New Features to Look Forward to With Google's Android L

The new Android L has been officially unveiled last June by Google, promising a number of upgrades for its consumers. The new OS features some of the biggest updates since Android was launched in 2008. The Android L OS has a sleek new user interface, performance upgrades, and cross platform support. Along with that, improvement has also been implemented when it comes to battery life and deeper app integration across the board.

Let's take a closer look on some of the great features that the Android's newest OS has to offer:

New Interface: Material Design

With Android L, Google's OS line was given a major face-lift, and it's courtesy of the new Material Design. It's made to run on multiple types of devices, ranging almost everything from your smartphone and tablet to your laptop and TV. The interface now supports elevation values, real-time shadows and lighting that can make objects appear as though they are floating on the screen upon interaction.

The new OS also gets animated touch feedback by showing a quick animation that tells you that you've pressed an onscreen button, for example. Other animations also apply when switching between apps, giving the interface a more streamlined look. This is something that does not exist with iOS' flat interface.

User Authentication

Google's newest OS allows you to unlock your phone without having to enter a pin or trace a pattern every time. This is perfect for people who use an Android Wear Watch, which when turned on, will be recognized by your Android L device and lets you unlock your phone by a simple tap on its power button. If you try to move your watch away from your Android L device, it will assume that someone else is trying to use your phone and will then require you to enter your pin or pattern lock.

Improved Notifications

Aside from its improved interface, Android L also includes enhanced notifications. Users can now pull down their Notification's Drawer from the lock screen and double tap a notification to automatically jump to the selected app. In addition to that, it also includes a new Heads-up Notifications function, wherein it provides a pop-up notification at the top of the screen that you can respond to or discard without having to leave the app that you're currently on.

For example, you're currently playing a game and get a phone call, you'll receive a pop-up at the top of your Android L device's screen prompting you to answer or ignore the call, without interrupting your game.

Redesigned Recent Apps

Another makeover given to the OS is the Recent Apps menu, though it's fairly considered as a great improvement. The page now displays both your apps and open Chrome tabs in stackable cards fashion. For example, if you open Youtube.com in Chrome, and exit the app, it will show up in the Recent Apps menu along with your open apps. Google claims that this feature will make multitasking easier on your device(s) by allowing you to access your webpages without having to open your Chrome app manually. It would be nicer and cleaner if it were thumbnails instead of the stackable cards style.

Performance Boost

Google kept in mind to improve not only the software, but to bring increased performance to Android devices as well. The company also promises that Android L's new Android Extension Pack will bring PC-level graphics to mobile devices complete with tessellation, geometry shaders, computer shaders, and ASTC texture compression. In short, Google wants you to have a gaming PC-like experience coming from your mobile device at all times.

App Indexing

The new App Indexing function allows users to easily access their apps via Chrome. For example, if you search for a restaurant in Chrome and you have OpenTable installed, Chrome will recognize the app that's installed on your device and will include it in your list of search results. Tapping on the link will direct you to the restaurant's page via OpenTable. With this feature, you don't have to copy and paste information from one app to another.

Battery Life

Via Google's Project Volta, Android L is expected to bring some serious battery enhancements to your mobile device. It has a built-in battery saver feature that whenever it detects that your device is low on battery, the app can reduce CPU load, display brightness, and so on to help you extend its battery life. According to Google, this feature can give you an extra ninety minutes of battery power, which can be a lot especially if you're running on empty and need to use your device.

Now that you've learned about these cool features being offered by the new Android L, are you already excited to experience them yourself?

7 Apps that Add Functionality to Kindle Fire HD

The Kindle Fire HD is a handy tablet ideal for reading, gaming, watching movies and TV shows, listening to music, and much more. It has a lot of amazing features, but it still falls behind other tablet competitors when it comes to functionality. Here are some apps that will add functionality to your Kindle Fire HD.

7 Apps that Add Functionality to Kindle Fire HD

Alarm Clock Extreme Free

The Kindle Fire HD does not have a built-in alarm clock app. To add alarm clock functionality, you can download Alarm Clock Extreme free of charge. This easy-to-use alarm clock app includes features that prevent excessive snoozing to get you out of bed. It is highly customizable and will allow you to wake up in a manner that works best for you. It includes music alarm, random song alarm, gentle alarm volume ramp up, math to snooze/disable, shake to snooze/disable, nap alarm with countdown timer, auto-snooze, auto-dismiss, and much more.

textPlus

The textPlus app allows you to turn your Kindle Fire HD into a phone by enabling you to send free text messages to anyone in US and Canada. It even allows you to make cheap phone calls to any number worldwide.

