Hotel Near Miami Beach - How To Get Online Away From Home Or Work

Source      - http://www.technewsworld.com/
By             - Patrick Nelson
Category   - Hotel Near Miami Beach
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Hotel Near Miami Beach

Ever since the days of the fax machine and clamshell PC, I've delighted in the concept of working away from home or office.

I have fond memories of lugging those clunkers from the back of my car in and out of motel rooms through bone-chilling blizzards and driving rain -- adding to the carry-load, certainly, but bringing freedom.

With many of us now accumulating multiple connected mobile devices, including laptops, tablets, cameras and phones -- all of which can accompany us on sojourns out of the workspace and home -- one might ask: What's the most efficient and cost-effective way to keep online while away from the economical, unlimited Internet pipes available at our fixed locations?

Here's what you need to know.

Step 1: Determine how much Web browsing and email data you use in a month.

Are you streaming or downloading multimedia, or just browsing the Web and checking email?

If all you have is one smartphone that you use to check email and social networks, you can survive on a domestic data add-on from your smartphone wireless carrier, which will be a good combination of always-available convenience an arguably reasonable price.

For example, one hour of navigation directions per day and 1,500 Web pages and 1,500 text-only e-mails per month will often add up to less than 1 GB, which is often an entry-level phone plan offering.

Tip: Data counter apps are available in app stores. 3G Watchdog for Android, for example, will let you calculate real-time usage.

Step 2: Determine how much video or multimedia you use.

One hour of streaming video per day can add up to 7 GB per month. This is often more than wireless carriers allow before throttling, or than they will sell you at a reasonable price.

Two hours of streamed music per day requires 4 GB of data a month; 15 minutes of video calling per day requires 1 GB of data a month.

If you don't look at video, you'd be surprised at how little data you use. However, if you do, or you want to, and want to do it without being gouged, you need to improvise a bit.

Step 3: Look for free WiFi hotspots.

Use your wireless mobile network for non-data-intensive Internet, like email and Web only, and then find free hotspots for media downloads.

Free hotspots can include hotel lobbies; bars; Starbucks; McDonald's; and your cable company -- look for the CableWiFi identifier.

Tip: Boingo is a WiFi on-the-go service that provides access to free and paid hotspots for a monthly subscription.

Step 4: Pool resources with others.

If you, your coworkers or your family use multiple smartphones, tablets, e-readers, iPods and so on, you can avoid multiple payments to wireless carriers, or hotels and the like, by creating one connection that everyone hooks up to.

Look for the term "MiFi," or Mobile Hotspot, from your wireless carrier.

Tip: Verizon will sell you a prepay Jetpack Prepaid LTE hotspot for US$99.99 and then pay-in-advance service of $90 for 10GB valid for one month.

Step 5: Tether your devices to your phone.

Mobile phone networks offer a tethering option by which you can purchase a tethering add-on that lets you connect tablets and PCs to your smartphone wirelessly. The phone acts as modem.

Tip: Sprint offers mobile hotspot add-ons that range up to 6GB of shared data for $49.95 over and above your existing plan.

Step 6: Use your laptop as connection.

I've written about this recently: Your PC connects to the hotspot and the brood connects to the PC, saving configuration time and money.

Step 7: Choose satellite services in remote areas or at sea.

If all you want is your Twitter feed and there aren't any hotspots or mobile service where you spend time, Inmarsat's IsatPhone Pro is easily configured with free incoming tweets in an SMS text-like readout on the phone's handset.

 

Prepay SIM cards, newly available in the U.S., start at around $90 and last two years. The phone itself costs $660 on Amazon.

More data-intensive broadband solutions are available from Inmarsat's BGAN service. If you need to ask the price on that one, you can't afford it.

Attractions In West Miami - 10 ways To Relieve Stress Naturally

Source      - http://www.foxnews.com/
By             - Dr. Manny Alvarez
Category   - Attractions In West Miami
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Attractions In West Miami

As a doctor, I get a lot of health questions both in my practice and in my email inbox. Today, I found one that I felt was particularly compelling, which I’d like to share with you.

Hi, Dr. Manny, can you please tell me some natural remedies for stress? – Shideh

Winter and the accompanying bad weather can be a stressful time for anybody, especially in today's day and age, with all the problems Americans are facing in this difficult economy. More and more people are suffering from negative stress. Negative stress takes a toll on our daily lives and our health and can lead to high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, anxiety and depression, among other problems, so I feel this question is very appropriate.

Rest assured, there are many things you can do before you run out to get a pill. Here’s a list of some of the most effective natural stress reducers.

1. Passionflower

While passionflower has long been considered a “folk remedy” for anxiety and insomnia, a few studies have shown that the herb may actually be comparable in effectiveness to benzodiazepine drugs, which are used to treat stress. Though not proven, it is believed that passionflower works by increasing levels of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. This lowers the activity of some brain cells, making you feel more relaxed.

Passionflower is available in a variety of forms, including infusions, teas, liquid extracts and tinctures. It is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or nursing. Consult your doctor before adding it to your diet, especially if you are taking other medications.

2. Massage

This is kind of a no-brainer, right? Everybody loves a massage. But did you know that it’s been used as a stress reliever for thousands of years? Historically, the Chinese used massage to open blocked energy channels in order to improve health and Hippocrates, the “father of western medicine,” used friction for physical healing treatments. Today, we use massage to relax tense muscles, reduce pain and improve circulation, which can all do wonders for the mind.

3. Meditation

Meditation, or mindfulness, only takes 15 to 30 minutes a day, which is possible even in a packed schedule. It’s also incredibly affordable, considering the only tool you need is your own mind. Just give yourself some silent time to let your thoughts run free or just focus on your breathing. That small amount of peace in your day can help you deal with or even release stress.

4. Exercise

Whether it’s yoga, Tai Chi or running, exercise works much in the same way as meditation because it gives you the time to be alone with your thoughts (or an opportunity to let them go). However, exercise also has the added benefit of releasing endorphins into the brain, which improves your mood. It also prevents obesity and other health problems, giving you less to be stressed about.

5. Organize your life

Organization offers a sense of control and peace of mind, and there’s a number of ways you can improve in this regard. If you’re the kind of person who’s always running around, it can help to make lists so that you remember everything. If you’re the kind of person who feels edgy in their own house, tidy up. Studies have shown the mere sight of clutter can put us on edge.

6. Eat healthy

It’s actually been proven that junk food can make us depressed (not to mention fat) so clean up your diet. Healthy foods like whole grains and protein can improve your mood and give you long-lasting energy to tackle everything that comes your way during the day. Foods that are especially effective for stress-busting include blueberries, salmon and almonds, according to scientists.

