Awesome Social Apps in 2014

Tweetbot 3

The recently updated Tweetbot is still the best Twitter client we've come across, although its developers have started to cash in on that status. The recent version 3 update was little m.ore than an PDS 7 rest in, and even removes a couple of handy features - such as triple-tapping on tweets to reply - yet they cheekily decided to charge afresh.

That said, it's still smartly presented and feature-laden, with options to mute users for a particular period of time, a wysiwyg-style tweet composer, and a hugely useful auto-suggest for sending messages to the people you follow. Better still, tweet timelines are synchronised, so you can pick up where you left off when switching from iPhone to iPad - although, again, you have to pay for both. It's a must-have, but there's nothing to convince us to upgrade from the old version.

There are separate versions for the iPhone and iPad, plus a dedicated Mac edition, so you can use it across your Apple devices.

Redditting

Navigating the morass of news, memes and endless discussion threads that comprise Reddit is no mean feat, but Redditting does a brilliant job of boiling it down. It effectively turns Reddit into an FOSS reader, allowing you to browse your favourite subreddits, filter out sources or contributors, and read the source article beside the comments in spilt-screen. The setting that allows you to filter adult content could make Redd it palatable at your place of work.

Flipboard

Flipboard received a significant makeover last year, allowing anyone to become their own "magazine editor", curating content from websites and other social networks and sharing it with the public at large in a smartly presented, flickable virtual ma.gazine. It remains one of the few apps to neatly collate posts from different social networks, including Facebook and Twitter, providing a one-stop shop for those looking to catch up on their friends' activity, be it posts to news articles, status updates or recent photos_ Unlike many rival apps, it also now supports tablets and laptops running Windows 8.1.

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4IIEFIO PEBBLE SMARTSTICK+

A device like Logitech's case+ energy is handy and all, but what if you have something other than a recent iPhone? or don't want something that's going to bulk out your phone?

The PEBBLE Smartstick+ from Veho is just what you need. It's thin, light, and very, very handy. Designed to clip onto anything from y our belt, to a pack, to...whatever, it delivers power via mini or micro USB, and Apple 30-pin connect ors.it doses over an entire charge, too, making it great for getting out on the road with power to spare.

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LOGITECH CASE+ENERGY --- for iPhone 5 or 5s

With great power comes great responsibility.
Unfortunately, while that may be the case for young men bitten by radica.ctive spiders, its riot the case for most smartphones. With their great power, more often than not comes really poor battery life.

Enter Logitech's case+energy!
Designed for the iPhone 5 or 5s, the case +energy is a form-fitting case with a modular battery panel that can be removed if you don't need the extra power_ Arid if you do need the power, you can get up to double the battery time. Very handy for travelling, or those who just can't help running their battery down playing Angry Birds.

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Hot IP Cameras for Home Security

1. Y-CAM
PRODUCT: Y-CAM HOMEMONITOR
WEBSITE: WWW.IPCAMPRICE.COM
MSRP: $200 - $350
Similar PRODUCTS: TENVIS IP CAMERAS

DEFINING FEATURES:
Wi-Fi-enabled Y-cam HomeMonitor cameras come with a free service for viewing and recording seven days of video stored on the cloud and accessing your stored video by browser or with an app on your smartphone or tablet. There’s no monthly subscription fee, but additional storage is available for $40 a year for one month of video storage per camera. The HomeMonitor Indoor camera is $200 on Amazon or y-cam.com, while the outdoor version is $350.

MANUFACTURER’S COMMENTS: “Customer service and satisfaction is extremely important to Y-cam. We pride our selves on high quality goods and services.”

2. ICAMSPY

PRODUCT: ICAMSPY
WEBSITE: WWW.IPCAMPRICE.COM
MSRP: $0 / PRO $5.20

DEFINING FEATURES:
iCamSpy turns your smartphone and any PC or notebook with webcam into a mobile audio and video surveillance. With a smartphone, watch and listen in real time, anywhere. iCamSpy is the only app that provides live surveillance over 2G/3G/4G mobile networks. All other apps are limited to Wi-Fi.

