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Snap Search review

Rizwan Anwer
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The Google search widget is commonplace on a lot of Android home screens, as it gives users the ability to search for something without opening up the browser. While the search widget hasn’t seen much innovation, Snap Search emerges as a potential replacement that promises plenty of features.

With recent week showing us that mobile and desktop browsers are tracking you when they shouldn’t be, Snap Search allows you to do incognito browsing without worrying about being tracked or monitored. The premium version nets you a dedicated VPN within the app.

What is Snap Search?

Snap Search is basically a hybrid app that combines single tab browsing with a strong VPN powered by proxy servers. In addition, it also acts as a search widget that not only lets you access Google, but opens up your search widget to instantly take you to IMDB, Google Images, Wikipedia, and more. That means it also saves you extra clicks from the search page.

Improving upon perfection

The Google Search widget itself has changed very little over the years. If you want to look for something specific, it saves you an extra step, but it also adds an extra step. While the search widget saves one the trouble of opening up a mobile web browser (Chrome, Opera, Firefox, etc.) The user will still have to find what they want on the search page, especially if they know what they’re looking for.

The UI with Snap Search takes some getting used to, but no more than a few minutes. In addition, you can take full page screenshots of a webpage, but as the app doesn’t ask for permissions, you will have to upload the screenshot to Google Drive or other cloud storage options.

The app also offers the ability to scroll to the top of the page by tapping on a small button that is at the bottom right of the page.

Let’s get to the use cases of the app. If I wanted to see Shrek’s (2001) IMDB page, I will have to type something like Shrek IMDB and tap on the top result on Google. In this process, I am going to IMDB through Google.

With Snap Search it’s simplified to opening the app or widget, and choosing IMDB under the entertainment tab and then carrying out the search. Do so and you’re instantly taken to the IMDB page for Shrek.

Outside of IMDB, you can instantly go to other websites and directly skip Google Search. Another use case may be under the Social Media tab where you can instantly search sites like Reddit, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other popular social media right from the widget.

For what it’s worth, the free version has very slim search options, which is a bit disappointing.

The added benefits of Snap Search also come in its ability to block ads, pop-ups, forced Dark Mode on a web page, reader mode, full-screen webpage, and most importantly, a popup window. This more or less turns your search tab into a portable messenger window.

Similar to how Facebook Messenger chat bubbles operate, you can have the bubble open while in another app and quickly search for something without switching out.

The VPN works as advertised, allowing you to choose a preferred location, or by fastest.

You can see it below at the top left, below the battery indicator.

Snap Search also comes with the usual features of sharing links, open link with an app, copying links, and desktop view of a webpage on mobile.

All of the above are free features offered by the app. Premium, however, nets you the ability to search every website offered by the app, save a webpage as an image, and as a PDF, edit the details on a webpage (text, numbers, etc.), and a premium VPN proxy.

Privacy at a hefty price

While Snap Search offers a lot of great features, the cost is definitely the elephant in the room. Instead of marketing itself as a one-time purchase app, Snap Search operates on a subscriber-based model. You can choose between monthly and annual payments.

The developer states that the subscription is there to finance the premium VPN proxy that gives Snap Search its true anonymity unique selling point.

Snap Search is available for $2.99 per month, $19.99 per annum, and $32.99 to unlock the app permanently.

Who is the app for?

The app has a very niche market. If you’re like me and just use Google for routine day-to-day searches like “rainbow six siege events” or “upcoming tech events”, the app isn’t meant for you.

However, if you want to ensure your incognito or “off the grid” browsing is truly anonymous, Snap Search is right for you. The VPN will let you access with geographic or regional restrictions with ease while saving you from ads, pop-ups, tracking, and other invasions to one’s privacy. These sites can vary from websites, forums, and streaming sites.

In addition, Snap Search doesn’t save any data locally. Once you exit the app, you have a clean slate. Your searches and use history are wiped with each time you close the app. No cookies, no browser history, no ads, no sign-up needed, and a customizable news feed make this a great app for privacy-focused individuals.

Even if you don’t want to pay the premium, as a free app this is still a vastly better replacement to Google’s search widget, especially if you want to search for something discretely. Weighing in at a tiny 4MB, this is easily the best replacement for the Google Search widget one can get.

Pros

  • Truly private browsing with no local data stored
  • No ads or sign-up required to use the app
  • Small file size
  • A host of useful features in the free mode (forced dark mode, popup window, etc.)
  • Disconnect from Google means search history is truly history

Cons

  • The UI has a bit of a learning curve to figure out
  • VPN is locked behind steep premium pricing
  • Limited options for search in the free app

All in all, Snap Search is an app you can try out for yourself and see if it can give you the privacy you are looking for. We highly recommend giving the app a shot because it has certainly become my new replacement for the Google Search Widget.

