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Best eReaders Available In UK In 2016

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amazon kindle original

In last few years, the choice for e-readers have not much increased, as Amazon only has tried to release some new models in the last year. Again, this does not mean that the era of e-books is going to end. It’s only suggest that the number of people opting for Smartphones and tablets to read books has increased.

Let me tell you that there are some good reasons why you should opt for a dedicated e-reader. First of all, they are cheaper compared to iPad and are simply easy to handle. You can find good deals on e-readers using Argos voucher code. Moreover, when we compare an e-reader with a book, it is lighter and can store hundreds of books in it, all at the same time. This means if you are on a vacation for more than two weeks, you just need to carry an e-reader with you.

Most of the e-readers found in the market have a 6in E Ink screen. They feel like a paper and does not emit light like the LCD screen of a phone or a tablet. So they are perfect for reading at night. Most of the e-readers come in good size and weight which makes them easy to be held for a long time. Most of them come with a touchscreen and almost have the weight of about 200g. This means you can easily carry them in a bag or find a place for them in the over-sized pockets.

The battery life of the e-readers is also better compared to phones as they completely depend on page turns, unlike hours. So if you are opting for a tablet to read e-books chances are there that you may find them getting short of battery life whereas, on the other side, the e-reader will go on for weeks without charging. Another thing that you need to consider about e-readers is about its source of content. For example, if you are going for Kindle, it only allows to get books from the online bookstore of Amazon, whereas Kobo allows reading books from any store.

Some 7 best e-readers that you can buy in 2016 in the UK.

Amazon Kindle Voyage
Without any doubt, Kindle Voyage is definitely the best option when it comes to e-readers. It’s better screen resolution, buttons to turn page and slim design can make it a better option. It is somewhat costly compared to Paperwhite, but if money is not an issue, you can definitely go for it. Still you can manage to get a good deal by going for Currys promo code.

Amazon Kindle 7th Generation
If you are looking for e-readers, Kindle is still the best option. It enables you to keep on reading anywhere that too without any presence of screen light.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
You can end your search for the best e-reader at Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. Best design and amazing display and access to a large library makes it the best option. The short battery life and its price may not make you that happy, but it is really worth its price.

Nook GlowLight
If you are looking for an e-reader with backlight, then Nook GlowLight can be a good option. It is even lighter than the Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite.

Kobo Aura H2O
The best thing about this e-reader is that it is water resistant. You may have to pay more for this feature. Many people believe that it is worth the price for its water resistant feature, but its unresponsive interface may turn out to be a problem.

Kobo Aura HD
Kobo Aura comes with a plastic body yet feels better compared to Amazon’s Kindle. You may experience little problems when having your books on it but the reading experience is what matters in the end. With Kobo Aura HD you can have a comfortable reading experience.

Bookeen CyBook Ocean
The e-reader comes with large screen and light weight frame, it is not that better compared to others when it comes to power. The e-reader helps you to connect to a French language bookstore which can be helpful to those people who understands the language better. It is bit expensive too when we compare it with the features of other e-readers.

So choose wisely and buy an e-reader which takes you to the other world of reading with ease.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...


The Benefits of Mobile Payments Solutions

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Close Up Of A Man Shopping Online Using Laptop With Credit Card

There are multiple technologies that have been developed in the recent past to aid in streamlining payments for businesses. One of these ideal solutions is mobile payment, which provides small and medium-sized companies to process customer payments with greater ease. Dalberry has developed this type of technology known as online payment gateway.

Basically, this is a platform that integrates your business payment systems with banking institutions without any onsite hardware set-up. Here are the benefits of using this type of mobile payment solution over alternatives for your business.

Low Set-Up Cost

The main challenge facing small and medium sized businesses when setting up a payment method is the cost. There are obvious costs such as purchase of a point of sale system, setting up and other related expenses. In addition, the company must ensure that the set-up is PCI standards, and this can be costly. With online payment gateway, the initial costs are low because the payment system is already set up. The payment platform is hosted by the developer, so it is their responsibility to ensure that the PCI standards are followed. Moreover, this is a mobile payment method; you can process the transactions through your desktop or mobile device.

Fast Implementation

When upgrading your payment solution, it is important to ensure that it can be implemented fast. Delays in the process will cause your business to incur extra charge, which in turn affect the profit margins. The online payment gateway is perfect with regard to this aspect because you can integrate your pre-existing payment set-up with the new system. Basically, Dalberry Technologies direct API integration to businesses that have their own program. If your business was not already handling online payments, you can use the hosted page which is highly user-friendly.

dalberry-image

Payment Security

The security of the customer payment data is paramount in any business. This will build consumer trust in your company and prevent cases of identity and financial fraud. With online payment gateway, you will get good security without extra charges. All transactions are routed securely through the Dalberry servers. These are secured against unauthorised access and protected against potential hacking. Moreover, the payment system complies with the Payment Card Industry standards. This means that you can rest easy, knowing that clients are not at risk of fraud.

Real-Time Reporting

Mobile payment systems are ideal because they offer synchronised real-time reporting on transactions. As a business owner, you should understand the value and importance of having current and actionable data from your operations. This information can help in exponentially improving and growing. For example, the data can help you analyse the customer behaviours and their interests. If you know the frequency of goods purchase, the amount they spend and preferred payment methods, you can create a campaign to target new and current clients more appropriately.

Payment Method Flexibility

There are hundreds of payment methods that are available for consumer to utilize when conducting their transactions. Unfortunately, it is not easy for a growing business to cater to all these needs since the costs can be exponential. You can resolve this challenge by using the online payment gateway. As implied, this is a pathway or platform that it designed to link businesses with banking institutions. Therefore, there are numerous options that your clients can choose to handle their payments when checking out their purchases. With this system, they can pay using diverse local and even international methods. Consequently, your business will grow.

Data Storage

The Dalberry mobile payment solution provides flexible payment solutions with regard to customer data storage. If you are using the API integration option, you can have the payment data routed through your servers. This is a convenient choice for larger businesses that prefer to have the card and online payment information on their own servers. On the other hand, your business is not obligated to store and access payment data by the online payment gateway. This is a favourable choice for younger companies because card data storage requires more security in order to comply with the PCI standards.

A good mobile payment solution like the online payment gateway by Dalberry can elevate your business. It will improve your convenience with regard to payment management, save your business money on set-up and even give you better insight on customer shopping trends and how you can benefit from the behaviours.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

EE Launches New And Improved ‘Robin’ The 4G Kids Tablet

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EE, today unveiled the next generation of the popular 4G tablet designed specifically for parents and their children – the Robin.

The new Robin now comes with:

  • new single player and multiplayer motion gaming
  • a new and improved Hopster learning & entertainment app
  • a specially designed child-proof bumper with a carry handle and kickstand
  • 2MP rear-facing camera

The redesigned Robin also features Android Lollipop 5.1, a quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, and 16GB internal storage (expandable to 32GB with a 16GB MicroSD card) which is double that of the original Robin.

