3 Podcast Apps for Android Phones

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Podcasts continue to be a popular form of broadcasting even though the era of the iPod goes way back.

Obtaining podcasts can be easy for iOS users yet this isn’t necessarily the case for Android phone users up until now.

So, here are 3 podcast apps for Android phones:

#1: Pocket Casts
Considered to be an app that is easy to use with its tile-formatted layout, its overall interface is an excellent example of Material Design with both a finger-friendly layout as well as a slide-out side menu. The main menu is probably one of the app’s best design elements.

You can use the featured or trending sections to find podcasts if you are new while search and the category filter if you’re looking for a particular podcast.

#2: Player FM
Without a doubt, this podcast app is well-designed and bears similarity to Pocket Casts. The app itself offers a full set of features and which includes using it on your desktop as well. Of course, for this you will have to create an account but the option of Google sign-in makes it easier than ever. Given that it is free of cost, it is an excellent option if you are a light podcast users and aren’t ready to your favorite paid app just yet.

#3: DoggCatcher
Costing $2.99, DogCatcher is an excellent option for not only tracking down but also discovering new or previously undiscovered podcasts. While it breaks up the discovery section into news, audio or video, the easiest way for one to find podcasts is from the Subscribe section right from the slide out menu.

Not only can you set a sleep timer that will cause the podcast to fade away when you sleep but it also allows you to create as many categories as you’d like so as to keep your list of subscriptions neat.

3 Things to Remember Before Switching Browsers

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Switching between browsers used to be easy – not anymore. However, with a number of actions which involve customizing these programs with extensions, run apps or even sync open tabs to mobile devices.

Having said that, here are 3 things to keep in mind before switching between browsers:

#1: Syncing browsing data between all devices
Moving quickly and easily between open tabs in a browser is a feature that Chrome offers. However, this is available with other browsers too with Firefox having Sync and Opera having Link  for Android users, in particular. While Firefox is available on Android, Opera has mobile browsers for Windows Phone, iOS and Android. As for Safari on Windows PC and on an iPhone, you have lesser options when it comes to syncing but iCloud can help you with that.

#2: Bookmarks
While it’s difficult to go anywhere without your bookmarks, this issue was probably solved a long long time ago. Moving bookmarks between browsers is rather easy, and can done for all four popular browsers by using the Import or Export options available on all of them.

#3: Look for alternative add-ons or extensions
If you browse a lot (and who doesn’t these days!), there’s no doubt that using a few add-ons can make your experience all that better. Of course, before you switch your browser, make sure that critical services such as a password manager or even options for Evernote are available. What you must remember is that you will have to give up some add-ons for other as you might not find the same extension on another browser. That said, a number of popular services will be available on all browsers but not so for the niche stuff.

Boost Your Mobile Advertising

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Mobile saturation has finally reached a point where more companies are devoting significant resources to marketing on mobile devices. These ads still offer the same rich experience for the user, but they are tailored to fit smaller screens and devices without being obtrusive. Even though mobile marketing is a new field, these tips will help give your first campaigns a small boost.

About Mobile Users

Mobile users are usually on the go, and are often taking to the Web to find something they need. This might be the location of a store, a price check or a query about whether the item they want is even in stock. Mobile ads tend to do best when they satisfy a need for the user immediately.

Calls to Action

Once you understand more about why the user is surfing in the first place, you can tailor a call that moves them toward some action. Phrases like “Order Now” or “Play Today” bring home that sense of immediacy, and they tell the user what she is about to do. This is far more specific than the generic “Click Here” of yesteryear.

Also, design your button to be easy for someone to push. Even though they are clicking on the entire ad, the button gives them something visual to connect with.

Messaging

Mobile is notorious for being very limited on space. Mobile ads tend to function best when the copy and the call to action are as succinct as possible, so this is a great opportunity for marketers who have a flair for one-liners.

Bio: Ted Dhanik is the co-founder of engage:BDR, a digital advertising company based out of Los Angeles. Ted Dhanik sells engaging advertising and grows businesses online. To get started with engage:BDR, contact Ted Dhanik.

4 Annoying Skype Issues That You Can Fix

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Without a doubt, Skype is an important business tool for communication yet there are certain glitches that make it really annoying. However, it’s good that there are a number of solutions available.

Having said that, here are 4 Skype fixes that can help you:

#1: Webcam, Speakers or Microphone cannot be found

In some cases, Skype cannot find the webcam, speakers or the microphone and for this, navigate through Tool>Options>Audio Settings>Show advanced options. You’ll find all the audio devices that you’ve used appear here. This also applies to Video devices that you can find under Video Settings too.