MANUFACTURER’S COMMENTS: “This is always good to keep on hand ... it fits multiple types of life¬styles and is accessible for all users.”

3. LOREX TECHNOLOGY

DEFINING FEATURES:
The LNC100 Lorex LIVE Ping wireless network cameras allow remote monitoring through a password-protected connection, requiring no network knowledge. Connect the IP camera into a router, run the installation CD and users are on their way to seeing, hearing and protecting what matters to them most. View on your PC, Mac or compati¬ble smartphone. Multiple recording options, no recurring fees.

MANUFACTURER’S COMMENTS: “With the explosion of mobile devices and cloud computing, consumers expect constant accessibility for all of their technology needs. With their home security systems in particular, it is pertinent for consumers to know what is occurring at their homes even when they are not there. With this in mind, we want- ed to provide our consumers with the option to easily view their home or busi¬ness security systems from anywhere in the world.”

4. NAPCO SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES

DEFINING FEATURES:

If you already own the Napco Starl-ink Universal GSM Alarm Communicator, then you have a new, free method to control it. Arm and disarm your security system with your iPhone or Android. The app shows system status and has one button operation to control remotely from your smartphone.

MANUFACTURER’S COMMENT: “Napco is committed to selling products like Starlink 2 that will improve security ... selling deeper into existing channels ... We are excited about the potential for upgrading existing security systems as well as for new installations. Current alarm systems that depend on dial-up phone lines unfortunately have exposure to tampering and VoIP line caused interference. Starlink 2 addresses both of these issues as well as adding an im¬pressive array of new features for the security profes¬sional.”

5. STEM INNOVATION

DEFINING FEATURES:

IZON needs no computer, just a Wi-Fi network and Internet. Download the free IZON App and use your smartphone to link IZON with your network. Now the Stem Cloud comes into play. With IZON monitoring noise and motion, it automatically records video to the cloud when an event happens. IZON alerts you when an event triggers. Record video and view it when you get an alert. Even if the app is closed, you receive a push notification. Each IZON can upload 25 videos/day. Every night, the counter resets and you can record more. You can get unlimited alerts without video, which expires after a week, or tag up to 100 events for the cloud.

MANUFACTURER’S COMMENT: "I founded Stem Innovation in order to deliver some innovative and disruptive products in the connected home category. In 2011, Stem introduced the first entirely app-driven Wi-Fi camera, called IZON. It was revolution¬ary in its design, incredibly simple to set up and use. It featured a great app, and it turned the IP camera market upside down. IZON 2.0 came to market in 2012 and made giant improvements on the original concept."

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SUREFIRE 2211 - New Home Security Product

DEFINING FEATURES: The Surefire 2211 Variable-Output LED WristLight is designed for hands-free tactical-level illumination and is also a handgun light when used in a normal shooting stance. It is constructed of lightweight anodized aerospace aluminum and straps to your firearm support-hand wrist, creating a wide, 200-lumen beam. In close-quarters, this is enough light to overwhelm an aggressor and evaluate threats.

MANUFACTURER'S COMMENTS: “We make sure we buy the very best tubes pos¬sible and the very best equipment possible.... You can rest assured that what you get from TNVC is the best possible and meets the current mil spec for the mili¬tary.”—Kyle Harth, Director of Military/Law Enforcement Sales & Training.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Max Output: 200 lumens
Tactical Runtime: 1.25 hours (before output drops below 50 lumens)
Low Output: 15 lumens (13 hours)
Medium Output: 60 lumens (four hours)
Design: Ergonomic, ambidextrous pushbut¬ton switching
Material: High-strength aerospace alu¬minum with mil-spec anodizing
Wristband: Adjustable nylon with O-ring-type strap
Power Monitor: Built-in LED fuel gauge shows low battery
Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery & USB charging cable
Weight: 3.7 ounces (with batteries)
Batteries: Li-ion (included)

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