Why Market Research?

Importance of market research: As the industry becomes more competitive, marketers need to be aware of what is happening in the marketplace. The market research gives you a clear understanding of how your product or service is perceived and how it can be improved. It helps you develop strategies to meet customers’ changing needs, and it can also help you build a solid business foundation. Market research involves collecting and analyzing information about the people who buy your product or services. You can collect this information by interviewing customers, observing their behaviour, and looking at their demographic information. In a nutshell, market research gives you the information you need to make the right decisions for your business growth.

5 Ways Market research can help build a strong business

There’s no sure-fire formula for instant success, but you can boost your business’s growth by conducting market research. Here are some areas where market research can help you build a more substantial business.

Market Research Centers Business on the Customer

Side Customer satisfaction is one of the most important factors for a business. Knowing how customers perceive their brand and what they like and dislike about the products, services, and experiences they provide is critical for any company. If you are a market research organization, it is crucial that you understand your customers and their perceptions.

• Age group: How old are they?
• Gender: Are they male or female?
• Location: Where do they live?
• Qualification: What is their level of education?
• Behaviour: What do they like or dislike?
• What is their marital status?
• Do they have children?
• What kind of social media do they use?

Create a persona profile for each segment Personas are fictional, but represent a typical customer within a particular group. For example, a persona might be a 25-year-old female with two children who owns a home and has disposable income. You can then use this persona to develop an advertising campaign that targets a specific audience.

Such consumer studies help us understand the target audience to develop a focused brand positioning. You can see faster results, improved efficiency, and excellent performance from your marketing campaigns if you focus on the right target market. Hire a professional Customer Research Agency is advisable.

It Helps Understand Your Competition

One way to understand your competition is to conduct market research. This can help you understand their business models, competitive advantages, and target marketing areas. It can also help you identify any potential areas of overlap or competition.

Here are some of the details that you can research about your rivals:

• Sales volume, Market share
• Efficiency, Suppliers
• Labor cost, Strengths, and weaknesses
• Their market research/brand strategy solutions
• Your window of opportunity for market entry
• The importance of your target market to your competitors
• Any barriers that may stop you from entering the market
• Indirect or secondary competitors who may impact your business

When you’re a small business, you have to be more nimble than larger companies. You don’t have a big sales team or a marketing budget. So, if you want to compete on price, you must get creative. One of the best ways to do that is to study what your competitors charge for similar products and services. And one of the most efficient ways to do this is to use online tools to compare pricing across hundreds of websites.

It Enables You to Test for Success

When you need to know whether your customers will connect with your new product or service, use this simple test to judge its success. Research is the most effective way to test out ideas before you decide to go full-throttle with them.

You can do quantitative research, which is looking at how many people have bought a product or service in the past, or qualitative research, which is looking at the thoughts and feelings of people about a product or service.

It Ensures Your Relevancy

Researching the evolving needs of consumers and analyzing your competitors’ reactions to those needs is a great way to ensure longevity and relevancy in your business. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting, market research reports will help business owners to make smarter decisions and achieve the desired marketing goals faster.

Small businesses are not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by the number of marketing options available today. It is also easy to make the mistake of thinking that because you have a small budget, you can’t afford to invest in any type of marketing. However, there are many things that you can do on a limited budget that can have a significant impact on your business.

It Grows Your Business

When creating your sales plan, it’s essential to know the demographics of your target market and the competition in your space. You’ll find out how to calculate your target market and determine how much you need to spend to reach them. By conducting market research, you can find out what people want and need and how best to serve them. Research can also help you identify new marketing opportunities to scale your business.

Get in touch with BrandIQ to learn more about how they approach market research. They believe that brands are not just about making a great product or service but about creating relationships with customers and their communities.

Post courtesy: BrandIQ, Los Angeles-based Market Research Company.

The post 5 Effective Ways Market Research Can Grow Your Business Quickly appeared first on AppTrawler.

Currently, the tech industry makes up 35% of the total world market (Zippia) with more than 585,000 tech companies operating out of the US alone. The Big Four tech companies (Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook) are now collectively worth $4 trillion. It’s a fairly safe bet to say that adapting to new technologies faster and more efficiently is going to be a major factor in ensuring the survival (and competitive advantage) of any business.

Benefits of new technology for businesses

Unlock a higher degree of efficiency with new technologies

Using new technologies to streamline business processes can save time, enhance communication, and make tasks easier. For example, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems and instant messaging apps enable seamless instant connectivity no matter where your teams or even your clients are located. Your team can always get in touch with each other and clients and business partners anytime, anywhere on any internet-connected device. This makes relaying critical information quicker and easier reducing the scope for communication errors or lags and enabling seamless decision-making.

Similarly, business process management solutions enabled by reliable managed service providers such as IT Support Rhode Island unlock the opportunity for organizations to automate repetitive tasks. These can include recording but time-consuming processes such as accounts payable processes. With automation, your staff can significantly reduce time and effort spent on repetitive tasks and instead focus on accomplishing higher-order tasks.

Make sure your infrastructure is ready for remote and hybrid work

For many organizations, issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continue to pose challenges. Many businesses are still struggling to cope with the challenges including how to manage remote and hybrid workforces. These issues can be addressed by implementing modern communications and collaboration tools that enable entire organizations to stay connected and on the same page. Managers can check in on employees, co-workers can call or message one another regarding projects they’re working on together, and teams can share documents and edit these at the same time if needed. They have the ability to set and track task progress so everyone’s always kept in the loop—and much more. If you are a local business that needs help with setting up its infrastructure to support the future of remote work, consider reaching out to Managed IT Services Boston.

Improve your potential for employee engagement and retention

When computers frequently freeze or take a long time to load, employees become less productive and experience frustration. Inadequate technological equipment that is not updated over time can lead to poor employee engagement and experiences. When you provide your team with the latest hardware and software, they are able to perform tasks smoothly and efficiently without being distracted by technology frustrations. Moreover, keeping your technology updated continuously shows that you are a proactive employer on top of evolving technology and security demands. It also tells employees that you are invested in ensuring their comfort with a smooth and frictionless work experience, increasing morale, loyalty, and employee retention.

Reduced costs

As technology evolves, it is imperative to adopt new solutions. New technology is vital to the growth of any business. The cost of implementing new equipment or software is often less than the expense of repairing or replacing existing equipment, downtime, or lost productivity. By investing in the cloud, you can save even more — cloud providers shoulder the burden of managing your hardware, so you no longer have to worry about expenses like utilities and maintenance. Cloud-based services turn out to be highly cost-efficient in the long run, as they eliminate the need for hardware and utilities. Regardless of your company’s size and industry, new technologies such as cloud computing are key to achieving your goals and sustaining your competitive edge. To ensure that any new hardware or software is implemented properly and aligned with your business needs, reach out to our experts today. Seasoned experts at IT Consulting Boston can help your company decide which cloud solutions are right for its unique needs and goals. Contact us today to find out how.

About Kenny:

Kenny Rounds is the founder and CEO of Braver Technology Solutions, a leading IT Support Boston Company offering full IT Support & Security solutions. Throughout the last 30 years, Kenny has continually expanded his workforce, embracing the core values of integrity and innovation and growing into one of New England’s premier IT service providers. He is a cybersecurity expert and has presented at local groups and hosted educational webinars on all things IT.

