3 Best Headphones For Your Daily Use

 When it comes to purchasing workout gear there are three things to look for: comfort, performance and durability. And finding the perfect headphones are just as important as wearing the right sneakers.

Polk Audio UltraFit 500 Sports Headphones

According to the American Council on Exercise, “important factors to consider when selecting headphones include fit, acoustics, portability, compatibility with your music player and if they stay on while you are exercising.” Another important factor is the material of earbud covering: I’ve found earbuds that have a rubberized covering instead of the flimsy material which always seems to disintegrate after sweaty workouts.

With lots of different headphones on the market, here’s what you need to know to find the perfect style for your workout:

Running A lot of runners gravitate towards over-the-ear style headphones like the UltraFit collection from Polk Audio (Starting at $40; Yahoo! Shopping) and Yurbuds’s Ironman Endure ($29.99). This style helps keep the ear buds in place. However, sometimes I’ll pick up a bouncing sound. The Sennheiser sport neckband headphones ($59.99, sennheiserusa.com) received rave reviews on fit, durability and ease of wear on a few running discussion boards I occasionally read for advice. My current running headphones of choice are the flat, blinged-out jazz buds earbuds (meaning they are placed over, not in, the ear canal) from BodyRock Sport ($16).

H2O Audio’s Surge Pro Courtesy H20 Audio Swimming Listening to your playlist underwater is possible. While you’ll have to find a water-proof covering for you music device, there are plenty of headphones designed for water aerobics, swimming ortriathlons. H2O Audio’s Surge Pro headphones(Starting at $52; Yahoo! Shopping), are designed to handle submersion up to 12 feet (or just an extra sweaty workout). These headphones use a canal bud style meaning the earbuds go directly into the ear canal. While this style tends to produce exactly sound quality, you have to be extra careful with volume levels. Another waterproof option, FINIS: SwimMP3, a waterproof MP3 player which transfer sound through patented bone-conduction sound transfer technology… meaning no ear buds at all ($159.99)

Zippearz Nouveau Ear Buds zippearz.com Pro Pick Tony Horton of P90X loves the sound quality and comfort level of Zippearz Nouveau Ear Buds (he talks about them on his curated Opensky shop). It's the first ear bud style to offer bass and treble controls (so you can play DJ mid-workout!) and comes with three different sized ear gels as well as an adjustable ear loop to make a customized fit. To help combat hearing loss, the 60/60 rule is a popular mantra to follow: Don't listen to music above 60 percent of max volume and limit music-listening sessions to 60 minutes. Look for noise-cancelling headphones--they block outside noises so you don't have to crank up the volume as much to hear your music.  Source: Self.com

Six Important Startup Trends that Defined 2011

 Startups have an inherently predictive quality. As the innovation engines of the economy, what startups figured out in 2011 will likely appear on other sectors’ trend lists in 2012.

And if they don’t, they’ll be replaced quickly. For instance, in 2011 group messaging manage to take off — with more new companies than we could count — and all but shut down, as the startups with most traction were scooped up and repurposed by giant companies.

Things change quickly in the startup world, which makes for trends more exciting and more distinct than any other industry.

These six trends in particular stood out to us in 2011. Let us know what you’d add to the list in the comments below.

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1. The Evolution of the Checkin

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Startups that once counted on location-based checkins becoming mainstream quietly hung their hopes elsewhere this year. Foursquare became more like Yelp with a revamped website that focuses on discovery.SCAVNGR launched a payment app called LevelUp that has nothing to do with checking in. And Facebook Places dropped its Deals feature, becoming a location-tagging service for other content. Brightkite, the company that pioneered the place checkin, pivoted from checkins to group messaging in late 2010.

The checkin isn’t dead — it’s changing. Several startups embraced the idea of the preemptive checkin. Companies such as Hotlist and Ditto encourage people to broadcast not what they’re doing, but what they aregoing to do — while there is still time to adjust, based on friends’ plans and merchants’ deals.

Other startups innovated on the implicit checkin. An iPhone app called Arrived, for instance, lets selected friends know when you arrive at certain places, no checkin required. LevelUp uses payment as a checkin, presenting merchants the opportunity to reward loyal customers.

