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Quick Response Codes

Today's blog post is all about the use of Quick Response codes (QR's) within your day-to-day life.

• I use them for fun - sending hidden notes inside a QRcode
• I use them to accompany an event for ease of placing date, time, etc on a calendar
• I use them for quick contact information transfer
• I have a QRcode for directions to my house, so I can share it quickly with friends

Checkout http://www.qrstuff.com for examples

Enjoy!

Swap, Share, Trade and Build your Social Credit Score

There is a tremendous social network growing on the web and many of us ignore it every day. If you have old DVD's, Dresses, Suits, Electronics, etc that you will not likely use again then you should know more about this swap/share/trade online community.

I have a copy of 24 season 2 that I will not likely watch again and want to swap it for a copy of Prison Break season 1. Intro...swap.com. Now I can achieve my swapping goal. This is really good stuff and it goes a long way to building your social credit score as you deliver on your promise to share, trade, and swap. Your social credit score is important and must remain at or above 98% to be taken seriously on the web. Nobody wants to trade or share with the unworthy soul who cannot be trusted.

So, here are some sites to jump start your social sharing needs.

Courtesy of Mashable

http://mashable.com/2007/07/27/online-swaps/


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GoodReader for iPad - Manage and Markup Your PDF's

PDF Annotations, Markup & Highlighting, sticky notes, lines, arrows, freehand drawings on top of a PDF file - you name it. And the best part is that all annotations become a part of a PDF file itself - email it to your colleague, and they will see all your notes and drawings on a desktop computer, in a common PDF reading program.

GoodReader supports massive PDF and TXT files, but it can also handle all of the most popular file types. Have a look for yourself:
• MS Office - .doc, .ppt, .xls and more
• iWork'08/'09
• HTML and Safari webarchives
• High resolution images
• It even does audio and video!

1Password - Password Security for Windows, iPhone, and Mac

1Password is an award-winning password and identity manager with more than 1 million users worldwide. NOTE: There are now Pro and iPad editions of 1Password available in the App Store. Please compare the features of these editions before making the purchase. 1Password will securely store your important information and can automatically log you into websites with a single tap. There's no need to remember the username, password, or even the website address. 

Windows - $29.95

iPhone - $9.99

••• Recommended in Apple's "Apps for Getting Things Done" Guide •••

Fix it Yourself or at Least See How!

iFixit
This site is for anyone who has the desire to know more about how their electronics are put together, or maybe they want to repair their electronics on their own. If this is you, then you have come to the right place.

iFixit has repair manuals, step-by-step instructions, parts galore and a social network of fixit folks that spans the globe.

This is a great site to review if you have damaged electronics.


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JAMBOX - Looking for a Wireless, Speaker and Speakerphone with Big Sound?

JAMBOX is the new wireless speaker and speakerphone system from Jawbone.  The sleek little system has big sound and easily switches from a soundbox that blasts your favorite tunes into a speakerphone with a high quality mic for your conversations.  Set this system on a conference room table, call your colleagues and now you have an instant conference call with excellent noise cancellation and mobility due to the wireless nature of the system.  Battery life is about 8 hours.

Jambox is not a low cost solution ringing in at $199, so if you are wanting to save some cash you may want to look at the Logitech Wireless Speaker Z515, but it will not have a microphone and cannot be used as a speakerphone system.

Monitor Your Data Usage on Your iPhone

Dial *3282# and AT&T will send you a text message with your data usage and the date of your next billing cycle.  The AT&T Mobile app lets you check your usage.  Both methods rely on you remembering to check.  If this is an issue then you need to consider DataMan.

DataMan by X-Vision monitors both your cell and Wi-Fi usage and notifies you when you have passed one of four user-configurable thresholds.

• DataMan monitors your data usage over time and alerts you as you approach and go over user-defined thresholds
• Avoid incurring overage charges
• Use the app to monitor your usage over time to see if you can safely switch to a less costly plan
• DataMan runs in the background and requires iOS 4. 

Micro Camcorder - Muvi Micro

Muvi Micro is a great camcorder for many things.  I use mine on my motorcycle to capture some of the trips I take.  It is the perfect size and the video quality is excellent.  I have also used the Muvi while 4 wheeling and dog sledding in Alaska.  Just clip it on your clothes and go.

