Are you practicing proper business etiquette?

It seems as though people are so busy running here and there doing this and that, meeting him or her, and forgetting to slow down long enough to respond to an email or telephone call.  By the time you think of it, an email you should respond to could be down the list 30 deep; hard to find.  There are connections and opportunities you could be missing. So, are you practicing proper business etiquitte?

Here are Five Proper Business Etiquette Tips:

1. Returning Phones Calls - Zig Zigler the motivational speaker said it best. “Isn’t it amazing on how much stuff we get done the day before vacation”. We all do the things we want to do and put off the things we do not want to do. Bottom line is this…..it is simply rude not to return a call. There are too many ways to make a telephone connection not to return a phone a call (Skype, Land Line, smartphone, flip phone, text message, VOIP).
2. Responding to Emails - Promptness is a must. I’m someone who gets an email and responds as soon as I am able to. I may even send a text message, just to acknowledge receipt and a timeframe of when I can respond in more detail. An excellent timeframe to respond is 12, no more than 24 hours from when you first looked at the email.
3. Respect Time - Respect your own time by being realistic in your plans for the day, week, month, and year. If you unintentionally don’t honor someone’s time, apologize profusely and work to amend the situation. When someone wants to meet or talk with you, make them give you a solid time and date. Do not allow people to pressure you to do something because they have an “emergency” or want to do something today.
4. Be One Time – It is good idea to plan your meeting time days before.  Know the travel route time, either by car or public transportation. Make sure you have gas in your car so you don’t have stop to make a purchase which takes from your travel time. Call or email the day before to confirm that the meeting is still on.  Lay out your outfit the night before, and try it on to make sure it fits!
5. Keep Promises – your reputation is your business, and your business is your reputation.  Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don’t make promises you know you can not keep. Give them what you promised what ever it is, you need to give them what they need, or there is no point in the promise.

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How to Add a YouTube Tab to Facebook Fan Page

In  2010 I shot a video on How to add a Youtube tab to your Facebook Page.  That video has received 32K hit, and 110 comments. It is now 2013 and both Facebook and Involver have changed.  But you can still get Free Involver apps.

Involver bought by Oracle

As with a lot of startup tech companies, they start out with great products and services that are free. Then, a few years down the road, they sell the company to a big shark. In the case of Involver, it seems as though they are now Oracle and the set up has changed in that they now offer paid services.  But they also continue to have free apps as well.  You can social applications at http://www.involver.com/applications/  Not as many freebies, but hey, free is free!

A big thank you to all who support me on Youtube!

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Is the Galaxy Samsung Note II Hot and Mobile for Shooting Videos for Business?

This is the question I have this week. How good is the Quality of the Samsung Galaxy Note II for Shooting Videos for Business?  Nick Jones, of the Houston Voice, shared a video he shot of the 2013 Art Car Parade.  I viewed it, twice.  It was really well done.  So I was curious to find out if Nick thought he could have done the job with a smartphone.  Here is the interview and the video.

Interview the Nick Jones Discussing How good is the Quality of the Galaxy Samsung Note II for Shooting Videos for Business?

Jacqueline Lawson: Very nicely done with a mix of odd cars and crowd interviews. What equipment did you use? Could you have done it as well with a smartphone?

Nick Jones: I would have embarrassed myself with a smartphone lol. I used decent cameras decent audio equipment.

Nick Jones: I guess as long as the lighting is good and you’re not too worried about audio quality and you have nerves of steel to hold the note steady and level and have enough battery life to film the event and the subject isn’t back lit and you don’t care about controlling what’s in focus and you have enough battery life to film the parade then a Galaxy note 2 or an Iphone can get the job done.

Jacqueline Lawson: I can see the difference in the quality. Here is a video I shot with my smartphone. Most people are open and receptive to being video taped. Battery life on the Samsung is about 5 hours with closed apps. I know, I know, it should have been pointed horizontal instead of vertical. I used Camtasia to edit.

2013 Houston Art Car Parade – Nick Jones

Hot and Mobile, Shot with a Samsung Galaxy Note II

Nick Jones – Houston Voice – Women, Wealth and Men

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Find your online target audience.

The Internet is constantly and rapidly evolving, social media gurus and marketers are working hard to remain current on traffic-generating techniques for themselves, clients and prospects. Find Your Target Audience Online.

Where is your online audience?

After all, reaching the target audience more effectively turns more profit. Reaching your target market online doesn’t have to be difficult. Going back to basic steps for target marketing will guarantee a solid foundation for your online empire and will make it easy for you to keep up with developing trends.  So which is it: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.  Use your Google Analytics to determine where you should be spending your time.

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Hot and Mobile offers 5 Tips for Social Media

If you run a business, it’s time to plan your marketing strategy–and that means fully embracing social media. Here are Five Tips For Your 2013 Social Media Strategy!

Whether you run a business employing one person or work for a corporation of 250,000, you’ll need a social media strategy for 2013. As more people embrace LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram and other networks, it’s time to make social media an integral part of your marketing strategy.

1. Claim Your Name Everywhere

The social media world is no longer limited to Facebook and Twitter. You’ll want to stake your claim in LinkedIn and Twitter with a company page as well. Make sure you are taking advantage of any directories available on the websites of any professional associations you belong to, as these valuable links back to your website help build your credibility both with potential customers and the search engines.

2. Do a Month-By-Month Plan With Clear Goals

Come up with a clear goal for what you want to do with social media. Do you want to help customers, make more sales, drive more people to your website, or a combination of all three? Then come up with a plan to meet those goals month-to-month and assign the proper resources to it. If you want to make more sales using Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, make sure your sales force is trained in social media tools early in the year.

3. Find a Way to Measure Results

Planning is futile without a way to measure results. Get familiar with Google Analytics and Hootsuite. Google Analytics lets you track visitors to your site for free. For example, I can see how many visitors came to my site from LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Google recently revamped Analytics to include real-time tracking data. Google Analytics let you see how many visitors came to your website from TwitterFor beginners, Klout is a good way of measuring how effective your social media efforts are, with a number and practical suggestions for improvement on a week-to-week-basis.

Hootsuite is the best free tool for managing multiple social media platforms, with a professional version available at $9.99 a month if you need to monitor more than the five different profiles allowed on the free version.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Outsource

At a small or midsize business, people power usually comes at a premium. It’s easy to let personnel who should be handling sales or customer service wander off into social media land. However, these people are much better at doing what you hired them to do: sell products or services, and help customers. This is where outsourcing comes in.

Ask your Web design firm either to quote you on social media services or recommend someone who does it. When it comes to hiring for this position, you’ll want to go with someone referred to you since it is too easy for anyone to hang out a shingle and call themselves a social media consultant. Ask which companies they’ve worked for, what their results have been, and how they measure results–essentially questions they should answer easily if they’ve done the job correctly.

5. Add Your Social Media Links to Online and Printed Collateral

Once you’ve got your social media profiles set up and launched, make sure that you’re adding your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ pages to business cards, brochures, fliers, and any other printed materials. Make sure that links to all of your social media profiles are on your own website and any other Web properties your company may run.

In the end, if you are making any kind of an effort on social media where you weren’t making one before, you will see results. Just make sure to measure results so you can evaluate and use the data to plan for 2013.

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Gayle’s List

In most metro areas, there’s no lack of forums, local websites or networking meetings where women can share ideas, promote their businesses and tout their accomplishments. But the newly launched Gayle’s List goes a few steps further. Gayle’s List is national. Are you on Gayle’s List for Women Entrepreneurs?

Gayle’s List is with (2) divisions. One a calendar of places to go, business and people that are personally endorsed and Women to Be Heard is the blog site. “Gayle’s List is a one-stop-shopping destination for women who want to be heard and connect both locally and across the country,” says founder Gayle Naftaly who created Gayle’s List from her New Jersey office. “Traditional adverting is losing favor with many business owners today. It’s expensive and limited in reach. Subscribers of Gayle’s list come from all over the country and learn about and from one another.

Some savvy and successful women have already committed to contributing to Gayle’s List.

Nancy Molloy of Complistaff in West Orange, NJ will be sharing current and crucial employment information, targeting temp opportunities in the high level compliance area.

Maureen Boyt, founder of the Moxie Exchange in Fort Collins, Colorado, will be sharing her latest book, one chapter a month, highlighting steps and systems used by the top women she’s interviewed from all of the highest levels in the business arena.

Sharlene Jamison, financial advisor at Meridian Financial Company is from Long Island will focus on the what if’s of life, the unforeseen circumstances that take place at some point in everyone’s life. She’ll share unique ideas to help readers open their minds in order to stay safe and protected.

