Asus’ Transformer TF101 is one of the most popular non-iPad tablets on the market right now and is available for just $399.00. That is $100 less than the lowest prices iPad 2. There is also an optional keyboard available for $150.00 that turns the tablet into a virtual notebook.

The tablet runs the latest version of Android, Honeycomb 3.2, has a 2 1.0GHz dual-core CPU, and a multi-touch 10.1-inch display. The display has an ultra-wide 178-degree viewing angle and is made from scratch resistant Gorilla glass.

The Transformer TF101 also has a 1.2-megapixel front and a 5-megapixel rear camera that can record video, a mini HDMI port, and has sensors like GPS and Gyroscope.

The tablet only supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity though so there is no need for a data plan. The Transformer comes in two sizes, 16 GB that will set you back just $399 and a 32 GB model that costs $599.

A keyboard is available for the Transformer for $150.00 and basically turns the tablet into a notebook. The keyboard has a full QWERTY keyboard, a touchpad, 3.5mm audio jack and two USB ports. It also has a built-in SD Card reader that makes the tablet storage expandable up to an extra 32 GB.

According to Asus, the docking station also extends the Transformer’s 9.5 hours of battery life up to 16 hours when connected.  Other than an impressive battery life, the coolest feature of the tablet is that the keyboard folds up like a laptop when it’s connected.

The Bottom Line

Thinking about getting a tablet for your real estate business? The Transformer TF101 is a good entry level tablet and while it is aggressively priced, it is not missing any key features you might need. The optional keyboard, while a bit pricey, is a great addition that can turn it into a streamlined notebook while adding additional battery life.

The Transformer has received good reviews in the past few months and was named one of the best Android tablets by PC Magazine in July.

Check out Asus.com for more information about the tablet.

Images via Asus.

Apple released three new products Wednesday, Lion, their new operating system for desktop and laptops, a faster Macbook Air, and a new Mac Mini.

Today we are going to take a look at Apple’s miniature desktops, the Mac Mini. They are twice as fast as the old ones and start at just $599.99.

Mac Mini Prices

There are three models to choose from:

• 2.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 Mac mini with 2GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive and a starting price tag of $599. Optional 8GB memory and 750GB hard drive.
• 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 Mac mini with 4GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive and a starting price tag of $799. Optional 2.7GHz dual-core Core i7 processor, up to 8GB of memory, and a 750GB hard drive or 256GB solid state drive.
• 2.0 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 Mac mini with Lion Server, 4GB of RAM, dual 500GB hard drives and a starting price of $999. Optional 8GB memory, two 750GB hard drives, or up to two 256GB solid state drives.

The $999.00 model comes with Lion Server. The Lion Server might be good solution for your real estate business. It lets you add an unlimited number of Mac and PC users without per-user licensing fees to help you collaborate and share information and documents.

All three models ship with Lion, Apple’s new operating system.

Mac Mini Size

The new mini is small enough to fit on any desk. It measures just 7.7 inches square and is just 1.4 inches thin.

Mac Mini Features

The Mac Minis lost their optical drive but each has a built in Thunderbolt port, Apple’s ultra fast new standard for peripherals and monitors. Thunderbolt port lets you connect up to six Thunderbolt devices.

They include an HDMI port that allows you connect it to a big screen TV.

Each Mac Mini includes the latest 802.11n wireless technology letting you surf, print, or stream music, and Bluetooth so you can connect your wireless keyboard and mouse.

The Minis have a removable bottom panel that makes it really easy to upgrade its memory. Just twist the panel open, put in new memory, and your done.

Also new is that the Mac mini now has its power supply completely built-in. This means no more power brick.

The Bottom Line

The Mac Mini seems to be a good buy at the starting price of $600.

While it doesn’t come with a keyboard, mouse, or monitor, you can use whatever peripherals you already have. Just plug in a minitor, keyboard, and mouse that you already have, turn it on, and just like that, everything works together. You might need to purchase an adapter, like the Apple Mini DVI to VGA Adaptor, to connect a VGA monitor to the Mini.

The new Mac Minis do not have an optical drive. This might be a deal breaker for some, but do you really need one? I honestly can’t remember the last time I purchased software, music, or a movie on a CD or DVD.

If you are a PC and looking to slowly transition to a Mac, the Mac Mini might be the way to go. Check out Apple.com/macmini for more information.

YouTube has released an experimental interface codenamed Cosmic Panda. Videos, playlists and channels have a cleaner interface and darker theme. Content creators will appreciate the removal of some of the clutter that makes it easier to focus on the video.

With nearly 8 years of video uploaded and 3 billion views logged every day on YouTube, it’s clear you like to watch and share YouTube videos. While you’re watching your favorite or new videos, we at the ‘Tube are obsessing night and day over how those videos are presented. Our team is constantly experimenting, tweaking and playing with new ways to make your experience exactly what you’re looking for.via YouTube

So how does Cosmic Panda compare to the older interface?

