(BPT) – Many working adults begin using technology from the moment their alarm clocks go off. From checking emails on a tablet over morning coffee, to sending out social media posts from a smartphone before they get into the office, technology allows people to be efficient and stay connected anytime, anyplace. This same technology is now playing an important role for individuals seeking alternative learning environments to continue their educations or grow their careers.According to a national survey from University of Phoenix, 87 percent of working adults say there are benefits to online learning. Another survey reveals that 54 percent…
Author: Brandpoint
(BPT) – In a highly networked world, information is everywhere – easier to access and increasingly exploitable.Today’s technological advancements make information both a formidable weapon and a constant threat – to the point that it has evolved into a type of warfare all its own. With this in mind, America’s Navy has a community charged with mastering the capabilities, tools and techniques required to effectively collect, process, analyze and apply information.Cyberspace is the interdependent network of information technology infrastructures, including the Internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems and embedded processors and controllers. America’s Navy has highly technical computer scientists and computer…
(BPT) – Technology can do a lot for home offices as well as small and medium-size businesses, but choosing and investing in the appropriate level of technology can sometimes feel overwhelming and time-consuming. Business owners and consumers alike sometimes overspend on technology rather than selecting the right tools to help them improve their productivity while keeping their costs at a minimum.’As business owners, we face the challenge of accounting for everything that keeps our businesses running,’ says Michael Spadaro, owner of Profound Cloud, a New York based IT consulting firm, and member of the Brother Small Business Advisor Panel. ‘One…
(BPT) – Cybercrime is everywhere these days. It happens in the dead of night, in broad daylight, in homes, hotels, restaurants and airports.In fact, due to the explosion of online transactions, social media and mobile technology, it can happen almost anywhere at any time. The good news, however, is that it doesn’t take a computer genius to protect yourself and your family from the proliferation of cyber criminals who are running scams or seeking to steal your identity.Cybercriminals victimized 71 million people in the United States in 2012, according to a recent report by the electronic security company Symantec. The…
(BPT) – Spring is one of the best times of the year for many reasons. The light at the end of winter’s tunnel, it conjures images of beaches, picnics, barbecues and more. For sports fans, it’s also one of the busiest times of the year. Professional baseball is just getting started, the playoff races for professional basketball and hockey are in full swing and, of course, the men’s college basketball tournament has people following brackets and games rather than working.There are many exciting games during the spring and, unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to catch them all. But you can still…
(BPT) – Choice is great, right? It sure is, except when the options leave your head spinning. Businesses have a lot to consider when purchasing computers these days with touch screen laptops, Chromebooks, Windows 8 vs. Windows 7, and choosing between desktop computers, laptops and even tablets.This may be the post-PC era, but if you’re running a business, you almost certainly need traditional computers to stay productive and manage everything from payroll to projects. In short, the line between business computers and home computers may have blurred considerably in recent years, but that doesn’t mean any computer will do for…
(BPT) – Whether taking the plunge and joining the smartphone crowd or simply replacing a tired old cellphone, buying a new device takes careful deliberation. From selecting carriers and avoiding contracts to deciding on a type of phone and a specific model, numerous decisions must be made to find the right phone for your life’s next adventure.In most cases, phones are purchased from service providers who offer coverage, plans and troubleshooting help. Interacting with a provider’s customer care agents is inevitable, so do some legwork to see how the industry’s players stack up. Publications like Consumer Reports will rate carriers…
(BPT) – With all the buzz surrounding business use of ‘cloud computing,’ you might think the concept of conducting business anywhere – on the road, in the board room, on a soccer field or in the gym – was a new one. But small-business owners (SBOs) have been working on the go for decades. The arrival of mobile apps has just made things a little easier for them.’A decade ago, an entrepreneur might have worked through her son’s Little League game with a laptop balanced on her knees and then downloaded her completed work when she got back to the…
(BPT) – What will be the world’s next big innovation? Whether it’s a cure for a disease that has plagued the world for generations or a new tool that makes life easier, one thing is for sure: science and technology will play a role in its creation. To encourage high school students and passionate teachers to step up to the plate and take on the challenge of transforming the world for the better, Toshiba Corporation, a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems, has teamed up with the nonprofit U.S.-Japan Council to…
(BPT) – It’s no secret that technology has changed how we live. From tablets and streaming video, to big data analytics and network security, we live in a digital world that impacts us every minute of every day. However, technology not only improves the way we live and work in the present, but also offers great opportunity for the future. The rush of technology advances and innovations brings a wave of career opportunities to those with the right training, whether your objective is to advance in your current profession or explore a new one within the many business sectors under…
