How to Afford the Latest Gadgets

January 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Merely three decades ago, the idea of a computer in most American homes seemed far-fetched, but it’s now a reality. Today’s technology has far surpassed what was thought possible even 15 years ago, when wireless Internet was unheard of and cell phones were the size of a Velveeta box. As technology progresses, the latest must-have gadgets get more and more advanced.

Today’s Must-Have Gadgets

Image from Flickr

The industry’s biggest advances have been the evolution of tablets and gaming systems. Laptop PCs have gotten smaller and smaller with time, and tablets are hand-held computers that have most capabilities of a PC. The latest iPad has revolutionized portable technology. Users can enjoy e-books, e-magazines, games, movies and an immense selection of apps.

There are other tablets available for those who don’t want an Apple. The Kindle Fire, Nook Tablet and Samsung Galaxy are similar to the iPad and are a little less expensive.

The Kinect system Microsoft developed for the xBox gaming system has changed the face of gaming forever. Motion sensors get players up and moving making the gamer the controller and not the controlled-by-hand motions or pushing buttons. Other game system manufacturers are working on their versions of Kinect. Rumor has it that Nintendo Wii will have something available within the next couple of years.

Planning for the Unexpected in a Technology-Based World

Simply having the latest technology at your fingertips isn’t enough, in a technology-driven world, you need to make sure you can plan for the unexpected. If your computer, laptop, or smartphone decides to give you the blue screen of doom, you may find yourself cut off from society, the world and the ability to continue doing many of your crucial day-to-day tasks. Emergency online loans, such as Great Plains Lending online installment loans, can help you get the cash you need to solve those technology-based emergencies and get you up and running in no time.

The following are some reasons people choose to use online loan services to get the cash they need for technology-based emergencies.

Convenience

People enjoy using online loans because of the convenience they offer. You can complete applications and paperwork from the comfort of your home, or a public library if your computer is on the fritz. There’s no standing in line, trying to get a person on the phone, or dealing with big-bank bureaucracy.

Ability to Overcome Bad Credit Issues

Most online lenders are willing to look beyond your credit past, and give you a loan when others might not offer you one. Many online lenders offer flexible repayment terms and no penalty for early pay-off.

However, if you can find other ways to have the money to get the repairs done on your gadget, then do so. Find an extra job, do cleaning services and sell your old gadgets that you no longer need before deciding to get a new gadget through financing.

Filed Under: Finance Tagged With: , ,

Best Phone for Your Personality

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

With today’s modern technology, there is no reason for anyone to miss the opportunity of getting the best phone that fits his or her personality and preferences. Although a lot of new devices – mobile phones in particular – are being introduced from time to time, you can definitely find that one phone that beats them all.

Below are some of the best phones for different personalities and needs.

FOR GAMERS

Finding the right phone for a gamer is no simple task. The options are many, and often unsatisfying.  Games are more than collections of pixels and multi-player chaos. Instead, they offer thrills to every user, with simulated battles, first-person shooters and RPGs providing hours of fun. Limiting that fun to traditional systems is therefore not recommended. Instead, embrace the possibilities of smartphone gaming.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

Serious gamers need serious hardware, and the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play provides some of the most impressive technologies available. This smartphone which is intended for PlayStation fans offers a 3G network, LCD touchscreen, 237 kilobytes per second of data and even an Android operating system. It shines, however, with its touch-sensitive gaming controls and PlayStation-style buttons. The slide-side design even provides dedicated gaming space, making this the ideal phone for avid competitors.

 

FOR MUSIC FANS

Every music lover must be thankful that today’s mobile phones provide entertainment on the go. Almost every phone marketed today has such capabilities, but finding one that offers great quality may be tricky. For music phones, the sounds should be crisp yet thumping with rhythmic bass. Video quality is supposed to be superb, too. Based on those requirements, here’s one device worth checking out.

The Samsung Vitality

Samsung Vitality is Cricket’s first Android smartphone that is supported by Muve Music. It is a fully featured Android device powered by the Android 2.3 OS and aside from feeding your ears with great music, it also gives you access to over 200,000 Android market apps. Moreover, Muve music also allows unlimited song downloads. The MetroPCS Rhapsody challenges Cricket Muve phones, but you can bet who wins the race.

 

FOR PROFESSIONALS AND EXECUTIVES

The need for constant connectivity to easily access data and information anytime, anywhere, is apparent for many business professionals. The ability to perform executive tasks while on the go is also a must. Apple’s iPhone can prove to be a device that has it all.

The Apple iPhone

The Apple iPhone proves an ideal option. This innovative piece offers a four-chip processor, retina display and video mirroring, which allows every image to impress anyone. You can also find tools and programs from the collection of Apps available for download that can help you sort your business easier. Moreover, thousands of games — from old-school favorites to new designs — make sure that your mind is continually stimulated.

 

There are other phones that are worth checking out, but you may want to consider putting these phones on top of your list.

Filed Under: Smartphones Tagged With: , ,

Secret & Cheats: Super Smash Bros.

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

 

Super Smash Bros. 

