With tons of of apps out there, it can be time-consuming to search through the enormous variety. So we have saved you the hassle of browsing apps from the Market. Be smarter and faster with these 10 Android apps and make a productive 2012!

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Mobile Shopper 2012

Mobile shopper is an app that allows you to make purchases with confidence. Instant access is available to unbiased consumer reports regarding everything, from consumer ratings to reliability.

App Gravity

App Gravity is an app designed to help you find apps. It allows you to search for apps with keywords or the actual app name. It can save you hours of searching on your own for that most coveted cool app. It also shows price comparisons to help you get the best deal.

Google’s Current

This app allows you to view your favorite blogs and news sites in an easy way. Once you sign in to your Google account, the app will download the content from pre-selected publications.

Sanity

Sanity is like having your own personal secretary. It has the ability to automatically answer phone calls, filter calls, and can even announce callers via audio.

Election 2012

Stay informed with Election 2012. This app is exactly what it sounds like for this upcoming election. It is designed to keep you up-to-date on all the latest development during the election of 2012.

Jigsaw Puzzle

This fun puzzle app is great for puzzle enthusiasts. It features over 30 unique jigsaw puzzles to conquer. It also offers a unique feature by letting users take the pictures from their mobile device and create puzzles out of them.

Waze

Use this Waze app and get faster. Waze is also a GPS system, but what makes this app unique is that it informs you about the current traffic conditions. With this amazing app, you can now avoid time-consuming traffic jams!

My Life

For those who enjoy social networking, My Life provides great convenience. It allows you to update feeds and connect with your family, friends and colleagues in Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Lose It

This app will be a great help for any user whose New Year’s resolution included weight loss. It tracks your food intake and how your meal affects your balanced diet. It even provides healthy recipes!

Mint

Even the most disorganized user will find it easier to manage his finances with Mint. This app helps you manage your budget, tracks your spending, and even reminds you when to pay your bills.

Indeed, there is a crazy app world out there. Take advantage of these apps in 2012 for a better Android experience!

1. Instagram: While Instagram has been around for a while as a photo-sharing program, it has recently taken a new turn and become an Android app. The program will allow users to easily take photographs, apply a variety of different filters to them, and share them on some of the most popular social media sites. The program is still being tweaked a bit, so the release will come in early 2012. For those that can’t wait, popular alternatives include Lightbox and Streamzoo.

2. VLC Media Player: VLC has long been the favored open-source media program around. Exceptionally powerful with a huge number of features have turned it into the most popular media player available. In early 2012, a special Android version will be available to bring the same powerful functionality to the portability of your Android smartphone. Share interesting videos, songs, or images easily with this powerful app.

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3. Firefox 10: Firefox is updating their mobile version for 2012. A load of new features, including some strong security features are expected to be included in the latest version. The security features will include anti-phishing and anti-malware technology to give a safer browsing experience for users.

4. Tegra Games: Building on the popularity of Shadowgun, Android developers are developing a large number of interesting Tegra-based developers in an attempt to finally compete head on with Apple for the gaming market.

5. Jolicloud: Android is jumping on the cloud computing bandwagon with Jolicloud. The program should allow mobile users to easily access their cloud from anywhere in the world.

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While there are likely to be 100s, if not 1,000s, of new apps in the upcoming year, these five are bound to make a big splash in the Android year. Look for them in the Android marketplace in early 2012.

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Computers, especially those that are used often, are magnets for dirt, dust and grime. In order to keep your computer working properly you need to make sure you conduct a routine cleaning of the computer hardware.

The problem is unlike regular everyday items, computers require a very special cleaning routine. Here are some tips on how to clean your computer.

Clean the Screen With Water

Most computer screens do not need to be cleaned with special cleaning solutions. Just take a wet cloth and wipe off the screen. Just be careful that the cloth is not soaking wet, as the computer screen only needs a little water to remove any dirt that is on the screen.

Use a Special Soft Cloth

When wiping off the computer screen make sure that you use a special soft cloth or a towel that is extremely soft. Using anything else on the screen can cause scratches and dents, which will cause the computer screen to not function properly.

