Best Alternative Tablets That Won't Break Your Wallet

The modern wave of tablet began in 2010 when the first Apple iPads were delivered to customers in the United States. Three and a half years later, tablets became common. As with most tech products, the price of tablet computers has dropped while their capabilities have grown significantly. New version tablets running Google’s Android operating system are regularly advertised for as low as $99, while the top of the line offerings from Microsoft, Samsung, and others continue to pursue the envelope with smoother and sharper screens, faster processors, and thinner and lighter bodies. Somewhere between the two extremes, a handful of incredible values are waiting to be had. For $150 or less, you can get the best budget tablet to fit your needs without breaking your wallet. Below are my picks for the best budget tablets for 2014.

No-Name Tablets (clone tablets)

I don’t recommend any of these tablets simply because it’s very difficult to track quality control and customer service across so many new and fly-by-night companies getting into the Android game.

An Android tablet for less than $100 certainly sounds like a great deal, but before you invest on it, think about a few things. First, cheap tablets are generally made from cheap materials, whatever the specs might say. Just because a tablet has a quality high-resolution display, for instance, doesn’t mean the display is actually going to look good or be responsive. Check out to see what version of Android comes pre-installed on your device, as you may be stuck with it for a while. Lastly, check to see if the tablet works with the Google Play Store before you purchase it. Tablet manufacturers have to obtain Google Play certification or else their devices won’t be able to access the Android world’s main source for unique apps, books, music, and video content. A cheap tablet may not look like such a bargain if you can’t load any apps on it.

Best Barnes and Noble Tablet

Barnes and Noble Nook HD+ (starting from $149)

Believe it! Barnes and Noble have been making Android tablets for three years now. The original Nook Colour was one of the first 7” tablets in the market, offering a customized Android-based experience combining web and email access with the bookseller’s own catalogue of e-books, apps, periodicals, and digital media. Today’s Nook High D and High D+ tablets offer the recent add on of Google Play support, bringing access to hundreds of thousands apps, movies and songs via Google’s own online Store.

While Barnes and Noble may or may not be getting out from cutthroat tab game, they’re still selling the current Generation Nook HD line at low bargain prices. Your best bet is the Android high-powered Nook HD+, a 9” slate with a 1920 x 1280 full HD display, dual core processor, and micro SD card slot starting at a mere $149. Nook HD can’t quite keep up with the Nexus 7 performance-wise, but its display is simply the best for reading and watching videos. Nook HD+ is easily modified to run the latest stock versions of Android OS, turning it into a “Poor Man’s Nexus” device at a lower price.

Specs:

·         Screen Size: 8 in.

·         Weight: 11.1 oz.

·         Storage: 8GB, 16GB

·         Operating System: Android 2.3

Best Budget Tablet if You Own a Samsung TV

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 (starting from $179)

Samsung has become Apple’s top rival in the smartphone game by offering advanced powered devices packed with cool features and designed to play with the company’s ecosystem of TVs, home theatre equipment, and other best gadgets. The Galaxy Tab line of tablets offers Android-based alternatives to Apple’s iPad, and the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 slots in as an iPad’s less rival at roughly half the price. The Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 is a light, sleek, and responsive tablet with a 7” display that’s compatible with all of the apps and media in the Google Play Store. Samsung pre-installs a handful of cool and quality apps on the Tab. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 is still a solid value backed by an established name in the consumer electronics space.

Specs:

·         Screen Size: 7 in.

·         Weight: 10.5 oz.

·         Storage: 8GB

·         Operating System: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Best Tablet for Amazon Prime Members

Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7” (starting from $229)

Amazon’s new Kindle Fire HDX line might be the device you really want to have. Press a button on the device’s screen and you’ll be connected through video chat to a tech support representative who can walk you through whatever tablet-related help you need. Amazon tech reps can even draw on your tablet screen to show you exactly what buttons to tap and settings to tweak. Mayday is one of the amazing feature, and whether or not it actually catches on; it’s a boon to the tech un-savvy and the relatives who run phone support for them.

