Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Which Kindle Is Best For You?

Looking For A New Kindle? Here’s How To Decide Which Is Right For You

by Justin Dennis
Amazon currently offers 8 different models of Kindles, and with so many options, choosing one can be a tad confusing for the average consumer. What exactly differentiates these devices from each other?

E-ink or LCD?

The first major division between these tablets is the e-ink and LCD screens. E-ink tablets have screens that resemble paper, making them great for reading eBooks, but limiting their ability to do much else. LCD tablets on the other hand are more like an iPad or Android tablet: they have bright screens that can be annoying to stare at for long periods of time, but they’re great for consuming all forms of media from books to movies to Web browsing.
Kindle Glare Looking For A New Kindle? Heres How To Decide Which Is Right For You
E-ink screens look great in direct sunlight, and are beyond comparison with the very glare-prone LCD screens. Plus, because the e-ink screens don’t need to be shooting light at your eyes constantly (they just render the text and then relax), the batteries can last for weeks or months depending on how much you use it. Not to mention that e-ink devices tend to be much lighter than their LCD counterparts, since they only have one purpose: reading books. This makes them much easier to hold in one hand for long reading sessions.
Once you’ve decided if you’d prefer a dedicated e-ink eReader or a multi-purpose LCD tablet, you’ve got a few more options to sift through.

E-ink Tablets

Amazon’s four e-ink tablets break down like this:
Kindle: $69
Kindle DX: $199
All of these come with Special Offers, which is what Amazon calls the advertisements that it displays on the screensaver and main screen of the Kindle, although thankfully the ads stay out of the actual reading experience. The Special Offers can be removed by paying an extra $20.
For those on a budget:
On the lowest end of the spectrum is the regular Kindle. It doesn’t have a touch screen and is instead operated by a few buttons along the bottom as well as page-turning buttons along the sides. The keys along the bottom include a 4-way directional pad as well as buttons for back, keyboard, options, and home.
Unfortunately, the keyboard button simply brings up an on-screen keyboard which must be operated using the 4-way directional pad. It’s really a pain to use, so don’t plan on typing much if you get this Kindle.
Kindle Looking For A New Kindle? Heres How To Decide Which Is Right For You
It’s the lightest of any of the Kindles at only 5.98oz, as well as the smallest physically, shaving off a few millimeters in every dimension in comparison to the Paperwhite.
For those who want a touchscreen and built-in light:
The Paperwhite, on the other hand, weighs 7.3oz for the WiFi version and 7.6oz for the 3G version. The main advantage of the Paperwhite is the built-in light which evenly distributes a soft glow across the screen, allowing you to read even in the dark, all while maintaining the easy-on-the-eyes e-ink display and long battery life. The Paperwhite’s light isn’t like a bright LCD that shines directly at you; instead, the light is passively reflected off the e-ink display to make for a much more natural reading experience, like a high-quality light you would clip onto your book.
Kindle Glare 2 Looking For A New Kindle? Heres How To Decide Which Is Right For You
It also has a touch screen and no physical buttons aside from the power button. The higher pixel density on the Paperwhite (221 ppi vs. 167 ppi on the Kindle) should make the text a bit crisper as well.
KindlePaperwhite Looking For A New Kindle? Heres How To Decide Which Is Right For You
The 3G option for the Paperwhite is a very interesting deal despite it’s high price, because you don’t have to pay a monthly fee for the 3G access. Since eBooks use such little data to download, Amazon is willing to pay for the data, meaning that you can download books from anywhere with no monthly cost.
The Kindle Paperwhite has gotten a slight refresh since we last reviewed it back in May, but it is still largely the same device.
For those who want a big screen:
The behemoth known as the Kindle DX fits into an odd place here, and I’m surprised that it has survived this long after Amazon has killed other versions of the Kindle like the Kindle Keyboard. In fact, it has been removed from the store in the past and then reappeared seemingly at random, so it is possible that the DX could be nearing the end of its days for good.
The Kindle DX has a massive 9.7″ screen (in comparison to the 6″ screen on the Kindle and Paperwhite), weighs 18.9oz, and is only sold as a 3G version — no WiFi. It’s marketed as being great for PDFs because the large screen allows it to display full PDFs without zooming ad mich, and the e-ink screen makes reading PDFs possible, even in direct sunlight.
KindleDX Looking For A New Kindle? Heres How To Decide Which Is Right For You
Despite its high price, it actually has a lower pixel density than the Kindle (150 ppi) and only lasts 3 weeks with the wireless turned off, compared to 4 weeks for the Kindle and 8 weeks for the Paperwhite. There’s also no built-in light or touch screen for the DX, and it features a large physical keyboard at the bottom.

