English Phonics For Kids: Using Modern Technology To Help Kids Learn How To Read

Today, seeing a two-year-old navigating through games, videos, and images on an iPad is not a surprising scene. Three and four-year-old kids are already taking pictures with a cellphone and editing them with advanced software. A seven-year-old is already quite apt in using Facebook as well as in making a Powerpoint presentation without any help. With the great impact of modern technology on children at present, it’s no wonder a lot of them are quite addicted to gadgets and are astonishingly very good in using these things. Thus, you should not be stunned to see a lot of available apps on English phonics for kids. After all, both parents and teachers are now utilizing these developments to get kids started on learning how to read.

YouTube Videos

There are tons of educational videos on YouTube that aim to use phonics in teaching kids how to read. If you try searching with the phrase “English phonics for kids”, you will be faced with numerous results that exhibit videos of interesting phonics songs with animation as well as stories on phonics that show actual pages with illustrations and come with voice over narration and even sound effects. You may also consider going over the videos that show reading teachers giving lessons as if they are actually in front of children. These are a great alternative to actually implementing the lesson yourself, especially since there are kids who are naturally drawn more to TV monitors and computer screens. At the same time, you get to rest from time to time while a virtual substitute takes your place.

Even though young kids today are capable of navigating through the various videos on YouTube and making their own choices as to which ones to view, you have to make sure that you’ll be staying beside them the entire time in order to closely monitor what they are watching. It’s also helpful if you provide reinforcements after each video has been seen. You can follow up the viewing with an exciting phonics activity in which a particular child or group of kids will be interested in.

Educational Apps

Whether you have a smart phone, an electronic tablet, or both, you should definitely make the most of such gadgets for the benefit of your child. If you want the child to learn how to read, try going over the different educational apps on English phonics so that you download and use them to pique and sustain interest while providing a modern method of learning.

There is a vast array of educational apps that aim to teach reading through phonics. You will find simple flash card types of apps that come with voice-overs of the alphabet being read and the repeated utterance of their corresponding sounds. You will also find several puzzles in which a child has to match certain letters to blank spaces that are shaped similarly. As soon as he or she touches the letter on the screen, a voice says the letter and the sound. There are also more advanced variations that already present CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words and even four-letter words. Each letter moves across the screen and attaches to the previous others until a word is formed. As this happens, the letter sounds are uttered and the word is then read at the end. Sometimes, there are even voice prompts that ask the child to repeat after it.

There is a multitude of game apps too that will surely entice kids to actively participate in this learning process via modern technology. English phonics for kids is used as the basic concept behind the game that aims to enhance reading skills. For example, one game might be a quiz type asking the child to touch a letter with a particular sound. Another game might involve popping balloons wherein letters come out and sounds are pronounced. There are also those that seem more complex, such as asking a child to create words in a family set by dragging letters across the screen. The sounds of the letters are emphasized in the process.

Indeed children today are very fortunate to have these contemporary and state-of-the-art educational methods and materials to help teach them how to read more quickly and effectively while having fun.

Palm Pre 2 Review

Planning to buy the Palm Pre 2? Check out this review to see how it fares against the competition – iPhone and Android.

Palm Pre 2 Review

The Palm Pre was quite hyped before its release. It was touted to be the next iPhone killer after Android. While the phone did quite well in terms of sales, compared to the iPhone and even Android, it was a clear flop. webOS was a very good mobile OS, and gained a sizable fan following but the phone wasn’t much to speak of. The hardware was a bit underpowered, and even webOS didn’t offer much more than the iPhone.

webOS 2.0, on the other hand, is a nice improvement over the earlier version. The Palm Pre 2 comes with this latest version of webOS and offers much more powerful hardware, which is comparable to Android and iOS devices. It is very similar to the Palm Pre though, in terms of design and the overall look and feel. In this review, I will tell you everything you need to know about the Palm Pre 2.

