Technology ⯀  

Throughout history, business owners have had to face the same dilemma; how to run their businesses more efficiently while bringing in maximum profit. Businesses today are still facing the same challenges faced hundreds of years ago.

Innovation has come to the rescue by offering a better way of accomplishing set objectives while remaining productive and efficient.

1. Cloud Services

For businesses, cloud services are a critical differentiator. From small to medium sized businesses with limited IT resources, the cloud allows you to focus on running your company rather than your IT. You can take advantage of a vast portfolio of network, storage and computing products, and then cost effectively scale on demand with the growth of your business.

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2. Smart IoT Devices

The Internet of Things is rapidly changing how businesses work as more devices across the world become connected. In fact, by 2020, the IoT market is expected to have hit the $1.7 trillion mark. Already, your customers are connecting and synchronizing various devices seamlessly, ranging from home security cameras to fitness trackers. With the right solutions, businesses will gain from improved processes, fostering greater productivity. Today, employees can work from anywhere, and even print documents to the office printers like Lafayette Business Machines Inc.

3. Mobile Hotspots

The main advantage of using the mobile hotspot is that you get a dedicated connection for all your devices. You no longer have to worry about conducting business work over an unsecured public Wi-Fi connection. Besides, the connection speeds are often faster than public Wi-Fi.

4. Real Time Collaboration Beyond Documents

Real time collaboration is an important technology for today’s modern office. It significantly improves productivity by allowing different teams to collaborate, no matter the distance. The technology is fast moving into smart office tasks. For example, screen sharing allows different people to work on a single project on a computer or two architects in various cities can look at the same 3D hologram of a planned skyscraper using Augmented Reality (AR) glasses.

5. Artificial Intelligence

As an invaluable ingredient in increasing productivity, easing work and improving workplace efficiency, Artificial Intelligence plays a critical role in a modern smart office. AI has the potential to manage the office calendar, help in research and schedule meetings, among many other office activities. Handing such activities to AI saves huge chunks of money and time; most importantly, productivity goes up as employees can focus on what matters to your business.

The modern office should evolve if it expects to stay relevant. Using the right smart office tech, the office environment can be customized to offer a modern, interconnected workforce that helps employees perform at their best potential.

By  Lizzie Weakley

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About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her 3-year-old husky Snowball. If you are looking at getting a STEM related education, Lizzie suggests that you consider an electrical engineering master’s degree from the University of Ohio.

Home Automation ⯀  

Are you looking for smart home solutions? Home automation comes with benefits such as ease of operation, remote control of systems and flexibility of devices.

Wireless solutions allow you to monitor home device functions by installing applications on your mobile smart phone, tablet, or computer. Also, wireless automation allows you to control various systems from any location away from home. The following are top trends in wireless home automation.

Home Security Systems

With fitted surveillance cameras, these systems incorporate wireless alarm devices that directly communicate with your mobile device. The cameras record everything that happens and relays the information to your smart phone. The system allows you to receive alerts every time your home entrance opens. Also, you can remotely arm or disarm the security system.

Automation of doors is another added feature in wireless security systems. You can program your own safety system to control your front doors. A sensor is placed on the door and the frame, such that when the door closes, it creates a security circuit. If the door suddenly opens the circuit breaks and is communicated to the system’s control panel.

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Heating and Cooling Systems

Automated air conditioning systems come with remote control features. With a wifi thermostat, you can control the temperature of individual rooms inside the house. Such thermostats also have sensors that control the entire cooling and heating system in your house.

When you travel, the wireless connectivity allows you to keep a tab on your furnace for safety. A WiFi unit also allows setting the temperature at different times of the day. With the application on your smart phone or tablet, you can monitor the changes in temperature while away. Additionally, the WiFi system lets you to control your HVAC system and send alerts if efficiency drops because of dirt accumulation, a clogged evaporator or a low refrigerant charge.

Wireless Lighting Control

Wireless lighting systems come with energy efficiency features for homes. The systems are flexible such that you can place control panels on your preferred location. As the needs of your space change, you can equally modify the location of your devices, remove or add new lighting by simple programming. Wireless lighting solutions also allow a single network to cover a large area at low additional costs.

Additional devices such as sensors utilize the same wireless system without the need to add individual control panels. A great advantage of wireless lighting is that you can turn on and off or dim lights at specified times during the day. Occupancy sensors, detect when someone enters a room which automatically turns the light on and switches them off when one leaves.