The textPlus app can be downloaded for free in the Amazon website.

myCamera HD+

The front facing camera of the Kindle Fire HD is intended for video calls using Skype. To get much more use of the built-in HD camera, download myCamera HD+, which only costs $1.99. The myCamera HD+ app allows you to capture photos and record videos. It comes with 18 beautiful filters and provides photo editing options, including a timer. According to the Amazon website, the app features the following:

• 18 Beautiful Photo Filters
• Take Photos and Make Videos from both Default and Extended Camera Mode
• Image Enhancement for Low-Res Images
• Share Image on Social Networks
• Complete HD Gallery made for KindleFire HD & HDx
• Panaromic Capture
• View, Delete, and Share Photos and Videos
• 4 Background Themes
• Enhanced User Experience made optimized for KindleFire HD & HDx

Cube Calculator

Cube Calculator is a free app that is capable of computing simple to complex equations. The scientific feature includes math expressions calculation (RPN based), percentages (calculation discount, tax, tip, and others), time calculation, history and memory, digit grouping of result, saving state between sessions, and logarithmic and trigonometric functions (degrees and radians).

WiFi File Explorer Pro

The WiFi File Explorer Pro app allows you to browse, download, and stream information from your Kindle Fire HD directly to a computer via a secure Wi-Fi connection and password-protected web browser. It even allows you to manage your files between your Kindle Fire HD and your computer without using a cable.

According to the Amazon website, the app features the following:

• Manage files between your Android device and computer without using a cable
• View and send photos and other files from your phone via a secure Wi-Fi connection
• See all files in a password-protected Web browser
• Stream music from your phone directly to your computer
• Configure port settings to your preferences

The WiFi File Explorer Pro can be downloaded for $0.99 at Amazon.com

SketchBook Mobile

SketchBook Mobile is a drawing app that has 47 preset brushes and extensive color palette to help you release the artist in you. This easy-to-use drawing app features a wide range of sketching tools and gives you control over your work by allowing you to add up to 12 layers that can be edited separately and combined into a single image. Importing and exporting images to and from your Kindle Fire HD is made easy using SketchBook mobile. You can even share your creations via the in-app emailing option.

The SketchBook Mobile app is available for download at Amazon.com for only $1.99.

ColorNote Notepad Notes

A notepad app is a very handy tool for organizing your thoughts and managing your to-do list. Unfortunately, Kindle Fire HD does not have a built-in note-taking app. However, you can download the ColorNote Notepad Notes app for free to add this functionality to your Kindle Fire HD. The ColorNote Notepad Notes app allows you to create, manage, and share your lists and notes from your mobile screen via email or social media. It features a lined-paper styled text option and a traditional checklist option that can be protected using a password lock. Each note can be customized with a time and date reminder to better interact with your phone. Also, the notes created from this app can be pinned to the status bar for constant reminder and quick reference.

Hidden Tricks to Make iOS 7.1 Feel New While Waiting for iOS 8

Apple recently unveiled the new and improved iOS for your iPhone, iPod, and iPad devices — iOS 8. It is packed with a lot of amazing features all iOS fans will surely love. You can have firsthand account to all of these wonderful features when iOS 8 becomes available to the public this coming fall. While waiting for the public release, you can make the most out of your iOS 7.1 by checking out these hidden features that will make your iOS devices feel new again.

Number Key Shortcuts

Accessing the number keys while typing is not too taxing. However, there is a quicker way of accessing the number keys and getting back to the letter keyboard in a flash. All you need to do is tap and hold the 123 key, and then slide your finger to the number or symbol you are looking for.

Once you release your finger, the number or symbol you chose will be inserted and the letter keyboard will automatically return to the panel.

Built-in Level

The Compass app can be used as a level. Levels are invaluable, especially when hanging pictures or evening out a table. To access the built-in level, launch the Compass app to display the familiar dots at the bottom of the screen that indicates a second screen. Swipe your finger from right to left to display the spirit level.

Disable Parallax Effect

Any type of animation or moving screen wallpaper, including the parallax effect of icons and alerts, may look cool but it can put a strain to your eyes and will make you a little queasy. Not only that, it also drains the battery big time. It’s a good thing you can disable the parallax effect by turning on Reduce Motion. To do this, go to Settings > General > Accessibility, and then toggle Reduce Motion to on.

You can also go to Settings>Wallpaper & Brightness. Tap on your lock screen, and then toggle Perspective Zoom to off. Do the same thing on your wallpaper and you'll be good to go.

Improve Screen Visibility

iOS 7.1 has different options that will make your screen more visible to you. The Dynamic Type mode will make the text larger and easier to read on supported apps. Aside from adjusting the text size, you can also reduce the screen brightness, reduce transparency, darken colors, and increase the color contrast to name a few.

To adjust the font size, go to Settings > General > Text Size. Adjust the text size by moving the slider to your preference.

