Bluetooth Speakers for smart phones

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The audio ability of most smartphones and tablets is pretty bad. You can, of course, hook up a pair of headphones or earbuds, but what if you want to share the sound? Or simply don't want to isolate yourself by shutting out the rest of the world?

In that case, you need a speaker - preferably, one that can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth and that can be easily carried from place to place.

There are a variety of Bluetooth speakers now available, many of which have been recently introduced. In this roundup, I look at five speakers that cover a range of sizes and prices, from the 30 Jam Bluetooth speaker from HMDX to Jawbone's 230 Big Jambox Bluetooth speaker. Because they connect to your device via Bluetooth rather than a specific mobile OS, they should work with any recent phone or tablet.

No matter what the size or price, all five have several features in common. Besides their Bluetooth connections, all are portable and are powered by rechargeable batteries. Each offers a certain number of controls on the unit itself, including (but not confined to) on/off, forward (to the next track), back (to the last track), play and pause. One of the Bluetooth speakers, the Sound Kick, even has a smartphone app that lets you control it remotely.

In addition, three out of the five Bluetooth speakers (the Big Jambox, the Logitech Mini Boombox and the Matrix One) also work as speakerphones should you get a call while you've got your music playing.

The HMDX Jam comes packed, suitably enough, in a glass jam jar -- a nice visual pun.

As befits its low 30 price, the Jam Bluetooth speaker is a simple, straightforward device. It is small and somewhat conical, and comes in six different colors, with a black band circling top and bottom.

The actual speaker is on top of the unit; around the lower rim there are volume buttons, a play/pause button, a light that indicates when Bluetooth is active, a line-in audio jack for headphones, a USB port for charging the unit (it comes with a rather short USB cable) and a battery status indicator. There is an on/off switch on the bottom.

I had no problem pairing it to my Galaxy Nexus smartphone despite the fact that the instructions that came with the Jam, while clear on how to operate the device, didn't have any explanation on how to pair it. Since this also involves typing in the 0000 key code that many Bluetooth units no longer demand, some explanation might have been useful, especially for less savvy users.

According to the company, the unit will last about four hours on a charge.

Unlike its more costly cousins, the Jam doesn't do anything other than play audio. The sound wasn't bad at all for something this small and inexpensive, although it didn't have quite the bass range of the Matrix One or the crispness of the Logitech Mini Boombox Bluetooth speaker. It can certainly pump out the volume; if you're looking for something that will get the neighbors banging on the walls, this could do it.

Unfortunately, probably because they are packing so many electronics in so limited a space, smaller speakers such as the Jam and the Matrix One Bluetooth speaker tend to have a slight electronic hiss underlying the audio which, while not that distinguishable at louder volumes, can sometime be heard during quieter moments. It is most obvious when you stop the audio feed, just before the sound cuts off completely

In addition, when you turn the Jam on, it lets you know it's alive with a loud and rather unpleasant three-beat sound that can't be adjusted.

All that being said, if you're looking for an inexpensive Bluetooth speaker for a youngster or want something that you can throw into a suitcase for a quick trip, then the HMDX Jam could be the right speaker for you.

Apple iPad 3 Examination Points to Consider Just Before Switching From iPad 2

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If you're going to update your existing iPad 2 to the Apple iPad 3 (iPad HD/iPad3), then perhaps you need to look at the below opinion of a few enhancements included in the latest tablet device from the Apple Inc. First of all, the pc tablet comes as the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi 4G versions. Thus, let's take a peek at below various other technical specifications of the Apple iPad 3 for your consideration.

Screen and Sizing

In terms of overall measurement and weight, Apple iPad 3 has the exact same height and wideness as compared to the predecessor but it now has the heavier bodyweight which may be a really unfortunate thing. This new tablet computer includes 241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4 millimeters in measurement and approximately 652 g in weight. The display measures the identical size of 9.7 inches but this now offers the greater display screen quality of 1536 x 2048 pixels and also higher pixel density of 264 ppi. For this reason, the display is going to be capable of displaying a lot more vibrant display than ever before specifically for game playing or e-book reading requirements.

