Can I Access My Computer From My Smartphone or Tablet?

Ever have a file on your computer at home that you really wish you had with you? Maybe it's a resume and you just ran into a prospective employer, a photo you don't have on your phone, or maybe you need to do some work on your computer and won't be home for hours or days. Because of these exact reasons, there are apps you can get for your Apple or Android devices that allow you to remotely access your home or office computer. That means that you can open this app and actually see and control your computer as if you were there. How cool is that? Here are the most popular apps in the marketplace right now:

• GoToMyPC- This is a premium app made by Citrix so I usually recommend it for people who will either be accessing their computer a lot or for business people who need something more streamlined. Designed for either iOS (Apple) or Android, this slick app is free, but does require a subscription to the GoToMyPC service. ($20/month)
• LogMeIn- This app is iOS only, and is a simplified remote access app, which works out nicely for the occasional user. The other nice thing about it is the price tag; The app is free and there is no subscription. Simply download the app on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch and then the program onto your Mac or PC.
• Ignition- This is the Android version of LogMeIn, and as such is going to be nearly identical. Still able to access both Macs and PCs, still free, and made by the same company as LogMeIn (LogMeIn, Inc.), I'm not sure why they gave it a different name, but nonetheless, here it is.

Keep in mind that these are just the top apps for remotely controlling your computer and there are others out there, but I will caution you when you go searching for other options. Make sure you only download apps directly from the iTunes Store or Android Marketplace and the computer program part directly from the manufacturer's website. This is important as the Store and Marketplace verify the authenticity and safety of the apps and programs before allowing them on the store. That way you know you're not downloading something that will allow anyone else into you devices without your permission.

Practical Tip of the Day:

When you go to look at the apps before downloading them, check the features. You'll often be pleasantly surprised. The ones I've listed often have added features allowing you to do things like transfer files between devices, linking to cloud based storage, and accessing multiple computers.


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How Does a Square Reader Work?

You may have heard that the Girl Scouts are accepting credit cards  now, or maybe you've just overheard an excited friend with a small business talking about finally being able to accept credit cards while they're out and about. While there are many products and services that allow people to do this, the most popular option by far is the Square reader and Square Register app. Made by the Square Up company, they have a great business plan that allows people to start accepting credit card payments with no startup costs. Here are the three easy- and free- steps to getting started with a Square reader:

1. Get the app- Available for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) as well as Android devices, the app is called Square Register and yes, it's free. Just download onto your device like you normally do.

2. Set up account- Once you have the app, you can create your account right from it or from Square Inc.'s website. (https://squareup.com) This is also free to do. Once you have your account, you can log onto the app and customize your settings.

3. Get reader- This can be done before or after you get the app, but it doesn't do you much good to have the reader without the app to use it with. When you signed up for your account on Square's website, they also asked for your address so they could mail you your- you guessed it- FREE reader. Now that you have it you're ready to go! Now, what if you decide you need it now? Last minute bake sale at school maybe? You can purchase the readers at various electronics stores and departments like Sam's Club, Apple, etc.

Only an inch in size, this little guy can make a big impact for portable businesses.

What's the catch, you ask? How are they making any money? Square keeps 2.75% of all credit card transactions made with their app. That means that if you charge someone $10 for a dozen cupcakes, Square will keep 27.5 cents of it. That's it! No other fees or charges. That's why Square has become such a staple to many small businesses around the world.

Practical Tip of the Day:
One of the nice things about the Square Register app is that it also helps you keep your transactions accounted for. What then should you do if someone chooses to pay with cash? No worries! The Square Register can also help you track your cash transactions. Once you enter the price on the main screen, simply tap the $ icon on the top right corner to change it from a credit card transaction to a cash one.

What Are the Best Apps for Expectant Parents?

I'm happy to announce that after my long hiatus, I'll finally be able to get back to my regular Tuesday/Thursday schedule for blog posts since I've had my baby and have taken some time to recover and readjust. Thank you all for your patience! Because of this, I thought I'd share the apps that my husband and I found most helpful during my pregnancy:

1. "My Pregnancy Today" from BabyCenter was definitely the most used pregnancy app of the bunch as it links directly to BabyCenter's week-by-week updates on how your baby and your body are growing and changing as well as their numerous articles that are absolutely invaluable to expectant parents. It also gives you a checklist of things to do so nothing slips your mind like finding a pediatrician, taking your vitamins, or writing up your birth plan. This is the single "must have" app of the bunch in my opinion.