Palm Pre 2 Specifications

Dimensions: 100.7 x 59.6 x 16.9 mm Weight: 145 gms Display: 3.1 inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display, 320 x 480 pixels OS: webOS 2.0 Processor: 1 GHz processor RAM: 512 MB Memory: 16 GB internal storage Camera: 5 MP camera, 2592 Ñ… 1944 pixels, LED flash Connectivity: GPRS, EDGE, 3G HSDPA, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP GPS: GPS transceiver with A-GPS

Design and Display

Rating 

The Palm Pre 2 sports roughly the same design as the Palm Pre. It has almost the same dimensions – 100.7 x 59.6 x 16.9 mm and weighs only slightly more at 145 gms. The phone has a nice design with rounded edges and feels quite durable. It is very compact and has superb build quality.

It has a 3.1 inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. The display size and the resolution are a bit low compared to the gigantic Android smartphones and even the iPhone. The display is a Gorilla Glass one, just like most other new smartphones. It offers decent brightness and contrast. Below the display, there is a touch sensitive area which can be used for basic navigation.

The 4 row keyboard slides out from below the display and works well. The typing experience is very good. I still prefer a good physical keyboard to a virtual one. The left side houses a microUSB port while the top has a headphone jack, the power button and the mute switch. The sliding mechanism is quite good and can be expected to last for a long time.

User Interface

Rating 

If there was one thing that was good about the Palm Pre, it was webOS. Many believe that while Android is just a rehash of the iPhone OS (iOS), webOS is innovative in its own right and has the potential to beat Apple at its own game.

HP bought Palm mainly for webOS. When someone pays $1.2 billion for something, you know that thing has at least some potential. webOS has a lot. webOS 2.0, the latest version of webOS is much better than the original webOS in terms of performance as well as visual improvements. It offers true multitasking capabilities, unlike the iPhone.

With the upgraded hardware, webOS 2.0 feels even faster and better. It has a powerful 1 GHz processor like the iPhone 4 and comes with 512 MB RAM. It also has 16 GB internal storage. The Palm Pre 2 comes with about 500 apps from the Palm App Catalog, its online store.

Except for the small number of apps available, webOS is an excellent OS. When it comes to apps though, nothing can beat iOS or Android.

Palm Pre 2 Review – Multimedia, Connectivity and VerdictThe Palm Pre 2 comes with nice hardware and an excellent OS. In this section of the Palm Pre 2 review, I check out the multimedia features, the camera, the connectivity options and give you the final verdict.

Multimedia

Rating 

The Palm Pre 2 comes with a 5 MP camera with LED flash. It lacks autofocus and the image capture resolution is 2592 Ñ… 1944 pixels. The image quality is not very good, but should do for casual shots. It is definitely much better than the Pre though. The video recording quality isn’t good at all. The Pre 2’s camera is nothing compared to the iPhone 4 or the Galaxy S.

It comes with support for basic audio and video formats like MP3, WAV, eAAC+, AAC and MP4, H.264, H.263 and 3GP. But watching videos and movies on a 3.1 inch display isn’t something I would recommend.

Connectivity

Rating 

Connectivity is one area where the Palm Pre 2 doesn’t disappoint at all. It offers every basic connectivity option you might want in a smartphone with some exceptions like Wi-Fi 802.11 n. It has GPRS, EDGE, 3G HSDPA, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g as well as Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP connectivity. It also supports data transfers via microUSB 2.0. It also has a GPS transceiver with A-GPS and comes with a nice Webkit based browser.

It comes with a much powerful battery than the Pre and lasts much longer. It can go through an entire day with moderate usage and then some more.

The Verdict

Rating 

Besides the lack of third party apps and a better camera, there isn’t much to complain about with the Palm Pre 2. It has a superb design, excellent OS – webOS 2.0, superb features and comes with all the connectivity options you need. webOS 2.0 is one of the finest mobile operating systems ever.

I would definitely recommend the Palm Pre 2, if you can live with the lack of apps and games, compared to the iPhone or Android phones. If you do want a large choice of apps and games then get the iPhone 4 or any of the best Android phones instead.

