How One Couple “Marry” Kindles and Hardbacks Together

July 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A couple once saw a picture of a gag gift on the internet, where a Kindle was placed in the hollowed-out pages of a book. This idea piqued the curiosity of J.C. Holmes and partner Maha Abu-Libdeh and gave birth to ReAuthored.com – an online shop that sells hardback cases for e-readers for around $29 to $39.

Many traditional readers loathe the artificiality of e-readers, saying that devices like the iPad and the Kindle just don’t feel the same as holding a hefty book in their hands. Abu-Libdeh shares this sentiment about how books are being ‘treated’ in light of an e-reader revolution. “It’s sad to think of them being thrown away and turned into toilet paper, which is why we’re so enthusiastic about what we do,” she says. The couple also treats the selection of hardback covers as more of personalized art than simple manufacturing – the likes of some Kindle covers that are designed to give your device unique personality & style of its own.

Holmes and Abu-Libdeh actually take the time to ask customers about their interests and would then select a relevant and meaningful cover for their use. This has worked out excellently for Dillon Davis, who works in a company founded way back by his grandfather. The couple picked out “More Than I Dreamed” by Malcolm Forbes, son of the Forbes magazine founder. That was a book which Davis can definitely relate to. ReAuthored.com also sells covers for the iPad, Kindle, Kobo Touch and Nook Color.

If you’re looking to make the jump to e-books and not quite sure where to buy a Kindle, we recommend that you get it directly from Amazon for the best possible customer service and return policy. Don’t forget to factor the price of a cover into your purchase because as cool of a device as it is, it is not a great idea to carry your Kindle ‘naked’.

Filed Under: Gadgets

Using the Internet to Your Advantage Before Refinancing

June 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If times are getting a little tight, and you want to cut down your monthly payments, you might want to consider refinancing your car. Before you jump into the game, taking any idea someone throws your way, try using some tools you have on hand to your advantage. Your computer and the Internet can be wonderful tools for negotiating contracts and finding the best lenders available.

Thanks to the Internet, markets are very competitive for lenders. In order to obtain and retain customers, lenders have to offer the best possible options. You might find that the lender that you are already dealing with has the best possible options for car refinancing. Then again, you might find that it is better to take your business elsewhere. Research different companies on the Internet; read the fine print to see what each company offers. Ask for quotes so you can compare different lenders.

Some individuals are hesitant to request quotes from online companies because they don’t want to fill their email boxes with junk mail. If this is a concern for you, simply create an email address that you use specifically for online inquiries. That way any spam from the companies stays clear of your personal communications.

Once you have narrowed your choices down to two or three lenders, contact customer service to discuss specifics related to your situation. It’s important to always talk to a human being when you conduct business online, to avoid potential scams. Some companies offer customer service through online chats while others provide phone numbers for you to call to talk with their customer service representatives

 

Filed Under: General, Internet Tagged With: , ,

Finding Discounts on Electronics

June 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Generic Touchscreen MP3 Player

Image by AngelaShupe.com via Flickr

Shopping for gadgets and the latest advancements in electronics can be a fun process for those who always want to have the newest item. However, since new products are being introduced on almost a daily basis, it can become a very expensive habit quickly. Settling for outdated and old-fashioned electronic devices isn’t the answer, but there are ways to shop for these items while sticking to a budget.

As soon as the latest MP3 player, mobile phone, gaming device, or computer comes out, it seems like there is newer one available before the lines have even started to dwindle. Marketers often promote features that similar items don’t have, such as faster processing, better picture or graphic quality, and smaller or lightweight packaging. Becoming a tester for these items is one way to save, since those who are selected can get the latest gadgets for free just by offering feedback. Online auction websites may offer discounts, especially for items that might be one generation before the newest. Many people sell their items at a heavy discount through online classifieds, so if a buyer has cash available, this can be a great way to score great deals on nice items. Many retail stores offer lower prices on electronics that were displayed out of the box in the stores, so purchasing an item without a box can help save money. Watch for mail-in and instant rebates, as these can provide huge discounts off of televisions, cell phones, computers, and more.

