Tag Archives: Sterling (Virginia)

About 1694 days ago Telecom and Wireless

Bluetooth Uses Beyond Headsets

our beautiful site

To many mobile businesspersons, the word “Bluetooth” is synonymous with “wireless headset” — you know, those Star Trek-like flashing blue earpieces you see stuck in or on someone’s ear — but the applications for this clever short-range radio technology go above and beyond hands-free chatting with your nearby cell phone.   Today, Bluetooth can be found in many other products, including PCs, printers, GPS receivers, speakerphones, car stereos, portable music players, headphones, mice, and keyboards. And these products can help cut the cord and save you time and aggravation. Chatty Cathys and talk-a-lot Tims “By far the most common use for Bluetooth is in wireless headsets,” says Avi Greengart, research director for mobile devices at Current Analysis in Sterling, Va., “but increasingly, we’re using this technology to pair many other devices to help make our world less wired.” Bluetooth-powered speakerphones, or GPS units with integrated Bluetooth, are also becoming popular wireless in-vehicle solutions, especially in states such as New York and California where it’s illegal to drive with a phone up against your ear. Some auto manufacturers have added Bluetooth functionality to its car stereos to allow drivers or passengers to chat hands-free or for music streaming. Greengart says those who use a headset at the office might also benefit from Bluetooth technology. “If you use VoIP services on your computer, a number of wireless desktop phones and headsets let you talk without wires.” Navigate, not frustrate If your cell phone doesn’t offer integrated GPS functionality — to help get you from point A to point B with turn-by-turn-instructions — it probably has built-in Bluetooth, so you can pick up an inexpensive GPS “puck” to keep on your dashboard. When paired with mapping software on your phone, you can then receive audio and visual directions and find nearby “points of interest” as if your phone had GPS to begin with. “This is an ideal aftermarket option for those without the latest smartphones,” adds Greengart. Everything but the kitchen sync Speaking of smartphones, most users rely on the bundled USB cord to connect the device to a PC — in order to synchronize calendar appointments, contacts, tasks and media — but Bluetooth can replace this common practice, says Chris Silva, an analyst for wireless technologies at Forrester, a Cambridge, Mass.-headquartered technology and market research company. “Bluetooth can in fact be used for data synchronization between smartphones, like BlackBerrys, and a Bluetooth-enabled PC, though in the informal research I’ve done not a lot of people aren’t using it,” says Silva. Two likely reasons why this may be: you can’t charge the smartphone’s battery when connected via Bluetooth (as you can with USB) and the initial setup for Bluetooth connectivity might be a pain for some. “There are a few barriers of entry — you must first go into your Windows or Mac settings, add the device, then pair it and type in the password, and so on,” says Silva. Other applications An insurance adjuster or real estate agent might take photos with a camera phone and then wirelessly beam them to a nearby Bluetooth printer, says Greengart. “This adds convenience, especially for those who share the same printer.” Many wireless computer mice and keyboards are going Bluetooth. “Universal compatibility means virtually any Bluetooth mouse will work with any Bluetooth-enabled PC,” says Greengart. Foldable QWERTY-based Bluetooth keyboards for use with smartphones are also an option for those who’d rather have a PC-like text input experience during meetings or school lectures. Finally, Bluetooth Stereo (also referred to as A2DP) is becoming popular in today’s smartphones, allowing users to listen to stereo music wirelessly on compatible headphones or speakers; when the phone rings, the music is muted or paused so the user can take the call. “Even business-focused companies like RIM are trying to reach out to consumers, so they’re offering A2DP on some of their BlackBerry smartphones,” Silva says.

