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  • Top Ten Tools Every Small Business Needs

    You’re looking to start a small business, huh? Well, you’ve definitely got a lot on your plate. What are some tools and software suites that can help lighten that load and make things easier? We’ve got a list of the top ten things that every small business needs to succeed. From invoicing software to analytics, we’ve tried to think of everything you may have missed. With these tools and some business know-how, you’re bound to do great! 

    Project Management Software 

    OmniFocus, Jira and a few other platforms are great examples of project management software. Tools to help keep projects organized and on-time are a must for any small business. If you’re concerned with meeting deadlines and efficiently finishing projects, having access to oversight tools is important. Those working on the project can log their progress through the project software, allowing you to keep up-to-date on its status. That way, if issues arise, you’ll be kept up to speed with the project. Checking back through logs to see what worked, and what didn’t, will help ensure future projects go even better.  

    Invoicing Software 

    While your project management is important for internal operations, in order for things to keep operating, you have to get paid. As such, picking an invoicing software to familiarize yourself with is important. Many businesses prefer the easy-to-use Microsoft Excel, pictured above. You’ve probably used it before and making invoices in it is a breeze. In fact, Microsoft’s Office Suite of programs is so universally useful, you’d be hard-pressed to find a reason to not have it. Other programs do exist for those who prefer them, though. FreshBooks and QuickBooks are two popular examples, both of which are perfectly serviceable. The important thing, of course, is being comfortable and famliar with your chosen invoicing software.  

    Point of Sale System

    In the same vein as invoicing, your money has to come in somehow. If you’re operating a storefront, you’ll need a point of sale system. A favorite of small business owners is the excellent and business-friendly Square platform. You can use an iPad with a stand and card reader, if you’d like, allowing a rather inexpensive and elegant way to handle transactions. Those looking for more traditional software have a wealth of options available to them, as well, though they are often much more expensive. Solutions like EPOS Now and Merchant Account Solutions are quite popular, though they are a bit more difficult to set-up than Square. 

    Communication Apps 

    Staying in touch with your employees and clients is important. The best ways to keep in touch? Apps like Skype and Slack. Using Skype for Business is a great way to integrate your Skype contacts into your everyday business. Video conferences with clients and business partners are easy with Skype. Rather than having to hop on a plane across country, you can simply video chat in! On the other end of the spectrum, the Slack app is great for keeping in touch with employees. Slack is designed for business and is great for workplace productivity and communication. 

    Ride-Sharing Platforms

    It’s quite likely your small business doesn’t have a driver on-site. For all the times you need to jet across town for a meeting but won’t have time to find parking, consider a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft. These apps offer relatively inexpensive rides and help you get where you’re going on time and without having to worry about the drive time. Until you can afford your own driver, a ride-sharing app is a pretty close approximation!  

    E-Signing Apps

    Echo Sign, DocuSign and other services are great to consider for your business. Offering digital uploading and signing of documents, digital singing apps are great for streamlining your business. If you have distant clients that need to sign documents but no fax machine, these are a life-saver! They’re also great for employees who are off-site to sign tax documents and releases. Strongly consider use of these applications when you need documents signed!  

    Drop Box

    It’s hard to overstate how important the cloud will be to your business if you implement it well. Drop Box is an app built around cloud storage. If you have files you want to share, Drop Box is how you do it. Connecting all of your devices is easy, and you can access your Drop Box from anywhere. Instead of having to remember to bring thumb drives or laptops with you, just upload relevant files to the cloud and pull them up on any device with your login information. Streamlining all your files in one place is a great way to appear organized and professional! 

    Social Media Presence

    You probably guessed this would be on the list. Having a strong social media presence is very important, even if it doesn’t seem that way. Being on Facebook and Twitter is a must, as many potential customers will encounter your business through there first. For businesses aimed at younger people, Instagram is another social media platform worth being on. Managing your social media platforms isn’t terribly hard or time-consuming, but it makes a huge difference. Younger demographics are much more likely to recognize and engage with your brand if you have a strong social media presence. That said, social media is no substitute for a true web presence via your own website. 

    A Great Website

    Not every startup can afford to pay a professional web designer to help set up their website. If you’re looking for a resource to create a website, there are some great options out there. Go Daddy is a popular tool, offering great beginner resources for creating an aesthetically pleasing, informative site. The site offers a great deal of support via live troubleshooting and advice from professionals. Go Daddy even incorporates WordPress support for blogging. Another popular choice is Wix, a “no-programming” website builder. Wix uses a drag-and-drop interface so you can make a site that you like the look of on the fly. Whichever one you choose, make sure to create a site that matches your brand and vision. Most customers’ first experience with your business will be through your site, so make sure to make that first impression count!  

