The Windows Phone operating system doesn’t get enough coverage. This is even though you can get HTC and Samsung Windows Phones, makers of some of the most popular Android phones. It’s actually a great little OS that simply lacks the support of developers, and therefore doesn’t have quite the same number of apps as iOS and Android have behind them. In order to get more developers on-side, Microsoft are going to need more users – and users want apps. Recent figures show that only 2% of mobile app downloads in 2012 have been to Windows Phone handsets. So we’ve compiled a list of the top apps available for Microsoft Phone 7.5, in the hopes of convincing just a few people that they don’t necessarily need Angry Birds to have a bit of fun.

First up, you’ll want to get some tunes on, right? Well, Windows Phone handsets have their very own Spotify app, which can do everything that the Spotify apps on other platforms can. Listen to music, create and share playlists, and browse through ‘What’s New’ artists to your heart’s content; and with the great speakers you get on a phone like the Lumia 900, the Spotify app sounds even better.

Now that your ears are happy, let’s get social. First off, you’ll find all the usual social networking sites have apps that work with Windows Phone 7.5, so don’t sweat that. The Windows Phone Facebook app is actually, in many ways, better than its Android counterpart, featuring a neat menu screen that utilises the Windows tiles to display notifications, messages and more. If you want to make video calls, just download Tango Chat, which is like Skype, but not Skype. Tango is available on other platforms, too, so you won’t be limited to just chatting with other Windows Phone users.

And then there’s the games. If you’re looking for a good puzzler, just download De Blob Revolution, which offers challenging levels, quirky characters and vivid animation. Twin Blades is an excellent side-scrolling hack ‘n’ slash zombie game, and Max and the Magic Marker lets you draw your way through levels. OK, so Windows might not have every game you’ll find on Android and iOS phones, but they’ve got a boatload of goodies themselves.

And last but not least, you’ll be wanting some apps that are exclusive to Windows Phone to twist your arm, right? Easy. If you’re a fan of gaming, then Microsoft’s Xbox connections will keep you happy, as Windows Phone offers plenty of Xbox LIVE game apps exclusive to the OS. This means that Windows Phone handsets are pretty much ideal if you’re into 3D gaming on your phone, since you won’t find many cartoon aliens in the Xbox LIVE games.

Oh, and by the way, we lied: you can get Angry Birds on a Windows Phone handset if you like. So even if you do need it to have fun, you’ve got no reason to snub Microsoft. So what are you waiting for? Go forth and buy thyself a Windows Phone.

Microsoft is one of the giants in the computer hardware and software industry on the global scale. The fact of the matter is that Microsoft products play an integral role in our lives as almost all computer users rely on them to get their tasks completed. A great way of saving a considerable amount of money while shopping at online Microsoft store is to make use of Microsoft promo codes. A Microsoft promo code is essentially similar to any other discount code or coupon but what makes it so much more special is that it allows you to purchase highly lucrative software and hardware products at the Microsoft Store at reduced prices.

Whether you are looking to buy Windows 7 software for your computer or if you wish to purchase the latest version of Microsoft Office, Microsoft promo codes can help you achieve great savings. The list of items that you can purchase for a discount through Microsoft promo codes is a long one and also includes stunning gadgets such as laptops, HTC phones and delightful accessories made by some of the biggest brands in the industry. Video game fans can also extract a lot of benefit out of these codes as Microsoft games promo codes are easily available on the web.

There are different types of Microsoft promo codes with varying offers. While some promo codes allow customers to purchase products from the Microsoft Store at reduced prices, other codes give a write-off on shipping fees. Microsoft promo codes are not only valid for boxed items but can also help you purchase downloadable software for instant installation on your system. Microsoft promo codes give you the unique and lucrative opportunity of saving up to hundreds of dollars on Dell, HP, Acer and Xbox products from Microsoft Store.

Some highly lucrative Microsoft promo code offers are available on the Microsoft Store, for instance, $200 Microsoft promo code is up for grabs for customers who purchase a Windows 7 PC for $699 or above. More importantly, there are various websites which allow you to make use of Microsoft promo codes instantly. The best thing about having a Microsoft promo code by your side is that you do not even have to venture outside your home to capitalize on the offer as all you have to do is to visit the Microsoft Store and get your favorite products at incredible discounts. All you have to do is to frequently visit websites which deal in Microsoft promo codes for the latest offerings.