A Month by Month Guide to Walt Disney World: The Best and Worst Times to Visit

January

Weather – The average daily low is 49⁰F, the average daily high is 72⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 61⁰F. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 74%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 2.1 inches (approximately 6 days of rain per month).

Crowds – Crowds are minimal at Walt Disney World throughout most of January. Because this time of year isn’t really busy, hotel rates are going to be lower. The down side is that some rides could also be closed for refurbishment. The first week of January can be a bit busy because of the extended school holiday and the Walt Disney World Marathon however.

Special Events – Every January, thousands of people go to Walt Disney World to complete the Walt Disney World Marathon. The marathon normally brings in around 20,000 runners and their families. It is usually held the second weekend after New Year’s Day. Also, in Epcot, the Chinese New Year is celebrated in the China Pavilion. There are usually acrobats and special activities for children.

February

Weather – The average daily low is 50⁰F, the average daily high is 73⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 62⁰F. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 71%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 0.8 inches (approximately 7 days of rain per month).

Crowds – The first half of February is much like January with respect to the smaller crowds (and lower hotel rates), while the second half of February can be a bit busier. One of the busiest times to visit Disney World occurs in February actually: President’s Day weekend. Mardi Gras sometimes falls in February as well which brings the tourists from New Orleans out in droves (though the crowds aren’t horrible).

Special Events – Black history month is celebrated throughout the month of February with no extra charge for activities. A Mardi Gras party is held at Pleasure Island when Fat Tuesday falls in the month of February as well (which does occur in 2009). The Atlanta Braves hold spring training and play a few exhibition games at Disney’s Wide World of Sports from mid-February to March. Valentine’s Day is celebrated each year at Pleasure Island with live music and street performers.

March

Weather – The average daily low is 55⁰F, the average daily high is 78⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 67⁰F. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 71%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 3.2 inches (approximately 8 days of rain per month). Typically, March is considered to be one of the best weather months in Florida.

Crowds – The month of March is generally crowded due to college spring breaks. Crowds go in and out according to those spring break schedules.

Special Events – The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is held in March (extending into early June). Experts showcase exotic floral displays, share tips, and perform demonstrations. If Mardi Gras falls in March, the Pleasure Island Mardi Gras Party will also occur this month. Pleasure Island turns green for St. Patrick’s Day and celebrates accordingly.

April

Weather – The average daily low is 60⁰F, the average daily high is 84⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 72⁰F. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 69%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 2.2 inches (approximately 6 days of rain per month). Typically, April is considered to be one of the best weather months in Florida.

Crowds – Conversely, April is considered to be one of the worst crowd months for Disney World. This is also due to college spring breaks and the Easter holiday. Wait times are going to be excessively high as are hotel rates.

Special Events – Easter occurs in April though there are no Easter decorations or parades at the parks. During Easter week however children can normally meet the “Easter Bunny” at Magic Kingdom. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is still in full swing. Also, Grad Nites normally occur the last two weeks of April. These are private parties held for graduating high school seniors.

May

Weather – The average daily low is 66⁰F, the average daily high is 88⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 77⁰F. The weather is hot but tolerable. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 72%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 3.9 inches (approximately 9 days of rain per month).

Crowds – Crowds are moderate for the most part in early May with a peak in attendance around Memorial Day.

Special Events – There is a Cinco de Mayo celebration centered on the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot, tied in with the International Flower & Garden Festival. It normally has some sort of special activity for families. There is also a Pleasure Island Cinco de Mayo Party with live music. There is a Mother’s Day Brunch normally held at Epcot as well (between Canada and the UK pavilions). The International Flower & Garden Festival ends on the last day of May.

June

Weather – The average daily low is 71⁰F, the average daily high is 91⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 81⁰F. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 77%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 7.4 inches (approximately 14 days of rain per month).

Crowds – The Summer months (June-early August) are extremely busy months at Disney World with high wait times, high temperatures and high hotel rates.

