D-Link Wireless AC1200 Dual-Band Router Review

D-Link Wireless AC1200 Dual-Band Router Review

First Published Date: December 17, 2013 ADawnJournal.com

D-Link Router Review

The last router I bought was probably ten years ago and so much has changed since then. What routers can do these days were unthinkable 10 years ago. So it was about time to upgrade my router.

When I hit Staples to check what kinds of routers are available, I was surprised to see so many different versions and different bands. For example, I did not know that computer maker Asus makes routers these days as well. After going through a myriad of choices, I picked the D-Link Wireless AC1200 Dual-Band Router.

Some of the Features

– Next generation 802.11 AC technology. It offers 3x speed than 802.11N.

– Dual band capability. You will have two different wireless Internet from the same router on two different bands at Up to 300Mbps (2.4GHz) + and 867Mbps (5GHz) speeds.

– There are apps to video monitor, control home network, stream digital files, and setup your router from your phone or tablet.

What I Like

– Initial setup is very simple and easy. If you install the smart phone app (QRS Mobile) and follow instructions, it takes about 3 minutes.

– Dual band comes very handy for different sets of tasks. For example, I use one for regular Internet use and the other band for streaming (to watch Netflix, TV, etc.).

What I Don’t Like

– All other smart phone apps (except QRS Mobile) are very user unfriendly and do not work properly.

– You need to go through a complicated registration process to use mydlink Lite app and most people will give up after going through half way.

Last Word

Although AC1200 Dual-Band Router is a pricey one, it’s worth its price. It provides a very powerful WiFi signal and you should not need to buy another router in at least 10 years.

$3.30 Per Month Home Phone Plan?

VOIP Home Phone Offers Incredible Savings

Published Date : August 14, 2013

Is it possible to have a home phone service from $3.30 to $4.95 per month in Canada? If you think of a home phone literally connected by wire to the phone companies such Bell or Rogers, it is impossible to have a phone service that cheap. Actually, a basic home phone service from Bell or Rogers with almost no features will cost you around $30 to $40 per month. However, if you consider VOIP home phone just like a regular home phone, then yes, it is possible to have a home phone service with lots of features at the price I mentioned above.

VOIP home phone uses your existing Internet connection to offer you cheap home phone with the same voice quality and much more features than a traditional home phone at a fraction of the cost. There are many VOIP home phone service providers in Canada these days. However, these three providers are worth considering in terms of value, quality, and abundant features.

Nettalk – Basic plan costs only $3.30 per month with many features and 3000 minutes per month. First year is free with purchase of the VOIP device, also known as the adaptor.

Ooma – Basic plan costs only $3.98 per month and comes with 21 features and 5000 minutes. Want 44 features that you never thought even existed? It will cost you $9.99 per month.

Fongo – Unlimited minutes and 11 premium features cost $4.95 per month.

For any VOIP home phone services, initially you need to purchase an adaptor that would cost somewhere between $50 to $150 depending on the provider. And also, you need to have Internet service at home. Nowadays, I have seen many homes without a home phone, but I haven’t any homes without Internet. It is time to get more out of your Internet by having a VOIP home phone and stop paying unnecessarily for a traditional home phone.

Financial Website A Dawn Journal – Best of the Best Blogger Series Interview

Reputable Website Interviews Financial Author Ahmed Dawn

First Published Date: December 15, 2011 ADawnJournal.com

Canada’s Personal Finance Blog A Dawn Journal’s reputation and traffic is on the rise. And it’s no wonder that the well-written financial content and hard work will get noticed and will be recognized. Recently, a widely respected and admired financial website Credit Card Assist has respectfully invited financial author Ahmed Dawn (AKA A. Dawn) to sit down for an interview with a variety of questions. According to Credit Card Assist:

Ahmed is yet another example of an up-and-coming, new generation blogging entrepreneur that people should really be paying attention to. He has a no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to investing and uses ‘simple and understandable’ terminology to take the guess work out of the investment process for his readers.”

The interview can be accessed right here: A Dawn Journal – Best of the Best Blogger Series

This is an opportunity for my readers to know more about me. Wide ranging questions such as a little peak into my work life, what inspired me to write my book Invest Now, more on my blogging entrepreneurship – all can be found in this interview.

So it seems quite reasonable that with a no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to personal finance and its ability to break down complex subjects in simple terms, A Dawn Journal is becoming a regular read for an increasing number of readers in Canada and across the globe. And this trend will continue for years to come. I thank you all my readers and I appreciate your time spent on A Dawn Journal. Your support and courage are an inspiration to me all the time and that’s what made everything possible.

HTC Panache Review | My First Smartphone

HTC Panache Review

First Published Date: July 24, 2011

HTC Smart Phones – Miles Away From Other Smart Phones

I left home deciding to buy a Samsung Nexus S smartphone. However, after seeing HTC Panache and Nexus S side by side, there is no way anyone can pick Nexus S over HTC Panache. This is my first HTC phone and I am impressed with some of the features HTC added to this phone which put the HTC Panache miles apart from other smartphones – and I am coming into that.