    The Most Critical Small Business Tool: Google Analytics

    Analytics are what your business will live or die by. Your web presence is everything in the modern era, and every startup needs to ensure their image is right. Using Google’s analytics software will help you see traffic to your site broken down into readable, informative graphs. The information gleaned is concise and you can act on it confidently, knowing you understand the meaning behind the raw data. Without use of analytics, you’re shooting in the dark. With analytics, you know your target and how to hit. Breakdowns by demographic, country and traffic types are all available, helping you hone your web marketing. With these tools and the right execution, you’ll be setting yourself up for success. 


  • Which Smart Thermostat is Our Favorite?

    Which Smart Thermostat is Our Favorite?

    Everyone wants to be comfortable in their own house. That’s a given! However, it can be a pain to have to constantly mess with the thermostat. If you’re like me, you’d probably rather just set it and forget it and let automation take over. Well, good news! If you grab a smart thermostat, you can do just that! Which one is our top pick? Read on! 

    Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Programmable Thermostat 

    Photo Credit: Supply House 

    The coolest thing about the Sensi Thermostat is that it doesn’t require a C-Wire to hook up! What this means is that you can set this smart thermostat up in houses you normally couldn’t. This thermostat gets a nod for its great price, coming in at $118, and good app support. You can control it from anywhere with the app, and you can even set programs to cycle throughout the day, or week. It can even run on a pair of AA batteries! For those who aren’t as tech-savvy but still want a programmable thermostat, this one is for you! 

  • Looking for a Small but Powerful Phone? Try the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

    Looking for a Small but Powerful Phone? Try the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

    Most phone manufacturers tend to keep their phones as big as they can feasibly be and still fit in your pocket. Sony, however, is trying to look out for the little guy. Or, at least, the little guy’s little hands. There are few phones as small as the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact that pack the same amount of power. Here’s a quick rundown of our thoughts on Sony’s small wonder. 

    The Specs 

    The biggest issue with most phones this small—and it is small, coming in with a 5-inch screen—is that they’re not powerful. A QUALCOMM 845 processor is inside this little machine. For those unfamiliar, that’s a pretty hefty processor. For context, that’s a processor that beats the Google Pixel 2 in benchmark tests. If you like playing games or editing photos on your phone, the Xperia XZ2 Compact won’t disapoint. 

    The other powerful thing running under the hood is the camera. Sporting a 19-megapixel camera that shoots at 960 frames-per-second in HD, it’s no joke. You’re not going to be disappointed in the quality of photos or videos from the Compact. The selfie cam is only 5-megapixel, but that’s a small trade-off for this small phone. Additionally, the phone only has one rear-facing camera and one front-facing camera. As such, it has no portrait mode or other such features. This is a small complaint, but those used to high-end smartphones will notice it. 

    Design 

    On the design side, the phone is a bit bland. You could almost describe the design as boring. That said, the only other powerful phone this size is the iPhone SE. So, you’re sort of stuck with this design if you like Android. Fitting easily in a pocket or purse, it’s easily used with one hand. It has very small bezels, maximizing the screen size in spite of the incredibly small handset size.  

    A big negative to the phone, though, is the lack of a headphone jack. It seems that particular port had to be dropped to help the phone keep its slim profile. There is a conversion dongle with the phone, but using it means you can’t charge your phone and listen to music at the same time. You could opt for a set of Bluetooth headphones, but it’s a bummer in any event.  

    Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact: Bottom Line 

    If you’re in the market for a small handset and want it running Android, you’re sort of stuck with this one. That said, it’s actually a really good phone! It costs $650, which is really reasonable for how powerful it is. So, if you’re tired of putting your phone in one-hand mode or having to reach across a massive handset, this is a good choice. Those in the market for a compact phone won’t be disappointed! 

  • Futuristic Cyberpunk 2077 Could Be Future of Video Games

    Futuristic Cyberpunk 2077 Could Be Future of Video Games

    Acclaimed developer CD Projekt Red is fresh off the success of the Witcher 3, their farewell to the long-running fantasy RPG. At E3 this year, they had a new game to show off: futuristic RPG Cyberpunk 2077. The game looks like it could very well represent the future. Not just the future our flawed world is barreling into headlong, but the future of gaming. At the E3 demo, it seemed that anything the player chooses to do its possible. The promise of games like Deus Ex and Thief, of a completely immersive simulation, could be getting closer to reality. 