Special Events – In early June “Gay Days” is held at Disney World, though it is not a Disney sponsored event. Visit www.gaydays.com for more information. For several weekends in June you will also find Star Wars Weekends at Disney Studios where Star Wars actors and characters in costume make appearances. Other Star Wars related events are also held during these times.

July

Weather – The average daily low is 73⁰F, the average daily high is 92⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 82⁰F. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 79%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 7.8 inches (approximately 17 days of rain per month).

Crowds – The Summer months (June-early August) are extremely busy months at Disney World with high wait times, high temperatures and high hotel rates. If you plan to visit one of the theme parks on July 4, know that this is one of the most popular days of the year at Disney World and that the park could reach full capacity at some point during the day (you may not be allowed admission as a result).

Special Events – Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot all offer special fireworks shows on Independence Day (Animal Kingdom does not offer fireworks because it would disturb the animals). There is also a special fireworks display in Downtown Disney. On July 14, Bastille Day is celebrated in the France Pavilion in Epcot to commemorate the beginning of the French Revolution.

August

Weather – The average daily low is 73⁰F, the average daily high is 92⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 82⁰F. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 80%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 6.3 inches (approximately 16 days of rain per month).

Crowds – Early August can still be a bit busy as summer is still winding down. Crowds are moderate throughout the rest of August. You can find some really great rates during the month of August.

Special Events – There aren’t any special events normally held during this month.

September

Weather – The average daily low is 73⁰F, the average daily high is 90⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 82⁰F. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 80%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 5.6 inches (approximately 14 days of rain per month). September is peak hurricane season as well. There’s nothing like a hurricane to ruin a great vacation. It’s a bit of a gamble to schedule your Disney vacation during the month of September.

Crowds – Due to this time of year being extremely hot and the peak of hurricane season, crowds are minimal. The upside is that you can find some really great deals.

Special Events – The “Night of Joy” takes place in the month of September. This is a Christian-music festival that happens on two nights at Hollywood Studios. The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival also begins in September and runs through early November. Many cultures (around 30) showcase their cuisine, wine and entertainment. You can find demonstrations, wine seminars, tastings, and some of the world’s top chefs at this event.

October

Weather – The average daily low is 65⁰F, the average daily high is 84⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 75⁰F. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 77%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 2.8 inches (approximately 9 days of rain per month). Typically, October is considered to be one of the best weather months in Florida.

Crowds – Crowds are moderate throughout the month of October.

Special Events – Mickey’s Not So Scare Halloween Party happens every year on select nights after the closing of Magic Kingdom throughout October. It includes trick or treating, costume parades, character meetings, special performances and fireworks.

November

Weather – The average daily low is 57⁰F, the average daily high is 78⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 68⁰F. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 76%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 1.8 inches (approximately 6 days of rain per month). Typically, November is considered to be one of the best weather months in Florida.

Crowds – Thanksgiving week can be very crowded but the rest of November has a low to moderate number of people in attendance. “Jersey Week,” which is typically the first or second week of November, can bring in a lot of New Jersey Residents (New Jersey schools shut down for a teacher’s convention which is also close to Veteran’s Day).

Special Events – ABC Super Soap Weekend is an annual event held in November at Hollywood Studios that offers soap opera fans the chance to meet their favorite ABC soap stars. Thanksgiving also occurs at the end of November, while Disney World does not offer any special Thanksgiving parade or decorations. The Christmas decorations are normally up by this time however. You can normally find special meals available at most Disney World restaurants on Thanksgiving Day.

December

Weather – The average daily low is 51⁰F, the average daily high is 73⁰F, and the average daily temperature is 62⁰F. With respect to humidity, the daily average is 76%. During this month the average amount of rainfall is 1.9 inches (approximately 6 days of rain per month).

Crowds – Early December isn’t very crowded at all (before Christmas) but the time period between Christmas and New Year’s Day is the busiest and most expensive time of year.

