Girls In Tech

We can’t live without our smartphones. It’s just a fact. This little device is like a second brain for consumers helping people find directions, that new song, a sushi restaurant or the day’s news.  And some of us still use it as a way to communicate. Here are some interesting stats that we discovered from mobile analyst firm Juniper Research:

• Another record quarter for Samsung, shipping just over 68 million smartphones in Q1.
• Apple sells 37.4 million iPhones, compared to 35.1 million in Q1 last year.
• Almost 200 million smartphones estimated to be shipped in Q1 2013.

 Juniper Research estimates that the number of smartphone shipments reached almost 200 million in Q1 2013, representing a growth of 30% from Q1 2012. Samsung increased its smartphone market share by shipping an estimated 68 million smartphones and accounting for approximately 34% of all smartphone shipments in the quarter. Samsung announced a steady pace in sales of the Galaxy SIII, and improved sales of the Note II for the quarter.

Apple Needs New Varieties

However, despite profits falling for the first time in a decade for Apple, the Cupertino based company posted better than expected iPhone sales at around 37.4 million, a 7% growth compared to Q1 2012.

With another product cycle due to be released soon Apple needs to innovate, with the next product release being critical in maintaining their position as innovation leaders. Apple will also need to ensure that they are attractive to emerging markets to retain their title as global brand leaders.

The Second Battle for Market Share

LG posted its highest ever smartphones sales quarter, shipping 10.3 million in Q1 2013, driven by sales of the Optimus G and Nexus 4. The company improved its smartphone market share from last quarter to reach just over 5%.

Huawei, which previously posted impressive sales in 2012 with the introduction of a range of new smartphones and tablets, shipped an estimated 10 million smartphones. The company along with ZTE accounted for approximately 10% of the shipments market.

Nokia shipped 6.1 million smart devices in the fourth quarter and posted higher Lumia sales of 5.6 million compared to the previous quarter, a 27% rise. BlackBerry’s (previously RIM) recent results – which run to a different financial schedule – are expected to account for almost 6 million smartphone shipments for Q1 2013. The Canadian company sold 1 million new Blackberry 10 devices.

Despite a positive start, the BlackBerry and Nokia ecosystem will indeed need some more time to grow and drive further competition and innovation within the smartphone and OS marketplace.

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, girls in tech, iphone, Juniper Research, mobile, Samsung, Smartphones
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Its 2012 and this is the year you’re going get in shape, lose weight, get your finances in order, quit smoking, and organize your hectic life, right? Your coveted smartphone and its handy apps is the tool that will help you do just that and much more!

If you are one of the lucky ones that have made it past the two week mark into the New Year, congrats, but if you are like many American’s that have already fallen off the wagon, we’ve got you covered. Let us help pick you back up and get you back on the right track.

There is an overabundance of apps out there to choose from, so your friends at Appitalism.com (the mobile app superstore), recommends the following apps to keep you on track and conquer your New Year resolutions.

GymPact (Free for iPhone)

Paying too much for a gym membership you never use? Gym-Pact lets you set the financial stakes of not getting to the gym, plus earn cash rewards and real prizes for fulfilling your Pact. All you need is an iPhone. Make the most of your gym membership.

EverNote (Free for iPhone)

Inducted into the Apple “App Hall of Fame”, NY Times “Top 10 Must-Have Apps”, Winner of the Best Mobile App Award from TechCrunch and Mashable. Evernote is an easy-to-use, free app that helps you remember everything across all of the devices you use.

SilverWiz ($0.99 for iPhone)

SilverWiz for iPhone allows you to effortlessly manage everything about your personal finances from a single place.

LiveStrong My Quit Coach (Free for iPhone)

MyQuit Coach app creates a personalized plan to help you quit smoking. Through a physician approved, interactive and easy to use app, you’ll evaluate your current status, set attainable goals and adjust preferences according to your needs.

