10 Things You Didn’t Know Your Android Smartphone Could Do

              Smartphones are extremely powerful computers or tools that can do a lot more than just your average apps, games, calls or features. You’ll be surprised to learn that your Android smartphone can actually do a lot of things you didn’t think were possible.

Taking videos in slow motion, scanning barcodes, or even learning the name of a song with apps like Soundhound are all neat tricks, but below and in less than five minutes we’ll show you 10 things you probably didn’t know your Android smartphone could do.

You won’t need to buy some crazy expensive accessories or hack the phone to do most of these fancy tricks, and instead they’re just neat things most owners don’t know about.

Almost everyone you know probably has a smartphone and uses things like the camera flash as a flashlight, voice search to ask questions and get navigation directs hands-free, and an array of other things. However, it’s the fun and more advanced stuff below that will surprise you.

Mobile Payments

Paying for gas, coffee, or fast food was made popular by Apple Pay, but this feature has actually been around for years with Google Wallet, and will get even better later this year with Android Pay. Using Google Wallet and NFC (the same system for all Apple Pay locations) you can use your Android smartphone to pay for goods.

Anywhere that wireless payments are allowed, or Apple Pay is accepted, you can use Google Wallet. Gas stations, hotels, Starbucks, grocery stores, fast food drive-up windows and more. Anywhere with an Apple Pay logo or the little mobile payments wave icon will work.

Users will need to download Google Wallet from the Google Play Store, then add a bank account or a credit card. You can also add gift cards, loyalty cards or points and more to Google Wallet. Then simply open Google wallet with a secure pincode and tap the payment terminal with your phone to instantly pay for millions of items across the United States.

Become a Mobile Hotspot for WiFi

One feature that millions of users still don’t know about is using a phone as a WiFi hotspot, or sharing the connection from your phone to nearby devices. This is called tethering. Basically sharing the data connection with other devices, similar to how you use the WiFi at hotels or a nearby Starbucks. Essentially you can use that fast AT&T or Verizon 4G LTE network to act as the internet connection on your Laptop, home PC or tablet. This allows you to have internet on a non-connected device while out and about.



If you head to Settings > Tethering & Hotspot  (or settings > more) on almost any Android smartphone and enable the hotspot feature, your phone will share its connection with nearby devices. As a reminder many carriers charge extra for this, so double check before you start streaming movies to your laptop.

Charge Super Fast

If you’re in a pinch or short on time there are two ways to charge an Android smartphone fast. For one, most newer devices like the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6, Note 4, LG G4, HTC One M9 and many other devices have a feature called turbo charging. The actual name is Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0, but it essentially allows you to get up to 8 hours of battery after 30 minutes on the charger.

Using a dedicated Turbo or Quick Charger wall plug, your device will rapidly charge up to 60% faster than devices from a few years ago, and get to 50% typically in less than 30 minutes. This is enough to last you the rest of a night out, or a busy evening at work.

However, a second thing that many don’t know about is Airplane mode. Turning on airplane mode on an Android smartphone basically turns off everything. No WiFi, no cellular connectivity, no internet, messages, nothing. It kills all the radios inside the phone. If you turn on Airplane mode while you charge, your smartphone will get full much quicker as the device isn’t using any battery while it’s being charged. It’s a simple trick that average people don’t know about, and my older family members and Uncle was amazed when he tried it himself.

Start Your Car

Home automation is a growing trend lately, and LG’s new G4 even has an app that can control select Samsung and LG air conditioning units. Nest comes to mind. Smartphones are also getting integrated into our cars and stereos, and can even start your car. Owners can even lock or unlock the doors from hundreds of miles away. Not to mention open the trunk or check vehicle status information.

Viper SmartStart is one of many that do this, but other car and alarm companies are also starting to offer this technology, not to mention car manufacturers themselves. Viper was one of the first, but now you can choose from multiple different alarm systems from popular manufacturers.

For more details or to check it out yourself head to the Google Play Store.

Use Your Phone as a Remote Control

Many different Android smartphone makers have started adding infrared sensors to the top of the device. This turns your phone into a remote that can control the TV, cable box, home theater volume and more. These work with apps like Peel remote, and LG has its own QRemote app. Most new Samsung Galaxy phones, the LG G3, LG G4, HTC One M9 and many more all have this capability.

Once you open the app it does everything for you. Samsung’s Peel app, LG’s QRemote and others have all the device codes stored already. Just hit power and if it works, tap yes, and the app saves the information and you’re done.


Taking five minutes to go through setup and hitting power, volume, and other buttons will teach it all the codes and let you control every aspect of the living room.

Control Your Macbook on Android

Speaking of remote controls, you can use your Android smartphone or tablet to control your Macbook or even most Windows computers. The guide below is about controlling your Mac with an Android smartphone. I start movies, control the volume, open programs and more with it.



There are also multiple apps on the Google Play Store that will let you remotely control programs on a computer over WiFi with your smartphone. Everything from playing Steam Games on NVIDIA Shield, starting torrent downloads with uTorrent from remote locations, use Cox or cable company apps to set DVR’s to record and watch TV. The options are nearly endless and more arrive every week.

