Showing posts with label cell phones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cell phones. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Evolution of the iPhone to the Apple iPhone 6s Release

the original Apple iPhone
the original Apple iPhone
With the release of the Apple iPhone 6s coming up tomorrow (September 9, 2015), it’s interesting to see the changes in the iPhone over the past years. When Steve Jobs first announced the original release of the iPhone in 2007, it’s doubtful even he realized how popular it would become nor how it would evolve and change over the years. It really defined what a smart phone was and of course other companies hurried to release their own versions.
So what has changed? Certainly the speed of operation from one screen to the next and download time. There have been added features. Was the original iPhone without GPS or was the capacity just greatly improved? The camera and video functions are known to be amazingly good now – almost high definition quality – quite amazing for a point and shoot camera. Perhaps the most significant change has been the increased data capacity in all devices including laptops and desktops. Lastly, the screen size has increased and with it a more responsive touch screen.



Here is the predictions from Cellular Outfitter regarding the soon to be released iPhone 6S and the iPhone 6S Plus.
So, what is Apple going to announce on September 9? Rumor has it that successors to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
New iPhone 6S Plus
New iPhone 6S Plus
are to be announced. These might be called the 6s and the 6s Plus, should Apple choose to stick with its current naming scheme. The two phones are highly likely to retain the size, looks, and design of their respective predecessors, but on the inside, the hardware is expected to be given a serious boost. The camera of choice, for example, is rumored to be a 12MP unit with 4K video support. The new SoC will probably be accompanied by 2GB of RAM instead of just one gig. The housing of the handsets is said to be made of 7000-series aluminum, which is tougher. And the display could be given Force Touch abilities, the kind of which we first saw on the Apple Watch. The two phones' commercial release is extremely likely to coincide with the rollout of iOS 9. For more of what we think we know about the two, feel free to explore our iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus rumor round-up.
Read more by clicking here.
The Apple staff has become masters at marketing these phones. By using the tactic of scarcity during their launches, thousands (even millions) flock to their stores to get the first limited editions of new releases. There are long lines before stores open as if there won’t be more phones for sale later. The release of the Apple iPhone 6s release should be no different. Is it clever marketing or are these phones really superior to the competition? I leave that question for you to answer.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Best Cell Phones for 2015

With the market for cell phones growing exponentially every year, it's difficult to pick out a few that stand out as unique. Therefore, I've picked out four from different countries. It seems most of them will be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress, this year scheduled for March 2-5, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. Here are some of the sharpest phones.
  1. Samsung-Galaxy-S6Samsung Galaxy S6 - This Korean phone has generated a lot of speculation as to the features, both online and in the stores. Samsung has released a number of other models recently but this one seems to be the flagship version for 2015. There are actually to be two versions - one with a metal case and the other in plastic, super-thin with the usual Samsung wide screen. Perhaps this is the correct image. You can pre-order it online or in the stores for only $800 US!
  2. Huawei-Ascend-D8Huawei Ascend8 - The Chinese have created this pretty phone with a 5.5" screen and high resolution panel, 4GB of RAM and 64GB internal storage. The scheduled release in in May and will sell for $800 US.
  3. Microsoft-Lumia-1030Microsoft Lumia 1030 - This American phone has the same 5.5" screen but with a great high resolution camera and 4 speakers to record and play surround sound.
  4. Sony Xperia Z4 - We couldn't finish this review without including the Japanese who use their phones so frequently. Here is what Daniel P. (no last name given) posted in phoneArena.com
"Sony will pull out all stops" and intro a monster with 5.4" QHD panel, to an info one insider sent us that says Sony will keep using 1080p display resolution, but up the chipset to Snapdragon 810. As for the camera, all agree that it will be Sony's newest stacked 21 MP model that allows for real-time HDR stills, and has 192-point AF tech for shooting blur-free fast moving objects.
 
