NOOK HD+ Review – Light in Weight and Low in Price

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Nook HD+ Review Specification Price

Four names in the list of e-readers – Apple, Amazon, Google and NOOK have been ruling the market for quite long. Some time or the other customers really get lucky to grab the spectacular offers by the manufacturers. For example, Nook UK introduced heavy discounts on the auspicious occasion of Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day this year. With the introduction of its newest range of 9” e-readers, Nook officially entered into manufacturing big screens e-readers.

The recent from Nook UK, the NOOK HD+ seems to be something interesting. Though NOOK HD+ is much cheaper and lighter than the original pro in the trade – Apple’s iPad, does this give the NOOK HD+ any advantage over the iPad range? Let us have a look at the product.

NOOK HD + Features – A Detailed Overview

Size & Weight

  • Weight: 515 g
  • Height: 240.3 mm
  • Width: 162.8 mm
  • Depth: 11.4 mm

The size of the device is one point to focus on. With this dimension, it is really lighter than the iPad – the lightest in the 9” tablet category.

Screen Size & Resolution

9″ screen size coupled with 1920 x 1280, 256 PPI resolutions seems to make it an ideal device to produce excellent image and video output – reading books, watching films and television shows

Processor

NOOK HD+ runs on a 1.5 GHz OMAP 4470 Dual-Core Processor. OMAP that stands for Open Multimedia Applications Platform is a series of image/video processors developed by Texas Instruments (TI) generally used for smartphones and e-readers.

Memory

NOOK HD+ is available in two memory options 32 GB and 16 GB. If we separate the memory for system use and processor, then approximately 28GB and 13GB of memory is available to store user content. However, separate microSD memory card slot is also provided to add extra memory, if required.

Supported File Types

File type support seems to be very impressive with the device. It supports the following file types for images, audios, videos and readers.

  • Image: JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP
  • Audio: MP4, M4A, 3GP, AAC, MP3, FLAC, WAV, OGG, AMR
  • Video: MP4, 3GP, MKV, TS, WEBM, AVI, ASF
  • Reader: PDF, TXT, RTF, XLS, DOC, PPT, PPS, PPSX, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, EML, ZIP, ePUB, DRP, ePIB, FOLIO, OFIP, CBZ, , LOG, CSV

Battery Life

NOOK HD+ gives up to 10 hours of reading or 9 hours of video playing. If the device is played with wireless off for an average of half an hour of reading time daily, it will run for over two months on a single charge; and the same for one month with ‘GlowLight’ on at the default brightness setting.

OS, Browser & Apps

NOOK HD+ is updated with Chrome; so it is faster and quick in start up. With the best Android OS and instant access to applications such as YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, Yahoo!, Hotmail and emails through Microsoft Exchange, Nook HD+ seems to be a competitive reader in terms of features.

Pros:

  • Low Cost
  • Light Weight
  • Competitively Featured
  • Great HD Screen Display

Cons:

  • User Interface
  • Average Design

Verdict:

NOOK HD+ had upgraded from its rest of the product lines in a very significant manner. With competitive pricing and user-centric feature offering, it can make a strong place among the users.

Price:

  • 16 GB Model: £129*
  • 32 GB Model: £149*

* Check for offers time to time

Managing your Digital Resources

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Digital Resource

In most industries, daily business operations today would be completely unrecognizable to the professionals of the past. Personal computers and the broader internet got this dramatic business evolution started, and now the creation of countless applications, by companies, programmers, and private users is pushing that evolution along even faster.

It seems as though with the right application, businesses can operate in whatever way they want, and not be confined by what the traditional process looked like. Do you want your retail customers to be able to check out from anywhere in the store? Do you want your employees to be able to access their desktops and workloads from home or anywhere else they might be when they need it? Do you need a quality or productivity tracking system that just doesn’t exist yet?

Whether you are looking for an application to change the way you interact with your customers, market your products, or manage your assets, with enough creativity (and/or money) you can find or build the perfect system to meet your needs. In most cases, if problems arise in business technology, they do so when you try to incorporate all of those different pieces of software and get them to work together.

Managing a variety of digital resources may be something that your business can pull off in house, but if not, finding a trustworthy and capable company to provide hosted application management can save you more time and stress than you might imagine. Companies that offer managed hosting will be able to provide you with public, private, or hybrid servers that can be as secure as you need, integrate all of the critical business systems you use, and offer access and whenever you need them.