Special Events – There is plenty going on at Disney World during the month of December. They have the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios that incorporates millions of Christmas lights, fake snow, and other holiday decorations created by Jennings Osborne of Little Rock, Arkansas. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is also held during December after the regular closing of Magic Kingdom. Epcot’s World Showcase transforms into a display of holiday traditions for Epcot’s “Holidays Around the World.” The Candlelight Processional is held at the America Gardens Theatre at Epcot which consists of a celebrity narrator telling the Biblical Christmas story, a large choir, and an orchestra. Magic Kingdom also has special parades, shows and fireworks during this time of year. Special meals are available to guests at certain restaurants on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

As I said, there’s no one perfect time to visit Walt Disney World. Take a look at your options and use this guide to plan a vacation that’s right for you and your family. Regardless of when you go, you’re sure to have a great time. Happy planning!

Resources:

www.mousesavers.com

www.touringplans.com

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2009 by Bob Sehlinger with Len Testa

Caesars Buys Rights To Mobile Poker App

Caesars Interactive Entertainment, a subsidiary of the world’s largest gaming company, has acquired the rights and ownership of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) mobile application, according to a press release issued by the company this week. 

According to Caesars, buying the WSOP mobile app enables it to “expand its presence in free-to-play social and mobile gaming.” The poker app is being developed by a group of 19 Canada-based game developers.  The company’s Playtika division will operate the mobile venture as a free-to-play social game.

 

Credit: WSOP

The WSOP application is available on the Facebook platform, Amazon Kindle, Android, and all IOS devices. The WSOP game launched in 2012 and has since been downloaded more than 6 million times.

The WSOP series of poker tournaments began in June in Las Vegas and will continue through early July.  The main event will have a buy-in of $10,000 and nearly 7,000 players are expected to participate in a prize pool that could approach $20 million.

“The catalyst for the deal was the acquisition of certain World Series of Poker game assets and intellectual property from Electronic Arts,” the company announced.  Under terms of the deal, Electronic Arts transferred global rights and ownership of its WSOP game for mobile devices and Facebook.

Caesars continues to lobby lawmakers to legalize online poker in the United States.  However, Senate majority leader Harry Reid (Dem., Nevada) believes that passage of such legislation is highly unlikely.  Earlier this month, Reid said “I felt for several months now that I don’t see any movement on this.  I don’t see anything happening.”

There has been much discussion by players in forums about the potential legalization of online poker two years after the U.S. Justice Department shut down sites such as PokerStars and Full Tilt.  But at least with this congress, the era of online poker, at least in the U.S., appears to be over.

Continued on the next page  

Enhance the Durability of Your iPhone with iPhone 4/4s Case & Back Cover

When an iPhone is broken or damaged it can be an extremely sad moment. With this phone, you can do just about anything such as communications, etc. As the time progresses, you might need replacement covers for your iPhone. It is not a cause of worry as it is inevitable. Imagine dropping your brand new set from your hand and getting a scratch on its sleek metallic body. It should definitely be beyond your wildest imagination. In order to protect it from this kind of mishap the first thing that comes to our mind after buying the set is to get a back cover for it.

An iPhone back cover replacement is one of the most obvious iPhone repair procedures. It is really nothing more than a protective plate, housing no computer parts, complicated sensors, or other intricacies that would scare users away from replacing it. Additionally, iPhone 4/4s back cover replacement is commonly needed, as the plastic covers are often the victim of a dropped, sat on, or otherwise crushed phone.

iPhone 4/4s back cover not just provide shields your own mobile phone towards any kind of unintentional harm additionally, it may include a little color as well as design for your mobile phone. The marketplace is actually overloaded along with numerous styles as well as combos associated with shades as well as design existing with regard to apple iPhone instances, you’re certain to pick one which is exclusive because your own character is actually.

Like the iPhone back cover, the iPhone case is also designed and being used with a basic purpose of providing protection to the mobile phones against damages, scratches, the environment and the moisture. Today, there is a wide array of iPhone 4/4s case available these days which users may use.The cases are there in many styles and variations. In fact, you can choose the right iPhone case that suits your iPhone and make it to appear better. Apart from the cases protecting your iPhone, they also serve as beauty enhancers. As long as you combine the colors appropriately, you will end up boosting the appearance of your iPhone.