New bundled content

The new Robin comes with over 40 pre-loaded games, educational apps and eBooks, including hits such as Subway Surfer and Motion Sports. Motion Sports specifically allows children to compete interactively with motion gestures via the inbuilt camera. New content can easily be downloaded and added to the Robin through the Google Play app store, with every new piece requiring approval by the parent before children can access it.

In addition, children get free access to Hopster, a unique digital playroom for the under 6s that combines 1500 episodes of the very best kids TV shows, learning games and over 100 songs and nursery rhymes into a single ad-free app. Kids can enjoy shows such as The Gruffalo, Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom and Thomas and Friends alongside a specially chosen line up of learning videos designed to support Hopster’s academically-vetted curriculum.

new-4g-robin-kids-tablet-from-ee-user-interface

Parental controls

Crucial for a tablet aimed at children, there is a simple-to-use parental control system, so a child’s online experience can be safe and easily managed. These controls include web filtering, app management and time control management. These filters can be relaxed as a child grows, giving them increased access to social networks and more age appropriate content if required.

The app management system empowers parents to decide which apps are appropriate for their kids, and to restrict whichever they choose. A separate time control function gives parents the option to limit how much time children can spend on the tablet or on any particular application.

Sharon Meadows, Director of Devices at EE said:

Last year we introduced the world’s first 4G tablet for kids which proved extremely popular in the run up to Christmas. So this year we’ve given the Robin a makeover, to ensure it is once again the perfect gift for parents who want a tablet which can provide their children with hours of entertainment and e-learning in a protected online environment.

The new Robin will be available on a range of Pay monthly plans starting from £17 a month on an EE Essentials 24 month plan, and comes with 2GB data and three months of Hopster content for free.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

Everything You Need To Know About Hacked Facebook Accounts

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htc salsa facebook dedicated button

 

Technological advancement and hacking have always gone hand-in-hand. As new technologies evolve, hacking methods improve. The popularity of social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others created a new breeding ground for hackers and hacking methods. Although some hackers claim they do it for ‘fun’, usually, hacking is done for malicious intentions.

What’s so interesting in Hacked Facebook Accounts?

There is no limit to the type of information people share on their Facebook accounts- the location of your house, the car you have, your future plans for a vacation, photographs of your children in the pool, the family dog, valuable possessions.

People like to share this information, bragging to their friends, without even realizing that there is someone out there planning their next burglary based on that information. Other cases where people were known to use hacked Facebook accounts for internet shaming and bullying, usually by and of teenagers and young adults. The result is always the same, the original account owner suffers from criminal activity that might also lead to the loss of a life.

Whatever the reason is, it is a fact that hacked Facebook accounts have become a global and growing problem. Even the most technological people are at risk of getting their account hacked. All it takes is one click of the mouse.

facebook-accounts-being-hacked-growing-security-concern

Hacking methods and how to avoid them

There are many ways to hack Facebook accounts. Some methods are complicated and required a skilled hacker. Unfortunately, other methods are so simple it could be done by practically anyone with minimal technical knowledge and curiosity. Today, you could easily find websites offer free hacking tools, one google search away.

Perhaps the simplest method of hacking requires what is called “social engineering”. It requires some knowledge of the victim, and some personal information- names of pets, children, spouses, and important dates that could easily be matched to create the desired password. This type of hack will be used by someone who is close to you, and normally involves getting personal information or chat logs.

Other types of hacks, are only slightly more difficult and require some technical knowledge. Phishing is one of the most popular methods and it requires creating a fake website that looks like the website you’re trying to access. The URL, which gives a fake or different website address, will usually disclose such websites. However, people who are not technological would easily miss these hints.
Another popular hacking method is using a keylogger. Keyloggers are programs that run in the background and record the keys pressed by the user. Since keylogging is usually an additional program, these methods are often used on public computers, such as libraries, internet cafes, etc. One program can record usernames and passwords of endless amounts of people, resulting in numerous hacked facebook accounts.

However, it seems as though the most popular method of hacking done today, are in-website malicious programs. These programs disguise themselves as apps, tricking the user into pressing a link to install them. The malware then takes over the hacked Facebook account, duplicating itself, and sending a link to the user’s friends list.The result is horrific. The program quickly spreadsitself across the web, becoming almost unstoppable.

What should you do in case you got hacked?

First of all, don’t panic. Take a deep breath. Then go to your setting menu. Choose the ‘security’ option and click on ‘where you’re logged in’. This will show you all the devices from which your account has been accessed. You should click ‘log out’ and immediately change your password. You should also report to Facebook that your account has been hacked.

In any case, don’t press on links that seem suspicious and try to avoid logging onto your page from random computers. Change your password regularly and be web-smart.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

Denon Launch AH-C160W Wireless Sports Earphones

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Denon AH-C160W Wireless In-Ear Sports headphones running

Denon has launched its new AH-C160W Wireless In-Ear Sports headphones, bringing its reputation for quality to music on the go.

The over-the-ear bluetooth headphones are designed for comfort, and can be used for commuting and leisure, but also excel for sports with their close fitting design. Denon’s unique Earhook technology ensures the earphones stay in place, even during the most strenuous workout, while a choice of three sizes of ring, and four sizes of silicon tips (with Comply memory foam technology) lets you get the perfect fit.

Denon AH-C160W Wireless In-Ear Sports headphones closeupAble to cope with the most strenuous workouts the AH-C160W’s are rated to IPX5/7 to easily manage rain or sweat.

The sound of the AH-C160W has been tuned using all of Denon’s 5O+ years of experience in headphone design, and makes use of sophisticated digital signal processing to make the most of your favourite music. Connectivity comes from high-power Bluetooth Class 1 meaning you should get a solid connection to your phone no matter where you carry it.

The buttons on the side allow you to change volume, skip tracks, take calls. Denon have integrated enhanced audio technology – “Clear Voice Capture” – which uses a sophisticated noise reduction system to deliver the clearest voice quality for phone calls – even in the noisiest environments.

The battery life is rated at 4 hours continuous use.

Key Features:

  • High-quality 11.5mm drivers with digital signal processing
  • Bluetooth Class 1 connectivity for tangle-free use and reliable connection
  • Clear Voice Capture noise reduction for phone calls, plus voice prompts
  • Earhook technology and a choice of eartips for comfort and a secure fit
  • Tough construction for life on the move
  • Sweat and moisture protection for long-term durability
  • Accessories: 1 pair of Comply Foam eartips, 4 pairs of silicon eartips (XS, S, M, L), 4 types of rings, USB charging cable, carrying case with carabiner

Denon AH-C160W Wireless In-Ear Sports headphones - complete pack with accessories

>> The Denon AH-C160W Wireless Sport Headphones are available at selected Denon retailers, or online in black, blue and white with an RRP of £149.00

 

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

How Smartphone Apps Are Influencing Our Society

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Pick of the Crop Apple Games and Apps Featured

New research has revealed that smartphones and apps are having a huge impact on British lifestyles, as 39% of the UK admit Facebook has positively changed their life.

Mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse polled the British public to find out what aspects of their everyday life have been impacted by smartphones.

Apps

The research revealed that Brits are taking to their mobile devices to control their social lives, as 44% use their handset to arrange meet ups with friends, a quarter (25%) book gig and theatre tickets, and 7% arrange dates through Apps on their devices.