Hubs and Controllers

These devices allow you to control smart appliances in your home using a voice assistant. This means you can program your home devices to recognize your voice and follow your instructions. You only need to install an application on your smart phone and connect to devices using WiFi, Z-wave or ZigBee. Also, these gadgets can help you start video calls or select a music playlist and other functions.

Cleaning Devices

With smart home wireless technology, you can comfortably control your vacuum cleaner without necessarily moving it around. Wireless vacuums utilize fitted cameras for navigation, a smartphone application and internet connectivity such as WiFi. Also, the devices come with water jets that sprinkle water as it moves for effective cleaning.

Wireless home automation systems offer advanced security solutions with easy installation and operation. Also, with these systems, you can easily control tasks in your home, monitor different rooms and control lighting from applications on your smart phone. They are convenient, energy efficient and flexible not forgetting the remote control advantages.

By  Jamison Hutton	Embed
Jamison Hutton is a car enthusiast and small business consultant. He's a freelance journalist and loves writing about peoples small business dreams. He lives in Houston, Texas with his wife and son.

Gadgets ⯀  

Advanced technology is available for every room of the home. While media rooms and dens immediately come to mind when thinking of home technology, there are other high traffic areas that benefit from these modern conveniences. 

The bathroom is a great place to incorporate convenient up to date inventions. Read on for some great ways to update your bathroom area.

Waterproof Note-Taking Devices

If you have ever been struck by a brilliant idea while in the shower and lost it by the time you stepped out, a waterproof notebook is for you. There are waterproof paper notebooks with tear out pages and they can provide multiple uses since you can also take them with you in the outdoors regardless of conditions. Some come with hang straps and pencil attachments. Mountable whiteboards are another option for harnessing shower time inspiration and creativity. Decide whether you want a write and erase style or if a tear out waterproof notebook is more your style.

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Waterproof Televisions

If you are pressed on time to watch television or if you simply enjoy combining the shower experience with the television viewing experience, a waterproof television is a must. Many models come equipped with waterproof remotes and heated screens that ward off condensation. Some even serve double duty by acting as a mirror when not powered on for television purposes. There is an impressive range of sizes and styles available.

Bathroom Renovation

While incorporating bathroom technology, a full bathroom renovation project is another idea to explore. There are residential options currently available that are just as convenient and technologically advanced as those seen in commercial settings. For example, automatic motion sensor faucets are on the market, as are toilets with automatic lid openers. Some companies, like Kewco, know that other things, like heating options are also available for flooring and for drawers. Think warm bathrobes to slip in to and warm tiles to walk upon after a soothing bath or invigorating shower.

Bathroom Sound Systems

If you are interested in updating the bathroom but not doing a full renovation, sound options may be the way to go. There are plenty of waterproof bathroom speakers and hands free speakerphones on the market. Some shower speakers come with suction cups. In addition to proving worthwhile investments to use while in the bathroom, portable sound systems and speakers are also practical and helpful at outdoor pool settings and to use while boating.

View the bathroom as a multipurpose area prime for updating. It is a high traffic area and many updates such as motion sensor faucets even make the room more energy efficient and offer ways to use water wisely without even thinking about it. Being able to personalize the bath and shower experience makes grooming and hygiene more enjoyable and also a highly pampering experience. Think about what would best suit your needs and preferences and start taking strides to update your space.

By  Rachelle Wilber	Embed

Gadgets ⯀  

Most of the electronics you own are actually quite delicate. Screens can crack, and a single drop of liquid reaching the circuitry can render them inoperative. Televisions, combo printer, scanner and copier machines and other electronics are sensitive to vibrations experienced in transport, and high humidity can also cause them to fail.

If you read the owner's manuals, you will see that they actually have narrow recommended operating range for temperature too. Relocating them to your new house requires some specific steps in packing and transporting to get them there intact and ready to use.

Use Original Packaging

If you have saved any of the original packaging for your electronic items, it makes for the safest way of transporting them to your new house. The original packaging was designed to get your electronics across the ocean in container ships, to the retail stores, and finally to you.

Protect TV Screens

It is always best to put a television in an appropriately sized box even if you do not have the original one it came in. At the bare minimum you should fashion thick cardboard sheets into a makeshift shield to protect the front and back of your TVs. Appliance stores are not only a great source for large appliance boxes for free, but they may also have boxes to fit your TVs. The goal is to keep flexing to a minimum and to have no pressure on the screen to prevent cracking.