How to sell books on Amazon

AndroidGuys
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EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Do you want to earn online? Selling books is one of the many options to consider. It’s no secret that Amazon, the biggest online retail marketplace, started as a vendor for both new and used books. Amazon sold books, carrying 2.5 million titles, and earning over $150 million between 1994-1997. Amazon continued to sell books exclusively until 1999 when the company started expanding into selling electronics, toys, hardware, and tools.

Why sell books on Amazon?

Selling books on Amazon is still a smart choice as Amazon’s growth continues at a steady and outstanding rate. There has also been a continued emergence of many brick-and-mortar Amazon bookstores.

How Can I Sell Books On Amazon?

Before you can start selling books on Amazon, you have to consider three things:

  • The fulfillment method (FBA or FBM)
  • What type of seller would you be (Individual or Professional)?
  • How to source your inventory

Once these decisions have been taken care of, you can immediately list your books on Amazon and await your first sale! If you are looking for useful tools for Amazon, IOScout is what you need: https://ioscout.io/listing-builder. With these tools you can easily optimize your listings instantly with a proven keyword strategy to rank high!

How Will Your Orders Be Fulfilled?

There are two ways your orders on Amazon can be fulfilled: FBM and FBA.

Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM)

Using this method, when a sale is completed on Amazon, you will pick, pack, and ship the book by yourself, using your preferred carrier (e.g., UPS, FedEx, etc.). As an FBM seller, you are also responsible for warehousing your inventory.

When calculating your costs, always remember to consider storage fees if you aren’t storing your books at home. Additionally, consider things like shipping and handling expenses, time spent packing, and shipping your orders.

It is recommended that you utilize FBM if there are only a few orders for you to fulfill or if your operation is large enough that the shipping costs for your orders are significantly lesser than those of Amazon.

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)

If you are using this method, when a sale is completed on Amazon, Amazon will pick, pack, and ship the book on your behalf. Amazon is also responsible for storing your inventory and taking care of customer service. Therefore, in contrast to taking care of the warehousing, handling, shipping expenses, and labor by yourself, Amazon collects a charge (FBA fee) to cover these processes.

It is recommended you use FBA if you have numerous orders for you to fulfill or if your operation is not large enough that the shipping costs for your orders are significantly lesser than Amazon’s FBA fees. Plus, there is no need to worry about book storage as Amazon’s fulfillment centers are obligated to hold your books pending sales. Use a free IO Scout FBA calculator https://ioscout.io/fba to calculate product revenue and fees.

What Type Of Seller Would You Be?

There are two categories of Amazon sellers.

Individual sellers

These sellers characteristically sell less than 40 products monthly. This is the recommended method for Amazon sellers who only have limited products to sell or engage in selling only as a hobby. The individual sellers have different fees compared to professional sellers.

Professional sellers

These sellers characteristically sell over 40 products monthly. This is the recommended method for Amazon sellers with massive inventories and wants to generate steady monthly revenue from their Amazon sales.

How To Source Your Books

Many sellers look to sell books they presently have online; however, your inventory source can come from many different areas to continue the growth of your Amazon book sales. Some of the most popular methods include

Selling your books

This is the simplest method to discover books to sell on Amazon. Search around your home or office and see if there are any old books gathering dust. Some of the book categories to consider include textbooks, old comic books, rare topics, etc. These are among the Amazon best-selling books.

Book sales

Many sellers relish attending book sales as the atmosphere makes it seem like some treasure hunt. Plus, there is continuously a book sale going on at a particular place, especially at libraries. Attend these sales with your book scanner and search for good picks to purchase and list online.

Online arbitrage

Well, if you don’t relish the idea of going out, no worries. Some Amazon sellers search on websites outside the Amazon website for books with lower prices compared to what the same book sells for on Amazon itself. This is typically referred to as online arbitrage. Just follow these simple steps:

  • Purchase the books from the third-party website
  • Wait for your orders to arrive
  • List them on Amazon

Other ways to source for your book inventory include:

  • Bulk purchase/wholesale,
  • Estate/closing sales, and
  • Free books

However, be careful when taking in free books as they could be listed by other Amazon sellers who want to get rid of their books that didn’t sell.

Conclusion

Learning to sell books on Amazon is one of the best ways to grow your e-commerce business. Additionally, you can also sell books to Amazon. Selling books to Amazon can be done as an Amazon vendor. These books will be significantly cheaper; however, it is the fastest way to upload your books if you are considering closing down your brick-and-mortar bookstore.

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

A lifetime of Ivacy VPN and NAT Firewall is yours for only $50 today

AndroidGuys
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If you pay attention to cyber threats, you know they are more commonplace with every passing day. We employ thousands of government employees for the NSA and even they can’t keep our information secure from hackers. In, fact, we bet you can’t go more than a few days without hearing the words hack, breach, or leak.