    Bloodstains Under Neon 

    Since William Gibson first wrote Neuromancer in 1984, the Cyberpunk genre has been synonymous with sex and violence. In that monumental work, protagonist Case is pulled into a web of crime, lies and violence by a beautiful, dangerous woman named Molly Millions. In that violent work, our heroes are hardly better than our villains, and the only lines dividing them are perspective. CD Projekt Red’s new game shares that spirit. The world is mean and neon and dirty, looking to chew up and consume any who take a wrong turn. If you’ve ever seen Blade Runner, you know the feeling they’re going for.  

    Fully Immersive 

    Looking cool and being powerful are all a core aspect of the cyberpunk fantasy, and this game seems to know how to deliver in that regard. Protagonist V is almost entirely in the player’s hands. The character’s backstory, skills and style are all up to the player. Clothing options can change your look and increase your stats. V is also a cyborg, so you can enhance your protagonist by upgrading various cybernetic parts. The developers have crafted a fully immersive world using the visual language of the cyberpunk genre. 

    Every action you can take, from driving to hacking to just conversing, is promised to have wide-ranging impact on the game’s world. If you go for a drive and hit a pedestrian, you’ll not only get heat from the police, but you’ll also be known as a careless and violent jerk to the people of Night City. Carefully considering one’s actions and reputation seems to be a core gameplay mechanic, one that truly fits in an immersive RPG. 

    When Can We Get Hands-On with Cyberpunk 2077? 

    We’re asking the same question, dear reader, and, sadly, we don’t know. But you can rest assured we’ll let you know as soon as we find out. Heck, we’ll be the first in line to buy the game whenever it does drop! It’s still early, but the game already looks like a contender for one of the greatest RPGs of all time. 

    Feature Image Credit: Screen Rant 

  • Composer for Captain Marvel First Woman to Compose MCU Film

    Composer for Captain Marvel First Woman to Compose MCU Film

    Marvel’s Cinematic Universe has been dominating the box office and critically acclaimed. The universe the films take place in feels huge and limitless, and viewers can always expect to be wowed and inspired by Marvel’s outings. From talking raccoons to gods duking it out, anything seems possible in the MCU. Well, except a woman leading a film. Until Captain Marvel, that is. Captain Marvel, one of the company’s biggest names, will star in her own feature film next year. The film’s composer, Pinar Toprak, will be the first woman composing a film in the MCU, too.  

    Pinar Toprak’s Stellar Resume 

    Toprak is no slouch, either; Marvel fans can rest easy knowing she’s got some serious compositional chops. The Captain Marvel composer has previously composed scores for Syfy’s Krypton series, another sci-fi comic book outing. Superman and Captain Marvel both have similar powers and settings. As such, providing the score for a super-powered space-traveler will come naturally to Toprak! Toprak also did the score for the smash-hit video game Fortnite, which you may have heard of by now.  

    Captain Marvel in the MCU 

    Brie Larson will play Captain Marvel, real name Carol Danvers. The film is being directed by the duo of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, and is set to be the 21st in the MCU. Her film will be set in the 1990’s and will act as an origin story and introduction.  

    In the comics, Carol inherits the mantle of Captain Marvel from an alien superhero named Mar-Vell. As such, comic fans are excited to see how this version of the character gets her name and powers. Oddly, Mar-Vell is part of the Kree race of aliens. (We saw them in Guardians of Galaxy; Ronan the Accuser is one.) Fans are eager to know if Danvers is the first Captain Marvel of her world, or if she inherits the mantle from another character. We’ll know for sure when her solo outing lands on March 8th, 2019! 

    Feature Image Credit: Highsnobriety 

  • Looking to Stay Frosty in the Great Outdoors? Check out Our Favorite Backpack Cooler List!

    Looking to Stay Frosty in the Great Outdoors? Check out Our Favorite Backpack Cooler List!

    There’s nothing quite like hiking in the wilderness. The fresh air, the plants and animals, and the times spent with good friends really make spirits rise. In the heat of summer, though, you want to make sure you have enough ice-cold drinks to cool down! It’s not easy to lug a cooler around the hiking path, though, so you’re going to need a cooler backpack. We’ve got a round-up of our favorites right here! 

