iOS 7 - Have you updated your iPhone yet?

I'll admit it.  I have not updated my phone to iOS 7 yet.  I took a picture for someone last night using their newly updated iPhone, and at first I didn't even realize it was an iPhone due to the camera's new look.

After seeing this slideshow of 23 Side-By-Side Comparisons of How Apple's New iPhone Software Will Change Your Favorite Apps by Business Insider, I'm preparing for a bit of a learning curve.  My subconscious swipe-swipe-tap-I'm exactly where I wanted to be.... will require some actual thought and glances at my screen.  I use Notes for everything.  I have 214 notes in my app.  (My sister considers this an "unreasonable" number of notes.)  The new version looks very white and blank.  Are you sure my notes will be there?

Metathesiophobia - Fear of change.... perhaps somewhat irrational when referring to new phone operating systems

Ok, I'll stop whining about iOS 7 before I sound too much like this Saturday Night Live skit from when the iPhone 5 came out.  (So funny!  I definitely recommend watching, even if you've already seen it!)



Now if you haven't mastered iOS 7 yet, you may enjoy Macworld's article FAQ: Everything You Need to Know about iOS 7.  If you're wondering "where did that search bar go?  What new features do I need to know about?", this is a good guide.

If you updated the minute it came out and are a pro already, here are the Top 11 Hidden, Cool Features in Apple's iOS 7.  Maybe you'll see something you hadn't discovered yet!  Do you know how to change the way Siri pronounces your name?

9 million new iPhones were sold in the first weekend of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C release.  As of last Monday, Apple was proud to announce that 200 million users, more than 50% of all iOS devices, had already updated to the new operating system.  The LA Times talks more about statistics and user adoption rates in the article Apple Users Are Upgrading to iOS 7 at a Record Pace.







Ok, ready to become iOS 7 superstars (and update if you haven't already)?  Embrace the future.  We've got this.  Let's do it!

Review: Introducing The Lynktec TruGlide Pro Artist Paintbrush For Digital Arts - by Two Classy Chics

It's been scientifically proven that cute polar bears make your Mondays better. (*maybe)

Hello, LYNKtec blog readers!  Check out this great review that came out over the weekend.  Chris and Sherrie from Two Classy Chics wrote Introducing the Lynktec TruGlide Pro Artist Paintbrush for Digital Arts.




Chris and Sherrie reviewed our new TruGlide Pro Artist Paintbrush Tip, and they mention that they use our Smartie Microfiber Cleaning Cloth as well!  Even novice digital artists will enjoy using the Artist Paintbrush Tip, and you'll be amazed at the incredible masterpieces you never knew you could create.


If you'd like to read more, Two Classy Chics previously reviewed our TruGlide Pro Precision Stylus when it was first released in May 2013.






Now that you've read a great review or two of our Artist Paintbrush Tip, if you are a digital art aficionado, click here to enter our Facebook contest!

Even if you're not an artist, go vote for your favorite!  It's super quick and easy.  Click right here.... and simply click "Vote" next to your favorite artwork!  We have some amazing entries so far.  I just voted for my favorite!

Enter to Win the TruGlide Pro Digital Art Contest!

TruGlide Pro Digital Art Contest

Get Your Art Recognized!

Artists, do you enjoy using your iPad, tablet, or other touch screen to create your own digital masterpieces? Submit your best digital artwork to us for a chance to win our TruGlide Pro Digital Art Contest! The winner will get his or her art featured in our Pros Use the Pro campaign as well as a $50 gift certificate to use on www.lynktec.com!

We also have awesome prizes for the first and second runner-ups:


GRAND PRIZE WINNER: The winner's artwork will be featured in our Pros Use the Pro marketing campaign along with a byline. Winner will also receive a $50 gift certificate to use on www.lynktec.com.

FIRST RUNNER-UP: The first runner-up's artwork will be featured on the official LYNKtec blog. He or she will also receive a $25 gift certificate to use on www.lynktec.com.

SECOND RUNNER-UP: The second runner-up's artwork will be featured on the official LYNKtec blog. He or she will also receive a $15 gift certificate to use on www.lynktec.com.


In choosing our winners, number of votes received will be a primary consideration. Share this contest with your colleagues, friends, and family and vote for your favorites to help them win!


By entering this contest, participants agree to the Terms and Conditions.

Click Here to Enter!

23 Signs You're Addicted to Your Smartphone

Happy Friday! (or if you don't have a Monday-Friday work week, happy "Your Wednesday" or whatever day it is)  Here's something fun for you.  My sisters would say this BuzzFeed article applies to me....

23 Signs You're Addicted to Your Smartphone

Also, if you're planning to go out to dinner with someone tonight, you might like this from Someecards:

Have a great weekend!

Patriot Day 9/11

In honor of September 11, I'm re-posting our TruGlide American flag.  Land of the free, home of the brave!  We're proud to be American!

Apple's iPhone Launch - iPhone 5S, 5C, iOS 7, and More Revealed Today!