Printers, Scanners, and Copiers

Some office equipment of this type have a locking mechanism to park moving parts for shipment. Check your owner's manuals, and be sure to stick a note on the electronic equipment where you engage any locking mechanisms to prevent damage when they are hooked back up at your new place.

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Professional Movers

You really cannot beat the service of professionals who offer full packing and moving services. They have the experience and expertise to get everything from a grand piano to grandma's heirloom vase from your old house to the new one without a problem. Some companies, like Bekins Van Lines Inc., have boxes and packing materials to secure anything, including electronics, for transport, and they have the muscle to load it and unload it. This can save you all the hassle of moving from the packing to the heavy lifting.

Electronic Accessories

Pack all electronic item accessories with the devices they go to. Do not rely on memory to figure out which power adapter goes with what product. Just because the plug fits does not mean you are plugging in the correct power adapter or other accessory. If you must pack accessories for game consoles, computers and other items separately, label the boxes as to what devices the contents connect to. It would not hurt to also label the accessories themselves. Blue painter's tape works great for labeling items and not leaving behind a sticky tape residue.

The bigger the electronic item, the more likely it will end up bumping into a door frame, wall or other hard object while being moved. Today's television screens are very vulnerable to flexing and bumps. Also, hard drive read/write heads can come in contact with the media platters, causing data loss if they are not properly shut down before transport. Do not just pull the plug on game consoles and cable/satellite TV boxes as they contain hard drives. Shut them off with the power switch first.

By  Rachelle Wilber	Embed

The popularity of drones is just insane right now, and tech that seemed way too futuristic to ever be available for everyday people is now here and is more affordable than ever.

Drones  

Below are four cool add-ons you can install on your drone to make for the ultimate drone-piloting experience. These mods are available for drone enthusiasts of all levels.

1. Propeller Guards

One of the most practical add-ons for your drone are propeller guards. If those props get tangled in tree branches or even just debris flying through the air on a gust of wind, that could be game over for your drone. Propeller guards protect your drone and anything around it from being accidentally damaged in case of a collision. Guards will also help protect you and any bystanders from being seriously injured by the spinning propellers.

2. LED Light Kit

Another very cool addition to your drone is LED lights. These come in a variety of colors and can provide solid or flashing light, and many LED lights for drones are visible from up to a mile away. You can also install forward-facing white LEDs to use as headlights to illuminate your flight path at night, so that works well if you've got a camera system installed too. We'd like to say that LEDs are all about the practical value, but let's face it: LEDs on a drone at night just look really cool!

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3. First-Person View (FPV) System

While prop guards and LEDs are some cheap and easy mods to apply to your drone, there's a whole new level of drone performance available to you when you add on cameras and a FPV system. First-person view (FPV) or remote-person view is a headset system that works like virtual reality goggles and allows you to see everything your drone camera sees without having to use a large monitor. It's really the ultimate drone accessory and will provide an entirely new experience for any drone enthusiast. And of course, FPV systems are essential for many commercial drone applications as well.

4. Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Camera

For night flying or for commercial uses where lighting is challenge, a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera from Infrared Cameras Inc. can be the best drone mod ever. With infrared, you're no longer limited to day-time operation, and if you combine a FLIR camera with an FPV system and headset, you're just not going to ever go to sleep again. You'll be up all night flying around your neighborhood!

Drones are definitely fun devices to have that can be used for a variety of applications. But don’t be satisfied with a vanilla drone. Deck it out with some extra features, and you’re sure to make a lot of fun memories!

By  Dixie Somers	Embed
Author Bio - Dixie is a freelance writer who loves to write about business, finance and self improvement. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.

Gadgets  

Spending long hours on the road can now be as enjoyable as spending time at home. With the proliferation of electronic devices, life on the road can provide all the amenities you want, whether it’s for communication, entertainment, or eating.

Truck driving might not exist as a profession in the future, but for now, truckers can benefit from technology just like the rest of us. No longer are truckers limited to truck stop coffee and activities, they can enjoy their favorite meals and beverages at their leisure.

1. Warmers/Coolers

Several brands of warmers and coolers are available that let you either keep your food warm or cold by plugging into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter. These units will keep food as cold as 45 degrees F or as warm as 50 degrees above the ambient temperature. Many include exterior cup holders and carry straps.

Iceless coolers are also readily available and function as small refrigerators but can also function as ice chests. Sizes range from about 15 quarts to about 40 quarts.

