Archive for October, 2014

By October 30, 2014 Read More →

Four Lessons on Retail Shopping Apps

It is not unusual to see strangers on the street staring at their mobile phones or tablets or looking busy reading something. When attending concerts, you may have seen several dots of light emanating from handheld devices. Like you, they may have been trying to take pictures or recording the song at that juncture. There is no denying that we are moving fast into the digital age. Mobile phones have not only changed the way people communicate. It has also changed the way individuals live and shop.

Many are still using laptops and desktops at home, but handheld devices are becoming computers on the go. The internet has revolutionized mobile technology and shopping app. According to Tech Crunch, research firm Forrester expects online retail to grow at a 10 percent compound annual rate, with the money involved to reach $279 billion by 2015. A Nielsen study found that at least 48 percent of children between 6-12 years wish for an iPad for the holidays. The Nintendo Wii U comes in second, then the iPad Mini. The focus might all be about fun and games, but they want the flexibility of mobile devices more and more than fixed gaming consoles.

Adults in the US also have this affinity for mobile devices with just over a third of the population owning a tablet, according to Pew Internet. Not only do these tablets and mobile phones provide a means of contacting friends, family members, and colleagues. They have become computers on the go. Tablet devices are becoming a prime choice for shoppers looking for both necessities and luxury items. The key is for business owners like yourself to harness this information. This way, you can start integrating online storefronts into your current setup. Shopify has the technical capability to help ease your company into the digital age.

Ease of Navigation

Online stores can take their queue when sales are not picking up as expected. Marketing the site may have been the easy part. But if sales remain low, you may have an online store that is keeping customers from hitting the buy button. Does it take the customer forever to complete the transaction? Are their way too many next buttons to go through that customers end up abandoning the sale? Try timing how long it takes to complete a transaction. Ask friends to go to the site to do beta testing and ask for their opinion.

Clutter-free Web site

You may have several items to sell, so organizing them in different categories helps. You can even opt for a setup where customers can go to a page to answer some quick questions. This will help narrow down the item choices to what they want to take a look at and then buy as soon as it fits their requirements. Understanding that it takes a savvy developer to help you get that website right, you also need to know how the final look should come out. Some retail businesses point to costs as the main reason for not getting this one right. One must prepare to take on the extra cost for now to reap more profits later.

Smarter Shopping Cart

Although online shoppers may appear to be buying items in an instant, they do prepare for them. This means they go to websites to check out the items and compare it to a competitor site. This will include shopping based on the pictures posted, prices and shipping options. Taking all these factors together, they then make the decision to buy online. The problem is that they may close a website by accident without saving their shopping cart. This will mean going through the entire process again and worst case, they just end up at the last online store they were looking at. But if you have an app that allows customers to add items to wish list, they will likely find their way back to your store again.

Explore all the ways you can reach your customers with an online ordering solution from this site https://revelsystems.com/pos-systems/type/retail-pos/. Increasingly a staple for point of sale systems for small businesses and growing enterprises, an online ordering option will allow you to expand your footprint beyond the walls of your building.

Payment Options

The customer has finally decided to buy the item, except there’s one drawback – the payment method. It could be that the customer gets redirected to another site to encode their credit or debit card information. This raises security questions for some customers and might make them abandon the sale. It could also be that you only accept card payments, but they may only have a checking account available. Again, this could appear as another dead end to the customer.

With the booming industry in online retail selling, many companies have found ways to post their online stores and they are also offering lots of coupon codes to offer their customers discounts, you can check here and get all the details. What some of these businesses missed out on is the customer experience that could spell the difference according to Tech Crunch. Do some research on which developers to go to for your online store to get a piece of the market share. It may entail some cost, but you can get a quick turnaround for your buck if you do this right. Cutting corners may work if the risks are not as high. Get this right, so your efforts will be worth it.

Posted in: Editorial
By October 28, 2014 Read More →

Getting the most out of the Microsoft Surface

8583948813_4bbbb18bac_qRecent innovations in technology and the internet have seen us increasingly consuming more media on the move. The Microsoft Surface is kicking up a storm as the new laptop-meets-tablet hybrid on the tech and entertainment market. Boasting the key perks of each device; with the light weight of a tablet and the processor of a laptop, can the Microsoft Surface really do it all?

 

Key Features

Featuring a 12 inch screen, a fourth generation Intel Core processor and up to nine hours of battery life, the Microsoft Surface certainly packs a punch in the world of technology. Home to three ports and an optional keyboard, it takes the lead where earlier tablets have failed.

Keep it private

Unlike standard tablets, the Microsoft Surface allows for greater security with the regular 4 PIN passcode strengthened by a personalised picture password, meaning you don’t need to worry about sensitive information or even your kids picking up the device and having a go.

