I realized that it was about time that I implemented an organizational process in order to help me actually get things done, and for that I turned to technology. You see, one thing I’m never without is my smart phone, so I decided to get a hold of some applications that could help me schedule all of the things I needed to do in one place (and also the chores, appointments, and workouts I really didn’t want to do, but knew that I must).

Luckily, there’s an app to help me get organized…or rather five essential apps that helped me create a custom organizational calendar to get the satisfaction of scratching items off my to-do list one by one…

1. Evernote (Free for Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, WebOS, and BlackBerry)

An app I’ve quickly learned to depend on is Evernote. This note taking app sends me “gentle” reminders via text alerts for upcoming meetings and obligations, and it lets me take notes at the touch of a button. For instance, I can create notes on the bus to remind me about doctor’s appointments, client meetings, social engagements, and even those bright ideas that come to me on the subway.

And what’s great about this reminder app is that Evernote is a cloud-based tool, so it securely stores and synchronizes all of your notes in one central location. That way, I can note a reminder about a dental appointment on my smart phone and access that note from my laptop calendar on any device for easy reference. Evernote will never let you forget an important to-do again!

2. Taskos (Free – for Android)

Taskos is probably the most user-friendly organizational app in existence. Not your ordinary to-do list tools, this app operates via voice recognition, so you schedule your to-dos by speaking directly into your mobile device and turns your spoken notes into text translations. You can then add them to a calendar, edit as needed, delete as canceled, and even share them with friends or your spouse via Google Task.

3. Mint.com (Free – for Mac, Windows, Android or iOS)

If finances are not your forte…they certainly aren’t mine… Mint.com will help you get an instant handle on all things budgetary in your life. Their free personal finance apps do all the work for you as far as organizing and categorizing your spending. I use Mint to track every dime I spend. It’s particularly helpful to see where you spend the most money every week.

For instance, I had a terrible habit of eating out too often, but never realized it before Mint. This app will track and automatically organize your spending into categories—like clothing, food, rent, gas, and personal—in easy-to-read charts so you can alter your bad spending habits as needed.

4. Habit Streak (Free – for Android)

For those of you who have problems setting and sticking to a routine…be it working out, eating right, spending, or whatever it is…the Habit Streak app is a must for prioritizing goals and tracking your success. Habit Streak lets you input all the goals you have for a specific time period.

For example, I used it to get me to get up and jog around the block every other day. All I did was note it in the application, set the number of days I was ready to commit too, and Habit Streak sent me reminders so I didn’t miss a jog. What’s really great about this app is that it tracks your progress so you can see how well you’re doing. Talk about positive motivation!

5. Out Of Milk (Free – for Mac, Windows, Android or iOS)

If you’re like me, you got to the grocery store weekly and buy oatmeal, even though you already have 2 full bags in the cupboard. Don’t forget what’s already in your pantry with the Out of Milk app. This grocery app stores and synchs your grocery list-and keeps stock of your existing pantry stock. All you need to do is enter your list and keep it up-to-date. And the syncing capabilities make it possible for hubby to buy milk on the way home and update the shared list so you don’t double the task.

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The post 5 Ways your Smart Phone Can Help You Get Organized appeared first on Voice Duck.

The lack of a physical workspace has made one thing very clear—my laptop is heavy, bulky, and incontinent to take along with me on client calls. That’s why I added an Ultrabook to my office arsenal last year, and I’ve never looked back.

Ultrabooks are part portable laptop part tablet (in the super thin dimensions). However, they marry the two devices as far as size, weight, and, best yet, performance of a full-size keyboard.

Built with road warriors like me in mind, Ultrabooks cater to streaming video, showing photos, catching up on social media, and really all of your multimedia needs. But better yet, they offer portability and convenience that your laptop just can’t match in one powerful system to boot! These super thin, super tiny machines pack a powerful punch for the mobile worker.

Trust me; now when meeting a client, I simply leave my laptop at home—and my shoulder thanks me.

Despite the super thin size, many folks don’t know a lot about Ultrabooks. Here are 6 reasons why your business deserves the convenience and portability of an Ultrabook…

1. Price

The great thing about Ultrabooks is that you can certainly find one in your price range. For instance, the model I purchased was on the lower end—I bought a Samsung Series 5 Ultrabook for just over $500. However, they range anywhere from $500 for models like mine to $1,500, and that’s largely depending on the Ultrabook features you desire.

