TechHelper

How to Speed Up Your PC Games without Buying New Hardware

Brian Jensen — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 12:55:25 +0000

If you’re a serious gamer you most likely take pride in your gaming rank and achievements. But, are you paying attention to your computer system and how it operates during game play? How’s the picture quality and speed? Here are a few things you need to know:

Maintaining Gaming Laptop Performance

Is game play become sluggish? What can you do to fix this on your gaming laptop? It’s not a very good idea to crack open your precious laptop and start messing with things. This will certainly void any warranties, and you may not get things back together properly. If you want a computer professional to do some adjustments be specific about what you want to achieve. Try these easy fixes to achieve and maintain the best possible performance.

Take a look at your task manager. You have the power to disable programs upon startup that slow down your system.
Too many programs running can cause a system to be slow. The amount of free RAM is determined by how many programs you have running. RAM is where your programs run in your computer, the less you have the slower it runs.
Check and maintain temperature often. Never block the cooling fan.
There are also programs and widgets on your desktop that you can close down too.
Remove any unused or obsolete programs that take up a lot of memory.

Video Know-How

Are images on your computer not as clear as you want them to be? Make sure the graphics are performing properly with a few simple tweaks of your system.

Don’t rely on the disk that comes with your video card. The drivers on them may not be current.
Video drivers should be up-to-date. Go online and download the latest versions.
Get to know your computer graphics settings. Sometimes a game will run slower and have low framerates because you have your computer set at the wrong performance level.
Adjust the settings on in-game play to help improve the video quality.
Most good modern video cards have software prepackaged with them that can be used to adjust your video cards performance. Some even allow for overclocking.
With most modern video cards the software has built in ways to tailor the cards performance to the game you are playing.

Overclocking- Is it for me?

Probably the cheapest way to get decent performance out of your computer is through overclocking it. Use caution with overclocking though. It means changing settings in your computer to make it perform faster than it was intended to. There are two major ways you can overclock your system. Change settings in the CPU and in the video card. That being said it’s quite effective if done properly. Some risks of overclocking are:

It can shorten the life of your computer.
Your computer could overheat. Heat is the great enemy of computer components.
Also, it can void your warranty.

Before you go running off to the nearest computer parts store try a few of these simple tips to improve your gaming experience.

Let us know your tips for speeding up your gaming PC in the comments.

Brian Jensen works with Dell. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with his family. He has a passion for learning and writing about all things technology.

The Low-Down On 4G Smartphones

Michael Costin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:16:01 +0000

The 4G network is fast becoming the norm, as 3G speeds simply cannot cut it with apps and mobile sites demanding more. As 4G is rapidly replacing 3G in most areas, there’s also an increasing number of 4G enabled phones available to buy.

The iPhone 5, released in 2012, offers a lighter, slimmer handset and faster hardware than its predecessor the 4S. With a large, clear display and a powerful 8MP camera, the phone also offers HD video recording and the ability to connect to wifi as well as the 4G network. iPhones are always famed for their apps and now with a larger 16:9 screen, playing games and watching Youtube videos has never been so enjoyable. Teamed with the 4G capabilities, this is a great choice for a smartphone with 4G.

Often seen as going head-to-head with the iPhone 5, the Samsung Galaxy SIII LTE is a leading addition to the collection of 4G smartphones. One of the most impressive features of this Android phone is that it can charge wirelessly via a docking station, which alleviates the awkwardness of trying to charge your device whilst watching videos or playing games. The massive 4.8 inch screen with Gorilla glass means it’s comfortable to use and there’s less risk of damaging this phone in your pocket. Also boasting an 8MP camera, HD video and a quad-core processor, this 4G smartphone is one of the most stylish, fast and functional 4G phones available today.

Motorola have steamed into the forefront of the market with their Droid Razr HD and Maxx HD 4G smartphones. Both phones are relatively similar but differ mainly by screen size, but both have edge to edge display which means ease of viewing when performing any task. Another Android phone means access to a huge market of apps and games to take full advantage of the 4G network and fast dual core processor. In addition to the Gorilla glass, commonplace in most modern smartphones, these Razrs also feature Kevlar fibre and waterproof nanocoating to add more physical security. The longer lasting battery also means that you can not only browse faster with 4G, but you can also browse for longer, too.

