Category: Small Biz Go Mobile

AT&T LTE now available in 51 markets, adding Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Worcester, MA and expanding in Baltimore!

by Shy Mukerjee

While many consumers have found the term “4G” a confusing marketing buzzword and not the indicator of mobile data speed they might expect, “4G LTE” or, simply, LTE, is an entirely different game. Offering speeds that compare favorably with your home broadband connection, LTE makes a huge difference in terms of how much you can get down, download, browse, and share while on the go.

Today AT&T is announcing that they’re adding 4G LTE to four new markets: Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Worcester, MA. This brings the total count up to 51, and they’re still going—many more markets will find themselves downloading at insane speeds by the end of the year.

As well, coverage is expanding in the greater Baltimore area! Rob Forsyth, vice president and general manager for AT&T in the greater Washington/Baltimore area, noted in a press release yesterday that, “[AT&T has] seen positive response from customers on our 4G LTE launch in the Baltimore region, and as today’s expansion shows, we’re continuing our rollout of fast LTE speeds to more areas of Maryland, including Baltimore and Anne Arundel Counties, as well as Ellicott City. Today’s launch means being able to beat your friends to the punch when accessing webpages, updating social networks and streaming video.”

Keep reading to see the complete list of markets where AT&T currently offers 4G LTE service. Read More

Tablet Updates: Amazon Updates & Google Predictions

by Katherine Elsasser

If there’s one thing we can conclude from all the tablet news from around the web this week, it’s that pretty soon we’ll have the widest range of screen sizes yet.

According to Demos Parneros, president of U.S. retail for Staples, Inc., Amazon will be introducing five or six tablet items, one of which will be a 10 inch model. There is no word on whether Amazon will retire any of their current e-reader iterations, but the 10″ tablet will almost certainly expand the more comprehensive Amazon Fire model that includes full color and multi-touch.google nexus 7

As Reuters notes, rumors have been swirling about whether Amazon will be entering the Smartphone market. Given that the Galaxy SIII has a 4.8inch screen (only two inches smaller than the Fire!) it seems like a foregone conclusion that Amazon has both the technical know-how and market incentive to launch smartphone as soon as possible. What size will the screen be? No one knows yet, but it’s worth noting that current iPhone 5 rumors peg that screen at a larger 4 inches.

Also competing at the 7inch size is the Google Nexus, the multi-touch tablet available for direct purchase from Google. The smaller 8GB version costs $199, the same price point as the Kindle Fire. But the larger 16GB has sold out at $249.00, with no word from Google as to when the tablet will be back in stock. With that kind of success, it would be a surprise if Google didn’t also expand into other size devices to meet the growing demand for tablet devices.

Google Fiber TV: What You Need to Know

by Katherine Elsasser

Google Fiber TV has finally launched, and sure, it’s only in Kansas City for now. But don’t expect that to last: Google is coming for your cable provider.

At its most basic, the premise is simple: TV and Internet access from the same provider. It’s the same idea cable companies have been using for years, except the provider here is Google, and they’re promising insanely fast Internet speeds. Specifically, 1000 Mb per second, or 100 times faster than today’s average broadband, with no cap in the amount of data subscribers can use.

Google as an ISP seems like a logical leap. But what does a Google as a TV intermediary look like? Right now, Kansas City residents will receive an HD-compatible set-top box capable of receiving 160 channels (though no ESPN, HBO or Time Warner channels). As part of the monthly TV package, users will also receive a two terabyte drive capable of recording up to 500 hours of HD content, plus a bonus Nexus 7 tablet to serve as a remote.

The complete package (fiber + TV) will run KS  residents $120 a month, while Internet-only service will be $70. That may be more than a typical Comcast, Time Warner or even Verizon ViOS bill, but for unlimited streaming and the opportunity to escape the entrenched cable providers, we’ll be surprised if there aren’t a lot of KS residents who think it’s worth it.

More about Google Fiber.

 

Use Docracy to Make Small Biz Legal Needs Easier and Get Free Legal Documents

by Katherine Elsasser

Legal needs can be one of the most daunting (and expensive) parts of setting up a small business, either as a freelancer, contract employee or as a small business looking to hire.

Docracy, a new NYC-based startup now in beta, aims to crowdsource basic legal needs to make it easier to get the legal stuff done and get on with the running of your business. It’s a great resource for standard legal documents that can be customized to your needs.

If you’re comfortable with basic legal language, it’s a great repository for standard forms that can be tweaked for each use, such as Non-Disclosure Agreements, Consulting Contracts, basic employment offer agreements, and more. There’s even a “startup bundle” that packages relevant documents together for those looking to get their company off the ground.

We especially love that documents can be edited, saved, and signed online to expedite contract signings. Agreements signed via Docracy are guaranteed legally enforceable.

