This episode is also available in Apple iTunes and on Stitcher!

Just a few years ago, Open Data used to be a popular concept in the Caribbean. There were several conferences and even hackathons – software development competitions – using government-collected data to try to address or solve a variety of issues in our societies. However, in the last two years or so, Open Data seemed to have dropped off the radar…

For those who are new to the concept of Open Data, or just need a quick refresher, Open Data is “data that can be freely used, re-used and redistributed by anyone – subject only, at most, to the requirement to attribute and sharealike” (Source:  Open Data Handbook). Although Open Data can be provided by any organisation, an important source is Government, which tends to generate and/or collect considerable amounts of data, much of which can be made publicly available. Further, Open Data is an important constituent of Open Government, which inherently seeks to foster greater accountability and transparency across governments.

However, in addition to facilitating increased openness, Open Data can be lucrative for countries. Several studies have been undertaken, such as one conducted by Capgemini in 2013, which highlighted the economic value that can be realised through Open Data:

Public administration officials are now beginning to realize the value that opening up data can have. For instance, the direct impact of Open Data on the EU27 economy was estimated at €32 Billion in 2010, with an estimated annual growth rate of 7%

So what is happened to Open Data in the Caribbean?

Dr Maurice McNaughton

To bring the spotlight back on that subject, and to help us to understand what might have happened, in this episode, we are speaking with Dr Maurice McNaughton, Director of the Centre of Excellence for IT-enabled Business and Innovation, at the University of the West Indies’ Mona Campus, in Jamaica.

Dr McNaughton was one of the early advocates of Open Data in Jamaica, and through the Mona School of Business, where the Centre of Excellence is attached, he was also involved in the Caribbean Open Institute, along with many other local and regional initiatives in that area.

Some of the areas we discussed with Dr McNaughton include the following:

1. What does “Open Data” entail
2. What happened to Open Data in the Caribbean
3. Whether the Caribbean Open Institute is still functional
4. Whether there has been a net improvement in the availability of data, and/or with attitudes in relation to making data publicly available
5. What is the difference between, and the implication of, a government having an Open Data policy, versus an Access to Information policy
6. Whether there are any plans to jumpstart the Open Data thrust – whether in Jamaica or in the region
7. With respect to the Centre of Excellence for IT-enabled Business and Innovation, what it is about, and what services it offers
8. Some of the projects in which the Centre of Excellence has been involved
9. Whether there are services or ways in which the Centre of Excellence’s resources, such as its intellectual capacity, can be accessed by individuals or businesses, particularly MSMEs, outside of academia.

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

• Maurice McNaughton
• The University of West Indies
• Centre of Excellence for IT-enabled Business and Innovation
• Mona School of Business and Management
• Caribbean Open Institute
• Open Data for Development Network
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
• Open Data Barometer
• Dominican Republic Open Data Policy
• Dominican Republic Open Data Portal
• Saint Lucia Open Data Policy
• Saint Lucia Open Data Portal
• Trinidad and Tobago Open Data
• Jamaica Open Data Portal
• Developing the Caribbean (DevCa)
• SlashRoots Foundation
• Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) 
• CAPRI and UWI (2014), Open Government Data: A Catalyst for Jamaica’s Growth and Innovation Agenda

Image credits: jwyg (flickr);  The University of the West Indies 

Music credit:  Ray Holman

Last week Wednesday, 9 September, global tech firm, Apple, held its annual product announcement event at which it presented its new offerings and imminent releases. As a brand, Apple is known for aesthetically pleasing designs, and sophisticated and innovative products, many of which are are regarded the best in their class.

While the 2015 announcement did not disappoint on many fronts, industry experts and loyal Apple customers might have been hoping for more: a product that would change the trajectory of how we use and perceive technology, like had been done in the past with the iPhone, iPad and iTunes, to name a few. However, although no life-altering product was readily evident in Apple’s stable of new offerings, to varying degrees, the event highlighted the following four trends and takeaways in the software development space.

1.  Apps are still king

Early in the product announcement event, Apple Chief Executive Officer, Tim Cook, stated “the future of TV is apps”. Whilst the statement was made in the context of highlighting the direction being taken with the Apple TV, throughout the event the potential impact of the new features and capabilities in the hardware was continually being tied back to software programmes and applications (apps) that could be developed.

