Category: Small Biz Applications

Samsung MobilePrint adds Mobile Printing from Android and iOS Devices

by BrothaTech

HP was first to build AirPrint capabilities into select HP printers for mobile users who want to print directly from their iOS devices. Now Samsung has unveiled its MobilePrint app for Android and iOS devices that allow direct printing all WiFi and network-enabled Samsung printers. The MobilePrint app allows users to print emails, web pages, maps, photos, and Microsoft Office and PDF files faster when traveling for business, working remotely, or visiting with friends and family.

Announced at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the MobilePrint app will detect and connect directly to Samsung wireless printers in the area via WiFi or a network link. Samsung Mobile Print/Scan app users can then print directly from their devices with the click of a button, eliminating the hassle of driver installations and network configurations.

The MobilePrint app will also allow for mobile devices to see images that were scanned by a local Samsung Printer. Users can quickly review and edit documents that have been scanned into a local Samsung printer. Using this feature, mobile devices can detect documents scanned to a local multifunction printer or, alternatively, be sent the scanned document by the MFP user.

The Samsung MobilePrint app is available for Android smartphones, Android tablets and iOS devices and can be downloaded from the relevant application store or marketplace.

Scan QR Code and Make Payments with Mobio App

by BrothaTech

If you haven’t seen on of these…

Then you haven’t been paying attention to the internet over the past year or so. They are called QR Codes and simply put, they give users access to the information encoded on the image by simply scanning the image using your smartphone’s camera and a QR Code reader app. Instead of typing a long url or manually adding a new contact, just create a code and other mobile users can scan it and automatically gain access to the encoded information quicker than typing on a tiny smartphone keyboard.

The Mobio QR Reader app not only gives users the ability to scan the codes automatically (no taking a picture first), but now you can make mobile payments to anyone who accepts “Mobio” by simply scanning a code that corresponds with your purchase.

Once you download the app, create a profile, and enter your financial information, Mobio organizes all of your transactions through one trusted device. No more credit cards or wallets, data entry or passwords. Mobio is not just smartphone user-based, businesses and organizations can reach out to a broader “mobile” audience by offering Mobio payments to patrons. Using easily (and securely) encoded and scanned QR code technology, Mobio makes identity management and protection simple and convenient for both individuals and organizations, resulting in increased value from purchases and better management of all interactions.

The Mobio QR Code Reader app is a free download for both iPhone and Android mobile devices. For more information, visit the Mobio Website.

myPhoneDesktop links your Desktop to Your iDevice

by BrothaTech

As good as mobile technology is getting these days, it’s still quicker and more efficient to access the web, data, files and other content via a laptop or desktop. The faster processor, full keyboard, the WAN or WiFi connection and the larger screen make it the best way to get what you need.

But what do you do when you actually need to send something from your computer to your mobile device. Surprisingly, items like pictures, website addresses, and other information is still being sent via email to be opened up on a mobile device. Sure with online services like Dropbox and Evernote, and Instapaper, you can synchronize these items across your devices. But you still need to mess with your mobile device to make a call, or send a text message.

That’s where myPhoneDesktop fills the gap and offers a way to quickly send data from your computer to your iDevice (iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad) and handle other tasks that would otherwise keep you tied to your phone. With myPhoneDesktop, you can:

– Call any telephone number from any application or web browser…

– Send complicated url with Map’s location or route to your iPad or iPhone in seconds…

– Simplify sending a long SMS to your friend, colleague or a client…

– Bring your notes or large amount of text with you in seconds…

– Send Images or Photos to your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch from any application or web browser…

By downloading the myPhoneDesktop app to your iDevice and the desktop client to your computer, you can link your devices together to quickly send content to your device and increase work flow. If you are on-the-go or not at your own computer (Hotel, Internet Cafe or Local Library), you can use convenient and full-featured myPhoneDesktop Web Client that works in numerous browsers.

I do a great deal of app reviews, and there are times when I come across an app on my laptop that I want to download to my iPad, but don’t have a way to connect my iPad to my computer to sync the app in iTunes. With myPhoneDesktop, I can send the iTunes link to my iPad and go directly to the app in the App store without a bunch of fuss.