Over a third (36%) of those surveyed were affected politically, as what they read or see on social media would persuade them to go and vote. Social media resonated best with 18 to 24 year olds, with nearly half (48%) saying social media posts made them more likely to vote.

As technology and smartphone apps have advanced, so has the number of apps Brits have at their fingertips and many are using these to learn new skills. One in three of those polled revealed that they have learnt a new language through smartphone apps.

Carphone Warehouse can reveal the top ten apps which have helped to change lives in a positive way include:

  1. Facebook (39%)
  2. Banking apps (28%)
  3. Health and fitness apps (21%)
  4. Twitter (21%)
  5. Instagram (18%)
  6. Travel apps (13%)
  7. Linkedin (12%)
  8. Education apps (8%)
  9. Productivity apps (7%)
  10. Dating apps (7%)

Health & Fitness

The study also found that smartphone apps are encouraging Brits to improve their fitness, with more than half of Brits (51%) being more likely to stick to a diet or fitness plan with help from an app. The addition of a fitness tracker or smartwatch makes tracking your activities even more reliable and many set goals to achieve on a weekly or monthly basis.

24% of users arealso using their smartphones to educate themselves. One in three (34%) Brits have learnt a new skill from using an app on their smartphone, with cooking (30%), speed reading (30%) and coding (27%) being some of the most popular.

Laura Harricks, Online Trading Director at Carphone Warehouse, said:

Smartphones have become such a normalised part of society that we can sometimes forget the variety of things they help us to achieve on a daily basis. From paying bills, to working out and even falling in love, it’s amazing to see how this technology has transformed our way of life so drastically.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

5 Great Ways To Ensure You Have Enough Bandwidth For Your Site

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macbook pro website bandwidth

When it comes to finding the right web host for your business, uptime, reliability and good customer service are most likely to be the first features you look out for. On top of this, however, you also need to think about the amount of disk space you will be allocated, and the amount of monthly website bandwidth you’ll be entitled to.

But how do you ensure you always have enough bandwidth so that your website remains online all month long? Below, we’ve put together five great ways to ensure you have enough bandwidth for your website.

  1. Ask your web host

If you’re unsure of whether or not your new web hosting package will be able to accommodate your needs, then consider asking your web host directly. By giving them information about the size of your website and the number of visitors you’re likely to get, they’ll be able to calculate how much bandwidth they think you’ll need, and provide you with a free estimate in the process. Some web hosts offer unlimited, or unmetered, bandwidth, which gives you more flexibility and ensures you’ll always be online.

  1. Look at your control panel

If your website is hosted on a shared web hosting server with a control panel such as cPanel, you’ll be able to log into your account directly and see how much bandwidth you have left. You can find out more about how to monitor your site’s bandwidth on the cPanel website.

  1. Use a content delivery network

Content delivery networks, commonly referred to as CDNs, deliver your content across multiple servers and reduce the load on your main server. Software such as Cloudflare sells itself on its security features alongside bandwidth savings and is free to use for start-up websites. You can, of course, upgrade to a premium package, or consider an alternative such as StackPath or WordPress’ very own Jetpack, which includes an image CDN for free.

  1. Get more bandwidth than you need

If you’re unsure of how much traffic your website is going to get, then the best way to avoid that pesky ‘bandwidth limit exceeded’ warning is to buy considerably more bandwidth than you’re likely to use. The web hosting packages at PAC Web Hosting, for example, all come with generous bandwidth allowances so that you’ll never run short.

  1. Use a bandwidth calculator before signing up

Numbers never lie, so if you want to find out an accurate figure of how much bandwidth your website is likely to use in a given month, then download a bandwidth calculator. This plugin, which is available for WordPress, takes the sizes of your web pages and combines them with figures of your monthly page views to determine how much bandwidth you’ll need.

It’s a handy tool that can save you time and money, so we recommend trying it out if you’re working with a web host that charges for bandwidth in small increments so that you can enjoy the maximum cost savings.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

Penclic B3 Review – Bluetooth Mouse

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Penclic Mouse B3 Featured

Ever thought about the reliving the pain of your wrist that it has to endure every time you use a traditionally designed mouse? Well, it’s true that continuous use of the mouse can put a serious strain on your wrist that often goes unnoticed.

In case you’re wondering about how to deal with such wrist pain, then it’s high time that you consider trying the Penclic Mouse B3 that boasts a unique ergonomically design which lets your hands feel relaxed, even when working. Exclusively designed for those who suffer from carpal tunnel or enjoy the feeling of holding a pen, the pen-grip mouse works just fine for both the righties as well as the lefties.

Why Buy?

Are you looking for a mouse that can let you harness the dexterity and the natural power of body movements right in your hands and the fingers? Then this lightweight and super-stylish Penclic mouse can offer the most natural and healthy working positions for your hands. Giving your fingertips the ease of superior navigation and precise movements that lead to better results, this pen-grip mouse can be an ideal choice if you expect more from your mouse than just endless clicking.

Penclic Mouse B3 - Box

Key Features:

We review the Penclic Mouse B3, which comes with various impressive features that can make you fall for it immediately. Let’s have a look at some of its major features that are worth mentioning:

  • Comes with seamless Bluetooth connectivity
  • Along with the scroll wheel, there are three buttons
  • Its unique pen grip design prevents risks of RSI
  • After every 10 minutes, energy saving mode turns on
  • It has laser sensors that operate on every surface, without tablet or pad
  • Its DPI sensitiveness settings are 800-1200-1600
  • Doesn’t require additional driver or software installation
  • It can be recharged, using a USB cable
  • The AAA 1.2V NiMH battery lasts around a month before it needs recharging again

Specifications:

Penclic Mouse B3 comes with 2 years’ manufacturer warranty and the wireless reach allows it to work at least 5 meters from the device you’re connected to, which is really useful when working somewhere other than a desk.

Pros:

  • A real comfort to hold even when used for long duration
  • Offers precise control over the cursor
  • The unique pen-grip design is ergonomically sound
  • The button layout is really a simplified one
  • The Bluetooth connectivity lets one connect with any functioning OS and devices
  • The USB cord that comes with it is easily retractable
  • The rechargeable batteries ensure continuous performance

Cons:

  • Accidental clicks can be an issue for some
  • Can get knocked over easily

Final Verdict:

The Penclic Mouse B3 has an innovative and advanced design that can offer a breath of relief to those who suffers from tingling and numbness in the arm and hand due to a pinched nerve. As it lets people change the angle of their wrist from that of a traditional mouse require, it can be a great choice for those who want to try a new mouse design that will be more comfortable.

Though some people may have issues with the cursor sensitivity or the surface accuracy when using for the first time; but considering the price that this ergonomic mouse comes for, trying this unique fusion of pen and mouse can indeed be a wise decision after all!

Buy the Penclic Mouse B3 from Amazon from £79.99

See more Product Reviews on the site here.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...