Currently, it could be argued that there has not been many truly innovative or game-changing apps, and much of what is on the market are trying to do the same thing differently. Whilst there might be some truth to that observation, there is considerable scope for innovation that supports users to have a truly unique experience and help them to address needs they did not know they had – through the power of apps.

2.  Developers help to shape the possibilities

Although this point might appear, in part, to be a repetition of the previous one, the role of the software developer merits special consideration. Further, though it goes without saying that apps are created by teams of individuals, it is worth emphasising that it is those individuals’ creativity and perception of users’ needs that determine the types of software applications that get to market. Hence, their intellectual property and the extent to which they might be prepared to push the envelope, so to speak, should not be underestimated.

It is the developer teams that truly help to breathe life into the amalgam of metals, glass and plastics that comprise the devices upon which we, and by extension our societies, rely. Hence developers are truly the ones who help us see the possibilities of technology in our lives.

3.  Know your strengths and to collaborate with others on your weaknesses

In order to properly marry hardware and software – to the point where they not only complement each other, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts – all contributing teams must be prepared to collaborate. During Apple’s product announcement event last week, that fact was most compelling when Microsoft was invited to discuss its Microsoft Office suite on the soon to be released iPad Pro. While the audience was initially confused when a Microsoft executive was invited to the stage, the speaker had to remind us all that Microsoft is the leader in office productivity tools, and so were best placed to speak about how Microsoft Office could be used on Apple’s latest iPad offering.

More telling, though it was not said, is that Apple knows what its strengths are – building amazing devices, the best in the business. However, there are others who are best in class in their niche segment, such as Microsoft. Though the time and resources could be expended to try create various products – just to keep development in-house – they may never surpass those produced by others, and ultimately may devalue your own flagship products. The trick is thus to focus on one’s strengths, but be prepared to collaborate with others to achieve mutually beneficial and desired goals.

4.  Versatility is vital

According to anticipated trends in customer behaviour, we have been moving to a space of ultra-customisation, where tech products aim to cater to the individual needs their users. There is increasing evidence of this in the concepts and designs that are being presented, which to varying degrees seek to anticipate users’ needs and to eliminate what might be perceived as unnecessary steps. In essence, tech devices, as supported by software apps and programmes, are trying to work how we think.

This perspective is changing the way that software products are being created. Currently, it might just be the big money firms that can afford to do this, but the extent to which smaller teams can begin to incorporate versatility into their offerings – so that they can be molded to user needs and behaviour – could be critical to their longer term viability and success.

Image credit:  Cristiano Betta (flickr)

___________

In the beginning, many of Google’s products not only operated independent of each other, they also had different terms of use, and privacy and security policies. Further, recognising the behemoth that Google has become, there has been growing concerns about how invasive the firm might be, and the extent to which it collects and uses user data.

In an effort to allay fears, but perhaps also to increase cohesion among its services, over the past three years, Google has been trying to unify and simplify the user experience. A few of the changes made were:

• to have a one-time registration, hence a single username and password, to access all of its online properties, and
• to simplify its position on privacy and establish a common policy across most of its products and services.

Google’s new privacy tool

In the past few weeks, Google has again been in the news about privacy. Of interest to us is the new “Privacy Checkup” it has introduced, which gives Google subscribers more control of their privacy. This tool uses a wizard to guide subscribers through a straightforward process through which they can decide, among other things:

1. what Google+ profile information they share with others
2. how people connect with them
3. how their Google Photos settings is managed
4. how to personalize their Google experience, and
5. how to make the ads they see more relevant to them.

The privacy check-up can be accessed and updated at any time, thereby allowing users to tweak the settings as they are comfortable.

It is all about control

In giving subscribers greater control of their privacy, they can now decide how much information Google has on them, and perhaps more importantly, how personalised their experience is on the various services the firm manages. As much as we might be concerned about our privacy online, we do tend to appreciate the relevant content Google and other platforms can provide with seemingly little effort. However, to an appreciable extent, the success of their predictions of our likes and dislikes comes from being able to track our movement online. Essentially, a trade between privacy versus a personalised online experience will need to be made.

