Useful Apps for Mac That Can Make Your Travel More Convenient

Traveling around the world can be a fun and enjoyable experience, as long as you have all the right gadgets and information to help you along the way. These things include maps, sufficient information about the country or place you are going to visit, affordable accommodations, taxi stops, and so on. And since it may sound impossible to get all these information in a piece of paper or booklet, there are now apps that can make your life much easier, especially when you are traveling. They can help you do your tasks and find places where you want to go even in a foreign country where language differences can be a barrier.

So without further ado, below are apps for Mac that will make your traveling easy-breezy.

1. Bellhop

Looking for a good hotel is one of the most tedious tasks when traveling, and this may not be easy if you're not familiar with the place you are going to visit. Bellhop helps you find good accommodations in a foreign country and let you find some of the great deals that are happening with the hotels around the world. It also shows the hotels on the map where you can pick from, and then you can proceed with the usual booking procedure.

You can download the Bellhop app for free from the Mac App Store.

2. Google Earth

Would you like to have a clearer picture of the town or the streets of the place you're going to visit? Well, Google Earth is the app that perfectly suits the job. With data from all around the world, the app shows you maps as well as satellite views of different places around the world straight from your Mac. You have the option to zoom in or out a certain area, get a street view, see traffic jams, and many more. It helps you see your destination at a glance with ease via satellite views.

Simply go to their official website to download this app for free.

3. Flight Status

If you are concerned about the gate number of your flight, or you would like to check where you can claim your baggage, Flight Status is the right app that you need. It tracks flights all around the world and provides you with the precise information you need. It allows you to check your flight's gate number, terminal number, baggage claim info, and so on. It currently supports over 4,300+ airports and 1,200+ airlines, so there's a great chance that yours is covered by Flight Status.

You can get this app from the Mac App Store for $6.99.

4. Universal Translator

Is your next flight going to be in China or Indonesia? If so, you may have a hard time making a conversation with most of the people there. In that case, you need to have the Universal Translator app to help you survive your challenging travel abroad. You just need to tell it what you want to be translated and it will give you the right answers. So the next time someone tells you "Sabai dee mai," you can answer that person right away with "Sabai dee krab."

Universal Translator is completely free from the Mac App Store.

5. Swackett

It's also important for you to be updated with the weather before hopping on your flight. Swackett is an app for Mac that lets you check the weather on any city so you would know whether you need to bring an umbrella with you, if wearing a short is suitable once you get there, or just be prepared what lies ahead. With its attractive and informative interface, this app is a great help to bring along.

The Swackett app is available for free on the Mac App Store.

6. Coffee Shop Locator

After a long day of sight-seeing and walking along the streets of a foreign country, you'll definitely want to look for a nice coffee shop where you can relax and sip a cup of coffee. So how do you do that? Well, the Coffee Shop Locator can be the answer to your question. This app searches for Starbucks shops near your current location and filters them as per your preferences. If you don't like those that are situated inside malls, you can set that option on the app. The app will show you those that will suit your requirements. The shops are plotted on the map for better visibility.

You can also get this app from the Mac App Store for free.

7. Currency Converter

Exchanging your money to the currency of the place you're going to is part of every traveler's task. You can't enjoy your visit if you can't buy any souvenir or dine at a nice restaurant on that place, simply because you don't have their currency. But how would you know how many US dollars equal a hundred British pounds? There's nothing to worry because Currency Converter can give you the answer. It's a widget that sits in the dashboard of your Mac for easy access and shows you the current currency rates. You now have a way of knowing how much money you are going to need at your destination and have it converted to the forein currency while you're in your home country. The app does all kinds of currency conversions and supports almost every currency out there.

Simply visit the Mac Update website so you can download Currency Converter for free. These apps will definitely give you a smoother and more enjoyable traveling experience. Why? With the help of these apps, you don't need to run around and ask for someone if they can speak your language before asking for assistance or directions. Of course, you still have the choice to meet other people and gain a friend or two while you're abroad. But for the meantime, it's nice to be prepared and know where you're going so that you can maximize your time to enjoy the beauty of the place. Good luck!

Some of the Best Websites to Learn Basic Troubleshooting on Computer Technical Issues

If you consider yourself a techie person and you can at least troubleshoot some common computer technical issues, then there are sites that you can learn from or add to your knowledge based on what you already know. Often, these sites can give advice and tips on how to solve at least those common problems that don’t need really deep technical know-how.

Of course, you can always go to the search engines to search how to fix a technical issue on your computer. However, this takes time.

By the way, if you are in no way a techie person, even just a little, you can stop here and just call for tech support. If in case you’re confused and don’t know what to do, don’t hesitate to contact tech support.