2. Cookers and Coffeemakers

Eating out can be expensive and unhealthy. A variety of 12-volt cooking appliances provide the trucker with healthy, home cooked meals and snacks at reasonable prices. The 12-volt stove reaches temperatures to 300 degrees and is great for warming or slow cooking using regular cookware.

Twelve-volt slow cookers, sauce pans, and frying pans are available that can fry bacon and eggs, popcorn, or make a very satisfactory stew.

Coffee makers and hot pots can plug into the cigarette lighter and have that morning caffeine ready in no time. An automatic shut off feature means the pot won’t overheat and be ruined in case you forget to turn it off.

3. Dash Cams

No trucker should be without a dash cam. Driving for a living almost ensures that at some point you’ll encounter an accident or crime in progress. A dash cam can be an invaluable asset, particularly if you’re involved in an accident.

Dash cams can also document vehicle tampering or an attempted break in. Some models have lane collision warnings, Bluetooth capability, and lane departure warnings. A dash cam should be on the essential-item list for anyone who spends a substantial amount of time on the road.

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4. Power Inverters

There may be times that you need to convert your 12-volt power to AC power. A power inverter is the answer. It plugs into the cigarette lighter and provides you with the AC power you need. Many inverters are available with multiple outlets so that you can use more than one AC appliance with your single, 12-volt connection.

5. Entertainment

When relaxing after a day of driving, it’s important to have some entertainment, such as a TV for semi-trucks. Truckers who have a smart phone with mobile TV can connect it to their TV and watch TV anywhere they have phone service.

Many TV’s are available with DVD players so you can watch your favorite movie or show independently of your mobile phone. You’ll want quality sound, so a set of 12-volt speakers is a necessity, and they’re available in a variety of price ranges.

By  Claire Stewart	Embed
Claire Stewart is a freelance writer and blogger focused on writing about health, travel, and business among other topics. She graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelors in Women’s Studies and currently lives in Seattle with her goldfish, Merlin.

Automotive  

Backup cams and collision-detection were premium features when they were brand new, but most manufacturers offer these features now. Among tire sustainability technologies and other recent innovations, the new and exciting car features coming in 2017 combine autos and tech in ways you might never have imagined possible! Read on to see what we mean.

1. Wearable Entry Devices

From smartwatches to Fitbits, people are wearing more technology than ever. In 2017, Jaguar wants drivers to take the fashion statement a bit further. The F-Pace Activity Key is a bracelet that looks similar to your favorite activity tracker but actually serves as the "key" to your vehicle. The bracelet doesn't actually track your activity—yet.

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2. Better Back Support

If you're one of the many people who experiences pain and discomfort while driving, even on the shortest trips, you'll enjoy this feature. Infiniti is now adding improved lumbar support via seats that match the curvature of your spine for increased comfort. Wider seat cushions also make those long-distance trips as comfortable as possible. Lincoln is also offering advanced seat position options for drivers.

3. Home Theater in the Car

Forget the battered DVD player you take on road trips to keep the kids busy. Manufacturers have switched to digital controls via tablets, but car makers are adding tablets for entertainment purposes, too. Chrysler's Pacifica minivan even comes with dual screens that fold up behind the driver's and passenger's seats so whoever is sitting in the back can enjoy their favorite videos.

These entertainment centers are powered by Chrysler's Uconnect Theater, which features native apps and games, but you can also cast content from your devices to the 10-inch screens.

4. Large Animal Detection

Volvo is offering a feature to drivers that drives can use to avoid deer, moose and other large animals that can cause severe damage to your vehicle or family. The car uses radar and cameras to detect large animals in the vicinity, and it brakes up to a full stop.

5. In-Bed Speakers

If you're a fan of tailgating, then you'll enjoy this new car feature. In-bed speakers mean you can enjoy music or commentary of the game while grilling up some dogs and enjoying a cold one. The Honda Ridgeline is one of the vehicles that will have this feature. 2017 will be a year for even safer cars, improved comfort, and truly luxury entertainment options.

By  Dixie Somers	Embed
Author Bio - Dixie is a freelance writer who loves to write about business, finance and self improvement. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.

Artificial Intelligence  

Some people still think of artificial intelligence as a sleek robotic assistant that's far in the future, but AI is no longer something to anticipate down the road. It's already here, and it's available in one form or another on nearly all smartphones. If you've ever gotten directions from Siri or asked Google Now to check the time in Tokyo, you've already started leaning on artificial intelligence for your everyday needs.

AI is poised to dramatically change the way we interact with the world around us. This technology can transform the way you communicate with your cell phone, turning it into a smart personal assistant that you'll look at in a whole new way.