Check Your Heart Rate, Pulse and Blood Pressure

Depending on the smartphone some Android owners can do crazy advanced things like check your heart rate, pulse, or even view your blood pressure and stress levels. The Samsung Galaxy S5, Note 4, and the new Galaxy S6 all have a sensor on the back that can read these levels.


The S-Health app will tell you to put your finger on the sensor like you do at the doctor, and it reads all these levels. It can also track how many steps you take, help owners count and track calories to lose weight and more. Here’s some great weight loss apps for Android.

Tape Measure or Bubble Level

Have you ever needed to measure something while on the go and only had a smartphone? Or want to quickly level a picture frame to hang on the wall? Well we have that covered too. The Smart Tools app has a measuring tool, or you can get the free measure tool app as well.

Bubble level apps are all over the Google Play Store, but getting one with multiple angles, level locks, and alerts once you’re level are the ones you want. My favorite one is called Bubble Level, or try out iHandy Level Free. These are a few simple apps you can use for lots of different projects.

Measure Speed & Distance

If you want to measure the distance on a golf shot, measure the speed of your sons baseball pitch and more, you can do that too. Smart Tools is a group of Android apps that can measure the distance between two objects, and they even have an app to measure the speed of moving objects. Smart Distance will measure the distance, then, once you know how far things are, the Speed Gun app will give you the speed of any moving object.



Pretty neat right?

Board Flights, Track Packages & More with Google Now

Last but certainly not least (and making our list more than 10) is Google Now and other apps from the search giant like Google Goggles. With Google Now you can instantly search for almost anything using your voice, and Google Now actually does a lot of different things. If enabled Google Now will search your Gmail for upcoming flights and give you alerts, driving times and estimated time of arrivals, pull up nearby hotels, and even let you board your flight with a barcode instead of printing a boarding pass.

Google Now will search through Gmail and find shipment tracking numbers and track them for you, show when they’ve been delivered, and an array of other things. Check out these Fun Google Now tips & tricks. You can even find your parked car with Google Now.

Everyone should download something called Google Goggles. It’s an old app but one that many don’t know about. Goggles will use your smartphone camera to scan millions of objects and do a Google search with the image. Find out about a bottle of wine, its rating, price and where to buy. Get information about the Eiffel Tower, or even scan a painting in an art gallery and give you information about it in seconds.

Google Goggles also doubles as a barcode and QR code scanner, not to mention can translate text from one language to another, which is extremely helpful if you’re traveling. Books, paintings, CDs, business cards and more can all be scanned, recognized, and saved for later. It’s quite powerful and useful all at the same time. Get it from the Google Play Store.

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What Google just announced is a bombshell

   What Google just announced at its I/O developer conference is a bombshell for the future of the company. For years the search giant has witnessed the chipping away of its core product — search — due to the rise of mobile applications and their siloed-off experiences.

Users are engaging more and more with programs that have no attachment and often no requirement for search on the broad web, and as a result Google's position as the owner of our habits, interests, and needs across the internet has looked increasingly at risk.
But Google might have just changed its trajectory.

The company demoed a new feature within its Android OS which allows the Now service (a dashboard of notifications focused on your life and interests) to plug in as a layer that essentially hovers above any app running on your phone or tablet. Activated by the home button, it's always there.

This means that you can get contextual search information around almost anything you're doing, provided there is text and data that Google can pull from the app itself. And the best part is that developers won't have to make any changes to their existing software to allow the new service — dubbed Now on Tap — to bring search and context into the user's view.

For instance, while listening to music in Spotify you can search for more info on an artist across the entire web, or if you're talking about a restaurant with a friend in WhatsApp, Google can pull up data on the place and even help you make reservations. And this is not a feature of the app itself, rather an assistant that lives as part of the entire operating system.

This is a major move for two reasons. The first is that it really brings Google back to a place of dominance as the glue that holds your digital life together. The web has thrived and grown in no small part because of Google's ability to track, organize, and understand all of its disparate pieces. Now it's able to do the same thing with every app running on your phone. It allows Google to get back into the search game by speaking the common language of apps. It gives the company a second life with access to user behavior and needs.

But secondly, it starts to show how Google can be an interconnecting layer between the apps themselves — a kind of neutral staging ground between one action and another. This is a sea-change for how we use our mobile devices and how mobile apps interact with one another. Currently, we use operating system-defined tools which let apps interact with each other (with rules set out by the OS-makers, not developers).

But imagine if developers didn't have to think about how their work connects to the rest of your world? Imagine if Now on Tap is aware enough of the core functions of those apps that it can predict what you'd most likely want to do with them, and then execute on those needs? That's the ultimate promise of Now on Tap — and it's a game changing one.

However, the technology has its limits. There's no chance a service like this will ever make its way to Apple's iOS given the closed nature of the operating system (and the fact that Apple will undoubtedly take a stab at the same concept). And Google also has to prove that this kind of natural language processing can work effectively enough to live up to the company's promise of a seamless experience.

But if the service is as impressive as what Google just showed off on stage in San Francisco, there's a whole new world ahead of us for our devices. One that's more connected than ever.

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7 things Google is doing to please developers

       At its I/O keynote, Google did its best to get developers excited about building apps for Android with new tools and money-making schemes. But Google is also expanding support for developers who'd rather create iOS apps.

