android Archives - Foster Institute

When a Surface Pro Computer is Better than an iPad

Mike Foster — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 06:00:34 +0000

Not all, but many executives use Microsoft Office programs, and other programs that run in Windows. Microsoft Windows programs don’t run on the iPad. So, we tend to use applications that hinder us.

For example, with an Apple or Android tablet, you probably use Documents to Go, QuickOffice Pro HD, or some other app that allows you to edit Microsoft Office documents. While those apps are good, they just aren’t the same as using the real live Microsoft Office.

Your problems are over. Think of the Microsoft Surface Pro as being an extremely powerful laptop computer packed into a very small size. Because that’s what it is.

When you edit a Microsoft Office document on your Surface Pro, you are actually using the real live Microsoft Office.

While Drop Box is a phenomenally useful app and you’ll continue to use it for other purposes, there is no need to use Drop Box to transfer files between your non-Microsoft devices and your Windows machine that sits on your desk. Since the Surface Pro is running Windows, you’ll see all of your familiar folders including “My Documents,” your C: drive, and even the network drives you use when connected to your network.

In fact, why not get rid of your old computer and just use the Surface Pro at your desk from now on. You can connect large monitors, keyboards, printers, and just about everything you want via a USB hub that you plug into the Surface Pro. Nobody even needs to notice since you keep using your same screens and keyboard as before. Then, when you are ready to leave the office, just unplug the single USB cord and head out carrying everything you need—all in a small portable device that is a “big laptop” packed into a very small package.

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Apps for Taking Notes in Meetings

Mike Foster — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 06:00:37 +0000

Many executives find that using their tablets, Android, iPad, and other choices is very productive. Here are three tools that will help you take better notes.

First: Use a great app. Many of the executives I work with have their own favorite apps for taking notes during meetings. The one app that executives consistently use is the app called Notability. One of the many features of Notability that executives like is that they can “record audio” during the meeting as they take notes. Notability links the audio to the notes so that the note taker can go back to the notes at a later time and hear the audio that was recorded at the time any particular note was written down. It is up to you to consider the ethics of recording a meeting, and I recommend you obtain a speaker’s permission to record them and also make everyone in a meeting aware that you are recording the audio.

Second: Use a stylus designed for note taking. Writing on the face of your tablet with a finger, or even a normal stylus, can be very frustrating. Executives find that the Adonit stylus works very well for them. The stylus is shaped like a pen and has a protective plastic disc at the end to help avoid scratching the surface of your tablet’s screen. Just know that using a stylus does NOT improve anyone’s handwriting.

Third: Have a way to share the notes between devices. Of course, the standard for saving, sharing, and synchronizing files is still the app named Dropbox. Not only does Dropbox offer inexpensive storage, it runs on just about every platform for tablets, smartphones, and computers. Additionally, many apps already natively support saving and opening documents directly to and from Dropbox.

Note taking can be very helpful, and these three tools can help ensure the best outcome for you and your teams.

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New LinkedIn App

Mike Foster — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:00:23 +0000

LinkedIn just released new apps for Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. They are built from the ground up to be more useful.

If you’ve used LinkedIn’s apps in the past, or know someone who did, there were complaints.

Rather than improving the old app, LinkedIn opted to generate a new app from the ground up that is worth checking out. If you’ve elected to use an iPad, the app for LinkedIn is especially neat.

Be sure to notice the ‘LinkedIn Today’ section at the top. You’ll see that LinkedIn provides you with popular and useful news and updates.

Please post your comments on this blog.

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Lighten Your Load–78 Items your Smartphone replaces

Mike Foster — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:00:24 +0000

Perhaps you want to lighten your load. Perhaps you want to save money. Perhaps you want to make the most of your investment in your iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, etc. Brainstorming with CEOs, other senior level executives, and owners resulted in the following list of 78 items your device can replace.

411 information / Yellow Pages / Phone books
Airline boarding pass
Airline Status
Alarm Clock
Backup (happens in cloud now)
Bank tellers – depending on the task
Bar code scanner
Bill Pay
Books / Magazines
Bookstore
Bug Spray
Business Cards (use NFC)
Calculator
Calorie counters by scanning food barcode labels
Camcorder
Camera
Carpenter’s Bubble Level / plumb bob
Compass
Contacts List
Cookbooks
Credit Card Machines
Credit Cards
Dedicated music players
Dials an stay on hold for you (App is named Fast Customer)
Dictionary
Document Scanner
Dog Whistle
DVD movies
Employees
Encyclopedia
Expense Reports
Expensive video conferencing tools
Expert Advice
Flatbed Scanner
Games
Garage Door Opener
GPS Directions & Traffic
Home phone
Keys

Language Translation
Laptop Computer – especially: Web browsing, Email, Presenting
Library
Light Switch
Loyalty Cards
Magnifying Glass
Maps
Mirror
Mouse
Music CD’s
Newspapers
Pager
Paper tablet on which to take notes
Paper based tools commonly referred to as “planners”
Pen
Photo Albums
Portable DVD Players
Post-It ® notes
Price checking
Radio
Really long arms – LogMeIn etc.
Research materials
Restaurant reservations
Restaurant Reviews
Retail Stores – use Amazon etc. now
Ruler
Secretary
Smart Boards ®
Speedometer
Spell Checker
Starbuck’s ® Card
String on your finger
Teacher
Thesaurus
TV
TV Remote Control
Voice Mail
Watch
Weather

Can you add more items to the list?

Please post your comments, and other items not on this list, on this blog.

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