Let’s look at some of its features:

– Powered by Android 2.3 with HTC Sense.

– 1 GHz powerful Snapdragon memory

– 3.8-inch LCD WVGA capacitive touch screen

– Memory 1.1 GB eMMC/786 MB RAM

– Comes with 8 GB microSDT card pre-installed, you can extend it up to 32 GB

– 5 MP camera with LED flash. Can record 720P HD video.

How It Feels to Hold

The HTC Panache is a strongly built 168-gram camera. Its aluminum backplate, rubberized edges and solid body give you the feeling of ruggedness and durability. Its slightly weighted body does not interfere with regular use and feels good to hold in the hand.

Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot

If you have unlimited Internet on your phone, you can use it for your home without paying a separate Internet service and can save hundreds of dollars annually. I discussed more having Free Internet in the past. However, until now I had to use a cable to connect my phone and computer to get the Internet (tethering). The HTC Panache runs Android 2.3 which has built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and Tethering, you don’t need to connect using a cable anymore. You just need to change the phone’s settings to turn on Wi-Fi Hotspot (which can be done in 20 seconds) to use the Internet wirelessly. I must say, this is the feature I am enjoying most.

Distinctive HTC-Only Features That Put The HTC Panache Miles Away From Other Smart Phones

Here are some features that I like most about my new HTC Panache. I never thought these futuristic features would be available in a present-day phone.

– The HTC Panache knows when it’s in your pocket or in a bag and rings louder so you hear it.

– When it rings in regular condition, the ringer volume gets lower once you touch it to pick it up. If you want to silence the ringer volume completely, just flip it over. HTC made this feature especially for those times when you are in a meeting.

– When you are talking on your phone and want to switch to the speaker, just flip it over.

– It takes an amazing HD video. See it for yourself, as I have posted a video clip taken with the HTC Panache.

– Stream music, pics, and videos from the HTC Panache to your TV or home theatre system via DLNA certified devices.

– Many other HTC features you will not find in any other Android phones.

What I Don’t Like In The HTC Panache

Although the HTC Panache can shoot incredible HD video and you do not need to carry a separate camera like the Samsung Digital Camera to record HD video, its regular 5 MP digital camera cannot take good quality pictures without bright light. Also, I am not impressed with its speaker and it does not sound like a stereo speaker.

What the Future Holds for Smartphones

Smartphone technology is advancing so rapidly that it’s hard to predict with precise accuracy what our smartphones will be like in 10 or 20 years. One thing I can say with certainty that it will be our most important toy over anything else like laptops or desktops if it has not become one already.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Tablet Review

Asus Tablet Review

First Published Date: September 14, 2011

I spent roughly two months researching all new tablets and checking out some of them physically at stores.  It’s very hard to decide on a tablet these days as manufacturers are flooding the market with new models every few months.  During my research, I ruled out the iPad due to its high cost and restrictive hardware/software.  I also ruled out the BlackBerry Playbook and the HP Touchpad due to their inferior operating systems.  I decided that I’d be buying an Android tablet, and I narrowed down the list to three finalists with 10 inch screens that would fit my needs and lifestyle:
– Samsung Galaxy Tab
– Toshiba Tablet
– Asus Eee Pad Transformer

I was already leaning towards one of these, but I decided to ask my nephew Shim to do another round of research and pick the best of the three. And guess what? We both came up with the same pick: the Asus Eee Pad Transformer 10.1.

Why Not Toshiba Tablet and Samsung Galaxy?

Here are the reasons why I did not pick the above mentioned two tabs:
– Samsung Galaxy does not offer any ports like MicroSD, SD, USB, or HDMI.
– The Galaxy’s back is too smooth and starts slipping out of your hand if you hold onto it for a while.
– Toshiba’s front camera sticks out (as it is shiny and not blended  
  into its own color) and looks ugly.
– Toshiba tablet is heavier, bulkier, and ugly looking. If I want a tablet, I want it to be a slim and good looking.
– The option to add a keyboard doc and transform Asus Eee Pad Transformer to a laptop was my main plus point to go for Asus.

Hardware Pluses for Asus Eee Pad

-Beautiful, clear screen
-Easy to grip
-HDMI port
-Extra Storage (MicroSD)

Software Pluses

- Android’s Widgets are a huge plus, and iPad lacks them
-Flash video, which the iPad also lacks.

Hardware Minuses

-No USB Port on the pad itself (its on the dock)
-Screen gets fingerprints very easily (worse than the iPad)

Software Minuses

-Honeycomb still needs some fine tuning, browser sometimes crashed when playing video
-No built-in task killer, software must be downloaded to enable this
-Android Market doesn’t have as many free apps as Apple’s app store

What I Like Most About Asus Tablet

Its price and the option to use it as both a tablet and a laptop.

What I Don’t Like About Asus Tablet

Its power supply cord is too small. 

As I write this review, stores in Canada are getting ready to launch Sony’s new Tablet. In 2-3 years, expect to see even more great tablets on the market.  The fierce competition will drive prices down and make them much more affordable.