The post Businesses Adaptable to New Tech Are Going to Win appeared first on AppTrawler.

LaMDA is a highly evolved conversational engine designed by Google in 2017 to help organise and sort the many teraflops of data. LaMDA uses a neural network architecture that has been specifically trained using dialogue, so the idea of it becoming sentient is not that inconceivable. Whilst this kind of AI will have fantastic applications in search intent and delivering search results, there is a worry that our our language could cause issues with the AI’s outlook. by internalising biases, mirroring hateful speech, or replicating misleading information a powerful AI could actually propagate language that is considered ethically wrong.

AI is All Around Us

Either way, AI is now part of everyday life, Siri, Alexa, and Cortana are built into the phones we carry and even the foods we eat are supervised by AI. Optical Sorting Machines scan foods on a conveyor belt a lightning speed, removing the bad elements from the good. Amazon AWS Forecast can spot trends in purchasing and start preparing orders even before they are purchased. Spend too long looking at an item, Amazon Forecast is able to get an item shipped to a nearby depot even before you have purchased it to ensure next-day delivery.

from sorting your grapes to driverless cars, these AI systems seem far away and part of the business world, but you can have the latest AI technology in your pocket in a range of AI-powered apps. Outside of the handful of virtual assistants, five of note include:

ELSA Speak

ELSA is a popular AI-powered app that helps people to speak English. Users of this app can learn how to speak English and pronounce English words with the help of short dialogues. Due to the AI’s quick feedback, users can make progress at a faster rate.

Socratic

The Socratic app helps students with math and other homework. Students simply take pictures using their phone cameras and Socratic uses its AI capabilities to provide visual explanations for the various concepts that students are looking to learn.

Fyle

Fyle is a sophisticated expense management app that integrates with various business systems. Its AI-powered network is able to sort expenses, manage workflows and even offer real-time policy checks.

Hound

Have you ever wanted to talk to your sat nav or GPS whilst driving? Well, Hound is an AI-powered voice assistant that allows you to search for information using your voice. Hound will then read and offer you results based on your requests. Hound offers accurate results quickly and can help quickly and easily when lost in a new place.

Youper

Youper is a powerful mental health AI designed to help users take care of their mental health through personalised meditations and sessions. Youper users can get a better understanding of themselves and track their moods through regular use.

AI systems are everywhere, so it is only a matter of time before one becomes sentient. The recent viral news about LeMDA has re-focused software professionals on the importance of AI principles and governance. It may be any day now and we need to be sure that we design AI to be better and more ethical than we are.

The post AI Runs The World, But Can It Take Over? appeared first on AppTrawler.

This article discusses how you, as a parent with a disability, can increase the chances of achieving sustainable success with your business startup, including consideration of potential funding sources and how acquiring fresh skills could give you an edge over your competitors.

Improve Your Chances of Success With a Business Plan

A comprehensive business plan has been shown to increase the chances of achieving and sustaining a successful business, and it’s a crucial step in how to set up a new company. The plan details information about every facet of your business’s structure, operation, and projected finances. A business plan usually includes the following data:

• Analysis of the market/identification of the intended audience
• Marketing strategy
• Business structure
• Information on your company’s goals and ethos and how it adds value
• Details of the service/product to be provided
• Detailed costs, including startup costs, capital requirements, funding sources, and financial projections

Setup Your Business

With a business plan in place, its time to set up the business. It can be anything from a sole trader to a fully limited company. For a Company Formation Service visit www.yourcompanyformations.co.uk which will show you the various options and any associated costs. Also, consider the benefits of having your children named as 1% directors so you can pay them a small salary as well as get them company-related assets.

Hone Your Business Skills

Running a business requires a different skill set than that needed for providing the service or making the product you’re selling. An MBA program provides learners with vital expertise in areas such as accounting, human capital management, strategic planning, and marketing.

These days, it’s possible to enroll in and study for an MBA online. Online programs are ideal for parents with disabilities, as it’s possible to study at the same time as fulfilling other commitments. Many parents are surprised by just how easy it is to achieve a good work/life balance at the same time as completing an MBA online.

Apply for Business Grants

Depending on your circumstances, your startup could be eligible for one or more business grants. A wide range of grant-giving organizations across the country provides support for entrepreneurs with disabilities. The federal government also offers support in some circumstances. In addition to generic business support grants, some parents with disabilities may be eligible for grants that are targeted at people with disabilities. Disabled veterans, for example, have access to exclusive startup grant opportunities.

Applying for grants can be a time-consuming business but can ultimately deliver valuable funding that can help to get your business off the ground.

Use Local Business Networks

Organizations, such as your local chamber of commerce, are great places to meet other business owners as well as get expert assistance with common business startup problems, such as staffing, financing, or the acquisition of premises. Business support networks usually include seasoned business owners who can give assistance on a wide variety of issues. They bring a wealth of experience, which can be invaluable to fledgling business owners.

Sustainable Business Success Is Possible

Although the initial slog involved in starting a business can sometimes feel overwhelming, particularly for parents with disabilities, who already have plenty to do, taking the time to put the right business foundations in place now significantly increases the chances of long-term success.

Be sure to visit AppTrawler to find news, reviews, previews, and updates from the world of apps that can help your business.

The post For Many Parents With Disabilities, Starting a Business Is the Perfect Employment Solution appeared first on AppTrawler.

Remote Working Tools

Of course, many people needed to start using remote working tools as lockdowns happened across the country. As a result, companies offering these tools saw a real boost in their earnings as demand skyrocketed. 

The best example is Zoom. This video conferencing software saw a huge 109% download growth, and their shares rapidly rose. Microsoft Teams reached 44 million users in just one week. In China, programs like WeChat Work crashed on the first day workers were working from home. 

These businesses are looking to see steady growth too, as more and more workers will opt to remain working from home. 

Online Streaming

This is a broad category, but it’s one that can’t be ignored. Of course, as entertainment outside of the home was a no go, people had to find some ways to entertain themselves without leaving home. That’s how several entertainment services gained popularity. 

Streaming services have already been doing well, but over lockdown they found more of an audience than ever before. The launch of Disney+ came at a good time too, launching in the UK in March 2020. By April 2020 they had 50 million paid subscribers, as opposed to 28.6 million in February the same year. 

As well as TV and film streaming, there was also a significant rise in streaming on services like Twitch and YouTube. There has been a steadily growing demand for streaming services, and with lockdowns more content creators than ever before were reaching wider audiences. 

Online Betting And Gambling

There has always been a market for online betting and gambling, with several online casinos being launched in the late 90’s. With lockdown though, of course people couldn’t go to their regular betting shops and casinos, so they went to play on online ones instead. 

Sites like Bet365 and 888 have reported some of their highest profits ever, thanks to people being six times more likely to start betting online during lockdowns. Paired with high quality online games, it’s not hard to see why. 

Casinos were able to offer live betting services, streaming a live host on table games. This was something that brought the casino experience into the customer’s home, something that was very welcome during isolation. 

Contactless Technology

As we aimed to reduce the chance of spreading the virus, we saw the use of contactless technology flourish. This tech allowed for less contact between people when lockdowns were happening, making it easier for everyone to get what they needed. 

For example, contactless debit and credit cards were already in use, but their use became much more widespread as companies aimed to minimise cash transactions wherever possible. Companies like Amazon Go took things one step further, using contactless tech to allow shoppers to buy their groceries by simply carrying them out of the store, and having the charge made to the card linked to their account. 

