Getting The Most Out Of Your Android Phone

No matter the price tag - there are some extremely beefy android phones on the market today. From Oneplus to Samsung and from Motorola to Sony - many manufacturers are producing premium, yet accessible options - meaning almost anyone can get their hands on some serious mobile power. Tariff options from providers are also dropping in price.

So, when you get your hands on the power of a new mobile device bursting to the seams with Android features - what do you do? How can you get the most out of it?

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Firstly, invest in some serious protection. Premium phone options like the Xperia have a large screen surface area and even though the glass is well protected, you’re always a drop away from disaster. A good case is going to protect the chassis and screen of your phone but you cannot go wrong with a tempered glass screen protector that offers so much more safety than the flimsy plastic ones. You’ll be safe from drops for the foreseeable future. What’s more - your screen will be protected from grease and the oils of your fingertips.

Your phone needs to be treated like a computer. Make sure you clean dust from it to prevent the dust and dirt from breaching into the phone. It can cause just as much damage as it does to computers. Compressed air is a great way to blast dust and debris from your phone!

Secondly, you need to keep your phone operational. Again, like a computer it needs to be kept free of old data and files. These do, like dust, build up and can slow your phone down. Enable your photos to auto upload to cloud-based storage to save space - and make sure you rid your phone of apps that you are not using.

Now, let’s talk apps - there are plenty of apps that will enhance your Android user experience - it just depends on what type of person you are!

If you’re an ideas person, look no further than Google Keep or Evernote - these apps are great for jotting down ideas and miscellaneous notes so you’re always in touch with your ideas and have a willing notepad ready and waiting.

If you love your film and TV, look no further than Showbox for your viewing needs. This free app boasts nothing but awesomeness. A great option for catching up and binge watching!

What about the creative types? Well, you have Snapseed at your fingertips to turn your photos into award winning art. The complex editing tool can certainly improve the finished product and turn anyone into a master auteur. Snapseed is a comprehensive photography app, and if you're at any level beyond amateur, you should check it out!

By equipping your phone with some amazing applications and ensuring that it is protected at all times, you can have the best chance of getting the most out of your Android phone - after all, you paid money for it! Why wouldn’t you want to get the best out of it?

The Importance Of Safeguarding Your Computer

What does your computer do for you? If you’re like everyone else, it probably does everything. It helps you study, complete work, relax, play games.

Computers do a lot for us, so we should be doing a lot back for our computers. This isn’t always the case though. Another thing to remember is that our computers hold a lot of data that is key to our livelihoods and safety.

It’s time to take the security and health of your computer seriously.

No matter what you’ve got, be it a desktop or a laptop, it’s important to remove dust from the chassis and components of the computer regularly. This could be by taking the computer apart and spraying the inside with compressed air, or it could be by giving your desk and the surrounding area a good wipe down. It’s vital to ensure there is good ventilation around your workspace so that your computers aren’t constantly overheating and those fans are not sucking in dirt. If they are working harder to cool your computer down, they are going to be attracting more dust and dirt.

Cleaning isn’t just something you perform on the exterior of your computer though. You need to clean the internal software of junk. Like dust, your software attracts temporary files and caches that can fill the hard drive of your computer in no time at all. It’s important to wipe your computer clean of files you don’t need as they will only build up and slow your computer down. Masses of files will lead to a stodgy computing experience and you won’t be getting the best out of your laptop. Try to be consistent with your cleaning and although you should regularly clean out unused files, removing software you do not use is pretty key to the lifespan of your computer. The rule is, if you don’t need it - don’t keep it.

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But what about things you do need? Films and memories. Well, you’ve got to back it up! Backing up your precious files to the cloud is one way, but you should have a number of methods so you can store the files you need, whilst keeping your computer clean. Using physical media such as hard-drives and CD-ROM’s can keep your memories and useful files at your fingertips. If you’re scared of losing your CD’s you can encrypt them with passwords and have them duplicated by a service like Nationwide Disc Replication.

You should also be scanning your computer for viruses and malware on a regular basis. Viruses can infect your computer and hide in your files, which is why regular cleaning is important. Anti-virus software is the best safeguard that you can deploy against the threats that your computer faces. Regular scans could prevent a disaster from occurring.

With simple steps you can safeguard your laptop against physical and digital threats. It’s important that you take the security of your data seriously. Don’t be left out and vulnerable.

These Outlets Got Web Application Design Just Right

Sometimes when we’re brainstorming for a new project, we need a little inspiration to get our creative juices flowing. But most of the time, it’s hard to find inspiration for web applications themselves. Yes, there are plenty of blogs categorising beautiful websites, but when it comes to the applications themselves there isn’t as much material out there.