#2: Terrible Call Quality

There are a number of reasons why this can happen without it being Skype’s fault. Maybe you are too far from your router, Wi-Fi is too slow or even that your bandwidth is being used by other people too. It’s a good idea to work through each of these possibilities before blaming it on Skype.

#3: Replaces Phone Numbers with “Click to Call” buttons

Quite admittedly, this occurs regularly but it can be fixed in a few steps. For this, you have to uninstall Skype Click to Call located in the Windows Control Panel. Also, check your browser addons so as to disable any items that might have to do with Click to Call. Finally, within Skype, visit Tools, Options and Advanced so as to uncheck the top two boxes.

#4: Unused Credits Disappear If they Aren’t Being Used

If you’ve used Skype to make calls to a landline, you’re bound to have a few credits around. If you don’t use it for 180 days or more, then these credits disappear. But they aren’t deleted, as you might assume but are hidden. To activate them, look for a ‘Reactivate credit’ button where you credit balance was displayed.

3 Free Image Editing Tools for Chromebook

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A big reason why Chromebooks have become so popular is because almost every modern-day application is now available via your web browser.

However, when it comes to image editing, this still hasn’t changed yet. Tools such as Paint.NET and GIMP still continue to dominate Windows PCs.

Of course, Google Docs can help with spreadsheets and documents but this isn’t possible to do with images.

Also, while the Chrome OS editor is available for its user, it still is pretty barebones with the usual features such as cropping, rotating, adjusting the brightness and color of the image and so on and so forth.

It’s recommended that for more complex tasks, you will need third-party apps and that are free of costs.

Keeping this in mind, here are 3 free image editing tools that you can avail of:

#1: Pixlr Editor

For some reason, this has been the popular choice for those people who have to work with images. Although Autodesk has added advertisements, it’s still an excellent tool to use. Not only is it easy to use but it also contains features that it simple to edit a document while also offering layer support.

#2: Sumo Paint

Not very different from the Pixlr Editor but it avoids the annoying ads that Autodesk serves up to its users from time to time. It is for this reason that Sumo Paint is fast becoming the best choice for editing pictures on Chromebook. That said, Pixlr is still more powerful than Sumo as an editor but Sumo offers just as much without the ads.

#3: Polarr

This photo editor is perfect for photographers who want to apply filters and adjust color settings to their photographs for a better finish. Likened to Adobe Lightroom, the tool is so powerful that it can open RAW images from digital cameras too. Best part: this helps you work with the highest-detail image files.

4 Steps to Take Notes Using Google Drive

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While Evernote and OneDrive are excellent options for you to take notes, Google Drive is also a powerful option that must not be ignored.

The reason for this is because there are a number of advantages that come with this option unlike the others mentioned above.

One huge advantage that comes with note-taking with Google is that you can use a number of their productivity tools that come as one package.

That said, here are a few steps that can help you with note-taking using Google:

#1: Create a Folder

In order to make use of the advantage mentioned above, it is a good idea to create a folder to keep all your notes. You can sub-divide them into more folders as Google Drive gives you that ability to get your stuff organized.

#2: Collaborate with others as you take notes in real-time

Google Drive is probably the best tool that one can use so as to collaborate with others and this can take place in real-time too. All you have to do is add them to a list of people by using the Share button. You can discuss other matters while also adding comments in any given file.

#3: Use Tables

For some notes, you might not want to type but also use tables as well. For this, all you have to do is Add Insert>Table while being able to pick the number of columns and rows you want.

#4: Search smarter using Google Drive

Google Search options is usually the best but additional tools are required so as to check for what you are looking for. Drive itself has a number of search parameters that you can avail of. Not only can you look by file name but also the type of file and by owner too.

Improving Productivity In The Workplace Through Software

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Written by Allied Time

Technology when used at work, contributes to boosting the efficiency of organizations and allow their employees to remain focused on value adding activities. Several productivity software target businesses particularly and provide these organizations with the adequate tool to perform their day-to-day tasks effectively. Through the automation of certain processes, communication is also enhanced.

Virtual Team Connections

Teams now perform well even at a distance. This is because they are connected via web portals, apps and software. These allow teams to share feedbacks and projects across different functions and branches. The quick sharing and access of information facilitates problem-solving and team working. People are able to show collaboration and partake their experiences and knowledge while being comfortably seated at their desks, and sometimes without even having to speak through the phone. All this is achieved through remote desktop sharing and email software.

Open and Communicative Environment

Software that are specifically designed to be used in the workplace aim mainly to break communication barriers. Even though email is a powerful tool, they tend to be more private and rarely constitute of a sharing tool. Collaborative tools are more appropriate for knowledge-sharing across multiple cross-functional teams, departments and branches.

