Let me begin with Siri, we all know Siri for helping us for creating reminders and finding driving destinations for us. Well, Siri is now able to speak in different languages, know sports facts, restaurant and movie information, create Facebook and Twitter comments, launch apps and more. An example of this feature happened the other day when I was wondering what the score of the Detroit Lions game (GO LIONS!). Siri replied with not only the score, but the opponent’s name, and a breakdown of the score for each quarter.

Next, there is a Facebook integration feature which allows users to integrate their iPhone calendar with Facebook Events, Birthdays and more. It will also update the contacts on your phone with your friends Facebook profile picture, so when they call, you will see their profile picture. However, we all know there are also times when we do not want to be bothered, like while we are sleeping for example. There is now a Do Not Disturb feature that lets users silence alerts and incoming calls for when you are asleep or in a meeting without turning off your phone. This will also allow your favorites only to be able to contact you when this feature is turned on.

So what if you have this Do Not Disturb feature on or you are not able to answer an important phone call? This new update allows us to instruct our phone to send a pre-set message to the caller or set a reminder to call the person back. Another addition is the Lost Mode; this feature allows you to send a phone number to your missing device so that whoever finds your phone can call you back. It will also allow you to see exactly where your phone is located and more.

Lastly, the update that has been getting the most hype for having the coolest features, but is said to be least accurate: the Map. The iPhone no longer uses Google Maps and instead is using its own program. This integrates Yelp and real-time traffic information, and turn by turn directions so you can find the route with the least amount of traffic and the quickest ETA. It has the ability to re-adjust your route in the case of an accident or traffic backing up. The new map also features a flyover map, which shows 3-D models of geographical features, buildings and other landmarks.

With all of these wonderful features there are no major reasons why anyone would not want to update their phone other than some complaints about the inaccuracy of the new maps, which I am sure will be resolved in no time. Keep in mind that I have only gone over a minimum of the 200 updates that are now available, more information about these updates can be found on the apple website. If you have an iPhone and are not looking to get the iPhone 5 anytime soon, I would recommend updating to the new iOS 6, I assure you that you will not be disappointed.

At 7:59 A.M. a regular passenger jet was ready for departure, it was a beautiful sunny day and no one could begin to fathom the events that were about to take place.  Soon after this jet would strike the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 A.M., followed by another striking the South Tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03 A.M.  At this point we may have thought that was it, until 9:37 A.M. when another plane crashed into the pentagon.  The fourth and final jet aimed at the Capitol, or the White House, crashed into the ground after the passengers revolted.  Afterwards, the saying “Let’s Roll” took on a whole new meaning once we heard those were the last words before the revolt.

The number of deaths caused by this incident totaled 2,996 people, including the 19 hijackers and 2,977 victims.  Soon after the Bush administration would announce a War on Terror, which would state its goals of bringing Osama Bin Laden, al-Qaeda and any other terrorists to justice.  Today, “One World Trade Center” is nearing its completion and will become the tallest building in North America. This and many other towers will be built to remember 9-11 and to symbolize our strength and unity as a nation.

The events that occurred on September 11, 2001 were intended to hurt Americans, which they did, but with this hurt we came together as a nation to become even stronger.  After all these years we still live in the shadow of those falling towers. It was the defining moment of this generation and this tragedy has served to shape our lives in almost every aspect. It is important not to simply remember the past but appreciate the now and hope and work for a brighter future.

Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, parades and athletic events.^[1]

History

In 1882, Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed the holiday while serving as secretary of the CLU (Central Labor Union) of New York.^[2] Others argue that it was first proposed by Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor in May 1882,^[3] after witnessing the annual labor festival held in Toronto, Canada.^[4] It is a holiday for workers/ unions

Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday in 1887. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day.^[3] Following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland reconciled with Reyes^{[clarification needed]}, leader of the labor movement. Fearing further conflict, the United States Congress unanimously voted to approve rush legislation that made Labor Day a national holiday; Cleveland signed it into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.^[5] The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation’s trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Workers’ Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would be associated with the nascent Communist, Syndicalist and Anarchist movements that, though distinct from one another, had rallied to commemorate the Haymarket Affair in International Workers’ Day.^[6] All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday.

Pattern of celebration

The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and spirit of corps of the trade and labor organizations”,^[2] followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.^[2]

The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labor Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years.^[7] Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school, although school starting times now vary.

End of summer

Labor Day has come to be celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable to wear white^[8] or seersucker.^[9][10]

In U.S. sports, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. NCAA teams usually play their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day. The Southern 500 NASCAR auto race was held that day from 1950 to 1983 in Darlington, South Carolina. At Indianapolis Raceway Park, the National Hot Rod Association hold their finals to the U.S. Nationals drag race.

In the U.S., most school districts that started summer vacation in early June will resume school the day after this day (see First Day of School), while schools that had summer vacation begin on the Saturday before Memorial Day in late May will have already been in session since late August. However this tradition is changing as many school districts end in early June and begin mid-August.^[11]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Although there are currently some smart phones, such as the Google Nexus S, carry an NFC chip that allows customers to make mobile payments at participating vendors, it is also known that the iPhone 5 and the new Android will also be equipped with the NFC chip as well. Still, this is not the first time we have been able to trade information from device to device like this.