As a result, this post will focus on some of the best interfaces used right now for existing web apps. Web apps don’t just have to be practical: they can be beautiful too.

Gumroad

Gumroad was set up back in 2011 to be a platform that helps creators sell their products directly to consumers. If for instance, you’re a music artist, Gumroad is a way to bypass music studios and all of the hassle of getting signed and make your work public for anybody to buy and download.

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Being an arty website, you’d expect the design to be awesome, and it is. The colour bars that animate when you click save help to make the whole experience more interactive and bring pages to life. The site also has a clean feel, making it easy to navigate and understand pricing.

Costa Coffee

Costa Coffee didn’t get to become Britain’s favourite coffee shop by chance - not with competitors like Starbucks and Caffe Nero breathing down their necks. Instead, they worked with a Magento agency to produce one of the most beautiful and helpful web apps out there. Everything has a sort of cartoon-like feel, except of course for the products themselves which stand out. There are also tools that help visitors find local stores and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

Grooveshark

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Grooveshark is a music streaming service based in the US, designed to help users upload, stream and organise digital audio files. The company is going up against the likes of SoundCloud, and to a lesser extent, Spotify, and as a result, they’ve prioritised the aesthetic. The interface is quick and snappy, and like Gumroad there are a lot of clean edges and minimalist lines. Every audio file on the site is labelled and categorised, making the whole site easy to navigate.

AirBnB

Just a couple of years ago, most people hadn’t heard of AirBnB. But thanks to it, and other sharing economy services, like Uber, it’s become a lot more popular. One of the ways it managed to draw people in was the simplicity and beauty of its web app. It knew that it had to make it simple for people to book rooms and hotels in other countries, and so it immediately set about streamlining the process. Now users have all sorts of features, like wish lists as well as smart search. The search bar simply asks users the question “where do you want to go?” It’s that simple to get started.

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There’s also the fact that the colors on the sites are done to perfection. AirBnB knows that the way to sell a holiday is to show pictures of it, so they combine quality photography with a simple colour scheme.

Worlds Collide: The Divide Between Gamblers And Gamers

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Obviously, love for games is synonymous with both video gamers and gamblers. So, why is there a divide between these two groups, at all? Well, from years of gaming, it’s easy to see that there are different motivations afoot! With a little snooping, it’s obvious that there’s a difference between the two communities. So, here’s a post to give you an insight into the distinction between and gambler and a gamer.

Of course, there are many similarities between the two communities. For one, without games, neither group would exist. And, with playing a game being both group’s goal, this is the primary connection they have with each other. But, there are other similarities, as well. Both communities are notorious for aggressive behavior in-game, and even out of the game, on forums and social media. Gamblers and gamers are also often looked at as reclusive people, only socializing when their favorite game is on offer. On a lighter note, you’ll also find both groups constantly vying for cheaper or free experiences. You’ll find the free spins guides and tricks to get free games that you find online to be very popular amongst the groups. So, what is really different about these groups?

Well, even though both parties will play games, they will play them for different reasons. For a gamer, there are loads of reasons to play. A lot of games have no competitive edge at all and are played simply for the story or fun factor. Other games, like MOBAs and FPSs, can get extremely competitive. For most gamblers, it’s all about the rush before and after a win. For example, most gamblers won’t be having much fun, if they’re losing.

A lot of the enjoyment both parties get from playing is found in the adrenaline rush the games cause. But, the chemicals in our bodies are triggered by different things. Gambling releases these chemicals because you’re in a position of risk. You have to out think, or out draw, your opponent. Within video games, adrenaline can be present because of many factors. Certain games will cause more chemicals to be released because of the action involved. A lot of games are based on pin point accuracy and reaction time, as well as strategy.

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Different people will play games or gamble for different reasons. But, most people do it all for the rush. Ultimately, your preference between video games and gambling is probably based on your age and social group. OIder generations and people from poorer backgrounds are more likely to gamble. Whereas young people and those considered to be nerdy will tend towards games. It can also depend on what you go hooked on first, as well. Both videos games and gambling require a dependency to remain fun. Whether you do it for the rush or because you want to escape the real world, you’re still dependent on it for your everyday entertainment.

These two communities are very similar. With the only real divides being the reasons for playing, generational gaps, and prejudices that are hard to shake. Whether you game or gamble, you’re still part of an elite community filled with interested people and new friends to make. So, drop the differences, and embrace the similarities.