Also, put down that extra cup of coffee. While studies have shown that some coffee during the day can offer health benefits, too much caffeine will make you jittery and anxious, and eventually lead to a crash.

7. Limit Internet and cellphone use

Disconnect, disconnect, disconnect. Part of the problem with reducing stress in today’s world is that we are never truly able to shield ourselves from it. By turning away from the Internet and shutting off our cellphones, we can at least block some of the channels from which stress can reach us. Doing this also allows us to live in the moment and appreciate it.

It is particularly important to cut off electronic use before sleep, which can cut down on insomnia-related problems.

8. B Vitamins

B vitamins are known to promote proper functioning of the brain and nervous system, as well as help induce relaxation and fight fatigue. In fact, indicators of B deficiency include irritability, depression and apathy, so to stave off those symptoms, increase your intake of foods rich in B vitamins. B vitamins are typically found in the germ and bran of cereal grains, as well as beans, peas, nuts, liver, eggs and dairy products.

9. Aromatherapy

In some cases, inhaling certain scents has been shown to have immediate stress relief effects by raising mood, reducing anxiety and aiding focus and concentration. Experts say it’s because the smells can stimulate the limbic system, which in turn releases chemicals that affect the brain, promoting feelings of relaxation, calmness, love and excitement. Popular oils for stress relief and mental fatigue include lavender, cypress and rosemary.

10. Sleep

Sleep is the most important natural stress reducer of them all. Too little sleep leaves us cranky, irritable and on edge. Too much sleep can leave us sluggish and depressed. Try to find the right balance that allows you to feel well-rested and ready for the day. Promote better sleep by establishing bedtime rituals that signal to your brain that it’s time to fall asleep, avoid exercise in the three hours before sleep or take a warm bath. Certain foods can also promote sleep, such as carbohydrates, bananas, peanuts, figs, dairy and - of course, a certain holiday favorite - turkey. These foods all contain tryptophans, a precursor for creating melatonin. However, avoid having a large meal close to bedtime, because it may result in indigestion, reflux or heartburn.

Holiday In West Miami - Twitter: 15 Hidden Keyboard Shortcuts

Source       - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
By              -  Radhika Sanghani
Category    - Holiday In West Miami
Posted By  - Inn and Suites In West Miami

 

Holiday In West Miami

1. Homepage - 'g h'

If you want to return straight to the home page, you don't have to scroll the cursor up to the home icon on the left. You can just press 'g h' on your keyboard and it will take you straight to your home Twitter feed.

2. Your profile - 'g p' 
When you're surfing around on Twitter and find yourself seven degrees of separation away from your profile, press 'g p' and it will take you straight back to your profile.
 

3. Messages - 'g m'

The message icon can be hard to find on Twitter, so if you need to access your inbox, press 'g m' on your keyboard and it will take you straight there. 

4. Connect - 'g c'

When you want to get to your list of interactions, just press 'g c' on the keyboard. 

5. Mentions - 'g r'

To get to mentions you could then just click the tab on the left - but obviously the quicker shortcut would be to just type 'g r' and that will bring up any Tweets that mention you. 

6. Users' profiles - 'g u'

To get to someone else's profile you don't have to browse the search box. Instead you can type 'g u' and a box will pop up saying: "Go to a person's profile." Just type in their name to jump to a profile. 

7. New Tweet - 'n'

Wherever you are on the Twitter site, pressing 'n' on your keyboard will immediately pull up a 'What's happening?' box for you to type your Tweet into. 

8. DM - 'm'

If you want to send a DM (direct message), press 'm' and a new direct message box will appear on your screen. You can then type in the recipient's Twitter handle and send your message. 

9. Favourite - 'f'

If you come across a Tweet you want to favourite, simply pressing 'f' will favourite it for you. However - word of warning - this only works if you have opened up a new page for the Tweet. It won't work just on your homepage. 

10. Retweet - 't'

Just as with favouriting a Tweet, you need to have the Tweet fully open to do this. Once you have it up, just press 't' and it will ask you if you want to retweet it to your followers. 

11. Reply - 'r'

For those of you who were wondering why the code for retweeting is a 't', now you'll know why. The 'r' shortcut is reserved for replying to a Tweet. Again, make sure you have the Tweet open separately before you do this. If you press it whilst on the homepage, nothing will happen. 

12. Next Tweet - 'j'

To move on to the next Tweet in a list, simply pressing 'j' will take you down to the next one and create a blue box around the Tweet. 

13. Previous Tweet - 'k'

To go back to a previous Tweet, press 'k'. 

14. Load more - '.'

If you have an old browser, or your Tweets are taking a while to load, pressing '.' will bring up the next set of Tweets for you, and take you straight to the top of your page. 

15. Keyboard shortcuts - '?'

When in doubt of all these shortcuts, just typing in a question mark will bring up Twitter's hidden menu of all the keyboard shortcuts available.

Port Of Miami Hotels - How To Upgrade To Mac OS X Mavericks For Free

Source       - http://www.digitaltrends.com/
By             - Brandon Widder
Category   - Port Of Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Port Of Miami Hotels

What happens when you run out of furry felines from which to dub your latest operating system? Well, you opt for the next best thing — an iconic surf haven off the northern California coast.

Apple had more up its sleeve than the new, Haswell-powered MacBook Pro models, powerhouse Mac Pro and the thinner, sleeker iPad Air at its latest event in San Francisco. The Cupertino-based company showed off more of Mavericks, the latest incarnation of Mac OS X. Better yet, Apple announced that Mac OS X Mavericks will be available as a free download immediately. Mavericks adds a swath of new utilities and features, boasting tighter cloud integration while claiming significantly improved power-optimization. Already-existing apps like Calandar and Safari have received a makeover,  and Apple has even added its own proprietary mapping software to the new OS. Other new features include tag functionality, Finder tabs and even greater flexibility over multiple displays. Oh, and did we mention it’s free?

Here’s our quick guide on how to snag Mac OS X Mavericks for free. We can’t guarantee there won’t be another Maps debacle, but at least it won’t cost you.

How to Upgrade to Mac OS X Mavericks for Free

Step 1: Check system requirements — Upgrading to Mac OS X Mavericks shouldn’t be much of an issue if you’re using a Mac manufactured within the last six years or so (which most everyone is at this point). The software upgrade is compatible with the six Mac models listed below — and Xserve — but you’ll still need an additional 2GB of memory and 8GB of available space to properly download the OS. Click the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of your display and select the About this Mac option from the drop-down menu to view details about your current Mac. Certain features in Mavericks, such as FaceTime and Time Machine, may require additional hardware. Also, make sure your Mac is plugged into a power outlet and connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable.

