Four gifts techies will surely appreciate

Giving the perfect gift to a techie is always a challenge. Always with the latest gadget, finding a gift that techies can use for their daily activities can be difficult. As a technophile, here are some ideas that people like me will always appreciate:

1. Power bank: You know what technophiles usually forget? Chargers. To keep them online 24/7, give them a power bank. A good power bank can power up at least two gadgets at once. This gift is also perfect for the techie who is always on-the-go. Now they have no more excuse for going offline.

Image source: Projectfandom.com

2. Earphones: The tricky thing about earphones is that they always get lost or damaged. Techies will surely appreciate having an extra pair or two that they can use. When picking earphones, be sure to check if both buds are working and if the sound is crisp.

3. Subscription plan: Technophiles are usually subscribed to multiple streaming services and apps that can’t live without. The good news is that most of these services offer discounts when a friend or a relative decides to give a subscription plan as a gift. If you’re also subscribed to the same services, perhaps you can list them as your family for lower costs but for almost the same range of features.

Image source: Aliexpress.com

4. Gift card: Give the techie in your life a gift card that they can use at a tech store. If you really have no idea what to give them for a special occasion, this will give them the liberty to pick what they prefer. Instead of stressing out on choosing a specific gift, this option is safe and fool-proof.

Even if it’s not the holidays, these items make great gifts. I’m pretty sure the person who will receive one of these will be happy.

Hello there! Taihwa Terry Ho at your service. I am a technophile, entrepreneur, and investor. Visit my Facebook page for more updates.

Up-To-Date With The World: The Best News Apps

Image source: mobileinsider.net

It is easier to stay connected with the internet and mobile apps giving updates on current events by the second. Even if people were cooped up in an office for an entire day, they could know what's happening with the rest of the outside world with a swipe on their handheld device.

News agencies and app developers were quick to adapt to the way people consume stories and the news now, and these are some of the most popular apps that are available on most platforms:

Flipboard gathers all kinds of information from news feeds, social networks, and websites and presents them in a magazine format. It covers numerous topics that are organized by category.

Buzzfeed still provides fun content and countless lists of anything, but it now also has a news app "for the most important and interesting stories around the world, handpicked by their editors."

Image source: wired.com

Feedlyallows users to search and select articles from various publications, to bookmark and save for reading later, and to organize them by topic.

CNN and Al Jazeera are giant broadcast companies and have expanded the news to apps. CNN features video news on top of articles, with a focus on the U.S.; Al Jazeera has a broader scope and reports news from around the world.

I'm Taihwa Terry Ho, a technophile and entrepreneur, and I have keen interest in promising app developments. For more news on apps and gadgets, subscribe here.

The Billion-Dollar App Economy Is Looking Up

The app economy has created new venues for venture capital and hedge fund investments, as well as thousands of jobs. In 2015, an estimated 627,000 jobs were created by the iOS App Store.

Image source: openscience.com

The industry is currently generating around 72 billion dollars that app development has become a major draw for entrepreneurs and investors. According to the CEO of AppNation, research shows that despite a saturated market, growth rates are still accelerating exponentially. Analysts forecast that the app economy will be a 100 billion-dollar industry by 2020, if not earlier. Reports also show that 85 percent of revenues come from games, but other app categories such as those for banking, airline, retail, and ridesharing services are growing faster.

The largest app markets are in the US, Japan, and China, but research firm App Annie cites India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Argentina as fast-growing markets.

Driving the increase is app-based commerce; that is, in-app advertising, and virtual goods and paid app downloads. Newer platforms such as smart TV, virtual and augmented reality (VR / AR), and automotive would help boost sales. In the same manner, email, social networks, and mobile browsers are also expected to drive revenues.

Image source: socialmediatoday.com

I am Taihwa Terry Ho and I am tech entrepreneur investing primarily in app development startups. For updates, like this Facebook page.

A Technophile Investor Has a Huge Edge In The Apps Development Market

The overwhelming success of many developed apps, generating unimaginable returns on investments continues to divert the flow of capital to designing applications particularly for mobile phones. Unfortunately, not every investor gets his/her money’s worth of investments. Stories abound concerning frustrated risk takers who shelled out excessive amounts in exchange for overrated applications, such as one that simply requires sending a two-letter one-syllable message.

