Wanting to get a new phone-T-Mobile may make it easier to swallow the cost.

If you are a technology geek like me you are always looking for new product that makes your life easier and more enjoyable and… you just want the newest stuff! If t-Mobile’s service will work for you, then their offer to pay your early termination fees if you jump from a rival carrier might make that move a lot less painful in your wallet.

The bold move is the next phase of T-Mobile's so-called "Uncarrier" strategy. The company says it will pay early-termination fees for customers when they trade in their devices with T-Mobile and sign up for T-Mobile wireless service. T-Mobile said the total value of the trade-in offer to switch carriers could be as high as $650 per line.
Read more: http://www.cnet.com/8301-35284_1-57616868/switch-he-said-t-mobile-will-take-the-penalty-for-you/#ixzz2pwMZqWMd

Take a look at the article cited above but this really sounds interesting and makes one wonder how much longer the other carriers will continue with the overpriced/outdated services.

Audi shows integrated Android tablet at CES

Audi already integrates Google Earth into its navigation system. The Open Auto Alliance means a lot more Google technology will arrive, and at GM, Honda, and Hyundai, too. Audi showed a 10 inch Android based tablet in their console that would control both vehicle services and entertainment. The OAA is dedicated to using a common platform that will drive innovation and make technology safer and easier to us for everyone.

Audi did not provide details as to availability or cost, but the demonstration worked seamlessly. The tablet will likely coincide with the new TT model, which does away with a central LCD in favor of a virtual instrument cluster showing gauges and infotainment functions. The TT cockpit does not allow for a passenger to control infotainment functions, making the tablet a perfect adjunct.
Read more: http://www.cnet.com/8301-35289_1-57616809/audi-shows-integrated-android-tablet-to-ces-2014-crowd/#ixzz2pwImG0AQ

With an open environment like Android the case can be made for easier innovation to be delivered easy and quickly to your automobile. This will allow you to pick those applications that make sense for your use case, and make you car driving experience even more personal and enjoyable.

The partnership also could help pave the way for incorporation of Google's self-driving car technology. Even if that technology doesn't use Android itself, the OAA is a tight technology partnership for essential computing services, and that could make it easier to rely further on Google technology.
Read more: http://www.cnet.com/8301-35289_1-57616662/google-joins-with-gm-honda-audi-for-android-powered-cars/#ixzz2pwISjeSn

Scanadu–CES 2014

I have a medical background so anything that hints of futuristic health care devices catches my attention. The small device shown in the picture to the right takes 10 seconds to provide a quick vitals workup. This device plans to give you the ability to keep up on your personal health easily. The information is planned to be captured and be available to you over a period of time allowing you to track changes in these readings and compare them to your life changes. This would then give you the ability to see some cause and effect situations that might not be captured otherwise.

They wanted this device to be as easy to use as a thermometer but to give you real information. Watch Engadget’s interview from CES 2014 to get more in depth information.

http://www.engadget.com/video/5min/518078359

The new Linksys is looking a lot like the old one…

It is hard to believe that it is a full year since Belkin purchased the home networking division of Linksys from Cisco but there it is…

At CES this week Linksys is showing a version design of its WRT1900AC dual band WiFi router that appears to be inspired by the original WRT54G. The planned retail price of this unit is $299.99 and is updated from the old series of routers to support 802.11ac. It has four antennas now with a faster 1.2GHz processor, eSATA and USB 2.0/3.0 connectivity ports and four gigabit LAN ports. Maximum throughput will be 1.3 Gbps on the 5GHz band and up to 6700Mpbs on the 2.4GHz band.

The WRT1900AC is also the first Linksys router to include a Network Map feature designed to provide a simpler way of managing settings of each device connected to the network. Linksys VP Mike Chen justified the $300 price tag by saying in the announcement that the WRT1900AC "will be the most powerful router in its class on the market. We have spared no technology expense to make this router a prosumers’ dream."