Step 2: Connect and install the latest updates — Make sure your Mac is plugged into a power supply, connected to the Internet and equipped with the latest updates prior to installing Mac OS X Mavericks. To check for the latest updates, click the Apple icon in the top-left corner, select the Software Update option from the resulting drop-down menu and click the gray Update All button housed to the right of the available updates within the App Store. Although you can directly upgrade to the latest OS from Snow Leopard (10.6.8), Lion (10.7) and Mountain Lion (10.8), those running Snow Leopard (10.6.x) will need to upgrade to to the latest version of the OS prior to making the jump to Mavericks. Mac OS X Leopard users will need to purchase Snow Leopard prior to upgrading.

Also, we recommend updating any third-party software that cannot be directly updated through the App Store. Granted, not all third-party software is compatible with Apple’s new OS quite yet, but you can often view compatibility on the software developer’s respective site. Doing so will help insure the update installs properly.

Step 3: Back up your computer — Upgrading to Mac OS X Mavericks doesn’t mean you’ll lose all your precious data. Although the update will retain your files, folders and other data, it’s not a bad idea to back up any information you don’t want to lose in case errors occur during the update process. Check out our guide on how to backup your computer and our top picks for the best free backup software before continuing. We suggest using Time Machine if you have a compatible, external hard drive available with ample space.

Step 4: Install Mac OS X Mavericks — Navigate back to the App Store and click the Free Upgrade button in the top-right corner of the Updates panel to download the necessary software. Once downloaded, an installation wizard will automatically appear to guide you through the process of installing Mac OS X Mavericks. Click the Continue option located at the bottom of the resulting window, followed by the Agree option and Install. Enter your administrator password when prompted (not your Apple ID), click the OK button in the bottom-right corner and allow the OS update to install.

Step 5: Restart and set up — Click the Restart button located at the bottom of the window when finished or allow Mac OS X to restart automatically after 30 seconds. The entire installation process will likely take around an hour or so depending on your Mac. Afterward, log in and start up your Mac as you would normally, entering your Apple ID when prompted and setting up iCloud Keychain if desired. The setup wizard will handle the rest.

Step 6: Enjoy — Now simply reap the benefits of Apple’s latest OS.

Budget Miami Hotels - Apple IPad Debut Shows No Fear of Rivals’ Lower Prices

Source      - http://www.bloomberg.com/
By            - Adam Satariano
Category  - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

Even as rivals such as Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), Samsung Electronics Co. (005930) and Google Inc. (GOOG) introduce tablets at lower prices, Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook went in the opposite direction yesterday. He unveiled a new iPad mini with a high-definition screen that starts at $399, $70 more expensive than last year’s model. Apple also introduced a lighter and thinner design for its larger tablet, renamed iPad Air, starting at the same price of $499. 

The new iPads follow the debut of the iPhone 5c last month at a heftier price than analysts expected, underscoring how Apple is appealing to the higher end of the market where more profit is made. The Cupertino, California-based company is betting customers see its products as a unique mix of hardware, software and services that are more valuable than lower-cost alternatives. 

“You can see from the pricing decision that Apple doesn’t really fear much competition,” said Benedict Evans, an analyst at Enders Analysis, who attended Apple’s event in downtown San Francisco yesterday.

Apple’s top marketing executive, Phil Schiller, said the company sees the tablet market bifurcating. On one end, Apple is focused on delivering high-quality devices, while the other has lower-quality devices and faces more pricing pressure, he said. 

Schiller added that the iPad mini’s increased price is mainly the result of steeper costs for the new high-definition screens. Apple also dropped the price of last year’s iPad mini model to $299.

Crowded Market

Apple’s new iPads, which will be shipped next month, are debuting in a crowded market where companies including Samsung, Asustek Computer Inc. (2357), Google and Amazon have unveiled tablets, often at lower prices. The competition ramps up pressure on Apple because the iPad is its second-largest revenue source after its flagship iPhone. Success of the new models is critical as the company attempts to reignite revenue growth, which has slowed. 

Apple’s new iPads, which also include more powerful processors and faster wireless speeds, are part of a broad product update ahead of the lucrative holiday shopping season. The company released the new iPhone 5s and 5c last month. 

“We couldn’t be more pleased to introduce all of them to you in time for the holidays,” said Cook.

Many Macs

Apple also announced that it will for the first time start giving away its Mac software for free, starting with the latest release called Mavericks that was available for download yesterday. Apple’s productivity software, including iPhoto, iMovie and Pages, also are being made available for free. And the company showed an updated high-end Mac Pro desktop computer aimed at professions that need extra computing power, as well as new MacBook Pro laptops. 

“Last month was all iPhone and this was everything else,” Carl Howe, an analyst with Yankee Group, said after the event. 

Apple shares fell less than 1 percent yesterday to close at $519.87 in New York, leaving the stock down 2.3 percent for the year, compared with a 23 percent increase in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. 

Apple’s challenge with the iPad is similar to what it faces with the iPhone. Rivals are introducing devices based on Google’s Android software that are cheaper. 

Samsung, Asustek, Lenovo Group Ltd. (992), Acer Inc. (2353) and others are offering tablets with prices starting at less than half of the iPad mini’s previous starting cost of $329. Amazon.com introduced new Kindle Fires last month with higher-resolution screens at prices starting from $229, while Microsoft Corp. and Nokia Oyj (NOK1V) took the wraps off new tablets this week.

Family Hotels In Miami - Scientist Discovers 'Biological Clock' That May Further Explain Aging

Source      - http://news.yahoo.com/
By            - Mike Krumboltz
Category  - Family Hotels In Miami
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

 

Family Hotels In Miami

A study published in the medical journal Genome Biology explains that all humans have a biological clock that measures the age of tissues.

The find may help scientists with cancer research and stem cell research as well as offer clues on how to slow the aging process.

According to a news release from UCLA, where the study's author Dr. Steve Horvath teaches genetics and biostatistics, the study found that some human tissue ages more quickly than others. 

Via the news release:

While earlier biological clocks have been linked to saliva, hormones and telomeres, the new research is the first to result in the development of an age-predictive tool that uses a previously unknown time-keeping mechanism in the body to accurately gauge the age of diverse human organs, tissues and cell types.

The release goes on to explain that while working on the new tool, Horvath and his team discovered that  "some parts of the anatomy, like a woman's breast tissue, age faster than the rest of the body." In other words, not all tissues' biological age (which measures the true state of an organism) matches its chronological age (years passes since birth).