Compressed Air for the Keyboard and Computer Fan

Just because you can’t see under your keyboard keys doesn’t mean there isn’t dirt and debris there. Take a can of compressed air and blow it under the keys. This will loosen anything that might be trapped under the keys and help clean the keyboard. You can also blow the compressed air around the computer fan. This will clean up any dirt and dust that accumulates on or around the fan.

Following these computer cleaning tips will help you keep your computer free of dirt and dust, and functioning properly.

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You can buy a lot of different accessories for your cell phone. There is everything from cases to various types of chargers. You don’t have to buy them from your cell phone provider either, because you can often get a better deal by shopping at other retail stores. Just makes sure that you get accessories that are compatible with your phone.

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Cell Phone Accessories

• Cell Phone Sleeves and Cases: Most people would suggest that you buy a case to protect your cell phone, especially if you have a Motorola Android phone or other smartphone. You can shatter the screen or break the parts if you drop your cell phone, and the cases can help prevent some of the damge. Of course, you are still going to need to be careful with your phone, but the chances of it breaking are less with a sleeve or case. Plus, cases are a great way to personalize your phone – you can add some bling or choose your favorite color.

• Screen Protectors: You usually have to cut these down to the right size and replace them often, but it helps eliminate scratches on your screen.

• Car Mount: This is a very useful accessory for people who like to use the GPS on their phone or use their phone to play music in the car. Using this mount will allow you to place your phone on your dashboard without it falling off.

• Car Charger: Cell phones don’t usually have a good battery life, so it is nice to be able to charge them on the go.

Buy some accessories so you can get the best use out of your cell phone. They are there to personalize and keep your cell phone safe.

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Concern for public safety is leading state legislatures across the nation to pass laws restricting drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. In 2009, 448,000 people were injured by distracted drivers.  The most common distraction was cell phone usage.  Now, more than ever, drivers need to use hands-free devices to comply with public safety standards.

Fortunately Blue-tooth headsets come in a wide variety of styles, features, and price ranges.  For the most part choosing a headset is a simple process if you keep the following considerations in mind.

Comfort

Is the headset comfortable? Can you imagine yourself wearing or using this headset for a long period of time? Can you wear it with your sunglasses and/or a hat?  Can you wear it on either ear? If the headset is comfortable, you’re more likely to wear it and use it.  Try to anticipate all the instances where you will use the headset before settling on a device.

Features

Look for headsets that have easy volume adjustments and handy on and off switches. How easy the battery to recharge and what is is the life of the battery?  Can the device be paired with more than one device?  This is useful if you’ll leave the headset in the car and your spouse will also use it. Does it have last number-redial, three-way calling, mute and call reject capabilities?

Always check the audio quality before purchasing.  In general, headsets come in two categories: boom and non-boom models.  Boom headsets have a microphone that extends from the ear piece.  Boom headsets usually have better sound quality.  Non-boom headsets have the microphone built into the ear piece.

 

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Change your background. Usually the first thing you see when you log in is your background. Changing it to something you like will boost your mood. Your favorite band might make a good background. If you aren’t sure, search for  “open source” desktop backgrounds to find ones that are free to use as you please.

Gadgets are fun too. If you have Windows 7 or Vista, you can place fun little gadgets on your desktop. From sticky notes to a language translator, you can browse online to find lots of playful and useful gadgets. If you don’t have a operating system that supports gadgets, download Google desktop. It imitates the side bar from Windows 7, allowing you to place gadgets inside it instead of on your desktop.

Another thing you always have to look at are your icons on your desktop. If you have a lot of them, you might want to consider downloading a new set to give them a fresh flavor. Places like Vista Icons have loads of icon sets to pick from, including some silly ones that turn your icons into fruit.

Of course, you can make your own backgrounds and icon sets if you’re feeling artistic. Places like Sherv.net’s Icon Maker allows you to pick a picture and convert it into a icon without having to draw anything.