Prioritizing Communications

Email and text messaging may ease communications, but they also subject you to an onslaught of messages, many of which are from unimportant or unwanted sources. Technology can already filter out most of your email spam. As artificial intelligence learns more about your social circle and communication habits, it can streamline your communications even further. Your phone can prioritize the text messages you care about and suggest quick auto responses for those that are less important.

Your smartphone essentially becomes an intelligent social manager that will help you stay on top of your most important relationships and business communications. Say goodbye to the smiling secretary. AI can take over the role nicely.

Anticipating Your Agenda

Artificial intelligence already looks for helpful ways to assist with your schedule. Just tell the popular AI Cortana about an upcoming meeting, and she'll put it on your schedule. Ask for a reminder in a set amount of time, and she'll prompt you at the appointed hour. Cortana is also equipped to map out your route to destinations on your calendar, check the traffic, and remind you when to leave so you'll arrive on time.

With a personal assistant like Cortana for Android, managing your to-do lists becomes almost mindless. To get the most out of this type of AI, it's important to utilize a reliable smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy S7 on T-Mobile's network. With expandable memory up to 256GB, you can power Cortana and other AI apps simultaneously. T-Mobile's 4G LTE Network will help you steer clear of dropped connections that could do serious damage to your timely reputation if you're relying on your smartphone for reminders and updates.

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Keeping You Comfortable

Properly enabled, AI effortlessly steps in as a friendly voice looking out for your best interests. It can prompt you to grab a jacket before you head out for the day, or warn you of rain during your date later in the evening. Combine smartphone apps with smart home devices like Wi-Fi enabled thermostats, and you can use your phone to keep your home cozy. Just ask your device to adjust the furnace so your house is warm when you arrive home from work early.

Your smartphone can control a seemingly endless range of paired devices, from multi-hued light bulbs to smart kitchen appliances. As AI advances, it may begin to anticipate that you don't have dinner plans and scan your fridge for meal suggestions, or prompt your oven to run a self-cleaning cycle periodically while you're away at work. The potential is endless.

Streamlining Your Errands

If you dread your weekly errands, your AI-enabled smartphone may soon become your best friend. Amazon Go has developed a grocery store that's free of cashiers and checkouts. Its Just Walk Out technology detects what you've taken and automatically charges your Amazon account. All you need is a compatible smartphone with the Amazon Go app and an active Amazon account. With your phone in hand, you could soon be free of long lines and checkout hassles, simply grabbing what you're after and heading home.

Artificial intelligence is perfectly poised to gently take over your most mundane tasks and lend a helping hand as you tackle more complex jobs. Whether you need assistance ordering groceries or finishing a research project, you'll find AI available to help, making your smartphone one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal.

Top  Image via Flickr by Janitors

By  33rd Square	Embed

Gadgets  

Technology is ever-changing, and new ideas are shaping the way we live our lives today, especially when it comes to newer gadgets. What was once expensive and out of reach for the average person is now more affordable today. Advancements continue to change though, and even our most sophisticated spyware has improved. 

While there isn’t a set definition for spyware, it’s usually any software that monitors or tracks someone else without their consent. Some of the newest spyware is available on everything from computers to cell phones, and now there are even stealthier devices.

Is That a Bug?

It’s not a joke, but some of the latest technology coming out of Russia includes using cockroaches as little spies. These can spy on anyone and anything because of their size, and bugs are so common most people don’t think to go out of their way to squish them. Installing a microchip that small wasn’t as involved as researchers expected, and they’re able to fully control where it flies and where it can hide in the corner. They’re also easy to replace because they breed so much.

The World’s Tiniest Microphone

Now there are laser microphones available that can listen to any conversation through glass. Windows vibrate very slightly when sounds are made, and by firing this small laser up at the window at an angle, they’re able to set up a device that will record the reflection. There’s not even any visible light, so nobody will know they’re being listened to.

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It’s a Bird; It’s a Plane; It’s a Kite?

Even kites can be equipped with digital cameras and the photos can be taken with a wireless remote, allowing you to take pictures of anything you can get that kite near. With 82 feet of string available for it to fly, it might be time to think twice when you see kites in the sky.

Go, Go, Gadget!

Even the tiniest cameras can be installed in homes. Disguised as a common screw with a small wireless camera inside. This new technology can transmit live video feeds to TVs in another location. It only requires a 9-volt battery to operate. Just like you can tell which sensors are the most effective in a security system, these are sensitive to install and even operate. It will be some time before they are sold commercially.