Nokia have made a comeback with their Lumia range of phones, and the Lumia 920 is a fantastic example of a stunning smartphone with 4G capabilities. The most impressive feature of this Lumia is the PureView technology and 8.7MP camera which makes image capturing enjoyable and fun. The 4.5 inch HD screen also means that you’ll see what you’re snapping clearly. The wireless charging feature offers a fuss-free way to keep your phone topped up with power, plus full HD video and music streaming makes this a truly fun 4G smartphone to use.

What’s New for Inspiron Laptops in 2013?

Nick — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 07:09:04 +0000

The Dell Inspiron line of laptop computers has dramatically changed over recent years but the new product line for 2013 displays several new changes and developments created to enhance user experience. Four major components have been implemented to the newer design resulting in utmost use-ability and convenience:

Lighter Weight, Thinner Designs

Previous Inspiron models were on the heavy side but the new roll outs for 2013 feature designs that are less than five pounds and under an inch in thickness. The new 14, 15 and 17- inch Inspiron models are exactly .98 inches of slender and sleek plastic body construction (with a stylish matte finish) and can range in weight from 4.3 pounds to 6. The weight difference comes from the added dimensions of the screen size and the thickness of the model can also be slightly different, ranging from .98 to 1.4 inches in thickness, but this is due to another new capability for these laptops- touch screens.

The Ease of Touch

To completely utilize the capabilities of Windows 8, the 2013 Dell Inspiron models have the option of a touch screen. Now users can have the full experience of all the available Windows 8 features including the ability to tap, swipe, zoom and touch the screen to navigate systems and programs. 10-finger tracking in combination with enhanced gesture support also improves all touch screen options, resulting in a new, clean and compatible line of Inspiron laptops.

Better Hardware

Amongst the changes in design and screen, the new lines of Inspiron laptops from Dell also have dramatic changes for improved hardware and picture quality. The 2013 Inspiron 14 and 15 inch models offer screen resolution standards of 1,366-by-768 but the 17 increases the quality of image to a new 1,600-by-900 resolution. All the new models have been upgraded with Intel processors and offer the option of graphics processing through AMD Radeon HD 8730M and Nvidia GeForce GT 640M graphic processing units. HD webcams are also available to record video in 720p and HD content can be streamed wirelessly to a TV through WiDi Intel features.

Style

We briefly mentioned above that the Dell Inspiron 2013 models featured sleek and slender plastic body construction with a matte finish but this line goes beyond that for utmost creative personalization with a variety of colors. Users can choose between blue, pink, red and dark grey color options as well as a light gray option of bare metal. Did we mention that the plastic body is made to look like newly brushed aluminum? The style of the new line of Inspiron laptops are sleek, stylish and colorful, offering users a chance to stand out and above the crowd with their new computer.

Inspiron Laptop Laptops in 2013

These changes have improved the new line of Inspiron laptops and we expect to see positive feedback due to such enhanced user experience. Through improved style, design and hardware, these laptops are setting the stage for laptop trends of the coming year.

Author Bio:

Brian Jensen works with Dell. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with his family. He has a passion for learning and writing about all things technology.

What Gadget Should You Buy Next?

Brian Jensen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:23:11 +0000

Everyone loves a new toy now and then, even big “kids.” Whether it’s a new car, a new television, or a new phone, there is probably something out there that could be just what you need to make life easier and more fun. Just because the holiday shopping season is over doesn’t mean you can’t get yourself a little something. Here are a few new and improved gadgets you have to see to believe:

Not Just a Regular Phone

Smartphones are amazing. Everything is at your fingertips. What makes our cool phones even more desirable are the accessories you can get for them. There are classy, vintage, or modern docking stations, speakers, skins and covers, or headphones that promote your personal style.

