Features of Today's Top Website Builders

When it comes to building a website, today's designers have a staggering amount of choices in terms of design tools. You no longer need to have any knowledge of coding or web design to get started. Some of the most popular tools include blogging and website builder platforms, which allow casual users to create and publish a unique website in the span of an afternoon. Yet these feature vastly different levels of control and customization for the designer. While any good program will equip you with templates and web hosting services, the best website builder will allow content management, precise layout customization, and other specific features.

Fully Customizable Templates

One of the primary benefits of using a website builder for beginners is the availability of design templates. Yet this same benefit can be a problem for designers with a bit more experience, because it may be limiting. Some website builders will offer you a few dozen templates to choose from, only allowing you to change variables like colours, fonts, and patterns. If you want more control over your website's design, you'll want to look for a comprehensive program that offers you the ability to create custom backgrounds, change margins, and apply features like rounded corners or gradients if you wish.  

Ecommerce Functions

Website builders like Shopify and Yola are set up to enable online sales. These are good options for business owners, freelancers, or bloggers who wish to expand into sales and marketing. When comparing ecommerce sites, look at the types of payment gateways each offers as well as inventory management functions. The best options will present products in organized categories, have an easy to use checkout system, and will send you alerts when a new sale is made for timely shipping.

Social Media Integration

No matter what type of website you're setting up, you'll want to be able to link it with your social networking profiles. Programs like Weebly and Webs offer full social media integration along with web hosting. Look for features such as the ability to place social media buttons directly on the blog, cross-post content, and set up user forums for your clients or audience.

User Support

The best platforms will offer technical support to help you get your newly created website off the ground. If you have little prior knowledge of coding or web design, it's important to choose a platform that gives some degree of assistance. The best will offer FAQ and troubleshooting sections, online tutorials, and a customer support section where you can get direct answers for any questions you might have.  

In the end, the right platform will depend on your personal needs and design experience. Those who have some technical experience or training will want to find a website builder with more room for creativity in the design, while beginners will want a more comprehensive user support system. The best options will be both flexible and user-friendly, for professional, swift results.

BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 now up for download (video)

BlackBerry's just served up fresh tools to replace its Mobile Fusion brand and help businesses manage employee phones: BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10. BES 10, which is now available for download, not only supports the upcoming fleet of BB 10 phones and existing BlackBerry hardware, but Android and iOS devices as well. With the software, businesses can use a web-based interface to manage applications and data on company-issued devices or personal hardware that's welcomed into the fold. Also, Heins and Co. are baking in their BlackBerry Balance tech to help separate data and apps between work and personal life. Hit the break for a brief glimpse of BES 10 in action and more details in the press release.

[Source: Engadget]

Surface Pro out on 9 February for $899, UK may have to wait

Microsoft's Surface Pro -- the version of its Surface tablet that runs fullWindows 8 -- will be on sale in a matter of weeks in the US and Canada.

The powerful tablet will cost from $899 -- £570 -- when it goes on sale on 9 February, but other nations may be left waiting, as the Verge reports that additional countries will "follow in the coming weeks and months".

That means Brits keen to get their mitts on Microsoft's kit may be waiting a while longer. That's frustrating news for UK gadget fans who may have held off buying the already-released Surface RT tablet, in the hope of snapping up the full-fat model.

The first Surface, which was released in November to faint applause, can only install software via Microsoft's own app store, which makes it a poor laptop replacement (though it does cost a more palatable £399).

The Surface Pro, on the other hand, will let you install anything you like, and also packs an Intel Core i5 processor and a 1,920x1,080-pixel screen. It's heavier than the Surface RT though, and a little thicker at 13.5mm.

While Windows 8 has an attractive new interface, it's fair to say it hasn't set the world on fire since it was released towards the end of last year. Microsoft annoyed some of its hardware partners by deciding to make its own tablet, and Samsung canned its Ativ Tab device, blaming Microsoft for not explaining Windows RT properly. Acer has also stuck its Windows RT tablets on hold.

In other words, Microsoft could probably use a big win right now, and perhaps a cuddle too. Neither are likely to be forthcoming if shoppers have to wait ages before they can snap up the Surface Pro, however.

[Source: CNET]

EE launches limited edition 4G price plans - budget £31 contract and 20GB 'super-user' plans

When EE (Everything Everywhere) first launched its 4G LTE service in the UK, two common complaints focused on the price of its subsidized smartphone contracts and the 8GB ceiling for data allowances. Today it seems the carrier's ready to test the water with some more adventurous price plans, as for a limited time it'll offer a budget-centric £31 per month, 24-month deal, along with a new "super-user" contracts with 20GB of data per month. 