Voice and speech recognition technologies are expected to reach over $18.8 billion by 2025, partly thanks to the pandemic, too. These have helped reduce contact, such as on phone services where customers could interact with tech to get what they needed. 

While some industries have suffered during the pandemic, others have very much flourished. Some industries have changed the way we work and entertain ourselves for the near future, so we may see a shift in which industries see success. 

The post Industries That Benefited From The Pandemic appeared first on AppTrawler.

That being said, there are some sports that are more easily watchable on a smartphone. While team sports like football or rugby should be experienced on a bigger screen, some sports don’t require such sophisticated viewing.

So which sports can you watch on your phone? You’re about to find out. 

Horse Racing

Horse racing is an ancient sport that showcases the incredible talent of some of the world’s fastest horses – and some of the world’s best riders. 

Why watch horse racing on your phone? All sports are best enjoyed on a bigger screen, but if you can’t make it work, horse racing is very enjoyable even on a smartphone. All the horses clump together in horse racing, and of course, they all run in the same direction. Unlike football, for example, there aren’t people moving in different directions, and there are no tactics involved. Races like the Grand National at Aintree involve jumps, too, but those are filmed in closeup, so you’ll never miss it. 

Plus, you can bet on your phone, too, so your whole horse racing experience will be complete with the tiny screen in your hand!

Snooker

Snooker is all about strategy, taking your time, and playing the long game. Fast-paced sports often require a bigger screen so you can see all the moving parts, but snooker, on the other hand, is very slow-moving. You can watch it easily on your phone without missing any of the action because the action happens at a very slow pace. 

Snooker is also a very small-scale sport. Unlike team sports, snooker is played on a table, meaning there isn’t much ground to cover for the cameraman. You can easily watch snooker on your smartphone!

Tennis

Wimbledon has been and gone, and millions of people around the world watched in awe as tennis stars battled it out for the top prize. If you love tennis, you’ll know that the small size of the tennis court and the maximum of four players present at one time makes it a great sport to watch on a smartphone. 

Especially if you are watching a grand slam, watching on a phone shouldn’t be an issue. They replay the key shots in slow motion, so you’ll never miss a beat. Although, of course, most would prefer to watch tennis on a TV rather than a phone, tennis is one of the better sports to view on a small screen!

Conclusion

Watching sports on the go, such as on public transport or on your lunch break at work, is one of the most popular pastimes for sports fans! If you occasionally get frustrated by having to watch sports on your phone, try these three sports for the best smartphone viewing experience!

The post 3 Sports You Can Easily Watch On Your Phone appeared first on AppTrawler.

Startup a blog on the side

If you have a business or are just looking to get your thoughts on paper, a blog is a perfect way to make a bit of extra money on the side. There are many ways that you can make extra money from blogging, it just takes time to research and ensure you are doing the right things. One of the most popular ways is through affiliate links, where for everyone that makes a sale through your link, you will get a cut of this. You can also get paid for things such as sponsored posts, sponsored articles, or taking photos of other businesses and write about them to give them coverage.

Play games

While this one might sound too good to be true, playing games online is a great way to make that extra bit of money when you need it the most. There are a host of ways that you can make money this way, so ensure you do your research to find the most legitimate source. You could try looking up live casino bonuses which mean that you don’t initially have to part with any money to take part in casino games. You could also set yourself a limit that means you don’t go over the top and try to make back a profit from what you spend. This is a great way to make money as you can do it in the evening and it is a pastime as well as a money earner. Be sure not to get too hooked on certain games as they can be very addictive!

Sell old items online

While rifling through your old items in order to have a clean out can seem like a chore, when it turns out you can sell these unwanted items for cash, it is a lot more appealing! There are many sites online that will take your second-hand items, including eBay, Depop and many others. Think carefully about what it is that you want to sell and the best places for you to do this. If you are selling clothes then Depop is likely your best bet, whereas if you were looking to get rid of old electronics or other random items then eBay is much likely to be better suited for this. Why not have a mass clearance in order to sell your old things? Not only is this great for helping you to clear your mind, but you will also find that you have a lot more new space in your home and have made some good money at the same time – it’s a win-win situation!

Look into how to utilize your skills

Your skills are what can help you make money, so think about the ones that you excel at the most and utilise these. If you are quite academic there are a number of sites that you can sign up to which will enable you to teach future potential students at school or college. You will get paid for this and not only will it boost your bank balance, but you will also know that you are making a positive impact on someone else’s life which is a great thing to have. As well as tutoring, you could also run workshops, masterclasses and virtual meet ups that enable you to network, improve and impart your wisdom.

Sell your photography

If you are a photographer, it is likely that you have hundreds (if not thousands) of photos stashed on your computer that you love but aren’t quite sure what to do with. If this is the case, it is a good idea to look into selling your photography. One of the best ways to do this is through a stock photo site as they are always looking for contributors to submit their photos and will pay you each time that your image is downloaded. This is a much better way to showcase your work than having it sitting on an old memory stick or memory card in your cupboard gathering dust! There is a good amount of money to be made from your photography, just ensure that you have strong collections that work well together and that you are prepared for the costs that photography might incur. You could also look to make prints of your photos on the side and sell this for a high price. This might be harder to execute as it cuts out the middleman in most cases, but you can reap great rewards from selling your art.

These are just a few simple ways that you can have a side hustle and make some extra cash. Side hustles are great as they are simple to execute, don’t require high levels of maintenance and can earn you a good amount of extra money. Make sure that you do your research before starting up a side hustle and ensure you have enough time to commit to it. As long as you are abiding to these you should have the best chance of success. What other side hustles have you tried? Let us know in the comments below.

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Online learning

The popularity of online learning has soared in recent years, and it is now possible to take a course on virtually any subject from the comfort of your home. If you have time to spare, and you want to use it wisely, signing up for programs, taking classes and developing new skills is a brilliant idea. You can explore everything from web design and digital marketing to coding, modern history, accounting and business development, and you can choose from single modules, short programs and approved college courses. Fees vary, you can work towards all kinds of qualifications and you can decide when and where to study. Learning can build confidence, enhance your long-term career prospects and help you find a job if you’re looking for work at the moment. 

Trading

More and more people are using their time on the web to make money. While some people rely on the Internet to work, others are using websites and online portals to generate additional income. One increasingly popular option is trading. Trading is flexible and it has become much more accessible in recent years as a result of online platforms. To make money from Forex Trading, you no longer have to be an experienced, qualified trader who works in an office in the financial district of a major city. Nowadays, you can trade at home with limited experience. If you are interested in trading, and you’re not experienced, it’s beneficial to start with small investments and to spend some time doing trials and getting to grips with how the markets function. Learn to identify trends and positive signs and be patient. There are risks involved, and it’s often best to bide your time and develop your skills and understanding before increasing the sums you commit. 

Another option is to try your hand at cryptocurrency trading. This is a relatively new development, and it’s fascinating. As well as the opportunity to generate an income, crypto-currencies provide users with anonymous transactions. You can trade from anywhere at any time. 

If you have some savings and are interested in investing in an online activity that will make you some quick returns, this is something to consider. It’s easy to get started, and there are plenty of helpful guides online where you can learn more. However, it has its share of risks making it more critical to gain the necessary skills before delving into the trades. 

