10 Quick Tips For an Android Media Box

1) Less is more. Remove apps that you don't use. This will clear up valuable space on your Android Media box.

2) Clean Start. Every week, turn off your box and unplug it from the mains power for 10 seconds. Do the same with your internet Broadband router/hub. This clears the cache and forces the box and router to make new connections, clearing out old unused ones, which sometimes slows the devices down.

3) Shut down. Always ensure you shut down Kodi XBMX correctly. Kodi XBMC is like an operating system. If you simply turn off your box without shutting down Kodi, it will begin to play up. Kodi needs time to tidy away files and close connections. Use the exit icon located on the Kodi main menu to choose EXIT.

4) Be ready. Always have an SD card handy, with the latest firmware already installed on it. Every now and then, its good to do a fresh software install on your box, taking it back to the bare basics and rebuilding. Owning an SD card of at least 2gb in size is essential when owning an Android TV box.

5) Easy input. Spend a little extra and invest in an air remote. An air remote allows you to control the on-screen cursor extremely easily by just waggling the remote like a Nintendo Wii controller. Air remotes also come with a full QWERTY keyboard, allowing you to enter web addresses and search for films and apps very easily, instead of having to use the on-screen keyboard with the standard remote.

6) Take your box abroad. Many owners like to take their boxes on holiday with them. Almost all holiday villas now come with an HDMI-equipped TV and great WIFI. Taking your Android media box with you will allow you to have all your favorite TV and Movies wherever you go. Nothing is worse than trying to find something decent to watch on a foreign TV that doesn't speak your language. The most TV boxes are smaller than the palm of your hand, so don't take up a lot of room.

7) Use reboot manager. Reboot manager is a great app that allows you to reboot your box into recovery mode. If you already have your up to date SD card installed, it will reboot straight into updating the firmware, without you having to fiddle about with a screwdriver to press the reset button.

8) Make use of OTA updates. A few brands have their own OTA (Over The Air) update apps. This means that instead of using an SD card, the box can be automatically updated with any changed by going into OTA and downloading the update straight to the box. This is great for quick and simple installs when a manufacturer identifies a bug that needs a quick fix, or for some new features to be added.

9) Keep it secure. Using a VPN when using your box is a great way of keeping your streaming and browsing traffic secure, anonymous and away from prying eyes. There are a plethora of VPN apps out there that allow you to easily encrypt your traffic when using your box and most of them are very reasonably priced. The other great thing is you are able to watch video services that are locked to a specific country. For instance, you can use a VPN when abroad to watch something back in your home country, using a VPN to give the impression that you are currently there.

10) Clear cache. This is a great tip that can be used for all apps but especially Kodi. Going into settings and then apps, and systematically going through apps, and clearing their cache is a great way of keeping your box running smoothly and not letting it get bogged down with slow connection speeds.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9559970

Smartphones - Which One Should I Buy?

Smartphones are beautiful, so beautiful in fact that many manufacturers are beginning to place female voices inside your phone so they seem more lively and vibrant, too bad that they don't substitute for a girlfriend. However, as beautiful and elegant as smartphone maybe you may find it difficult to choose the right one for you. With so many different options in the market, how do you decide which one is the best for you? Here, I'm going to share with you my five tips for choosing the right smartphone.

Rank Your Priorities: I don't mean keep a written note of what you look for in a phone, it's better to keep a mental note or an idea. When I say priorities, I mean what aspects of a smartphone do you find important. Maybe you need a phone that cost under $400 or with a really good camera. A bright and beautiful screen, even a stylus or maybe you need a phone just for watching funny videos. As long as you know your top two or three priorities for your smartphone, you should be able to narrow down certain phones and then make a decision from there.

Don't Be Afraid To Buy Old Phones: A lot of people will tell you that they need those brand new smartphones with the best and brand new specs. That doesn't mean you need such phone too! In a few months time the iPhone 7 will be one year old, but the previous launch i.e. iPhone 6 is still considered as a very good smartphone. So, when you're looking for the right smartphone look to the older generations of the smartphones as well, because often times you'll find phones that are still very good and are also cheaper.