The art of accessory gives the individual the opportunity to exhibit characteristics that the general public would have otherwise not known. Accessories, like those found at http://www.offers.com, on a cell phone allow the person to express their inner feelings about the world in a genuine but sublime way that essentially causes no harm to the community. If given the choice, residents within a housing community would much rather have a neighbor who expresses his or her moods in the colors of cell phone covers than to have that same neighbor express feelings of anger or anxiety in a hostile manner.

In addition to self-expression, accessories also distinguish property during theft situations. If two cell phone models without any accessories are taken, the only hope that the owner has of his or her property being returned is to call the number assigned to the phone. If, however, the phone is accessorized and the thief is still within viewing distance, the owner has a better chance of receiving his or her property sooner. Many thieves choose not to touch accessorized phones for fear of being caught.

Cell phone accessories are an excellent way to keep up with property and express oneself; some carriers even offer matching accessories for computers and laptops.

The applications of the gadget allow it to show pictures in a slide show format with several slideshow options.  You can get the slideshow faster or slower according to your wish. The best fact about the gadget is that one can easily connect the device to the internet to get the desired pictures downloaded right into the frame without even using the computer as the medium. Various companies have developed this gadget. Every company is having their own applications that make the frames somehow different from the other. The frames are available in various sizes. You can easily choose your size, color and style of the frame and that too within budget.

Before purchasing the device, there are a few factors that a person must check. First and foremost it is better to know the built-in storage capacity of the frame. To buy the finest digital frame it is also required to check the photo fit of the frame along with the resolution and the color quality that it supports.

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Learn The Rhythm

There is a certain rhythm to a drink order: size; version; milk type; caffeine status; flavoring; drink type; whipped cream status; heat option.  Yes, it seems long and complicated, but once you figure it out, it’s actually quite easy.

1. Size: small (12 oz), medium (16 oz) or large (20 oz) in Starbuck-ease translates to tall, grande or venti. Pick your size and say it.
2. Version: If you want your drink “iced” you say it here; it not, then don’t say anything.
3. Milk type: They offer whole, 2%, skim or soy. Most stores will take the term “skim” instead of “non-fat.”
4. Caffeine Status: This is important. Espresso drinks typically have one shot in tall, two shots in grande and three in the venti. You can order these as decaf or half-calf meaning one shot has caffeine and the other doesn’t.
5. Flavoring: Choose your flavor—they have an abundance of them. Some are sugar-free so if you are ordering one with an option remember to add the phrase “sugar-free” in front of it.
6. Drink type: Do you want a latte, mocha, cappuccino? This is where you tell them which one.
7. Whipped Cream Status: This one is easy. Do you want whipped cream or not?
8. Heat Option: you only need to include this if you like your drink extra hot.

Remember—these are the basics. There’s more. Practice makes perfect. Good Luck.

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Many individuals make the mistake of thinking that laptop accessories are fancy items that can just be ignored. Well, it may seem very tempting to ignore such accessories when you are operating on a tight budget. However, going in for certain accessories today may help you in the long run. Let us take the option of getting a 3G data card for your laptop.

If you have an inbuilt data card for your laptop, you just have to insert the right SIM card and your computer will enjoy access to high speed reliable 3G broadband internet without any difficulty. Many persons presume that they ought to wait for the technology to become cost effective before installing such accessories.

However, as demand for these services increase and as the cost of wireless internet comes down, manufacturers of the data cards will automatically jack up prices. The end result is that you will end up sticking to traditional slow speed wireless internet simply because you cannot afford the data card.

Or, you will have to incur huge expenditure at a very inconvenient moment to finance the transaction. On the other hand, going in for an expenditure that adds $50 to $100 to the overall bill may not be a big deal. If you are paying using your credit card, you probably will have to pay for a month extra and the amount will be repaid in full.

Of course, if you cannot spare even five dollars for additional purchases, the option of spending up to hundred dollars extra may not work. If you can spare extra cash with minimum inconvenience, do consider such a purchase early.

There is virtually no aspect of our lives today that is not affected by the advancements of technology in one way or the other. It will be informative if some of these are discussed at this point. Education is one area of endeavor that has felt the effects and impact of technology. Nowadays, students are registered online and in some cases, they even do exams over the Internet. It is also not news anymore to know that there are online universities where students attend real-time and bag their degrees.

