Besttechie
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Here’s a great saying for you to put on a meme: “There’s a lot of month left at the end of my salary.” Nowadays, no amount of money is enough. Renting prices have gone higher, technology has become an expensive necessity, and seeing Machu Picchu is still on my wish list. Our expenses and our dreams are greater than ever without the salaries to match. All of this has naturally given birth to a subsection of the gig economy, the sharing economy, which allows individuals to monetize assets that aren’t being fully utilized. The exponential rise of technology has also ironically given birth to a return to more practical skill learning, such as photography or cooking, or in my case, comic book writing.
Comic book writing with the idea of making some side money wasn’t working for me. Then, I was informed of a new platform called Vanywhere, which enables anyone with a marketable skill to capitalize on their knowledge and talent. Imagine being able to make money off of the languages you conveniently acquired from your multicultural parents, or the brownie-baking skill you discovered during the hosting of your first dinner party.
Described as a peer-to-peer skill-sharing platform, Vanywhere ranks users into Skillers and users. The Skillers can be Professional Skillers, such as trained professionals and freelancers, Influencer Skillers, which are just social media influencers with an army of loyal followers who look to them for guidance and advice in their field, and Everyday Skillers, people like you and I with extraordinary skills. The users are those looking to the platform for the specific, personalized advice they need, whether it be how to dress to impress for the next interview, how to properly sew the sock hole that keeps coming back, or how to survive a week in Paris with a basic level of French.
Vanywhere interactions happen through live, 1-on-1 video, voice or chat. Users can search for a skill and check who’s available online. Skillers set their own price per minute for live chats, or a project fee for offline gigs. As with any sharing app such as Fiverr and Upwork, a reliable reputation system and scores are important to increase Skiller credibility and, unlike most platforms where users can buy ratings, Vanywhere’s reputation system is verifiable and immutable.
Vanywhere’s platform is built on blockchain technology (if you’re not yet familiar with the word blockchain, it’s the same ledger technology Bitcoin uses to record its transactions). Having the platform be blockchain-based allows transactions to go directly from the users’ wallets to the Skillers without any intermediary taking high enrollment and other fees in between. It also allows the majority of the population to finally enter this consistently growing cryptocurrency economy in a way everyone can understand. The user can pay in dollars, euros, and other currencies, and the Skiller receives their share in VANY tokens, the designated currency for the app, that later can be used to either pay for other items or transitioned back to dollars.
Overall I wonder, is the world ready to be paid in cryptocurrencies when we still need to purchase our coffee in dollars, euros, and yens? I’m not sure we are and this makes me wary of the platform in general. However, I am excited to see where this trend will go and, while not sure if I will be making any money from it just yet, I will be checking up on the progress of this great initiative.
The post Vanywhere takes your skills and makes them worth something appeared first on BestTechie.
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It doesn’t take much to arrive at the conclusion that brick-and-mortar stores are approaching a steady decline with the rise of e-commerce giants and the digital age. Companies such as Amazon have completely immersed themselves in all areas of consumption, from food to medicine to clothes and cameras. Early on, these platforms understood the impact of digitization and the ease and accessibility it offers consumers and sellers alike. It’s important to understand just how beneficial incorporation of eCommerce into your everyday life can be and how you can take advantage of the digital age. Luckily, the SellFee app is here to help.
SellFee is a real-life eCommerce strategy gaming application that lets you run a business and make real money from the palm of your hands. The app eliminates the hurdles and expenses associated with traditional retail by providing you a space to establish yourself in the digital world. With SellFee you can create your own online store, become your own boss, and run it from anywhere in the world completely hassle-free.
Save Time
No matter where in the world you are, SellFee provides a premium and hassle-free eCommerce business creation platform for mobile and desktop devices, with an easily assembled store and navigated game (no middleman necessary). The people behind the app take care of: stock management, customer support, service, system maintenance, server management, software updates and more. Unlike competitors, SellFee is a one stop shop for everything the user needs in order to start a complete drop shipping eCommerce platform, and the only platform that does so with only four taps making it an extremely practical way to manage your business and your time.
Save Money
SellFee eliminates all of the typical hurdles and expenses associated with opening a traditional retail business. There are the property costs, the hiring costs, the inventory costs, and day-to-day maintenance costs, which are all avoided when you open up shop with SellFee. The idea behind the app is that you should not have to spend money to make money.
Make Money
You begin by creating an account (for free) and deciding the category of items you wish to sell in your store. There is no shortage of options to choose from, whether it be clothes, iPhones, cameras, video games, or furniture, you will have a wide inventory to sort through and select from. Once you’ve landed on your desired line of business and designated your unique name and logo, you’re ready to start selling and making real money. Attract buyers to your store by continually marketing it through social media links that include: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and more. Cash out at any time via the PayPal account your store is set up with. The more inventory you sell, the more options you have of what to sell. You can run, upgrade and replenish your business from anywhere in the world. Every time a sales milestone is hit, you are then upgraded to a larger stock of inventory. Each tweet and cha-ching gets you a better chance to do your thing.
When we think about the impact the internet and technology has had on our society just in the past few years, it only makes sense that eCommerce is transforming the way we expend products and services. Retailers and institutions are no longer entrenched by fixed and sunk costs, but are now able to run a platform with relatively low maintenance expenses. And now you can too! Consumers also capitalize on this option of accessibility and portability that gives them entry into endless types of products to buy from anywhere in the world. The digital era is here to stay and it is to everyone’s benefit to embrace it.
The post SellFee makes building an eCommerce store easy with its one stop shop gaming solution appeared first on BestTechie.
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Not too many words gained as much popularity in the last few months as the word cryptocurrency. As the price of Bitcoin rose well above $10,000, everybody started talking about digital currencies and the investment potential in this field.
In such circumstances, a lot of new companies decided to base their operations on blockchain technologies. To put it simply, Initial Coin Offering (ICO) became a cornerstone of their business. In this article, we will show 7 tips to effectively assess ICOs and choose the best solutions for your investment.
What Is ICO?
An ICO represents a means of crowdfunding centered around cryptocurrency, which can be a source of capital for startup companies. In other words, developers use ICO to sell a certain amount of initial tokens in exchange for already-established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Doing so, they obtain the starting capital to move on with the project development, while investors hope to capitalize on the future success of this venture.
7 Ways to Evaluate an ICO campaign
According to cryptocurrency analysts at rushmyessay.co.uk, there are dozens of ways to assess whether an ICO campaign has success potential. Since most of these methods require superb IT knowledge, it is best to focus on simpler but accurate ICO indicators. Let’s check out 7 most revealing features to look for when assessing an ICO here:
- Take a look at the backstage
The first thing to do when evaluating an ICO project is to look for the people who started it. You should check their professional background and previous experience. Have they launched similar campaigns before? Were these projects successful? You must know these things before making an investment.
A vast majority of promising ICO projects clearly present resumes of the persons in charge. If you can find links to their social network profiles, it would be a huge bonus. This kind of transparency boosts investors’ confidence and suggests that you can trust the professional authority of team leaders.
- Evaluate ICO’s market potential
Each ICO campaign has a different purpose. Your job is to analyze the entire plan, especially whitepaper as the project’s core document. This way you get to see what kind of problem will this product solve and does it have enough potential to make a breakthrough. You should compare it with similar projects and determine what makes it so different from others, both positively and negatively. Once you’ve done this analysis, you’ll have a much better idea about its overall market potential.
- Consult online communities
You can find almost anything on the Internet, including online communities with relevant cryptocurrency discussions. Such places are full of IT experts who can really open your eyes and reveal important information about ICO projects. They can give you valuable suggestions and even save you from fraudulent projects. Bitcoin Talk is one of the most prominent websites in that regard but you can look for other digital forums if necessary.
- Analyze mutual communication
An ICO campaign should have clear and measurable goals. If you can’t grasp the basic objectives of this project, chances are there aren’t any and developers just want to rip off investors. If you notice that they change stories often, provide you with vague answers, or communicate poorly, you should stay away from such partners. A good ICO team is always ready to present project development, knowing that it’s the best way to attract credible investors.
- Check the trial version
Reading about the product is not the same as seeing it in action. Serious entrepreneurs should be able to present you a working tested product to strengthen the credibility of their project. Alpha version is supposed to be developed to some extent, enough to convince investors that it has enough potential to advance quickly. At the same time, it allows you to compare real work with whitepaper plans and determine if everything is being done as planned.
- Who are other investors?
You can never be too sure about ICO campaigns, even if they gather a lot of investors in early stages. For this reason, you should also analyze businesses or individuals who already made their moves and invested in this project. Ask yourself – do I know these people? Are they highly authoritative blockchain stakeholders or some random guys you’ve never heard of before? If you think that the project gathered a bunch of suspicious investors, perhaps you should skip this one and find a more credible ICO to support.
- Mind the risk factors
Some project features clearly suggest that you ran into the ICO scam. First of all, you should never trust developers who promise you a huge return on investments. Nobody can guarantee such thing and it’s the basic sign of a false ICO campaign. On the other hand, a well-planned ICO takes care of potential investors and guarantees a refund in case of failure. If they urge you to make an investment as soon as possible, they probably just want to take the money and run away.
Conclusion
Initial Coin Offering became one of the most popular business models in the last couple of years, thanks to the incredible rise of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. But if you want to invest in ICO campaigns, you need to learn how to recognize the ones that really have market potential. In this article, we showed you 7 ways to assess ICO projects. Keep our tips in mind and feel free to leave us a comment in case you need additional information about this topic.
The post 7 tips on how to assess ICO projects and make smart investment decisions appeared first on BestTechie.
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We all know what it feels like when your spending is out of control. You don’t remember what you spent on and why. And then somehow before the end of each month, you find yourself eating ramen noodles and ketchup every night to save pennies and make it through the rest month!
