Wanna Get Lucky? Four Secrets to Increase Your Luck and Good Fortune

Are you lucky in life? Really, do you feel like you're a lucky person? Not that you have a perfect life, but that things just seem to always work out for you. Even apparent negative situations end up turning into something better. Do great opportunities simply fall into your lap? Do you meet (attract) the right people in your life? If so, then you are truly a lucky person, if not, you can quickly increase your good fortune.

A few days ago I was at a coffee shop with a buddy of mine. Sitting deep in an overstuffed blue chair, I listened to my friend talk about how lucky my life is. I never really thought about it before, but he is right. I put down my cinnamon smelling coffee and nestled back into my chair, taking in and trying to digest his compliments.

A bit later, I mentioned that I need to find a topic for my article this month. He immediately said, "Why don't you write about how to be a lucky person!" I chuckled to myself, because I would have never thought about that in a million years, but it intuitively felt so right. I knew that the Universe had just winked at me with a confirmation.

He said, "goodbye", gave me a hug and left his empty ceramic cup still dripping with foam next to my chair. All around me, the coffee shop conversations were mumbling into my ears. I quietly sank deeper into my chair and started to type. I must have been in a trance, because with only one refill the article poured out of my Soul and into my laptop. I wrote the first draft in less than two hours. Wow, how lucky can I get, since I originally thought I was going to need the entire weekend to write.

Whether you believe you are lucky or not, most people think that luck is not real or at best a random activity that can't be chosen or developed. You might think that people stumble into good things by accident. How then do you explain when a friend calls you at the last minute with free tickets to a sold out show you've been dying to see? Or when you turn around to quickly drive back home, because you "forgot something" and a long lost friend is standing at your door, but had no way to contact you except to stop by and hope you'd be home. Is this coincidence or something much more magical?

I believe becoming a lucky person is easy when you understand the characteristics of these blessed people. Consider for a moment that luck isn't random after all! There is an attitudinal structure underlying every fortunate human being. And anyone who is wiling to change their mental-emotional habits can increase their good fortune and become lucky.

The English studied showed what naturally lucky individuals have in common with each other. They discovered a set of four qualities that set them apart from the "unlucky". The cool thing is that people who developed these attitudinal qualities started to increase their own good fortune very quickly!

Four Qualities of Lucky People

1. Lucky people are mindful and present. They pay attention to the present moment and aren't preoccupied thinking about the past (disappointment) or fearing the future (worry). They naturally choose to live in the present moment. This allows them to notice and seize new opportunities, instead of being distracted, confused or simply unaware.

2. They value their "intuition" as much as "logic and reason". They tend to look at both the "bigger picture" and also the details of the "little picture" in their lives. They're open to an intuitive sense of possibilities (bigger picture) and how it can fit into their current situation. They are neither stuck in the details nor dreaming about the future. Instead, they bring these two perceptions together; awareness of the big and little picture, the possibilities and the actuality of their lives, simultaneously. This offers them a way to set goals and make a plan that works.

3. Lucky people have a positive relationship with the future. They are hopeful about the unknown (future) instead of being fearful. Even though they don't have all the answers, they're naturally optimistic and open. They refuse to fantasize about what could go wrong and instead focus on "what can go right". They feel positive even when things appear to be negative. Simply put... they don't let negativity get in the way of their plans and dreams.

4. They are self empowered and take responsibility. They refuse to hang out in feelings of powerlessness, apathy or self-pity. They don't believe that life happens to them nor are they a victim of circumstances. They know that what they think and feel about themselves and the future matters. They believe that opportunities are a direct result of their attitude, thoughts, feelings and actions. Simply put, they embrace their inner power and choose to live their lives with responsibility.

The study also revealed that most lucky people had fairly large social circles. They make friends easily and are socially connected to their community. They're naturally outgoing because they really enjoy people and tend to be non-judgmental. They get involved with their community. They believe that people are inherently good, beautiful and caring, this tends to make them popular individuals.

Wanna Get Lucky?

At first this can seem like a large demand. The truth is you can almost instantaneously increase your luck, simply by reading this article and making a choice to function from the qualities of lucky people. That's right a simple choice in a single moment can shift and lift your energy into the realm of good fortune. This article should only take 10 minutes or so to read... lucky you!
Many times in my life I experienced how quickly I could turn a negative situation around - literally mid-sentence - by changing my attitude and embracing my power. I believe that the minute you stop pretending you're powerless and stop feeling like a victim that miracles begin to rain into your life. I've experienced this over and over again, and have witnessed it with others who have chosen to live in the magic of life.

Four Secrets to Increase Your Luck and Good Fortune:

1) Embrace and accept yourself and your life, just the way it is. The good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly-accept everything that is happening in your life, warts and all. Stop fighting yourself and make a decision instead to accept things the way they are instead of longing for it to be different. Acceptance creates the space for change and healing to occur.

You'll feel more comfortable when you accept yourself and begin to naturally relax in social situations. A quick method to do this is to choose to believe that the world is a friendly place. It is here to support you and your dreams. Unlucky people believe the world is "out to get them." Which world is true? Whatever world you choose to believe in will be true for you! Both worlds are possible but only one will become your reality. Choose wisely.

2) Listen to your intuition and open your heart to feel greater intimacy. There is much more happening around you than you can ever grasp in your conscious mind. Your mind filters out over 50% of the experiences happening to you right now. However, beneath your conscious awareness your subconscious is continuously picking up clues about your future and the possibilities that are there. This is called your intuition. When you blend intuition with intimacy, you will experience a deeper connection with yourself and others. You'll know what decisions to make and why. You'll be more wise and understanding. Opening your heart will improve your intuition and deepen your sense of purpose. This naturally leads toward increasing your opportunities for luck and expanding good fortune.

3 Avoid feeling sorry for your self. Admit the truth- you are powerful. Embrace a resilient positive attitude about your self and your life. You know this and have done it before. Lemons can be made into lemonade when you change your attitude. You can learn something about yourself from the worst disaster. If you'll begin looking for the silver lining in the dark clouds of your life, your luck will improve rapidly. What you focus on expands. So focus on being powerful and seek the good in all situations.

