Companies often make claims to boast and build up anticipation for certain products. One such product is cell phones, where â??revolutionizingâ? has been attempted so many times, that itâ??s hard to find a new phone that hasnâ??t dramatically altered the way we communicate.
But is it revolutionary if itâ??s already been done, multiple times? Sure, perhaps you add a new widget, or helpful function, but in the end the phone is still performing the same tasks.
The thing about smartphones is not that they revolutionized communication. That had first been done with the telegram using a transmitter and morse code. Then again by actual telephones, and then once more by mobile phones themselves. Smartphones didnâ??t revolutionize personal information management, which was first accomplished by the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Smartphones didnâ??t first create cameras, music players, mobile games, or even the ability to check emails on the go.
Matter of fact, Smartphones werenâ??t even the first to add all of these things together into one all-inclusive device. So what exactly are all of these companies claiming they revolutionized? When you consider it, they havenâ??t done much beyond make the things we already have a little better. Thatâ??s not exactly revolutionary, but you canâ??t blame the marketers, theyâ??re just trying to do their job.
Perhaps we should give a little credit to where it is due, something that was actually revolutionary. I propose that we give a little attention to Simon, the godfather of all â??smartphones.â?
Simon History
Simons debut was on November 2, 1992 at the COMDEX computer and technology trade show in Las Vegas Nevada. Simon was a cell phone and PDA combined into one device, with a few bells and whistles added to make it more appealing as the cost was rather steep.
IBM created the Simon Personal Communicator, and released it for itâ??s public debut in 1993. Though, due to malfunctions in the operating system, it wasnâ??t available until 1994. It was soon discontinued in 1995 with only 500,000 units being sold within the 6 months it was available. It was offered throughout 15 states where service could be had, and cost a hefty $900 for a 2-year service contract.
Simon Specs
The Simon had the ability to both make and receive cellular calls, which is obviously the main function of any telephone. It could send and receive facsimiles, which otherwise at the time, required those huge and annoyingly loud machines. It could send and receive emails, which at the time was just beginning to become popular. It could also view cellular pages, which at the time was something of a web browser.
The Simon included an address book so that you can view your contacts, and a calendar and appointment scheduler as a digital personal assistant. There was a calculator, world time clock, and electronic note pad in case you had something you didnâ??t want to forget. One of the coolest features of the time, believe it or not, was a touchscreen keyboard. Remember this was over 17 years ago.
Were you going to ask where the apps were? Well those were available as well. You could install numerous third party applications to the Simons internal memory, which contained a staggering 1 MB worth of space. Imagine, walking around playing snake or pong on your phone. Well first imagine you couldnâ??t do thatâ?¦ then imagine you could. Thatâ??s how revolutionary the Simon was. Though an app on the Simon was also a staggering $300 each, but cost be damned.
The battery on the Simon was 7.5v NiCad, which allowed for an hours worth of talking, and half hours worth of use if using other applications. So you wouldnâ??t want to stray to far from the charging base station. But wait, they gave you two batteries, so if you didnâ??t mind lugging the extra one around with you, you could talk for up to 2 hours.
The Simon also weighed in at the featherweight of 18 oz. So if you didnâ??t mind carrying a pound of electronics around with you, which you wouldnâ??t, you were without a doubt the talk of any room you entered. It would also be hard not to notice, as it was 8 inches in height, 2.5 inches in width and only 1.5 inches in depth. Nowadays, less is more, but for Simon owners, they liked their electronics with a little meat on the bone.
Simons Demise
Sadly the Simon didnâ??t take off, and for all intensive purposes was forgotten. As cell phones evolved, the functions of the Simon became commonplace. But what should be remembered here is that the Simon was the Flagship for all cell phones to come, and especially those termed â??Smartphones.â?
IBM couldnâ??t make enough money on the Simon to consider it viable to continue production. Though itâ??s difficult to understand why besides the fact it was priced so high. If IBM had the funding to continue itâ??s R&D on the Simon, perhaps hipsters, techies and fan boys alike wouldnâ??t be asking Apples Siri questions nowadays, but rather, would be curious as to what Simon would say.
