The statistics on the spread of apps is impressive, and is now nearly double what it was in 2009. Pew’s report showed that the most commonly used apps are for the features that attracted us to the World Wide Web, e-mail, and mobile phones in the first place — getting news and other information and staying in touch. Purcell said that apps “are a significant departure from search engines and Web browsers, but the basic needs apps meet are not revolutionary. … While mobile apps are a fairly new approach to accessing online content,” she said, “the main functions they fill for users are the same we’ve seen with previous technologies–namely, information-gathering and communication. … The takeaway is that there are a lot of apps out there; only a handful have sticking power.”

Having a phone with app capacity and using it for that purpose are two very different things. Less than half of smartphone owners say they use at least one app on a weekly basis. And that figure has declined over the past year despite the introduction of thousands upon thousands of new apps. It may be that smartphone users are more educated about what’s available and know what they want help with. Click here to read more.

The new feature was introduced in a blog post, in which Google says the update focuses on remote collaboration and is aimed at increasing users’ productivity. Google software engineer Vadim Gerasimov describes how he now can accomplish everything he does in the office – such as check his email and edit documents – with his Android during his morning commute to the company’s Sydney office.

“We want to give everyone the chance to be productive no matter where they are, so today we’re releasing a new update to the Google Docs app for Android. We’ve brought the collaborative experience from Google Docs on the desktop to your Android device. You’ll see updates in real time as others type on their computers, tablets and phones, and you can just tap the document to join in.”

Google highlights an updated interface optimized for mobile working. You can pinch to zoom and focus or scroll out. Text-formatting options have been added, so you can create bullet lists and use color.

However, adding workers and expanding a mobile workforce can be difficult without some sort of centralized phone system to handle call routing. The challenge is how to take advantage of features that only in-house complex phone systems generally provide? With a shoestring budget, complex hardware is often out of the question. The solution is to use cloud software – specifically, Google Voice.

This totally free piece of cloud software connects your customers to your company cell phones on a dime. If you’re on the prowl for a highly-customizable, free virtual phone system, Google Voice may be your answer. Here’s an example of how your company can leverage the power of Google Voice:

Pre-planned phone ring schedules

One of the most powerful features that Voice offers mobile computer companies is ring schedules for the phones of all your workers. This is useful for a tech that doesn’t wish to be bugged with client calls at 1am in the morning. The setup for Voice in this regard is very simple: merely add in all of your techs’ phone numbers that should accept calls from the company number, and then set a custom schedule for each tech depending on when he is supposed to be “on call.”

It works tremendously well and gives you the power to route calls like a traditional company in a non-traditional way. Customers don’t know the difference as they believe they are connecting to the main company line each time they call, and your techs can be out in the field making money instead of sitting around a stagnant office. A win-win for both sides of the equation.

Unlimited texting to and from client cell phones

One thing customers will love it is that you can be one of the only companies in your area to offer texting to customers. Why is this such a big deal? Think about how our client base is rapidly changing: even soccer moms are texting day in and day out.

Why shouldn’t computer companies be forced to keep up with the trends? It’s a natural evolution of doing business, and the post-2010 era has introduced a clear need for offering customers the ability to text in requests. A traditional phone system cannot match this feature in comparison to Google Voice. You can even have all of your techs receiving and sending texts from clients. There is no lack of liability in terms of historical records, as Voice stores all text message history indefinitely in your account.

Contact grouping for call management and routing

Have you ever wanted existing clients to get a different voicemail message from the long, drawn out one your new callers may hear? Google Voice proudly offers this functionality along with a bevy of other options related to contact grouping.

Calling Groups are extremely powerful in Voice as a way to create distinctive routing rules, separate voicemail messages, and also control if particular groups need to have their calls screened before they are answered. This may be useful if, perhaps, you want to tell Voice to allow all known current customers directly through to techs’ phones but new “unknown” callers have to get screened by announcing their name first before the call is answered. It’s a useful way to keep out abusive users that try to hide behind masked telephone numbers.

Voicemails-as-text in your inbox and indefinite historical records

How do we check messages on a traditional phone system? We either have to call in to a mailbox and listen to the message, trying to copy down the details as the user spits them out. Google Voice solved this problem and offers a multitude of options for how you can receive voicemail messages. One of the most useful features of how Voice handles voicemail is by sending you transcriptions over email as well as keeping these messages stored indefinitely inside the online interface.

The emails contain an embedded version of the voicemail which can be played back on the fly, downloaded as an MP3, or forwarded to anyone of your choosing. The online interface offers similar functionality with expanded options on archiving messages, adding notes to voicemails, and also editing the transcriptions manually to correct mistakes.