One step you can take to improving your personal internet security is through a virtual private network. It’s a method used to keep your sensitive data secure by replacing your IP address with one hosted by the VPN service. You can get an IP address from any location in the world using this method.

Beyond securing your information, if you travel overseas you might be limited in the sites you can access like Facebook and Netflix. A VPN allows you to maintain access to all sites you use in the US.

Then there’s the topic of anti-hacking with an NAT Firewall.  Hackers regularly scan the internet for unprotected devices to take advantage of, but an NAT Firewall lets you kick them to the curb by blocking un-requested inbound traffic, exploits, and bad data packets.

Ivacy offers an incredible bundle of tools with its own NAT Firewall that’s connected to its own servers. Enjoy benefits such as protection from OS security leakages, load distribution, and more.

The AndroidGuys Deals Store has a bargain – a lifetime account to Ivacy VPN and NAT Firewall for just $49.99 right now. That’s right, both tools are yours for a long as you live.

Ivacy VPN Features

  • Enjoy fast uninterrupted P2P file-sharing with complete anonymity
  • Quick-connect to 450+ servers in 100+ locations across 50+ countries
  • Get a dedicated VPN add-on for Kodi
  • Protect yourself against hackers, spyware, & government surveillance
  • Anonymize your online activity against spammers & identity thieves
  • Overcome ISP speed throttling & Port blocking
  • Access region-blocked content anywhere in the world
  • Enjoy amazing Ivacy features on a range of compatible devices
  • Log in on 5 devices simultaneously

Ivacy NAT Firewall Features

  • Block scans & requests from hackers trying to tap into unprotected devices
  • Protect all of your devices w/ no additional configuration or software required
  • Prevent hackers & bots from installing malware and stealing your personal information
  • Conserve address space via port multiplexing
  • Enjoy greater flexibility w/ load distribution & readdressing
  • Kill anonymous traffic & stay protected w/ OpenVPN L2TP and PPTP protocols

Where to Buy

If you’re ready to take web browsing more serious, you’ll definitely want to consider the lifetime subscription to Ivacy VPN: Lifetime Subscription + NAT Firewall. Valued at more than $1,200, AndroidGuys readers can get their hands on a license for only $49.99. That’s a small price to pay for years and years worth of peace of mind.

Best Sellers

Save even more!

For every $25 you spend in the AG Deals Store you get $1 credit added to your account. And, if you refer the deal via social media or an email that results in a purchase, you’ll earn $10 credit in your account.

First Time Buying?

If this is your first time buying, you are also eligible for 10% discount! Just be sure to subscribe for email updates.

Free Stuff

Not looking to spend any money today? No worries. You can still visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and pick something anyhow.

Roborock H6 review

Scott Webster
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I’ve owned and used a number of robotic vacuum cleaners over the last few years. What started with a free one from a major appliance purchase on Black Friday has turned into a steady stream of new models.

If there’s one thing I could say to prospective robotic vacuum buyers, it’s that they work better than you might imagine. But, I’d be quick to follow up with something along the lines of them not being the be-all-end-all solution to homes. Indeed, you’re still better off with a traditional stand-up or stick vacuum.

One of the best things about having a vacuum that automatically runs on its own and which knows the layout of the house, is just that. There’s peace of mind in knowing that your trusty little companion can clean the house for you either on its own or manually triggered.

Roborock, a division of Xiaomi, specializes in vacuum equipment and has made big strides in the space over the last few years. For 2020 it introduced a variant of its S6 robotic vacuum and the H6, its first cordless stick vacuum. So impressed with what we saw in January, we named the H6 as one of the Best of CES.

We were sent both units to review and have used both on a daily and near-daily basis. Here is our review of the Roborock H6.

What is the Roborock H6?

The Roborock H6 is a cordless (battery operated) stick vacuum cleaner with multiple speeds and features. As is the case with others in the field, it comes with a number of attachments. This includes, among other things, a dusting brush, floor brush, stick tube, and flexible tube.

The H6 runs in standard, eco, and turbo speeds with varying battery life for each. Suffice it to say, the deeper the cleaning and power, the shorter the life.

The eco mode might be what you use for dusting furniture while the standard mode is better for furniture fabric. The maximum setting is best suited for cleaning a mattress or for ground-in dirt. In terms of battery life you might be looking at 90 minutes on the high end with as little as 10 on the low.

The Roborock H6 has a built-in air purification system designed to capture dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and mold. According to the manufacturer, the vacuum is tested to have an 800-hour battery life.

There is a status display that allows for quick glances to see which mode you’re in and how much battery remains.

What’s it like to use the Roborock H6?