Via the news release:

"Healthy breast tissue is about two to three years older than the rest of a woman's body," he said. "If a woman has breast cancer, the healthy tissue next to the tumor is an average of 12 years older than the rest of her body."

The results may explain why breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Given that the clock ranked tumor tissue an average of 36 years older than healthy tissue, it could also explain why age is a major risk factor for many cancers in both genders.

Forbes explains that Horvath and his team "identified 353 DNA markers from 51 types of cells and tissue  (including heart, lungs, brain, liver, cartilage, and kidney) that change throughout our lifetimes from before birth through old age."

Yahoo News spoke with Horvath about the significance of his findings.

"The big picture is really that people who study aging were really limited in that they weren't able to accurately measure age. It has been a long-standing hope to develop aging clocks that allow us to access the age of a cell or a tissue. The purpose being to learn why we age and what can be done against it."

Horvath said that his isn't the first aging clock, but his measures chemical changes to the DNA, which has made his epigenetic clock "far more accurate" than previous clocks. When he looked at 20 different types of cancer tissue, Horvath found that, on average, the cancerous tissue was "36 years older than one would expect based on chronological age. These results indicate that a tissue that looks much older than expected may be malignant."

"If we're really lucky, the epigenetic clock will guide the development of new treatments against aging and will allow us to develop treatments against aging," Horvath told Yahoo News. However, Horvath is cautious. "What I have not yet shown is that this epigenetic clock measures a process that causes aging. That's really the most pressing question."

Hotel Near Miami Beach - How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath In Your Dog

Source       - http://shine.yahoo.com/
By             - vetstreet.com
Category   - Hotel Near Miami Beach
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Hotel Near Miami Beach

Simple chronic halitosis. Whether we're talking humans or pets, bad breath is a big deal. It's a stinky problem, but take heart. In most cases there's a lot you can do to keep bad breath at bay. 

Causes

There are a variety of causes for bad breath in pets, these include: 

1. Periodontal disease. It's by far the most common cause of bad breath in pets. Studies show that after the age of 3 years, 80 percent of dogs and cats will have signs of periodontal disease. The cause of the offensive odor in these cases is the bacteria that coalesce as plaque and cause irritating gingivitis. As plaque matures and periodontal disease progresses, more destructive bacteria come into play. Periodontal disease is a painful condition that can lead to tooth loss and damage to organs like the heart and kidneys. 

2. Teething. Kittens and puppies often have ick breath when they are teething. Kittens, especially, seem prone to the problem, which typically lasts only a couple of months. What happens is that bacteria collects at the gumline as baby teeth are edged out by budding adult teeth. 

3. Oral disease. In addition to gum disease a host of other oral diseases can cause bad breath. These include stomatitis, a common feline condition that causes painful inflammation of the gums and mouth tissues; oral masses, which include both cancerous and benign growths; and gingival hyperplasia, a condition in which the gums overgrow, creating bumps and deep crevices where bacteria proliferate. 

4. Gastrointestinal disease. If the esophagus, stomach, or intestines are sick, they can make for stinky breath. It's a far less common reason for halitosis than periodontal disease, however. 

5. Metabolic disease. Diseases that affect the body's metabolic balance or allow for the presence of abnormal levels of certain toxins in the blood can yield impressive mouth odors. Kidney disease is the most well-known of these. The end-stage process called uremia causes a characteristically sour-smelling breath. 

What To Do at Home

 Taking an active role in your pet's dental care can help keep foul breath under control. 

1. Brush your pet's teeth. All pets - dogs and cats alike - should be trained early on to accept simple tooth brushing as part of their daily (at the very least, weekly) routine. 

2. Plaque-reducing treats can be helpful, but they are not all created equal. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. 

3. Water additives promise fresh breath, but do they deliver? It seems some do. Ask your veterinarian for advice before buying the first kind you spy in the pet store. 

What Your Veterinarian May Do

When you take your pet to the vet, here are things the doctor may do: 

1. History. Most veterinarians will start by asking a few questions to understand the history of the bad breath. When did you first notice it? Has it changed? How has you pet been otherwise? 

2. Physical examination. Examining the whole body, not just the mouth, is a crucial part of the process. The oral examination, however, is by far the most important aspect of bad breath assessment. 

3. Anesthetic evaluation. Unfortunately, a thorough assessment of a pet's oral cavity is almost always impossible without sedation or anesthesia. Once the pet is sedated, each individual tooth can be probed, x-rays can be taken, and other structures in the mouth can be examined. 

4. Dental cleaning. Dental cleaning is indispensable when combatting bad breath. That's because ridding the teeth (and area under the gumline) of plaque bacteria goes a long way toward improving the health of the teeth and gums, and therefore treating bad breath. 

5. Biopsy. It may sometimes be necessary to obtain a sample of apparently abnormal tissue to determine its origins before definitive treatment can be initiated. This tends to be the case when oral masses are involved. 

Treatment

 Treatment of halitosis depends wholly on the underlying cause. Because most halitosis is born of periodontal disease, treatment for bad breath tends to rely heavily on at-home care in addition to professional dental cleanings. Talk with your vet about what is the best action plan for your pet.

Attractions In West Miami - Lenovo's Sub-$300 Full Windows Tablet

Source      - http://www.hindustantimes.com/
By            - Press Release
Category   - Attractions In West Miami
Posted By -  Inn and Suites In West Miami

Attractions In West Miami

The Miix 2 might not boast an iPad's build quality but at just $299 it is cheaper than any Apple tablet and offers the full desktop version of Microsoft Windows 8.1.

When Intel CEO Brian Krzanich announced earlier this week that the cost of consumer electronics devices was set to tumble thanks to the latest generation of Intel processors, he clearly wasn't exaggerating. 

The Lenovo Miix 2 is an 8-inch full Windows tablet with optional stylus support. Though not in the premium band, the IPS display offers an 800x1280 pixel resolution and a 178° viewing angle. Inside, there's an Intel Bay Trail quad core processor, and up to 128GB of storage, plus a microSD slot for a further 32GB of expansion. It has front (2 megapixel) and rear (8 megapixel) cameras, weighs just 350g and even comes with the Family and Student edition of Microsoft Office pre-installed.

"Many users want the convenience of a smaller screen tablet, but do not want to lose the performance and convenience of a powerful, quad core Windows 8.1 device. With the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch, users can take advantage of a small, light form factor without sacrificing performance," said Bai Peng, vice president and general manager, notebook business unit, Lenovo Business Group.