2. "My Baby's Beat" by Matis Inc. wins the award for coolest pregnancy app for sure. This $3.99 app super-sensitizes your iPhone's microphone so you can use it to listen to your baby's heartbeat in utero. Yes, you read that right. A $3.99 app lets you hear your baby's heartbeat. Now, a bit of a disclaimer here. It's not perfect and by no means replaces the dopplers you can buy to do this same thing, but if you're like me and don't want to spend $40 for something you'll only use a half dozen times, this is a great app, and if nothing else it impresses your friends and family.

3. "Full Term - Labor Contraction Timer" by Mustansir Golawala is the app I used to time my contractions for obvious reasons. It's simple, free and a great way to time contractions when you have to be on the move and can't be carrying around a pen and paper to write down the times. It was made by a husband looking for a way for his wife to time her contractions and he's subsequently released it for free for everyone else as a gift. How sweet is that?

Practical Tip of the Day:
Now, in theory, if you're reading this, you're looking to have a baby sometime in the near future. If that's the case, "iBabyLog: Baby Tracker" from the Palanati Group, LLC would be my recommendation for the brand-new parents. While you're in the hospital and for a few weeks afterwards, you'll be asked to track your baby's diapers, feedings, and other things. Instead of keeping a physical journal, this handy, free app lets you and all the baby's caregivers track these things easily and let it sync between everyone.

Should I Get The iPad Mini?

Today was another big day for Apple with plenty of announcements- new 13" MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iMac, iPad and lots of software and technology updates like the new Fusion Drive, but the overwhelming take away for most people was of course the iPad Mini. We've been waiting for it, guessing about it, and now that we have it we must pause and ask ourselves "Should I actually get it?"

As usual, my answer is "Maybe. Depends on what you do," but here's the quick and dirty breakdown of its features. Keep in mind though that features don't determine whether or not you should get something. I recommend being able to think of at least three things you can do with it that you can't currently do or would be significantly better/easier with it:

• Small enough to hold in one hand
• 7.2 MM thick (about the thickness of a pencil)
• .68 Lbs (about the weight of a pad of paper)
• Exterior is aluminum and glass
• Comes in either black or white (see photo above)
• Same pixel count as full-sized iPad
• 7.9" display (measured on the diagonal)
• Front and read facing cameras
• 10 hour battery life
• LTE option for cell service
• Starts at $329

All in all, I consider the iPad Mini to be a good place to start if you think you want an iPad, but don't want/have the money to spend on a full-sized one. That lower price point and size also make it better for children or teens or anyone who finds themselves in environments that aren't very tech-friendly.

If you're still not sure if the iPad Mini is right for you, feel free to contact me at www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and I'd be more than happy to help walk you through the decision. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for updates and periodic tips and tricks to help you with the technology you use daily.

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TechKNOWLEDGEy Today was founded on the idea that through better understanding of technology you can empower people to better their lives more than they ever thought possible. It is with this in mind that we strive to better our communities through the services we offer.

We provide personalized group or individual training on technology in your home or office. Specializing in Apple products like the iPhone, iPad and Mac, we offer purchasing and implementation consultations, software training and instruction on computing basics like the Internet, email and smartphones.

What iOS Apps Should All Small Business Owners Have?

It seems nearly impossible to run a small business without technology nowadays, and smartphones and tablets have gained a firm foothold in this market. When speaking with small business owners, they almost always ask which apps I consider “must haves.” Here are the top three iOS (meaning for Apple products) apps I recommend for people either running or looking to start a small business:

iWork/Quickoffice Pro- Every small business owner needs to look at and sometimes edit documents. Be it text documents, spreadsheets or presentations, being able to view and change them on the go is very helpful. If you own a Mac and use iWork, using the iWork apps will make for a seamless document transition between your iPhone/iPad and your Mac. If you use Microsoft Office either on the Mac or Windows machine, Quickoffice Pro will offer a similar experience for your Office documents.

TurboScan- Are you currently using your device’s camera to take pictures of documents? With TurboScan, you can turn those photos into multipage PDFs that you can then either save or email. That means you could take pictures of your receipts while you’re away on a business trip,  turn them into a single PDF and email them to your secretary or simply keep them on your device for your records.

Square Card Reader- If you do any sales, either products or services, the Square Card Reader is highly recommended because it allows you scan credit cards and have the funds transferred right into your account. Now, as a quick side note here, Square makes their money on the 2.75% fee on every charge you make on their app, but they do also give you a free credit card scanner when you download their free app. Yes, a free scanner for downloading their free app.