The Muvi Micro:

• Charges via a USB cable 
• Includes a 2GB micro card
• Holds up to 90 minutes of video on an 8GB micro card
• Noise Activated Video
• 3 Hours of continuous recording

VoCal - The Voice Calendar/Reminder

VoCal is the perfect answer to quick reminders that you can use your voice to setup.
Features:

1. Works with the app closed on your iPhone
2. Quick and easy to record your reminder and set a date/time
3. Easy to view all reminders, edit, and manage
4. Easy to set recurring reminders
5. Privacy - reminders reside on the phone and do not ever get uploaded to a server so they remain private
6. Old reminders are purged so it keeps your phone clutter free
7. Alert tones can be modified
8. Record length seems unlimited and can be used to record meetings if desired

This little app is a great time saver since you can quickly speak your reminder and set a date/time.

A New Way to Pay for Everything - Near Field Communication (NFC)

iPhone and NFC

1. Contactless Payment
2. Transportation
3. Healthcare
4. Ease of Use
5. Smart Objects
6. Social Media

Article is from Mashable and is a good article if you are trying to figure out what NFC can mean to you as a consumer.

Another great article from FastCompany: NFC

Google Voice - One Number associated with multiple phones

Ok, safe to say this has been out for a while and many people are aware, but I still encounter many more that are still in the dark when it comes to Google Voice and this is such a shame.  So, I am feeling compelled to blog about it.

Google Voice gives you one number for all your phones -- a phone number that is tied to you, not to a device or a location. Use Google Voice to simplify the way you use phones, make using voicemail as easy as email, customize your callers' experience, block callers, and more.

Google Voice isn't a phone service, but it lets you manage all of your phones. Google Voice works with mobile phones, desk phones, work phones, and VoIP lines. There's nothing to download, upload, or install, and you don't have to make or take calls using a computer.

Google Voice will let you define which phones ring, based on who's calling, and even let you ListenIn^TM on voicemail before answering the call. We use smart technology to route your calls. So, if you're already on a Google Voice call, we'll recognize it and use call waiting to reach you on the phone you're on.

Helpful Videos to Learn More

CDBurnerXP - Works on Windows 7 too!

CDBurnerXP - Looking for a great CD burner, CD copy utility now that you are on Windows 7 and that functionality is missing?  Look no further, CDBurnerXP let's you do this and more for free. 

Now you can get back to making the copies you need.

From their Site:
CDBurnerXP is a free application to burn CDs and DVDs, including Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs. It also includes the feature to burn and create ISOs, as well as a multilanguage interface. Everyone, even companies, can use it for free. It does not include adware or similar malicious components.

Cisco E4200 - The Gaming, NAS, Home Router

Cisco E4200 is the latest home networking release from Cisco to provide some serious benefits to a busy home full of online parents and teenagers. The E4200 Maximum Performance Dual-Band Wireless-N Router offers true dual-band with 450Mbps on the 5GHz band; Gigabit Ethernet; fast throughput; a long range; Network Attached Storage functionality; a nice set of networking features; and a good Web interface. The 2.4GHz does not offer the 450Mbps throughput, but it is fast.  The guest network is nice to have, and will allow up to 10 guests at one time.

If you have an active online household, share files across your network and want the fastest rouuter to make this happen, then checkout the E4200.  Cost is about $180.

Thanks to Eric Blizard for pointing out the E4200.

Game: Flick Football

Flick Football  this is such a simple game, yet highly addictive and fun for those times when you find yourself with a few minutes to burn.  Trying to better your score each time becomes as addictive as taking out those pesky pigs in another popular, yet simple game.

Anyways, don't take my word for it...download it for $0.99 and give it a try.

Archerfish Solo - Surveillance System with a Brain

Archerfish Solo™ is a thinking surveillance system that understands what it sees. Just tell it what to look for – expected events, unanticipated intrusions, or just the odd things that can happen when you’re not around – and Archerfish sends video alerts to any number of mobile phone or email addresses when they happen. This system works with your iPhone and other devices to deliver video it captures to your phone.