4. Meditate regularly. If there is one activity I had to choose that I believed cultivated good fortune and luck, it would have to be meditation. Looking back on my life, I now realize that learning to meditate as a teenager was a major turning point in my life. It changed everything dramatically. My good fortune accelerated once I learned to relax and meditate on a regular basis. I fully believe that meditation opens the door to a fortunate and lucky life.

How Meditation Increases your Luck and Good Fortune
- Meditation increases self esteem and self acceptance.
- Meditation provides a method to relax your body and mind quickly.
- Meditation improves intimacy that deepens empathy.
- Meditation decreases criticism and judgmentalness.
- Meditation can foster a deeper sense of belonging.
- Meditation strengthens your imagination and improves your ability to visualize.
- Meditation opens your mind to the possibilities of your potential.
- Meditation helps create a positive relationship to your future.
- Meditation fosters positive feelings of hope, peace and good expectations.
- Meditation improves your relationship to yourself and your world.
In most studies on psychological health, those who meditate regularly (at least three times weekly) are less nervous, anxious, depressed, and much less irritable, controlling, or inhibited. They were overall more sociable, self-confident, felt positive about themselves and the future, they were emotionally stable, and self-reliant individuals compared to non-meditators in the study.

I hope you'll re-read this article many times and let the truth contained within it, sink deep into your subconscious mind. This will help you change your attitude and attract more opportunities and greater good fortune in your life. Please feel free to forward this to a friend. Keep me posted by email on any feedback regarding your experiences of good luck.

Michaiel Patrick Bovenes is an author, relaxation therapy consultant and self empowerment teacher. Since 1994, he is the author of a popular series of guided meditations. To explore other articles, learn how to meditate or receive a free MP3 download on, "How to Relax and Focus Your Mind in Minutes"

Visit: http://www.RelaxationMeditations.com

Michaiel currently resides in San Francisco, CA and teaches throughout the USA and Canada.

Success - A Champion Succeeds Through Power Communicating

It has been said that public speaking is a fear worse than death for many people. Well, the truth is that we will not be as successful as we could be unless we improve our communication skills. In this article, we are going to explore some insights and action steps, which lead to more effective communication. The only way to really conquer a fear is to confront it and jump right in. With that in mind, let's get started.  

1. Realize that communication may be the most important skill we can learn. We all need to be able to express our thoughts effectively. We are creatures of relationships. Relationships are very important to us. In order to make our relationships better we must make our communication better.  

2. Guard our tongues. Sometimes the most important message is the one we never give. Have you ever said something and then wish we could take it back?   I think all of us have. Controlling our tongues is one of the most important and most difficult communication challenges.  In another chapter in this manual we go into more detail on how to accomplish this task.  

3. Decide that communication is a priority. If something is a priority then what do we usually give it? ANSWER: Time and Commitment.  

4. Talk with people not at them. Have you ever been talked DOWN to? How did it make you feel? How did you feel at that moment about the person talking to you? Not too good right? We need to talk WITH people. We need to make our communication conversational and user friendly. We need to ask ourselves, "How can I uplift this person as I express my thoughts and opinions?" This will help us communicate our messages in a more compassionate way. Even if we have to communicate some ugly message, compassion will see us through.  

5. Have an open door policy. We must make time for people. If we lived in President Lincoln's day and wanted to speak with the president all we would have to do is walk in the White House and sit outside his door. When he came out, we would be able to speak with him. We need to do the same thing. If it worked for the president, it will work for us. If at that moment it is not appropriate, then make an appointment with them.     

6. Understand what Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. believe when they say, "Communication is built on trusting relationships." If people don't trust us, then why would they listen to us?  

7. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Speakers USA, Inc. was a national speakers association, which helped train me. They used to tell us that if we want a talk/presentation to look impromptu then make sure it is not. In other words do your homework and practice, practice, prepare, prepare, prepare.  

8. Don't give a public presentation/talk unless you are passionate and knowledgeable about the topic. If we are not passionate about the topic then it will come across flat and boring. If we are not knowledgeable about the topic then our credibility will drop.  

9. Make sure your body language, tone of voice, and message are congruent. Suppose I came up to you and said in a very gruff tone, "Sure, I would love to have the boss over for dinner!" Do you think I really want the boss to come over for dinner? You don't think so? Why? ANSWER: Because I wouldn't be congruent. When we aren't congruent in every way, then we give mixed messages to our listeners.  

10. Have patience. Communication, particularly public communication, is not easy. Be patient with yourself. You won't become an expert overnight. Keep practicing and keep improving.  
11. Look for the benefit of our differences. We need to constantly remind ourselves that different doesn't necessarily mean wrong.  

12. If agreement cannot be made then agree to disagree. A great way to keep the peace.  

13. Keep your cool when someone improperly states something. They may not be trying to insult you. Have you ever thought you were being insulted but were not sure? Instead of reactively attacking back, just wait. They may have just said something in an awkward fashion. Don't jump to conclusions. Believe me, if they were actually trying to insult you and they thought you didn't get it, they will insult you again. And if they were insulting you then just simply tell them that you don't appreciate it and that you forgive them.  

14. Always try to part on a positive upbeat ending. Nobody likes to leave with a sour attitude in his/her stomach. Always try to make peace before you end a conversation.  

15. Loyalty many times comes from private conversations. Build trust by keeping confidences.  

16. Use stories to illustrate your points. Jesus Christ always used stories when He taught the crowds. Abraham Lincoln believed in stories too. Lincoln said, "They say I tell a great many stories. I reckon I do; but I have learned from long experience that plain people, take them as they run, are more easily influenced through the medium of a broad and humorous illustration than in any other way...." REMEMBER: ALWAYS HAVE A POINT TO YOUR STORY.  

17. Learn to speak off the cuff (extemporaneously). Lincoln said, "Extemporaneously speaking should be practiced and cultivated. It is the lawyer's avenue to the public. However able and faithful he may be in other respects, people are slow to bring him business if he cannot make a speech." One way to practice this is to grab your local paper and read a few headlines. Practice speaking on those topics for 1-2 minutes for each topic.  

