Product Review: Microsoft Surface 3 Tablet

Illustration by Raul Arias for The American Lawyer

For a long time, expressing admiration for one of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows RT tablets, the original Surface RT or its sequel, the Surface 2, was like saying how much you enjoy paying income taxes: You don't. The tablets were well-built and incorporated some great ideas, such as an innovative keyboard cover, but because they ran on Windows RT, a stunted version of Windows that never attracted many software developers, they suffered from a very limited selection of apps.

With the new Surface 3, however, Microsoft changes all that. By ditching Windows RT and enabling full Windows 8.1 compatibility, Microsoft has built arguably the strongest iPad competitor on the market. (Both tablets start at $499 but require spending a couple hundred dollars more before they are work-friendly.) Indeed, in the three weeks I used the Surface 3, I barely touched my iPad.

The best way to think of the Surface 3 is as a smaller version of Microsoft's Surface Pro 3, a terrific Windows-based tablet in its own right, but a costly one. The Pro effectively requires an investment that surpasses $1,100 for a mid-line version with 128 gigabytes of storage and a keyboard cover that is all but mandatory for professional use. (There is a low-end 64-gigabyte Pro, but it really isn't suitable for work, since Windows and Microsoft Office eats up a fair chunk of that space.) The Surface 3 retains the solid construction of its bigger sibling, and it's really not that much smaller, with a screen that measures 10.8 inches, compared with the Pro's 12 inches. In fact, Surface 3's slightly smaller size is a bit of an advantage, making it more portable than the Pro, and lighter, too, at 1.37 pounds, compared with the Pro's 1.76 pounds.

As one who has used (and liked) the Surface Pro 3, the one thing that gave me initial pause about the Surface 3 was its CPU. The Pro's biggest trump card is that it packs a "real" PC processor, Intel Corp.'s Core-I series. The Surface 3, on the other hand, uses Intel's Atom CPU, an ultra-low-voltage, lower-cost processor designed specifically for mobile devices. Having used Atom CPUs in various netbooks in the past, I was skeptical. Those devices were cheap, but could be painfully slow.

My fears were unfounded. While you probably won't want to edit video or play first-person shooter games on a Surface 3, the tablet turned in respectable performances for the applications that mobile lawyers are most likely to need: word processing, Web surfing, using Skype, even editing and creating PowerPoint presentations. With multiple programs running and a half-dozen browser windows open, the Surface 3 ran surprisingly smoothly. I didn't experience any lags playing high-definition movies and television shows, either. And it was great to be able to load and use iTunes, something that wasn't possible on those earlier RT tablets.

One important note: I was using the $599 version of the Surface 3, which comes with 4 gigabytes of RAM and 128 gigabytes of solid-state disk space. I'm not sure if the base model, which comes with 2 gigabytes of RAM and 64 gigabytes of storage, would turn in a similar performance. And I wouldn't recommend finding out. These days, 64 gigabytes of storage won't be sufficient for most business users. The upgrades make the extra $100 money well spent.

You'll want to add another $130 for the keyboard cover, which transforms the device from a tablet to a near-laptop. The Surface keyboard cover is easily the best keyboard I've ever used on a tablet. It is thin and light, while featuring well-spaced keys and handy backlighting. No, it doesn't quite compare to a real laptop keyboard, but it comes very close, enough so that I was able to compose documents at a speed comparable to my laptop typing, and without ever feeling like I was settling for a suboptimal experience.

What really differentiates the Surface keyboard is that it is truly integrated with the tablet. You don't need to pair it via Bluetooth or worry about charging it. It attaches via a dedicated port on the tablet and requires no external source of power, so it truly seems like part of the tablet.

This version of the Surface keyboard is even better than the ones built for the earlier RT tablets. Taking a cue from the Surface Pro 3's keyboard, it features a magnetized flap that connects to the bottom of the display. This puts the keyboard at a slight angle to the display, making for a more comfortable typing experience and greater stability when using the tablet on your lap.

But about that $130: With every new Surface release, Microsoft takes heat for not including the keyboard with the tablet. The criticism is that the base model's price doesn't really reflect its true cost, because you need to buy the keyboard to realize the tablet's full potential. And that's entirely true: Using this tablet without the keyboard cover is like building a pool and never filling it with water. But no tablet comes with a keyboard. A comparable iPad, with 128 gigabytes of storage and a high-end add-on keyboard cover, will typically cost more than the $729 a 128-gigabyte Surface 3 plus keyboard runs. Ulimately, the Surface 3 isn't a cheap tablet. But it isn't costlier than comparably equipped tablets, and at least for now, it delivers on its productivity promise better than the competition.

The Achilles' Heel: Battery LifeThere is one thing the Surface 3 doesn't deliver on: battery life. This was easily my biggest disappointment with the Surface. Microsoft claims that you'll get 10 hours of video playback on a single charge. By now we know to trust battery life claims about as much as we do FIFA executives. With the screen on full brightness, I repeatedly achieved about 4.5 hours of life. I didn't expect to get close to 10 hours (full brightness is tough on a battery), but 4.5 hours is a subpar showing for a tablet. With brightness turned to about 70 percent, sufficient for work since the Surface 3's display is quite bright and vibrant, I achieved just under 7 hours. That's better, but still less than most 10-inch tablets.

Some users may also find that the display's size can make working with Microsoft Office a bit more challenging on the Surface than on a laptop. Since it runs full-blown Windows, the tablet also runs full-blown Office, not the tablet-optimized version Microsoft released for iPads. This has a benefit: Namely, you get every single feature you get on your laptop. But it also means that menu buttons may be too small to tap with precision. I found that a good stylus solves the problem. (One option is Microsoft's Surface Pen, which also gives one-click access to OneNote but adds another $50 to the tab.) But some potential buyers might decide that the Pro, with its bigger screen, makes more sense for them.

Owners of previous RT tablets will notice that the Surface 3's screen isn't just sharper than earlier models (it now has a 1,920 by 1,280 resolution, up from 1,920 by 1,080 on the Surface 2) but features a squarer 3:2 aspect ratio. I found the new display better suited for working with documents; they fit better and required less scrolling.

The USB 3.0 port and compatibility with the full Windows ecosystem of mice, flash drives and other plug-and-play devices is another plus, as is the ability to run two applications side-by-side and to charge via a standard micro USB port—a Surface first.

I found enough strengths here to be sold. More than any other mobile device, the Surface 3 looks and travels like a tablet but works like a PC. Now it's time to break the news to my iPad.

Contributing editor Alan Cohen writes about law firms and technology.

Source: Product Review: Microsoft Surface 3 Tablet

The good - and very bad - of the Microsoft Surface

That's to a stroke of luck on Craigslist, I was finally able to get my hands on a Microsoft Surface recently.

I'm not going to lie -- I've been railing against the Surface for quite a time now, but let's focus on the good for now.

First of all, it is exactly as advertised -- it can fully replace your laptop. The Surface runs a full version of Windows, in which you can download and install software on. Google Chrome? Microsoft Office? VLC? No problem.

Further, when the cover/keyboard is attached, the Surface folds into a very tight package -- much smaller than your typical laptop. Plus, being able to detach the keyboard and use it as a regular tablet, and with the built-in stand are great for tablet users.

One of the downsides is the Surface only comes in the standard-size -- no Surface mini yet.

But why hold off any longer, and let's give the people what they want: Me ranting like a lunatic.

The problem with the Surface is my biggest gripe against it -- I feel Microsoft is dishonest to consumers when advertising the product.

You've seen those dopey commercials where they show you how it comes apart and a Macbook Air doesn't, haven't you? Then it flashes the price: Starting at $499.