General Functioning

You'll find that the tablet pc comes with the same processor of dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A9 but with the more recent operating system which is the iOS 5.1 version. Realizing this fact, there'll be some ideas to simply upgrade the iPad 2's Operating system because it is in fact upgradable to iOS 5.1 also. But the great thing is that the successor has the more recent chipset that is the Apple A5X and also the larger RAM of 1 GB. As usual, the tablet contains no microSD card slot, so the users will be given the 16/32/64 GB storage selection. There is also no significant change in the battery power since it will supply the identical stand by period of as much as 720 hours along with the talk-time up to 10 hours.

Camera Spec

For the digital photography necessities, the tablet pc has the more advanced camera specs as compared with the predecessor. This tablet provides the 5 megapixels (2592 x 1944 pixels) of main camera that's been added with the auto-focus, touch focus, geo-tagging, HDR, and also face detection. The camera can be operated as the video camera with the High definition quality of 1080p@30fps combined with the video stabilization function. For those who prefer to carry out a video conference, you will then be able to use the VGA front-facing camera however it can just be performed through the Wi-Fi network only.

Internet Speed

The Apple iPad 3 with Wi-Fi 4G uses the HSDPA (as much as 21 Mbps), HSUPA (as much as 5.76 Mbps) LTE (about 73 Mbps) and EVDO Rev. A (as much as 3.1 Mbps). This is certainly a lot faster internet connection when compared to the iPad 2 having its 3G-capable connections (HSDPA and also HSUPA only).

Cost

The Apple iPad 3 with Wi-Fi costs approximately $499 (16GB), Usd599 (32 GB) and $699 (64 GB). The iPad 3 with WiFi 4G costs a higher price namely about Usd629 (16GB), $729 (32 GB) and $829 (64 GB).

Benefits, Downsides and Conclusion

The positive aspects of Apple iPad 3 will probably be the bigger pixel density as well as display screen quality, greater RAM, better camera specs and much faster web speed. The disadvantages will be the heavier body-weight along with thicker body, same processor, no microSD card support, the exact same power supply and it will be more helpful if Siri has been included in this tablet.

Endless Music Fun with The Apple iPod

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Have you noticed how music has penetrated into our day to day life? Think about your last trip to the mall, a sporting event, grocery store or the last time your call was put on hold. Wouldn't it be awesome if you could listen to your choice of music instead of those overplayed songs? What if you could have your own personal DJ so that you can hear music on the go?

The Apple iPod needs no introduction. Having revolutionized the way we hear music, this portable electronic device is a favorite amongst all age groups. Whether you are a music junkie, occasional listener, frequent traveler or a fitness freak, there is one out there, made just for you!

The classic Apple iPod with its 80GB or 160 GB capacity enables you to store your entire music and video collection in your pocket. Click Wheel makes it very easy to navigate, adjust volume, explore the menu and flip through music by album cover. Equipped with a display screen of 2.5 inches you can watch movies and TV shows. An audio playback of 40 hours makes this an ideal travel companion. Plug it into iPod speakers or a sound dock and you don't need to invest in another music system.

In case you feel that the classic model is too bulky, then you can opt for the iPod Nano or the Shuffle. Smaller and lighter, this can be clipped to your jacket, sleeve or even track suit so that you can access your favorite music at your fingertip. Ideal for runners and joggers, the nano comes with a built in FM Radio and pedometer. With six different colors up for grabs, the multi -touch iPod Nano is a must-have.

If you are looking for a transportable media player similar to the iPhone, then consider investing in an iPod touch. The most exciting feature - Face Time video calling enables you to see your friends while you talk to them. With applications such as music, videos, photos and iTunes, this device comes with a flash memory of 8GB or 16 GB.

Remember the time you listened to music on your walkman? With limited space available on those tapes, having to narrow down your favorite playlist? Oh, and the constant rewind and fast-forward to listen to your 'song of the day'. Those days are certainly history. With the Apple iPod and all its cousins such as the Nano, the Mini and the Shuffle you can store thousands of songs which will accompany you wherever you go.