The holiday season is always an exciting time for gamers. This year is particularly interesting with the launch of two new gaming systems – Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One, as well as a long list of titles gamers everywhere are feverishly waiting to play, including ‘Watch Dogs,’ ‘Assassin’s Creed IV’ and ‘Battlefield 4.’During the 2012 holiday season, 36 percent of United States consumers who purchased toys as gifts were buying video games, according to a Harris Interactive poll. This means hundreds of thousands of brand new video games will be unwrapped this holiday. The majority of games introduced…
(BPT) – With all of the advancements in home entertainment technology, there are now more options than ever to watch movies at home or on the go that fit your budget and lifestyle.When planning a family movie night, road trip or just a cozy night in, here are terms that will help explain some of today’s most popular movie-watching options:Blu-ray or DVD: Blu-ray discs offer advanced picture and sound quality as compared to the classic standard DVD, but both are simple, affordable options for those who prefer physical discs.Streaming or (SVOD): Nowadays, movies can be streamed via the Internet to…
(BPT) – A practice that was once frowned upon, many schools are now encouraging students to bring their own tablets, smartphones and notebook computers into the classroom to improve student learning opportunities. With the rise of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs, many parents are wondering how they can ensure their child has the most appropriate technology to help them succeed. The upcoming holiday season is a great opportunity to find the right device for your child.If your student has the opportunity to participate in a BYOD program this year, you may have questions about the program and how you…
(BPT) – Looking back on 2013, billions of Internet searches from around the world reveal it was a year of American songs, superhero movies, social media love, high-end designer brands, controversial sports stars, European getaways and fierce women.Search trends, found at www.BingTrends.com, indicate what most captivated people in 2013, including celebrities, music, movies, technology, fashion, sports, travel and more.According to Bing, the search engine from Microsoft, Beyonce, Tim Tebow, Iron Man 3, the royal baby and the Harlem Shake were among the top Internet searches that mark the most interesting people, places and moments in 2013.Most searched peopleQueen Bey not…
(BPT) – The shiny paint. The new car smell. Many aspects about buying or leasing a new vehicle can excite your senses.Once you are inside your new vehicle, you are probably asking yourself a lot of questions. Where will I put my sunglasses? Is the trunk big enough for my groceries? What does this button do?Chances are your new vehicle will feature some new technologies, many of which can make driving safer, easier and more enjoyable. To be safe on the road, it’s important to learn how these technologies work in your current vehicle or a new one.The Top Technologies…
(BPT) – Writing is fundamental to learning, and humans have been doing it since the first cave dwellers used the end of a stick to smudge drawings on the walls of their homes. Parents thinking of buying a tablet for their child may think touchscreen technology is heralding the end of writing for their kids. Not so, education and technology pros say. A new generation of ‘pens,’ designed for use with tablets and touchscreens, is bringing one of the oldest human communication tools into classrooms that have already entered the digital age.Unlike early styluses that forced users’ hands into unnatural…
(BPT) – We sit on our smartphones, toss them into a purse and sometimes, quite accidentally, douse them in the toilet. And that doesn’t include what grimy-fingered kids do to smartphones as they play games. Generally, we are not very nice to the technology that has become central to our lifestyles.’Most smartphones are pretty durable, but they are not tanks,’ says Iza Perez, a product marketing manager for Sony Mobile. ‘Smartphone damage is typically user-inflicted but they can be user-corrected just as easily.’Here are three tips she recommends to reduce wear-and-tear on smartphones to extend their life:1. Water salvageLet’s be…
(BPT) – While election politicking dominated the top 10 searches of 2012, this year people were a little starry-eyed when it comes to online searching. Miley Cyrus (No. 1) came into our lives like a wrecking ball and dethroned Kim Kardashian (No. 2) to become Yahoo’s most searched person in 2013.Top searches on Yahoo in 2013:1. Miley Cyrus2. Kim Kardashian3. Kate Upton4. Minecraft5. Selena Gomez6. Obamacare (Affordable Care Act)7. Amanda Bynes8. Jodi Arias9. iphone 510. Justin Bieber’In past years, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton dominated our lists,’ says Vera Chan, Yahoo Web trends analyst and senior editor who oversees the…
(BPT) – Tablets are clearly today’s hot tech device: shipments will reach 184 million units in 2013 alone, estimates Gartner, an information technology research company. If you don’t already own a tablet, it’s very possible you might receive an iPad, Kindle or Nexus as a holiday gift. Knowing a few tricks to get the most out of your new mobile device will ensure it helps streamline your life both at work and at home.Software concerns and solutions:The kingpin of tablets is, of course, the iPad. Most people use their tablets alongside their existing technology – so they complement each other…
(BPT) – Looking back on 2013, billions of Internet searches from around the world reveal it was a year of American songs, superhero movies, social media love, high-end designer brands, controversial sports stars, European getaways and fierce women.Search trends, found at www.BingTrends.com, indicate what most captivated people in 2013, including celebrities, music, movies, technology, fashion, sports, travel and more.According to Bing, the search engine from Microsoft, Beyonce, Tim Tebow, Iron Man 3, the royal baby and the Harlem Shake were among the top Internet searches that mark the most interesting people, places and moments in 2013.Most searched peopleQueen Bey not…