Toshiba Chromebook

Now Toshiba is getting into the Chromebook market with a 13.3” Haswell system. Proposed price is $279 and will sport a dual-core Celeron, 2GB of RAM, dual-band 802.11n WiFi, (2) USB 3.0, (1) HDMI, (1) card reader port and 16GB SSD which puts its specs on the same level as most of the Haswell Chomebooks on the market at the moment. Some other models have up to 4GB of RAM but since Chrome is not a memory intensive operating system having a little less probably won’t matter. Rated at 9 hours of battery life will make this a very useful during a hardworking day.

Toshiba is hoping to differentiate itself from their competitors by offering a 13.3 inch screen as compared to most of the other units at 11 inches. The display resolution will be about the same, 1366x768, a larger screen will probably help with productivity. You know, as we get older, the bigger the characters the better. Weight is in between 11 inch and 14 inch systems being just over 3 pounds. If you are looking at purchasing a Chromebook this might be a good option. Should become available around February 16th.

Garmin shows off HUD concept at CES

Part of the I can hardly wait category of products that are floating around CES this week is this concept only item from Garmin. As reported by engadget yesterday this item looks like something that you may want in your next vehicle purchase…

Garmin's been on a real heads-up display kick as of late. Back in September, the company showed off a bit of dash-mounted hardware for $150 a pop. Now the navigation giant's looking, ahem, ahead a bit, with a concept targeted specifically toward automakers -- meaning that you likely won't be installing this on your own car after purchase. Instead, the system works with with a proximity sensor and buttons built into a steering wheel, letting you activate routes, check traffic info, change stations or start a call, all without having to take your eyes off the road in front of you.

PR: Belkin WeMo Products

WeMo LED Lighting, WeMo Maker to launch this spring alongside the Crock-Pot® Smart Slow Cooker with WeMo

Playa Vista, Calif. – January 06, 2014 – Continuing to evolve the WeMo platform of simple, ingenious connected home products, Belkin today announced a slate of new WeMo devices including the WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set and WeMo Smart LED Bulbs, the WeMo Maker Kit, and Crock-Pot SmartSlow Cooker. Also on tap for the WeMo line at CES is a revised Android and iOS app offering improved functionality and enhanced lighting features. Belkin’s new WeMo line-up will be on display at PepCom's Digital Experience!, on January 6, 2014 at the Mirage Hotel and Casino and will be on display at the Belkin’s booth, South Hall 3 #30451, from January 7-10, 2014.

“Since first launching at the 2012 International CES, WeMo has become a major player in the connected home thanks to its simple, scalable, and affordable nature – words not typically associated with the connected home,” said Ohad Zeira, director of product management for WeMo. “As the most approachable entry point into the Smart Home, we are excited to introduce new products and app upgrades in 2014 that will continue that trend, as well as grow our business with Jarden Consumer Solutions and future partners to expand WeMo’s presence throughout the house.”

Belkin's new LED Lighting Starter Set and WeMo Smart LED Bulbs allow you to control, schedule and dim your smart LED bulbs from anywhere. As easy as replacing a standard light bulb, the WeMo Smart LED Bulbs work through the WeMo Link and are controlled via Wi-Fi and the WeMo app. The long-lasting bulbs are 60-watt equivalent with 800 Lumens and 3000 Kelvin for a bright, pleasing warm white light. Fully dimmable, WeMo Smart LED Bulbs can be controlled individually or in groups. The WeMo LED Starter Set includes two LED Smart Bulbs and a WeMo Link, which can support up to 50 individual Smart bulbs. Individual WeMo Smart LED bulbs also will be sold separately.

WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set (F5Z0489) - $129.99
WeMo Smart LED Bulbs (F7C033) - $39.99

• Turn lights on/off or schedule from anywhere
• Fully dimmable
• 60W equivalent bulbs last up to 23 years
• Vacation mode automatically turns lights on/off to simulate occupancy
• Dim to sleep – gradually dim lights to fall asleep more naturally
• Warm white light similar to incandescent bulbs
• Works with the WeMo app, available for Android or iOS

The WeMo Maker empowers DIYers to build their own WeMo solutions by adding Internet connectivity to any device controlled with a DC switch, such as research robotics, motors, sprinkler systems, antennas, and more. A small module that wires into low voltage devices, WeMo Maker also lets you monitor and manage a wide range of 5V DC sensors from anywhere using a smartphone or tablet. WeMo Maker is controlled via the same free WeMo app as existing WeMo products and integrates seamlessly within the WeMo ecosystem, allowing you to create schedules or automatically control the WeMo Maker with sensor inputs. Deactivate your sprinkler system if moisture is detected or open the blinds at sunrise from Monday to Friday. WeMo Maker also works with IFTTT, which lets you create specialized recipes bringing the Internet of Things to your fingertips.

