Taken from www.stephedent.com

#5 The Cloud Isn’t Just for Computers

Most modern workplaces rely on some sort of cloud technology to share files for collaboration. Installing a compatible cloud app on your phone will actually allow you to do work anywhere. If you’re on the way to work via public transportation, or grabbing breakfast at a local cafe, you can review that proposal you worked on at the office the previous day. Some cloud apps, such as Google Drive, even let you scan documents directly into your cloud storage and search for it later using the text within.

#4 Let Your Android Phone and PC Communicate

Cloud computing isn’t the only way your phone and computer can share files. Using an app such as AirDroid allows you to connect your smartphone and PC over a wireless connection. You will be able to transfer files from one to another, and even send a text message from your phone or initiate a telephone call. It’s the best way to fuse both devices together for the ultimate productivity machine.

#3 Use an Office Suite Out of the Office

Many employees use office suite software such as Microsoft Office to get them through the day. By using Android office suite apps, you can keep working even when you are way from your desk. One of the more popular apps is OfficeSuite Pro. Its available functions practically mirror Microsoft’s in every way. You can create great looking documents on the go and seamlessly transfer them to your work PC.

#2 Use a Power Email App

The standard Android email program is good enough for personal stuff. On the other hand, if you are using an exchange server for work email, you’ll need something better. Apps like Touchdown HD will let you view all your tabs on the same screen, much like a desktop program. It also conforms to current security standards to protect your data.

#1 Get a Personal Assistant

Thanks to modern technology, you don’t need to hire your own personal assistant. There are numerous Android apps that can perform common tasks at your command. Some of the best include Dragon or Google Now. Don’t waste time typing or searching through your phone for things you need. Simply open the app and speak your command!

An interesting report was just released detailing ownership of Apple Inc. products nationwide. It should come as no surprise that the Bay Area is Apple’s best market. Of course, it is also the home base of Apple Inc.

Experian Simmons said that nearly one in three residents (32.3 percent) of Apple’s home market own at least one of its devices and they are 49 percent more likely than the average American to own or use an iPod, iPhone or Mac computer.

Nationwide, 21.6 percent of adults own or use an iPod, iPhone or Mac computer.

This is a pretty impressive number, regardless of where Apple Inc.’s headquarters are. Apple’s success over the last two or three years has been extremely impressive–especially in the Bay Area.

The United States Postal Service is having to cut costs because of expected budget shortfalls. These are likely the result of decreasing snail-mail usage–email has been cutting into snail-mail’s popularity pretty deeply. In order to cut costs, the USPS is seeking to stop Saturday delivery.

Donahoe said a service cut would result in the loss of about 40,000 full-time jobs. About 600,000 workers currently work for the Post Office.

The Post Office hopes to drop Saturday mail in its next fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. But first, it has to jump through a series of regulatory hoops that could take much longer.

That’s a start–lowering salaries and offering more competitive pricing would be a good effort too.

The US Postal Service, despite benefiting from being the only “company” able to ship first class mail, will be facing a $238 billion budget by 2020 according to recent estimates. This is, of course, largely due to the rise of email and decline of traditional snail-mail.

The Postal Service has 36,500 retail locations, more than twice as many as McDonald’s Corp. and more than triple the number of Starbucks Corp. outlets, New York-based McKinsey said.

“The Postal Service urgently needs a more flexible business model to best meet America’s changing mailing needs and consumer patterns,” said Sue Brennan, a Postal Service spokeswoman. “The volume of mail that funds the organization is declining at such a rate that we need to be able to adapt, and without flexibility we cannot.”

So lets hear it readers, should the Post Office cut hours? Should it be privatized? Discuss.

There have long been fears in the West, especially in the United States, of China’s growing economic power. In recent years that fear has excellerated because of an incredibly high GDP growth rate in that nation. The current growth rate is the highest it has been since 2007. However, there has been some speculation that this rapid growth could be reckless and dangerous to the Chinese economy. The gross domestic product rose 10.7% since this time last year, an incredible growth rate.

This news could effect long term policy for the central bank in China.

“Today’s data suggest that tighter policy is just around the corner,” said Brian Jackson, a Hong Kong-based strategist on emerging markets at Royal Bank of Canada. “Policy makers will need to move soon to stop the economy from overheating,” he said, forecasting officials will end an exchange-rate peg and boost interest rates starting this quarter.

More here.