It will help if you learn about the different cryptocurrency coins and cryptocurrency exchange in New Zealand. For best results, spend enough time learning about the trades to identify coins with solid potential. 

This will protect you from making costly mistakes and increase your chances of making consistent profits. However, make sure to start with a lower investment and grow your trades from the profits. 

Gaming

Some people might roll their eyes when they see gaming listed as a productive use of time, but for many people, gaming offers a wealth of benefits. Online gaming provides access to social platforms, which bring people together, playing games can be beneficial for stimulating the mind and body and it can bring relief and fun. At the moment, with many people feeling isolated and anxiety levels high across the world, playing games online is an escape route and a means of encouraging social interaction and engagement. There’s a raft of options available and you can dip in and out of games as you wish. 

Online gaming can be purely for entertainment and social purposes. Casino sites, for example, replicate the fun and excitement of the real casino without the social distancing and fears of Covid. Right now, the emotional benefits of reduced stress levels are perhaps the best incentive for choosing online games.

Gaming can also promote key skills like problem-solving while also aiding hand-eye coordination. Thanks to eSports, the best players may even be able to build a career in this field. Alternatively, content creation can be used as a way to make online gaming activities even more productive.

Research suggests that we are spending more time online than ever before. If you’re guilty of scrolling without intent, hopefully, these ideas will inspire you to spend your time wisely. 

The post Productive Ways To Spend Time Online appeared first on AppTrawler.

Look At Contrast

A big part of the process is going to be ensuring that the glasses actually look right for you, otherwise you might find that you don’t really enjoy them. This can affect your confidence and your enjoyment of the glasses themselves, so it’s something that you will want to look into as best as you can. One of the most important aspects to this is contrast, a concept which is absolutely worth knowing about whenever you are trying to choose glasses for yourself.

In simple terms, the contrast is the process of using different colour values to provide an interesting and attractive look. You can do this in many ways with different aspects of your entire look, and it is certainly something you can bear in mind when you are choosing glasses for yourself. You can think about your own skin tone, your hair colour and your eye colour, and try to choose a pair of glasses that contrast well with this. First, identify your level of contrast, and then try to work within it. You will find this really works.

Face Shape

As well as the colour importance of getting the contrast right, you will also want to consider your own face shape and whether or not it is likely to suit a particular style. The truth is, everyone has a particular style that is likely to work best for them, and this is often largely down to the kind of face shape they have. Getting close to this is going to make a massive improvement to how successfully you choose your glasses in the future, whether for gaming or just for general use in your daily life.

For instance: if you have an oval face, you might want glasses that are slightly wider than the widest part of your face. They should be evenly proportioned and softly rounded, ideally, to help accentuate your natural oval face. For a heart-shaped face, glasses that are slightly wider than the forehead are more likely to work. Round faces tend to work best with styles that complement those soft features, while a square face is going to work well with angular, strong glass styles. It’s worth experimenting to ensure that you end up with the right option for your face.

Style

If you care at all about the style of the glasses, then you are going to want to make sure that you think about it very carefully. It’s no use just rushing into it and working it out as you go along, as that is less likely to really succeed. Instead, you might want to think about what kind of style is likely to work for you, and in particular if there are any styles that you think you would particularly enjoy. One way to do this is to think about if there are any famous people you would like to frame yourself on, like a popular but classic John Lennon look for instance.

Alternatively, you can simply go for a completely original style all your own. However, if you are thinking of doing this, you should still make a point of getting the opinion of other people in your life. They will be able to warn you if you are going way too far in a particular direction, or if you are simply way off the deep end, and this can be very useful information to have at a time like this. Ask around and see what people think.

Blue Light Concerns

One thing that a lot of gamers are going to want to think about is whether their glasses are going to effectively block the blue rays of light that come out of the screen. There are a number of known health issues associated with that blue light, including the fact that it can make it harder to get to sleep at night. Luckily for gamers everywhere, there are now many glasses which do actually cater to this, by providing specific protection against that kind of light. Just take a look for gaming glasses with blue light protection to discover more.

Avoiding Eye Strain

As well as the blue light issue, a lot of gamer’s glasses are designed to help with the problem of eye strain, another health concern which you should be thinking about avoiding wherever possible. If you take a look around, you are bound to find a number of glasses that help with this, such as the Gunnar Optiks Onyx, which is proven to help reduce eye strain and also provide that blue light protection we have already spoken about. In any case, it’s something that you should be considering as you shop around.

Comfort

Finally but importantly, you always need to ensure that any glasses you choose are likely to be comfortable to wear, probably for long periods of time. As long as they are, you can be sure that you are going to enjoy them, and most importantly that they are going to be suitable for playing games for hours on end. Look for a high degree of comfortability above all else, and you will find that this really makes a huge difference to which glasses you will want to wear. It’s the kind of decision that can have a huge lasting impact.

The post What To Consider When Choosing Glasses For Gaming appeared first on AppTrawler.

While road trips are exciting, though, the journey can often be arduous, tedious, and frustrating, even uncomfortable. You need to find a way to kill time and make sure the hours fly by as you fly down the highway towards your destination. Whether the trip is two hours or 12 hours, here are some ways you can kill time and keep yourself and the kids entertained until you arrive at your destination. 

Mobile Games 

The mobile game business is enormous, and it feels like there is not a day that goes by without a new game that is sort of the same as an existing game, but also different enough to stand out becomes a hit. Considering you’ll have your phone with you anyway, you can enjoy the wide range of mobile games as well as games that you can play in your browser, such as the Thunderstruck 2 slot free play platform. 

These games will help kill time, and some might even allow you to make some money along the way, which is great for when you need to fill up on gas. Besides online slots, you can also explore all the classics, such as Clash of Clans, Angry Birds, and classics like Snake. 

Video Games

If you’re not a fan of mobile games nor the endless ads that come with them, classic video games are another fantastic way to kill time during your road trip. The likes of the Nintendo Switch have made actual consoles more portable than ever, and there’s always your retro GameBoy to fire up your old Pokemon Red or Blue so you can battle the Elite Four again and emerge victorious. 

While it’s unlikely that your car will have the capacity to install games consoles, you might be able to rig up a system that allows passengers to play during the journey, especially if you go for the classic campervan approach. At least you’ll have space.

Movies and Videos

Movies and videos are a tried and tested solution for passing the time on long journeys. There are so many possibilities that you are spoiled for choice, so consider exactly what you plan on watching at the start of your long journey. 

Maybe there’s a movie that you’ve wanted to watch for years but haven’t gotten around to it. There’s no better time than a road trip. Conversely, you could binge a series that people keep begging you to watch. However, sometimes, you might want to watch something easy, stress-free, and with little commitment, so perhaps your favorite show of all time could be the solution. Prefer social media, then download your favorite Tik Tok, Twitter, or Tik Tok videos on YeetDL to enjoy them on the road without all the roaming costs or connection issues.

You might not want to watch movies or TV for the entire journey, but it’s an excellent way to kill the first few hours. 

Admire the Scenery 

While entertainment seems to be the go-to method for killing time while traveling or taking a road trip, it is not the only way to do so. Considering you’ve taken this road trip to get away from what you do at home, like sitting on the sofa and watching TV all day long, you should take the opportunity to admire the scenery. 