Almost $500 isn't cheap for a Windows laptop in today's market (this goes back to how Windows is built versus how Mac's OS X is built, but we've covered that before -- you can go online to timesonline.com for past columns). Chromebooks can start as low as $150 for basic models. Even relatively advanced laptops can still squeeze in under $500.

"But Steve," I'm sure you're saying, "affordability is subjective."

Absolutely. Price is static, but affordability is relative -- $500 to one person may not be much, but to another it could mean his or her monthly rent or mortgage. That's not what I'm upset about.

The point is the first word of the sentence: "Starting" at $499. Sure, there are more advanced models of the tablet, but that's not what Microsoft is referring to. For $499, you get: The tablet. That's it.

"But what about the keyboard they show?" you may ask. "Surely, that has to be included."

It's not.

And what's worse, it is expensive. Microsoft's website no longer sells the touch keyboard anymore (which is a piece of junk), so the Type Cover keyboard is $130.

Already we're talking about $630 (plus tax) to replace your laptop.

Still on board? OK. The new Surface 3 comes with a dandy pen tool so you can write and draw on the tablet (it, essentially, works the way a mouse does). It's also another lovely accessory that's not free. Be prepared to shell out an additional $50.

So, here in Pennsylvania, we're talking about a tablet, with keyboard and pen tool, running north of $700. "Starting at" is a very cover-your-butt phrase.

So how do I feel about the $100 I spent on my Surface? Well, let me phrase reframe that in Microsoft speak: How do I feel about the amount of money totaling $100 I spent on my Surface?

Stephen Gugliociello is a writer for The Times whose technology column appears regularly. To get in touch with him, email sgugliociello@timesonline.com, tweet at him @BCTSteve, or follow him on Facebook, facebook.com/bctsteve. 

© 2015 Timesonline.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: The good - and very bad - of the Microsoft Surface

New Smartphone Technology to Help Visually-Challenged People 'See'

Scientists are developing new adaptive mobile technology that could enable visually-impaired people to 'see' through their smartphone or tablet.

Specialists in computer vision and machine learning based at the University of Lincoln, UK, funded by a Google Faculty Research Award, are aiming to embed a smart vision system in mobile devices to help people with sight problems navigate unfamiliar indoor environments.

Based on preliminary work on assistive technologies done by the Lincoln Centre for Autonomous Systems, the team plans to use colour and depth sensor technology inside new smartphones and tablets to enable 3D mapping and localisation, navigation and object recognition.

The team will then develop the best interface to relay that to users - whether that is vibrations, sounds or the spoken word.

"This project will build on our previous research to create an interface that can be used to help people with visual impairments," said Project lead Dr. Nicola Bellotto, an expert on machine perception and human-centred robotics from Lincoln's School of Computer Science.

"There are many visual aids already available, from guide dogs to cameras and wearable sensors. Typical problems with the latter are usability and acceptability.

"If people were able to use technology embedded in devices such as smartphones, it would not require them to wear extra equipment which could make them feel self-conscious.

"There are also existing smartphone apps that are able to, for example, recognise an object or speak text to describe places. But the sensors embedded in the device are still not fully exploited.

"We aim to create a system with 'human-in-the-loop' that provides good localisation relevant to visually impaired users and, most importantly, that understands how people observe and recognise particular features of their environment," said Bellotto.

The research team, which includes Dr Oscar Martinez Mozos, a specialist in machine learning and quality of life technologies, and Dr Grzegorz Cielniak, who works in mobile robotics and machine perception, aim to develop a system that will recognise visual clues in the environment.

This data would be detected through the device camera and used to identify the type of room as the user moves around the space.

A key aspect of the system will be its capacity to adapt to individual users' experiences, modifying the guidance it provides as the machine 'learns' from its landscape and from the human interaction.

So, as the user becomes more accustomed to the technology, the quicker and easier it would be to identify the environment.

Source: New Smartphone Technology to Help Visually-Challenged People 'See'

7 reasons tablets are good for your customers and your restaurant as well

(BPT) - In today's digital age, more people are enjoying more experiences via mobile screens than ever before. Modern technology is changing every aspect of life and the restaurant industry is no different. Digital offerings, such as tablets, play a vital role in the future of the industry, both in increasing in-store efficiencies and improving the overall guest experience. If your restaurant has yet to embrace tablet technology, here are seven reasons the order's up.

* Keep it entertaining. From trivia to interactive games, tablets at the table offer loads of entertainment options for guests. They can be used to occupy small children (saving your restaurant the expense of crayons and activity sheets) or create conversation starters among adults. However they are used, if your guests are entertained, they'll have a more enjoyable experience at your restaurant.

* Order with accuracy. A full restaurant is a profitable restaurant, but it also makes for a crowded, no isy environment. When these factors are in play, your serving staff is more apt to mishear an order. Tablets can help solve that problem by letting customers order from the screen, ensuring that no matter how loud it is around them, the noise won't stop them from making the right order.

* Paying made easy. Save your serving staff and your guest's time by using tablets as an easy payment option. The tablet can process the entire bill, even add a tip. And this saves your serving staff from having to deliver checks to the table or your guests from waiting, allowing you to turn tables over more quickly.

* Pay to play. Looking to add a new revenue stream to your restaurant? Who isn't? Tablets can help. Free games can keep everyone entertained, but you can also use tablets to incorporate pay-to-play games, offering your guests another entertainment option and your restaurant another source of revenue.

* Improve the guest experience. Restaurant patrons love to be catered to, but they like to be able to make their own decisions as well. Tablets offer both by giving them the chance to find entertainment, pay quickly, order correctly and entertain kids all on their schedule, leaving your staff to focus on the little things that add up to great customer service and memorable guest experiences.

* Market at the table. If a guest is sitting at one of your tables, then you already know they're interested in your business. Take advantage of it. Tablets offer you unique opportunities to promote new menu items and upcoming events. You'll reach these most receptive customers in a natural way without the drawn-out sales pitch.

* Save staff time. Tablets offer restaurateurs the ability to support the essential guest experience while cutting their most expensive costs – staffing. Whether you call upon the tablets to entertain the kids, take orders, handle bill payment or keep guests up to date, you're reducing the staff time that was once applied to all these tasks. This saves your staff for those moments when a human touch is truly required.

The restaurant business is still a people business where face to face interactions are irreplaceable, but as the world continues to move into the digital age, there is no denying the benef its of tablet technology for restaurants everywhere. By incorporating tablets into your restaurant, you'll make your staff more efficient and improve the guest experience. Both sides will appreciate the change.

To find the all the tools you need for your restaurant, visit ACityDiscount.com.

Source: 7 reasons tablets are good for your customers and your restaurant as well

Have school-going kids? Add tablet fee to budget

Sajila Saseendran/Senior Reporter and Muaz Shabandri/Staff Reporter / 25 June 2015

It's too early, say parents pushed into buying educational tablets for seven-year-olds

Students of Grade 4 demonstrate the use of a 'temperature probe' attached to the educational tablet during a recent technology symposium held for parents.— Photo by Sajila Saseendran

Dubai - It is costly and too early, say parents of children who are being pushed into buying educational tablets for children as young as seven. At the Indian High School in Dubai, special education tablets priced at Dh2,285 (full option) are being rolled out from as early as Grade 3.

Several parents who spoke to Khaleej Times claimed the school is putting an additional burden on them in the middle of the academic year. They said the recently signed parent-school contract did not mention the introduction of the tablets or its price.