It is difficult to earn and easy to spend. Are you one of those who plans on saving but always fails at holding yourself accountable for budgeting and/or sticking to said budget?
Budgeting is something that can be very tiring, cumbersome and daunting for many. But it doesn’t have to be. In reality, budgeting is not a difficult task. In fact, it helps save for the rainy days.
But while saving money is considered to be the most complicated thing, it is anything but. For all those who just can’t budget well, and add it to their resolution for every new year, we have compiled a list of 8 expenditure tracking apps just for you.
Not only are these apps manufactured by reliable software companies like intuz, Appster, and airG, they are also free!
What’s more, the user interface is so simple; anyone can use it without any trouble. Check them out and download any of them right away.
Mint Personal Finance:
If you want to keep a close eye on your income and how you spend it, then download Mint Personal Finance now. The app is a life saver for those who are always struggling with savings. Moreover, it allows you to put all your bank and card details in one place. For the lazy souls out there, it sends you a buzzer when you are overdue on bills.
You can directly access your bank account from Mint. Its comprehensive features make it really enjoyable to use. According to your income, it can even suggest how much you should spend on what. But that doesn’t mean you can’t plan your budget.
Dollarbird:
If you’ve ever maintained a journal, then using Dollarbird will be the easiest option for you. This free app is a handy tool for those who want to compare their monthly expenses. You are provided with a calendar-style interface to record your spending. The best part is that the timeline mode provides readable infographics instead of text.
The basic budgeting is free, but only premium members can enjoy advanced features. As a premium user, you can share your financial details and expenses charts too. A small business venture or a family can benefit from such features.
Wally:
The main purpose of this app is to help you with all your financial needs in one place. The representation of the expenses in a pictorial/graphical form makes it easily readable. You can even set saving and spending goals and work according to them.
Apart from keeping track of your money business, the app allows you to record how much you’ve spent and when. You can maintain a virtual logbook or budget journal by adding photos of your receipts and paid bills. Thus, making it easier for you to recall when you want to compare your monthly or yearly expenditures.
PocketGuard:
Do you juggle with lots of credit cards and bank details? If so, PocketGuard provides the easiest solution to your problem.
This one-stop-shop makes financial management a piece of cake for you. Although it connects to all your bank accounts, the app uses the 128-bit SSL encryption for safe account handling. Your account details will not end up in the wrong hands even in case of an unfortunate incident.
PocketGuard manages your bills, subscriptions, and expenses too so you can have a factual statement of your expenditures for each month. It presents a complete picture to you of the amount you can spend.
Fudget:
For those who feel too overwhelmed with all the drama and tonnes of graphics, Fudget is for you! This simple budgeting app lets you add your income and expenses with a couple of taps, and that’s about it. You can easily edit your expenses and income as you want. The app also lets you choose your currency.
Techies who do not want to compromise on battery life can download Fudget because this minimalistic app doesn’t consume much.
Personal Capital:
Like most other budgeting apps, Personal Capital gives you the freedom to sync your accounts. This way, you can easily keep track of your spending. The problem, however, is that you cannot make your own budget. There are some in-app expense categories provided that you can use.
It takes time to get familiar with the app, but in the long run, it is a handy financial tool. But there’s one area this app is excellent in; it can help you grow your investments. The app is equipped with investing tools and lets you monitor S&P 500 and Dow Jones. Plus, it can help you monitor variations in your own shares. The app is considered to be one of the best, and the good thing is that it’s completely free.
Mvelopes:
Unlike other apps, Mvelopes uses a budgeting concept that revolves around the envelope budgeting.
This ancient method lets you allot a fixed amount per expense. For example, you can put monthly money for lunches, groceries, and travel. You create envelopes in the app for each expense type and spend accordingly.
This enables users to stay in budget and keep track of expenses on a specifically categorized envelope. You can even get feedback on your expenditures. The app is accessible on both web and mobile phones thus you can sync both apps.
Spendee:
Budgeting can be very boring, even intimidating. So why not download Spendee for some learning and fun? The beautifully designed app lets you sync your online bank transactions in one place. This makes it easier to categorize expenses.
Furthermore, you can take pictures of the bills and keep them stored in the app for future reference. The app’s colorful features are not only for vibrancy, but they also let you understand your finances at a glance. Spendee can also help you track your budget when traveling.
Conclusion:
Budgeting means asking yourself some tough questions, such as how can I save for the future? How can I get out of debt? How can I keep what I have?
Spending is an individual habit. Expenses are a result of many individual decisions you take on a daily/monthly basis. It’s never easy to tell someone what they should spend on and how. But you can often get a clear picture of where you’re making bad spending decisions by keeping track of daily expenses.
Did we miss your favorite one? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
The post 8 free apps to track spending and help you save money appeared first on BestTechie.
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I’m not a big YouTube star but I have grown a following over the years I’ve been creating video content. I recognized the power of YouTube before most, I started creating video content for my YouTube channel (which is also the BestTechie YouTube channel) back in 2008. So yes, I’ve been creating videos that I’ve published on YouTube for about a decade at this point. Over the past 10 years I’m at almost 400 videos published on the site. I have more than 1.6 million video views and 3,269 subscribers at the moment. Again, not a YouTube star, but YouTube has always been a key part of my online presence so naturally when I heard about the changes YouTube was making to the partner program policies which will take effect starting February 20, 2018 I was worried my account would be on the chopping block.
The new partner program policies state your channel must have at least 1,000 subscribers (check) and have accrued at least 4,000 hours (240,000 minutes) of video views over the course of the past 12 months (which is a checkbox I can’t tick currently (but have in the past) and I’ll explain why).
In 2014, I started a new company called KYA and for the last three years I’ve dedicated myself to building the company. As any startup founder will tell you, you need to give 110% to everything you do, especially if you raise money from outside investors, they would expect absolutely no less. So for the past three years I haven’t been able to create and upload much new video content, which as you would expect meant my YouTube channel has stagnated in terms of growth from all aspects. However, now that I’m no longer pursuing KYA, I’ve been working on creating more content for BestTechie, including video content and growing my YouTube channel again. In the past two-and-half months I’ve uploaded nine new videos, with a few of them receiving more than 1,000 views each.
I was also curious to see if I ever met YouTube’s new partner program policies during my time creating video content. As it turns out in 2013, I did meet the criteria to be part of the new partner program–I had 277,283 Watch Time minutes. In 2013, I generated approximately $500 in revenues from YouTube. In 2012, I expect that I also met the new partner program requirements as I generated $576 in revenue from YouTube that year. That being said, the “Watch Time” metric that YouTube uses today was only implemented in September 2012, so I only have partial “Watch Time” numbers but in that partial timeframe (9/1/2012 through 12/31/2012) I accrued 102,545 Watch Time minutes so you can extrapolate from there that I probably would have easily met the threshold. If you go back to 2011, I earned $958 that year. In 2010, I earned $1,169 from my YouTube videos.
It was only after I started KYA and was unable to create videos more frequently that my account has not met the threshold. I truly believe I can make my way back to those numbers and then some now that my focus is back on creating content. Which is why when I saw this email in my inbox this morning I was quite upset.
Frustrated and upset, I sent YouTube a message through the partner program contact page. It read as follows:
I recently read about the changes being made to the partner program. As a creator on YT for the past 10 years (and a partner in good standing for a majority of them) I’m reaching out to let you know that if my YT account lost its partner status, that would have a negative affect on my site’s (https://www.besttechie.com) ability to generate revenues.
I realize my account hasn’t had much activity over the past few years–but that was for good reason. In 2014, I started an analytics startup for digital media companies which left me with little time to create new video content. I’m no longer working on that company and recently have started creating new video content for YT and my site. I’ve uploaded 9 videos in the past 2 and 1/2 months so far and am working on building up my audience on YT again as you can see from the stats.
I would appreciate it if my channel was able to remain a partner channel so I can continue to monetize my content which I work hard on.
I received an automated message from YouTube via email telling me they would be in touch as soon as possible. Being that my original message to them was limited to 1,000 words I decided to reply to that email and add some additional thoughts.
In addition to my original message that I sent via YouTube.com, I just want to add:
I just saw the email in my inbox that my account is in fact being removed from the partner program and I will lose access to all monetization and partner features in late February. This is deeply upsetting to me as a longtime YouTube creator and someone who prior to 2014 (which as I mentioned in my original note is when I started my analytics company and didn’t have time to dedicate to creating video content) met the new threshold being implemented. I’ve always been in “Good Standing,” I create safe and family friend content about technology, and I’ve always been a believer in YouTube as a platform. And now to have my partner status terminated just as I’m starting to create content again and rebuild my audience for absolutely no reason other than because certain YouTubers have created content that isn’t brand friendly is ridiculous. It’s certainly not my fault. Everything I’ve done on YouTube has been within the guidelines and rules.
My channel currently has 1.6 million views and counting. I realize that’s not a ton in the grand scheme of things. but at a point in the past I made an additional $1k+ in revenues per year from YouTube (that was important revenue for me). I plan to create a lot of new video content and having the ability to monetize it is of critical importance. And to have that ability taken away from me just because I don’t currently meet an arbitrary threshold set by you isn’t (and I hate to use this word) fair. I worked very hard to create almost 400 videos which live on YouTube currently and now I can’t even monetize my work?
Perhaps I’m a unique case here, maybe I’m not, but I’m I asking you to reconsider the partnership termination for my account.
Honestly, it feels like (and certainly looks like) smaller creators are getting tossed aside, especially those that have been part of the community for years, have had accounts in “good standing,” and have followed the YouTube rules. Why are we paying for problems created by larger creators? Why are we paying for YouTube’s inability to properly enforce their own rules? Why are we paying for bad app design that allowed kids to watch inappropriate content?