Don't Feel The Need To Buy High-Priced Smartphones: Many smartphone manufacturers are moving toward this trend. You can still find some cool features and durable smartphones at a price that is lower than most high-end smartphones. Ever since I bought the OnePlus 1 for under $350, I've been so impressed with what companies can provide for such a low price. On the other I find the Galaxy Note 5, which costs over $800, is way too expensive and iPhone 6 price is just reasonable. The point is that your smartphone does not need to be expensive to be a great quality.

Think About Your Smartphone's Accessories: These accessories include chargers, battery packs, cases and pretty much anything you can either attach or connect to your smartphone. We do rely on a lot of these accessories, so you need to look for a well-established phone like the iPhone or the popular Android phones built by companies such as, Samsung, LG, Motorola. You probably won't find many accessories with smaller names or new brands, just think about whether or not you need them.

iPhones Are Very Basic: I'm not saying people who use iPhones are basic, don't get me wrong! What I am saying, however, is that I would have an easier time learning to use an iPhone then if I were learning to use any other smartphone. It's a fantastic phone an very convenient because most accessories work with iPhones. They always have great cameras and apple services even though considered overpriced are excellent in terms of keeping everything you own all in one place. I'm not saying to put the iPhone is your number one option, but I am saying that if you're looking for a high-quality device that's simple and easy to use go for the iPhone. Like I mentioned above, look to the older models of smartphones because many of them are still brilliant smartphones.

So, that's it guys I hope you've enjoyed reading it and hope have learnt something good as well. If you like to know about the latest updates from the tech world, I'd recommend you to visit techintakes.com. You will find there pretty helpful reviews and hands-on experiences of different tech related products by the experts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Waqas_Hasan/2340988

Fastest Growing Technologies

In the fastest growing world, so many technological changes occur day by day. New inventions and innovations are coming rapidly. We are using so many technical innovations nowadays which make our life so easy and all the work has been done with less manpower. So many companies are making latest products to make our life easy with an amalgamation of passionate employees. The technological companies transform all the things in the digital world.

So many innovative services are giving by the fastest growing industries. It provides so many services like airline industry solutions, travel & transport hospitality solutions, banking & financial solutions and so on. But now we are discussing the airline industry & travel transport hospitality solutions which are described below:

1. Innovative Aviation Changings

Through innovative aviation changings, airline industries become successful, because they are giving fastest services to its delicate customers. Due to these industries, airlines are growing rapidly and its reduce costs, improve operational efficiency and revenue growth also occur. These industries do not only provide airline facilities but on the other hand, they facilitate airport to manage a number of passengers, baggage, cargo and flights. Due to technological innovation, each and every passenger can easily reach their destination on time.

2. Travel Transport Solutions

Like, so many innovative changes, Travel, and transport solutions can also made by these industries. While traveling people can listen to the news, watch the video and T.V and much more to make their time special. These industries provide so many technical facilities while people traveling from one place to another. The hospitality industry has gone through tremendous changes from so many years. These innovative changings make our time full of pleasure.

3. Made Every Work Easy and Reliable

These industries made every work regarding IT and our daily life work make more easy and fast. Through these technological innovations, each and every work can be done on time. These industries do not only provide airline industry & transport solutions but they facilitate in every walk of life.

4. Digitalize the World

These industries are working on the digital transformation of all the work. Nowadays, it doesn't require manpower to do any work. You can do anything when you just push few buttons and see the results. The results are mind blowing, which make our life more comfortable. It doesn't only provide the airline industry & transport solutions but it changes our all the things. Our feelings are also replaced by animations nowadays.

Innovative changes can made our life easier and shrink the space, it doesn't matter where we are & where we want to be. We can easily talk to everyone around the world, we can easily meet them by airline industry & transport solutions. These industries are the next-generation providers of IT, BPO (Business Process outsourcing) and consulting services, has been revolutionizing the traditional IT.

The main purpose of IT is to make our work more easy & fast. Everything has been digitalize in the revolutionary world & make our life more comfortable. People conveniently move from one place to another and easily reach their destinations at a shortest possible time. People become more comfortable due to technological innovations.

Akansha Gupta is an enthusiastic person who is passionate for her work. She is eager to explore new things other than writing blogs which contain helpful information regarding IT solutions and software services. Apart from writing, she is researching on airline industry solutions

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Akansha_K_Gupta/2102774

How Has Technology Changed Art?

Photoshop Artists are one of the most common digital artists who give an amazing look to a picture with the help of imaging software and different applications.