LCD Tablets

Amazon’s four LCD tablets break down like this:
The differentiation here is a bit easier than with the e-ink Kindles. The HDs are last years models offered at a cheaper price, whereas the HDXs are newer but of course cost a bit more.
The Fire tablets all come with the Amazon Appstore instead of Android’s usual Google Play. We’ve compared the two app stores in the past, and found Amazon’s to have some advantages, but the Play Store to be generally superior. If you’re looking for an all-purpose Android tablet, the Fires are a great option, but so is the new Nexus 7 which has access to the Google Play Store. It costs the same as the HDX 7″ but doesn’t have any Special Offers and is much more customizable.
For those on a budget:
The HD 7″ got a refresh when the HDXs were announced, sporting a newer processor, better battery life, and a more angular physical design. For $139 for the 8GB version, it’s a great deal, but you may want to spring for the 16GB version that is $169 if you plan on storing any media locally. Apps, movies, and TV shows will quickly fill up those 8GB if you don’t have constant access to WiFi for streaming.
HD7 Looking For A New Kindle? Heres How To Decide Which Is Right For You
But if you need a bigger screen, look no further than the HD 8.9″. At $229, this is the cheapest, quality, large-screen device you can get. It didn’t get the same physical redesign as the 7″ model, so it still sports a more curvy, rounded look. But it has a nicer screen than the 7″, a front-facing camera, and its $229 model comes with 16GB of storage.
HD89 Looking For A New Kindle? Heres How To Decide Which Is Right For You
For those who want all the newest features:
The HDX 7″, which we’ve reviewed, is quite a capable device. It has a quad-core 2.2GHz processor compared to the HD’s 1.5GHz dual-core, it has a nicer screen than the HD, better battery life, a front-facing camera, 16GB of storage on the $229 model, and it’s skinnier and lighter than the HD. It also has options for 4G LTE and touts Amazon’s “Mayday” feature that allows you to reach a customer service representative on your device 24/7 for assistance.
HDX7 Looking For A New Kindle? Heres How To Decide Which Is Right For You
The HDX 8.9″ shares a lot of similarities with its little brother, but most notably, it has a better screen, longer battery life, a rear-facing 8MP camera, and manages to get even thinner at only 7.88mm. For $379, this big-screen tablet is cheaper than most other tablets in that size range, including the iPad Air, Nexus 10, and Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1.
HDX89 Looking For A New Kindle? Heres How To Decide Which Is Right For You

Conclusion

Obviously, which Kindle is right for you is a very subjective choice, but I do find that the $119 WiFi-only Paperwhite seems to strike the perfect balance between budget-conscious and feature-packed. It’s worth the upgrade from the $69 Kindle for the touchscreen, built-in light, and improved screen and battery life, but you probably don’t need to shell out $189 for the 3G version (especially if you can create your own WiFi hotspot for the Kindle to connect to when on the go).
On the LCD tablet side of things, the HDX line represents a great amount of bang for your buck, whether you’re looking at the$229 7″ or the $379 8.9″. For a limited time, you can even get $30 off the 7″ model by using the code GameOn30 at checkout.
Kindle tablets aren’t the only way to read Kindle books, though. In fact, Amazon has some quality apps for a wide variety of platforms. We’ve taken a look at their iOSAndroid, andWindows 8 apps, but they also have apps for Mac, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry devices.
Also, remember that downloading books from the Kindle Store usually (but not always — it depends on the publisher) means that they are locked with DRM, a digital means of preventing you from copying or changing the file in any way aside from how Amazon dictates. There are ways to break this DRM, but this goes against Amazon’s Terms of Service.
Which of the Kindle tablets is your favorite? Would you own both an e-ink tablet and an LCD tablet? Let us know in the comments

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Convert Your Irritations Into Positive Energy


A psychiatrist was consulted by a man whose marriage and career were both in serious trouble. His problem was his constant irritability and bad temper. He was concerned about this himself, but if any one tried to discuss it with him, he exploded in anger. He constantly told himself that everyone was picking on him and that he had to defend himself against them.
 