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, Appitalism, girls in tech, iphone, New Year's Resolutions, women in tech
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Hanukkah is almost upon us, thus bringing with it the holiday rush of anticipation and family gatherings.  As stressful as this might be, it also means 8 crazy nights of succulent food in the oven, post-dinner hibernation, and a slew of relatives you haven’t seen, or perhaps don’t want to see, buzzing over the latest conversation and gorging over the delectable edibles put in front of them while celebrating the festival of lights.

To coincide with this fun filled plentiful holiday, Appitalism.com (the mobile app superstore), the first site to combine a social community with an online store to help consumers quickly and easily discover, discuss and download the best digital content for smartphones, recommends the following apps for the best in Hanukkah preparation, recipes, and amusement for the ensuing festivities.

Hanukkah Wish List (Free for Android)

The Hanukkah wish list app gives Jewish children (and adults) across the world access to a wish listing app where they can create and share their Hanukkah wish lists with their friends and families.

Mobile Menorah ($0.99 for iPhone)

Mobile Menorah lets you set the number of candles to show, and set a timer for how long they’ll take to burn down. Whether you leave the app open, or check back later, you’ll see the candles as they burn down to nothing. A portion of each sale will also be donated to plant trees in Israel.

  Super Dreidel ($0.99 for iPhone)

Hanukkah Food Street ($0.99 for iPhone)

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, App, Appitalism, girls in tech, Hanukkah, iphone, women in tech
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We all know that life can get a little hectic during the holiday season, from running errands, hosting parties, buying presents, to preparing for a visit from Santa Claus . . . appSmitten can help! They have published a list of must-have apps for the holidays, which will help keep you organized and on budget this holiday season.

1. Easy Gift List

An easy way to keep track and budget

Why we like it: All those wish lists and present ideas at your fingertips

Put the old-school, easily-lost pen and paper away because this app is definitely the better way to go. It’s very basic but easy to use – create ‘events’ such as a birthday, anniversary, holidays… then add the person (or people) you need to buy for plus your gift ideas.  The app is great because it also lets you set a budget and track your purchases. Now you can have your niece’s and nephew’s clothing and shoe sizes at the ready when you find yourself at the sale rack. Mark the item’s status as  ”bought,” “wrapped,” “mailed,” etc. Now if it could only do the shopping for us…

FREE on iPhone: http://appsmitten.com/easy-gift-list/

2. Find My Car!

Locate your parking spot

Why we like it: It reminds us of that Seinfeld episode where Kramer loses his car.

Parking at the airport…the shopping mall…the concert arena…can be daunting if you forget to take note of where you parked. Even worse – finding a rental car when you don’t remember what the car looks like! We’ve all been there, walking around in circles.  This app solves the problem by noting where you parked (using GPS) and then leading you back to the car when its time to go home.  It’s a brilliant use of our smartphones!

FREE on iPhone: http://appsmitten.com/find-my-car/

3. Postcards from Santa

Imagine their surprise

Why we like it: Personalized cheer from the North Pole! Amazing.

Do you remember writing “Dear Santa” letters and being somewhat disappointed that you never heard back? With this app Santa responds with a personal note written on a postcard that is actually delivered by a U.S. Postal Carrier. Choose your Santa image and app will incorporate your child’s name and hometown in the message. It’s free to download, but costs $1.99 to send. They are too darn cute to resist. Just imagine the surprise to anyone who believes in ol’ St. Nick!

FREE on iPhone and Android: http://appsmitten.com/postcards-from-santa/

6. Red Laser 

High Speed Comparison Shopping 

Why we like it: You see an item you like but you’re not sure the price is right. Use RedLaser to scan the barcode and it will instantly tell you where else you can find the item and at whatprice including local stores and online retailers.

What can you do with a barcode? In addition to finding your favorite beer, shampoo or diaper brand cheaper, you can even see if your local library branch has a book and whether it is checked out. Don’t have a bar code? No problem. Type the brand you are looking for into RedLaser’s search box and instantly see online and local retailers who have the product, complete with easy access to the store’s web site, phone number and location. Comparison shopping has never been easier or more rewarding.