2. Protection

When it comes to protecting your Ultrabook, consider that they are small enough to slip into a bag, which means, like me, you could forget your bag with your Ultrabook in it on the roof of your car and drive away. Luckily, these little suckers are well protected—with coatings that range from basic clamshell models to serious padded units. You can also snag some extra padding for your Ultrabook by getting a padded case, which I highly recommend. Want a little added protection or flair? There are tons of Ultrabook skins available.

3. Screen size

Ultrabooks are often favored over tablets because they offer larger displays—much like a laptop—without the need for a flat surface to operate. I used mine to pass around at conferences and client meetings for the sharing of images, design concepts, product demos, and video presentations. Ultrabooks do really offer great visual real estate, which makes multitasking in several windows a breeze.

4. Faster processing

As far as your CPUs and GPUs, Ultrabooks don’t skimp on processing (why processing speed is important). In fact, their known for the ideal medium for streaming video, which requires enhanced speed and visual performance.

5. Physical Keyboard

The most common issue with tablets is a non-issue with Ultrabooks. I know; I hate those onscreen, virtual type pads too. And even though I still have small fingers, I find them a nuisance. But never fear, Ultrabooks offer traditional, full-size keypads, so you can use yours to type emails, business plans, pitches, rough drafts, and financial reports with ease.

6. Jam-packed with apps

As far as compatibility, you won’t be disappointed with the amount of applications your Ultrabook can store. Similar to a smartphone, Ultrabooks offer a wide range of cloud and Web apps, online tools, and even desktop software.

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1. Sony Xperia U

Pros: If you have big fingers, but want a touch phone like my husband does, you need an enormous display. Well, the Sony Xperia U won’t disappoint! As one of the larger screen Android models, you’ll get a mega-sized touch screen. Plus the Xperia U doesn’t skimp on the rest of the essentials either—it delivers fast speed, decent power, good battery life, and features of the rest of the high-end Android flagship handsets.

Cons: The only issue that I see with the Sony Xperia is the video capabilities—which despite the 720p touted in the marketing and specifications—watching video on this phone is pretty painful, slow, and pixilated. Plus, there is a real lack of interior storage space for things like taking pictures and video as well. So look elsewhere if you’re big on using your smart phone for video.

2. BlackBerry Bold 9900

Pros: As far as juicy phones go, the BlackBerry Bold 9900 is the juiciest smart phone in the basket. Not only is it priced rather low for what it offers, if you’re anti “touch screen phone” you’ll be pleased as punch with the QWERTY keyboard/smaller screen combo, so you can tap away to your heart’s content. One notable improvement on this model is the improved camera and NFC (Near field Communication) capabilities, which does much to boost the phones power and convenience as it enables users to establish radio communication with each other when they touch phones together or close, letting you exchange links, contact information, and etc.

Cons: If you’re a BlackBerry aficionado, the Bold 9900 is definitely still worth checking out, especially if you love to tap a keyboard rather than struggle with a touch screen. However, despite the lack of BlackBerry apps available (as with all BlackBerry smart phones), the battery of this particular model offers less juice than previous ones.

3. Samsung Galaxy S3

Pros: Samsung is well known for phones with both top of the line hardware and software features, and as established with precluding Samsung cell phones, the Samsung Galaxy S3 tows the line. It’s fully-packed with features such as 4G LTE/HSPA+ 42 capability, a super fast dual-core processor, and superb quality 8-megapixel camera—and it’s even priced quite well for what you get.

Cons: There’s not much to quip over with the Galaxy S3…except for the screen lighting. I personally find that it’s very dim, almost too dim to use at night for navigation and etc.

4. Apple iPhone 5

Pros: Is the iPhone 5 really “the biggest thing to happen to iPhone since iPhone” as the spin doctors at Apple suggest? For one thing, the iPhone 5 does take the best features from the previous model while addressing its major downfalls—low battery life, larger screen, faster processing—making it undoubtedly the best iPhone to date! This redesign offers the sharpest, slimmest, lightest iPhone yet!

Cons: Even though this might be the best iPhone yet, as far as screen size, the iPhone 5 disappoints in comparison to what Android offers for screen size. Plus, if you expect to use voice and data simultaneously, don’t count on it with this phone.

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The post The 4 Best New Cell Phones on the Market appeared first on Voice Duck.

Pros

Mobility. Using VoIP over a mobile broadband connection means you can use it anywhere. That’s the whole point, really. Instead of having the line set up in your office, like any other regular landline, VoiP using mobile broadband gives you greater flexibility.