A History Lesson
This is an important lesson in business history. Something so widely used and loved as smartphones today were seen as just as useful nearly 20 years ago. We can say with great certainty that it is marketable. Had only IBM stuck with their â??revolutionaryâ? idea back then, who knows how smart our phones could have been today. But of all the forms of wisdom, hindsight is by general consent the least merciful, the most unforgiving.
I couldnâ??t say that with enough funding and financing, that IBM couldnâ??t get the Simon to become a popular and common household name. We know cell phones are big business, sadly though, that could have been IBMs big business.
The author of this article is Damien S. Wilhelmi. An SEO mastermind and self acclaimed content creating genius. You can follow me on twitter @JakabokBotch to realize you really donâ??t know Jack! I am writing on behalf of Premier Trade Solution, who believe no good business or idea should go without funding. They offer services related to Purchase Order Financing, which could be a great help to your business.
This app not only has advice on how to handle emergency situations but also alerts emergency services of your location through sending a text message with GPS co-ordinates and even a map of where you are.
Features
I review many apps and there are some good apps out there, although every now and again a special app comes up that blows my mind. This app did just that and it’s going to stay on my device forever. This app is very reasonably priced for the piece of mind you get. You can find the nearest police station or hospital nearest to you at the click of a button. The app was very fast and showed my exact location and nearest hospitals and police stations very accurately. I am currently right out here in the sticks in South East Asia so this was a real test of whether this app can work globally or not. Distress – Signal passed with flying colours.
You can even set a pre-set emails plus pre-set text messagse to send out to people who will be able to help you the most. There is an excellent first aid guide rolled into this app which has various emergency reactions advice on how to cope with such situations as choking, head injuries and heart attacks. If you intend on building a really good quality first aid kit there is a comprehensive checklist on how to build up the very best first aid materials and equipment. The CPR & recovery position section I found impressive as there is not just advice on this important and life saving act but there is advice on how to perform CPR on infants and children. The main screen has colour coded buttons to help you select the function you need after a second’s glance.
There is an option to turn you device into a torch if the emergency is at night and also a siren. The siren is recommended to be coupled with external speakers, but it is loud enough to cause a distraction and gain attention on its own. When you first start up the app a personal information screen pops up where you can log any allergies and select your blood type, as well as having your name inputted. This would be handy if you can imagine being on the verge of passing out as you can hand over your device with your personal information to helpers or ambulance staff. You can also add custom information if you have a specific illness or non-specified allergy.
Mission Accomplished
I would like this app to stay just the way it is, as this is obviously not like a game app where features need to be added regularly. This app has a lot of very useful life saving options and the layout is simple. This is one of the very few apps that I’d have to say is just fine as it is, effective and simple to use with a lot of functionality. Remember that this app has one very crucial function that makes this app rise above other emergency apps out there: you can message your exact co-ordinates to emergency services at the touch of a button. I was afraid to click on this button because I didn’t want to falsely alert any medical services but here is a small screenshot of the types of SMS message that you can opt to send. To sum up this app I have to say that it is one of the most useful and important apps that now sits on my device, ever present to assist me in the event of an emergency. Excellent! UPDATE: There is a brand new version of distress signal now available with more features than ever. To view the new distress signal just click this link.
Transcript:
Hi, Kevin here reviewing ‘Distress Signal’ by Waracle which is an app to aid you in an emergency. Including the ability to not only alert emergency services, but also give send them your location.
Quick to download as this app is only 2.4 megabytes in size.
Let’s start the app up.
Start app . . .
On starting up the app you have to agree to certain terms and conditions. I’ve already read though these so I’ll skip on.
Skip terms & conditions . . .
First of all you are prompted to input your first and last name, blood type, and also any allergies that you may suffer from.
The only thing I’m allergic to are cats, but I don’t think they’ll be turning up at the hospital.
Scroll through allergy list . . .