Phones can be used for so much, the scary thing would be losing your phone. Be sure to set up a phone finder online (there are a number of apps available for all smartphones) that uses GPS or the phone’s data network to locate where you lost your precious phone. In addition, you may want to invest in an emergency phone that runs on a double “A” battery, just in case.

Versatility of Laptops

Not only are laptops the best in powerful portability, but they are also becoming more functional, sleek, and light. A laptop is perfect for the office. If you’re not quite finished with work, you can conveniently take it all home. You could also create a profile for every member of your family on your business laptop, so that they can easily go to their favorite sites without getting into your work.

Laptops are also a comfortable option with their large screens and full keyboards. They make it easy to work from wherever you feel comfortable. They also are a good choice for a new college student. So depending on your specific needs, a laptop could be a great bet.

A Keyboard for the Clumsy

Who doesn’t work or surf the web with a snack in hand these days? We’re all bound to have an accident with our keyboard at least once in our lives. If you always have to have a drink at your desk at work then you need to look into getting a washable keyboard. Even stay-at-home moms need not worry if the kids have liquid nearby.

Streaming Projectors

It’s a wonderful thing to be able to watch a movie no matter where you are. You can easily set up a portable streaming movie projector and get comfortable with your favorite television series or blockbuster movie. The options are endless because of linking capabilities. Other great features are long battery life and good sound quality. And, best of all, depending on what model you want, some of them are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

Tablets and Beyond

Whether you want a new Ereader or you’re interested in a 10 in. tablet for movie watching on your long commute, do your homework before you buy. There are so many different brands out there and you need to decide what you will use it for the most. Invest in a case for protection. There are styles and colors, not to mention contraptions that let you position it in several different ways. Some protective cases come with handle or strap, which is helpful for the kiddies.

What gadget are you going to buy next? Let us know in the comments.

Author Bio:

Brian Jensen works with Dell. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with his family. He has a passion for learning and writing about all things technology.

TechHelper 2012 Annual Report

Nick — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:23:05 +0000

Some statistics TechHelper recorded in 2012 via JetPack…

In 2012, there were 20 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 41 posts.
The busiest day of the year was March 8th with 138views. The most popular post that day was iOS 5.1 – what’s new.
Some visitors came searching, mostly for facebook banner, how to go back to old facebook, techhelper, 7, and banner facebook.
The top referring sites in 2012 were:
TechHelper was visited by people from 91 Countries. Most visitors came from Australia. The United States & The United Kingdom were not far behind.

Full report can be found here: http://jetpack.me/annual-report/29616220/2012/

The Best Online Tools that Your Small Business Should Be Using

Carlo Pandian — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:00:44 +0000

Running a small business is challenging as there are so many things going on at all times. You will need to be in charge of so many little details, as well as managing large projects and making decisions about the company. Most small business owners need to play a whole range of different roles, from accountant to salesperson to CEO to maintenance. Multitasking is your default setting and delegation, project management and efficiency are incredibly important to your success.

Luckily, there are a huge range of online tools which you can use to help you manage your small business in a better way. These tools have been developed with small businesses in mind, offering techniques, resources and solutions to some of the most common problems; helping you to work more efficiently. There are tools such as online accounting software, project management, tracking hours and staff and customer communication services. If you can find the right online tools for your business, you will find that they will make your life a lot easier and help you to achieve success.

Here are a few examples of online tools and more of the best and most useful online tools that you can use to manage your business:

QuickBooks
http://www.intuit.com.au

All small business owners know that accounting can be a huge pain in the neck, especially if numbers are not one of your stronger qualities. If you wanted to sit around and stare at numbers all day you would have become an accountant! However, you are an entrepreneur and you know that managing your finances well is crucial to your success.

QuickBooks is online accounting software which gives you an easy way to track your taxes, create invoices and complete other accounting tasks. You can easily track your profits, your expenses and your cash flow through one intuitive and easy to use interface. It will help you to understand your business’ performance with one glance and will save time on the accounting tasks that you perform the most.

