Archive for the ‘TechRecs: Cool Tools & Hot Topics’ Category

Aug
30

Tech Rec: Nikon’s CoolPix S1100pj - A Pocket-Cam Packing a Projector

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Nikon has just released an updated version of their CoolPix S1100pj camera with a built in projector and the new version is an improvement over the old in almost every way. The new version is smaller, less expensive and is a handy tool for the business person looking  to make presentations on the fly.

The camera features have been improved with a pixel-count of 14MP, an ISO rating 6400, and a 5x zoom, but what’s really great about the S1100pj is the projector feature.  Simply hook the camera up to your Mac or PC and project your PowerPoint presentation with it’s 14-lumen projector.  The brightness of the projector is 40% higher than it’s predecessor, so that it’s possible to use the projector even in lit spaces.  Of course the projection surface has some limitations with a maximum image size of 47 inches at a distance of 4 meters but for presentations to a small group of people, the projector works surprisingly well.   With a battery capacity of one hour, you may want to bring along the camera’s AC adapter as a back up power solution.

Available in September, the price for this new S1100pj is $350.00.  For more information on solutions for your business, contact Megan Meisner, mmeisner@launchpadonline.com or 813-920-0788 x210.

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Aug
03

TechRec: When One Monitor Isn’t Enough - Confessions of a “Multi-Mon” Addict

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I  remember my first day at The Launch Pad.  I was excited and a little nervous so I got to work early to settle in at my desk before my new employee training began for the day.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that my desk was ready and waiting for me set up with my business cards, cute paperclips, and even some flowers to make me feel welcome.  I was  puzzled to see a second monitor sitting next to my company laptop. ”What am I going to do with that?” I thought.  After a couple of minutes of coaching and a day or two of working with multiple monitors, I was a convert.  It wasn’t long before I had multiple monitors set up in my home office and had added a third monitor at work. 

Multiple monitor users can be found in many information-heavy professions including graphic design, stock trading, software development, IT administration, and publishing.  Users can have email open on one monitor, be working on a document on another and surf the web on the third screen.  You can easily compare similar documents side by side on full size screens rather than clicking back and forth between them.  Simply eliminating the time it takes to sort through open applications on just one monitor is a huge time saver. 

For under $350, you can set up each of your employees with multiple monitors and increase productivity by as much as 20%.  At The Launch Pad we use Acer 19″ monitors and the EVGA UV Plus + Display Adapter.  For more information about productivity solutions for your business, visit our online store or contact Megan Meisner at mmeisner@launchpadonline.com or 813-920-0788 x210.

Megan Meisner
Marketing and Business Development Manager

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Aug
03

TechRec: MEDL’s The Panel - The World’s First Portable LED Monitor

IT Solutions - Get Mobile, Launch Pad News, TechRecs: Cool Tools & Hot Topics No comments

Coined to be large enough to increase productivity yet small enough to be carried anywhere The MEDL Panel is a multi-purpose, portable 13” LED display screen. Slim and lightweight at 2.2 lbs, telecommuters can carry their Panel in their laptop bag, brief case or luggage. The Panel, which was recently launched at DEMO 2010,  can best be described as a computer screen on the go.

While it has some cool consumer features, The Panel has significant business applications. The devise is specifically made for laptops so business users can easily double their workspace by connecting the MEDL Panel to their laptop. Perhaps even more noteworthy, The Panel is perfect for presentations to small groups.  It’s no longer necessary to carry around a projector, wasting time trying to set it up or having to find a suitable room. The Panel allows presentations to be given in a hotel lobby, cafeteria, airplane… literally anywhere!

The best part about The Panel is how easy it is to operate. Working with either Mac OS or Windows operating systems The Panel easily connects to a common USB cable and is ready to go in less than 10 seconds. The screen is also furnished with an internal rechargeable Li-ion battery so it can be used on the road providing an average of 5 hours of power.

For more information on mobile solutions for your business, visit our website or contact Megan Meisner at mmeisner@launchpadonline.com or 813- 920-0788 x210.

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Jul
30

Taking IT to the Streets - RevITup with Mobile Technologies

IT Solutions - Get Mobile, Launch Pad News, Small Business IT Management, TechRecs: Cool Tools & Hot Topics No comments

phone-mobileThe landscape around mobile devices is changing dramatically. This is one of the things I love about the computer industry. While technology is getting better, faster and just generally more feature-rich, prices are going down.  Even the iPhone now has a regular price point of under $200.  Would it surprise you to know that 2010 brought a 48.7 percent  increase in Smartphone sales with 314.7 million units being sold..   That’s an increase of smart phone sales by 48.7 percent during an economic downturn?

So, why would sales of these funtional but not revolutionary devices be going through the roof during a time when so many are concerned about the economy?   Because  it’s one of the most useful electronic devices that you will ever own and has become a central and portable tool for collecting and sharing information.  Not only is it the primary and sometimes only communication device for, well… everyone, but you can run your calendar, locate and call businesses, pay bills, catch CNN, make note and push social media.  Business can be conducted from just about anywhere.   As a business owner  you’re always looking for ways to to engage customers and be relevant at a time when consumers have more choices than ever.  The rules of engagement are changing. In a few years most people will have a powerful computer in their pocket that knows everything they like and how to help them get it.

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Jul
07

TechRec: Toshiba Libretto W100 – Not a Notebook but Not a Tablet Either

IT Solutions - Get Mobile, Launch Pad News, Small Business IT Management, TechRecs: Cool Tools & Hot Topics No comments

Toshiba recently unveiled the limited edition - Libretto W100, a dual-screen hybrid PC. Resembling a Nintendo DS, the Libretto W100 encompasses the “ultra-mobile concept PC” and could be a promising alternative to smart phones for the mobile workforce.  Unlike the iPad and Android devices, the Libretto comes standard with an Intel Pentium U5400 processor and has 2GB of DDR3 RAM. Perhaps even a larger perk is its ability to keep a charge for four to five hours.

Measuring 4.84 inches by 7.98 inches and weighting only 1.8 pounds the gadget is among the smallest in its category. But don’t be fooled, the dual touch screen resolution is amazing at 1024×600. The dual-screens have the ability to work independently – multi-tasking users can shop online while checking work email -  or the screens can work together showing a web page across both screens. Like a smartphone, the Libretto W100automatically changes between portrait and landscape mode when rotated and comes equipped with a USB port. Unlike the iPad, the Libretto offers a Web cam and is compatible with Flash Media Player..

As an added feature Toshiba is promising to develop e-reader software that will allow the Libretto to take the place of your Kindle. Making the most of it’s dual screen interface, the Libretto will be capable of showing two-page spreads much a paperback book.

While the Libretto W100 is priced a little higher than the iPad, the Libretto W100 has a number of attractive features that may make it a great mobility solution for your business.

For more information on mobile solutions for your business, visit our online store or contact Megan Meisner at mmeisner@launchpadonline.com or 813- 920-0788 x210.

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