[Accessory] Poetic Slimline Case | Nexus 7

If you're like me, then you probably have a few cases/covers for your devices.  I probably have 3 or 4 just for my Nexus 7.  I recently grabbed the Poetic Slimline case and I couldn't be happier.  It's the perfect combination of sexy, slim, and functional.  I got mine from Amazon for $15.

If you're looking for a great case for your slate, I highly recommend this one.  Despite some early reviews on Amazon reporting poor build quality, I kept checking in noticed how Poetic was not only trying to make it up to their customers, but they were also upgrading the design on this model.

They've done a great job and I'm really impressed with the attention to detail that's gone into it, to date.

Hit the links below for the all the details on the awesome case by Poetic and maybe even pick one up for yourself:-)

Link:  Poetic Slimline case- Nexus 7 (Official Site)

Source:  DroidHorizon

[How To] Microsoft Office On Your Chromebook | SKYDRIVE

    If you've got a Chromebook and need to work with documents, you know that we have Google Docs (Drive) at our disposal. However, at times you may have found yourself needing to use Microsoft Excel, Word, or Powerpoint for various reasons.  Google Docs are compatible with MS Office docs for the most part, but there are some aspects that end up lost in translation when converting.  If you've been looking for a solution to this problem, this is for you.

    At the moment, MS Office in its humongous footprint, program form isn't available for the Chromebook but that doesn't mean you can't use it.  Microsoft offers an online web app called Skydrive that's free to use and offers most of the features found in the traditional pc suite.

It has a simple UI that makes finding your files easy.  From the dashboard, you can access not only your folders and files saved in the cloud, online, but you are able to access your folders on your pc that are synced as well.  More on this in a bit...

You can create a new Word, Excel, Powerpoint, or OneNote document in Skydrive, as well.  Just click on the Create icon at the top, select the type of document you want to use, and you're off and running.

On your pc, you can download the app that allows you to sync specific folders to Skydrive to access them anywhere.

As for the Chromebook, this is a quick and easy way to use MS Office whenever you're not able to or prefer not to use Google Docs or other office suites available.  I've had to use this in a pinch a few times, such as when editing slideshows originally created in Powerpoint.  Google Slides isn't going to be completely compatible with it.  As much as I love Google Docs and use it as much as possible, sometimes there are situations where you have to use MS Office apps.  And I believe this is a solid workaround for fellow Chromebook users.

Hope this helps!  Be sure to +1 this post and subscribe for more tech news, tips, and tricks.  Thanks guys!

Link: Skydrive

[App] Music Remote - Control Your Stereo With Your Android Device | WITHOUT Wifi or Bluetooth

    One of the great things about Android is the ever evolving, open, and increasingly easy ways to connect everything we use on a daily basis.  This has become a major selling point for the platform, and there are so many apps that lend to this.  Some apps shine and actually make our lives a bit simpler; the way it should be.

For example, have you ever wished you could use your Android device as a remote control with your stereo?  Music Remote by Ubergrund, is a free app that lets you do this, easily and best of all - without the need of a wifi or bluetooth connection.

    I have personally been using this app for a few months and I highly recommend it.  It's reliable and fairly simple to set up and use.  It's also an easy and cheap way to breathe new life back into those old Android devices you may still have lying around or in a drawer.

The premise is simple:  

1. Install the app on your old Android device, enable the app in Settings, then connect it to your stereo.  This can be done via the headphone jack.
2. Next, install the app on your other Android device, as well.  Set it up same way you did the first one and choose which device to use as the server (the device connected to the stereo).
3. Choose a playlist/tracks and remotely control playback, as well as volume, with your other device.  Simple. 

Via the Browser Interface URL (mobile)

Another great feature if you don't want to install the app on the other device or don't have a second/spare Android device to use, is the ability to control it with your Mac/PC/Chromebook via the web.  

Operating this way is just as simple:

1. On the connected Android device, go to Settings > Browser Interface > Enable.
2. Then tap Share Browser Interface URL.
3. Send the link to your email, open it in your web browser, use the on screen controls to operate your connected device remotely.  Be sure to bookmark it, baby...

Via the Browser Interface URL (pc)

So, head on over to the Google Play Store and grab it.  It's easy to use and it's free!  Don't forget to rate the app after you try it for a bit.  Devs need love, too...

