Choosing the Best Tablet PC That Suits Your Needs

Cover of "Kindle Wireless Reading Device,...

Cover via Amazon

You’ve decided that it’s time to invest in a tablet PC. You’ve experimented with tablets that belong to family members and friends. Now, it’s time to choose the one that will best meet your needs. Here’s a list of factors you need to consider as you narrow down your list.

Cost

The prices of tablet PCs vary widely. You can pay as little as $139 for an e-reader such as the Kindle or north of $800 for the Fujitsu Stylistic Q550. By establishing a realistic price range, you can create a short list from which you can select your tablet.

Applications

If there are very specific tasks for which you want use your tablet that require applications, this may quickly help you identify which device is your ideal. While many think the iPad is unrivaled when it comes to available apps, tablets that run on the Android operating system are quickly catching up.

The Operating System (OS)

The Google-developed Android OS is extremely popular and is found on many devices. Many see it as an ideal alternative to Apple’s IOS. Those who are die-hard Microsoft fans might prefer one of the devices running on a Windows platform such as the HP Slate 500.

User Integration

Thanks to the ubiquity of Apple mobile devices, many people are now used to touchscreens. If that doesn’t meet your needs, there are other technologies available. Some tablets on the market such as the HTC Flyer Android tablet, are compatible with a stylus.

Reading customer reviews, experimenting with a variety of devices, and comparing prices will ensure you end up with the perfect product that will suit your needs.

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Technology at the Casino

Casino games no longer just consist of card and dice games. There are many gambling games which use technology. Video poker, slot machines, and pachinko are a few of these casino games that have become popular because of technology.

Video Poker

Video Poker at Bodines Casino, Carson City, Nevada

Video poker is played by inserting money into a machine. You then place a bet of at least one credit and press deal. A barcoded paper ticket can be used instead of coins, which is yet another advancement in technology. After the cards have been electronically dealt, the player has the ability to discard one or more cards in exchange for others. If a winning combination is made, then the machine pays out to the player.

Slot Machines

Slot machines are a computerized casino game which also uses technology. Slot machines use an electronic system to spin mechanical reels that spin and stop, revealing one or several simple symbols. If a winning combination is shown, then the player wins. The reels used on slot machines have been improved over time thru technology and are now virtual reels instead of metal reels. Computers in slot machines allow each symbol to have a different probability, making it a game of chance.

Pachinko

Pachinko is a Japanese gambling machine which is similar to a vertical pinball machine, without any flippers, and multiple small balls. The player wins if the balls land in winning slots. Pachinko machines have improved over time and were originally mechanical, but modern machines use extensive electronics.

Technology will probably continue to improve casino games. Maybe there will be something different at the casino the next time you go.



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How to Get a Good Deal on a Tablet

Tablet PCs are the latest, neatest techie toy out there. While you might not absolutely need one for work, you could also take the bus to work instead of having a car. What would be the point of having money in the first place, if you couldn’t have nice things in your life? Tablets don’t really have to be bling worthy of a rapper, though. You can actually find some great deals on some of the hottest tablet hardware, if you look carefully.

First off, you need to be able to identify what you tablets best suite your needs. After all, this is the PC you’ll be traveling with, so it should be the only technology you’d need on a desert island. While you might never find yourself stranded with just your own personal Wilson and a lot of coconuts, as long as you’ve got your computer it could be a fun little fantasy. Once you have your “island list” all picked out, you can begin the hunt for the tablet that will satisfy your every need.

Once you start your search, you’ve got to think in terms of logic. While a refurbished tablet might not be the newest and hottest thing, you could end up getting a very functional PC for a dramatically reduced price over what it would be if you bought it brand new. While the smell of new technology is indeed intoxicating, sometimes your pocketbook just has to override your desire for the sleekest and sexiest. The way computers are developed, Moore’s Law still applies. No matter how new it is today, it’ll be an 8-track tape player in mere months.

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G2x: 4 Cool Features

When purchasing a new phone, what is important to many people are the functions and features the phone offers. In a world where gadgets rule supreme, a phone that does nothing more than make phone calls is no longer enough. The G2X by LG is an Android phone that offers hundreds of features to improve the user experience; however, there are four that really stand out.

  1. The G2X LG Android phone comes preloaded with tons of games and has access to thousands more via the apps store. Games like “Need for Speed SHIFT” show off the superb screen, ultra-fast processing speed, and are fun to boot.
  2. The G2X has not one, but two cameras. The rear-facing camera is 8-megapixel and includes an LED flash and auto focus for crisp and clear pictures and videos. For video chatting, the phone features a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera.
  3. Like many LG Android phones, the G2X relies on Swype to make inputting text a dream. Type as fast as 40 words per minute with this intuitive technology.
  4. The phone uses the Android 2.2 operating system. This latest technology integrates seamlessly with Google services. Users also have access to over 200,000 apps through the apps store to completely customize the phone itself.