Google hasn't always been the best partner a developer could have, but this year's I/O conference is showing how that's changing with better developer tools and services. Here are some of the most important ones announced by the company during the opening keynote.

Android Studio gets C/C++ support

Google launched a preview of Android Studio version 1.3, which includes some useful features. The most notable addition to the IDE is code editing and debugging for C and C++. This means Java and C/C++ code support is integrated into one environment free of charge for Android app developers, letting them choose between the two languages. The implementation is based on the JetBrains Clion platform, and the Google NDK (native development kit) plugin provides features such as error correction and code completion. Version 1.3 also offers faster build speeds and a new memory profile.

Polymer 1.0 released to help create web apps

An important part of Google's current developer strategy is to make it easier for developers to build better Web apps, and the release of version 1.0 of the Polymer library is meant to do that. Polymer is made up of elements that can be used by developers to add features such as tool bars, offline caching and menus, and services such as Google Maps. Chrome 36 is the first browser to include all of the platform features Polymer depends on natively, but the library is also meant to work with the most recent versions of Safari, Internet Explorer, and Firefox. Developers that want use library can head over to the Polymer Catalog, which includes over 80 elements. There is also a guide for how to use them.


Faster app testing with Cloud Test Lab

During the keynote Google made an effort to make the wide variety of Android-based devices out there seem like an advantage. But for developers it makes testing apps really challenging. To help, Google announced Cloud Test Lab, which will automate testing. Apps are uploaded to the service and tested against the top 20 Android-based devices from around the world. Developers get a free report that includes screen videos and crash logs. The service will be added to the Play Developer Console before the end of August. It's based on technology from Google's acquisition of Appurify.

Better marketing with Universal App Campaigns

The announcements at I/O were meant to help developers make more money once they're done building an app, as well. With Universal App Campaigns, Google is aiming to make it easier to market apps across search, AdMob, Youtube and using a new type of search ads the company is piloting in Google Play. The developer decides the budget, and Google sets up an automated campaign. The feature will become available in the Play Developer Console and on AdWords in a few months.

Experiment with Play store listings to attract more users

Google is bringing A/B testing to Play store app listings, to help developers compare different graphical and text presentations of their apps and see which one drives the most downloads. Related to this change is the ability to see how many users are looking at a listing and making purchases in the Play Developer Console, in addition to the number of installs. Developers that have multiple apps can now create a Play home page, where they can explain what their company is about and pick a special app to feature.


Expanded support for iOS

One thing Google came back to on several occasions was expanded support for Apple's iOS. Developers can now access the tools it offers for the OS via CocoaPods, which has become the official distribution channel for Google SDKs on iOS. Using CocoaPods simplifies the process of importing libraries and frameworks into Apple's XCode IDE, according to Google. Other announcements included the indexing of iOS apps so they can show up in search results, support for the Cloud Messaging service and compatibility with the Google Cardboard SDK.

Google may not be as wedded to the idea of offering cross-platform support as Microsoft, but the company is moving more in that direction. With the success of the iPhone 6, Apple has been gaining smartphone market share and is therefore becoming even more important for Google.

Learn to code for Android from the ground up

Google is hoping to attract more people that can build applications for its operating system. The company has worked with Udacity to put together an Android Nanodegree. The curriculum covers everything from fundamentals to advanced development skills, as well as Google Play services and Material Design. Participants should have at least one year of experience in Java or another object-oriented programming language before enrolling. The course costs US$200 per month and takes 9 to 12 months to complete assuming a minimum workload of 10 hours per week.

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About 6 lakh new temporary jobs likely to be created in India this year, salaries set to rise by up to 20%

   About 6 lakh new flexi-staffing jobs are likely to be created in India this year, the highest so far, with salaries set to increase by as much as 20%, driven by a boom in ecommerce, retailing and manufacturing, according to estimates by placement companies.

"With a million youth added to the workforce every month and with barely 2% having any formal skills, staffing is the most effective type of employment, which bends the curve in favour of our youth and helps them become further employable," said Rituparna Chakraborty, senior vice-president and co-founder of Team-Lease Services.

Robust growth this year

"It could not have been a better time for flexi-staffing in India," Chakraborty said. TeamLease, a recruitment consultant, human resource outsourcing and staffing company, placed 85,000 people in flexi-staffing jobs last year and about 16,000 workers in the first quarter of this calendar year, said Chakraborty, who is also president of the Indian Staffing Federation.


Staffing companies such as ManpowerGroup, Randstad and Adecco, too, are betting on huge growth this year. Demand is seen driven by ecommerce, retail, IT, FMCG, banking, financial services & insurance (BFSI) and healthcare companies. With the government's thrust on manufacturing, the sector is expected to add to demand for temporary workers.
Salaries are also likely to see a 15 to 20% increase at all levels, with maximum impact at the bottom of the pyramid, said Suchita Dutta, executive director, ISF. At the entry level, salaries typically start at Rs 10,500 per month and go up to over Rs 2 lakh a month for senior positions.