These applications are developed with the help of technology. Anyone can be a digital artist having knowledge and proficiency in Photoshop.

Difference between traditional artists and digital artists is that traditional artists use paint and cement for their art and digital artists use imaging software and applications in their art. Some of the applications have the power to create 3D art work.

Technology has taken art into a new level of creativity. Let us talk about how technology has changed traditional art into digital art. We know that internet is ruling the world with its power. So, artists decided to present their art online with the help of internet. This is possible with use of technology.

You must have seen art galleries and attended painting exhibitions in your life. These doesn't work well these days so artists find a way where they can get more attention and more praise for their work. Most of the artistic stuff is now seen online and is circulated to the art lovers.
There are some places where exhibitions are held and we do respect them. But presenting paintings, sculptures and art work online is in trend. Some of the artists are also showing their art on the basis of card swipe panel or coins.

How this work - when you enter coins or swipe card in the panel, the panel shows you some of the art work for a few minutes and then gets closed and if you want to see it again or explore more, further you need to swipe your card or add coins into it. This is how artists are using technology.

How digital artists are using technology for their art work
Digital artists already in touch with technology are aware of the systems that are in trend and use them to create their art work and sell them online.

Some of the professional digital artists are earning a lot of bucks by selling their art work. They can also design the ones that you want and are also ready to make any modifications you need.

They use different software to explore their skills and made it more impressive. They are using technologies that offer new ways to express their art work in a realistic way for much more time.

They are using different types of media and mix them to provide a more creative art work. Their 3D art work looks as real as it is present live in front of you.

Technology not only brings changes in education, medical field, industry and business but also brings a huge change in the art work and the artists as well.

Technology opens different paths for the artists to enter into for a good earning. They made their profession more powerful along with their art work.

In our busy lives we hardly get time to meet each other and our loved ones. How can it be possible to see exhibitions and galleries? So technology has brought this change in the art workers to show their skills and talent to people from anywhere in the world.

Technology is getting advanced and making more useful for the common man as well as artists. Technology has provided us with several things that we should be thankful. One of them is digital art work.

Original article published on http://techwormz.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Unni_Ajayan/2360931

Update Your GPS SAT NAV With a New Voice

Your Garmin or TomTom sat nav will get you on your way with an efficient, business-like tone in the language of your choice. However, you needn't settle for the ordinary. Why not have a bit of fun and spruce up your sat nav with a more interesting voice? Perhaps, instead of the very proper voices that come standard with your device, you'd prefer a silly squirrel, or maybe you'd like Han Solo or Darth Vader navigating you about.

It's easy to download a new personality for your Garmin or TomTom on their respective web sites. Imagine a Yeti giving directions, or perhaps the eerie Dr. Nightmare consorting his book of magic for the best route! Garmin offers several free voices such as these. For a nominal fee, you can also download Spongebob or Dora the Explorer. (Quite a surprise for the children!)

Before you begin, you may download the Garmin Communicator plugin. This is a free program which lets your computer communicate with your Garmin GPS. If you don't want to use this program, you can download the voice to your computer, then open and extract it. Find the voice in your Garmin drive. Either way, your Garmin GPS device must be connected to your computer via a USB port.

Once your download is complete, and you have disconnected your gps sat nav from your computer, you can change the voice on your unit. Simply go to tools, then to voice setting. With the list of voices on your Garmin screen, scroll down to find the one you'd like, then you click ok. It's that easy!

If you'd like to put a bit of your own personality into it, you can also download the Garmin Voice Studio. This is a free program that guides you through recording your own voice for truly customizable sat nav directions. You could even have a friend or loved one record for you!

If you have a TomTom GPS, you'll need to visit the official TomTom site and install TomTom Home software to your computer. With your TomTom sat nav connected via USB, you can begin downloading directly onto your gps sat nav.

At this site, TomTom had quite a few voices to choose from, including many celebrity voices. (However, there is a small charge for select ones.) Your drive shall never be boring with Billy Connolly, John Cleese, or Snoop Dogg directing you about!

Charlie is a sat nav enthusiast. Whether you're looking for a Garmin gps or the latest gps sat nav; Charlie's the man!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Charlie_C_Dean/844045

New Xiaomi Update MIUI 7 Released

Xiaomi, one of the fastest growing giants in the smartphone industry has just presented the world with their latest software upgrade called MIUI 7. There was an event in Delhi, India today where the MIUI 7 was showcased. Although some critics might say that Xiaomi seem to be updating their software a little too hurriedly, this update has been long awaited by the Chinese smartphone company's users. What exactly have these loyal fans been waiting for and will they be pleasantly surprised? Let's find out.