Image source: https://www.entrepreneur.com/

A considerable number of angel investors likewise have placed their limited resources to apps that have generated zero revenues, falling behind download frequencies. There are cases as well where full-blast monetary support is not justified by a finished product, not to mention incidences wherein the app faced obsolescence, did not qualify for upgrade, and ended up in the dustbin. Unrecovered investment charged to experience.

In the apps financial landscape, the investor certainly shoulders the greatest risk and bears the biggest loss. Most vulnerable are those not adept in the language of apps technology. Overtaken by excitement over prospective high returns, most venture capitalists who are bereft of apps knowhow set aside diligence in product evaluation granting the developer absolute confidence. Inevitably the latter takes the upper hand, a less than ideal situation for a risk taker.

Investors must treat apps development as a serious project requiring a plan, methods and provisions for sustainability, as well as an earnest assessment as to whether it serves a need in the market and target users are inclined to spend for it. There must be an established timeline, likewise, a regular monitoring of progress. Updating one’s proficiency in the prospective apps, or in the technology in general would greatly boost a financier’s chances in selecting a profitable apps venture.

Image source: http://www.thestreet.com

Taihwa Terry Ho is a a consummate technophile and lover of gadgets and computing, and spends resources on developers and startups whose products show promise of widespread regular use. For more information about his work, go to this Twitter page.

A World Full Of Smileys: How Emojis Changed The Way We Communicate

Image source: money.cnn.com

The way people communicate is continuously evolving, especially in our current generation as feelings and intentions can be portrayed by a single image, or in this case, an emoji. Last year, the Oxford dictionary has acknowledged the “laughing while crying” or LOL with tears emoji as its word of the year. There is no official name for it, but when you see it, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Spoken, written, and even (physical) sign language are not enough sufficient to express feelings. The shift in digital communication is striking, and it looks like it’s here to stay. The use of emoji is not just appropriate for casual communication. In some office group settings, people no longer need to reply with words, going instead for the (y) or “thumbs up” emoji. Others use the “bow” emoji to acknowledge a senior’s presence in the group. This just shows that emojis can be used in some professional settings.

Image source: support.apple.com

Miscommunication is also common with emojis. Some people think that the “dancing lady” emoji refers to flirting, while for others, it is what it is—a dancing lady. These pictures may look complicated, but they display thoughts and intentions differently. It is also hard to judge if someone is just being sarcastic with just emojis. For many, it takes a strong relationship between parties to distinguish what the emojis are trying to portray—more of like an inside joke.

I can’t wait for the day that even those who think traditionally can see emojis as a vital communication tool. Welcome to the age of technology, folks.

Hi, I’m Taihwa Terry Ho. Let’s talk about apps and other tech stuff on Twitter.

No Keyboards Needed: Presentation Apps For People On The Go

A lot of office workers think that a killer presentation can only be done with a desktop or a laptop. But with everything in the palm of our hands, it is indeed possible to do an impressive presentation using just a smartphone or a tablet.

In the absence of PowerPoint and Keynote, there are a lot of other apps that can give the same (or better) results. Impress your clients with these apps for your presentation on the go.

Image source: help.slides.com

 

Quickoffice: Quickoffice is Google’s mobile office suite that offers presentation templates for smartphone and tablets. Users can create slideshows from different preset layouts. Photos, videos, and charts can also be attached to the presentation. 

SlideShark: SlideShark is available in standard and team editions. People can access the app through their mobile devices, desktops, and laptops. It can convert files into tablet ready format without compromising graphics, fonts, and animations. 

Prezi: Prezi is a cloud-based application, which means users can access it through multiple hardware like laptops, computers, tablets, and even mobile phones. It is perfect for those who like to use a concept-map-like theme for their presentations. It is available for offline viewing. 

Image source: virtualwizard.com

 

Speaker Deck: This app converts slides into lightweight, embeddable PDF format so it can be easily shared online. It may have fewer options as compared to its competitors, but users will love how the files are lightweight and can be ready to be viewed in gadgets like e-readers and smartphones. 

