Technology has already revolutionized business. With organic search, anyone from anywhere in the world can find your business with a few keystrokes and the click of a button. With social media, you can communicate with your customers on a daily basis.
Tech has only just scratched the surface of what’s possible when it comes to communicating with your customers.
The way we communicate with our customers will continue to evolve as tech does, and it will evolve is some really surprising, and not so surprising, ways.
Out With the Old and in With Text Messaging
The phone was a game changer. The pager was a game changer, and so was email. Now, text messaging has changed the game, but it hasn’t quite changed customer communication. Yet.
With so many unsolicited emails and phone calls, sending direct texts to customers will be the best way for businesses to cut through the garbage and reach their intended target. Not to mention, they’re faster and can be responded to instantly, which can be great for business.
You’ll Know More About Your Customers Than Ever Before With Mapping Technology
In the near future, you will be able to know everything you ever wanted to know about your customers, from the kind of movies they watch to how their furniture is arranged. It may sound a little creepy, but it’s great for business because it provides companies with more opportunities to connect in meaningful ways with their customer base.
For example, if someone’s Roomba notices their living room is bare, a local furniture store can send that potential customer a targeted ad.
Tech Innovations Will Allow for Instant Gratification
Instant gratification is the name of the game today. From knowing exactly what your friends are doing right now to knowing exactly what’s happening around the world, you can learn anything in an instant. With Amazon’s same-day shipping, you can get anything you want almost instantaneously too!
This will continue to be the norm as tech evolves. For example:
A restaurant could send a coupon to someone who’s traveling in their city
A clothing retailer could promote a new suit to someone who just received a wedding invite
A car dealership could reach out to a customer about a new minivan when they have a baby
When Messages Are Sent Will Be Just as Important as What Is Sent
The focus on marketing today is on what you send. Because we spend more time using technology today than we do sleeping, it will become increasingly important to time those messages too.
That means paying attention to when someone uses their cell phone when you want to send a text message, or when they’re using their tablet so you can send them an online offer.
Technology is changing life all around us, and that includes how we communicate with each other. Whether you’re ready for it or not, you’ll be communicating with your customers in ways you never thought were possible sooner than you think.
After launching its two flagships, the Mate 10 Pro and Mate 10 Porsche Design on the US market, Huawei is now offering a third Mate smartphone model. It’s called the Huawei Mate SE and unlike the previous two options, it’s an affordable handset.
The new Huawei Mate SE looks very similar to another smartphone which is currently available in the States, the Honor 7X (Honor is a Huawei sub-brand).
But unlike the Honor 7X, the newcomer includes more RAM and storage under the hood. On the outside, however, the two devices are almost identical (save for the Huawei logos on the back and front).
Basically the new Huawei Mate SE takes advantage of a 5.93-inch IPS LCD display with 18:9 aspect ratio and 1080 x 2160 resolution. It’s powered by an octa-core Kirin 659 clocked at 2.36GHz with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. In comparison, the Honor 7X only offers 3GB of RAM and 32GB of built-in storage.
The Huawei Mate SE is a upgraded Honor 7X
In the photo department, the Mate SE boasts a rear-facing dual 16-megapixel sensor with f/2.2 which works alongside a 2-megapixel lens with phase detection autofocus and LED flash. On the front, lives an 8-megapixel selfie snapper with f/2.0.
The phone relies on a 3,340 mAh battery and runs Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. And given that the Honor 7X will be updated to Android 8.0 Oreo, it’s quite possible the Mate SE will too.
The new Huawei Mate SE is currently available for purchase for $229.99, which is $30 more than the Honor 7X which is sold for $199.99.
Interested parties in the US can grab it from Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H. The phone ships with a US warranty included. Like the Mate 10 Pro and Mate 10 Porsche Design before it, it’s sold unlocked.
After what seems like an eternity, the Galaxy Note 8 could soon be getting Android Oreo.
