Category: Top Story

Use StayFocused to Block Time Wasting Websites To Make You More Productive

by Katherine Elsasser

StayFocused browser extension blocks websites to increase productivityWe’ve all logged into Facebook and mysteriously lost 45 minutes down the rabbit hole of status updates and liking photos. In theory it’s not a big deal, but all those tiny procrastination moves add up to lost time and productivity when you could be getting work done. It takes a lot of willpower to restrain yourself from checking Twitter (or whatever your distraction of choice may be), so there are a few options to take all the choice out of the equation. StayFocused is a browser extension for Chrome that simply blocks sites you specify, so you can’t be tempted.

Browser extensions work kind of like plugins, and they quite literally take advantage of the browser’s engineering to extend its technological capabilities. They’re all as simple as a quick download from the Google Chrome Web Store. Keep in mind this only work for Chrome, but you can use the Chrome browser on either a Mac or PC.

After you’ve downloaded the extension, there are a couple of productivity-boosting options. The first is called the “Nuclear Option,” which in this case means blocking certain sites all the time, or even only allowing certain sites all the time. If you’re willing to allow yourself a little time to goof off, you can also set the browser to allow for certain amounts of time that can be spent on various sites. For example, you can set a maximum amount of 20 minutes for Facebook. After your twenty minutes are up, you’re locked out. No more Facebook until the next day.

There are ways around it, of course. You could switch browsers or disable the StayFocused plugin altogether. So yes, you will still need some willpower to stay on task. But it’s a lot less than you might need otherwise, and it can’t hurt to limit (or at least just track) how much time you’re spending on sites that aren’t job-critical.

 

Deal: Buy a Samsung Galaxy S4 and Tab 2 Bundle to Save

by Katherine Elsasser
samsung galaxy s4
Samsung Galaxy S4 and Tab 2 Bundle from AT&T

If you’re in the market for both a phone and a tablet, AT&T is offering a special bundle deal to help you save. When you buy the new Samsung Galaxy S4 you can also get the new Galaxy Tab 2 for only $199, $300 less than the non-contract price. Both devices require a 2 year activation agreement.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is the upgraded version of the best-selling Samsung S3 phone, which really made consumers take notice of Android and was the first real competitor to the iPhone market. In fact, the S3 is the best-selling Android phone ever, and even outsold the iPhone during Q3 of 2012. So Samsung hasn’t made any huge changes with this device, just tweaks and improvements. The 5 inch screen is noticeably bigger and brighter than the S4, with intense colors and strong blacks. There are also improvements to the camera and faster and more powerful processor. If you’re a fan of the Galaxy S3, this is the smartphone for you.

The Galaxy Tab 2 is Samsung’s comparison to the S4 (think iPhone + iPad). There’s an inherent advantage in having consistency between two devices, especially if you’re interested in ease of use and efficiency, and it makes sense Samsung would like to get customers on their devices for as much of their mobile computing as possible. This 10″ tablet offers more screen real estate for almost no footprint: the device only weighs 1.3 pounds. For business use, that makes the Tab 2 a viable alternative to carrying a laptop on days where email or a presentation is the task at hand.

For more on the Samsung Galaxy S4 and Tab 2 bundle deal, or to buy, check out AT&T’s website.

Take Our Survey & Win a Sony Ultrabook

by Katherine Elsasser

We need your help! We’re asking our readers to take a quick survey for us so we can find out more about who you are. It’s only 10 questions and it’s multiple choice, so it won’t take you long. And when you finish the survey, you’ll automatically be entered to win a Sony Vaio T Series Touch Ultrabook. It’s a 13″ powerhouse of a laptop with touchscreen tech and Windows 8 built right in – a great all-purpose machine for business or personal use.

Want to win? Just go here and take a minute to answer our survey. We promise it’s fast and totally confidential.

LG Optimus G Pro Phablet Available on AT&T for $199

by Katherine Elsasser

LG Optimus Pro G on AT&TIt looks lik the “phablet” trend is here to stay, if the release of the new high-end LG Optimus G Pro is any indication. Designed to be a cross between a phone and a tablet (yes, that’s where phablet comes from), these phones offer extra screen real estate while still taking care of texts and calls.

The new LG Optimus G Pro boasts a 5.5 inch screen with 1080p resolution, perhaps the most important spec for anyone interested in a phablet as an on-the-go device. That puts the device itself at 3 inches wide, which is big, but still manageable in the hand.

This is essentially a phablet version of the well-reviewed Optimus G phone (the Pro is what designates the larger phablet size). That means the Pro still sport some of LG’s customized features for Android, like no-lag photos and QSlide apps, which are essentially quick-access widgets for notes, video and calendaring, including Mario favorite Evernote.

The phone and Android experience are solid, but it’s all about the screen. For anyone that plays a lot of games, watches or records a lot of video, or just feels like the keyboard on a normal smartphone is too small for their fingers, the LG Optimus G Pro’s size and speed are a great combo.

AT&T is offering the Optimus G Pro for $199 with a 2 year agreement. For more info, check out their website.

