 10 note-taking apps for various media devices that you are sure to love and use regularly. Most you have probably heard of, some might be new to you, and some have been there all along but are woefully ignored in today’s tech savvy times.

1. Notalon (Windows)

Made a couple of years ago with students in mind, this is actually a highly functional app for people running Windows that find themselves needing to take notes quickly. You don’t have to worry about formatting as it does that for you, simplifying the process to give you easily readable notes that can be exported to PDF for easy storing, sharing and use. It is free and has been downloaded more than 9,000 times, which isn’t bad for a niche open source project.

2. PaperPort (iPad)

If you are one out of every three people you probably have an iPad. It seems that everyone has jumped right onto the Apple bandwagon, which isn’t surprising. The company has revolutionized handheld personal technology in the last several years, and the iPad is one of the best tablets on the market. PaperPort is a great app for it that allows you to create, sort and share notes either typed or written in free hand. It is also free.

3. CintaNotes (Windows)

This is a really cool notes manager that has more features than most. It works by allowing you to clip text from any browser or app that allows copy/paste while providing a source link to the original information. There is a tagging system for organization, multiple PC and device syncing, and it can run from a flash drive. It also has an on board search system with predictive text to find notes quickly. It has been free and available since 2008, but it was updated this month and regularly since its launch with bug fixes and optimization.

4. FetchNotes (SMS and Web)

Simple note apps? There are a ton of them. Simple note apps that work by using SMS? There aren’t so many of those around, and the best is FetchNotes. It has a great hashtag system similar to Twitter for easy sort and search, and it has no filler or fluff.

5. Evernote (Multiple PC, Mobile and Phone)

You have probably heard of Evernote before. It is the single most popular note taking application and has grown to become the No. 1 life organizer available on the market. I would even go so far as to say it is the best mobile app you can get for free — especially since it will work on more than just mobile devices, compatible with most. They have a collection of other apps, such as Evernote Food and Skitch.

6. EasyPad (Android)

For those who have an Android phone, you can always keep a digital notepad with you. Scribble down appointment details while using your phone for a call, organize lists and keep sticky notes on your landing page.

7. AK Notepad (Android)

Based mainly around SMS sharing and easily set reminders, this is another great Android application you will be sure to enjoy. You can also backup all notes on Catch.com, which is an added benefit you will probably want to take advantage of.

8. Notesaver (Firefox)

I love Firefox add-ons, as they are a simple way of improving efficiency without having a million applications all over the place. Notesaver is a nice, simple one that allows you to clip any text from a webpage and save it to Word with a source link.

9. Sticky Notes (Windows)

Don’t laugh, I love Sticky Notes. One of the most overlooked but handy ways to keep visible reminders on your desktop, I use them constantly and to great effect. The app is found in your Start menu under accessories, and they will stay on your desktop even when you restart or turn off your computer.

Conclusion

These are 10 easy, free ways to get the most out of any device and take notes. What are some of the apps you prefer for the task? Let us know in the comments.

While users of other smartphone platforms, such as Google Android, can look directly at what is offered by the iPhone 4 when deciding whether or not to make a change, the question is a less sure one for owners of the barely outdated Apple iPhone 3GS. With the 3GS being claimed only a short time ago as the absolute pinnacle of smartphone capabilities, many Apple fans are uncertain as to whether the iPhone 4 represents an upgrade that offers true value for the money. Whether you are a teenager, the business owner or a photographer, you were most likely to be waiting for the new iPhone!

If you’re an iPhone 3GS owner still unsure as to whether the iPhone 4 offers enough to make it worth your while to upgrade, take a look at this iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 comparison to give you a more clear idea as to the differences between the two.

Comparing Specifications

Processor, RAM and Storage: The power under the hood determines how fast your iPhone can run apps, switch between screens and perform other tasks and here the iPhone 4 offers big upgrades. The smartphone’s processor sees a big jump from one clocked at 600MHz in the iPhone 3GS to one clocked at 1GHz in the iPhone 4, giving users a marked jump in processing speed and ability. With available RAM doubled from 256 MB to 512 MB thing only get better, finally allowing for, among other things, the long awaited multitasking ability promised by Apple to be included in iOS 4.

Screen Resolution and Capabilities: The screen offered by the iPhone 4 is another place where the smartphone takes a big step up. Where the iPhone 3GS gave users a brilliant VGA display, the iPhone 4 boasts an even better screen with double the resolution for a truly crisp picture when using games and apps and watching videos.

Dimensions and Battery: While the length and width of the iPhone 4 remains almost exactly the same as its predecessor, the real bonus is found in the 9.3mm thick updated form factor, an 24% improvement over the 3GS.

The battery life offered by the iPhone 4 will be enough to win many 3GS owners over in and of itself, boosting talk time from five hours to seven hours – a whopping 40% increase!

Comparing Added Features

Cameras: Say goodbye to the low-quality 3 megapixel standalone camera found in the iPhone 3GS and say hello to a five megapixel back-facing camera along with a low resolution front-facing camera for video chat. The iPhone 4′s main camera also offers HD capability, LED light and backside illumination when recording video clips and boasts the same tap-to-focus feature so well-loved by iPhone 3GS owners.

New Features: Besides offering upgrades on the standard iPhone offerings detailed above, the fourth generation iPhone also boasts completely new and unique features not to be found on previous iterations:

• The latest iOS 4 operating system.
• Two microphones to assist in better recording via noise reduction.
• FaceTime video calling built-in without the need for additional apps.
• Motion control is refined with a 3 axis gyro, giving apps and games completely new physical manipulation abilities.