Some of these companies will also offer access to a professional technical support staff to assist you with your IT needs, as well as backup your data and provide a system for disaster recovery, should that ever be necessary. These IT professionals will not only understand the purpose served by each application, but they will understand the way that each application functions and the way that it influences and is influenced by the other programs involved.

For daily operations to run smoothly, just about every business needs a system to track the money coming in and going out, something to keep an eye on inventory levels, and some means of processing transactions. You may also need a time clock application, shipment tracker, or compliance check just to name a few. Ensuring that these core functions are working at their best and that they are working together properly is too important to place in the hands of the most computer-literate twenty-something who already works for you. Unless you are a part of a large conglomerate with plenty of resources to throw at hosting and managing all of those systems yourself, your best option is most likely going to be hiring a company who specializes in IT hosting.

Author Info: Reanna Gutierrez is the Product Marketing Manager for OneNeck, which offers IT solutions to mid-level businesses across the country. Reanna enjoys writing about the way that modern business are adapting and growing into the digital marketplace, the way that consumers are being influenced by those changes.

Filed Under: Computer Tagged With: Digital, Manage, Resource

How To Make Sure Your iPad Stays New Longer!

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Though the ipad continues to be one of the top selling tablets in the industry, the device remains fragile. The cost of fixing a broken ipad can be almost as expensive to repair; as it is to purchase a new one. Luckily, there are steps that you can take to prevent major damage from occurring. Some of the best ways to prevent damage to your ipad include purchasing a sturdy case, investing in screen protectors, and keeping your ipad clean.

Invest in Screen Protectors

iPad Screen Cover

A common type of damage to the ipad comes in the form of scratches on the screen. These scratches can be annoying and alter the clarity of the screen. Having several screen protectors on hand can help you to keep your ipad’s screen clean and scratch free. Screen protectors can be purchased through the Apple store, online merchants, or your service provider. You should be careful to purchase the correct size of screen protector as the different versions of the ipad can have a different sized screen. The cost of proper screen protectors can range between $5 to $20 depending on where you make your purchase and the quality of the screen protector. Because the screen protectors are not re-usable, you will want to make sure that you have several on hand.

Purchase a Sturdy Case

iPad Sturdy Case

One of the most frequent forms of damage to the ipad is a broken screen or backing. Because the newer versions of the ipad are incased in glass, it is easier to end up with a broken screen or backing. Purchasing a sturdy case for your ipad will help you to prevent major damage to the glass that your tablet is encased in. These cases can be purchased through your service provider, a local apple store, or through online merchants. Typically, the cases cost between $30 and $50. Though the cost may seem steep, it is much cheaper than having to pay over $200 to have your screen or backing replaced by a iPad repair shop. When purchasing a case it is important to make sure that it will effectively protect your case. Though the design and color of the case should reflect your personal tastes, you should make sure that the case can hold up against the wear and tear of everyday use.

Keep Your ipad Clean

iPad Cleaner

Another type of damage to the ipad is caused by the ipad being handled by dirty hands. The dirt that is transferred from your hands to your ipad can cause the home and volume buttons to become stuck. To prevent damaged or stuck buttons you should purchase a cleaning kit. The cleaning kit will typically include a microfiber cleaning cloth and a compressed air can. You can typically purchase these cleaning kits through an online merchant, the Apple store, and your service provider.

Keeping your ipad well maintained will save you money and possible frustrations. By taking these steps to prevent damage to your ipad you are possibly saving yourself hundreds of dollars in repairs. Keeping your ipad in good condition also means that you can sell it for a higher price when the time comes to upgrade your phone.

Will 3D Printing Change The Way We Think About Food?

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Star Trek apparently has a lot answer for. Sub atomic food replicators and transporter technology are the kinds of fanciful futuristic technological devices dreamt up by science fiction writers penning their latest blockbuster novels. And yet, stranger than fiction tech already exists – it’s just a case of scientists and tech minds finding a way to make it work for the average consumer.

3D printing is currently an ‘all the rage’ topic with many champions hailing the technology as being some kind of second coming.

Every area of industry and mass marketing consumerism is seemingly fair game for 3D printing attention, and food is certainly not immune to the 3D printing treatment.