Jacqueline Lawson, expert, speaker and consultant for Hot and Mobile – Technology for Out and About.  This tech-savvy lady is Hot and Mobile and helps people learn more about their smartphones, tablets, social media and anything “techie”.  She has written helpful how to books for the Galaxy Note 2 , How to Really Use Twitter, and the Android.

Lydia Sugarman, developer of Venntive, an online customer relationship platform, is from San Francisco. Her system is an all -inclusive site for managing events, employees, partners and activities and is extremely user friendly.

Long Island-based Karen Perry, president of Event Journal, an online not for profit event program for fund raising, marketing and PR will be sharing her secrets for successful events each month.

Tereson Dupuy, president of FuzziBunz, located in the Greater New Orleans area, recently appeared on the Shark Tank. She will highlight the path from dreams to reality, prototypes to manufacturing both in the US and outside our borders. The information she will share will speed up the process for success in this industry.

Khrys Vaughan, founder of the Her Network in the greater St. Louis area unites women of all cultures within our borders and connects us as a group to effect change for providing increased opportunities.

Eli Davidson, CNN and The Today’s Show Reinvention Expert, is a global expert working with entrepreneurs to laser focus their niche and create $100K days. When Eli speaks, we should all listen.

Angelica Harris utilizes this platform to help others. Her extensive work over the past seven years with her nonprofit, the Excalibur Reading Room is changing directions as The Unicorn Project-Raven’s Hope begins to take shape. This new center will be a safe haven and local resource to help women, teens, and children who have faced rape, abuse, and drug and alcohol addiction.

These women became part of Gayle’s List because they chose to be heard and chose to share their expertise to help other women fast-track to success.

If you wish to shout out and “Be Heard,” please check out wwww.gayleslist.com and call Gayle Naftaly at 718-217-0009. Email Gayle at gayle@gaylenaftaly.com and the details will be shared. Join this impressive group of women who should “Be Heard” and will “Be Heard.”

Visit Gayleslist.com and comment and connect with these accomplished women. and share Gayleslist with the women and men in your life who are in business, connected to business, work in business and are still dreaming, working hard and want to achieve success, finally and forever.

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Successful Article Writing…anywhere!

Can I be successful with article marketing without being well known? I just have a fear that I don’t have the credentials to pull this off.

Article Marketing Success: Do You Need To Have Credentials to be Successful with Article Marketing?

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The Spring time in Oregon is the start of many conferences and trade shows.

Today, I was fortunate enough to attend the Portland’s OAME 25th Annual Conference Luncheon & Trade Show, at the invitation of the City of Portland, Office of Procurement.  The luncheon was well attended and the event sponsors were the who’s who of Portland corporations and businesses. Mr. Sam Brooks, Founder & Char of the Board, has dedicated 25 years of services to the OAME.

The OAME was formed in 1987.  It is a non-profit, tax exempt organization with a mission to promote and develop entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities in the State of Oregon.  The OAME is a partnership between minority entrepreneurs, education, government, the community and established businesses.  The mission is directed toward eliminating discrimination and racism and the delivery mechanism of OAME services are both incubator with and without walls.

We were fortunate to have as the keynote speaker Mr. Michael Lewellen, Senior Vice President Communications & Public Engagement, Portland Trail Blazers.

Gallery:

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Logitech keyboard for the iPad Mini

Looking for a Logitech Keyboard for the iPad Mini?

NEWARK, Calif.–Logitech introduced two new products to its tablet accessories lineup with the Logitech® FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad® and the Logitech® Folio for iPad and iPad® mini. Designed to complement both your style and your iPad with contrasting colors and high-end fabrics, these new folios protect the front and back of your tablet wherever you go, while letting you add personality to your iPad.

“We’ve combined design cues from the world of high fashion with the unbeatable typing experience you expect from Logitech to bring a new level of self-expression to iPad protection,” said Mike Culver, vice president of brand development for tablet accessories at Logitech. “The Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio and Logitech Folio give you more than just a protective case for your iPad, they add a distinctive accent to your iPad that reflects your personal style.”

Logitech worked with world-class designers to identify chic fabrics and a bold color palette and combined them with a clean design. As a result, both the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio and Logitech Folio are offered in a range of colors from Electric Blue and Sunflower Yellow to Mars Red Orange, and in an array of on-trend fabrics from matte leather to finely woven cotton.

“By developing color and material options that evoke our senses and speak to our individuality, Logitech has made owning an iPad unique again,” said Beatrice Santiccioli, world-renowned color expert and designer. “I brought my knowledge in color and design to Logitech to help inspire the selection of materials and develop a color palette that builds a strong emotional connection to people’s lifestyles.”

The Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio features the first Bluetooth® keyboard with its keys seamlessly fused into an interior fabric. Its full-size keys give you the tactile feedback you’re used to in a traditional keyboard, but in a sleek new look. The keyboard folio’s high-end fabrics are treated with a coating that is liquid repellent to help keep your folio looking new for longer. Hidden magnets hold your iPad in two convenient positions, snapping your tablet securely into typing mode and ensuring the folio stays shut when you’re moving around.

Designed for the iPad or iPad mini, the Logitech Folio features the same sophisticated style and premium materials on the inside and outside to safeguard your tablet while you’re on the go. Magnetic closures minimize the risk of damage to your tablet and its screen while in transit. For an extra measure of convenience, its four-way flip stand allows you to view your tablet from the stand without having to hold it.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in May 2013, for a suggested retail price of $149.99 in the U.S. The Logitech Folio for iPad and iPad mini are expected to be available in the U.S. in May 2013, for a suggested retail price of $69.99 and $59.99. For more information, please visit www.logitech.com or our blog.

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Flight attendants may be the friendliest frequent fliers in the atmosphere — but it’s time for some to kiss a glamorous look goodbye. Turkish Airlines announced on Friday that they will ban their crew from wearing red lipstick and nail polish while in-air, Reuters reports.

“As a consequence of our current cabin uniforms not including red, dark pink, et cetera, the use of lipstick and nail polish in these colors by our cabin crew impairs visual integrity,” the aircraft carrier said in a statement. As an alternative, the airline prefers “simple make-up, immaculate and in pastel colours,” the Telegraph reports. Critics have spoken out on social media against the restrictions, which may mark a cultural shift in Turkey.

According to Fox News, this decree reflects a move away from secular styles in Turkey and an attempt to bolster the country’s Islamic values.

Distraction or not, the ban certainly inhibits flight attendants’ ability to conceal dark spots and to try out all the latest nail art trends. What’s your take on this aggressive grooming policy?

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Find my iPhone and iPad App

If you misplace your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, the Find My iPhone app will let you use another iOS device to find it and protect your data.

Simply install this free app on another iOS device, open it, and sign in with your Apple ID. Find my iPhone a Must Have Apple App for the iPhone and iPad will help you locate your missing device on a map, play a sound, display a message, remotely lock your device, or erase all the data on it.

If the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch you want to locate is running iOS 6, Find My iPhone also includes Lost Mode. Lost Mode locks your missing device with a 4-digit passcode and can display a contact phone number right on the lock screen. And while in Lost Mode, your device will keep track of where it has been and display its recent location history when you check in with the Find My iPhone app.

Please note that Find My iPhone must be enabled in the iCloud settings on your device for you to locate it with this app.

Find my iPhone a Must Have Apple App for the iPhone and iPad Features:

• • Locate your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac on a map
• • Display a custom message on the screen
• • Play a sound for two minutes at full volume (even if your device is set to silent)
• • Remotely lock your device
• • Remotely wipe your device to erase your personal data
• • Lost Mode (iOS 6 or later)
• • Driving directions to device location (iOS 6 or later)
• • Battery charge indicator

Supported languages: English, Japanese, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Polish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Arabic, Croatian, Czech, Greek, Hebrew, Romanian, Slovak, Thai, Indonesian, Malay, Catalan, Hungarian, Vietnamese

REQUIREMENTS:
• Requires iOS 5 or later and an iCloud account. You can create a free iCloud account on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
• Internet connection is required. To be located, your iPad with Wi-Fi, iPod touch, or Mac must be connected via a registered Wi-Fi network. Your Mac must also be awake.

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Samsung Note II vs iPhone 5 Hot and Mobile

I just had to have an iPhone. So I purchased the iPhone 4S.  That was 2012.  Then I had to have a Galaxy S3.  The was 2013.  Now I have a Galaxy Note II, and I love it.  The biggest difference for me is the screen size.  The iPhone 5 screen is so small, I feel like Fred Sanford, always looking for a pair of glasses.

It was horrible:  missed calls, or tapping the wrong icon, sending the right text message or email to the wrong person. So when those young ladies started fighting on the train today, I just had to share this information about screen size comparison.

I know that there are a lot of die-hard Apple fans.  But the fan list for the Galaxy Note II is growing.  So here is some size comparison information for you to check out before you make a purchase. In the words of Judge Mabelline ” look deep, before your leap!”

