Google Glass: The New Smartphone!

Paul

Thanks to smartphones, we are able to carry the universe in our pockets. But the next big advancement in technology could take us beyond the horizons reached by smartphones and tablets, allowing for the full integration of the virtual with the real world with Google Glass.

How Does Google Glass Work?

Google Glass is a lot like a smartphone or tablet in that it allows for constant connectivity. But instead of having to fumble with a hand-held gadget, this device allows you to simply look through a pair of glasses perched on your head. Those with Google Glass are able to utilize a variety of apps and Internet functions through use of voice commands.

Google Glass For Fashionistas

Although the very development of Google Glass is impressive in and of itself, the technology currently is not without significant problems. One major concern voiced by a number of prospective users surrounds the wearability of the device. Many worry about the aesthetics of the glasses, which are, admittedly, pretty far from fashionable. While proponents of the gadget argue that those concerned with fashion can simply take off the glasses in situations where they are not appropriate, others feel that, if the device needs to constantly be removed, its accessibility really isn’t much of an improvement over that of the already existing smartphone.

Google is beginning to address these fashion-related concerns with the help of glasses designer and manufacturer Warby Parker. Once Google Glass and Warby Parker are able to develop a design that is functional, comfortable and reasonably stylish, users should truly be able to integrate Google Glass into every aspect of their lives.

Google Glass And TV

Just as smartphones and tablets have had a major impact on the world of entertainment, it’s expected that Google Glass would also make its mark. But would the new technology harm TV or add to it? Arguably, the latter option would have the greater impact. After all, while many people have begun to watch their favorite shows on their tablet computers, more have opted to use mobile technology as a means of supplementing the viewing experience while still utilizing the TV as the primary medium. The same could easily be true for Google Glass.

Google Glass could easily determine the direction of the streaming, cable and satellite market in years to come. New packages are likely to develop alongside current HD and premium channels. These future TV packages might include live news and sports feeds integrated with the wearable Google Glass, explains Install-direct-tv..

Will Google Glass Just Be A Passing Fad?

The current excitement related to Google Glass has led many critics to wonder: does this technology have the potential to stand the test of time, or will it just be a passing fad? The answer to this question will be determined by a number of factors. First, in order to truly make its mark, Google Glass will need to be kept affordable. Right now, the introductory price is listed at $1,500, which, for many, is way out of reach, according to PC World. Factor in questions of the gadget’s limited durability and you have some critics positing that Google Glass will die out in a few years.

Sarah Davenport believes quality and relevant content is the future of the digital age, which is why she is happy to write about all things pertaining to SEO and social media.

Reviewing the Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Prepaid Mobile Hotspot (Virgin Mobile)

Paul

Click Image to see Price!Overdrive Pro 3G/4G

The Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 Prepaid Mobile Hotspot was my first choice when I first started using the Virgin Mobile / Sprint network.  I knew what I was getting myself into after using that modem. Knowing where I was,  I knew I was going to need a Signal Booster.   I found the Wilson Electronics – Sleek – Cell Phone Signal Booster, Which is a cradle.  I also used it in conjuction with my ARC Wireless Freedom antenna.  Which I have had for over a few years now.   So I know how useful this little guy can be!

You can use it without the Freedom antenna, because the Cell Phone Signal Booster comes with an Mini Antenna that can be used put outside on the roof or someplace to get a better signal  I like the Freedom Antenna because of it’s Bi-Directional amplification.  I can point it at One tower and get a faster connection and faster speeds.  It isn’t as though you have a way to Hack it to increase the Signal strength just yet.   I am sure someone will do it sooner or later, when they do I will know about it myself.  With it being a 4G modem though, I have been wondering when Sprint is going to bring 4G LTE to my area!