I want to create content for my YouTube channel. I love YouTube. But I also believe I deserve to be compensated for content I create. Yes, I create it because I enjoy it, but I also spend time preparing for each video, researching, reviewing, etc and the fact that I was able to receive some money from via advertisements displayed in the video helped me justify spending the time to create the content. If YouTube doesn’t reinstate my channel as a partner account, I may have to start looking for other ways to host my videos where I have more control and can monetize them myself. I’d prefer to work with YouTube, but we shall see. I will update this post once I receive a reply. Stay tuned.
The post Some thoughts on YouTube’s new partner program policies appeared first on BestTechie.
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Back in June I reviewed Wix website builder, a service that makes it super easy for anyone to create and build their own site. As written in my review, I think Wix is a great product and that, for most people, it will get the job done. The one thing about Wix (at the time) where I noted some potential issues was that to some people (e.g. tinkerers and coders) it may feel a little restrictive compared to other content management systems. Well, it seems Wix listened to the feedback as the company recently released a brand new feature called Wix Code.
What is Wix Code?
Wix Code is an integrated development environment that enables you to manage data, customize the behavior of Wix components, build web applications, and extend the functionality of any Wix website. A few of the standout features in Wix Code include:
- Database creation with unlimited storage
- Easy to collect user input/submissions
- Custom interactions with JavaScript code
- Internal and External APIs
Perhaps the coolest thing about Wix Code is that these features have been designed to be used by coders and also those who don’t know how to code. The Wix team spent a lot of time developing the features in Wix Code to be powerful but also accessible.
Using Wix Code
For most people the biggest benefits of Wix Code can be found when using the Database Collections and Dynamic Pages features. The Database Collections feature allows you to manage all of your website’s content in one place, for example, you can create a database and use it to store text, images, numbers, documents, user info, and more. What’s even better is that you will be able to use the information in the database anywhere on your website. Then once you have your database created and full of content, the Dynamic Pages feature will allow you to generate a single page design that will then automatically generate an individual page with a custom URL and unique content pulled straight from your database.
I spent some time testing out Wix Code for myself to see if it lived up to the hype and I have to say I’m impressed. To test it out, I decided to do a little project using the Database Collections and Dynamic Pages features in Wix Code. In plain english, the purpose of the project was to create a very basic dynamic website that used the database I created to pull content from as I described could be done in the above paragraph.
But first, I needed a project. What should I build? Ultimately I decided on cataloging the evolution of the iPod–from Gen 1 to Gen 6. Once in the Wix Editor, I enabled the Developer Tools under the Tools menu at the top of the page. After I did that I was given access the Wix Code features. I clicked a button to create a Database Collection and followed the prompts. Wix has done a really good job here in describing the types of databases you can create, by default, the database type that is selected is “Site Content” but you can easily change the selection based on what you’re looking to do. For example, you can use the Form Submission option as a way to collect user data from input fields. There are also varying permissions that can be set on a database such as if only site members can view or submit data to it.
Wix Code Database Collection Types.For my testing purposes I went with the default database type: Site Content. Once in the Wix Code database editor, which for all intents and purposes looks like a spreadsheet, I began adding rows and columns to my new database. The default column created by Wix is the “Title” column, this is where I put the model of the iPod, so for example, iPod Gen 1, iPod Gen 2, etc. The next piece of data I wanted to add to my database was the release date for each iPod. To do that, I clicked on the Add Item button which opens up a dialog box where you can add the Field Name, Field Key, and Field Type. The Field Name is simply what you want to designate as the title of the type of data within it. So as you would guess, in the Field Name I typed Release Date. The Field Key will automatically fill in for you based on your Field Name so you don’t have to worry about that. When it comes to field type, this is where you can select the type of data that will be housed in this column, so for Release Date, that’s simply a Text field, however, when it came to including a photo of each iPod, I needed to create a new field where the field type was an Image.
Of course there are various kinds of Field Types you can utilize in Wix Code, including Date and Time, Rich Text, URL, Document, and more. It all depends on what you’re looking to store in the database.
The various Field Type options for your database.The finished database for my iPod catalog looked like this:
Finished iPod Collection database.Now I was ready to use the Dynamic Pages feature to take the data from my database and put it on a webpage. Similarly to creating a database, when you choose to create Dynamic Pages, you will first need to follow a series of prompts which ask you to select the type of dynamic page you want to create as well as the URL structure for the dynamic pages.
Select a Dynamic Page Type.
Select a Dynamic Page URL Structure.I created two types of dynamic pages, an Item page and a Category page. I designed the Item page to show specific information about each iPod in the database, including the iPod generation, a photo of the iPod, the release date information, and the storage capacity information. For the Category page, I designed it so you could click on any of the iPods in the database and go to their specific Item page.
Now with the dynamic pages created, you need to add elements to each page (e.g. headers, paragraph text, images, galleries, etc) and connect each element you add to the database. Wix has a great tutorial on how to do just that here which I suggest you read over. In the end, once you’ve added the elements to your dynamic page and linked them to database where necessary, you can save and publish your site. Here’s the very basic site I built (check it out for yourself) using Wix Code in probably about an hour or so (including collecting the information about each iPod).
Category page of my Wix Code site.
Item page of my Wix Code site.Verdict
And these two features are just scratching the surface with Wix Code, as I mentioned earlier, you can use JavaScript and the Wix APIs to further customize and enhance your site. The Wix team even included a built-in code debugger right in the editor. If you were on the fence about using Wix in the past for a more serious website project, I think the introduction of Wix Code warrants taking another look. Additionally, be sure to read over the Wix Code resources page to ensure you can get the most out of it.
The post Review: Wix Code – not just another website builder appeared first on BestTechie.
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In my end of the year post titled, “To infinity and beyond! My plans for 2018” I highlighted that I’m currently looking for new job opportunities since I’m no longer pursuing KYA. I’ve been “on the market” since around September / October, meaning I’ve been actively looking and applying for new jobs and to be quite frank, the whole process is pretty sucky. I had some luck early on with a few places I interviewed at, but in the end there was never an offer made. Towards the end of the year the search went pretty cold, though I guess that’s to be expected during the holiday season. Nonetheless, undeterred and excited to make a positive impact somewhere I kept applying to things I thought seemed interesting and cool. In fact, the day after I wrote my post outlining my plans for 2018 I stumbled across what I thought sounded like a very cool position at what could be a really cool company. The job posting for the role had the title, “Business Development Director,” and after reading the job description I applied.
A day later I received an email back from the founder of the company–they wanted to speak to me about the position. Great. We scheduled a call for later in the week. And this is where the story begins. I’m going to be providing screenshots from all of our email correspondence over the course of the past two weeks. I’ve redacted things such as the founder’s name, a name of one of the founder’s employees, the company name, their email addresses, and certain other pieces of information, that being said, none of the redactions take away from the story and what happened to me is as clear as day.
So as I mentioned, I wrote the initial email to the founder and attached my resume. It’s important to note that in the job description the founder had asked a few specific questions that they wanted the applicant to answer when applying. I did that in my initial email. Here’s the first four emails between us.
Click to enlarge.Excellent, right? A quick reply to my application and we had a phone call scheduled the same week. This is going well so far.
We had our call, it was a fairly lengthy phone call–probably around an hour or so. Overall I would describe the call as one that went fairly well. The founder had some hesitation about whether I would be really passionate/interested in the industry their company was in as it was a bit different than what I’ve done. But at the end of the call the founder asked me to send them an email pitching why I’m the man for the job. It was clear to me that this email would dictate if they would move forward and continue speaking with me. Here is the next set of emails.
Click to enlarge.“Thanks so much for this follow-up email. It’s really outstanding.”
Awesome! I mean, you can’t ask for a better reply than that, right? Well, it actually got a bit better. As you can see the founder continued to think about me and my background after our initial call and how my analytical expertise could actually prove useful.
This past Monday I went to the company’s office space, I spent two hours at their offices–the majority of the time speaking with the founder. Towards the end of the meeting, the founder made a verbal offer to me. They asked what my salary expectations were, I told them what I was looking for at which point they let me know that my expectations were a bit higher than they were thinking. We continued to discuss salary a bit where the founder assured me they wouldn’t be paying me pennies and that it would be a “livable wage.” In addition to that the founder said they planned to incorporate a commission structure into the salary offer. I mean we even discussed revisiting salary 6 months down the line. Ultimately it seemed settled that the founder would crunch some numbers and see what they could make work and we could continue to negotiate after I received the written offer. The founder then asked me to provide them with three references. I said of course and told them I would email over my references as soon as I got home after I let them know. The last thing the founder mentioned was that they would send over an NDA for me to sign so they could send me their strategy deck to review. Perfect, I thought. After we finished discussing salary, references, and the NDA the founder took me to meet the team and showed me around the office a bit more. I even asked them where I would be sitting, they thought about it and pointed, “probably over there.”
We shook hands and they walked me out. Here are the emails following the in person meeting.
Click to enlarge.This seems to be going really well. During my in person meeting the founder and I were discussing restaurants nearby where I grew up on Long Island, I couldn’t remember the name of one of them so the following day (Tuesday) I looked it up and sent it over.
Click to enlarge.Now fast forward to today, Friday, I still hadn’t received the strategy deck or any update really. I was told I’d have it sometime this week, so I wrote an email this morning to check in and that’s where things fell apart. Badly. As you’ll see the founder’s response to my “check in” email is very strange. It’s all over the place and somehow over the course of three days the role we were discussing in great detail on Monday had “evolved” into a much more junior role and that I should keep in touch and maybe in six months they’ll have something for me. I mean, WTF. Here’s the last set of email correspondences.
Click to enlarge.What did they expect me to reply with? “Oh, ok, sure no problem. I’ll just sit around and twiddle my thumbs and hope you have a role for me in six months.” I don’t think so. I’m not going to lie reading that was infuriating and yes I realize I was very direct, blunt even in my reply but I definitely think it was warranted. As I said in my last email I never did this to someone when I was hiring and I certainly never will in the future either. It’s so unprofessional.