SMS: A Spartan Among The Channels Of Digital Marketing

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sms article - spartan

Spartans were quite distinct from the other ancient Greeks. Their mindset was forthright, their speech was concise and unequivocal, their behavior was brave, and their martial art was unbeatable. All that together made Spartans extremely effective whatever mission they took on. No one had the guts to ignore Spartans at that time.

Who should look up to Spartans nowadays? Who is in continuous search for strengthening the  effectiveness? The digital marketers are among others. Once only the sky is the limit in the marketing perfectness, the Spartan modus operandi can be applicable to one of the marketing channels. The features of which channel are worth calling Spartan? What generates the brief, direct, and impactful messages capable of grasping the customers’ attention in an irresistible manner? The professionals of the complex marketing platform SendPulse equate the SMS messages to Spartans for a number of reasons. And here is why.

Almost no one ignores SMS

Numerous studies confirm the astonishing 90-98% open rate of the SMS messages. The indirect  evidence of it is the annual number of the text messages people send to each other – 7 trillion. Another reason why SMS almost always reach the audience is the applied means of communication. We all have telephones: kids and grannies, rich and poor, busy leaders and unemployed. Be it a fancy iPhone X or an old-style button Nokia, a short text message is always readable whatever screen displays it.

People take telephones more seriously than the other means of communication because the own private material object which is always in our pockets works as an ID in many cases. The personal identification via a telephone number which is widely practiced by many services makes our phones as trustworthy as our passports. Such a behavioral pattern makes people check everything related to their “phone identities”, and SMS takes the top position  in the people’s trust due to the technological maturity going deep into the history of the mobile gadgets’ development.

passport and blackberry

SMS is the easiest message to open

In contrast to the email clients and various applications, SMS messages do not require any log-in procedure for being read. The simpler the better, many contemporary smartphones allow users to check SMS without having to tap even once since the “idle” screens display them. Besides, SMS messages are not obtrusive by the behaviour: they are waiting for opening without the redundant disturbance in the user’s inbox as an alert.

The efforts we need to respond to a text message is minimal due to the simplest interface of the SMS messengers. It means the time we spend on the whole procedure of processing a text message is extremely short – we receive and send SMS almost instantaneously. This time-saving feature is crucial for the contemporary people moving through their day-to-day routine in a rush.

iphone email screen

SMS reflects the very essence of a campaign

Due to a certain size limit, a text message contains only the main idea the marketers want their customers to be informed about. It may seem like a disadvantage since no visuals or detailed explanations are involved in SMS. However, just because of such a straightforward style and the unequivocal behaviour, a brief text message becomes as impactful as a slogan, a motto, a tweet, or  quotes of classics are. In many cases, the creation of an effective call to action in the form of an SMS message requires the true creativity and linguistic proficiency from the marketers.

They must pack the very essence of their campaign in a tweet-long message without getting down to the level of preteens where “to” is 2 and “for” is 4. On the other hand, the simplicity of the form along with the conciseness of the content allows marketers not to spend too much time, money, and efforts for designing, refining, and testing of the SMS messages.

iphone screen messaging

SMS can add value to the other marketing channels

The short text messages can constitute a series of calls to action maintaining the interest of the customers throughout the entire marketing campaign. Since the complex marketing platforms such as SendPulse offer the holistic approach to the digital marketing, the various channels can be interlinked in order to achieve the powerful cumulative effect of a campaign. Thus, SMS can facilitate the campaign’s outreach when the central role is given to the social media, for example.

A text message can introduce a social media campaign as if the light infantry enters the battle before the heavy artillery is involved. Marketers can arrange a preparatory activity by sending various notifying SMS messages a month before the main campaign starts. The notification SMS campaign can include several messages sent one after another at certain intervals in order to warm up the public interest like an opening band plays before a superstar enters the stage.

concert

SMS does not shy away from menial jobs

Many transactional notifications require a communication channel which is not associated with spam and a random advertisement since the information they contain belongs to the category “must read”. An invoice, an order status, a shopping cart reminder, a payment confirmation, and many other similar types of the customer-related information should be sent via the channel the people take seriously. This is not about promotion in many cases. It does not require any creativity.

This is just a mundane routine, the menial work the other marketing channels can perform in the less effective manner since they do not possess the Spartan characteristics of the SMS messages.  Besides, SMS is easily adaptable to the vastest array of human interactions ever: B2C and B2B, public and private, commercial and social, industrial and household – literally all the market sectors and types of people’s activity are covered with the universal SMS messaging.

cinderalla

How to hire Spartans

A cohort of the SMS Spartans can start working for your marketing campaigns when a professional bulk SMS platform is engaged. Sending SMS messages through the Internet is what SendPulse offers marketers. It means that the global occupation can be arranged by every marketer who can use the SMS service of SendPulse covering more than 800 networks in over 200 countries.

Such a huge battlefield implies the advanced extent of automation, and SendPulse provides the SMS messages automation scheduled at predefined intervals for a particular time and date. Each SMS Spartan can be armoured with individual weapons to take on combat roles with maximum efficiency. It implies the personalization SendPulse provides for every SMS campaign and SMS message when personal information for each specific recipient can be indicated.

send pulse sms service

Conclusion

In order to be deadly effective like Spartans, a marketing channel should select the means of communication which is taken seriously by the customers. Such a channel should urge the recipients to open messages every time they come whatever marketing campaign is launched. Due to both the technical features of the telephone communication and the psychological preferences of the telephone owners just the SMS channel is worth calling Spartan thanks to its record open rate along with the straightforward modus operandi.

Every marketer can obtain the brutal force of the Spartan SMS channel when the professional bulk SMS platform such as SendPulse is engaged. The global outreach, advanced level of automation, and personalised flexibility constitute the advantages of the SendPulse SMS service allowing marketing campaigns to be irresistible like Spartans.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

Love football? Check out these online specials ahead of the Premier League

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football featured image

Russia 2018 proved to be a highlight of the summer, and even those who are not usually big fans of either football or gambling joined in the fun with some World Cup wagers. If you got a taste for it, or better still, if you came out of it with some money in your pocket, you don’t have to wait another four years. The Premier League season will soon be underway, and the online sports betting technology that proved such a hit in the biggest tournament on the planet will be back in action on the domestic scene.

However, there is more to betting on the Premier League than simply putting a few pounds on Spurs to beat Leicester or Manchester City to retain the title at the end of the season. Whether you visit a traditional bookmaker, such as one of the big high street names, or one of the newer online casino-based sites like www.schmittscasino.com, one thing you will see is choice. As such, the different sites like nothing better than to outdo one another with different types of games and bets. Here, we take a look at some of the less common Premier League bets that are being offered online.

Next manager to fall

Fans of Monty Python might remember a sketch in which two office workers sit at their desk and place bets on who will fly past their window next as senior managers plummet to the ground from a board meeting on the top floor. This bet is along similar lines. Every year sees a high attrition rate among Premier League managers, and last year Arsene Wenger was one of the biggest names to depart.

The coming season is certain to see more changes in back room staff – but who will be the next to go? Current bookmakers’ favourite is Claude Puel, the Leicester City manager, who is at 3/1. Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho is at 7/1, while the biggest long shot is City’s Pep Guardiola at 100/1. The beauty of this wager is that it is one you can make again and again, whether you get it right or wrong.

