Microsoft Office Mobile for Android - Microsoft just launched Office Mobile for Android. Laura's Birthday - Today is Laura's birthday! Her BFF festooned her work space with festive party decorations and strung Mardi Gras beads about her! Enjoy! - Relax and enjoy these videos!
That sounds great as a headline. Once one reads the conditions, however, one quickly determines the app works only on smartphones—not on tablets! Additionally, the app works only if the user is a subscriber of Microsoft Office 365! Microsoft is not offering a free version of the app. Also, it is not opening things up internationally: The app is for U.S. Office 365 subscribers only!
Does Microsoft have its corporate head in the sand, or is Microsoft simply greedy? There are several Android-based alternatives to Microsoft Office. All open and edit Microsoft Office documents. Many are free. Although I have used Microsoft apps since migrating from Wordstar for DOS to Word for Windows in 1989.
On my three Android devices, I prefer (and use) Google Docs. Google Drive makes my Google Docs available to me (and to anyone to whom I grant access) from anywhere and on any platform. Google Drive and Google Docs are free!
While I am certainly not by nature averse to paying for tools that I use, but I would undoubtedly consider myself an utter imbecile were I to choose to pay $9.95 per month for something when an alternative is available at no cost—particularly when that alternative is better!
Happy Birthday, Laura! I love you and pray your day is very, very blessed and filled with joy!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Microsoft Office Mobile for Android, Laura's Birthday, and Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Day Two with the New Nexus 7 2013 and Time to Frolic!
Day Two with the New Nexus 7 2013 - When the original Nexus 7 was announced last year, I immediately pre-ordered one and waited impatiently for its arrival. Time to Frolic! - It is now time to frolic!
I had been an Android aficianado for some time—having owned several Android phones and tablets. At that time, Laura and I both had ASUS Transformer Prime 10" tablets and Motorola Droid X smartphones. I found myself drawn to the 7" Nexus 7, imagining that its size would be ideal for daily use. The Prime is an amazingly capable device but is too large for daily carry.
I was impressed by the quality and performance of the ASUS Transformer Prime, and since the Nexus 7 was built by ASUS, I had no reservations concerning ordering one. I quickly found that the Nexus 7 became an integral part of my daily routine. I went nowhere without it. It was my constant companion.
When the new Nexus 7 2013 was announced, I immediately pre-ordered one. Although the Nexus 7 2013 was scheduled to go on sale today, I was fortunate enough to have my order filled last week, and I took delivery yesterday morning. I charged the battery and set up my various accounts. Google restored all my apps with a minimum of interaction on my part. I reset my Nexus 7 2012 to factory settings and set it aside for delivery later that day to its new owner.
I will not engage in a lengthy discourse on the Nexus 7 2013. The Internet is replete with in-depth reviews of the unit. I shall speak merely of my personal experience with the device.
The new Nexus 7 2013 is astounding. Even that adjective insufficiently describes it! The original Nexus 7 was ground-breaking, and it quickly became the most popular tablet on the market. The new Nexus 7 2013 incorporates many additions and enhancements and maintains the same basic build elements that made the original Nexus 7 so popular.
One immediately sees a great difference between the display of the two tablets. The Nexus 7 (2013) has a 1,920 x 1,200 LCD IPS panel, rated at 323 pixels per inch. The Nexus 7 2012 has a 800 x 1,280 LCD IPS display, rated at 216ppi. That is a 107ppi difference between the two devices! Numbers speak of the enhancement of the display, of course, but viewing the display is the real eye-opener! It is without question the most brilliantly impressive display to be found on any device!
Once the battery was charged and the unit was set up, I immediately opened the Netflix app and viewed a few minutes of several movies. WOW! That says it all! The display cannot be described. It must be seen!
The Nexus 7 2013 has a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU, clocked at 1.5GHz. The Nexus 7 2012 has a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, clocked at 1.2GHz. The overall performance difference is very impressive. Apps open and close with blinding speed, and there is absolutely no discernible lag to be seen in any operation or game-play! For example, selecting and adding movies to my Instant Queue with Netflix was accomplished so quickly that at first I did not think they were actually being added.
The new Nexus 7 2013 has a 5MP rear-facing camera. The Nexus 7 2012 has no rear-facing camera. Both units have a 1.2MP front-facing camera.
The 2013 model doubles the RAM to 2GB. This—coupled with the much speedier CPU—greatly enhances operation efficiency and overall performance.
The new Nexus 7 has stereo speakers. The original Nexus 7 has only one speaker. The new Nexus 7 has stunning sound. The new virtual surround sound actually had me looking over my shoulder at times while playing a movie!
Android 4.3 adds some enhancements to the previous version (4.2.2), and if one has a Nexus 7 2012, I strongly recommend updating to Android 4.3. A significant performance improvement will be realized by doing so.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Nexus 7 2013, Chromecast, Caviar, and Enjoy!
Google Nexus 7 2013 - When the original Nexus 7 was announced, I pre-ordered one. I was eager to add this device to my arsenal of Android wireless handheld devices.
Laura and I have ASUS Transformer Prime 10" Android tablets. These tablets are incredible. They feature detatchable keyboards with integrated trackpads and are very capable replacements for laptop computers. They are, necessarily, relatively large and heavy (albeit only by handheld wireless device standards). The 7" Nexus 7 seemed ideal for general daily use. I had been fully satisfied with the build quality of the Prime, and the Nexus 7 was produced by the same manufacturer, ASUS, so I felt confident it would be a quality product.
I quickly fell under the thrall of the Nexus 7! Within a few days, it became the device without which I would not travel. It accompanied me everywhere.