Samsung Note II vs iPhone 5

Samsung’s Galaxy S line has sold in bunches, and proved that a non-Apple phone can take the smartphone world by storm. But one of the company’s biggest game-changers is the Galaxy Note. Its super-sized screen and innovative S Pen present a stark contrast to the iPhone’s barely-changed-since-2007 simplicity. Let’s revisit two of the hottest – and most radically different – smartphones on the market, as we compare the specs and features of the Galaxy Note 2 and iPhone 5.

Size

Looking at these size differences, it’s hard to believe that both devices serve many of the same purposes. But, as much overlap as there is, Samsung has established the “phablet” as a new product category in itself. The core question in this comparison is whether you want a classic smartphone, or a smartphone-tablet hybrid that has a productivity-based twist?

Though the iPhone 5′s face is larger than any previous iPhone, it’s muchsmaller than Samsung’s huge Galaxy Note II. The Note is 22 percent taller, 37 percent wider, and 24 percent thicker than Apple’s latest.

The iPhone’s smaller size makes it easily pocketable and comfortable for anyone to hold. The Note II, meanwhile, offers a much larger display while still fitting (if just barely) in most pockets.

Build

Plastic devices can still be well-designed, sleek, and attractive. But if you’re looking for more premium materials, the iPhone’s anodized aluminum wins that prize.

Weight

The iPhone 5 is 38 percent lighter than the Note 2. But the difference in size-to-weight ratio is minor, considering the Note’s much larger surface.

Display

Do you want a small, discrete, just big enough display? Or do you want a screen that’s big enough that it potentially voids the need for a tablet? Those are essentially your choices here.

The iPhone has much sharper resolution, but don’t be fooled: the Note 2′s display is still terrific. You’ll likely hold it a bit farther from your eyes, so theperceived difference in pixel saturation is minor.

The two phones also employ different display technologies. The iPhone’s IPS screen provides great viewing angles and accurate color reproduction; the Note’s Super AMOLED screen has higher contrast and hyper-saturated colors.

This is a great article. If you want to know even more check it out here.

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Join Our LinkedIn Group – Hot and Mobile – For All Things “Techie”

Facebook has over 1 Billion members.  So, you might think that is the place to be to sell a product or service.  That brings to mind a phrase I use all the time taken from the book Fast Lane Millionaire,  “you have to reach a million to make a million”.  Facebook has a Billion, but LinkedIn Has So Much to Offer!However, if you built your Facebook Page around family and friends, then more than likely you are not going to reach the audience you need to spread your message.  A Facebook Personal Page, is just that, personal!

I recently attended an online workshop with Amy Potterfield where she quoted the following process: Attract – Promote – Sell.  That was very good advice. For small businesses who are desparate to make sales, they have a tendency to operate differently:  Sell – Promote – Attract, or  Sell – Attract – Promote. Those two processes are much harder to get people to like and trust you, or pay attention to what ever you are trying to sell. You have to give, stroke, feel, and share to grow your audience.  If they trust and like you, then and only then will they help you, and spread the word!

Hot and Mobile LinkedIn Group – Are you Hot and Mobile?

So what is the best way to Attract – Promote – Sell?

I have seen a significant change in my Facebook Business Page numbers by following the Attract – Promote – Sell formula learned from Amy Porterfield’s Facebook Workshop.  If you every get a chance, take her free workshop.

LinkedIn is a lot more fun and, a new priority in marketing plan after learning invaluable methods from Lewis Howes, a dynamic speaker and Author of the #1 LinkedIn & Webinar Book | “5 Internet Guru’s Who Can Make You Rich” by Details Magazine | Sports Media! Don’t miss the next time Lewis offers a free workshop!

From the Social Marketing Forum – 6 Reasons to Use LinkedIn!

1. Create awareness and improve reputation.

LinkedIn is an ideal platform to increase your online presence. With more than two professionals signing up on LinkedIn every second, businesses have the opportunity to network with an increasing number of interesting contacts.  Using the different personal and group features in LinkedIn, companies and the people representing them can all improve their visibility and credibility, both as individuals and (thus) as a brand.

Don’t forget the use status update functionality, an underutilized feature, although with the new design, the updates are more prominent visible on the homepage.

2. Thought leadership and influencer marketing.

Several LinkedIn features allow you to position yourself as leaders in a particular domain. From providing high-quality content, improving your personal profile and participating in LinkedIn communities to answering questions: the network is fertile ground for thought and practice leaders, aiming to become trusted advisors. Leadership and reputation go hand in hand with influence. As the main purpose of LinkedIn is networking, it also enables you to identify and engage other influencers.

3. Selling and generating leads.

LinkedIn is probably the best network to generate leads. On top of traditional techniques such as mentioning interesting content potential customers can download or driving traffic to relevant sources, LinkedIn offers very personal ways of identifying potential leads, engaging them and turning them into customers. This is done by a good combination of listening, analyzing, participating, sharing, networking and responding. Networking with potential clients and marketing to them indirectly through LinkedIn will increase the opportunity to make sales.

Customers and prospect are more likely to post questions and needs, 18% is Group-related posts which gives the B2B marketers an opportunity to identify new leads. Another 18% are content sharing and liking content, which gives you insights on what they find interesting.

By giving answers to questions on LinkedIn, you can demonstrate know-how. If your solution/answer, in the form of a response to a question, is what potential customers are looking for, they will initiate a contact.

4. Social CRM.

LinkedIn is ideal in a social CRM context: it allows us to gain a better view on – prospective – customers and other contacts. This can be done using simple Social CRM applications but also by using ‘connecters’, for instance, for Outlook. Although most Social CRM solutions offer integration with LinkedIn, you can also set up a basic integration of your contacts as LinkedIn supports Google Contacts. A benefit of a social CRM tool is that it allows you to see what your contacts are doing on LinkedIn in real-time, offering valuable additional information on their behavior and preferences. When targeting a contact, LinkedIn itself allows you to see this information in its own environment.

5. Traffic building.

One of the strengths of LinkedIn that is not often mentioned is its power in link building and traffic driving. Just as other social networks do, LinkedIn has a social sharing button that enables you to share content in your status updates (which are visible on the homepage) and in LinkedIn Groups (communities) you are a member of. This works especially well for business-related content and can lead to viral effects. Business content often gets shared more often via LinkedIn than via Facebook.

6. Listening and gaining insights.

Last but certainly not least: LinkedIn is perfect to listen, ask questions and gain insights. Which is the case for all social media marketing!

Facebook has a Billion, but LinkedIn Has So Much to Offer!

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Announcing Zoholics 2013, Zoho’s Annual User Conference [Video]

Zoholics is back.

This year, Zoholics will be held at Hyatt Regency, San Francisco Airport. Based on popular demand and feedback from last year, we are expanding the event from one day to two and a half days. This will give us plenty of time to cover a plethora of topics and have enough time to interact with you through various sessions.

 

Top Zoholics Speakers including Brent Leary:

Announcing Zoholics 2013, Zoho’s Annual User Conference [Video]

 So, what can you expect from this year’s event?

• You will have an opportunity to learn a lot about our apps through our
• training sessions, interact with the Zoho team through various
• workshops, learn about the trends in the industry and interact with
• fellow Zoholics. We have listed some of the topics we will be covering
• at www.zoholics.com. The event will feature three parallel tracks – one general session track and two training tracks.…

 

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Microsoft Should Put Office on Mobile Devices. We don’t need Windows 9!

Microsoft Office, at one time, was the most widely used software application suite the world.  But for some reason, they have not kept up with moving their beloved software to the cloud. I signed up for  Microsoft Outlook in the cloud, but it just could not compete with Google gmail, or Zoho.  So for Microsoft to remain behind in the development of Android or iOS could mean a slow death of Microsoft Office. Why Not Put Microsoft Office 365 on Mobile Devices?

It took Microsoft, along with other major tech companies, a long time to embrace the movement of software applications to the cloud as SaaS (software as a service). SaaS is the ability to use Offfice like business products like using Facebook.  All you need is a user ID and password to access business applications like email, a word process, spreadsheet, databases, etc.  Because of that lag in time, users have embraced more competitive open-source apps in the cloud either for free or for a small monthly fee.  Gone are software CDs that need to be “installed”!

With the company struggling to gain traction for both Windows 8 and Windows RT in a declining PC market, Microsoft should be looking to generate more revenue from its market-leading Office suite.

“As a long time Microsoft Office user, and one who taught MS Office software training courses from the Beginner to Expert Levels, I think Microsoft should concentrate on developing applications for use in the cloud that are competitive with others currently in the market” said Jacqueline Lawson.