All phones will take top dollar but compared to the price of computers or even laptops or tablets they are still cheaper. For most of the world population their mobile phone is their connection to the internet. It's now several decades since the cell phone was used primarily for calling your friends. It seems from the reviews above that the most popular phones today will have excellent cameras as well as the capacity to take great pictures with increased storage capacity. The other features are yet to be announced. Please return to this column later this year for an update.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Ten Best Smart Watches for 2014

With the holidays fast approaching here's a small but expensive gift for a special someone. A smart watch is designed to work with your phone using Bluetooth technology so that you never miss a call again. Your smart watch will notify you of a call and if set up for it, also who is calling. No need to drag you phone out of your pocket or the bottom of your purse. You can discretely check your watch.
Not all smart phones are created equal. Before you buy, here's some things to check:
  • compatibility with your type of phone
  • strength of battery and how often it needs charging
  • what functions you want. Some include: notification from social media as well as calls, stop watch and calendar, voice alert and water-proof or shock-proof.
  • design - do you want something sleek and modern or are you a geek who wants a big watch with every function possible?
  • ease of use - Does it easily fit your wrist? Do you need something shock-proof? Can you read the dial easily? Remember that this machine should make your life easier, not more difficult.
Here are the ten best smart watches as reviewed by toptenreviews.com: MetaWatch Strata, MetaWatch Frame, Pebble, Cookoo, i'm Watch, Samsung Galaxy Gear, Martian G2G, Martian Passport, Martian Victory, and Sony LiveView. I'm going to pick three of these to review in detail. Please read the original article to explore the rest.

Ten Best Smart Watches for 2014

57182-metawatch-strata-boxMetaWatch Strata - This is a very sturdy watch that can take some knocking around. The band is flexible plastic and easily washable. There is a scratch-resistant face and it is waterproof. The battery can run for a week on one charge. There are several sporty colors for the band- electric blue, pink, orange and lime green as well as the standard grey. There are many more functions and apps that can be added to this phone compatible with iPhones. At $145 this is one of the cheaper smart watches.
58318-samsung-galaxy-gear-boxSamsung Galaxy Gear - Here is a sleek, steamline watch just made for a woman who likes jewelry. No Samsung S3 or S4 is complete without one of these smart watches. One unique feature involves security of your phone. When you move more than 5 feet away from your phone, the Gear secures and locks your phone, then releases it once you return. The display face is very clear and the battery here lasts for 2-3 days between charges. The voice feature lets you dictate messages, set reminders and even place calls. This one is $337 retail.
57178-sony-liveview-boxSony LiveView - Here's one that suited to someone on a fixed budget as it weighs in at only $25.86. It can easily be attached to a purse strap but wrist straps are available. For something so small it is amazingly functional with Facebook and Twitter updates as well as the standard functions. You can play and upload music from your phone, and get gmail updates. However, there is not Bluetooth capacity in the watch itself. Once the reception is gone, it renders this phone unusable as it gets its signal from the phone. One really useful function is the "Find Phone" feature. If you cannot find your phone, the Sony LiveView will let you find it by calling it for you.

As you can see, these phones a quite different from each other and from other devices and accessories. Since these watches are so new, it's a good idea to try them out before you purchase. At least try them on and see if all the buttons work. As the author of "Smart Watch Review" in toptenreviews.com states, "If you consider all of the factors above, you will surely find a smartwatch that is a perfect fit for you. Then, you can stop missing important calls or messages while simultaneously checking your phone less frequently."
What will 2015 bring for new Smart Watch technology? Already smart watches have started appearing that do not need phones connections in order to work - essentially a cell phone watch. Move over, Dick Tracy.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

How Safe is Your Cell Phone?