But perhaps most impressive is the price. At just $299 it is cheaper than most notebook computers yet, when paired with a wireless keyboard offers the features and functionality of a computer.

The Miix 2 will launch later this month and as well as upgraded internal storage, will also be offered with an optional cover and stylus at extra cost.

Holiday In West Miami - Apple Cuts Orders Of iPhone 5C As Consumers Prefer 5S

Source       - http://www.cnbc.com/
By             - Press Release
Category   - Holiday In West Miami
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Holiday In West Miami

Apple is cutting production orders for its plastic-backed iPhone 5C a month after launch, a source familiar with its supply chain said on Wednesday, fueling speculation the cheaper model of its main gadget may have been priced too high. 

Apple has asked one of its largest suppliers to increase production of the top-tier 5S, which went on sale at the same time, the Wall Street Journal reported. said. Analyst said this allayed concerns that the cheaper 5C will eat into premium sales and erode margins. 

Apple has told manufacturers it will reduce orders for the 5C smartphone in the final three months of the year, the source told Reuters. The company added the 5C to the lineup in September along with the flagship iPhone 5S.

Pegatron, which assembles many of Apple's iPhone 5Cs, had seen orders reduced by less than 20 percent, said the source, who asked not to be identified because the information is sensitive.

Hon Hai Precision Industry another major assembly contractor for the 5C, had its orders for the same period reduced by a third, the Wall Street Journal reported.

But at the same time, Apple raised orders for the 5S in the fourth quarter, the newspaper said, quoting two Hon Hai executives.

Analysts said the decision by consumers to spend more on the pricier 5S benefits Apple. The company's shares rose on Wednesday, touching a one-month high above $502. Canaccord Genuity analyst Michael Walkley estimated that the iPhone 5S is outselling 5C by 2.5 times to 1.


Canaccord Genuity's "survey work indicates a significantly higher sell-through mix of iPhone 5s versus 5c that should benefit near-term Average Selling Prices and margins," Walkley said.

In the United States, the 5C is $100 cheaper than the premium 5S, which starts at $649 for the 16 GB model.

Spokespersons at Pegatron, Hon Hai and Apple declined to comment.

Analysts and Apple executives have cautioned against reading too much into supply chain adjustments, which are common in the fast-moving electronics industry.

Investors will get some idea of the demand for the two phones when Apple reports its fiscal fourth quarter results later this month. But the iPhones numbers from July-September will include sales of only a month of the new models.

Holiday quarter boost 
 
Apple is expected to sell 33 million to 36 million iPhones in its fiscal fourth quarter, rising to over 50 million in the typically strong holiday quarter, which will mark the first full quarter of sales of the new iPhones.

The holiday quarter may also feature a new lineup of iPads.

Next week, Apple is expected to introduce a updated version of the tablets that compete with Amazon.com's Kindle Fire and tablets made by Samsung Electronics.

Apple has come under pressure over the past year to bolster sales of its iPhones and iPads and defend its market share against rivals that are rapidly raising capabilities and lowering prices.

The reception for the 5c has been lukewarm in China, which Chief Executive Tim Cook has identified as one of Apple's most important markets. Some local bloggers say the price difference between the 5C and 5S is too narrow.

The price difference could widen next year as Apple is known for cutting prices of older models to drive volume.

"We're not especially concerned with 5C order cuts at this point because they appear to be offset by strong demand and increased production for the 5S, said Brian Colello, analyst with Morningstar said. "As far as emerging markets, the 5C is simply not cheap enough to gain traction with customers that can buy $150 Android devices."

Previously, Apple had said sales for the 5S and 5C in the first three days of their launch in September totaled 9 million, and that demand for the 5S exceeded initial supplies. It did not give separate figures for the 5C and 5S.

Prudential, which does not own Apple shares, forecasts assemblers will ship around 23 million 5C units in the final three months of this year and 10 million in the first three months of next year.

Apple shares rose as high as $502.53 at the open on the Nasdaq on Wednesday and was up 0.6 percent at $501.63 in afternoon trading.

Port Of Miami Hotels - Acer Launches Thinner, Lighter, More Powerful Chromebook

Source       - http://mashable.com/
By             - Stan Schroeder
Category   - Port Of Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Acer has announced the launch of C720 Chromebook, a new 11.6-inch ultraportable based on Intel's new Haswell chip. 

The specs include a 1.4GHz Intel Celeron processor, an 11.6-inch, 1366x768 pixel display, 4GB of low-power RAM, a 16GB SSD and 8.5 hours of battery life. 

Acer managed to stuff all that into a case that's 30 percent slimmer than the company's previous Chromebook, measuring only 0.75 inches thick, with the weight being 2.76 pounds. 

Exact shipping date hasn't been revealed, but the C720 is already listed for pre-order at Amazon and should also be coming to Best Buy for $250.

Budget Miami Hotels - European Union Declares Electronic Cigarettes Are Not Medicinal

Source      - http://www.popsci.com/
By            - Dan Nosowitz
Category  - Budget Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Budget Miami Hotels

This morning, the European Parliament, the legislative body of the European Union, voted to reject a proposal that electronic cigarettes or "e-cigs" be regulated as medical devices. The ruling, which contradicts several federal laws held by member nations of the E.U., is a major decision on what's a fairly new and poorly understood health issue.

Electronic cigarettes have gained momentum in the past few years; they're seen as quasi-medical tools to help quit smoking, but also seen as milder versions of cigarettes. They're small, sometimes cigarette-shaped devices that heat a liquid base containing nicotine and other ingredients (flavorings, mostly) slowly, so that the active chemicals vaporize, rather than burn as they would in a cigarette. The vapor is likely easier on the lungs than smoke from a regular cigarette, they can be smoked in places where cigarettes aren't allowed (like bars and restaurants), and are about the same price as cigarettes in highly taxed places like New York City. (Disposable e-cigs like the popular Blu brand, which costs $9.99, have about the same number of estimated "puffs" as a pack of regular cigarettes.)  E-cigs are estimated to become a $1.7 billion industry in the U.S. this year, more than twice that of the E.U.

E-cigs are barely regulated. The few studies that have been performed indicate that the vapor from certain brands contains carcinogens, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, but e-cigs are so new and have so recently become popular that the laws and regulations are struggling to catch up. At the moment, the U.S. has banned the sale to minors, but courts have rejected the FDA's repeated attempts to have them classified as drugs (in the same category as nicotine patches). In the E.U., some countries, like Greece, have banned them outright. Some, like Britain, want them treated like medical devices, which would mean they would be more heavily regulated and only sold in pharmacies in some countries. The ruling will trickle down to the member countries within the next few years, as each country has to adjust its individual local and national laws.

