Labelmakers can bring order to home or business chaos

Inexpensive label printers, including some that work without a computer, can quickly crank out labels in a variety of formats.

I took a look at four printers in my column at My Well Being. They include the Dymo Twin Turbo, which has separate spindles for postage and labels, and a battery-powered handheld printer from Epson.

Read my full report at my-wellbeing.com.

By: Ric Manning On 12/28/2012

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Google maps returns to iOS

After a months-long absence, Google Maps is again available for Apple's iPhone and iPad.

Google’s mapping app arrived late Wednesday in Apple's app store. Google maps used to be featured on Apple devices until until the company replaced it with its own mapping program when it released version 6 of iOS last fall. The Apple map software was plagued by errors and glitches such as misplaced businesses and roads that roads that went under water.

In Louisville, Apple's map still shows the Hard Rock Cafe and other Fourth Street Live businesses located a block away from their actual locations.

The Google app includes turn-by-turn voice-guided navigation, listing profiles by Zagat, and information on public transportation, which Apple maps lacks.

Here's more at Wired.com.

By: Ric Manning On 12/13/2012

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HTC's Windows phone is flat out cool

It may be hard to imagine Microsoft in the role of mobile phone trendsetter, a company that could produce a new phone that makes both the iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S III seem a little, well, dated.

But that's exactly the impact of the new Windows Phone 8, which I got to test drive on an HTC model called the 8X. Released just a few weeks ago, the Windows operating system is shaking up the Android/iOS landscape. And the sleek design of the 8X phone is giving that effort a big boost.

What's so special about Windows 8 on a phone is it's so different. Microsoft dumps the standard mobile phone look that has rows of apps floating over a techno image or a photo of your favorite child/pet/pop star. Instead, you get a sleek grid of tiles arranged to suit your preferences. It's clean and bold and it says "Dude, I have it together."

You can customize the layout by rearranging the tiles and selecting a new color scheme. If you buy the phone with specific color case, like California blue or Zingy yellow, there's a scheme to match.  

And, the phone is amazingly easy to navigate with a single thumb. You can quickly and smoothly scroll vertically or horizontally to find and launch an app or a function.

The operating system is designed to seamlessly work with the new Windows 8 OS for computers and integrate with Windows Live, Microsoft Office tools and Microsoft's Xbox gaming platform. But you don't have to have a new PC or an Xbox to appreciate the phone. It easily loaded my Google calendar and contact list.

While Facebook and a couple of other apps some pre-installed, the Windows Phone apps store has most of the other top apps. I found most of my favorites including Kindle, Kayak, Amazon, Evernote, eBay, and ESPN's ScoreCenter -- but not Flipboard, Instagram, HBO Go, or my bank's app.

But if you're not app-happy and ready try a phone that's classy, elegant and easy - Windows 8 may by just the your ticket.

The phone is available through Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile at prices starting at $149 with a contract.  


    

By: Ric Manning On 12/03/2012

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