Staying on top of advancements doesn’t mean breaking the bank, if customers are careful with their money and willing to shop around to find the best possible deal.

Filed Under: Computers, Tips Tagged With: , ,

Setting up a Home Wireless Network

June 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Linksys WAG54GS ADSL2+ Modem Router

Image via Wikipedia

Many people enjoy working and browsing the internet from home, and when trying to link up multiple computers, it can be tough to share the connection time. Setting up a wireless router is a great way to split the internet between several computers, so that no one has to wait for a turn on the computer. When family members need to do homework, check emails, work from home, or make purchases, it can be frustrating to have to always wait.

Setting up a home wireless network is a pretty simple process, even for those who don’t feel that they are computer savvy. Doing a little research to find out what router would be best for the needs of each family member can help save time in having to return the router after determining it isn’t working correctly. The internet connection runs through a modem, which is plugged directly into the computer and the wall. Unplugging this cable and hooking it into the router instead of the back of the computer is the next step. The router can stay hooked to a desktop computer, if desired, but for a laptop, it is easier to have the connection be completely wireless. The router will have a web address in order to install software on the computer to manage the connection. Setting up a password is a smart way to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the connection, and protect private information.

Choosing to use a wireless router at home will make internet surfing and working much easier for everyone in the home. It is an easy advancement which allows multiple computers to be online at the same time.

Filed Under: Computers, Internet Tagged With: , ,

Selecting the Right Computer

June 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A woman typing on a laptop

Image via Wikipedia

There are hundreds of computers on the market, and each has a different set of features. Choosing the right computer for individual needs is important to make sure the best experience will result. Some might prefer a computer that is better for gaming, while others need one that is better for designing graphics.

When deciding which computer to buy, it’s smart to figure out a budget on how much money will be allotted to the new machine. Some computers will be priced much higher than is affordable, so knowing how much is available before setting foot in a store can help avoid debt and overspending. Customers must then decide if they prefer a set location or portability, to help determine if a laptop or desktop will be better. Often a desktop has more features at a lower price. For those who travel or work from different locations, spending the extra money on a laptop will be well worth the cost. Reading online reviews of models can be helpful, since it provides user feedback of those who have these items and have been using them. It can be very frustrating to spend a lot of money on an electronic device, only to find that it has a problem that other users have commented on. Doing some research and reading up on options can save a lot of money and dissatisfaction down the road.

Choosing the right model and make of computer can make working, gaming, and web surfing much more fun and easy. Upgrading to a newer processor and larger hard drive means faster speeds and less waiting around for things to load and run properly.

Filed Under: Computers, Tips Tagged With: , ,

Music from the Cloud

May 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

http://www.flickr.com/photos/turtlemom_nancy/

Some 30 years ago Sony created the Walkman, and soon after came the Discman. Then with the advent of computers, came the MP3 player. Most of the first players were flash based, meaning they had no moving parts, but didn’t hold a lot of music. Very shortly after came hard drive based MP3 players, giving users plenty of space, at the expensive of battery life, and adding moving parts that would eventually fail back into the mix. Then the capacity of flash storage increased enough to give users plenty of space and fix the cons that came with the previous generation of players. Times are changing though and a new contender is on the market.

Between many new portable music players having WiFi and loads of people using their smartphones as music players, all these people are constantly connected. So instead of having to spend time transferring music from a computer to music player you transfer your music to your own secure storage space hosted on the internet. Once your music is in a single location any connected device, a portable music player, computer, tablet or otherwise can access all of your music anytime.

Several large companies have just recently started offering cloud music services. Amazon.com has introduced their storage with a two free gigs of storage and options to upgrade for additional. They have also offered an Android native client for access, but nothing for the Apple iPhone yet. Google has also launched its own cloud services, but it is not yet available to the public as it is currently invite only.

Filed Under: Gadgets Tagged With: , ,
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