Also debuting at the 2014 International CES, the WeMo-enabled Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker is the first WeMo equipped product stemming from Belkin’s collaboration with Jarden Consumer Solutions, a family of household appliance brands. The Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker is the first smartphone controllable slow cooker, which allows you to adjust the cooker’s settings from anywhere giving you greater flexibility and control over life’s unexpected moments. Receive reminders, change the cooking time, adjust the temperature or check the status of your dish while you are away through the WeMo app and come home to a perfectly cooked meal whenever you want it, even if you have to work late or practice runs over schedule. Additional Jarden Consumer Solutions co-branded products on display at the Belkin booth include the Mr. Coffee® Smart Coffee Maker enabled with WeMo, the HOLMES® Holmes Smart Console Space Heater enabled with WeMo, the HOLMES® Smart Console Humidifier enabled with WeMo, and the HOLMES® Holmes Smart Air Purifier enabled with WeMo.

Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker enabled with WeMo - $99.99

• Turn on/off, change temperature or time settings from anywhere
• Receive reminders
• Timer calculates cook times and process
• Works with the WeMo app for iOS or Android
• Manual control option

Aside from growing the WeMo product family in 2014, Belkin also will upgrade the award winning WeMo app to include a customizable long press gesture for the WeMo Light Switch, enhanced sunrise/sunset rules to select a time before or after sunset/sunrise, a simulated occupancy or vacation mode setting and a countdown timer.

Availability
The WeMo LED Lighting Starter Set, WeMo Smart LED Bulbs Crock-Pot Smart Slow Cooker enabled with WeMo and WeMo Maker Kit will be available in spring 2014. The latest version of the WeMo app with the upgraded features will launch in February for both Android and iOS.

Belkin at CES
Visit Belkin at the 2014 International CES in booth #30451 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center or on the Web. To schedule a booth tour or an appointment with a Belkin representative, please call Leah Polk at 202-213-4464.

About Belkin International, Inc.
To learn more about Belkin, visit http://www.belkin.com/aboutus/. Like us on Facebook atfacebook.com/belkin, and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/belkin.

PCmover Announcement

Press Release:

Lately, Windows users have been discovering issues with using Windows Easy Transfer to upgrade from their old Windows PCs to a new Windows 8.1 PC. Microsoft has since come out in official forums stating that they are reducing support for Windows Easy Transfer in favor of promoting the cloud. This diminished support is seen through the incompatibility with Windows XP and Windows Vista users, as well as the ability to only transfer over data files by using only an external hard drive or USB. Unfortunately, this leaves many Windows users unable to transfer over their old documents, music, settings without a great deal of hassle and extra work. Programs will have to be re-downloaded and installed, serial numbers will need to be dug up, and the transfer process will be a long, grueling one. With support for Windows XP ending this April, many XP users will be looking to make the upgrade to Windows 8.1, but won’t find any help in getting there.

Laplink is aware of customers’ concerns over upgrading or migrating to a new PC and is now offering PCmover Home for free to any user moving from a Windows XP to Windows 8.1. We’re also offering several discounts to help alleviate Windows users’ worries over upgrading. Attached you’ll find our press release, where you can find more information on how PCmover is providing the solution to the Windows Easy Transfer Problem.

Use Windows Easy Transfer over a network to migrate from XP to Windows 8

This hand article from TechRepublic discusses the use of Windows 8’s Windows Easy Transfer tool. If you are planning the big move before Windows XP’s support vanishes next April then this may be helpful to you. While not 100% this will help with the process. One of the drawbacks of using this tool is that it does not transfer applications.This means that you will have to manually reinstall those applications that you are using to access the data.