Depending on where you go, you may be introduced to scenery and landscapes that you have never seen before, and you don’t want to spend your entire time staring at a screen. Otherwise, you’ll miss it. Even if you know where you’re going, watching the landscape pass by as you fly down the highway can be a relaxing experience, and it will help psych you up for the rest of your journey. 

Try to Relax 

If you are not in the driving seat, why not relax using one of the new cannabis-based products. ‘CBD gummies’ are one of the latest products to hit the market, and they are growing in popularity thanks to their convenience and range of flavours. Europe is leading the way in terms of legislation and you can Shop CBD gummies in the UK, Germany, France, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and many more. As the health benefits include soothing effects for anxiety and stress relief, it may help you relax on a long journey.

Sleep!

For those who can sleep in cars during road trips, it’s often the go-to solution for killing time. Get comfortable, bring your travel pillow and a blanket in case things get chilly, and relax. 

You might need to deal with the rumbling noise of the highway or other people talking, so a pair of wireless headphones won’t go amiss. Also, make sure you download your favorite playlists for offline play, so you don’t waste your days, especially if you’re crossing state lines and incur roaming charges. 

However, you shouldn’t sleep the entire way as this means you may struggle to get to sleep later that night, but taking a nap for a few hours will reduce the length of the journey dramatically. 

I-Spy and Other Games 

I-Spy, Zitchdog, the Alphabet, and License Plate games are all classics that you can turn to when you are bored, which usually happens as you’re entering hour three of a nine-hour (plus) road trip. The beauty of these games is that everyone knows how to play them, and people of all ages can play them, too, so you needn’t worry about saying the wrong thing if there are kids in the car. 

As you are constantly moving, there is always new scenery and fellow drivers to pick from, meaning that there’s no risk of the game getting repetitive. At the same time, the likes of 20 Questions can engage the brain, forcing you to think, often outside the box, before finding the answer. 

Reading

The advent of e-readers has made it easier than ever to indulge in your favorite book wherever you go. If you’re a fan of colossal fantasy epics, it’s difficult to bring each installment with you. Still, with an e-reader, you can jump in and out all from a single device, and many modern e-readers, such as the Kindle Fire, can even support games and other apps just in case you finish faster than expected. 

Of course, not everyone is on board the e-book train, so the classic paper options are always possible if you prefer to physically turn the page. Just make sure they don’t take up too much space, especially at the expense of your road trip buddies’ things. 

Another option is audiobooks. While some readers despise them and don’t consider them reading at all, playing the first installment of a series through the car stereo could create a host of new fans. 

Photography 

Travel photography is something that everything thinks they can do. As long as you have a camera or even a phone with a camera (which everyone does), you probably can be a travel photographer. 

Even if you have no intention of putting them on a blog or selling them, taking photographs of your journey will give you classic memories that you can look back on for years to come, especially if you make this road trip one last hurrah before everyone settles down with families or moves away. 

From the weird to the wonderful, you can capture photos of everything you come across, and you might even get a few snaps of wildlife that you can’t see anywhere else. 

Write About The Adventure

If you’re not one for photography and find that all of the pictures you take are either blurry, poorly framed, or have a thumb covering half the lens, then writing about the adventure in a travel journal is another superb way to kill time on the road trip. 

The beauty of travel journaling is that you can do it wherever you have a pen and paper. You can follow the Kerouac route and transform it into a wild odyssey of adventure with fictionalized names but real people. You can use the more traditional travel writing approach and focus purely on your surroundings rather than the characters you are traveling alongside. 

Whichever method you choose, you can look back on it whenever you feel you’re missing your adventures and remind yourself that, although the journey was long, it was also immensely enjoyable. 

Weird Stops

Every highway has those weird and quirky stops that you must check out; otherwise, you’ll feel you’re missing something. They are usually found in the middle of nowhere, typically with a gaudy neon sign that flickers in the darkness and a lot of tacky statues or souvenirs standing outside. 

While stopping at these places won’t speed up your journey, it will give you the chance to stretch your legs and take a break, which is essential regardless of the journey’s length. This will make sure your driver can get refreshed, or you can swap over driving duties to give them a break. 

If you’ve got plenty of time to kill, you can even stop for a picnic or grab something from the diner down the road and talk about just how weird that place was. 

Flying By

Even though a road trip can be long and exhausting, finding the right games to play to pass the time will ensure you and your family can enjoy the journey. It might feel as if there is nothing to do while stuck in the car, but as long as you bring enough to pass the time, you’ll find that the entire journey will fly by, and you’ll arrive in no time at all ready for the next stage of your adventure.

The post 10 Ways To Help You Kill Time On the Road appeared first on AppTrawler.

Will you choose a game that’s thrilling and invigorating? Do you prefer a more peaceful game to release some stress? There are a wide range of online games with various paces for all skill levels.

You can race a sports car or solve peaceful crossword puzzles. Your favorite arcade games and characters can likely be found online. You can even play some of the same games you enjoy in real life. Whatever your preference, there’s an online game that will entertain you and eliminate your boredom.

Strategy Games

Strategy games are an enjoyable way to stay mentally sharp while being stuck at home. They can help you develop sharper attentiveness. You will also increase your decision making and reasoning skills while having fun.

Mahjong is a traditional Chinese game of luck and skill. Players draw and discard tiles with symbols to create their hands. Many versions of this fun game can be played online including timed ones that add to the excitement. In fact, playing virtually is a great way to learn the game’s complex rules. 

Solitaire is a classic card strategy game that can pass the time. With countless versions across the internet, you can find one perfect for your skill level. By patiently creating stacks and piles you can clear the deck and beat the game. 

Block stacking and symbol matching games require quick thinking. You’ll race against the clock as you make combinations that will result in a successful win. These challenging games are exciting and better your quick decision making.

Arcade Games

Not being able to hang out at your favorite arcade can be a bummer. However, you can still interact with popular video game heroes and villains right from your home. Many classic arcade games are able to be played online. A lot of retro consoles also offer online versions of their most popular games so you can experience a blast from the past. 

Missing your favorite arcade racing game? You can get the thrill of the chase without even leaving your driveway. Online racing games are both fun and exciting. 

Not only are these driving games entertaining, but they’re also mentally stimulating. By being alert and aware of your surroundings in the digital driving world, you enhance your real-life driving skills. These games also improve your reaction time and hand-eye coordination.

Card Games

Are you missing getting together with your friends for poker night? Do you wish you could still enjoy a fun evening at the casino? With online card games, you can still experience the thrill of a real-life game. 

Online poker is one of the most popular card games on the internet. You can make wagers, build your hand, and make strategic plays right from your computer. Some sites even allow you to play for real cash and prizes. 

Playing Black Jack online can be as exciting as the real thing. With luck and strategy, you can be successful in beating your virtual dealer. This fun game is a great way to get your gambling fix while beating boredom.

Euchre and bridge are relaxing ways to socialize with friends and family. Even though you are at home, you can still enjoy the competitive fun these games bring. You can play these classic card games against virtual opponents to keep your game sharp. Some sites even allow you to connect with friends and play together online. 

Number Games

Looking to keep your math skills sharp while hanging out at home? Basic math abilities can often diminish for adults that don’t use them often. Engaging in fun math games can help you maintain those valuable arithmetic skills. 

