24 HOURS WITH THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 OUT OF THE BOX
Okay folks, it hasn't really even been 24 hours yet, but this is my day-1 report of the Samsung Galalxy S IV smartphone from AT&T Wireless. This is not a test. I repeat... this is not a test!
Actually, this is my personal permanent property that I'll persistently play with. My upgrade happened last week, and I put all the chips in on the Galaxy S4 by ordering it through Amazon Wireless online for $168. The phone showed up on my doorstep yesterday.
Unpacking the phone was a blast. The packaging was very stylish, to the level of something Apple would provide. I took the opportunity of video recording the ocasion for my enjoyment and your entertainment. Stay tuned, I'll have the video edited and uploaded to Youtube in a few days.
I had to make a quick run to the local AT&T store to get a new micro SIM card for the device, which was no problem because there was no charge. Apparently the phone was supposed to have a SIM card shipped with it, but it arrived without.
Signing in to my Google account, I was able to set up all of my favorite apps and connect my contacts that are backed up through Gmail. No pain at all, quite convenient and easy. I took out the SD memory card from my Galaxy S2 and replaced it into the S4 and I was off to the races.
One thing I can say after playing with the phone late into the night and during part of the day today is that there are so many features packed into this device there won't be any way I'll be able to discover all of the capabilities in a short period of time. All I can do is figure out how to handle some of the most puplar features.
The look and feel of the phone is what took me most by surprise. With all of the tech bloggers out there dogging this phone to no end saying that it is super lightweight, cheap, and "plasticy", I didn't expect what I actually got.
This phone is lightweight compared to an iPhone or an HTC device. But it does not feel like a flimsy peice of plastic. There is a metal band surrounding the phone now, and it adds a higher quality "build feel". It woudn't have made me a difference, but it was a nice surprise.
The other surprise was the size of the smartphone. The Galaxy S4 really isn't that much bigger than my old Galaxy S2. I thought it was going to be closer to the size of the Galaxy Note 2, but not at all. They've maximized the size of the screen by pushing it to the extreme limits of the bezel. I would not have thought a 5" display smartphone would fit as snugly in my hand as the S4.
Going back to my Galaxy S2, it now feels more like "toy" in my hand with its slightly smaller size, boxier shape, and lighter weight. They've definitely refined this device over two generations, and have come up with quite an elegant design with the S4.
I have a lot to report, so I'll cut this one short and just summarize it this way: I love this phone, and it had me at "hello"!
Grab your Samsung Galaxy S IV right now at Amazon Wireless for the best pricing possible on all major carriers when you sign a valid 2-year agreement! Click the link to jump to Amazon and join the Samsung revolution!
MAXTHON BROWSER FOR ANDROID DOES MUCH MORE THAN MOST
The app that gets the most use from my smartphone on a day-to-day basis would have to be the Maxthon "cloud browser" for Android. It's chock-full of surprises.
It's a tabbed browser that I found in my search for alternatives that would support text reflow, which is something I consider fundamental for mobile browsers. Maxthon has text reflow capability, which makes intensive reading on your smartphone a breeze.
But there are several other surprises that came with this browser that I didn't even know about until using it for several days. One of them is the ability to pull up a shortcut page of all your favorite apps and functions from your home Android screen. You can perform most of the regular tasks that you use right from the app.
Add to that some nice things like "Super Gesture" which allows gesture movements to close tabs, move from one to the other, and restore. You can even create your own custom gestures that will save to your device.
And check out some of these cloud services that they have listed on the Maxthon website:
Cloud Push: supports sending text, images, websites/links and tabs to Mac, Android and Windows operating systems.
Cloud Share: Supports sharing text, images, websites/links and files with friends.
Cloud Download: supports downloading files in various formats and uploading them to 'My Cloud' for backup on any device.
Cloud Tabs: Lets you pick up where you left off by automatically syncing your tabs to Windows, iOS, or Mac devices.
Sync Bookmarks/Favorites: Sync Favorites across Windows, Mac and iOS devices.
That's a lot for this awesome little browser! It gets a "two-thumbs-up" for being the best alternative browser I have downloaded to date. Get it in the Google Play store and run it on your mobile device or tablet. You won't be disappointed!
Carlton Flowers App-tastic Gadgeteer
MORE MAXTHON SCREEN SHOTS
(Click the thumbnails to jump to the Google Play Store to download Maxthon Browswer!)
Howdy folks! This is the first of my "Best Apps" series where I will showcase some of my favorite apps that help me stay productive, solve problems, or just plain have fun.
Today, we'll talk about something I just discovered a week ago called "Google Keep".
I'm always game for an app that serves as a To Do list type of organizing tool. But none of them can come close to Google Keep.
You can do so many things with this app, and I love the way the interface works. This happens to be my favorite of all organizer apps just because of the way it looks and works.
Instead of a plain to-do checkbox list, you can add elements to this app just like placing sticky notes on the fridge. The elements can be whatever you want: to-do lists, pictures, audio memos, quick notes, and more.
A bonus advantage to this app that I totally love is the ability to pull up your Google Keep account on any computer or device that has an internet connection when you use your Gmail account. That means you are never far away from your notes!
Check out Google Keep on Android and iOS, and the desktop version using any operating system and an internet connection. It rocks! For Android, click the pic to jump to Google Play Store and download the app.
Do you have a favorite app that you'd like me to check out? Tell me all about it in the Disqus comments section. If it is interesting enough, I might even try it out myself!
Stay tuned for more "Best Apps". I have a lot of good ones to share!
ONE OR ONE X? MY PICK FOR HTC'S BEST WILL SURPRISE YOU!
It's about time that someone wrote about the glaring differences between the recently released flagship HTC One and the previously released HTC One X.
I don't quite understand why HTC would develop two devices so similar yet so different. One is CLEARLY the superior overall device, in my opinion.
One of these smartphones I fell in love with immediately. The other one rubbed me the wrong way the minute I took it out of the box.
So which of these two HTC juggernauts is the one that captured my heart? I don't think you would guess right if I didn't tell you...
It was the One X!
As far as technical specificcations, the phones are not very far apart. Of course the HTC One has a bit more under the hood than the One X, because it is the newer phone. But not by much. The only spec that the One soars over the One X with would be screen resolution. But everything else is a close match.