I thought a lot before writing this post, I thought long and hard because I realized as someone who’s looking for a job right now it could possibly reflect poorly on me. I ultimately decided if this makes me look bad to someone I wouldn’t want to work with that person anyway. What I just experienced is appalling. I know I can’t be the only to have gone through something like this while looking for a job so I felt compelled to share my story so others would know they’re not alone.
The last thing I’ll say regarding this series of events is if you do this (or have done this) to someone: screw you. I will not let this experience demotivate me or stop me from advancing my career because as you all know now–I’m not wired like that.
Have a job hunting story? Feel free to leave it in the comments.
The post The state of hiring and job hunting in 2018 is beyond frustrating appeared first on BestTechie.
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Can technology make your life as a freelancer easier? The right technology certainly can. Apps and gadgets can help you with everything from managing your time to tracking your business expenses, which will free up more of your administrative time for billable work and building your client base. Check out this list of freelancer tech recommendations and see if some of these items might help you get your work done more efficiently.
Toggl for Time Billing
Tracking your billable hours is a function every freelancer wrestles with. You need a simple tool that tracks your time for each client and project. Toggl is a freelancer favorite because it makes the job nearly automatic, even if you are a multitasker. Toggl is available as a Chrome or Firefox browser extension and will automatically track your time as you switch between tasks and tabs. The app will produce reports in either a PDF or CSV format that you can use to invoice your clients.
RescueTime for Time Management
One of the hardships freelancers face is the difficulty of working without supervision, especially when you have to work online with the constant distractions of e-mail, social media, and other temptations. RescueTime offers a weekly report of the time you spend on productive tasks, along with a breakdown of how much time you’re spending on Facebook, Reddit, and other distractions. You can fine-tune the settings to let RescueTime know exactly which programs and websites are productive for you and which ones you consider non-productive.
Evernote to Organize Everything
Evernote is an amazing little program that helps you organize all your thoughts, resources, lists, and ideas. You can set up notebooks for each of your projects or business areas and then collect information from everywhere into one place. The desktop version comes with a toolbar extension that’s always available when you want to jot down a note or copy and paste a bit of content. A Chrome extension lets you save clippings or entire web pages.
Your clippings are searchable — they’ll even show up when you do a Google search in your browser if you want. Apps let you coordinate your desktop Evernote with your phone and tablet as well.
Asana to Manage Your Projects
This free project, task, and team management program is simple and effective for helping you organize multiple projects, teams, and priorities. Asana helps you break down your projects into specific tasks and then assign the tasks to individuals to track their progress. You and your collaborators can share files and communicate through the app as well. You can view graphs of your progress on each project, receive e-mails about the status of your daily tasks, and see a unicorn fly across the screen when you mark a task as complete.
Shoeboxed for Receipts
This magical app lets you scan receipts and business cards and organize them into contact lists, expense reports, and accounting entries. Instead of carrying envelopes full of receipts, or digging wadded-up papers out of your wallet, pockets, or purse, you’ll have a paperless system that’s easy to manage and accepted by the IRS. If you have a phone with a good camera like an iPhone 8 Plus on a reliable network like T-Mobile, you will be able to scan receipts and business cards wherever you are, whenever you need to, and you’ll never have to track a little piece of paper again.
Mindmeister for Mind Mapping
As a freelancer, you have to manage multiple clients with competing deadlines and a variety of creative projects. Sometimes your mind can become a messy place that feels disorganized and chaotic. Mind mapping is a great way to pull out all those threads and get them into an organized structure. It’s also a great tool to develop a creative plan when you feel stuck. Mindmeister is a terrific app that helps you create beautiful mind maps on the fly, using your phone or computer. Another great mind mapping tool worth checking out (which we also recently reviewed) is MindNode.
These tools can help you become more organized and productive as a freelancer. Choose the ones that suit your needs and give them a try today.
The post 6 tech tools every freelancer needs to use appeared first on BestTechie.
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Time is so precious, and people often say, “Time is money.” Creating a content bank will without a doubt help save time and ultimately result in your social media success. Though challenging and hectic, gathering as much social media content as possible will save a lot of time and effort at the end of the day.
When it comes to social media marketing, getting your content organized is crucial to your success. In short, you need to have your content calendar and content bank in play to ensure all is well. The two are critical for any social media marketer as they help get rid of everyday content haggle and ultimately saving you a lot of time and effort to become a little bit more creative.
No more complaints with regard to what to write about or even, lack of enough time to create the kind of content you want, the following steps will help you to get your house in order and create the ultimate social media content bank.
Types of content you can create for each social platform.- Know the aspects of your brand you’d like to show your target audience
The very first step in creating your social media content bank is to itemize all aspects of your brand including user-generated content, brand attributes, lifestyle content, special dates, future product launches, your social media goals and benchmarks among others. In short, you will have to consider every aspect of your brand.
By any means, you need a content calendar by now. All the times need to be developed knowing that you intend to highlight them. It is just a matter of being prepared. However, if you already have your content calendar in place, you simply need to go on to the next step.
- Gather as much content as possible; both old and new
With your content calendar in place, you simply know what you want to talk about. You then need to start looking at all your social media content on all of your social media platforms.
This will include all the content that you have created previously and what you are yet to post. Experts even point out to the significance of those old photos when re-purposed for throwback posts as well as using them as backgrounds.
You should start by overcoming the thought that everyone else knows the same things as you. Instead, you need to set up a never-ending source of relevant and unique content ideas that will help you to create the needed content for your content bank.
It is crucial to initiate mind mapping starting with your own business, industry or profession at the center. You will then look into the main departments, subjects or headers that you deal with such as websites, social media, copywriting and advertising among others. Afterwards, you may want to look into details on each of the main headers for instance in websites, you may consider SEO., without even drilling down too far, you will realize that you got a lot of content themes in your mind map. From the themes, you will be able to come up with the right topics. Take for instance SEO; you will have so many topics to talk about ranging from keyword research to answering the question “why you need to rank on the top of search engines like Google.”
With a record of themes in place, you will come up with a list of topic ideas which you will save as well and plan for the ultimate content bank you need to create.
- Sitting down and creating your content
This is a crucial step in creating your content bank. Creating some creative content needs some time, and you have to be devoted to doing this. You will, therefore, need to set aside time at least once a fortnight to write your content based on the themes and topics you have in mind. It is necessary to auto-schedule your time to ensure things get done to a standard you will be happy with.
But, what happens when you think you are not such a good writer? You need not worry. There are many other options for which you can create great content. If you happen to be one of the busy workaholics or simply can’t get your hands right when creating content, you can consider the following options;
- Delegate- provided you know what you want to write about, it doesn’t have to be written by you per se! You may decide to delegate the task of content creation to your junior staff member who is working around the clock to learn more about your industry and such. This will be a perfect opportunity for them to research and write at least 80% of the content as you finesse it and work to complete the remaining 20%. This is the perfect win-win scenario where you will get your content, and the staff member will have gained some knowledge about your particular industry.
- Get professional- of course, there are times you may not be lucky to have a junior staff you can delegate the task to. In this situation, getting a professional copywriter will be the most viable option. There are many professional copywriters out there to help you get the task completed in the best standard you can think of provided you get one who is experienced writing on your industry or relevant to what you want.
- Try other options- content creation doesn’t necessarily have to be based on article writing. You can as well consider other styles of content creation. You may even consider using some of the many cool apps and programs online, some which are free, to help you in creating such content as cartoons, presentations, slideshows and infographics among others. Such content requires very little text but may be crucial as a visual form of communication making part of your content bank.
You, therefore, need not worry about your inability to create the best articles available on the internet. You can as well have your wonderful content ready for your content bank through the three options.
- Create a system
After gathering as much content as possible, the next step is creating a place where all the content gathered will be put.
The importance of having a clear-cut system is to enable you in streamlining your efforts, especially when working with a large team. You may make it relatively simple keeping folders for every month or labeling the content that is yet to be posted as “For Posting” and that which has been previously posted as “Used.”
For the sake of a team, either Dropbox or Google Drive are some awesome options for you to keep all your content organized and all members on the same page. With the content properly organized and everything in place, it would be easier to identify the gaps that need to be filled. You will hence be able to point out if you need more videos or certain types of content and immediately embark on getting the gaps filled.
As a rule of thumb, in creating your content bank, you just need to keep on creating and saving your content. This will come in handy anytime you are requested to be a guest speaker since you have a whole lot of pre-made original content ready in your content bank for you to use.
Why do you need a social media content bank?
Original, thoughtful, inspiring and interesting content has often been considered as an indicator of expertise. Once you can create and share your quality content with the world, you will be surprised to learn how much your brand stands out in your industry. This is known as inbound marketing where target prospects are attracted to you and your brand other than outbound marketing where you need to go to the client in person as is the case with TV and trade shows.
While both inbound and outbound marketing can be crucial when mixed well, you need to get your content out there for your prospects to see. The ultimate secret to social media marketing is purely determined by the type, and quality of content shared out. To remain at the top of the game, you need to regularly add fresh and relevant content to your website and all other social media platforms where you are registered. To keep a good record of all the content your share out, you need to create your social media content bank for easy referencing and access to all your content.
You need your website to receive a higher search engine ranking, and the secret is simply on the quality of your content. Regular update of quality social media content is critical for your brand and no matter the effort and time it takes to get things in order, creating a social media content bank is well worth it!
The post The importance of building a social media content bank for your business appeared first on BestTechie.
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Most people will now be finding themselves getting back into that daily grind now that the festive holidays are over. It can be a pretty depressing time so it’s likely that many will be on the lookout for ways to help them recover from the end of year holidays. With smartphones playing a huge role in everyday life nowadays apps could be the answer. So which apps should people be downloading right now to beat off the post-holiday blues?