As you can see though, allergies that are relevant to being treated in an emergency situation are all listed here, including Penicillin and Sulfa.
Open ‘Other’ category and input ‘Cats’ . . .
Here I’ve opened up the ‘Other’ category where you can input an allergy that’s not on the list.
Input blood type . . .
When you input your blood type a check appears next to it.
Continue . . .
Here on the main screen you can see that the developer has thought out this main menu screen well, as in an emergency the last thing you want are tiny finnicky button icons. By contrast these are nice and big, as well as colour coded for quick recognition.
First let’s check out the First Aid Guide.
Click ‘First Aid Guide’ . . .
Here we have advice for emergencies.
Click on Emergency, then scroll up & down . . .
As you can see, there are many emergency situations that we can look up advice for. Let’s click on ‘Bleeding’.
Click on ‘Bleeding’ . . .
Here we can see professional advice from the Red Cross and we also have to option to call the emergency services right from the advice page.
Back to main ‘First Aid’ screen . . . click on ‘Checklist’ . . .
Here we have a check list with a comprehensive list of items that will be invaluable in an emergency situation. Handy if you are putting together a first aid kit for you car or home. A first aid kit of this kind would be a of a lot higher quality than the small first aid kits you can buy off the shelf obviously.
Back . . . CPR & Recovery Position . . .
Here we have CPR proceedures for adults, children and infants, including how to place casualties in a recovery position. This is nice to see as some apps just give general CPR advice not bearing in mind the differences between age groups.
We’ll have a peak at the CPR for adults advice.
Click on ‘CPR for adults’ . . .
Scroll up and down – Back x 3 to main screen . . .
Back here on the main screen, in the top right of the screen you can see the red icon which is to alert emergency services. Clicking on this red icon will send your GPS co-ordinates via a text message with a maps link, so that they can find you with longitude and latitude co-ordinates and by checking on the map.
As you’ll appreciate, I’m not going alert the emergency services just for the sake of this review as the emergency services wouldn’t be too happy with me.
This feature is what sets this app apart from other emergency response apps.
Can you imagine if there was a burglar in your house and you didn’t want the burglar to know where you are, you could just send your co-ordinates if it was impossible to talk. Very handy.
The green icon activates a torch which can be set as an SOS beacon, and the purple icon activates a siren which will be louder if you have speakers attached. Let’s test this out.
Activate Siren . . .
As you can see, it’s pretty loud without the speakers even, enough to confuse and daze an aggressor and attract attention.
We can also find the nearest hospital if you need reach a hospital in a hurry without wasting precious minutes asking around for directions. Which, say if you were bitten by a poisonous snake for example might actually save your life in itself.
Click on ‘Nearest Hospitals’ . . .
As you can see, even though I’m way out here in the sticks in South East Asia it’s given me my location and the nearest hospitals immediately. I know this area well and I can even see the hospital that I usually go to. So this app is global, wherever you are it can help you, even if you are travelling on holiday.
Back to main screen . . . Click on ‘Nearest Police Stations’ . . .
If we click on where to find the nearest police stations we can see immediately where to go. I can see that this is totally accurate as I can recognise the police stations in this area.
The app was very responsive as you can see and there are no unnecessary extra button pushing needed, the developer has obviously focused on quick one touch reactions within the app, so that you can focus on the emergency at hand.
Back to main screen . . .
In a nutshell, this app has surprised me in a number of ways, firstly by being so responsive and fast, having a very clear layout which is ideal in a frantic situation where you need to identify the function needed after a quick glance. The app is not cluttered at all. I wouldn’t suggest any improvements to this app as its simplicity and effectiveness takes precedence in an emergency situation, rather than adding buttons and extra features.
I will certainly keep this app on my device forever as I can honestly say that it is the best emergency app I’ve ever used. I’ve wiped out my old emergency app which was clunky and ineffective when compared to this excellent app.
Purchasing this app may save your life or the life of another person, including family members. Well worth the low price for the piece of mind you get with this cracking app. I’m certainly impressed.