To provide an easy and firm grip, iPhone 4/4s silicone cases are designed which also keeps the mobile safe from scratches. These silicone cases are available in large a variety of different colors and users of all iPhone version uses these colorful cases to add beauty to their mobile and match it with their dressing.

The most popular type of iPhone case is a rubber case. Most rubber cases are very durable and are affordable to the general population. There are many different styles and colors that you can choose from when picking a rubber case. It will not be hard for you to find a rubber case that is not only in your budget, but that will fit your personality as well.

When picking an iPhone 4/4s case the most important factor is that you really like it. If you do not really like it then what is the point of having it? You will not have a problem find an iPhone case that you like. There plenty of choices and styles available to choose from many online stores.

What are the Most Important Considerations When Buying a New Mobile?

Looking for a new mobile phone and finding the decision a tough one? You’re not alone. There’s such a vast array of devices on the market nowadays, that choosing between them can be a nightmare. Getting the right mobile is important. Firstly, phones cost a lot of money, and in these economic times a new mobile represents a hefty investment to most people. Also, the majority of customers only buy a new phone once every two years, so you’re going to have to put up with your phone for a lengthy period of time. You want quality as well as performance, so that you’ll be satisfied and feel that you money has been well spent. Today we’re looking at the most important considerations when buying a new mobile, the things that you need to keep in mind to make sure that you’re a satisfied customer. So, before you get overwhelmed with choice, read on to get the info you need to make your decision a good one.

Will iTunes Radio Be Able to Compete in the Music Streaming Industry?

Throughout the 21st century, Apple Inc. has been a market leader in the technology world by continually releasing innovative products that are simple and easy for anyone to use. If you walk around the airport for two hours, I can guarantee that you see iPad users between the ages of 3 and 93. Apple has built its empire by developing bold new products that are two years ahead of the competition. But Apple has recently decided to become a late entrant in the music streaming industry, the fastest growing form of music listening. The company announced on Monday that iTunes Radio will be launched this Fall as radio streaming player for all Apple products.

Strong Field of Competition

Apple faces a lot of competition in the music streaming field. Pandora Radio is currently seen as the market leader for web radio streaming. Pandora has been perfecting its recommendation service, media player, and user experience for the last 13 years. The company was reported to have over 150 million users. Another key player is TuneIn Radio which offers users over 70,000 global radio stations from every continent. Many tech heavyweights are getting involved as well. Facebook partnered with Spotify which allows users to search directly for artists and songs through a catalog of approximately 20 million songs. Users can also share playlists, listen to radio stations, and set up feeds that tell Facebook friends what song you’re currently listening to. Twitter has also talked about starting a music service that suggests songs for user; Google just announced Google Play Music All Access ; and the list goes on.

Will iTunes Radio Be Successful

I think that iTunes Radio will be a success story for Apple. While I’m not used to Apple coming into the field as a second mover, I like what they’re doing here. The iTunes Store pioneered the sale of digital music when it opened on April 28, 2003. It is now recognized as the biggest music vendor in the world with a catalog that consists of over 26 million songs. Apple’s iTunes Store already has a larger database of songs than established names in the music streaming field such as Spotify. Since the new trend for music fans is to listen to music from large libraries rather than purchasing individual songs or albums, why wouldn’t Apple join the radio streaming field?