It’s Not Complicated—Moms are the best. So why not send her an e-card and win her a Facebook Phone?

by Shy Mukerjee

Site sponsor AT&T has got a great new campaign going for Moms. It all starts with their new Mother’s Day commercial, which you can watch above. And come on, who doesn’t love these AT&T commercials with the goofy little kids. So this year, AT&T is making it simple to send Mom a fun e-card. Simply head over to ATTMothersDay.com and send Mom a personalized version of the commercial. Go on, I’ll wait, your Mom will love it. And then keep reading to find out how to win her a top-of-the-line smartphone! Read More

Track Your Travel Rewards and Book Flights With Frequent Flyer Miles with MileWise

by Mario Armstrong

So I was on vacation last week and it was awesome! A much-needed recharge and refresh for me and the fam. It’s great to be able to get away, and if you can find a way to make it happen I totally recommend it! And if you can make it more affordable using your frequent flyer miles or credit card reward points, even better! But trying to book travel with frequent flyer miles or points can be confusing, so try MileWise if you’re thinking about getting about out of town.

Basically MileWise is a search engine for flights, but instead of just showing you flight prices it also lists the cost of a flight in frequent flyer miles and reward points. You link up your frequent flyer mile accounts and credit card accounts so that you can see all your options.

There are some missing players: American Airlines isn’t there, and neither is Southwest. And rewards info is only available for four of the major credit card companies. But MileWise promises they’re adding more all the time, and even if you can’t use a particular card for price comparisons, you can still at least track all your balances in one place. That’s useful enough that it’s worth just signing up for that!

So I guess the takeaway here is that finding a way to recharge is important to your state of mind so you can stay positive and focused when you’re back at work. And it may seem tough to get away if it’s too expensive, so explore your options for using frequent flyer miles and rewards points to see if you can make it work financially, and check out MileWise to see just what you can afford.

Job Searching? Get Your Mobile Skills in Order

by Curlis Phillip

How Mobility Is Reshaping Personal Career Paths

Curlis Phillip is a Senior Marketing Manager at AT&T. You can find more blog content from Curlis and other experts on mobility on the AT&T Networking Exchange Blog, where this post originally appeared. AT&T has sponsored the following blog post.

App Development. Photo by Ramotionblog.

A recent article by Huffington Post writer Daniel Burrus identified twelve key technologies that will transform careers now and in the future. Toping his list were mobile hardware, software, and services.

Burrus is spot on. Innovation in mobile technology is driving job creation across the mobile industry – from wireless providers to handset makers to software developers. According to a study sponsored by TechNet, almost 500,000 jobs related to apps development were created in the United States, up from zero in 2007.

The growing demand for mobility among businesses and consumers has increased the need for mobile-related jobs. However, a skill gap exists for many employers. Today’s workforce needs to develop its skills to keep pace with this evolving technology.

Here are some of the hottest jobs in the mobile industry right now: Read More

Get a Free Credit Score and Monitor Your Credit Report With Credit Sesame

by Katherine Elsasser

credit sesame for free credit scores and free credit reportsThere are a lot of services out there that promise a free credit report, but are actually scams – remember all those free credit report TV and radio jingles? Everyone is entitled to a free credit report once a year through the website annualcreditreport.com, but if you want to know your actual credit score – the number that rates your credit-worthiness – you’re going to have to pay extra. Enter Credit Sesame, a new startup that will let you get both your credit report and credit score for free.

Credit Sesame has partnered with Experian to provide your credit score, so you won’t know what the other two major credit ratings agencies (Equifax and TransUnion) think, but it’s a good start. Credit Sesame will also offer you loan and credit card advice about the debt you already have, and can send you updates about changes to your credit report. If you’re actually in the market for a loan or credit card, they’ll send you offers from bank they think match your financial needs: if you choose to go with one of those offers, Credit Sesame makes a commission. That’s how they can provide their other services for free, but they promise that the offers will truly be helpful to consumers.

Read More

Synergyse: Google Apps Training for Small Business Users

by Katherine Elsasser

Synergyse Google Apps training for businessGoogle Apps for Business is quickly becoming a viable alternative to standard email and IT solutions, especially for small businesses looking to move more of their workflow to the cloud. But for many people it can be tough to transition to a new way of working, especially if they’re deeply familiar with older programs like Microsoft Word and Outlook. New startup Synergese aims to take the pain out of transitioning (and lighten the IT burden) by providing real-time Google Apps training right inside the browser window. Synergese’s CTO Majid Manzarpour worked at Google training users in Apps, and two other founders are also ex-Googlers, so they’re approaching the businesses with expertise and experience in training.

As of now, Synergyse is offering training in Gmail, Google Calendar and Drive, the three building blocks of scheduling and document sharing within the Google ecosystem. Unlike a more traditional video tutorial, lessons take place inside the browser, allowing you to learn by interacting with program you’re looking to learn. It’s a more intuitive and interactive approach that allows quicker learning, but lessons are scheduled at your own pace, so there’s no rush.

Read More

AT&T #RefurbFriday: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for $9.99

by Katherine Elsasser
samsung galaxy note 2 refurbished
Samsung Galaxy Note II

If your looking for ways to cut costs, refurbished gadgets can be a great way to stretch your tech budget. Refurbished units are just units that have been returned to the manufacturer and reconditioned so that they work properly: think of it like buying a certified used car.

Our sponsors AT&T have developed a program for refurbished devices tehy’re calling #RefurbFriday: each Friday they highlight device at a super cheap discount. While there are always great deals available on AT&T’s refurb microsite, this week for one day only they’re selling the Galaxy Note 2 for only $9.99 with a 2 year agreement. The Galaxy Note 2 usually retails for $299.99 with a contract, so that’s a pretty amazing deal!

If you’re looking for more refurbished phone deals, follow @ATTPremier on Twitter and look for their #RefurbFriday hashtag. But if you want the deal you have to act fast, because RefurbFriday deals are only good on Friday.