Practical Tip of the Day:

Looking to connect with other professionals you know in a forum more formal than Facebook or Twitter? LinkedIn is a website that allows professionals to connect, keep in contact with each other and even offer referrals to each other. LinkedIn, in addition to their website also have a free app. 

If you'd like more information about these apps and how to utilize them in your business, feel free to contact me at www.TechKNOWLEDGEyToday.com and I'd be more than happy to help walk you through the decision. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for updates and periodic tips and tricks to help you with the technology you use daily.

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TechKNOWLEDGEy Today was founded on the idea that through better understanding of technology you can empower people to better their lives more than they ever thought possible. It is with this in mind that we strive to better our communities through the services we offer.

We provide personalized group or individual training on technology in your home or office. Specializing in Apple products like the iPhone, iPad and Mac, we offer purchasing and implementation consultations, software training and instruction on computing basics like the Internet, email and smartphones.

What are eReaders?

eReaders, also known as eBook Readers, are a type of tablet style device who's primary function is to display digital versions of books. (Click here if you are unfamiliar with eBooks.) the eReader market currently has three major competitors, and numerous smaller ones. The three big guys are the Amazon Kindle, the Barnes & Noble Nook, and the Apple iPad, and I'll be focusing on these today.

Digital books allow you to carry dozens, if not hundreds of books with you on one device smaller and lighter than even most magazines. They display the book, and often have other features as well like Internet capabilities, music playing, etc. When people ask if they should get an eReader, I often ask one simple question, "Do you want to be able to carry books with you wherever you go on one device?" If so, I then go down the list of a few potential negatives: Your "book" has a battery that needs to be charged. If you drop your "book" it could break, and potentially be very expensive to fix or replace. You have to turn off your "book" when taking off or landing in an airplane. You'll have to learn how to use your "book".

If you're undeterred after that, then you're probably a good candidate for an eReader, and then the next thing to consider is which one? I fully admit that I have brand biases, so I'm not going to go into reviews and recommendations, but here's a list of things to consider and compare when shopping for an eReader:

• eInk or LCD
• Battery life
• More than just reading (aka "apps")
• Size of the screen
• Weight of the device
• Selection of books
• Price

For example, if you prefer eInk (where the screen looks like print on paper) to LCD (where the screen looks more like a typical electronic's screen) for reading, you're looking for an inexpensive way to get into eReaders, and you just want books, no Internet or anything else, you might consider the Amazon Kindle. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a tablet that does much more than just books, has an LCD screen, and has a large screen, you might prefer the Apple iPad. Like I always say, read reviews, ask your friends if they have any person experience, and never rush into a purchase.

Practical Tip of the Day:
Older books that have fallen into public domain are always free to download. Never read Dracula? Here's your chance- for free! Current books are sold at a much cheaper rate than their printed cousins, and you can even check digital books out from your local library! How cool is that? Consult your owner's manual and/or your local library for details on how to "check out" digital books, and if you find yourself using the library regularly for your eBooks, consider making a donation to them.

Should I Get The New iPad?

Yesterday Apple announced the third generation of the iPad. Immediately, people began asking whether they should get it or not. Here's a quick breakdown of the new/improved features:

Screen- Higher resolution. This means your pictures, movies and even your webpages and books will look crisper and sharper.

Processor- They've used a quad-core graphics processor. This means this iPad is significantly faster than the previous version. This primarily comes across when running applications.

4G- Certain models of the iPad can use a cell phone carrier's 4G network. This means that you can access the Internet when you're not in a wireless hotspot, and if you're in an area with 4G your webpages, YouTube videos, etc. will load faster.

Camera- They've increased the quality of the camera so now it can take 5 megapixel pictures (pretty good), and record HD video.

Now, does all of this add up to needing a new iPad? If you only use your iPad for checking your email and occasionally playing games, probably not. If you've been thinking about getting an iPad, or you have a tablet that's too slow or doesn't meet your needs I'd recommend taking a look at them.
Practical Tip of the Day:
If you aren't one of the people who feels the need to have the newest product all the time, you can save quite a bit of money by buying the previous generation (aka version) of a product. Often times companies who sell the product will put the older versions on sale, and individual people put their used products on sale on websites like eBay and Craigslist. Buyer beware on purchasing from individuals though- "good condition" is subjective and may mean different things for the seller and buyer.