My Reasons for iTunes Radio’s Success

Sure Apple is copying the competition in a field that’s already filled with every tech giant imaginable. But unlike Google or Twitter, Apple has been delivering incredible products to music fans for years. The iPod revolutionized the way I listened to and stored music. I don’t know anyone who never owned an iPod at some point. Even people who decided to get the Microsoft Zune still bought an iPod. And iTunes has been the best media player and library software since its initial release in 2001. Apple iTunes Radio is going to be a mix of the best qualities of all the current music streaming stations. The more I play music in my iTunes library and use iTunes Radio, the more personalized the experience becomes. This is perfect because all of the music that I have collected this past decade is already stored in my iTunes library. With iTunes Radio, I can select any song in my music library and it instantly builds a station around it. Plus, Apple is creating adjustment features where you can control the balance between discovering new songs and playing the hits. I am a huge fan of the playlists built by iTunes Genius so I trust that Apple will develop or use similar software for iTunes Radio. Another advantage that iTunes Radio offers is the ability to purchase and download tracks that I’ve listen to directly from the iTunes store. Everything I listen to on iTunes Radio gets stored in my history so when I really like a song all I have to do is tap buy, and the track is instantly added to my iTunes. How awesome is that! I have listened to so many amazing songs on Pandora that I want to immediately download and add to my iPod, but never get the chance to.

In Closing

The only two Apple products that I own are an iPhone 4S and an iPod Classic, so I’m not one of these diehard Apple guys. I just think that they know what they’re doing when it comes to the digital music industry. I can’t see Apple overthrowing Pandora at the top of this field, but they will definitely thrive. Apple has a very strong customer base and does a great job of creating brand loyalty. I predict that many people will convert to iTunes Radio when it comes out in the Fall.

Apple iOS and OS X Updates Put Bluetooth® Smart Ready at the Center of Accessory Connectivity

KIRKLAND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–From its Worldwide Developer Conference, Apple announced unprecedented integration of Bluetooth technology into its operating systems – a move that sets the bar for Bluetooth integration and benefits developers by simplifying the creation of apps and products relying on Bluetooth connectivity. Apple revealed iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks will natively support the latest version of the Human Interface Device (HID) profile for Bluetooth Smart, Air Drop, which uses Bluetooth Smart technology to securely discover and connect devices for file sharing, and its Application State Preservation and Restoration services and Apple Notification Center Service for Bluetooth Smart accessories. These updates show Apple’s commitment to building an OS for its developers that works seamlessly with Bluetooth Smart, giving them the freedom to focus on the design and functionality of their app rather than device integration and plumbing.

“The ultimate winner here is the consumer, whose Bluetooth Smart products for Apple will ‘just work’”

“Apple recognized early that Bluetooth Smart is a game changing technology not only for Bluetooth, but for the entire wireless industry,” said Suke Jawanda, Bluetooth SIG CMO. “Since the introduction of the iPhone 4s in 2011, Apple methodically turned almost every one of their devices into Bluetooth Smart Ready hubs. These are ready to connect with the over 250 million Bluetooth Smart appcessories shipping in 2013 and nearly a billion expected to ship in 2016. Apple’s initial support of Bluetooth Smart Ready gave developers the confidence to build innovative Bluetooth appcessories like the FitBit Flex and UniKey Kevo lock system, and really kick started the entire appcessory market. The updates announced this week represents a significant time and resource investment by Apple to ensure its developers have the easiest path to deliver real innovation to their customers using Bluetooth Smart technology.”

Apple highlighted the benefits of its updates in five main categories: Healthcare, Sports and Fitness, Security, Entertainment, and Proximity. The adoption of HID and Alert Notification Services will immediately benefit developers in the Security, Entertainment, and Proximity markets. For Security, Apple called attention to partner companies like UniKey, Lockitron, and August for the work they are currently doing with Bluetooth Smart. A native implementation of the latest HID profile means consumers can expect ultra-power efficient Bluetooth Smart game controllers and keyboards to last years without changing batteries.

The inclusion of Application State Preservation and Restoration services makes it possible for developers to create apps that reliably run in the background, exchanging data with Bluetooth Smart peripherals without the need for user intervention. This enables a Bluetooth Smart device like a wearable health monitor to send data to an application on an iPhone or iPad without the user having to press any buttons or open up the application.

“The ultimate winner here is the consumer, whose Bluetooth Smart products for Apple will ‘just work’,” continued Jawanda. “By investing in deep Bluetooth integration, Apple made it that much easier for its developers to create great Bluetooth Smart products to connect with Apple devices. They are free to innovate without worrying about how to implement the plumbing of the code. It’s an easier and better experience for the developer who can focus more of their attention to creating true innovation for their customers. Everyone wins.”