Having said this, for those who desire greater privacy, it is critical that they update their privacy settings accordingly. The Privacy Checkup provides a one-stop tool through which it can be done.

Image credit:  Josh Hallett (flickr)

________

However, mobile/cellular phone in schools has been a polarising issue, which strong supporters on both sides. Below are some of key arguments.

Con: Disruptive and a distraction

This argument is perhaps one of the strongest for those of the view that mobile/cellular phones should stay out of schools. In the classroom, it is feared that the devices will be a distraction to students – whether ringing or sending alerts at inappropriate times or students feeling compelled to check them or posting updates. Ultimately, they would be disruptive to the class.

The argument can also be made that students not having ready access to mobile/cellular phones is part of the disciplinary process. In other words, there is a time and place for everything, and the disruptive power of mobile/cellular phones ought not to be encouraged in schools.

Pro: Potential learning tool

An immediate rebuttal of the previous argument is that mobile/cellular phones can be learning tools in the classroom. Across the Caribbean, many countries have rolled out laptops and/or tablet computers initiatives in schools to give individual students access to their own device. However, it can be argued that today’s smartphones are almost as powerful as a laptop or a tablet, and could be utilised – or even replace the laptop and tablet – as a learning tool in the classroom as well.

Pro: Easier to enforce

In having a ban on mobile/cellular phones on the school compound, manpower and other resources had to be found to ensure that the rules were being enforced. In permitting those devices at school, the time and effort needed to search bags to ensure that the ban was being adhered to, would no longer be necessary and can be re-assigned to more other important matters.

Con: Increased instances of theft

Although considered integral to our daily lives, mobile/cellular phones, and smartphones in particular, can be considered luxury items. In the Caribbean, those devices tend to range from around USD 50 for a basic handset, to well over USD 500 for a high-end smartphone. In addition to creating a chasm between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have not’ is the school setting – where very frequently, the intention is to create a uniform and even playing field – increased instances of theft of premium devices is likely.

In summary, there are compelling reasons on both sides of this divide. The existence of mobile/cellular phones is still relatively new, and essentially society is still adjusting to its influence and impact. Hence the position on mobile/cellular phones in schools may continue to evolve into the future.

Have your say:  Should mobile/cellular phones be banned from schools?

Image credit:  Gabriel Pollard (flickr)

_____________

The ability of an organisation to minimise its downtime and the loss of information, following a hurricane or other disaster, can be critical to its long term survival. However, for organisations that offer essential services in particular – to help others in the aftermath of a disaster – it then becomes even more crucial that their services are restored, and available, within the shortest possible time.

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) “is the replication and hosting of physical or virtual servers by a third-party to provide failover in the event of a man-made or natural catastrophe” (Source: Whatis.com). DRaaS covers not only the backing up the data; essentially the entire environment is cloned – on physically servers and/or in the cloud. Hence if an organisation’s entire system is lost, the identical saved environment can be easily reinstalled.

Interestingly, a leading DRaaS provider is based in the Caribbean. Columbus Business Solutions – which is now owned by Cable & Wireless Communications plc – was one of 14 companies included in the 2015 Gartner Magic Quadrant for DRaaS. The Gartner Magic Quadrant highlights the top firms for specific IT-related services, based on criteria developed by Gartner Inc., which is one of the top IT research and advisory firms globally.

Without a doubt, DRaaS can be like having insurance. You buy insurance in the event you need it, and if you do have to rely on it, you hope that it works as it should and without undue difficulty. Below are three things to consider before buying DRaaS.

1.  DRaaS should not be the only failsafe

It is important to consider DRaaS within the context of the organisations larger business continuity/recovery framework. Securing DRaaS, in and of itself, cannot be the only provision made. For example, for essential services and in the aftermath of a disaster, what provisions would need to be made for electricity and to access crucial manpower to restore operations?

