Category: Small Biz Go Mobile

Wednesday Small Biz Tips

by Shy Mukerjee

We are pleased to work with Ramon Ray, CEO and editor of SmallBizTechnology.com, journalist, and technology evangelist, to bring you our new Small Biz tips on Wednesdays. Each week we’ll be sharing videos and articles featuring hot topics, products and trends in small business.

More Battery Life In 7 Steps: Must Read For Road Warriors

I bought a Dell Vostro 130 last year and it’s a lovely machine. Only problem is that battery life is not that long. What you gain in lightness (it’s like 2 or 3 lbs) you lose in other things – like shorter battery life. I was helping a friend of mine with their new Toshiba Portege (not sure the model) and it’s battery life appears to be a little bit longer, but it’s a bit heaver as it has a built in CD-ROM/DVD drive. Sigh…what to do. Read more tips for extending your laptop’s battery life on SmallBizTechnology.com.

Dual Monitor For Client Meetings? Check Out This USB Mobile LCD Monitor

Notebooks are great. However, their small screens don’t always make it easy enough for you to share what you’re working on with a client, colleague or anyone else.

Toshiba’s got a $200 portable monitor that works with your notebook computer, as long as it runs Windows, via USB.

This is one of those little gadgets that are not for everyone, but I can guarantee that there is DEFINITELY a market of sales professionals, designers and others who want to show someone else what’s on their screen. See the USB Dual Monitor in action.

Missed Plaxo? It’s Back. This Time Focused on Your Address Book

I can’t remember when I started using Plaxo and I don’t remember when I stopped using it. But I know somewhere between Twitter, Facebook, Google and less use of Microsoft Outlook, my use (or even needed) of Plaxo become much less.

Earlier this month Plaxo announced that it’s “back” with a new vengeance. Read more about Plaxo on SmallBizTechnology.com.

Tablets are all about Mobile Productivity

by BrothaTech

As a techie who bought both the iPad and the iPad 2, I get this question often: “Why do I need a tablet device?” The quick answer is “you don’t.” Tablets, just like any other business tool, are merely aids to help you get things done, but not a necessity. Now a better question for a person to ask me (Certified Tablet Advocate) is “What benefit do you get from using a Tablet?”

Tablets are all about mobile productivity. Laptops and even NetBooks are pretty fast and portable these days. So to whip your laptop out of your bag, turn it on, wait for it to boot, and wait for it to connect to a WiFi signal; or whip out your own MiFi device or connect to your hotspot feature built into your phone is getting…faster? Or you can grab your tablet – chances are it’s already on and connected, and you are off to doing whatever you need to do in half the time.

Now don’t get me wrong, tablets are no where near completely replacing a laptop. There are still some tasks that need raw computing power to accomplish; but, tablets are changing the way we do business in general. The advancements in web and mobile apps/services, cloud computing/storage, and networking/communication/collaboration practices are all starting to make it very easy to handle a great deal of tasks with just an internet connection.

So if you can conduct a team/client meeting using apps like Webex, network with associates or colleagues over Yammer, create and send official documents or invoices with Documents To Go, organize and sync files with Dropbox, manage business accounts and finances with Kashoo, and get paid faster with Square…with just access to the internet and a tablet device; going through the process of hoping on a traditional computer in many cases is just not necessary in this new age of computing…And don’t even get me started on the cool ways businesses are using tablets to display their artwork, check guests in at hotels and restaurants, entertain patients at medical offices, etcetera.

In conclusion, you have to do what’s best for your business. A tablet may not be in the immediate fiscal budget; but the productivity and mobility advantages are real and getting more evident as more companies and consumers start to “buy in” to the whole mobile computing era that our society is QUICKLY moving into.

– Terrance Gaines, C.T.A.

Win a BlueAnt Q2 Bluetooth Headset!

by Shy Mukerjee

Contests are going to become a regular feature here on Small Biz Go Mobile. After all, why shouldn’t we give something back to our readers? Mario has talked about the BlueAnt Q2 Bluetooth Headset before, and you can check him out on CNN talking about voice activation, driving safety, and the Q2 below.