“Maple” Cameras

Maple seeds are abundant during fall and go unnoticed because they’re supposed to be around. One Lockheed Martin is making a micro-camera that will look just like a maple seed. The only difference is it will be possible to steer and stay in the air using two jet boosters. While there are no plans for it to be sold commercially, it can be one of the technologies that come out for the public at one point. Right now, there are only plans for them to be used for military reconnaissance and in areas suffering from disasters.

Because these devices are small and easy to use, it’s not surprising that they are at the top of the latest trend lists for spy technology. Bottom Line? Watch out for bugs!

By  Eileen O'Shanassy

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Drones  

Drones are all the rage, and for good reason. These five fun ways to utilize your new drone show off how best to use this exciting, trendy tech.

From filming sports activities to shooting wedding videos, drones are a wellspring of fun activities and shareable videos.

Filmmaking

Artistic expression has reached new possibilities with the advent of quality, affordable drones. Aerial shots are often pricey and complicated, but drones change that by placing artistic control in the hands of the filmmaker. Without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, filmmakers now have more options for aerial filmmaking and unique camera control.

Weddings

With all the technology available, this is the perfect age to capture weddings with drones. Create a trendy, stylish wedding video that stands out from all the rest. From stunning crowd shots to unique and memorable ceremony footage, capturing big events and special moments is both easy with drone technology. If you want to show off with an impressive event, drone footage is a must.

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Infrared Cameras

One of the best ways to take advantage of your drone is to attach an infrared camera and leverage its heat-sensing abilities. With thermal imaging, you'll be able to monitor damage on your solar panels, track animals in the wild and even identify dehydration in your field of crops. Although infrared cameras on drones have plenty of industrial applications, you can also spend a fun weekend exploring wilderness and gaining a scientific understanding of your surroundings without caring about practical use.

Sports

Drone technology is making waves in the sports industry. It's easier than ever to capture stunning footage of your snowboarding runs down a mountain as you rapidly navigate the terrain. Whether you participate in tennis tournaments or go whitewater rafting on the weekend, aerial drone footage is a stunning way to remember and share your experience. Go extreme with aerial drone footage.

Travel

Travel vloggers and vacationers alike will love to leverage the power of drone technology for exciting, beautiful footage. Whether you have a travel-related business or simply want to show off your adventures during a gap year, drones will give you a fun and impressive record of foreign destinations. If you find yourself on a tropical island with palm trees and open water on your next vacation, you'll be glad you brought your drone. For the tech-savvy traveler, drones are the key to adventures abroad.

By  Dixie Somers	Embed
Author Bio - Dixie is a freelance writer who loves to write about business, finance and self improvement. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters.

Gadgets  

A quality home entertainment system is a great investment of your money. While going out to a movie at a theater can easily cost $30 for the tickets alone, you can invest that money in quality equipment for your home and watch all the movies, shows and games you like.

Consider these four signs that it is time to replace your old entertainment system with new equipment.

Poor Performance

Some home entertainment products, particularly televisions, start to exhibit a poor performance after about seven years of use. In most cases, televisions cost as much or even more to repair than to replace. Some systems wear out even sooner, such as heavily-used DVD and Blu-ray players. If you are constantly having to reset or troubleshoot any of your home entertainment system's components, it is time to consider replacing your equipment.

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Incompatibility

If you want to buy a new game or accessory, it may not be compatible with the parts of your existing system. You may even find that there is no longer any customer support for the older parts of your home entertainment system. Once a manufacturer has gone on and made newer versions of a product, they stop supporting the old product. This leaves you out of luck when you have a problem or need to replace a cord, controller or game. Replacing your equipment ensures that all of the parts will be compatible with each other.

Worn Cords

Over years of use, the power cables and cords that connect your home entertainment system can become worn. Frayed and damaged cords present a serious risk for overheating and fires. Companies such as Americord produce dependable replacement and specialty cords that can be used to connect new and vintage electronics to your computer and speakers.

Too Many Remote Controls

If you have a remote for the TV, Blu-ray, DVD, Xbox, PlayStation and all of your other home entertainment systems, you may feel overwhelmed. Keeping track of all of the remotes and supplying them with batteries can be a challenging task. When remote controls are taking over your family room and littering your couch, it is time to upgrade your home entertainment system. Today's newest systems can make use of a single, universal remote for added convenience.