Personal touches

Once you’ve downloaded your preferred apps, you can then re arrange and even re name these on your home screen for quick and easy accessibility. You can also link your tablet up to multiple email accounts, social media feeds, networking and business messengers, allowing you to access both your work and personal emails on the go from one device.

Enhancing accessories & tips

Setting up your new Surface with Microsoft security software means that if your tablet is lost or stolen, your data will be encrypted and away from prying eyes. If you’re using the tablet for anything other than writing quick emails then consider purchasing a detachable keyboard as it will make your time much more productive.

As with all modern, powerful technology, battery life is the bane of your tablets performance capabilities. Never get caught short again by purchasing an external battery pack, these light and compact chargers will come to the rescue at your time of need!

To conclude

Although the Surface comes with a higher price tag than your standard tablet, it’s easy to see why. Microsoft has strived to create a tablet-laptop hybrid which shows off the ‘Windows experience’, allowing the user to access everything they need from one portable device.

If you’re looking at purchasing the Surface do some research, as the newer model may better suit your requirements.

 

Image by Jason Howle, used under the Creative Commons license

 

 

Posted in: Editorial, Tablets
By October 27, 2014 Read More →

Unboxing Inateck 2 in 1 Micro USB Cable + Apple Lightning Adapter Cable

vlcsnap-2014-10-12-16h42m44s189Inateck have provided us with a 2 in 1 Micro USB Cable + Apple Lightning Adapter Cable 1.2m (4ft.) This is ideal for charging your iPhone 6/ 5/ 5s/ 5c /iPad 4/ iPad air/ iPad mini mini2/ iPad 4th gen, whilst also providing a cable for a MicroUSB based device. The cap on the top can also slip onto any other MicroUSB cable in the event his cable, like so many Apple charge cable, doses.

You can purchase from Amazon, here.

 

  • Material: PVC and PC; Length: 1.2m / 4 feet. The extraordinary flat cable design prevents pesky cable tangle
  • Charge your device with your computer or a USB Car/Wall Charger! Sync your device with your computer to transfer music, videos, files and backup your data
  • High durability with transparent and robust protection heads at both plugs,robust durable for stable and reliable transfers. Both for data transfer and charging
  • Plug and play; freely convert between micro B and adapter with lightning plug
  • Compatible devices: smartphones and tablets with lightening or micro B connection, e.g. iPhone 6/5/5C/5S, iPad Mini/iPad Air, Android phones and tablets etc
By October 23, 2014 Read More →

Unboxing Inateck 4 Port USB3.0 Hub With 1 Port Charging

vlcsnap-2014-10-18-22h12m13s239Gareth unboxes Inateck’s 4 Port USB3.0 Hub With 1 Port Charging, the cheapest USB 3.0 hub on around. This hub is equipped with both a 5V 4A power supply and built-in surge protection, 4 Port USB 3.0 + 1 fast charging port (5V 2A) for SamSung tablets and smart phones etc. 

SuperSpeed USB 3.0 supports transfer rates up to 5 Gbps – The actual transmission speed is limited by the setting of the device connected; Backward compatible with USB 2.0/1.1. Support 4 ports USB interfaces for Desktop/ Notebook/ Ultrabook/ SATA HDD Docking Sation/ Digital Camera; Compatible With Windows XP / Vista / 7/8 /MacOS X 10.8.4/ Linux. High Performance with VIA VL812 Chipset; Slim Size – Easy Carrying and Experience; Safe and reliable; Build in Overvoltage/Overcurrent/Leakage and Short-Circuit protection unit. Plug and play; Supports hot swapping. No install driver needed; LED indicators display the status of DC power supply and USB connections.

You can grab one from Amazon.co.uk here for only £19.99

 

By October 22, 2014 Read More →

Be Bond: try these gadgets

james-bond-gadget-caseThe bomb will explode in 40 seconds, so you better hurry up, Bond. You run through the metal corridors of the underground lair, eliminate four henchmen with your Walther PPK and chuck a defusing device at the bomb, seeing its timer stop at 00:07 seconds.

With that, the queen suddenly materialises in front of you, clutching a medal of honour and giving you a wry smile and a subtle wink. “Your majesty!” you exclaim, as you kneel on the ground.

It’s at about this time that you wake up, clutching your bedside lamp and saluting at your still-sleeping girlfriend.

If this is an experience you recognise, then it might be time to get those master spy fantasies out of your system.

With a few of these gadgets, you’ll be able to live your life like the suburban Bond you long to be. And stop saluting at your girlfriend in your sleep – it’s weirding her out.