Link: Music Remote  (Google Play Store)

Nexus 4 Factory Image Is Back

If you own a Nexus 4 and need/want the factory image, you'll be pleased to know that it is now back online and available for download here.

For whatever reason, Google pulled the Nexus 4 image from the site shortly after releasing the device.  Unless you were one of the few that grabbed it before it disappeared, access to it was a bit tricky.  Fortunately, it has been restored to the site... for now. 

Source: Droid Life

Airdroid 2 Beta Brings New Features

    Those of you that already use Airdroid will be happy to know that Airdroid 2 is now available.  It's still in beta, however, from my own personal experience so far, it works extremely well.  With this new, enhanced version come a variety of great, new features that make it even easier to use.

    For starters, now you can connect to your devices over a mobile network as well.  This is great because now you aren't limited to a wifi network. Just sign in by creating an Airdroid account, if you haven't already, then link your Google account for quicker sign-ins next time.  I can now access my devices from anywhere.

Tip:  You don't have to use a pc.  You can also use your tablet or smartphone as well.

Another new feature the Airdroid team has added is the ability to locate/track your lost devices.  It's simply called "Find Phone" and it's built in to the application. 

Finally, a couple things that I believe current users will love or even convince you to try it out, is the ability to remotely control your device's camera.  Once connected, you can access the camera on your tablet or smartphone to take photos. 

You can now add shortcuts to files and folders as well.

These are just a handful of really useful features Airdroid offers up.  It's extremely reliable, has an intuitive UI, and best of all- it's free.  

I highly recommend this app/utility to any Android user interested in enhancing their experience.  Go check it out;-)

Airdroid (web)

Airdroid (Google Play Store)

Lenovo ditches Windows for Chrome OS

Guys, this is huge news.
For the first time in ages, the prospect of Windows not being the main, go-to OS for business use is becoming a reality.
I'm ecstatic about this because I've personally used Chrome and ChromeOS. I've seen the potential it has. Matter of fact; at my previous job, I routinely locked horns with the IT Administrator there, as we differed in or opinions about Windows vs Linux (Chrome OS).

One of the debates that come to mind was about me getting caught using Chrome as my browser in my office. We weren't allowed to use anything but IE (Internet Explorer). Firefox wasn't even allowed. He had been apparently tracking my computer use & came by one day to bust me. I remember him telling me that "our company runs Microsoft products exclusively & IE is the only browser permitted on these PCs from a safety & security standpoint."

My question to him was "...so you chose to go with the least secure system & browser available?!"

We didn't always argue. In fact, we got along pretty well because at our cores, we were both tech nerds:) However, I was never able to convince him that Chrome OS was the real deal... While I was there;-)

Read the full article here.

Ditch iTunes Once and For All

UPDATE: Use any cloud storage service you wish, including Google Drive.
So, I just achieved Super Dad status with my 9yr old daughter;-)

She has both, an iPod Touch and iPad Mini, and putting music onto them is a complete P.I.T.A. due to the fact you have to use iTunes.  For over a year, it's been hit or miss trying to sync the kid some stinking tunes onto her iPod but I vowed to figure out a solution to this B.S.  I use Google Play Music exclusively on all my stuff (Android user) and everything's so much easier to do on an Android device; why does everything have to be so complicated & require a workaround on iOS??

It came to me recently, while browsing through the Appstore on her iPad that there were generic Google Play Music apps available. So after a bit of dwelling on the issue, I figured out a way to beat the system...

HOW TO SET UP GOOGLE PLAY MUSIC ON iPAD / iPOD / iPHONE

1. Create a google account for my daughter. (which I had done prior...)
2. Open Google Music Manager on my PC, click Advanced, sign out and sign in under her email and password.
3. Move all the tunes/artists she likes into a folder named "Google Play Music-PC-<insert name here>.
4. In Google Music Manager, click Add Folder and select the folder created in Step 3, click Apply then Upload.
5. Go to the Appstore and install gMusic: A Google Music Player ($1.99) and sign in to her Google account.
6. To stream, merely tap Play. To sync (make available offline), choose Offline for each desired Artist/Track.

Hope this helps anyone who has been trying to figure out an easy workaround to this issue. Anybody who already uses Google Play Music is familiar with this process.