Replacing your home entertainment system allows you to make the most of your leisure time. A new system can make for quality entertainment for your whole family. Upgrading your equipment will enhance your entertainment experience.

By  Lizzie Weakley

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About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her 3-year-old husky Snowball. If you are looking at getting a STEM related education, Lizzie suggests that you consider an electrical engineering master’s degree from the University of Ohio.

Gadgets  

As technology continues its massive evolution in the 21st century, its implementation spans far beyond smartphones and ultra-thin laptops. Technology is actually an integral part of our everyday lives in ways we'd never think to consider.

The introduction of high-speed Wi-Fi made school and business much more efficient, but there are more ways wireless technology is being introduced into modern life that will completely change the way we live in coming years. Here are just four ways that wireless tech is reshaping society.

Bluetooth Smart

Hands-free engagement is being taken to the next level with Bluetooth Smart. Bluetooth Smart still spans over a 30-foot range, but it also consumes less power and isn't constantly emitting a signal. There are also new levels of high-tech authentication being introduced like the heartbeat-detecting Bionym Nymi and data-syncing capabilities across multiple devices.

Shopping Wirelessly

Amazon announced in 2016 that it plans to open a store free of checkout lines and physical staff. Instead, "Amazon Go" allows customers to shop around the store, take their items and leave without undergoing any checkout process. Customers supply their payment information before entering the store. Cameras and sensors would track their moves throughout the store, which is capable of detecting any item a customer takes off the shelf and adds it to their bill. An 1,800-square-foot store is slated to open in Seattle to test the technology.

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Wireless Charging

The wireless charging industry is still relatively new, but it's one that shows a very large potential for both businesses and consumers alike. Inductive charging uses an electromagnetic field to transfer energy between two objects like a charging station and an iPhone. There are many advantages to wireless chargers, like those from TYLT, including more secure connectivity, longer durability, and increased convenience. Because wireless charging isn't streamlined, it's not a feature readily available on most devices; you'll have to purchase a wireless-capable replacement back panel or case for your specific phone in order to take advantage of this tech. Your new hardware will have to meet the right standard for your device, which could either be Qi or PWA. Click here to learn more about wireless charging standards.

Content-Sharing

Online cloud services are growing in popularity among businesses. Instead of needing printed copies of files at a meeting, businesses can now simply have content shared automatically to a user's smartphone or laptop as soon as they enter the room. Conference systems like the Cisco CTS-MX200-K9 and MX300 will support wireless content-sharing through a basic Wi-Fi connection, but until it's streamlined, there's still Google Drive, which allows someone to share hundreds of documents, photos and other media with a single link.

Why Wireless?Wireless technology is the next step of technological evolution. The goal is to make the world more accessible across all platforms. Because of its no-strings-attached nature, wireless tech will not only be safer, but it will also last longer and cost less to maintain. Through the widespread induction of wireless technology, everyone with a device will be able to have greater access to a faster, safer, smarter world.

By  Rachelle Wilber

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Gadgets  

Whether you’re the boss or an employee who’s sent here, there, and everywhere, it can be tough working from afar. You don’t have access to the office equipment which makes it a lot easier to access shared resources and plan the day productively. Nor do you have that communication flow that’s so important to collaboration. But you don’t need it, anymore. Not with how useful tablets are becoming to the everyday worker.

Plan the whole year

Whether you’re doing it from home or some hotel room or café on your travels, staying productive is important. When you don’t have the busy buzz of an office in work around you, you have to make your own working environment, instead. To that end, you should look into the bundles of productivity-boosting apps available from your tablets. From scheduling software that ensures you never miss an appointment or a deadline to task management that helps you assess your workload and prioritize which needs to be done now. Staying connected with your own workflow is vital.

Keep it safe and working

One of the issues anyone is going to run up against with their mobile devices is how vulnerable they can leave the working day. Whether that’s due to damage knocking them offline or losing power right when you’re in the middle of that vital task. Look at places like IThingum to get an idea of the accessories that can keep your tablet running and your workflow flowing throughout the day. Otherwise, you better get used to making excuses for why you didn’t get that one thing done.

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Sharpen your brain

Working, especially on the go, requires a certain level of sharpness. The more you can improve your ability to process information and act on it, the better. When working on a tablet, a lot of your work is going to be based on reading. Learning to speedread can make it significantly easier for you to not only process but retain information for longer. It’s not about rushing, it’s about improving the speed at which you can fully comprehend text. To that end, you should look at apps like Spritz. With a little practice every day, it can help you more than double your current reading speed.