    Mountain Khakis Compass 

    This rectangular pack is almost two feet deep and can hold thirty dry cans of beer or soda. If you include ice, it’ll hold about half that number. This is awesome for those long hikes! It has a high quality make, including a fantastic water-resistant zipper and body. The bottom is molded and keeps it shape even on long hikes under a ton of weight. There’s even a zipper inside for ice packs or other small things so you can keep them from being lost amidst your drinks. It also sports a drop-in, waterproof liner that can be pulled out for easy cleaning! 

    Polar Bear Solar Bear 

    The Solar Bear cooler is perfect for spending a long time in the hot sun. The exterior is made of a UV-blocking polymer and is thick and excellent at insulating its contents. Polar Bear promises the pack can keep drinks cold for 24 hours, even under direct sunlight! The design is also highly water-resistant, and it’s durable and great for long hikes. If you’re expecting to be in temperatures at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, this is a great pick! The best part is, it costs less than $100! 

    Our Favorite Backpack Cooler: Orca Podster 

    The Podster pack is awesome, sporting materials and make that would make some kayaks jealous. It’s highly water-resistant, durable and can keep food and drink cool for days. The interior is 14.5 quarts, which means you can carry a pretty sizable picnic or number of drinks. It also comes in a gorgeous array of colors and looks amazing in all of them. A truly unique and stylish backpack cooler! 

  • PS4 Fortnite Players Locked from Playing on Switch

    PS4 Fortnite Players Locked from Playing on Switch

    Sony has been a notorious opponent of cross-platform play. Most recently, Sony has slammed the door shut on cross-platform play with the mega-popular Fortnite on their system. Fortnite players on Xbox One and Switch can’t play with their friends on PS4 and vice-versa. PS4 players can, however, play with players on iOS and PC. The worst part isn’t the cross-platform play, though, it’s Sony’s absurd account lockout policy. 

    Sony Holding Fortnite Accounts Hostage 

    Against the advice of literally every industry analyst, Sony has declared outright war on the concept of playing nice with Nintendo and Microsoft. After Fortnite’s Switch launch on June 12th, a number of Switch owners were stunned to see they couldn’t link their Epic accounts to their Switch. If you’ve paired your Epic account with the PlayStation 4, you’re locked out from linking it on the Switch. Or the Xbox One, for what it’s worth, but most people hadn’t ever tried to jump from the Xbox to PS4. Gamers were understandably outraged, though, as Sony had given no indication that accounts linked to the PS4 version of the game would be locked from future ports of the game. 

    Sony’s Response to Criticism 

    Sony has been frustratingly evasive on this matter. When asked directly about it, they elected to boast about user numbers on their platform. Classy, Sony. While Epic has given no indication yet of how they will handle this issue, Nintendo was quick to apologize to their affected fans. Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America, expressed how he wished Nintendo could help, but the issue is out of their hands. Sony has chosen to enter this battle unbidden, purposefully alienating PS4 owners who also have a Switch.  

    For context, Switch and Xbox owners are able to play with any system that has the game, except, of course, PS4. The only thing standing between the world’s most popular game and full cross-platform play across all systems is Sony. This is really a shame, as the company is  driving a wedge between the game’s community over stubbornness. 

    What Can Be Done? 

    Sadly, for the time being, it seems that there is nothing affected users can do. If a user were to make a new account, they could play on Switch. However, their progress and any real-world money spent on their account would be locked on the PS4.  

    Perhaps Epic could allow users to migrate their accounts as a one-time service. Perhaps allowing users to remove PlayStation markers from their account and move to Xbox or Switch. Doing so would be in direct opposition to Sony. However, it would be a reasonable act in light of Sony’s unprecedented stubborn attitude. Until more news breaks, though, PS4 Fortnite users who want to play on Switch are left with few options. That, and a great deal of frustration at Sony. 

  • Top Ten Apps for Encouraging Mental Health

    Top Ten Apps for Encouraging Mental Health

    Mental health is a serious issue. Medical studies report that mood disorders like anxiety and depression are the third-highest cause for hospitalization among adults 18-44. A few steps anyone can take towards bettering their mental state include regular exercise and a healthy diet. However, there are other steps available too. As always, if you are able, seek professional help for mental disorders that are negatively impacting your quality of life. None of these apps should be considered a substitute for a doctor. That said, these apps all make great companions to help you promote healthy mental health habits! 