That said, the reason that I love the One X is the form factor. This is a smooth, sleek, thin phone that feels incredible in the palm of your hands. It was most wonderfully crafted, with no hard edges and a screen that flows into the rounded sides like a work of art. It is also fairly light in weight compared to older HTC smartphones.
But the HTC One is a monstrously heavy device with some rather annoying design elements. First of all, it has sharp edges that do not feel comfortable in the hand. Plus it has a rounded back. Try to touch type on this thing while it's sitting on a flat surface, and you will be playing a game of see-saw with the device. Very annoying.
The most frustrating thing about the HTC One for me was the way they designed the power button and the volume buttons to be flush with the edge of the device. You have to visually search for the buttons to activate them. There's no raised dot, or any portrusion that allowsyou to "feel" your way to properly depressing the buttons. Humongous annoyance.
I have no earthly idea what HTC was thinking when they finalized the form factor of the One. I also don't understand what it is with the people who are giving this device rave reviews for its design aesthetics. I guess it's all preference.
But one thing is solidly clear to me... the One X is a fantastic phone that I would gladly purchase with slightly lower specifications over the HTC One, all due to the form factor and design materials.
What is your opinion of these two devices? Do you agree with me on my opinion about the HTC One X? Or do you believe the HTC One is the clear winner with its new design? Sound off in the Disqus comments section!
Check out the Amazon Wireless store where you can get the HTC One and HTC One X as low as $79.99 with a 2-year contract! Click the link or pictures below to jump to Amazon.com and get your hands on your favorite HTC smartphone today!
HTC One VX 4G Android smartphone AT&T from $0.01 with 2-year contract or $499.99 without contract!
HTC One Glacial Silver Android smartphone AT&T from $129.99 with 2-year contract or $649.99 without contract!
HTC One X White Android smartphone AT&T - click the image to check on current pricing from Amazon Wireless!
STOCK ANDROID BROWSER WITH HTC ONE GREAT FOR AVID READERS
You read my bipolar initial review of the HTC One (AT&T) where I covered a variety of items. But today's continuing review will only focus on one thing: text reflow
The new flagship HTC device gives us something that I consider significant that you don't get on the iPhone 5 or the Samsung Galaxy S3, and that is the ability to reflow text when zooming in on articles.
The lack of text reflow on the iPhone 4 was the final straw that broke the camel's back, motivating me to make the switch to Android. But after buying my Samgung Galaxy S2, I discovered that not all Android devices come with text reflow in the stock browser.
Personally, I can't figure out why any smartphone manufacturer would not have this feature programmed into their phones. It makes for a maddening, frustrating experience when using your mobile device to read a lot of content on blogs and news sites (which I constantly do) but you have to pan sideways to read sentences that fly off the right side of the screen.
To my surprise, the HTC One does have text reflow built in to the native Android browser. This is a HUGE plus for geeky blog readers like myself who like to zoom in making the text bigger, but reflowing and cascading the text vertically downward thus allowing you to only scroll vertically to read an entire article.
If you are a big fan of HTC hardware AND you are an avid reader who prefers using a smartphone to consume content on the web, the HTC One will get the job done for you with its crisp, brilliant display and text reflow capability.
Special thanks to AT&T St. Louis for the test device!
For the best prices on smartphones with contract agreements, head on over the Amazon Wireless and pick up an HTC One from your carrier of choice as low as $129 with a 2-year agreement and help to support the CarltonZone Blog!
HTC ONE REVIEW - THE STRAIGHT STORY, MY IMMEDIATE REACTION
This will be a two-part review. It won't be like anything you've ever read before in a review. First off, I'm going to tell you exactly what my reaction was to opening and handling an HTC One (AT&T) Android smartphone right of the box. I won't hold back.
Next, I'll tell you what I expect others to think of the things I mentioned in my initial review, and who I believe would be best matched for this HTC flagship smartphone. So buckle your seatbelts, and get ready for my raw, unedited review and most honest straight-forward comments!
UNBOXING THE HTC ONE - FIRST THOUGHTS
The minute I pulled the HTC One out of the box, the first thought that popped into my mind was "this is heavy, thick, and bulky". I already knew it was going to take a lot of positives to get over the first bad impression.
The feeling of the device in my hands was not comfortable. I didn't like the sharp edges formed by the metal (or metal-like) back. It's definitely not the form factor of the One X that I thoroughly enjoyed. It almost reminded me of "retro electronics" devices. Just a bit too industrial for my taste.
After failing my initial hand grip test, I went to search for the power button. This was a solid "strike two". The button is flush with the top of the device, and not exactly easy to depress. I am so used to the portruding iPhone power button and the portruding side-mounted power button on my Samsung Galaxy S II that I wasn't really ready for this big of a switch.
The next awkward moment was figuring out how to unlock the screen. Again, after years of the "swipe to unlock" that is plain and simple enough for even someone with a lobotomy to understand, this was not easy. I don't quite like the unlock action on the Galaxy S2, but that has been improved with eh S3 and S4. But the HTC unlock, being a vertical pull, was odd.
Once in to the operating system, I was lost. Strike 3. Maybe this isn't the fault of HTC. It's probably due to my iPhone and Samsung experience. The HTC Sense operating system is different enough that I can't get manuevering around in it right off. It isn't intuitive. I had a hard enough time finding the "settings" pane. But I was totally confused with the HTC symbol sitting in the middle of the bottom of the screen where a home button should be. That's a total fail.
With only two navigational buttons, I still haven't found a way to get around with ease. I also haven't gotten used to the vertically-listed apps. I guess that's just something HTC does. And the five buttons in the home row is enough to give me a headache too. This again is due to my Apple and Samsung brainwashing.
I'm out of strikes, but strike 4 would definitely be the volume button. This is the most least desirable feature of the phone thus far. The volume rocker is flush with the side of the device. It's pretty, with its brushed metal look, but it doesn't work well. I found myself constantly smooshing the bottom edge of the case, and not hitting on the volume buttons. It is so smooth and flush with the case that you almost have to look at the phone to properly depress the up and down buttons. That's a solid fail.
The display on the HTC One is brilliant, crisp, and very high-def looking. But it doesn't go to the edges of the device like the Galaxy S4. Plus it's a couple tenths of an inch smaller. Maybe it's just in my head, but it is noticeable.
The one shining feature that I noticed within the first 10 minutes of using the device were the speakers that bear the "Beats by Dr. Dre" branding. They have incredible range, and carry such thick bass that I am in awe of how they physically made this possible.