The £31 per month plan costs £5 per month less than EE's cheapest standard contract, and will be available to customers from Jan. 31 to Mar. 31. Like all of EE's smartphone-inclusive plans, it runs for 24 months and includes unlimited calls and texts. Phones offered on the £31 plan will include the HTC One SV (check out our review) and the Windows Phone-powered Nokia Lumia 820, so there's a clearly a focus on entry-level hardware here.

But it's the second limited edition contract that'll probably be of interest to Android Central readers. For £46 per month on a 12-month, SIM-only contract, EE's offering a whopping 20GB of data per month. Alternatively, customers can get the new 20GB deal with a subsidized smartphone on a 24-month, £61 per month contract. The 20GB plans will be available in stores from today until Feb. 28, EE says.

In addition, EE says it's introducing a new 8GB, 12-month SIM-only plan costing £41 per month.

Due to its current monopoly over 4G LTE in the UK, EE's prices remain higher than rival networks. But the company will be hoping that this diversification of its range of price plans will help it scoop up some additional customers before rival networks launch their LTE services later this year.

Any UK readers tempted by EE's new tariffs? Let us know in the comments.

[Source: AndroidCentral]

Microsoft Unleashes New SDK So Older Apps Work With Windows Phone 7.8

Microsoft on Tuesday made a new Windows Phone SDK available to developers so their WP7.1 and 7.5 apps will play nice with Windows Phone 7.8. Basically, the biggest aspect developers will need to tweak is adding support for adjustable Live Tiles, which is a hallmark feature of Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 7.8.

The upcoming update to 7.8 isn’t as feature packed as WP8, which resides on devices such as the Lumia 920 and HTC 8X, but it’s certainly a nice addition for older handsets. Hopefully this means that Windows Phone 7.8 will be made widely available soon.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

New Kodak Branded Micro Four Thirds Cameras

ROCHESTER, N.Y., January 07 -- Eastman Kodak Company and JK Imaging, Ltd. today announced that they have entered into a multi-year agreement for JK Imaging to license the Kodak brand name for certain consumer products, including digital cameras, pocket video cameras, and portable projectors. JK Imaging plans to launch its first products in the second quarter of 2013.

“Kodak remains a strong and trustworthy brand in the consumer space and this agreement reinforces how valuable our brand is,” said Laura Quatela, President of Kodak and Personalized Imaging. “When we announced our plan to exit the digital camera business last year, we said we would explore licensing opportunities for the brand in this category. The JK Imaging team has global experience and expertise in the industry.”

JK Imaging’s CEO, Joe Atick, is chairman of JA Capital Holdings, a global supplier specializing in consumer imaging and electronics products. Atick said, “Our decision to license the globally-recognized Kodak brand from Eastman Kodak Company was a natural fit. With more than a century of imaging firsts, there is great significance and value in the Kodak name. We intend to continue this legacy and bring to market the next generation of ‘must have’ portable, personal electronics that enhance the lives of consumers worldwide.”

Terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

Mozilla reveals Firefox OS Developer Preview Phone

Mozilla said it won't be launching its own hardware to run the in-development Firefox OS when it's finished, but the company has just announced a "Developer Preview Phone" for putting the OS through its paces. It's not quite the same as the mystery device we saw sporting Firefox OS at CES, but its specs seem almost as basic. The handset will feature a 3.5-inch HVGA touchscreen and 3-megapixel camera on the outside, with a 1GHz Snapdragon S1 CPU, half a gig of RAM, 4GB of microSD-expandable storage and WiFi, 2G and 3G antennae inside. Sure, that processor isn't a beast, but an 800MHz S1 does just fine in the Lumia 610. A 1580mAh battery will keep the carrier-unlocked phone running, and Mozilla is promising OTA updates to Firefox OS to keep devs, well, up to date. At the moment, we have no idea how much the phone will cost, but the first units are expected to be available next month.

The developer handset is called the Keon, according to creator Geekphone's website, and while not mentioned in the Mozilla Hacks blog post, it appears to have a more powerful cousin called the Peak. It's got a 4.3-inch qHD screen, 8-megapixel back-facing camera (with flash) and 2-megapixel shooter round the front. A 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 CPU and larger 1800mAh battery are within, but storage, RAM and connectivity specs are the same as the smaller Keon. Mozilla may not be formally promoting this as its own dev handset, but it was still included in the picture which accompanied the announcement (see above: the Keon is in orange, the Peak in white). We're getting in contact with Mozilla to clarify, and will update you when we hear back.