The bottom line is this: if you love your Apple iPhone 3GS, you will love the changes to be found in the iPhone 4. While many people were hoping for major form factor changes, Apple believes it has found the best possible shape and size for a smartphone and has worked instead to improve the phone’s features and abilities, leaving users with a device they recognize while boosting capabilities enough to make an upgrade more than worthwhile.

Image Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4.

1. Organize Your Needs and Ideas

The first step in creating your online course is bringing together your ideas, combining them with the desired outcome and then working to present them in a easy-to-learn manner to your trainees. Because online course editing all takes place on a single screen when using the ProProfs Training Maker suite, you can easily put your ideas into testable format by making temporary pages and then viewing them as your trainees will with a simple click of a button.

2. Create the Online Course

ProProfs Training Maker presents its users with simple tools that get the job done, breaking down each section of the course into chapters and allowing you to create pages from there. You can write articles using the included rich text editor or add existing documents, even those in PDF format. Likewise, images, videos and even presentation files are a breeze to include; simply upload via the Training Maker interface and they instantly become a single page in one chapter of your complete online training course.

3. Create the Comprehension Quiz

One of the most celebrated tools included in the ProProfs Training Maker package is the Quiz Maker utility. This simple but powerful creation tool allows you to deploy a quiz of any size and length, based on an array of question formats: multiple choice, essay-style, fill-in-the-blanks and true or false.

Creating your quiz is very similar to creating the training package as a whole; the ProProfs platform has obviously been designed to allow for intuitive work flow between project topics and types. Create and edit questions and include text and media in order to provide extra instruction; the possibilities are endless!

4. Utilize Statistics to Understand Your Trainees Better

Whether you’re a teacher or a hiring professional, you can go ahead and rejoice now; you will never have to grade another quiz again so long as you depend on ProProfs Training Maker and Quiz Maker tools.

From creation of your quiz to grading to even statistical analysis of overall results, the Quiz Maker tool takes care of all of the mathematical work for you, leaving you with simple statistics to use as you need them. See how many people have taken your course and quiz, the time they took to complete each section or question and more, all presented per trainee or overall, as you require.

The combination of simplicity and power is the real feature that sets ProProfs Training Maker apart from the rest, giving everyone the power to сreate trainings covering any subject you can think of. Even with no previous experience in either course creation or the technical tools needed to put it together, ProProfs makes the entire experience not only simple and enjoyable, but accessible to all.

Disclaimer: this is an independent unbiased review

If your travel plans have you heading to the Windy City, for business or pleasure, check out these Chicago-friendly iPhone apps to assist you with everything from train and bus schedules to local sports awareness!

1. iTrans Chicago CTA

Chicago is a big city and so offers typical big city public transit opportunities, including extensive bus routes and the famous El train. To save yourself the headache of trying to figure out the workings of an unfamiliar metropolitan transit system, the iTrans Chicago CTA app offers maps with directions to all major stops and stations, full schedules for the El and direct Google Maps integration for step-by-step directions.

2. MultiCam Chicago

If public transit isn’t your thing and you plan to have a personal vehicle to help you get around during your stay in the Windy City, consider the MultiCam Chicago traffic app. The only thing worse than an unfamiliar commute is an unfamiliar commute that leaves you stuck in unending gridlock and this app helps you to avoid those situations with its access to views from highway and freeway cameras located around the city.

3. Chicago Parking

Like any big city, Chicago’s parking opportunities, especially in the city’s core, are very limited. If you need a parking space, even in a hurry, the Chicago Parking app will assist you by offering details of more than 300 parking garages around town, including maps, parking rates and even pay booth locations.

4. Chicago Cubs Trivia

Whether you’re a general baseball buff or a fan of the well-loved Chicago Cubs in particular, the Cubs Trivia app will help you to test your knowledge of everything from player stats to trade details. Kill time in the back of a cab or top up that trivia to impress your Chicago-based clients!

5. Buster

Another Chicago transit app, the Buster iPhone app offers something of a twist on the official CTA app. While Buster offers information and schedules pertaining to buses only, excluding the El train, it does feature handy extras like a countdown clock to watch as you wait for your bus to arrive in freezing winter weather and the ability to save oft-used routes for one-click access down the road.

6. Wright Around Chicago

Fans of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright visiting the Windy City will appreciate the handy Wright Around Chicago app, a virtual tour guide showcasing 21 locations around the city containing Wright’s renowned work. Besides offering a map, Wright Around Chicago also includes tour opportunity details and pricing, turn-by-turn directions to each location and a special planner to help you organize your Chicago day trip.

Another useful tip to mention here: get the Go Chicago Card to avoid standing in lines and save time!

7. UrbanSpoon

Not related to Chicago in particular but no less useful to those visiting that city, the famed UrbanSpoon app for the iPhone offers city-by-city food guides and restaurant details, including extensive listings for your favorite Midwest metropolis. Boosted by augmented reality functions that are simply unmatchable in the iTunes app store, UrbanSpoon allows you to use its “scope tool” to stand on any Chicago street with your camera to see available restaurants, specials, food varieties and distance from where you’re standing.

For less than the price of a single hard copy of a traveller’s guide you can own all of these apps and more, making your trip to Chicago easier, safer, more efficient and more fun. Whether you’re impatiently awaiting your bus, desperately searching for an open parking spot or looking to refuel after a long day, your iPhone can easily be your most important travel tool!