Smartphones are changing the way business gets done across many industries. It’s amazing to think that it once took a super-computer the size of an office to provide as much computing power as we can now hold in one hand. Less than ten years ago, you could fill a briefcase with items such as a calculator, notebook, mobile phone, camera, GPS, portable music player and even a compass (for you explorers), whereas now an iPhone or Droid will do the trick.


Source

Functional as they are, smartphones still lack in the ease-of-use department when doing things like long-form writing, photo editing or managing multiple high-bandwidth projects. For this reason, we still need solutions that allow the easy transfer of large files to a desktop or laptop computer. We use our smartphones to get pictures, take notes and access content, but sharing this data is a separate task all together, one that occasionally requires separate smartphone accessories to make the process more efficient.

In a recent article titled, Five tips for sharing data from your mobile device, TechRepublic.com takes a look at some data sharing solutions from an IT departments perspective. Chances are, if it’s good enough for the IT department, it is good enough for your home or small office. Topping the list is Bluetooth, and while not every computer is enabled, the article states:

“Most mobile devices offer the ability to easily share data via Bluetooth. Problem is, many computers do not offer Bluetooth compatibility. If you are one of the lucky ones, and your machine has Bluetooth connectivity, happy sharing. For those without the hardware, it is possible to purchase either a card or USB Bluetooth device (such as this IOGEAR Micro Adapter) that will allow you to share those files.”

Another solution offered is the sometimes clunky FTP server, which can be useful for massive files, but also hindered if a company forbids personal FTP servers or doesn’t utilize one company-wide. For a quick but somewhat laborious method, the article suggests and SD card reader. Fortunately, products like the 3-Port USB 2.0 Hub and 45-in-1 Card Reader bridge the gap between our smartphone SD cards and computers as well as peripherals such as printers, external hard drives and more.

Smartphone usage will only continue to surge, and solutions that make accessing and transferring personal or work-related content will follow.

Is your smartphone a hub for work-related activity? We’d love to hear about your experiences with smartphone content management in our comments, on our Facebook wall or on Twitter.

Is YOUR parent crying out for more technology? According to CNN, about half of web active parents ‘friend’ their children on Facebook. If this has YOU rushing for the privacy controls, don’t panic – here at IOGEAR we have some parent-friendly technology suggestions to celebrate Mother’s Day in style.

Flowers and chocolates may be the traditional way to thank that special mom in your life, but this weekend why not introduce Mom to gadgets that will keep her connected and tech-savvy?

From iPads to Twitter feeds, it can be an intimidating world out there for moms looking to stay ahead of the technology curve. Luckily we’re here to help cut through the clutter and provide some helpful suggestions for anyone looking for last minute Mother’s day gifts for the tech-savvy or tech-hungry Mom.

For commuting Moms on the move, or those patiently negotiating the school run, IOGEAR’s Solar Bluetooth Hands-Free car kit allows for easy and green cell phone charging on the move. Perfect for the eco-conscious Mom, the kit is simple to install in any car and enables the driver to wirelessly place and receive calls on a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone while keeping their eyes on the road. Perfect for keeping one eye on mischievous kids on the back seat!

For snap-happy Moms whose digital cameras are filling up fast with proud pictures of children or grandchildren, the 3-Port USB Hub and 45-in-One card reader may be the perfect pocket-sized solution. Compact enough to slip into any purse on the go, this gadget bridges the gap between the computer and devices such as cell phones, digital cameras, and portable MP3 players. Combining three high-speed USB 2.0 ports with a 45-in-1 card reader, it’s easy for Mom to insert a memory card from her digital camera, and upload pictures at blazing fast speed – ready to share with friends and family all over the world.

Of course, Mother’s Day is not the only day of the year we should celebrate our Moms. If you’ve left it too late to celebrate this coming holiday, just remember – it’s NEVER too late to give Mom a boost with a special gift, any time of the year!

For any questions or last-minute panics about Mom-friendly gadgets and home entertainment solutions, leave us a comment!

How will YOU be thanking your Mom for everything this Sunday?

Be sure to take a moment to check out our brand new Mystery Photo Contest on Facebook for a chance to win exciting prizes!

Cheers
The IOGEAR team