iPad Application for Newsday

Long Island information is now available to you 24/7 with its new iPad application. For a limited time, users can get access to subscriber-only content and receive up-to-the minute breaking news, entertainment and much more.

Released on August 13th, this iPad application integrates video, offers weather and traffic alerts plus you can actually watch long island’s traffic cameras to assist as you navigate your morning and evening commutes. Developers of this application created a feature where the user can customize news stories by simply entering their zip code.

As of June 2010, there are more than 225,000 third-party applications available for both the iPhone and iPad. Many of these apps replace the need for users to turn on their computers and login into sites such as Newsday.com in order to retrieve up-to-date information. News coverage is right in the palm of your hand. With the click of a single button, users have access to local news on the go. The new application for Newsday has a feature that allows its viewers to share late-breaking news on social networking sites. Within seconds, news stories can be shared on facebook and retweeted to followers on twitter. This is valuable to Newsday because they no longer have to solely rely on their efforts to spread the news, their committed readers are now able to share breaking stories, weather alerts and more to thousands instantly.

This application is available for free on iTunes and is compatible with the iPad and iPod Touch. For iPhone users, it requires the 0S3.2 version or later.. Therefore, if you don’t have time to login to your computer before work or school but want to be kept abreast of the latest news, weather and traffic information, this iPad application just might be for you. Photo courtesy of iTunes.

Tweet

The Impact of Social Networking on Relationships

I’ve come to realize that while social networking has great advantages, if not used wisely, it has the potential to hurt people and destroy relationships. People use social sites to articulate their anger, frustration and disappointments in life and people. It is often the tool for character assassination and intimidation. Such sites are used for a variety of purposes and entrepreneurs and employees alike have successfully used it as a platform used to elevate their brands to higher levels of public awareness. Have we become “hooked on social sites?” Do we spend more time building meaningless online friendships than we do strengthening personal relationships and friendships? If your mate/spouse, children or even career are competing for your time then it’s time to reevaluate your priorities.

Many of us have allowed social sites to desensitize us to matters of the heart and relationships that truly require our time and energy. Some social networking experts believe at the recent Enterprise 2.0 conference, there was some discussion that social networking is having a negative impact on our relationships. Personally speaking, I agree with the notion that if allowed, social networking can have a negative impact on relationships. I’ve had the unfortunate opportunity to observe friends and loved ones become so addicted to social networking; it affected their personal relationships. I’ll even go the extra mile and say that some have grown insensitive to personal needs of others. There are times when I take a much-needed break from Facebook by temporarily deactivating my account. It allows me the time to keep my social networking goals in perspective and not allow myself to become too obsessed with this online technology. Below are some suggestions on how to maintain a healthy dependence on social sites:

• Identify usage time for social networking
• Establish and maintain boundaries and don’t allow the friends you meet interfere with your personal relationships
• Set a clear goal for social networking. Will you use it to meet friends, professional networking, connect with old friends, etc.
• Don’t use social sites to embarrass, criticize or demean others (some things should still be kept private)
• Don’t allow your time on social sites to monopolize time away from your mate/spouse, children or school
• Know when it’s time to take a break. Turn off your computer, go for a walk, a drive, or read a book.

We must remember to maintain balance in all things. Let’s not be so consumed with online social networking that we neglect the people in our lives. Know when it’s time to close the laptop and just spend personal, quality time with friends and loved ones.

Tweet