ISF members (41 companies) account for about 30% of the total staffing industry, most of which is still unorganised. According to ISF, temporary staffing or flexi-staffing is a fixedterm employment to meet shortterm, niche or project-specific needs. People are employed by a staffing agency and then hired out to perform work at and under the supervision of a user company.
Frontline staff — customer services, sales and customer prospecting, and telemarketing — account for the vast majority of flexi-staffing. Other areas include technical functions such as installation and commissioning and repairs and maintenance, as well as senior positions such as technical specialists and management experts.

Growth trajectory

In the past 10 years, about 5 million temporary jobs were created in various sectors, with retail and ecommerce driving demand more recently. "Last year, demand for temporary workers was on a standstill for the first half. The growth in staffing was only 8%, largely led by the festive season and ecommerce in the second half. This year, demand has been up since the very beginning of the year," Dutta added.

"This year, we are looking at a robust growth of 25 to 30% in the demand for temporary workers, triggered by sectors like IT, ecommerce/retail, FMCG, healthcare and BFSI," said Moorthy K Uppaluri, CEO, Randstad India. ManpowerGroup is targeting placement of over 45,000 temporary workers this year, up from 37,000 in 2014.


Srikanth Rengarajan, executive director and president at ManpowerGroup India, points out that the talent in the space of technology, digital marketing, R&D and data analytics will attract a premium from this year.


Adecco, one of the country's largest staffing companies, placed over 1.2 lakh associates last year. "For this year, we are expecting a growth of around 20%," said Angelo Lo Vecchio, country manager and managing director at Adecco India.

Apart from ecommerce, Adecco India is investing more in the BFSI and pharmaceuticals sectors. In ecommerce alone, it placed over 10,000 employees last year in temporary staffing. "We have an exclusive talent supply chain team which works for the ecommerce sector," adds Vecchio.

"Staffing is expected to grow from the current 1.7 million organised workforce to 9 million by 2025," said Chakraborty of Team-Lease.

source:The Economic Times.

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50 Websites Your Startup Needs to Succeed in 2015

For entrepreneurs, everything you need for great success is at your fingertips, and you don't even need to leave your home office to secure your spot as a bona fide entrepreneur. The year might be (almost) halfway over, but summer is prime season for startup achievements.

Bookmark these 50 websites and visit them regularly to improve your startup's position and enjoy milestone after milestone this year.

1. LinkedIn: It's one thing to "be" on LinkedIn and quite another to really use it. Make this the year you connect more, join communities, and become an influencer. This is a great platform to develop thought leadership potential and link up with others in your industry.

2. Hipdial.com: This isn't your dad's conferencing call service. It's contemporary with texts when you need to join, no customer service automation nightmare, and no annoying elevator music. Basically, it's all you need to get those phone conferences completed.

3. SBA: It's the hands down best government site for small businesses. Connect with local chapters in your area, get free help and resources for everything from pitches to business plans, and find out what resources are available just in your region.

4. Healthcare.gov: Some startups are now required to offer a certain level of health care to their employees (it depends on many factors including the size of your company). However, "Obamacare" is the go-to choice for many. Take a look at the official government site for rules, options, and tips.

5. Due.com: Unless you have a dedicated payroll department, you're probably doing your own invoicing, AP/AR, and tracking at this point--make sure it's done right with Due. This is an easy to use website that lets you take care of finances without missing a step.

6. Hostt.com: There are thousands of web-hosting options out there, so how can you ensure the best quality? It's simple: Go with a boutique experience that puts customer service first. Hostt offers free hosting packages, easy domain registration, and around-the-clock customer service, because your website doesn't need resources just during banker hours.

7. Inc.: If you're an entrepreneur, you need to follow the media outlet that's designed just for you. This digital and print leader features news, blogs, tips, and advice for entrepreneurs just like you (and from entrepreneurs you want to emulate).

8. Infographics.space: You know that people are preferring images over blocks of text, but only a professionally made infographic will do the trick. Check out this website for expert infographics that fit in your budget and match your style.

9. Yogis Anonymous: Yoga is a fantastic stress reliever, helps with concentration, and complements every athletic endeavor there is. But what if you don't have the time or cash to go to the studio? This website features constantly new "live" classes based on levels and times that you can do from your home or wherever you choose.

10. Venmo: Don't want to deal with sending paper checks or those pesky PayPal fees? Venmo is a fast, easy app and website that lets you send and receive money with no fees at all. It's safe, secure, and truly easy to use.

11. Etsy: This isn't just for craft moms and those with impending nuptials. There will come a time you need a handcrafted invitation, piece of office furniture, or office-related accessory and a "from the big-box store" item just won't do. Etsy is brimming with creative entrepreneurs who are eager to customize something just for you.

12. Uber: If you really want to get around in style on your own terms and meet locals when you travel for business, use Uber instead of cabs. Not all entrepreneurs live in cities where this is feasible, which is why you should really take advantage when the opportunity presents itself.

13. Kickstarter: You don't necessarily need to use this platform, but dabbling in crowdfunding no matter where you are on your entrepreneurial journey can give you a boost. Whether it's for a certain project, overhaul, or capital, you'll also get feedback from investors and real customers.

14. The Stevie Awards: One of the best-known business awards program around the world, there are numerous niche awards including Startup of the Year. This can help with clout, networking, and PR, and gives a little validation to who needs it most--entrepreneurs.