But how do you enter? Simple, just do two things:

The contest ends at Noon EST on Monday, April 4th. Winners (and our next contest!) will be announced that afternoon on this site. So follow us, retweet, and check back to see if you won!

Mario Armstrong discusses Hands-Fre Bluetooth Technology and Driving Safety on CNN

Rumor: Google Nexus Tablet

by Justin Alcon

According to the Russian mobile blog Mobile Review (you’ll need to switch to English if you’d like to read the blog, unless you’re fluent in Russian), LG has been tapped to produce the Google Nexus tablet for the Mountain View-based Internet giant. Details are scarce (and of course unconfirmed), but according to the site the tablet will be used by  Google as base for the development and testing of Honeycomb (Android 3.0), their latest tablet-optimized operating system. This new device should be ready in “mid-summer or early autumn.”

Definitely keep in mind that this device could just be an engineering prototype to be used by Google internally for Android tablet development and wouldn’t necessarily lead to a consumer-facing product. However, the idea of Google producing a tablet that stacks up to iPad 2 in the same way that their Nexus S phone challenged iPhone 4 is an idea that will create a lot of buzz among tech junkies and Android fanboys.  If it really happens, it could have a big impact on the future of tablet integration into your business.  The fact that Google has delayed distribution of Honeycomb source code to outside developers definitely lends credibility to this rumor, so I’m not willing to dismiss this with a das vadanya quite yet.

SoundNote app for iPad: Write, Scribble, and Record Meetings all at Once

by BrothaTech

Sitting in meetings is a pain. Trying to take notes in a meeting is probably worse. Trying to make sense of those notes after the meeting is hands-down unbearable. The SoundNote app for iPad looks to alleviate your stress by combining the ability to write notes, sketch objects and illustrations, and make an audio recording all in one app.

Most mobile note-taking apps only allow you to either type/draw notes or sketch objects/illustrations. SoundNote lets you do both on the same page with it’s powerful drawing tool. If you make a mistake or need add to a sketch, you can tap it twice to edit your strokes. Tap the object just once to select it, and drag it to wherever you want on the page or delete it entirely. You can use iOS finger gestures to scroll and zoom objects. If you still want to add traditional notes, you can use the virtual keyboard to add notes on the same page.

Just in case your shorthand note-taking is not fast enough on your iPad, you can record audio of the meeting so you don’t miss an important detail while you’re trying to draw the perfect arrow. Instead of playing the entire recording back just to locate one detail you missed, tap a word in your notes that and SoundNote jumps to the corresponding place in the recording. If you’re worried about space on your iOS device, a hour of recording takes up only about 25mb. If you’re in a meeting longer than a hour, recording space on your iPad is the LEAST of your problems.

Need to share notes with your co-workers, team members, or clients, you send them out via email directly from your iPad or download the notes to your Mac or PC to backup or for organizational purposes. At $4.99, SoundNote isn’t cheap as far as mobile apps are concerned, but with all the functionality that’s built into this app, at least your notes won’t suffer from your inability to enjoy those bright and early Monday-morning meetings.

Android to Launch In-App Purchasing

by Justin Alcon

Yesterday on the Android developer blog, Google announced that it will launch in-app billing for the Android Market next week. In-app billing allows Android users to purchase more content directly from within an app — a near identical feature to Apple’s somewhat controversial yet similar scheme. In the announcement, Google also said that developers can begin testing this feature immediately by  simply uploading their apps to the Developer Console. In the Developer Console, developers can create catalogs of in-app purchases, set prices and test the transaction process.

The implications of this are huge as far as businesses are concerned.  Android is by far the fastest growing platform, and while most iOS apps are paid apps, most apps on Android are free of charge.  In-app purchases perfectly support the freemium model for business.  The freemium model is popular because it allows consumers to interact with your product with no bar to entry, and yet offers your company a revenue stream if your product impresses the user.  I’m confident that there will be more revenue from in-app purchases than there will be from app sales at the end of the day.  So, revisit your company’s mobile apps and you might find that a river of revenue runs through an already existing product.