Older Interface Vs. Cosmic Panda

Channels now have a darker background and have a large thumbnail for each video. The bigger thumbnail looks good but you now have to scroll down the page to view additional videos. There is also a link to featured videos, all videos, and comments at the top of the page.

Original YouTube Channel

Here’s what browsing a channel in Cosmic Panda looks like:

Video playlists have a new design with a black background and the video is front and center with distractions minimized. Playlists now have a widescreen look and Cosmic Panda makes it very easy to go from from episode to episode. The video title has also been  moved to just below the video.

Original YouTube Playlist:

:

And here’s what the playlist viewing experience looks like in Cosmic Panda:

If you have a YouTube channel, you can choose from between four layout options. They are all based on the idea of horizontal strips below the main video instead of down the side.

You can Cosmic Panda by visiting youtube.com/cosmicpanda. If you don’t like it you can disable it from YouTube’s control panel.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the redesign is less cluttered and appears to be more focused on content, which is good for anyone who hosts their videos on YouTube.

I would like to see more options to customize channel pages with background images and color schemes. Hopefully this feature will be added in the future.

Give it a try for yourself and tell us what you think in the comments!

What Do You Love is a project by Google that presents search results in a unique way while showcasing all of the services they offer, and they offer a lot.

When you go to WDYL.com, you are greeted with a simple search box where the search button is a heart. It returns search results for more than 20 different Google services including Image Search, Alerts, Trends, and Patents (did you know Google had a patent search?).

Each result and service is presented in a separate box. You can click the button in the upper right corner of the box and go directly to the chosen service.

Search for “Real Estate” and you’ll find real estate photos, can explore real estate in 3D with Google Sketchup, watch real estate videos, find books about real estate, search Google Maps for real estate, search real estate blogs, and even start a blog with Blogger.

The internet is a crowded place. Search for real estate and you get a lot of different results from all kinds of websites. WDYL.com is a unique way to help narrow your search (do you want real estate trends or real estate videos) while showing off all of the services that Google offers.

The Bottom Line

I’ll be searching the web with WDYL.com over the next few days to see what kind of results I get. What about you? Have you tried it yet?

Is this something that might be useful or a shameless promotion of Google services?

Head over to WDYL.com and try it for yourself.

Zillow has launched an iPhone app that gives real time mortgage rates, lets you estimate your mortgage payments, and calculate how much home you can afford. Click HERE if you can not see the embedded video above.

Imagine stepping through the door of that perfect home for sale – it’s easy to get caught up in how to decorate and arrange the furniture. Meanwhile, affordability concerns and financing options end up on the back burner.  But, with the Zillow Mortgage Marketplace App literally in your hand, you can put your home purchase options up front and in context with your overall financial situation. The app can help you decide how much house you would feel comfortable buying, plus it can calculate how much income you’ll have left over after paying your mortgage. via Zillow

When you launch the app, you’ll see a chart showing the performance of the 30-year fixed rate and links to several calculators, Payment Calculator, Affordability Calculator, and Refinance Calculator.

The iPhone app also lets you anonymously get personalized loan quotes through their Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, lock in a rate, and get pre-approved.

The Bottom Line

The app was easy to use and gave rates and calculations quickly. There is a slid bar you can drag to set values like purchase price or income. The bar is very short and it was much easier to tap the value and type in the amount rather than using the slide bar.

Overall it is worth checking out if you are in the market for a new home and want to calculate your payments quickly using the latest interest rates.

The app is Free and available only for the iPhone: iTunes Link.

Apple officially unveiled iOS 5 yesterday at its Worldwide Developers Conference. While there are over 200 new features coming to iOS devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch), we are going to highlight the top 6 that are especially useful to the real estate industry.

1. Notifications

iOS 5 includes a new Notification Center that will replace the annoying popups that appear of the screen and then disappear. You will now be able to view all of your notifications from one central location and even view your messages without having to unlock your phone. Tap on any message and it will automatically take you to that application. It not only includes app notification, but mini-widgets that show live information from apps like Weather.

2. iMessage

Sending and receiving text messages can be expensive. Free text messages is one reason why REbliss recommends using Google Voice.

iMessage will not fully replace text messages but does let you to send unlimited text messages, photos, and videos to other iOS 5 devices. Because it works between all iOS 5 devices, you can leave conversations on your iPhone and continue them in your iPad.

Other features include group messaging, an indicator to see if someone is typing to you, delivery and read receipts, and secure encryption. iMessage will work on 3G and Wi-Fi networks.