18. Join a Toastmasters club. Toastmasters International is an international speaking club designed to help people of all walks of life become more effective communicators and thus more successful. I was a member of Toastmasters for years and I really enjoyed and benefited from the experience.   

19. Remember, we don't have to make a long speech in order to be effective. Just say what needs to be said and then stop talking. I remind you of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

20. Use Millard Bennett's 30-10 Power Formula. What is the 30-10 Power Formula? First you read for 30 minutes everyday in whatever area you want to develop yourself in. This will build up your knowledge base. Of that 30 minutes, read out loud for 10 minutes. Reading out loud will improve your communication skills. It will improve your pronunciation, voice inflections, stamina, etc.... Of that 10 minutes, read part of it in a whisper, maybe a minute or two. Reading in a whisper will eliminate all those um, ahh, and all those other verbal fillers. This formula is one of the simplest formulas to practice but one of the most powerful. Try it for a month and see what you think.   

21. Understand that an inspiring talk can change the face of an organization, nation, family, or an entire world. I remind you of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech, JFK's challenge to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade, and Reagan's "Mr. Gorbachov tear down this wall."   I am convinced that if you really practice and work on these 21 steps you will become a POWER COMMUNICATOR and a greater success. Make it happen and have fun. 

I would now like to invite you to receive my seminar "The Keys to Empowered Leadership" on MP3 download FREE when you sign up for our Free Take Action Sales Newsletter. You can register at Sales Training. From Mark Bowser of http://www.MarkBowser.com Thanks for reading today.

Samsung z400: A Stylish Slider Phone

Samsung slider mobile phones have been in vogue lately and Samsung Z400 is another product from the stable of Samsung belonging to the stylish slider genre. Although Samsung D500 and Z400 look like Siamese twins, Samsung Z400is the better -looking out of the two. Weighing at 107 g, Samsung Z400 is a light 3G phone. You will be impressed by the slide mechanism of this phone which functions quite smoothly. Click presentable, clear pictures with the 2 mega pixel, 4xdigital zoom camera of Samsung Z400; although lack of flash might seem troublesome.

There is also another 0.3 mega pixel camera in Samsung Z400for video calling. With features like MP3 player along with 64 polyphonic ringtones, it is dreams come true for music buffs. Although the small memory of 30 MB might seem like a hitch; it can be expanded through a memory card; though one is not provided with this phone.

Samsung Z400has WAP 2.0, GPRS Class 10, EDGE through which you can access internet and surf for all the necessary data required.You can download data, videos, music and charges will only be made for the downloads not for surfing. Bluetooth allows instant access to all wireless devices and complete data transfer is facilitated.With Triband (1900/900/1800) GSM it is usable worldwide in countries such as USA, Australia, South America and Asia.

T9 predictive text in helps in Samsung Z400sending SMS's; you can make your own dictionary and there is no need to type the same words again. Features like scheduler, calculator and currency are the other traits of this phone which are very useful in our day-to-day lives.

Battery life has been found to be a bit low but still satisfactory; but if the 3G is deactivated; then this problem is also done away with.All in all Samsung Z400is a good phone but meant for those who have that little extra tenacity in them and have some nerve to spend some time with their phone.

Have a look at http://www.directphoneshop.co.uk/dealset.asp?act=mobset&id=311> Samsung Z400.

Alice Erin is a Platinum Author. He has written good quality articles on Mobile Phones .

Here are some Mobile Deals on Mobile Phones

How Many Different Ways Are There to Help My Child Learn a New Language?

There are not that many children who manage to learn a language at school and who eventually become fluent, no matter how long they studied it. There are, however, many kids who were able to learn a new language on their own within a couple of years, simply by reading, watching TV and mixing with speakers of that language

Parents can play a huge role in helping their kids to learn languages, so here are just a few ideas:

1. Move to a different country!

2. Read and watch TV

3. Help them make bilingual friends

4. Lead by example

5. Keep it fun and challenging

6. Foreign exchanges

7. Vacation abroad

8. Get a foreign Au Pair or Nanny

9. Use books, CD-ROM's, Video's, on-line courses

10. Private tuition

Moving to another country

Ok, this may be a bit extreme but it is certainly THE singularly most effective way for your child to become fluent in a new language. Kids up to their mid-teens just soak up new languages like sponges. The initial transition period may be somewhat daunting, but they soon make new friends and their language skills just rocket. When a child is surrounded by foreign speaking people, at school for example, you can expect your child to be conversationally bilingual within 3 months or so (although grammar etc, will take rather longer).

Read and watch TV

Fairly self-explanatory; find TV channels in foreign languages. Encourage your kids to watch TV, in say, Spanish. You can also make some rules, maybe like no more than 2 hours of TV per day, except for foreign language channels which they can watch as much as they want to.

Find a foreign magazine or newspaper that suits your child's tastes (snowboarding, surfing, Italian art, French fashion, Russian chess...) and offer them a year of subscription. Make him want to show it off at school (not very moral, but you want him to be proud of his language learning, don't you?).

Help them make bilingual friends

Unless you live in Siberia, you probably have people of many different nationalities living around you. Encourage your kids to befriend children bilingual in their target language, or who don't speak your mother tongue well. You'll be amazed at just how quickly children begin to communicate with one another.

If you go to church or another religious community every week, why not go to a foreign speaking one to learn a new language [http://www.firstforlanguages.com]? Try once a month, then go more often. You will probably be invited to take part to some kind of community activity afterwards, an excellent opportunity to practice your own skills, include your child and make new friends.

Lead by example

Begin at an early age by giving your children the idea that knowing several languages is a sign of excellence; something desirable. Do it yourself and include your child in your home studies so that you learn together. Furthermore, show them that this can be fun and quite easy (and not just a boring lesson at school!), and encourage them all the way.

Keep it fun and challenging

Suggest that your child be woken up by the sound of a foreign language radio every morning. These clocks-radios are very cheap nowadays, and this is a great way to make a good start on the day. Even if the radio chatter isn't much fun, your child could get to like a whole new type of cultural music and learn some new words and phrases along the way.