To counter the negative auto suggestion, he advised him to use positive auto suggestion. Several times a day in the morning, noon, and at night prior to sleep he was to repeat to himself.
 
From now on,


I shall grow more humor, joy, happiness,and cheerfulness are now becoming 

my natural states of mind.
 
Every day I am becoming more and more lovable and understanding.
 
I will be center of cheer and goodwill to all those around me, infecting them 


with my good spirits.
 
This happy, joyous, and cheerful mood is now becoming my normal, natural 


state of mind. I am grateful.
 
After a month, his wife and his coworkers remarked on how much easier he was to get along with.
 
The things that drive you crazy are actually giant opportunities. The people who press your buttons are actually your greatest teachers. The issues that make you angry are actually your biggest gifts. Be grateful to them. Love them.
 
The people or circumstances that take you out of your power have extraordinary value: they reveal your limiting beliefs, fears and false assumptions. The celebrated psychologist Carl Jung once said: "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." Powerful point. The things that irritate, annoy and anger you are entry points into your evolution and elevation as a human being. They are signposts for what you need to work on and the fears you need to face. They are gifts of growth. You can blame the people who trigger you and make it all about them. Or you can do the wise thing and look deeply into yourself to discover the reason for your negative reaction. Use the challenges to grow self-awareness. Because how can you overcome a fear you are not even aware of? And how can you transcend an insecurity you don't even know you have?
 
As you begin to shed light on your personal weaknesses and take responsibility for them, you actually begin the very process of shedding them. You become stronger. More powerful. You begin to see the world through a different set of eyes.

 
Khalil Gibran, one of the greatest thinkers, once wrote: "I have learned silence from the talkative, tolerance from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am grateful to those teachers who taught me all the wrong things.


Source: Enjoy the mast Group

GOOGLE EVERYWHERE?


6 Unusual Devices You Will Find Android Installed On

by Yaara Lancet
Android. It’s been around for more than five years, and there’s nothing more natural than seeing it on a smartphone or a tablet. But would you expect to see it in your fridge? Not so much. And yet, if you really look (as we just did), you’ll find Android installed on all sorts of weird devices. Prepare to be perplexed.

Android-Powered Oven

android oven 6 Unusual Devices You Will Find Android Installed On
You heard right. The Dacor Discovery IQ is an oven running Android, and it’s not even that new (although it was updated this last CES). According to Dacor’s website, the oven is powered by a Samsung 1 GHz processor and 512 MB DDR2 RAM, has a Wi-Fi connection, a 7-inch LCD touch panel, and stereo speakers. Perfect for that cooking music you can’t do without, I guess. It also lets you control the oven remotely using the Dacor app and your phone (iOS is supported too!).
The Dacor Discovery IQ comes in three different models, the most affordable of which will still cost you $4500. The most expensive one is no less than $12,000. Phew.

Android-Powered Fridge

android fridge 6 Unusual Devices You Will Find Android Installed On
Got $3500 to spare? You too can have Android inside your fridge. This Samsung fridge has four doors, with an 8-inch LCD display built into one of them. Not only can you use it to display photos, write notes, find recipes and access your calendar, it also comes with “special apps made for your refrigerator”. I’m assuming this means stuff like custom shopping lists and inventory organizers. At least I hope that’s what it means.
The fridge also has a Wi-Fi connection, so you can even get weather updates right on your fridge. Perfect for when you’re getting that glass of water in the morning.

Android-Based Gaming Consoles

gamestick 6 Unusual Devices You Will Find Android Installed On
Android-based gaming consoles are not that new anymore, and therefore they might not seem that weird. But when you think about it, it’s a pretty unusual place to find Android. The most famous Android consoles are the OUYA and GameStick, and both are pretty affordable ($99.99 and $79.99, respectively). Android-based consoles are portable and cheap, but that doesn’t mean they’re any good.
If you’re on the fence, you should read our overview of these consoles and whether they’re worth it or not. Regardless, these consoles are not going anywhere, and we’ll probably see more of them in the future. Unlike Android-powered ovens, this is probably here to stay.

