Author: BrothaTech

NFC is the New Black

by BrothaTech

The Lowdown: Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology has been making the rounds this past year as companies are starting to develop and enhance ways to utilize it in everyday settings. To refresh your memory, or to hip you to the game altogether, NFC is comprised of small chips encoded with information that can be decoded when a compatible device is in proximity of the chip. Any type of information can be stored on the chip, and devices that can decode the information can be as small as (you guessed it) a cell phone.

Specifically, by adding the technology to cell/smart phones to enable people to pay for items by linking a credit card or bank account to a microSD card with NFC tech built in and simply waving the phone over a POS device at the time of sale. Major companies like Visa and Bank of America are testing this out as we speak.

Google has decided to enter into the fray with their newest Android mobile device, the Nexus S, that will have NFC built into the phone – no need for an additional micoSD Card). Nexus S owners will be able to wave (or hover) their phones over NFC chips that can embedded into stickers, t-shirts, posters, business cards, etc. and decode/display the information.

Concurrently, Google has launched its “Hotpot” service that works with Google Places that offers businesses NFC-enabled window decals to display at their locations. The idea is that passers-by with NFC readers (like smartphones) can hover their device over the window decal to automatically learn more about the business, get special deals/offers, read and write reviews. The end result, more people using Google Places, and more foot traffic to businesses.

Does all this sound familiar? Well, I am a fan of QR code technology that enables people to create funny-looking barcodes encoded with information that can be decoded with QR code reader apps on smartphones. QR codes can be encoded with any type of information and can be made into the same stuff that NFC can be made into. The difference is that QR Code has to be scanned manually by decoder apps in conjunction with smartphone camera, versus NFC, which readers only have to be in proximity of a chip to decode the information.

Where am I going with all of this? It seems as if we are still waiting for QR Code to be accepted by the masses, and now in comes NFC technology already stealing some of it’s thunder. While NFC (chips) sounds WAY cooler than QR Code (barcodes), and is easier to use, QR Codes are easier/cheaper to produce and can be used over the web as well…

Scan the QR Code
Mario's Shirt

My Verdict: I think as smartphones become more and more of a de facto NECESSITY for everyone, and you start to see the entire contents of wallets and pocketbooks being replaced by smartphones, I think both QR Codes and NFC tech will have their respective place in our “can’t live without” device.

But I must ask – How could you use NFC or QR Codes for your business?

Web-only Google Chrome OS Shipping to Developers

by BrothaTech

The long-awaited, almost out of beta, Google Chrome OS that only uses applications from the web just got closer to becoming to reality as developers, major brands, and some lucky consumers will receive their plain-looking CR-48 notebook with the new fully functional operating system from Google in the coming days/weeks.

Chrome OS is a web-only OS in the sense that there are no applications/software to download. All applications are only available from the Google Chrome Web Store that will launch alongside the Chrome OS with all of your documents/data stored in the cloud. Additionally, the notebooks Google plans to mass produce will not have media drives or hard drives at all (Solid State Flash drives will act as primary storage). The idea is that notebooks running Chrome are to be lightning fast and have longer-than-your-average-computer operating/standby times.

Users will get all the benefits of Chrome notebooks: 10-second boot, fast web app performance, and built-in 3G and Wi-Fi. And none of the headaches of ordinary computers.

In other words, Google Chrome OS and the notebooks it plans to mass produce is practically a shell with just enough guts, and a web camera to get you connected to the net and producing – no booting up and no wasting time.

As I stated before, Chrome OS is still in beta, but will make a debut sometime in 2011. The minimalistic, always on, and always connected Google notebooks, or those produced by other manufacturers, will also be available around the same time frame.

Google isn’t the only company with some serious time, effort and money thrown into the future of cloud computing. More and more companies are offering cloud solutions that allow ease of use/accessibility at a very reasonable cost to the consumer.