“Small business owners are leaving their offices more and are out  networking with prospects and clients.  They need business applications they can use on mobile devices without have to rely totally on their desktop or laptop computers. However, Microsoft seems to be concentration on the Windows operating system,” she said.

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Apple Still Leader in Tablet Sales over Samsung

Computerworld - Samsung is second to Apple in tablet sales and coming on strong. Apple Still Leader in Tablet Sales over Samsung. Though Samsung Galaxy Tab users remain well behind iPad users in how much they use the Web, according to Chitika, an online advertising network.

Apple iPad users generated 81.9% of tablet Web traffic in North America in March, while Samsung Galaxy Tab users generated only 4.3% of tablet traffic on the American Web, according to a study Chitika released on Friday.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, Samsung had about 15% of tablet shipments, compared to 45% for Apple, according to IDC.

Samsung is the clear leader in sales of Android-based tablets.

Overall Android shipments totaled 43% of the tablet market in the first quarter of 2013, when about 40.6 million tablets shipped, according to the latest data released earlier this week byStrategy Analytics.

Strategy Analytics didn’t divulge how many Android tablets Samsung shipped in the first quarter, but using the 15% rate reported by IDC in the previous quarter, Samsung likely shipped more than 6 million in the period.

Samsung doesn’t disclose unit shipments, but did report a record $6.4 billion first quarter profit on Friday.

Samsung’s first quarter smartphone shipments almost doubled those of Apple in the first quarter,IDC reported Thursday. Samsung shipped 70.7 million to Apple’s 37.4 million during the period, IDC said.

The post Apple Still Leader in Tablet Sales over Samsung appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

How Social Media Impacts Your Search Rankings

Social media websites like Facebook and LinkedIn always rank well for businesses.

The content you are posting on your social media networks also has an impact on your overall ranking strategy.

Your individual activity on social media networks and how it relates to your website ranking is referred to as “social signals.”

What can be confusing is understanding the impact of an individual post to your website ranking. While speaking at the social and search conference Pubcon in New Orleans this week several industry experts established some guidelines for improving your social signals.

Don’t write boring content. Krista Neher, CEO of Boot Camp Digital, gave this simple advice. She said take an extra two minutes to purposely improve every piece of content you are going to publish. This goes for tweets, posts, blogs and any other content. Too often businesses are in such a hurry to get content out they are missing the opportunity to create better content that has a higher chance of getting shared or engaged with.

Shares on Facebook matter most. Alison Zarrella, social media manager at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, shared that on Facebook shares are best, followed by comments and lastly likes. She recommends that you avoid over publishing promotional offers and links to your website. When you are going to publish a promotional offer try to add in valuable content to your user base. Create content to accompany your offer that would be easy to share. If the content will make the user look informed or funny they are more likely to share it with their friends.

Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/inc-well/How-Social-Media-Impacts-Your-Search-Rankings-204762781.html#ixzz2RpTcjucu

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3 Tips to Get a Payoff From Collaboration Tools

To reap the value of collaboration tool investments, CIOs study employee behavior, create incentives and embed capabilities in current workflows

One collaborative tool we’ve implemented over time is instant messaging (IM)

1. Favor the Carrot Over the Stick

Paul Zyla, Vice President and CIO, AgStar Financial Services:  As a mid-market company supporting 630 end users, we need to be fiscally responsible, and tolerance for mistakes is low. Therefore, one collaborative tool we’ve implemented over time is instant messaging (IM), and each rollout has given us new reasons to promote its value. We initially promoted IM as a more effective collaboration tool and a substitute for email and phone calls.

As we rolled it out to more areas, we noticed that people also used it to see whether someone was in the office, based on their status. In that sense, IM enabled better face-to-face communication by eliminating wasted trips to an empty desk. As our understanding of IM’s value evolved, we were able to tailor our message to better meet the needs of our users.

When it came to videoconferencing, we opted for a big-bang implementation that stressed the value of reduced travel. We reinforced this idea through contests and incentive campaigns. For example, we developed a simple application within the videoconference interface that calculated the travel mileage saved among meeting participants. Attendees who submitted their results were entered into a biweekly drawing for a gift certificate. This incentive helped our users engage and become more fluent in videoconferencing capabilities.

2. Integrate With Existing Behaviors

Joe Sniado, CIO, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services: We’ve found that if the collaboration tool seamlessly integrates into the day-to-day workflow of an end user, adoption will take off. By its very nature, this requires an evolutionary process. For example, when we implemented a custom tool to help our teams prepare for ratings committee meetings, our primary focus was to build a platform to support our S&P ratings process and enable it through collaboration rather than simply introducing collaboration services independently.

We do a significant amount of analysis to ensure that any collaboration tool we implement supports a defined business process. This prevents the creation of standalone systems and collaboration capabilities outside the existing workflow-management systems. Throughout the development process, we gather feedback via prototyping and other user-centered design techniques.

We also try to identify patterns in how the collaboration tools are naturally used in order to find a workflow solution based on how people actually interact. We start by identifying communities of practice, and then we look for similarities across teams to get a more complete understanding of our user base. Lastly, we prioritize and align the highest-value collaboration services that can be incorporated into the workflow in a way that’s intuitive and productive for the users of the system.

3. Think Real-World

Veresh Sita, CIO, Colliers International: When we implement a new collaboration tool, we prefer to start with pilot groups, including people with a natural affinity for collaboration. This helps us test our initial use cases, develop new ones and trumpet the value of these tools to more skeptical user segments.

We also re-engineered our training content to be less tool-centric and more task-centric. We give the user a real-life scenario, such as a call from a customer asking a specific question, and show them how to answer that question using the collaboration tools at their disposal, like enterprise search. We could have simply trained the user on the tool’s search capabilities, but without the context it’s harder to apply what they’ve learned.

We also created incentives to ensure participation. For example, we deployed an internal system best described as LinkedIn for commercial real estate. To drive up adoption and usage, we provided an incentive: The only way for a salesperson to be found on our website is for them to update their profile in the internal collaboration system, including their skills and top clients. By tying activities to outcomes that users care about, we were able to get people to collaborate via our tools.

by: Mary Brandel

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Apple May Lower the Price of the iPad Mini to $199-$249

Along with his recent research note addressing Apple’s notebook launch plans, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also published a note examining Apple’s iPad prospects.

In particular, Kuo looks to the iPad mini as the future of the company’s iPad portfolio, but with Apple’s efforts to bring a Retina display to the device said to be pushing a launch back to the fourth quarter of this year, he suggests that Apple may be looking at a lower-priced iPad mini.

“Prior to iPad mini 2 launch, Apple might roll out a more affordable iPad mini to compete with Android products. To cut costs, Apple might push for lower component prices, use a more advanced process to produce the A5 processor, simplify metal casing production, remove the rear camera, cut storage to 8GB and find more component suppliers to lower costs. We think this cheaper iPad mini retail for US$199~249.”

Kuo does not believe that such a device would offer a significant boost to Apple’s overall iPad sales, but it could help stave off erosion at the low end of the market at the hands of cheaper Android-based tablets.

The $199-$249 price range is one that many potential customers had hoped Apple would be able to hit with the original iPad mini, but the company surprised many by introducing the iPad mini starting at $329. Even at that pricing, Apple has noted a number of times that the iPad mini’s profit margins are below the company average.

iPad or iPad Mini?

Apple is said to be pursuing a similar strategy for the iPhone, working on a lower-cost iPhone with a polycarbonate shell rumored for launch later this year.

Overall, Kuo sees relatively small sales growth for the iPad in 2013, with the full-size iPad being cannibalized by the popular iPad mini and the upgraded iPad mini with Retina display not debuting until late in the year.

With Android tablets also beginning to gain footholds in some markets and driving Apple’s estimated share of the tablet market below 50% in recent quarters, Kuo expects that Apple will remain competitive but see relatively slow growth until the launch of the Retina iPad mini.

Me myself, I want to be able to see the screen! Would you buy a mini or iPad?

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Recently, I had to take my Samsung Galaxy back to the carrier’s retail store.  As I stood in line, there was a couple also waiting to be helped by the technician.  I could not help but over hear their conversation as the husband tried to explain to the wife how to convert all of her contacts from the old phone to the new one.She was perplexed, and he became somewhat annoyed. I slipped her a copy of my Media Mentor post card and smiled.  Two days later she contacted me and explained her challenges with the new phone.  We arrange to meet at a lovely coffee shop and after two hours, I had her email, security, and wifi connections setup.  I even downloaded apps she needed for her business.

If this is you, then let me help you get the most out of that new device you just spent hundreds of dollars for.  Whether its an iPad, iPhone, or Samsung, I set you up so you don’t have to worry about not knowing how to do it, or too embarrassed to ask someone.

What the Media Mentor can do!