Spotify
First things first, music can solve anything and when it comes to music you literally should look no further than Spotify. It’s an app that is available for both Android and iOS users that instantly connects people to one of the largest music libraries in the world. It has every genre covered so there’s always something for everyone when it comes to taste and there’s also the opportunity for people to discover something completely different or to have a listen to a few classics. It’s a must have app to help everyone over the excesses of the holidays.
Instagram
Social media is a huge part of peoples’ everyday lives, with many using numerous platforms on a daily basis. As time has gone on, the way people communicate has started to change. Nowadays people spend more time communicating through the use of pictures, video and live streaming, rather than posting status updates and tweets. Instagram is sure to be the social media app of choice in 2018 and it’s always being improved too. It’s one that everyone should use to reminisce all the fun times under the Christmas tree and New Years party, as well as catching up on what friends and family got up to during the festive season.
Words With Friends 2
A great way to relax after the hectic holidays is to get stuck into an engrossing mobile game and you won’t go wrong by downloading Words With Friends 2. It’s the world’s most popular mobile world game, and it was a huge success first time around; but now it’s back and better than ever. It’s been intelligently redesigned to make it much more engaging and there are new game modes as well as over 50,000 new words. It’s another addictive mobile game from market leaders Zynga.
Unibet Casino
For some people, playing a game just for fun isn’t quite enough and they need a bit more of a thrill. Step forward the Unibet Casino app. People can delve straight in and play to win big money in a variety of different ways. There are over 250 slot games which include some of the most popular titles such as Gonzo’s Quest, as well as ones with progressive jackpots too. There’s also the traditional online casino table games as well as Live Casino action too. If anyone is looking for an exciting app where they can win real money, they should download Unibet Casino. This could be the perfect app to recoup some cash spent on presents and heavy partying.
Amazon Kindle
Some people will just want to spend some ‘alone time’ and what better way than to chill out by getting stuck in a book or two, or even have one read to you? The popularity of books has been on the decline for a while in their traditional form, with many opting to read on their smartphones and tablets. Amazon Kindle is simple the best eBook reader and users also get access to a huge library too. If reading isn’t your thing, a lot of the titles come with Audible narration too.
The post The best apps to recover from the holidays appeared first on BestTechie.
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I love Twitter, I think it’s a great platform, but the company’s recent post titled, “World Leaders on Twitter,” is just complete BS. The reasoning laid out in the post states that, “Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets would hide important information people should be able to see and debate,” it then goes on to read, “It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.”
Let’s break down both of those sentences because in a way, they are almost contradictory to one another.
At first Twitter is saying that if the company bans Trump, people of the world will not be able to see and/or debate the information. First, that’s just flat out wrong and if anything makes it seem like Twitter is bigger than it actually is (compared to Facebook’s more than 1 billion active users, Twitter has about 1/4 of that). But even if Trump wasn’t on Twitter people could still use the platform to discuss/debate/talk about his policies/antics. So that seems to be a moot point anyway.
The second sentence, I think, proves the point I made above. Twitter knows that if Trump isn’t using their platform to rant and rave, he’d find another platform where he could. I don’t buy the fact they say it would hamper the discussion because he’s currently the president of the United States of America, he has the biggest megaphone on the planet earth regardless of whether he has access to Twitter or not. Every president before him had the same megaphone (even those that were in office before Twitter existed).
But if that wasn’t enough BS, the post went on to read, “No one person’s account drives Twitter’s growth, or influences these decisions.” Please don’t insult our intelligence, Twitter. The company has had nothing but problems since it first started, problems that have been exacerbated by going public.
Twitter’s growth is pretty much non-existent and shareholders aren’t happy (the stock is currently sitting at $24 down from a high of $69 in 2014). It’s laughable to say that Trump’s Twitter account isn’t responsible for their most recent growth. Hell, I remember the days on Twitter when the company had a dedicated server rack to handle Justin Bieber’s account. “No one person’s account drives Twitter’s growth,”–give me a break.
Bottom line is that if Twitter bans Trump he’ll just go somewhere else and that is something they cannot afford.
The ban hammer Twitter should use on Trump’s account but never will.The post Twitter’s stance on not banning Trump is BS appeared first on BestTechie.
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For a few years now, people in the know have heard about 5G technology and how it could help them access the internet faster than ever, not to mention improve other areas of the tech sector. Let’s take a close look at the likely ways 5G networks will impact technology this year.
What Is 5G?
5G is the next-generation technology that could feature speeds as high as 20Gbps and a latency of only milliseconds. Engineers are hard at work building 5G networks (many on existing LTE networks) that are energy-efficient and have “always-on” operation. Although analysts don’t expect widespread commercial 5G availability until 2020, some providers will roll it out this year in select markets. Here are five things to watch for this year.
1. Verizon Will Offer 5G for Home Use in 2018
Verizon Wireless announced plans to offer 5G-level home broadband in the second half of 2018. Sacramento, CA, will reportedly be the first market to receive it, with a few other places added soon after.
This development will bring 5G to more consumers, helping them get accustomed to its benefits before it becomes part of the mainstream. Verizon’s efforts may also highlight shortcomings that other providers can take into account while creating their own upcoming service packages.
2. 5G Will Be Used to Broadcast the Winter Olympics
Due to a partnership between Intel and Korea Telecom, attendees at the 2018 Winter Olympics will see a 5G mobile network in action. They’ll enjoy live-streamed content and other media to help them get engrossed in the Olympics experience. 5G technology and facial-recognition capabilities will also keep the spectators and athletes safer by broadcasting drone and camera footage to a security control center.
3. 5G Will Help High-Tech Cars Communicate
Honda set a 2025 deadline for its driverless cars, but the brand is already looking at ways to utilize 5G networks to help the autonomous vehicles “talk” to each other. Several communication providers in Japan have already tested 5G capabilities, and starting this year there will be 5G base station installations at one of Honda’s test tracks.
Those base stations will aid engineers in developing the antennas and other technology on the cars that could help the autos send and receive signals. This development will let Honda see how 5G works in a rural location, which could be particularly useful since prior tests were in urban areas.
4. 5G Will Fuel Medical Advancements
Experts also have high hopes of using 5G in health care, and you can expect the developments in that area to become more prominent this year. Due to 5G’s low latency and assumptions that it could connect with devices that have long battery lives, people say 5G is potentially a good fit for wearable tech products that help doctors monitor their patients from afar.
The low latency also opens up the possibility of doctors relying on telemedicine to make diagnoses even when they are not in the same country as a patient. In Portugal, doctors look at patient data via video screens to give their advice about people suffering from seizures. If 5G works well in remote areas, it could also help physicians provide information to individuals in the field who are handling tough cases.
5. Using 5G to Enable Better Experiences for Retailers and Customers
Merchants continually look for ways to appeal to customers and enhance their shopping experiences. AT&T has recently unveiled its largest-ever fixed wireless 5G trial at a retail outlet called the Magnolia in Waco. Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the building let customers and employees connect to the internet on their smartphones.
Some of the equipment on the site, which accommodates approximately 5,000 shoppers per day who come to Magnolia and surrounding shops, will also connect to the 5G network and facilitate smoother sales transactions with the tech used by workers, such as point-of-sale interfaces and apps.
Depending on the outcome of this large trial, we could see a greater number of retailers experimenting with 5G this year. If they can use the technology to deliver personalized material to customers as they enter certain shops, for example, people might be more likely to linger and buy more items than planned — plus avoid some of the frustrating factors that can accompany shopping.
This overview of how 5G could shape various technologies this year should be enough to get you excited about what’s ahead. Now we can all wait and see what develops over the coming months.
The post How 5G networks will shape the tech industry in 2018 appeared first on BestTechie.
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Given the state of the online commercial industry, it’s no wonder that companies and businesses around the world have taken bots into consideration. In essence, bots represent the next level of AI development in online commercial and personal use. This means that we will soon see chatbots implemented to their fullest in both e-commerce websites and social platforms alike.
But what does this mean for the larger picture of AI development and the role chatbots will play in it? Are chatbots only a passing trend that people will forget soon or can we safely invest time and resources into this technology knowing that it’s going to pay off eventually?
The necessity of the many
Before we talk about where chatbots are now, we need to think about the circumstances that lead to their inception. E-commerce websites that focus on sales of retail items and online services have developed in the recent years, garnering positive attention from the public.
The only natural solution the administrators and developers of these sites could think of to alleviate their growing work obligations is to employ some sort of AI algorithm into their workflow. Thus the first chatbots were born, not out of sheer curiosity or the wish of betterment of the mankind but out of necessity and the need to automate mundane tasks.
Many of the administrative work that goes into processing and shipping items can easily be done by chatbots that are programmed with logical, user friendly and timely responses to customers’ queries. Chatbots have soon begun to spread to social media platforms, blogs and other forms of online media as a way of showing the world that the implementation of AI technology can be beneficial to everyone involved in their immediate use.
CXP and UX improvements
It should be noted that the first signs of positive feedback came from the customers and users of said online platforms, not the administrators themselves. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since the chatbot technology aims to improve and evolve the customer’s online experience as well as the user experience they go through while browsing a site.
Chatbots are now able to guide a customer through different suggestions and use their previously-gathered knowledge to better adapt to different users and circumstances. This quickly made chatbots popular on the e-commerce market since the majority of the response that came from the public was in favor of their use.
Many would still argue that chatbots take people’s jobs away and make certain job duties obsolete due to their higher capabilities. While they will make writing help much faster in the future, this shouldn’t concern people since there will always be a need for learned individuals with proper education to support the rising need for chatbot development, maintenance and support.
