Thursday, May 22, 2014

Bluetooth Wireless Device Not Found in Windows XP Service Pack 2 - How to Fix It

When installing your Bluetooth Wireless Device in Windows XP Service Pack 2, sometimes you will find this Bluetooth device can not be correctly recognized in Device Manager; if you try to use it, you will see some error massages like "Device not found" on the screen. So this is the problem that "Bluetooth Wireless Device Not Found in Windows XP Service Pack 2"
Commonly there are two cases that would cause this "Bluetooth Wireless Device Not Found in Windows XP Service Pack 2" error: one is that the Bluetooth device has already been installed in your computer before you install Windows XP Service Pack 2, and you haven't installed the third party Bluetooth driver; two, Windows has automatically installed its built-in Bluetooth driver rather than install the third party Bluetooth driver.
Finding out and install the right third party Bluetooth driver may be a very complicated and time-wasting job, for there are hundreds of thousands of drivers for you to choose on the Internet, furthermore the Bluetooth driver used on one type of computer may not work on another because of differences in hardware specifications and operating systems. So you need a good PC driver helper tool to simplify your driver search and updates. Among numerous driver programs, PC Driver Helperis your right choice; with several clicks, PC Driver Helper will automatically search the Internet and manufacturer's websites for updated drivers that are specific to your Bluetooth device, operating system and compatible with your PC's hardware components so as to make the most out of the dongle.
And to fix "Bluetooth Wireless Device Not Found in Windows XP Service Pack 2" problem you can follow the methods below:
Method 1
Rename the bth.inf file: before setting up the third party driver, rename %WINDIR%\inf\bth.inf file as bth.bak, so as to prevent Windows Plug-and-Play using this INF file to set up Windows built-in driver.
Tips to rename this file:
Step 1 Click Start, choose Run, input %windir%\inf in the box and then click OK.
Step 2 Right click bth.inf and choose Rename, after that rename it as bth.bak.
Step 3 Download Driver Checker to install the best driver for your Bluetooth adapter.
Method 2
Replace Windows driver by specifying the third party driver for your Bluetooth device in Device Manager.
Step 1 Set up the third party Bluetooth driver and remember its location in your computer.
Step 2 Click Start, choose Run, input devmgmt.msc and click OK to open the Device Manager.
Step 3 Expand Bluetooth Devices and find out this device.
Step 4 Right click it and then select Update Driver
Step 5 In the update wizard, select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced) and click Next.
Step 6 Choose Search for the best driver in these locations and Include this location in the search.
Step 7 Click Browse to find out the address of your third party driver and then click Next to finish this installation.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Advantages of an Android TV Box

Android TV boxes have suddenly become very popular. Even though companies like Apple and Roku have sold many set-top boxes, another option has hit the market - the Android TV box. Also known as a 'Google TV' or XBMC Steaming player, these devices are simple. They are available for as little as $60 and as much as $100.
This android device is a small box shaped product that is about 5 inches wide and 2 inches tall.
This product has access to apps and functions that you can find on other android devices. However, it is able to run a variety of Android apps, games and even a web browser.
Advantages of buying Android TV Box
The question is should you buy an Android TV box? With the variety of functions it can perform, including downloading apps from Google Play store, you won't be able to stay away from it for very long. They are reliable and their hardware is just as good as the Roku or Apple TV. The supplied remote is great and they are able to play a 1080p video pretty smoothly.
These devices are a great investment for people who love to tweak their definition of fun. People who only want to watch videos can buy other simpler devices. It's like the difference between having a mobile with push buttons and one with a touch screen. Which technology would you prefer?
Because of popular demand, the market for Android TV boxes is growing. But the problem is where to find quality products, as most of the ones available on the market are fairly lackluster. You can, however, buy them from online shops. There are many Chinese products that have come onto the market. They are cheap, not a deal breaker and easily run for a long time.
This device has an advantage over an HDMI stick. The box has extra connectivity options, while for the stick you need at least a USB hub for it to be useful.
The main reason why the Android TV box is more popular is because other devices come with a lot of restrictions. These devices cater to specific platforms only.
Understand your requirement
It is important to know that not all Android TV boxes are created equally. So, you may have to buy a box that supports over 1GB RAM, if that is what you require. Basically, you need to understand what functionalities you are looking at before spending money.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Best Bluetooth Speakers - Top 5 Bluetooth Speakers for Every Need