Apple iPad 2 Deals Still Hitting UK Streets

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Innovative devices of tech-magnet Apple are ruling the roost in the market, despite the fact that their sequel devices have started catching the attention of geeks. Albeit, much-anticipated Apple iPad 3 has touched down the UK market. Its predecessor Apple iPad 2 has not still lost its popularity, which was the outcome of host of amazing specs enriched into the slim body of this peerless gizmo.

Considering third-gen tablet entering the market, it's obvious if the prices of its old sib plummet. It's the reason, that iPad 2 Deals are even now also hitting the stores of leading UK carriers tempting the crowd of Apple fans, who aspire to enjoy its cutting edge technology without burning a hole in their pocket.

The best Apple iPad 2 deals are currently available on the Three stores, under which you would have to shell out 69 upfront and 27.88 monthly cost. This 24 months contract plan will also provide you free connection.

You can also opt for the T-mobile store, whose mobile phone deals for the same period will cost you 30.79 each month in addition to 139 upfront. You would also be getting the free connection under this tempting plan.

Vodafone store is offering this exclusive Apple tablet in form of free gift. You would have to pay only 32 monthly for 24 months plan. You can also grab this gadget from Orange store by paying 229 upfront and 34.54 each month.

The gadget has earlier proved the bestselling for the maker luring the heart of tech-aficionados via plenty of impressive features. It was released based on the iOS 4.3 operating system. Apart from this, it's equipped with 1GHz dual-core processor and Apple A5 chip thus letting you enjoy all the functions at super-fast speed.

The device also sports 9.7-inches touchscreen, which is made using scratch proof oleophobic surface and supports Fingerprint technology. Moreover, its 0.7-MP rear camera can record 720P HD video. Front VGA camera is nice for FaceTime video calling and video conferencing.

You can also store plenty of pics, videos, games and songs, thanks to the 512 MB built-in memory. In addition to this, the Apple iOS also enables you in reading countless iBook, Google books, Kindle etc.

You can compare the prices of various Apple iPad 2 deals by paying visit to online mobile phone comparison portal. Here, it's just like a child's game to go for the most lucrative plan, whichever suits your demands as well as budget.

5 Reasons Why Android Tablets Are Better Than The iPad?

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Today's new must-have device is the tablet. And choosing which among the many brands to buy can be a daunting task. A number of people think that Apple's iPad is the best since its launch can be credited to bringing the tablet mainstream, but a year after, other brands gave consumers plenty more choices. Google Android-powered tablets are now the top competitors of the Apple iPad. Although Apple was the first to launch tablets, Android tablets have become a favorite among techies and non-techies. Here are the top five reasons why you should choose Android tablets over the Apple iPad:

Size

The Apple iPad came in only one size, with dimensions at 9.56 x 7.47 x 5 inches. But now we have the iPad mini with the 7.9 inches display and thinner body. If you think that the iPad is just a giant iPhone, then the iPhone could count as a smaller version. Unlike the iPad, Android tablets come in a variety of sizes since they are manufactured by different 5-inch tablets are just slightly larger than popular touchscreen smartphones. With an Android, you can go bigger or smaller, an option which you can't have with the iPad.

Multitasking

Some Android tablets run dual-core processors, equipping them with more than enough power to multitask. Android 3.0's new multitasking panel is also easy to bring up and navigate, it also provides full previews of running applications. Apple has avoided this feature on the iPad primarily because of battery life and performance concerns.

Android tablets can also be equipped with SMS and calling features just like a real smartphone. Text on tablet by installing Tablet Talk, it's one of the best texting app for Android tablet. It allows your tablet to link with your Android smartphone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi so you can send and receive SMS through your tablet. With a texting app for Android tablet, you don't have to carry around two gadgets all the time.

Price

The iPad is said to be the rich man's option. Even the iPad, which was predicted to be Apple's move into more affordable tablets, turned out to still be expensive. Android tablets are definitely much more lower-priced yet are packed with great features.