In word, pleasurable. If you own a Roborock robotic vacuum, you already know the quality in the build. It’s as versatile as anything I might need, it’s quiet, and it does a hell of a job.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing overly revolutionary at play here. The stick, canister, and attachment approach is par for the course in design. While it does employ a very attractive silver and red color scheme, it otherwise looks familiar and almost unremarkable. Almost. There is beauty in the detail.

The first thing I noticed about the experience was the way the air smelled around it while running. It was clean in a way that you can’t really describe. And no, it’s not that “new car” effect or the odor from electronics. The filter system that Roborock uses is incredible and really works well. Even after a few months of daily usage I find the vacuum to make the air smell cleaner around me.

The Roborock H6 is light and pleasurable to work with, regardless of attachments. Whether you’re cleaning carpet with the extended tube or giving the steps a nice vacuum, it’s very easy to control.

Snapping on each attachment or brush is about as simple as it gets with a very noticeable click. There’s no mistaking whether they’re in place or not, And speaking of which, I like the variety offered.

I’ve seen cases where vacuum makers throw a dozen options at you and expect you to keep track of them in a bag or closet shelf. Roborock keeps it pretty straightforward with just a handful, but they’re helpful and unique enough. And when it comes to storage, everything (including the vacuum) goes on the shelf that can be mounted inside a closet or on a garage wall.

Battery life is good, and it’s nice to see how much time remains; however, I prefer the turbo or highest setting for my deeper pile carpet. And given there’s a pretty fair amount of it in the house, I’ve come close to depleting it without finishing. With that said, keeping things in the middle and switching from carpet to hard floor to rugs seems to work well, too. If you vacuum daily, you’ll be just fine with it.

The lock button is a nice touch as it lets you grip the Roborock H6 in a more relaxed manner. Instead of squeezing the trigger for power you can grab the handle and focus on movement.

Are there any drawbacks or downsides?

As much as I love the H6, there are just a few things I’d like to point out. Maybe they’re minor quibbles — maybe they’re things that can be improved upon.

I’ve noticed that the Roborock H6 tends to have quite a static build-up to it on the exterior of the carpet brush. Every so often I have to give a quick wipe to it to collect any hair or small dust that collects. It’s not gross or unsightly, but it’s noticeable.

Cleaning the canister is a different story. While I certainly love the suction power of the vacuum, it collects everything. And as a owner of multiple pets and father of a teenager, that means dust, dirt, and dander. I’d love to share photos of what comes up but it’s almost embarrassing — especially for someone who runs a robotic vacuum on a regular basis.

When it comes to emptying out the canister, I’ve found that I have to use my hands and get dirty more than I’d like. Most vacuums of this nature make it easy to click a button or pop a lever to dump the contents into the trash. Here, I find that I have to reach in and pull out the junk or help it along – and that means washing hands.

Would you recommend the Roborock H6?

Absolutely. Even with the aforementioned gripes, I find the vacuum to be powerful, easy to use, and flexible.

My wife has purchased her fair share of vacuum units over the years, always in search of the perfect one. We’ve owned Dyson, Shark, and a handful of other brands. Suffice it to say, she has been quite impressed the Roborock H6.

This is the first one we reach for when tidying up ahead of family visits and guests. It’s also the one we grab when it comes to cleaning out vehicles and refreshing the furniture.

While we did mount the shelf and clip in our pantry, our house tends to plug in the H6 in the family room. Its modern and minimal design doesn’t draw any unwanted attention and it’s right in the middle of the house when we need it.

Where can I buy the Roborock H6?

You can learn more about the Roborock H6 at the company’s official site; however, purchases are redirected to Amazon where the vacuum currently lists for $450.

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How can organizations protect against zero-day threats?

AndroidGuys
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EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

With every passing day or even every passing hour, the cybersecurity landscape becomes increasingly complex and sophisticated. As cybercriminals continue to add new and updated techniques and tactics to their dangerously massive arsenal of threats and vulnerabilities, it is only a matter of time before an organization is hit with a devastating cyberattack.

It is high time for companies to realize that their current cybersecurity infrastructure fails to hit the mark, particularly as far as circumventing zero-day threats and malware is concerned. Many malware and zero-day threats can evade the security measures that an organization has put up, which typically consists of an antivirus solution, that is too slow to detect and ward off these security vulnerabilities.

Moreover, as the threat landscape continues to integrate within itself, an increasingly sophisticated arsenal of vulnerabilities, including the likes of a zero-day exploit- the evolving attack tactics utilized by cybercriminals make it extremely difficult for enterprises to keep up.

Bearing witness to the fragile state that cybersecurity is currently in, were the findings of WatchGuard’s Q4 2019 Internet Security report, which highlighted the furious pace at which threat actors are evolving their attack methods. Furthermore, with more than two-thirds of malware, it is uniquely formulated to sneak past signature-based defenses and other security measures that a company may have employed.