But overall, my out-of-the-box thoughts after setting up the phone and giving it a whirl were really negative. This phone is definitely not for me. It's clunky, heavy, boxy, has hard edges, doesn't feel good in my hands, and is tough to navigate. I wouldn't even consider this smartphone versus the Galaxy S4. I'm a bit disappointed after enjoying the HTC One X as much as I did.
That said, let's move to part 2... the stuff that would make people want to purchase this phone above all the competitors!
HTC ONE - THE POSITIVES THAT VIRTUALLY GUARANTEE ITS SUCCESS
Here's another point of view that you won't believe could be coming from me, after reading the previous portion of this crazy review. But at the risk of sounding crazy, I'm gonna flip the record over and give you the "other side of the story".
The type of person who is going to totally appreciate this phone would be those who require a high build quality in their smartphones. The HTC One is the most solidly-built phone the company has broken out of the mold to date. I would say that it is on the level of an iPhone with a metal backplate.
Not only is the phone built like a solid jeweler's piece, it is just as beautiful. The combination of brushed metal, polished metal, shiny white polycarbonate, thick solid-feeling front glass, and crisp edges in its form factor make it a work of art. There's no doubts about quality when you first lay your eyes on the HTC One.
With the incorporation of Dr. Dre's "Beats Audio" in the front-facing speakers with this device, nothing will come close to the audio quality when playing music without the aid of headphones. They have worked a miracle in reporducing rich, robust sound for maximizing music enjoyment.
As for the form factor and the buttons, aesthetics were definitely kept as a high priority with the HTC One as nearly nothing portrudes from the edge lines of the device. If you run your hands around the edges of the phone, you hardly feel the volume buttons, power button, headphone jack, or micro USB jack. It is very elegantly laid out.
It goes without saying that the screen is aboslutely breathtaking with the vibrance and color reporduction that HTC has built in to their latest HD technology. There will be absolutely no complaints for this device's ability to show off multimedia content.
But the biggest advantage to the HTC One as it relates to the display is the soft keyboard. The only device that even comes close to what HTC has done when it comes to ease of typing is the Nokia Lumia 920. But HTC has perfected the ease and accuracy of the soft keyboard on its device.
And unlike any other manufacturer or device, the HTC One gives a "click" sound when your finger releases from the screen (after selecting something) that almost makes you feel as if there was a super thin button membrane popping back out. Totally amazing!
The spacing of the letters on the keyboard layout are just about perfect, and the haptics gives the most comfortable balanced feeling for feedback that isn't "too much" or "too little". It's hard to describe it, but the designers definitely kept the tradition of HTC's superior soft keyboard feel.
So... overall, for people who are current HTC fans, and for those that are iPhone users switching to Android, this will be a solidly satisfying device that should make record sales for HTC. If this device has caught your eye and has done well with a test drive in your hands, you really can't go wrong.
And that my friend is the long and short of it. If I have sparked your brain into the urge of sharing an opinion, please sound off in the Disqus comments section and let me know what YOU think of the HTC One! Or anything else you'd like to yap about!
Big thanks to AT&T (the only real carrier) St. Louis for the opportunity to test and review this great device! More details to come, and a full report at the end of my test period. Meanwhile, check out the Youtube video review below, and get more specifics on Amazon.com!
For the best prices on smartphones with contract agreements, head on over the Amazon Wireless and pick up an HTC One from your carrier of choice as low as $129 with a 2-year agreement and help to support the CarltonZone Blog!
I'm up for an upgrade! I couldn't be more excited to replace my current Samsung Gaalxy S II that just can't keep up with Android 4.0.4 and all of the pressure I put on it to multitask and make my life more simple. My choice for an upgrade? I'm sticking with the team and getting a Samsung Galaxy S IV.
There are several reasons why I have chosen the Galaxy S IV to serve as my secondary external brain and memory unit. I would assimilate if I could, but this is the next best thing. But the biggest reasons? Big brilliant display, touchless gesture control, removable battery, light weight, and durable construction.
Sure, the Galaxy S IV has a laundry list of other things that motivate me to get my hands on one, like the 1.9GHz quadcore processor, 2Gb of RAM, 13 Mp camera, super thin and lightweight form factor, and more.
I could bore you all with those details, but I won't. The main point is, it's the most technologically advanced smartphone on the market and comes from a trusted manufacturer that has experienced a ton of success.
Where will I pick up my Samsung Galaxy S IV, you ask? I'll be getting mine on Amazon.com for the lowest offering of any retailer. Right now, they are selling the AT&T version for only $168 with a 2-year contract for all eligible upgrades and new accounts. You can't beat that with a stick.
That actually leads me to my next revelation (that was already revealed), which is my carrier of choice: AT&T. We've got 4G LTE coverage in Central Missouri now, so I will have super fast download and upload speeds on a network that I have had no problems with whatsoever.
You can get your Samsung Galaxy S IVright here on Amazon.com and help to support the Carlton Zone blog site while at the same time, getting it for the best price available. Amazon is one of the most trusted suppliers in the nation, and they will ship the smartphone right to your doorstep. Nothing could be more simple than that!
Grab your Samsung Galaxy S IV right now at Amazon Wireless for the best pricing possible on all major carriers when you sign a valid 2-year agreement! Click the link to jump to Amazon and join the Samsung revolution!
WHY COMMUTING FEEDS THE SURGE IN TEXTING-WHILE-DRIVING
A recent survey from AT&T exposes a shocking new trend. Texting-while-driving among adult commuters has now surprassed the teenage class.
This is something I would never have predicted to happen, but it makes perfectly good sense when you think about the circumstances that motivate the behavior.
Before we talk about the reasons why I believe this trend exists in the first place, let's look at some of the facts that AT&T uncovered in their research:
Nearly half of commuters (49%) admitted to texting while driving, a higher rate than reported by teens (43%)
They are doing so more than they used to. Six in 10 commuters said they never texted while driving three years ago.
Texting while driving despite knowing the risks. 98% said sending a text or email while driving isn’t safe.
For many, it has become a habit. More than 40% of those who admitted to texting while driving called it a habit.
The reasoning smacks right in the face of logic. We as adults know better, but our actions are exactly opposite of our common sense. Is there a reason for this trend? Can we get to the root of the issue? And if so, what is the key to reversing this dangerous behavio?
First and foremost, we've all got to start with an admission of guilt. I for one am guilty of texting while driving, and I'm personally working on putting it to a stop altogether. I have backslidden several times, and have become frustrated and disappointed with myself after experiencing near-miss accidents here and therel.