The smartphone market is a competitive place to be and if the latest sales figures have shown us anything it is that manufacturers and carriers alike need to battle to get an edge with their best mobile phone contracts, as there is more and more choice in the market.

The latest research shows that over half, around 51.4% of people in the UK own a smartphone. Around half of those buying a new device already have one. So how do smartphone manufacturers make sure that their new devices get in front of those who are most likely to buy it? And how can they make the process even easier so people are more likely to handover their cash?

Some wireless providers in Canada think they might have found the answer. If it proves to be a success then it’s likely we could see the same thing in the UK. The cell companies, as they’re known in Canada, are introducing new products to encourage consumers to upgrade their smartphones more regularly and try to get their own edge in the market.

Telus Corp is one of the biggest mobile companies in the country, Their newest offers sees a trade-in programme, handing customers credit towards a new wireless device when their want to exchange their old handset. Even if consumers are part way through a long contract, Telus thinks they will be likely to take advantage of the deal as it helps them to upgrade quicker. No longer would they have to languish feeling hey had locked themselves in to a deal that stop s them getting their hands on the fastest and the latest devices on  the market.

In Canada the upgrade figures are similar to that in the UK – even though the share of smartphone users is a little higher in the UK than it is in Canada – with users tending to upgrade around every 18 months. If you look at 2011 though, that gives an indication of how fast technology can change, and how quickly in the current climate a device can feel like it is out of date. If you signed a contract back in February 2011 and still have several months to go you might have a single core smartphone and watched as the dual-core race began with the Samsung Galaxy S2, Motorola’s new RAZR and the iPhone 4S.

Upgrading while still in contract has often been a real source of frustration for consumers as it is expensive. Carriers want consumers to be tech-savvy and to want the latest device as soon as it hits. Therefore those in Canada like Telus and the larger firm Rogers Communications believe that what they need to do, therefore, is make it easier for people to get out of their contracts and sample the very latest the market has on offer.

To give an idea of costs, if a user took advantage of the new Telus programme and handed in an old iPhone, they could get $200. That could go to covering the balance left on their existing contract. However it still means they are signing a new contract with Telus and are still responsible for the remaining balance. The carrier doesn’t really lose out and still gets a customer for the next however many years.

As the smartphone market gets every more competitive expect more tricks from carriers trying to get your signature on the dotted line and keep consumers hungry for the latest handset.

Macintosh or Mac OS, the flagship operating system from Apple is pretty virus resistant. It’s a rare sight to see a Mac based system suffering from a virus infestation, but that said, some viruses are out there specifically designed to infiltrate and cause damage to Mac OS. As the old proverb goes “better safe than sorry”, it’s good practice to have an efficient antivirus installed on your Mac just in case. The problem arises when you actually go searching for the best antivirus out there, as the market is saturated with products that claim to offer best protection you can get. To make the right choice, you need to be aware of the salient features an antivirus for Mac should have, such as:

Swift & Smooth Installation Process

Ideally the installation time should only be a couple of minutes. The installation process should be descriptive with step by step instructions.

Light on System Resources

Most antivirus software programs have the tendency to greedily consume system resources which result in your Mac slowing down. Well engineered antivirus software is always light on the system, taking such an insignificant amount of processing time and memory like it’s not even there! With cloud computing now a norm in the industry, the constant updates have been made a thing of the past. Opt for an antivirus software which relies on cloud computing and hence doesn’t require frequent updates for its virus database.

Effective Coverage against all threats

The most important feature of an antivirus is its circumference of coverage against all possible threats that can trouble your Mac. This includes Trojans, phishing attacks, root kits, malware, spyware, key loggers etc.

Descriptive User Interface

The user interface of the antivirus should be very descriptive and user friendly. It shouldn’t leave anything to be deduced on user’s part and should include helpful tool tips with every screen. The virus detection, isolation and removal process should be effortless, requiring minimum user input.

There are free antivirus programs available in the market which perfectly fit all of the above mentioned criteria. However, the best comes with a price! Avast, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, are some popular antivirus for Mac. Compare these antivirus programs on the features I mentioned above and get your hands on the best antivirus for Mac.

As the latest addition to the range of Bold smartphones by BlackBerry, the BlackBerry Bold 9790 has a sleek and classy design, with a compact and lightweight size, which you can slip easily into your pocket. It is bold by name and bold by nature, and will be sure to make an impact amongst your friends.