Android In Cars

android cars 6 Unusual Devices You Will Find Android Installed On
You’ve probably heard of Google’s announcement in this year’s CES about Android and cars. In short, Google wants to bring Android-powered dashboards to lots of cars, pretty soon. But this is not some imaginary future. Android-powered in-car entertainment systems already exist. They’re made by Ca-Fi, and you can install one in your own car, or find a car that already has one installed.
What can you do with it? Stuff like hand-free calls, navigation, listening to music, and even downloading regular Android apps. Will this make driving more or less safe? I’m not exactly sure, but it does seem like something we’ll see a lot more of in the near future.

Android Washer/Dryer

android washer 6 Unusual Devices You Will Find Android Installed On
Image credit: AndroidandMe on YouTube
Being the best example of weird Android usage of the lot, I was sad to discover you can’t actually buy this washer/dryer yet. In fact, I couldn’t find out whether it will ever be available at all. This Touch Revolution washer/dryer was presented at CES several years ago, and I can only hope it’s still being worked on, as it’s brilliant.
The Android-based touch panel gets rid of all washing-machine question marks. Tell it the kind of fabric you’re washing or the kind of stain you’re trying to remove, and it automatically inputs all the right settings for you. It can send you a text message when it’s done washing, and in general, it’s just much better than all those inexplicable symbols and buttons no one ever knows how to use.
Touch Revolution doesn’t actually make the washer itself, only the Android-powered control system (it also makes a similar product for microwaves), so it’s now up to third-party companies to integrate it with their appliances. I did manage to find a washing machine made by Samsung which seems to incorporate Android, but the “learn more” link leads to a non-existing page.
If you’re curious, watch this demo video to find out more:

Android Coffee Machine

This Zipwhip-powered coffee machine is probably the coolest use of Android I’ve ever seen. While you can’t exactly buy this awesome thing for your home or office, it definitely exists in real life.
Zipwhip is a text-messaging company, and is one of many ways to send out free SMS messages. But who needs plain old text messages when you can text your coffee machine to make you a cup of coffee?
Another Android-powered coffee machine is this design concept by In-oh Yoo & Bong-yup Song. It combines coffee, music and Android to create what could be an interesting entertainment experience. The coffee capsules come with QR codes which the machine reads, and plays fitting music accordingly. It can also charge your phone and communicate with it to recognize you and save your coffee preferences. Interesting.

Android Is Everywhere!

To be honest, these are not the only places where you can find Android (other than tablets and phones). Android is now on cameras such as the Samsung Galaxy Camera (our review), theNikon CoolPix S800c, and others. It’s also on Android computer sticks and Android TV sticks which are getting increasingly popular.
In short, Android is slowly taking over the world. Or, wait, maybe it’s actually Google.
What’s the weirdest usage of Android you’ve ever seen?

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Self Control


self-control
self-control

Qualities of Remarkable Employees




Great employees are reliable, dependable, proactive, diligent, great leaders and great followers... they possess a wide range of easily-defined—but hard to find—qualities.

CLEVER IDEAS WORTH KNOWING



Flexible vacuum 
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge, add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.                 

                                             Reducing Static Cling
 
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress.  Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose.  Place pin in seam of  slacks and ... TA DA! ... Static is gone. 

Measuring Cups 
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup.  Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out. 


Foggy Windshield?
 
Hate foggy windshields?  Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car when the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth.               
Reopening envelopes  
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.  


Conditioner
 
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving  cream and leaves your legs really smooth.  It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.  
Goodbye Fruit Flies 
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it ½" with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well.  You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever! 


Get Rid of Ants
 
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants.  They eat it, take it "home", can't digest it so it kills them.  It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it  works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed! 
(This I will definitely try!!!)
              

                 
 INFO ABOUT CLOTHES  DRYERS  (I do this all the time)
The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter.  It was clean.  (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.)  He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it.  The lint filter is made of a mesh material. I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like.  Well...the hot water just sat on top of the mesh!  It didn't go through it at all!  He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh and that's what burns out the heating unit.  You can't 
SEE the film, but it's there.  It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your  clothes soft and static free. That nice fragrance too.  You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box...well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen.  This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it!  He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very longtime (and to keep your  electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months.  He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long!  How about that!?!  Learn something new every day!  I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that.  So, I thought I'd share!

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