I used to justify the action by thining it was okay for experienced drivers, because the law in Missouri says it is illegal for "novice drivers" (under the age fo 21) to text and drive. It's too bad the law doesn't cover the dense-headed adults like me, so my behavior continued and caused me to have a few potential mishaps.
After chastizing myself with a "what is wrong with you, stupid??? Why do you keep taking chances like this?", I would swear off texting and driving only to start up the behavior again, causing me instances of running over a rumble strip or brushing up against a curb.
The reason that I have not been able to make a once-and-for-all behavioral change is because I have not uncovered the root of the problem. Once I address the root of the problem, a permanent behavioral change can take place.
I firmly believe that I have identified root of the problem why so many commuters admit to texting-while-driving: we are far too busy, stressed out, behind on our schedules, and trying to do two things at once to catch up.
This is what motivates us to fill in the dead time while commuting by answering emails, sending text messages, and trying to "catch up" on these minor things before we arrive at our destination to deal with the stress of work.
The behavioral change that need to take place to prevent a possible fatal or injury accident from fooling with our smartphones is to look at the commuting time as a time to relax, decompress, and take relief from the stress of the day. Too many of us consider commuting as valuable captive time to "catch up" on things since we have no other distractions. But that can change.
Instead of looking at commuting time as "catch up" time for communicating, we need to implement new activities to pass the time while we are stuck in the car. It doesn't even matter how long or short of a commute you have. I only commute for 15 minutes one way each day, and I still use it as a "catch up" time to fool with my phone.
Here are a few ideas that you can use to change the bad habit of being on your smartphone while driving in the car, once and for all. Do this for two weeks straight, and a new habit will be formed. This will lesson the chance for backsliding. Fill that time with something definite, and it will stick. Here are the ideas for spending that "dead tim" in your car:
Use commuting time to decompress, de-stress, and relax by listening to soft music, meditiation tracks, a sermon, or self-help CD. View it as your daily scheduled therapeutic session.
Turn commuting time into your personal learning time. Get a book-on-CD series and learn about a topic that is important to you, or learn a new language. View your car time as your personal classroom time. Turn off your phone just as you would in a normal classroom.
Listen to National Public Radio each and every morning. Get caught up on events around the world, and enjoy all of the interesting cultural stories. Instead of turning on the news at home, save your commute for listening to the news.
Turn off EVERYTHING, radio included, and have a 15-minute "time of peace" each day so you can reflect on what you want to accomplish for the day. Use it as a time to clear your mind of clutter and worries, and just enjoy the peace and quiet. You will look forward to this time every day if you try it out.
The bottom line is, you have to create a new habit. Do something for two weeks straight, and you will have a much better chance of eliminating your need to text and drive. Instead of making a pledge to change your behavior every time you scare yourself into a bowel movement, try creating a new habit that has meaning.
Are you truly serious about making a new habit? Do you really want to avoid a potentially hazardous situation from happening when you backslide? Then put the icing on the cake by joining me in making one more change during your two-week habit forming time:
VOW TO PUT YOUR CELL PHONE IN THE TRUNK ON THE WAY TO WORK!
I am going to comit to doing this for a two week period. It's what I need to make sure that my change of habit is permanent. For all of you who know you need to make a change, I challenge you to join me in putting your smartphone junk in your trunk for two weeks in order to insure that your new habit is set in stone.
Place a comment in the Disqus comments section with your personal attestation that you will preserve and protect your two-week habit-forming initiation by putting your phone in the trunk during your commute. Let's see how many people will join.
Spread the word and save a life! Send this article to friends and family that you care about, and ask them to join in.
Big thanks to AT&T St. Louis Senior Public Relations Manager Katie Nagus for bringing this to my attention and encouraging me to spread the word!
Carlton Flowers Technology-In-Trunk Advocate
For more information and to take the pledge for no texting-while-driving, head on over to the AT&T "It Can Wait" page by clicking the link or the picture below!
MAXIMUM ONLINE PRODUCTIVITY - MY MOST USED FREE ONLINE RESOURCES
Trying to clear up the clutter of your life and become more efficient in your daily tasks? You can "MOP" up your daily routine with some of these valuable resources... all online, all free!
Taken from my presentation to the Missouri State Capital chapter of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals, this is a collection of my most used online resources to make my work life run more efficiently. And hey, this might be a super silly/corny acronym, but I came up with this on the spur of the moment and it made me chuckle. So it stuck!
Download the PDF by clicking on the link below or the picture, or right click and "save as" to a location on your hard drive. Then get to mopping.
Do you have a favorite website that you use often? We would love to hear about it! Share it in the Disqus comments section below!
Today we're going to take a look at the top two Android smartphones on the market. The Samsung Galaxy S IV and the HTC One. This is a close call, but I have a clear recommendation!
Many people have asked my opinion on which one of these smartphones to pick up in May of 2013. You can't go wrong with either one of these super handsets, but I'll point out a few differences and tell you why my choice edges out its chief competitor.
