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Cellphones are a part of modern life. Now we wonder what we’d do without them. And according to Murphy’s Law, which states that new technology comes into existence every 18 months, there are lots of reasons to know about what is available before you make your decision. Let’s start out by talking about your service provider.

1. Nearly all cellphone networks run on contracts. While these are usually two years, they often sucker you into staying on even longer by offering a free or discounted phone if you sign a contract extension. As of 2011, Verizon has the best call quality in the U.S. and the fastest network. However, you won’t be able to use your phone abroad. T-Mobile typically finishes higher in terms of overall customer satisfaction, due to lower prices and plan options. AT&T and Sprint are also reliable and usually rank close to the top as well. But the iPhone’s straying to other networks has pushed AT&T from the top and handed the network crown to Verizon.

2. These days, smartphones are practically necessary. The ability to have the internet at your fingertips is hard to resist. That said, each carrier offers their own version, but the most popular are the iPhone, the Android, and the BlackBerry. The design of these three phones is quite different, and depending on your particular needs – business, gaming, social networking – may affect your choice. And with new styles coming out all the time, it’s really a matter of knowing what you want and buying it – there’s no best time to buy.

3. Cellphone accessories don’t come out quite as rapidly as new cell phones, so once you’ve made the plunge and invested in a new smartphone, think about which ones you need to be happy. Bluetooth hands free car kits are popular if you drive on your commute. Extra chargers prevent your phone from sporadically dying, which can be a major inconvenience. Stock up on one for the office, the home and wherever else you spend a lot of time. A jawbone Bluetooth is another nice gift to treat yourself to.

Cellphones are constantly evolving. Just think of the one you had five years ago! It’s a dinosaur by comparison to the 4G models produced today. Alas, that is the nature of the beast. It’s best to invest in a phone that will meet your needs and stay alive for 2 or more years, than to skimp on a cheap phone that you’re embarrassed to hold to your ear and that will only have to be replaced after nine months. So feel good about your technology and start shopping around for a new service provider, a smartphone and some new cellphone accessories today!

Many traditional PC owners are now contemplating making the big switch – to a Mac that is. Apple computers are increasingly taking up a larger slice of the market when it comes to personal computers. The ‘Mac vs PC’ television commercials that launched the career of movie star Justin Long, and helped distinguish Apple products as a brand. Meanwhile, as more individuals concerned about identity theft and viruses, not to mention the compatibility with other popular Apple products including the iPhone and iPad – Apple really is becoming a popular consideration for both home and work.

Walk into any flagship Apple store or electronics retailer and you may be overwhelmed by the number of options available. There’s screen after screen after screen to gaze at and they come in all shapes and sizes. However, there’s much more to consider than screen size when it comes to making your purchase.

Desktop or laptop?

The age-old question still holds true but recent developments in laptop technology has meant that many portable machines are now just as powerful as their desktop counterparts. However there are still a number of key distinctions that are worth considering between Apple desktops and laptops.

For desktop computers, the iMac is sleek and powerful with great graphics and a faster processor so it’s perfect for tackling graphic intensive tasks at home or work such as basic video editing. Meanwhile, if you’re just looking for a basic computer model at a highly affordable cost – the Mac mini retails for just under $1000.

Meanwhile, laptops are certainly more portable and handy to have around and Apple has designed a notebook to fit your needs. The MacBook Air is, as its name suggests, lightweight and compact for the on the go, and it starts at less than $1000. Meanwhile, if you’re after performance, the MacBook is perfect for day to day computing and has the ability to handle more intensive tasks including design and gaming.

For professional use, including professional graphic design, music composition and layout, the MacBook Pro offers superior power and ability in a portable machine. Meanwhile, the heavy duty Mac Pro offers unrivalled performance with 12 cores of processing power and graphical processing capabilities five times faster than standard cards – this is the computer that leaves its rivals behind.

As Apple continues to innovate, these computer models are constantly being updated and developed. With this in mind, individuals looking to stay up to date with the latest technology can choose to rent a MacBook or other Apple computer so they can readily upgrade when a new model is released.

Mobile – Apple on the go

Mobile computing technology has grown in leaps and bounds and the smart phones are no longer limited for business use. And of course, the introduction of Apple’s iPhone has put the power and fun of a personal computer into the palm of your hand.

While certainly not a replacement for your laptop or personal computer, the tablet is gaining significant ground in mobile computing as a popular alternative to netbook counterparts. Paving the way in tablet computing is Apple’s iPad which works seamlessly with traditional iPhone applications. The iPad has also been touted a great eBook reader – changing the way we consume digital content.

Whether you choose to buy or rent an iPad or want get your hands on the latest iPhone, MacBook or iMac – there’s an Apple waiting for you.

Crime has always been a sad fact of life, although security cameras have proven to be very effective deterrents, some individuals are so intent on committing a crime that they don’t consider the repercussions. When this is the case, recorded footage of an incident dramatically increases the chance of the party responsible being held accountable for their actions.

In July of 2010, a former welterweight boxing champion stopped at a gas station to put air in his tires with his eleven year old godson in the car. While the young boy went in to the store, a man approached the former champion with a hand gun drawn and demanded his championship diamond ring and expensive watch. The pugilist pulled out his own pistol and started chasing the would be robber, while shooting at him. After a moment, the gunman got away and the former champion ran in to another man at a near by intersection. The two men had a brief conversation and then the ex-prize fighter turned to head back to his car and godson. Once he’d turned to begin the trek back to his car the man he had just been talking to pulled out another hand gun and shot him in the back seven or eight times. The former boxing champ died a short time later, at the age of thirty eight.

The break in the case came with a bit of luck, the gas station and a near by apartment building both had security cameras mounted around the exterior of the buildings. The gas station’s surveillance cameras caught much of the initial altercation, including the robber fleeing the scene. A little while after the victim was gunned down, the same robber was video taped entering the apartment building, this time the cameras recorded great video of the suspect’s face and the apartment building’s cameras showed him again a short time later getting in to a getaway car with a third man.

The investigators then began to show images of robber’s face to members of the community, and were able to identify the man who committed the attempted robbery but the police had difficulty locating him. About two weeks after the incident, the twenty year old robber turned himself in to the district attorney’s office. Within a day of the young man’s surrender, the police were able to locate and arrest the twenty five year old getaway driver. About a week later the thirty year old trigger man was also arrested after a car chase on interstate twenty. The district attorney’s office is seeking the death penalty for the trigger man and sentences of life without parole for the other two men involved in the shooting.

Members of this community really came forward and tried to help the police investigators solve this case, but it was the surveillance cameras in the area that gave the detectives their big break. The tragedy that befell this popular public figure is undeniable, but at least the men responsible for it were caught and will soon face the judge.