The invasion of digital technology like smartphones and tablets in our lives has not been a gradual process. It came with a bang; it seems like overnight everyone has a cell phone. Being the most popular gadget today, it was a bit of a surprise when all the big wigs in the technology industry turned their heads towards this new device and the market was flooded with cell phones of various types supporting innovative apps, features etc. This gave the users a huge variety of choices according to their preferences. While purchasing a cell phone, a common user tends to go for one that comes with most features at the lowest price tag. However, the crucial factor that most of the users tend to ignore or simply overlook is the safety level of that phone.
With the widespread increase of cell phone usage, it was quite instinctive for the researchers to investigate the health concerns that are posed by radiation emitting from cell phones. Cell phone radiation lies in the microwave region of the radio spectrum. The IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) has placed the cell phone in Group 2B, thus marking it as possibly carcinogenic. However, it should be noticed that with proper precaution, cell phones can be used without side effects; especially taking into account the fact that the microwaves emitted from other devices such as home appliances (microwaves, computers, televisions etc.) radiate a much higher level of radiation compared to the cell phone.
The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) gives a measure of radiation absorbed in the human body. The standard SAR for cell phones accepted as being safe for the human body is 1.6 Watt/ kg. It is important for cell phones to comply with this set standard because high radiation levels can be quite dangerous by causing a molecular structural breakdown. It's important to use a cell phone carefully taking precautions to avoid problems with radiation.
Did you know:
1. A pregnant woman should keep cell phones away from the fetus as even low levels radiation could possibly effect her unborn child.
2. One should not carry a cell phone in a front pocket or anywhere near reproductive organs. While research is still being done here, it is possible that the phone could effect the productivity and health of these organs. Remember that cell phones emit radiation even when they are off. It's probably not a great idea to have your phone by your bed at night for the same reason.
3. The ear lobes and other parts of the body next to which the phone is placed are susceptible to a dielectric heating effect. Likewise, the corneas of the eyes are another area effected, especially with cell phones that don't conform to international standards.. Studies have also revealed an increased metabolism rate in the brain tissue which is nearest the antenna of a cell phone. Therefore, talking on your phone for long periods of time is not a good idea. If you are going to have a long conversation, put it on "speaker phone", use headphones or use hands free devices such as Bluetooth so that the phone is not so near to your body.
4. Not all cell phones are created equal. Some have all the bells and whistles while others are very simple. Likewise, some emit more radiation than others. Below is a chart with the various levels of radiation for each brand of phone. Remember that these levels can change with the age of the phone and new models are being created as well.
Currently Samsung, Nokia, HTC etc. are rated manufacturers of the lowest SAR rated cell phones.
The lowest rated cell phones include
· HTC One (SAR=0.68)
· Google Nexus 4 (SAR=0.55)
· Samsung S III (SAR=0.43)
· Samsung Note II (SAR=0.42)
· Samsung Haven (SAR=0.41)
· LG Quantum (SAR=0.35)
· T Mobile Sidekick (SAR=0.34)
· Huawei Ideos X5 (SAR=0.34)
· Samsung Replinish (SAR=0.3)
· Samsung Infuse (SAR=0.2)
The highest SAR rated cell phones include:
· Motorola Bravo (SAR= 1.59)
· Motorola Defy (SAR= 1.57)
· Motorola Droid RAZR (SAR= 1.56)
· HTC Droid DNA (SAR= 1.56)
· HTC Desire (SAR= 1.48)
· Nokia Lumia (SAR= 1.30)
· iPhone5 (SAR= 1.18)  
· iPhone 4S (SAR= 1.11)
Martin Cooper, a Motorola inventor, invented the first mobile phone in 1973.
Martin Cooper, a Motorola inventor, invented the first mobile phone in 1973.
The SAR rating of every cell phone is mentioned in the manual that comes with your phone and also can be searched online by simply entering the model of your phone. Please share this list with your cell phone talking friends so that they too can minimize that amount of radiation exposure and provide for the next generation to lead happy, healthy lives. Cell phones are here to stay and are indeed getting bigger in size. How many people do you know who have two cell phones or at least a cell and a tablet? Remember to be polite too and not use them in cramped public situations such a concerts or public transportation. You would be exposing other people to the "waves". Lastly, by purchasing only phones with low level emissions it will encourage companies to improve the levels of radiation everyone is exposed to. 

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Recycling Cell Phones for Charity

98-How1If you are in the market for a new cell phone or you are answering that irresistible good deal "upgrade" promised by your provider, what are you going to do with your old cell phone? It's composed of precious metals and plastic that doesn't need to end up in landfill. Only about 10% of phones are recycled in the US today - much too low. Here are  some ideas of what you can do with it.
1. Send it to Cell Phone for Soldiers, an organization that collects them. Each cell phone buys one hour of talk time for a soldier calling home.
2. Help domestic violence victims by giving it to either National Coalition Against Domestic Violence or Shelter Alliance. You can mail them your phones.
3. Help kids with serious illnesses  go to camp through NASCAR's Recycle for Victory.
4. Donate to a charity - Flipswap refurbishes your old phone and donates the value of the resale to the charity of your choice. Flipswap as I write this article is being re-organized so check back to find it later.
5. Best suggestion: check with AmericanCellPhoneDrive.org. This organization will provide you with places for donation that are local to your residence.
6. Canadian alternative: RecycleMyCell.ca  This organization not only provides a list of local organizations but also gives you helpful tips such as how to remove your data completely, FAQ section and local drop-off places. Of course there is a French-speaking Twitter account associated with it: @RecycleMonCell
7. David Suzuki has also gotten into the act as he is big on recycling everything. Go to: DavidSuzuki.org to find out more or their fund raising through recycling.
Now you have more than enough alternatives to keep from throwing your phone in the garbage. Actually, my son gave his old phone to his young 3 year-old daughter - disconnected from service, of course. She was thrilled and spent many hours having imaginary conversations with "her" real phone.
In addition, the retail businesses are realizing that they are missing some income and have now started retail take-back programs. Remember, however, that what they give back you as a savings for returning your phone is a small amount compared to what charity groups can obtain from your same phone. It's like the trade-in for your old car. The dealer gives you much less than you could get selling it on through private ads.
Have any experience with recycling cell phones for charity? What did you do with your old phone? Let us know.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Emerging Mobile Phone Technology

