The Windows 8 Upgrader’s Gift List: Laptops, Ultrabooks, Tablets, Phones — 2012 Apartment Therapy Tech Gift Guide

Windows 8 was released with much fanfare, and there are a ton of different devices launching with the brand new operating system from Microsoft. Whether you’re thinking about a Windows tablet, upgrading to a new Windows laptop, or itching to get your hands on a Windows phone, here are some of our favorite Windows 8 devices available today…

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Smartphones Are Great for Sharing Bacteria

Smartphones’ proximity to people’s ears, nose and mouth make them a good vector for transferring microbes. Bacteria and other infectious agents on smartphones can cause the flu, pinkeye, or diarrhea. Lab tests show that most phones have abnormally high levels of coliforms, a bacteria stemming from fecal contamination.

Read more @ SciTechDaily

The Totem Pole of Communication

Like many viewers, who saw HBO’s Girls last week, one of the most intriguing parts of the show was when a girl instructed her friend on the totem pole of chat. That term has been in my mind for the last week or so and I’ve spent time thinking about the idea. In our modern connected society, communication has evolved significantly, which is something that a lot of people have trouble grasping. It’s no longer the difference between snail mail and email, but the vast different ways that people of all ages communicate these days, from texts, messaging systems, and life streams.

Stop Your Smartphone from Becoming an Electronic Leash

Smartphones are inarguably handy tools of convenience, if not necessity for some, but they can quickly become an electronic leash. Especially true if you do a lot of work via smartphones, where the constant checking if incoming messages can equal mounting tasks, even when they are not slated for a shift. Workaholics beware, because it’s easy to start working when you are going out with friends!

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5 Ways Smartphones Change Lives

Last week, after having had the same phone for the last few years, I went to a local mobile carrier and purchased a brand new iPhone 4S. This is my first smartphone and here are the ways that it has changed my life.

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Zooka Portable Bluetooth Speaker: Share Tablet Tunes on the Go

Have you ever wanted to share audio from your mobile device, but found that the internal speakers were too weak? Here’s a way to improve your sound without lugging around something that’s too heavy. The Zooka portable speaker was created by the design studio New and it might be the perfect solution for tablet-wielding road warriors.

Read more @ Technabob

Pros & Cons of Bigger Smartphone Screens

As mobile technology evolves, cell phone manufacturers are experimenting with new sizes for their smartphones. Bigger isn’t always better, but there is something interesting about a device that can work well as a smartphone and a tablet. With the release of the Samsung Galaxy Note, a device that sports a 5.3-inch AMOLED screen, you might be wondering if it’s time to upgrade to something bigger.

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