No Syncing

The iPad, as well as the iPod or iPhone, must be synced with iTunes using a computer to transfer downloads purchased on the computer to the device. With the Android Play Store, users can buy apps on a computer and send them to the device without syncing.

Removable Batteries

If there's one thing that's irritating about the iPhone and the iPad, it's the not removable battery. If you want to get it replaced, you have to get a whole new device. Android tablets not only have removable batteries, some also have slots for memory card if want additional storage.

Give Your Photos a Perfect Look With iPhone App iPhoto

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Now you can give your photos a perfect touch with iPhone app iPhoto..

There is an excellent capability entailed into iPhoto for iPhone, trust it or be assured after touching it. Just by using your fingers, you will be able to develop a much shiner appearance into your photo, make a blue sea bluer, a landscape greener or smile shinier. From the instance you touch the screen, the scene will be completely changed and nothing will remain same.

Easy to handle, just touch and pick:

If you are using iPhoto, the phenomenal changes are too vital. You can create a flying color pic or convert it into a landscape or portrait. Also, you can choose the style of your wish by comparing a good deal of different designs rolling on the screen. Its playfulness, it's visceral. And you will not be able to help smiling if using it.

Multi-touch editing:

iPhoto entirely changes your experience of editing your photo, by giving it into your personal hands. The technique is so simple you will not need to be a master or learn any kind of tutorial prior to using it. Simply choose the part of pic you want to edit and then drag and drop various effects and slides convert a piece into a master piece.

Prime effects:

A huge number of predesigned effects are available which you can choose from in order to make your photo worth praising. Something dramatic, something exotic and out of this world. Choose any of the options and browse different effects to pick out which one suits you the best. Then just swipe, zoom or slide to modify any effect. This way, you have made the effort of hours into just a matter of some moments.

Brushes:

Brushes are there to give a more professional and sough out look to your edited photo. Modify the colors, the appearance and the background. Just use your finger to swipe the brush over the pick, adjust the brightness or use the sharpen brush to discover the good points. Or utilize the soften brush to smooth the hard lines and edges.

Photo Journals:

Satisfied with the changes you have made in your photo, now its time to tell the world what you have done. If you are still using the conventional methods of uploading the photo on web, you surely are missing a lot. Use the iPhoto journal to post it on your public profile. You may also tag the photo, specify the location or choose the style in which you want your photo to appear. Giving your family and friends the great picture gift was never so easy and handy.

From a huge collection of iPhone apps, this one is my favorite with a good margin, and will be yours as well once you learn how to use it. Practice more to become and expert and soon you will find yourself a good photo editor.

Are Tablets Better than Laptops or Smartphones?

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Nowadays, there are only three gadgets that are battling it out as the most essential everyday device - the tablet, laptop, and smartphone. These gadgets has come a long way since it's launch into the mainstream market through Apple's iPad. Criticized before by many as only a bigger iPhone, tablets are now more appreciated for its functionality as a laptop and smartphone combined in a compact form. Here are five reasons that the tablet is a better choice for mobile computing than the laptop or smartphone:

1. Portability

All three of these gadgets are portable. The tablet may not be as portable as a smartphone but it's more portable than a laptop. Most laptops need their own luggage to carry them around, while a tablet is small and light enough to be kept in an ordinary bag or briefcase.

2. Functionality

The tablet may not be as versatile as a laptop when it comes to functionality, but it is significantly better than a smartphone. They have a larger display to help you get your work done. Some are larger ones that can even match the functionality of smaller laptops. The tablet is definitely more productive than a smartphone as it offers features that a laptop can do but in a smaller package.

3. Less Cumbersome

Working on a laptop while on the road is difficult and not fun at all. A tablet is easier to pull out of your bag and set up, as it actually doesn't required any setting up. Meanwhile, a laptop needs a relatively flat and stable surface to set it on. It has to be flipped open to view the display or type on the keyboard, which rules out any use of it while walking.