The golden boot

Top goal scorer is a great bet to get involved with – unlike the “next manager” bet, which could pay out at any moment, this is a slow burner that runs for the duration of the season. Harry Kane was the number one scorer in 2015/16 and 2016/17, but last year, he was pushed to second by Liverpool’s Mohammad Salah, Nevertheless, having finished on the top two for the last four years in succession, Kane remains the man to beat. This is a bet where the sooner you put your money down, the better the odds you will get, so have the courage of your convictions.

Live betting

This is not a type of bet, but a type of betting. In live betting, you can stake your wager when the game is already underway. With every passing minute, the odds shift, so it is a great way to really get involved in the game. Live betting is offered by a growing number of sites, and provides fast and furious action.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

Tile Updates Tile Mate and Tile Pro Trackers

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Tile Updates Tile Mate and Tile Pro Trackers

Tile has just released new models of the popular Tile Mate and Tile Pro. The new versions feature longer range, louder volumes, and replaceable batteries.

In further expansions to their finding solutions, the company revealed Tile Premium, a suite of offerings including free battery replacements, smart alerts, 30-day location history, and other exclusive services.

How does Tile tracking work?

Tile provide simple and affordable tracking tags that you can attach to every day items you can lose such as keys, wallet, bags and even cars and bicycles. You can track a Tile using and App on your phone, and you can locate it directly if its within Bluetooth range (150-300ft) or if it goes further afield you can utilise a crowd mesh of other Tile owners whose App will notify you if your Tile tag appears within their smartphone range. Your App on your phone also acts as part of this mesh – a term dubbed Crowd GPS.

What do the new Tile Mate and Tile Pro models bring?

These updates resolve one of the biggest complaints about the Tile products, that once the battery was dead you had to buy a new one! The new Tile Pro has a replaceable CR2032 battery, with a range of 300ft and the new Tile Mate has a replaceable CR1632 battery with a range of 150ft. The Pro is slightly bigger in all dimensions than the Mate, weighs just over double the weight at 15.5g (versus 7g) but has a much louder audible alert when triggered. Both the new models boost the Bluetooth signal strength improving the tag range over the previous models.

CJ Prober, Tile Chief Executive Officer said:

At Tile, we’re constantly seeking to improve the performance and experience of using our products. Listening to our customers plays a huge role in our development process, and we’ve consistently received one request: the desire for a replaceable battery. With the new Mate and Pro, we’re excited to introduce our first-ever replaceable battery model and our best-performing Tiles ever.

>> You can buy the new Tile models from Tile online from £30.00 or from Amazon UK from £29.99 (saving £0.01!)

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

The Dangers of Competing on Price

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online shopping mac desktop basket

When you sell electronics, you will inevitably run into competitors promising to meet or beat any price offered by any authorised seller. For some reason, this is more prevalent in the electronics marketplace than any other. With that said however, the dangers of competing on price are numerous. Further, if you allow yourself to get caught up in a race to the bottom, you’ll eventually realise nobody wins—hopefully before you’re driven out of business.

The Only Way it Makes Sense

In most cases—if they’re smart—the people offering to meet or beat any price have a significant cost advantage over the rest of the field. This means they likely have a cost structure in which the more volume they do the better the price they can get from their suppliers. If this applies only to you in your segment, congratulations, you can comfortably be the low-price leader. If it doesn’t, you’re going to hurt yourself emphasizing price over value. The only way you’ll do it is by shaving your margin.

You’ll Attract Hit & Run Shoppers

Buyers attracted by low prices are loyal only to their pocketbooks. If you’re thinking being the low price leader in your segment will garner you a cadre of loyal customers, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment as well as miniscule revenues.

Sure, they’ll buy from you when you have the lowest price; but that’s not going to be a sustainable long-term position. Meanwhile, there’s always going to be other sellers out there who are ignorant of this fact. Let them take the losses while you focus on providing value and services their low-price model won’t permit them to offer. 

Once You Start, it’s Hard to Stop

If you choose emphasizing price over quality as your business model, it will be very difficult to change the way you’re perceived. When you hear the Volkswagen name, do you think of fine transportation worthy of a $100,000 price tag? Neither does anyone else; which is why the company’s Phaeton large luxury car failed. Once you’ve become known for being a low-cost provider, it’s hard to get the marketplace to look at you any other way.

No Value in It—Literally

If you’re competing on price, but can’t be the lowest-priced provider in your arena, you’ll get nowhere. Think about it. How much value is there in being the second lowest-priced vendor? Look what happened to K-Mart when Wal-Mart got up to speed.

Meanwhile, Target is doing fine.                   

What’s the difference?                

Wal-Mart is ALL about lowest price –period. K-Mart used to own that space and got pushed out. Meanwhile, Target combines a more upscale experience than either Wal-Mart or K-Mart, combined with reasonable pricing. This resonates with customers. Said simply, Target is more value-oriented. You can learn from this, whether you sell electronics, furniture, ebooks, cosmetics, or anything else.

Think Different

Rather than opening your business up to the dangers of competing on price, look for ways to differentiate yourself. Amazon started out centred on low prices, but evolved to concentrate on speed and convenience. What’s more, the company raised its prices, even as it offered free shipping and faster delivery options.

What’s the lesson there?

More often than not, adding value costs less than cutting prices. It also makes your business a more attractive proposition in the marketplace. Yes, price is important, and you should strive to be reasonable, but in the long run, you’ll get more loyal customers with quality and good service than you will with low prices.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

Is Technology Simply Child’s Play?

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Children using the internet

It’s safe to say that technology has had a huge impact on children. Whether it’s a toddler watching their favourite cartoons on the family iPad or a preteen spending too much time on YouTube, it’s far more common to find a child in front of some kind of screen. This generation has grown up like no other, and it’s fascinating to think of how technology can shape their lives in the future. What challenges is the modern day family facing?

Healthy Screen Time

Families have all sort of concerns they wouldn’t have to had to think about a few decades ago – lots of which revolve around how much their children use technology. There’s screen time, cyber bullying and the worry of what exactly are they watching? A psychologist who specialises in the concept of “digital nutrition” compared a child’s screen time to healthy eating. You should be focused on the quality of the food rather than the quantity of it, and the same line of thinking goes towards screen time. The psychologist went on to explain the importance of technology in the family home, and not to lean on it too much when it comes to dealing with temper tantrums, as this could potentially establish bad habits later in life.

Game Consoles

Children playing video games is not exactly new technology. The first commercially successful video game was Pong, released in 1972. However, things have changed somewhat since the days of Pong. Now there’s a whole world of gaming online, which children can access from their games console. There is a risk of them being exposed to graphic game content, and the gamers themselves who are older and more explicit. Not to mention watching online play-throughs. The violence in video games has been a long-term concern for families. It is up to the parents to make sure their children are playing safely.