There are many exciting features of the BlackBerry Bold 9790, including the BlackBerry 7 operating system, which is the most powerful software to date and will give you an incredible experience with your mobile phone. You can expect images to be much clearer on the high resolution screen which will make your photos and presentations stand out and look incredible. This high performance smartphone also has a 35 key Blackberry wide keyboard which makes it easier to write your emails and organise your calendar more effectively. The touch display makes it easier to use and navigate around.

The BlackBerry Bold 9790 also offers a 1GHz processor, 768MB RAM and 8GB of onboard memory. If you access the internet quite often, the BlackBerry Bold 9790 is ideal as it offers a smoother and faster browser. You can also open up a whole world of applications, with Facebook, Twitter and BlackBerry Messenger even pre-installed in the phone, so you can chat to friends and share information easily on the go. It also features a 5MP camera, which will ensure the images you capture are of the highest quality to retain your memories.

The BlackBerry is often associated with business, but with the BlackBerry Bold 9790 you can keep your personal and business data separate, with the use of BlackBerry Balance. You can organise events and send updates much more quickly with this new installment from the BlackBerry family, and can even use the voice activated search to find out any information you need as quickly as you can imagine. It also has built-in compass, GPS and Augmented Reality, which will help ensure you never get lost again. In addition, the BlackBerry Bold 9790 has a 3.5mm headphone jack on the phone and a long lasting battery which can handle 5.3 hours talk time and up to 18 days on standby. You can also enjoy the multi format audio and video player, which are high quality to produce excellent sound and vision.

You will have access to the Near Field Communication as part of the BlackBerry Bold 9790, which you can use with other devices which have this enabled. The BlackBerry Bold 9790 offers everything you would expect from a smartphone of this standard, including the stylish design and quality of images. As with most smartphones, it has wi-fi and bluetooth capabilities, and is easy to use, even if you have never owned a BlackBerry before. If you are a fan of previous BlackBerry models, you will be sure to enjoy all that this has to offer. The Blackberry Bold 9790 is offered by most providers, with similar tariffs to other smartphones, which will suit a range of budgets.

When it comes to trusting antivirus to safeguard your Windows PC, a rule of thumb is always to go with a trusted and dependable name. Bitdefender Antivirus is one of the most reliable and among top ten choices of critics, tech gurus and users alike. Feature rich, low to no system resource usage, impenetrable security and an unmatched price tag make this the most optimal antivirus for windows 7 platform.

Installation

Bitdefender 2012 Plus has a very user friendly interface which makes it fit for use by power users, who like to delve into the depths of things to novice users, who want it to be “plug & play”. The installation process is silky smooth which comes with step by step instructions and doesn’t require a system reboot after completion. For those who don’t prefer to manually change things there’s a new, innovative and powerful feature called Autopilot. As the name suggests, autopilot works on predefined algorithm which deals with security decisions without constantly requiring user input.

Salient Features

Bitdefender Antivirus 2012 Plus is loaded with a plethora of new features which wipe out any conceivable threat to your pc.

Negating social media related threats

If you’re a sort of person who spends time hooked to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, you should be aware of the security threats these sites can have. Miscreants can use loopholes in security to access your personal information like email addresses, credit card info etc! Bitdefender actively monitors security settings while you are on any such social media site and scans links, emails and popup screen that may come up while on these websites.

Detecting and eradicating covert threats

Trademark of a good antivirus program is the ability to detect, isolate and neutralize latent threats. Bitdefender’s active virus control keeps a vigilant and unwavering watch for suspicious files and their behaviors whether you are at work, at home or enjoying your favorite online video game. You can rest assured of complete protection against all online threats.

Maximum Protection

Bitdefender antivirus 2012 Plus is a complete protection for your Window PC, covering threats which can infiltrate through emails, instant messaging and SEO poisoning. It’s one of those products which can be considered a must have for all PC owners. Bitdefender is an easy to download antivirus that would cost $49.95 with 1 year validity.

Dead pixels are actually the same color spot that stays at your screen, no matter what scene changes it stays blotting your screen. LCD TVs actually contain liquid crystals which work along with the lights thrown on them to create the picture. Here the dead pixels are where there is very minute amount of or almost no liquid crystals are present. However this is normally repairable. Here are the instructions to repair a LCD TV which is having dead pixel issue at the moment.