Following the newly rolled out Android Oreo update for the Galaxy S8, Samsung could be gearing up to take care of the Note 8. Although not pushed by Samsung, the new version was released on AT&T servers and has been officially certified by Google and passed SafetyNet compatibility, which means apps like Google Pay will now work.
The update is currently for the Snapdragon version of the Note 8, but it marks the first version of Android Oreo for the Note 8 that is sufficiently certified for rollout. Also included in the release if the latest March security patch.
Android Oreo for the Note 8 comes with all the native enhancements Oreo introduced to Android in general such as picture-in-picture, notification channels, etc. but also adds the Samsung specific changes as part of Samsung Experience 9.0.
It raises the question as to when we may see the Exynos version of Android Oreo but hopefully this the start of what’s to come.
It seems the Snapdragon version is getting ready for official release so Snapdragon Note 8 users can expect to see it pushed by carriers shortly. You can always manually flash it, but this comes with its associated risks. Head over to XDA to see the full walkthrough.
For most people, the smartphone is the most important and oft-used device, with studies showing that the average person spends at least five hours looking at their screen every day. Although most people know that Android is a very versatile and customizable OS, most people only use a small fraction of the features it’s capable of.
Here are a few extra features you probably haven’t tried yet. Some may not work on your phone due to manufacturer tweaking, but you’ll definitely find interesting ones that’ll work for you:
Advanced Sensors
Android phones come with a variety of sensors to facilitate specific functions, such as an accelerometer, a compass, a proximity light sensor and even a barometer. If you download an app that brings them to the fore, you’ll be able to maximize their functions to understand your location and the weather around you more effectively.
Locate Your Device
Formerly known as Android Device Manager, Google’s app “Find My Device” allows you to track your phone, tablet or smartwatch and pinpoint its location on the map. In addition, you’ll be able to make it play a sound so it’ll be easier to find or as a last resort, lock it and erase the data on it. You can even make the device show a message such as directions to contact you in order to return it.
Stream Movies
If you like to binge watch TV series, then you probably have a streaming device at home already, but have you connected your phone to it so you can control it more easily and even access extra features? Most of the best streaming devices available allow you to do just that and it’s definitely something you should try out.
Monitor Your Data Usage
Unless you have an unlimited mobile data plan, then your data usage is something you really should keep an eye on because if left unattended, certain apps could use up a lot of bytes in a short period of time. In the settings area, you can see a breakdown of your data consumption per day, week or month and you can set up alerts so you’ll know when you’re crossing particular thresholds.
Scan Barcodes
The camera on your phone is great for taking selfies and food photos for Instagram, but it’s also useful for scanning barcodes and QR codes so you can check up on particular products very easily. QR codes have also been used for interesting things like letting you get extra information about an event and even signing into class.
Multiple Accounts
Many apps, especially of the social media variety like Facebook or WhatsApp, only allow you to run one instance of the app at a time. This means that you won’t be able to set up your private phone number to chat with friends on a second app. With virtualization apps such as Parallel Space from Google Play Store, you can get around that by running extra apps in a virtual space. Keep in mind that your phone should have at least 3GB of RAM for this to work smoothly.
A few months ago, it was revealed YouTube was testing a feature similar to Stories in Instagram with select content creators. Well, it looks like Google is now working to add an advanced video-editing tool which will allow Reel users to quickly change the background of your clips.
Don’t you just hate it when you want to shoot a quick video, but you can’t find a decent background to use? Google knows your pain, so it will soon offer a solution.
In a blog post, the tech giant talks about employing a new tool called real-time video segmentation which will enable users to change the background of their videos, as easily as applying a filter.
Technical details aside, the results seem to be pretty promising. If you’re familiar with the green screen technique that lets creators insert whatever they want in the background, this feature should work the same, in real-time.
Google continues its love affair with machine learning
Google says it’s using AI and machine learning to easily separate the subject from the background, but the system is not perfect just yet. You can easily spot some blurring around the edges where the system has failed to work as intended in the examples. Still, the feature seems pretty neat, and Google is obviously not done perfecting it.