Talk without limits. Unless you have an expensive unlimited talk plan, you have limits to your cell phone usage. Since most business conversations happen during peak hours, those minutes can run low quickly. VoIP services typically offer cheap per-minute rates, so you can still talk at a discounted rate all day long.

Software options. There are many options for VoIP over mobile broadband. Skype is just one of them. Many others exist, and they offer rates that compete with one another. That also means you can switch to a different one if you don’t like the service.

Cons

Expensive mobile broadband. Mobile broadband services aren’t cheap. Maybe you can use your cellular data connection, but oftentimes you’ll need a separte mobile broadband plan. Just look at mobile broadband T-Mobile plans. And then remember that they’re among the cheapest.

Unreliable connections. Cellular signal comes in and out depending on your area. But cellular data is even more unreliable. If you’re on a mobile broadband VoIP call and lose 3G data, the call will drop. On a normal cell phone you won’t drop if you leave a 3G area.

Not always on. If you’re using VoIP from a laptop, you need your laptop open, and connected to the network, to take calls. On a mobile phone, you need the connection ready and the app open. That is to say, it’s simply not as easy as cellular.

As with most business issues, there are two sides here. As with most business issues as well, each business will focus more on the positives or negatives as their needs dictate.

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When will we go all cellular?

The prospect is enticing, for sure. Instead of having a fixed line in addition to multiple cell phones for the family, everyone can work off an individual cell phone. Since these phones cover long distance calls — almost every carrier offers international long distance plans — there’s a lessening need for a landline. There are really only two issues standing in the way.

Minutes limits

While a long distance call costs no more than a local call, there is still an overall limit to the number of minutes each user gets per month. That necessarily limits long distance talk time. In any age when essentially every landline operator offers a flat rate for unlimited calling, including long distance, the limits that cell phones impose can feel overly restricting.

Still, it wasn’t until cell phones became all the rage that long distance carriers were able to migrate towards flat-rate services. In truth, the introduction of wide-scale VoIP calling, which many cable companies started offering in the early 00s, allowed the long distance industry to make this change. But that was still right around the time cell phones spread far and wide. That is, it wasn’t too long ago when people had to account for their long distance minutes, just as they do for cellular minutes now.

In addition, there are a number of unlimited calling plans from cellular providers. From major national carriers these are typically expensive, costing up to $100 per month. But there are smaller carriers that offer unlimited calling at less than half that. Straight Talk, for instance, offers unlimited talk and text for $45 per month (along with some data allotment). Boost Mobile has a flat $50 unlimited monthly rate. Plans such as these could offer alternatives to landlines.

With the industry changing, we could see the big carriers come down in price for their unlimited plans soon enough. The age of the voice call is coming to an end. Even text messaging is on the relative declien. Consumers are much more wrapped up in data services. With fourth-generation data services being deployed around the country, more and more services will get filtered through them. With that comes a greater possibility of unlimited calling at a cheaper rate. It’s the actual data transfer that companies will profit from.

Battery life

Heavy talkers know this well: talk time drains cellular battery life greatly. A few hours of talk time can eat a significant portion of battery. This means finding a charging port, which isn’t always available. And if you forgot your charger, forget it. Battery life, then, looms large in the migration away from landlines.

Still, this doesn’t seem a huge issue. Landlines are only available in the home, of course, where presumably everyone has a cellular charger. The inconvenience only comes when away from the home, at which time the landline is inaccessible. That is, the battery life problem is only an issue when using the cellular as a cellular, rather than a landline replacement.

Chances are, however, we’ll see battery life improvements in the near future. Smartphones are gaining more and more features, and more features mean more power requirements. Energy efficiency is the key here. What is energy efficiency in this case? It’s basically software changes that enable the phone to use less battery power for the same tasks. It’s easy to see the limits there, though, meaning we should see new battery technology in the near future.

The day of the landline is coming to an end. Its days have been numbered since the widespread usage of cell phones, but now that cell phones are basically a landline’s equivalent on every level, the timeline is accelerated. Once carriers realize that there is little profit left in voice services, we could see a widespread move to flat-rate, unlimited calling. Combined with greater battery energy efficiency, or new battery technology, there will be zero remaining need for landlines. The day is upon us.

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The post Improved battery life the key to cellular long distance appeared first on Voice Duck.

Determine your usage

Don’t sign a contract without putting some careful thought into how much you plan on using your new phone. Usage time – including call, text, and data – is the basis of every calling plan. In short, the more of these things you intend to use each month, the more you pay. Estimating data usage can be murky, especially when trying to interpret how much data is actually included in a megabyte (MB) or gigabyte (GB).