BlackBerry PlayBook Adds Java and Android “app player,” but not in time for launch

by Shy Mukerjee

Although word leaked last month that BlackBerry had added the ability to run Android apps on their upcoming PlayBook tablet (previously: pricing, quick look), a press release from RIM yesterday gives more details about how this will work.  The PlayBook will have access to what RIM are calling “app players” to allow not just Android 2.3 but Java apps as well.  However, unlike we assumed, there won’t simply be an Android Market on the PlayBook, but the process sounds simple enough. According to RIM, developers will have to simply repackage and sign their apps, then submit them to BlackBerry App World.  Touting a “a high degree of API compatibility” between Android and BlackBerry, the process will hopefully be painless.

Not in Time for Launch

The PlayBook will be here on April 19th, but RIM notes in their press release that the app players won’t arrive until summer.  With their tablet Native Development Kit (NDK) forthcoming and still in alpha, how are developers supposed to have apps ready for launch?  BlackBerry is addressing this in several ways, announcing today that they’re adding C/C++ development to the NDK, allowing developers to leverage work already done in the language and easily port existing code to the platform.  As well, developers will have the option to bring Adobe Flash and AIR apps to the PlayBook, in addition to the HTML5 support via WebKit.

With the iPad 2 and Motorola Xoom already out, their app stores full thanks to a significant head start, how will the PlayBook compete? Will there be a significant number of apps available for the platform at launch, and will consumers be able to wait until summer for Android Apps to make their way to the device?  We’re still waiting with bated breath to find out how the BlackBerry PlayBook is going to shine amongst what we assume will be its core audience: business users. Having already announced that they’re bringing BlackBerry Messenger to Android and possibly iOS, it will be interesting to see what unique features the PlayBook will be bringing to market.

Frenzy for Mac Adds Social Network Layer to Dropbox

by BrothaTech

If you’ve been following Small Biz Go Mobile for awhile, then you should know that I am a strong advocate for the Dropbox cloud storage service. I can sync all my business and personal files across all of my devices and sync/share my files with other users whether they use Dropbox or not. Dropbox is pretty popular with the masses as well. Other mobile, web, and computer apps/services are starting to add Dropbox integration as well.

One such service is called Frenzy and it essentially wraps a small social network around users by giving them the ability to have a discussion about the files they share via Dropbox. Now, before I get you all excited and ready to try out Frenzy, you need a Dropbox account (get a free 2GB account here) and Frenzy is currently only available for Mac laptops and desktops…But, I would assume the developer(s) behind Frenzy would more than gladly add a mobile app and Windows support if there is a demand.

If you fit the minimum system requirements, and work with a group who shares Dropbox files, Frenzy may just bridge the gap between your Dropbox files and the gobs of text messages, IM’s, and emails you send about those files. Simply download Frenzy, select which shared Dropbox folders you want to use, and any files or links can be shared by using the control+option+S button sequence on your Mac. The Frenzy window will pop up, insert your file, and offer a window to add text, a description…whatever it you want to say about the file.

All of your files and conversations live in Dropbox and the cloud, so no additional space is used when sharing files between folders. Additionally, Frenzy works offline, so if you do manage fire off a couple of files while off the grid, your files will be sent as soon as your connect to a network.

So instead of sending an email with an attachment for the recipient to open, download, and save to a Dropbox folder; instead of sharing a file, then hopping on your smartphone or switching to IM to send a message about the file; Frenzy can be your one-stop-shop for Dropbox file sharing/communication.

The Frenzy Mac client is currently in beta, so head on over to the developer’s website to download while it’s still monetarily advantageous (read: free).