Another product available out there for you to use is a program from LapLink called LapLink PCmover that we have had pretty good luck with migrating not only your settings and data but also most of your applications. This is very handy and if you wish to purchase a copy for yourself it only costs $59.95. So if you are ready to make the big move to either Windows 7 or 8 from your XP machine this may be a product you’ll want to add to your toolbox.

• Easy-to-Use Wizard
• Now Includes Free Transfer Assistance!
• Set it and Forget it
• Undo Feature
• Complete Selectivity
• Multiple Transfer Scenarios
• User Profile Selectivity

Photos of the Day: LA students get iPads, crack firewall, play games

This is an interesting article from John Rogers of Associated Press. I picked it up from ECN  but it discusses the issues with the iPad roll out in the Los Angeles public school district. They are planning on putting iPads into the hands of their 650,000 students but apparently have not put much thought into security and locking down the devices for what they were intended for. See the full article here.

This is not the only issue that these implementations bring to a head as more and more schools are allowing for wireless connections within their facilities from BYOD (bring your own device) policies. Congestion and control of what is being accessed is also an issue and needs to be addressed as well. Several of the companies that we have partnered with provides us with Best of Class products to implement this kind of control.

Talk to your PAConnect Representative about how we can help you design a system for you.

Lexmark Printer Promotion

Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom CC Deal

Everyone seems to be migrating towards monthly revenue models and Adobe is one of the leaders with this model. Adobe’s Creative Cloud (CC) has been available for a while now and if you are CS3 or higher owner you are eligible are eligible for a special Creative Cloud membership offer that includes all of the following for just $9.99/month: Photoshop CC, Lightroom 5, 20 GB of online storage, Behance ProSite, access to Creative Cloud training resources, and ongoing upgrades and updates. To be clear, $9.99 is not an introductory price. It is the price for those who sign up by December 31, 2013. This offer will be available the week of September 16th at the same time we introduce the new version of Lightroom 5.2. 

I haven’t seen it populate their site yet but keep you eyes open for this to become available. For those of you who only need Photoshop and Lightroom this is a very good deal. Normally Photoshop alone is $19.99/month but to have all of this bundled together for half the price it is hard to beat the price.

Nexus 7 - 2013

My Nexus 7 died again for the third time so Google agreed to refund my money, took about two weeks for the credit to show up, and I used the credit towards buying a newer model of the Nexus 7. The two biggest differences that I have seen so far is the much better screen display and something I really wish the first generation had, a rear-facing camera. The stereo speakers seem a little louder to me and I was very impressed with how easily it moved all of my programs over to it from my Google account. Of course login’s and passwords didn’t come over but the most of the programs that I use did.

There were three models to choose from. The first two are Wi-Fi only and are differentiated by memory (16gb or 32gb) and the third is 32gb, LTE (T-Mobile) and Wi-Fi. I chose the 32gb Wi-Fi only for my updated unit, first I wanted to make sure I had as much room on it as possible and these days I am not getting anything but Wi-Fi since I have both a Verizon hotspot that I carry around with me and my phone (AT&T) will tether as a hotspot as well. While a little more expensive than the generation 1 version the addition of the camera makes a big difference to me and the way that I plan to use it. It is important to me as a work device to help me document site surveys but the absence of the ability to add external memory cards or USB sticks to it is the one thing that would really have liked to see included that was not.

I am impressed with the graphics, everything is much crisper and the sound coming from the stereo speakers seem adequate for personal use. While I haven’t directly timed battery life as of yet, it seems fairly decent. We streamed one of our audio shows for about 4 hours yesterday and at the end it showed about 43% battery life still available. When you consider that was coming over Wi-Fi the whole time and connecting to a Bluetooth speaker for it’s output that seems to be pretty good with that much over the air wireless activity. It feels a little heavier to me and also feels more substantial as compared to the earlier version. I’m sure the battery has something to do with the weight (.64 lbs.) but  it feels like a better quality machine then the first generation.