How much is a megabyte?

When it comes to cell phones, 1 MB of data is equal to roughly one of the tasks below:

• Sending or receiving 50 e-mails (without attachments)
• Streaming two minutes of music
• Viewing six web pages
• Posting two photos to your Facebook page
• Watching 30 seconds of video on YouTube

How much is a gigabyte?

One gigabyte, which is about 1,000 MB, roughly equals one of the tasks below:

• Sending or receiving 50,000 e-mails (without attachments)
• Streaming 33 hours of music
• Viewing 5,600 web pages
• Posting 2,000 photos to your Facebook page
• Watching more than eight hours of video on YouTube

As a guide, typical customers use no more than 500 MB of data per month. All the major carriers allow you to track your usage online or on your phone, so before you sign on with a new plan, check on your usage with your current phone. And when in doubt, overestimate. If you try to save some dollars by going with a less expensive plan, you run the risk of getting slapped with some extreme overage fees if you exceed your limit.

Figure out what you need

If multiple people will share your plan, you might want to consider a shared or family plan. These plans allow you to split your monthly airtime allowance among other cell phone lines in the same account. Prepaid plans are also a good choice for anyone looking to keep a close watch on their monthly budget by only paying for an allotted amount of service up front. When you’ve used all of your minutes, you have the opportunity to buy more service.

What is tethering?

Tethering allows your smartphone to act as a modem and create a usable Wi-Fi hotspot for neighboring devices such as your desktop, laptop, or other devices. If you choose to tether, be aware that data usage can add up quickly.

Which provider is best?

Specifically, the major providers of cell phone data networks nationwide include T-Mobile, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon Wireless.

A T-Mobile data plan is a relatively economical option and their customer service routinely ranks higher than AT&T and Sprint. It’s also flexible enough to meet most people’s needs. As far as data goes, T-Mobile offers an unlimited Talk + Text + Web package at $99.99 a month.

Sprint was the first to introduce an unlimited everything plan, similar to T-Mobile’s Talk + Text + Web package. Under Sprint’s Simply Everything plan, this also runs $99.99 per month and includes unlimited anytime voice calls, unlimited messaging, unlimited web access and even unlimited Sprint Direct Connect for phones that offer that feature. Direct Connect is Sprint’s brand name for walkie-talkie connectivity.

Verizon Wireless and AT&T are the two largest cell phone providers in the United States, but neither offers a truly unlimited data plan. With AT&T, you can get 3GB for $30 or 5GB for $50, and with Verizon, you can get 2GB for $30, 5GB for $50 or 10GB for $80. Although with most smartphone users using around 500 MB, these upper ranges are very difficult to meet.

Ultimately, data plan prices are relatively comparable; so choosing the right plan depends on your other needs, including other lines, call clarity, network reach, mobile hotspot ability, and other offers by different providers. Most importantly, do your research before you sign anything!

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The post Choosing a Data Plan For Your Smartphone appeared first on Voice Duck.

jetBlue. While jetBlue currently does not offer onboard Wi-Fi services, it does plan to roll out a satellite-based broadband service in 2012. They haven’t said yet whether it will be free or paid.

Continental Airlines. As with jetBlue, Continental also has plans to offer in-flight Wi-Fi in 2012.

Delta. Frequent travelers get deals on in-flight Wi-Fi with Delta. A monthly pass costs $34.95, and an annual pass costs $399.95. For infrequent travelers, 24 hours of Wi-Fi costs $11.65.

Southwest. While not all Southwest flights are WiFi enabled, those that are offer service for just $5 per flight. That’s a per-device cost, so it’s more economical to connect a device that can act as a Wi-Fi hotspot, thereby enabling other devices to connect. (Example: connecting Android smartphone and creating a hotspot for your laptop.)

United Airlines. United Airlines offers WiFi on only a few flights, which are mainly those between New York and either San Francisco or Los Angeles. Rates do vary depending on flight time, but it can typically cost between $10 and $50 — sorry that it’s not a more helpful range.

Virgin America. Virgin America offers Wi-Fi connections for both laptops and handheld devices. Prices for laptops range between $5 and $15, depending on length of flight. A monthly pass costs $35. Handheld devices cost either $5 for flights under 90 minutes, and $8 for flights over that range.

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Free Public WiFi networks

Be wary of the so-called Free Public WiFi networks. These tend to be fake unsecured networks and by connecting to them, you run the risk of having information stolen.