4. Battery Life

Despite the size, most tablets actually have better battery life than laptops. Most laptops struggle to make it through a full work day, with some only running up to 4 hours on battery alone. Tablets on the other hand, seem to last forever even when used for a whole day.

5. Flexibility

A tablet sits somewhere between a smartphone and laptop when it comes to flexibility. They can fill the role of a laptop and perform most of the same functions,but it can also be more versatile and be used as a smartphone. It can take photos, shoot videos, allow video chat and conferencing. It can also be used as an e-reader. A tablet can now also be used for texting using the same number on an Android smartphone. Tablet Talk is a tablet sms that does just that. This texting app for Android tablet has become a favorite among Android tablet users. As a comprehensive tablet sms app for Android, tablets can be now be used to send and receive SMS with the same Android smartphone number of the user. It works by simply linking your tablet to your Android phone using Bluetooth or a Wi-Fi network. It syncs all your messages and calls from your phone to your tablet to keep it up to date. Calls are also possible with the use of a Bluetooth headset.

No doubt that the tablet is the ideal gadget for tasks that both the laptop and smartphone can do. But there are still a variety of scenarios where a laptop or smartphone might be a better choice. Consider the pros and cons of each device, and choose one which is suitable for your needs.

Apple Beats Expectations Launches Third Generation iPad With Lot More Features

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At the much awaited Apple product event in California, the third generation iPad 3 stole the show and garnered the attention of people across the globe. Contrary to the speculations made before the launch, Apple termed this ultra modern gadget simply as an 'iPad' instead of 'iPad 3' or 'iPad HD.' However, the event was meant for some more products coming from Apple, but the new iPad was undoubtedly something that made this event talk of the town.

The recently launched iPad has many new features and specs to talk about. Its improved features have qualities to become an attraction even for casual observers. Most importantly, it is run by a powerful processor and features a sharper screen than its predecessor, iPad 2. Moreover, this is going to be slightly thicker and heavier than iPad 2 because it has to accommodate a larger battery to supply power for its high resolution screen. The new gadget will have the ability to connect to the latest 4G LTE networks to transfer data with a faster speed than its predecessors.

The shipments of new iPads are expected to hit the market during March 16-19 if everything goes as per the schedule. In the first phase, the new iPad will be released in only 10 countries: the United States, France, Canada, Australia, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and China.

Prices for the new iPads will remain at the same level i,e, $499. However the versions that would be capable to access cellular networks will cost between $629 to $829. One more important revelation that came through this event is about iPad 2 that got cheaper by $100 to cost just $399 now. This is a strategic move of Apple Inc to regain some market share from cheaper tablets like Kindle Fire from Amazon Inc that comes at just $199. Apple had to look at iPad prices for reduction as Samsung Electronics and other full-size tablet makers have revised their price bands to make tablets cheaper.

The battery capacity of the new iPad has been improved with a larger battery. The backup is expected to last around 10 hours even with the new battery because of the screen with higher resolution. This battery would have lasted for around 17 hours if used with screens with less resolution. Apple says that the battery is 70 percent stronger than those used in its previous models.

Sharper display is one major thing to look upon in the new iPad. Apple said that the display of the new gadget will be sharper than any average high definition television. It features a super high resolution screen to make texts and images sharper, crispier and brighter than ever. This new screen will be able to show all the details in a high definition movie that were earlier missed out in iPad 2. Apple said that the new screen embraces an altogether unique concept to show deeper and more vibrant colors than previous iPad versions.

Since the new iPad has not been baptized with a different name it might cause some confusion in the mind of buyers. Confusions are likely as its previous version iPad 2 still exists but that could be managed. Same thing had happened with the launch of iPod as the new iPod was known as just 'iPod.' Now, it is for the consumers to figure out which version they are looking for.

During the product launch in California, it was confirmed by Apple that the new iPad will reach to the consumer in a version that can use the LTE wireless broadband networks of Verizon Wireless and AT&T. The 4G offered by these companies make data transfer faster than 3G used with iPhone and previous iPad versions.