Bluetooth speakers are the latest innovation in wireless sound technology. While this technology is still in its nascent stages, it has already shown a lot of promise. If you own a bluetooth enabled phone, you've already seen this technology in action as it allows wireless transfer of data between two phones remotely. The same principles work with bluetooth speakers. In this article, I will talk about some of the best bluetooth speakers available and their salient features.
Bluetooth speakers are generally used as 'replacement' speakers. Currently, they do not have the power to replace a set of 5.1 surround sound system, or enough bass to liven up a big house party. Nevertheless, what they lack in power, they more than make up for in portability. Because they are wireless and relatively small in size, you can carry them around anywhere. In fact, a lot of manufacturers make speakers designed specifically for use with laptops that you can just toss into your laptop bag.
Some of the best bluetooth speakers are made by major electronics manufacturers, namely Sony, Samsung, Philips, etc. Bose, Altec Lansing and JBL - three important speaker manufacturers have an extensive lineup as well. Prices can range from less than $50 for a set of cheap, lightweight set to $400+ for a high quality Bose speaker system.
The first step to picking the best bluetooth speakers is understanding your own needs. If you just want a set of cheap, lightweight speakers you can use with your laptop, then an entry level Samsung or Logitech set would serve you well. But if you want something that you can lug around in your car, on picnics, and which can also serve as a desktop speaker replacement, you will have to shell out a few hundred dollars.
Some of the best bluetooth speakers available in the market today are:
1. Tenqa SP-109
This is an entry level offering from Tenqa that delivers 5 watts of stereo sound. It is small, lightweight, and is great for use with iPods and mobile phones. Just don't expect it to bring down the house with its volume. Prices start as low as $44.90
2. Altec Lansing inMotion SoundBlade Bluetooth A2DP Speaker
This offering from Altec Lansing delivers clear, high quality audio without compromising on portability. It connects automatically to your mobile phone or bluetooth enabled device. Small and lightweight, this mid-range bluetooth speaker delivers a great performance. Prices start at $149.
3. Sony SRS-BTM30
An entry level offering from Sony, the SRS-BTM30 runs on 3 AA batteries and doesn't compromise on quality. The two speakers work on bluetooth, and weigh in at just 1.6lbs. Prices start as low as $69.
4. Creative D100
This Creative offering weighs in at just 2.2lbs and works on 4 AA batteries that can play non-stop for 25 hours straight. It is compatible with all bluetooth enabled devices. The sound quality is uniformly high. Prices start at $76.
5. Bose SoundDock 10 Digital Music System
This Bose system is probably the best set of bluetooth speakers that you can buy. It is compatible with not just your bluetooth enabled devices, but also older iPod models. Like the various other offerings from Bose, this speaker system too offers almost life-like sound. If you have the extra cash and want a high quality speaker set that will make guests green with envy, the SoundDock 10 is the system for you. The price, however, is a hefty $599, though it is worth each and every cent.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Android TV and Apps

Did you hear about the new Android TV? These televisions have caught the fancy of people and offers a new way to watch television. Be it playing games or browsing the net, an Android TV offers a lot.
However, Android apps haven't been that easy to make. So, if you are looking forward for developers to make apps for Android TV as well, you need to consider certain aspects first.
Here is a look at the difficulties developers face when designing an Android TV box app.
Developers work hard, putting in lot of thoughts, time and energy into making a great product. However, many developers fail to take a few key steps that can help them create that magical app. It has to be remembered that almost everyone has a smartphone today. While there are millions of apps for the Android smart phones, apps which are specifically designed for playing with Android TVs are still not that high in number. Developers need to meet different challenges to design newer and better apps. Creating the right product and managing to get loyal customers requires a good strategy.
All about apps
The app icon and the user interface should be clean and be easy to use. Users begin to form opinions about the app once they download it. Developers should read the reports from users to find out the requirements.
Determination of the demographics
Developers get vast information about app users and usage from users. If you are thinking to create a new app, you need to think like a marketer and critically analyze the market to determine your target demographic. For instance, if your app is targeted at low-income people within a particular age group, why would you concentrate on building apps for iOS?
Of course, if you do that, you will spend more money and energy building apps for the wrong audience. Android TV apps in particular, need to be more appealing.
Investing on metrics that can be quantified
Most developers don't understand how to make proper use of app usage data. As a developer, you ought to read usage of app data by users on a daily basis. Developers should also use reports which show how effective their ads are and how much they can possibly monetize it.
Network for discoverability
Networking with other app developers is a great way by which you can take your apps to even greater heights. Utilize social networks and also guest blog about your app in other app developers' blogs. You can also simply attend seminars or webinars where app development is the topic. Building relationships in the right circles can offer results that you never anticipated.
Conclusion
Developers require extra effort and research to come out with something innovative. If they are developing an app for an Android TV, they need to first know the audience well to understand the needs and preferences. There are several ways of doing this. As a developer, the end product should actually be user friendly for the users.