Last week, the NPD Group, a research firm, released a study that states of all photos taken in 2011, 27 percent were taken on smartphones, up from 17% a year ago. Traditional cameras took 17 percent of the photos, down from 53% the year before. The fact is – as cameras on smartphones continue to advance in image and lens quality, packing around that Canon camera is becoming less common these days.

For me, the smartphone camera revolution happened back in 2007 when I first utilized the Nokia N95. This phone, advanced for its time and still impressive today, had a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens, resulting in great images and fluid 30 frames-per-second video. Today, I carry a Nokia N8 which has a 12 megapixel shooter and xenon flash (the same you find on your traditional point and shoots) which takes HD quality video and also can send and receive phone calls too.

Unit sales of cameras are down overall, but it’s not all bad news for camera manufacturers. SLR-type cameras with detachable lenses are seeing an upswing in sales. Also, I’m seeing some folks shun using their smartphone as a camera because they want the battery life to be saved for actually making calls and sending messages.

How about you – are you a smartphone picture taker?  Sound off below in the comment!

(Photo credit: liewcf)

Post from: Techcraver.com | Craving Tech, Craving Life!

Study: Smartphones Killing Camera Sales

I have come across a new item that I need to make room in my bag for…although not too much room as this is a very small product. PlugBug is an innovative power adapter for your Macbook laptop (regardless of which MacBook model you have) that can also power and your charge your iPod at the same time.

As frequent travelers know, power outlets can often be hard to come by. Also, if you have two devices to charge, such as your MacBook computer plus your iPad, who wins?

With the PlugBug, both devices can win as the PlugBug just snaps in to your MacBook power supply and provides you with a 10 watt USB powered plug suitable for any device (Apple or otherwise) that can charge via USB.

There are similar products on the market that provide a ‘powered’ USB outlet, but the iPad is unique that it needs a full 10 watts of power, with the PlugBug supplies.

For those wanting to check it out, the PlugBug is available for $34.99 at many locations, including Amazon.com,

Post from: Techcraver.com | Craving Tech, Craving Life!

Apple Fans: PlugBug Is Your New Best Friend

The iPad is an amazing device that has changed my opinion of portable computing forever.  Navigating and using a full touch experience has been amazing and fun all in thebreath.

However, sometimes I don’t want to utilize my fingers. There are times, whether when I’m cooking and have dirty hands from working outside where a pen-like device would be great. Also, if you’re taking notes in a meeting or drawing notes where a stylus would be very handy.

Targus makes a Stylus that drew my curiosity. I chose the Targus Stylus for iPad to try out, my thoughts follow.

Touch and feel

The Targus stylus is 5 1/8 inches long and has a nice soft rubberized tip that won’t scratch the screen. One thing I like is that this stylus works on any touch screen device, including your touch screen mobile phone, an iPod Touch.

This Targus stylus feels good in the hand – it’s made of aluminum and is solid. It has a balanced weight that is perfectly suited for writing and using on the iPad.

To test out the Stylus, I downloaded a few drawing apps from the, most notably the Wacam application that allows me to write freely. I liked drawing notes, thoughts and flow charts on my iPad in full color.

The Targus stylus is a perfect compliment to my iPad and is a very good Stylus. One thing I noticed about the Targus stylus is that the weight is heavy enough so you don’t feel it necessary to rest your palm on the iPad while you’re writing.

Bottom line

The Targus stylus is perfect for writing, sketching, navigating and drawing down your paper notes. I highly recommend this device if you’re seeking a stylus for your iPad. Even though it’s only $15, this stylus is a premium product.

Post from: Techcraver.com | Craving Tech, Craving Life!

Review: Targus Stylus for iPad

This is why IT departments typically demand that you use X laptop and Y mobile phone (typically a BlackBerry) and nothing else. However, there is a shift occurring.

Many IT departments are loosening requirements and allowing for more flexibility in machine choices. Especially now that iPads and iPhones are being used by many professionals, which can easily be configured to utilize Microsoft Exchange email accounts.

According to NY Times, 48% of information workers buy smartphones for work without considering what IT actually supports.

Why?  Because Microsoft Exchange is so ubiquitous now that just about any phone platform supports it, so consumers who happen to be professionals who want to connect to corporate email don’t have to care any more.

Going beyond mobile phones, more IT departments are succumbing in other ways too. Consumer friendly apps such as Skype, which were once forbidden on corporate machines, are finding a way onto desktops.

Also, Bring Your Own Device policies are in becoming more commonplace, where office workers are given stipends to buy whatever laptop they want. This is a delight to companies such as Apple that are seeing increased sales, especially with laptops, which were rarely seen in corporate America a few years ago.

[Photo credit: tartanpodcast]

Post from: Techcraver.com | Craving Tech, Craving Life!