The Bluetooth SIG has launched a Bluetooth developer enablement initiative which includes a web portal featuring a community forum, training tools, and other resources to make designing with Bluetooth easier and faster. The Bluetooth Quick Start Kit serves as an introduction to Bluetooth Smart technology. For the Apple app developers, the Bluetooth Application Accelerator will provide detailed implementation and developer guidelines which speed time-to-market for appcessory devices. Visit developer.bluetooth.org for details.

About Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

Bluetooth wireless technology is the global wireless standard enabling simple, secure connectivity for an expanding range of devices and serves as the backbone of the connected world. Bluetooth Smart Ready and Bluetooth Smart branded devices, through an updatable platform and low power consumption, create new application opportunities for the mobile phone, consumer electronics, PC, automotive, health & fitness and smart home industries. With over two billion devices shipping annually, Bluetooth is the wireless technology of choice for developers, product manufacturers, and consumers worldwide. Backed by industry leading companies, the Bluetooth SIG empowers over 18,500 member companies to collaborate, innovate and guide Bluetooth wireless technology. For more information please visit www.bluetooth.com.

ZAGG Inc Sweeps CTIA 2013 with Multiple Product Awards

SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ZAGG Inc (NASDAQ: ZAGG), a leading mobile device accessories company with a brand portfolio that includes ZAGG and iFrogz, won multiple awards for its new products at this year’s CTIA in Las Vegas.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for our new product releases by these leading publications at this year’s CTIA show”

The company’s award-winning products include:

ZAGGkeys™ Cover: Launched from the show floor, this new keyboard accessory for the iPad mini won “Best Tablet Accessory” from LAPTOP magazine, a respected online news outlet that covers mobile technology, and “Best Folio Case” from iPhone Life, a print and digital publication distributed to more than 60 countries. At just 6.3 mm, the ZAGGkeys Cover features backlit keys, as well as a unique magnetic hinge that allows users to position the screen of their iPad mini at virtually any viewing angle. The ZAGGkeys Cover will be available later this summer for $99.99 at ZAGG.com.

ZAGG Origin™: iPhone Life also awarded the ZAGG Origin – an innovative two-in-one sound system that combines desktop and portable speakers into one, cohesive unit – “Best Speakers” for its high-fidelity sound and compatibility with any Bluetooth®-enabled smartphone, tablet, or device, including Android, iOS, PC, or Mac. The Origin is available now for $249.99 at ZAGG.com and at select ZAGG retail locations.

iFrogz® Caliber Advantage™: Winner of “Best Gaming Gear” from iPhone Life, the Caliber Advantage is atactile, analog game controller that directly attaches to an iPhone 5 or iPod Touch, controlling gaming action via a Bluetooth® connection and dual slide-out analog controls. The Advantage will be available at the end of June at iFrogz.com for $59.99.

In addition to the product awards, ZAGG was recognized by iPhone Life with their “Best All-Around Collection” at CTIA.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for our new product releases by these leading publications at this year’s CTIA show,” said Kent Wuthrich, executive vice president of marketing for ZAGG. “These awards are a testament to the quality and innovation of the creative product solutions we are bringing to the mobile market.”

For more information about ZAGG Inc and its complete lineup of mobile device accessories, visit ZAGG.com.

About ZAGG Inc:

ZAGG Inc and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company,” or “ZAGG”) design, produce, and distribute creative product solutions for mobile and media accessories such as protective coverings, cases, keyboards, keyboard cases, earbuds, portable power, and device cleaning under the family of ZAGG brands. In addition, the Company designs, produces, and distributes cases, Near-Field Audio™ amplifying speakers, earbuds, traditional headphones, and gaming headphones for mobile and media devices under the family of iFrogz brands in the value-priced lifestyle sector. ZAGG distinguishes itself as the preferred brand by offering creative product solutions through targeted global distribution channels, with the broadest product offering in its sector. More information about the company and its brands is at www.ZAGG.com.