Giveaway! Your First Smartphone Could Be the HTC First!

It's been a while since I hosted a giveaway, so I thought that I would start out the Memorial Day Holidays with a giveaway holiday! If you don't have a smartphone yet, this giveaway is for you! Or, if your child is ready for their first smartphone, you better enter. Or if you simply want a back up phone, you may want to enter as well. Regardless, courtesy of AT&T, I'm doing an HTC First Giveaway!As I actually haven't had any hands-on with the HTC First (because I'm giving it away), I'm… [more]

Giveaway! Your First Smartphone Could Be the HTC First! Giveaway! Your First Smartphone Could Be the HTC First!

14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider – Part 2

In Part 1 of my 2-part series “14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider” I walked you through several important evaluation criteria that you should consider when choosing a cloud provider. The topics covered in Part 1 are: Performance, Breadth of Service Offering, Ease of Use, Price, Support, SLA and Security. Do note that these items are not in any particular order but some do refer to others so be sure to read through both articles. In Part 2 (this article), I add 7 more items to… [more]

14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider – Part 2 14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider - Part 2

Remote, Programmatic Home Automation at its Best – the Belkin WeMo

Home Automation and Remote Controls are cool. Really cool. Think back to the days of The Clapper (which you can still buy, by the way). Clap on, clap off. We have come a long way though. Now we have Internet-connected gadgets, gizmos, appliances and devices, hopefully all designed to make our lives easier, safer or simply better. The Belkin WeMo is a perfect example of how this Home Automation technology has evolved to become mobile and programmatic.Recently I hooked up a Belkin WeMo Switch… [more]

Remote, Programmatic Home Automation at its Best – the Belkin WeMo Remote, Programmatic Home Automation at its Best - the Belkin WeMo

Using the Sun to Power your Gadgets & Light the Way – WAKAWAKA POWER

If you look up into the sky, assuming it's sunny and daytime, you will see a vast energy source that is incredibly untapped - the sun. Solar power technologies have been evolving a break-neck speeds and the size and costs have been reduced dramatically to the point where you can throw a solar panel, charger and battery into your backpack and never worry about plugging your smartphone or tablet into the wall again. The WakaWaka Power, is no exception. This small device, in my opinion, is critical… [more]

Using the Sun to Power your Gadgets & Light the Way – WAKAWAKA POWER Using the Sun to Power your Gadgets & Light the Way - WAKAWAKA POWER

14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider – Part 1

You should all know by now that the cloud is here to stay. It may be in one form or another and in various flavors (infrastructure, platform or application) and it may not be called "cloud" in a few years, but the concept of on-demand, pay-as-you-go, Internet-delivery, scalable, as-a-service functionality will persist. It's efficient, it's cost effective and it is becoming better each and every day. However, when it comes to choosing a cloud provider, there are several things that you or your business… [more]

14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider – Part 1 14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider - Part 1

Giveaway! Your First Smartphone Could Be the HTC First!

by Michael Sheehan on May 21, 2013

in Android, Cellular, Consumer Electronics, Gadgets, General, Giveaway, Hardware, Mobile, Technology

Post image for Giveaway! Your First Smartphone Could Be the HTC First!

It’s been a while since I hosted a giveaway, so I thought that I would start out the Memorial Day Holidays with a giveaway holiday! If you don’t have a smartphone yet, this giveaway is for you! Or, if your child is ready for their first smartphone, you better enter. Or if you simply want a back up phone, you may want to enter as well. Regardless, courtesy of AT&T, I’m doing an HTC First Giveaway!