Motivate Employees

Online time clock systems are used to monitor the attendance and working hours of employees. This data serves in the construction of effective reward systems. Some fingerprint time clocks allow people to consult their data online. This would help employees in knowing how they could improve performance and attendance rates.

Allied Time has operated since 1967. The company’s main line of products include employee time clocks and biometric systems.

4 Annoying Skype Issues That You Can Fix

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Without a doubt, Skype is an important business tool for communication yet there are certain glitches that make it really annoying. However, it’s good that there are a number of solutions available.

Having said that, here are 4 Skype fixes that can help you:

#1: Webcam, Speakers or Microphone cannot be found

In some cases, Skype cannot find the webcam, speakers or the microphone and for this, navigate through Tool>Options>Audio Settings>Show advanced options. You’ll find all the audio devices that you’ve used appear here. This also applies to Video devices that you can find under Video Settings too.

#2: Terrible Call Quality

There are a number of reasons why this can happen without it being Skype’s fault. Maybe you are too far from your router, Wi-Fi is too slow or even that your bandwidth is being used by other people too. It’s a good idea to work through each of these possibilities before blaming it on Skype.

#3: Replaces Phone Numbers with “Click to Call” buttons

Quite admittedly, this occurs regularly but it can be fixed in a few steps. For this, you have to uninstall Skype Click to Call located in the Windows Control Panel. Also, check your browser addons so as to disable any items that might have to do with Click to Call. Finally, within Skype, visit Tools, Options and Advanced so as to uncheck the top two boxes.

#4: Unused Credits Disappear If they Aren’t Being Used

If you’ve used Skype to make calls to a landline, you’re bound to have a few credits around. If you don’t use it for 180 days or more, then these credits disappear. But they aren’t deleted, as you might assume but are hidden. To activate them, look for a ‘Reactivate credit’ button where you credit balance was displayed.

3 Power Tools for Bookmarking

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The web is changing gradually, where a number of sites are being converted into apps. Still, there is one thing that isn’t changing – bookmarks, in particular.

That said, if you want to organize all your stuff into folders, then the standard bookmarks manager located in your browser should do. But if you want something more, here are 3 power tools for bookmarking:

#1: Evernote

The popular note-taking service Evernote might not be the best tool to use when it comes to storing bookmarks. However, there’s an option where you can use Evernote for research-based bookmarks and where you will have to install the web clipper add-on. This service will help save an entire webpage or parts of it to Evernote. Once you do this, you can also use other features such as voice memos, tagging, search, annotations and even sharing.

#2: Dewey Bookmarks

This Chrome extension will help you browse your bookmarks far more easily than usual as they are displayed in the grid format where each bookmark is displayed as a card with the title of the site or webpage, the folder it is located in and as an image.

You can even sort it by date, address or title and pencil icon should appear that will help edit the title or URL apart from being able to add or delete a tag.

#3: Chrome Bookmarks Manager

Google added its own Bookmarks Manager to the Chrome Web Store where its design aesthetic and interface should be easy to navigate through if you use a number of Chrome web apps. These bookmarks are displayed as cards and which is very similar to the Dewey Bookmarks discussed earlier.

Once the extension has been installed, go to chrome://bookmarks so as to manage them.

Explaining Real-Time Bidding

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Buy-side platforms offer marketers wider reach, and a space to buy inventory programmatically. The costs for that inventory differ greatly, even as you target, because the network is driven by real-time bidding. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with some best practices for real-time bidding before you launch your first campaign.

Bidding Basics

When we look at bidding in real time, the effects are somewhat hard to grasp because so much happens so quickly. To break things down, let’s say two people bid for an ad placement. There is also a visitor factored into this equation, and let’s say she will visit five pages before ending her session. Whichever advertiser holds the highest bid will serve his ad to that visitor for all five views, assuming he has not capped the frequency of his ads.

If he has capped his ad frequency at three, for example, the visitor viewing five pages would see advertiser A’s ad three times, and advertiser B’s ad for the other two. This is because the winning advertiser stops bidding on auctions for that visitor after the frequency cap has been reached.

Frequency and Brand Integrity

Frequency plays an important role in your auction. You want the best chances of securing a conversion, but you dilute your brand a little bit each time you show one ad too many. The magic number is not easy to gauge. Some ads will follow you all around the Web while others will appear only a few times per day. Testing is the best method you have for learning which frequency is right for you.

Bio: As the CEO and co-founder, Ted Dhanik is responsible overseeing all business affairs for engage:BDR. Ted Dhanik began in the early 2000s, where he sold engaging advertising for Myspace.com, and he understands the power of direct marketing. To launch your first campaign with engage:BDR, contact Ted Dhanik.