15. Airbnb: You've heard about it and maybe you've even tried it out. However, there's a push to make more Airbnb places "entrepreneurial friendly." Filter for Wi-Fi and location, and reach out to entrepreneurs in the area before you arrive. Hotels are fine (and there's the allure of a gym), but staying in someone's digs who's in the same field as you is incomparable.

16. WordPress: This is just one of many blog/website easy to build platforms, but arguably the most well-known. If it's not in the budget to hire a web designer right now, do it yourself and earmark that cash for SEO or mobile readiness instead. Many of the free themes are more than sophisticated enough for even big businesses.

17. Yelp: It's the classic review platform, but now you're seeing it from a different perspective. Are people reviewing you, your business or products? Are you replying in a professional way and taking care of any issues quickly and publicly? It's reputation management time, starting with the big sites.

18. Google: Yes, it's failed at taking over Facebook in terms of social media popularity, but it's still a great and quick to complete option for local SEO (LSEO). Make sure your contact information is updated, in a "regular" format and that Google features geo-targeting for an SEO boost.

19. Tradeaway: Bartering is the oldest means of exchange, and it can still work out great. Maybe you need graphic design services, and a graphic designer on this site needs something from you whether it's video editing or social media management. You can work out a fair trade and both get something for no hard cash.

20. Reputation.com: Exactly what it sounds like, this well-known company takes care of business reputations (online and offline) for you. You might not think you have much drama at the moment, but you don't want to wait until disaster strikes. Take care of your reputation, and it'll take care of you.

21. Square: For many startups and entrepreneurs, you need to be able to take cards on the go--think massage therapy, mobile nail salons, and food trucks. Square is one of the most recognized means of swiping cards from anywhere, and both the app and website are easy to use.

22. Google Alerts: Sign up to receive alerts via email or text when keywords and phrases appear online. You can add your business name, your personal name, key words related to your industry, and anything else you like--then customize how often you get notifications. It's Reputation Management 101.

23. Craigslist: At this point, CL is an oldie but a goodie. It's still one of the best ways to find volunteers, workers, used office equipment, and anything else a startup needs. Niche job boards can be nice, but nothing beats CL in terms of sheer quantity.

24. Idealist.org: Strengthening the philanthropy aspect of your business is a wise move. When you need volunteers, you want them to have the same vision and goals as you. Idealist is a well-used platform connecting volunteers with opportunities around the world.

25. Khan Academy: You'll find thousands of award-winning videos here related to finance (and physics, but that's only for a few niche industries). It's an easy, fun and convenient way to learn without needing to worry about college credits or tough to log into video sessions.

26. Codeacademy: Coding is a basic skill you need to know to effectively manage your website (at least until your startup is profitable enough to hire a pro to do it). Learn to code quickly and easily at this website, even for Luddites who are gun shy.

27. YouTube: It's not just for cat videos anymore. People are increasingly preferring images and short videos over text content. You can use SEO on YouTube and reach new kinds of audiences that would rather check out your business video rather than read a blog post.

28. Schwab Banking: Why Charles Schwab instead of the other banks? It's one of the few totally free checking accounts that have zero foreign transaction fees. Check if your current bank offers something similar, and if not, give Schwab a shot. The one catch is that you also have to sign up for a brokerage account, but you can keep it at a zero balance and there are no fees for that account, either.

29. Kayak: You'll be traveling more as an entrepreneur, and not just because business-related travel is a total tax write-off. You still need the most options and the best deals, so start with a Kayak search. Feel free to compare, but you'll quickly discover that Kayak usually has the best rates.

30. Freshbooks: If you want easy invoicing and payments with minimal fees, Freshbooks is a safe bet. If clients prefer to pay via PayPal, they can still do so with Freshbooks but you have to pay only 50 cents instead of the usual much higher percentage. Plus, it's an easy way to keep tabs on your invoices.

31. Basecamp: If you have employees and contractors all over the world, they need a central location where they can share files, communicate and stay organized. Basecamp is one of the most popular options, and many freelancers are used to the platform--making it an easy transition.

32. Dropbox: Cloud storage is a necessity for any startup without a headquarters, and for many who do have a brick-and-mortar establishment. Dropbox is free and easy to use, and a lot of people are already familiar with it. Edit, share, download, and upload anywhere in the world you have a Wi-Fi connection.

33. U.S. Department of Labor: Any permanent employees you hire must be covered by worker's compensation insurance, and that's up to you to handle. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provides guidance on a state-by-state basis. Make sure you and your business are covered before bringing anyone on board.

34. Better Business Bureau: The BBB remains on authority on which businesses are up to snuff and which ones are subpar. If you end up with a BBB complaint, it can be difficult to have removed. Keep an eye on your business and the competition by regularly checking out the BBB's official site.

35. AudienceBloom.com: Most startups don't have the finances or resources to hire full-time professional writers, search engine optimization (SEO) professionals, marketing teams, and the like. Why not outsource them? This site has everything you need to professionally present yourself and climb up the search engine rankings.

36. Reddit: Hold off on the judgment for a moment. Sometimes a quick survey is all you need from unbiased third parties to see if you should move forward with an idea or not. And if you want anonymity and fast responses? Reddit is where it happens. You might not want to ask your social media following about sensitive things, but you can do so with abandon here.