Stay in the loop

Cohesion with your colleagues is essential, especially during those big collaborative tasks. Project management software on your tablet makes it easier to get an overview of the whole team, their duties, and their progress. Checking in isn’t enough, however. It’s important to be part of the conversation, especially when people are strategizing. It’s important simply because it’s good for building team morale, too. To that end, there are tons of choices like GoToMeeting that make it easier to teleconference with your whole team so you don’t have to miss out.

With the right accessories and apps, you can make it significantly easier to work wherever you are without having to lug a laptop with you. Stay productive, stay in touch, and stay ahead of the game with the tips above.

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By  33rd Square

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Photography  

Taking the plunge into underwater photography can be a big step in a couple of ways. Underwater cameras are not inexpensive and, in most cases, the housing to keep water out at deeper depths can be as expensive as the camera itself.

Taking pictures can be challenging because of the limits to adjustments you can make to your equipment once you are in the water and the medium itself forces photographers to learn new techniques and modify picture taking habits to get decent results.

Although it sounds like a lot of bother, and it is, when all of the aspects are working in sync underwater photography can be absolutely stunning. The chance to digitally capture the animals, plants and majestic scenery of the underwater world is worth the cost and time it takes to become an expert in the field.

Gearing up before you go

When it comes to your gear, you have to understand that the medium you will be working in is the enemy of 90 percent of the gear you will use. Digital cameras have less moving parts than older analog cameras, but they have many more delicate electronic components that the merest hint of water – especially sea water – will destroy in a heartbeat.

This is the primary reason that even waterproof cameras need a housing when diving. Although it makes using the camera awkward and changing lenses or batteries impossible, the housing can protect your investment if a seal fails on the camera itself. Waterproof and water-resistant cameras still have openings and slots that allow access to the inner workings. No matter how good an off-the-shelf seal seems, they were not designed to withstand the rigor of being constantly immersed.

Don’t forget the other side of the equation, as well. Diving gear – tanks, wet suits, regulators and more – can be costly, too. Training and practice dives all add to the cost of your underwater adventure. This, however, shouldn’t dissuade you from learning how to take quality underwater photographs, but it should be factored in when it comes to how much the hobby is going to cost you.

The waterproof camera is your first step

The most important piece of equipment should also be your first. A good underwater camera is, obviously, essential to underwater photography and it needs the functions and options to make quality photos, be easy to operate, have plenty of accessories and be durable. With all of these qualifications, it’s easy to see why underwater cameras are so expensive.

The Olympus TG-4, in the lower middle range of cost, durable and packed with options, it is a good choice for beginning underwater photographers as well as seasoned veterans. If it has a disadvantage, and this varies by opinion, is that it has a limited selection of add on lenses. Currently, a teleconverter is available that gives the camera a greater focal length and strengthens the optical zoom feature of the camera.

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Don’t forget the flash

In addition to the camera and housing, you will need at least one, and preferably two, underwater strobes. Unless the water is perfectly clear and you are not too deep, you will need an external light source to reduce backscatter and to compensate for slower shutter speeds used due to depth. Decent strobes generally cost in the one to two hundred dollar range and, with practice, can make a huge difference in photo quality.

There are three main aspects to remember when buying a strobe. The first is power. When it comes to strobe lights, the stronger they are the better. The second is the recycle rate with a strobe that can recycle to a full charge within one second being optimal. The third aspect is size. Smaller and lighter is better because you have to lug one or two strobes along with your camera and other gear.

Putting it all together

Probably the most important thing about underwater photography is getting stuck in and taking pictures. If you can’t afford everything, start off small and hit the water. Take pictures under all conditions and see what you can and cannot do with the available equipment.

Upgrade over time and use the time to sharpen techniques and learn both your and your equipment’s limitations. Starting small allows you to learn how to take good pictures with non-optimal equipment and when you finally have the best that money can buy, you have already got the basics of underwater photography down. You will never take an underwater photograph sitting in your chair at home. Getting up and moving forward can start you down the road of a lifelong hobby. In every endeavor, taking the first step is always the most difficult, so get up and start now. There is no better way to learn from your mistakes than to make a few.

By  Ian Pearson	Embed
Author Bio - Aside from primary area of interest and expertise in business consulting, Ian could be tagged also as a passionate sports fan, nature and photography enthusiast, always trying to keep up to date with tech innovations and development, with particular interest in trying to master the fine art of Social intelligence.