My suggestion to you is if you have reservations about cloud computing/storage, I suggest you read up on the subject and figure out how you and your business can effectively use it to your advantage…because it isn’t just a fad and it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Make Your Work Phone an App on your Personal Phone with Virtualization

by BrothaTech

Sounds good doesn’t it? LG and VMware want to do just that. They’re working together on ‘mobile virtualization technology’ that will allow you to run a fully-functional 2nd phone complete with a separate phone number & security policies as an app within your personal phone.

That is idea for enterprise folks who do to strict company IT policies, couldn’t possibly use their work phone as their personal phone OR really don’t want to whip out their clunky, 2 versions back smartphone (which, in smartphone terms is like 3 months ago) while outside the workplace.

Fresh from the press release:

Smartphones are driving demand for an enhanced mobile experience as business- specific devices lose appeal and employees look to use their personal devices at work,” said Stacy Crook, senior analyst for IDC’s Mobile Enterprise research programs. “For the business market, the individual-liable, employee-owned model is here to stay. Savvy companies will embrace the trend and procure the necessary means to ensure that all devices with sensitive information are managed properly.

Initially, the software will be available for LG phones running Android operating systems and is expected to come to market sometime in 2011. Don’t be surprised if other mobile brands/manufacturers quickly jump on the bandwagon to appease those looking to carry just ONE PHONE for both business and pleasure personal.

*raises hand*

Check out the video of mobile virtualization technology at work.

http://www.viddler.com/explore/engadget/videos/2153/

[via: Engadget]

Package Tracking App for BlackBerry Keeps an Eye on Your Shipments

by BrothaTech

Amazon shipping robotI currently own a BlackBerry, and when I want to track a package, I open up my web bookmarks and find the corresponding mobile website for the parcel service that’s handling the shipment. I recognize and appreciate these companies for creating mobile sites so folks can track their shipments via their mobile devices, but it would be cool if there was one app that could track all my packages, no matter the carrier.

The Package Tracking app for BlackBerry does just that. All you do is Define your tracking numbers, click on colorful envelope, and after a few seconds you will get information about the current status of your shipment. You can track packages shipped through the following couriers:

UPS
FedEx
USPS
Ontrac
DHL DE
DHL PL
DHL/Airborne USA

You can track up to 5 packages at once, and the app will display all updates to the shipment’s status and its whereabouts.

The Package Tracking app can be had for $3.99 at BlackBerry App World. So if you are in e-commerce or a reseller looking to quickly track your inventory, or just need to make sure all of your holiday packages you bought online reach your house, Package Tracking app may be right up your alley.

Scan the code for the BlackBerry App World link.

Scan code with your BlackBerry QR Code Reader

Fuze Meeting for iPad makes Your Meetings Mobile

by BrothaTech

Conducting a video conference or meeting no longer requires a sophisticated conference room Audio/Video setup. As more business professionals, entrepreneurs and small business owners are going mobile, the need to conduct meetings, conferences and presentations on their mobile devices is a necessity.

That’s where the Fuze Meeting app comes in. Fuze Meeting gives you the ability to take the meeting with you. With Fuze you can:

– Run your sales meeting from home or on the road
– Start a technical support session, make someone a presenter and have them share their mac or PC screen for remote troubleshooting
– Start and manage your next team conference call
– Use it to remotely control slides and other content in your board room!

Other features include VoIP integration, in-app instant messenger, a laser pointer functionality, pinch and zoom features, and cloud integration (Can somebody say Dropbox?). Fuze Meeting app will work on the Apple iPhone 4, Android, iPad, laptops and desktops with web cameras. So no matter what device your attendees pick as their weapon of choice, your mobile meeting, powered by Fuze, has you covered.

There are other mobile meeting apps out there that can tackle a similar task. What will set Fuze Meeting apart is the fact that your iPad or Android Tablet will add HD video conferencing in 720p. So if you do have conference attendees with high-powered video setups, your tablet device will have no problem displaying their video feed on your device in high quality.