Sudoku is a super fun math game that involves creating rows and grids of digits that include every number from one to nine. The game requires trial and error and planning skills. It’s a great way to increase logic and patience. As you improve at the game, you can move on to larger boards for an added challenge. 

Mancala is another great way to calculate while having fun. This game originated on the plains of Africa but has become popular with parents and kids alike all over the world. By moving the virtual pebbles among the cups and collecting them in your pit, you’ll be using math and reasoning skills to beat your opponent.

Word Games

Have you burned through all of your books while being stuck at home? Luckily, there are other ways to keep those English skills top-notch. A fun word game can help you keep your spelling and phonics know how sharp.

Crosswords are a classic game of spelling and skill. Solving the puzzle relies on a combination of knowledge and decoding hidden words. You’ll be surprised at the facts you can recall and the words you can figure out with just a few letters. 

Word building games also help boost your spelling. You can use letters to create words, leading to deeper language knowledge. Some games allow you to race against the clock and create words quickly for an exciting twist. 

Puzzle Games

Jigsaw puzzles are a calming way to pass time. You can challenge yourself with a new puzzle without even leaving your home. You can also try some fun hidden object games that are exciting and addicting. 

Puzzles can give your IQ a boost and improve your memory. Plus, the feeling of satisfaction when placing the last piece to complete the image is riveting. You can get these same benefits from doing online jigsaw puzzles.  

From the youngest of ages, we are fascinated with peek a boo and hide and seek. As adults, looking for a misplaced object in our homes can be frustrating but in the virtual world, it can be invigorating. Searching through an image for hidden objects is an entertaining way to play online. Plus, you’ll feel super fulfilled when you find all of the objects and mark them off your list. 

Conclusion

Being bored at home can be unpleasant, but with online games, you can make the most of it. You will have endless entertainment at your fingertips. Plus, you might learn new things and enhance your skills. 

You can still play your beloved card games from your own couch. The arcade games you love can still be played at home. You’ll likely even find new games you enjoy. Your time being bored at home will be over before you know it. 

The post The Perfect Online Games to Play While Bored at Home appeared first on AppTrawler.

The point of Mahjong is to form a Mahjong hand to win the game. To do this you need to collect four sets (or melds) of three or four tiles and one pair. Sets are same suit triplets (pongs), same suit quadruplets (kongs), or same suit straights (chows.)

Much like other games that are a mix of luck and strategy such as solitaire, Mahjong play can vary based on different sets of rules or types of Mahjong you are playing. There are a lot of options for varied gameplay out there, but the basic idea remains the same. Strategically claim and discard tiles to create a winning hand.

Mahjong does involve a great deal of luck, but there are things you can do to increase your odds of winning. You can practice learning the basics of the game by playing online Mahjong to make sure you have a great grasp of the rules before you take on more experienced players.

Finding online Mahjong options is as easy as a simple web search so it shouldn’t take too much effort to get going. After you have a good understanding of basic gameplay it’s time to take things to the next level. With that in mind here are five strategy hacks you need to know about winning a Mahjong game.

1. Don’t Jump To Grab A Discarded Tile Too Quickly

Since Mahjong rules allow you to claim another player’s discarded tiles if it will create a meld, it can seem tempting to jump on the first chance you get to start your meld. This isn’t always the best way to go about winning the game, especially if the game has just begun.

Keep in mind that other players will be able to get a sense of your plan on how to create your winning Mahjong hand by watching what you claim and what you discard. If you’re too eager to create a meld with someone’s discarded tile you can give your opponents valuable information that may change how they play their game.

If the game has just begun, there are going to be plenty of tiles left to start forming melds, so if you plan things out and take a little more time before jumping on a discarded tile you stand a better chance of winning the game.

2. Don’t Limit Your Options

Building on the previous strategy, keep your options open early on in the game. You can do this by using the tip to not claim tiles too quickly, as well as watching what sets you start to build within your 13 tiles.

You’ll need to remember that once you commit to a meld you have less flexibility to plan out your way to building a Mahjong hand. Once you commit to a set, your plan to win is more cemented than before you made the meld.

This isn’t always a bad thing but it’s something to do with caution. Keeping your options open for as long as possible gives you a better chance of winning. Mahjong is a game of patience more often than not, especially when you’re focused on strategy over luck.

3. If You Have A Pair, Keep It

Once you look over your 13 tiles and start to plan your game, make sure you’re not going to discard a tile that is part of a pair. It’s much easier to create a Pung if you have a pair already than it is to create a pair if you only have one tile.

Pairs are also part of the requirement to win the game so they can be valuable in that sense as well. You don’t have to commit to making a pair you start out with the pair you’ll use in your Mahjong hand but don’t get rid of it either. Build on what you have in your hand as much as possible to keep yourself in the game.

4. Watch The Wall

When you’re removing tiles from the wall, keep in mind what you’re removing and what it will free up. A tile is only free when it is completely uncovered from the row below it. Watching what’s in the wall and planning your moves can be used to both help you win, and to block your opponents from gaining a tile that could help them make a meld.

Always keep in mind there are four of each tile, so if you remove a pair there’s still an identical pair left somewhere within the remaining tiles. Ask yourself what you’re freeing up and what you’re blocking each time you create a pair or remove a tile from the wall.

When you’re deciding which tile to remove this tip will help you make the best decision. Sometimes keeping another player from having the chance to grab a tile from the wall is just as valuable in your winning strategy as creating melds from the tiles you take.

5. Play Smart Defense

Earlier on you read about the value of being slow to pick up discarded tiles. Now it’s time to use that same tip to your advantage in another way. Watch what your opponents are claiming closely and make your moves accordingly.

Watching what your opponents claim will help you figure out which sets they are building on. If you know which tiles they are going to need to create a Mahjong hand, you can be even more careful about what you free up in the wall, and what you discard from your hand.

Before you pick up your next tile or discard another one from your hand ask yourself if you’re freeing up something that is going to benefit another player. If your move is going to give them a tile they need, take a moment to rethink things.

It’s inevitable that you’ll free up tiles another player can use, but you can prevent moves that will benefit them more than they’ll benefit you if you spend a little time thinking ahead and playing a good defensive game.

Mahjong is popular for a good reason. The gameplay is highly interactive and addicting when in a group setting. There are a lot of rules and traditions that accompany the game but that only increases its intrigue. It’s not a game that you’re going to get bored with after just a few minutes.

Mahjong gives you a chance to strategize and effectively calculate your options which can be a very rewarding feeling when it results in a win. The more you practice the strategies you’ve learned here the better you’ll become.

When you’re a formidable opponent who keeps other players on their toes the game takes on an entirely new level. Take the time to learn and understand the rules and these strategies so you can really enjoy the next game you join in on. You won’t regret it.

The post 5 Strategy Hacks You Need To Know About Mahjong appeared first on AppTrawler.

The research by Just indicates that whilst Millennials might be jokingly stereotyped as avocado-eating, beard-wearing, phone-obsessed, influencers, the subscription culture that surrounds them might actually be harming their ability to get on the housing ladder.

Check out the infographic below and see how many monthly subscriptions and so-called tools you use on a regular basis.

Sources can be found at Just Mortgage Brokers

The post Could Your Apps Stop You Buying A House? appeared first on AppTrawler.