The things you require in this process include:

1.      DVD

2.      DVD player

3.      PDA stylus or dull pencil.

Now follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Turn on your TV and search out a black image on your DVD usually at the start of the movie or found anywhere in between ad pause there and make sure your TV is on with a dark image as the backlighting is actually used to fix the issue.

Step 2:  Now look for the dead pixel that would be any color stuck at one place out of the whole black screen.

Step 3: Now apply your pencil or PDA stylus rounded or dull end to tap the dead pixel gently. Don’t tap too hard but only up till where a white space appear under the point where you pushed. If the white glow didn’t appear push slightly harder to make sure it does.

Step 4: Now tap the point with your stylus and keep increasing the force as you tap but make sure you remain gentle in taping. Almost 8 to 10 taps would knock the pixels into synchronization and would remove the eyesore.

Step 5: Now test your screen again to find any other pixels if left. At this step, just pause your DVD on a white screen to search for any other struck pixels and remove them as well in the same way mentioned above.

There are a number of other ways besides the above to remove your pixels:

1- Simply turn off your television and tap the blotted point and then turn on your television but this may cause harm to you TV as you may not know the exact place to tap and taping the wrong place may create other dead pixels.

2- There are a number of computer programs available to fix the dead pixels if you can connect your computer to your TV. You may try such online programs that fix your dead pixels and make your video screen.

3- Make sure you remain careful in your tapping. Taping too hard may damage your screen so be gentle and if you feel you are tapping hard stop taping.

At times all the above methods may not work to solve the issue so in that case send your TV to the manufacturer to get it repaired. The main thing you need to keep in your mind is to always buy quality product so you will have no issue in its performance and reliability. You must choose reliable online stores for shopping like Big Brown Box where you can easily buy quality LCDs, LEDs from various trusted brands including Palsonic, LG and Samsung etc.

Smartphones such as the iPhone and Android phones are changing the way we work, make purchase decisions, and shop. For businesses, the smartphone can be one of the most effective productivity tools for their employees. Coupled with a Bluetooth car kit, it can be used to support mobile workers who spend a significant number of work hours on the move. And as we’ll see in this article, there is a wide range of apps to support any task or work function.

1. Notes

There are a few very popular note taking apps that supporting syncing across devices. Staff can take note on their smartphone or tablet device, and with one click, have it automatically synchronized to an online cloud storage server. Back at their desk, the staff member can access the notes by logging into the app website or into their account. This can also help with computer support as well as any computer repairs.

These note taking apps typically support camera notes, voice notes, or text notes. For high-volume notetakers, tags are available to organise your notes. Search functions allow you to quickly find old notes. You can also clip and store information you find on the internet.

2. File Sharing

Sharing large files between clients or partners can be simplified with the types of file sharing apps available on the market. Instead of emailing large files, staff can drop off large files, whether they’re audio, video, or text to an account and have the other side pick it up instantaneously from your mobile device or notebook.

3. Business Card Sharing

For staff who need to stay touch with new connections, virtual business card apps allow you to share contact information with one tap of your phone. You can even share photos, calendar events, or social media information. These apps will update your phone contact list automatically.

4. Mobile Payments

Sales staff looking for a while to quickly process credit card payments on the run can make use of the mobile payment apps that are available. In many cases these mobile payment apps are used with accounting software programs to simplify customer account updating.

5. Invoicing and Sales

Likewise, invoicing and sales tasks can be simplified with the range of apps that are available in this category. You can create time sheets, complete invoices, manage and track sales prospects, generate forecasts, and set communication reminders. Users can sync the app with mobile payment apps to update account information quickly.

6. Presentation

If you’re due to make a presentation in a couple of hours and only have access to your phone, use a presentation app to create flow charts, graphs, and slides. A smartphone car kit can also help you make better use of your phone while on the move.

7. Scanners

There’s no need to lug a scanner around with you if you have a smartphone. You can scan full documents on Android, iPhone, and other types of smartphones with a scanner app. These apps use your phone camera to capture documents which can be converted to PDF on your phone.

8. Security

If reliance on your smartphone makes you concerned about security, there are apps that can be used to secure information on your phone. These apps typically use very high level encryption to keep your data files well locked from theft.

For any business or business professional looking for ways to boost their employee’s performance and overall efficiency, PC Monitoring Software is the perfect solution.  Scientific research concludes that personal Internet use per week varies between 5 and 10 hours per employee and may include chatting, personal emails, browsing, etc.  Through the deployment of PC Monitoring Software, your business can quickly reclaim those lost hours and significantly boost overall productivity and profits.