3. Reminders

The new reminder app will sync between your iOS 5 devices and your Max OS X desktop or notebook. The best feature about the app is that it is location aware. Do you need to make a phone call or send an email as soon as you get into the office? The app can remind you to do something when you arrive or leave a destination allowing you to stay productive while on the go.

4. Wi-Fi sync

If you take a lot photos and videos with your iPhone you probably now how painful it can be to sync your iPhone with iTunes. There a numerous apps available that let you sync your iPhone to your computer over Wi-Fi but now this functionality if built into the operating system.

With iOS 5 you will no longer have to plug into your computer to backup and sync your device. Just plug your device into the power cord within range of your Wi-Fi network and it will backup and sync automatically.

5. Twitter Integration

Still not sure if you should be using Twitter in your real estate business? iOS5 integrates Twitter everywhere, in the camera app, to your contacts, and even the YouTube, Safari, and Maps app will support direct sharing via Twitter.

Will Apple’s Twitter integration finally convince you to sign up or start using Twitter?

6. New Camera App and Photos

The new camera app is a welcome addition to anyone who takes a lot of photos and videos with their iPhone. iOS 5 gives you immediate access to the camera right from the lock screen. This will make it much easier to take photos quickly.

The most exciting feature is that you can now use the volume button to take photos. If you haven’t used an app with the volume button feature to take photos you will be surprised by how much you will like this feature.

Introducing iOS 5

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

The Bottom Line

While many of the new features of iOS 5 are already available on Android, Palm or Windows Phone 7 phones, they will make iOS devices much more productive.

The new notification center is a great way to keep track of all of your messages in one convenient location, iMessage will let your real estate business chat with groups of co-workers, clients, or friends at one time, and the new reminders app will let you stay productive with its location based reminders.

iOS 5 will also include multitasking gestures for the iPad, hourly weather forecasts, Wi-Fi sync with iTunes, a split keyboard for the iPad, a new iPad music app, an iTunes ringtone store, AirPlay mirroring for the iPad 2, a personal dictionary, alternate routes in Maps, Emoji emoticons, and custom vibration patterns.

If you are a developer, you can preview iOS 5 now, everyone else will have to wait until July when it is officially released.

Visit apple.com for more information about iOS 5.

Until recently, when you searched the internet, your search results were based on links and keywords. That is all changing. Not only does your internet social circle affect your search results in Google, Bing now incorporates what your Facebook friends “Like” into your search results.

Bing search results will show not only what your Facebook friends like, but what was liked by people you don’t even know. Bing is leveraging the opinions of everyone around the web to bring you relevant search results.

Bing will actually reorder search results based on friends’ Likes (in other words, your friend’s recommendations won’t just be relegated to a standalone widget, they’ll influence the Ten Blue Links). If you run a query that matches information in a friend’s profile (but not necessarily their ‘Likes’) then Bing might show a link to their profile too. Via TechCrunch.

Here is a snapshot of how it works:

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Why does this matter to real estate professionals?

Would you rather ask a stranger or a friend for advice about hiring a real estate agent, appraiser or home inspector?

• When someone searches Bing for Real Estate or a service like home inspections, your company website or blog will show how many people like it. This could help drive new traffic and build trust.
• Your Facebook profile might show up in the search results if your friends search for Real Estate.
• Families moving to your town could see your social network profile next to links about school systems, local attractions, and restaurants.

Search is now more than just links and SEO. Search is about relationships.

How to get started with Bing Social Search

Step 1. Go to Bing.com

Step 2. Log in with your Facebook username and password.

That is it. Your Facebook friends will now help power your internet search results.

You can also install the Bing Bar. It is free and lets you “Like” any webpage you view and gives access to Facebook, email, weather and more.

Download the Bing Bar at toolbar.discoverbing.com.

Hands on with Bing’s new social search

None of my Facebook friends had liked any real estate related pages but I did search Bing for my hometown “Warner Robins’” and saw results based on my friends “Likes”.

Don’t worry, your search results won’t be hidden under a ton of Facebook “Likes”. According to an article in Fast Company, Bing’s social search is just getting started. Stefan Weitz, director at Bing, told Fast Company that Microsoft has plans to bring in social signals from other sites, such as Twitter, Yelp and more.

Bing isn’t the only one interested in the opinions of your social network.

Google’s search results rely on Twitter data and then secondarily on sources like personal blogging platforms. While it is missing Facebook, your social network matters to Google too. Click here to learn more about Google’s social search and why it is important to real estate professionals.

Bottom Line

Bing is mining data from social networks to make search results for relevant. Your network is becoming more important and impacts all of your searches. Your network could also help drive your blog or website to the front page of Bing’s and Google’s search results.

Every real estate professional needs to start expanding their reach and connections, not only on Facebook, but on Twitter, Yelp, and any other popular social network.

Learn more about social search at social.discoverbing.com.