• FREE on iPhone and Android: http://appsmitten.com/redlaser/

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, appSmitten, Favorite apps, girls in tech, Holiday apps, ipad, iphone, women in tech
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Girls in Tech is a proud supporter of the “Boom Boom! Revolution,” which recently launched its Boom Boom! App, allowing iPhone and iPod touch users to easily share the acts of kindness experienced in everyday life. The “Everyday Boom Boom!” (EBB!) is any underground act of guerilla goodness performed by an individual. The Boom Boom! App allows users a platform to acknowledge and celebrate these acts of kindness   while on-the-go.

The Boom Boom! App expands on the online kindness community where “Agents of Altruism” post about their experiences with acts of kindness cards and their everyday encounters with guerilla goodness. After downloading the app, the next time you witness random acts of kindness or are the recipient of someone else’s guerilla goodness, just snap a picture, tell the story of what happened and upload it to the Everyday Boom Boom! stream. This “Good Stream” allows users to stay informed of what’s happening in the world, contribute the good they witness or instigate and be a part of the conversation that’s celebrating what’s right with the world.

To download the free Boom Boom! App and join the uprising of guerilla goodness™, visit: Free app.
To learn more about the physical kindness cards decks, Boom Boom! Cards, visit: Kindness cards decks.

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, Boom Boom App, girls in tech, iphone, Kindness, Philanthropy, Social Entrepreneurship, women in tech
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Moredays, the web’s first time-management application based on images and graphics, recently announced its public beta launch.

Moredays provides users with an effortless way to manage tasks, events, notes and contacts, and create a visually appealing calendar, enriched with images and sketches. With the public beta launch, the company also announced new beta features including Google Calendar and Google Contacts synchronization, as well as new stamps, sketches and backgrounds.

Girls in Tech is extraordinarily excited to showcase this application since the majority of women in our memberbase juggle many different activities including a day job, hobbies, a family as well as entertaining new innovations and entrepreneurial endeavors, so we need intuitive organizational tools to help us manage our calendars more effectively.

Future beta upgrades will include iPhone and iPad apps by the end of the year; then Android and Windows Phone 7 apps early in 2012.

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, Application, girls in tech, ipad, iphone, Moredays, Organizational tool, women in tech
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Just in time to help break the ice at this year’s holiday gatherings, the web’s premier relationship compatibility site Moonit is introducing the Moonit Social iPhone app. Now you can walk around with your very own “virtual wingman” in your back pocket that lets you see how compatible you are with everyone you meet for flirting or for friendship.

The Moonit Social iPhone app offers insights into your romantic and platonic relationships by performing an analysis of your birthdays through astrology. Users can view their percentage compatibility and a short, entertaining paragraph of tangible advice on what to appreciate, what to look out for, and what to work on for that particular pairing. The app ultimately helps users uncover all the characters in their lives by collecting Moonit relationship stickers like “Wedding Bells,” “Wingman” and “BFF.”

How Does It Work? Download the free app, set up your profile with your full birth date and picture, and send someone a Moonit request to connect for flirting or friendship—just make sure they’re an iPhone app user, too. Once they accept your request, you’ll both receive your compatibility results.

Over 1 million web users are accessing Moonit’s compatibility offerings on www.moonit.com, while over 500,000 email subscribers are opted in to Moonit’s relationship horoscope email alerts. The quantitative and qualitative components of Moonit’s relationship offerings are driven by a proprietary predictive algorithm, which seeks out the strongest weighted aspect between two individuals to reveal the overriding dynamic of that relationship. This unique algorithm that performs birth date analysis was co-developed with Astrolabe—the leading software provider for professional astrologers.