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2. The Rise and Fall of Independent Group Messaging Apps

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The chatter surrounding group messaging apps at South by Southwest was so loud that some wondered whether one of the startups would emerge from the conference as the new Twitter.

Buzz subsided as most of the prominent group messaging apps were acquired by large companies. Slide turned out Google’s group messaging app, Disco; Beluga was acquired by Facebook; and Groupme was acquired by Skype. Prospects for remaining apps dwindled later in the year when Apple announced it would be including a group messaging feature in iOS 5.

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3. Birchbox for Everything

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Birchbox didn’t discover the subscription product model when it launched in 2010, but it did make subscription service sexy. And just as Groupon unleashed a frenzy of daily deal sites after its launch in 2008, Birchbox helped make 2011 a year filled with new subscription services for just about everything.

Want monthly shipments of staple items like toothpaste? boxers? babies? dog products? Startups that launched in 2011 can supply them.

And lest there be an unoccupied niche in subscriptions, five-month-old startup Memberly makes setting up these new services a DIY project.

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4. Peer-to-Peer Marketplaces Get Local and Real-Time

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Ebay and Amazon established the first peer-to-peer marketplaces, and they’re great — unless you’re selling something such as a service, a living space or a last-minute concert ticket that can’t make it by mail. This year, mobile phones, GPS and services like Craigslist combined to make real-time and location-based history. These factors make possible new peer-to-peer marketplaces for anything from car rentals to odd jobs (seeZaarly and Taskrabbit).

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5. Online Goes Offline

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Remember when online dating was creepy? A study released last year by Match.com claimed that 17% of couples married in the previous three years met each other via an online dating site. We’re increasingly comfortable overlapping our online and real lives, and web services that figure out how to make our real lives easier will do well.

Airbnb raised $112 million to take its peer-to-peer marketplace global, and car rental company Zipcar successfully went public.

When we talked with co-founder of AOL Steve Case last year, he had a lot to say about the future of Internet startups: “In the last few years, and I think the coming decade, [it] really will be about — now that the Internet really is ubiquitous, and people are relying on it in increasingly habitual kind of ways — how do you not just create Internet businesses, but create businesses that can impact every aspect of people’s lives using the internet as a tool?”

This year, a flood of promising startups — from peer-to-peer learning startup Skillshare to on-demand car wash service Cherry — found new ways to answer that question.

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6. NYC Rises In the Tech Scene

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New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has been trying very hard to raise New York City’s profile in the tech scene. In 2011, he and others succeeded in doing so.

The city appointed its first chief digital officer, Rachel Sterne, in January. That same month, prestigious startup accelerator TechStars announced its first New York City class. Bloomberg TV filmed that class’s experience for a documentary series that premiered in September.

Meanwhile, some of the web’s best-known companies increased their presence in New York City — likely bringing investor money and capable engineers with them. Twitter opened its first official New York City officeon Madison Avenue, and Facebook announced it would open an engineering office.

The city hopes to attract and start more of these sorts of Internet companies by helping Cornell build a 2.1-million-square-foot tech campus on Roosevelt Island. When it announced the campus in December, the city said it was considering offering a similar deal to other universities looking to build similar campuses in New York City.

Just in case anybody had missed New York City in the tech scene this year, a group of 12 startups got together to rub it in a bit. They made a calendar, titled “Only in the Alley” to mark its culmination.

What else in the startup world caught your eye this year? What will be left in the dust?

Source: Mashable

5 Ways To Begin With Your New IPhone

 Got an Apple iPhone this Christmas? Well, you're doing pretty well for yourself. It may or may not be Santa Claus' Smartphone of choice and you successfully avoided waiting in long lines as many Apple fanatics do once a year when a new iPhone launches.

 But marketing and hype aside, the iPhone is one of the best Smartphone lines on the market and each of the devices currently available -- the 3GS, the 4 and the 4S -- run iOS 5, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system. With that in mind, here are five places to get started if you're a first time iPhone owner.

