iOS7 and Device Security – Devices SiG Presentation

Thank you everyone for attending the Devices SIG meeting (Oct. 15th, 2013).

Topics we covered during that meeting:

• eBooks
• Newsstand
• iOS7 Tips & Tricks
• Device Security

Within next few weeks I am going to share with you series of posts on iOS7 – a new Apple operation system that was presented to users in September 2013. Now it’s a good time to discover new iOS7 features.

Here is link to the presentation: Devices-SIG_Mtg_eBooks-iOS7-Security_v0.4

Here is the list of websites we mentioned during the meeting:

• 20 security apps for Android & iPhones
• 20+ best FREE security tools
• How to encrypt data on your smartphone
• Top 3 Android security apps: Do they protect?
• 10 Android security applications to keep your mobile devices safe
• 10 helpful iPhone security applications
• Find my iPhone demo
• National Cyber Awareness System
• 9 hacking, phishing & social engineering lies
• 10 tips for Android security
• How do I protect the information on my mobile phone?
• How to wipe your device before donating?
• 90 iOS7 tips & trips
• Random iDevices (iPhone, iPad) applications

Check this video on iOS7:

Tablet vs. Laptop?

“More than one in three adult Americans now owns a tablet, more than double the number who owned one just a year ago, according to a study released by the Pew Research Center”

Tablet Ownership_image by Pew Internet

What’s going to be your next purchase? Tablet or Laptop?

for more information please visit: Mashable website

Tablet Ownership report available on Pew Internet website

Few Secrets for Kindle Fire

Simon Hill form DigitalTrends shared some useful information regarding Kindle Fire:

1. how to get rid of ads
2. how to install applications from outside Amazon’s Appstore
3. How to lock screen rotation
4. How to access the camera
5. …and many more

Please visit DigitalTrends to read the complete article:  “Helpful Tips and Secrets for Your Kindle Fire HD”

 

Microsoft Surface Pro (Again)

I know we talked about Surface Pro – the new kind on the block for some time but it’s worth to mention about few updates.

“We’re still completely enraptured by the idea of a full-featured device that can properly straddle the disparate domains of lean-forward productivity and lean-back idleness. Sadly, we’re still searching for the perfect device and OS combo that not only manages both tasks, but excels at them. The Surface Pro comes about as close as we’ve yet experienced, but it’s still compromised at both angles of attack. When trying to be productive, we wished we had a proper laptop and, when relaxing on the couch, we wished we had a more finger-friendly desktop interface — though more native Windows 8 apps might solve the problem by keeping us from having to even go there.”

If you plan to purchase a new tablet or would like to know more about this little but very powerful Microsoft Surface Pro. Engadet.com published very interesting and complex article: “Microsoft Surface Pro review”

Need Laptop?

Cnet.com just published a short list of recommended mid-size laptops (14, 15, 16-inch screens) – useful list for those who need to get a new one.

• Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display. Price (amazon.com): $2,049.99
• Acer Aspire M5-481PT. Price (amazon.com): $762.60
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch Ultrabook Intel Core i5-3427U. Price (amazon.com): $1,279
• Dell Inspiron 14z. Price (amazon.com): $599.00 –  $899.00
• Dell XPS 14. Price (amazon.com): $1,499
• HP Envy TouchSmart Ultrabook 4. Price (amazon.com): $799.99

 

What Can You Do with Your E-Reader?

Do you have an e-reader? For those who have one or two here is an interesting article from lifehacker.com “What Else Can I Do with My New Ereader?”

• books – of course, it’s an e-reader so you can upload books (some books are available for free)
• use the internet
• applications

everything depends on what kind of e-reader you have: Kindle, Nook, etc.

You can do a lot more with an e-reader than just read books and with a little effort you can turn it into a powerful little media consumption machine.

 

 

 

Microsoft Surface Pro

How much are you willing to pay for Microsoft Surface Pro? Microsoft announces pricing and detailed specifications for Surface Pro.

Microsoft revealed that the Windows 8 (powered Surface Pro) will include two models:

• $899 – 64GB version (with a Surface pen)
• $999 – 128GB version (with a Surface pen)

Here is a list of some Surface Pro specifications:

• Intel’s 3rd generation Core i5 processor
• 10.6″ 16:9 ClearType display
• 1920×1080 full HD resolution
• full-size USB 3.0 port
• mini DisplayPort – can drive an external display up to 2560×1440 resolution
• will run current Windows 7 desktop applications – it’s full PC and a Tablet
• weigh: less than 2 pounds and 14 millimeters thick

Unfortunately you have to buy the keyboard (and that’s additional $120 – $130) if you want to use it for the fullest extend.

It’s hard to compare Microsoft Surface with other tablets (like iPad) simply because the Surface is more tablet/laptop device than just a tablet.

simply (the Surface Pro) isn’t competitive as a tablet; and, with the Touch Cover or Type Cover add-ons ($120 or $130), it’s not that interesting as a notebook. (source: ZDNET.com)

 

 

Cool Holiday Gifts Ideas – Part 4

Do you or someone you know just got a new smartphone or tablet? Maybe it’s time to get new case/skin/cover for your device as well.

Skinit device skins are the easy way to protect your electronics and personalize them at the same time by using a thin protective “skin” applied directly to the surface of your device

more information: Skinit.com

It’s very easy to design your own smartphone skin (see image below)

the right skin cover for your device _via skinit.com

Another website where you can find interesting smartphone cases is zazzle.com

Cool Holiday Gifts Ideas – Part 2

Cool ideas for today:

• iPad mini vs. Nexus 7

• Microsoft Surface – “torture test” video

• Unboxing the Microsoft Surface tablet – “first impressions” video

• Microsoft Surface vs. iPad vs. Nexus 10

Things You Should Do Before Giving Away Your Old Phone, Tablet, Computer

Do you have old smartphone, tablet or laptop? Are you planing to change your device soon? Do you know what to do with the old device? In case you want to get rid of the old device or give it away – make sure to clean all data first.

Backup your files/data, Secure format, re-install an OS, De-authorise DRM purchase – all of that might sound complicated. Makeuseof published 2 articles on that topic. They shared step-by-step guides what applications to use and how to clean your device before you give it away:

#1 “4 Things You Must Do When Selling or Giving Away Your Old Computer, Phone or Tablet”
#2 “Are you Selling Your Android? Here’s How to Wipe It Squeaky Clean”