HTC First

As I actually haven’t had any hands-on with the HTC First (because I’m giving it away), I’m just going to speak to HTC in general. I have had several HTC phones (some for Windows and I’m currently evaluating the HTC One). HTC is known for its solid design and the First is no different. Here are some quick specs on the HTC First:

  • Facebook Home – this device is MADE for Facebook addicts!
  • 4.3″ Touchscreen – not too big nor too small
  • 4G LTE – you want a fast network? AT&T’s got it!
  • 5MP Camera – snap those great photos!
  • 1.6MP – great for seeing how your look or for some video chats
  • 1080p HD video capture – get that HD video!
  • Music Player – take advantage of the new Google All Access Music service!
  • Text Messaging – text to your heart’s content, just DON’T do it while you drive!
  • Email/Calendar/Contacts – keep up to date with all of your activities and contacts
  • World Phone – you only need one phone if you go overseas
  • Android OS – currently supporting Jelly Bean (v. 4.1) with upgrade possibilities
  • Storage/RAM – Up to 16 GB internal storage and 1 GB RAM
  • Wifi/BT enabled – 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz)/ BT v 4.0

Oh, and one more thing, if you win this smartphone, you can get it contract-free. Sure, you could buy this phone at a discount, but then you are also locked into an extended contract potentially. The winner of this giveaway gets it contract-free!

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14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider – Part 2

by Michael Sheehan on May 21, 2013

in Cloud, General, HTD Tech Tip, Tech News

Post image for 14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider – Part 2

In Part 1 of my 2-part series “14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider” I walked you through several important evaluation criteria that you should consider when choosing a cloud provider. The topics covered in Part 1 are: Performance, Breadth of Service Offering, Ease of Use, Price, Support, SLA and Security. Do note that these items are not in any particular order but some do refer to others so be sure to read through both articles. In Part 2 (this article), I add 7 more items to the list of things to consider.

14 Things to Consider when choosing a Cloud Provider - Part 2

It is important to approach any migration to the cloud carefully. You should compile a list of Must-Have’s, Nice-to-Have’s and things that are simply Not Important. Also, take some time to compile a group of key stakeholders, those who are making the decision on which cloud provider to sign up with. Lastly, get some advisors who can provide you feedback along the way. These could be people who have experience with cloud computing or your current IT staff. This shouldn’t be a decision that you go at alone (unless you are a one-person shop).

Once you have identified your needs, you need to compile and short list some cloud providers. Often it is hard to generalize when you span cloud types. But just the same way that clouds in general have common characteristics, your selection process should have similar requirements.

This is part two of a two part blog series. The first part is available here. [click to continue…]

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Remote, Programmatic Home Automation at its Best – the Belkin WeMo

by Michael Sheehan on May 17, 2013

in Application, Consumer Electronics, Gadgets, General, Hardware, Opinion, Review, Software

Post image for Remote, Programmatic Home Automation at its Best – the Belkin WeMo

Home Automation and Remote Controls are cool. Really cool. Think back to the days of The Clapper (which you can still buy, by the way). Clap on, clap off. We have come a long way though. Now we have Internet-connected gadgets, gizmos, appliances and devices, hopefully all designed to make our lives easier, safer or simply better. The Belkin WeMo is a perfect example of how this Home Automation technology has evolved to become mobile and programmatic.

Belkin WeMo Switch

Recently I hooked up a Belkin WeMo Switch and Motion Detector in my home. Before I go into the details of that process, I have to say that I’m a guy who hated when I saw a VCR (remember those?) with a blinking clock. I’m all about programming and using technology ahead of time or setting it up to make what you are currently doing better. I have placed wireless remotes for lamps around the house. I obviously set up shows to record on my DVR. I even automate a little bit of my social media sharing (not much, mind you). There are tasks that you can automate that can save you a few minutes during your hectic day here and there. That is what automation (and remote controls) are all about. And with all of this different technology, it allows us to be a bit more lazy (in a good way, hopefully).

Belkin WeMo Motion & iPhone

Let’s start with what the WeMo is. It’s a device that you connect to your home WiFi network and to an electrical device that you want to control whether it is on or off. Once you set up your connection (which I will go into later), you use your mobile phone with the WeMo app, to turn on or off that electrical device. Let’s say you have a lamp connected to the WeMo plug, from another room or across the globe, once you have everything connected, you can turn that lamp on or off at will. Pretty handy, right?