WikiHow
Probably, the simplest site to go to if you want to learn easy step-by-step instructions including some advice and tips on how to solve those common technical issues on your computer. The steps and instructions are given in detail and are easy to understand. Aside from the tips and advice, there is even a section towards the end that warns what not to do in certain situations.

TechSpot
TechSpot is a good learning site to read up on the latest reviews, news, and to download drivers for your computer. TechSpot’s forum is also a good place to get computer advice and support for a wide range of issues from hardware, operating system, and software to gaming consoles and guides. If you’re facing some common technical issues on your computer, you can also check out the TechSpot Forum.

Supportrix Knowledge Base
Supportrix is the business and tech support unit of Concentrix, the well-known Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) division of the Synnex Corporation. They have been in the business of computer technical support for over 20 years. Their Knowledge Base page contains specific topics for learning basic troubleshooting, or how to avoid technical issues. These topics cover mobile devices and gadgets, multimedia and gaming, network issues, PC tune-up and repair, virus removal and security, and data recovery.

Tech Guy
The Tech Guy forum is a lot larger than most help and learning sites, and focuses on more key areas such as operating systems, networking, internet and e-mailing, hardware, software, software development, security, do-it-yourself projects and many more areas. With many people online at a time, you should be able to get computer support really quickly on a wide range of topics.

Geeks To Go
An ever popular site that has an active forum that specializes in security, operating systems, hardware, software, and development to ensure you can find a solution. With over 1.5 million posts, there have been quite a lot of happy customers.

There you have it. Those are some of the lesser known websites that can help you fix your tech problems. Hope you will be able to find a solution using those resources.

What are the Coming Technology Trends in User Experience for 2015?

Technology trends today are always evolving, and 2015 will undoubtedly be another year filled with cutting-edge innovations and standout technology. And if you look at the past years, each year was always a big year for new technology trends. This coming 2015 will be no different when the user experience face new developments, surprises, and shakeups.

Staying “Always Connected”

The biggest factor that will make headway in 2015 for user experience is Internet connectivity. This isn't just about computers, tablets, or smartphones, but rather, all types of products that can be connected to the Internet at all times. New devices will have the ability to send and receive data, display graphs on smartphones, and store it all on the cloud. Experts call this latest phenomenon the “Internet of things (IoT).”

The blurring between hardware and software

With the Internet now becoming more ubiquitous, a lot of software is now converting into web applications. Many can be downloaded for free through any mobile device or PC. For businesses, however, it makes it harder to appeal to customers because even competitors may be using the same apps. Thus, the true user experience for customer value may now boil down on who can create the better apps without the competition getting to it. Take the example of Apple and what they did with iPod and iTunes package using Device+Software+Internet+Content for their customers.

The rise of the smartwatches

This is one product that the user experience will see rise in 2015. The smartwatch is a device that features not only time and date, but also many other functions including web browsing, social media, and the ability to track user data by staying connected to the Internet and any user smartphone.

The coming of text-less communication

The biggest reason for the popularity of chat apps in mobile devices and even computers is the function that enables users to communicate just by sending icons or stickers. It has been noted that Asians, in general, love text-less communication. It is not because it is faster and simpler, but because it makes it easier to express their true feelings by showing the icon or sticker. This also is a new form of user experience that many users appreciate as it is slowly replacing costly texting and phone call bills. Of course, aside from being able to continuously chat without texting comes the ease of exchanging photos and videos without resorting to costly MMS.

Online services that can provide real experiences

If you think about some of the new and popular online services like Uber and Airbnb, you should realize that they provide a new type of real life experience. Just by using their services online, you can experience a new way to ride a taxi or stay at different places around the world. It feels like the technology has finally started serving its original role of helping people’s lives instead of taking them over.

Taking a closer look at these trends, most of these concepts are actually nothing new. Rather, most of these technologies were well developed almost a decade ago. However, by combining different technologies and platforms, these new trends are also providing new user experiences that may just make a great impact in 2015 or beyond.

Important 'Must Have' Skills that Every Tech Enthusiast Should be Familiar With

You're a technology enthusiast, and you know that there are some so-called “must-have” skills that you need to possess. Of course, the skills required for technology may vary widely from one situation to the next. However, there are some skills that are worth acquiring no matter what your area of expertise is.

Do these skills involve web development coding because it’s in demand globally? Is it perhaps cloud computing since this may be the “hybrid development of the future?” Could it be data for mobile apps? Or perhaps all you need are soft skills such as the skill of being resilient, having adaptability, and having awesome problem solving skills.

However, the first three above may be too technical for some people, while soft skills are basic work ethic skills that everyone needs whether working in IT or on a factory assembly line. Instead here are some “must-have” tech skills that all techie enthusiasts can relate to.