Surely, this was not available in the times past. Still on education, students now turn to the Internet to get the necessary information for their assignments, projects, research work and so on. The field of agriculture is also one where technology is now indispensable.

Without technology, mechanized farming will be an impossibility. The tractors, threshers, combine harvesters, shellers, millers, automatic irrigators, planters and all forms of farm equipment that we make use of today are all products of technology. Engineering has also prospered from what can be described as the boom in technology. With the sophisticated technology of today, new fields such as biotechnology, solar and energy technology are all cropping up in different parts of the globe.

As interesting and useful as the benefits of technology are, it is important to state that they are usually due to the sweat and long standing dedication of scientists and technologists. In fact, some of these pioneers have put their lives on the line in order to make life easy for us all. Those that brave harsh conditions and environment all in a bid to improve upon the way we live are the true legends. And because of them, the future is even brighter.

Luckily, there are ways that you can take good care of your laptop in order to prevent it from untimely and costly damage. The first thing that you must bear in mind is that the care of the laptop starts from the point where you buy the computer (if you happen to do so). The inference here is that you need to purchase the computer of high quality and not a low-grade system.

This is very important because if you end up buying a substandard laptop at the end of the day, no amount of care and attention will stave off the ultimate damage unless you are extremely lucky and that does not happen quite often. Once you have bought it and you start the use, you need to know some basic tips. The first of these is that the laptop has to be kept away from all kinds of liquids. Although it may sound cool, drinking tea with your computer on your laps is a very bad idea. One splash and you damage the fine internal circuitry with your beverage.

Apart from keeping away the system from water and the rest, your laptop has to be used in an area that has proper ventilation. In other words, the environment has to be a ‘conducive’ one for the computer in that it must not be too hot or cold. The same thing applies to humidity. Extreme temperature changes make the computer work at a faster rate and that shortens the lifespan.

These accessories include the mouse, keyboard, screen, cords, USB ports, touchpad, motherboard, processors and other components that make up the laptop. When any of these accessories become spoilt, it can really be a very disturbing occurrence as the user becomes paralyzed and he or she has to cough out some extra bucks in order to purchase another one. This is where one has to be very careful.

Care and attention are important when purchasing a computer accessory for various reasons. If you are unfortunate enough to buy a substandard accessory, you will discover that the problem has not been solved. You will just get home and see that the new cord you bought is as good as dead. This means that you have wasted money and you have not been able to achieve your aim as well. That is double loss.

So, in order to prevent any of these from happening, it is note worthy that you get your accessory from the original store where you got the original laptop, emphasis is on the original. For example, if your laptop happens to be HP brand and you want to purchase an HP keyboard, it will be better if you get it from an HP store. By doing this, you get value and quality for your money and you can easily get a replacement if need be. Although getting the original accessories may be more expensive, it is usually better than buying those that will pack up soon even though they are offered at a lower price. In a situation where there is no store near you, you can decide to shop online. On the other hand, you can purchase the accessories during bonanzas or long before they spoil.

What do designer laptop carrying cases look like?

If your idea of laptop carrying cases is a big, bulky, squarish-looking bag with a rather unattractive shoulder strap and run-of-the-mill carrying handle, you’re in for a treat. Many of the designer bags have been so cleverly made that they actually look like purses, and not the oversized ones that could easily hold a small child (although you don’t want to put a small child in there). If you purchase one of these bags, only you and other discerning buyers will know what it really is; everyone else will just think you’re carrying a really cool purse.

If you are a reporter or blogger who attends fashion shows and similar events, designer laptop carrying cases can give you an extra advantage. Not only will you have something attractive for your laptop and other equipment, but also someone connected with the design label may even notice you. This can mean additional publicity for you and the designer, which is, of course, a win-win situation. Even if you don’t work in the fashion industry, you can still use designer laptop carrying bags. They are very versatile, making them perfect for taking to work, traveling, or just about anywhere else.