Beyond Mayday, the 7” Kindle Fire HDX is a worthy iPad mini and Nexus 7 competitor, particularly if you frequently shop at Amazon. With a 1900 x 1280 displays, quad-core processor, and optional cellular connectivity, HDX is one of the most capable 7” tablets in the market. It is very sleek and light to boot. But Amazon’s tablets are built to keep you in the Amazon ecosystem as much as anything else. On one hand, that means free access to thousands of streaming videos for members, and a user interface designed to recommend all sorts of products you might want to buy next. While on the other, that means less access to the Google services other Android tablet owners enjoy. Kindle Fire owners get their apps from Amazon’s own App Store, whose selection is very limited compared to Google Play.

Specs:

·         Screen Size: 7 in.

·         Weight: 10.7 oz.

·         Storage: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB

·         Operating System: Fire OS 3 Mojito

Best Budget Tablet

Google Nexus 7 (starting from $229)

Google knocked this out of the park with the original Nexus 7, and this year’s model adds a “Super High Definition” 1920 x 1200 display and Quad-Core processor to the mix. The result is a thin, sleek, light, and fast tablet with a gorgeous display suitable for everything from browsing the Web or watching full HD video. Nexus devices also are first in line to receive the latest updates to the Android OS. That means the Nexus 7 will claim the benefits of the new KitKat (Android 4.4) OS long before other Android tabs.

The excellent “Google Now” service shines on Android devices, and the OS widgets and notification system are preferred by many over the iOS and Windows 8 systems. If you want a tablet suited to one-handed use and don’t specifically need an iPad, the Google Nexus 7 is my bet.

Specs:

·         Screen Size: 7 in.

·         Weight: 10.2 oz.

·         Storage: 16GB, 32GB

·         Operating System: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

So there you have it! Those are my top picks for tablets that will surely suit your budget. If you happen to know more budget wise tablets that I missed, then feel free to add them in the comments.

By: Robert Guinanao - Tech Support Engineer at Supportrix

Setting Up and Organizing Your Calendar in iPhone4S

Apple iPhone 4S is one of the most powerful smartphones in the market today. You’ll be able to do a lot of things with the iPhone’s fifth generation; one of them is setting up and organizing your calendar. Calendar is one of the core applications on mobile devices. The Calendar app, which has been included in iOS when it was launched in 2007, assists and helps you keep track of what you're doing. There are several ways to use the calendar -- you can either simply use it by itself or you can sync it with iCloud, Microsoft, Google Calendar, and others. It is the default way to add and find appointments and events. Setting up your calendar is smooth and as easy as what you think since each calendar gets its own color. You can conveniently hide or show individual calendars. If you don't need them anymore, you can simply and easily delete them as well.

If you want to create calendar on your iPhone, please refer to the following steps:

From your iPhone’s Home screen, launch the Calendar app.

Tap on the Calendars button.

Tap the Edit button.

Tap on Add Calendar.

Give your calendar a name by tapping the name field.

Then tap the color you prefer to use for your calendar. For example, we chose Green.

Tap the Done button after choosing the colour and giving a name to your calendar.

Your calendar will be added and you can start creating events and appointments.

To delete calendars on your iPhone, simply go back to the Calendar app then tap on the Calendars button located in the upper left-hand corner of the Calendar application. Tap the blue arrow next to the calendar name you'd like to delete. Scroll the way down to the bottom and tap the Delete Calendar button. The calendar you deleted will no longer show up on your iPhone.

Let's discuss the steps in setting up Google Calendar on an iPhone 4S. As of January 30, 2013, Google stopped allowing new iPhones, iPads, and other devices to be set up using Google sync. The existing Google sync setups will keep working, that's why the next time you want to add Google calendar to your device, you need to use a different service like Google CalDAV. CalDAV is an Internet standard that is used to sync Google calendar with your iPhone 4S or other Apple iOS devices. To sync with your device, first you need to go to Settings from your device's Home screen. Then go to Mail, Contacts, and Calendars. Select Add Account, and then select Gmail. Fill up the following information -- in the Name field, enter your name as you'd like it to appear on others. In the Email field, enter your full Google Account or Google Apps email address. In the Password field, enter your Google Account or Google Apps password. If you are a 2-step verification user, please use an application-specific password instead of your regular password in this field. In the Description field, enter a description of the calendar (example: Personal Calendar). Select Next at the top of your screen. Make sure the Calendars option is turned on. After the setup is complete, open the Calendar app on your device. Syncing will automatically begin. Please take note that by default, only your primary calendar will be synced with your device.