Apple also revealed that it is updating some of its software so that consumers use the features of new iPad in entirety. For example, the company is considering to launch a version of Mac's iPhoto, a photo organization and manipulation program for tablets.

The new iPad is maneuvered to restore the lost Apple's market share in the tablet segment. The company has not entirely written off the iPad 2 rather made it more feasible for consumers by slashing its price by $100. Now it is to be seen how the new iPad is going to turn the fortune wheel for Apple.

Make use of All Features On Your Apple Tablet With Jailbreak iPad2

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The very first time when Apple launched its new device called iPad, everyone was amazed with its features and capabilities. Lots of people are still amazed even with the new version iPad2 with more features and applications to run. Many Apple devices are gaining in popularity such as iPhone. Unfortunately there are a huge selection of applications that one can enjoy but can't be downloaded due to restrictions from the operating system of Apple. With jailbreaking, it'll allow you to tweak the device and enjoy other benefits from it.

Apple is not a fan of jailbreaking that it has made efforts to improve the security against hackers. Jailbreak iPad2 allowed the user to download applications that have been restricted by Apple. Apple may implement technical counter measures against iPad2 Jailbreak however it cannot sue the jailbreakers since this is considered legal. Jailbreak iPad2 was a success that were put up with various hackers and they'll soon face another test when the new version of iPad will release and hopefully they will once again release jailbreak iPad3.

On the very first jailbreak iPad, this allows users to use various USB devices on their iPad which was nearly impossible to do. Because of jailbreak iPad, other types of devices like USB microphones, headsets, Bluetooth can now be used with your tablet. With Jailbreak iPad and Jailbreak iPad2, this allows many users to customize their tablets widely which weren't allowed by Apple. With this, users can enjoy listening to music and play games that were nearly impossible to do. In iPad2 jailbreak, this also allows users to save on disc space especially in movies. Ipad Jailbreak ensures that movies can stream directly from your PC to your iPad.

The iPad3 jailbreak is a new challenge to the hackers. Even if the iPad3 is not yet out in the market, many individuals are asking if jailbreak iPad 3 will be successful. Apple is still releasing new devices and every device gets more complicated for hackers to jailbreak it. However, with the number of professionals all working hand in hand at jailbreaking, it wouldn't be long after the release of iPad 3 that they can run the jailbreaking applications.

Built-in Apps in Macbook Laptops by Apple

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Macbook has created a good impact on the laptop market. Although Dell, HP and Sony are there in the laptop market since very long, they now do not have the advantage of being very creative and innovative like Apple is. Because Steve Jobs from Pixar was the CEO of this company, Apple has been able to get a hold in the list of creative gadgets making company. To be very honest it is on top of the list now. Not just this it has topped the market with the accessory business as well like Macbook cases, covers, iPhone, iPad and iPod skins, cases and covers etc.

The company has not stopped at nothing; it has also put an enlightening affect in the field of marketing apps for all of its devices like apps for Macbook users as well. Who knew that two years back the company, which had only 10% global market share in laptop market, would cover almost 50% of it now this year. The apps that have been marketed for the iPhones and you can download them in the phones and iPads are already built in the laptops by Apple. Some of them are explained here as:

iPhoto: Now you do not need Photoshop. The application will help you edit the pictures with the most amazing affects and the formats of pictures possible. The app is free to download in iPads and iPhones. If you do not want to download them, just take pictures from your devices, transfer them to the Macbook and start using the app over them to add effect and edit them.

iMovie: This is the app that has replaced the Windows movie maker, you can edit movies, make them, and also add affects in them with sounds and music at the background. This app is also built in the system of Macbook but is freely downloadable from iTunes for all the Apple devices. The iMovie will also help you share the movies on your social media websites like Facebook and Twitter.

Contacts: Just like the contact app in the iPad, this app is also available of the Macbook users. You can save as many contacts in the list with their emails ad their phone numbers. This app can then be integrated with Skype and other communication channels too so that you do not have to manually add people into such lists you want to call through such software.