Simplenote

Starting with my personal favorite, Simplenote is available online and on  iOS, Android, Mac and Kindle. it  is as simple to use as the name suggests. All notes are saved whilst you work and update automatically across devices meaning you can start your list in the office and have it on your phone as you commute. These lists can be searched, tagged, printed and shared via email. The app also has version control, so you can easily skip back in time if required. Sadly, there is no ‘ticking-off’ feature which is a fundamental part of any list. The best feature of this app? It’s completely free!

Wunderlist

When it comes to ‘to-do’ list apps, few have it nailed like Wunderlist which balances simple list making with additional task management features. Like Simplenote, it works across a variety of devices and allows you to create lists for just about anything. On both tasks and lists you can set due dates, reminders, recurring tasks and share them with colleagues, friends and, in my case, family – so we know what needs to be done and when. Lists can be printed (and stuck on the fridge) and you can mark certain tasks across lists as favourites to create a new list of urgent or enjoyable to-dos. This app has a free version but also paid versions when you want additional features such as assigning to-dos, messaging or attaching files. There is also a version for business users that has all the additional features of the ‘pro’ version with additional collaboration tools and security.

Evernote

Evernote is so much more than just a to-do list: it combines bookmarking, note taking, document storage, and project management to one cross-device app (it syncs to phones, tablets and desktops). The aim of the app is to “remember everything, from lifelong memories and vital information to daily reminders and to-do lists”. It has a clean, uncluttered interface and the fact you can add photos, audio clips, scanned images, makes it a hugely useful app that can be used from a creative concept phase through to organising tasks associated to finalise a project. Whilst the search function is fantastic, already premium users have additional search functions such as PDF, attached document and spreadsheet search which is helpful for those business users.

Paperless

Paperless is the only app you have to initially pay for, but there is a free version that contains just a checklist section of the app. Paperless may have less functionality that Wunderlist and Evernote,  however it does have some features that make it stand out. Primarily, it is fully customisable with a myriad of high resolution backgrounds to choose from, and an array of icons to use to really make it your own. Secondly, it has both a duplicate list option which is great for lists that share common tasks, but it also supports a wireless bluetooth keyboard meaning you can use your tablet and keyboard together to create more extensive collections on lists. As with the apps mentioned above, this syncs seamlessly across devices giving you access to your lists from just about any device.

Trello

Trello borrows a lot from all of the above apps and leans more towards project management than simple list making. Everything in Trello revolves around cards, which are like virtual post-it notes, which can include notes, images, and of course the almighty list. These cards can be colour coded and combined in projects (or just simple columns) on which other people can add, edit or collaborate on. Trello is available online, on iPhone and Android devices, and whilst the app works on tablets it is yet to have a dedicated tablet app. Despite this shortfall, it is a fantastic app with all the functionality a compulsive list maker could want.

The above apps range from the simplistic to the feature-filled, and cater for all types of list maker. So whether you are simply planning your weekly shop, or organising the lighting design for a major museum, these apps are fantastic fantastic for bringing order and priority to a busy work schedule.

About the Author

Ellen Murphy works at The Light Lab, a London based architectural lighting specialist, responsible for many of the capital’s landmark buildings as well as various international projects. Ellen and the team believe that lighting should be an integral part of a building design and that bespoke lighting solutions offer a higher level of quality and performance in the final installation.

The post 5 Apps For Efficient List Making appeared first on AppTrawler.

Though the Android framework is not that complex, but its learning ropes might entangle you and trap you in the very beginning of your career. To reap the utmost benefits of Android app development, you need to work cautiously. You can avoid certain common mistakes and accomplish your project with ease.

Without any further ado, here is a list of few frequent mistakes that newbies generally make.

Avoid blocking requests on the User Interface-thread:

Isn’t it annoying and frustrating, when an application shutdowns or stop working while responding with an input? This could happen if the UI thread of the application is kept blocked for a longer period.

Every Mobile App Development Services provider uses various practices to develop an effective and user friendly mobile apps. Applications often initiate with a single thread that runs a message loop, and everything that is visible to the viewers, feedback that they receive, Activity onResume, drawing events, etc., all these are regulated via the message loops. If anything executing in this thread is consuming a lot of time, it will frustrate the users and force them to ultimately abandon that app.

You can use ThreadPoolExecutors and AsyncTasks to guard against blocking calls. It will toss these calls over worker threads. And for processing the results, you can implement callbacks and post messages in your message loop of the UI-thread, once the background tasks are accomplished.

Furthermore, you can enable “Strict mode” in your device to facilitate visual feedbacks to the users, while your app is running certain operations on the UI-thread.

Over commenting is a bad practice:

Indubitably, giving comments in between the chunks of code will make your program easy to comprehend in the future. But, adding extraneous or elongated comments is not a good practice, it can hamper your performance and make the code appear a bit clumsy and cluttered.

Avoid screwing up the programming format:

This has been observed quite often that newbie programmers screw up the formatting and make it rather hard to understand upon reading. It is that common that you can easily recognize a skilled programmer and a rookie one. Though, there are certain programming languages that demands formatting, but there are several others like JavaScript that do not.

Don’t forget the visuals – make it more interactive:

It has been observed that rookie developers often commit this mistake, but, it is quite simple to remedy this issue.

Creating an interactive application will add to its market success, thus it’s advisable to integrate certain functions to lend a positive feedback while the user interacts with the application. For instance, when users push a button, it must be highlighted before responding to the action.

With Android, you can assign StateListDrawable to your custom screen element and for this, you can build a drawable XML file featuring a state selector.

Read the Android documentation thoroughly beforehand:

Seeking guidance from the Android Developer website can help the beginners achieve their goal with ease. You will get a huge chunk of the documentation along with the SDK tools, which can also be downloaded online. This documentation not only epitomizes Javadoc API reference, but also includes tutorials, videos, etc., that can make Android app development a breeze.

Moreover, you can seek help from the Android Training for learning via resourceful tutorials that are well organized into several lessons and classes to assist the newbies and solve their doubts.

Efficient Java programming is required – Don’t be a lazy programmer:

Since, Java is a high end programming language featuring a virtual machine and demands high level skills; for developing using Java, you need to have your hands on the language prior to beginning the development process. It possesses standard programming guidelines. And, an inefficient and incorrect program can push your project into jeopardy; thus, it’s better to participate actively and work efficiently.

Maintain a regular backup of your work:

It is highly annoying when hours of hard work and efforts disappear in the end (or mid) due to certain stupid issues (either hardware or some other issue). Hence, it’s better to avoid such situations and take backup of your work at regular intervals while coding.

Integration with the OS:

There is a plethora of utile features that Android platform offers developers to easily and efficiently integrate their application with the other applications and systems. You can seek benefits of the intent handling, home screen widgets, and other useful functions, and ensure that your app is easily accessible over the mobile platforms and thus, can engage potential viewers with ease.

Wrapping Up:

The above mentioned are some of the rookie mistakes that newbies often commit while developing their Android application. Get familiar with these common mistakes and avoid them to ensure an effective application at the very first attempt. However, it’s advisable to keep improving your skills and efforts and reap its incredible benefits while contributing to the Android community. Remember: “Practice makes a man perfect”.

The post 8 Most Common Blunders That Android Beginners Should Avoid appeared first on AppTrawler.