If you have additional calendars that you would like to sync, please visit the following page from your device's mobile browser: https://www.google.com/calendars/syncselect. Google apps users can go to https://m.google.com/sync/settings/. You can select the calendars you'd like to sync, then click Save. The selected calendars will be displayed on your device at the time of the next sync.

Syncing via CalDAV is only available for Apple devices running software version 3.0 or higher. You can check your software version by tapping Settings on your device's Home screen. Then tap General, and then tap About. Your device's software version is listed next to Version.

Setting up and organizing calendar on your iPhone 4S is a great way to stay organized! You can easily keep track of all your events and appointments right from your smartphone.

This article is written by: Rachele Joy Galang

Google's Chrome Connectivity Diagnostics Tool Makes Network Troubleshooting Easier

Have you ever been through a scenario wherein you're downloading your favorite movie or uploading hundreds of pictures of your travel adventure abroad when suddenly your connection comes to a halt? You're confident that you never accidentally kicked off your Ethernet cable under the table. You also paid your last month's bill so there's no reason why you'll get disconnected. All of a sudden, you need to act as a tech whiz otherwise, you'll be left high and dry in front of your useless computer. But we all have to admit it, troubleshooting connectivity issues is a bloody task every computer owner has to undergo. With hundreds of tools that promises to get the job done, you're dumbfounded whether which one will really work for you in the quickest time possible.

Enter, Google's Chrome Connectivity Diagnostics tool makes network troubleshooting a breeze, even for novice users. It's a free app that contains various networking tests and lets you view the results in an easy to read format. The tests range between the basic diagnostics such as checking if your computer's WiFi is turned on, to the complex ones such as checking if there are any blocked ports on your connection. However, the app only lets you find out the problem that is causing you network connectivity issue. It does not fix or correct the issue automatically for you.

First, go to the Chrome Web Store then download the Chrome Connectivity Diagnostics app. Upon installing it, launch the tool via the Chrome App Launcher and it will start running the necessary tests.

If there is an issue detected, it will be shown under the Failing Tests section. You can click on the gear icon, then select Show Passing Tests to display all the tests and results.

Clicking on a result will allow you to view more information about the said result and a link to its actual test logs.

If all tests have successfully passed, you'll be prompted with the message "Your network connection appears to be operating correctly," along with a picture of a smiling robot. So to be prepared in case a network problem will arise in the future, we recommend downloading and installing this useful app. It will definitely make your tech life a little bit easier.

Easy Tips in Keeping Your Gadgets in Tiptop Shape

Gadgets, whether it's a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, or all of the above, are our most dependable "virtual friends" in this highly tech-driven life. Believe it or not, they too, need some tender loving care so that they'll last as long you want them around. So how can you return the favor? Here are some of the most practical tips on how to keep your tech devices and gadgets in mint condition.

Always Keep Your Gadgets Clean

Always doesn't necessarily mean that you have to clean your gadget(s) every hour or so. It is ideal to clean them when it's needed, since we all know that they can also transmit germs and other harmful viruses due to everyday use. Avoid using cleaning materials that can damage the screen or surface of your gadget. There are many safe cleaning solutions and materials out there that are specifically designed for use on gadgets that you can buy. After all, they are our best companions and it will also reflect our personalities on how we handle our personal things.

Don't Block the Air Vents of Your Laptop to Avoid Overheating

Curling up on the couch while watching your favorite TV show or movie may be a little bit too cozy for your laptop's taste. Laptops generate a fair amount of heat; the warmth can be nice on a cold winter's night but it needs to be dissipated if your laptop is going to last. Your laptop has what it needs to stay cool already, you just have to be careful not to block the air intakes. If you hear the fan on your laptop kicking into high gear, it's time to let it cool down. Your laptop is happiest when it's sitting on a hard surface with plenty of air flow around it. You can also place a small book or flat item under your laptop when it's sitting on a desk. This way, the slight tilt will allow more air to flow under the laptop. Watching videos on your laptop on the couch is fine, but bundling it up like a baby and falling asleep? That's not such a great idea.

Don't Wrap Cables and Cords Too Tightly

Do you find your phone cable and headphones end up in a tangled mess? Or worse, do you find the casing on your charger cable cracked? Make sure your cables are in good shape by not wrapping them too tightly when storing. Instead of tightly wrapping the cable around itself to store, wrap it around your outstretched fingers. Wrap the bundle with an elastic band or use a binder clip to secure it. Just make sure you're not pinching any of the wires to avoid damage. You can also buy some cheap cord/cable holder or cable tie because elastic bands have a tendency to become brittle and break over some time.