Getting Outdoors

An increase in technology doesn’t necessarily mean children are constantly stuck staring at their screens. New technology can have impact outside the home, too. For example, with the use of Fitbits children can count their steps and be encouraged to get out and about, developing good habits early. Plus traditional playtime can change, too. Electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular with families and it isn’t hard to understand why. They’re fun for all ages, and there’s one to suit any level of skill and experience. Thankfully, technology doesn’t mean the end of outdoor play.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

Why Mobile Gambling Popularity is Skyrocketing

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mobile-gambling-article

Mobile gambling has progressed at an astonishing rate in recent years, turning devices such an iPhone, iPad and Samsung Galaxy into the go-to gadget for people looking to place a sports wager or play a game in an online casino. The shift has come on the back of an endless production line of new, innovative and increasingly convenient mobile betting products, promotions and services that are re-defining the way bettors put their money on the line. On closer inspection, it’s easy to see why the mobile betting boom is taking place.

Value

A major perk of betting on your mobile is being rewarded with exclusive betting offers via different apps. In order to encourage users to download their apps, bookmakers are offering bonus bets and cash rewards for simply signing up via mobile or placing a bet through the app. Many bookmakers, including renowned brands such as Ladbrokes and Paddy Power, offer a selection of enhanced betting odds that customers won’t find online, nor in their betting shops. Other bookmakers allow customers to score larger odds on a sports bet of their choice through their mobile devices. Sportsbet’s have introduced Power Play to their Australian bookmaker app, which allows mobile users able to manually increase their odds on one bet per day on selected markets. Value in modern-day mobile gambling also comes in the form of cost cutting. Bitcoin gambling app users, for example, avoid banking fees on their transactions, while Bitcoin poker rooms offer lower juice and rake fees.

Convenience

Convenience is one of the major appeals of mobile gambling. Whereas in the past customers needed to download separate apps to access online casino games and bookmaker odds, these days everything is housed under one roof, with users able to seamlessly navigate across casino rooms, poker tables and bookmakers through one app. The regular updates and enhanced technology of these apps also make them fast, reliable and easy to navigate, which is perfect for those that like to bet or play while on the go. Bettors, particularly those located in countries that enforce strict online gambling regulations, can also enjoy easier access to gambling products thanks to the rise of bitcoin gambling apps, which don’t demand customers’ personal details, hence can’t discriminate on the basis of location. With their minimal restrictions, these cryptocurrency-powered sports betting, casino and poker apps are diving mobile gambling over regulatory barriers and into new markets.

Innovation

As the functionality of apps has improved, so too has their variety, with a wide range of novel products hitting the iOS and Android markets. One such example is Bookee, a Tinder-style mobile sports betting app that proposes specific sports wagers to its users, who accept or decline by simply swiping left or right. Innovation has even driven new modes of mobile gambling, such as charity betting, a concept unheard of up until recently. Apps such as Good Bookey are based on this peer-to-peer model, allowing friends to challenge each other to sports bets before dedicating the winnings to a charity of choice. Beyond the technology that underpins their products, bookmakers are also innovating in other areas to attract mobile users. One example is advertising, with William Hill enlisting Hollywood talent such as famed filmmaker Paul WS Anderson to promote the fast functionality of their mobile app. The increased popularity of smartphones in day-to-day life is also a key factor in the transformation of mobile gambling. As people become increasingly fixated with their phones, it’s only natural that they start exploring apps that tie in with their interests and preferred pastimes. This is particularly evident in developing countries such as India, where the country’s almost 300 million smartphone users have generated a surge in mobile gambling, particularly across poker apps.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

Brits Want More Tech From Their Bank

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online security generic

A new study from ING has revealed that Brits want more tech from their bank. The report, which covers 14,824 respondents in 15 countries, including 13 across Europe found that 69% of British consumers expect their banks to ensure that the latest technology is available to them.

These are the findings of global bank ING, which published its seventh ING International Survey on ‘New Technologies’ today.

Conversely, while still wanting more tech from their bank, most UK people surveyed are still wary of adopting new technology in banking.

  • 63% of Brits have never used fingerprint or voice recognition to log in to their bank’s app
  • 52% rate face recognition as secure and just 35% rate voice recognition as secure
  • 70% still go into a branch to access services from their main banking provider

Technology has brought us closer

Phones, tablets and smartwatches have made a positive impact on our understanding of our money and what we’re spending. Since they started using devices to manage their money, 67% say they view their account balance more frequently, 32% say they take less risk with their money and 41% say they now think about money more.

The distrust in these technical services however may explain the gap in adoption versus desire though. Apple FaceID is becoming the new security standard for Apple, with TouchID (fingerprint recognition) being phased out in new devices. But, with only just over half of those surveyed ready to trust facial recognition from a security perspective, the nation needs to catch up to where technology is already taking us.

Jessica Exton, Behavioural Scientist at ING, said:

Many people are now mobile bankers, using multiple devices to manage their money on the go and across different platforms.

Concerns about security, privacy and maintaining control of finances appear to be key barriers.

Samantha Seaton, CEO of Moneyhub comments:

It’s incredible to think of the pace of technological change in banking and a certain level of customer wariness is understandable. Money remains a highly intimate subject, and people are, quite rightly, hesitant to embrace technological advances that feel intrusive.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...


8+ Typical Mistakes in PhD Research Proposal Writing

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PhD Research Proposal Writing

Before you start writing your PhD research proposal, get to know more about the most typical mistakes you are almost doomed to make.

Did you choose the first topic offered or the first topic which came to your mind? Mistake!

The primary mistake you can make is all kind of errors related to the topic of your research proposal. Don’t take the first one that comes to your mind, dig deeper, don’t agree with the first offered option just to deal with it faster. Later you will regret not taking all the aspects of this topic into account. Choose wisely, offer several topics to your advisor, show their benefits and limitations.

Did you start writing without confirming a plan with your advisor? Mistake!

When you confirm your topic and your writing plan with a supervisor, you share responsibility with him or her. Before you start writing even a page of text, confirm your outline, even if it is a raw version of your actual plan. this way you won’t lose time rewriting.

Did you start making literature review before confirming the preliminary list of sources with your advisor? Mistake!

Not many students do it, but it is truly a great way to ensure the final quality of your literature review. Often, supervisors give relevant tips on books and articles, so you save much time on extra research.

Do you ignore a library and science databases your college or university has contracts with? Mistake!

Often students ignore libraries and specific scientific databases and keep leaning on Google search, which is a critical mistake. The most valuable sources and references are still in libraries. You may not believe it, but a good librarian can make half of your work for you.

Do you use old sources to support your argument? Mistake!

You should use only the most recent studies to support your argument. When you write a research proposal it should be based on the problem that wasn’t solved before you for hundreds of other scholars.

Do you feed your Procrastination Monkey and wait for a Panic Monster? Mistake!

If you still don’t know about the Procrastination Monkey and Panic Monster you should immediately watch this video. Find a solution to make yourself work on your research proposal at least several hours a day. Even half an hour is better than nothing, as it will keep you going.

Do you neglect proofreading? Mistake!

Even if the idea of your research proposal is creative and simply super impressive, grammar and spelling mistakes can spoil everything. Use online grammar checkers, ask a friend to look through your paper and read your text aloud to spot too long and awkward sentences.

Do you leave formatting to the last day before submission date? Mistake!