Education comes at a price

 > Cost of tab without keyboard: Dh1,895

> Cost with keyboard: Dh1,995

> 1-year extra warranty: Dh190 (without keyboard)

> 1-year extra warranty: Dh210 (with keyboard)

> Insurance (optional): Dh80

> Cost of tab with all options: Dh2,285

> Registration fee:           Dh1,000

Many parents of Grade 3 students said it was too early to introduce such gadgets for students their age. "This is the age for children to read books and write with pencils," said one father. "If they are switching to tablets now, when will they do all this? Tablets may be good teaching tools, but should be introduced only in higher grades."

"My seven-year-old daughter loses her notebook very frequently," said S. Varghese, a parent. "I can get her a Dh3 notebook again. But, if it happens with the tablet, what will I do?"

Dr Ashok Kumar, CEO of Indian High School, said, "The opportunities offered by education tablets in the classroom are wide-reaching. Schools that embrace the interactive technology benefit by offering more interesting, engaging lessons to a generation increasingly exposed to advanced gadgets in their day-to-day life. The active learning using this platform takes them beyond acquiring knowledge. It helps in deepening the understanding and enhances their skills of collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and communication."

A large majority of school students have already purchased the tablets and the school hopes to move away from physical textbooks soon. "At present the tablet serves as a strong tool for research and enquiry. Soon the school will be moving towards digital books which will be the solution for the persistent problem of heavy school bags."

'Not compulsory'

Dr Kumar said it is not compulsory for all students to buy the tablet.

Students without tablets continue to receive regular instructional modules from the teacher in a "blended learning environment". Teachers have been provided with training to ensure that students without tablets do not feel left out or disengaged from learning activities, he said.

Parents, on the other hand, claimed students who were forced to buy the tablets last year used it for just two months.

The mother of a Grade 3 student said the school was "coercing parents emotionally" into buying the tablet even without making it mandatory. "Parents don't want their children to feel left out and they are playing with this emotional dilemma of parents, because of which most of them have booked the tablets."

She said parents are also worried how their children will be assessed.

P. Kumar, father of a Grade 4 student, said parents would feel their money is not wasted if the school can prove that tablets are used properly. "But this is not the case. Many senior students said that not all students bought the tablet last year and those who bought hardly used them," he claimed.

He said the school initially sent a circular saying parents had to book the tablets with Dh1,000 in cash in advance within one week. "I have read that the KHDA (Knowledge and Human Development Authority) has said schools should intimate parents about such things at least a year before to plan their budget. Here, they did not mention it even in the parent contract which we signed recently. Instead, they said ... only limited number of tablets was available even as they said it was mandatory and meant for use by all Grade 4 students."

A large majority of students of Grades in which the educational tablets were introduced last year have procured the tablets, said Dr Kumar. "In some special and genuine cases where parents could not procure the tablet, the school made some alternative arrangements."

A business deal?

A parent claimed a school employee told him that orders for 1,500 tablets were made by Wednesday last week. "That is a Dh3 million business (deal) with Intel. How come Intel tablets are priced so high when even Apple iPads are cheaper? Most of the other schools are allowing students to purchase the tablets of their choice and then instal the required apps. The deal with Intel smacks of a nexus between some school officials and the company. The KHDA should investigate it," he claimed.

Dr Kumar, however, said: "The features of education tablets are quite different from other tablets used for general purpose. The school only facilitates the procurement by arranging for educational licensing of Microsoft software and group insurance which makes it more economic. Parents are free to buy these tablets from any other sources as long as it has the same peripherals, probes, software and works on the classroom management system."

On Monday, the school announced the extension of the deadline to book the tablets to Saturday.

Mohammed Darwish, chief of regulations and permits commission at the KHDA, said, "Tablets are valuable educational tools that enrich students' learning experiences. Parents have the choice to purchase all educational resources from any retail outlet they choose or directly from the schools."  muaz@khaleejtimes.com

Source: Have school-going kids? Add tablet fee to budget

Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 Problems: 5 Things to Know

The Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update has pushed out to the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and now the Galaxy S5. And while it brings bug fixes and enhancements, it brings some problems of its own. Today, we take a look at a few things you need to know about Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 problems.

In April, Google confirmed an Android 5.1.1 update for its Nexus smartphones and tablets. Shortly after the confirmation, it began rolling out the bug fix update that tackles Android 5.1 problems and some of the other lingering Android Lollipop problems left behind by Android 5.0.2 and others.

This month, we've finally started to see non-Nexus devices get the Android 5.1.1 update including several popular Samsung Galaxy devices. While the roll out is still very young, we expect the update to start spreading as we push deeper and deeper into the year.

As of right now, only a few devices are rocking Android 5.1.1. Those devices include the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, and Galaxy S5. The Galaxy Note 4 is expected to get Android 5.1.1 in July. All of these updates have delivered numerous enhancements and bug fixes and many Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S5 owners have eagerly installed the update.

While Android 5.1.1 comes with fixes and enhancements, we also know that it comes with some of its own problems. Nexus users have been complaining about Android 5.1.1 problems for several weeks and now Galaxy owners have started noticing issues with Samsung's latest firmware.

With Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 problems swirling and several updates on the way, we take a look at what you need to know about Galaxy Android 5.1.1 problems. This will help those of you already on Android 5.1.1 and those of you who are planning on getting an Android 5.1.1 update in the future.

Prepare Your Device, Now

Samsung's Android 5.1.1 release dates are going to be extremely unpredictable which is why we recommend getting an early start preparing your Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S5, or Galaxy Note 4 for Android 5.1.1 and potential problems it might bring along with it.

We've put together some steps we think you should take ahead of your Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 release date. These will prepare your device but they'll also prepare you for the release. If you empower yourself ahead of the release date, you're going to be able to get a handle on any problems that pop up after you install your Android 5.1.1 firmware.

Galaxy Android 5.1.1 Release Date Tips

We've also put together some Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 release date tips that will help minimize the risk of running into Android 5.1.1 problems on release day and beyond.

There's no way to completely protect your device from potential Android 5.1.1 problems, but if you take some steps ahead of the release date and some steps on the day that the software arrives, you're going to come out of the Android 5.1.1 update in much better shape than if you did not preparation at all.

You don't need to follow them all but we recommend taking a look if this is your first Android phone or if you're nervous about Android 5.1.1 problems.

Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 Problems

The Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 release is limited but we're already seeing Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy S5 users complain about Android 5.1.1 problems.

Galaxy S6 owners are complaining about issues with notifications, abnormal battery drain, problems with the phone's tethering feature, and some odd issues with calls and the UI.

Galaxy S6 Edge users are saying that they've encountered problems with battery drain, with apps, the People Edge feature, and infinite reboot issues. Galaxy S5 users are complaining about lag and we've also heard complaints about Wi-Fi issues and problems with the device's battery life.

We expect more Android 5.1.1 problems to pop up as Samsung continues to push out the Android 5.1.1 update to more Galaxy smartphone users. The problems we have seen though are extremely isolated and we haven't seen too much complaining in the aftermath of the release.

Fixes for Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 Problems

We haven't put together a list of fixes for Samsung Android 5.1.1 problems yet but we have put together a list of fixes for common Galaxy Android Lollipop problems. Many of these fixes will work for the Android 5.1.1 problems that have emerged and so we recommend taking a look at those if you're experiencing issues with Android 5.1.1.

If you own a Galaxy S6 and you're seeing Android 5.1.1 problems, you'll want to head here. If you own a Galaxy S6 Edge, you'll want to head here. If you own a Galaxy S5, you'll want to head here. And if you own a Galaxy Note 4, you'll need to head here if you experience issues.

Those fixes are a great starting point for Galaxy users dealing with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop problems though we also suggest digging deep into carrier-specific forums and Android-centric forums (Android Central and XDA-Forums) for help. The Android community is massive and all of these are popular phones.