1. Photography apps: Apple's App Store (the only place you can get iPhone apps), with more than 140,000 apps available, is a major bragging right for the iPhone versus its competitors, but not all apps are created equal. However, no other Smartphone platform can currently match the iPhone for slick apps that produce fun and artistic photos. The best place to start is likely Instagram, which combines a solid selection of filters to make photos look like they were shot on vintage film cameras and a social network of other users so you can see the world through other lenses. Histaminic is another popular choice, which takes the vintage filter approach to another level with the ability to mix and match digital lenses, flashes and film choices to create a more customized look than in Instagram. Another app, called SwankoLab, allows you to alter photos already taken using a simulated dark room.

2. Games: The iPhone is also arguably the best gaming Smartphone out there and the choices here are plentiful. Angry Birds is one of the most popular games available on Smartphone’s and is a good place to start. But other choices such as Robo Surf, Cut the Rope, Tiny Wings, Bumpy Road and Kosmo Spin are worth checking out too -- each combining unique art styles, enchanting soundtracks and simple touch screen controls. For those looking for a bit more of a gaming challenge, the third-person shooter Minigore and puzzle game Scribblenauts impress. The sword fighting games Infiniti Blade and Infiniti Blade II show what the iPhone is capable of with detailed 3-D graphics and fast-paced action.

3. Music: Apple's iTunes allows for easy music buying, but there are plenty of other music related apps worth checking out as well. Shazam can listen to and then identify thousands of songs. Band of the Day is a great way to discover new music. Sound tracking is a unique social networking app that allows you to share what you're listening to with others, as well as check out what tunes they like. And if you're a Spotify Premium subscriber, the Spotify app is a must.

4. Built-in Twitter: If you're a big Twitter user, as I am, or even if you're new to twitter, you're likely going to appreciate that the social network is baked into iOS 5. Checking out a website you care to share in the iPhone's Safari web browser? You can tweet that directly from Safari without having to go and open up a Twitter app. same goes for photos, videos and locations in the maps app.

5. Ask a friend: As always, talking to a buddy can generate suggestions that may line up with your interests on just about anything -- same goes here. Ask a friend who uses an iPhone what they like about the phone or available apps and you're bound to find something you may enjoy too.

Source:latimesblogs

Tiger Direct Tech News

 If you are the one, searching for a complete shopping place that can offer you wide range of technology related products then definitely you need to know about Tiger Direct Tech news. You may be even surprised to learn that it offers an online trade with which you can save time. Tiger Direct is a perfect place for shopping mother boards, processors, hard drives, optical drives, computers, computer parts, audio video accessories, cell phones, video games, home office products, software’s and many more. These all are available at a very good price and are economical. Let’s learn more about Tiger Direct in the next Para.

 Now you can buy cell phones from different brands at Tiger Direct. They have a huge collection of phones in various categories like unlocked cell phones, Verizon deals, sprint deals, T-mobile deals, Cell phone accessories, Android deals, smart phone deals, free phone deals, clearance cell phones, unlocked internet cards and many more. All these are charged reasonably and the site gives the opportunity of Tiger Direct coupons. These coupons when given to the retailer or submitted in the menu box will avail you certain amount of discount through which you can buy many more products. Video games are the most entertaining systems, especially for kids. Tiger Direct offers various kinds of games like X box 360, PSP, gaming, PC games, toy games, play station1, play station 2, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and many more.

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For buying the products online, you need to submit the personal information like name, address, email and credit card details. Now you may be having second thoughts regarding the security of the info. All the info that you submit in the site is secured by using SSL technology that will not any third party to know the information. All the products are charged economically and gift cards are offered for your benefits. Now you can get good amount of discount on the purchased products with the help of Tigerdirect ca promo codes. The site is rated as one of the “Best Top 25 online retailers” by New York Times. With more than 20 years of superior service, the company has been able to create waves. You can know more about the shipping methods and return policy by contacting the help centre which is available in the site.

Why Nokia’s Lumia 800 Won’t Win the Smartphone War

Nokia’s long-awaited Windows phones may be too little, too late in the Smartphone war dominated by Apple and Google, despite positive reviews by handset critics.