Unsure about the maze of smartphones, iPad vs. iPad Mini, apps, droids, social media, privacy protection, websites, internet marketing? Trust me to show you how to maximize your technology investment while you are out and about!

For only $10 per hour, I will meet you at a convenient location in Beaverton, Hillsboro or Portland.

Jacqueline Lawson
MEDIA MENTOR
503.403.9157

mm@hotandmobile.com

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Jacqueline Lawson – Hot and Mobile FB Fan Page

There is a difference between a Facebook Fan Page/Business Page and a Personal Page

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Sprint and T-Mobile delay the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4

For those of you who have been anticipating the launch of the new Samsung Galaxy, Sprint and T-Mobile announced on Wednesday that the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4 will not go as initially planned.

Citing “inventory challenges” from Samsung, Sprint’s Galaxy S4 will still be offered through Sprint’s Web site and Telesales on April 27; however, it remains unclear when it will be available in retail stores and other channels.

Sprint said this in a statement regarding the delay of the Galaxy S4:

“Sprint is excited to launch the new Samsung Galaxy 4. We had planned to launch this next generation of the award-winning Samsung Galaxy line-up on Saturday, April 27. Unfortunately, due to unexpected inventory challenges from Samsung, we will be slightly delayed with our full product launch.”

T-Mobile, for its part, has pushed the online availability of the Samsung Galaxy S4 back by five days. Originally expected to go on sale on Wednesday, April 24, the smartphone will now be sold on Monday, April 29.

“We know customers are really looking forward to getting their new Samsung Galaxy S 4 soon. However, due to an unexpected delay with inventory deliveries, the Galaxy S 4 will not be available on www.T-Mobile.com as planned on Wednesday, April 24. Instead, online availability is expected to begin on Monday, April 29″

Radio Shacked shared with Hot and Mobile that, right now, no carrier can say for sure when the Samsung Galaxy S4 will be launched.  Wow! Talk about supply and demand!

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12th Annual Women Who Care Luncheon Will Honor Cyndi Lauper

Loreen Arbus, Founder & Chair of Women Who Care and Edward R. Matthews, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, today announced the honorees for the 12th Annual Women Who Care Luncheon.

Women Who Care Luncheon

The event, to be held Monday, May 6th, at Cipriani 42nd Street, benefits United Cerebral Palsy of New York City and celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of women as professionals, caregivers and philanthropists. Susan Lucci, the Emmy Award winning actress for her portrayal of the iconic Erica Kane on “All My Children”, and now starring in the highly anticipated new series “Devious Maids” created by Marc Cherry and premiering Sunday June 23 on Lifetime, will host.

“This year’s honorees represent a diverse cross section of the community. Their commitment to giving their time and energy back to society, both in their personal lives and professionAl Fields, is a wonderful testament to their character. It is a great privilege to be able to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments at the Women Who Care Luncheon, which continues its tradition of honoring female role models who inspire women around the world to achieve their full potential,” said Loreen Arbus, Founder & Chair of Women Who Care.

Sharon Greenberger, the Senior Vice President of Facilities Development and Engineering at New York Presbyterian Hospital, is responsible for developing and maintaining high quality medical facilities for patients, their families and the community. With nearly two million patient visits a year, Ms. Greenberger is tasked with overseeing existing facilities and driving the hospital’s long term infrastructure planning program.

For over 30 years, Cyndi Lauper has dazzled fans all over the world. A multi-talented artist and one of music’s most beloved icons, she has racked up global record sales of over 50 million (with 14 Grammy nominations) and has won countless awards including a Grammy, an Emmy and numerous honors for her tireless activism. An unwavering advocate for equality for all, Cyndi details her journey, including her co-founding of the True Colors Fund in 2008, in her recent New York Times Best Selling autobiography, Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir. Most recently, she wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway adaptation of Kinky Boots, in which an entire community is revitalized through the power of acceptance.

Read more about 12th Annual Women Who Care Luncheon Will Honor Cyndi Lauper and More by broadwayworld.com

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Jo Kirchner, CEO of Primrose Schools, enjoys her recent nomination for the POW Award, given annually by Womenetics, a website devoted to women in leadership.

A Dallas resident is an entrepreneur and president and CEO of a child care company, which has led her to win an award for being a game changer in her field.

Womenetics’ POW Award in the Game Changer

Jo Kirchner, president and CEO of Acworth-based Primrose Schools, won the Womenetics’ POW Award in the Game Changer award category. Atlanta-based Womenetics is a business resource company which promotes women in the workforce, and the advantages of hiring them in high-level positions.

This is the fourth year the award has been given. More than 150 applications were submitted, but only 12 women were winners, said Womenetics CEO Elisabeth Marchant.

“It is something the women hold as a badge of honor,” she said. “With the POW Award, these are women you don’t always read about in the newspapers.”

Kirchner was nominated for the award anonymously.

Read more: Neighbor Newspapers – Dallas resident wins award for women in leadership

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Microsoft promises Surface Pro for UK in May

Microsoft has promised to deliver its Surface Pro tablet to the UK and Ireland by the end of  May.

The company said that it was working to deliver the high-end tablet to retailers in both countries as part of a planned expansion that also includes releases in France, Germany, Italy and Spain as well as a number of other European countries in May.

Also set to get the tablet by late May are users in New Zealand and Australia, Hong Kong and Russia.

Released earlier this year in the US, Canada and China, the Surface Pro is the high-end companion to the Surface RT tablet. Built to function as a business PC, the Pro sports an Intel Core i5 processor, 128GB of storage and USB 3.0 connectivity as well as full support for Windows 8 and Office.

“The enthusiasm for Surface has been fantastic, and we love hearing the stories of people who are making it the one device they use to work and play,” Microsoft Surface general manager Brian Hall said in a blog post announcing the release date.

“This is what Surface was designed to do – simplify your life while letting you do more.”

In addition to the Surface Pro release, the company said that it will be expanding Surface RT availability to 29 countries over the coming months. The schedule includes a 25 April release for Malaysia, a May rollout in Mexico and plans for release in Korea and Thailand by the end of June.

As the tablet competition heats up, Microsoft is poised to attract the younger audience.  Their commercial is proof…it’s so cool!

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Use a Mind Mapping Tool to Organize Your Business.

It is not impossible to have collaborative team members located in several parts of the world.  Use a Mind Mapping Tool to Organize Your Business.  No longer are teams required to work on site.  Because your team may be in different cities, it has become even more important to have an idea of your business plan and a tool to share those ideas.  Mind mapping is a way to brainstorm, make a plan, or turn ideas into the steps needed to make them happen. There are plenty of great tools out there to help you build, organise and share mind maps. Here’s a look at one:

About Mind Maps*

The term “mind map” was first popularized by British popular psychology author and television personality Tony Buzan when BBC TV ran a series hosted by Buzan called Use Your Head.^[4][5] In this show, and companion book series, Buzan enthusiastically promoted his conception of radial tree, diagramming key words in a colorful, radiant, tree-like structure.^[6]

Buzan says the idea was inspired by Alfred Korzybski‘s general semantics as popularized in science fiction novels, such as those of Robert A. Heinlein and A.E. van Vogt. Buzan argues that while “traditional” outlines force readers to scan left to right and top to bottom, readers actually tend to scan the entire page in a non-linear fashion. Buzan also uses popular assumptions about the cerebral hemispheres in order to promote the exclusive use of mind mapping over other forms of note making.

When compared with the concept map (which was developed by learning experts in the 1970s) the structure of a mind map is a similar radial, but is simplified by having one central key word.

Mind maps can be used for:

• problem solving
• outline/framework design
• structure/relationship representations
• anonymous collaboration
• marriage of words and visuals
• individual expression of creativity
• condensing material into a concise and memorable format
• team building or synergy creating activity
• enhancing work morale

Brainstorming does not have to boring.  It’s now fun, colorful and collaborative!

*Wikipedia

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Jason Derulo Uses Vine to Promote New Single

Jason Derulo Uses Vine to Promote New Single.

Vine has become a hot app for iPhone users, and brands are just beginning to discover how to market on the platform. Celebrities and comedians have found ways to reach out to fans, and now musicians are giving the video-sharing app a whirl.  

Artist Jason Derulo is one of the first musicians to use Vine for a release, in promotion of his new single “The Other Side,” which launched Tuesday. Fans are encouraged to create Vines using clips of the song and upload them using the hashtag #TheOtherSide.

A selected number of Vines will be edited together in one video and then uploaded to Derulo’s YouTube channel, which has more than 500,000 subscribers.

Derulo, an early adopter to Vine, says it is “the most fun of all social media apps” he’s ever used.

“Vine allows me to connect with my fans in a very unique way. It enables me to get really creative in how I share a behind the scenes look into my life and my music,” Derulo tells Mashable.