What's Next

If you run into Android 5.1.1 problems, you're going to need to be proactive because Samsung's next big update probably won't arrive for several months at least.

Samsung still hasn't confirmed an Android M release but there's a very good chance that all of these Galaxy devices will get Android M down the road. Android M comes with a ton of fixes and performance enhancements and we expect Samsung to tack on a number of fixes for Lollipop problems.

Android M will arrive in Q3 for Nexus devices and Samsung devices will get it sometime after that. So, if you run into Android 5.1.1 problems, don't expect Samsung or its carrier partners to roll out immediate bug fix updates for those problems. You'll need to branch out on your own to find fixes.

Source: Samsung Galaxy Android 5.1.1 Problems: 5 Things to Know

7 reasons tablets are good for your customers and your restaurant as well

(BPT) - In today's digital age, more people are enjoying more experiences via mobile screens than ever before. Modern technology is changing every aspect of life and the restaurant industry is no different. Digital offerings, such as tablets, play a vital role in the future of the industry, both in increasing in-store efficiencies and improving the overall guest experience. If your restaurant has yet to embrace tablet technology, here are seven reasons the order's up.

* Keep it entertaining. From trivia to interactive games, tablets at the table offer loads of entertainment options for guests. They can be used to occupy small children (saving your restaurant the expense of crayons and activity sheets) or create conversation starters among adults. However they are used, if your guests are entertained, they'll have a more enjoyable experience at your restaurant.

* Order with accuracy. A full restaurant is a profitable restaurant, but it also makes for a crowded, no isy environment. When these factors are in play, your serving staff is more apt to mishear an order. Tablets can help solve that problem by letting customers order from the screen, ensuring that no matter how loud it is around them, the noise won't stop them from making the right order.

* Paying made easy. Save your serving staff and your guest's time by using tablets as an easy payment option. The tablet can process the entire bill, even add a tip. And this saves your serving staff from having to deliver checks to the table or your guests from waiting, allowing you to turn tables over more quickly.

* Pay to play. Looking to add a new revenue stream to your restaurant? Who isn't? Tablets can help. Free games can keep everyone entertained, but you can also use tablets to incorporate pay-to-play games, offering your guests another entertainment option and your restaurant another source of revenue.

* Improve the guest experience. Restaurant patrons love to be catered to, but they like to be able to make their own decisions as well. Tablets offer both by giving them the chance to find entertainment, pay quickly, order correctly and entertain kids all on their schedule, leaving your staff to focus on the little things that add up to great customer service and memorable guest experiences.

* Market at the table. If a guest is sitting at one of your tables, then you already know they're interested in your business. Take advantage of it. Tablets offer you unique opportunities to promote new menu items and upcoming events. You'll reach these most receptive customers in a natural way without the drawn-out sales pitch.

* Save staff time. Tablets offer restaurateurs the ability to support the essential guest experience while cutting their most expensive costs – staffing. Whether you call upon the tablets to entertain the kids, take orders, handle bill payment or keep guests up to date, you're reducing the staff time that was once applied to all these tasks. This saves your staff for those moments when a human touch is truly required.

The restaurant business is still a people business where face to face interactions are irreplaceable, but as the world continues to move into the digital age, there is no denying the benef its of tablet technology for restaurants everywhere. By incorporating tablets into your restaurant, you'll make your staff more efficient and improve the guest experience. Both sides will appreciate the change.

To find the all the tools you need for your restaurant, visit ACityDiscount.com.

Source: 7 reasons tablets are good for your customers and your restaurant as well

Sony Xperia Z3 , Z4 Tablet software update will fix overheating issues; receives certification

Sony has been quick to take note of complaints about overheating issues in its new flagship, the Xperia Z4, released in Japan, as well as its global version the Xperiz Z3+, and is now ready with a software update to fix the issue.

Reuters

The Xperia Z4 was recently launched exclusively for Japan and became available for purchase with the country's mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo. However, Japanese users soon began complaining about the Xperia Z4 overheating and the Japanese carrier even officially confirmed that that the device had overheating problems. Moreover, performance tests conducted on the Xperia Z3+ in the Netherlands also revealed overheating issues, particularly when the camera was used to record HD videos. Users of the Xperia Z3+ complained of experiencing overheating issues while playing games, watching HD videos on Netflix, or recording a video with the device.

Speaking to a Dutch publication, Sony acknowledged the overheating issues in the Xperia Z4 and Xperia Z3+. The Japanese tech giant said it was aware that the overheating was being caused by Qualcomm's controversial Snapdragon 810 chipset and promised to release a software update to fix the issue.

Sony seems to have kept its promise, as a new firmware update for the Sony Xperia Z3+ (E6553) and Xperia Z4 Tablet (SGP771) has reported to have been just received certification from the PTCRB. The update carrying the build number 28.0.A.7.24 as compared to the current 28.0.A.6.8 is likely to resolve the overheating issues being created by the Snapdragon 810 processor powering both the Sony Xperia Z3+ and Xperia Z4 Tablet.

Most manufacturers of other smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 810 chipset have 'fixed' their overheating issue with the use of thermal throttling to keep the processor sufficiently cool by slightly compromising on the handset's overall performance. It remains to be seen if Sony's firmware update will completely resolve the overheating issues in the Sony Xperia Z3+ and Xperia Z4 Tablet.

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Source: Sony Xperia Z3 , Z4 Tablet software update will fix overheating issues; receives certification

Tablet systems replace registers, satisfy sellers

Mercedes Gutierrez Cedillo signs her name on an iPad-based point-of-sales system after swiping her credit card for Holly Hagemeyer to pay for a phone cover Thursday at Cellairis in Crossroads Shipping Center.(Photo: Jason Wachter, jwachter@stcloudtimes.com)Buy Photo

Basic facets of trade have stayed the same for thousands of years.

But ever-developing computer technology is changing transactions.

Many now happen through tablets — a pleasing opportunity for some local retailers.

Read more soon: Apple Pay and other mobile options creep into Central Minnesota.

Manager Marie Lind-Behrends said mobility and back-office reporting pushed the owner of Cellairis in Crossroads Center to adopt an iPad-based point-of-sale, or POS, system.

"It's accessible, and I can move it around," she said of the cellphone repair kiosk's tablet.

Mobile devices give businesses new management abilities and provide ease to consumers. They introduce some challenges, but a register veteran said they're not a fading trend.

Jeff Davidson has operated Davidson Business Equipment in St. Cloud for 26 years. He said the rise of tablets is the second big industry shift of the last decade, following the widespread change to computerized POS systems.

He said his Windows-based Touch Dynamic tablets have become more durable over the last 18 months.

While Apple-based systems rise in popularity among many small businesses, units running Windows or Android can be more common with food-service providers, such as the Municipal Athletic Complex.

Davidson said his tablets at the MAC allow staff in seating areas to submit food orders, which are available to view at other terminals, as all the tablets are connected. The devices can require employees to choose a specific product for sale, decreasing theft, human error and other problems.

Tablets also provide other advantages to retailers.

Owner Justin Willard of Lionheart Games uses a separate tablet to enter items into his iPad-based Square system. From Magic: The Gathering cards to protective sheets and soda, items are subject to stock alerts when inventory hits a specified level.

The system "keeps track of everything for you" and helps make business plans, Willard said. He does not use paper records, and he transfers data from Square to QuickBooks once a month.

Story continues below.

Buy Photo

Cellaris uses an iPad-based point-of-sales system for processing credit card sales Thursday at Crossroads Shipping Center. (Photo: Jason Wachter, jwachter@stcloudtimes.com)

Reports from Cellairis' system by NCR Silver provide data on sales, taxes, returns, discounts, traffic and more. And through identification numbers, staff information is available in real-time. Lind-Behrends said she and the owner can view performance and other data anywhere.