Well, that’s all from me reviewing ‘Distress Signal’ by Waracle. Thank you for watching.
Instagram is a great tool for altering your photographs with minimal effort.
However, a lot of people are not using it to their full advantage, because they don’t know how. People who do not know a lot about the filters tend to have two or three favorites and forget about the rest.
Filters can do a lot for your photos. However, not all of the things they can do are necessarily what you want. Employing filters in the appropriate circumstances means having at least a vague idea of what they do so that you can only try out ones with a good chance of producing a beneficial effect.
Filters That Lighten A Photo
   Amaro
   Rise (golden glow)
   Hudson (icy)
   Walden
Filters lighten photos in different ways. Amaro increases light over the entire photo, which can make the image appear harsher. Rise increases light, but with a soft golden glow that adds warmth as well. Hudson makes an icy edge appear on surfaces, and Walden washes things out in a quaint way.
Filters That Add A Tint
   Rise (golden)
   Earlybird (sepia)
   Brannan (metallic)
   Walden (yellow)
   Nashville (pink)
   1977 (red)
   Kelvin (reddish yellow)
Tints can be obvious or less extreme. Rise adds a definite golden touch, but the effect is of warmth, not coloration. Similarly, Nashville offers an option to make an image warmer and more romantic without feeling like it adds color. Kelvin produces a very strong reddish-yellow hue, which can look natural on some images, but is strange on others.
Other Filter Effects
   Aging (Amaro, Earlybird, Toaster, Valencia, 1977)
   Warmth (Rise, Earlybird, Toaster, Nashville, Kelvin)
   Icy (Hudson)
   Contrast (X-Pro II, Lo-Fi, Brannan, Hefe)
   Cloudy/Misty (Sierra)
Many of the filters offer an aging effect of some kind, but they are often different. Amaro washes out the photo like it got too much sun, while Earlybird adds a sepia tint that speaks of old Victorian pictures.
Valencia gives just enough fading without losing color to evoke memories of pictures from the early 20th century.
Two of the filters have particularly unique effects. Hudson, while increasing light in the photo somewhat, also gives the image icy edges that are unique to this filter. Sierra subtly blots the image with a slight cloudiness, which is just enough to add mystery to the photo.
When To Use Certain Filters
Each filter has a type of image that they perform best on. However, art is not about being constrained by other people’s opinions, so experimenting with different filters on any kind of photo is perfectly appropriate.
A few pointers for getting started include:
   Rise is forgiving with skin blemishes
   Hudson gives architecture especially sleek lines
   Lo-fi and Hefe work to turn up the contrast and shadows for strong edges and vibrant colors (Lo-fi is a stronger effect)
   Sutro makes images appear sinister
   Inkwell turns your color image into black and white
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In 221 B.C. Shih Huang Ti was famously buried in Xi’an. This doesn’t seem very exciting or important until you remember that he was buried with an army of thousands of life-sized soldiers designed to protect him in the afterlife. Interestingly enough, each soldier wore a necktie. This is the earliest significant necktie instance in history, even if the ties are around the necks of fake people.
The Necktie Survives B.C.
Another historic story involving the necktie is in the earliest parts of the turn of the millennium. Roman speakers needed to keep their vocal cords warm in order to be able to speak as clearly and concisely as possible. Thus, they wore a form of our modern necktie to do just this, and it worked brilliantly.
More Modern Times
The modern necktie started its ascent in Croatia around 1650. It was a scarf type of clothing that was a piece of the military outfit. Later, it grew in popularity in France, where King Louis XIV found it to be quite enticing. The French later titled the tie the “cravat.”
The necktie remained the cravat until the 1800s as it steadily grew in popularity. In 1818, a book titled Neckclothitania was published, and it began the common use of hte word tie when referencing neck apparel. From then on, until our present day, we no longer consider neck apparel to be a cravat. Rather, the common term is the tie, or necktie.
The 1900s
The French apparently didn’t think the tie was fashionable enough, so they began making the first designer ties. These ties were made with more expensive materials and elaborate designs and sold for much more money. However, they made one look more fashionable and distinguished.