While the company is currently testing the new tool in a limited beta group, the feature will eventually show up in other services and apps including augmented reality (AR) options. The new feature is currently rolling out to members of the beta program.
Will a similar feature be available on Instagram at some point? Quite possibly. Speaking of which, the Facebook-owned app is apparently looking to expand into voice and video calling according to recent information.
One of Instagram’s biggest competitors has video calling, so it makes sense that Facebook is looking to offer a similar service too.
Likewise, Google has taken inspiration from Instagram’s most popular features called Stories. But the new AI-powered background replacing tool will certainly help differentiate the two.
Excited about Google’s new editing tool? Hopefully it won’t take long before it makes into other apps and services.
The LG G6 launched a year ago and is one of the most under-rated flagships of 2017. Among the first to bring in the new 18:9 aspect ratio, the phone has been grossly overshadowed by competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S8.
Nevertheless, the LG G6 is a good phone with a gorgeous design and pretty great specs, if you don’t count the inclusion of the Snapdragon 821. You can check out our review, in case you want to know more about the phone.
Anyway, the phone is available with a big discount from B&H today. If you place an order for it now, you can get it for $399.99 instead of $599.99. Basically, you’ll be getting $200 off. It’s the lowest price on the flagship we’ve seen to date. B&H is offering it in either Black or Platinum.
But there’s a catch, the deal is available only today, so with 13 hours to go (at the time of writing this article) before it expires, you should hurry up and place an order now!
The phone is sold unlocked and is compatible with all major carriers in the US including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint.
The LG G6 is still a very capable smartphone
In case you need a refresh, the LG G6 comes boasting a 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with 1440 x 2880 resolution and includes a Snapdragon 821 with 4GB of RAM/32GB of internal storage under the hood.
It takes advantage of a rear-facing camera setup which pairs a 13-megapixel sensor with f/1.8, optical image stabilization and phase detection autofocus with a secondary 13-megapixel lens with f/2.4. A 5-megapixel selfie-snapper with f/2.2 sits on the front.
The phone is scheduled to receive the Android 8.0 Oreo update soon, so despite being a year old, it can still be a good choice. Especially for customers who can’t afford a new $700+ flagship.
At this price, the LG G6 is a bargain. Any takers?
I don’t have to sit here and stress the importance of Google Maps. Being that the mobile app has a billion+ users, chances are that you’ve already used it extensively and know how valuable it can be for everyday life. That said, such a long-standing and crucial app from Google has naturally gone through a multitude of development over the years. Sure, the core functionality of panning the world, viewing details of places, and checking current traffic conditions is well understood by the majority. But there’s actually a lot more there than meets the eye, and these are not just minuscule features.
This list covers features that you may not know about that you may want to.
Location Sharing
Google has dabbled with Location Sharing quite a bit, but it’s unfortunately been mostly backseat feature. If you haven’t used it, as the name implies, it’s a way to positionally connect with someone of your choice (if it’s mutually desired). For instance, I use this with my wife when we’re traveling and we temporarily separate. Instead of having to figure out how to meet up again, she or I can simply see each other on the map and one or the other can get there.
The feature used to be on Hangouts (Google’s internet messaging app). I guess the logic at the time was that since the app connected people, location was another form of communication. However, Google eventually migrated Location Sharing to Google Maps. It’s simple to access and use. Just pull out the left hand menu (by swiping from the left edge), select Location Sharing from the list, and then tap Get Started.
Now bear in mind that this is to make your location aware to someone of your choice. To get mutual location sharing, the person will have to do the same from their end. To activate, you select one of your contacts. You also select how long you want your location to be visible to them (either a certain amount of time or stay active until you turn it off).
*Extra Tip: You can additionally share your transit details. For instance, when you start a drive and directions via Navigation, you can share your destination, ETA, and where you currently are on the route. Pretty neat, huh?