Olde Town Tattoo artist Brandon Flicker praised Square's flat 2.75 percent cut of each swiped-card transaction. Traditional processors would not charge some fees until month's end, a headache with the variable income of his industry.

The rise of cash-back and rewards programs lead people to use credit rather than debit cards, said Kim Nguyen, owner of Viet-Tien International Market & Deli. And while traditional payment systems might charge businesses more for the credit transactions, Square's fee is the same either way.

Flicker cheered Square's digital receipts and custom invoices featuring the shop's logo. Nguyen said the system provides paperless satisfaction.

With chargebacks and paper records in the past, store personnel had to dig out multiple pieces of an analog puzzle, she said. Now life is simpler.

"Everything is online," Nguyen said. "We don't have to store anything."

She said her husband's sister owned a food truck and used a Square system. The convenience it brought her pushed Nguyen to adopt one for Viet-Tien.

Early on, a requirement to communicate with Square through email was upsetting, she said, but the company now offers a call center for customer service.

Retailers said Central Minnesota consumers seem to be comfortable with tablet payments.

Olde Town staff members often use separate Square card readers plugged into iPad headphone jacks. The system saves time, Flicker said, and customers like it.

"They can do the transaction right where they got the tattoo instead of coming up to the register," he said.

Olde Town's system — increasingly popular at events such as Summertime by George! and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival — retains some customer information. Email addresses appear after repeat customers swipe cards, saving a few moments and providing a marketing opportunity.

On its website, Square states all customer information is encrypted, or scrambled and inaccessible to outside parties. Flicker said no one at Olde Town can unearth full email addresses or card numbers.

Lionheart keeps in contact with customers using collected addresses, Willard said. The opt-in system can inform potential buyers of sales, deliver coupons and compile rewards.

He said his store can honor earned discounts at checkout time no matter if a customer is aware of the deal.

Nguyen said the lack of a paper receipt, an option for businesses, initially shocked some customers, but she hears more positive than negative feedback.

Signing on the iPad screen with a finger is easy, Nguyen said, and customers appreciate a large, clear signature as opposed to the chicken scratch of smaller, older machines.

The largest benefit is user-friendliness, she said. With traditional systems, the multiple steps a customer and cashier had to take before finalizing a transaction could be frustrating.

Tablet POS systems aren't perfect, however.

Nguyen did cite one potential drawback — disconnections — but said she has backups. If Internet service from Charter Communications fails, Viet-Tien can use a T-Mobile wireless connection. With a small Square reader, free for businesses who use the service, cellphones also can process cards.

"If our Wi-Fi isn't working, the iPad doesn't work," said Lind-Behrends of Cellairis. She said those infrequent disconnections are the only downfalls of her tablet-based system.

Davidson said his Touch Dynamic tablets display annoyingly small text at times.

He said the change to mobile devices can frustrate employees, who at times can despise new processes. But he also warned people who try to stay stiff in the dynamic world of commercial trades.

"Times are changing again," he said.

Follow Mitch on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat: leclairmitch. Contact him at 320-428-1336.

Watch for Part 2

Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are creeping into Central Minnesota. Learn more in a story Saturday.

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Source: Tablet systems replace registers, satisfy sellers

Sony Xperia Z3+, Z4 Tablet software update for resolving overheating issues receives certification

Sony has been quick to take note of complaints about overheating issues in its new flagship, the Xperia Z4, released in Japan, as well as its global version the Xperiz Z3+, and is now ready with a software update to fix the issue.

Reuters

The Xperia Z4 was recently launched exclusively for Japan and became available for purchase with the country's mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo. However, Japanese users soon began complaining about the Xperia Z4 overheating and the Japanese carrier even officially confirmed that that the device had overheating problems. Moreover, performance tests conducted on the Xperia Z3+ in the Netherlands also revealed overheating issues, particularly when the camera was used to record HD videos. Users of the Xperia Z3+ complained of experiencing overheating issues while playing games, watching HD videos on Netflix, or recording a video with the device.

Speaking to a Dutch publication, Sony acknowledged the overheating issues in the Xperia Z4 and Xperia Z3+. The Japanese tech giant said it was aware that the overheating was being caused by Qualcomm's controversial Snapdragon 810 chipset and promised to release a software update to fix the issue.

Sony seems to have kept its promise, as a new firmware update for the Sony Xperia Z3+ (E6553) and Xperia Z4 Tablet (SGP771) has reported to have been just received certification from the PTCRB. The update carrying the build number 28.0.A.7.24 as compared to the current 28.0.A.6.8 is likely to resolve the overheating issues being created by the Snapdragon 810 processor powering both the Sony Xperia Z3+ and Xperia Z4 Tablet.

Most manufacturers of other smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 810 chipset have 'fixed' their overheating issue with the use of thermal throttling to keep the processor sufficiently cool by slightly compromising on the handset's overall performance. It remains to be seen if Sony's firmware update will completely resolve the overheating issues in the Sony Xperia Z3+ and Xperia Z4 Tablet.

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Source: Sony Xperia Z3+, Z4 Tablet software update for resolving overheating issues receives certification

Tablets: why we don’t love them anymore, but (maybe) we should

These days, it seems most of the world is smitten with smartphones. Sales are up, prices are going down, and the competition has never been fiercer. The same can not be said, however, about their sizer ilk, tablets. With even Apple finding that sales are slipping, it's quite clear there is something up with large screen devices. Ironically enough, if we travel back in time just a few years, there was no shortage of optimism. Fast forward to the recent past however, and trouble is looming on the horizon. Things have changed indeed, with companies like Samsung and even Google experimenting with 4:3 aspect ratios, and rumors circulating that 2015 will pass without the release of a new Nexus tablet.

In this piece, we're going to take a look at the tablet market, try to understand just why tablets aren't faring as well as smartphones, and point out some plausible, possible reasons why you might want to (re)consider using one.

Looking back (to go forward)

First and foremost, before we can begin to understand just what's going on with tablets, it's necessary to understand where the device format has came from, at least with respect to Android. The first tablet mainstay to hit the consumer market was Samsung's Galaxy Tab. The original Galaxy Tab, back when there was only one Galaxy Tab line/size, if one can believe it. The product was launched the same year Apple gave the world the original iPad, and in no small way, was Samsung's attempt to not only establish itself as a major force to be recognized with in the device classification format, but to pre-empt rival Android OEMs and potentially take a piece of the lion's share of the market Apple was then-enjoying.

The device was, at best, a 7-inch Galaxy S, and indeed the OS itself would occasionally "forget" it was running on a tablet and instead refer to the Tab as a phone. The fact that non-North American models could also make voice phone calls with the included cellular radio definitely did little to clear up the confusion. ASUS was arguably the next major player when it decided to release the first 1080p Android tablet. Motorola would follow shortly with its XOOM, the Nexus-that-never-was device that launched the much-maligned Honeycomb.

Following Motorola's "non-Nexus", tablets more-or-less exploded, with established OEMs and non-brands alike trying to get in on the action. Asus had just released the Transformer, would later release the Transformer Prime which shocked owners when it received Ice Cream Sandwich quite quickly. Google itself made waves with the original Nexus 7 given the excellent price point (save for those who used eBay to buy the White-colored I/O Edition…) and great specs. By the time 2014 hit, the only real shake up in the tablet game was Samsung's releasing a pair of products with a Super AMOLED display, the first time such technology was ever included on tablets larger than 7.7 inches.