Read more…

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‘The Culture of Rape’ and a Smart Phone App: Activism Meets Technology in India

‘The Culture of Rape’ and a Smart Phone App: Activism Meets Technology in India

The other day at the annual Women in the World conference in New York, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took to the stage to speak bluntly and directly about what she called a “culture of rape.” She talked about the brutal rape and disemboweling of a 23-year-old medical student in Delhi last December, and the horror it evoked among people of goodwill.

“She had aspirations for her life,” said Secretary Clinton. “But if her life embodied the aspirations of a rising nation, then her death – her murder – pointed to the many challenges still holding it back.” The culture of rape in India – and elsewhere – “prevents women from being seen as equal human beings.”

India, she said in a speech that has been widely circulated particularly in feminist circles, “will rise or fall with its women.”

A New York-based app developer is trying to help with that cause. Created by a team led by filmmaker Nancy Schwartzman, whose 2009 film The Line plumbed the controversial areas of sexuality and consent, the Circle of 6 app debuted in the United States last year. It was aimed at young women and provided an easy path to get help from trusted friends in difficult situations, from risky sexual encounters to actual assaults. Circle of 6 was a winner of the 2011 Apps Against Abuse challenge held by the Obama Administration and announced by Vice President Joe Biden, and has received awards from the Institute of Medicine and the Avon Foundation for Women.

And now it’s live in India. Schwartzman and the Circle of 6 team noticed that after the horrifying rape-murder in Delhi that Indian women were downloading the American app. They quickly made the decision to develop an Indian version that points to in-country resources and takes cultural differences into account.

Read more…

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Hot Salsa Interactive introduces Creatures FX

Hot Salsa Interactive introduces Creatures FX, a kid friendly special effects movie making IOS app.

Creatures FX allows users to create a short film with their phone or tablet and then overlay a realistic creature, as in a Hollywood blockbuster.

Similar to the popular app Action Movie FX, Creatures FX allows users of all ages to incorporate high definition characters into scenes recorded directly from their device. It’s simple, fun and creative.

Scenes Include:
T-Rex
Fire Breathing Dragons
Transforming Robots
Giant Trolls
Demons
Chimpanzees

HOW IT WORKS:

1. Select from a menu of creatures.
2. Record a scene in which the creature will appear.
3. Edit the timing.
4. Press Play to view.
5. Make editing adjustments if needed.
6. Share your masterpiece via email or Facebook.

More creatures and special characters planned to be released within the year.

Creatures FX is free to download and includes four characters to get you started. Additional creatures are available through in-app purchases.

Available for iPhone and iPad. Android version coming soon.

About Hot Salsa
Hot Salsa Interactive is a mobile app development company with a focus on fun and entertaining products. The founder Rick Brown is a self-described serial entrepreneur with a diverse background in design and technology. Many of the company’s products have been inspired by, or created for the pleasure of Brown’s own children.

Hot Salsa Interactive was established in 1997. Since its founding, Hot Salsa Interactive has provided varied Internet related products and services. In recent years the company focus has been keenly fixed on the development of fun and entertaining apps. Several app concepts are currently in the works for release later this year.

Learn more: http://www.hotsalsainteractive.com

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/appshout/creatures-fx/prweb10652571.htm

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New iPad To Be Thinner, Lighter: Report

New iPad To Be Thinner, Lighter: Report.  Apple surprised most people when it introduced the fourth-generation iPad last fall.

No one expected to see a refresh of Apple’s iconic tablet until March or April of this year, which would have fallen in line with Apple’s previous, yearly upgrade cycle.

Instead, Apple introduced a fourth-gen iPad alongside the iPad Mini that was mostly identical to the third-gen iPad. Only the processor and the Lightning connector — and size, of course — make it stand out from the previous model.

Fast forward to today, and there’s no word from Apple about a fifth-generation iPad. Some had hoped Apple would stick to its yearly refresh cycle and debut a brand new device in March or April. It looks as though that’s not happening.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo doesn’t think we’ll see the next-gen iPad until the fall. He believes production for the new product won’t ramp up until August or September for a fall debut, roughly one year after Apple introduced the fourth-gen iPad. Considering Apple’s silence about any new products this year, Kuo’s forecast makes sense, on the surface.

[ Get a closer look at the iPad Mini. Read iPad Mini Tablet: Visual Tour. ]

If Apple is going to make people wait a full year between new iPads, the next one had better be pretty good, right? Kuo has some insight there, as well.

Read More…

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Zoho Campaigns and SurveyMonkey Have Integrated

Survey Monkey recently announced their partnership with Zoho Campaigns, a leading tool that helps you to engage with your customers across email, social and CRM solutions.

This snappy integration allows you to quickly and easily add a SurveyMonkey survey to any email message you’re delivering via Zoho Campaigns. Find out more from your customer base–are they satisfied? What trends are they following? What do they think of your latest product release? The more information you have at your fingertips, the better your business will be.

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Zoho Docs vs. Google Docs

Upload, Create and edit documents online

Zoho Docs lets you upload and store your files online, so you can access them from anywhere at any time. It also has a inbuilt word processor, a spreadsheet tool and a presentation tool, with which you can create, edit and save your documents directly in Zoho Docs vs Google Docs.

To create a new document online

• Click on the ‘Create‘ button at the top and choose the type of document.
• The new file will be opened in the respective editor.
• You can start editing your new document, and Zoho will auto-save the document for you.
• The newly created document will be saved in your Zoho Docs home page.

 

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Jessica Parker wearing Google Glass. Once purchased, you can not sell on ebay!

Google Glass Explorers Are Not Allowed To Sell the $1,500 Device

If you pay $1,500 for something, you generally want to at least have the option of selling it, should it be necessary. Unfortunately for the 8,000 people chosen for Google’s Glass Explorer Program, Google can (and probably will) deactivate your device if you try to sell it or give it away. If you suddenly become strapped for cash or decide you don’t like Glass, tough luck.

The rule imposed by Google in its terms of sale on the device came to light when a Philadelphia man who was chosen as an Explorer tried to sell his Glass on eBay. The man told Wired that he didn’t realize that he wasn’t allowed to sell his Glass until he was informed by other members of the Google Explorers Google+ Group. “People were acting like I had did something sacrilegious,” he told Wired.

Read more…

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This new generation of women in technology has advanced to become powerful executives in major companies such as Yahoo, Google, HP and others.  Hot and Mobile found this  amazing video on Technology Women to Watch.

Women on the move as CEOs

Bloomberg’s Willow Bay speaks with Jessica Herrin, chief executive officer of Stella & Dot, Theresia Gouw Ranzetta, managing partner at Accel Partners, Selina Tobaccowala, product and engineering senior vice president at SurveyMonkey, and Carolyn Everson, Facebook’s vice president of global marketing solutions, about the role of women in the technology industry. They speak on Bloomberg Television’s “Women to Watch.”

These are not tokens, but rather women gifted, skilled and experienced in an industry dominated by men. The old saying “behind every good man is a great woman” has now changed to  ”behind every  great woman is a support system of other great women waiting for their chance to shine!” These are Technology Women to Watch!

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Hot and Mobile Most Powerful Women

Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs list has been posted.  My favorite quote from a female business owner :

“There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.” – Madam C.J. Walker

A true entrepreneur measures success or failure and recognizes what isn’t working.  A successful entrepreneur doesn’t stop until they produce a better outcome.  These women have been recognized as game-changers in their field, leaders in areas like entertainment, healthcare, real estate, education, and so many others.

An entrepreneurial spirit to change the system with innovative ideas is inside each of these powerful women.  You too possess the drive it takes to endure.  I believe you can do it, think it, say it, be it!

Listed below are Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs.  Read and be inspired.

1. Chelsea Handler

2. Jessica O. Matthews and Julia Silverman

3. Clara Shih

4. Demet Mutlu

5. Arianna Huffington

6. Lynn Jurich

7. Sandy Kurtzig

8. Sue Chen

9. Carol Reeves

10. Zhang Xin

Click here for the full story on each of these incredible, highly-successful women.

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Over 53% of my audience is women!

Women Who Run Tech Startups Are Catching Up

Women-led private technology companies are more capital-efficient, achieve 35 percent higher return on investment, and, when venture-backed, bring in 12 percent higher revenue than male-owned tech companies.

That’s according to new research presented at a recent conference in San Francisco organized by Women 2.0, a media company devoted to women founders in the tech industry. It indicates female entrepreneurs, who have traditionally lagged behind their male counterparts, are catching up, at least by some measures.

Led by Vivek Wadhwa, who holds titles at Stanford and Duke universities, and Lesa Mitchell, a vice president at the Kauffman Foundation, the report “Women in Technology: Evolving, Ready to Save the World” draws on responses to an online survey from 500 women in the tech sector (inside and outside the U.S.) and is scheduled to be published this spring.