3D Printed food Nasa

(image credit: Fab@Home)

Mission to Mars

A whopping 78,000 applications were received when the Mars One project was unveiled. With an estimated arrival date of 2023 the race is on to find ways of keeping those hardy travellers in sustainable food.

NASA recently given a large sum of money ($125,000) to Anjan Contractor who is working on a prototype of his universal food synthesizer.

Contractor told how long distance space travel requires a 15 year shelf life for food. Their project is aiming to remove all moisture but keep carbs, proteins and micro & macro nutrients in its products. Essentially the foods will be in powder form and which Contractor says will give a 30 year life span to edible goods.

Feed the world

Space missions aside this technology may have a greater impact here on terra firma.

It’s estimated that by 2040 the planet’s population will have ballooned to nine billion and with food producers struggling to provide for the masses this 3D printing technology could be the saviour of our global population.

Contractor believes that as long as the balance of nutrients is correct then the powder derivative could be produced from insects, therefore alleviating strains on livestock and other sources.

Print-a-pizza

Anjan Contractor has already produced a pizza printer which gives users the opportunity to manufacture their own doughy creation.

Everything from the base to toppings can be discretely extruded and printed which will result in one of ‘mama’s best’ hitting the table.

For the masses

How this technology can be rolled out for the average consumer is still a topic of hot debate. Affordability, actually getting printers into households and the impact on grocery stores are all creases that need to be ironed out.

With backing from NASA though it looks like Anjan Contractor is taking the first steps to possibly ending world poverty. Time will tell how well the results fare.

Author Bio: This piece was written Computer and You as a contribution from Emco; a UK based 3D printer and machine tools supplier.

Developing for Android – 5 Programs You Need To Master Through 2013

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Android Development

Late last year Android took the lead over iOS in the great app race.  At 700,000 apps listed on Google Play, Android had more apps and has maintained that lead ever since.

The 2013 Developer Economics report reveals that Andriod continues to lead mobile developer mindshare, with 72% of developers now developing for the platform, a 4 percentage point increase compared to our 2012 survey. Notably iOS shows a 5 percentage point drop in Mindshare’.

So how does a developer take early advantage of this lead?  Better applications development tools of course.

The following 5 applications should give you a significant advantage over the core components through 2013 and beyond.

1 – PhoneGap

PhoneGap is a web app that runs in a native web browser view. It lets you utilize HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as all of the frameworks, like jQuery Mobile, Sencha, etc. Appcelerator is pure JavaScript that compiles to Native Code. PhoneGap supports more platforms but Appcelerator may give you better performance in specific instances.

HTML5 coded applications can be dropped into PhoneGap so for an Android developer, PhoneGap offers the most re-use and provides one of the easiest transitions from desktop to mobile.

2 – Appcelerator

Appcelerator is like writing a native application with JavaScript and the Titanium SDK and offers improved performance because they compile to native code.  It delivers the only platform built from the ground up for mobile applications development.

The Appcelerator platform represents an open, best of breed approach that delivers everything enterprises need to create versatile user experiences across multiple operating systems and devices with integration to with data in any cloud or behind a firewall.

3 – TapJoy

If you want to increase you applications revenue by allowing users to earn virtual rewards or premium content for engaging with advertisements in your Android, iOS and Windows apps, TapJoy could be the answer.  With 53% of the market, it is the leader in these types of applications but, the whole arena has fought issues and complaints about credits and values.  TapJoy is worth serious consideration if you think your applications are suitable for this type of monetisation.

4 – SQLToolPro

SQLTool Pro is a very useful SQL editor for developers. It allows developers with hardly any SQL training to connect to a database and run just about any customized query they can think of all with the convenience of being on a portable device.

It has a very rich list of features, including export table row data to a CSV file, customize-able queries using the query editor, full table listings of each database, quickly empty or drop tables from the database, blazing fast select, insert, and update queries.

5 – AdMob

Google’s AdMob lets you get paid every time users click on ads in your app and keep track of your earnings from the AdMob reporting dashboard.  AdMob, is currently the dominant mobile ad platform, adopted by 65% of developers that use ad services.

This article was brought to you by Acuity Training. Acuity offer instructor led, hands-on training from their state-of-the-art facilities in Surrey. Acuity offer SPSS, Excel training, Autocad courses and much more.