In an attempt to help readers cope with the changing threat landscape, we have compiled an article that focuses on one aspect, namely the danger posed by zero-day threats. Before we can get into the multiple security measures that businesses can take to prevent the damage caused by an unchecked zero-day exploit, we’d like to begin by clarifying what a zero-day threat is.

What Exactly is Meant By a Zero-Day Threat?

Unlike some other vulnerabilities, there is a high chance that the typical layman might not be familiar with zero-day threats, and there’s a good reason for it. Up until this point, however, we’ve used the terms’ zero-day exploit’, ‘zero-day vulnerability,’ and ‘zero-day attack’ interchangeably, while in reality, all three of these terms have quite different connotations, which we’ll get to in a bit.

To fully understand what a zero-day threat, attack or vulnerability is, we will have to start at the very beginning, that is, at the release of any new computer program, component, or any other piece of the element. When either of these software components is first released, it is given that they underwent rigorous testing, which is performed by the manufacturers or the developers.

With that being said, however, organizations must take into account that no matter how rigorous the testing process might seem on paper, it is still limited to the resources at the testers’ disposal. No matter how stringent the testing process might seem, there is still a high chance that a minuscule glitch or flaw has made it to the finished product, potentially manifesting itself in hindered performance.

Since the security flaws that made it through the testing phase without any detection, the possibility of the developer or manufacturer putting in counter-measures is next to zero, which ultimately gives rise to zero-day attacks. Although software developers, along with white hat researchers, are always on the lookout for any undiscovered vulnerabilities, the tiniest security flaw’s mere existence can prove to be lethal for organizations.

Zero-Day (0-day) Vulnerability

Simply put, a zero-day vulnerability is a software vulnerability discovered by cybercriminals before the developer, manufacturer, or vendor has been made aware of its existence. Based on its very definition, there is virtually no patch available for a zero-day vulnerability, since targeted users and systems have no defenses against it, increasing the chances of an attack.

Zero-Day Exploit

A zero-day exploit refers to the method or technique employed by cybercriminals to launch attacks on systems that contain the unknown vulnerability. One such alarming technique utilized by threat actors includes the ‘zero-day malware,’ which targets explicitly zero-day vulnerabilities.

Zero-Day Attacks

As the name suggests, a zero-day attack refers to a threat actor employing a zero-day exploit to permeate through a system affected by an unknown (zero-day) vulnerability. By launching a zero-day attack, cybercriminals can wreak a monumental amount of damage on a network, as well as steal confidential information.

What Systems are the Most Commonly Targeted By Zero-Day Threats?

Now that we have gone through what a zero-day attack implies, we would like to mention some of the most commonly targeted systems by a zero-day attack:

  • Operating Systems: Operating systems are the most sought-after system in a zero-day attack, primarily because they provide cybercriminals access to all user systems, and contain crucial information.
  • Office applications: Although these applications might seem secure, malware embedded within documents and other files may contain zero-day vulnerabilities, which can later be used to exploit the application.
  • Internet of Things (IoT): Interconnected smart devices, which may include everything from an intelligent refrigerator, to televisions and sensors around the house constitute the IoT-, which is highly susceptible to zero-day attacks. Furthermore, most IoT devices lack the mechanism to patch any flaws or to update their software.
  • Web browsers: By exploiting an undetected zero-day vulnerability, hackers can manipulate web browsers like the Tor browser, which allows them to execute drive-by downloads and run malicious scripts and files on user devices.
  • Hardware: A highly susceptible component of zero-day attacks is hardware, which may include anything from an unknown vulnerability in the router, switch, network appliance, or even a home device such as a gaming console. Hackers launching zero-day attacks may exploit these hardware devices and deploy them to build botnets.

How Can Organizations Guard Against Zero-Day Threats?

Before we get into mentioning the multiple ways users can bypass the rather dire threat posed by zero-day attacks, we would like to make things one clear- there is no hard and fast rule for protecting an organization against zero-day threats. Instead, the best that most companies can do is to practice what is highly recommended, and figure out what works the best for them.

  1. Configuring firewalls: When it comes to circumventing zero-day attacks, it is highly critical that organizations configure stringent firewalls, which only allow the most necessary of transactions to pass through.
  2. Separating work units: To prevent vulnerabilities being exploited by cybercriminals across workgroups, it is highly recommended that organizations limit access by utilizing different risk profiles across the various segments of your network.
  3. Allow limited network privileges: By limiting users’ access to network privileges, organizations can ensure that no malicious attack vectors are permeating their network.
  4. Staying up-to-date on security patches: Perhaps the most simple security step that organizations can take, merely staying in the loop regarding the latest security fixes, may help protect against vulnerabilities that you might have been unaware of.
  5. Formulating a stringent incident response plan: Utilizing the tools that an organization’s security team has at their disposal, it is highly recommended that you devise a robust incident response plan that focuses specifically on prevention and remediation strategy.