Its first Windows model, the Lumia 800, has won little interest from consumers, with only 2 percent of Europeans in the market for a Smartphone saying they would pick it, according to a survey by Exane BNP Paribas.

Analysts said there was nothing particularly wrong with the sleek-looking handsets, other than a software glitch on some models affecting battery life, but consumers were just not biting.

Smartphone’s using Microsoft software have just a 2 percent market share, compared with Google Android at around 50 percent and Apple at 15-20 percent.

“There isn’t much room left for a third ecosystem. The Smartphone market is consolidating fast,” said Bernstein analyst Pierre Ferragu who rates Nokia a “sell.”

Nokia’s shares have fallen over 20 percent since the October 26 launch of the new phone, with investors fearing Nokia would be unable to claw back the market share it has lost in the past several years to rivals like Apple.

Nokia's first Windows model, the 800, has won little interest from consumers. Reuters

Phones using Nokia’s old Symbian software, which it decided to dump in favor of Microsoft, are still in circulation and outsell Windows phones 10 to 1.

But as Nokia keeps shifting to Windows, sales of Symbian have a lot of room to disappoint over coming quarters and some analysts are warning of lower dividends and weaker-than-expected earnings ahead.

Now even Microsoft has started to hedge its bets, making its software increasingly available for rivals to Windows Phone.

Smartphone’s are built on mobile computing platforms, and the most modern combine web browsers, navigation systems, cameras and portable music systems. A so-called “feature” phone — a market Nokia still dominates — has far fewer of these applications.

FIRST STEP?

Nokia officials defended the Lumia, and a spokesman said there was “positive momentum” while declining to give any data. One executive argued that Nokia had never counted on the first Lumia phones to lead to a quick turnaround but instead expected it to be the first step towards recovery.

In fact, there are just as many analysts recommending a “buy” on the shares as there are “sell” ratings.

Those who are keeping the faith believe the new assault on the Smartphone market may be enough to give Nokia a place at the table.

Many of them say the ranges of concerns over the Finnish company are fully priced into the shares, while the company’s strong cash position and some prized patent assets could attract a takeover approach.

“With current and upcoming models, Nokia can win back market share in both — in feature phones and in Smartphone’s,” said Swedbank analyst Jari Honko, who rates the shares a “buy.” “Today’s share price does not take into account any recovery in the Nokia market position.”

Optimists also cite an improvement in Nokia’s product portfolio, which looked out of date when Stephen Elope took over as the chief executive in September 2010.

And while some argue there is no room for a third alternative to Google and Apple, some developers and operators do see room for more competitors in this market.

The 2012 Windows 8 upgrade could also attract a wider audience by making the way Smartphone’s, tablets and PCs work more similar.

For investors, the biggest positive surprise could be an acquisition offer. After Nokia signed a deal with Microsoft, rumors of full takeover by Microsoft or at least buyout of smartphone unit have made rounds on a weekly basis.

Last week the stock jumped 4 percent when Danske Bank suggested Microsoft could buy Nokia’s smartphone unit.

But even if investors do not get a rich buyout – online gambling company Unibet is putting odds on Microsoft buying Nokia in 2012 at just 1 out of 15 – analysts say the company’s relatively-solid finances should at least offer some security.

Nokia had 1.36 euros per share of cash at the end of the last quarter. It also has a strong patent portfolio – on its own worth more than a euro per share – and owns top digital mapping firm Navteq and half of No. 2 mobile network gear maker Nokia Siemens Networks

Source: Firstpost.com

How to Get Electronic Gadgets For Less

 Everyone wants an electronic gadget or two in his person or room, but often it is not easy to shop for them. You may find the best flat LED computer monitor in one source, but the optimum CPU may be in another. To go to the first store and get the monitor, then drive to the second store for the CPU is not most people prefer to do. They’d rather go to a store where that has a complete list of gadgets, equipment and what-have-you including the smallest thingamajig, to shop in, and prefer the less-hassling online shopping  

 Sometimes shoppers want the latest gizmos, the state-of-the-art version, often just to show off. Other may want the current or proven gadgets that are more affordable and yet give optimum performance according to their needs. Some people may want unique gadgets made by some obscure manufacturer, while others would choose name brands for performance assurance. A store like that will not be easy to find, so it is best to remember TigerDirect as the one-stop online shop for all these gadgets.