Formatting truly is time-consuming even if you are very experienced in academic writing. Make it a rule to deal with formatting after finishing each part of your research proposal. Use up-to-date citation generators to make it faster.

Here is an a exhaustive list of mistakes you can make when writing your PhD research proposal:

  • Tasks do not match the problem
  • Objective stages of any scientific work were formulated as tasks (study the literature on the topic, master the methodology, develop recommendations).
  • Too many tasks/objectives
  • Too general overview, which sets out well-known facts.
  • In the review there are no links to the source of information.
  • Unscientific writing style.
  • The introduction does not prove relevance.
  • The introduction does not formulate the purpose and objectives of the work.
  • Inaccurate registration of competitive work (irregular paragraph indents, non-centered headings, etc.).
  • Too much review and too few personal results.
  • Excessive amount of work.
  • Aggressive reaction to questions and criticism.
  • “Know-it-All Syndrome”.
  • Performing scientific (research) work without an understanding of its essence.
  • Focusing on the preparation of competitive work, and not on the development of the competence of its authors.
  • Inadequate methodology, i.e. It would be better to solve the problem in another way.
  • Incorrect method, i.e. the technique is planned so that it does not allow to obtain the necessary data.
  • Insufficient / excessive description of the methodology.
  • There is no control group.
  • The paper provides primary and secondary data.
  • Data is not presented graphically.
  • Figures and tables rendered in the application.
  • Figures and tables are poorly read (overloaded or poorly signed).
  • There is no data discussion.
  • Too many conclusions.
  • The findings are too global.
  • The findings are too insignificant.

Try to avoid at least half of these mistakes at any cost and you will come with a quality PhD research proposal right on time. If you are not up to a challenge yet, or you have other things which require your attention now, it is a good idea to address a professional research proposal writing service for help.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

The Influence of Social Networks on College Students

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social media guest post

The internet has come to stay and has become an integral part of college life. Social networks can impact you both positively and negatively by either turning you into an academic wizard or an angry, materialistic addict. 

These problems do not mean that the internet or social media have no benefits; the issue is not realizing what you are doing or analyzing the impact it can have on you, your loved ones and your country. That is why many people see social media as a tool for personal development when used in the right way and a tool for self-destruction if misused. 

Rules Are No Longer Important 

Going into detail on the influence of social networks will make you understand their impact on students and how you can stay safe on the internet. 

In many instances, you will find that teenagers play online games but do not care to follow the rules put in place by the creators. Parents do not always keep track of what the kids do or try to keep an open communication link with their children. 

Naturally, children cannot do without interacting with others, and the only outlet they can find is online. Reading and studying can be annoying sometimes, and social media is one of the things teenagers use to get away from a stressful and dreary day. Posting pictures and commenting on their friends’ posts can be more exciting than books. 

Pleasures Over Learning 

Many activities take place on Facebook and Twitter because most teens see it as the fastest and easiest way to connect with friends. They use these platforms to chat for fun and pleasure and have no time to engage in online activities that can develop their skills or increase their knowledge. Some kids find the time to watch other people’s profiles, send friend requests to strangers and anonymously send love messages to kids of the opposite sex. 

Teenagers and students get lost in the virtual world and can engage in negative activities while online, which they don’t usually do in real life. The pleasures they derive online make them lose all sense of responsibility and reason. Fake profiles, impersonation, and hidden intentions are some of the crimes committed online by students who have become obsessed with social media. 

It is no wonder that some anti-government political figures and violent groups use videos and radical ideologies to influence the minds of teenagers. Some religious and deadly sects recruit unsuspecting and ignorant teenagers through social media to join their sinister cause. These groups aim to incite violence and destroy the peaceful coexistence of races, ethnic groups, and religions. 

The result is to create an unstable and problem-ridden society where fear and insecurity reign supreme. 

Young Minds Are Easily Corrupted 

People with bad intentions believe that it is easy to get young people through social media channels. To achieve their aim, they create tweets and Facebook posts in such a way that some young people who have been dreaming of going for wild adventures are easily influenced and enticed to sign up for the contract. These are wrong ways to use the internet, and, sadly, they go on in our society.

There is nothing wrong with the use of technology and the internet. Technology has brought about artificial intelligence and the awesome power of the internet of things. The problem comes when there is a lack of discipline and adherence to the rules and regulations guiding content usage. 

Teenager using mobile phone

The solution to these problems is to find ways to check cyber crimes and other internet abuses. With this, the internet will be an educative and informative tool that will aid in promoting peace, and a platform for the acquisition of knowledge and development of relevant skills. 

Embracing Positivity 

Students should learn to embrace the positive aspects of social media.  When used positively, social media can make life better for everyone, especially students. Students can make use of social media to fast track the learning process by writing complex assignments with professional essay services and using the internet as a reliable source of research materials. Students can share ideas remotely from any location without having to meet in person using social media platforms.

They can hold online classes and share videos, voice notes, and pictures on the move without meeting or having to gather at a location.

Tutors can share lecture materials, take assignments; give out instructions to their students using social media, and without meeting with their students. Tutors can fix online revision classes and hold a series of discussions with their students remotely.

With the help of social media platforms, students from different countries, cultural background, and geographical locations can meet up and hold classes remotely. All these are possible because of the invention of social media. 

If students can ignore the vices associated with the social media and focus on the productive returns of using this invention, there will be lesser worries about social media and more productive results of the design.

Students can use the platform to meet up and connect with friends and acquaintances. The purpose of the invention is to help students develop their socializing skills. The platform has more to offer and will be beneficiary If put to good use. 

Therefore, students should be encouraged to embrace the positive aspects of social media rather than face severe restrictions from using the platform.  This piece will go a long way to help see this assertion.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

0800: the traditional phone number that innovative businesses adore

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laptop iphone secure key

Listen to any sort of business advertisement on your TV and you will find that their number always begins with 0800. Having this sort of marketing telephone number is any business owner’s dream. If you have a business, and are looking for a personalised telephone number, getting an 0800 number may encourage more customers to engage with your brand. Read on to learn exactly why.

Free Phoneline

When your customers ring up your business number, it can leave them feeling annoyed and frustrated if they are being charged for making the call to you. However, ringing an 0800 number does not charge the customer for calling you. This means that 0800 numbers can be extremely powerful, as the caller knows that they are not being forced to pay for any calls made to your brand. This means a 0800 number can be used as an extremely powerful marketing tool. Planet-numbers.co.uk can provide 0800 phone numbers that can give your customers the freedom to call you whenever they want without any potential charges.

Non-Geographical

No one likes being cold-called by businesses that could live in a completely different city to their own. These sorts of calls can lead a customer to think that someone may be trying to scam them. This will lead them to start treating your call as a “nuisance call”. By purchasing a 0800 number, you look like you are a regional business.  0800 numbers are non-geographic numbers, meaning that you will not be judged for contacting clients in a different location. As you have not tied yourself to a location, this may lead more customers to feel comfortable about talking to you.