Have a I-pay-your-foreign-books-and-movies policy with your kids. There are many excellent movies that run in foreign languages in most big cities, and many foreign language bookshops as well. If you pay for those, you give your kids a strong incentive to practice the languages they learn.

Foreign exchanges

Arrange a year abroad for your child, or a few months in the summer at least. This will only cost you the flight ticket, as another child (let's say, a young Spaniard) will come to your house for the same amount of time. For those who actually did this during their teenage years, this is one of the most meaningful experiences of their youth. And the languages learned early stay forever, and with a much better accent too.

Vacation abroad

Try to spend holidays in countries speaking your target foreign language. If you don't speak it at all and your child does, make him feel important several months before you go away, telling him that he'll be your guide and that the whole family will have to rely on his language skills during the vacations. That should motivate him to learn as much as he can, so that he can be proud to use his new skills in front of the rest of the family.

Get a foreign Au Pair or Nanny

Hire an Au Pair, Nanny, Housekeeper, etc, that doesn't speak too much English, and encourage her to speak to the children in her own mother tongue. This way, they will learn half the language while playing!

Use books, CD-ROM's, Video's, on-line courses

There are a huge amount of books, cassettes, CD-ROM's, videos, and now on-line childrens language courses too, for language learning nowadays. If you can, buy several and use them jointly. A new CD-ROM can spark interest and curiosity from a child who would otherwise be bored by traditional long-term methods.

Private tuition

As I have already said, language teaching in schools is mostly insufficient to really learn a language. If you have the necessary funds available, why don't you hire a private teacher who can teach one-to-one for a few hours a week? In many areas this is not too expensive and it's much more efficient than group learning.

About the Author: I have a number of health, fitness and general lifestyle websites, including one showcasing the USA's top selling adults and childrens language courses...showing you how you can learn a new language in under 8 weeks! Visit [http://www.firstforlanguages.com] Look out for more of my websites in the First For....com' series that is currently under development.

33 MILES Band - Christian Music Artists

33 Miles are a popular American contemporary Christian all male group from Franklin, Tennessee. The band was formed in 2005 at Brentwood, TN, USA and released their debut album, 33Miles, two years later in 2007. The band's distinctive musical form combines elements of Pop and Christian Rock with a strong and easily recognizable Country element.

33 Miles comprise three talented musicians: Jason Barton, Chris Lockwood and Collin Stoddard. Jason is the group's lead vocalist and is from Gilbert, Louisiana. Chris, from Mobile, Alabama, provides backing vocals and plays the guitar; while Collin, from Craig, Colorado, also provides backing vocals and is an
accomplished keys and piano player. The band is heavily influenced by the church and each of the members is married, managing to combine solid Christian family life with a busy and demanding touring schedule.

The group's first album, 33 Miles was released in April 10, 2007 by INO records, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers album chart. This debut album also made a creditable 16th place on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart.

The band's name was derived from the number of years Jesus Christ lived before being crucified and this theme has had a powerful and enduring influence in the life of the group and in their musical expression.

Jason Barton, in describing the redeeming power of Jesus, says: "He was a friend to the friendless, He loved the unlovable and He gave of Himself selflessly by dying on the cross in our place so that we could live forever." An insight on just how powerfully this theme continues to drive the band can be glimpsed from their lead vocalist when he says: "We want to follow Christ. We want our 'Miles' to have purpose and meaning and to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. We aren't promised a certain number of miles, so what are we going to do with the 'Miles' that we are given?"

Fans are in no doubt what this talented band is doing with their mileage on Earth as they continue to inspire Christian music lovers all over the world with their poignant and powerful message. Their second album, One Life, was released in September 16, 2008 by INO records and resounds with a powerful urgency, reminding Christians the importance of making their life on Earth worthwhile, meaningful and aligned to God's purpose, in the time that we have. Jason Barton puts it candidly: "The theme of the album is simple; it is about loving God and living every mile to the fullest."

The media have been quick to recognize the rich musical talent of this enduring young band from Franklin, Tennessee and it was not a surprise to anybody in the music industry when the group was nominated for the Gospel Music Association Dove Award for New Artist of the Year.

As they continue to inspire multitudes with their music and inspiring spiritual message, they are sure to gain more awards and recognition in the remaining 'Miles' they have on Earth.

You can view Christian song lyrics online. You can also view 33 Miles Christian lyrics and download their songs in mp3 format.

Advantages of a Zune

It may not seem like it, but the Zune doesn't have much of a history! The first Zune was only released in November 2006 in the USA, but it wasn't until November 2007, when the new Zunes were released, was it finally in a position to really compete with the iPod.

The first Zune, the Zune 30, couldn't really be distinguished from the other MP3s in the marketplace. It did have a 30Gb hard drive and FM radio as standard, but didn't really do much more than play songs.

WHen the next generation of Zunes were released in November 2007 there was a significant increase in functionality. They were able to swap files with other Zunes via WiFi, swap files with X-boxes via USB and could sync wirelessly with PCs. Three models were released at this time - the Zune 4, Zune 8 and Zune 80. A free firmware upgrade was available for the Zune 30 to enhance it's functionality to.

The new Zunes provide better song management including support for DRM-free music, better support for videos meaning the quality and range of videos able to be played on a Zune increased dramatically.

There is no doubt that Apple and others in the MP3 player market will react to this, but the wireless features of the Zune are definitely a unique selling point at this time. The ability to share files and to sync wirelessly is a feature users find very useful.

There are a number of lesser features such as range of colors, size of screens that one or another player may have the advantage in at certain points in time, but the fact is that this market is finally becoming more competitive, and that is can only be good for the consumer.

If you want the best value for money in terms of downloads, you can find a list of the top Zune download sites at Zune Download Sites or Zune Download Sites Guide.

The Apple iPad Offers an Amazing Array of Functionality

The iPad has taken the world by storm, which in some respects is quite amazing considering it is currently only available in the USA. Due to be rolled out to the UK soon, it is expected to be one of the must have items of 2010. Apple has identified the iPad as a successor to the standard laptop, and considering the number of sales it has achieved already, it appears their idea may have validity.