As the name implies, a laptop is a quite different from a desktop computer in the sense that you can place it on your laptop and use. This feature of portability is one that has attracted it to many users. Unlike other computers, you can put the laptop on your thighs in a park and type away. Apart from being easy to use, another reason in favor of the laptop has to do with its size. Most laptops are quite small and very easy to carry around. In fact, some of them are so small that they can be put in handbags. A good example is the tablet laptop that is noted for its pint size. So if you are very mobile and you need to use the computer, a laptop always comes in handy.

Still on the positive features, a laptop computer can also serve entertainment purposes. You can store your favorite tracks, movies and pictures on your laptop and enjoy them at your leisure time. Also, a laptop can serve as a very efficient and effective communication device. This can be done by connecting your laptop to the Internet and making use of services like Skype, Yahoo Messenger, Gmail and Facebook to interact with friends and associates all over the globe.

A laptop also facilitates your office work. This is due to some features like Microsoft Word, Excel and Access that can make administrative work easier. If you rely on the archaic typewriter to do your work, then you belong to the past.

Today, most couples are in their mid-twenties. They have experienced technology like no other generation. This means that they have incorporated computers and all things technological into their daily lives. This is why wedding ring designers have produced new apps. If you would like ideas for rings or a starting place on what looks beautiful, you can also go to websites that offer this type of product. Sites like engagement.jrdunn.com are a great starting place to help with that perfect idea.

Now, there are actual apps that you can have on your phone to make the engagement ring a true one-of-a-kind piece. You are able to choose the solitaire that you want, as well as the setting and the type of gold. You can even select a matching wedding band all from the convenience of your phone or hand-held device.

These apps are not exclusive to the jewelry market for weddings. There are apps that can help you locate vendors and keep track of planning and dates. You can even get help to maintain financial information for budgetary purposes. The days of having to handwrite every little bit of information is a thing of the past. In fact, couples can register for their wedding through their phones. It is nice knowing that technology has made weddings so easy.

To have a better perspective, it is better to look at the purposes of the computer by taking areas of specialization one after the other. The military is one of such areas where the computer has found many uses. In modern warfare, computers can be regarded as the unseen warriors in the battles. Computers are used to guide cruise and precision missiles to the regions of the enemy. Computers are also the brains behind the operating of naval vessels, aircraft carriers, destroyers and submarines. It is a fact that these highly-advanced and sophisticated machines cannot function without computers.

Meteorology is another area where computers are indispensable. The use of weather satellites and other equipment has been of tremendous help and assistance to the scientists. Accurate predictions of the weather are results of dazzling computations by the supercomputers. With computers, weather scientists are also able to give early warning in relation to natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes, landslides, tornadoes, cyclones and hurricanes. With computers, these natural phenomena can be tracked and monitored.

The exploration of the outer space is another area of specialization that would not have existed were it not for the invention of computers. Right from the first space walk to the first landing on the moon, man has made use of computers. Huge telescopes that peer into the deepest recess of the galaxies are controlled and manipulated by computers while the same applies to the rover and robots scouring the surface of Mars. Health, agriculture, education, engineering and law are some other areas where computers are integral.

For one thing, you can build your own websites, and create your own products. If you are not so good at creating products, you can even work to sell other people’s products for them for an affiliate commission. But if you want to go even easier than that, you could always work to learn the finer points of winning at video poker, and make the Online Casino into your virtual office.

Naturally, what you put your time into is what determines the future you will end up building. If you spend all of your time just watching goofy YouTube videos and consuming without investing a lot of personal energy, it would make perfect sense if you ended up not making any kind of side income from your online time. The important thing is that you invest energy and work toward making something happen beyond what others have done. There are numerous different ways you can do this.

The world is now becoming helplessly and increasingly dependent on the Internet for a lot of activities especially commercial ones. This is so important that the economies of many countries are directly intertwined with computer. The increasing importance of this gadget is reflected in the fact that many positions are now impossible to get without having basic computer skills. Thus, it is more than necessary for you to learn them as that is the way the world is moving at the moment.