It shows that the average age of women entrepreneurs founding tech companies has dropped, from 41 to 32, since an earlier, smaller study was done in 2009, and the percentage who have had graduate-level education has risen, from 40 percent to 56 percent. The findings about women’s contributions to success bolster previous research from several sources, including a Credit Suisse Research Institute (CS) report and Dow Jones VentureSource (NWS) analysis.

Read more…

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Cozzas, llc its subsidiaries and affiliated companies (collectively, the “Company”), will conduct its contests substantially as described in these general contesting rules, and by participating, each participant agrees as follows:

YOU MUST PURCHASE AT LEAST ONE COPY OF THE HOT AND MOBILE POWER BOOKS FOUND ON THE WEBSITE IN ORDER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. VALID IN THE 50 UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY. ENTRY IN THIS CONTEST CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES.

The Company may from time to time conduct contests concurrently and simultaneously on several on it’s website or social media networks.

1. Prize(s). The prize(s) that may be awarded to the eligible winner(s) are not transferable, redeemable for cash or exchangeable for any other prize. If a winner cannot be contacted or is disqualified for any reason, the Company reserves the right to determine an alternate winner or not to award that winner’s prize, in its sole discretion.
2. Eligibility and Limitations. Participants and winner(s) must be U.S. residents. Must be 18 years of age or older to qualify. You are entered only once, even with multiple purchases of the books.
3. Publicity; Use of Personal Information. By participating, where allowed by law, all participants and winner(s) grant the Company exclusive permission to use their names, characters, photographs, voices, videotape, and likenesses in connection with promotion of this and other contests and waive any claims to royalty, right, or remuneration for such use. By participating in the Contest, where allowed by law, participants agree that the Company may disclose personal information obtained from participants in the Contest to third parties and use such information for marketing and other purposes.
4. Release. By participating in the Contest, each participant and winner waives any and all claims of liability against the Company, its employees and agents, the Contest’s sponsors and their respective employees and agents, for any personal injury or loss which may occur from the conduct of, or participation in, the Contest, or from the use of any prize.
5. Taxes. Any valuation of the prize(s) stated above is based on available information provided to the Company, and the value of any prize awarded to a winner may be reported for tax purposes as required by law. Each winner is solely responsible for reporting and paying any and all applicable taxes related to the prize(s) and paying any expenses associated with any prize which are not specifically provided for in the official rules.
6. Conduct and Decisions. By participating in the Contest, participants agree to be bound by the decisions of Company personnel. Persons who violate any rule, gain unfair advantage in participating in the Contest, or obtain winner status using fraudulent means will be disqualified. Unsportsmanlike, disruptive, annoying, harassing or threatening behavior is prohibited. The Company will interpret these rules and resolve any disputes, conflicting claims or ambiguities concerning the rules or the Contest and the Company’s decisions concerning such disputes shall be final. If the conduct or outcome of the Contest is affected by human error, any mechanical malfunctions or failures of any kind, intentional interference or any event beyond the control of the Company, the Company reserves the right to terminate this Contest, or make such other decisions regarding the outcome as the Company deems appropriate. All decisions will be made by the Company and are final. The Company may waive any of these rules in its sole discretion. Any attempt by an entrant or any other individual to deliberately circumvent, disrupt, damage or undermine the legitimate operation of this Contest is a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such an attempt be made, the Company reserves the right to seek civil and/or criminal prosecution and/or damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.
7. Miscellaneous. Void where prohibited. The Company may substitute prizes, amend the rules or discontinue the Contest at any time as announced by the Company. The Company disclaims any responsibility to notify participants of any aspect related to the conduct of the Contest. For a copy of the rules, or where required by law, a list of winners, visit the visit the hotandmobile.com. All entries become the property of the Company and will not be returned.
8.  Compliance with Law. The conduct of the Contest is governed by the applicable laws of the United States of America, which take precedence over any rule to the contrary herein. The Company shall follow the applicable laws for conducting contests, including notice to the state attorney general or consumer affairs office, posting of a prize bond, furnishing lists of winners, running specific on-air disclaimers, providing specific written information about the Contest, etc. as required by local and state law.

The post Contest Rules and Regulations appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

The Hot and Mobile Tapper iPhone Stylus Pen in Multiple Colors

The Hot and Mobile Tapper iPhone Stylus Pen in Multiple Colors keeps your hands free!

A food vendor client decided to take my advise and use an online payment process with a credit cube that snapped into their iPhone.  It was safe, quick an convenient.  Just one thing though, their hands were usually sticky from handling food. 

My retailer client hand another issue.  Purchasers had to sign their name with their fingers directly on the tablet or smartphone to complete the sale. Yuk, that was sometimes unsanitary!

I had the answer for both of my clients, the Hot and Mobile Tapper.  Now I am sharing it with you.  Introducing the Hot and Tapper.  [See the video.]  A cool with to keep your hands free while transacting purchases!

The post Hot and Mobile Tapper iPhone Stylus Pen in Multiple Colors! appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

Enter for your chance to win a Brand New Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Purchase a copy of the Android Power Book for only $1.99 to be entered into the HaM Power Book Contest! A Chance to Win a Brand New Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Find out cool features you may be missing with the Android powered smartphones.  The Power Books are here!  That’s right, Jacqueline Lawson, wrote Power Books and she is thrilled to share smartphone tips and tricks! And, she would not be Hot and Mobile if she didn’t celebrate with a contest.  She’s giving away a Samsung Galaxy Note2!

How to Enter

1. Purchase 1 or more copies of the Power Book. See link below:
2. Complete a 3 Question Survey
3. It’s just that easy!

Contest ends May 8, 2013 at 11:59pm, and our usual rules apply.

So get your copy for your chance to win!!

Good luck!

The post HaM Power Book Contest! A Chance to Win a Brand New Samsung Galaxy Note 2 appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

How to Add Pinterest Button to the Firefox Browser Sidebar

How to Add Pinterest Button to the Firefox Browser Sidebar. 

Pinterest Pin Button brings Pinterest™ right into your Firefox Sidebar. Get notifications, status and photos from the left sidebar of Firefox instantly.

You can open Pinterest™ sidebar by clicking

1. View > Pinterest Pin Button menu option from Firefox menu.
2. Please login Pinterest™ to start using Pinterest Pin Button.
3. The sidebar will remain open and you will be able to check your Pinterest™ Favorites, Groups, Apps, Friends and get recent posts and notifications from Pinterest™ without leaving your web experience.

Future versions will add a special keyboard short-cut for you to open Pinterest by your keyboard quickly.

Pinterest Pin Button is a helper tool for Pinterest™ users. Pinterest Pin Button is not officially affiliated with Pinterest™ or any Pinterest™ products. Pinterest™ is a registered trademark Pinterest Inc.

Follow HotandMobile on Pinterest

The post How to Add Pinterest Button to the Firefox Browser Sidebar appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

Samsung and Apple continue to battle over a copyright infringement dispute covering Apple’s text-selection patent could lead to the ban on the older Samsung devices in the United States.

However, the final decision by the International Trade Commission (ITC), expected by August 2013, could be an empty victory for Apple since the Galaxy S4, likely to be released by May or June is not covered by the case filed by Apple in mid-2011. By August, thousands of S4 devices could already be in the hands of American consumers.

It did not look good for Samsung with the  ITC upheld a preliminary ruling made on March 26 by an ITC judge that ruled that Samsung breached Apple’s text-selection patent, RE41.922. The full commission needs to review Judge Thomas Pender’s ruling.

Pender supposedly found that some Samsung devices have infringed on parts of an Apple patent that deals with text display selection on handheld units and a section of translucent buttons. However, Mr Pender ruled that Samsung did not infringe on a patent regarding how devices recognize microphone inputs.

As the two tech giants continue to duke it out in courtroom battles, others vendor are attempting to chip away at  shares of the smartphone and tablet markets.

Jacqueline Lawson
jacqueline@hotandmobile.com

The post Will the Galaxy S4 be Banned in the US? Samsung and Apple Continue to Battle! [Video] appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

Monetizing on Googe+

In the two years since its launch, publishers large and small have experimented with Google Hangout to host group video chats with well-known guests, readers and staff, hoping to engage readers and attract new followers.

Now, Google is helping publishers monetize their efforts.

On Monday, Glamour magazine is launching a month-long series of Hangouts featuring staffers, online personalities — and products. Eight of the nine Hangouts are sponsored by a company, whose products are featured centrally in the content. In a Hangout for Unilever-owned Suave, for example, DIY blogger Erica Domesek will show how to make hair accessories for hair styled by Suave stylists. A L’Oreal-sponsored Hangout with Glamour stylist Annabel Tollman will show viewers how to wear ombré hair, as colored by Loreal’s Féria Wild Ombré product.