Fuze is available for the iPad as a free download in iTunes (OS 3.2 and up). If you need more than two participants for your meetings, an in-app upgrade is available.

As more people ditch their desktops and maybe even laptops for a more mobile way to operate their business, look to applications like Fuze to get folks out of the office while keeping them connected.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OkC2IRZc-4&feature=player_embedded

WordPress Version 3.0.2 Update Stresses Security

by BrothaTech

This is one of those updates that I would stress you do if your business has an online presence via WordPress. Scratch that, WordPress herself is stressing that you update to this latest version.

and I quote:

WordPress 3.0.2 is available and is a MANDATORY SECURITY UPDATE for all previous WroPress versions.

There it is, straight from the horses mouth source. here is more of the release notes:

This maintenance release fixes a moderate security issue that could allow a malicious Author-level user to gain further access to the site, addresses a handful of bugs, and provides some additional security enhancements. Big thanks to Vladimir Kolesnikov for detailed and responsible disclosure of the security issue!

Download 3.0.2 or update automatically from the Dashboard > Updates menu in your site’s admin area. You should update immediately even if you do not have untrusted users.

Sounds pretty important right? I suggest you head on over to WordPress downloads and do what you gotta do.

Carbonite Pro: Don’t Wait For Your Hardrive to Die Before You Backup

by BrothaTech

Don't wait...backup now!

If you’re a small business owner and don’t have some sort of backup practice in place, I will personally come to your office…and shake you. Then I would promptly direct you to this post where I am going to school you on the Carbonite Pro online backup software.

You can’t afford to lose data. Just because you’re really particular about how you save/store files, doesn’t mean you’re safe from circumstances outside of your control. But you need some crazy “Top-Secret” backup operation that includes an armored truck backup up to your office door either! Carbonite Pro is the simple solution that will get your files backed up online and give you access to your files anytime, whether you are at your desk or on the go.
Here are some of the features of Carbonite Pro:

Easy to install
Your entire office can be up and running with no headaches and no time lost.

Easy to integrate
No expensive hardware required; plus, it works alongside any existing server backup without a hitch.

Easy on your staff
Very little training (and no technical background) required.

Easy to manage
Automatically lets you know if something’s amiss.

Easy recovery
Just a few clicks on any computer connected to the Internet and you’re on your way to recovering the files you need

The cool thing about Carbonite Pro is the fact that you are not tied to your desktop or laptop computer if you want access to your files. Downloading the free Carbonite iPhone app (iOS 3.0 and up) allows Carbonite customers to access the files in their backup—anywhere, anytime. Once the files on your computer have been backed up by Carbonite, you can view them directly on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

I really hope you don’t think your data that’s all housed on your laptop or even backed up at the office or burned to a DVD is bullet-proof. Do yourself a favor an add another layer of security by going “to the cloud” and trying out Carbonite Pro online backup solution for your small business…It’s free for the one month so you can try it out. Pricing for Carbonite Pro starts at $10 per month – unlimited users, and unlimited computers (Windows XP and up…No Mac or Linux). There is no contract and your plan can grow as your storage needs grow…up to 500GB for $250 per month…and beyond. Visit Carbonite Pro.com for more information.

Google Apps Adds More Services To Expand Its Reach

by BrothaTech

Starting today, Google Apps administrators can enable the complete array of Google services, including Google Voice, Reader, Maps and more. Before, Google Apps users were could only use Gmail, Docs, Calendar, and GTalk/chat. Now that Google has added these additional services, you can sign in to services using your Google Apps account, and not have to use your basic Google account (yes, they’re different).

This also means that if you belong to an team, organization, or company that uses Google Apps, admins can customize and even brand how team members/employees see and use Google Apps. Admins for example can control what group uses what services. Drivers can be restricted to Google Maps for directions, writers and bloggers can be given access to Blogger & Reader. Everybody in the office can now have their own Google Voice number, et cetera.