131404860Mobile phones have become indispensable and now play a big part in everyone's lives. With the current technology that has made people and nations closer, mobile and handheld devices can truly be considered great inventions and innovations. Gone are the days when one had to go home first before he could use the telephone or go to a public phone booth to place an all-important call to a loved one or business contact. With the presence of mobile phones, everyone has now gone wireless. Communication has, indeed, turned very easy for all.

Mobile phone, as the name suggests, provides mobility. It is portable a communication device. It is made possible by satellites that transmit signals for the phone to send and receive. It is very convenient as one can use it anywhere irregardless of time and region.

People everywhere have seen the evolution of communication technology,from a phone that used wires to one that no longer requires any,from the analog to the wireless. In some places, wireless phones were provided with signals by the network company. In other places, a simulated card in inserted in the phone to grab and receive signals and send as well. These phones used the concept of signal transmission and radio wave theories that enabled a two-way communication with real time and provided clearer conversation.

From the analog mobile phones that only allowed calling and voice conversation evolved the mobile phones that have text messaging features. A person may send a text message that will be received by another party. This message is sent through a signal passing to a gateway which transmits it to the receiving party.

At the turn of the 21st century, mobile phones became more of a trend and companies started to make them appear more sophisticated. Mobile phones started with big sizes which transformed to smaller ones and then became bigger again. They have developed much like computers. Mobile phones now have been created with different functions and usage which are beyond plain communication usage.

Mobile phones also serve as mp3 players and/or audio, video file storage units where users may save audio files and listen to music. Mobile phones now are also equipped with cameras that come in different pixels allowing people to take pictures anywhere and anytime. Almost all mobile phones today are designed with games, calculator, organizer, alarm clock, dictionary and many more. Some updated mobile phones may now take video clips and still photographs which may be transferred to a computer for different purposes. Many mobile phones are also designed with touch screen features where a person doesn't need to touch the keypad anymore. The screen of the phone is designed to recognize commands as the finger tip touches the screen.

Moreover, mobile phones are now used as computers. With the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), surfing the internet is now made possible. GPRS is used to transmit IP packets which enable users to use the internet wherever they go. People also use their mobile phones in banking transactions where they can send and receive money through phone.

Several high technology features are continuously being researched and applied to mobile phones. Not long ago the 3G system was developed. It enabled users of the same networks to call each other using real time cameras. Through this system, one could actually see the person he was calling while talking to him. Many companies are now researching a higher system which is the fourth generation or 4G system. Researchers project the new system as faster with a connection speed reaching 100 Mb per second. This is seen to provide a better quality of call.

Mobile phones are not only for personal use like it was in the past. With mobile phones, reporters and journalists may now take and film news reports. Security systems and surveillance are also possible.

It is seen in the near future that mobile phones are most likely to replace laptops. With the new mobile phones coming out on the market, viewing and working on documents only found on computers is now possible. They are likely to replace entertainment devices as well with all the entertainment features new mobile phones have.

Mobile phones do not only play a big part in technology. Mobile phones also show fashion and style. Thus, to make these phones more appealing and attractive, manufacturers produce these phones in different colors, size, shape, and style.