I bet that most Google Maps users only use the universally common gestures like pinching to zoom in/out and long-pressing to tag a specific location, but there are a couple more worth knowing that aren’t obvious. One that I personally immediately adopted once learning is the ability to zoom in/out with just one hand. This may not sound like a big deal, but when you’re tied up and have only one hand available at the moment, it can be a crucial maneuver.
Use two fingers to change angle and rotate topography for a better look.
It’s weird to learn how to do it at first, but eventually becomes natural. You’ll double tap the screen, but instead of releasing the second tap, you’ll want to hold it (otherwise, you’ll just end up zooming in). It doesn’t look like anything has happened, but then try sliding your finger up and down (without lifting from the screen). Voila! Sliding up zooms out and sliding down zooms in.
Two others (which are probably more known) are the extra gestures with two-finger operation. You can change the default top view to an angle of your choice by swiping two fingers up and down. When you’re zoomed in enough into a city, you’ll see building heights as Maps has 3D information of certain areas. Rotating the view (rotating your two fingers) becomes more helpful as your flying around observing the topography. The future is great, isn’t it?
Parking Location
You may have stumbled on the ability in Maps to label and save a specific place of your own. This is an important feature, as you can store several places that matter most to you for quick access and for recognition in the Google Cloud. For instance, a saved location for your “Home” or “Work” make things easy when you go to ask Google Assistant something like, “How’s my commute to work this morning?” or “Navigate home”.
This menu pops up when you click on your location (blue dot).
But an additionally useful feature along these lines is the ability to quickly tag your parking location when you’re out and about. Everyone has run into that annoying occurrence where you can’t pin-point the exact spot you left your car, especially in a large parking lot, where you’re weaving through aisles frantically clicking your car remote to hear an indication.
It’s easy to save a parking location, but once you know how to get to the menu (this isn’t exactly obvious). On the map, click the blue dot that signifies where you are in the world – that opens up a full-screen menu. Here, you’ll see the option “Save your parking”. You’ll then see a pin placed on the map at your location with the letter “P”. Voila.
If needed, you can click the pin and edit the location (or hit Clear when you want to dismiss it). You can also add useful notes to it, like which floor your car is on if it’s in a parking garage or how much time you have left.
I mostly use the Offline Maps feature in Google Maps when I go on vacation. You don’t know how the internet signal situation is in other places, and especially if you’re road tripping to Timbuktu, you don’t want to risk getting lost with no assistance. Just imagine having to make human contact to ask for directions. The horror!
If you’ve never used this feature, there’s a couple things you need to be aware of. First, there’s a max window size of an area you can save at a time. You’re essentially downloading the terrain information, so it may take a chunk of space (the max can range by a few hundred megabytes depending the area). So if you want to cover more area than it allows in one go, you’ll have to save it in divided sections. Fortunately, Offline Maps lets you nicely organize lists of saved areas and name them as you please.
To access the feature, simply pull out the main Maps menu from the left edge and you’ll see the “Offline Maps” button. You’ll see your saved areas listed here. To make a new one, click “Select you own map” and zoom in/out the area you want and hit Download. It will download onto the list and from there you can edit it (i.e. rename, delete).
If you’re worried about space, Google nicely has the option to download the information to an SD card (assuming your phone supports it – sorry Pixel owners). It’s also important to know that Google has an automatic system in place to clear saved areas after a period of time. This is probably because they can significantly impact your storage reserves. Be sure to update them regularly if you want to keep them.
One of the most used features in Maps is directions. It’s special how we don’t have to plan our transit. We can just select a destination and let Google tell us the fastest way there.
Usually our use of the feature always consists of tapping a place and toggling Directions/Navigation each time we head out. But there’s a few more things that Google put into it that may be helpful to you:
Adding Stops
I’m culprit to quitting and initiating Navigation for each destination change I make. Many times, it’s more efficient to add a stop(s). It’s simple to do. With Directions initiated, tap the three-dot menu at the corner and select “Add Stop” from the menu. You’ll then be presented with extra destination slots (you can add up to nine), and you can arrange them any way you like.