CPU
First, let's look at the processor. The Samsung takes a slight edge in this category with a faster core speed for the quad core processor. The average user won't notice much of a difference, so this isn't a deciding factor. If speed is critical, Samsung takes the checkered flag. For CPU speeds, they are as follows:
Galaxy S IV CPU - 1.9GHz quad core
HTC One - 1.7GHz quad core
DISPLAY
Next, let's take a look at the displays. The Galaxy S IV has a slightly larger display than the HTC One, but they are both very vivid and boast brilliant color reproduction. As the current trend with Android smartphones, bigger is better, and both are excellent choices for watching multimedia content. Here are the specs on each display:
Galaxy S IV - 5" 1920 x 1080 HD display
HTC One - 4.7" 1920 x 1080 HD display
CAMERAS
The cameras on both of these units are outstanding. One has a much higher megapixel camera, but don't let that fool you. The HTC One may only have 1/4th of the megapixel rating as the Galaxy S IV, but it takes pictures that are just as vivid and brilliant. I have heard reports that the Galaxy S IV camera is incredibly fast, however. I'm not sure what the thinking behind such a small rear camera on the HTC One, but I don't think it will dissapoint. The only advantage here is that the Galaxy S IV can capture images with both cameras at the same time for an interesting effect. Both have great front-facing cameras. The specs are as follows:
Galaxy S IV - 13Mp rear camera, 2.0Mp front facing camera
HTC One - 4Mp rear camera, 2.1Mp front facing camera
FORM FACTOR
The Galaxy S IV is a smaller, thinner, lighter handset than the HTC One. But some people prefer the heavier, more solid build of the HTC One. Others prefer the lighter composite plastic build of the Galaxy S IV. For clumsy people like me, I would rather drop a Galaxy S IV. I don't think the HTC One will survive a similar drop to a hard surface, but it is still built in a way that it won't be nearly as fragile as an iPhone. Here are the specs on size & weight:
Galaxy S IV - 8mm thick, 130 grams
HTC One - 9mm thick, 143 grams
BATTERY
This is a category where the Galaxy S IV is the clear winner. This aspect alone gives me reason to pick the Samsung product. The batteries on both are very capable, but the Galaxy S IV packs a bit more juice. But the deal breaker for me is that the HTC One does not have a removable battery. I love the option of having the capability of popping in a spare battery with the Galaxy S IV. Here's the battery comparison:
Galaxy S IV - 2,600 mA·h, removable
HTC One - 2,300 mA·h, non-removable
OTHER SIMILAR FEATURES
Both of these incredible smartphones come with 32Gb of internal memory plus 2Gb of RAM. Both units are built to run on the 4G LTE networks of all major carriers that have coverage. Android Jellybean operating system is the standard for both, and each comes with its own version of a UI overlay. As of recent, HTC has added similar features that allow eye scrolling and smart pause for watchin videos. So there's no clear winner with any of these general categories.
One comment I have heard from Leo Laporte was that the HTC One has a slightly less durable front glass. He reported that he scratched the display while testing the HTC One, and really wasn't being haphazard with handling the unit. A screen protector could help to avoid this, but if you are one who doesn't like to mask your screen, this could be an issue.
What it boils down to is personal preference. If you are the type of person who conserves the juice in your phone, you'll do fine either way. For heavy users as myself, the lack of a removable battery will be a significant issue.
I prefer the lighter, thinner design of the Samsung Galaxy S IV because I am accident prone. Others might like the stronger, "heavier" build that gives the impression of better quality. But the heavier they come, the harder they fall. Add to that the issue with the battery removal, and I give the slight edge to the Samsung Galaxy S IV.
But again, you can't go wrong with either of these smartphones. The HTC One is still a beautiful, well-built phone with several superior capabilities than most other Android phones. So I give them both a green light. You'll just see me packing a Galaxy S IV with two spare batteries if you catch me out on the streets.
What is your opinion of these smartphones? If you are due for an upgrade, or if you've just bought one of the two of these smartphones, I'd love to hear why you chose one over the other. Share your thoughts in the Disqus comments section!
Hit the link above to check out the Samsung Galaxy S IV and the HTC One on all major carriers in the Amazon Wireless Store! You'll get the best pricing on both of these units with a new 2-year contract with super fast shipping
If you own a Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone, you might have been one of many people who got "soft-bricked" by the latest Android update to version 4.0.4 this month. I was one of them.
Listen to the audio and I will tell you about how I originally thought I damaged the phone, what my phone did when it got stuck into a "boot loop", and what I had to do to save it. You'll also hear about the mysterious disappearance and reappearance of certain things on my phone after I erased it.
As a nice bonus, you'll hear my opinion about the life of Samsung smartphones and how they conflict with the carrier's contracts. Enjoy the podcast, and share your thoughts in the Disqus comments section!
WHY THE DAYS OF HIGH SPEED CABLE INTERNET ARE NUMBERED
I'm enjoying surfing the net on my home computer at speeds upwards of 28Mb/s. It's fantastic. I never thought I'd be enjoying such high speeds.
To my surprise, the Mediacom company is offering 2 packages that are even faster that what I currently have: a 50Mb/s Ultra, and 105Mb/s Ultra Plus.
That's insanely fast, as far as I'm concerned. Just a few years ago, the techie prognostocators said we'd never see Internet speeds of even 50Mb/s like Europe, because the US is too spread out and we don't have a majority dense tightly packed city population like they do with a great copper wire network.
But as awesome as it sounds to surf at 105Mb/s on your home computer with Mediacom, they might be obsolete within a couple of years. Chances are, they are topped out on how far they can go with increases in speed packages.
To get the Ultra Plus 105Mb/s package, Mediacom had to do a lot of hardware upgrades to their network. They worked hard on updating modems, switches, and the fiber optic lines. But they also had to find a source of available bandwidth to run the data.
From what I know, I believe this came from decomissioning 2 different sets of available bandwidth from their analog television channel offerings. They had to trade out the use of those frequencies, and add them to the existing 2 frequency ranges that they were already using in order to create the 105Mb/s package. Each range has a capability of pumping out roughly 25Mb/s of data.
Long story short, it looks like they are topped out. All the while, the big mobile network providers are rolling out LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G service across the nation, with no wires, providing download speeds as high as 54Mb/s. Which do you think has the most capability for expansion? The topped-out big fat wire from the cable service provider, or the wireless LTE network?
Things will get interesting once we see the full rollout of LTE service right here in my home town. Once AT&T (my provider) tweaks the system and can reproduce the super high speeds that we already have in St. Louis and Kansas City, I might run out of reasons for keeping my cable modem.
The only stumbling block will be data charges. Can a mobile service provider dole out enough data for download at a reasonable price that can compete with the cable company? Right now, the answer is no.
Even at the lowest level for Mediacom, called "Launch", you get 150Gb of total data to download for your 3Mb/s service. Each package increases the amount you can download for the month, ending at 999Gb with Ultra Plus.
As we know, the cell service providers like capping us greedy data downloaders off at 250mb, 3Gb, and 5Gb. That pales in comparison. This could be the saving grace for Mediacom's high speed cable internet service... for now.
CENTRAL MISSOURI GETS LTE! WHO NEEDS T-MOBILE ANYWAY?
Last friday while at work, something came as a bit of a surprise to me. I found out that 4G LTE was launched and pumping out super speed Internet juice to Jefferson City devices.
One by one, I had several fellow geek buddies at work come running to me to tell me that the 4G LTE icon lit up on their phone. I was shocked, and super excited.
At first, I thought to myself, "maybe it's a mistake, and they accidentally switched the logo on". But there was no mistake about it.
2 friends were downloading at speeds of 25Mb/s right here inside the office. The best speeds under optimum conditions that we had received before was 11Mb/s under HSPA+ service.