Chances are you might (have) own(ed) or wanted one of the devices specifically mentioned above, or perhaps one that wasn't. Either way, tablets were once big news, and it seemed like every one was racing to the bottom in their quest to sell as many as possible.

Tablapathy: why "no one" cares anymore

Now that we understand a bit about the general history of Android Tablets, let's consider why it seems people don't go for them with the same gusto that once rang true. Look no further than the following table (courtesy of IDC) to get a feel for the lengthening lethargy:

As you can see, tablet sales for Q1 decreased almost 6% year-on-year, mostly at the expense of the two largest players, Apple and Samsung. LG had a surprisingly strong boost with the release of the G Pad product line, though another mainstay, ASUS, faced the largest decline of all. What might be causing this?

The race for space

Unlike phones, which people carry with them and use daily, tablets are often seen as a "luxury" that extends only to the home and travel. Obviously, this doesn't apply to everyone, but compared with the forced acceptance that carrying a phone means having it on you at all times, owning a tablet is something that need not go with you 24-7. While smaller devices are more convenient for say, using on the train during a commute to work, lugging around a 10.1 inch product, or dare I say, a 12.2-inch one, makes things just that much more cumbersome. On said crowded train, chances are you don't have the luxury to make use of copious amounts of space, and thus the smartphone is enough. When you get home however, it's much easier to use a tablet and prop it up on a sofa or kitchen table where you need not worry about a confined environment.

Size issues

From my own personal observations here in Tokyo, for example, it's shocking just how quickly tablets have vanished from visibility on the subway or train in the past few years. At one point the iPad and iPad Mini could be seen virtually everywhere, and even the Nexus 7 or a Fujitsu tablet. These days, it's almost strange when someone is using a tablet if only for the fact that it's so large. That largeness may indeed be a sizable reason why tablets sales are slagging. Once upon a time, when big Android phones were a scandalous 4.3 inches, the prospect of a 7-inch tablet, or especially a 10.1-inch product, were especially enticing. This was all the more true with something like ASUS's second Transformer Prime, the first Android tablet to feature 1080p screen resolution. The experience was truly much more grandiose with a product that was potentially over twice-as-big as the phone you were carrying around on a daily basis.

In 2015 however, the phablet, once a word coined for Samsung's hideously big Galaxy Note, can be seen everywhere, even on Google's own Nexus line. Heck, I love the form factor so much that last year I spent several months rocking the Korea-only Galaxy W, a 7-inch phone. Still, for many people out there, a device like the Galaxy Note 4 is large enough to meet the needs of productivity and recreation, and if said needs are both met with one single product, why then would such a satisfied customer go out and spend money on something they don't need.

The lack of motivation

Another problem tablets face is the need to buy another one, or specifically, the lack thereof. Phones are a daily necessity, and go with us everywhere. They are more likely to break or get damaged. A tablet that sits on the dining room table, on the other hand, is probably going to remain in relatively usable condition for years save for accidents or overly aggressive children. Unless we're talking about the most die-hard of spec seekers, the vast majority of consumers simply won't be interested in replacing a product that fulfills its uses sufficiently: "Sure a QHD display would be nice, but do I really need to spend the money when my 1080p looks fine?"

Therein lies the other main motivational problem: differentiation. Tablets release constantly, yet how much change can actually be made from product-to-product? Perhaps nowhere could this be seen best than to look at Cupertino's small-sized embarrassment from 2014: there was almost no difference from the iPad Mini 2 and 3, save for the addition of Touch ID and a gold color scheme. With Android there tends to be a slight bit more inner upgrades (see the Galaxy Tab 3 vs Galaxy Tab 4, for example), but even then, it's more of a spec-sheet situation than it is anything truly tangible to the masses. For someone who has paid $400-600+ for a tablet, specs really don't matter when the thing is just going to "sit on the sofa all day".

Pushing the envelope

Google sought to pose the tablet proposition in a new light late last year, when it unveiled the HTC constructed Nexus 9. The 4:3 aspect ratio was a dramatic change of pace from the 16:9 screen size that seemingly every OEM made use of. Things further advanced when Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab A series, also with a 4:3 aspect ratio, and now even Asus is in on the action. This may very well be an attempt to cash-in on iPad sales by emulating the viewing experience, but it could also simply be an attempt at trying something new just to revitalize the market itself. The size factor means that there is more space to view things such as websites, and as a result there are new perspectives in which OEMs could try and sell their devices. Samsung, for example, is clearly going to try and sell the Galaxy Tab S2 with its apparent 4:3 metal-build.

Still. There looks to be trouble in paradise, as mentioned earlier, rumor has it Google will not announce a new tablet this year, but instead two smartphone Nexus devices. This would make 2015 the first year since the start of the Nexus tablet line, not to receive such a device. (For those in need of a refresher, the original Nexus 7 launched in 2012, along the Nexus 10; then in 2013 the (newer) Nexus 7; 2014 was the year the Nexus 9 hit stores). Some are already lamenting the likelihood that there won't be a Nexus 7 (2015 Edition), though in all probability the general public is likely to not notice anything whatsoever, with the endless supply of 7-inch products available, many of which have excellent specs and come at a reasonable price. Then again, if Google's main objective was to get more OEMs to make tablets (thus translating to more revenue for Google via ads and whatnot) then it need not even care if there is a new Nexus or not, similar to what Microsoft was aiming for with its Surface tablet concept.

But let's stop thinking of tablets as slates for a moment, and consider just what else they might be or become in the not-so-distant future:

The picture above was discovered a few days ago and may (or may not) be the rumored Project Valley that Samsung is said to be developing. What it is, however, is clearly a foldable tablet, and a rather sleek and realistic one at that (sorry folks, the whole Minority Report paper-thin newspaper concept is out of the realm of the real, for the time being). It's very much a product that would have been right at home coming from Sony circa 2005. It's also a tablet that would seek to redefine the very idea of what a tablet is, namely a rigid slate. A product like this could make a lot of waves and have a multitude of uses (especially with the right multitasking software) and very well ignite the world's interest in the tablet form factor once again.

Wrap up  (or why you should still want a tablet)

Truth be told, I am very much a tablet person. The experience is markedly different from that of a phone. It's larger, more leisurely, and more legible. Truth also be told that I'm someone who lusts after any new piece of tech, thus tablets are simply another venue for which I can pursue a potential purchase.

But what about you, the reader? Why should you care about tablets? Well in truth, it's hard to convince someone to get something they don't see a need for, but allow me to try nonetheless:

1. Tablets are great for those with bad eyesight, especially larger devices. While even a Nexus 6 might be great for a phone, those with poor vision will no doubt benefit from having a 10.1 inch device, all the more so if the font size is increased dramatically. They can make great presents for those more senior in age who might otherwise have trouble reading books.

2. Tablets are great for those with good eyesight. Even people with 20/20 vision can strain their eyes, and staring at a (relatively) small screen for excessive amounts of time is a great way to elicit such a reaction. Just imagine how much more enjoyable a 14 hour flight could be if, instead of squinting at a 5-inch display, you were relaxing while feasting your eyes on a 10.1 inch panel.

3. Tablets are great for those with kids. Once again, the large size factor makes them very easy for little children to interact with. There are also many tablet-specific applications for kids. Many OEMs have woken up to this potential market and have included (or rather, left in) the ability to have multiple user accounts on tablet devices, or even have dedicated "Kids Mode" themes or settings.

4. Tablets are great for consumers who don't have a large phone. For all those people who prefer a smartphone to fall under the 5-inch category, having a tablet means having a totally different user experience, and given how then and light many of them are, lugging one around is seemingly a chore in principal, not in practice.