Mobile phones are indeed one of the greatest contributions of technology. They have gone far beyond what anyone could imagine ten years ago. Now, with the emergence of mobile technology, everyone just can't live without one.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Canada Day 2014: Time to Move On from E-mail Advertising

downloadThis July first in Canada was not only a holiday but the start of a new anti-spam law. Now messages must be e-mailed only to consenting people and companies. Will this change the amount of spam Canadians receive? Probably not for several reasons: 1) Unless the recipient reports the offending spam it will continue to be sent. 2) The amount of spam is astronomical and impossible for any country to control 3) Most importantly - e-mail is now "old technology" with social media in various forms taking over and instant messages being faster than e-mail anyway. E-mail has already been replaced. I personally have younger relatives that rarely check their e-mail.
In a recent article written by Leah Eichler entitled, "E-mail has had it day. It's time to move on", she agrees with this point of view that e-mail is now passe and not as useful. Here is part of her article.
E-mail can be described as the “grandfather” of workplace productivity tools, but today, most of us experience a love-hate relationship with it. I can’t stop checking my e-mail accounts but then I take so much delight in deleting incoming messages that I often purge my inbox of important e-mails.
There are 108.7 billion e-mails sent and received a day, according to Radicati, a technology market research firm, and the majority of traffic comes from business accounts. They also report that the number of worldwide e-mail users is expected to grow from over 2.5 billion in 2014 to over 2.8 billion in 2018.
The average employee spends 40 per cent of his or her time dealing with internal e-mails that have little to no impact on their business. Think about that next time you scroll through your inbox, feeling harassed because you have too much to do in too little time. The productivity losses are nothing short of astronomical.
To read more click on this link.
So what is replacing e-mail? For those of us with smart phones (and even some "dumb" phones), instant messages is the way - faster and not so wordy. No quotations, no long paragraphs with useless information. However, not everyone embraces mobile devices.
Enter social media. There are an incredible number of forms and types, all that have appeared in the last 10 years. If Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, LikedIn, Google+, Pinterest and StumbleUpon were not enough, there is Delicious, Digg, MySpace, Bebo, Mister-Wong, Reddit, Wanelo, Orkut, Xing, Buffer, Evernote, Pinboard, VK, Springboard, Buffer, Flipboard, AIM, Yahoo Messenger, Arto, Plurk, Deaspora, Blogger Post, TypePad Post, Box.net, Kindle It, Baidu, Netlog, CiteULike, Jumptags, Netvouz, Diigo, Bib Sonomy, Blog Marks, StartAid, Khabbr, Memeame and Yoolink. Do you think this is a lot of sites? Believe it or not, this is only half the list. I got tired of typing all of them
You may wonder who actually uses all of these sites. I can see some words from other languages besides English. Are they targeted towards certain demographic groups? I don't think anyone knows but I'm sure some smart online marketer will invent an app, widget or plugin that will let us know. However, one advantage of using Facebook for advertisers is the ability to target very closely to people who might buy. Another good under-used advertising media is Google+ as it is tied into the many other forms of Google, including YouTube now.
Interestingly enough, one of the suggestions in Ms. Eichler's article is that we go back to using post cards, sent out to former customers. I guess the rationale here is that past customers are more apt to buy again. However with the Canadian postal rates what they are (twice as high as the US), it seems doubtful that postcards or letters will be the next big viral fad. What do you think about e-mail advertising? Please leave a comment below.

Monday, June 9, 2014

The Asus Padfone - Beneficial Cell Phone or Not?

Here is a very amusing video that I assure you will love watching to see how the company Asus has combined a cell phone (well, actually a large Android smartphone) with a laptop and calls it a Padfone. Thanks to the Wall Street Journal, producer, Drew Evans and journalist and actress supreme, Joanna Stern for this addition to our understanding of the confusing array of mobile devices available today.
http://live.wsj.com/video/asus-padfone-review-when-phone-and-tablet-are-one/41E271E2-EB67-4CED-BA49-481850BCE63E.html
Are you even more confused today? Best just go down to your local electronic shop and try them all out. You can rest assured the sales team will be up on the latest devices and try to sell you several. Here's some questions you will want to ask. I personally like taking in a list of questions because the usual sales person will so overload you with information that you won't be able to remember these important points. Nor will the literature they give you necessarily include it.
1. What is the GB capacity or the phone (something like the memory)?
2. What is the mega pixel capacity of the camera? (better yet, get the sales to take a picture and show it to you).
3. What is the initial price and the length of the contract?
4. What software is included and what necessary software or apps must be added or downloaded?
5. Are there any attachments that are included in the cost (such as cell phone holders, covers, ear phones, etc.
6. What is the warranty period and what customer service is included?
7. Where is the phone manufactured or serviced?