Apparently, the system is still being tweaked. Several people have already told me that their download speeds have increased over the past week. So we are officially on the high speed map!
I had worried about how long it would take for the expansion after the merger between AT&T and T-Mobile was shot out of the sky by our fabulous regulators. I was a strong proponent of the merger, and I knew it would slow the LTE expansion process when it failed. But who needs T-Mobile now?
We don't!
Even if the T-Mobile merger did go through, it may not have sped up the expansion for Central Missouri anyway. At the time, T-Mobile did not even have a 3G tower in our area. We were paying for HSPA+ "4G" service, and getting Edge Network speeds. I'm guessing that the same amount of work would still have been required to build the LTE infrastructure here.
But I digress... AT&T 4G LTE is here in Jefferson City, and I couldn't be more excited! Next month I hope to get my hands on a Samsung Galaxy S IV when my upgrade becomes available. That will be perfecct timing to pick up my new device right when the LTE network has just gone live!
No more bragging, my Jefferson City Verizon friends! You're not the exclusive Central Missouri LTE service any more! Well, U.S. Cellular already took that title away from you. However, pretty soon I'll have the ability to "one-up" you... when I call you on your smartphone and surf at LTE speeds at the same time! Sorry, you won't be able to surf while you're taking to me.
Customers to benefit from nation’s fastest 4G LTE network on the latest devices
JEFFERSON CITY, MO. APRIL 3, 2013 —AT&T* has turned on the nation’s fastest 4G LTEnetwork** in the Jefferson City area, including Holts Summit, Taos, Wardsville and California, bringing customers the latest generation of wireless network technology. Watchhereto see several of the benefits AT&T 4G LTE provides, including:
LTE technology is capable of delivering speeds faster than many other mobile Internet
AT&T offers several LTE-compatible devices, including new AT&T 4G LTE smartphones and tablets.
“We continue to see demand for mobile Internet skyrocket, and our 4G LTE networkin Jefferson City responds to what customers want from their mobile experience — more, faster, on the best devices,” said John Sondag, President of AT&T Missouri. “This announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to bring consumers and businesses the most advanced communication network. Important infrastructure investments such as these are due in part to the good business climate in Missouri.”
AT&T invested nearly $2.15 billion in its Missouri wireless and wireline networks from 2009 through 2012. AT&T launched 4G LTE in Farmington in April 2013, St. Louis in April 2012 and Kansas City in November 2011.
AT&T’s 4G Network
AT&T’s innovation and investment has resulted in the nation’s largest 4G network, covering 288 million people with ultra-fast speeds and a more consistent user experience. Our 4G LTE network delivered faster average download speeds than any of our competitors in PCWorld’s most recent 13-market speed tests.
AT&T’s 4G LTE network delivers speeds faster than many other mobile Internet technologies, as well as multiple innovations that optimize the network for performance. Our network’s radio components are placed close to the antenna at most cell sites, instead of inside the base station, which helps minimize power loss between the base station and antenna and, in turn, improves the performance of our 4G LTE network. The network also is designed with its core elements distributed across the country, which helps reduce latency, or the delay when using the Internet, because your request isn’t traveling as far.
Even as AT&T continues to expand its 4G LTE coverage, customers can get 4G speeds outside of 4G LTE areas on our 4G HSPA+ network, unlike competitors, where smartphone customers fall back to slower 3G technologies when outside of LTE coverage.
AT&T’s focus to deliver the best possible mobile Internet experience goes beyond 4G to embrace additional connection technologies. AT&T operates the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network**** including more than 32,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, and provides access to more than 402,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn’t count against customers’ monthly wireless data plans.
AT&T also is a leading developer of Distributed Antenna Systems, which utilize multiple small antennas to maximize coverage and speed within stadiums, convention centers, office buildings, hotels and other areas where traditional coverage methods are challenging.
Over the past five years, AT&T invested nearly $98 billion into operations. Since 2008, AT&T has invested more capital into the U.S. economy than any other public company. In a July 2012 report, the Progressive Policy Institute ranked AT&T No. 1 on its list of U.S. “Investment Heroes.”
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
** Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Claim based on a comparison of U.S. national carriers’ average 4G LTE download speeds for Android™ and Windows smartphones and iPhone 5. 4G speeds not available everywhere.
*** 4G LTE device and data plan required.Learn more about 4G LTE at att.com/network.
****A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations.
There's no super technological insight on this post. This is just a rant based on a question that I'd like to put out there to the smartphone world. Why does "heavy" mean better quality?
Day after day, I read reviews on Samsung smartphone products from all the gadget pundits. 9.9 times out of 10, writers claim that Samsung devices feel "cheap", because they don't have the heavy build of HTC, Apple, and other brand products.
This does not make sense to me. But time after time, the "experts" claim that heavy is better, and a bulky solid build means "quality". While the tech world pushes to make devices thinner and lighter, the complaints seem to go on and on despite the obvious advantage.
Have you ever dropped an iPhone or an HTC smartphone? Unless you like spending your hard earned money on expensive fragile smartphones, I can't for the life of me figure out why so many people complain that lighter weight devices feel "cheap".
The Samsung Galaxy S IV is about to be released this month. For the third time (since the release of the Galaxy S II), the complaints about the apparent cheap build are rolling in strong. They say that the Galaxy smartphones are too plastic-like. Forget the fact that they are made out of durable polycarbonate material. They are just cheap... or so they say.
I drop my phone on a regular basis. It happens daily. I owned an Apple iPhone 3GS, and an iPhone 4. Both were dropped from a height of 2 feet or less, and both were destroyed in one drop. But I have drop-kicked my Galaxy S II trying to catch it with my foot, and I have yet to break it.
To me, a lighter weight smartphone with a stronger material is common sense design. The heavier the phone, the harder the impact it brings when it says "hello" to the concrete. That is why I have had so much better luck with my Galaxy S II.
But just as with comparisons to Apple products, writers claim that the HTC devices have more of a solid "quality feel" too. I don't get it. While the HTC devices can handle impact a little better than iPhones, they still can't survive a drop like a Samsung smartphone.
I don't know how you iPhone and HTC owners feel about this, but I don't want a smartphone that feels like a pack of lead sinkers in my pocket. I don't want to know it's there when it is snugly packed away in my front pocket. But the madness continues with writers claiming that "heavy" equals quality.
