Wednesday, 14 August 2013

Ways to Use Your Mobile Device to Save Money

Smartphones have changed so much about the way people get information and the way that people communicate. It is abundantly clear that Smartphones can do a lot for you, but one thing that many people overlook is that Smartphones can also help them to save a considerable amount of money. By using your Smartphone in a money-conscious and strategic way, your shopping trips can prove much more enjoyable because you’ll end up getting more for less.
Tips on How to Use Your Mobile Device to Save Money
While it’s easy to find tips on how to save money by buying less, it’s much more enjoyable when you can save money and still get the goods and services you want (and need). Luckily, there are some Smartphone apps available that can help you do just that by:
  • Giving you a price reduction on items you want (think new wave coupons)
  • Finding the best prices available through price comparison analysis
Here are some key apps that you should consider installing if you are serious about using your Smartphone to save as much money as you can:
  • The ValPak Mobile app:  The ValPak mobile app is a free download that you can use on your smartphone to save money in many different ways. You can, for example, find 100s of local deals and coupons on the app that you can use at your favorite stores. Simply show the coupons to the cashier to enjoy instant hassle-free savings. No more worrying about printing coupons and then forgetting them at home when you have the mobile app. You can also do a number of other money-saving activities with your ValPak mobile app including redeeming QR codes; adding coupons to your Windows® Phone Wallet or iOS Passbook; sending coupons to your wireless printer; or sharing coupons with a friend.
  • The Slickdeals iPhone App: This app gives you on-the-go access to the biggest community-driven deal sharing site in the United States. Not only can you browse for hot deals but you can also access coupons and learn about sales promotions right from your phone.
  • The Groupon App:  Groupon is a daily deals site that offers the hottest local deals every day. With Groupon on your smartphone, you can always access the best and latest offerings that are available where you live. You can also redeem Groupons directly from your phone rather than having to print them out, which means that you will never leave your Groupon at home again.
  • The Grocery iQ app: This app is specifically designed to save you money on your grocery shopping needs. Grocery iQ has many features that can benefit you when doing your weekly food shopping. There is a search function to help you find coupons that are available at your favorite stores that you enjoy shopping at. You can also create a shopping list easily as the app has a database that can be searched by voice, text and barcode. Once you have made your shopping list, you can sync the shopping list and your available coupons with the Grocery iQ website.   Everyone has to shop for food, so it just makes sense to ensure that you are getting the best deals possible and saving as much as you can.  The Grocery iQ app helps you to do just that.
  • Shopkick: This app is designed to provide you awards points for visiting participating retailers like Target, Best Buy and Macy’s.  If you scan specific items within the store, you can earn even more points. The points can then be redeemed for restaurant and gift cards.
  • Ibotta: Ibotta offers cash rewards for purchasing participating items.  The app is specifically designed to save you money on groceries. Before you head to the grocery store, you can select the offers that you are going to participate in on the Ibotta app. The more offers you choose, the more cash rewards you are able to redeem. The cash rewards are able to be deposited directly into your PayPal account once the purchase has been verified.  You are even able to get a bonus for signing up and giving the app a try.
These are just a few of the many apps out there that allow you to save money by using the technology that your smartphone offers you. From the ValPak mobile app to the other items on the list, using the apps is simple and easy and there is no cost to you--- only savings. Download some of these money saving apps today to get started on making your shopping more affordable and making your dollar stretch further.
Jack Torse is a technology geek, smart phone app junkie in every since of the word. He loves finding new ways to improve the quailty of life through technology. If there is a problem that needs solving Jack is a firm believer in the phrase "There's an app for that".

Tuesday, 13 August 2013

PayPal is testing a new mobile payment solution in the UK



Recently Pay Pal is start testing a new mobile payment solution in UK. In a dozen participating stores, customers can pay for purchases via PayPal from their Smartphone and using an authentication system based on their photo ID. PayPal is experimenting recently in the London Borough of Richmond a new mobile payment solution. It is based on the PayPal application for Android, iOS or Windows Phone and involves twelve stores participating in the test. When a customer enters one of these signs, it may encounter a "check-in". When paying, it enters a PIN on a virtual keypad on your Smartphone or tablet. The customer name with his picture appears on the screen of the merchant's cash register. Once the client has approved the purchase, the seller should click on the picture to complete the transaction. A notification is sent to the mobile terminal in addition to the usual received PayPal. According to Sky News, PayPal deploy this payment system with 2000 stores in the UK by the end of 2013.

Twitter strengthens its security with double authentication for iOS and Android



The Social Network switches neither by SMS or even a phone number to ensure the two-factor authentication. Twitter wants to strengthen authentication on its website. A few months after putting double authentication in place for its U.S. users, it offers a new option which does not pass through an SMS with a confirmation code, and does not even require a phone number. The idea is relatively simple, and more secure, according to Twitter: it generates a general code as a backdrop, which allows it to verify identities by sending a request via the mobile Twitter application itself. It is now only work for the iOS and Android users. If you want to connect via the website to your Twitter account even unauthorized browser.

A notification appears a few seconds after asking the secure login on your device. On iOS or Android app, a message with the account name, the location of the application, operating system and browser used for the query, and the time of the request. Remains to accept or reject the authentication request. This new feature is designed to enhance security in a context where Twitter must show their credentials after the hacking earlier this year, the accounts of about 250,000 users. In May, the social network had reacted with a more conventional double authentication by sending an SMS. A solution that is already improving security and it can be circumvented; especially if the Smartphone was corrupted - it is not difficult in this case to get the verification code for a possible intruder. Applications on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store have therefore been updated. They provide, in addition to this feature, a search engine that displays results based on distributed via the social network images, in an image gallery.

Microsoft Launches "Bing apps" for Windows Phone



A new series of Microsoft applications available for Smartphones running Windows Phone 8. Microsoft has released four new applications for Windows Phone based on its Bing technology. They are also grouped under the name "Bing Apps". First there Bing News that dials a flow of information from sources of your choice. Then there is Bing Weather by which we can know the forecasts per day and hour for a range of locations as favorites, which is visualized on display cards. Bing Sports provides sports news personalized with the ability to track the results of a team and view schedules championships. Finally, Bing Finance offers tools to monitor financial news and stock prices of companies of their choice. These free applications are available individually on the Windows Phone Store.

New Casio G-Shock with Bluetooth 4.0



Casio introduces two new G-Shock watches (GB-6900B / GB-X6900B) equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 LE and connect to an iPhone or Android Smartphone. The watches not only give a signal when you receive a call or receive a notification, but can also act as a remote control for your music player. Additionally, you can set timers and alarms via the Casio Smartphone app. The CR2032 battery in the Casio watches is as much as two years along with Bluetooth twelve hours use per day. In Japan, the two new models will be available from September. It is not yet known from when they are on sale in Europe and otherparts.