To increase legibility, increase the color contrast on some backgrounds. To do this, go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Increase Contrast. From here you can turn on the following to further improve screen visibility:

• Reduce Transparency - removes transparency effects on the Home screen dock, folder backgrounds, Control Center, and Notification Center
• Darken Colors - darkens all colors on the display
• Reduce White Point - makes whites on the screen less bright

Web Address Shortcuts

One of the things most people miss after upgrading to iOS 7 is the absence of the .com key inside Safari. You can still access the .com key by simply tapping and holding the . (period) key, which will display .com, .net, .org, .us, and .edu keys.

Shake to Undo Deleting Email

If you are using the default Mail app to check your emails, it is now easy to restore accidentally deleted emails by simply shaking the iPhone right after deleting the message. This gesture will bring back the deleted email to your Inbox. This hidden feature is similar to the Shake to Undo typing option to clear out what you have typed in the text box.

Control Your iOS Device Through Head Gestures

iOS 7 can use the front-facing camera to detect head movements to control your device. All you need to do is to go to Settings > General > Accessibility >Switch Control.

Tap Switches, and then select Camera as the source. From there, you can set a left head gesture and a right head gesture to perform specific functions.

Bring Buttons Back

The standard buttons where replaced with the text-only labels in iOS 7. Some people may find this a little confusing simply because they won’t know which area to tap. If you are one of those people, do not fret. You can still bring back the standard buttons in iOS 7.1 by going to Settings > General > Accessibility, and then toggle Button Shapes to on.

Noise Cancellation

With iOS 7.1, the noise cancellation feature became available, not only to iPhone 5s but also to earlier iPhone models. To enable this feature, go to Settings > General > Accessibility, and then toggle Phone Noise Cancellation to on.

Tap vs Scroll

Not a lot of people know that tapping the status bar at the top of the screen of any scrollable screen on the iOS device will bring you to the top of the page. Isn’t that neat?


For more tech tips and troubleshooting techniques, click here.

5 Steps to Avoid Being an Identity Theft Victim

Do you know how safe is your identity? There are 13.1 million people who actually fell victim to identity theft in 2013, according to Javelin's 2014 Identity Fraud Report. And with the Target and Heartbleed breaches, there's a big risk that the number will increase over time. No one is exempted from identity theft, which is why it's important to know what steps you can take to protect yourself from becoming a victim of this crime.

1. Be aware of who has access to your personal information

Over the years, we have given out our personal information to a variety of people and businesses such as doctor's offices, grocery stores, employers, retail or department stores. Even if these exchange of information are somewhat innocent, it's still important for you to be aware which companies and people store your personal information as well as exactly who has access to that stored information. Before giving anyone your personal information, ask yourself these questions first: How is my information stored? Who will have access to my information? What's your privacy policy? Why do you need this personal information? Once the company, institution, or person responded to these questions, then you can decide whether you're comfortable to provide them your personal info.

Aside from being aware of who you provide your personal information to, you should also make sure to limit the amount of personal information that you post on social media sites, as well as verify that your information will only be viewed by your "friends" or people whom you know in real life.

2. Monitor your bank statements regularly

It is also important to keep an eye on your bank statements when you receive them every month. This includes not only your checking and savings account, but also any credit card or investment accounts which you receive a billing statement for. Before putting them straight to your shredder, take the time to go through each statement and make sure that each transaction is valid and that you were the one who made all of those. Report any unfamiliar or suspicious transactions as potential fraud to the respective bank, even if the amount is less than $5. Identity thieves often try out the credit or debit cards first to make sure it's working before they complete a larger transaction.

3. Enter your personal information on secure websites only

Every time you'll be entering your personal information on the Web or access a website that contains personal information, make sure you're using a secured website. How would you know if a site is actually a secured and trusted site? First thing to check for is that the URL should begin with "HTTPS" which stands for "Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure." If a site contains this in the URL, your information is being encrypted, or changed into coding so that only the intended recipient will be able to view or access it.

Another way to determine if the website you're accessing is secured is by looking at the address bar and see if it changes color. Popular browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari has this feature wherein it lets you know that a website is secure by displaying a lock on the left side of the URL and/or highlighting the URL in green.

4. Don't trust anyone asking for personal information via phone or email

Scam activities are now rampant nowadays wherein you would receive an email informing you that your bank account or information has been compromised, and that the only solution to fix it is to click the link provided. If you received an email that is similar to this one, do not click on the link and mark the email as spam as this is a clear example of phishing scam. In addition, if you receive a phone call from someone introducing themselves as a representative of your bank, health insurance, doctor's office, or other institutions and are requesting some personal information from you, don't hesitate to end the call by hanging up the phone.

Even though it sounds like the email or phone call is legit, you should still refuse giving out your personal information and instead, visit or contact the said bank or company to verify if the call or email you received did come from them.