Hi, I’m Taihwa Terry Ho. Learn more about the latest productivity apps when you follow me on Twitter.

The Advantages Of Educational Mobile Apps For Kids

Image source: indianexpress.com

A lot of teachers and developmental specialists advise parents to veer from exposing children to mobile devices while they are in their early years. But when children reach school age (3 to 4 years old), the use of mobile devices and apps can aid them in learning different foundational skills.

Improved literacy

Studies show that children who use mobile devices for apps, videos, and other media have improved literacy. It readies children to perform in school and exposes them to activities like reading, writing, and counting.

Greater motivation

Learning can be fun for kids who enjoy using apps. These apps are designed to keep children motivated and engaged. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone—children are playing while learning.

There are learning apps that produce progress reports every time after their playing sessions, which give parents an idea of what the child has learned and the skills they were taught.

Image source: rt.com

What’s great about these apps is that they are portable and kids can have it wherever they are—at home, in a mall, in a car, or even during a vacation out of town! With educational apps, learning can happen even outside the four walls of the classroom.

I’m Taihwa Terry Ho, and I am fascinated with how technology works for people from all walks of life. Learn more about the latest apps when you visit my Facebook page.

Business Level Up With Productivity Apps

Image source: distribucionactualidad.com

Entrepreneurs today have a wealth of information and resources available to them with just a click or swipe of the fingers. Faced with an abundance of web or mobile applications, they have tools and partners in solving problems and taking advantage of opportunities they encounter daily. Productivity and efficiency can be attained more easily, thanks to some of these apps that have proven useful in entrepreneurship:

Evernote: Almost the perfect note-taking tool with its variety of features, including quick storing of notes or sketches, sync capabilities via many platforms, creation of to-do lists, easy search, sharing and collaboration of notes with contacts, to name a few.

Dropbox: Quite a valuable program, Dropbox allows teammates to efficiently back up files on the cloud, or even share them to a team to create productive collaboration. Its huge storage size, that is also upgradeable, even makes it more popular and not just with entrepreneurs.

Basecamp: Think of a conference room, but in a private, secure space online. Projects, whether individual or team, can be tracked, scheduled and completed more efficiently with this app.

Image source: techzolix.com

Free Wi-Fi Finder: For people on the go, either working from home or conducting meetings outside, a fast and free public Wi-Fi seems necessary to get work done. This app uses one’s current location and shows a map of places with free Wi-Fi, although for some stores Wi-Fi only becomes free once you purchase from them.

Outright: This accounting app is perfect for small business owners or self-employed professionals as it has easy to use and exceptional accounting and bookkeeping tools.

I’m Taihwa Terry Ho, a technophile investing in app development, especially the ones that help make people’s lives easier. Learn more about app development by reading my blog here.

‘Field’ Work: Capitalizing on Modern Tech to Boost Food Security

Image source: precisionagricultu.re

Technology is an integral part of many modern economic processes, so it is a no brainer that it should also be used in many agricultural practices. The entire human race relies on agriculture for food. It is important that the most efforts for the advancement of modern technology be spent on agriculture. There are numerous countries that are starving day in and day out. By advancing agriculture to remarkable scales, world hunger can be eliminated and food security becomes more achievable.

There are numerous constraints on the productivity and profitability of agriculture, which are at dangerously low levels in some countries. One of them is the limited use of modern technology in farming. Updated equipment and inputs could advance a country’s agricultural industry by leaps and bounds.

Let us take Cambodia for example. Many of its farms have effective irrigation methods, however, they are still highly reliant on incoherent rain-fed systems which focus on paddy rice production only. With modern equipment, they could increase the yield of harvest and provide a faster route from the farmlands to the market. There will be increased profitability as well because they will arrive in peak condition.

Modern inputs can significantly reduce losses due to weeds, pests, and diseases. Technological solutions are all within reach which can provide sustainability. Mechanization has helped many farmlands, particularly in the developed world, produce yields previously thought impossible.