37. The Huffington Post: Regarded as one of the best digital blogging platforms, the Huffington Post is a genuine news media outlet too. Even better? They are constantly welcoming guest bloggers. Guest blogging is a great way to earn exposure and a byline that links to your company.

38. Habitat for Humanity Restore: There's a lot more to Habitat for Humanity than building houses. Most cities and larger towns also feature Restores, where you can get great bargains on furniture and related items. It's a great way to kit out your office on a budget while contributing to a nonprofit at the same time.

39. Verbatim Solutions: In a global world, you need to make sure your translations are on point. Depend on certified experts who are also cultural experts when drafting that letter to your Chinese contact or sending documents to a potential investor in India.

40. AICPA: As a startup, you can no longer count on doing your own taxes or a pop-up tax "accountant" come April. You need a genuine CPA year-round who can help you make the most of your earnings. The AICPA provides a list of qualified CPAs in your area so you can start building a relationship.

41. Happify: Being happy doesn't always come easily or naturally, but it's a must--especially for stressed out entrepreneurs. This site offers a number of free games, quizzes, and short tasks that are proven to increase happiness. Happy founders equal productive founders.

42. Spark People: Stress and not having much time can lead to a slovenly lifestyle. Make sure to take care of your body and your business with this website and app. You can easily count calories, log activity, and join a community for extra support when necessary.

43. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Whether you're getting ready to hire a new employee, are considering branching off into another niche, or simply want to know where your industry stands, the BLS keeps comprehensive, up-to-date records on the state of different job descriptions around the country.

44. StartupGrind: You're in the trenches, and you're thirsty for other people who have been there, done that, and lived to tell about it. StartupGrind is a community around the globe where you can connect with like-minded folks (or simply keep up with their daily blogs for inspiration).

45. IRS: The IRS is constantly changing and updating credits, tax write-offs, and other details that can make a big difference each quarter. Make sure you don't miss anything (your CPA can help with this) by checking out the IRS website from time to time.

46. Sahaj Yoga Meditation: Think you don't have enough time to meditate? It's not as time consuming as you think, especially when there are free meditation sessions online and you can select the timeframe that works for you. Start your day this way, end it, take a mid-day break, or all of the above. Center your mind and your work will follow.

47. Fitbit: Any quality smart fitness watch will do, but Fitbit is getting great press thanks to the easy to use models. Keep track of your steps, shoot for those 10,000 per day, and keep an eye on your blood pressure during hectic meetings. With your health on your sleeve (literally), it's never been easier.

48. Beddit: It's not just the quantity of your sleep, but the quality which can make a huge difference. Beddit lets you track your sleep with no wearable sensors, so you can then follow the National Sleep Foundation's rules for better sleep hygiene and enjoy improved performance 24/7.

49. Amazon Publishing: Want to instantly attain expert status in your industry? Write a book about it! You can try the traditional agent and/or publisher route, or you can self-publish on Amazon like many other successful writers. It's fast, easy, and no longer carries the self-publishing stigma.

50. Powells: While e-books are gaining momentum, traditional bound books aren't going anywhere. Make a list of your must-read business books, then slowly tick them off. Shop online at Powells, the biggest independent bookstore in the world, for deals on used books and good karma points for supporting independent.

Which websites do you depend upon as an entrepreneur to make you better, smarter, faster and happier? The "best" websites are really the ones that benefit you the most. Spread the love, share your favorite websites, and try out a few new ones in 2015. By the time 2016 rolls around, you'll have a leg up on the competition and be ready for the next challenge.

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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The Hottest Start-Up Jobs In India

Start-ups are all over the news today with much frenzy around new ideas and fresh funding.

There is no question that the start-up world is growing with each passing day. But growth also means growth in personnel.

At SutraHR, we work with a large number of start-ups who demand the very best of the people.

Some skills, however, are more sought after as compared to others.

Here’s a list of the most trending jobs in the start-up world:

1. iOS/Android Developer

Innovative apps are on the rise and that creates an inevitable need for developers.

Android and iOS being the most widely used operating systems, have the most demand in this field.

Companies are aggressively looking out for creative developers who can bring ideas to life on a mobile device.

Skills required 

Experience working with iOS frameworks and Android SDK such as Core Data, Core Animation, Core Graphics and Core Text, third-party libraries and APIs, strong OO design and programming skills in Java (J2EE/ J2ME), SQLite, MySQL or similar database management systems.

2. UI/UX Designer

Just creating a website or an app isn’t enough.

It needs to be pretty and convenient and most importantly do the job in an effective way.

After all, it does represent the brand.

Start-ups are investing big in finding the right people who could make their website or app stand out from the crowd.

Skills required 

Proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Fireworks, HTML, CSS, Rails, JavaScript/JQuery, ObjectiveC.

3. UI Engineer

So you've decided what you want but now you also need to figure out the technicalities.

A UI engineer converts great designs into a fully functional machine that not only looks good but also does the job. Skilled personnel here are a must in order to meet deadlines and save costs.

Skills required 

HTML/XHTML, HTML5, CSS3, JSP, PHP, Jquery, C/C++, Core JAVA(Beginner), WordPress, Mysql, JavaScript, Jquery.