When I tested the Samsung Galaxy S III from AT&T, I thought the look and feel was fantastic. Never once did I feel that the S III was "cheap" because of the material used. And the Galaxy S IV will follow with an equally light design, but thinner.
I love the gigantic 5" screen size on the new Galaxy S IV. Bigger is better in my book. And I think it awesome that the S IV will be thinner, built with polycarbonate material, and maintaining it's feather-light weight while increasing the size.
So many people were expecting Samsung to "improve" the quality of the build by creating a heavy, more dense device with a new material. I imagine they wanted to see a composite build similar to the HTC One X or the Nokia Lumia 920. Both of those handsets, in my opinion, are just too heavy.
I'll be the first writer to say that I am happy that Samsung has decided to continue manufacturing lighter, thinner smartphones with the new form factor of the Galaxy S IV. I can't wait to get my hands on my own Galaxy S IV the minute my upgrade is available in May.
Maybe the rest of the mindless writers can go shopping for Galaxy S IV cases made from a lead alloy so they can get that "quality feeling" that they are looking for. Meanwhile, I'll take it like it is. And I will not be putting a case around my S IV... because it doesn't need one.
NEW INVESTMENT COULD MEAN S PEN STYLUS FOR GALAXY S IV
A fresh new development could spell "S Pen" for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S IV smartphone. Evidently, Samsung has invested $58.9 million in Wacom. This is the company who supplies the S Pen stylus found in the Galaxy Note series.
Does Samsung owning a 5% stake in Wacom mean that they believe the stylus will become the defacto user interface tool for all smartphones and tablets, or does it simply mean they are tightening up the future supply for the Note series?
I have flip-flopped on this issue at least 3 times now. First, I truly believed there would be a stylus with the Galaxy S IV. Then I truly believed they would not, due to the thinness issue and the fact that the Galaxy S4 would directly compete with the Note II and make it obsolete. But now my faith in the S Pen for the SGS4 has come back again.
I don't see Samsung plopping down this much cash just to support 2 devices in their lineup. This is the kind of investment that tells us the stylus is the future of their front line products. Maybe this is the kind of cash Wacom needed for research & development purposes to provide a thinner stylus for the SGS4.
Looking at the trends, we pretty much saw the stylus die back in the ending days of the Palm Treo. Nobody would have ever predicted a comeback after the induction capacitive screens were invented. But Samsung pulled it off with the first generation Note.
Maybe the stylus never died, spiritually. Maybe the hordes of "precision-minded smartphone users" like myself never really disappeared. I was one of the faithful stylus-toting Treo users, and I've missed the accuray of a stylus ever since those days.
Could it be that fat-fingering and screen-finger-buttering is the trend that might be coming to a close? I think it could be. As smartphones become more and more capable, the demand for pinpoint accuracy will only grow, in my opinion.
So, let it be known that I am officially waffling. Again. My current position on this issue stands upon the inclusion of the S Pen stylus for the Samsung Galaxy S IV breakthrough device coming to shelves in the near future.
I just hope I'm not wrong... because my hopes are up again.
FEATURE SCREEN LEAK SHOWS OFF SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 "SMARTS"
We are right around the corner from the official announcement for details on the Samsung Galaxy S IV smartphone, and there's reason to be super excited considering the leaked screen shots that showed up on the blogosphere yesterday. It looks like the S4 will be taking a major leap in the "smart" zone, unlike anything else we've seen.
Smartphones aren't really that "smart", in my most humble opinion. But I will have to admit, if the screen shot we see in the photo turns out to be real, this will be the first real smartphone to hit the market according to my standard. This is the kind of stuff I dreamt about ten years ago, and expected to have in a "smartphone".
Let's take a closer look at what we might be getting with the Galaxy S4...
Smart Stay
Have you ever been annoyed by your smartphone screen taking a time out when you're in the middle of reading something? I can't stand that. With the new Smart Stay feature, the Galaxy S IV will not go to time out mode as long as it "sees" you looking directly at the screen. This is a huge breakthrough, but seems like such a simple common-sense feature at the same time.
Smart Rotation
So you're laying in bed trying to read... and the stupid smartphone screen rotates from Portrait to Landscape when you roll over from your back to your side. And you're super annoyed, because you have to toggle the screen rotation on and off if you're reading plus watching YouTube videos. Well apparently that won't be a problem with the Galaxy S4. It "looks" at your face and eyes, and knows which way the screen should be, without all that pesky toggling.
Smart Pause
I'm in bed, yet again, and I'm trying to enjoy a video on YouTube. But the kids yell for me, then come busting in my room and I have to turn my head to see what they want. Thanks to their lovely little disruption of my programming, I miss a small chunk of my video and have to scroll it back. Well, the Galaxy S IV cures that little problem. As soon as you turn your head away from the screen, it pauses the video, waits for your pesky kids to leave, and then resumes once it has your full attention again.
Smart Scroll
I used to hate the lack of text reflow with my iPhone. It's the most maddening thing to an avid reader who likes to use a smartphone to stimulate the brain with fresh reading content on a regular basis. Next to lack of text reflow would be scrolling on a smartphone. Our up-and-coming Galaxy S4 will make scrolling easy peasy. As soon as your eyes get to the bottom of the screen while you're surfing or reading, it will politely scroll down for you. You don't have to worry about finger-buttering the screen with your greasy little paws any more.
I don't know about you, but these are what I call truly "smart" features. I can call this a "smartphone" because it's understanding my needs without me touching the screen. It's like putting my smartphone on operational cruise control.
Let's hope it is all true. If it is, I would go so far as to say that I would accept a Galaxy S IV without an S Pen stylus if we get all these fresh new tricks.
"SAMSUNG UNPACKED" EVENT IS SLATED - WILL WE SEE AN S PEN?
It's officially official! The next "Samsung Unpacked" event is scheduled for March 14th, 2013 for the unveiling of the wildly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S IV smartphone, to be held in New York City. That said, what is the status on inclusion of an S Pen?
By now, you all know that the magical S Pen sits on the forefront of my mind. I am more interested in this feature than any other. Up until now, the prognosticators have been waffling on this issue more than Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential election.
As much as I want to have slightly-smaller-yet-more-powerful version of the Samsung Galaxy Note II with an equally capable S Pen stylus, I don't think it will come to fruition with the Galaxy S IV. There are two overwhelming reasons why I now believe the "no-S-Pen" predictors are calling this one correctly.