The Pro’s

I can only come up with a few but here goes some of the most common ones:

  • More Display Information — No more guessing if I have a signal or not.   For that matter, no more guessing if there is an update or something is wrong. 
  • 4G Possibility — If and when Sprint decides to give my area the 4g access, it should dramatically boost my speed by 50%.   I don’t know when but I am confident that it will happen.  Walmart no longer sells the Mifi 2200’s 3G only cards so I am sure it is coming.  You can buy an Overdrive Pro Dock for it but only for 4G, not 3g.
  • Micro SD Card Slot — Great way to share music with all your devices at once.   No more having to switch from one device to another to find that one song.   You can keep it on the Overdrive and listen to it when you want to.
  • The UI isn’t bad — Comes with a lot of bells and whistles.   You can have all kinds of sounds when you loose signal or when someone connects to the device.   So you have an audible notification when something happens.  The Router menu has some great things you can do with settings to improve security.

Basically that is it for right now.   I am sure I will have more on the pro’s later on.   

 

Cons!

  • Bulky — Not as thin as the Mifi 2200 card that I once had so it isn’t as easily concealable.
  • Not Unlimited 3G — When I first started using the Mifi 2200 card, I was unlimited but if you are going to buy it right now without having an account that has unlimited 3G.  Then you will have to pay 55$ for 10 Gigabyte a month.  I am on the grandfather clause so it is unlimited  3G for me!
  • 4G — Just like it being a Pro, it is also a con. Without the 4G capability it isn’t really unlimited to everyone.  Hopefully it will be soon though.
  • Price — After buying this new modem it wasn’t as cheap as the Mifi 2200, but I thought it was time for a change.   So you can always buy the Mifi 2200 card a little cheaper.   Don’t know how long they will be selling those on Amazon so get them while you can!

All in All I am pretty happy with the speed and the use of the Overdrive Pro.   I will be talking it about it more and more in the coming weeks so stay tuned!  I might even have a few hacks or tricks for this little device also.

Paul Sylvester

5 ways to improve your security with your Overdrive Pro (Virgin Mobile)!

Paul

My MiFi and My Newton – The Novatel MiFi 2200

 

The OverDrive Pro

After a long hard search for my old Mifi Device,  I recently had to buy the Overdrive Pro (Virgin Mobile) mifi Card.  So I went out to find a replacement for my card and came to this.  I must say that with it having the option to have a way to increase Signal strength on the Mifi card by buying antenna’s for it.  It is a good deal for me.   I had a simple time getting it to work other than having to call Virgin Mobile Broadband (877-877-8443).  I do however think you should update your card for more security and here are a few tips.

Open a web browser and go to http://192.168.0.1

Change The Default Password

Just by chance someone gets a hold of your password for your mifi card.   They then can log into and change anything they want.   So you should change the “admin” Password and possibly change the Wi-Fi Password as well.  You can do this by going to the Admin Setup Page on the Mifi Device.

Change the SSID

By default the SSID for the Overdrive card is OverDrive Pro.   You can leave it as it is but the problem with it is someone else might have the same exact SSID and you may accidentally give out your wifi password to a stranger.   It should be unique and unguessable to people.   This Also can be done in the Admin Setup Page.

Change your DNS

By default you are going to use Virgin Mobile/Sprint DNS servers.  They may not be as fast as other servers and thus you can get a little more speed from changing the DNS to something other than Virgin Mobile/Sprint DNS.   You do this by going into the Advanced Settings, Clicking the Router Tab and going into the LAN tab, Which is a separate tab from the top.  You would then need to change DNS MODE to manual and enter two different IPS.  See below for two suggestions.

Here are two that you can try and see which one works better for you.

Google DNS:  8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220

Don’t Display Wifi Password

This is another by default, it will display the password on the Mifi screen for any passer by to gain access to the network.   If you have limited amount Gigabytes to use, you may not want to share that with a stranger.   So by turning off the password no-one will have access to the mifi device without asking you first.  That can also be changed and updated on the Admin Setup Page.

Change your Wifi Password

Finally the last step I would recommend is to change your Wifi Password so no other Overdrive Pro can have that same password.   Again, it is possibility someone else might have that password so it is best not to keep it.   Create a new password you can remember but nothing that everyone used.   Just saying.   You can do this also by going to the Admin Setup Page.

With these simple steps your OverDrive Pro Mifi Card is much more secure and less likely for someone to gain access unintentionally.  So you can sit back and relax and have fun with your card and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making this blog post.

Paul Sylvester

 

 

What I have learned from being a leader and not a Follower!