About 1694 days ago Mobility Tips and Tricks

Bluetooth Uses Beyond Headsets

our beautiful site

To many mobile businesspersons, the word “Bluetooth” is synonymous with “wireless headset” — you know, those Star Trek-like flashing blue earpieces you see stuck in or on someone’s ear — but the applications for this clever short-range radio technology go above and beyond hands-free chatting with your nearby cell phone.   Today, Bluetooth can be found in many other products, including PCs, printers, GPS receivers, speakerphones, car stereos, portable music players, headphones, mice, and keyboards. And these products can help cut the cord and save you time and aggravation. Chatty Cathys and talk-a-lot Tims “By far the most common use for Bluetooth is in wireless headsets,” says Avi Greengart, research director for mobile devices at Current Analysis in Sterling, Va., “but increasingly, we’re using this technology to pair many other devices to help make our world less wired.” Bluetooth-powered speakerphones, or GPS units with integrated Bluetooth, are also becoming popular wireless in-vehicle solutions, especially in states such as New York and California where it’s illegal to drive with a phone up against your ear. Some auto manufacturers have added Bluetooth functionality to its car stereos to allow drivers or passengers to chat hands-free or for music streaming. Greengart says those who use a headset at the office might also benefit from Bluetooth technology. “If you use VoIP services on your computer, a number of wireless desktop phones and headsets let you talk without wires.” Navigate, not frustrate If your cell phone doesn’t offer integrated GPS functionality — to help get you from point A to point B with turn-by-turn-instructions — it probably has built-in Bluetooth, so you can pick up an inexpensive GPS “puck” to keep on your dashboard. When paired with mapping software on your phone, you can then receive audio and visual directions and find nearby “points of interest” as if your phone had GPS to begin with. “This is an ideal aftermarket option for those without the latest smartphones,” adds Greengart. Everything but the kitchen sync Speaking of smartphones, most users rely on the bundled USB cord to connect the device to a PC — in order to synchronize calendar appointments, contacts, tasks and media — but Bluetooth can replace this common practice, says Chris Silva, an analyst for wireless technologies at Forrester, a Cambridge, Mass.-headquartered technology and market research company. “Bluetooth can in fact be used for data synchronization between smartphones, like BlackBerrys, and a Bluetooth-enabled PC, though in the informal research I’ve done not a lot of people aren’t using it,” says Silva. Two likely reasons why this may be: you can’t charge the smartphone’s battery when connected via Bluetooth (as you can with USB) and the initial setup for Bluetooth connectivity might be a pain for some. “There are a few barriers of entry — you must first go into your Windows or Mac settings, add the device, then pair it and type in the password, and so on,” says Silva. Other applications An insurance adjuster or real estate agent might take photos with a camera phone and then wirelessly beam them to a nearby Bluetooth printer, says Greengart. “This adds convenience, especially for those who share the same printer.” Many wireless computer mice and keyboards are going Bluetooth. “Universal compatibility means virtually any Bluetooth mouse will work with any Bluetooth-enabled PC,” says Greengart. Foldable QWERTY-based Bluetooth keyboards for use with smartphones are also an option for those who’d rather have a PC-like text input experience during meetings or school lectures. Finally, Bluetooth Stereo (also referred to as A2DP) is becoming popular in today’s smartphones, allowing users to listen to stereo music wirelessly on compatible headphones or speakers; when the phone rings, the music is muted or paused so the user can take the call. “Even business-focused companies like RIM are trying to reach out to consumers, so they’re offering A2DP on some of their BlackBerry smartphones,” Silva says.

About 1847 days ago PCs, Laptops, and Notebooks

Ear Peace: How to Pick a Bluetooth Headset

our beautiful site

It’s a more comfortable and convenient way to place and receive calls on your cell phone — and it might be law depending on which state you’re driving in — but a Bluetooth wireless headset has become an indispensable mobile business accessory in today’s day and age. Another reason Bluetooth connectivity has caught on is because most cell phones now have built-in support for the wireless protocol, says Avi Greengart, research director for mobile devices at Current Analysis, a Sterling, Va.-based research firm. “This is an important trend, especially for safety reasons, as you don’t want to get a cord tangled up on something, like a gear shift or seatbelt,” explains Greengart. But with hundreds of headsets to choose from — ranging in price from $20 to $250 — it can be difficult to pick one that’s ideal for you and your business. The following are a few variables to consider: Comfort The most important consideration is comfort, says Greengart, “because if it’s not comfortable, you’re not going to wear it, and then the other features become meaningless.” Solomon Daniels, editor for Mobile Electronics, a trade publication designed to educate and inform specialists in the mobile electronics industry, says he has the same priority as Greengart. “Comfort and weight comfort are extremely important because you have to wear this thing on or in your ear,” Daniels says. “Therefore you need to try it out for a bit to see what shape and style works for you.” Sometimes you don’t think about things like how a Bluetooth headset can be fitted for someone who wears glasses, for example, but it can be an issue. Daniels says a few models now have a piece that clips onto the glasses for added comfort. Quality The second consideration would be the quality of the audio, believes Greengart. “Features like noise reduction are very important,” but can add to the overall cost to the device. “But it’s well worth it,” adds Greengart, who says products like the popular Jawbone headset from Alliph do a great job in reducing the amount of background noise for the caller. On a related note, Daniel says you might find there’s a tradeoff in quality for style: “Headsets with microphones that go across the cheek might not look great — and let’s face it, everyone who wears one still looks like a robot — but these tend to sound better than in-ear ones.” Batterylife When it comes to power, both Greengart and Daniels maintain today’s wireless Bluetooth headsets should last at least as long as the phone’s battery. “Some headsets have screens and all kinds of buttons, but the more high-tech stuff you add to it, the more the battery is robbed of power,” says Daniels. “We’re talking a very small device with a very small battery.” “I tend to take advertised ‘talk times’ with a grain of salt, but if you’re a road warrior, battery life is very important,” agrees Greengart. In addition, he says you should also consider the type of battery charger the device requires. “If it uses a standard connection like mini-USB then you can use an existing cable you might have in your laptop bag to charge it up, otherwise you’ll need to bring an additional charger with you on the road,” Greengart says. Convenience Another feature that may be important to a Bluetooth headset shopper is if you can pair it with more than one phone. This is handy if you have multiple phones or if you pass the headset around to members of the family. Mobile executives who like to keep entertained with music while on the go might want a stereo Bluetooth headset that can be used with compatible phones. “If your handset has A2DP, you might want to get wireless headphones that also function as a hands-free headset, too,” says Greengart. “The bottom line is that you need to see what works for you,” says Daniels. “Check with the store’s [return] policy and take out a Bluetooth headset for a couple of days to see if you like it.”