Share Directions
If your transit has dependence with someone else, the ability to quickly share you route can be really helpful. To do, within a set direction, open the three-dot menu and select “Share Directions” and select a contact to share with.
Save directions shortcut to your Home screen.
Save Directions
Another option that can come in handy is to save a route, instead of going through the steps again. This is especially handy if you’ve worked to set additional stops. From the Directions menu, select the “Add route to Home screen” option.
Save a route offline (certain countries)
For some users, Google put the option to toggle a route and then save it offline. Just like Offline Maps, this is useful if you’re traveling and think the internet signal may be shady. Unfortunately, it’s currently only available to certain countries (doesn’t look like the US is one of those, as I don’t see the option in my Maps app). However, not all is lost, as Google recently added the ability for Navigation to a map area that you’ve set for offline use.
One valuable feature that I admittedly forget to use but shouldn’t is the Explore button at the bottom of the app. There’s more there than meets the eye. The basic functionality is, within any area that your map is currently looking at, it will very quickly retrieve hot spots in that area to eat and drink among several categories. This feature is tuned more towards consumption, but you can also quickly pull up gas stations, ATMs, Pharmacies, and Grocery stores that are in the area in question. This tool can be particularly valuable when you’re on a trip and the area is new to you.
A trick to get to a full-screen layout of the nearby restaurant options is to scroll to the end of what’s summarized on the launch page; you’ll see a “More” button. There, you’ll see the food types laid out along the top, and you can more easily scroll through the categories of suggestions. Another benefit in this area is that at the very bottom it will point out several areas of interest in the area you’ve picked, but it’s minimally supported. We don’t know why there isn’t an “attractions” category in the Explore function. Hopefully Google adds it in the future.
Hope these tips were beneficial to you. Happy mapping!
The recently announced Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus are truly beautiful devices. But, if experience has taught us anything, phones with glass backs need to be protected! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best cases you can order RIGHT NOW to have on your doorstep by the time your new phone gets there.
Maxboost Perfect Fit series
The Maxboost Perfect Fit series offers super slim cases for your phone. It won’t do a ton if you drop your phone from distance, but focuses more on scratch and bump protection. Sometimes its the smallest drops that can do the most damage, so protect your phone before its too late!
If you want a little more protection, check out the Transparent Crystal Thin Cover from VRS Design. We’ve covered VRS Design’s cases in the past and can vouch for their quality. This case offers a nice bit of bulk on the sides of the device without making it feel huge and a lip to protect that gorgeous screen. At under $15, you can’t beat the price.
Caseology is one of the biggest names in device accessories for a reason: they’re awesome. The cases it produces are always high quality and provide a ton of protection. The story is no different here with the Skyfall series. The transparent back and tinted sides look absolutely great while offering some protection against falls and bumps. Caseology’s smart design makes this case a no-brainer.
Spigen is my personal favorite case maker and the Liquid Air lineup is my favorite case from the company. In in my option, the case provides the perfect amount of protection without adding too much bulk to a device. I also love the design on the back of the device. While I’d rather not cover up my phone in the first place, at least with a case like this it can still look good while being protected.
If you want series coverage without dropping some serious coin, the i-Blason Rugged Clear series might be for you. It covers the entire phone in a two-piece design. The case is enhanced at the corners so dropping the device doesn’t automatically end up in an insurance claim. The case also has a screen protector built in so you can save on purchasing a screen protector too!
When Android O was announced last year, Google began what seemed an extremely early rollout of the developer preview. It seems Google was simply changing tactics to give developers even earlier access to the new hardware as recent reports suggest Android P developer preview could be only a few weeks away.
Notorious leaker @evleaks took to Twitter to reveal some juicy gossip to suggest that Google is set to repeat history and we should expect to see the Android P developer preview as early as this month.
Android P Developer Preview 1 is targeting a mid-month release.
Some are speculating that the next version of Android could be lined up for release on March 14th, also known as Pi Day, which could signal the name given to the next version of Android. It does seem too good of an opportunity to miss if the next version is to be called Android Pie.