Lauren Indvik, Mashable

Read more…

The post With Google’s Help, ‘Glamour’ Monetizes Hangouts appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

Women Entrepreneurs

The U.S. unemployment rate took another baby-step down this morning according to the Labor Department, who say employers added just 88,000 jobs last month.

Economists are concerned that the number of jobs added didn’t match optimistic expectations given signs of recovery in the housing and consumer sectors. Many are left scratching their heads.

Where are the jobs?

According to the 2013 State of Women-Owned Business Report commissioned annually by American Express OPEN, the jobs lie in the hands of women. In particular the hands of female founders whose businesses have trailed only massive publicly traded firms in job creation since the recession began to devastate the market in 2007.

By Meghan Casserly, Forbes Staff
Read more…

The post Women Entrepreneurs Are Leading Job Growth As Unemployment Stagnates appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

Will Firefox survive!

Firefox OS, the mobile platform being developed by Mozilla, is not something I’m not convinced will ever matter, although I could be wrong — and I kind of hope I am. Does Firefox OS Have A Chance? MaybeAfter all, another platform, more developers, more competition and the promise of truly open web standards for mobile devices are all good things. The odds, however, appear stacked against its success.

The Odds Firefox OS Faces

Presently, Google’s Android dominates the smartphone market, accounting for approximately 70% of all new smartphone sales. In its short life, Android has amassed 48% of the global smartphone market. Apple’s iPhone follows with 19%. Both platforms are supported by highly capable, deep-pocketed tech giants, and both platforms are growing their overall base. There may simply be no room for a viable third platform.

Not that Firefox OS is only facing off against Android and iPhone, of course. Blackberry was the third-best selling smartphone platform in 2012, and it has recently launched its own new operating system, BB10. Next comes Windows Phone, which despite the considerable backing of both Microsoft and Nokia this OS continues to generate only middling interest.

Then there are numerous other smartphone operating systems, including some with significant corporate sponsorship. Samsung and Intel, for example, continue to develop Tizen. Amazon has its own version of Android. There are also Bada, Jolla, Aliyun, webOS, Ubuntu and others, including the hybrid Nokia Asha platform at the low end.

Read more…

The post Does Firefox OS Have A Chance? Maybe appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

Much speculation has been buzzing around the news that Samsung Galaxy Note III may come with a 5.9-inch screen. Now, GSMArena via Korea Times is reporting that this is indeed confirmed news.

Korea Times mentions that they have picked this information up from Samsung’s main parts suppliers. Furthermore, the report also states that the Samsung Galaxy Note III will be launched in US through telecom operator AT&T in the near future.

As per earlier rumours, Samsung Galaxy Note III will be launched at IFA 2013. IFA 2013 will be organised between 6 to 11 September in Berlin (Germany). There were also news reports that suggested that Samsung will be deploying LCD screens made by Sharp for its Galaxy Note III. The recently announced Exynos 5 Octa processor will allegedly power this phablet.

It is noteworthy that Samsung Galaxy Note II was announced at IFA 2012. It sports a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED HD display. Samsung Galaxy Note II is powered by 1.6GHz quad-core processor along with 2GB of RAM. There is an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 1.9-megapixel front camera on the phablet.

The Note II has received a good response from the consumers. The company had shared that the device topped 5 million units in just first two months since it started shipping.

Samsung was the first company to foray into the phablet space in 2011 with its Samsung Galaxy Note device. However, in the recent past many companies have forayed into this category.

As per earlier news report it was suggested that Samsung will be launching Note III along with Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 at IFA 2013. But now there is a buzz that given the popularity of Note devices, the company may decide to launch the phablet earlier in an unpacked event in US on lines of Samsung Galaxy S4 launch.

Be on the look out for this one!  I love my Note II! Now, That’s Hot!

The post Samsung Galaxy Note III Rumored to Launch in US Through AT&T appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

T-Mobile Gets the Samsung S4

At T-Mobile’s ”UNcarrier” event, the company has listed the phones it will sell that include LTE. One of the most important on that list the Samsung Galaxy S4, which T-Mobile says is launching on May 1st.Despite the carrier’s claims to being radically more open than other carriers, the Galaxy S4 (and other phones) will be locked — at least until it’s paid off. The Galaxy S4 will work on T-Mobile LTE network, which is currently live in seven cities.

Although Samsung’s phones have been important to T-Mobile, the main hardware focus of the event was obviously the iPhone 5, which T-Mobile will begin offering on on April 12th for an initial $99 outlay along with a monthly $20 payment plan. That’s the same price the carrier will be charging for both the HTC One and the BlackBerry Z10. Unfortunately, T-Mobile didn’t specify the exact price of the Galaxy S4, but it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to see it arrive at the $99 price point.

While this is good news for T-Mobile customers, continue to watch your monthly charges for “bill creep!”

The post The Samsung Galaxy S4 Due to Be Released Around May 1 on T-Mobile appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

Google+ Major Update

How to Update to Version 4.3.0 for the Google+ iPad App. Step-by-Step.  Google+ iPad App Just Got Another Big Update: New Features for Photo Editing, Communities & More.This one is packed full of significant new features and improvements for the app. Here’s the change list:

- New photo editing features: add filters, rotate and crop
- New profile design
- New notifications tray
- New set-up flow for new users
- Control the volume of posts that you see in your stream from individual circles/communities
- Filter search results by best or most recent
- Tell your friends about a community (by sharing it or sending an invitation)
- Reshare posts to communities
- Display counts for unread messages in your communities
- Additional community moderation features

HOW TO UPDATE:

I installed the update just a short while ago,  and had no problems completing the update on my iPad2.  Here’s how I did it:

1. Of course, turn on your iPad
2. Tap the App Store icon
3. Tap the Updates button in the bottom right corner
4. *Scroll down until you find Google+
5. Tap Update
6. Once it completes, Tap open.

*Do not tap Update All, especially if you do not have enough space on your iPad.  It will take forever, and may lock up your device. Just pick the ones that you REALLY want to Update.

There you have it, a brand new fresh Google+ app.  Love it!  Did it work for you?

The post How to Update to Version 4.3.0 for the Google+ iPad App. Step-by-Step appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

SoundNote on the iPad

Note Taking on the iPad just got easier with SoundNote.  SoundNote is the best way to take notes on your iPad.

It tracks what you type and draw while recording audio, so you’ll never worry about missing an important detail.

I have used Soundnote to record webinars, conference speakers, and important teleconferences.  It is a powerful tool to help you remember important details.

While playing back your recording, just tap a word; SoundNote will jump right to that point in the audio.

Use SoundNote’s powerful drawing tool for quick sketches. It’s easy to edit them, too. Tap a drawing to select it, or tap twice to select an individual stroke. From there, you can drag it to wherever you want, or tap “Delete” to get rid of it. Use two fingers to zoom and scroll.

SoundNote is perfect for students. If you ever fall asleep in class, don’t worry — SoundNote’s got your back. Just tap what you wrote while you were awake, and SoundNote will play the audio to help you fill in the blanks.

SoundNote is also great for journalists. Ever miss an important detail during an interview and have to skim through your entire recording to find out what it was? With SoundNote, just tap a word from that part of the interview — it’ll play back what you missed.

When you’re done, share your text, drawings, and audio notes via email, or transfer them directly to your Mac or PC. Audio notes are recorded in standard M4A format: One hour of high quality audio is only 20MB.

Soundnote is one of my favorite Business apps.  Do you use it?

The post Note Taking on the iPad just got easier with SoundNote appeared first on Hot and Mobile.

Everyone was talking about the new Android app from Google, named Google Keep.  The blogs were all abuzz today!

“With Keep you can quickly jot ideas down when you think of them and even include checklists and photos to keep track of what’s important to you,” Google’s Katharine Kuan detailed on Google’s blog today. Google then uses its Google Drive service and servers to sync your content so you can get those important thoughts or notes anywhere.

The app works very similarly to the other note apps, like Evernote and OneNote. You download the app, which is avilable for only Android 4.0 phones right now, take your notes and then you can access them via the app on the web, which is located in your Google Drive or at https://drive.google.com/keep. You are able to upload voice notes, which can be transcribed, and even photos. You can also color code notes and turn some notes into checklists by adding check boxes.

I tried to find the Google Playstore by search for Google Keep from my smartphone the Samsung Galaxy Note II.  No app was found.  A search on Google.com for Google Keep resulted in a link to the Google Keep website.  Once there it took less than 2 minutes to install the app from my laptop straight to my phone.

Technology, fasten your seat belts!

The post Google Keep the Note Taking App Released Today from Google appeared first on Hot and Mobile.