Be sure to take the time to carefully review the features and functions of any phone you are considering. You are likely to discover that the G2X offers the most punch, power, and functionality of all the phones in its price range.

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Best Cell Phone for E-mails

If you have a job or situation that requires you to have email from your phone, you want to make sure that you get a quality phone that will meet your needs. Before you head off to buy whatever phone tickles your fancy, consider these suggestions:

First, the phone must support email. Not all phones can do this or do this well. The phones that will give you good email support and coverage are phones that have data plans. This includes smartphones like the android or blackberry. A good example of a phone to get for email is the prepaid blackberry curve. With its design, you will find accessing and responding to your messages a piece of cake.

If you have to be writing many emails, you also want to make sure that you are comfortable with the keyboard your phone has. You will want a full keyboard. Don’t be afraid to test out the keys when you are at the store as well, as you want to find the keyboard that fits your fingers best. Ask yourself questions about the design of the keyboard. Can you easily find punctuations marks? Do you like how it is laid out? While you may have trouble beginning to type on a new phone keyboard, practice will allow you to become the expert at it that you will need to be as you respond to messages on the go.

Remember that finding the right phone for you is one of the most important things you can do in your phone search, as it will be your phone for the next several months to a year or more.

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Latest Gadgets: the Makerbot Thing-O-Matic

MakerBot Glamour Shot

Image by bre pettis via Flickr

Introducing the MakerBot Thing-O-Matic

The Makerbot Thing-O-Matic is a 3-D printer. Yes, you read that right. This open-source 3D printer can actually craft real-life plastic objects based on your designs. Dubbed as a “factory in a box,” this latest gadget has been wowing tech magazines and business owners alike. The next time you break a part or a household object, simply set the Thing-o-Matic to make a new one. Small objects can be crafted and printed in just 30 minutes. Here are some of the sample items that can be created with the Thing-O-Matic:

  • Bottle openers
  • Chess sets
  • Rulers
  • Plastic toys (soldiers, aliens, dolls, etc.)
  • Lunchboxes
  • Bath plugs
  • Model cars
  • Ash trays
  • Coat hooks
  • Curtain rings
  • Jewelery: bracelets, earrings, etc.
  • Elbow or knee pads
  • Bottles
  • Wine stopper
  • Knobs or handles
  • Building blocks
  • Glasses frames
  • Measuring spoons

How the Thing-O-Matic Works

First, download a template from the Internet or create your own with design software. Send your design of choice to the Thing-o-Matic via a USB cable. The Thing-O-Matic then sprays layers of hot plastic via a spray nozzle until the product is complete. Finally, a chemical bath removes any excess plastic created during manufacturing. It can create objects measuring up to six by six by seven inches. The machine uses three different kinds of plastic and takes about 12 hours to assemble. Expect the Thing-O-Matic to cost around $1300. Custom fully-assembled models cost around $2500.

Future Models: Electronics?

The people at Makerbot say that future models could have the capability to combine metal with plastic, meaning that homemade electronics could be the next wave of the future.

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The Latest and Greatest Accessories for Your iPad

iCade Cabinet

Image by Rob Boudon via Flickr

If you’re looking for the latest in iPad accessories (just in time for the iPad 2 release), you’ve come to the right spot. From practical to green to downright fun, these are the most-talked-about accessories to come out for the iPad.

iCADE

Looking for a fun gift idea for your geeky game-loving iPad user? Look no further than the ThinkGeek iCADE. This miniature arcade-shaped accessory brings the fun of vintage arcade games to your iPad. The iPad clips directly to the “screen” of the arcade game and the control panel hosts a joystick and several arcade-style buttons. Though the iCADE does bring the joy and nostalgia of Atari, it doesn’t act as a charging dock for your iPad (making gameplay limited). Too bad, too, because the iCADE would make an excellent novelty docking station. Expect the iCADE to run around $100.

Voltaic Spark Solar Tablet Case

Your iPad is great, but it does make you feel guilty about its negative environmental output. Wouldn’t it be great if you could use less electricity and more Mother Nature? Worry no more with the Voltaic Spark Solar Tablet Case, which uses solar power to charge smart tablets such as the iPad. For every hour the Voltaic Spark Solar Tablet Case is left in direct sunlight, it’ll provide about an hour of iPad run time. This could be incredibly useful for frequent travelers (find that patch of airport sun), green enthusiasts, or those who are simply sick of high electric bills.  The case can also be used to charge other electronics such as smartphones or digital cameras. Average pricing is yet unknown.