4. Digital Marketing Head

You have the most brilliant idea and the most impressive product but you still have to sell it. The online market is growing as we speak and harbours a vast population of potential customers. There’s no wonder that Digital Marketing Heads are being frantically sought after to boost companies’ online presence.

Skills required 

Knowledge of SEO, SEM, SMO, e-mail marketing and other online marketing tools.

5. Machine Learning/ Data Scientists

You’ve heard people say, 'Data never lies' and there is truth behind it too.

Corporates and start-ups alike are looking towards data to uncover hidden stories.

Correctly analysing data can help identify loopholes and suggest the best way to move forward.

The demand for Machine Learning/ Data Scientists is increasing many folds which makes it one of the hottest jobs at the moment.

Skills required 

Advanced understanding of MS SQL, MS Access, MS Excel , R, SPSS, MATLAB, Statistical Modelling using Univariate and Multivariate Regression Analysis, Generalised Regression Modeling, ANOVA/ANCOVA/MANOVA, Non-Parametric methods, Categorical and Longitudinal Data Analysis, Survival Analysis, mixed models, Factor Analysis, Sampling methods, Bayesian Statistics, Monte Carlo Markov Chain simulation, Experimental Design, Protocol Design, Survey Sampling, Clustering/Classification CART, Decision Trees, CHAID, Linear Optimization, etc

6. Development Operations Manager

You’re always going to need people to help you scale, automate and monitor your systems.

DevOps personnel play a key role in shaping the architecture of systems. start-ups are looking towards experienced DevOPs managers who can handle and protect their systems in the most efficient way.

Skills required 

Automate provisioning, deployment and configuration management, scale and optimise AWS resources.

7. Python Developer

Python’s easy to understand and non-cluttered code has made it the language of the future.

This has become the language of choice of many companies which makes Python developers a much needed resource.

Skills required 

Knowledge of Python and related frameworks, Django framework to build websites, experience building RESTful APIs and with MySql as a storage layer, expertise with git version control.

8. Product Manager

Of course, ROIs are important and that's the job of the product manager.

Crafting the product to derive the optimum business value is their crucial task.

Start-ups are looking for people with proven experience who can make their product more market worthy.

Skills required 

Excellent judgement, data-driven decision making, managing the entire product line life cycle from strategic planning to tactical activities, shaping business strategy for technical products or services, exposure to web technologies like Core Java, JSP, Java Servlets, Java Struts, Spring and hibernate.

Source: Rediff

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3 Tips for Easier Migration to a New Browser

Recently, I switched to Firefox after Chrome became unresponsive and buggy one too many times. Switching between browsers never used to be a big deal, but that's just not the case anymore. We customize these programs with extensions, sync open tabs to our mobile devices, and, if you're using Chrome, run apps like they're native to the desktop.
If you're thinking about moving between browsers here are three things to consider as you plan your move.



Know your sync

                     A key feature for many users is being able to move seamlessly between open browser tabs on any device as well as access your complete browsing history. Google makes this really easy for Android users with Chrome, but other browsers also offer this feature.
Firefox has a feature called Sync that syncs all your browsing data between devices, and Opera has Link. Firefox is available on Android (an iOS browser is in the works), while Opera has mobile browsers on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. If you're using Safari on an iPhone and a Windows PC you're a little more limited to what you can sync, but iCloud does allow you to sync your Safari bookmarks with Internet Explorer.

Bookmarks

                You can't go anywhere without your bookmarks, but luckily this was a problem that was solved a long time ago. Moving your bookmarks between browsers is fairly easy. We won't go into detail on how to move your bookmarks here. Instead, I'll point you in the right direction for all four major browsers on Windows.

•  Chrome: import or export
•   Firefox: import, export
•   Internet Explorer: import or export
•  Opera: import or export

Check out your new extensions/add-ons 
                  Everybody's usually got a few tweaks they've added to their browser via extensions--also known as add-ons in Mozilla-speak. The one thing you'll want to make sure of is that any mission critical services carry over to your new browser, such as a browser-based password manager or services like Evernote.

                   The reality, however, is that sometimes you may have to give things up or find an alternative. Firefox users won't find NoScript on Chrome, but there are a few alternatives that do something similar. Chrome users moving to Firefox will have to give up Hangouts as a stand-alone app unless they're willing to try an unofficial add-on or just run Chrome in the background to keep Hangouts going. Many of the mainstream services will offer extensions on all the major browsers, but niche stuff like Vimium may be harder to replace.

                  Those are the main points to think about when moving between browsers. There are other considerations such as the browser interface, how tabs behave on certain websites, and so on, but those are issues that come down to personal preference more than anything else.

Source: PC World (US)

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Private Browsing – What It Is & What It Isn’t

All browsers provide you with a way for a so-called private browsing experience, and the descriptions are also in the same vein. Chrome named the option Incognito Mode, Firefox and Safari call it Private Browsing, while IE calls it InPrivate.

The descriptions give you the impression that if you don’t want your browsing to be recorded, you should switch to this mode and you should be safe. However, any software is only as safe as the person who’s using it.
 

The purpose of this article is to explain what private browsing actually helps with (you might be surprised by some of the revelations) and how you can expand the security possibilities.