Family Hotels In Miami - Apple Needs To Sell Bigger iPhones – Or Cheaper Ones

Source      - http://blogs.marketwatch.com/
By            - Press Release
Category  - Family Hotels In Miami
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Family Hotels In Miami

Apple Inc. is still a couple weeks away from reporting results for the fourth fiscal quarter that will include the launch of the iPhone 5S and 5C models, but some Wall Streeters already have their eyes further down the product cycle.

Apple’s shares got a lift on Monday — up 1.7% to $491.41 at last check — after Jefferies & Co. analyst Peter Misek upgraded the stock to a buy rating. In his note,  he said he still sees some risk to the company’s recently ended fiscal year and December quarter in terms of iPhone sales. He thinks better pricing from suppliers will boost margins and “allow Apple to skate by until iPhone 6 launches with its 4.8″ screen.”

Of course, Apple AAPL  has never confirmed that it is even working on such a device, though a growing number of analysts believe the company has a large-screen iPhone in the works for a launch next year.

However, a large-screen iPhone may not address the other problem some see in Apple’s iPhone lineup.

Toni Sacconaghi of Bernstein put it succinctly in a Monday morning report entitled: “Are There Enough Wealthy People in the World to Sustain iPhone Unit Growth?”

In his report, Sacconaghi estimates that the company will have to essentially find about 125 million new iPhone buyers in the next two years in order to meet Wall Street’s projections. These would be new customers to the iPhone — not those already using a version smartphone and upgrading. This is based on his estimates that a majority of total iPhone sales in the past three years have been to new customers. Sacconaghi says Apple’s continued focus on this segment keeps the company from better growth opportunities at the lower end.

“On balance, while many things can change and Apple could ultimately eclipse our iPhone expectations for the next two years, the fact remains that only a finite number of users globally can afford a $450+ smartphone, and most of them already own such a device, meaning that growth will invariably continue to slow for Apple’s iPhone business, particularly once carrier additions are complete,” Sacconaghi wrote.

The up-coming earnings report later this month (no date has been set yet) will give further indication of how the new iPhones did in their launch period, and what the company’s expectations for the December quarter will be. But others also see Apple facing limits. Kulbinder Garcha of Credit Suisse predicted on Monday that Apple’s product portfolio will remain in the high-priced segment for the next year.

“This segment has seen peaked growth – with 300 million units sold per year and only modest expansion,” he wrote. “Critically, by ignoring the mid-tier smartphone segment, Apple will continue to lose users to the Android ecosystem.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook will likely have a chance to field these sorts of questions on the company’s next earnings call, though worth noting that he took some pains around the iPhone 5S launch to broadcast that “we’re not in the junk business.”

Hotel Near Miami Beach - Two Years After Steve Jobs' Death, How's That New CEO Working Out?

Source      - http://www.theregister.co.uk/
By            - Rik Myslewski
Category  - Hotel Near Miami Beach
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Hotel Near Miami Beach

Two years ago today, Apple cofounder Steve Jobs died. Since then, much has changed at Apple, with the most visible difference being Tim Cook stepping out from under the shadow of his larger-than-lfe predecessor, shepherding Apple's product lines, expanding its distribution, reshuffling its executive team, mollifying investors – and watching its stock take a beating.

Not that Apple's share price was soaring on October 5, 2011; on the day Jobs died, it closed at $378.25. Its highest closing price since then was its highest of all time: $702.10 on September 19, 2012, having hit $705.07 in intraday trading. On that day, one analyst predicted that the stock would hit $1,650 per share by 2015.

Needless to say, that now doesn't appear likely. Is Cook to blame – or, at least, does he share the blame with his fellow execs? Or was Apple simply wildly overvalued in September 2012, and has it merely slipped comfortably back into more-realistic territory?

When evaluating Cook's performance as Apple CEO, it's instructive to remember that he wasn't suddenly thrust into the top job with no preparation, nor was he brought in from the outside to save a floundering business as was, say, Yahoo!'s Marissa Mayer or HP's Léo Apotheker.

As with the former, the jury is still out about Cook's tenure. And as for the latter, well, we all remember how well that worked out. Cook, by the way, was rumored to be in line for the HP CEO position after Mark Hurd hit the skids – a rumor that was quickly pooh-poohed.

Jobs first left Tim Cook in charge of Apple's day-to-day operations in early August 2004, when he took a short leave to have a pancreatic cancer tumor removed; he returned to Apple that September, as expected. In 2009, he took a second medical leave of absence from Apple, saying that his health problems were "more complex" than previously thought – it was later revealed that he had received a liver transplant around three months later. Cook was again in charge during Jobs' absence.

When Jobs took a third medical leave of absence in January 2011, he still remained CEO – in title, at least – saying only that "I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple's day to day operations." In August of that year, however, Jobs relinquished that title, and formally passed the baton to Cook. Less than two months later, Jobs died, and Cook was on his own.

Well, not completely on his own, of course. Design guru Jony Ive had joined Apple in 1992, rising to SVP of industrial design in 1996. Hardware brainiac Bob Mansfield, who joined Apple in 1999, was head of Devices Hardware Engineering, having taken over that position when Mark Papermaster left for Cisco in 2010 (Papermaster became AMD's CTO a year later).

And then there was the man whom one former Apple engineer said was recognized by rank-and-file Cupertinians as "the only legit successor to Jobs" and whom that same ex-staffer called "the best approximation of Steve Jobs that Apple had left." That "best approximation" was Scott Forstall, formerly head of iOS, whose ouster last year provides insight into Cook's management style as compared to Jobs'.

The similarity of Forstall and Jobs, according to multiple sources, meant that he was known to be creative and dynamic, but also pushy, non-collaborative, imperious, polarizing, arrogant, and, well, a thesaurus-worth of obnoxious.

He was also regarded by many – and perhaps by himself, as there were rumors that he was marshaling opposition to Cook's leadership – as a possible successor for the CEO's corner office. That wasn't to be.

Although the details of his fall from grace have been kept hidden behind the Great Wall of Cupertino, Forstall "resigned" from his software-honcho position on October 29, 2012, as part of a sweeping executive reorganization at Apple. At the time, the company said that he would serve as an adviser to Cook until he left Apple for good at some unspecified date in 2013. How much advising he has done, however, remains murky.

At the time, there was speculation that Forstall was shown the door because of refusing to apologize along with Cook for iOS 6's botched Google Maps–replacing Maps app for which he had been responsible, as well as the disappointing performance of that operating system's marquee feature, Siri – performance so iffy that it lead to lawsuits.