Have you ever wanted to turn on your lights with your smartphone or turn off the A/C after you had already walked out the door? Google is making home automation a lot easier with Android @ Home, which was introduced at its I/O conference.

Google describes your home as a network of accessories and Android @ Home is the operating system for your home.

At the center of Android @ Home is your Android device. The Android OS will include new services that allow Android apps to discover, connect, and communicate with appliances and devices in your home over Wi-Fi. What about appliances that can’t communicate over Wi-Fi? Google has developed and open wireless protocol that allows Android devices to talk to them.

This new protocol will allow your Android device to talk to anything electrical, lights, alarm clocks, thermostats, etc. Every electrical device in your house has the potential to communicate with Android @ Home.

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Android @ Home will consist of a series of open source libraries which developers will be able to use to create home automation apps on the Android platform. Any device plugged into an Android @ Home receiver will work with Android’s automation API’s. via Gizmodo

How Can You use This New Technology?

The obvious use would be to control the lights, thermostat, and the garage door in your house. But Android @ Home can talk to everything that is electric.

• You could have your bedroom lights slowly brighten when your alarm clock goes off.
• Your thermostat and sprinkler system could be connected to a weather app so they run differently depending on the weather.
• You could program all of your doors to lock and lights turn off when you close your garage door.
• You could get a text or tweet every time your office light is turned on.

The possibilities are endless.

How Far Away Is Android @ Home?

While is might be a while until it is widely adopted, Google is partnering with several companies to help make Android @ Home a reality.

Lighting Science will manufacture the first LED light bulb and switches that connect to Android @ Home and they should be available by the end of the year.

The Bottom Line

Home automation isn’t new but it will become more popular with a company like Google behind it. And becuase it uses an open wireless protocol, developers will be able to create just about anything with it.

What would you like to automate in your house?

Google Goggles is a visual search application that lets you search the web by taking a photo. Launch the app, take a picture of an object, a book cover for example, and Google will return with search results for the book, all without typing.

Google Goggles for Android received an update that brings new features including better business card recognition. Not only does the update improve the text recognition, but it also pulls the info out of the card to make it really easy to add that person as a contact.

Business card recognition is one of the most popular uses of Google Goggles, so we’re rolling out some new updates to make the experience even quicker and easier. Additionally, instead of simply recognizing the content as text, Goggles now recognizes the information as a contact, making it easier to add to your phone’s contact list. via Google

The update also brings a few other features including enhanced search history with notes support. Now when you take a picture with Google Goggles, you can add a note to the photo. That note is private to you and is searchable within your personal history.

Google Goggles is a fun way to search the web and works with text, landmarks, books, contact info, artwork, wine, and logos.

The Google Goggles update is available for Android 1.6+ devices. Download it in the Android Market: Android Market Link.

While the newest update is only available for Android, Google Goggles is also available for iPhones, Blackberry, and several other phones.

How long before Google Goggles becomes the visual search tool for real estate? Image taking a photo of a house and Google returning the age, square feet, lot size, bedroom/bathroom count, and the last sales price. It is not that far off. The app could use your phone’s GPS to determine your location and most of the data about the house is already available on web for free. This would be an amazing way to search for real estate.

The Bottom Line

There are numerous apps available for digitizing business card you receive. This latest update will be useful if you use Google to store your business contacts.

How do you store the business cards you receive?

a la mode has released a free appraisal app in the Android Market.

The app allows appraisers to fill out the appraisal form including subject and comparable property photos all from the device. The app also includes a voice-to-text input feature to make data collection even easier.

Once the data is collected, the file can by synced with the desktop version of the software, WinTOTAL or TOTAL. All of this should save the appraiser time by allowing data to be gathered and entered from the field.

The app is compatible with phones and tablet devices running Android 2.1 and higher.

This initial release includes all the field data gathering tools found in previous versions of DaVinci that will save you tons of time on each report. Filling out onsite inspection forms is done with a few taps of your finger, and every data gathering screen is completely customizable to fit your individual workflow. By creating QuickLists that sync back and forth to your desktop copy of WinTOTAL or TOTAL 2011, you can virtually eliminate redundant typing in the field. You can sync files started in WinTOTAL or TOTAL right to your Android phone or tablet, or begin a new report onsite. via a la mode labs

DaVinci for Android on an HTC Inspire 4G

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Screenshots of the Android App

Photos via a la mode.

Bottom Line

The app looks really good. I really like the voice-to-text input and voice notes function.

If you have an android phone or tablet you should definitely download the app and try it out, even if you don’t use a la mode’s appraisal software. It is free to download in the Android Market. DaVinci Android Link.

a la mode also has an iPhone and iPad app. DaVinci for iOS already has more than 100,000 users.

According to their website, they have not immediate plans to develop a Blackberry or Windows Phone version of the app.