Maintain an eagle eye

Just a decade or so ago, trying to hide a security camera was like concealing a woolly mammoth under your jumper. With their mass of wires, hefty lenses and loudly whirring rotation mechanism, they were about as subtle as a Brian Blessed cosplay convention. I always wanted to learn more about cosplay and this site has all the information.

How things change. Now, surveillance cameras can be concealed in replica Coke cans, BIC lighters, Blu-ray players and pretty much anything else you like.

Whether you’re meeting an ex-KGB informer, rendezvousing with a double agent or want to prove to your girlfriend that you did say to meet at eight, not quarter-past nine, these hidden surveillance cameras can be invaluable for the home.

Glass yourself

Google Glass, that pair of hi-tech spectacles, has been making waves in the press, and rightly so. This versatile piece of kit could put Q out of a job, if he’s not careful.

You can essentially have the entirety of the internet in your eyes with Google Glass. Whether that means you want to Google someone’s name to think of new conversation topics or record the world around you, the possibilities are endless.

Some have criticised the device, claiming it’s leading our already dwindling attention spans to their death knell. But don’t let such negativity bother you – the Glass is the next step in technology.

See through the night

Do you ever stare into darkness and imagine what it’s like to be on adult dating sites for casual sex, you might also wonder what’s going in the inky black of the night? Then, ignoring the fact that you’ve got too much time on your hands, night vision goggles are perfect for you.

Even the cheaper end of the scale now allows you to see in complete darkness. Perfect for camping trips, reconnaissance missions or sneaking around your house with the lights off (everybody needs a hobby), pick up a reasonably priced pair and enjoy the pleasures of the night.

Posted in: Editorial, Gadgets
By October 22, 2014 Read More →

Nexus 9 UK prices revealed

nexus-9-release-date-578-80The HTC built Nexus 9 has now arrived on the Google Play store and Amazon here in the UK with prices starting from £319 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only version. Other variations include the 32GB pushing the price to £399 and adding LTE connectivity continues to increase the price to £459. This is more in keeping with Google’s Nexus 10 pricing over the last few years. Many are furious at the iPad-esq pricing and it’s easy to see why. Google have made much headway with their cheaply priced Nexus 7 over the last three years and most had hoped for the Nexus 9 to mirror this. It features a 8.9-inch display, supported by a 2.3 GHz 64-bit Nvidia Tegra K1 processor and a 6700mAh battery, high specs for a high price. Oh yeah, it’s made by HTC, who make expensive devices.

Pre-orders for the Wi-Fi only version opened on October 17 – Google is promising that units will leave the warehouse in 2-3 weeks. If you order, expect it on November 3rd. If it doesn’t arrive, just wait longer.

 

Posted in: News, Tablets
By October 21, 2014 Read More →

Unboxing Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Unboxing Samsung Galaxy Note 4Gareth has gotten his hands on, and unboxed Samsung Galaxy Note 4. This latest Phablet offering from Samsung is due to spark all manner of uncomparable iPhone 6+ vs Note 4 debates, battle and stand offs. Here Gareth, a Note veteran,  unboxes the phone and takes a couple of days to adjust to the features and form some some early opinions of the feature set.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 specification:

  • Dimensions – 153.5 X 78.6 X 8.5 mm / 176g
  • Display – 5.7” Quad HD Super AMOLED (2560 x1440)
  • Processor – 2.7GHz Quad Core Process
  • Memory – 3GB RAM + 32GB Internal memory
  • Supports microSD up to 128GB
  • Network – 2.5G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) : 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
  • 3G (HSPA+ 42Mbps): 850/900/1900/2100 MHz
  • 4G (LTE Cat.4 150/50Mbps) or 4G (LTE Cat.6 300/50Mbps)
  • Camera – Front Camera 3.7MP + F1.9/ Selfie (90º), Wide selfie mode (120º)
  • Rear Camera 16M+ Smart OIS/ Fast AF, Live HDR(Rich Tone)
  • OSAndroid 4.4 (Kitkat)Connectivity – Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2X2 MIMO)Download Booster
  • NFC
  • Bluetooth® v 4.1 (BLE),ANT+ , 
  • USB2.0, MHL 3.0
  • IR LED (Remote Control)
  • Battery3220mAh Fast Charging
  • S Pen – 15g, Hovering 15mm, Pressure level 2,048
  • Sensor – Gesture, Accelerometer, Geo-magnetic, Gyroscope, RGB ambient light, Proximity, Barometer, Hall Sensor, Finger Scanner, UV, HRM

By October 20, 2014 Read More →

ALCATEL ONETOUCH introduces the IDOL 2 MINI S

image001Alcatel Onetouch has launched the IDOL 2 MINI S 4G LTE smartphone through Carphone Warehouse. This good looking Android smartphone has been built with performance and usability in mind. Its brushed metallic finishing and diamond cut perfectly complement its Quad Core processing power and a sharp IPS display to create a smartphone perfect for style-conscious consumers. With an 8 megapixel rear camera for HD video capture and crisp photos with image stabilisation enhancements, the IDOL 2 MINI S is a premium choice without the price tag.