Quality Assurance
The quality assurance (QA) process is central to almost everything from developing software to systems and apps. While QA can be a job in itself, many organizations rely on developers, support professionals, and others to handle QA. If you don’t know anything about it, you’re shortchanging your career prospects. It is, therefore, important for every techie to have a sound QA background in whatever IT field they have.

Documentation
Producing documentation isn’t just for content and technical writers. Support professionals, coders, and other IT workers must often document their processes and products for other technology professionals, customers, and even their non-techie colleagues. Techies with sharp documentation skills have an edge.

Databases
The database is at the foundation of most software projects. The more you learn about databases, the more you’ll be able to contribute to projects with databases at their center. Support professionals often field calls from non-technical users about databases, while developers must often design software to work with databases.

Networks
Even in this age of Wi-Fi and mobile gadgets, everything is still connected especially in offices. If you don’t know the basics of networking, and if you can’t even set up and troubleshoot your own Wi-Fi network, then you need to familiarize yourself with the essentials of networking. Lacking knowledge about networks can be a red flag to potential employers. There have been numerous experiences by hiring managers and company proprietors who have complained about programmers who know everything about coding, but nothing about networks.

Microsoft Office
If you don’t know how to use Excel, let alone how to import an Excel worksheet, then that could spell real trouble for your hiring chances. Too often, too many techies don’t have a broad enough knowledge of Microsoft Office. MS Office – and at least the three basic programs in it, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint – is so pervasive that it makes sense to learn enough so that it’s not a barrier in the workplace. After all, you never know when you’ll need to write technical specifications in Word or prepare a presentation in PowerPoint.

5 Best Lollipop Launchers for Your Android Device

Android 5.0 Lollipop rolled out with a great user interface and a number of improvements in order to make Android devices run as smoothly as possible. Though there are already several devices that have been confirmed to receive this latest update, there are still some that weren't lucky enough to get Android 5.0 Lollipop. If you're one of those not-so-lucky Android users, your time to shine is now. Third-party developers have brought some amazing launchers that lets you get that Android Lollipop look on your device.

Let's take a look at these five great Android Lollipop launchers.

1. Blinq Lollipop Launcher

The Blinq Lollipop Launcher carries the Material UI, which makes your device look like it's running on the real Android 5.0 version. Whatever Android version you're device is currently running on, you can now achieve that Lollipop feeling on your device in an instant. The launcher allows you to create your own gestures, extreme customizations, more transition effects, and many more.

The Blinq Lollipop Launcher can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. It's one amazing launcher that you should not miss.

2. Epic Launcher (Lollipop)

One of the best looking Lollipop launchers you can get for your Android device is the Epic Launcher. With the support of "Ok, Google" keyword and a number of other goodies, it will surely give you a feeling that your Android device is already running on Android 5.0 Lollipop. This launcher allows you to specify custom icons and text sizes, locking and unlocking desktop, infinite scrolling, and so on.

3. Lollipop Launcher

The Lollipop Launcher can give you everything you need to transform your Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean-based Android device into a Lollipop version. Starting from the material UI to speed improvements, this launcher carries almost all the elements that can help you achieve your dream of having the newest version for your device. Aside from that, it supports the "Ok, Google" keyword to quickly launch the search panel for you. What makes this launcher worthwhile is the infinite scrolling and hand gestures. You can download the Lollipop Launcher for free at the Google Play Store.

4. Action Launcher 3

If you're in dire search of a great Lollipop launcher for your Android device, better check out the Action Launcher 3. With the combination of material UI and its own designs, anyone who will look at your device will think that it's a true Lollipop-upgraded one. For quicker access to your apps, Action Launcher 3 offers a unique feature called Quickdrawer that holds shortcuts to all of your apps. Just tap on any app to launch it.

Meanwhile, the launcher's Quicktheme feature combines the color of your wallpaper with the layout in order to create great blendings. For widgets, the Shutter feature lets you create widgets for your favorite apps with just your hand gestures.

Overall, the Action Launcher 3 boasts a lot of great Lollipop features, and it's so awesome because you can download this for free on Google Play Store.

5. KK Launcher

If you want something with handy features and a smooth interface, KK Launcher is perfect for you. This launcher is the solution for those looking a way to give their Android devices a neat Lollipop makeover. Some of the notable features include a handy sidebar, which lets you quickly jump to your favorite apps, "Ok, Google" support, more than sixteen transition effects, unread counts, and so on.

After installing the KK Launcher on your device, you'll notice that your device looks clutter-free, which is a cool and refreshing thing to see on your Android device.

Whether you haven't received the Android 5.0 Lollipop update or you don't want to switch to the latest version yet, installing one of these launchers should help you achieve all those fancy Lollipop features on your device in an instant. Try and see which one will really suit you best.