About 3369 days ago Computer Security

Reinventing the PowerPoint

Pop quiz time. Which doesn’t belong on the following list of business tools: mimeograph; overhead projector; flip chart; PowerPoint? Actually, it’s a trick question. None of the items belong–not in today’s sensory-straining world of technology-based marketing. It’s a ubiquitous piece of business software, but let’s face it: Microsoft PowerPoint, now 17 years old, is dull. Bullet points, cheesy graphics, and bland templates can’t compete with Flash animation, streaming video, and the bells and whistles used to add excitement to business presentations and sales pitches. Who hasn’t nodded off during a PowerPoint pie-chart parade? But don’t scrap your PowerPoint just yet. A slew of software products now hitting the market lets entrepreneurs jazz up their PowerPoint pitches with audio and video in just a few minutes. Best of all, these new eye-catching presentations can be shown in person, stored on your website, or e-mailed to sales prospects, generating a far bigger bang than static slides ever could. Steve Solari knows. Last year, the marketing director of edocs, based in Natick, Mass., launched a major electronic marketing campaign. Using e-mails based on edocs’ standard PowerPoint presentation, Solari sent tens of thousands of messages hawking the company’s electronic bill-paying software. The response rates weren’t bad–between 1% and 3%. But Solari was convinced he could do better. So last December, he began sending a slick, self-running PowerPoint presentation with a three- to five-minute audio track explaining the finer points of edocs’ product. Response rates hit a consistent 3% or higher, and potential customers seem more engaged when edocs sales reps call on them. “It’s that much more compelling,” Solari says. The upgrades were easy. Solari took his basic PowerPoint slides and overlaid recorded narrations, using presentation software from developer Brainshark, based in Burlington, Mass. When he was done, Solari e-mailed the audio-enhanced versions to sales prospects and linked them to edocs’ website as downloadable webinars. Brainshark is not the only company wading into the so-called “media-enhancement software” market. Others include San Francisco-based Macromedia and Anystream, based in Sterling, Va. All of the applications allow you to take ordinary PowerPoint slide presentation and, using a microphone–or, if the particular software supports it, a Web camera or digital-video recorder–add sound and/or images. Once recorded, the program syncs the audio and video with the slides and creates a searchable index, allowing viewers to skip ahead or replay a segment. The souped-up presentation can then be e-mailed or copied to a hard drive or CD. Your new presentation won’t just be prettier. It’ll be smarter, too. Brainshark and Macromedia, for example, offer Web-based features that allow you to monitor exactly how much time your target audience spends on your presentation–knowledge that can help you hone future pitches. “Before, there was no way of demonstrating the effectiveness” of a presentation, says Arthur Fox, vice president of Change Architect, a 25-person management-consulting company in Montclair, Va., who recently began souping up his presentations with Macromedia’s Breeze software. Sure, the flashy graphics are great. But Fox is even more excited about the new reporting capabilities. “We can now provide clients with reports that demonstrate who has read the material,” he says. In most cases, presentations are hosted on the publishers’ servers and accessed via the Web; clients are charged based on usage. Take Anystream’s new presentation product, Apreso Online. For $29.95 to $49.95 a month, you can upload presentations; if the presentation is viewed more than 50 times in a month, you’ll be charged extra. Brainshark charges businesses with 50 or fewer employees $8,500 for annual access to its hosted service, plus about $1.50 per view. And Macromedia, whose Breeze presentation software is popular among larger companies, typically charges some $20,000 a year, though it is developing a pricing model for smaller businesses. For some companies, that’s too much money. But for others, such new software will be a small amount to pay to ensure that PowerPoint no longer puts your clients to sleep.