Paul

Leadership

Leadership and Qualities!

 

When you see someone walking down the road, do you stop or let them keep walking?  This is where a leader and follower will differ.   I am going to talk about what it is to be leader:

 

Yes, in all my research, the greatest leaders looked inward and were able to tell a good story with authenticity and passion. Deepak Chopra

Ever since the last few months, I have not had a lead role.  I recently began to transition from a doer or a follower to leader.   There is many facets to being ones people come to for help but it also comes with great responsibility.   So nothing I say can ever get you ready to be a leader but  I can sure try!

Take Every Chance, Drop every Fear!

This is something that I saw a few weeks ago that just kept on sticking in my mind.  If your going to be leader you need to take risk.  For example:

I was at work, and I know this assignment is going to end.  I decided today was going to my day.  I walked up to a lady and asked you out on a date.  It didn’t go as well as I expected but at least I am not sitting at home wondering the old story of “What if’s??”

As you can see there are many ways you can take  but the best results I have seen is know your capabilities and use them to your fullest.  Some risks you can’t take but some risks, might make it just that much better for your TEAM.

There is no I in TEAM!

This is another good one, that just makes you understand more about how leading will impact your results.  If you are constantly worried about me, then you can’t possibly be thinking about them.  So when you want results, you put your team first and you become second, third, and so on. This is something I have found out to be true also.   If you want to succeed in anything, you work with your team and  you NEVER use I in any context unless it was to mean “I went to the bathroom!” Would be kind of hard for your team to go to the bathroom with you.

Even leaders need help!

Any day I go into work, I am certain of one thing.   I will ask help for something or other because I know my limitations and I also know that to ask for help doesn’t show me weak but someone who wants to fix something or get something done.   Those who don’t ask for help or ask questions are just asking for trouble but those who do ask gain everything. 

These are a few simple rules I have started to follow and they seem to be working really well for me.  I will keep looking and hopefully I will come up with even more.  One other tidbit, learn to write better and that will help you get what you are wanting done.

Paul Sylvester

How NOT to fall for a Online Dating Scam!

Paul


It just gets harder!

When I first started this Journey, It didn’t seem like it would be this HARD.  I was wrong, I keep fining these emails and instant messages on a few of these sites that just makes me wonder how many people fall for these Online Dating Scams?

I figure it was high time, someone at least talked about how to avoid these people and to recognize them for who they are.  

Knowledge is Power!

Some of the best ways to figure it out is simple common knowledge.  When you have dealt with these types of people before you get to know just how to know some of the stuff.   Here is a quick run down on what I know and hopefully it will help you to see them coming and avoid them.

Language!

We all have it and we all use it.  Each culture and area of the world is a little bit different, just like if your reading this in China, or Europe it might not be as good unless you have studied and understood the US American culture.  So what does this have to do with dating site?  If you get a message or email from someone and the email isn’t as easy to read because of how it is worded.   Then that should throw up a red flag.   I am not going to say that is the most definitive way to know but it is the most common way I can tell if they live close or not. I will not talk to anyone who has doesn’t live close.   Why put the energy into a relationship just to have it broken.

If it seems to Good to be True!

Then maybe it isn’t,  You get emails from Guys/Girls who for a better word for it is eye candy.   They look very nice and really out of your league.  My one idea is that they don’t have to look extraordinary but they do have to be beautiful.   So I come up wit ha chart that helps me.   It is basically a 1 through 10 number system and if I pick a 10 then I am very leary of the person.  The higher the number the the less likely it is a true person but that doesn’t mean I can’t be wrong it just seems to work for me.

Ask about them!

Here is my other safety tip, if you have went through all of the other two suggestions.   You probably wondering if they are for you.   This is where you will know for certain, ask about them and their family.   If they say stuff about a family member or parents that are dead and them having to move to a far off country that is usually a tale tale sign that they aren’t trying to scam you.   

Don’t open Attachments!

This probably don’t need to be said to much but you never know what a scammer intentions are an they may want you to open an attachment just to infect your system.  So if they send you something then you shouldn’t use it.   They might be trying to get your bank account or something else.   If you open it then you might just get malware, or spyware an then you only have yourself to blame!