So far in this series we have discussed two choices of tablets: Apple’s iPad, and the various flavors of Android tablets. While both of these systems have shown their ability to work as an extension of a serious workflow, such as for freelancers, one (the iPad) has been undoubtedly successful while the other (Android) has barely been able to tread water. While this situation has led some to believe that the iPad cannot be competed against, there may be another option that can. Click here to read more »
Next in our ‘A Closer Look at Tablets’ series is the Android Tablet. One thing many people are not aware of is that all Android devices are able to sync up the same way Apple’s devices can. They all run the same operating system (Android OS), which allows each device to automatically sync with your Gmail, Calendars, etc. Even though the iPad is still further ahead in sales, Google released a report as of December 2011 stating that over 700,000 Android devices are activated daily. Those are some big numbers and most likely growing a little more everyday!
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We’re kicking off our ‘A Closer Look at Tablets’ series with the extremely popular iPad. The iPad was the original tablet to pave the way for all other tablets. In this competitive market the iPad is still the King when it comes to sales and shows no signs of backing down.
So here’s the scenario: You are a die-hard Windows phone user and love the Windows 7 operating system you have on your laptop but you find yourself eyeballing that glorious new iPad 2. You do all of your work on your laptop and have no intention of getting rid of it. So being a person on the go, you ask yourself “Do I really want to take the plunge? How will my system work with the Windows 7 operating system I have on my computer?” No need to fear! There are several apps available to give you a seamless experience when adding an iPad into your mix of gadgets.
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Unless you are still doing all your typing on a typewriter (whatever that is), you have probably heard that tablet computing is becoming a big deal. In fact the sales of tablets is outpacing more traditional desktops and laptops. As a particular type of hardware gets popular, so does software develpment for it (the more people using a particular platform, the more developers want to write for it). So the amount of software for business people such as freelancers is growing everyday.
Of course most tablet users are not neccesarily throwing away their laptops or desktops and ONLY using tablets, they are using them in conjunction. Therefore users need their tablets to work together with their other computers, making a seamless work environment.
So what tablet should you buy? So far about 90% of tablet sales have gone to Apple’s iPad, but what if you are an Android phone user and like Google’s system? Or what if you are a dedicated Windows user? Microsoft is planning to release Windows 8 tablets that are supposed to meld the same user experience for every platform: desktop, tablet and phone. These systems have not been released yet, but what are people saying about them?
We will explore each of these three choices, to help you determine what might be the best solution for you. Check back here each Monday in March for an exploration of one of these systems, and please feel free to share your experiences and opinions in the comments.
photo credit: jfingas
Working virtually brings with it many “perks” such as wearing fuzzy slippers at your desk, freedom to be a bit more liberal with your schedule and countless dollars saved on commuting. It also brings the need to adjust how folks view the “company office.” Click here to read more »
As a freelancer, multitasking is simply a fact of life. Often when I am sitting in my office working at my computer, a call will come in that I either need to take notes on, or I need to keep working during the call. I also participate in online conference calls, where taking notes or working at the same time is a must. Recently I finally got tired of holding my phone between my shoulder and my ear, and decided to get a bluetooth headset. I figured that it would not only be helpful in the office, but when out driving as well, especially since some of the towns in my area have laws against holding a cell phone and driving. Click here to read more »
I hate that there are only 24 hours in a day… and that I need to sleep and eat in there somewhere. As a freelance writer, after I’ve set my fees, my daily revenue is limited to the speed at which I can type. Faster typing = more money. (Yes, I realize that’s a simplistic equation).
One way to improve productivity is with Dragon NaturallySpeaking . Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a voice-to-text program that, well, takes the things you say and turns it into text in your favorite programs. Additional voice commands allow you to perform various functions (a surprising amount of functions!) like opening and closing files, selecting and copying text, and so on. And what I really like about Dragon NaturallySpeaking is that you can train it. It becomes more and more useful over time because it learns how you say the things you say and it stores that information so when it hears you say that phrase again, it gets it right. Click here to read more »
The website we’re reviewing today is SeeNow.com.
SeeNow is a clever site in which you can upload a picture of someone’s face and then have their face appear on someone else’s body in magazines, photos, and more. It’s like what you do when you go to a tourist destination and you stick your face through a hole in a sign so it appears like your head in on a pirate body or a medieval knight’s body. It’s fun and addictive. Click here to read more »
Freelancing is my life. It's what I know, it's what I'm good at, and I can't imagine doing anything else. You can call me "Freddie the Freelancer"… because I'd prefer not to use my real name for reasons that I'll tell you about in a moment.