The unit will be available as both a Wi-Fi and 3G model, with the option of a variety of memory capacities including 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB models. One of the key facets of the unit is its use of a 1 GHz Apple A4 CPU which has been custom designed for the unit. Another key element of this particularly unit, much like the iPhone, is its ability to add numerous additional applications, which allows the user to personalise the unit to their own individual circumstances and preferences.

The unit has a widescreen multi-touch display screen which is 9.7 inches in size and offers an LED backlit function. To ensure longevity of the screen itself it provides an oleophobic coating which makes the screen fingerprint resistant. The display screen comes with a 1024 x 768 pixels at 132 pixels per inch resolution which provides excellent depth of colour and vibrancy of image. In addition the unit includes both an accelerometer as well as an ambient light sensor.

The units battery is an integrated 25 W hour rechargeable polymer based battery that provides up to 10 hours of effective use whilst being able to be recharged by either the power adapter or an included USB cable. As you would expect from Apple, the unit utilises its own proprietary operating system but also has the added benefit of being able to be synchronised with both Mac or Windows based systems. The complete unit will include a dock connector in addition to a 10 W USB Power adapter when purchased.

The unit boasts a wide range of functionality, many of which relate to media playing capabilities, this is supported by the fact that the unit provides an MP4/MP3 media player with a built-in speaker and microphone, which will play the majority of audio and video file formats.

The Apple iPad is a feat of technological marvel that is expected to become the next generation of laptop. This initial incarnation, offers a wide range of useful functionality whilst providing an aesthetically pleasing style that is typically Apple.

The author writes on a variety of subjects including the Apple iPad, iPad

Stereo Nation Mp3

Do you ever desire to listen to some cool music as you drive or relax in your house but you can't find the right albums? Well, here comes an answer to your problem. Stereo Nation Mp3 is a new band that has released some quite interesting albums like Hit the Deck which has stayed on position one on the UK Asian pop charts for the last 36 weeks. Impressive, isn't it?

Stereo Nation was founded by Taz, an Asian born in Britain. With time he did other genres of music like RNB, Soul, Dance and Bollywood. Some of the tracks that made stereo Nation soar high were 'I've been waiting, the Box and Jambo'. they have been rated among the top ten videos in the UK.

The band did not stop there. They traveled all over the world showing their talent and throughout 1998, they toured Europe, India, far east, UAE, Africa, USA, south east Asia and Canada. By this time they were well established and they decided not to go solo any more. they therefore signed up with Time Music India and this is how the album Jambo was born. and spread all over Asia.

Stereo Nation's music went beyond being recorded on mere tapes to being recorded in the Mp3 format which makes use of an algorithm, well compressed. These records are selling so widely. In December 2000, about 120000 units had been sold and will continue selling all over. With improved technology, you do not have to worry about where to buy them because you can easily download the Mp3 from the Internet.

Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Car Stereo. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here CAR STEREO If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED!

MP3 Music Best Practices

MP3 Music as we know it now has been around since since 1991. Now over 15 years later has become the want of every child, teen & adult. Even my Dad has an MP3 player and spends time every week buying MP3 Music online to add to his player. Yes, he actually pays for it and why not, with all the controversy on freeware you can end up with a virus on your computer and hey, isn't that what we all want.

For me, it started with my son who wanted an iPod and to download iTunes music for it. Well it was expensive to say the least. So I went the route many others have gone. I purchased an MP3 player with half a gig of space for much cheaper. Excited to give this great deal to my son I decided to download music first and being of the same thinking of my father I didn't want to chance getting a virus so I downloaded the iTunes software and purchased about twenty dollars worth of music. Now, I was getting excited, I have great MP3 Music, a cool new MP3 player and some knowledge on file transfers considering I am a webmaster by trade.

To my surprise I kept getting an error and I could not get my new music to play. What I soon discovered was that my MP3 music was mpeg4 encrypted. All my excitement went away in that very moment. What I have now is a tool to listen to music that I have to download from programs that are not safe and have such controversy that I decided to take the MP3 player back.

Here is a great question, why would manufacturers make a music player that would encourage illegal downloads of music? I couldn't figure it out and still can't. Really, now the only other way to get the MP3 music I wanted was to either go bite the bullet and spend the money for and iPod or go buy CD music and convert it to mp3 music. The whole idea was I can buy just the song I wanted and not the whole album.

Well lets face it Apple has this market nailed down hard. You can find players that are compatible with mpeg4 but are just as expensive and after some great research I believe the iPod is the best player around. So my next thought process was as anyone else would think "refurbished iPod". Yes, this is a great idea and I know they are out there. Sure enough they were which made me feel a little better. Honestly, it is not worth spending all my hours trying to download music from other sources and not know what would happen and spend time converting music because I have better things to do with my time.

I am hoping this article about MP3 Music will help you understand best practices of downloading MP3 music so you can enjoy other things in life. Besides if you are like me with kids they don't have much patience for waiting around while we try and get them something so simple.

Darren Dunner now running: http://www.mp3-music-blog.com and webmaster since 1999. I decided to start a blog to point people in the right direction.

The 5 Best Cell Phones on the Market

There are literally hundreds of cell phones out there made by dozens of manufacturers. It is hard to determine which are the best of the group - or at least, which is best for you. The decision is a difficult one, and we hope the information below will help you make a wise choice. The five cell phones listed below are truely the best of the best in terms of quality design, dependability, and overall user satisfaction. Although there are a lot of great cell phones out there, we are sure that these are some of the very best.

Motorola i860 Video and Camera Mobile Phone

Manufacturers Description: The sleek Motorola i860 is packed with more than a dozen top-of-the-line features including 10-second video capture and playback and a 0.3-megapixel camera with 4X digital zoom. In addition, it allows users to easily exchange digital photos and contact information with others.

”The Motorola i860 handset is another example of how Motorola strives to meet our customers’ needs by offering one mobile device to streamline communications," said Rey More, senior vice president and general manager, Motorola’s iDEN® Subscriber Group. “Its multimedia services enable users to easily capture the moment when it happens and share it with others, wherever they may be.”