2. Figure out with DRaaS is truly needed

The size and nature of your business ought to influence the DRaaS options purchased, and possibly the extent to which DRaaS is necessary. Having said this, it is often in retrospect – when great loss has been experienced – that there is regret about earlier choices. Hence this matter ought to be carefully considered, and should DraaS not be secured, alternative arrangements are comprehensively developed and implemented.

3.  Be rigorous with the SLAs

Finally, for organisations that could benefit from having DRaaS, the service level agreements (SLAs) tend to require rigorous scrutiny. It also means that the organisation ought to have detailed knowledge of its own systems, and be in a position to engage its providers competently on the intricacies of the service, all towards ensuring that should the firm need to rely upon DRaaS, it will work seamlessly and completely.

Image credit:  Wikipedia

___________

Earth Day was celebrated this past Wednesday, 22 April, and is a time to reflect and promote our global, and local, environment. Currently, there are numerous environment-related issues vying for attention, such as carbon emissions, global warming, climate change, energy efficiency, and the greening/re-greening of cities, to name a few. From an ICT/tech perspective, below are three areas in which we, individually, could be doing more to protect our planet.

Tablets are more energy efficient than laptops

Though it might be no surprise, tablet computers are more energy efficient than laptops and PCs. In an example given by Clean Technica, a typical low-power desktop PC consumes about 40W, but a tablet consumes less power – about a tenth of that used by a PC – resulting in considerably lower energy costs.

Generally, a laptop/notebook consumes around 15W with moderate use, which although less than half that of a PC, the tablet is still more energy efficient. Further, noting the broad ranges of tablets that are available on the market today, it is entirely possible that for many individuals, they can do most of their tasks on a tablet, and only occasionally might need to have access to the processing power of a laptop or PC.

More environmentally-friendly devices

As discussed in a few of our earlier articles, such as Where do our electronic devices go to die?, to get the aesthetics and performance we expect from electronic devices, to varying degrees, they are all constructed using materials that are not only harmful to the environment, but also to plant and animal life. However, increasingly, device manufacturers are trying to reduce the amount of harmful material used. For example, Apple recent launched a new MacBook, which it has sought to make not only energy-efficient, but also more environmentally friendly, especially at end of life, by among other things:

• using mercury‑free display and arsenic-free display glass
• ensuring that the device is brominated flame retardant (BFR)-free, polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-free, and beryllium-free
• using a highly recyclable aluminium enclosure, and
• ensuring that it meets ENERGY STAR Version 6.1 requirements (Source: Apple).

Hence, to the extent permissible, it is hoped that the efforts of manufacturers to better clean up their products will be considered when next you are purchasing a new device.

Better awareness and informed decision making

Finally, to better incorporate environmentally-friendly behaviour into our lives, we all need to be more aware of the impact of our behaviour and lifestyle on the planet, and perhaps more selfishly, our own bottom-line. There are a number of apps on the market that can help. Examples include the following:

• MyEarth app – Developed at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), this app uses a simple diary format to track energy usage and savings.
• Battery Doctor (Battery Saver) – a highly popular and free app that give users real-time power consumption data, effective battery protection, and accurately estimates power levels and available time, and more.

Image credit:  Wikipedia

______

In many countries, the deadline for filing taxes is just around the corner – usually by the end of March or early April. For small and micro-businesses, bookkeeping and accounting duties is not only time consuming, it can also be problematic when inadequate systems have been established to record and track transactions. Further, many of the popular software applications have been designed for considerably larger enterprises that have dedicated accounting staff, and not necessarily the single business owner or small team for which the bookkeeping occurs after the substantive work of the business has been addressed.

Having said this, keeping track of income and expenses is critical to any organisation. However, for smaller businesses, the tools ought to be user-friendly, yet flexible enough, to accommodate a broad range of needs and business environments, in order to correctly represent the state of a business’ finances at any given point in time. Hence although the accounts for the past financial year either have been, or are in the process of being, wrapped up, below are five accounting software applications that micro- and small businesses, in particular, could consider using to manage their finances in the current financial year.

FreshBooks

Launched in 2004, FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting platform geared towards helping small businesses capture their expenses, generate invoices, produce estimates and facilitate payment, in addition to other basic accounting tasks. It can also manage projects, along with tracking time and expenses, which can be especially useful for those who could benefit from such features, and reduce the need to use another application for such activities.