New updates for Google Play Games Services

Gaming is an enormous market for Google, and the lead product manager for Google Play Games said that they saw 2013 as a breakout year. The company has seen more than a billion Android devices activated, which is an enormous target market. They also say that 75 percent of Android users use their devices to play games. No wonder Google is taking the gaming market so seriously.

As part of their commitment to gaming, Google has just released new updates for Google Play Games Services, and also the Google Play Games app, which bring some exciting new abilities to the Android gaming world. The element that will be most appreciated by gamers is the ability to have cross-platform games. Currently, Android users cannot play games with their iPhone friends, and vice versa. It is a frustrating limitation, and users will be happy to see the end of it.

Multi-player gaming across iOS and Android

The new Games Services toolkit update gives game developers the ability to create multi-player games across both platforms. While it still depends on developers to make use of this feature, this could lead to a wider game play experience – one where you can play with all of your friends.

Once developers incorporate this capability into their games, it will be possible to play both real-time games and turn-by-turn games with all of your friends, whether they are Android lovers or iPhone fans. There are benefits for game developers, too. Widening people’s pool of friends to play with could mean they become more engaged with the game, and keep playing longer. It also could lead to more players in a game, as people get their friends to play, regardless of what platform they are on.

In-game gifting – an excellent strategy to draw in more players

There are other changes in the newly announced updates, as well. One thing is that developers can now add gifting capabilities into their games. The idea is that players could send an in-game gift to any of their friends who are playing the same game, as long as that person is in their Google+ circles. This could help new players discover the game, when they see their friends sending and receiving gifts. It can also increase engagement by encouraging that interaction with friends.

The Google Play Store is also being redesigned for games, with eighteen new categories meant to exceed the expectations of every avid gamer out there. The intention is to help people find games they would like more easily. The store previously had very broad game categories like “Casual”. When someone is looking for a role playing game, for example, it is a lot easier to find something they want if they can browse through a more descriptive category.

There is also a change to help game creators improve their monetization with better in-game advertising. Google is integrating AdMob (which is their platform for mobile advertising) with analytics. This could let game developers target specific players with ads for in-game purchases.

The post Cross-platform game support between Android and iOS- Google added a boost in-app gaming engagement appeared first on AppTrawler.

Smaller and Better

The ability to (phonetically) record an ambiance was once a technological marvel. Today, audio-visual recording devices are getting smaller and exceedingly advanced. Consider the proliferation of content on social media sites such as YouTube and FaceBook. Virtually any person handling a smart mobile device from anywhere can use software such YTD and may convert, create and upload content within a small timeframe. As devices get smaller and advanced (think Google Glass), a number of ethical questions come to the forefront.

Spyware?

The producers of the Narrative Clip urge consumers to search elsewhere if needing devices to spy on friends and loved ones. The clip is not very realistic in helping James Bond-types succeed in undercover missions. Though small, and not aesthetically revealing of its technological ability, the device is intended for hands free yet repeated recording of events. Such practical settings could include a child’s birthday party or a scientist’s lab slides.

The Autographer is more overt in serving as a camera, alerting those within sight of an oncoming shot via a blue light. Moreover, the devices fish-eye lens prevents wearers from taking head-on shots of others without making it blaringly obvious.

Privacy Protection

In theory, we act in public by a particular code of ethics and laws. Does it matter if someone takes a picture of you while strolling the bookstore or eating in a café? In theory, if we’re doing nothing wrong, maybe there’s nothing wrong with being recorded, yet no one can dismiss the uneasy feeling of privacy invasion.

As more devices are produced and the number of individuals wearing them in public increases, lawmakers will need to contend with a new trove of ethical and legal implications. As it stands, technically, it is legal to wear such small recording devices in public, outside of public restrooms, strip clubs, casinos and other venues that prohibit such actions.

Etiquette vs. Value

Those who find value in new wearable gadgets will counter those who view such devices as added intrusions and nuisance. Like a number of products and services, the etiquette versus value issue may reside in behavior.

For example, Facebook is an incredible social tool used by people all over the world. One may use it for commerce, keeping in touch with relatives, or misuse it to bully classmates and spread falsehoods. Producers of wearable technology hope products are seen as valuable commodities rather than threats to privacy and standards of etiquette.

Wearable technology is here. If wearable tech is here to stay remains unanswered. In addition to clip-on cameras, expect to see Google Glass, virtual-reality headphones and more ‘wearable’ yet technologically advanced wearables in a public café, bookstore, or crowded city street near you.

Make sure you respect IP with video downloads.

The post Wearable Technology: Mapping Groovy Gadgets From Head to Toe appeared first on AppTrawler.

Try to imagine the world without computers. It’s pretty difficult right? They are so ingrained in everything we do today that it’s hard to imagine life without them. Back in 1997, only 18% of homes in the USA has access to the internet. In 2012 that number was 75%

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NFL.com Game Center Lite Apps for Smartphones

Keep track of your favorite pro-football team anytime, night or day. Follow up-to-the-minute stats and scores into the post-season playoffs. The official National Football League is the perfect mobile-application formatted with all of the basic features: rundowns of play-by-play action, live scores, audio and video-clips, player profiles, team insights, and breaking news. The Game Center Lite version meets the needs of most fans, while additional functions and features are available for a fee.

NFL.com Game Center Lite App

The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Game-Center app makes this the ideal choice for hockey fans.  Stats, scores, news, and standings can be customized to provide easy access to the latest team info.  Special audio/video features are available in paid versions of the app.

NBA Game Time Apps

Live scores, detailed stats, league standings, and team/player information are available on the official National Basketball Association’s (NBA) mobile-application. Game Times’ ability to interface prompts immediate navigation between games and player data. Upgrades allow users to remove ads and access visual and auditory game highlights. NBA Game Time makes it easy to keep track of teams and place bets.

MLB.com at Bat Lite for Smartphones

Major League Baseball’s official, MLB.com at Bat Lite, application presents pro-baseball scores, information, news, schedules, standings, player stats, and schedules. The free version runs a few video-clips each day on software that can be customized to highlight favorite teams. Paid versions feature game-day live audiovisuals for smartphones.

ESPN ScoreCenter Mobile Apps

The ESPN ScoreCenter app offers up-to-the minute sports scores and league information for teams throughout the world. Free and easily accessed, customized tabs can be organized according to preferred sports-teams. Whether you’re following baseball, cricket, basketball, rugby, football, hockey, and/or soccer, information is readily available.

Free Sports Betting and Injury Reporter Apps for your Smartphone

Any fantasy football player will appreciate immediate access to the most recent sport’s news. Find out what teams the fans are betting on, and where the sharp money is being placed. The Sports Insights’ Free Sports Betting App delivers betting trends, live odds, the latest scores, and more. The Injury Reporter App provides breaking news related to injuries and status changes through a text messaging feature. Both apps are free for smartphones.

These top sports and sport’s betting apps deliver the most current info about all major games in around the world. Fast-loading and easy to use, the apps can be easily customized. No matter what your sport, you can follow your favorite teams, establish your fantasy football line-up, set wagers, and search for up-to-the moment sport’s insights, tailor-made for you.

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If you grew up in simpler times you might find yourself reminiscing about the golden years, when cameras used film, hair was teased, jeans were acid-washed and portable sounds came from a Walkman. If you love the idea of revisiting your youth, but can’t bear the thought of parting with your iPhone or iPad, add a touch of nostalgia into your day with these fun and functional retro-inspired iOS apps.

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