Facebook’s own Messenger
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of the leading companies to implement chatbots into their day-to-day operations is none other than Facebook. The Facebook Messenger app has garnered over 900 million active users since its inception, providing the perfect playground for companies and developers using chatbots. Facebook’s bots are used to automate purchases, provide people with chatting companions or simply help people find external online shops and e-commerce sites through Messenger.
The Messenger app is designed to allow outgoing links so it makes sense that chatbots would be implemented in an environment where people are constantly going back-and-forth between different links and their chat list. The bots are also able to match customers to potentially interesting online stores where they can further connect them to e-commerce bots that can finalize the purchase of said items. This one-two system has benefited both Facebook and companies who implemented said bots for the purposes of their expansion.
Telegram and open-source bots
One of the major benefits of chatbots is their open-source nature. The majority of chatbot codes and algorithms can be found completely for free on the internet, while additional code can be custom-made per company needs. One such example is Telegram and the open-source nature of their business model. Telegram has made chatbots open to the public and allows people to easily develop their own bots for various purposes.
These bots can be implemented into Telegram apps with ease and no risk of malware or spam. Even though chatbots have been around for a while, it doesn’t mean that e-commerce administrators have fully grasped the concept of developing some of these AI scripts by themselves. This is where Telegram and similar platforms come into play and help usher a technological revolution to the market.
Long-term development
No one can safely predict whether or not chatbots will be a mainstay on the market. The most important factor that will determine whether or not a higher form of AI will be implemented rests on the shoulders of Machine Learning. Chatbots are quite capable of learning and adapting to new situations even today, but that doesn’t mean that they are omnipotent.
Companies should definitely explore the possibilities that this technology represents, even in short term. It can not only streamline a lot of tasks that are open to error but also help employees focus on more pressing matters inside the company. Always look for long-term development benefits of implementing new technology, even if it has already been tested on the market (as is the case with chatbots).
The post Chatbots: temporary trend or the force of e-commerce revolution? appeared first on BestTechie.
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The Consumer Technology Association, the industry group that operates CES which takes place in Las Vegas every year, announced that FCC Chair Ajit Pai would no longer be speaking at the event. The cancellation of Pai’s appearance was made known to attendees via an emailed statement. Pai was slated to speak next Tuesday (less than a week from now), however, the statement didn’t give a reason as to why Pai will be absent, and a FCC spokesman declined to comment on the chairman’s reasons for abruptly abandoning his public appearance at the show.
But I can tell you why Ajit Pai cancelled his appearance at CES: he’s a coward.
Late last month the FCC ruled to repeal the net neutrality rules which helped protect the internet from internet service providers who want to charge more to access different kinds of content, essentially creating internet fast lanes and slow lanes. To me, it’s clear: after dismantling the internet, I’d say Pai doesn’t want to show up at an event filled with people from the entire tech industry.
If your actions lead to you not being able to face the people they affect or who have differing views on, then perhaps you should reconsider them.
I hate this man.(via VentureBeat).
The post FCC Chair Ajit Pai is a coward appeared first on BestTechie.
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It sure is cold outside, well, at least in most of the United States. Here in New York City it’s currently what feels like a balmy 25 degrees after being in the single digits for what felt like an eternity. Though it seems that a winter storm warning is now in effect for this evening into tomorrow sometime. Anyway, why am I talking about the weather? Well, because a company called Mujjo recently sent a pair of their touchscreen gloves and to be honest, they’re awesome.
WATCH: Mujjo touchscreen gloves review
>I wasn’t expecting much when I first opened the pouch/bag they came in, but immediately after placing my finger on the glove I knew these were going to be good. The Mujjo touchscreen gloves are well-made and work really well. I was sent the single layered touchscreen glove and it was extremely comfortable, it also kept my fingers warm while trekking around NYC in the single digit temperatures. I really liked how Mujjo included a number of grips all over the palm of the glove including on the fingers, but smartly stopped the grips at the finger tips to ensure there were no issues when tapping on your smartphone display.
Also, if you have an iPhone X with Face ID configured you never need to take your hand out of your gloves as your phone will unlock via your face, leaving you able to easily unlock it by simple swiping up glove on and all. Touching the screen with the gloves on was no different than without, no lag, no issues. They work as advertised. If you’re unsure what size to buy, you can download, print, and use the sizing guide on their website.
The Mujjo single layered gloves retail for around $30. I highly recommend them after my use. The company also offers other models included a double layered glove as well as a leather glove which looks really cool and stylish.
Have any other gloves I should check out? Let me know!
The post The best touchscreen gloves for your iPhone appeared first on BestTechie.
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Happy new year everyone!
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As we all get ready to welcome in 2018 and say goodbye to 2017 I wanted to take some time to reflect on a few things as well as discuss the future. For many, 2017 was sucky (myself included). It certainly wasn’t my favorite year in the 28 years I’ve been on this earth but what seemed to be an overall terrible year is actually ending on a slightly better note than I anticipated, at least for me–more on that in a little.
In 2017 I had to make an extremely difficult decision: to shut down KYA, the company I started back in April 2014 to help digital media companies better understand their audiences with a new kind of analytics product. Working on KYA over the past three years was an incredible experience, I learned so much and my team and I literally turned an idea into a fully functioning product. It was such a journey and without a doubt it was a journey worth taking. Thank you to everyone who came along for the ride.
I recently started looking for new opportunities and companies to join where I believe I can make an impact. Despite only recently starting to look for a new job, I’m seeing how difficult it can be. I’m looking for a role in any of the following areas: business development/strategy, marketing, content, or partnerships. I have a wide ranging set of skills having built two companies over the years. If you or someone you know is hiring I’d appreciate any introduction, feel free to email me.
While working on KYA I put BestTechie on the back burner, but now that I have more time to spend on BT I’ve spent the past two months increasing the amount of time I’ve been working on site and have seen some success. I’ve already doubled the site’s monthly revenue which is a nice way to end 2017. I plan to continue to create content more frequently in 2018, including much more video content.
So yeah, 2017 sucked but I’m excited to see what 2018 has in store. I have a feeling this time next year things will be pretty awesome.
As Buzz Lightyear says, to infinity and beyond!
The post To infinity and beyond! My plans for 2018 appeared first on BestTechie.
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We just got in the brand new iMac Pro–the latest pro computer designed by Apple. Honestly this is the first computer I’ve been really excited about since 2008 when I bought a Mac Pro.
Take a look at our unboxing video below:
Also, thanks to my cat Zuck for assisting with the unboxing and a shoutout to my other cat Nala for making a guest appearance.
iMac Pro specs
CPU: 10-Core, 3.0GHz Intel Xeon W, Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz
RAM: 64GB of 2666MHz DDR4 ECC memory
Storage: 1TB SSD
GPU: Radeon Pro Vega 64 graphics processor with 16GB of HBM2 memory
If you have any questions, comments, thoughts about the iMac Pro leave them below in the comments, I’ll do my best to answer!
The post VIDEO: iMac Pro Unboxing appeared first on BestTechie.
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There’s a new year upon us, and for eager gaming fans, that means only one thing:
A string of hotly-anticipated new releases arriving on our favorite consoles over the coming months. This spring, we’ll finally get red Dead Redemption II, the long-awaited sequel to Rockstar’s instant classic that was originally supposed to come out in 2017 before some unfortunate delays. Some time in the latter half of the year we’ll enjoy Metro Exodus, a post-apocalyptic adventure that will have this writer in particular glued to the PS4 (it’s also available on PC and Xbox One, for those wondering). In between, we’re going to have the new Yoshi game from Nintendo and the final installment of The Walking Dead franchise, but let’s be honest: compared to the plethora of amazing titles we had to contend with in 2017 (Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Odyssey, Resident Evil 7, Halo Wars 2 to name but a few), 2018 seems to be lacking when it comes to exciting new games.
At least, it does if your only definition of a game is the kind you play on an Xbox One, PS4, or similar console. Turn on your mobile, however, and you’re likely to discover that that’s where the real excitement is over the coming year. From fresh takes on old classics to new sports titles, new versions of hit blockbusters, and even new online casinos 2018 has arguably more to offer on mobile than it does on the usual console platforms.
Not convinced?
Take a look at some of these big name releases coming to a smartphone near you in 2018. Unless otherwise noted, all games listed here are available for both iPhone and Android devices.
The X-Files: Deep State
Fans of the classic sci-fi show are already on the edge of their seats, ready for the arrival of a brand new series of X-Files this January, but those who can’t get enough of Mulder and Scully have an extra reason to rejoice: The new TV series comes with its own tie-in game, and it looks mightily impressive. Taking on the role of a top FBI agent, you’ll find yourself immersed in a high level conspiracy as you look to get to the bottom of all kinds of unexplained mysteries and seemingly unsolvable crimes.
Tekken
Though it never quite reached the lofty, crossover appeal of fellow 90s fighting favorites Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, Tekken was, arguably, always a much better game to play. So imagine how excited we were when we first learned that Bandai Namco had taken King, Akuma, Marshall Law and all our favorite ultimate-fighting warriors and put them in our pockets with the arrival of Tekken Mobile. Get ready to give your thumbs a serious work out with this one.
Star Wars: Rise To Power
Just when you thought all the Star Wars hype had gone away with the last few screenings of The Last Jedi, the world’s most famous Sci-Fi franchise is back, and this time, it’s on your phone.
A mobile strategy game, Rise to Power, has you join forces with other players from across the globe to take either the Empire or the New Republic to glory and victory. The game is clever, highly engaging, and requires more wit and smarts than mere button-bashing, expect this to be on every Star Wars fan’s phone come the end of the year.
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
We don’t want to be lazy and say that ‘Wizards Unite’ is basically Pokemon Go with Harry Potter, so instead we’ll tell you that this uses cutting edge augmented reality technology which enables players to interact with famous characters from the magical franchise, cast spells, and collect objects whilst exploring their real-world environments. So, yeah, nothing like Pokemon Go at all. OK, we’re kidding, that’s exactly what it is, but given how popular that game became, we fully expect to see Pottermania rule supreme once again come the end of 2018.