IT Department says: Choose your own laptop and phone

Well with a new product offering called the Play:3, the price barrier is now much lower. The Play:3 is a connected speaker system that Sonos calls the “smaller, sexier, tuck in the corner and blow out all-in-one player”. With the Sonos Play:3, you can stream your entire music library, online music services and favorite radio stations to this wireless speaker system.

The Sonos Play:3 comes in at an attractive price point of just $299 which is a very agressive price point for the functionality these speakers provide. After you get the required Bridge, which is now priced at just $50, you can use up to 15 Sonos devices in your house. The Sonos is controlled by a client either on your computer or even better on your mobile device whether it’s an iPhone, iPod Touch or Android phone. There’s also an amazing iPad app that I use every day.

Check out the Play:3 below. I will be reviewing the device fully next week when my unit arrives.

Post from: Techcraver.com | Craving Tech, Craving Life!

Sonos Unveils Play:3 Affordable Sound Luxury

What a QR Code Looks Like

First of all, let’s start out with the most basic concept: what is a QR code, anyways? A QR code is an acronym for quick response code. The QR code is actually quite old, starting in Japan in 1994. However, the technology is now taking off in the United States because they are simple to use and can be used by just about any phone with an onboard camera. A QR code, once scanned, can take a phone user to a web page, a video, or even place a call.

What a QR Code Can Be Used For

QR codes can be used for a variety of different uses. Many companies nowadays including Macy’s, Target, Best Buy and Starbucks are utilizing the handy little barcodes to use then for ads or specials inside stores. Advertisers can embed QR codes on billboards to send mobile phone users to a link containing more information on a product or service.

Recently, while planting our garden, I noticed QR codes on the sides of the bags of seeds we planted, which sent me to a link showing proper planting patterns, growing information and other tidbits regarding the product I was putting in the ground.

Businesses can utilize QR codes in their shop window to send users to a web page containing hours of business, a menu and even reviews on the business. Google Places is utilizing QR codes to make reviews easily accessible to phone users in and around Portland, Oregon (and beyond).

How do I Scan a QR Code?

OK, so you own a smartphone, see a code somewhere in the wild, and you wish to scan it and see what’s next.  To utilize a QR code, you need two simple things: 1) a phone with a camera and 2) an application on your phone that can scan the code and interact with the code on your behalf.

Depending on your phone model, you have a few options:

Android Phones
Fire up your Market application and search for “Barcode Scanner”.  Barcode Scanner will will let you can regular bar codes (think on the side of a book or cereal box) or QR codes as well.

If you want an alternative, check out Google Googles.

iPhone and iPod Touch
If you’re an iPhone or iPod Touch owner, the recommended solution is QuickMark. This application is only $1.99 and is a fully featured scanner.
For a free alternative, again check out Google Goggles, part of the Google application available in the iTunes App Store.

BlackBerry
The best application, according to sources I’ve asked is MobileTag. I cannot give first hand accounts of this application because I’ve not tried it myself. Another QR code scanner that got good mentions is I-Nigma, which is said to be better for complex codes that contain V-card (contact information) files.

Nokia
Nokia phone owners will find a great solution in UpCode. This application, available in the Ovi Store, will quickly scan your QR code and send you to the destination with ease. It’s available for all Nokia smartphones with a camera.

(Photo Credit: Flickr User hirosan)

Post from: Techcraver.com | Craving Tech, Craving Life!

How To Use QR Codes

Also, as road warriors, my wife and I have to be inventive in how we entertain our 3 and a half year old. The iPad has come to mind, but I don’t feel comfortable giving the iPad to my little angle because I don’t want to be dropped or mishandled as the car bounces and flies down the road.

A new offering from OtterBox is a promising package. The Utility Latch accessory is meant to be a multiple purpose way to hold or mount your iPad to your hand while demo-ing an app or website, to your headrest for passengers in your car or other situation where your iPad needs to be stationary. The Latch adds a layer of safety to your iPad by allowing you to strap the iPad to your hand or hang it form your neck, much like a camera strap. The straps used by Utility Latch  are heavy-duty and made out of very sturdy elastic.

There are a few ways to employ the Utility Latch including:

• Lanyard: allows you to interact with the iPad in either landscape or portrait view, hanging from your neck.
• Large adjustable strap: for use in the car to hold the iPad to a headrest.
• Handstrap: for holding the iPad firmly in your hand. The strap is padded for a comfortable fit in your hand.

Putting Utility Latch To The Test

To gauge whether the Latch system worked, I loaded up the iPad with videos and apps for my daughter to use while we took a recent weekend road trip. The system easily attached to the iPad (I chose to just attach the system straight to the iPad without any case involved) using the instructions included in the retail package.

Also, the large adjustable strap is very adaptable to any car, it worked seamlessly in our Ford Escape. With the iPad loaded with media and situated in a place where my daughter to view it, we were ready to roll.