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Exploring Amazon’s Whispersync and Whispernet for Cell Phones and More

Prompt using Whispersync
Prompt using Whispersync
As technological improvements are appearing at an increasing pace, it’s not surprising that Amazon has come up with two new ways to link the various machines that they sell connected to the internet. There are three types of Whispersync: for Kindle books, for personal documents and for Amazon Instant Video. With Kindle books on Kindle Fire, Whispersync synchronizes all bookmarks, annotations and furthest pages read across all devices registered to the same Amazon.com account. This means that you can “pick up where you left off” across all devices, no matter which one you pick up. It also can download new purchases from one device to the others.
With Whispersync for personal documents Amazon has introduced the Kindle Personal Documents service which converts your personal documents into Kindle format and stores them in a Kindle library. You can download them easily or again start again where you left off on any of your devices. Of course you can change your documents. “These features are currently supported on Kindle Fire, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle, Kindle Touch, and Kindle for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch with Kindle app version 2.9 or greater.”
Whispersync for Amazon Instant Video keeps track of your last location of a video with Kindle Fire, PC, Mac or over 300 compatible TVs and Blu-ray players. This is the only type of Whispersync that cannot be turned off.
Whispernet is wireless coverage for Kindle without using WiFi. Therefore it is not necessary to find WiFi hotspots. This means there are no monthly wireless bills, no setup fee or data plans. The content is downloaded in seconds via “high speed data networks”. It can be used as soon as you purchase your Kindle (Free 3G). Whispernet can be combined with Whispersync. Sorry – this won’t work for your phone calls too. The international coverage has yet to be developed fully.
While it is convenient to have your various gadgets synchronized (assuming your are wealthy enough to have more than one), I personally am more interested in having more audio functions that convert to written form so that I’ll be free of typing on small keyboards. It has started with the Kindle audio version that can be downloaded through Whispersync for Voice.  It lets you switch from the audio version of a book to the regular Kindle version. With a Kindle Fire it is also possible to read and listen at the same time. There is another version available through a downloadable app at audio.com. The other issue with synchronizing involves security. What else will these devices connect to and who can access them besides you?
For more coverage of these plans, please go to: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200375890

Friday, April 18, 2014

Security Breach Effects Cell Phone Users

Heartbleed.svgRecently a new cell phone security problem has appeared called Heartbleed. It has especially effected all websites that are using the SSL configuration (https:). It was disclosed on April 7,2014 and it is estimated that at least 17% or half a million of supposed secure websites are vulnerable unless they takes measures to "patch" the access.  Forbes cybersecurity columnist Joseph Steinberg wrote, "Some might argue that [Heartbleed] is the worst vulnerability found (at least in terms of its potential impact) since commercial traffic began to flow on the Internet." (quote source here) It is ironic that these are supposedly the most secure sites that use https:
What does this mean exactly to the average user and what can be done? It is a serious problem because your private information including credit card numbers and passwords is at risk of hackers. It is basically a high-level programming error, which now has a "patch protection" or a new SSL configuration that many companies have now installed. However, not all have protected themselves as yet. There is a test you can apply to see which ones are protected. Simply go to this site and type in the URL of the company you want to test. If the site is corrected, it's a good idea to change your password. However, if the site has not been patched, it's best just not to use it until the situation changes. Here's the testing site: https://filippo.io/Heartbleed/ 
There is another aspect to this problem and this is perhaps why it is considered to be such a threat. The hackers also have access to the SSL codes, a long string of numbers and letters that verify the site as certified to encrypt information on these sites. Apparently this has been a problem for several years already. The outcome is that hackers have access to pretend they are the established sites. Again many of the effected companies using open SSL have established new codes, but not all of them. It seems they should be required to make this change soon. What his means for users such as you and I is that we need to be extra-careful of phishing, both ones that are accessed through bookmarks as well as hackers contacting us through e-mail messages.
By the way, the security company, Codenomicon gave this security bug its name and contributed the logo.  The name stems from the fact that there is "missing bounds check in the handling of the Transport Layer Security (TLS) heartbeat extension", according to Wikipedia. It's just part of tech-speak but an interesting name, don't you agree?