The Walking Dead: The Final Season
Yes, there’s a version of this coming out for your favorite consoles, and yes, it’s going to be amazing, but that doesn’t take away anything from the fact that Telltale Games mobile version promises to be awesome in its own right. Bringing you right into the heart of The Walking Dead’s undead-infested world, you’ll play the role of Clementine as you fight for survival in what promises to be an exhilarating mobile release to rival anything you’ll find on a console in the New Year.
The post Mobile games in 2018 may rival console-based games appeared first on BestTechie.
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When Apple announced HomePod back in June 2016 at WWDC I was really excited about it as one could tell by my Instagram. I loved the focus and attention Apple was giving to audio quality when it came to their household assistant. This is something I’ve felt existing products on the market have failed to address. I was excited to buy a HomePod this holiday season but then Apple decided to delay the product launch until early 2018 and I began to question whether I really needed a HomePod. Honestly, the question about whether or not buying a virtual household assistant is worthwhile has been bouncing around my head for a while, dating back to when Amazon released the original Echo back in 2015.
I keep asking myself, what problems are these household assistants really solving for us? Everything they do can be done by another piece of technology you likely already own. I assume the initial novelty of them wears off after a while, though I actually haven’t purchased any of the devices on the market yet from Amazon or Google, so I can’t say for certain. That being said, one thing is clear, people want to try them.
#Alexa, you are everywhere!
I only use for weather and Spotify.
What else do you all use her for? https://t.co/2753x4rfCg— steketee (@steketee) December 27, 2017
According to a recent press release by Amazon, the Echo Dot was the best selling product on all of Amazon this holiday season. When you pair that with a recent report by SensorTower which shows that the Amazon Alexa reached the top of the App Store on Christmas as people were opening their brand-new Echo devices it makes for a solid case that people are intrigued by these voice-activated household assistants.
I’d really love to see usage charts for Amazon Echo devices as well as Google Home devices a month or two out from Christmas. I think that data would be really telling if these types of devices are providing real value for people or if they are simply novelty products. I understand the potential behind Amazon’s Echo devices because Amazon is cultivating a heathy App Store behind them in form of Alexa Skills, but what I wonder, is how many people can currently take advantage of Alexa Skills for smart home products which still aren’t nearly universal or widespread by any means. I guess what I’m getting at is perhaps the value of these devices is yet to be fully realized and by the time it is, will people have moved on?
That being said, because of the Skills API companies are working on some neat integrations, for example, this year you can vote for the NBA All Stars with your Amazon Echo device. That’s nifty, I guess.
Have you voted for @NBAAllStar via the @amazonecho yet? Voice your votes today for the first time ever on Alexa. pic.twitter.com/kpQfjqtzbm
— Scott Stanchak (@ScottStanchak) December 27, 2017
But going back to the HomePod, there’s a couple issues now facing Apple that I think is really going to be problematic for them. The first is obviously the delay. Missing the holiday season and seeing Amazon rack up all those Echo sales has to sting. The second is, I’m not sure, despite my excitement about it, that improved audio quality–even if it’s significantly better than Amazon’s or Google’s–is enough of a differentiator to succeed in this marketplace when the HomePod is significantly more expensive as well, coming in at $349.
The more I think about this, the more I realize how atypical I am–especially when it comes to audio quality. I have friends who are my age or younger who couldn’t care less about the quality of audio coming out of their device. I’ve seen people listen to music directly on their iPhones and be plenty happy about it. I personally don’t understand how that’s enjoyable but that’s me and I’m in a minority. The fact is, audio quality isn’t a huge deal to most people and I realize Apple is known for its quality products–that’s one of the reasons I love what they make, but I just don’t see the HomePod being a success for them.
What do you think? Am I right, wrong, stupid? Leave a comment!
The post Can Apple’s HomePod compete with Amazon Echo? appeared first on BestTechie.
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We’ve seen it all once in a while as we shop online. The little coupon code box that pops up during checkout or as you shop. Sometimes, it might be labeled as gift code, offer code, promo code, coupon code or other variations.
Regardless of the name chosen to describe it, it always offers you a small window of opportunity for saving a few bucks. It’s actually on of the best ways to save money online, yet not so many shoppers opt to use them – maybe because of lack of information on how to use it and the importance of using it.
If you’ve been having trouble using the coupons online, don’t worry. The information below will arm you with all the knowledge you need so as to start using coupons like a pro. Newbies will find this article particularly useful though seasoned pros can also find some tips on how to maximize on their coupons.
Coupon Code 101: The Basics
To start off, you need to know what a coupon code is and how you can use it. Coupon codes cut off a small percentage of your purchase online. Most of these codes provide you with incentives such as free shipping or give you a certain amount of money back after making your purchase.
Some of the online websites such as eBay and Amazon will promote the coupon codes on their websites to encourage purchases, though these are more often not the best deals. The large majority of websites don’t display active coupon codes, meaning you’ll have to go off site to find a coupon code with the best deal.
Reading your coupon code
Usually, the coupon code will be a mix of numbers and letters ranging from 5 to 10 characters. The letters are normally written in caps and appear random. For example, a Casumo coupon code will appear as FREE100 or in other instances the combination of words might appear randomly FYIO75.
In the first example, the Casumo coupon code might be giving you a hint on what you should be expecting. FREE100 could mean that you’ll receive a $100 bonus upon signing up at the platform, or it could mean you’ll receive a $100 cash back bonus on a certain product at the platform.
Intermediate Couponing
Now that you’ve mastered the basic elements on how to use coupons online, we are going to dig a little deeper into the process of using the coupon. While it’s a straight forward process – finding your coupon code, adding your preferred item to the card, applying your code and checking out – most of the websites have complicated checkout systems which can frustrate even the pro shoppers.
Entering the coupon code correctly
Ensure while using your coupon, you type or paste the coupon correctly. As already mentioned, most of them are usually written in CAPS and most platforms have made them case sensitive. This means if you enter it in lowercase, it might not work. Also, when copying and pasting the code, ensure there’s no blank spaces between the letters as this could prompt an error message. And if the code is email specific, you might have to log into your email address to access it.
Meet the minimums
Most coupons have a minimum purchase attached to it. This means to qualify for the specified amount, you have to spend a certain amount of money before you can qualify for the discount or bonus cash. In our earlier example, for example, you have to make a minimum deposit of $20 before your account can be credited with the 100% match deposit bonus.
Troubleshooting a Coupon That’s Not Working
Sometimes, a coupon code might fail to work due to several reasons but mostly it could be because of restrictions and exclusions.
Restrictions
A good example where restrictions apply is on Uber’s coupon code. Once your friend has sent you the referral code, you have to enter it during or before the trip for it to be validated. But there are a few restrictions attached to the promo code; you can only use the value of this code to one trip. If there’s any leftover value, it will disappear and won’t be applicable on the next trip.
It’s therefore very important that you read the terms and conditions of the coupon code to identify any restrictions spelt in it.
Be Wary of Expiry Dates
If a code has expired, it will no longer be valid by the store. Some of the stores have a tendency of discontinuing their coupon codes even before the expiry date reaches, so it’s best to again cross check the terms and conditions section to see if it is still valid.
Apps
It’s also worth checking out apps such as Honey which can automatically search and apply the best coupon codes for you as you shop online making saving money easier than ever before.
The post How to maximize savings using online coupon codes appeared first on BestTechie.
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So yeah, I bought an iMac Pro and to be honest I haven’t been this excited about buying a computer since I bought a Mac Pro in 2008. For me, the Mac Pro I bought in 2008 really cemented me into the Apple ecosystem, it was then that I started using macOS (OS X at the time) as my full-time operating system.
I loved my 2008 Mac Pro—it was such an incredible machine. Obviously the one major advantage of the 2008 Mac Pro versus the 2017 iMac Pro is that the 2008 Mac Pro was easily upgradable. In fact, I upgraded various parts in the machine over the course of time from the RAM to the hard drives (as well as adding SSD’s) to even upgrading the video card. I know Apple is working on a new Mac Pro with a supposedly more upgradeable design but the iMac Pro, in my opinion, offers real value for pro users with its incredible specs and the fact that it also comes with arguably the best display (for the majority of people) built right into the computer itself.
So what iMac Pro specs did I go with?
CPU: 10-Core, 3.0GHz Intel Xeon W, Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz
RAM: 64GB of 2666MHz DDR4 ECC memory
Storage: 1TB SSD
GPU: Radeon Pro Vega 64 graphics processor with 16GB of HBM2 memory
I went with the 10-core model because I feel it offers the best bang for my buck. It has the highest CPU clock speed and what I believe to be just the right amount of cores for someone like me.
I opted for the 64GB of RAM for two key reasons, one, I like to run virtual machines. The second is because the RAM on the iMac Pro isn’t really user upgradable. According to Apple if you want to upgrade the RAM (without voiding the warranty) you will need to bring it into an Apple Store and have them do it. I’d rather not have to go through that at some point in the future so I guess you can say I’m future-proofing my purchase a bit.
The choice to stick with the default 1TB SSD is because I store most of my data on a 20TB LaCie Thunderbolt 3 external drive. The 1TB SSD will be perfect for when I’m editing video but I really don’t need anything bigger.
And lastly, I went for the Vega 64 GPU solely because it will benefit me when editing videos.
I can’t wait for this beast to show up! In fact, I just got the shipping notification and it seems it should be here before the new year. I’ll likely do an unboxing video as well, so stay tuned for that!
The post I bought an iMac Pro appeared first on BestTechie.
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The Internet, since its inception, has promised to put the information of the world within everyman’s arms reach. Everything you could ever need or want to know is now at your fingertips, in no time at all.