The iOS 6 cockup may have been one proverbial camel-back straw, but the real reasons for Forstall's exit were many and varied. Last December, for example, Cook confirmed to Bloomberg Businessweek that Forstall's personality was indeed, one reason behind his ouster – although, of course, he didn't say so in exactly those words.

When asked about the Forstall departure, along with the exit of Apple's retail headman John Browett on the same day, Cook was diplomatic. "The key in the change that you're referencing is my deep belief that collaboration is essential for innovation," he said.

The design of iOS was also a point of contention. Forstall – and, for that matter, Jobs – was a fan of skeuomorphism, the translation of real-world objects into user-interface elements. Cook, apparently, is not – but more importantly neither is Jony Ive, whom Cook elevated from merely hardware-design headman to head of all design at Apple and tasked to drop skeuomorphism in iOS 7, released last month.

As an aside, there have been suggestions that Ive may be a possible successor to Cook. He's a visionary like Jobs, some argue, and vision is something that Cook lacks. This observer, however, finds that recommendation risible. Ive is a designer, not an administrator; a blue-sky thinker, not a nuts-and-bolts supply-chain negotiator; a manager of line, curve, color, and materials, not of a global army of 80,000 employees, well over 40,000 retail staffers, and – perhaps most important – seven fellow board members. Installing Ive as CEO would be the Peter Principle turned up to 11.

So back to reality, and fittingly back to skeuomorphism. Another beneficiary of Forstall's departure, Craig Federighi, who was elevated to head of all Apple's software engineering in the same reorg that put Ive in charge of all design, and who is also an anti-skeuomorph. As he explained in a USA Today interview with Ive last month, the new flat-design look of iOS 7 is "about a different philosophy."

One final detail of recent Apple history may lend another bit of conjecture regarding Forstall's departure. Valuable hardware headman Bob Mansfield "retired" in late June of last year. Cook lured him back in late August. The Forstall exit and reorg occurred two months later. Mansfield is now working on undefined "Special Projects" – think iWatch, iBigScreenTV, iWhatever.

Neither Mansfield nor Cook have publicly discussed whether their negotiations involved Forstall's role in the company, but one does wonder, doesn't one – especially considering that there had been reports that both Mansfield and Ive avoided contact with Forstall unless Cook was present to act as an executive DMZ.

Whatever the details of Forstall's departure, there can be no question that the reorganization that accompanied it showed that the Jobsian era had ended, and that Apple was now Cook's company. Cook is not Jobs – and he knows it.

And he also knows that for a company to thrive, the presence of an inspired visionary may be a wonderful thing, but the contribution of such a rara avis is not a make-or-break necessity.

Attractions In West Miami - Adobe Loses 2.9 Mil Customer Records, Source Code

Source       - http://www.usatoday.com/
By             - Byron Acohido
Category   - Attractions In West Miami
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Attractions In West Miami

At a time when millions of computer users face increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, the antivirus software they rely on to keep their information safe frequently fails to do the job. Of 45 pieces of malware that lingered on the New York Times computer systems for a third of a year, just one was spotted by its antivirus software, the newspaper disclosed in January. That same month, security company Kaspersky disclosed a global data-stealing scheme had evaded detection by antivirus products for five years.

Such examples are becoming alarmingly common. Recent studies have found much of the malware-fighting software on the market is virtually useless against the growing onslaught of attacks.

"Every couple of months you see there's this major virus outbreak that everybody missed," said Jeremiah Grossman of Santa Clara, Calif.-based WhiteHat Security. "The cards are stacked in the bad guys' favor."

With global spending on antivirus products expected to hit $8.4 billion this year, according to research firm Gartner, he added, "people are paying good money to be less secure."

Campbell, Calif.-based ClickAway's stores repair about 60 infected computers a day, and about two-thirds of them have antivirus software on the machines, said Executive Vice President Oliver Rowen. Jeremy Prader, who sees similar problems at his San Jose, Calif., computer repair business, The Cheap Squad, added that the crooks "are coming up with something new every day."

Indeed, Kaspersky says it encounters about 200,000 new malware varieties daily compared with only about 25 per day in 1994, 700 in 2006 and 7,000 in 2011.

That's a big problem because antivirus products mostly spot known malware, not new forms. Plus, hackers have gotten more devious, said Wade Williamson of security firm Palo Alto Networks, noting that sophisticated crooks can disable antivirus software while making it appear the software is still working. Other experts say hackers routinely fine-tune their malware against antivirus products to make their code harder to detect.

Although antivirus comparison tests vary widely, some have found grave weaknesses in many of the products.

At a time when millions of computer users face increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, the antivirus software they rely on to keep their information safe frequently fails to do the job.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-10-antivirus-software-deter-hackers.html#jCp

At a time when millions of computer users face increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, the antivirus software they rely on to keep their information safe frequently fails to do the job.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-10-antivirus-software-deter-hackers.html#jCp

At a time when millions of computer users face increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, the antivirus software they rely on to keep their information safe frequently fails to do the job.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-10-antivirus-software-deter-hackers.html#jCp

Holiday In West Miami - How Apple Could Boost Speeds 20 Times On The Next iPhone

Source      - http://www.technologyreview.com/
By            - David Talbot
Category  - Holiday In West Miami
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Holiday In West Miami

A wireless networking technology found in Apple’s new operating system could—if tweaked—provide a 10- to 20-fold bandwidth increase in some situations, like on a moving train or in a busy urban environment, new research suggests.

The technology is called multipath TCP. It allows you to use multiple wireless networks—such as 4G and Wi-Fi—at the same time. But Apple isn’t using it fully, nor is it using an advanced version—one that also encodes the data being transmitted in new ways— recently shown to provide those dramatic potential gains.

The advance, based on work done by a multi-university group led by Muriel Medard, an electrical engineering professor at MIT, is “very compelling” and “shows dramatic improvement in terms of increased data rates, reduced latency, and reduced packet loss,” says Andrea Goldsmith, professor of electrical engineering at Stanford and a leading network researcher and entrepreneur not involved in the work.

Right now, as any smartphone owner knows, a phone or tablet will either use Wi-Fi or 4G or 3G—and never at the same time. So your streaming video may cut out because the network you were using dropped, even though there’s another signal available.

Multipath TCP could change this by divvying up those video bits across two or more networks. “Multipath” refers to using more than one wireless route, and TCP refers to the protocols used by most Internet traffic. Then, to use a simplified explanation—all “odd” packets (units of data that make up an Internet transmission) get sent over Wi-Fi and “even” ones over 4G. Then these “odd” and “even” packets get woven back, zipper-like, on the phone.