Platforms: not applicable – cloud based

Cost: ranges from USD 19.95 to USD 39.95 per month depending on plan selected

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks is one of the most widely known accounting software packages, and has been around for at least the last 30 years. Over the years it has evolved, and currently, QuickBooks Online has been designed for the small business user. In addition to general bookkeeping, the platform can track sales, expenses and inventory, create budgets and compare actual performance, and track income and expenses by job or project. It also includes access for accountants, for whom special features would be available.

Platforms: not applicable – cloud based

Cost: ranges from USD 15.00 to USD 31.00 per month depending on plan selected

Zoho Books

Zoho Books is another cloud-based programme, but interestingly, it is part of a the Zoho Office Suite, which includes word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, customer relationship management (CRM), project management applications, to name a few. Similar to the previous applications, it includes a range of basic bookkeeping and accounting functions, but it also has project time tracking, inventory management and contact management capabilities.

Platforms: not applicable – cloud based

Cost: USD 24.00 per month for one organisation

Sage One

Ever wondered what happened to the software, Peachtree Accounting? It is now being marketed under the brand Sage. SageOne facilitates online invoicing and accounting in two products: Sage One Invoicing; and Sage One Accounting Standard. With the former, users can generate and track invoices; with the latter, it includes all Sage One Invoicing offers, plus being able to track projects, tasks, and billable hours.

Platforms: not applicable – cloud based

Cost: USD 9.00 per month for Sage One Invoicing product only; USD 14.00 for Sage One Accounting Standard

Xero

Xero offers a broad range of bookkeeping and accounting features, similar to all of the other popular applications, including invoice generation, bank reconciliation, cash flow management, and simple pay runs (e.g. for payroll). In addition to being a cloud-based product, Zero has a mobile application, thus allowing users to interface with the platform whilst on the move.

Platforms: not applicable – cloud based

Cost: ranges from USD 20.00 to USD 40.00 per month depending on plan selected

Image credits:  Pong (FreeDigitalPhotos.net);  FreshBooks; Google Play; Google; Tech Reporter; Xero

_____________

With Christmas just less than two weeks away, many of us still have quite a bit of last-minute shopping to do. For the techies we love, and for those who might be looking to treat themselves in the spirit of the season, we have below five of the best tech gifts this year.

GoPro Camera

With the proliferation of smartphones on the market, getting another camera might seem like a grand waste of money. However, the cameras made by GoPro are not as delicate as the typical smartphones. They are rugged, lightweight, waterproof, wearable, built to be mounted on vehicles, yet still producing quality, high definition video.

GoPro’s latest offering is the HERO4, which retails in the United States for about USD 400. It weighs about 2.9 ounces, but can capture 4K video at 15 frames per second and 1080p at 60 frames per second. The HERO4 now has a touchscreen display, which is a new feature, and eliminates the need to also have GoPro’s mobile app to see what is being filmed.

Though the HERO4 would be a great camera to own, it would indeed be a splurge. A more budget-friendly option would be the entry-level GoPro HERO, which is around USD 130, whilst still allowing us to nurture our sense of adventure!

GoPro HERO4 camera (Source: Recode.net)

Apple iPhone 6/6 Plus

Every year, the latest iPhone released by Apple is one of the most coveted devices of the year, and consistently they are considered (one of) the best smartphones on the market. This year is no different.

In pushing the envelope even further, the newest iPhone are larger and thinner than their predecessors: the iPhone 6 is 4.7 inches, whilst its bigger brother, the 6 Plus is 5.5 inches bringing it closer to phablet territory, for those who want a more generous interface. However, as per usual, iPhones are not cheap. When they are not subsidised by a carrier, they retail for about USD 650 for 6, and USD 750 for the 6 Plus.

Apple iPhone 6 (Source: The Independent)

Roku 3

Have you ever had the experience has having dozens of cable channels and still not being able to find something that you would like to watch? Well a video streaming player might be just what you need.

Video streaming devices are not new: they have been on the market for at least the last three years. However, as our lives become busier, increasingly most of us have grown to appreciate the convenience of being able to stream video content over the Internet on demand.