    Pacifica 

    Photo Credit: Routine Coach 

    Stress and anxiety are the main focus of Pacifica. Connecting users with a community of supportive people experiencing similar things, Pacifica is a great platform. The app also offers audio lessons to help with relaxation and mindfulness. Meditation and relaxation are also part of the app’s repertoire. Pacifica is described as an app that “helps break cycles of unhealthy thoughts.”  

  • Elon Musk’s Boring Company Selected to Build Tunnel in Chicago

    Elon Musk’s Boring Company Selected to Build Tunnel in Chicago

    Chicago’s downtown area is notably difficult to get to from the airport. O’Hare International is extremely busy, and traffic back and forth from there to Downtown Chicago is a nightmare any time of day. Obviously fed up with the gridlock, the Chicago city government has selected The Boring Company to build a tunnel from O’Hare to Block 37. Locals know downtown’s Block 37 as the Loop. 

    A Huge Win for the Boring Company 

    Until this point, the Boring Company’s biggest claims to fame were the concept tunnels underneath LA and Elon Musk owning it. This tunnel, if successful, could work as a template for future projects like it in other cities. Musk’s concept of a multilayered, car-centric network still seems rather far-off. A more grounded approach like this tunnel, however, seems to be a great starting point.  

    How the Company Was Chosen 

    Chicago had an open period of “Requests for Qualification,” and Boring passed through two rounds of such requests. Chicago maintained that the tunnel project was to not cost tax payers any money, for one thing. Another request was that it be capable of conveying passengers from the Loop to O’Hare in less than 20 minutes. Finally, Chicago requested that a ride on one of the tunnel cars cost less than a comparable taxi ride. It seems that Musk’s company fit all criteria, as Chicago has decided to go ahead with them. 

    A Few Details 

    The company has stated that the tunnel cars will travel between 125-150 MPH, meaning they can take passengers downtown in about 12 minutes. That’s a huge step up from the normal time to commute via car. It was also reported that cars would leave from both stations once about every 30 seconds, meaning you’re never waiting to board a car. While the exact costs and length of the construction are still to be negotiated, it seems Chicago is eager to have the project underway.  

    The most difficult part of these projects isn’t the actual work of moving earth and constructing tunnels. The hardest part is getting through all the regulations and safety protocols that come with digging beneath a city. The Boring Company likely wants to it can complete this project with speed and for a reasonable cost. If it can do that, and the tunnel is safe, they will have made quite the name for themselves. However, if the project is a bust, it might spell disaster for the company and Chicago’s plans. 

  • Which Alexa Skills are Our Favorites?

    Which Alexa Skills are Our Favorites?

    Alexa has a ton of skills. Over 30,000 skills, to be exact. That’s a pretty crazy number! With that many skills available, how do you know which ones are even worth getting? We’ve got a list for you of some of our favorite Alexa skills. The skills here are the most useful or fleshed-out, easy-to-use or helpful. Alexa, do something cool! 

    StubHub 

    The StubHub skill is great for finding out what’s going on around you. Say “Alexa, ask StubHub what’s going on tonight?” Then, it will have StubHub pull up events and shows in your area. You can even ask about other cities. As you could expect, you can buy tickets to any event connected to StubHub through the smart speaker. Going out for a night on the town, made easy! 

    Audible 

    Having your smart speaker read to you can be a great way to catch up on books you’ve been meaning to read. While Audible is awesome in the car, the Alexa skill lets you enjoy your audiobooks from the comfort of the couch! Whether you’re doing chores, relaxing or just showing off what books your trying to read, Alexa is a great medium for Audible. The callouts are common-sense and easy to remember. “Alexa, read my book” calls up your most recent audiobook. Or you can say “Alexa, read (insert book here)” and she’ll pull up that one instead. It’s simple and intuitive! 

    BBC 

    The BBC skill is great for getting news. You can set up Flash Briefings through your Alexa settings, and the BBC is a good source for news for such a briefing. If you like to hear your news while you take your coffee, Flash Briefings are awesome. They’re effectively a fast-paced recap of everything happening in the world, helping you to stay current. Just call it up by saying “Alexa, what’s in the news?” 

    Philips Hue 

    If you have the smart bulbs of the same name, the Hue skill lets you control them with your smart speaker. This is just super cool, to be honest. Once you set your various “scenes” from the app, they’re ready to be called up by voice. Ready for bed? Tell your virtual assistant to set the lights to sleep mode. Time for hosting company? Use your voice and set the room to “relax” mode. It’s quite convenient and makes you look like a tech wiz in front of company!