With a screen size of 4.5”, the IDOL 2 MINI S is compact and fits in the palm. Despite its size, the IDOL 2 MINI S doesn’t compromise on the user experience. Innovative, user-focused features like One Finger Zoom ensure that it can genuinely be used with one finger.

The IDOL 2 MINI S is available in Slate from Carphone Warehouse priced at £12 per month on pay monthly. 

image001

IDOL 2 MINI S

  • 4.5” qHD IPS display
  • 8.5 mm thin
  • Quad Core 1.2 GHz
  • 4G LTE – Cat 4
  • 8 Mpxl 1080p main camera
  • 2 Mpxl front camera
  • Android 4.3 (4.4 FOTA)
  • NFC
Posted in: News, Phones
By October 16, 2014 Read More →

50% off a Personalised Phone Case

5SmyoThese days, no matter what type of smartphone you own, a phone case of some kind is pretty much essential. Obviously there are 1000’s of designs out there but if you want to stand out and be individual then there’s no substitute for a persoanlised phone case.

The folks over at magicyourband.com have cases for Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices. Their 3D cases allow you to wrap your own photos, logos, images and text right around the whole case which not only looks cool but provides a high degree of protection.

The magicyourband.com design tool employs both Flash, WebGL and HTML5 technologies so should work on almost any device/platform.

The company has provided us with discount code NOVCASE50 which will give you 50% off any phone case that you purchase. The discount code expires at the end of November 2014 and is limited to one use of the code per customer. Just enter the coupon code in the checkout to have the discount applied.

Head over and check out the cases on offer!

Posted in: Deals & Offers, News, Phones
By October 14, 2014 Read More →

Gadget Lovers Guide to Halloween

digitaldudz-1As Halloween fast approaches, now is the time to stock up on everything you need to celebrate this spooky event. It is the one time of the year that both adults and children get to dress up, eat candy and enjoy a little spooky fun. Morph Costumes is one of the leading suppliers of Halloween fancy dress outfits. If you’re a gadget lover you will be interested to know that there are plenty of gruesome, impressive Halloween themed gadgets available on the market.

Digital Dudz Halloween gadgets

When searching for Halloween gadgets, Digital Dudz is one of the main brands to focus on. They offer some of the most advanced, high tech gadgets on the market. The company has a particularly impressive Halloween t-shirt collection. The ‘Frantically Moving Eyeball’ and ‘Beating Heart Zombie’ t-shirts are extremely realistic. Featuring realistic animations, these t-shirts are sure to provide quite a few scares!

These are some of the first t-shirts to feature wearable technology. You will need to download an app on your smartphone, place the phone in your pocket and then place a shirt over to get the full effects of the beating heart flesh wound skin suit. Other t-shirts in the collection can be worn alone, though you still need your phone to activate them.

Digital Dudz has a great range of costumes and most feature animations. Take a look at the full collection today. 

Re-enact the famous shower scene from Psycho

Ok, so you won’t actually be re-enacting the famous gruesome shower scene, but you’ll certainly feel like you are! As featured by NBC News, the electronic serial killer shower curtain is a unique, spooky addition to your morning shower! Scare your friends and family by fitting the curtain on Halloween morning. As they shower they will hear the Psycho theme music along with horrific screams. It works by detecting motion and sound so the more noise you make, the longer the terror will continue.

Front door animated axe killer

If money isn’t an issue, the axe killer animatronic prop is an excellent gadget to invest in. Seen on THEFW website, this impressive animated screen features a real-life looking axe wielding maniac trying to smash through the glass. Place it on your front door to scare any visitors. Beware that this may prove a little too terrifying for young children!  

Affordable Halloween gadgets

You don’t need to have a lot of money to enjoy spooky gadgets this Halloween. There are plenty of smaller gadgets that have a similar spooky effect. The haunted toilet roller is a good example. Simply place it on your toilet roll holder and tell people your bathroom is haunted. As they grab the toilet paper screaming, howling and moaning sounds will be released. This is definitely going to cause quite a few shocks!

As you can see, there are plenty of gadgets available to add an extra spooky quality to the home. No matter what your budget, there is always something you can afford to make your Halloween more memorable and fun. 

 

Posted in: Uncategorized
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