It’s important to note that Docracy isn’t your lawyer. They’re very clear that the documents on their site don’t constitute legal advice, so if you have anything specific to your situation, or any questions about their standard documents, it’s definitely wise to consult with an actual lawyer or legal professional.

But at the very least, Docracy is an amazing time-saver for those looking to save time and money to launch their business into the world.

#neverbepowerless with the Duracell Powermat 24-hour Power System

by Shy Mukerjee

We’ve talked with Duracell Powermat CEO Ron Rabinowitz, showed you how the system could be a lifesaver during a hurricane, and today we get to show you yet another huge commercial (this is really a week for big commercials, huh), this one featuring none other than Jay-Z himself.

Oh and by the way, like the looks of the club in the video? Jay-Z’s 40/40 isn’t just a backdrop to this commercial, it could be the backdrop to your next big party! Mario Armstrong Media and Duracell Powermat are teaming up with several Socialcam users to throw a huge party in New York City on September 12th. Be sure to save the date—we’ll be able to talk about the full details soon!

The Latest Version of the Mac Operating System, OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, Is Now Available

by Shy Mukerjee

Back at the beginning of June, we detailed some of the top new features in the next version of Apple’s operating system for Laptop and Desktop, OS X Mountain Lion, the 8th major revision to Apple’s wildly popular OS X system.

While the list of new features is far from staggering, neither is the price. While previous updates to OS X have cost as much as $129, you can buy Mountain Lion today from the Mac App Store for only $19.99. At that price, you have little to lose. Keep reading to find out what you get for your money. Read More

VIDEO: First Ever Google Nexus 7 Commercial

by Katherine Elsasser

Not to be outdone by Apple’s new Martin Scorcese commercial, Google has launched their very first ad for the Nexus 7 tablet. Like the Chrome ads of the past, Google’s ad almost walks the line between sentimental and tearjerker. Who knew it was even possible for a an ad to be a tearjerker?

Google Nexus 7

Of course what Google would like you to recognize is that the Nexus 7 is the must-have technology that will put us in touch with our loved ones (and our feelings). But really, is that so different from most commercials, all of which promise to improve our lives in some way? And does it matter? If you want a 7″ tablet, and like what the Google brand represents, perhaps all the commercials are just a distraction anyway.

VIDEO: New Apple iPhone 4S Ad Featuring Martin Scorsese Talking to Siri

by Shy Mukerjee

Apple’s latest television ad for everyone’s favorite iPhone 4S feature, Siri, just hit YouTube a few minutes ago. In it, Scorsese takes a cab ride in NYC where he changes his schedule on the fly, gets a live traffic report, and much like the other celebrity ads Apple has been running lately, jokes around with Siri.

While many commentators were turned off by the ads and Apple’s attempt to leverage some celebrity star power to boost awareness of Siri, reporting data from Ace Metrix shows that they’ve been doing quite well. While the shortened clips of Scorsese using Siri aren’t exactly realistic portrayals (no wait time, for one, and Siri seems to understand him perfectly every time), how can you deny the charm of the Oscar-winning Director joking around with his phone?

What do you think? Are these new Apple ads a hit or a miss? Leave a comment below and we’ll respond!

How-To: Organize Online Shopping Receipts

by Katherine Elsasser

Keeping track of business-related expenses is a must. And if you’re doing most of your office supply and equipment ordering online, it makes sense to use Slice to keep track of all your receipts digitally.  No more sifting through paper receipts and invoices come tax time!
slice app for tracking receipts

Slice is simple: give the application permission to see your email, and Slice will archive all your purchase records from major online retailers like Apple, Amazon, and eBay. You can add up to five email accounts to your single Slice account, so it’s perfect for small business and remote collaborators.

The app (available for both iPhone and Android) makes your purchase history easily accessible anytime, but can also deliver push notifications about deliveries en route regardless of the shipping carrier. And the UI is far superior to the mobile offerings of certain other shippers who shall remain nameless, since we’d really like to keep getting our Amazon purchases in a timely manner.

Slice is currently in beta. More info and signup at www.slice.com.

Coursera: Free Business Advice from the Best

by Katherine Elsasser

CourseraOnline education is key to the future of American universities. In fact just recently University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan was fired in part over what the school Board of Trustees perceived as a failure to move the school’s online learning programs forward quickly enough. She’s since been rehired, but there’s no denying that the web will revolutionize the way we learn in the years to come.

One online education startup called Coursera is already working to bring University-level education to your laptop, tablet and mobile phone. They’ve partnered with leading univerisities like Caltech, Stanford, Princeton and more to bring real-time classes on a variety of subjects, like computer science, math, economics, and statistics.

Small business owners and employees should especially check out their business and management classes. Introduction to Finance (from the Univeristy of Michigan) begins Monday, and Introduction to Operations Management (from the University of Pennsylvania) begins in September.

Courses are free and can be taken while wearing pajamas. What’s not to like?