TigerDirect is a retailer that sells online a great variety of electronic gadgets and gizmos, from the virtually unknown to the most famous brands. HDTVs, laptops, computer parts, MP3 players, digital cameras, mobile phones, LCD projectors, surveillance cameras, CD/DVD players and so many more besides. Brands include Epson, Sony, Acer, Systemax, AMD, Brother, Lenovo, Cannon, Hitachi, Intel, Toshiba, Samsung, and other top names. The store ships out around 10,000 items each day worldwide from their more than 50,000 items inventory at any day. TigerDirect is not a dropship venture.

Online shopping is easy there as well. You can shop by manufacturer, gadget category, keyword or item name like when you have a specific something in mind, product, and utility (what is it for) so you won’t get confused or sidetracked by unwanted deals or offers.

But as everybody knows, the latest electronic gadgetry is not easy on the pocket; only the obsolete ones are, but who’d want them? So TigerDirect issues coupons and coupon codes to lessen the strain somewhat at least. TigerDirect coupons and coupon codes may be found in almost any site online that hosts coupons (they are that popular), copied and pasted onto the shopping checkout form to reduce the payable costs by several to tens of dollars. When the reduction offered by a Tigerdirect coupons is a 10-20% off the regular price, it is something one cannot just sneeze at.

Since TigerDirect is primarily an online shopping store, TigerDirect coupon codes are most applicable. But this has a drawback, too. Its popularity spawned some bogus TigerDirect coupon codes, so please scrutinize the codes you are getting for authenticity. Be sure to copy codes from legitimate sites only. Likewise, be mindful of TigerDirect coupon and TigerDirect coupon codes expiry dates. It is vexing when you are ready to checkout only to find you don’t have a valid  coupons or code to apply for a discount.

A side from those two caveats, shopping at TigerDirect can be fun also, if only for exploring how much you can take from there for less, through any TigerDirect coupon or Tigerdirect coupon codes you can get online. Why not get one and see for yourself?

How Digital Technology Has Made Faxing Easy!

 For your office, you need state of the art equipment, for timely processing of your documents and efficient communication within your company and with your partners. Your digital faxing equipment is among your prime tools you harness to enhance your business and pursue your business goals. You rely on your faxing for instantaneous transmissions of your business messages, in a secure manner. What is more, you are aware of the powerful advantages of modern digital fax – simultaneous voice and fax, encryption digital interfaces, to name but three.

 Your modern business cannot do without digital faxing, so use a Matter of Fax promo codes to renovate your faxing facilities, to take full advantage of cutting edge faxing machines of renowned manufacturers, delivering the full gamut of modern digital faxing capabilities for you to harness and use. This is an unrivaled opportunity to add to the efficiency of your business – it has never been so easy to avail yourself of digital technology for effective communication  and document processing.

Modern technology is developing at fast paces, and you know that your equipment should be replaced regularly to keep up with the latest developments and new capabilities, for the ultimate efficiency of your business and hassle free carrying out of business activities. That is especially true of your faxes, and you are aware of the facility offered by digital faxing, for prompt delivery of messages in your corporate environment, as your digital faxing equipment does an efficient job by transmitting faxes electronically to the appropriate departments or employees. Benefiting from digital faxing, you have the paramount advantage of eliminating the need for multiple telephone lines, and you also benefit from the array of capabilities that your digital faxing machines offer at your disposal, to facilitate your daily work and your communication with colleagues and partners.

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In the hurried pace of our life, we all need speedy communication, so that we do not lag behind the latest developments in our business. You can rely on speed and promptness with modern digital faxing equipment, and the added advantage of receiving notifications on your cell phone or your PDA means you will stay informed 24/7, wherever you are.

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