The golden question everyone always asks: how much does it cost? Google Voice is completely free. There is no restriction on businesses using the system and Google openly encourages it. The features mentioned above are not exhaustive; there are dozens of other neat things you can do in Voice such as making calls right on your headset within Gmail, easily searching through your entire call/text/voicemail history through the web interface, and even call blocking former clients or vendors.

Many companies benefit greatly from Google Voice, and your computer business could utilize the service just as well. Give it a try through either your personal or Apps-powered Google account today.

It’s an absolute doddle to set up. First, check that your PC and your phone are on the same wireless network, then fire up Airdroid to receive a unique IP address. Just type this into your desktop browser and hey presto! you’re up and running.

You can then transfer your music, video and anything else with wireless ease within the browser. You can also start to use your desktop as a phone extension – browse and edit contacts and even send text messages and receive desktop notifications when you get a new text.

There’s also a handy feature that shares a clipboard between desktop and phone, and you can also install and uninstall apps with ease. The interface is beautifully clean and easy to use – the icons are easy to navigate and changes to your mobile settings are much easier to take in from the large control panel of a desktop. Click here to visit the App market to read more or download.

A lot of third-party alternatives for non-iPhone 4S devices have also been released. Here’s a list of some of the best third-party alternatives for the non-iPhone 4S device you own. Click here to read more.

Smartphone privacy has been in the news again recently, due to a fresh Google and Apple iPhone privacy flap. This all means smartphone owners need to be vigilant in order to protect themselves. Click here to read some essential tips to help keep your vital data under control.

Sometimes there are mobile tools that can help with your daily office processes or simply make your working environment more comforting. So, what are some of the other apps out there that could be beneficial? The folks at Firmology recently looked at ten iPhone business apps that are out there that could make your work like a lot easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. Click here to read more.

But wait! What do you do with your old Android phone? Many people hand it to Mybullfrog for donation to HopeLine – that’s a good thing because we wipe the phone for you. Others hang on to the phone in case they need it. Others decide to sell it on eBay, Craigslist, or somewhere else.

If you’re one of the latter, you need to think carefully and make sure all of your personal information has been removed from the device before you sell it or give it away. Your Android device contains email addresses, passwords, access rights to apps, and perhaps personal notes, calendars, and other sensitive information. So, how do you wipe your device?

Each device is a little different, depending upon manufacturer and which version of Android your device is running, but the basic procedure is the same. The procedure is known as a “factory data reset”. Here’s how it’s done on some of the latest Android devices – yours should be similar and not too difficult to find:

• On the Galaxy Nexus with Ice Cream Sandwich, it’s under Settings > Backup and Reset > Factory data reset.
• On the Droid RAZR with Gingerbread, it’s under Settings > Privacy > Factory Data Reset.
• On Samsung phones, go to Settings > Privacy > Factory Reset.
• On Honeycomb tablets (like the Xoom), it’s under Settings > Privacy > Factory Data Reset.

And this is important, too – don’t forget your microSD card. Data on it — including pictures and videos, as well as some application data — generally isn’t erased with a factory reset. Some phones give you the option to format the SD card at the same time you erase the rest of the device. If not, you’ll want to connect the device to a computer and format the card. If you’re really paranoid, use one of those overwriting formatting programs. Or at the very least, just take it out of the device you’re getting rid of.

If you have any doubts talk to the people in your Mybullfrog store and ask them to do it for you. It’s all a part of the service, and it’s a great way to give you the peace of mind of knowing your personal information is safe.

Many of you are asking, “ok this is great and all— but how does this relate to me?” Well folks, think of it this way: you’re in a doctor’s office and instead of seeing the usual bundle of forms and paperwork you’ve grown accustomed to, you’d see your private and sensitive information presented to you in the form of a device— the MOTO XYBOARD or DROID RAZR/RAZR MAXX to be exact– all using Verizon’s 4G LTE network. Here’s Dr. Peter Tippett, VP and Chief Medical Officer of Verizon Connected Healthcare Solutions adding some insight on this breakthrough partnership:

“This solution underscores the important role mobility is playing in transforming health care. Working with Motorola Mobility and BoxTone, we have brought together complementary capabilities to create an easy-to-deploy and manage mobility solution for our health care customers.”

Sounds like a welcome solution and impact indeed. Click here to read the full press release from BoxTone.

The main feature of BrailleTouch is a 6 button set-up which basically explains the concept of ‘eyes-free texting.’ While the user types on these buttons, BrailleTouch reads out each letter and symbol from the English alphabet. Research has shown that users of the app have been able to achieve a typing speed of 32 wpm together with a 92% spelling accuracy. Click here to read more.