To download the app, click here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moonit/id469944437. And if you’re not an iPhone app user, you can go to: www.moonit.com to get insights to all your past, present and future relationships

Tags: Adriana Gacoigne, App, Flirting, girls in tech, iphone, Moonit, Social dating
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Musical Health Technologies announces the debut of SingFit, a technology designed to help increase wellness through singing. Developed by a board certified music therapist, SingFit’s patented Lyric Coach system allows users to enjoy a successful singing experience regardless of their ability to read or see the lyrics to a song.  This handicapped accessible technology enables those with Alzheimer’s, autism, brain injuries, Down Syndrome, Parkinson’s Disease, impaired vision, and other special needs to engage in the health enhancing, mood elevating, joyful activity of singing.

The SingFit app and a collection of public domain songs will be free to download from Apple iTunes for use on the iPad, iTouch, and iPhone hardware beginning December 1, 2011.  A monthly subscription of $12.99 allows all-you-can-sing access to SingFit’s growing catalog of songs featuring a wide range of beloved compositions from multiple musical genres and eras.  From Frank Sinatra and Al Green to Bob Marley, Selena, Bonnie Raitt, The Kings of Leon and everybody in between.

Scientific studies have shown that singing in general positively impacts the levels of hormones responsible for regulating mood, blood pressure and social bonding, including serotonin, cortisol and oxytocin.  Furthermore, singing has been proven to help increase immune system strength and respiratory function while decreasing stress, pain and agitation.  Imaging studies also reveal that singing can promote cross hemisphere brain activity, which can increase mental neuroplasticity and improve cognitive functioning.

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, App, girls in tech, iphone, iTunes, SingFit, Singing, Wellness, women in tech
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Technology has revolutionized the way we find the clothes we love. Whether it’s through online flash sales, Facebook, or Twitter, the digital revolution has ensured that good style is always a mere click away. Myriad fashion-focused smartphone apps make sure you never miss a look. With so many to choose from, we thought we should seek out the best of the freebies.

Here’s the list:

1. Pose
2. Style.com
3. Chicfeed
4. Net-a-Porter
5. Top Shop
6. DVF
7. Lucky
8. Fashion Network Original
9. Vogue Stylist
10. Gucci

You can read the full article on the high low.

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, apps, fashion, Free, girls in tech, iphone, mobile, smartphone, Style, technology, Top Fashion Apps, women in tech
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It’s no secret that photos are worth a thousand words especially when it comes to online dating. There is a direct correlation between how many views, pings and pokes your profile receives based on your photo – what you’re wearing, your hairstyle, if you’re smiling or not, even the lighting and backdrop in the photo. Photo sharing and online dating are now intersecting with the help of social dating service Jazzed®. Jazzed provides an innovative way for members to express themselves and connect with interesting people through their mobile devices. Now available on iTunes, the latest release of Jazzed’s iOS mobile app contains a new feature, inspired by photo sharing apps like Instagram and Mobli, that allows users new ways of self-expression and discovering new people. With over 350,000 mobile downloads of the Jazzed app, this latest feature builds on the momentum and signals the next generation of mobile dating.

“Online dating profiles have  followed the same format for the past 15 years.” said Carlos Moreno, Director of Technology for Jazzed. “We want to break that mold and introduce something new and innovative to the dating category starting with mobile Mobile dating has to evolve to integrate social and sharing.”

Jazzed’s new mobile feature is a constantly updating gallery of images posted by members. People can search by:

• the type of photo posted – photos of members (People) or interest-based photos (Things & Places)

• by who posted (Everyone, Users who match your search criteria) or

• location-based (with the Nearby filter).

View a demonstration video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN5VeojkCCw

Connections are created when members engage directly with others by liking or commenting on photos that catch their attention. Photos with the most likes and comments become popular and float to the top of the feed. Members can also share photos on Facebook or Twitter, via iOS5, and extend their Jazzed experience to their social circles. Members will also be able to tag their photos.  A photo at Coachella Music Festival can be tagged “Coachella,” “Alternative Rock,” or “Festival” so it’s easy to find and connect with like-minded singles.

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, apps, girls in tech, iphone, mobile apps, Mobile Dating, online dating, Photo sharing, Social discovery, women in tech
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