In the 1920s, the Macclesfield tie became the leading necktie for rich Americans. Later, Jesse Langsdofr made a new type of tie production. This type of tie making made the elasticity better and allowed the fabric to return to its first design. In 1936, the Windsor was designed. The Windsor was a wide, triangular knot placed around shirts with collars.
The 1950s brought about another tie revolution: ties were now made less decoratively and were not as thick.
Other Tie Facts
1967 – Warren Beatty wore white ties with his dark shirts in Bonnie and Clyde
1970 – Elvis went from his traditional black tie to the kipper (a tie with many colors and patterns)
1971 – Arizona names the bolo tie its official state tie
1980s – a Windsor tie was born by Ronald Reagan on a regular basis
As you can see, the necktie has had a tremendous impact on society throughout the years. Even to this day, millions of people wear a tie to work, restaurants, and tons of other places. As time presses on, the tie will surely continue to evolve and match people’s changing views on life. ThinkTies designs and sells the most futuristic and fashionable ties on the market, and they are helping pave the way for future tie generations.
By Wyatt James Solis, a top supporter of the Illuminati and conspircy activist from my native homeland
Evergreen trees, like pines and firs, and deciduous trees, such as oaks and maples, have different systems for winter survival. Moisture that is available to the roots of a tree during warm weather is unavailable when the ground is frozen, and the dark winter months reduce energy produced during photosynthesis. Evergreen trees manage to continue producing oxygen and energy through the winter, while deciduous trees must lose their leaves and enter a period of dormancy.
Why Evergreens Are Ever Green
The waxy coating and small size of evergreen needles reduce moisture and energy loss and protects the tree through cold, harsh weather. The needlesâ?? shape also prevents cellular rupture caused when moisture freezes inside the cell membranes. The pyramid shape of many evergreen trees sheds snowfall more readily, reducing the treeâ??s direct contact with damaging ice.
What Makes Leaves Fall In The Fall
Unlike the slim needles of evergreen trees, the broad leaves of deciduous trees are more susceptible to cold, dry winter winds. If the trees did not drop their leaves in the fall, they would succumb to moisture loss and die. Losing their leaves allows the trees to become dormant, resting and conserving energy during those months when energy-giving sunlight is scarce. In the spring and summer, the wide leaves absorb the sunâ??s energy more readily, producing enough energy to sustain the tree through the winter.
Are Trees Holding Their Breath?
Photosynthesis is the process that uses sunlight to create green leaves and produce energy. Respiration, the process that trees use to absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, comes to a standstill when photosynthesis is not happening. Evergreen trees will continue to produce oxygen throughout the winter. Deciduous trees do not produce oxygen while they are dormant, except in some green twigs or bark.
How Can We Survive With Less Oxygen In Winter?
Only one hemisphere of the earth is experiencing winter while the other half is having summer. Worldwide, about the same number of deciduous trees are actively producing oxygen year round. In tropical climates, trees do not become dormant and continue to produce oxygen all year. Trees make only about half of the worldâ??s oxygen, with the rest coming from phytoplankton living in the ocean. Therefore, the amount of available oxygen stays consistent throughout the year. Evergreen and deciduous trees are fascinating in their modes of winter survival. Through their different adaptations, they continue to give valuable oxygen year-round.
Peter Wendt is a freelance article writer and he enjoys to watch nature and being outside in the wild, if you like to find out more about this topic click here
On April 8, 2012 Jack Tramiel died at the age of 83. For anyone with an interest in personal computing, they owe a lot to this manâ??s legacy.
Born in Poland in 1928, he was the founder of Commodore International, the company which manufactured Commodore and Amiga personal computers. He was also a co-founder of the internationally known US Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Jack Tramiel overcame much adversity in his life. He lived through the Nazi occupation of Germany, working in a garment factory in Lodz before being sent to Auschwitz and then to a labor camp where his father died. Liberated in 1945 by the US Amy, he came to the US in 1947, joining the US Army where he worked repairing typewriters and other office equipment.