However, be wary of using very specific monitoring systems like MSN or Yahoo Messenger Spy Software.  While there is nothing inherently wrong with specific monitoring platforms like Yahoo Messenger Spy Software, it can only track activities within Yahoo.  Although useful, you really need a well-rounded but sophisticated PC Monitoring Software that includes all of the following tools:

• Log of All Keystroke Activity
• Screen Shots
• MSN and Yahoo Messenger Spy Software
• Remotely Activated Surround Recording
• Completely Undetectable When Monitoring Activity

Log of All Keystroke Activity

The effectiveness of a keystroke log is vital to any PC Monitoring Software. Once the monitoring software has been installed, the application provides a running log of every keystroke performed on the computer. Not only is the log an essential employee monitoring tool, it can be used as a compliance check to prove or disprove alleged liabilities.

Automated Screen Shots

Advanced versions of PC Monitoring Software will be able to show you whenever an employee opens a new window in their browser or tries to use a new program.  This is done by generating a screen shot whenever new activities take place on the monitored computer.

MSN, Skype, and Yahoo Messenger Spy Software

The best employee monitoring software systems include MSN, Sykpe, and Yahoo Messenger Spy Software—all of them.  These popular social networking platforms are constantly abused by employees so you need PC Monitoring Software that can actively monitor all communications on these three systems.

Surround Recording Mode

Significant drains on productivity and performance can result from employee fraternization and personal phone usage.  To help prevent these problems, the most sophisticated PC Monitoring Software includes a “Spy Mode”.  Once PC Monitoring Software with this feature is installed, the business owner or manager can activate the microphone on a monitored computer remotely.  A Surround Recording of all conversations, sounds, personal phone calls etc. are picked up by the microphone.

Stealth Tracking Capabilities

It may be legally required for an employer to announce to employees that some activities may be monitored.  However, you don’t want to deploy PC Monitoring Software that can be detected by employees when they are actively gathering information.  Otherwise, the employees would know when to “clean up” their act and the PC Monitoring Software would be rendered completely worthless.  Therefore, only install applications that include a Stealth Mode.

Author Bio

Jane has been telling readers how to keep track of what matters most. Her work in PC monitoring software technology has a large audience and continues to grow each day. Jane’s most recent discovery is Yahoo Spy which is increasingly gaining the interest of many a reader.

Low-cost smartphones aimed at the mass-market will outsell premium devices designed for advanced users by 2016, according to research from Informa Telecoms & Media.

The telecoms and media intelligence firm predicts that handsets costing between $200-$300 will become increasingly popular across the globe as economies of scale push down production costs. Some 81% of all smartphones shipped in 2011 were sold at a wholesale price above $300, according to Informa. This proportion is expected to decline to below 50% in 2016.

Smartphone manufacturers like Apple, HTC and Samsung shipped 157.8 million units in the final three months of 2011, according to IDC. The majority of these would have cost resellers considerably more than $300. The iPhone 4S will typically cost north of $500, depending on the model purchased and volume.

Cheaper devices will be particularly attractive to networks in emerging markets as they will be easy to subsidise and support the rollout of mobile internet to the masses.  Sales of these cheaper handsets will increase from 41 million in 2010 to over 206 million units by 2016. Android, Symbian and BlackBerry are the only platforms that currently support smartphones under $300 (£200), with market shares of 48.5%, 38% and 13.5% respectively last year. Nearly two-thirds of Symbian’s total sales in 2011 were generated by devices in this price range.

Informa said smartphone wholesale prices will need to fall below $200 to create mass-market appeal in emerging markets. Smartphone handsets costing less than £200 are expected to account for 24% of the market in 2016, up from just 5% forecast for this year.

Malik Saadi, principal analyst at Informa, said: “China will be the largest market for smartphones in this price segment, with a potential market share of 20% of the global total in 2016, while India will be the second-largest single market for these phones with 14%. Sales of this type of device in Western Europe and in North America will be very small – the shares of these regions are not expected to exceed 4% and 3%, respectively.”

Smartphones costing $100 dollars or less are not expected to hit the market until 2013 at the earliest, but Saadi warned sales of these devices would be challenged by smarter feature-phones that will increasingly offer a decent internet experience at lower price points. Annual sales of sub-$100 smartphone handsets are not expected to exceed 60 million units a year before 2016, as manufacturers struggle to integrate key internet applications on cheaper devices.