Roku is one of the most popular brands on the market, and their latest offering, the Roku 3, is one of the sought after, facilitating access to a wealth of video content – television episodes, movies, sports, music, etc. The Roku 3 tends to retail for about USD 100, but there is also the budget friendly, Roku Streaming Stick, is as tiny as a portable flash drive, that connects to your TV through its HDMI port.

Roku 3 streaming player (Source: Amazon)

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

With the continuing trend of the phablet – the cross between a smartphone and a tablet – the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, gives us the best of both worlds: a fast and powerful device with a larger, 5.7 inch, screen.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is also renowned for its screen, a Super AMOLED technology combined with Quad HD (1,440 x 2,550 pixel) resolution, resulting in exceedingly sharp images. It also comes with a stylus, the S Pen, which increases the phone’s utility and overall user-friendliness.

However, similar to the iPhone, the Note 4 can cost a pretty penny, if it is not purchased in conjunction with a mobile/cellular service contract.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (Source: PhoneArena)

Acer Chromebook

Although much of the tech focus still tends to be on the tablet and smartphone markets, frequently there is still a need for a laptop, when one’s more portable device will not suffice. Although when initially released persons were somewhat sceptical of the Chromebook, their appeal has been growing steadily, and often a serious contender in the laptop category.

Of the Chromebooks manufactured, those by Acer tend to be on any shortlist of the best laptops, and are competitively priced, usually under USD 400. Two of the most recommended are the Acer Chromebook 13 and the Acer C270 Chromebook.

Acer C270 Chromebook (Source: Acer)

Image credit:  Master  isolated images (FreeDigitalPhotos.com)

_________________

For those of us who live in the Caribbean, typically we know at least one person who has contracted the chikungunya virus. We might even have been one of the unfortunate ones to have gotten it ourselves! Though within a week the worse of the illness generally passes, it can take several weeks, or even months, before one is truly and fully recovered.

Further, from all reports, this outbreak of chikungunya is likely to persist well into 2015 (Source: Jamaica Observer). Below are a few tech offerings that could be considered, to help us all try to get through this epidemic in one piece.

Medscape

Still not sure whether the symptoms you are experiencing are chikungunya-related, Medscape, and its corresponding app, is one of the leading references used by physicians, medical students and patients.

In addition to having a disease and condition reference, the app includes a drug reference, drug interaction checker, and medical calculators, among other features. More importantly, some of those resources can be accessed offline – when Internet access might not be available or possible.

Supported platforms: iPhone, Android, iPad, iPad mini, and Kindle Fire devices.

Price: free

Daily Yoga

Whilst on the road to recovery, or having safely recovered, there can be a marked loss of vitality, which might be exhibited as continued stiffness, lower energy levels, and fatigue. Exercise can be an important element in lifting that malaise.

Daily Yoga caters to beginners, intermediate and advanced abilities. It consists of over 50 yoga classes and 400 yoga poses. Classes range of 5 to 45 minutes thereby giving users choice and the likelihood of finding sessions that meet their needs and abilities.

Supported platforms: iPhone, Android, iPad, and iPad mini devices.

Price: Free

Anti Mosquitoes Ultra Pro

This app, similar to others on the market, works on the principle that mosquitoes, like other creatures are be repelled by sound. In the case of mosquitoes, they are allegedly more affected by frequency, specifically, ultrasonic frequencies (the 12—22 kHz range).

Anti Mosquitoes Ultra Pro runs in your device’s background, is environment friendly, and emits no chemicals, vapour, or odour. From the reviews, many swear by the app to kill mosquitoes, or at the very least keep them at bay. For Caribbean countries that are still experiencing a high prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever and chikungunya, this app might be a useful addition to your mosquito-destroying/management arsenal.

Supported platforms: Android

Price: Free

S Health

When you are ready to take baby steps, or take your fitness to another level, the S Health app from Samsung would be an ideal partner on that journey.

Available on a wide cross section of Samsung Galaxy phones, S Health can be a powerful personal-health-management tool. Depending on the phone, it can track your health statistics, like blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and weight, along with your exercise regimen, number of steps, nutrition, and even the associated environmental conditions where you are.