I just posted yesterday how Google is making documents editable on the go. Now this story about Google making more services available for even more users. from Android smartphones to Google TV, to Google Fiber – you name it, Google has it. Looks like Google is positioning itself to be Skynet a one-stop shop for all your personal, entertainment, and business, needs.

Google Docs Gets Mobile Editing Capabilities

by BrothaTech

Google Docs is a great web application that allows to you to create, save, and share documents with other users and other devices. If you are on the go and needed access to your documents via your mobile device, you can sign into your Google Docs account and have your document available to you.

…But that’s all you could do. Google has decided to step up its game and add read and write capabilities to Google Docs for Android and iOS Devices (iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad). So now, if you happen across a typing error in a document or a wrong figure in a spreadsheet and can’t wait until you get back to the office to make the change, you can now tweak you document and still keep to your busy schedule. This is especially helpful if you collaborate with other members of your organization and you need to make “mission-critical” changes (I’ve always wanted to say “mission-critical”) sooner than later.

This also points out another solid feature of Google Docs. Editing documents, whether using a desktop, laptop, OR now a mobile device, can be done in real-time. So users who have access to your document see changes as you make them and you can see their changes within seconds on your mobile device. And added bonus if you are an Android user is that you can use Android’s voice transcription to add text to your document as well. So you can save some time and speak text directly into your document.

Android OS 2.2 “Froyo” users and iOS 3.0 and up devices should start seeing the “edit” button at the upper-left side of a document they are in within the next couple of days. To check out Google Docs on your mobile device, visit docs.google.com.

Be the FIRST to know that your Website is Down with Pingdom

by BrothaTech

Getting an email or a phone call from a customer saying “something is wrong with your website” could quite possibly crush any dream at future business from that customer or other potential clients surfing the web for information about your business. Let’s be realistic, there are going to be times that your site may be down for whatever reason and in most of those cases, you may not be able to get it back up before anyone notices. But at the very least, you could be the first to know that your site is down so you can get into “damage control” a little quicker.

With the online monitoring service Pingdom, you will be notified as soon as your site is down, in addition to normal uptime and performance monitoring when things are going just fine. Pingdom is not just for website monitoring either. You can monitor mail servers, DNS servers, FTP servers, networks, and much more.

The Pingdom service monitors websites and servers from multiple locations on the Internet, making sure that they are working. If your site stops working, Pingdom will alert you immediately. Based on your settings, you can have Pingdom inform you and via email or SMS as soon as we detect a problem with your sites or servers. Since Pingdom tests your site as often as every minute you can be quickly informed of any problems. Pingdom also provides reports and updates that track the performance of your sites and servers through the lifetime of your Pingdom account. They allow you to see various trends in downtime, response time and load time.

You can choose to:

– Receive email or txt messages of alerts, updates or notifications

– Login to your Pingdom account online

– Download the Desktop Notifier on your XP, Vista or Windows 7 PC (sorry Mac folks)

OR

*drumroll please*

– Download the free Pingdom iPhone app (iOS 3.0 and up) that lets you connect to Pingdom and view the current status of the websites and services you are monitoring. Additional app features include receiving push alerts to your iPhone, getting information about each check, and customizing the list of shown checks.

A Pingdom account, the iPhone app, and the Desktop Notifier for PC are all FREE, provided to choose either the Basic Plan that includes 5 checks (websites, FTP sites, servers, etc) for $10 bucks a month; or, the Business Plan that includes 30 checks for $40 bucks a month. If you are an individual or a small business and just want to check ONE site/service, there is in fact a free plan that also includes 20 text messages.

If you are a business with an online presence, website downtime can be a thorn in your side, if not the nail in your coffin. The ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly to get your site back up and running is only valuable if you actually know that your site is down. Sure, you could constantly watch your site, like you have nothing else productive to do, or you could get with Pingdom and rest knowing you will be the first to know that your website is down, and quite possibly avoid those embarrassing “did you know your website was down” messages that can be a ding on your reputation.