How Sports Betting Can Be a Walk in the Park

Like all forms of gambling, betting on sports is capable of being both fun and frustrating. It goes without saying that most people will be hoping for more of the former than the latter. The truth is, there is only a certain amount you can do to make that happen - but at least there is something you can do. Betting on sports can be done in such a way as to improve your chances, and make it a more enjoyable experience all round. In this post, we will go through some of the key pieces of advice for ensuring that placing bets is a walk in the park.

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Only Bet What You Can

This first piece of advice is probably the most important to bear in mind. It can be all too easy to find yourself betting away more money than you really can afford to. While this might not be a problem in the early days, it won’t take too long before it is more of an issue. First things first, you should be careful to remember to only place bets that you can actually afford to place. That way, it is much more likely that you will be able to keep your distance and make it more profitable and more fun. If you are unsure about whether or not to make a big bet - then don’t!

Look For The Best Odds

Before you really get into this kind of betting, you need to know what the odds mean. Getting to grips with the odds is essential if you want to make the most of this experience. Beyond that, you also need to know where to find the best odds possible. Different bookmakers offer differing odds, so it pays to know where to look. Mostly, this is just a matter of experience, and as such it will take some time. Eventually, you will know where to look for the best bets in horse racing and the best bets in football. It is just a matter of patience.

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Remember: There Is Always Some Risk Involved

Betting and gambling are not problems in themselves as such. But when you start to get out of control with it, it can quickly become an issue. A key thing is to always remind yourself that there is definitely going to be some risk involved. It is worth remembering this, as it is in forgetting it that real problems arise. Even when you find incredibly good odds, there is a chance that it will not go through and you will end up worse off. So remember that there is always a risk, and you will be unlikely to go far wrong.

Have A Plan

This last piece of advice is something which very few people actually take on board. However, it can soon prove to be particularly useful for anyone who wants to get into betting on sports. If you want to carry on with your sports betting, it is a good idea to have a plan. This simply means that you know how much you intend to bet each month, regardless of what you get back. Having a plan makes it much easier to stay on top of it all.

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You'll Gamble Like a Pro After Reading This

Do you wish you could gamble like a pro? Maybe you’ve been to a casino before but felt too intimidated to do anything but use the penny slots. People can actually make a living by gambling professionally. You might only want to do it for a bit of fun. Whatever your reasons, these tips can help you to become a better gambler:

Make Sure You Focus And Keep A Clear Head

Keeping focus and a clear head is absolutely crucial if you’re going to gamble. It can be tempting to drink to excess when gambling. Some gamblers even choose to use light drugs while playing. However, this is a quick way to lose focus and lose the game. Having a clear head is the best way to become the best player at the table. Don’t go overboard.

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Ignore All Superstition

There are a few different superstitions that can crop up as you gamble. These may vary depending on where you’re gambling. For instance, some say that touching shoulders is bad luck. Some people refuse to play or be paid with 50 dollar bills. Some people even refuse to walk through the main entrance of casinos. It’s always best to use logic and ignore all superstition in gambling situations. You don’t want any old wives tales affecting your games.

Have Money You’re Free To Gamble With

If you don’t have money that you’re free to gamble with, you shouldn’t be gambling. Gambling with money meant for food or bills will no doubt make you nervous. This will undoubtedly mean that you’re not playing to the best of your abilities. You should always have money you’re free to gamble with. If this is going to become a hobby of yours, you could consider setting up a separate bank account and putting around 10% of what you earn in there for your games. Make sure you have self control. Don’t be tempted to use money outside of the account. This is how problems can start.

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Gamble Where You Feel Comfortable First

Gambling where you feel comfortable at first is crucial. Although you might think that you’re a gambling pro, trying to play with the high rollers straight away is usually a bad idea. Play where you feel comfortable and then build yourself up. Some people prefer online gambling when they are just started out, for example, the casino shown here. This is totally your choice. Make sure you feel at ease. 

Come Up With A Good Plan

Finally, a good plan is crucial. Some people do use blind luck to win when they gamble, but the majority of the time, a good plan trumps all. Many casinos have banned counting cards during blackjack. That’s because if you can count cards, you’re pretty much going to win. Unless you can do this without making it obvious, don’t try it. You’ll likely get kicked out of the casino. Some people like to have a system for certain games, such as roulette. They might go black, red, red, black, red, black black, and so on and so forth. Patterns can sometimes be a smart way to play. Try looking at online forums to get advice on systems and patterns people use when gambling.