Limited range

So you found a free and secured WiFi network in the airport, but that access is limited to a specific terminal or waiting area. This will become a nightmare if you share a terminal or waiting area with a screaming baby and/or someone with a bad case of gas. Trust me on this one.

You have to be a member of the club

A few airlines offer carte blanche wireless high speed internet access, but unless you’re a frequent First Class flyer or purchase a club membership, chances are you’ll never get to take advantage of this travel perk.

Your best bet

The most convenient and straightforward way to securely connect to the internet – whether in an airport or hotel – is through a mobile broadband device.

All major cell phone providers offer a wireless data service for mobile broadband capable devices including tablets, mobile hotspots, netbooks, and laptop sticks. As long as you can get a signal from your cell phone provider, you can connect to the internet from your laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

Just be sure to get an unlimited data plan, otherwise internet overage charges will burn a hole in your wallet.

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The post Airport WiFi Not a Reliable Option for Business Travelers appeared first on Voice Duck.

There are many smartphones available, and so there are tons of choices. Here are a few suggestions when picking the smartphones for your workforce.

Compitability

Not all IT departments are the same. Each runs different hardware and software. Those configurations will mean a lot when setting up smartphones. For instance, if a company doesn’t run Microsoft Exchange, it might not make as much sense to arm the workforce with iPhones, since iPhones work optimally with Microsoft Exchange. Similarly, a small company might not want to invest in a BlackBerry Enterprise Server and then absorb the additional costs associated with one. The foremost consideration in putting smartphones in employees’ hands is the compatibility with the current systems.

Security

When it comes to business, security is a top priority. While hacking attacks aren’t exactly common, they can post a great risk to any business, big or small. Choosing a smartphone platform that provides the greatest level of security should rank highly among a business’s considerations. This might mean spending a great deal more. Using the above example, going with BlackBerry means investing more in a BlackBerry Enterprise Server. But it also means having data encrypted at Research In Motion’s data centers, which means a greater level of security. It’s a tough balancing act, but it is a critical one.

Versatility

While the BlackBerry might be the most secure smartphone, it is also the least versatile. Users will get the basics — email, calendar, and contacts, with easy syncing to computers — but very little more. While a lot of the extras are entertainment-based, many of them can serve a purpose for businesses. A platform such as iPhone will offer users more features for essentially the same price — and perhaps cheaper when considering the cost of BES. Versatility might not be quite as important as security, but it does play a role in the decision.

Price

Of course, businesses can’t just throw money at the issue and declare a solution. They need to make measured decisions on every aspect, including price. Again, the most secure solution might cost a lot, but the less secure and cheaper option can leave businesses more vulnerable. There are monthly fees to consider as well — RIM is notorious for its monthly charge per user for BES usage. The extra price just might not work for some companies, even if the solution is otherwise the best.

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For starters, the prepaid cell phone will save over the cost of a basic contract cell phone plan. Services such as T-Mobile and Net10 offer minutes for about 10 cents each. For low-usage callers, this can save heavily over a $40 postpaid monthly calling plan. For heavier callers there are many unlimited plans that can fit the bill. Any way you slice it, you can find cheaper service, with long distance included, with prepaid wireless.

Where do those savings go, then? To the tablet device. Many of these devices are equipped with 3G, or even 4G, radios. That gives them all the capabilities of smartphones, other than voice calls — hence the prepaid phone for that function. Yet at the same time, tablets are now powerful enough to handle many functions that previously required a laptop. Users can create documents, manage communications, and even access their work desktop computers, all from a small device.

An Android tablet, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, can provide an easy solution. It runs on the Android platform and therefore functions in a manner similar to a smartphone. But at the same time it’s far more portable than a laptop, while providing many of the same functions. In fact, it strips down the laptop experience and takes out all the unnecessary aspects. What’s left can help business users get the most out of their devices.

The total monthly savings will certainly play a role in this decision. Mobile workers who don’t need the phone frequently will save the most, since they can go with a cheap per-minute prepaid wireless plan. Cost savings are also realized from the devices themselves. Even the most expensive Android tablets cost in the $700 range, though one like the Galaxy Tab can be much cheaper than that. All in all, a tablet PC should cost considerably less than a laptop. So those are both up-front and recurring savings.

The switch from laptops and smartphones to tablets and prepaid cell phones might not be an easy one. Workers are used to the versatility of a laptop computer and might be hesitant to use a tablet instead. But these devices are becoming more powerful, and can handle many simple business-related tasks. It is certainly one way to stay on top of all communications, while helping the bottom line.

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