Image source: powerhousehydroponics.com

Beyond production, however, there must also be a seamless system of delivering these goods to consumers. Modern apps and devices are now available for more efficient cargo transportation, logistics, and even storage.

I’m Taihwa Terry Ho, Silicon Valley-based capital investor and technophile. Follow this link for more updates about the tech world.

The Apple Touch ID: An Easier Way to Pay

Apple has once again made another breakthrough with the launch of the iOS’ Touch ID feature for online transactions. Fore those who are new to the Touch ID, it is the use of a fingerprint scanner to authenticate the user, which allows phone access and payment on iTunes. The Touch ID is a convenient tool for those dealing with very sensitive data. Apple literally took their technology to their users’ fingertips. 

Image source: metakave.com

App developers love how the passcode works, but a lot of users hate it because they often forget their passwords. However, both the user and the developer have found their compromise with this unique fingerprint scanner. 

Using fingerprints to make and take money is a more secure way to do financial transactions. While it is not 100% safe, and people can still get hacked, its level of privacy is higher than other options. A lot of Android users are expecting to see the same features on the Samsung Galaxy and other high-end phones in the platform.

Image source: anandtech.com

Recently, PayPal has allowed its users to send and receive money with just the user’s fingerprint. The Touch ID also works for Apple Pay in countries like Canada, Australia, and the United States. 

Hi, Taihwa Terry Ho here. I work as a capital investor, and I focus in mobile app development. Follow me on Twitter to get more updates.

Get Beaconized: The Emerging Beacon Technology

As technology becomes more advanced and sophisticated, doing chores and everyday tasks also gets simpler and easier. In telecommunications, for example, innovations made since the invention of mobile phones have been countless. For the past several years, tech companies and developers have been cultivating newer ways to make communication even much easier.

Image source: vendhq.com

The beacon technology has been around for some time now but only recently did developers start innovating further. A beacon is a tiny wireless device that transmits a radio signal, giving its location and ID in the process. It works by using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and is placed in strategic locations like hallways, lobbies, and common indoor public areas. It is a low-cost hardware that can be mounted on the wall or any safe surface. BLE is battery-friendly, and the use of it makes instant messaging faster and easier since it transmits directly to smartphones and tablets. When the mobile phone detects the beacon signal through Bluetooth, it reads the beacon’s identification number, calculates distance and location, and then identifies nearby beacon mobile app users, allowing them to communicate within the range of the signal.

Image source: torpedogroup.com

A lot of industries today are welcoming the use of beacon technology. It is now popular in the retail industry where it creates newly improved in-store interactions between customers and retailers. It allows retailers to know preferences of its customers based on their in-store actions. On the other hand, it enables customers to receive personalized retail suggestions based on their preferences. More establishments such as hotels, airports, sports venues and public transports, are now using this simple and effective beacon innovation.

I'm Taihwa Terry Ho, capital investor and technophile. I see promise in developing things people will use every day. Please follow me on Twitter.

Cultivating Good Relationships With Investors

An investment is like marriage. Without trust and commitment, the alliance between the investor and the company will fail entirely or may never reach its full potential.

Image source: corporatecomplianceinsights.com

Throughout my career, I have witnessed many instances of friction and conflict between investors and business owners. And sadly, a little misunderstanding can actually have a large impact on the business.

To guide you, here are some strategies to help you manage your relationship with your investors:

Interact and communicate. Take the opportunity to know them. Treat them like friends and recognize their value beyond finances. Never select an investor just based on funding. Acknowledge your relationship and like a true friend, always listen.

Set clear expectations. To avoid disappointments and frustrations, do not promise over what you can deliver. Instead, have a shared vision, scale of growth, and potential exit strategies.

Show authenticity and respect. Though you may not feel like it sometimes, interact with your investor on a personal level. Grow together and be real in all aspects of the relationship. Help and support each other as challenges arise.

Image source: www.noonlife.com

Good relationships add value to any kind of venture. In investments, the best results arise when there is trust and commitment—for better and for worse.

Hi! Taihwa Terry Ho here. I am a capital investor by trade and I frequently invest in app development, a field where I see plenty of promise. Follow me onGoogle+ for more of my insights on business and finance.