First impression: You see nothing but smiles from me. I’ll report back with more info as I use it more.

I’m back!

Sorry that I have so quiet for the past month. I had been using my early morning  hours to do my research and writing but lately I have taken to the small screens and either catching up on some old TV shows and/or working on our service board and email to get an early start on the day’s work. Also, a couple of games have become part of my morning and evening rituals and I have had to delete them because they had become so addicting. So, hopefully I am back and will be writing about some of my new additions of hardware that I have acquired and am exploring.

Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 support ends April 8, 2014. So, what does this mean to you?

Those of us in business environments are going to be the most affected, especially if you are in industries that require your company to maintain certain compliancy's. CPA firms, Law Firms, Banking and other Financial Institutions, Investment Advisors, Medical Offices and other facilities. If you fall under HIPPA requirements this is going to be an issue for you.

But are these the only issues? No! Software companies are constantly updating their software and they are going to stop support of their software on XP based systems. They will not want to expose themselves to the exploits that will become rampant after the end of support by Microsoft. But it isn’t going to be just software but also hardware manufacturers will also stop creating drivers for the products to be supported on this older technology. We have seen it with every discontinued Microsoft Operating System. So begin thinking about want you are going to do to get yourself up to date before it is too late.

The DOJ is poised to really slap Apple for its eBook price fixing case

The terms of the proposed settlement in the Apple e-book price fixing case were published on Friday by the Justice Department. An article by Neil Hughes posted at www.appleinsider.com stated that:

The DOJ said the change would allow consumers on the iPad and iPhone to "easily compare Apple's prices with those of its competitors." Currently, Apple takes a 30 percent cut of all in-app purchases made through App Store software, and does not allow developers to circumvent this rule by linking to a website for purchases.

According to the DOJ statement:

"Under the department’s proposed order, Apple's illegal conduct will cease and Apple and its senior executives will be prevented from conspiring to thwart competition in the future." - Bill Baer, assistant attorney general in charge of the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division”

The result of this would be that Apple would be required to terminate its existing e-book agreements with the (5) major publishers that were originally cited for conspiring to fix prices. Those publishers were Simon & Schuster, Hachette Book Group,  Macmillan, Penguin Group, and HarperCollins Publishers. This settlement may also include other digital media products that Apple sells as well including music, movies, television, etc…

It will interesting if the proposal made public on Friday will be approved by the court but if it is, there could be some serious ramifications to Apple in the near future hitting them directly on the bottom line.

How Windows knows it has an internet connection

Matt sent this link out to us and I thought that it was so good I just had to make it available. It is an interesting article describing the behind the scenes working of what the Wi-Fi connection services is doing when connecting you to a Wi-Fi access point. For us, this works so wondrously that we don’t ever give it a second thought but it is always nice to have a little more information at your fingertips because you never know when you might need it.

Read Article Here

Getting a Grip on Mobile Malware

View this on-demand webcast to understand how and why the popularity of Android devices makes them an increasingly attractive target for malware writers. You’ll also learn what you can do to keep mobile malware at bay.

View this video

5 Tips for Securing Your Wireless Network

Balancing security, manageability and accessibility for employees and guests

Setting up security for the wireless router in your basement is easy. But securing wireless networks in a business environment is much more demanding.

This whitepaper offers best practices that help administrators go beyond the basics of wireless security to provide advanced security, manageability and accessibility. We also show how Sophos UTM Wireless Protection helps address these issues.

Download the whitepaper

Camtasia Studio Tutorial: Stitching Essentials

Stitching, new in Camtasia Studio 8.1, fixes a problem we'd been hearing about from quite a few customers. Previously, when you made cuts from a video to get rid of unwanted footage, you'd end up with two distinct video clips. Two clips that act independently from one another could be useful in some cases, but if you wanted to add in animations or visual properties that carried over, you'd have to duplicate quite a bit of work.

Now, when you make cuts from your videos, the two clips that result will be automatically stitched together. Stitched clips are treated as one piece of media. That means your transitions will flow seamlessly across the timeline making your videos even more stellar.

Watch the full tutorial to see what else you can do with stitching.

Watch the Video »