There are currently apps such as Bump by Bump Technologies that allow users to share contact information and photos by bumping the two phones together.  Bump has apps for both the iPhone and Android so both types of users can access this technology and best of all, it’s free!  Once this technology hits the business world, there is no telling where things will be in five or so years.

By 2013 it is expected that sales of NFC equipped phones will exceed $75 billion and one in five cell phones worldwide will be using NFC technology.  Having this sort of technology to share data instantly between business owners and between consumers could completely change the way business is done in the future. Of course, as with most things technology, this is only the beginning of unleashing the potential of mobile devices…and we all thought the pager was it, ha.

A largely successful online tactic is link building. It raises your search engine ranking, and gives potential consumers the ability to stumble upon you without searching. There are a number of ways to perform link building from reviews, directories, to blogs. But one of the best ways is from receiving awards or joining like-minded affiliations.

Groups, societies, and guilds in your line of work are an amazing way to start. People for the advancement of your trade and profession, or for maintaining quality control is a great start. If you are a magazine, consider an association for journalists. Perhaps a bakery could join an association for the art of wedding cake decorating or sugar sculpting. There are literally thousands of associations out there, hundreds within your industry.

One thing to remember to do before joining any such association is to investigate it, heavily. Look into their by laws, commitments, procedures, and dues. Think of it like joining a political party, you need to make sure that their views express that of your business. Understand their application process. Don’t just blindly sign up, take the time to make sure that their rules and requirements are something you will be able to follow. For instance, maybe they require that you contribute to a newsletter once a year, if that is feasible, then it is worth joining. Understand the duties and dues. Are you required a certain license to join? Are the dues exorbitant? Ask yourself as many questions as possible, and ask them of the affiliation. Make sure they are legitimate before you tie your name to them.

This process can be applied to looking into awards. Local business guilds, newspapers, magazines are always finding ways to give awards. Contests and competitions are a great way to make yourself known. Yet, make sure that the competitions are fair and again feasible. If it all checks out, then there is nothing to it, but to do it. Even if you don’t win any awards, you won’t know until you try.

Well, what does it matter if you join a society or win an award? It is an amazing link building tool. Affiliations will often have websites to connect their members. Companies that sponsor competitions will often announce the winners on their sites. In both cases, make sure that your website is linked on theirs. By doing so, your reputation has grown in a positive way, especially if their website is ranked highly.

Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn. Make sure that when people visit your website, they know that you are part of that organization. If the organization has a symbol or logo, have that on your website. Then, if you happen to win the award, have that logo designed and put on your website. It feels great to win, and it will be even better when you win the awards.

In comparison, iTunes has sold over 15 billion songs, 45 million videos, 200 million television episodes, and 25 billion applications.  Although, iTunes was also one of the first of its kind to provide a database of its size where customers had to pay for its features. The first company that comes to mind that was made famous for its downloads is Napster, and I think we all remember what happened to Napster, yet it is still available to use, paid of course.

Now, let’s rewind back and press on Google Play. Google Play was designed to integrate all of its previously released features into one.  Google wanted to offer one convenient place for customers to purchase books, music, apps, movies and television shows all in one place.  It will even update files between your Android smartphone and your tablet or Chromebook.  This could be beneficial if you are a Kindle and Android user.  The next step for Google is to integrate Motorola Mobility into this system, which will allow us to view Google Play through our television by using our mobile device.

I must say that none of these features are any different than what is already being offered to consumers though Apple, Amazon, and in some cases Netflix.  For these reasons it may be difficult for Google Play to catch on, unless they begin forcing us to use it like Google Plus.  Not to sound negative about Google because its search engine capabilities are superior to any other in its category, but that tactic may drive away more users than bring them.  Finally, if you are tech savvy and want to play around with something new, check out Google Play, who knows, you might even like it.

Instagram was developed in San Francisco by two Stanford graduates, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger.  On October 6, 2010 Instagram was launched on Apples App Store and by December had over one million registered users.  It did not take long for Instagram to gain momentum and become noticed by the social media powerhouse, Facebook. On April 12, 2012, Facebook purchased Instagram for $1 billion in cash and stock and grew its user base to over 30 million and growing.

What makes Instagram so unique is that its users are able to take pictures through their mobile devices and alter these images using filtered effects.  Some of the filtered effects found on Instagram include;

Lomo-fi – Slightly blurred, with yellow and green saturated

Inkwell – Black and white filter with high contrast

Hefe – Fuzz, with focus on gold and yellow tones

1977 – 1970s flair

Lord Kelvin – Super saturated, retro photo with scratchy border

After Instagram was purchased by Facebook it noticed a substantial growth since its initial release. With its ability to alter images and create effects for everyone to enjoy, it will be sure to have a successful future.  Also, with school starting and this site growing in popularity, I am sure students all over the nation will become hooked on using Instagram to create their unique photos, and so may Best Gym Websites.