Parting Words

Hopefully, by the end of the article, we’ve brought our readers up to the mark regarding zero-day attacks, as well as equipping them with some security tactics that they can employ to prevent them. Although zero-day threats might seem too sneaky to prevent, utilizing threat intelligence, along with a strategy of exercising caution before it’s too late- organizations can easily circumvent zero-day attacks.

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Which platform is better to start mobile development?

AndroidGuys
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EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Constant changes are emerging in the world of technology every day. Smartphones and tablets have emerged as a new platform for developing mobile applications. And, using mobile applications to promote business is one of the most reliable ways nowadays.

Every business, irrespective of its size or nature, wishes to have a mobile app of its own. So that the business can reach customers more easily and increase its outreach to a large number of audience. Here’s a guide to know which platform is better to start mobile development.

The detailed analysis of the leading mobile development platforms are as below:

Visual Studio

Visual Studios another foremost software development platform available in the market at present. It provides services to developers to create web applications and mobile applications.

To further create an exceptional layout of your apps, you can use custom LMS. Visual studio provides full-cycle development from the initial concept until the end. You can create apps of all types here, including gaming apps, health care applications, government apps, retail, and business-related apps.

Android Studio

Android studio is one of the leading mobile app development software that helps in creating mobile apps for all android devices. It is an Android’s official IDE and serves the purpose of accelerating the development of high-quality Android compatible apps.

It is quite easy to use, and beginners also can start developing their apps using Android Studio. But, the developer needs to be familiar with Java project structure, and Android SDK workings. The languages that Android support are C++, Java 7, Java 8, etc.

Appy Pie

Appy pie is an app development software that provides its users with plans starting from as low as $15. Their mobile-friendly app development software specializes in niche-specific app templates like dating apps, restaurant apps, church apps, etc. Their step by step guide on how to build an app is very easy to figure and use. It is simple with “choose design, add features, and publish!” The site has varying subscriptions named Basic, Gold, and Platinum, ranging from $15, $30 to $50 per month.

Verivo

Verivo AppStudio is one of the best platforms to build apps faster and easier. It has the best list of tools and includes UI configuration, tool, a server for apps, and security tools as well. Verivo also includes other various reporting tool options along with a fast and easy app building service.

Verivo furthermore provides its users with features like code-free visual studio, incorporating JavaScript and HTML5. The Verivo AppStudio has joined another bigger platform for app development named Appery. Its customers enjoy uninterrupted service as the customer also gets access to other related services such as automation for user authentication, data synchronization, integrations, and deployment.

Mobincub

Mobincub is a very basic mobile app development platform. It offers the right kind of features that the developers require to build a successful application. All the essential requirements that are needed for developing an app such as, visual development interface, drag, and drop, templates and customization, etc. are all provided at a single click by Mobincub.

A feature that sets Mobincub apart from all other mobile app development platforms is its monetization ability through Admob service. You get its basic version for 3 euros/month to 100 euros/month for premium services.

Zoho creator

Zoho creator is an excellent platform to create apps for the android system, iOs devices. It has an easy drag and drop interface and allows the users to create more than 50 mobile apps using the interface. Zoho creator also has integration with the complete ecosystem of Zoho. It let the users manage all the tools related to their business in one place. This platform enables the developers to customize their UI for web, mobile, and tablet applications.

Build Fire

Build Fire is a very commonly known platform for building mobile-based apps. It can be used for both, building custom apps and business-related apps. Build Fire has a unique click and navigate feature. This feature of Build Fire eliminates the requirement of coding for developing a new app.

It has almost all the basic tools and features that are mandatory for creating a sound mobile application. The pricing of Build Fire starts from $59/month for the basic plan and $149/month for the advanced features and business plan. This platform or software is very well usable for building business-related apps for small and medium-sized retailers.

So, the above-mentioned programs are the leading ones. There are other numerous app developing softwares available and you can choose one according to your budget and business requirements.

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Make your Google Home Mini a cordless experience with an 8-hour battery

AndroidGuys
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We love our Google Home Mini, Nest Mini, and all of the other smart speakers and displays. Having a connected home where we can play music throughout the house is really awesome stuff to be sure.

If there were one downside to the speakers, though, it would be that they are tethered to a wall. That is, you can’t take them out on the patio or front porch with you or carry it around the home.

The JOT Battery Case, on sale for just $16.99 in the AndroidGuys Deals Store, addresses this by giving your (First Generation) Google Home Mini a battery source that’s good for up to eight hours. That’s right, it makes your stationary speaker into a portable one.

Simply snap your Google Home Mini into place and plug the power cord into the JOT. That’s it. There’s nothing else to worry about. It’s simple stuff that adds new functionality to the speaker and we love it. Seriously, we’ve used these and we like them quite a bit.