As you can see in the photo, the Utility Latch wisely attached to the iPad, without obscuring the video or display of the iPad screen itself. Using this excellent OtterBox accessory, one has easy access to the iPad for whatever use you want. My daughter loves being able to watch the iPad and my wife and I assured that our expensive $500 device is safely attached to the car without the possibility of falling off.

The Utility Latch is a must have utility for anyone who wants to anchor their iPad either in the car or in your hand while you demo an application or show someone an item on your iPad. I also found the Utility Latch to be of use when I was in a booth at a conference, showing off a web application to perspective partners.

The Utility Latch from Otterbox is available at Amazon.com and other retailers. List price is $49.95, which in my opinion, is worth it considering the amount of protection the Latch provides whilst you are on the go.

Post from: Techcraver.com | Craving Tech, Craving Life!

Review: OtterBox Utility Latch for iPad

AirPlay is a technology debuted by Apple recently that allows you to feed audio or video from your iOS device, such as an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, to an Apple TV or a few audio receivers. AirPlay is pretty restrictive, meaning that you can only push audio from your portable devices to a few select hardware devices. Wouldn’t it be great to be able shoot audio from your iOS device to your stereo? Sonos makes it easy with a simple solution.

By utilizing a $99 AirPort Express and simply connecting it to one of your Sonos ZonePlayers with an Ethernet cable and either a mini-plug to stereo RCA cable, AirPlay can come a reality in your house. A recent software update to version 4.3 enables AirPlay on your Sonos system, and the update is EASILY done from an iPhone, Android device or any Sonos remote device.

After you’ve completed these steps (it took me literally 10 minutes), you’re ready to use AirPlay on your iOS devices by selecting the correct button on your phone, iPod, or iPad. By selecting “Sonos” in the AirPlay menu, the Sonos switches to the correct input on it’s end.

When Friends Come Over

AirPlay is simply magical when your friends drop by. Say there’s a tune they want you to hear or audio snippet of some sort. By simply hopping on your wireless network, they can use AirPlay to send their audio to your Sonos system. I also have the Sonos Dock that can be utilized, but the AirPlay solution provides a completely wireless solution.

Low-Cost Solution

I love how Sonos has enabled AirPlay to be accessible to Sonos users by simply purchasing an Apple AirPort Express. The company could have gone the route of rolling out brand new ZonePlayers with AirPlay capability (and will likely do so) on board, leaving behind the existing generation of players, but by working with this bridge solution, current costumers are ready to play with AirPlay immediately.

Post from: Techcraver.com | Craving Tech, Craving Life!

[Hands On] Sonos Enables AirPlay, Yes Please!

This is a pretty alarming revelation to many iPhone owners. It must be thrown out that this type of information is kept on many platforms, not just the iPhone – so the issue is definitely not limited to iOS users.

however, I was alarmed by many of my more nerdy friends who said comments on Facebook and Twitter such as “well, we tweet and Facebook locations all the time – why are people freaking out about this”?. It was my response to them and others is that *mainstream* smartphone users are not on these platforms and would be floored if location data was more readily available.

Yesterday, some numbers came out that validated my thoughts. According to TRUSTe, an Internet privacy service, privacy is a leading concern for smartphone users with security a close second. Yes in our terms of service, location use and broadcasting is spelled out, but the fact is that we don’t read these ridiculous terms when we use our technology.

Also, according to the study, 77% of respondents say that they do not want to share their location with app owners and developers. Additionally, 85% say they are uncomfortable with advertise tracking.

Apple’s response to the inquiries has been that location is tracked so app developers can send you notifications based on your location. I can see the use of this – how about a task tracking application that reminds you to pick up bread as you pass by the store?

The use case is definitely there, but it seems there is still some issues to be settled to make smartphone. Perhaps companies such as Apple and Google need to better define what’s going to happen with your personal data. Simplified controls could go a long way to make customers more comfortable.

Post from: Techcraver.com | Craving Tech, Craving Life!

Majority Don’t Want To Share Location

To check out the application, you must have an Android phone running Android 2.1 or better with a screen size of HVGA 320×480 or better. You can use the Android application at the same time as your iPad or iPhone controller, or even alongside the app on your PC or Mac.

I tested the application on my T-Mobile G2 last night and I was  blown away. I’m used to Android applications that don’t look or act as fluid as the iOS counterparts.  However, Sonos has created a beautiful and functional application that gives me full control over my S5 boombox and ZonePlayer hooked up to my main stereo system. Companies who release Android applications should reference Sonos Controller to see how Android apps should look and act.

In Other News

In other news, Sonos released version 3.4 of the Sonos System Software that brings support for Apple AirPlay, iOS multi-tasking and more.  For further information, check out their Software Release Notes.

Post from: Techcraver.com | Craving Tech, Craving Life!

Sonos Releases Android Controller Application