Supported platforms: Android

Price: Free

Bonus: Samsung Gear S

When you have finally reached a stage where you would like a watch that tells you more than just the time, the latest Samsung Gear S might tick all of your checkboxes. The Gear S can connect to your Samsung phone via Bluetooth®, but it can also have its own SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, and so operate as a standalone device. Hence if you want to go out for a run, you do not have to lug around with your phone. All of the main features of a phone can be accessed via this watch.

As a basic phone, the Gear S allows you to send and receive messages, emails and calls, access your music, photos, etc. From a health and fitness perspective, it has Samsung’s own S Health app, along with the Nike+ Running app, which can be useful when you are ready to get your strength back after a period of convalescence.

Image credit:  Sweet Crisis (FreeDigitalPhotos.net);  Google Play; Google Play; Google Play;  Samsung;  Samsung

__________

The summer holidays are almost over, and the push to get students ready to return to school in September should be in full swing. Once the basics – school books, uniforms, clothes and stationery – have been purchased, the focus can then turn to electronic extras, which though they might not be absolutely critical, can improve the school/learning experience considerably. Below are five top apps to get ready for back to school. Some of them might also be useful for those among us are getting back to the grind of work after a long break.

MyHomework Student Planner

MyHomework Student Planner is one of the leading cross-platform student planners that helps students organise their school life. At its core, the app, which is available for a number of platforms, allows students to track classes, homework, tests and assignments, and supports time, block and period-based schedules. Further, with a MyHomework account, users can: sync across other platforms; receive homework reminders; and join their teachers’ Teachers.io class and automatically download their class information, assignments, files and announcements.

Supported platforms: Android; Chrome; iOS; Windows 8

Price: Free

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Possibly second to the Oxford’s English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster is one of the world’s top English language dictionaries, and according to its website, “has been America’s leading and most-trusted provider of language information” (Source: Merriam-Webster). The app, which brings this 150-year old resource into the 21^st century, provides, among other things, word definitions, synonyms, antonyms, voice search, example sentences, audio pronunciations, word of the day.

Supported platforms: Android; iOS; Windows Phone

Price: Free; USD 3.99 (enhanced content and no ads)

Evernote

Although virtually all of today computer devices come with a built-in note taking application, they tend to be basic at best. Evernote is an award-winning app that helps users to stay organized, save ideas and improve productivity, by allowing users to take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders–and makes these notes completely searchable. Users can also sync their notes across a broad range of devices; save, sync and share files; scan business cards; organise notes by notebooks and tags; digitize documents and Post-it Notes; and share notes with others via popular social networks.

Supported platforms: Android; BlackBerry; iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch); Windows Phone; Web OS; Mac OS X; Windows Desktop; Windows 8

Price: Free; USD 5.00 per month (premium version); USD 10.00 per month per user (business version)

Wunderlist

Wunderlist is another popular to-do list app that offers a range of features such as: recurring to-dos; sharing lists with friends; and adding notes and notifications. Wunderlist is cloud-enabled, and hence can sync across all of your devices. This feature might be especially useful for those who use a number of devices and but still need to keep on top of all they need to do. With Wunderlist’s premium app, you can: add unlimited sub-tasks, append files to tasks; comprehensively delegate tasks; and share comments and feedback with your collaborators.

Supported platforms: Web; Android; iPhone; iPad; Windows; Mac

Price: Free; USD 49.99/year (premium version)

LibreOffice

Although Microsoft Office might be considered the global standard for office productivity suites, it can be a pricey purchase, starting from around USD 84.00 per year. However, there are a number of good-quality and free, office applications now on the market. One of the most widely known, is LbreOffice.

Developed by the Document Foundation, LibreOffice is a free and open source software application that comprises programmes to do word processing, It can be used on a broad range of destop platforms, but a portable version is also available.

Supported platforms: Linux; Windows; OS X

Price: Free

Image credits:   KROMKRATHOG (FreeDigitalPhotos.net);  Google Play, all logos, except LibreOffice (Wikipedia)

__________