The phone’s 10-second video capture capability includes a short-range LED spotlight to provide additional light for close-up pictures. The camera allows users to take pictures in a variety of sizes suitable for sharing, in-camera viewing, wallpaper designs, and picture caller ID. Users can get themselves in the picture using the self-timer.

With the Motorola i860, users can share their pictures and audio recordings by sending and receiving multimedia messages.1 The phone’s integrated Media Center allows users to conveniently manage all pictures, voice recordings, ring tones, videos, and wallpaper designs from a single area.

Other features of the Motorola i860 that are new to iDEN handsets include:

Picture Caller ID - allows a previously-assigned picture of a caller to appear in the external display when a phone call is incoming from that contact

Larger external color screen - displays up to 3 lines of text and pictures

Larger internal color screen - displays up to 11 lines of text in vibrant color

Push-to-Send My Info2 - allows users to send their contact information via the “push-to-talk” (PTT) button. Users can limit the amount of information sent or send a virtual business card to network more efficiently.

Push-to-Send Contacts2 - allows users to easily share another user’s contact information via the PTT button

Media Downloader application – available for download from the Internet, this free application allows users to transfer photos and videos from their phone to their PC via a USB cable (not included)

25 MB of memory available to end users - for ring tones, voice recordings, videos, pictures, messages, wallpaper designs, and Java™ applications

MP3 ring tones - including music and voice

Openwave 7.0 Internet microbrowser - lets users browse graphic-rich xHTML sites

Push-to-open button - offers convenient, one-handed operation of the flip-style phone by mechanically opening the flip when pressed

The phone also has many of the features associated with Motorola’s iDEN technology, including location-based services, integrated speakerphone, voice recorder3, voice dialing, downloadable applications, and a two-way radio for instant communication at the touch of a button.

The Motorola i860 handset weighs 4.77 ounces and measures 3.45 x 1.96 x 1.01 inches with the included high performance battery.

Overall Value Rating: 9.7 / 10 - Excellent

Price: $250 - $400

Nokia 6230 Cell Phone (Cingular)

Manufacturers Description: Offering the best and latest technology and features, the Nokia 6230 meets the requirements of the most demanding mobile phone users. The tri-band (GSM, GPRS, EDGE 900/1800/1900, GSM, GPRS, EDGE 850/1800/1900) mobile phone offers multiple connectivity options via EDGE and Bluetooth wireless technology, a removable multimedia memory card as well as an integrated VGA camera to capture pictures and videos. Sleek and compact, the Nokia 6230 is expected to start shipping in Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific and Americas in the first quarter of 2004.

"Traditionally, mobile professional are early adopters of mobile technology, demanding advanced functionality and higher data speeds to keep them informed, entertained and connected while on the move," said Kai Öistämö," Senior Vice President, Nokia Mobile Phones. "With EDGE, Bluetooth technology, an integrated camera, MMS functionality and even an integrated MP3 player, the Nokia 6230 addresses these needs with an impressive range of features to help balance a busy work schedule with after-work responsibilities."

One of the key benefits of the Nokia 6230 is a compelling multimedia experience. With an integrated VGA camera and a display with 65,000 colors, pictures and videos taken with the Nokia 6230 appear sharp and bright. The video player adds the ability to record, send and receive video clips with audio, as well as receive streaming video content in 3GPP video streaming format. High quality video and images, voice, presentations, files and music can be stored on a removable multimedia memory card. Users can also create, send and receive multpicture, multimedia messages with Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) technology. SMIL technology allows users to compose multi-image messages that display text, sound and images in a pre-determined order.

For flexible and efficient wireless connectivity, the Nokia 6230 phone offers Bluetooth wireless technology and infrared connectivity as well as HSCSD and GPRS support. Bluetooth enables a wide range of new exciting enhancements for seamless connections and comfortable wearability, like the Nokia 610 car kit phone and the stylish Wireless Boom Headset also announced today. The complete list of Bluetooth enhancements compatible with the Nokia 6230 can be viewed at [http://www.nokia.com/products/Nokia6230].

Using the high-speed packet-based EDGE connectivity of the Nokia 6230, business professionals can enjoy faster browsing, messaging and downloading. With a downlink data speed of up to 236.6 kbps, downloading with the Nokia 6230 via EDGE enables downloads more than 4 times faster than with GPRS.

In addition, the Nokia 6230 has a mobile email client that lets users manage their email quickly over EDGE, GPRS and HSCSD networks. The advanced xHTML browser gives fast access to mobile services and information, and the integrated TCP/IP technology** enhances both the ease and speed of over-the-air file downloads. Data synchronization capability allows users of the Nokia 6230 to update personal data remotely over the network. Local synchronization of personal data can also be done via Bluetooth, IrDa, USB and the Nokia PC Suite.

With the presence-enhanced contacts service, users of the Nokia 6230 can share their availability, intentions and whereabouts with colleagues, family, friends and other contacts. For example, a business professional can change his phone profile to 'Meeting' and advise his colleagues to reach him by SMS or MMS. Exchanging instant text messages is another interesting possibility with the presence-enhanced Chat function, where users of the Nokia 6230 can create their own private chats and invite others to participate, or even join public chats of their interest.

The Nokia 6230 also includes a digital music player for AAC/MP3 music formats. In addition to enjoying high quality stereo music, music enthusiasts can set their favourite music as wake-up tones as well as alert and ring tones.

Key features include:

Active TFT color display - with up to 65.536 colours

Integrated digital VGA camera

High speed packet-based EDGE and GPRS connectivity

Bluetooth

Digital camcorder and video player

Video streaming including AMR audio

MMC Multimedia card support

Java MIDP 2.0

Presence-enhanced contacts and chat

MP3/AAC music player and built-in FM stereo radio

xHTML browser for enhanced mobile browsing experience

Advanced PIM functionality (calendar, phonebook, to-do list, notes)

OMA Digital Rights Management version 1.0

Mobile Wallet

Integrated hands-free speaker

Polyphonic ring tones (supporting up to 24 instruments)

Infrared, USB, PC Suite

76 cc, weighs 97 grams

Talk time of up to 5 hours and a standby time of up to 300 hours.