Avoid Exposing Your Gadgets to Direct Heat and Sunlight

Sunlight, as we all know, can be very bad to your gadgets. If you think you'll be gone for quite a while, never leave your laptop or any type of electronic device inside your car, especially if you're going to park it in an open outdoor parking lot. When storing, be sure to keep your gadgets in room temperature to protect it from any damage.

Manage Your Apps Properly

If your once speedy tablet is now running slowly, don't fret. Every once in a while, it helps to fully shut down and restart your tablet fresh. But before doing so, make sure to close out any apps that you're not actively using. Keep track of apps that you're not using anymore, or at all, and delete them. Some apps take up a lot of space and this can greatly slow down your gadget.

Buy a Protective Casing for Your Gadget

You'll never run out of places to buy a protective casing for your tablet or smartphone. Keep in mind that they are not made for nothing. Not only will it make your gadget more personalized, it will also provide extra protection against dents, scratches, water, and shock. You can even have a million designs to choose from that will surely match your taste and style.

Avoid Draining the Battery When Storing Your Gadget

Before storing, charge your gadget(s) to 50% and then turn it off. Leaving a tablet or any gadget unused for a long period of time with a dead battery can damage its ability to hold the charge.

Bring Your Gadgets to an Authorized Service Center

If in case your gadget breaks down, make it a point to bring it to an authorized and legit service centers only. If you think that you'll save more if you have it repaired on cheap repair shops, think again. There's a great chance that the technician doesn't have proper training and handling skills to repair your gadget, which may cause you to spend more in the end.

We hope these tips will help your tech devices last a really long time. Always keep in mind that gadgets can be very fragile. Being careless on your gadget is not a very practical thing to do, because you'll end up buying a new one just because you missed doing some of these very simple things.

Devices and Gadgets That Can Also Be Hacker Friendly

There are countless devices nowadays that can be used and operated using WiFi or Bluetooth connection, which most technically-inclined users can consider as practical and convenient in their day-to-day lives. But do you know that they can also be used as a means of making you or your personal information vulnerable to hacking? Below are some simple and not-so-simple devices you did not know can also be penetrated by hackers.

Home Security Systems

Home electronic security system, if installed incorrectly, can make your home more susceptible to technically-skilled intruders than it was without it installed. With the growing number of companies manufacturing security systems for residential use, it all depends on how secure the system can provide. Smart thieves can lift or unlock the code using a stolen smartphone, or secretly tap the wireless signal from a distance when you open your door. Once they obtain your security code, they'll wait for a chance when you're not at home, then unlock your security with ease, and proceed in robbing your house. If you are using one of these home security systems, make sure you have set the strongest password possible. Also, be cautious of any onlookers or bystanders that may be watching your activities at home, and report them immediately.

Medical Implants

Even medical implants are not exempted in the hacking industry. A researcher who attended the recently-held Black Hat convention in Las Vegas demonstrated how hacking can be done thru the wireless signals transmitted by automatic insulin pumps implanted inside a human body. A few years ago, a group of researchers also discovered how to shut down a pacemaker via remote control. According to Dr. Kevin Fu, associate professor in Computer Science at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, hackers can use a wireless interface to utilize another computer or device to change the settings on a medical device to infuse insulin or control the defibrillation of a heart. Because of this, manufacturers are now looking for ways on how to secure these devices to prevent unauthorized alteration that may cause heart attacks and worse, death.

Garage Door Openers

Similar to home electronic security systems, garage door openers can also be easily hacked by anyone who has a smartphone. The security code that is being transmitted wirelessly can be obtained by thieves thru the use of smartphones, while others go with the conventional way of using wires. So make sure not to leave your garage door open for a long period of time or have someone watch the garage door for you against any suspicious-looking people.

Portable Gaming Gadgets

Older electronic gaming devices such as the first generation Nintendo DS that works only with WEP-enabled wireless networks can also be a medium for attracting hackers to your network. Make sure that your home network uses WPA security standard, instead of WEP, which is the poorest form of wireless security. Hackers can easily determine the password and once they established a connection to your network, they can access all your shared files and information in a blink of an eye. So make sure your child is not using anymore these hand-me-down gaming devices wirelessly.