JOT Features

  • Simple, slide-in connect front door
  • 5,000mAh battery provides up to 8 hours of run time
  • Lets you go cord-free & use Google Home Mini anywhere
  • 4 LED light indicators tell you how much power is left

Buy Yours Today

Purchase your JOT Battery Base for just $16.99 in the AndroidGuys Deals Store today and breathe new life into that Google Home Mini (First Generation Only). Choose from two finishes: carbon and silver.

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The transformation of modern love – how it looks nowadays

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EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Everything that we know has been changed by the advent of new technology. Yes, that does include love. Instead of the older days of notes on lockers and chatrooms, we have a much more unique version of love that exists today. We’re going to explore some of the changes that have occurred in the world of love as a result of modern technology. Here, you’ll find out some information about what to expect in the modern world of love and how to embrace it best.

Everyone Hangs Around on Mobile Phones

In the world of modern technology, it is impossible to do much of anything without a smartphone. Kids are practically using smartphones as soon as they learn how, and most adults wake up in the morning and check their phone for messages. They look for incoming calls, messages, emails, online purchases, appointment confirmations, and everything else, all day long until it’s time to go to bed. People also get their entertainment from their smartphones such as using Netflix while they’re on the subway, or they order their food using them. So, what is to stop people from integrating love into their smartphones? Well, they already do. People come to sites like Together2night.com and make their acquaintances there for the same reasons that people schedule their doctor’s appointments online- it’s fast and convenient. Now, people can find partners and tell them when they want to meet while dating from any place with a connection to the web! It’s completely unique and offers everyone a chance to get involved with romance in a way that is familiar to them!

Dating Online Has Been Gamified

Another thing that has changed with the modern form of love is that dating has been gamified. That means that romance and the dating process has elements of it that are similar to what you would find in a game. Look at the dating sites out there like Tinder. There, you could log into your profile and swipe left or right to determine whether or not someone is right for you. Some people just swipe to accept everyone, and others turn it into a high-stakes version of “he loves me, he loves me not.” That’s just one example, but there are many others. Some people compete to see how many individuals they can date with throughout a given week, testing their compatibility until they determine whether or not they are good enough to fit together. All in all, this part of dating is fun, allows you to connect quickly, and brings a new dimension to love that has never existed before!

Internet Brings People Together from All Over the World

The final thing to remember about the chances that love has undergone in recent years is that the internet exists to bring people together from all over the world. That means you can use the internet to learn about foreign cultures and you can participate in them as well by making friends. Yet, you can also start finding people to date from other countries while you’re online. Many websites are just getting involved with the online “passports” that will allow people to meet singles that are from other countries and use the sites to call, video chat, and more. Now you have the power to connect with people that are in the same city as you as well as people from cities on the other side of the globe. The entire realm of online dating has significantly transformed this sort of romance!

The new world of dating is vastly different than in the past, and that has changed the very nature of love. People are getting involved more seriously and at a more rapid rate than ever before. The benefit of this kind of love life is that you can more easily find someone that will suit your needs. However, it comes with the drawback that you might think you’ve found someone special without investing time into seeing your true compatibility. All in all, though, the modern world of love is in a much better spot than it has ever been, and people only have to reach out and grasp the best form of love for them.

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Featured image via pixabay

T-Mobile gives Sprint customers its T-Mobile Tuesdays perks

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T-Mobile on Thursday announced that Sprint subscribers will soon be able to reap the benefits that come with the T-Mobile Tuesdays rewards program.

Starting from June 23, Sprint customers can look forward to the weekly collection of free and discounted food, services, and items. Additionally, they’ll also be eligible to enter the giveaways and sweepstakes.

According to T-Mobile, it has given away more than $900 million of free stuff in the four years it has offered the T-Mobile Tuesdays program.

Looking ahead to this summer, subscribers can look forward to some $2 million in prizes, including a Tesla Model 3 and 20 Samsung Galaxy A71 5G phones.

  • 20 sweepstakes winners for Samsung Galaxy A71 5G
  • $100,000 total in cash prizes
  • Tesla Model 3 and more
  • 50 Starbucks Stars for a free cup of coffee, tea or bakery item
  • Food every week with offers from Burger King, Popeyes, Baskin-Robbins and more
  • Three months of Postmates Unlimited for free delivery
  • Unlimited access to MyTelemedicine through the rest of the year
  • Boosted fuel savings from Shell and the Fuel Rewards program with $0.25 off per gallon for four weeks
  • T-Mobile Swag including a free T-Mobile rainbow belt bag as part of the Un-carrier’s celebration of Pride on June 23rd and picked up at T-Mobile and Sprint retail stores

7 ways to create an app marketing strategy that really works

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EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

So you’ve got a killer app. It ticks all the boxes, it offers something new and exciting, it’s useful, it can save users time, and it’s available on all major phone and tablet platforms. But what good is a killer app without users?