Image via Wikipedia

Playing games the ‘right way’ may be fun but it’s even cooler when you can beat the game using tricks and cheats. Here are some cool secrets that will make Super Smash Bros. all the more fun!

 

  1. Ever played with a partner and ended losing because the other player lost all his lives and left all the winning to you? Well, here is a cheat that will resurrect the dead! While playing Team Melee with two or more human players, when one of the players loses all his lives, simply press ‘Start’ and one life from the living player will be transferred to the dead one. Miracle! What makes the cheat even better is that you can keep transferring lives till both the players have only one life left!
  2. C-Stick smashes can be very boring as they have such a tiny impact. What if you could charge it up into a smash attack? You could do this with the usual Control Stick and A button option, but when using the GameCube, you could get the same effect using the C-Stick. Click the C-Stick in the direct where you want to make your smash attack and then hold the button Z. The smash attack will not start off immediately. Instead, you will see that it is charging up. You could either wait for the charge to complete and release the smash attack automatically. However, if you are in a rush and can’t wait for the smash attack to charge fully, simply release the Z button whenever you need to and the smash attack will be triggered. Voila!

 

Filed Under: Computers, Gaming Tagged With: , ,

Conquering Age of Empires III

June 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Cover art of the PC version 

Image via Wikipedia

 

 

 

Age of Empires has had a cult like following for a very long time. It popularity has grown with each new version released and its features have left players breathless. However, the game can be very tough and frustrating if players do not have a little ‘help’. This is the reason why tricks that make things move in the Age of Empires are so sought after by gamers. Here are some great cheats that will help you conquer Age of Empires III much faster!

 

  1. Resources are what can make or break any empire. But what if you had unlimited resources? This cheat is a dream come true for those who have struggled with Age of Empire III. Go to the data directory in the game folder and edit the proto.xml file using a text editor. Make sure that the file is not set to ‘Read only’ by checking its properties in Windows Explorer. Look for text that contains the word ‘Createof’ and you will end up with a long list that covers everything from food, money and wood. Go to the ‘InitialResourceCount’ tag and change the count to as high a number as you want and that the amount that each unit will have!
  2. Going to a higher level can be a tough task in Age of Empires III but not if you follow this simple trick! Go to the My DocumentsMy GamesAge of Empires 3Savegame and open the sp_yourcityname_homecity.xml file.  Once there, search for ‘’ and you will find ‘xx’. Simple replace the xx here with 99. What does this trick do? It makes your level 99!
Filed Under: Computers, Gaming Tagged With: , ,

Revealing the secrets of The Sims II

June 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

Current  

Image via Wikipedia

 

 

The Sims set off a new trend in strategic gaming and have remained tremendously popular since the very first Sim was launched. People spend several hours in a day building stuff, collecting resources and using their minds to create places of absolute harmony and success. However, a little bit of cheating doesn’t do any harm where ‘progress’ is concerned! So here are some neat tricks that you can use in The Sims II!

 

  1. Music plays a great role in setting up the environment of a game but many gamers don’t like the music that the Sims has. So here is a trick that will let you listen to your favorite songs within the game! First of all, build a list of the MP3s that you want as part of The Sims II. Then go to MyDocuments/EAGames/TheSims2/Music/ and select the music station that you will want your music to play on. Now, drag and drop your MP3s in this folder. Go back to the game now and open the options menu. Select music settings and then the music station where you have saved your songs. Once there, you can select the songs that you want the radio station to play during the game. Voila! You can now play to your own tunes!
  2. Want to have some pizza for free? Make your Sim order a pizza. However, when the delivery guy shows up, don’t take the pizza. The poor guy will wait for a while and eventually leave the pizza by your door step. Stack up lots of free pizza and your Sim can have it whenever it feels hungry as they never become stale!
Filed Under: Extras, Gaming Tagged With: , ,

Four Tips for Improving Your Blackjack Skills

May 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you like to gamble, you may find that one of the best games to play is blackjack. There are many ways that you can play, and there are always great tips that you can find. Below are four tips to improve your blackjack skills

Split the Deck

If your initial hand is two of a kind, split your deck. This improves your chance of winning. It is highly suggested that if you have double aces, always split. This is even an option most of the time on an online casino.

Double Down

If you decide that you want to double your bet after seeing your initial draw of cards, you can do this. You will also get an additional card with this. Doubling down is a great way to go if you have an amazing hand, but keep in mind that it can also be a huge risk if you don’t have a great hand.

Remember Who You are Playing

You are playing against the house. Keep this in mind. You are simply trying to beat the dealer, without busting. Though this may seem easy, it is not always that simple. Understand that though you want to get as close to 21 as possible, you also do not want to go over.

Know Your Limits

One of the most important things to keep in mind if you want to improve your blackjack skills is to know when to stop. If you are getting stressed, angry, or running out of cash, it is time to cash in. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed with ‘just one more’ syndrome.