Old Baby Monitors

Beware of buying second-hand almost-obsolete baby monitors. This harmless-looking device can also be hacked by tapping into its video and audio feeds by anyone who could receive its channel frequency. If you're planning to get one, get the newer models that have several channel frequencies or better yet, WiFi connection so it will be more difficult for unauthorized persons to connect to its frequency or signal.

Personal GPS Locators

These small gadgets that allow parents to track their children can also be considered dangerous to your kid's safety, if not equipped with the proper security features. Researchers have demonstrated how one common GPS tracking device is hacked and was able to follow its user. Make sure to get one that has a security feature to keep your child safe, including you.

Traffic Lights

Have you seen some scenes in a movie wherein a tech geek manipulated the street traffic lights to turn all green using his super power computer? Well, that is actually possible. Receivers on street lights can communicate through infrared transmission, which is usually done by emergency, police, and fire vehicles so that they can immediately change the traffic light to go all green. Unfortunately, highly-technical people can also build such kind of infrared transmission to control the traffic lights, either for prank or criminal purposes.

5 Reasons Why You Must Wear a Smartwatch

The concept of a smartwatch has been in circulation since the early 90's. It has been conceptualized in some heroic TV characters like Knight Rider, Dick Tracey, and James Bond, who somewhat wears a gadget on their wrists that does more than just tell the time. Since the launch of the first generation of smartwatches dated back in the 1970s, mixed reactions were spawned from consumers about the functionality of this wearable computing device. Although we're not sure if you're on the pro-side or on the con-side of this debate, it's safe to assume that you're intrigued about what a smartwatch really is and what can it do to make your daily life easier. So read on to find out our top 5 reasons why you should wear a smartwatch today.

A Smartwatch Lets You Do Things Discreetly

When you're in a meeting, seminar, or having a one-on-one business conversation with your boss, it's definitely awkward or embarrassing to pull out or even glance at your phone just to check who texted or emailed you. If you're wearing a smartwatch, it's easier and quicker to check your phone's activities even if you're in the middle of an engaging or demanding activity.

A Smartwatch Lets You Do Your Tasks Quicker and Easier

Aside from its function to serve as an extension of your phone where you can make or receive calls, you can also perform other things such as check your emails, post a comment in Facebook, read new tweets, and get today's weather forecast without removing your phone from your bag or pocket. What's even cooler with the smartwatch's function is its virtual assistant features like Apple's Siri and Samsung's S Voice that allows you to do these tasks by simply using your voice. Now that's really a smart move.

A Smartwatch Can Make You Stay Fit and Healthy

Apps that you can use to monitor your calorie intake, track your running distance and pace from your morning jogging session this morning, or how much have you gained or lost weight are considered as the motivating factors why people use a smartwatch. They can wear it on their arm or wrist like a regular watch but get very informative and useful data while having a rigorous workout activity. They can also store data about your health so you don't need to input anything or write it down just to take note of your health progress. A more visible example of this is Apple's iWatch that features Nike apps that functions as a pepdometer, calorie counter, and a heart rate monitor. And there's no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy Watch also has this same feature because it has also launched the S Health app for the Galaxy S4 accompanied with the S Band, which is similar to the Jawbone Up and Fitbit Flex arm bands.

A Smartwatch Gives You Information at a Glance

As we've come to know the many wonderful and powerful things that a smartwatch can do for you, it also helps ease your frustration and saves your precious time along the way. How? For example, you can quickly glance at your smartwatch to read an email that you just received, find out if the recent tweet is worth re-tweeting, or if a call is worth picking up. You don't need to constantly take out your phablet from your bag or pocket just to find out what that notification sound was, or hurry up with all your might to pick up a call just to find out it was just a credit card offer. It's very ideal, especially to those who are always on the go or those who need to accomplish so many things in so little time.

Smartwatches Help You Save Your Phone's Battery Life

Extending the battery life of your 5" phablet can be quite a challenge because of the tons of functions and apps that require a considerable amount of power. Mobile phones that have bigger screen (the bigger, the better is the trend nowadays), normally uses up more battery life. But if you are using a smartwatch, you no longer need to grab your phone and do things you need to do. Tasks that you normally do with your phone can now be done using a smartwatch using low-energy technology, which makes it efficient and practical for you, and preserves your phablet's power for later use.