But in practice, it’s not that simple. The problems start with the fact that data-transmission takes longer from a cell tower than it does from a Wi-Fi router. Throw satellite streams in and the transmission delays are even longer.

Multipath TCP makes up for this by tweaking transmission speeds. But matters get more complicated if you are moving around, meaning those timings are always changing—and worse still, if some packets drop out. When those things happen, the computation required for multipath processing can get so complex that it actually slows down the overall speeds, says Medard.

And that may be why Apple—in using multipath TCP only for its voice-query engine, Siri—apparently isn’t even using both cellular and Wi-Fi networks at the same time. Rather, it may be using the technology to simply enable Siri to switch back and forth between them without user intervention, so it can avoid having to retransmit your spoken request, a source of delays.

“The rumors I’ve heard is that Apple is using it for Siri just to decrease latency by using whatever network connection is available,” says Jason Cloud, a grad student in Medard’s lab.

Trudy Miller, an Apple spokeswoman, declined to comment on how the technology has been deployed. (Apple has been characteristically secretive about the technology; so one of the first hints that it was using multipath at all came when a Belgian researcher, Olivier Bonaventure, blogged about it earlier this month.) Several groups around the world are working on the technology.

At any rate, there is a technology that helps solve the remaining problems with multipath TCP. It is called “network coding”—an extra tweak atop multipath TCP. Network coding algorithmically combines packets in elegant ways. Then multiple packets can be turned into a single number that’s a function of the ones making it up. “You code within flows for redundancy,” Medard says. “Then you don’t have to be managing between them like crazy.”

It was this version that, when tested by Cloud and colleagues at the Hamilton Institute, part of the National University of Ireland in Maynooth, Ireland, provided up to 10 times better performance on a single network path, by repairing dropped packets on a single connection. This expanded on work Medard did last year (see “A Bandwidth Breakthrough”).

Measurements done at the University of California, Los Angeles, suggested how network coding could turbocharge multipath TCP. In findings presented in June, Medard and several university collaborators measured actual packet losses and other conditions around a Westwood, California, campus from three wireless sources: Wi-Fi transmitters, cellular towers, and Iridium satellites. They concluded the technology could provide a similar benefit when used on multiple paths, with a potential tenfold increase per path.

Demonstrations are planned over the next year. But commercialization of the underlying network coding technology is already possible. Medard says several organizations have licensed the technology from an MIT-Caltech startup called Code-On Technologies. She says she can’t name the companies.

Goldsmith says that while she didn’t know the details of what Apple has done, “it’s great to see Apple move in this direction, as it will inspire more developments in theory and practice.”

While “it is a no-brainer” to move forward with industry adoption of network coding with multipath TCP, implementation will likely have to start with applications where the data can easily be coded and decoded at either end—like, say, on a video application. “It’s very difficult to fundamentally change the network. There are a lot of entrenched players and entrenched technology,” Goldsmith says.

Port Of Miami Hotels - Smart hone Mounts For Your Car

Source      - http://finance.yahoo.com/
By            - Press Release
Category  - Port Of Miami Hotels
Posted By - Inn and Suites In West Miami

Port Of Miami Hotels

If you find yourself increasingly thinking of your smart phone as an indispensable traveling companion, you’re not alone. Many drivers now rely on their phones for navigation, music, or just old-fashioned Bluetooth calls while they’re behind the wheel. And with that kind of continuous use, dropping the phone into a cup holder when you start the car won’t cut it. You need a serious car mount that will safely hold the device where you can see and use it, with a minimum of distraction. A mount may also save you a ticket, because the use of hand-held devices is now illegal in many states.

Many options are available, from basic phone holders priced at less than $10 to specialized mounts that cost $40 or more. Some models from phone makers double as a charger and can optimize the screen for easier access to travel-related functions. These special mounts typically have an opening for the phone’s camera, enabling a quick photo of a reckless driver or recording video on a scenic drive.

For drivers focused on navigation, a couple of GPS companies offer mounts with a built-in GPS receiver to improve position accuracy and a boosted speaker to make instructions easier to hear. We’ve used some of the full-featured mounts and found they can be worth the investment for true road warriors. But if you’re just looking for an inexpensive way to safely mount the phone in the car, good holders are available for $20 or less.

What we found
Consumer Reports sampled 11 budget-priced mounts. We looked at phone holders that attach to the dashboard or windshield with a suction cup, models that clamp onto an air vent, and some that ride in a cup holder or 12-volt power outlet.

Our evaluations included trying each mount in two test cars and an SUV to get an idea how they worked in different vehicles. We looked for ease of installation and use, plus stability on the road and at our track during aggressive maneuvers. We tried each with two of the most popular phones, an Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Generally speaking, we found that models designed to attach to the dashboard or windshield with a suction cup were the best choices. These provide a secure fit, while keeping the phone where it’s easy to see and use without blocking the car’s controls.

Among the suction-cup mounts, the iOttie HCLRIO102 ($20) stood out. It was easy to use and provided a secure fit with both of our phones. The Kensington K39256US ($25) is another good choice, but its long arm caused some vibration while driving. The as-seen-on-TV infomercial star, and something of a bargain in the group, GripGo ($11) was stable and could securely hold any size phone. But we found that sticky surface makes it difficult to remove a phone when it’s new, and it loses its grip over time. Regular washing helps, as package instructions suggest, but ours was never as grippy as it was when new.  

It’s no surprise that vent-mounted models like the Bracketron PVH-202-BL ($10) and Arkon SM429-SBH ($15) can restrict your car’s climate system airflow. We also found them to be more difficult to install than suction-cup mounts, and they may not even be an option depending on the design of your vents. The Bracketron was easier to install than the Arkon, but both models we tried gave the impression they could easily cause expensive damage to a vent if pumped or pulled too hard. If you’re committed to buying a vent-mount holder, shop carefully and try to do a test fit before you buy.

Cup holder designs, like our Bracketron UCH-101-BL ($10) and McAlly mCup ($14), may be a workable compromise for some cars, but most cup holders are mounted low and hold the phone too low to be seen without taking your eyes off the road. Plus, your favorite beverages will be left homeless.

That said, cup holder mounts are still a better choice than models designed to slide into a 12-volt power outlet. Both the Scosche IUH12V Powermount ($21) and the Arkon Socket Mount IPM521 ($15) failed in our experience to provide a secure fit. Plus, these units held the phone too low for easy visibility and use.

For our money, the iOttie HCLRIO102 stood out in this group, being stable, convenient, and attractively priced. Further, by being a universal mount, it may even fit your next phone.