Memorable Numbers

The very number 0800 has a bit of a catchy ring to it – just add a few additional memorable numbers and you will find that customers will always be ringing in. This sort of catchy jingle is known as sonic branding. If you have any sort of marketing campaign, PR experts may want to include a song with your advertisement, such as for the number, so that customers remember it. Hastings Direct or Coca Cola are excellent examples of how effective sonic branding can work. If you have an 0800 number, make sure to get some marketing experts on your side to make sure you can show it off to your new customers.

Remote Work

As 0800 numbers are virtual numbers, this means that you can easily set them up for any sort of landlines or mobiles without your customers realising it. This means that if you work from home or need to travel around the country, you can still speak to clients and take up calls. This means that you don’t need to be tethered to your office and can accept calls at any time.

Relocation

Let’s say that you’re expanding or relocating your business to a different area of the country. Normally, it would take up a lot of time to speak to the appropriate authorities to disconnect your line and get it set up elsewhere. But with a 0800 number, your phone calls can travel with you. That means that even when you’re moving from one area to another, your business does not have to stop.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

What You Need to Know About Internet Security

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mac laptop working

There seems to be an abundance of hackers, malware threats, phishing emails, and various scams happening online these days. Therefore, it is more important than ever to make sure that you and your personal information are safe and that it stays that way. Whenever you download, upload, use an app, turn on location services, or basically do anything at all online, your activity is logged in one form or another and you are potentially vulnerable to attacks.

That is why it is important to know what measures you can take to stay safe on the internet. Because let’s face it, most people are online these days and especially the younger generation are quite well-versed in internet security. Even though most internet users know not to respond to scam emails from an imaginary Nigerian prince, there are still many things to consider when securing your devices and personal information on the internet.

Everything is available at the touch of a button and there are apps for pretty much all your earthly needs. You can get weather apps, or mobile apps for playing games on the go; there are travel apps, which let you know if your train is going to be late, and there are apps for ordering dinner or finding the nearest restaurant with a cuisine of your choice. The possibilities are endless and while these features certainly have made our lives that much easier, it is important to remember that all these apps require some level of personal information about us. Every time you share your personal information with an app you are sharing it with second or third parties and it becomes out of your control. That is why companies like Apple are constantly updating their security and markets like the casino industry are now taking extra steps to secure their users’ privacy and personal data. This includes using facial recognition and adding additional methods of verification but there are plenty of things you can do as well to protect your information.

Let’s have a look at how you can secure your personal data online.

Securing your personal information

mac laptop working side on
There are some relatively easy steps you can take to keep your information safe.

Even though it might seem like there are too many things to consider and it can be hard to know where to start, when you want to learn about staying safe online and how to make your personal data more secure then there are actually some really easy steps you can take right away.

The first thing you can quite easily do to increase your internet security is to have a look at your passwords. You want to make sure that you have strong individual and complex passwords that are unique as well. Try to refrain from using personal information such as birthdates and names in your passwords. Use a password manager to help you remember your different passwords for different accounts and change your passwords every few months.

Be smart about what you log into, sign up for, and click on. Scam giveaways or contests that just ask for your phone number or email to get in touch with you should be avoided. The same goes for phoney websites and emails. If you click onto a website that doesn’t look completely legitimate then just log out again.

Phishing emails can be a bit harder to detect because they very often look legitimate. Sometimes they even mimic emails that you might actually receive such as information from your bank or insurance company. If you are ever unsure about whether or not an email is really from your bank, insurance or phone company then call them up. Call up your bank and ask them if the email really came from them and remember: your bank, phone company, insurance company, etc, would never ask you to disclose or share personal information or data in an insecure email.

Be careful what you share on social media. Make sure your Facebook account is as private as possible, stay up to date on the privacy settings, and do not share things such as when you are going to be out of town or on holiday. Also, make sure you do not share personal things like your address, phone number, bank details etc. That goes for pictures as well; do not share pictures or screen shots that contain personal details.

Do not get complacent. Keep your security measures up to date, update your social media privacy settings, and change your passwords often.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

What’s New in the Casino Industry

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the rise of the online casino industry

As we grow older, it becomes more obvious that change in every sphere of life is constant and should be embraced. If we take a look at our past, we can see that humanity gained a lot thanks to the changes that have occurred throughout the years.

However, there are still people who are doing their best to resist change because they fear everything new and different. Unfortunately for them, this can only result in stagnation since change brings a lot of benefits with it.

Luckily, people from the casino industry belong to the group that is open-minded and aware of the fact that change means improvement by all means. That’s why they are constantly working on improving their game selection and the quality of games, as well as creating new content to retain their players’ attention.

Mobile Gambling

Modern society can be easily labelled as smartphone-addicted. We use our phones from the moment we open our eyes until we go to bed at night. That’s why it’s no surprise that online gambling lovers prayed for online casinos to create smartphone apps.

Online casino operators listened to punters’ wishes, which is why the majority of them today have adjusted their sites for smartphone screens. To make access even easier for the users, they started working on apps as well, and the trend is developing fast.

In case you haven’t come across any mobile gambling apps so far, you can find some of the best ones here.

Online Security

Another thing that bothers the players when it comes to online gambling is safety and security. Online casinos are well aware of this matter and regularly update their security systems to earn the trust of their punters.

To make sure that no one can hack another person’s account, they’ve recently made some changes regarding the login process. The idea is to replace the current way of logging in with your username and password with a fingerprint or even a voice recognition system.

This will be especially useful to mobile users since mobile devices get stolen easily. Of course, it would be wise to get yourself acquainted with internet security in general. You can check out this article to find out the most important things about it.

Virtual and Augmented Reality Casinos

Virtual reality is slowly making its way into the everyday life of more and more people, and the casino revolution seems to be eager to include this feature into their front rows. This will most certainly create a boom for the casino industry as it will make it more engaging and definitely more fun.

It will help the online casino industry because it will enable the players to see each other during the game. Since people were thrilled with the introduction of online dealers, you can imagine how they will feel when VR offers them an even more realistic experience. Players will actually be able to see the reactions and facial expressions of others, which, you must admit, plays an important role in, for example, a game of poker.

There is also augmented reality technology set to create a full mobile gambling experience with a 360-degree system by using holograms. With this innovation, the players will have a feeling they are in a land-based casino while, in reality, they could be sitting at their dining table.

We know that this new technology might still sound unbelievable, which is why we have prepared a guide that will tell you all about it.

New Payment Options

One of the things that have to be mentioned concerns payment options for casino deposits and withdrawals. Since good old credit cards leave traces, which bothers a lot of people, casinos are trying to make improvements in this field too.

It can be said that this problem has been successfully solved with different kinds of e-wallets and cryptocurrencies. Many casinos have partnered up with e-wallets such as Skrill or Neteller so that players can play their favourite games without feeling that someone is watching their every move.

Another option is to use cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin for your gambling activities. If you choose to make a deposit using this option, you won’t be required to provide any financial statements whatsoever.

At the moment, it might look like there is nothing else that could be done to improve the casino industry, but we shouldn’t be so sure about that. We thought so a century ago as well, but as long as technology advances, the casino industry will certainly follow.

Written By: Mark Holland

I love tech and gaming, and am always looking for the 'next big thing'...

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