5. Tablets are great for people who want to keep "business and pleasure" separated. I, for example, opt not to install many games on my smartphone so as to diminish the potential battery drain that would result from any number of background processes running or alerts or whatever else might be going on. With my tablet however, I have all the games and whatnot installed given the device's larger battery and screen size. In doing so, I also eliminate the potential for me to be playing any random game at work or elsewhere when my attention should be focused on the task at hand.

6. Tablets are great for business-oriented consumers. I will be the first to admit that typing on a phone is perfectly natural for me (heck, I've scribed several lengthy pieces like this on my phone before, believe it or not) but not everyone might agree. Typing on a phone can be cramped and a tedious process. A tablet on the other hand, is a much more spacious experience and indeed there are any number of business productivity suites that are, arguably, best optimized for use on a larger device. Likewise, unlike smartphones which typically have nothing more than Bluetooth keyboard options, tablets often have any number of "laptop-esque" docks created for them to make a much more traditional experience out of business productivity.

7. Tablets are good for people who are concerned with battery life. Let's face it, even the best smartphone is only as good as it's battery, and as screen resolution gets higher and higher, the power needed to push those pixels also increases exponentially. Rumor even has it that 2016 may see 4K displays. Set your current device to 75% brightness, then watch a 10-minute YouTube video. Note how much battery charge has dropped. This, for example, is one reason I am loathe to do such things on a smartphone, because what happens if you need to make a call or type an e-mail at the end of the day, and the device is hovering around 5% of battery life. Sure, the Ultra Power Saving Mode features in some phones might solve the problem, but isn't it great to have a device explicitly for watching movies and whatnot? All the more so given the copious amount of mAh the average tablet battery has.

These are but seven reasons why you might want a tablet, but they are far from the only ones. Given the somewhat controversial nature of purchasing a tablet, we would be most interested to hear what you have to say. Please feel free to take the survey below, and leave us a comment with your thoughts on tablets, or your own purchase history. Why did you buy a tablet, or why aren't you interested in owning one?

This article originally appeared on our partner site Android Authority.

Source: Tablets: why we don't love them anymore, but (maybe) we should

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Battery life, Overheating issues

Microsoft Surface Pro 3 has proved to be the best tablet in the Surface line-up of gadgetry – so much so that an independent study by Which? pegged it as the best tablet out of 80 devices topping even Apple iPad Air 2. Despite the success and accolades, Surface Pro 3 is riddled with issues that any tablet would face – connectivity, low battery life, and performance issues. Here we provide you with a few tips that may provide you with relief from these common, burning issues.

Surface Pro 3 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Issues

One of the most common issues we have heard about in Surface Pro 3 is the Wi-Fi connectivity issue. If you are also facing connectivity issues with your Wi-Fi, the first thing you would want to do is forget the network with which you are connected. To do this go to your Charms menu, tap on Settings and then tap on the Network icon to bring up the nearby Wi-Fi networks. Tap on your Wi-Fi network and forget it.

The next step would be to re-authenticate to the network and check if that has helped resolve the issue. Most of the times, this step resolves the issue. But if that doesn't help, the next thing would be a router reboot.

If that doesn't help either, we would recommend you update your Surface Pro 3 firmware to the latest version. You may also want to check if there are any significant drivers updates that might be pending.

Bluetooth issues are also quite common and forgetting and re-pairing Bluetooth devices generally solves any issues you might be facing. To do this, go to the Settings app, tap on PC and Devices. Now tap on Bluetooth and remove the paired device you are having an issue with. Toggle Bluetooth and pair the device again.

Surface Pro 3 Performance & Overheating Issues

Though tablets are fitted with custom chips that have been specifically built for devices with almost no or partial ventilation, there are occasional complaints about overheating. Surface Pro 3 is no different. However, this one comes with vents and fans that reduce such issues to a minimal.

If you are using your Surface Pro 3 for not-so-demanding functions like web browsing, emails, instant messaging, you will most certainly never face overheating issues; however, if you start playing 3D games or run some resource incentive application, chances are you might start feeling the heat from Surface Pro 3.

The best thing in such an overheating issue would be to clear the vents of the tablet. The fan on the Surface Pro 3 sits behind the right top edge of your display. Make sure those vents are clear of dust, lint and debris. Also make sure your case is allowing the Surface Pro 3 to breathe.

If this doesn't help, you could use an external fan to help the tablet stay cool. Just a note – just because you are hearing the fan doesn't necessarily mean your device is overheating. If your device suddenly shuts down because it's too hot, then you have an overheating problem.

Under no circumstances should you try to open the Surface Pro 3 as it will void the warranty and you might not be left with any option but to pay hefty prices for part replacement and repair.

Surface Pro 3 Battery life issues

Though Microsoft claims that Surface Pro 3 will provide a 10 hours of video and media playback, chances are you might not see that much of a battery life as it all depends on what and how you use the tablet.

If you feel that the battery isn't giving out enough juice, the first thing you can do is to turn off the backlit keyboard by pressing the Function key and then the F1 button on the Surface Pro 3's keyboard to turn the backlight off.

Next, you can turn down the brightness by going to the Charms bar by swipe from the right edge. Tap on the Settings button and reduce the brightness by bringing down the slider.

Next, you can check the amount of programs running in the background as they can seriously ruin your Surface Pro 3 battery life. Use the X in the top-right corner of every program you don't need to cut down on processing power and battery strain. Also look in the bottom-right corner of your Desktop taskbar to see if there are any programs running in the background that you don't want on. Right click on each one and select Exit or Close.

Finally, you can reduce the number of apps that start when the tablet starts. Press the CTRL, ALT and DEL buttons at the same time and select Task Manager. Click Start Up for a list of apps that are impacting your system's start time. Make sure you only disable the things you don't need. If you're no sure what something is, doesn't necessarily disable It.

Source: Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Battery life, Overheating issues

The easy way to make sure you never forget your tablet passwords

We've explained the need to using strong passwords many times before and how invaluable a dedicated password manager can be when it comes to remembering thing like at*kI=wOt+iG=cigg;Or. This isn't just a PC problem, though — you need to adopt the same strategy on any computer you use, and that includes smartphones and tablets.

Fortunately, plenty of password managers are available for mobile devices, too, both free and paid for. Many will also synchronise their data with the same app on another computer, although that's usually a paid-for benefit.

All work in much the same way, so it's a matter of personal preference whether you use an app like 1Password, Norton IDSafe or LastPass (which are all available for Android, too).

The best apps backup and/or store their data in the cloud, too, which means you can't lose it and can access it easily from other devices. Here's how to get started with LastPass, we've used an iPad, but the free app is also available for Android tablets like the Tesco Hudl 2. 

Step 1: Install LastPass

Download and install LastPass from the iTunes App Store. You'll have access to the premium app for 14 days, after which it will revert to the free version, but the only real change is that this disables syncing between mobile devices.

Step 2: Complete the tutorial

When you first launch the app, you'll see a message about the LastPass web browser, but you can ignore this for now — just tap the OK button continue and work your way through the rest of the brief app tutorial.

[Related story: How safe is your password?]

Step 3: Create a free account

LastPass looks like an ordinary web browser, but you'll need to register for a free account before you can use it. Tap the Create Account button and fill in the form with your details. Be sure to choose a strong, but memorable password here (you'll need to remember it) and tick the three boxes below before clicking the Create Account button again.

Step 4: Set up your first saved site

Once your account has been created, you'll be returned to the LastPass web browser to add your first saved username and password. Tap the Add Site button and then tap one of the icons for the site you want to use — or tap the Add Custom button for a different site. We're using Twitter in this example.

Step 5: Save your login details

Enter your site login details as usual and once you've logged in, be sure to tap the Yes button that appears at the top-right of the LastPass browser to save the username and password.