Commodore
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After his time in the army, he found work as a taxi driver, but used his army experience to set up the Commodore Portable Typewriter Company. His company was disadvantaged by being behind the curve of technical development and had a history of changing focus to meet new developments.
In 1962 he diversified into adding machines, followed by digital calculators. By 1977 they had begun to sell their first home computer, the Commodore PET. Unlike many other computing manufacturers, Commodore sold their computers directly to the public rather than through dealers.
Many people, if asked for the best-selling personal computer in history, might name a modern day product. However, the answer is, in fact, the Commodore 64.
First sold in 1982, the Commodore 64 managed to sell between 12.5 and 17 million separate units. For 3 years until 1986, they had a whopping 30%-40% share of the market. Retailing at just $595, it was less than half the price of competitors like the Apple II, making personal computing more affordable than ever.
Atari
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In 1984 Tramiel resigned from his position with Commodore and set up a new company, Tramiel Technology. After purchasing part of Atari Inc. he renamed the company Atari Corporation. The company had much success, with profits in excess of $25,000,000 a year. In 1986 Atari merged with Jugi Tendon Storage and Tramiel served on the board of the new JTS Corporation.
Within computing circles Jack Tramiel is universally recognized as an influential and pioneering figure. Without his legacy, much of our current personal computing experience would be vastly different. Itâ??s likely that many of the computer scientists who developed everything from the search engines that let us search for CJ Pony Mustang decals and CJ Pony Parts Mustang seats to the video games we play had their first computing experiences on a Commodore 64 or an Atari.
Post by guest blogger Mary, a writer who enjoys blogging about everything from CJ Pony Mustang Decals to online shopping.
At the moment there are four major mobile network providers in the UK, each of which operates its own network infrastructure.
There are also many MVNO (mobile virtual network operators) that piggyback on the networks established by the four main providers, intrinsically linking their fates to the quality of the service offered by a third party.
At the moment the four-way split in the market makes things seem relatively competitive, since each provider is vying to achieve the maximum share of subscribers. However, there is a gradual homogenisation becoming apparent, with the big firms being amalgamated into one another in order to capture more of the market.
Has this already started?
The most significant move of this kind was made two years ago when T-Mobile and Orange signed a merger deal and formed Everything Everywhere. While they still operate as two distinct brands, customers on both networks can share the signal and infrastructure of the other, which means that coverage levels have improved and its combined user base is the largest in the UK.
Previous front runner O2 and third place Vodafone are now performing a similar trick, albeit one which will not actually see their customers combined into a single pot. Instead, these two companies announced that they will be sharing the same 4G network infrastructure once the roll-out of LTE connectivity begins in earnest next year.
This will mean that customers will be sharing the so-called ‘national grid’ of 4G connectivity irrespective of whether they are on Vodafone or O2, or indeed one of the MVNOs, which currently partner with these larger companies.
This is very good news for business users, because the main intention of this move is to accelerate the implementation of 4G in the UK, where for many years it has lagged behind its continental and North American contemporaries in terms of this high-end connectivity, having been lumbered with older 3G services due to protracted wrangling over the spectrum.
4G coverage will dramatically increase the speed of mobile data connections, allowing for improvements in mobile VoIP and portable cloud computing services that are not sustainable on the already overburdened 3G networks.
Fair Competition
However, this state of affairs, with Everything Everywhere on one side and O2 combined with Vodafone on the other, would create a duopoly of sorts that could arguably become a monopoly if the conditions are right.
Network providers are being incredibly pragmatic in their decision to join forces, because they are suffering from decreased revenues as a result of EU rulings over the cost of calls and texts.
Lower data roaming charges and the mobile termination rates being cut down to size have meant that providers are feeling the pinch, even if customers are getting a much fairer deal as a result. Meanwhile, the increase in the use of data connections for calling and communication rather than traditional voice calls and texts has meant that providers are getting hit in more than one area.