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Sling Adapter and Dish Network

TV Everywhere

The best of both worlds when it comes to watching television.  You can pair a Sling Adapter with your Dish Network system and stream live TV and recorded shows to your iPad, iPhone or Computer. This setup works very well if you have enough upload bandwidth at your house.  In order for this to work well you should really have at least 1 Mbps upload bandwidth.  More is ideal, but 1 is sufficient. 


How much bandwidth do I have?   Check Your Speed Here


Things you will need:

1. Dish Network Service
2. *Vip922 or Vip722 or 722k HD DuoDVR
3. Sling Adapter
4. Minimum 1 Mbps Upload Bandwidth from home (you can try less, but it is not a good picture)
5. Dish Network App (free from App Store)

*If you have the ViP922 you will not need a Sling Adapter as it is built into the Vip922.

The Sling Adapter connects via USB to either your Dish Network ViP722 or 722k HD DuoDVR.

Sony Ericsson Bluetooth HBH-IS800

Sony Ericsson Bluetooth HBH-IS800
The HBH-IS800 headset has been great.  They hold a long charge, sync to my Bluetooth devices very easily and the sound quality is perfect for my needs.  I use the headset when walking to work, killing time, around the house, when watching movies from my laptop or iPad.

The single wire that connects the ear pieces is great, comes with a clip and can easily be left around your neck while talking to someone...that does not realize you 'had' a headset on.  They also work very well in your helmet if you ride a motorcycle.  The thin wire does not interfere with the helmet while riding.

The HBH-IS800 also doubles as an adequate headset for answering/placing calls.  Your music is muted, call is answered and when done, the music resumes.  For the money this is one of the best Bluetooth headsets I have owned.

SGP - The Best Screen Protectors for Mobile Technology

SGP has excellent screen protectors for mobile devices of all type and size.  The anti-fingerprint feature of their screen protection is my first choice.  If you are like me, you hate the smudges that develop on your iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry screens as you go about using them each day.  SGP has the best anti-fingerprint screens!

Check them out!

AppBox Pro - Toolbox of Utilities for the iPhone

AppBox Pro is a great app with over 30 applications to help you with various day-to-day activities.  Only $0.99.

• Dashboard to reveal system resources on the iPhone
• Quick Flashlight app
• Level
• Loan Calculator
• Holidays Calendar
• Tip Calculator
• Unit of Measurement Converter
• Google Apps
• ...much more all under one application

Thanks to Gregg Skall for turning me on to this app.

Pulse - RSS Reader for iPad

Pulse

Only the BEST news reader available.  This app works great with the iPhone and fantastic with the iPad.  I went from rarely reading RSS feeds to reading them like an addiction.  It presents the news in a magazine look and feel that is very simple and captures the eye.

Easily share what you are reading with other interested parties via email, Twitter, Facebook...

WD Livewire - Extend the Internet in your house!

Recently purchased a WD Livewire ($100) to extend my wired network upstairs to a bonus room with an Xbox, DVD player, printer, etc.  Livewire gives you two adapters, 1) you plug into your router and an electrical outlet, 2) you plug the other adapter into any outlet in the house where you want to extend your wired network.

The adapters give you 4 ports to wire-in Internet capable devices.

I am getting far better throughput and consistent 125-150 Mb/s on my internal network.  The Wifi I was using to reach the bonus room would typically drop-off and sometimes the signal would drop all at once.  This no longer happens.  I am a big fan of the WD Livewire.

Thanks to Bill Koch for turning me on to the WD Livewire.

iPhone App - AppMiner

AppMiner 

Why pay full price for apps? Find apps ON SALE, NEW and FREE every day! With over 150,000 apps now on the store, it is easy to lose track of everything that is going on. Appminer constantly mines the store looking for new and updated apps and monitors prices for changes so we can notify you of the latest and greatest apps and deals. Many developers adjust their prices on a regular basis even making apps FREE for a short period of time in order to boost their rankings and reviews. AppMiner can help you catch these deals as they happen. You can even set a watch to alert you to when an app you want is on sale. AppMiner lets you browse more of the top apps, gives you a better search, finds price drops, lets you customize your categories and much more. 

KEY FEATURES * Simple to use * Constant monitoring for apps ON SALE * Powerful search by Title and Keyword * Set target prices and watch specific apps * Lots of customization options (themes, categories, etc) * and MUCH MUCH MORE!