Your app marketing strategy will define the success of your idea. A clever marketing plan will show users what your app does, why people need it, and where they can download it. There are lots of ways, however, to do this. So let’s take a look at seven ways you can create an app marketing strategy that really works.

Research Your Target Market

Researching your target market should always be the first step in developing a marketing strategy because it dictates how your entire marketing efforts work. It tells you what methods of outreach are most effective by making you think about how your target market is best reached. Older users, for instance, may be easier to reach through traditional media, and younger users may be easier to reach through social media, to put it simply.

Understand your customers, their needs, and their expectations. You may do this through traditional market research and surveys, which can even be performed online. Find out your customers’ biggest pain points in apps they already use or establish how your app could prove beneficial, and you’ll know what your marketing efforts also need to address.

In short, you must:

  • Understand who you are targeting
  • Establish how your app can help that group of people
  • Know how to reach your target market

Create a Great Landing Page or Website

When someone arrives at your website, it’s a win. It means that person is genuinely interested in what you have to offer and may, ultimately, become a user or a customer. That’s why it’s so important that your website or landing page demonstrates the benefits of your product, and compels people to download your app.

Ensure your page is clean, professional-looking, and doesn’t present too much information at once. Not only can this make your page look like a spam page, but too much text immediately makes people want to leave. Keep your slogans simple, provide a few sentences of text to explain why your app is so fantastic – or better yet, use video or graphics!

Give clear calls to action, too. Have a large “Download now” button, or tell people where they can get your app, and make it as easy as possible for visitors to become customers.

Keep in Touch with Text Marketing

Landing pages also serve as a method of communicating with potential customers and establishing that line of contact that may turn them into paying customers down the line. Maintaining contact with brand new customers is also important for a couple of reasons, and if you take their phone numbers during the sign-up process, it gives you the best way to reach out. Text marketing is often overlooked, but hugely effective.

First of all, it allows you to update your customers on new features and help them get started with the app. Secondly, it makes it easier to upsell those customers with new features or additional software.

A majority of customers prefer companies to communicate via text messages, according to several studies conducted over the last few years. It’s a way of inviting potential (or existing) customers to get involved with special offers, to interact with new features, or even to upgrade their plan in as direct a way as possible. People open text messages more than they do promotional emails, and most people always have their phone in their pocket!

Outsmart Your Competitors

Even a brand-new app, offering a brand-new service, has some form of competition or may face competition in the near future. Understanding that competition, being able to perform online data analysis and knowing how to respond to new players in the market, is key to keeping your marketing fresh.

If you are offering something new, use your marketing in a way that establishes you as the authority on the service you offer. Make a direct connection between your brand and the service you offer and reinforce it in everything you do. This makes it harder for new competitors to establish the same visibility and trust. When you combine that marketing with truly exceptional customer support, too, you reinforce that trust and create a tougher barrier for entry to even some of the biggest software players.

If you already have competition…examine their marketing, look for flaws, and exploit those flaws!

Consider Your Image and Branding

You can have the best app in the world, the most reliable service, and truly exceptional customer support…but if your logo makes no sense, your website is chaotic, and our app poorly positioned in the app store, then it doesn’t mean very much.

It may feel like surface-level stuff, but your brand means a lot and is key to your marketing success. Logos, branding, imagery, and your landing page attract customers, and your service and product make them stick around.

So, make sure your logo makes sense, make sure it looks crisp, clean, and professional, and portray your professionalism in all video, graphics, and marketing text you publish.

Partner with Likeminded Brands

Partnering with brands that exist in the same professional space as you cements your reputation as a reliable, trustworthy brand with a truly useful product. If there are brands and companies that offer complementary products or services to yours, consider teaming up with them in some way or endorsing one another.

As long as their brand does not have the potential to hurt yours, a mutual endorsement attracts new customers to both sides and shows that other names take you seriously. It can also become a key part of your marketing campaign.

Optimize Your App Store Page

Finally, remember that your entry on the app store pages should look great and entice people. In some instances, this may be the first time anybody ever interacts with your brand. So be sure to keep the title clear and properly formatted, create a description that succinctly describes what your software does, and include that crisp, modern logo we talked about earlier.

Don’t forget screenshots, too! Showing people what your app looks like, and highlighting some of the features, immediately shows people that your software is easy to use and offers exactly what they need.

Sell Promises and Keep Those Promises!

All good marketing strategy boils down to selling an idea or a promise and keeping those promises. Tell people what your software does, and don’t just deliver on that…exceed their expectations!

Keep these seven simple tips in mind and you’ll be on your way to great success advertising your new app. Good luck!

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

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