Recapping Your Motherboard

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Capacitors in motherboards

Capacitors are electrical devices that are primarily used in electronic circuits to store electrical charge. The construction of a capacitor involves two electrical conductors separated by a dielectric. The motherboard, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) holding crucial electronic components of the computer systems, contains electrolytic capacitors. Tantalum capacitors are used to filter out noise on the power supply lines. They are used as a part of Voltage Regulator Module (VRM) to ensure delivery of smooth regulated power to the CPU so that it operates correctly.

Computer Motherboard

Bad capacitors

Capacitor plague is a problem which arises due to failure of electrolytic capacitors. If the electrolyte used is poorly formulated it turns bad after some time and causes excessive internal heating. This heat in turn causes swelling of the capacitor and leakage of the electrolyte. In severe cases, the capacitor explodes.

Identifying the faulty capacitors

If the motherboard is having bad capacitors, the problem can be easily identified by observing some system faults or physical faults. The most common operational sign is that the computer and making memory errors and spontaneous reboots. Moreover, physical signs include irregular bulging of the peak of the capacitor, brown ooze and strange odor.

Faulty Capacitors

Recapping

Once bad capacitors are identified, they can be replaced by performing a labor intensive task. Replacing of motherboard capacitors is generally referred to as ‘recapping’.

Equipment required

The first essential step for recapping is to gather the right equipment, the unavailability of which may cause serious damage to the motherboard. Gloves, soldering iron, cutting plier, safety glasses, rosin core solder and required quantity of new and adequate value replacement capacitors should be available before start equipping motherboard with new capacitors.

Equipements required repairing motherboard

Marking bad capacitors

Next, the motherboard should be explored carefully for bulging or oozing capacitors.

Making a schematic

One very important thing to be kept in mind while obtaining the new capacitors is that they should be of the same capacitance rating as the ones that are to be removed. Before desoldering is started, it is required to note the direction of the gray colored band on the capacitors carefully. The best practice is to make a diagram of the position and value of the capacitors.

Prepare the board

There are also chances that bad capacitors may burst while removing so eye protection should be put on. Also, CPU, RAM, Heat Sink/Fan, cards and all such devices should be removed from the board. The board should be cleaned.

Removing bad capacitors

Once all the precautionary measures have been taken, bad capacitors can be desoldered. In order to remove the capacitor, its leads should be heated one at a time at the rear of the board such that the soldering iron is in contact with the lead and the pad around the hole. The capacitor can be pushed and removed from the board then. This process requires the iron to be hot enough. The holes on the board should be cleaned before inserting the leads of the new capacitor. The diagram should be checked for placing the new capacitors with correct polarity.

sholdering capacitors electronics

Equipping the board with new capacitors

The leads of the capacitors should be neatly soldered by feeding small amount of solder into the holes. Excessive care should be taken to avoid making motherboard connections short. Once soldered, the leads should be clipped at the rear of the board. Next, the removed devices should be placed back and power can applied to test if the process of recapping was fruitful.

electronics-motherboard

References for the pictures:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fixing-motherboard,1606-9.html

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-reapair-capacitors-on-computer-motherboards/step4/Adding-the-new-capacitors/

Android Miracle: A Smartphone That Runs A Satellite

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Android community has recently surprised everyone with the news of their connection with one of NASA’s recent projects, where ‘Nexus One’ Smartphone built by HTC, running on Google’s Android OS is used for low cost satellite manufacturing. The ‘PhoneSat’ project is primarily aimed at evolving the satellite architecture focusing more into NASA’s capability to develop low-cost, easy, and quickly built satellite technology.

smartphone in space

Well, hard to believe whether a modern day Smartphone can offer such capabilities required for satellite systems; however, Android apps development has made it possible. So, here are the features of your regular Smartphones that has made this project possible;

  • Unbelievably Fast Processors
  • Operating Systems that can do versatile jobs
  • Cameras with ultra high resolution
  • GPS Receivers
  • Multiple Miniature Sensors
  • Radios

Today’s Smartphones have capabilities beyond our expectations. At consumer level, we only use or are aware of very few of them; however, the capabilities can do miracle for technocrats, such as NASA has experimented with. Giving this interesting rocket science a pause, let us see what these Android phones can do more for general consumers.