These days, accessing information is fast, convenient and easy, but we rarely stop to ask… Is the information any “good?” And by “good,” I mean high quality.
The Geogetown University Library encourages you to consider the author of the content, the purpose, the objectivity and the accuracy of the piece, as well as the currency (time it was written) and links associated with the page. It’s all very academic and time consuming.
Below is a list of a few speedy observations and questions that I encourage you to apply to a website or online article to quickly evaluate its strength and merit.
How did I get here?
Ask yourself, how did I get to this site? Did you type it into the browser yourself? Did you search for it in Google? Did you click a link on another page? Did you get here by opening a link in an email sent from a Nigerian prince?
Typically, websites that are reputable and offer quality information don’t have ads linking you to their site. Often, they rely on the content they are putting out and on the strength of their brand to attract traffic. That being said, not all links are bad. Using links from a one reputable site to another is a great way to build on a resource. Wikipedia is a great starting point for any search for ‘real’ information thanks to the listed sources (with links) at the bottom of the article.
If you were looking for a five-star restaurant and on your way you got lost, and you came to a fork in the road, the high road is a freshly paved two-lane while the low road is a dirt road with billboards lining each side… Which direction would you choose? Which route looks like it would host something of quality? Take the high road.
What company’s website am I on and what do they do?
Whose website is this? Every website exists for a reason. An easy way to find out what the website’s motives are is to find out what company, organization, or dude in their basement is responsible for the content presented.
Explore the page you stumble on; check the ‘about’ section or take a look at the bottom of the home page. There should be an organization or company listed.
Ask yourself, have you heard of these people before? A quick Google check of the responsible party can reveal a lot. Is the company reputable? What kind of business are they in? How are they perceived by the rest of the Internet? Do people say good or bad things about these guys?
If your going on a date with someone you barely know – wouldn’t you try to find out as much about them before the date as you could? With websites and their owners… Same thing.
Who’s the author and what’s their angle?
Who is this guy? Is the author qualified and knowledgeable on the topic or issue he or she is writing about. Check their bio or do a quick search of their other works.
I, personally, am a Content Editor for iBus Media. I write for several sites, mostly CasinoSmash, an online casino review site, and PokerNews. That’s my shtick. I want my readers to use my sites by acknowledging the material presented on them is strong and honest, which is why I am writing this article.
Again, it goes back to motivation and credentials. You wouldn’t want to reference an article on brain surgery written by a runway model or get a recipe for Duck Fois Gras from someone who runs a hotdog cart, would you?
Is the site pretty? clean?
Simple. What does the website look like? Does it look professional? Is it clean, organized and up-to-date? Usually, reputable websites have a decent sized team managing their site. They also, usually, employ ‘professionals’ who craft and design content for them. If the page is a mess, it’s probably no good.
You wouldn’t buy a Ferrari from a guy in sweatpants, wearing a dirty white-tee, in flip-flops, who was in bad need of a haircut. You would, however, buy one from a guy in a neatly tailored suit, polished shoes and a crisp white Oxford.
It may sound shallow, but how a website presents its content tells you how much value they place on the material, which, in turn, helps you determine how much value you should be willing to place upon it.
Are there links, images, videos, infographics and other media?
The more relative information provided in support of the content the better! You cannot have too much information and a good provider of content attaches links, pictures, charts, etc.
High quality content takes a while to create. It takes a lot of time to research and refine. Look for content that provides multiple other sites that support the article’s claim, this helps prove that the author did the necessary research. If you are not willing to compare several websites to gather all the information on your search for “the best toaster for you and your needs,” find a site and an author who is and proves it by providing the how with the why.
Check out social media, the comments and reviews
Use other peoples experience with the site to build your own opinion. Check the comment section at the bottom of the article page (if it’s enabled… if not, that says something too). Check the websites reviews by other third-party sites, like CasinoSmash (just saying).
Does the page have a lot of ‘likes’ or shares? If so, that would mean that a lot of other readers have found the information valuable and that you, possibly, should too.
You’re not alone in this world… Let others help you!
Is this content high-quality?
In the age of “fake news” and social media stars, where everyone and their mother has a blog, it can be difficult to tell what is “good” or not. Navigating through the ridiculous amount of information out there can be daunting but if you keep these tips and mind when browsing the web, you’re less likely to get taken for a ride. The correct answers are out there – go find them!
The post 6 tips to help you determine if the content you’re reading is high quality appeared first on BestTechie.
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We live in a world where people are constantly glued to their smartphones and tablets and if they aren’t playing games they’re streaming videos or using one of the many available social apps. In terms of gaming, people spend more time playing on their smart devices than they do on consoles or PC; so it’s no wonder that developers are pumping so much time and money into the hordes of different games available to choose from in the Apple and Google stores. While there are some games you have to pay an initial fee for, the majority of them are free to download and we’ve seen plenty take the world by storm in the past, including Pokemon Go to Candy Crush. But which free games should you be downloading today?
Data Wing
Data Wing is one of those mobile games that is simple in its format, but it immediately has the player hooked. This is a racing game with a neon look to it, but also story driven too. There is an arcade feel to it, but there is a lengthy story mode to the game with over 40 levels to work through. The 2D racer also has that competitive edge thanks to leaderboards so that people can try and out do their friends.
Super Cat Bros
Super Cat Bros is a great platformer that is very Super Mario-esque in how it looks, plays and feels. It’s a simple arcade game that has a great control system and requires players to use only their thumbs to manipulate their character. There are six cats to choose from in this fun feline adventure and they all have different abilities, so it’s important the player chooses the right cat for the job. Featuring in excess of fifty levels packed with plenty of secrets and leaderboards, gamers will have their hands full for hours.
mFortune
mFortune is one the biggest mobile casino operators around right now and they have a great new app out for both iOS and Android which includes exciting, exclusive games like Reel Fruity Slots and Robinson Riches. It’s ideal for those people who like to spend a bit of time playing classic fruit machines in an attempt to win big. There’s a great look and feel to the app and it’s already received plenty of 5 star reviews from users. mFortune are well-renowned for their devotion to mobile players, and have won several prestigious awards like Best Mobile Operator at the Mobile Gaming Awards. With plenty of slots to choose from, mobile casino aficionado’s will do well to check them out.
Stranger Things: The Game
There have been plenty of mobile games produced on the back of films and tv shows in the past which haven’t lived up to expectations, but Stranger Things certainly isn’t one of them. The Netflix TV show allows people to enjoy an action-packed adventure with Hopper and the kids. It involves exploring Hawkins, solving puzzles, putting the characters’ special abilities to work and collecting Eggos and Gnomes. The game isn’t only great for fans of the show but it’s superb in its own right too. Download it for iOS and Android.
Evil Factory
Evil Factory is a retro arcade style shooter game that oozes class. You’re out to take on the evil Kraken Group as Leo, a pixelated character. Players must find a way past the Kraken bosses, while upgrading their character with new weapons and equipment as the 8-bit action goes on. There’s also a chance to win big in the arcade room too as you attempt to save the world. While this may not be everyone’s favorite style of game, retro fans will quickly fall in love with it. Download for Android.
While the infamous Gardenscapes and Pokemon Go didn’t quite make the cut, we do want to recognize Asphalt 8 which was our main runner up and another fantastic mobile game that is worth checking out. So whether you have jumped on the Apple bandwagon or are staying with your latest Samsung or Google Pixel, be sure to download the aforementioned games and let us know what you think.
The post The best free mobile gaming apps for iOS and Android appeared first on BestTechie.
How to find the best cloud service provider for your needs
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Cloud computing is rapidly increasing in popularity, with a growing number of solutions for business owners to consider. Over the course of 2016, hybrid cloud adoption tripled. Meanwhile, the number of services implemented by each organization decreased, as consolidated options became more prevalent. If you’re shopping for cloud services, there’s a lot to consider. Use these strategies to guide you toward the best option for your needs.
Assess Your Objectives
Choosing a cloud service provider isn’t a decision that should be exclusive to your IT staff. Make sure business leaders are involved in the choice, as well. You need a cloud service that offers the necessary architecture to meet both short- and long-term objectives. Many cloud providers, like Google, offer both IaaS (infrastructure as a service) and PaaS (platform as a service) solutions. Working with Amazon Web Services, you get access to numerous SaaS (software as a service) applications hosted on the cloud, so you can access processing power as you need it.
Evaluate Security Measures
Make sure your cloud provider’s security controls align well with your own security policies and procedures. You should have the option to easily audit access and activity in the cloud. Security is a prime concern, and any reliable cloud service provider should be able to explain how they address it. You may also want to consider working with a cloud access security broker for an added layer of protection between your enterprise and your cloud provider.
Consider Your Current Architecture
If your company is already heavily reliant on products and services from a particular company, begin your search with cloud services that are provided by the same company or a close affiliate. Microsoft users can get customer licenses to use Azure. Amazon users may find seamless implementation when they adopt Amazon Web Services for their cloud computing needs. Google’s cloud services are a natural consideration for those who already rely on G Suite. Though you don’t have to go with the same provider you’re currently using, they should be included in your comparison.
Identify the Provider’s Location
You may think a provider’s physical location is irrelevant in something as accessible as the cloud, but it’s best to keep your provider as close to your users’ physical locations as possible. If you’re a global enterprise, consider the local regulations in the country of residence for your cloud provider. Security compliance regulations vary, so it’s crucial that you know what you’re dealing with. If your cloud service provider is based in a country where these are less strict, find out whether they will still maintain the compliance that you need to operate in other countries, as well.
The vast and diverse landscape of cloud service providers ensures that there’s an option suited to nearly any business. Assess your choices carefully to make sure you have an affordable service provider who can still meet your needs and equip your company for long-term success. There’s no need to compromise in this space. With a little research, you can find anything you desire.
The post How to find the best cloud service provider for your needs appeared first on BestTechie.
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