So quit emailing stuff to yourself and download myPhoneDesktop ($4.99 in iTunes App Store, OS 3.0 and up)

HTC teases 4G Phones

by Justin Alcon

HTC has published a teaser web page that strongly suggests it will be unveiling a new handset on January 6. The site has three statements: “The First 4G Phone Ever,” “The First 4G Phone at T-Mobile,” and “The First to 4G, Again — Find out January 6.” The Verizon Wireless press conference is scheduled for January 6 at the Consumer Electronics Show, where it is expected to debut Evo-equipped smartphones.

The teaser site allows you to sign up to receive an alert as soon as the announcement is made.    You can also take a tour of the HTC EVO 4G, whose tag line is ‘you can do anything when your phone can do everything’.  The improved speeds of the 4G network will bring a lot of internet power to these new handsets.  The most interesting, and most highly touted, of these features is definitely the ability to use the phone as a wifi hotspot.  This means that these HTC phones could bring 4G speed to all of your mobile devices, no matter where you are.  Faster speeds also means “streamability” from your handset camera to the web, and the ability to use video conferencing features without an outside WiFi.  The future of mobile networks seems to be just around the corner.

Full Google Docs Editing comes to iOS, Android

by Justin Alcon

Over on the Google blog they’ve announced that you can now enjoy a full featured version of their popular Google documents with your holiday Gingerbread…or Froyo…or iPad.  This improvement will be fully shipped out and available to all by today.

So what did Google get you for Christmas?
“

  • You can work on that important memo…while on the bus or train to work.
  • If you’re behind on a group proposal, but really want to make it to the ball game tonight, your whole team can work on it from the bleacher seats.
  • You can take minute-by-minute notes at a concert so you’ll always remember the setlist. And your friends can jealously follow in real-time at home.
  • …and the list goes on!

“

To try this out,  head on over to docs.google.com and select a document to edit. Then, when you’re viewing it, press the Edit button to switch to the mobile editor- it’s just that simple.  Previously, the live editing feature wasn’t widely available on mobile devices, and so this improvement should be good news to anyone who needs collaboration while away from their main computer.

Google will also support multiple languages as well as editing features for it’s spreadsheets.  These features will be available on Adroid Froyo and Gingerbread, and iOS versions 3.0+.  Happy Holidays!

HelloTxt, Hello updates.

by Justin Alcon

HelloTxt, by Buongiorno, is one of the popular kids in the current class of of mobile applications that update social networks from a single interface. Considering how many social platforms require constant updating to stay relevant, this type of tool is a life saver for those serious about social media.  Choosing an aggregate social media updater can be a grab bag, but I’ve enjoyed using HelloTxt for about a year now.

The app maker has announced a whole bunch of great improvements for their popular app on mobile platforms iOS and Android.  These improvements will be applied to their more general browser-based application as well.

One of the new features is in-line media viewing, which lets users see photos, videos and whatnot on supported networks without having to leave the feed view (this is commonly called a ‘river of information’ view) which I find to be one of the most useful strategies for consuming data. Social interactions such as retweeting, “liking” and commenting have also been made easier to access and faster to use.

Definitely the most fun improvement in the updated version is the Doodle feature, which lets you draw and sketch status updates- or, maybe just poke a little fun at your closer Facebook friends. The social aggregator has even implemented a suggestion feature for those of us who sometimes forget what we’re doing in the middle of an action.

I have always recommended HelloTxt for those seeking a social media aggregator and upgrades like this make me feel good about the direction that this product is headed.  Happy networking!

LinkedIn comes to Android, finally.

by Justin Alcon

The social network for professionals, LinkedIn, is now offering an Android application to compliment its popular iOS (Apple’s mobile platform) and Blackberry implementations.  This app was the logical next step, as LinkedIn has seen a huge increase in members accessing the site from the Android platform.  This app has also been anticipated since the buzz broke that LinkedIn had hired Cedric Beust from Google.  Check out the LinkedIn blog for the full press release.

Since the app is still in its beta version, you’ll need to join the “LinkedIn for Android” group first if you’d like to get it now.  The beta version of the app allows the user to view updates from their professional network, updates from newly established connections, changes to contact profiles, and the popular articles and information from among your contacts.

The app nicely leverages Android’s search function, offering the ability to search for contacts and people from inside the app. LinkedIn says that this app gives the user the fastest search experience of all mobile platforms (not a big surprise from a Google operating system).