High Capacity Processor:

Most of the out of the box phones running on Android platform come with powerful processors. This gives the phone the capacity of a computer. These phones are capable of doing almost everything that a computer can do. Robust hardware integration is key to the myriad popularity of these devices.

Dedicated Memory for Seamless Operation:

Due to dedicated in-built memory, Android phones posses super fastness. This is why you download and install so much of apps and are still able to work and play in a multi tasking environment. Minimum 1 or 2 GB RAM is common for today’s Android Smartphones.

An All-in-One Communicator:

Text messaging and Emailing have been talk of the past. Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Gtalk, and any other communication platform; Android makes it possible on your Smartphones.

GPS Navigation:

Android phones offer excellent GPS navigation capabilities to guide you on the route of your journey. Finding a landmark, any building or street, and direction to your destination was never so easy and accurate.

Cross Device Compatibility:

Android is a universal mobile device operating system. This OS is compatible with Smartphones, tablets or palmtops, desktops, and even high end cameras, Smart TVs, wrist watches, headphones, VoIP Phones etc. The cross-device compatibility nature of Android has turned it into the widely accepted mobile OS.

After the introduction of Android, the world of communication and mobile technology has undergone a sea-change. Android is the choicest OS for almost all major and emerging mobile device manufacturers. With the experimentation of its capability beyond the use of general communication technology by NASA, Android now opens up new vistas for innovators and product manufacturers. This is particularly encouraging news for consumers; as they will be offered more and more new and useful features with their Android mobile device.

Within very small time of its launch, Google’s Android has become the platform for all innovative products and hardware. With quick, robust, and regular updates, Android will keep its miracle on and on in the coming times.

AppleCare Protection Plan for iPad: Details on the Plan Coverage

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Apple Care Protection Plan

AppleCare Protection Plan for iPad is an extra, chargeable iPad care option offered by Apple for all its iPad models. Many times, users just cross their warranty period and their iPad encounters an issue, to rectify which, they need to pay. AppleCare Protection Plan for iPad is an assurance for all users who need to extend this warranty period beyond normal duration of 1 year. For a user, it is a natural instinct to go for an extension as most of them would love not losing their favorite iPad and its content. Well, it is a fact that very little percentage of the customers proactively diagnoses the various terms of the plan, its coverage, limitations, and primarily users’ responsibilities.

Here are some of the tips that would help you better make out this iPad repair plan. So, before you are heading for that extra buck, have a peek into it.

Plan Coverage Duration:

The plan coverage assurance begins as and when you purchase the plan and ends at the date specified by the plan terms. It is wise to purchase the plan at the time you purchase the device for the maximum additional benefits.

What is Covered in the Plan:

The plan terms dictates that during the coverage period, Apple would entertain servicing any hardware defect, covered equipment defect, and full telephone and web-based free technical support. Here are the integrities of the covered items.

Hardware Service:

a) Materials and workmanship has defects

b) Capacity of the battery to hold charge has depleted by 50% or more than its specification

In such a case Apple claims to either repair the defect or replace or exchange the material. However, the replaced material will be covered for the remaining of the coverage period.

Equipment Coverage:

This plan covers equipments (your iPad) and accessories, which were part of the original packaging along with the AirPort Extreme Card, AirPort Express / AirPort Extreme Base Station, and Time Capsule, which are originally purchased not before two years before the purchase of the covered equipment.

Technical Support:

You will enjoy access to phone and online expert Apple tech support resources during the plan coverage. All software and hardware related issues, such as installation, configuration, launch, troubleshooting, storage, backup, files and folder management etc. You can also ask for assistance in case of any error message encountered or to know, if any hardware service is required.

What is not Covered in the Plan:

One major aspect under this is that Apple may restrict the service to the original country where the iPad is purchased. There are some other aspects as listed below:

a) No provision of a space iPad while the covered one is under repair

b) Damage occurred to the covered equipment due to misuse, abuse, accidents, liquid spill, external causes such as fire, flood, earthquake etc.

c) Services carried by unauthorized service centers or from anyone, who is not an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP)

d) The plan does not cover theft or stealing of the covered iPad

e) Such equipments whose serial number has been intentionally altered, removed, or defaced without any written permission of the manufacturer

Take care of these points for more benefits out of your extended coverage plan. Knowing the limitations and responsibilities will enable for a smoother and quicker iPad repair process.