Overall Value Rating: 9.6 / 10 - Excellent

Price: $150 - $300

Motorola A630 Cell Phone (T-Mobile)

Manufacturers Description: Following in the footsteps of the game-changing Motorola StarTAC and the company’s revolutionary two-way pagers, the model A630 is yet another innovative new product from Motorola. Packaged in a unique, multi- functional design featuring a QWERTY keyboard hidden inside a sleek candy bar form, the Motorola A630 lets you call, text or email with style and ease.

From the outside, you see a fashionable, compact mobile handset. Once opened, the device reveals a full QWERTY keyboard that makes texting, email exchanges and Instant Messaging easy. The A630 does not stop there. For multi-media fun, the handset comes with an integrated camera with 4 x zoom, multi-media messaging for sending and sharing images, dedicated gaming keys and a vivid color display that offers portrait as well as landscape views. When its time to be productive, the A630 offers integrated Bluetooth® wireless technology, an office quality speakerphone and email support including POP3, SMTP and Imap4. The Motorola A630’s fusion of the mobile and messaging worlds without sacrificing weight, size or style makes it the ideal device for today's text-savvy trendsetting consumer.

With the debut of the model A630, Motorola delivers a uniquely designed handset that stands apart from the pack, promising simplified voice and messaging communications supported by the latest technology,” said James Burke, Sr. Director of Product Operations for Motorola, Inc. “With its clever combination of fun and function, the model A630 is sure to please style-conscious movers and shakers."

The Motorola A630 features include:

Full QWERTY keyboard with 5-way navigation for easy messaging, fun gaming and more

Integrated VGA camera with dedicated photo button for quick shoot and send power

220 x 176 pixel color landscape display capable of supporting up to 65,000 colors

Built-in Bluetooth wireless technology

Advanced messaging including Multi-Media Messaging Service (MMS), SMS, e-mail support (POP3, SMTP, Imap4) and multibranded IM (Instant Messaging)

GSM tri-band capabilities

J2ME™ downloading functionality

Integrated hands-free speakerphone

Polyphonic speaker for the ultimate sound and cool MP3 ringtones

Overall Value Rating: 9.3 / 10 - Very Good

Price: $150 - $350

Samsung p735 Cell Phone (T-Mobile)

Manufacturers Description: Featuring a package of design and multimedia features, the imaginative p735 is Samsung's first GSM megapixel camera phone in the U.S. With options that entertain, enrich and enhance a consumer's wireless experience, the p735 boasts an eye-catching twist and flip display and advanced multimedia technology, including a megapixel camera phone, video recorder, MP3 player and expandable memory.

The phone's distinct feature is a swivel form factor that allows the consumer to twist the display so that the vibrant 262,000-color screen rotates to a horizontal position, giving the phone a more camcorder-like feel and making picture taking and video recording easier. And with a megapixel camera, film-quality pictures can be stored and printed at sizes up to 4x6.

For moments such as upcoming holiday gatherings that require more than a quick snapshot, the video recorder is practical and convenient, and video and pictures can be shared wirelessly via T-Mobile's messaging services. While the phone's 64MB of internal memory provides space for pictures and video, the p735 comes with an RS MMC media slot and additional 32MB multimedia card so no moment is ever missed. In addition, the expandable memory slot offers space for easy and quick access to supplementary applications and games.

For those that still have the gamer in them but are too busy to play at home, the p735 acts as a gaming device with access to 3D games, including Metalion and Zio Golf. For music download addicts, the p735 comes equipped with a personal MP3 player, so downloading, playing and sorting music wirelessly becomes a convenience, not a hassle. Sounds come in clear with T-Mobile's HiFi Ringers and the device's pre-packaged headset provides a heightened auditory experience.

The p735 will change the way consumers view their wireless phone” said Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president of Samsung's wireless division. Whether using the phone to download and listen to music, or snapping pictures and video clips to send back to the office while on a business trip, the p735 will enhance consumers' digital lifestyle.

This is a truly fun phone” said Todd Achilles, director of handset product management for T-Mobile USA. “From the bright screen, to cool swivel design, and MP3 player to the megapixel camera, there's a lot to keep you entertained”

Features:

Integrated MegaPixel Digital Camera - Take pictures on the go. Enjoy one megapixel pictures plus digital zoom, multishot, and more.
RS MMC Media Slot - Add memory, applications, and store photos with a memory card.

MP3 Player - Download, play and sort your favorite tunes to listen to on your phone.

262 TFT Main Color Display - Makes everything come to life on your phone including photos, picture caller ID, and more.
Video Messaging - Record up to 15 second clips with sound and send them to other compatible phones.

Overall Value Rating: 9.0 / 10 - Very Cool

Price: $400 - $550

LG VX4600 Cell Phone (Verizon Wireless)

Manufacturers Description: The attractive VX4600 is the perfect mobile phone for consumers who are looking to express themselves with high-end quality, style and essential functionality. Its ultra-cool clamshell design, high-resolution internal color display, and innovative external OEL (Organic Electro-Luminescent) screen make an undeniable statement of style.

Basic Information:

Talk time: 200 minutes Standby time: 165 hours Size: 3.43H x 1.81W x 0.98D inches Weight: 3.38 oz

Basic Features:

1.9 Ghz PCS, 800 MHz CDMA (All Digital)

Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) to send and receive text messages with graphics and sound

E911 Emergency Location-capable

2.5mm headset jack to accept universal hands-free headsets

65K TFD Main Color Display (120 x 160) 8 lines of Text

OEL Sub Display (96 x 38) 3 lines of Text

Blue Backlit Keypad

5-Way Navigation Key

CMX MIDI (musical instrument and games digital interface) for sounds and ringers

Large Phone Book: 499 contacts (each stores 5 numbers and 3 email addresses)

36 Embedded Ring Tones and download more

Vibrate and Silent Modes

Voice-Activated Dialing

Speed Dialing (99 Entries)

Bilingual (English and Spanish) capabilities

Personal Organizer: Calendar with Scheduler, Alarm Clock, Voice Memo, Notepad, EZ Tip Calculator, Calculator and World Clock

External USB Capable

1-Year limited warranty

Meets FCC SAR limit. Manufacturer's highest FCC reported SAR 1.22 at ear, .74 on body. Actual SAR may vary.