Google Website Optimiser
www.google.com/webmasters/tools/

Of course, your small business should have a website. The question is however, how effective if your website? The Google Website Optimiser is a free tool which helps you to understand exactly how your site is performing so that you can increase the site’s conversion rates.

This tool allows you to test different variations of images, text and other content. You can develop content for a specific page and then run tests which will allow you to see which option results in higher conversions.

Skype
http://www.skype.com

This is a fantastic free program that allows you to make free video and voice calls to any other users who have installed Skype, as well as make cheap phone calls to landlines and mobile phones. If you do any conference calls between different branches of your business it can save you a lot of money. It is also possible to exchange files during a call and to type comments in a separate window.

Clockspot
http://www.clockspot.com/

This clever online tool allows your employees to clock in or out from any computer or phone, letting you track their hours with the click of a button. It will automatically generate your payroll data for you, saving you hours of headaches. Your employees can even post progress reports to show how much they did in each clock-in session. If you have a few employees working for you in different locations, this can make tracking their hours and creating a payroll report incredibly easy.

These are just a few of the incredibly helpful online tools, from online accounting software to free video calling, out there for small businesses. This is by no means an extensive list, as there are so many others out there. Do a search online for a specific problem that your business needs to solve and chances are someone out there will have developed a clever app for it which you can use to make your life so much easier.

Author:
Carlo Pandian is a freelance writer and blogs on business and technology for Dynamic Business and other tech sites. He is a big fan of KickStarter and loves speaking at start-up conferences on how Internet can help businesses succeeding.

Google Maps Updated

Nick — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:48:33 +0000

Well.. it would seem that Google has smelt blood and gone on the attack. The biggest flaw in Aopple’s iOS 6 would have to be Apple Maps.

Yes, the maps are pretty. The fly over feature is fun. Love the 3D. BUT…that fun factor wears off after a few hours. The reality is that the maps are no where near as good as Google’s Maps.

Google has taken it’s maps a step further by allowing you to sync your maps with your desktop.

The latest version of Google Maps for Android remembers the searches you’ve made on the Google Maps website, and brings them up as you begin to type. You’ll also have access to your Maps search history, as well as a list of the places for which you’ve requested directions and/or navigation. The new version is available for download in the Google Play Store now for all devices.

iOS 6

Nick — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:32:18 +0000

This morning we were greeted with iOS 6. Whilst there are some fantastic features I must say that the Maps are a major let down. A brief summary of the included updates:

Maps
- Apple-designed, vector-based maps
- Turn-by-turn navigation with spoken directions on iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (2nd and 3rd generation)
- Real-time traffic information
- Flyover for photo-realistic, interactive 3D views of major metropolitan areas on iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad (3rd generation) and iPod touch (5th generation)
- Local search results with Yelp photos, ratings, reviews and available deals
- Siri integration for requesting directions and finding places along a route
Siri improvements
- Sport: scores, player stats, game schedules, teamsheets and league standings for American football, baseball, basketball, football and ice hockey
- Films: trailers, showtimes, reviews and facts
- Restaurants: reservations, reviews, photos and information
- Send a Tweet
- Post on Facebook
- App launch
- Eyes Free in supported cars
- Local search available in Siri-supported countries (availability may be limited during initial rollout)
- Additional country and language support for Canada (English and Canadian French), China (Mandarin), Hong Kong (Cantonese), Italy (Italian), Korea (Korean), Mexico (Spanish), Spain (Spanish), Switzerland (Italian, French, German), Taiwan (Mandarin), US (Spanish)
- Supported on iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad (3rd generation) and iPod touch (5th generation)
Facebook integration
- Single sign-on from Settings
- Post from Photos, Safari, Maps, App Store, iTunes, Game Center, Notification Centre and Siri
- Add location and choose audience for any post
- View up-to-date Facebook profile photos and contact information in Contacts
- View Facebook events and birthdays in Calendar
- Like content and see your friends’ Likes in App Store and iTunes Store
Shared Photo Streams
- Share selected photos with the people you choose
- Friends can view shared photos in Photos app, iPhoto and Apple TV
- Friends can like and make comments on individual photos
Passbook
- One place for boarding passes, store cards, film tickets and other passes
- Barcode display for boarding flights, buying coffee, getting into films and other actions
- Passes displayed on Lock Screen based on time or location
- Passes can be automatically updated
- Supported on iPhone and iPod touch
FaceTime improvements
- FaceTime over mobile network support for iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (3rd generation)
- Receive FaceTime calls, sent to your iPhone number, on your iPad and iPod touch
Phone improvements
- Do Not Disturb to suppress incoming calls and notifications
- ‘Reply with message’ option when declining a call
- ‘Remind me later’ option based on time or location when declining a call
Mail improvements
- VIP mailbox to quickly access mail from important people
- Flagged email mailbox
- Insert photos and videos when composing email
- Open password-protected Office docs
- Pull down to refresh mailboxes
- Per-account signatures
Safari improvements
- iCloud tabs to see open pages on all your devices
- Offline Reading List
- Photo upload support
- Full-screen landscape view on iPhone and iPod touch
- Smart app banners
- JavaScript performance improvements
App Store and iTunes Store improvements
- Updated store design
- iTunes Preview history
- Complete my series
- Complete my album
Game Center improvements
- Challenge friends to beat high scores and achievements
- Post high scores and achievements to Facebook and Twitter
- Friend recommendations based on your Facebook friends
Accessibility improvements
- Guided Access to limit device to one app or restrict touch input on certain areas of the screen
- VoiceOver integration with Maps, AssistiveTouch and Zoom
- Support for Made for iPhone Hearing Aids for iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S
Improved privacy controls for Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Photos and data shared over Bluetooth
Reminders can be reordered in the Reminders app
Custom vibrations for alerts on iPhone
Clock app for iPad
Clock alarm with song
Search all fields in Contacts
Automatic film mode for improved video sound quality
Definitions of a selected word for Chinese, French, German and Spanish
New keyboard layouts for French, German, Turkish, Catalan, Arabic and Icelandic
Keyboard shortcuts shared across devices via iCloud
Bluetooth MAP support
Global network proxy for HTTP
Features for China
- Baidu web search
- Sina Weibo integration
- Share videos to Tudou
- Share videos to Youku
- Improved text input for handwriting and Pinyin
Bug fixes

Some features may not be available in all countries or all areas. Please visit this website for more details:

http://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Samsung – It Doesn’t take a Genius

Nick — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 18:30:45 +0000

Samsung has released a new advertisment titled as “It doesn’t take a genius” in which Samsung is comparing its device, the Samsung Galaxy III with the Apple iPhone 5.

What are your thoughts on this new Add by Samsung? Have they left out some key features from the iPhone 5? Is this in reaction to the lost lawsuit? OR Are they right – Is this the superior product?

Have your say below….

App of the Week – FOX SPORTS Barclays Premier League Live

Nick — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 11:30:10 +0000

This weeks App of the week is FOX SPORTS Barclays Premier League Live. This app is simply amazing. As long as you have a subscription to Foxtel & the Fox Sports package, you can stream every game of the Barclays Premier League to your iPhone or iPad via 3G, 4G or WiFi.

Some screen grabs from the iPhone 4S:

FOX SPORTS’ Barclays Premier League Live App showcases 2012/13 Barclays Premier League matches LIVE and includes:

Every game live
In-play live video highlights (includes every goal!)available until the next round of matches
Extended video highlights (of every game) available until the next round of matches
Themed video’s every week including Golden Moment and Save of the Week available until the next round of matches

If you are not a residential FOXTEL Sports subscriber you will be able to download the App and take advantage of the following features to keep you up-to-date with the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League season:

Live line-ups
Live scores and statistics (player and team)
Live match text commentary
Fixtures and Results
Ladder
Barclays Premier League news (video and text)

Requirements:

This App requires iOS 5.0 or greater to run
To view live matches or video (except news video) a FOXTEL Residential Sports subscription and a registered log in linked to your subscription account are required.

Available from the App Store

Please consider sharing & commenting below. Thanks