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Frequently Asked Questions About Cell Phone Holders for the Car


Wireless phone holders have become more popular with changes to stricter legal regulations in numerous locations for motorists who are using mobile devices while driving. There are many types of holders on the market now. Which one is best? Here are some inquiries consumers have actually asked on Amazon's internet site relating to mobile phone holders with some answers.
1.Is this holder strong enough to hold my phone and case?
It's best to look for one that is compact yet strong. In this way it won't block your vision but you can still see it easily without taking your eyes off the road. The slider side piece that holds the phone stationery needs to be very strong so the phone won't slide out on rugged or rough roads especially. Some phones such as the Galaxy Note with its case measures 3 1/2 inches wide and is quite heavy. While some phone holders are designed for certain phones, it's best to find one that fits all mobile devices as it is more versatile.
2.Will this holder connect conveniently to my textured dash panel?
Some holders connect to the dash with a suction cup only. While this works connecting to the windshield, look for a holder that will securely connect to any kind of dash as well. Some holders connect to the dashboard with a plate that is sticky on one side. As long as the dash panel has been washed completely and dried out before putting down the plate it will certainly stay without coming loose. Then the body of the holder is positioned on the plate with a firm suction tool. The plate of these holders can alternatively be attached with screws to the dash. They really hold more strongly compared to several of the designs that only connect to the dash with a suction cup.
3.Is this holder durable or will it easily break?
Although most holders are made of plastic and can break, look for ones that are made from a stronger plastic with the same composition as the children's toy, Lego. If you care about the environment, find one that is recyclable plastic material as well. The manufacturers of these holders should have this information.
4. Just how will I know how to install this holder on my auto?
Most good holders will come with instructions, either printed on the box or included inside the package. Most of them are much the same, but the hinge side needs to go towards you for the dashboard attachment and on the top side for the windshield.
5. Can I utilize this holder in my residence or boat, trailer or recreational vehicle?
Most definitely it can be utilized any area where you should chat hands-free.
I assume that the cars of the future will certainly have mobile phone holders constructed into the design, yet till we can all afford that, there are some great deals for really reasonably priced holders that can be utilized.
If you wish to learn more about a holder that fits all the above-mentioned criteria, please click on this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CDWU3TQ
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victoria_T_Graper
Written by Vicki Starfire
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8045750

Monday, July 15, 2013

New 2013 Updated Safety Measures for your Cell Phone and Tablet

With the recent news about government collection of personal data from the National Security Agency and the disclosures from Edward Snowden, everyone is more aware of public privacy. Now there is another disclosure by a group of hackers  working for the security firm, iSEC. They found a way to hack into a signal-booster made by Samsung for the phone company, Verizon. The were able to turn it into a spy tool that would pick up “all calls, text messages and data sent by mobile devices within range from a small backpack. ‘This is not about how the NSA would attack ordinary people. This is how ordinary people would attack ordinary people,’ said Tom Ritter, a senior consultant, iSEC.” ( http://thehackernews.com/2013/07/hackers-turn-verizon-signal-booster.html )

Perhaps it is time to re-visit and update security for your cell phone or tablet. Here’s some suggestions that will save you grief later on if you follow them.

New 2013 Updated Safety Measures for your Cell Phone and Tablet

1. Install antivirus software on your phone or tablet. Only install software from Apple App Store, Google Play Store or Windows App Store.

2. Load a password and lock your phone, tablet or any other mobile device when not in use.

3. Keep your mobile device up to date (install updates).

4. If you use you mobile device for banking, register it with the banks you are using. Most banks have a multi-factor authentication program – your account number, password and some security token or key. Some banks will also include fingerprint or a typing pattern.

5. Be cautious about using public WiFi for any transmission that should be secure or private.

6. Don’t use foreign computers to access your bank accounts, even to check your balance. You are better off to use the ATM balance check than a computer in a far away place. Not everyone has international or even roaming capabilities on mobile devices, but be cautious about making money transactions if your device has this capacity.

7. If you lose your mobile device, call your provider immediately with your IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity) number which you can find under the battery or by dialing #06# . Write this number down and put it in a safe place. This will allow the company to disable your device and it will be useless to the finder/thief.

8. Call your bank immediately and report the lost or stolen phone so that the finder/thief cannot access your bank accounts. People are used to contacting bank for stolen credit cards, but a mobile device can provide access to banks as well.