(NewsUSA) – With summer vacation winding down, the U.S. Census Bureau expects close to 80 million children and adults to head back to the classroom. Total school spending this year is targeted at over $70 billion with $8 billion for electronics. Emmy-winning tech and trends expert Brett Larson and host of KillerApps.TV looked at some products and trends that should be on the radar for back to school shopping this year. “There is an array of new tech tools that can help propel a student to a more successful school year!” says Brett. “Do your research online for not only…
Author: NewsUSA
(NewsUSA) – It’s summer. Do you know where your cellphone is? That’s not a silly question in light of new findings that more mobile phones are lost, stolen or damaged in June, July and August than any other months all year — with July holding the dubious top honors. “People are outdoors, active and so busy enjoying themselves that they’re not always as careful as they should be,” says Bettie Colombo of Asurion, the global leader in consumer technology protection services that spotted the spike in insurance claims. And with the “stolen” category alone having convinced law enforcement officials that…
(NewsUSA) – It’s summer. Do you know where your cellphone is? That’s not a silly question in light of new findings that more mobile phones are lost, stolen or damaged in June, July and August than any other months all year — with July holding the dubious top honors. “People are outdoors, active and so busy enjoying themselves that they’re not always as careful as they should be,” says Bettie Colombo of Asurion, the global leader in consumer technology protection services that spotted the spike in insurance claims. And with the “stolen” category alone having convinced law enforcement officials that…
(NewsUSA) – People today have not only a plethora of choices when it comes to playing video games, but also an inordinate amount of ways to play them. According to research done last year by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association that represents the U.S. video game industry, more Americans than ever are playing games on smart phones, tablets, and handheld devices and are changing the way they enjoy their games. To meet this need, retailers, indie game developers and software companies are spending millions to give consumers a more intimate experience by incorporating anime and lifelike avatars.…
(NewsUSA) – June is the month of dads and grads. We recognize dad for all that he does throughout the year on Father’s Day, and celebrate students graduating throughout the country for all they have accomplished in school. Now, it’s time to find the perfect gifts to honor both of these important occasions. This year, try skipping the usual suspects and opt for tech gifts that fit their style and personality. Emmy-award winning technology and trends expert Brett Larson has the scoop on five great gifts for every dad and grad on your list. 1. SunBriteTV’s Signature Series SB-4660HD. Dads…
(NewsUSA) – It’s usually better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond, or so the saying goes. Many of today’s small and medium-sized companies are trying to figure out how to make a big splash when launching or renovating their presence on the web.How crowded is the web? Well, according to Royal Pingdom, a global Internet tracking and statistics company, there are over 234 million unique websites. Many of these sites are expensive to create and costly to maintain while only being mediocre and containing no consistent theme or message.According…
(NewsUSA) – In the world of online gaming and interactive avatars, self-expression is limitless, providing people a new way to express themselves and escape the mundane. Regular people can abandon their daytime personas to don mohawks and spiked leather jackets as punk rockers. Dog walkers can be rock stars. Busy professionals can check responsibilities at the door and discover life from a different perspective.The chance to redefine yourself is the allure of social gaming sites like Sims, Zynga or IMVU — a three-dimensional platform that allows people to create an avatar, or a graphical representation of their alter ego, dress…
(NewsUSA) – From backroom meetings in Hollywood to studio lots in Burbank, distribution has been the buzzword for entertainment executives. Although it has been a long time coming, digital distribution — the downloading and streaming of movies and television shows to consumers’ computers, Internet-enabled televisions and mobile devices — film executives have turned a somewhat blind eye to the phenom. And this, says Peter Hoffman, CEO of Los Angeles-based Seven Arts Pictures, may be Hollywood’s biggest downfall, if not undoing. “Whether studios like it or not, consumers would now much rather stream their movies to their electronic devices than rent…
(NewsUSA) – As technology advances, more of our lives take place on our computers. Work presentations, legal documents, personal records and treasured family photos are all created and stored on our computers. Unfortunately, computer viruses eventually make their way through firewalls, or other breakdowns occur — and you want them fixed now. But not everyone has time to drop everything and haul their computer to the local computer repair shop! On-site computer repair is making it easier for people with busy schedules to handle tedious computer maintenance and repairs. Geeks on Call is a convenient on-site computer service and repair…
(NewsUSA) – In a social media powered society, instant gratification is something we have come to expect. More of our daily routines are executed online, be they personal or professional, so when our computer crashes so does our productivity. In the not-so-distant past, PC problems, virus removal and most other computer-related issues were resolved by carting your PC or laptop into a service center. This is not an easy burden to bear when time is of the essence. With immediate response in high demand, computer support companies have moved their services online, offering comprehensive tech support without the hassle of…