Android users can also use the app to send and respond to invitations and message their contacts within invitations. In the future, look for full inbox access, sharing and commenting on updates, and integration of the “People You May Know” feature.

LinkedIn would still be incredibly popular without this app (it adds a member every second) but with Android becoming the most popular mobile platform, a powerful app like this is only going to increase their traffic.

Official WordPress app for Windows Phone 7

by BrothaTech

WordPress for WP7 Actions ScreenAny brave bloggers out there grab the first iteration of the Windows Phone? If so, WordPress has released an official app for WP7 devices that from the images, looks pretty sweet.

Looks aside, WordPress for WP7 doesn’t bring anything extraordinary to the table outside of now being available to WP7 users. So heavy mobile bloggers should be able to add their blog and navigate the new app with no troubles. But just in case there are some newbies to mobile blogging with WordPress, here is just a short list of the options available for mobile users:

– Create/edit posts and pages
– Manage multiple blogs
– Add Media to library
– Moderate comments
– View stats

Whether you’re blogging as a personal hobby, to get more exposure for your business, or blog as a business, you want access to your WordPress site while your on the go just in case you’re inspired to post a pic, video, or quick story to your site as soon as the moment presents itself. With the WordPress app now available for WP7 devices, the Microsoft faithful can join the “Big Three” (Apple, Android & BlackBerry) users who can share and exchange valuable information with WordPress blog subscribers…whenever and wherever.

Create a Mobile App For Your Business with No Coding with Majoobi

by BrothaTech

With the Majoobi application platform and HTML5, “developers” can create visually appealing, functionality rich applications that run on different devices – No coding or middle man App Stores required. Since Majoobi is HTML5 based, iPhone & and Android users can visit your app’s url and bookmark your app on their device.

The Majoobi App Builder is an online tool that enables publishers to easily build and customize their applications without any coding. You can use RSS, Photos, Twitter & Facebook feeds, YouTube videos and other sources to stock your website with content in a matter of minutes (make sure the content is yours or you’re approved to use it). With the App Builder template, you can customize your app with colors, fonts, etc. to make it an original app that exemplifies your business in mobile fashion.

With Majoobi, you can create multiple apps and anyone can create an app. You can even submit to an App Store for more exposure, but it is definitely not a requirement. With Majoobi, you can develop and distribute your app on your own terms. Since there is no real download and the app uses HTML5, your visitors will need a data connection to use your app, versus a traditional app can make use of offline content to function. But hey, who uses a smartphone without coverage?

Majoobi also offers detailed analytics and statistical reports that allow you to track and analyze how people use your app. Geo-locations, visitor reports and many others are available to better measure effectiveness and optimize performance.

Majoobi is free to use, but there is a pricing schedule if you want to take your app to the next level with your own domain name for example. This an other features are available if you decide to upgrade, but with the free version, you can be up and running in no time with only minimal “sweat equity” invested.

For those who want to reach out to the “always connected” user that lives on their smartphone but are intimidated by the ideal of app development; Majoobi can get on your business on the radar of mobile users regardless of the device the are using with no coding needed.

Seesmic Adds Salesforce Chatter for Droid Users

by Justin Alcon

Seesmic, “the only social media tool that you will ever need”, has  announced an update to its popular Android app.  The update includes a UI makeover, Salesforce Chatter integration, and more.

Salesforce Chatter, if you’re unfamiliar, is Salesforce’s enterprise social networking application. Salesforce Chatter allows users to read their Chatter feeds, comment, view groups, contacts, profiles and post updates from the app. Salesforce integration is a great feature for business-savvy social networking users, allowing you to keep your tweets and check-ins focused on the bottom line.  Seesmic also connects your Salesforce and Twitter accounts, cutting down on redundant messaging.

The most powerful thing about aggregators is the ability to get streams from a lot of other social services, like Facebook, YouTube, Foursquare, LinkedIn and others all in one place. The folks over at Seesmic knew that Chatter integration was powerful for business users and is now bringing this great feature to Droid users as well.

The most commonly used functions, like compose and refresh, have been moved to a more accessible section dubbed ‘common actions’ located in the top right corner of the screen.  Seesmic has also added auto-complete  and advanced attachment management features, as well as fully threaded twitter conversations and lots of new languages for non-English speakers (Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Korean, and Polish).