Big news in the tech world today - Apple's new iPhone launch event was presented at the new Apple Store in Berlin.  You've heard (and probably contributed to) rumors and speculation about new iThings for months.... and today, all things Apple were unveiled!

The suspense was so great that the amazing people at TechRadar created this dramatic movie trailer spoof about the launch:

The new Apple Store in Berlin set the stage for the Apple iPhone launch

Some of the things announced today:

Speed - iPhone 5S has a 64-bit Apple A7 chip with over a billion transistors, making it 56 times faster than the original iPhone.

Screen - iPhone 5S has the same 4-inch screen.

Colors - iPhone 5S is available in silver, gold, and space gray.  iPhone 5C is coming in five colors: blue white, yellow, pink, green.

Camera - Auto image stabilization with a multi-shot option on the 5S camera

Battery - 10 hours of 4G talk time and 250 hours of standby

New Technology - New home button features a fingerprint reader.  Touch ID provides security for your phone and can be used for purchases on iTunes and the App Store.

Pricing - iPhone 5S costs $199 for 16GB, $299 for 32GB, and $399 for 64GB in the USA.  iPhone 5C, the new, less expensive, plastic model, costs $99 for 16GB and $199 for 32GB in the USA.

Release Dates - iPhone 5S will be released September 20, and iPhone 5C will be available for pre-order starting September 13.

iPhone 5S

iPhone 5C

TechRadar has some excellent articles about the new iPhones and features, and you can even read their spectacular play-by-play directly from the launch in Berlin!


iPhone 5S Release Date, News and Features by Dan Grabham

Apple iPhone 5S officially launched as Cupertino's new flagship by Michelle Fitzsimmons

Apple's iPhone launch event live by Gareth Beavis

iPhone 5S features Touch ID fingerprint sensor by Matt Swider

Cheap iPhone 5C release date, news and features by John McCann


....and if you live for rumors, or you want to be way ahead of the game, you can read the iPhone 6 release date, news and rumours.

Google's Acquisition of Motorola vs. Microsoft's Nokia Purchase

 
With Google's acquisition of Motorola and Microsoft purchasing Nokia's handset business, huge changes are occurring in the some of the world's largest tech companies.  Check out the following articles to find out more about these deals.

Google-Motorola Deal Foreshadows Challenge Awaiting Microsoft by Brian Womak, Bloomberg, discusses Microsoft's deal to purchase Nokia's handset business as well as financial information about the deal.

Why the Google-Motorola Deal Matters for Microsoft-Nokia by Kevin Kelleher, CNN Money, talks about the major changes that have happened in the mobile phone market in the past 7 years.

Brand Champ: Microsoft-Nokia Bests Google-Motorola by Byron Acohido, USA Today, discusses who got the better buy.... Google or Microsoft?

Introducing LYNKtec's New Must-Have Accessory - The Artist Paintbrush Tip!

For all the digital artists out there, LYNKtec introduces the Artist Paintbrush Tip!  This new accessory for your TruGlide Pro Stylus is compatible with all drawing apps and capacitive touchscreens.  The bristles are made with conductive synthetic fibers, and the responsiveness is truly impressive.  Digital artists and painting enthusiasts will enjoy a high-quality drawing experience with this new tip.  Simply unscrew your TruGlide Pro's fiber stylus tip, screw the paintbrush tip in its place, and you are ready to create a fabulous work of art on your tablet.

TruGlide Pro Stylus with Artist Paintbrush Tip

A new metal carrying case is available as well.  The lightweight, hard-shelled carrying case contains a foam insert with three slots for your TruGlide Pro Stylus, a spare stylus tip, and the artist paintbrush tip.  This case provides easy storage and great protection for your drawing tools everywhere you go.

The TruGlide Pro Stylus is available for $29.95.  The Artist Paintbrush Tip by itself is available for $14.95, and the Metal Carrying Case is $4.95.  However....

LYNKtec is offering some amazing specials in honor of the new release!

Artist Paintbrush Tip with Metal Carrying Case | $14.95

Interchangeable capacitive paintbrush accessory for use with the TruGlide Pro Stylus (sold separately). The 3-inch threaded tip securely fastens to the Pro barrel to provide a beautifully balanced 5.8-inch stylus brush.  Includes case for 

                                                                                    stylus and brush ($4.95 value!).

  

TruGlide Pro Stylus & Artist Paintbrush Tip Bundle | $39.95

For those of you who have not yet tried our popular Pro Stylus, get this nifty bundle at a deal!  Includes one (1) TruGlide Pro Precision Stylus, one (1) Artist Paintbrush Tip, and one (1) Metal Carrying Case ($49.85 value!).

The Artist Paintbrush Tip has already received some excellent reviews....

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First Looks: LYNKtec Artist Paintbrush Tip by iLounge

TruGlide Pro Precision Stylus by Combo Apps

What's the Best iPad Stylus for Touch Screen Tablets? by About.com 

LYNKtec Paintbrush Tip for iPad Drawing by Mac Observer 

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Head over to LYNKtec.com to get your brand new, must-have, tech accessory - the Artist Paintbrush Tip!