Overall Value Rating: 8.8 / 10

Price: $100 - $200

Bradley James is the chief editor of the consumer electronics review website SciNet.cc. Get more information about cell phones, compare prices and read reviews at our best cell phones website.

Think Like a Toddler to Baby Proof Your Home

Baby Proofing is essentially a mission in thinking like a toddler and removing anything from your home that could be dangerous to your little one - or at least have it put up high enough or behind locked doors so they can't reach it. The first step is to get down on your hands and knees and crawl around the house. What's down there at toddler level?

It helps to think of things in major categories:

- Outlets - There are plastic plugs you can put into empty outlets to prevent shocks. It's best if you can have a piece of furniture in front of any outlets you're using.

- Cleaners - Try to use natural products if you can but even in this event, keep them up high. Just make sure they're sealed well so you don't dump product in your eyes when pulling them down.

- Small stuff - Babies put everything in their mouths. If the item can fit into a toilet paper tube, it's small enough that your child could choke on. This is one of those things where you'll need to crawl around your house on a regular basis to see what you can find.

- Stairs and landings - Make sure you have gates up that are strong and stable. Toddlers will push on them. Make sure landings have secure boundaries so baby can't climb them or get through them. " Drawers and cabinets - Make sure there's nothing inside that can hurt baby because eventually they do get in! The goal here is to prevent pinching. There are a number of choices in securing your drawers so that you can get in and baby can't.

- Hot surfaces - Stoves and other hot surfaces should be secured with a gate, fence or guard. Stove guards are available so little ones can't reach the burners. Wood burning stoves need a gate around them tall enough that baby can't get in and get burned.

- Sharp things and edges - Keep knives, razors and scissors locked up and out of baby's reach.

- Water hazards - You might think about covering your pool and hot tub (with a hard cover, not just plastic) but what about your toilet? Make sure you don't have buckets of liquid around, that you soak things in the washer instead of a large, low sink and that the toilet lid is secured. Also make sure that your water heater is turned down and always check the temperature before bathing baby.

- Cords and plastic - make sure cords are short and out of reach. Keep plastic bags and tubs in a locked cabinet - up and away from baby.

- Antiques - Old furniture can be painted with lead paint and have rusty nails sticking out that you may not notice. Carefully look at each piece for dangers.

- Things you don't think of - shampoo, mouthwash, fingernail polish and remover, perfume, make up - all need to be put up and away from baby. Medicine needs to be kept up - even if they have childproof lids.

- Prevention - Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers - as well as an escape plan are essentials. Catches on windows so they can't be opened enough for baby to fall out. Screens are weak and cannot support the weight of a baby.

- Foods - assume your toddler is going to chew on everything around the house EXCEPT for food. Often they swallow what you give them whole. Make sure that it can be eaten safely without chewing.

This isn't a comprehensive list, but it's a good start. You might want to check out The Consumer Reports Guide to Childproofing & Safety: Tips to Protect your Baby and Child from Injury at Home and on the Go by Jamie Schaefer-Wilson.

Beyond that, you may want to consider changing some of your ways. At our house we use baking soda, vinegar or lemon juice for nearly all of our cleaning needs. I thought it would be a compromise, but it honestly works better than a lot of the expensive, toxic stuff. It's still important to keep these products up, but they're much less toxic than many other cleaners (and MUCH cheaper!).

Remember too, to take a look at your own habits. Smoking is bad for you but it can cause huge problems for your baby as well. There have been studies that show smoking can lead to ear infections, asthma and other problems. If you have guns, keep them empty and locked up.

Check everything, too, to make sure that everything is up to current safety standards. It's great to get a second-hand crib or swing but check the recall lists and make sure that the freebie is safe for your little one.

Aricia has worked with families as a psychotherapist, mentor, coach and instructor for over 20 years. Her work has been featured in USA Today, Family Circle, Mothering magazine and on NPR. She runs a supportive online parenting community providing resources, ideas and encouragement for moms. Stop by http://www.dynamicfamilycoachingsolutions.com for a free Mp3 download on taming tantrums and a monthly column on keeping your home "Beautifully Organized."

The Apple iPad is Due For Release in the UK Soon

The iPad is the latest offering from Apple, which has received a huge amount of media coverage. Although released in the USA, in April those of us in the UK must wait to sample the delights of this enigmatic touch screen device. The unit measures 242 mm x 189 mm wide whilst being 13 mm thick and weighing approximately 0.68 kg. To say that this devices release in the UK is highly anticipated would be an understatement.

The unit comes with a 9.7 inch LED backlit glossy widescreen multi-touch display screen which offers fingerprint resistant oleophobic coating. This units display resolution is specified as 1024 x 768 pixels at 132 pixels per inch, offering excellent display capabilities. The display screen also provides an accelerometer and an ambient light sensor as standard.

The current model is the Wi Fi model, which comes with either 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB memory capacity. The unit utilises a 1 GHz Apple A4 custom designed central processing unit that offers high performance with low power requirements. As with most Apple type products, the unit provides a wide range of available features and applications with the option to download a wide assortment of additional applications from the Apple store.

As you expect with a technologically advanced piece of equipment as this is, the unit includes MP4/MP3 media playing capabilities as well as a built-in speaker and microphone. Multi language support is included as standard within the package.

The unit comes with a built in 25 W hour rechargeable polymer based battery which offers the ability to surf the web or watch video for up to 10 hours and offers the ability to charge by the power adapter or the USB cable. The unit utilises its own Apple proprietary operating system but can be synchronised with either a Mac or a Windows based system. The package includes a dock connector and a 10 W USB Power adapter as well as relevant documentation.

The Apple iPad is one of the most eagerly anticipated units, touted as a replacement for the laptop. This first incarnation offers a veritable feast for those who enjoy the latest technology and gadgetry.

The author writes on a variety of subjects including the Apple iPad, iPad