Either way, according to the tweet, it seems we only have a few weeks to wait until we see Android P developer preview hit devices for developers to adapt their apps.
The House of Marley is an audio company that operates under the principles of superior quality, sustainability and a commitment to charitable causes. It uses mindfully sourced wooden accents, recycled plastic and aluminum to make all of its products; House of Marley will plant a tree for every product purchased. With that in mind, we took its Uplift 2 Wireless Headset out for a spin.
The Box
Normally I don’t talk about packaging too terribly much. I prefer to let the product speak for itself rather than focusing on the box it comes in, generally. But the Uplift 2’s packaging has a couple quirks that I think are worth mentioning. First, it’s completely recyclable; once you take it out of its package, you can just dump it into the recycle bin. Second, printed on the right side of the box is a message: “the purchase of this product will help plant one tree.”
While that’s a nice movement and sentiment, I feel it could have been taken a step further. Why not make the box itself plantable? Make the box out of cornstarch or something similar. Embed a small seed packet. Rather than letting us take the word of a manufacturer that they’ll plant a tree, let us plant one ourselves.
The Devil in the Details
Undoubtedly – and perhaps intentionally – the Uplift 2’s strength is in its aestheticism. With an all-aluminum gold chassis (with real wooden accents!) and a soft, braided cabling, Marley’s headset really cuts a striking figure.
And really, it’s the small details that make it pop. A magnetic clasp emblazoned with the Marley logo secures the cabling around your neck, so there’s no risk of it falling off. Each earbud is capped by a wooden accent plate engraved with that same logo.
The connector at each end of the cable is wrapped in soft rubber, reinforcing the connection. And while the “puck” that connects the two buds is plastic (albeit with an aluminum border), it doesn’t feel cheap. The MicroUSB port has a rubber cover, concealing it from view, and the three-button control panel hanging from the left bud is sleek and understated.
Of Wireless Standards and USB Ports
Most American-sold smartphones these days, especially flagship phones, use a USB-C port for charging. Almost none of them still use microUSB. As such, making accessories that still use the old standard comes across as cheap and out of touch. In the same vein, a Bluetooth accessory that ships with Bluetooth 4.1, three versions behind the new Bluetooth 5, comes across as very much outdated.
While the visual and tactile design of the Uplift 2 is fantastic, the design language is not. It looks great and feels great, but falls short under the hood.
Performance
Powering on the Uplift 2 is an easy affair, once you know how to do it. It took me an embarrassing amount of time for me to figure out that I needed to press the center button on the control panel to turn the thing on.
You’re welcomed by a cheerful little jingle, unlike many cold, robotic beeps you get from similar products. Oddly though, when you receive a call you get that exact robotic beeping. The headset immediately jumps into pairing mode, characterized by red and blue LEDs on the “puck.” Discovery and pairing was seamless and effortless, and reconnected with ease on subsequent uses.
The clarity of sound and levels of the Uplift 2 are quite impressive. Sound is immersive and complex, without the muddied feeling you get from many headsets. While the bass is disappointing, as it often is with Bluetooth headsets, the depth and richness of sound is a delight. Sound quality in a call is perfectly adequate, and the mic built-in to the control panel is acceptable, though not wonderful.
With a ten hour battery life, the Uplift 2 will almost always provide you with a full day’s use. It takes two hours to recharge from 0%, so if you’re a heavy user you’re probably best off charging it between uses. It’s not a small battery, per se, but it’s small enough to be aware of it.
Value
At $79.99, House of Marley’s Uplift 2 is not quite a budget headset. With its aluminum chassis, wooden accents and braided cables, it has a premium build. And, with its antiquated connection standards and disappointing bass, it struggles to be a truly high-end Bluetooth headset. As such, it’s hard to justify that price based on performance. If you highly value aesthetics and a good-looking device, though, it might be for you.
The Uplift 2 is available from a number of retailers, including directly from House of Marley and Amazon.