 

Filed Under: Extras, Gaming Tagged With: , ,

Using Computer Games to Learn

May 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Group of children in a primary school in Paris 

Image via Wikipedia

Most parents despair when their children start asking to download or purchase computer games, but the fact is that, chosen wisely, many of the games can actually be educational tools. Of course, you’re the only one who’ll know that, because the learning is disguised so well in the graphics and maneuvers, your child won’t even realize he is learning until he actually puts the knowledge to use.

There are computer games designed for even very young children. Some of these can be helpful, but you need to ask yourself do you really want to introduce your three-year-old to the computer when he is just mastering fine motor skills such as using pencils and crayons, and still wants to remain physically active.

For those children that you do consider old enough to play computer games, there are those that you will feel more comfortable with letting them play because they truly are helping them. For example, computer games that require a child to achieve a certain number of points before proceeding to the next level can help with math skills.

Games that require pointing and clicking the mouse can help with hand-eye coordination, something which many young children often have a problem with. Also, choose games that require conscious effort on your child’s part in order to make something happen. For example, you can choose a game that require your child to click on a specific color object a fixed number of times before achieving success. This can help with fine motor skills, math skills, and memory skills.

Filed Under: Computers Tagged With: , ,

The Old Platform Video Games: The Challenge That Never Ends

May 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It’s staggering how far we’ve come when it comes to video gaming. First it was Pong — now it’s Call of Duty: Black Ops. That essence of gaming has evolved so incredibly that it makes humanity look like a snail in the grand space-time continuum. Who knows — we might see in ten years a video game console that can be implanted into our brains. Look! It’s Super Mario Brothers played inside our minds. How’sthat for virtual reality?

There’s one question to pose, though: has the quality of gaming gotten better? Hmm. Good question.

For sure, your quality Final Fantasy games out there are like custom designed poker tables — and Pac-Man’s basically an old wooden nightstand. Right?

 

Image courtesy: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2703293797_9d12fe9376_m.jpg

Wrong. When you’re looking for the answer about quality in gaming, know that the answer is this: no. It definitely hasn’t gotten worse, though.

Try any of those old platform games from the past — like Mega Man, Ninja Gaiden, Super Mario Brothers. What is the defining characteristic of a game? Think hard….

Yes! It’s the challenge. It’s the ability to spend hours trying to get to the next level. Go ahead and try it: play any one of these classic platform games, and you’ll want to throw the controller at the TV.

There’s your quality right there. There’s programming genius in a game — a game that provides a challenge. Know that the essence of gaming isn’t to be thrilled, necessary — it’s to be challenged. That’s what all kinds of games do.

Filed Under: Computers, Gaming Tagged With: , ,

Protecting Your Teen on Facebook

May 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Image representing Facebook as depicted in Cru... 

Image via CrunchBase

If you’re like the majority of parents today, your teen has a Facebook account. And, if you’re like the majority of parents, you’ve heard the countless horror stories about cyber-bullying, stalking, sending and receiving sexually explicit postings, and other issues that have put teens into physical danger or caused intense emotional stress.

You may be wondering if refusing to let your teen have a Facebook account is the only way you can prevent anything bad from happening. It is one way, but there are other ways you can protect your teen on Facebook or any other social network account (Facebook is the one you hear about the most, but there are others; these tips apply to any of them).

Become your child’s “friend.”

Not only will this give you access to your child’s page, but just knowing that you are literally seeing everything your child sees will keep him and his friends “on the straight and narrow” when it comes to content that is posted. If you start seeing a lot of “code words,” ask your child to translate, and then explain that this will not happen again. If it continues, suspend Facebook access for a period of time.

Keep up with your child’s contacts.

If you don’t know a person yourself, ask your child to give you information on who the contact is and how this person came to be on your child’s Facebook page, this is the only way to ensure Facebook privacy for your kids. If the person doesn’t know your child enough to your liking, have your teen remove them from their friends list.

Filed Under: Computers Tagged With: , ,

The Growing Popularity of Online Games

May 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Gaming has always been something that people find to be an entertaining and viable pass-time. Since the inception of computers, the world of video games has evolved drastically, reaching out to entire new demographics that it did not when it first began getting popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. While in fact traditional types of video games such as first person shooters and the stunning embrace of graphics and interactivity that is the role-playing realm; the more simplistic types of online games are vastly growing in popularity over them.

Among some of the more popular games that are commonly played online are games that pertain to gambling. There are many online casino sites that dip into many different types of games that are associated with gambling in general. Among one of the more popular are digital Texas Hold ‘em matches that take place around a digitally enhanced table where each player has a clear seat. These types of games have been popular for the past decade, and continue to grow due to the ease they present to people who like the element of gambling but enjoy the anonymity of sitting at their computer with nobody around them in person.

Additionally, some of the more simplistic looking games that are nothing more than generic side-scrollers are equally popular. These games can usually be found on sites that small scale developers use to show-case their games. Text-based role-playing games also fall into this category, and have a like cult type of following among player groups.

In all, the computer and Internet present a wide array of gaming opportunities for both players and video game developers. With the wide array of preferences among audiences, there is seemingly no area in which a developer can make a mistake in terms of what the finished product will be and who it will appeal to.

Filed Under: Computers, Gaming Tagged With: , ,
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