While some might be nervous about the idea of competition being eradicated from the UK’s mobile market by providers unifying, there are those who support the idea. For businesses it will mean that they can receive improved levels of mobile coverage and a quicker establishment of widespread 4G without the same levels of cost being required to achieve this.
Having multiple network providers with overlapping infrastructures does seem a little senseless when you consider it, which is an opinion held by Telesperience analyst Teresa Cottam. So, if the UK’s mobile future is one of unified monopolisation that results in better services and lower costs to users, few will be able to complain about legitimacy.
Daisy Group PLC have a wide range of mobiles for business use ranging from the ever present Blackberry, Apple , Samsung to your durable phones
Technology has always been helpful to businesses. From the typewriter to the iPad, new inventions have helped to make life easier for the company and the employee.
With the possession of smart phones now very common, people have an incredibly useful piece of equipment on them at all times. On top of that, a lot of these applications are completely free. Nowadays you can make use of services for free that ten years ago would have been very costly.
These applications are also easily accessible. A quick search on your mobile and you could have a new e-mail app in seconds. Tapping in a couple of words on Google and your laptop will be using some new accounting software in no time at all. Anyone can get at these products and this is incredibly useful for new businesses. Tasks that were previously incredibly daunting are now made simplistic and easily approached. These apps help to encourage people to start up new businesses every day. Some of the applications are so useful it’s hard to see how people ever managed without them.
Creating professional looking charts and diagrams can be a very difficult task. Using the basic Microsoft Office suite can often result in a inelegant end product, while using more high-end applications is often too complicated without some serious training. Lovely Charts is a great application for creating fantastic looking diagrams without taking up a huge amount of time. It makes use of a simplistic drag and drop creation system that is incredibly easy to use. The look of the files themselves are great with a professional and attractive look. Creating forms, diagrams, flowcharts and other files has never been so simple.
Accounting is often the most daunting task for business owners. More often than not, businesses will pay for someone else to do their accounting for them. This can be every expensive and sometimes inconvenient. Crunch helps to eliminate some of the problems associated with traditional accounting. With this software you are able to deal with your accounts online and on the go. You can look after your invoices, balance sheets, payroll and many other aspects of business. You can update instantly and with the Snap mobile app you can take a picture of a receipt and have all the information directly added to your account. Crunch manages to make one of the most stressful of business takes simple, easy and convenient.
If your business suddenly takes off, it is imperative that you’re prepared. You don’t want your new-found success to be marred with huge levels of stress from the extra workload. Zoho CRM allows you to easily keep track of all your sales and customers. It also has the ability to help you keep tabs on leads and new sales opportunities, while also making it very easy to keep on top of your events with the calendar function. Zoho CRM is perfect for both managed your business activities and help you to grow your company further.
All of these free applications go a long way to making business a more simplified affair. They are equally useful for brand new start-ups and established companies. Businesses can now saves themselves large sums of money with just the simple process of downloading an easy-to-use application. As the number of these massively helpful programs grows, the world of business becomes more and more accessible.
Nadine Ryan writes about different subjects such as weight loss, London orthodontists and Crunch accounting software…For more information about Crunch visit http://www.crunch.co.uk
iOS 6 is set to be released this autumn alongside the iPhone 5.
If you’re not planning to get your mitts on the iPhone 5 upon release, then chances are you’ll be thinking about upgrading your old iPhone to iOS 6. iOS 6 is compatible with the iPhone 3GS upwards â?? which means you can upgrade if you’ve got the 3GS, 4, or 4S â?? as well as the 4th generation iPod and the iPad 2. In other words, unless your gizmo is, like, really old, you should be able to get iOS 6 up and running without breaking a sweat. You might be awfully fond of iOS 5 â?? and it is, by all accounts, a great OS â?? but that’s no reason to stick with it. Here’s why iOS 6 should make its way onto your Apple device as soon as possible:
1.      New Maps
Apple have previously opted to offer Google Maps, which we all know and love, but for iOS 6 the company is creating its very own Maps app. The app is going to come with full 3D integration, and it’s got better visuals than Google’s offering. We don’t yet know whether it’s going to be as functional as Google Maps, but it’s going to have to be pretty good to compete with Android. Either way, it’s exciting to know that Google have a new competitor to keep them on their toes.