[click to continue…]

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Using the Sun to Power your Gadgets & Light the Way – WAKAWAKA POWER

by Michael Sheehan on May 15, 2013

in Cellular, Consumer Electronics, Gadgets, General, Hardware, Mobile, Opinion, Review

Post image for Using the Sun to Power your Gadgets & Light the Way – WAKAWAKA POWER

If you look up into the sky, assuming it’s sunny and daytime, you will see a vast energy source that is incredibly untapped – the sun. Solar power technologies have been evolving a break-neck speeds and the size and costs have been reduced dramatically to the point where you can throw a solar panel, charger and battery into your backpack and never worry about plugging your smartphone or tablet into the wall again. The WakaWaka Power, is no exception. This small device, in my opinion, is critical to have for camping trips or in your emergency kit or just quietly charging in a sunny windows somewhere.

WakaWaka Power - Lights on

WakaWaka Power – Lights on

I actually really like this little “gadget helper” for a variety of reasons. Let’s start with the name, “WakaWaka” which means “shine bright” in Swahili. WakaWaka is created by Off-Grid Solutions (OGS) which is a company that develops and manufactures solar-based portable charging and lighting solutions. They got their start via a Kickstarter.com initiative (which raised over $419,000 – 838% over their initial $50,000 funding request) and are now a global brand. In fact, in 2012 they made it their mission to deliver 1 million WakaWaka’s worldwide as part of a pledge to the Clinton Global Initiative.

WakaWaka Power - packaging

WakaWaka Power – packaging

But OGS and WakaWaka haven’t stopped there. For every WakaWaka Power charger that they sell, they are donating $10 to the WakaWaka Foundation which has been set up to finance entrepreneurial education, micro-loans to women energy entrepreneurs and also subsidies for poor countries like Haiti, Nepal, Nigeria, India and others. One of their goals is to replace dangerous, expensive and polluting kerosene lamps with their solar-powered solutions. You can read more about their mission here. With initiatives and dreams like this, what is there NOT to like?!

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14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider – Part 1

May 14, 2013
Thumbnail image for 14 Things to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Provider – Part 1

You should all know by now that the cloud is here to stay. It may be in one form or another and in various flavors (infrastructure, platform or application) and it may not be called “cloud” in a few years, but the concept of on-demand, pay-as-you-go, Internet-delivery, scalable, as-a-service functionality will persist. It’s efficient, it’s [...]

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Wake Up! Mother’s Day is Almost Here!

May 10, 2013
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In case you didn’t know it already, Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Heads up to daughters and sons everywhere, it’s time to think about the person who hopefully nurtured you through the developing stages of your life and has provided you with ongoing support and unwavering love. However, I think it is important [...]

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Did You Miss Us? We’ve Been Licking Lemon Ant Butts! Cast of Dads Podcast #57

May 8, 2013
Thumbnail image for Did You Miss Us? We’ve Been Licking Lemon Ant Butts! Cast of Dads Podcast #57

Yep, we’re baaaack! Have you ever tried to organize the lives of 5 busy dads who are dispersed across the country and time zones? The image of herding cats comes to mind. The desire to record our Cast of Dads podcast is there, the free time, however, is not. Yeah, excuses, excuses. We did manage [...]

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How To Easily Remove, Install & Replace an Apple iPhone 4S Battery (Video)

May 7, 2013
Thumbnail image for How To Easily Remove, Install & Replace an Apple iPhone 4S Battery (Video)

I’m such a heavy user of my Apple iPhones that it really seems like about a year after I get one, I’m doing a how-to article on replacing the iPhone’s battery. I now have an iPhone 4S and this past weekend, I replaced the battery. Other smartphone users may scoff at the fact that Apple [...]

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