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Software: Adobe Lightroom Profile

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Icon

Image via Wikipedia

Curious about the new kid on the Adobe photo-editing block? Debating a Lightroom purchase? Here are some things you need to know before you buy.

Lightroom Versus Traditional Photoshop

If you want image-editing software, you want (or need) Adobe Photoshop. No software on the planet can touch Photoshop in terms of image manipulation. Lightroom doesn’t even try to replace Photoshop, though it does have photo-editing functions similar to those found in Photoshop. Where Lightroom really shines is in photo organization, especially for professional photographs.

Lightroom’s Five Modules

  1. Library. 

    This module is designed for basic photo organization. Organize your photos into folders, tag them with keywords, or view your library en masse.

  2. Develop. Here’s your basic photo editing module. Lightroom comes equipped with a plethora of tools and settings, including a list of presets for easy editing. For easy mass photo editing, pick a few of your favorite standard settings (such as a small boost in vibrance, brightness, and clarity) and create your own preset. The next time you upload 400 pics from your memory card, they can all be imported with the settings you’d probably boost anyway.
  3. Slideshow.As you may have guessed, this module contains multiple sharing and slideshow tools.
  4. Print. The print module is a godsend for heavy printers. Choose your intended pics and an image size and Lightroom does your layout for you. You can also create custom print layouts, perfect for collages or creative projects.
  5. Web. This module automatically sets up a virtual gallery for you, with multiple aesthetic options for you to play with. This will really only be applicable for users who utilize web sharing.
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Fun and Frivolous Gadgets of the Year

Sunny Mowing

Image by In A Flash Laser via Flickr

Who says gadgets have to be practical? We think practical gadgets are useful, helpful, and essential….and really, really boring. There’s nothing boring about these latest gadgets. Behold the most fun and frivolous gadgets of the year.

  1. HoodieBuddie. Perfect for the music-loving commuter, HoodieBuddie is a line of hooded clothing that come with earbuds built directly into the drawstring. Connect your mp3 player of choice through an in-pocket input jack. “But how will I wash it?” you wail. Rest easy, music fans: HoodieBuddie is completely machine washable (though you can’t put it in the dryer).
  2. LawnBott Robotic Lawn Mower. It’s a Roomba. It’s a lawn mower. It’s like a lawn mower Roomba! This little grass-munching robot will take to your lawn like a robotic gardener. It can mow over three-quarters of an acre by itself. Plus, the LawnBott Robotic Lawn Mower promises to learn your yard’s growth pattern, so it’ll know when it’s time to mow all by itself. Expect to pay a pretty penny for this lawn care miracle: LawnBott costs well over three grand.
  3. Outcast Junior Wireless Outdoor Speaker. This powerful outdoor speaker is the perfect solution for bringing your summer playlists outside. It’s wireless and weatherproof and can connect wirelessly to your mp3 player. You can also connect it the old-fashioned way through a standard input jack. This waterproof speaker has got a battery life of about ten hours.
  4. USB Whack It. It’s like Whack-a-Mole…but better, because it’s miniature and powered from your UBS drive. It’s guaranteed to make your work day less painful..as long as your boss doesn’t see it.
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What’s New About the iPad 2

SAN FRANCISCO - MARCH 02: An attendee holds t...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

While the world is still reeling from the release of the original iPad, Apple is already releasing the next generation in its smart tablet offerings: the iPad 2. What makes the iPad 2 different from its predecessor? Let’s take a look at the differences between the two generations.

Size

The iPad 2 is a lot thinner than the original iPad. At its thickest point, the iPad 2 only measures .34 inches. It’s a little shorter and a little less wide than the iPad 2, too. It weighs 1.3 pounds, whereas the original iPad weighed 1.5. Don’t let its small size fool you, however: the iPad 2 packs a bigger and faster punch than its predecessor.

Speed

The iPad 2 comes equipped with an A5 dual processor. This generation works nearly twice as fast as the previous generation and the graphics are heartily improved.

Color

The iPad 2 now comes in both white and black, unlike the iPad (which came only in black).

Battery Life

This generation slightly improved battery life, even with the faster speed, better graphics handling, and more intense applications. Even if you’re using it nonstop, expect to go several days without having to plug your iPad in.

Cameras

The iPad 2 now has two cameras, one in the front (perfect for conferencing use, such as Skype) and one in the back (for standard picture-taking).

Case Options

Forget the standard case offerings. The iPad 2 accessory offerings include a plastic or leather “smart case” that attaches to the iPad 2 via magnets. When the case is closed, the iPad 2 goes to sleep.

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