5. Protect your devices and gadgets

Aside from keeping your personal information private, it is also necessary to keep your devices such as your smartphone, laptop, and tablet protected from any kind of viruses, malware, and spyware. To do this, you may want to download and install a reliable Internet security software onto your devices to protect them from these harmful attacks and to alert you of any potential threat to your privacy or any information stored on your computer or gadget. For example, if you come across a suspicious website, these Internet security software will warn you that a threat has been detected and will take the needed action immediately before any harm is done to your device. Now, most Internet security software allows you to protect up to three computers for less than $100/year. For a detailed review of the most commonly used Internet security software today, click here.

There's no way to completely protect oneself from identity theft, however, by following this guide will help you reduce your chances of falling victim to this dangerous crime. Being vigilant and cautious is always the key to keeping your personal information and finances safe from cybercriminals who are always standing by on the Internet, waiting for an opportunity to steal other people's hard-earned money.

5 Innovative Ways to Use Video Apps to Boost Your Marketing Strategy

A website, especially if it is a business site, becomes more interesting if it includes a video content -- whether it’s a demonstration of production process, workflow, or just a creative compilation of photos of your company and co-workers.

Videos are quickly becoming a very powerful communication tool, which then becomes an effective promotion of various products and services. Many Internet users are watching videos, not just because they are informative, but because it gives them a clearer picture of the message that the company is trying to convey and that it is more entertaining while giving them the information they need to know, about "what's going on," as compared to simply looking at still pictures.

Videos also offer the opportunity to use sight and sound to connect emotionally with viewers via storytelling. Unlike reading materials, video content communicates passively -- that is, viewers simply watch and let the story unfold. Popular video apps, such as Twitter's Vine and Facebook's 15-second video capturing feature for its famous Instagram app, take a slightly different approach to video capturing, but both are packed with features that provide small business owners an incredible opportunity to engage with customers.

Because videos have the potential to transmit large amounts of information, every detail is critical. When you create a video that will feature your products and services, you're also responsible for every image conveyed in every second on the screen. Unlike editing a website or whitepaper, editing a video after you post it can be difficult (if not impossible).

From public relations to sales improvement, below are five innovative ways to use video apps that will help boost your marketing strategy.

1. Create a "how to" and inform your audience.

Video apps provide a great opportunity to create "How To's" that are short, informative, creative, and brings your product and services to life. Make an effort to brainstorm and develop a smart yet entertaining "How To" and you'll be rewarded with followers, sharing your video with their colleagues and friends.

2. Highlight your company's competitive advantage.

Compose a creative, short, and descriptive text that conveys your business' advantage and show the viewers the reason why you have more edge than the rest via fun flash cards. You can also have a one-on-one chat with your audience about your company's competitive edge, but stay away from a conservative suit and tie approach unless your industry requires it.

And by the way, don't forget to end your video segment with a call to action, giving your viewers a link to your website, social media accounts, or direct contact info.

3. Give a behind-the-scenes sneak peek.

To establish a solid connection with your customer, a behind-the-scenes or two will make him or her feel like a part of the gang -- it'll also enhance your customer's loyalty. A teaser or sneak peek at the production process of your new hot product, a funny office happening or an exciting contest all make for a behind-the-scenes footage that viewers would normally watch out for. It's also a great way to stir up a buzz about your company and its products and services.

4. Encourage social consciousness.

Thru video apps, you can encourage social participation and highlight your company's social practices at the same time. Inspire viewers to contribute to a cause, showcase your company's social awareness, and hold fund-raising events to aid those who are affected by disasters.

If you want people to join your cause or donate, make sure to include at the end of your clip a call to action that will allow them to easily jump on board (let's say "Like our cause on Facebook" or "Follow this link to make a donation").

5. Offer a demo.

A product demo not only shows viewers how the product is used or functions; it also educates them of its key benefits and features. A video demo should convince your target to make the decision to try your product, learn more about it, or share it with friends and colleagues. By the end of your demo clip, you may offer a promotional code, a link to more information or related videos, or a link to the product page on your site. Keep in mind that your video should establish a personal interaction between your business and your potential customer(s), so make sure you create a compelling script that will speak and make an impact to your target. Use visual and sound effects in order to grab your viewer's attention, and don't forget to tag it properly.

Making a video app can be fun, but don't lose the idea that it needs a purpose as well. So before you start rolling your video camera and setting up your Director's chair, have a solid idea of the purpose of the video. You may want to ask yourself and the team why you're creating the video, and what you are trying to achieve with it. You can also outline it to have a clearer picture of your video making project.

Video apps like Vine and Instagram can be a perfect marketing tool for beginners and even established businesses, when used properly. It's a great way to attract consumers, start conversations, and gain insight into the buyer's personality and needs.