[Source: Engadget]

Phones4U to launch own virtual mobile network using EE's infrastructure

'LIFE Mobile' to launch 3G service this March, 4G later

British phone retailer Phones4U has announced it's to get into the network operator game through a new virtual network operated on EE's infrastructure. The new "LIFE Mobile" network is scheduled to launch this March, with 2G and 3G services being offered at first, followed by 4G LTE options later in the year. EE is, of course, currently the only operator to offer 4G services to British consumers.

Phones4U has not yet revealed details of pricing on the new service provider, but says it'll offer "variety of tariffs and services" with a "broad appeal" to consumers.

According to today's press release, the deal with Phones4U brings EE's total number of MVNO partners up to 25. Phones4U's biggest domestic rival, the Carphone Warehouse, already operates its own virtual network, Talkmobile, through a partnership with Vodafone UK.

[Source: AndroidCentral]

DmC Devil May Cry Tops the UK Charts

Capcom can finally wave their nice big “I told you so!” flag. DmC Devil May Cry is officially a hit worldwide after it toppled FIFA 13 from the top of the UK weekly sales charts. FIFA 13 had been king of the hill for several weeks, but it seems that the allure of Ninja Theory’s reboot to the demon slaying series was just too much.

DmC Devil May Cry marks the first time since Resident Evil 5 back in 2009 that an all format game has reached the number one spot on the list.

For the last several months, FIFA 13 and Call of Duty: Black Ops II have been duking it out for supremacy with the occasional new release shaking up the list every now and then. The last game to seriously contend with FIFA 13 was Far Cry 3, which debuted at number 2, and that has now dropped to the fourth.

For those interested in gaming habits across the pond, here is the entire top 20 list.

1. DmC: Devil May Cry
2. FIFA 13
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
4. Far Cry 3
5. Need for Speed: Most Wanted
6. Just Dance 4
7. Football Manager 2013
8. Hitman: Absolution
9. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
10. Assassin’s Creed 3
11. LEGO The Lord of the Rings
12. WWE ’13
13. Dishonored
14. Sonic and All Stars Racing Transformed
15. Skylanders Giants
16. Forze Motorsport 4
17. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
18. Medal of Honor: Warfighter
19. NBA 2K13
20. Borderlands 2

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

HMV Canada owner takes control of HMV UK in attempt to rescue troubled chain

HMV's 91-year long tenure on the British high street might not be coming to an end after all, as HMV Canada's owner has mounted a rescue attempt. The rescuer in this instance is Hilco, which previously picked up Polaroid's brand and paired it with famous insolvency specialist Lady Gaga. BBC News is reporting that Hilco scored a cut-price rate on the £176 million ($278.8 million) corporate debt and has already received cheering words from the film and music industry. After a bout of uncertainty, HMV has also said it'll once again accept gift cards in its stores.

[Image credit: London Express / Getty Images]

[Source: Engadget]

Temple Run 2 Reaches 20 Million Downloads in Only Four Days

In just four days Temple Run 2, the follow up to the incredibly popular endless runner, has garnered over 20 million downloads in the iOS App Store alone. Not only that, but despite being free, it’s already become one of the highest grossing apps because of in-app purchases. People sure do love buying little knick-knack things.

To show just how incredible Temple Run has been for Imangi Studios, an app like Angry Birds Space amassed 10 million downloads over a three day period—and that was across multiple platforms. Temple Run 2 hasn’t even hit Android yet. 

This is one of those cases where a simple (and old) idea was executed to perfection. There’s nothing particularly innovative about either game, but they’re entertaining as heck, and perfect time wasters.

[Source: TechnoBuffalo]

Red and blue PlayStation 3 variants to hit Japan next month

Sony's current console line up a little too monochrome for your taste? Look towards the sunrise -- a more colorful PlayStation is about to arrive in Japan. Starting next month, Japanese gamers will be able to decorate their living room with PS3s in "garnet red" and "azurite blue." Sony says the colorful variants will be available in limited quantities when they launch on February 28th, packing a 250GB HDD and priced at ¥24,980 ($279). The colors appeared in Europe over the weekend, too -- flaunting 500GB HDD and a €330 (about $440) sticker price on Amazon.de. No word on North American availability, though we wouldn't be surprised to see it show up in a bundle somewhere down the road.

[Source: Engadget]