[Related story: How to protect your iPad against thieves]

Step 6: Customise the saved information

A new window will open with more information about the site and your login details, so edit this as you see fit before tapping the Save button at the top-right of the screen.

Step 7: Auto-fill your login details

Whenever you next visit a site that you've saved your login details for, LastPass should fill in the details automatically. If not, just tap the LastPass button at the top-right of the browser, then tap Matching Sites until you find the appropriate login and tap the AutoFill option.

Step 8: Use LastPass' bookmarks

You can add logins for other sites by repeating Steps 4 to 7. It's easiest to use LastPass to visit sites you've saved login details for and you can open them directly, rather than type their web addresses. Just select Sites from the LastPass button menu and browse for the site category and name, then tap the Launch option. This works just like the bookmarks list in your usual web browser. 

For advice on choosing a password check out our article: How to create strong passwords and never forget them.

Do you have any tips for remembering passwords? Let us know in the Comments section below.

Source: The easy way to make sure you never forget your tablet passwords

Muskogee County Using New Tool To Fight Mosquito Problem

MUSKOGEE COUNTY, Oklahoma -

Muskogee County is recovering from the heaviest flooding in years, and all of the left over water is now a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The county was recently added to the Oklahoma disaster list to receive federal aid for road damage caused by the flooding. As crews tackle the damage, they'll be fighting mosquitoes too, but they have a new tool to help with their fight.

One tablet, about the size or your hand, is all that's needed to keep more of the mosquito larvae from hatching, according to Muskogee County District 1 County Commissioner, Ken Doke.

"You're never going to eliminate the mosquito problem, but the goal is to at least put a dent in it," Doke said.

He said around this time of year you can't help but see and feel the nuisance mosquitos, but with all the extra water now standing stagnant, the mosquito threat is a lot bigger.

"Now that it's starting to get hotter and dryer the threat for the mosquito that carries the West Nile is a higher threat, especially when we've already had surrounding counties with reports of West Nile Virus," Doke said.

So the County Health Department is taking preventative measures by providing tablets.

When county road crews go out to find damages and find little pockets of stagnant water they can toss one of them in the water.

"It couldn't be simpler. The Health Department supplied these briquettes, all we got to do is put them in the water. And it'll treat, like I said, that one tablet will treat this water for quite some time, and it'll treat more water than just what's here," said County Road Administrator, Bob Burgess.

The tablets work by creating a film on top of the water which prevents mosquitos from laying its larvae.

Burgess said even when the water evaporates the residual of the tablet will still work for a few months as new rain falls.

"We're dedicated to just tryin' to take care of the people and this is just a small thing we can do, he said."

County representatives said if you know of an area with stagnant water you'd like to see treated you can contact them and a crew will come out to treat that water.

In the meantime, you're urged to clear out standing water in your yard and practice other mosquito safety habits.

Source: Muskogee County Using New Tool To Fight Mosquito Problem

Text neck” problems becoming serious issue for South Florida residents

Story by Jonathan Beaton/CBS12

PALM BEACH GARDENS (CBS12) -- It's a problem tailor made for the 21st century. It's called "text neck" and it's wreaking havoc on the spines of the young and old across South Florida.

CBS 12 is investigating and found out it's a risk for 58% of American adults who spend time hunched over their smartphone or tablet.

"Not only does it affect the neck, it pulls the spine out of balance, your lower back out of balance and your pelvis out of balance," said Dr. Charles Theofilos.

Dr. Theofilos with the Spine Center in Palm Beach Gardens tells CBS12 he's seeing a dramatic uptick in patients with "text neck" related issues, some seemingly oblivious to their electronic usage contributing to the problem.

"They're on the smartphones, you walk into the patient's room and they're on the phone just like that. They have back pain and you know why."

The longtime Palm Beach County doctor says now his list o f patients is growing younger and younger. Many are just in their early to mid-20's, most all admitting to spending several hours a day hunched over a computer or cell phone.

"A ten to twelve pound head will actually weigh and act like 60 pounds when tilted at 60 degrees."

It's a disturbing trend for parents, like Robin Madden, whose 10 year old daughter spends time every day on her very own smartphone.

"It is eye opening I would say because these aren't problems we dealt with growing up. It's very different now," said Robin Madden.

Doctors say the best way to prevent the problem is to take breaks away from your smartphone and practice good posture on a daily basis.

"Text neck" problems becoming serious issue for South Florida residents

Source: Text neck" problems becoming serious issue for South Florida residents

Can a $37.99 tablet possibly be any good?

ProntoTec

I'm fascinated by cheap tablets. In the early days of tablet evolution, a smattering of no-brand models offered prices far below their Apple and Samsung counterparts -- but saddled you with resistive touchscreens (meaning you had to apply actual pressure), abysmally slow processors and already-outdated versions of Android.

In other words, they were all but unusable.

Today, you can buy a brand-new Amazon Fire HD 6 for $99 -- arguably the single best tablet deal on the planet.

But recently, as part of a special project, I needed a tablet that would run a simple custom app and not much more. I could have gone with the Fire HD 6, but my budget was tight and I was hoping for a slightly larger screen. So I started checking out the current crop of cheap, no-brand tablets, and wondering if one of them might get the job done.

Ultimately I landed on the ProntoTec Axius Q9S, a 7-inch tablet powered by a quad-core processor a nd running Android 4.4 (KitKat). In photos, at least, it looked pretty sharp, and although user reviews on Amazon were mixed, it seemed sufficient for my needs.

Price: $37.99 shipped. Wow.

I should note that since I ordered it about a week ago, the price has risen to $39.99. That's for the white model; the Q9S is also available in blue, red and black, and those versions are priced in the $49-$53 range. Still pretty amazing.

Obviously most people don't buy a tablet to run just one app, though I've often preached the value of repurposing older tablets for dedicated tasks: TV remote, music/movie streamer, alarm clock, nightstand e-reader, and so on. A cheap tablet could be used similarly.

So how did the Q9S fare for my project? I have to say, it's perfect. It's surprisingly attractive, with rounded edges and a solid feel that belies the low price. Just as important, it runs my custom app like a charm.

I was also impressed by the screen, which on paper seems pretty low-res (1,024x600) but produces admirably sharp text and nice colors. (Viewing angles, unsurprisingly, are pretty poor.) Remember, too, that the original iPad had a resolution of just 1,024x768.

Unfortunately, this tablet has issues. Maybe I'm spoiled by speedy current-gen iPads and Fire HDs, but the Q9S felt painfully slow at times -- especially when downloading apps or streaming videos. I experienced a lot of time-outs with Internet connections, to the point where I couldn't help wondering if something was wrong with the Wi-Fi.

For example, it took about 4 minutes to download a 50MB game from the Google Play store. Time to download the same game on a OnePlus One phone (over Wi-Fi): 25 seconds.

Meanwhile, the accelerometer frequently shifted screen orientation when I didn't expect it to and sometimes refused to shift back when I tilted the tablet. The built-in speaker is perhaps the worst I've ever heard, and battery life was truly terrible -- maybe two hours at best.

Ironically, apps and Web pages loaded pretty quickly. Games I expected would chug played smoothl y, and Web pages I expected would move jerkily scrolled smoothly as well.

So ultimately the Q9S suffers from two major problems: terrible Wi-Fi performance and poor battery life. Which brings us back to the original question: Can a $37.99 tablet possibly be any good? Answer: It can be pretty good, even better than expected, but you have to expect compromises. Whether or not you can live with them depends on your tablet needs.

If you've purchased a super-cheap, off-brand tablet recently, hit the comments to share the model, specs, price and your overall impression!

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