2.     Facebook Integration
Just as iOS 5 included new Twitter integration across the OS, including it in many applications, iOS 6 is going to include Facebook integration across the board. This means you can check Contacts and send updates via Facebook from inside Apple’s own built-in apps, rather than having to head separately to the Facebook app to do it. This is definitely going to win over social media junkies.
3.     Improved Siri
We all loved Siri in iOS 5, and now it’s back, bigger and better in iOS 6. If you’ve got an iPad, you’ll definitely want to upgrade, because Siri is now compatible with iPad on iOS 6. It’s also much improved, being capable of understanding more topics and providing more information and better displays. If you liked Siri before, you’ll love it now.
4.     Passbook
Passbook is one of the most revolutionary apps to hit any operating system in years. It’s a new application which will allow users to access tickets, boarding passes, alerts and coupons. In other words, if you’re travelling or enjoying a day out and you want somewhere to keep all of your digital tickets, you can keep them in Passbook. Developed in conjunction with NFC technology and support from cinemas and retailers, Passbook has the potential to completely change the way we buy and use tickets and vouchers.
5.     Better Security
Every iOS update usually comes with heaps of improved security features, and iOS 6 is no exception. If your data is a concern, youâ??ll be pleased to hear that iOS 6 will be much better when it comes to keeping your passwords out of reach of criminals and hackers. Even if you’re not especially bothered by security, it’s always a good reason to upgrade. Digital security is going to get ever more critical as smartphones dominate our lives, and running the latest OS on your iPhone is a good practice to maintain.
6.     FaceTime
If you’re currently working from iOS 5, you’ll already know what FaceTime is â?? Apple’s very own answer to Skype. It’s wonderful, but it does have one big limitation: it can only be used over Wi-Fi. If you’re a regular user of FaceTime, you’ll know how irritating this limitation can be, but don’t worry. On iOS 6, FaceTime can be used over cellular networks â?? including 3G â?? so you don’t need to find a Wi-Fi hotspot before you get in touch with your loved ones.
7.     Better Phone Controls
An iPhone featuring iOS 6 is also going to be easier to control when it comes to receiving calls and voicemail. You’ll be able to turn the sound off or send a call directly to voicemail from the incoming call screen, but you can also decline the call whilst setting yourself a reminder to call the person back at a later date. This will come in handy if you often ignore calls and texts with the intention of getting in touch later, and never do. This feature alone will probably keep you in the good books of a few friends.
8.    VIP List
VIP list is a feature, new to iOS 6, which is going to make it a lot easier for those who regularly send emails from their iPhone. It’s built into the Mail app and means that you can keep the messages from your VIP list contacts separate from all the other messages. If you’re on the move and don’t want to have to wade through rubbish in order to find the messages you want to reply to, you’ll want to make sure you have VIP list.
9.     Better Graphics
If you’re a fan of the way Apple iOS graphics have looked in the past, you’ll love iOS 6. The new graphics retain the style and charm of the usual iOS graphics, while successfully keeping the OS looking fresh. Apple’s iOS 6 looks more modern, contemporary and sleek, but it won’t hamper your use; it’s still, fundamentally, Apple.
10. It’s the Future
We don’t know every last detail of what iOS 6 is going to provide, but the one thing we will say is that itâ??s set to become our favourite OS. iOS 6 epitomises everything thatâ??s great about Apple, and however much you like iOS 5, you’re going to like iOS 6 even more. It might involve a short learning curve, but it’s a change you should embrace, because the new features you see on iOS 6 are ones you’re going to be witnessing for a long time to come on the platforms of the future.
Features
Mission Accomplished
To sum up this app I have to say that it is one of the most useful and important apps that now sits on my device, ever present to assist me in the event of an emergency. Excellent! 
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