Private Browsing Defined:

Before I start describing what your private browser does not do, let’s quickly review what the regular browsers actually do when you’re surfing.

• Record what websites you visited to help you find the same URLs again and recall previously visited sites
• Manage (create, store, open) cookies to personalize your browsing experience, let you stay logged in, help you with auto-completed forms
• Let installed extensions modify and record what shows when and how
• Allow search engines to record your search history
• Allow ad engines to record your browsing details and to store information on which ads you click on
• Allow social engines to record which sites you visit while staying logged on at their site
• Allow your internet service provider to track pages you visit
• Allow anyone with proper (or illegal) access to your hard drive or cloud storage to find and do whatever with your files

Now, let’s take a look at what to expect from private browsing, no matter which browser you use:

1. Private browsing discards browsing history while in incognito mode, so your movement will not be recorded in your browser history.
2. Your cookies, although created, will be deleted as soon as you close a private window, so you’ll be able to utilize the possibility of those cookies only while the original window/tab is still open.
3. Some extensions/plugins will be disabled if their developer decided on that on your behalf.
4. Private browser windows have access to previously stored data like saved passwords, browsing history that are acquired though non-private browsing. The data is still accessible in private mode.

That’s about it. Now, if you compare the list to the one before about who stores data on your online activity, you’ll see that a lot of tracking points are still active.

Wait, What Tracking Points?

Just in case you didn’t know: basically every single site knows and records your actions on that particular site. What’s more, on most places you’ll have more than just one party eyeing you.

But why track me, you ask. Here are some reasons (and the parties most likely responsible):

Usually some kind of analytics software/plugin/engine (most often Google Analytics) want to know how much time is spent by how many people on a site
They want to be able to advertise their services to you even after you’d left their site (via Google AdWords and/or Facebook advertising and/or any other integrated social engines)
They want to be able to provide more personalized services based on your previous actions on the site, such as recommended articles or videos (so most websites that make you log in for all or certain services are ‘guilty’ of such tracking)
For a less technical but way funnier (yet sadly true) explanation, here’s a summary of your online privacy.

You should also know that your Internet Service Provider will also record your online behavior regardless of your browser settings for security and statistic purposes. I hope you’re starting to see why private browsing is not the real solution for true privacy.

So What Can You Use Private Browsing For?

1. Make your browser forget your logins
Since cookies are unrecognized in private mode, you can log in to any site, say your Facebook or an email service in private mode and you don’t have to worry that your account will stay active for others once you’re finished browsing and closed the window.

This is an excellent feature if you’re using a shared computer/terminal that is probably going to be used after you’d finished, e.g. at school or at an internet café.

For the same reason I suggest private browsing if you’re using someone else’s private computer. For one, you’re making sure the browser doesn’t remember your credentials – and also, you’re making it more convenient for the other person to get back to their account once you’ve finished.

2. Log in with multiple accounts at the same time
Most login-required services do not share Google Accounts’ possibility to handle multiple accounts at the same time – in this case, private browsing is your solution. After you’ve logged in to any of your accounts in a regular or private window, open a new private window and you’ll see that the same service asks for login credentials again. A new tab probably won’t do the trick as your cookies most probably haven’t been deleted yet.

Hint: Developers also find his feature useful when testing different user roles on a site they’re working on – this way they needn’t have any plugins or extensions just to test multiple accounts.

3. Visiting sites after which you’d be clearing your browsing history
For some reason or another, most people on the Internet have probably deleted their browsing history at least a couple of times.

It’s easier to activate private browsing before you visit those not-to-be-remembered sites than it is to remember to clear the browsing history when you’re finished. Especially if your surfing is interrupted suddenly (for the sake of an appropriate example, let’s say your teacher or boss enters the room where you’re not supposed to use the Internet at all).

So how can I stay hidden?
For the truly paranoid, a good, old fashioned nomadic lifestyle without the Internet is a great idea. Thankfully though, there are options for the rest of us sane people as well.

Just Log Out
The easiest (and least effective) is to always log out of any accounts (especially social networks and email providers) before closing the services’ websites. This way they might not be able to track your steps.

Do Not Track
Another easily achieved solution would be turning on Do Not Track on Firefox (as explained here). This feature lets you express a preference not to be tracked by websites. When the feature is enabled, Firefox will tell advertising networks and other websites and applications that you want to opt-out of tracking for purposes like behavioral advertising. It should be noted though that nothing and nobody compels these sites to actually honor your wish, although Firefox says that companies are starting to support this feature.

Use Another Browser
If you’re concerned with your searches being tracked, give DuckDuckGo a chance. Their vision is simple: “To give you great search results without tracking you.” It’s awesome.

If you want a truly secure browser that helps obfuscate you from all sites you visit (instead of just hiding your steps locally), you should check out Tor.

Hide!
Finally, if you want to stay as hidden as possible and willing to take a few extra steps, you should consider using Anonymizer to hide your IP address.

Or you might opt for the whole deal and install a Virtual Private Network, such as AnchorFree. They secure your browsing session, block malware, enable you to access any site anywhere and also protect your IP address. It doesn’t really get any more secure than that. Except going full nomad, of course.

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