To learn basic computer skills, you can register with a computer school and attend classes regularly. Just like other forms of study, when learning computer skills, you need to pay all the attention that is needed so that you will understand all that is being taught. Another thing that you can do is to teach yourself by getting manuals, textbooks and other forms of instruction to guide you.

If you want a more creative style, what you can do is to teach yourself the computer by getting one. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect and by the time you practise the device over and over again, you will have an idea of how it works even without anyone teaching you. This is possible as the computer is highly-structured and once you can follow simple instructions, you become a guru in no time. That is how you learn how to use a phone without anyone helping you out.

Although it does not come cheap in most instances, one of the most striking features of a laptop computer is its portability. Unlike other types of computers, a laptop is usually of a convenient size and this makes it easy to carry around with you. However, you need to know that the increased mobility will also subject it to a higher chance of trauma so adequate care has to be taken when carrying it around with you.

In addition to its portability, laptop computers are also quite stylish. If you are able to search for and get one that is really colorful and attractive, it will complement your fashion and wears too. Another tantalizing feature of the laptop is that unlike the desktop computer, it does not have to rely on mains electricity all the time before you can make use of it. This is because a laptop has in-built batteries that can be relied on when there is no power supply. Many laptops can run on the batteries alone for a few hours while some others can run even longer.

Laptops are also easy to operate and configure. Upon the purchase of a laptop, you can configure it yourself by following the instructions. The same may not apply to old-generation desktop computers that may be in need of an expert to do the same. Another feature of computers is that they possess other in-built devices like web cameras, touch pad and even Bluetooth.

But luckily, there are measures that can be taken so as not to fall a victim of laptop thieves. The first is quite obvious and it is that you should never leave your laptop in the hands of a stranger or even a friend that you cannot vouch for. If you are too trusting, you will discover one day that your computer has suddenly developed wings and flew out of sight!

Another thing is for you to use the lock that comes with the system. Although it comes with virtually every laptop, not many users know where the lock is not to talk of using it. The lock is usually on the right hand panel of the laptop on the same line with the CD/DVD slot. Here you will see a padlock sign and a small rectangular hole. You can get the cord for locking it and then anchor it to a table or a rigid support. Breaking the lock during theft makes identification easy in case the thief wants to resell it.

Still on the disadvantages, a laptop is also dependent on batteries once there is no power supply, in an area where the power supply is anything but steady, a laptop is as good as useless. This is because even when fully charged, the batteries of a laptop can last for only a few hours and this is even reduced when using the computer with a modem, mouse, disk or other kinds of accessories.

Unexpected faults and breakdowns for no apparent reason is also another downside of the laptop. This applies to all computers irrespective of the age. A brand new laptop computer can hang for some frustrating minutes before responding. Although uncommon with new laptops, such baffling malfunctions tend to increase with the life span of the laptop. The purchase of accessories from time to time is also another thing that must be considered. These accessories include the mouse, keyboard, speakers and the like.

Another discouraging feature of the laptop is that they have limited capacities for storage. Thus, if you have projects that are too big, you may have to buy an external hard disk and not everybody is comfortable with this idea. However, laptop manufacturers keep  expanding the storage size.

Another way to put this is to say that the future is going to be vastly influenced by computers. As of today, computers have taken over virtually all aspects of our lives and we have now regarded them as indispensable. In the health field, lives are saved by computers that monitor the advanced life support machines. Patients that also suffer from all kinds of diseases like renal failure are sustained with the help of dialysis machines that are controlled by computers and monitored by doctors.

Today, we have the International Space Station and this is not possible without the use of computers. The exploration of outer space and the depths of the oceans have been facilitated with the use of computer-driven robots and machines. Considering the fact that computers are evolving at a rate that is baffling most of the analysts and industry watchers, the future of computers looks promising.

Although fantastic, such a future may still be seen as a figment of scientists’ imaginations. Think of computers that can carry out complicated surgeries on their own, robots that can travel to the ends of the Solar System and machines that are so powerful that they diagnose diseases instantly. Such a future is one that is much desired and interesting but many hurdles, obstacles and challenges have to be surmounted before this is possible.