(NewsUSA) – Voice and data systems are crucial to the success or failure of most businesses. Many companies provide laptops, cell phones, and Internet connections that require expensive maintenance by internal IT departments. Paying for full-time IT services and multiple telecom providers may be an overlooked and unnecessary expense. A no-cost analysis of these expenses can save companies money. Geeks On Call (www.GeeksOnCall.com) has been a national leader in providing on-site computer support to thousands of businesses over the past decade. Recognizing a need for advice with telecom service providers, this leader in outsourced IT recently announced a new professional…
(NewsUSA) – The Internet is an important educational tool. With a click of a mouse, kids can find information on just about anything. Unfortunately, children who don’t practice basic Internet safety may expose themselves and their parents to certain risks. Children can easily stumble upon inappropriate content. Chat rooms have a reputation for encouraging Internet predation, but pedophiles can stalk victims from Web sites like Facebook as well. Many kids don’t realize that anyone can read what they write on the Internet, so they post home phone numbers, addresses, their full names or the names of their schools. Social networking…
(NewsUSA) – Whether you’re preparing for your wedding, chronicling your travels or running a small business, a website or blog is the easiest way to share information with family, friends, professional contacts or customers. With advances in technology making it easier to build websites, millions of Americans are figuring out the basics of web design. Others are turning to professional designers for help. What makes a website’s design successful? According to design experts, there are five keys to effective website design. These tips will help ensure that your website attracts visitors, encourages them to browse and — if you’re selling…
(NewsUSA) – In today’s economy, businesses are seeking new streams of revenue. For example, businesses that sell phone systems and computer equipment typically rely on new sales to generate revenue. But when potential clients cut costs, they’re less likely to purchase new equipment and systems with the same frequency. As a result, many are looking for steadier streams of revenue to tide them over between sales. Luckily, some businesses are finding ways to create new streams of revenue for their clients. On Call Telecom (www.oncalltelecom.com), a company that holds partnerships with telecom companies such as Paetec and Qwest, helps create…
(NewsUSA) – In today’s age of technology, voice and data systems are crucial to the success or failure of most businesses. Many companies provide laptops, cell phones and Internet connections that require expensive maintenance by internal IT departments. But paying for full-time IT services and multiple telecom providers may be an overlooked and unnecessary expense. IT professionals agree that a no-cost analysis of these expenses can save companies big dollars. Recognizing this need, such companies as Geeks On Call have announced new professional telecom audit services designed to save money for businesses of all sizes. In addition to their on-site…
(NewsUSA) – Most of the time, we don’t notice the engineered systems that affect our daily lives. That’s because they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing. If you flick a light switch and the light turns on, you don’t give it a second thought. If the light fails, however, it’s a different story. Some system failures are more serious than others. For example, you probably didn’t think too much about offshore oil rigs until the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a disaster that has wrought political, economic and environmental consequences that will last for decades. While…
Man-made and natural disruptions to air travel are all-too-often the norm. Not only can weather delay take-offs and landings, but new airline rules can also keep planes grounded. For example, if a plane is sitting on the tarmac for more than three hours, it has to return to the gate. On the upside, there are ways to cope with the unexpected. Here are a few simple tips to prepare for delays before leaving home: * Print copies of itineraries with the 800 numbers for your airline, and others that fly the same route, just in case you have to rebook…
(NewsUSA) – Looking to save money? There are ways to leverage great technology without burning a hole in your wallet. Here are some safe, secure options — all of them free — that can help make your computer more productive, useful and fun: * Firefox Browser: (www.GetFireFox.com) — Get onto the Internet with this alternative to Windows Internet Explorer that is compatible with both Macs and PCs. It is fast and secure and allows you to download lots of free plug-ins that provide information, social media integration and multimedia capabilities. * TweetDeck: (www.TweetDeck.com) — This free program enables you to…
(NewsUSA) – If you, your family members or anyone with whom you do business shares music, photos, or documents online, identity thieves could be downloading your information — including your Social Security number, home address and health information — legally. In any given second, nearly 22 million people around the globe are on peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks, where they download and swap movies, software and documents over the Internet. But users of file-sharing networks can expose the contents of entire hard drives to everyone else on the network. In April 2009, the Today Show found 25,800 student loan applications, over…