First, the inclusion of an S Pen would make the Galaxy S IV compete directly with the Note II, a phablet device that is still selling strong and not yet willing to be driven into obsolescence. Previously, I wishfully thought that the S Pen would become the new standard for all Galaxy handsets and tablets. But it doesn't appear that this is the direction the company is moving.
Even though Samsung likes to whip out updated devices faster than you can blink your eyes, they aren't going to kill the insanely popular Galaxy Note II this far ahead of the future third generation edition of the Note. We don't even have any fresh or credible rumors on the follow-up at this point. That makes me tend to believe that they are still going to ride out the popularity of the Note II and maximize their return on investment before killing it dead.
Second, I hate to admit it, but the addition of an S Pen stylus to the Galaxy S IV smartphone will add unnecessary extra thickness to a device that they might be trying to "thin out". If an S Pen was included similar to what we have with the Note II, the device would have to be about 9.1mm in thickness to house it inside of the case.
Everyone knows that the race is on to make the most paper-thin smartphone on the market. In my opinion, this is not practical, and it provides no advantage. How slim do we need a smartphone to be before we stop the maddening race-to-paper-thinness? I think it has gone too far. But the smarphone manufacturers don't seem to agree with me.
Therefore, with thinness being the call of the day, I seriously don't see Samsung switching from selling a super slim sliver of a smartphone to make a fatter S Pen-packing phablet just for the stylus nerds like myself. Sad as it seems, this is the reality of the situation. My Galaxy IV S Pen dreams will likely be dashed on March 14th, 2013.
That begs the question... will I still desire a stylus-less Galaxy S4 device? Possibly. Here's why.
If they diss the stylus nerds and leave out the S Pen on the S4, they will more than likely include touchless gestures for scrolling and selecting. This would liberate the user from gunking up the screen while manipulating the device. It is an exciting and welcomed feature. Not exactly a replacement for a stylus, but a nice concession.
If Samsung figures out a way to bring the multitasking, window-floating, and video preview features without the aid of an S Pen, it might be just as good of an experience as with the Galaxy Note II. And the obvious benefit would be that you could have the same powerful features without a stylus to misplace.
I would say that a Galaxy S IV without an S Pen would probably be used more like a smartphone and less like a phablet. Maybe this would be Samsung's slick way to force me into considering the Galaxy Note 8... and spend more of the money I already don't have.
THREE SECRET PINTEREST PROMOTIONAL STRATEGIES YOU CAN EMPLOY RIGHT NOW
Unless you live rent-free under a large rock on a deserted island, you're probably aware of the fact that Pinterest is the hottest new social scene on the Internet today. But as a small business owner, you may be struggling with finding ways to tap into the huge audience that Pinterest has built. Here are three secret strategies you can employ to get immediate exposure and free advertising for your brand.
1. "Join The Club"
Have you ever seen a popular board that is run by a community, rather than a single user? People make contributions to a community board and they tend to generate tons of activity. The great thing about it is the fact that the crowd is already there, and members expect to see new things posted each and every day. Make contributions to the board, along the lines of its theme, and place your brand or logo on all of your pictures. Host the picture on your website, and write a story about it. When users click on the Pinterest picture, they will be redirected to your landing page. Once they are on your site, pitch your visitors with an irresistable special offer or call-to-action for your product or service.
2. Host A Viral Video
Keeping with the idea of participating on public boards, post a video from YouTube of a popular viral video and give your reaction in the comments. Tell your followers why you found this particular video to be so entertaining, funny, touching, moving, or motivating. Make it personal. Again, link the video to your own website landing page and feel free to garnish the surroundings with as many tantalizing advertisments for your business as you can think of. You will generate a lot of traffic, so make the ads effective!
3. Caption Contest Trick
Post a picture of something intriguing or funny. Use a picture that would be a shure-shot for a caption contest. You can borrow funny pet pictures or animal pics from all over the net. Post the picture as it is, or add your brand logo to one corner. Ask your readers what they would write as the caption to the picture. Host the pic on your website, and allow comments to be posted in blog format style. Have a special offer or giveaway prepared for the best caption submitted, or something for everyone who participates!
Three easy ideas, tons of potential eyeballs on your brand. It's quick, simple, and best of all, free. Like these ideas? How about a complete guide that gives you step-by-step instructions on setting up a complete marketing campaign on Pinterest? You could be moments away from dominating your niche and exploding your online audience! Just click the link below the salutation and check out my video special report and see for yourself...
SOME PINTERESTING FACTS YOU MUST KNOW AS A BUSINESS OWNER
Business owners, sales professionals, service consultants, and everyone else who works in some type of entrepreneurial profession, there are some "Pinteresting" things you should know about marketing your business with Pinterest. I have made a brief list of "Pinterests" for you that will move you into action.
These are the interesting things you should keep in mind if you aren't yet marketing yourself on the hot new mega pictoria social media site. Enjoy!
TOP REASONS YOU SHOULD HAVE A BUSINESS PRESENCE ON PINTEREST
The bulk of users in this online community have a household income ranging from $25k to $75k per year. This is a fertile target market for your business.
60% of the users have a college education, and the majority of them are females. In households, the women are usually the decision-makers when it comes to purchasing.
The average Pinterest user spends 88.3 minutes per day on the website. Couple that with the fact that there are 10,000,000 unique visitors coming to the site every single month.
Pinterest is the #7 traffic source on the Internet today. That means you can potentially drive massive amounts of visitors to your website. More traffic is generated on a referral basis than from YouTube, Google Plus, and LinkedIn combined.
If you have any type of product or service that can be represented in a nice photo, you could get viral exposure, all for free.
Because of the visual nature of human beings, Pinterest is a highly effective way to establish and maintain top-of-mind dominance in your niche for your brand by keeping a regular presence.
When you post pictures that link to your website, you get powerful backlinks that add to your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) score. That means you’ll have a better chance of showing up on the first pages of Google when people are searching for your product or service.
Pinterest isn’t just for pictures… you can also post videos. The possibilities for generating buzz for your business through videos is endless.
Want this in a nice PDF format to keep on your computer, or to post and share on social networks? Then click this link to download the Free report! --> http://bit.ly/YTlHjn
Okay folks, it hasn't really even been 24 hours yet, but this is my day-1 report of the Samsung Galalxy S IV smartphone from AT&T Wireless. This is not a test. I repeat... this is not a test!