When it was announced that the Nexus 7 2013 would soon be released, I immediately pre-ordered one. It was being manufactured by ASUS once again and featured higher resolution, a front-facing camera (in addition to the rear-facing camera of the original model), increased memory, faster processor, etc., etc.
I was fortunate enough to have my pre-order processed well ahead of the stated release date of July 30th! I tracked the shipment of my Nexus 7 2013 and determined it is on the Big Brown Truck and is due to be delivered this morning!
I fixed my gaze to the live Web cam feed on my desktop—awaiting the arrival of the Big Brown Truck!
My pulse became rapid and irregular, and soon I swooned!
Fortunately, I was tended to by clients and soon fully regained my composure and am now impatiently awaiting the arrival of my new Nexus 7 2013!
Chromecast - I have a Google Chromecast unit pre-ordered as well. It will be warmly welcomed into our family of Android devices!
Caviar - Saturday, Laura and I enjoyed some of the delightful caviar that she gave me earlier in the week. She had never eaten caviar previously. She thoroughly enjoyed it. It had been some time since I had eaten caviar, so this was a great treat for me. Enjoy! - Relax (I cannot!) and enjoy!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Hot Weather, Nexus 7 2013, and TGIF!
Hot Weather - The hot weather from which we have been suffering for what seems an interminable period is forecast to continue through the weekend! Nexus 7 2013 - I have used a Nexus 7 2012 since its release last year. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and use it throughout the day. I also use an ASUS Transformer Prime Android tablet. It is awesome, but at times the size of the Transformer Prime makes it less comfortable to use than the relatively small size and weight of the Nexus 7.
I enjoy summer, but this heat wave has well outlived its attractiveness! It is time for the temperature to fall below 100°!
During such periods, it is critical that one remains hydrated! One must be cautious to drink water throughout the day!
The weatherpeople predict that next week will see temperatures in the mid-to-high 90s in this area, and that will seem positively frosty compared to the 110°+ we have seen for the last several weeks!
One must be alert and watch for warning signs of heat stroke and what to do if one's pet becomes overheated!
Other than staying indoors, relaxing in air-conditioned comfort, it is difficult finding respite from the heat, and innovative measures must be employed!
I have a Nexus 7 2013 on order (along with a Google Chromecast dongle) and am excitedly awaiting its arrival.
TGIF - Enjoy the weekend, and be cautious of the hot weather!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
National Chili Dog Day, the New Nexus 7, Google Chromecast, and Enjoy!
National Chili Dog Day - Today is National Chili Dog Day! New Google Nexus 7 and Google Chromecast - WOW!
July is also National Hot Dog Month! According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans are expected to eat 7 billion hot dogs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. And during the month of July, 10 % of the annual retail hot dogs sales occur.
There are many ways to enjoy the infamous hot dog and one of my favorites happens to be the chili dog. Here are some of the ways I enjoy them.
Laura gave me a very nice surprise upon her arrival at our nest yesterday afternoon:
This delightful burger was to follow me to the office this morning and serve as a luncheon repast.
Unfortunately, I lacked the requisite will power and gobbled the delicious beast within moments of it being placed before me! BURP!!
Enjoy! - Relax, snack on some chili dogs, and enjoy these photos and videos!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Amelia Earhart Day and Be Entertained
Amelia Earhart Day - Amelia Earhart Day honors a famous aviation pioneer. Amelia Earhart broke many early aviation records. Amelia Earhart Day celebrates the birth of Amelia Earhart on July 24, 1897. Be Entertained - Relax and be entertained!
Legend and mystery surround the final flight and disappearance of Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan. They were on a record-setting attempt to fly around the world, when they became lost over the Pacific Ocean. On July 2, 1937, they headed on a difficult leg of the journey towards Howell Island in the Pacific. Weather conditions were less than ideal. While still in radio communication, ships on the ground confirmed that Earhart was having difficulty finding the island. Ultimately, radio communications faded and died. The plane was never heard from again.
The disappearance of Amelia Earhart's plane resulted in the largest search-and-rescue operation to date. It also sparked rumors as to what caused the disappearance. To this day, theories and speculation still exists about the cause of the disappearance. Some theories involve conspiracies and even alien abductions.
Celebrate by learning and reading about Amelia Earhart, and other female aviators. We do not recommend you spend time searching for her or her plane. The U.S. navy searched over 250,000 miles of ocean to no avail.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
National Hot Dog Day and Smile!
National Hot Dog Day - National Hot Dog Day celebrates one of America's favorite summer sandwiches. It is only fitting that this dog gets its day. Smile! - Relax with a hot dog (or two or three)—adorned with your favorite condiments—and smile!
Its summertime. Hot dogs are center stage on the grill, and at picnics all across America. They are at the ballpark. They are sold from carts on street corners in every city. It's not hard to find them. We consume hundreds of millions of hot dogs on the Fourth of July alone.
Enjoy National Hot Dog Day to the fullest. Have a couple of hot dogs for lunch or dinner. And, don't forget to cook a few on a stick at the evening campfire.
We consume so many hot dogs, in so many venues, that the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council hesitates to forecast consumption. But, it does report that each year we buy over 837 million packages of hot dogs at retail outlets, and over 24 million hot dogs at baseball stadiums alone.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Today Is Hammock Day - Relax!
Today is Hammock Day - Summer is in full swing. It is time to slow down and to relax. During the Dog Days of summer, there is no better place to slow down and relax than on a hammock.
Hammock Day is appropriately celebrated right in the middle of the Dog Days of summer (July 3 though August 11th.
Hammock Day exists to enjoy summer as it should be enjoyed. People celebrate Hammock Day by spending as much time relaxing on it as possible. Getting out of your hammock to get a snack or your favorite summer beverage is okay. But it is not a day for work. Cutting the lawn is forbidden on this day.