The one thing we need to know is that MIUI is not only reserved for Xiaomi phones alone but in fact, the operating system can be used on other brands as well. MIUI is, in fact, almost as famous as android and has about 150,000,000+ million users and that number will surely grow in the coming years. MIUI 6 was something that caught the customer's eye with its quirky customizable features and enhanced battery and speed performance. As with any sequel, the MIUI 7 is bigger, better and faster. Well, it is at least better and faster (two out of three isn't bad). The Vice President of Xiaomi, Hugo Barra, claims that the new look of MIUI will be up to 30% quicker than the lower version. As seen before, the MIUI operating system mirrors Google's Android system and the 7 is to MIUI as what as the Lollipop 5.1 is to Android.

There is a special feature on the MIUI 7 that will soon be available with the Xiaomi phones only where videos can be set to different contacts instead of the boring old ringtones. This 5 second video will repeat itself when you get a call. The OS will help the device reach its true potential by stopping useless wastage of data while unwanted apps run in the background. This increases the battery performance as well and can be extended by an impressive 20%. Opera Software powers and assists the OS in restricting unwanted web traffic. With bigger display's, the MIUI 7 offers its users a bigger font that actually looks neat on the device and makes it easier to read.

For added protection, there is a child lock feature that stops children from viewing anything beyond of what they are supposed to. The facial recognition feature is one of the best in MIUI 7 and works in away where the camera recognizes a face and can create an album with all pictures of that person. A colorful interface theme is what the MIUI 7 brings to its viewers in 4 different shades (Pink Blush, Ocean Breeze, Rose and High Life). These themes can be further customized to the users wants.

KnowYourhandheld shared Xiaomi Update MIUI 7 news in their website. Visit for latest smartphone news on all phones, tablets, phablets and everything every other gadget that can fit in your hand.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Donald_Finch/1638348

How to Update Windows Drivers the Easy Way

If you have ever had problems with any of the devices that you have connected to your PC, then there is every chance that the problem is due to the fact that you do not have the right device driver for that piece of equipment installed on your computer, or they have become out of date.

Windows comes with many drivers already installed, but as you add new devices, like scanners, printers, webcams, and keyboards, more are needed to allow your computer to communicate properly with the hardware. Over time, Windows gets updated and manufacturers update their own software and, if you don't keep up to date with all the latest versions, your peripheral devices can stop working all together. Drivers for Windows devices can also sometimes be affected by other applications you have installed.

When you do experience a problem with connected devices, it can take hours and hours to identify exactly what the issues are and then you will need even more time to search for and download the latest version of what you need. Fortunately, you can save yourself all the time you would have wasted on fixing a problem like this by using Driver Updater software, which takes away a lot of the pain of keeping your PC up to date.

Updaters scan all the devices that you have connected to your PC and they compare the software you have installed with the latest versions available on their database. If you have any out of date drivers, any are missing, or a more stable, reliable one is available for your device, the software will download and install new ones for you. A job that would have taken you hours to do can be done automatically for you in just a few minutes. Even better, you don't have to know the make and model of your devices, because a good updater software package should do that for you too.

Reputable driver updaters keep their databases completely up to date and they only use official versions or those that have been tested by the manufacturers, so you also avoid the danger of downloading viruses or malware.

Keeping your Windows up to date will not only keep all your devices working properly, it will also improve the performance of your PC as well because out of date software often run slower than the latest releases and they can also sometimes conflict with other software on your PC.

The best updaters will also have the very latest drivers for Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 8, and Windows 10 available in their database, so you won't need to search for updates.

Professional computer users can benefit from this type of software, just as much as the novice can. Now, instead of installing all the drivers on a new or rebuilt PC, one at a time, you can do it all in one go. Plus, as the databases for these applications should always be up to date, it eliminates the routine maintenance tasks too.

Carambis Driver Updater is a very easy way to Download Windows Drivers and to keep them up to date. Whether it is a Driver Windows 7 you are looking for or another Windows version, it's well worth checking them out before you waste too much time searching for it yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Neil_Savin/2156456