Small Biz Tips From SmallBizTechnology.com

by Shy Mukerjee

We are pleased to work with Ramon Ray, CEO and editor of SmallBizTechnology.com, journalist, and technology evangelist, to bring you our new Small Biz tips on Wednesdays. Each week we’ll be sharing videos and articles featuring hot topics, products and trends in small business.

Send A Text Message And Shut Down Your Stolen Computer: Intel’s Anti-Theft Tech 3.0

Stolen laptops are no joke – especially if you have sensitive data on it. Maybe photos that you don’t want into the “wrong hands”, maybe company contracts that competitors would surely want to see or maybe they’re financial records of clients that could harm your business if exposed to hackers.

Whatever information is on your notebook computer it’s important to encrypt your data and use strong password protection.

For a second layer of security, Intel has created an embedded 3G (yep – wireless communication) technology into the 2nd Generation of it’s vPro Processor that can remotely disable a computer and ensure that your data is protected and secure from hackers.

By sending an SMS (text) message to your laptop you can shut it down and find where it is through GPS coordinates. Read the full article here.

Photos and your business – A branding opportunity

Whenever there is a special event in our lives we take a lot of photos and it could be a powerful medium for you to spread the word about your brand. It’s going to be a Super Moon tonight (March 19th 2011) as I am starting this article . The moon will appear 14% larger and will be another 18 years before it happens again. Now my first instinct is – is my camera ready? Should I charge the battery and you may have by now realized I am a photo enthusiast with no professional training. All my training comes from the folks whose pictures I have taken ( maybe in the hope that I take better pictures of them) and from professionals like Kris Krug who gives me tips when I meet him at conferences. Learn more about branding opportunities here.

How Google’s Search Engine Changes Affect Your Rankings: Four Tips 4 U

What happens when Google alters their search ranking algorithms—which they do often—and you find your website and your business are now collateral damage under the sanitized term “metrics”?

This latest update, nicknamed the “Panda Update,” has turned much of the online marketing world on its collective ear. Sift through any number of professional blogging, traffic generation, and online marketing blogs, and most have at least one post mentioning the algorithm changes and what it means for everything from Page Rank to profits. Read the rest of this article at SmallBizTechnology.

BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet is Announced – Small Business Ready?

by BrothaTech


The Tablet game is finally starting to heat up.

Next up is the BlackBerry PlayBook 7″ inch Tablet device set to hit stores April 19th. BlackBerry dubs the PlayBook as “the world’s first professional-grade tablet”. The pricing structure follows:

• 16GB Wi-Fi, $499
• 32GB Wi-Fi, $599
• 64GB Wi-Fi, $699

Althought it’s not listed initially for sale on the 19th, the PlayBook will support HSPA, LTE, and WiMax networks. In other words, BlackBerry will offer WiFi + 4G device configurations in the near future, if not at launch.

Professional-grade? The BlackBerry PlayBook boasts some serious power with its 1GHZ dual-core processor, 1GB of internal ram, and the nicest multitasking functionality around. The PlayBook will have out-of-the-box BlackBerry Enterprise Server (aka BES) capabilities so your company’s IT department can lock down the device for corporate use. Outside of that, it will depend on the mobile app developers to support the PlayBook with some serious productivity apps to make this the “go-to” device for the small business crowd.

Most small businesses don’t have access to B.E.S. or know how to implement it; so we rely on mobile apps to access, secure, and backup our data when we are not in front of our primary computer. BlackBerry smartphones have a nice suite of apps to support mobility, so let’s hope those same apps are ported… or, better yet, are enhanced for the PlayBook.

Finally, the PlayBook runs a tablet-specific OS that should give current BlackBerry smartphone users a reason to check out the tablet. New features, functionality, and user experience should draw in the BlackBerry faithful and give them hope as to what their phones may be able to do in the near future.

The BlackBerry Tablet is available for preorder via Best Buy, and will go on sale at the “Big 3” US wireless carriers, and other locations on April 19th. check out the BlackBerry PlayBook site for more features, specifications, and availability details.