2020 - FTC-I

Dec

22

2020

How to Create a Memoji on an iPhone

Regular text and email users (and most everybody else by now, really) are likely familiar with emoji. These wildly popular images, symbols and icons are regularly used in text messages and emails, and they offer a simple way to quickly and succinctly express emotions, thoughts and other information with just a few clicks. Adding to their popularity, emoji recently took on a more personal touch. With the 2019 release of its then-new iOS 13, Apple upped the emoji game with the “memoji,” which allow users of Apple devices to create their own personalized avatar with facial features like their own,...

Dec

07

2020

5 Sought-After Features in a Portable Bluetooth Speaker — and Some Top Models That Deliver Them

For today’s music lovers, modern technology has made pursuing sonic passions much easier and more convenient than in past eras of musical recordings. Case in point: A serious fan’s entire music collection, including days’ or even months’ worth of albums and tracks, can now be stored right on a smartphone and carried around in a pocket or purse, accessible at any time and from anywhere with just a few swipes and clicks. And for those who subscribe to streaming music services, virtual libraries filled with millions of artists, albums and songs can be accessed at home or on the go...

Dec

04

2020

FTC to Utilize New Vendor for Directory

FTC is transitioning the development of its directory, including its yellow pages, to the nation’s largest and oldest directory publisher of rural telephone cooperatives. Vivial, formerly known as the Berry Company and based out of Dayton, OH, will be taking over for Data Publishing, which produced the FTC “phone book” for the past decade. Dent Adams, FTC’s chief operating officer-subsidiaries, leads the division that oversees the directory. “Change is never easy, but we just found it was the perfect time for us, and we are excited about this partnership,” Adams said. “We conducted an exhaustive search and chose Vivial because...

Nov

25

2020

4 tech tools that support touchless and low-touch payments

In a business environment that has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the array of efforts being taken to prevent the spread of the virus, few areas in the retail and hospitality arenas have seen as much change as the payment process. In addition to mask-wearing protocols and the installation of plexiglass dividers at checkout in an effort to keep both consumers and workers safe, the ways people actually pay for their products is also seeing fundamental changes the world over. Among the most popular ways businesses are keeping customer-worker contact to a minimum and safety precautions at...

Nov

18

2020

What is the CPRA, and what does it mean for businesses?

Upon going into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) sent shock waves across the online business and marketing worlds by ushering in the nation’s toughest consumer-geared digital privacy protections. For many enterprises doing in-person or online business in California (and even for some whose websites were simply visited by California consumers), it created a host of new requirements regarding the collection and use of consumers’ personal data. For businesses meeting certain thresholds defined in the law, it required making revisions to their websites and other digital assets, including updating their privacy policies, preparing to respond...

Nov

17

2020

5 Holiday Movies That Can Brighten the Season

The holidays are known for endearing traditions with abundant family time, fun gift exchanges, festive decorations and nearly nonstop feasting high on the list of highlights for many Americans. Another American tradition during the time of year when the weather outside gets frightful and families are looking to spend some quality time inside, is holiday movies. Whether it is a classic Christmas tale, a long-loved holiday comedy or a new flick celebrating the season on the tinsel- and light-decked block, holiday movies and the season of joy go hand in hand. For seasonal celebrants looking to put some holiday cheer...

Nov

09

2020

The Smart(er) Home: Life-Enhancing Tech Devices for Every Room

Most modern consumers have grown familiar with the term “smart home” and they understand that today’s homes are growing more and more technologically advanced (and even internet-connected) by the day. In fact, as homes fill up with tech tools that can make homeowners’ lives easier, safer, more enjoyable or generally better in one way or another, these life-enhancing devices have begun to make appearances in nearly every room of the house. Consider these cutting-edge devices that can improve the lives of their tech-savvy owners, from the front door to the back door and from the top floor to the basement:...

Oct

27

2020

6 business benefits of using virtual servers

When a business needs a way to keep its computer files, business critical applications, mail servers, website files and a range of other digital assets secure and easily accessible to approved users, a virtual server can provide a simple and effective solution with a long list of benefits. Powered by a network connected, offsite virtual machine that is also known as a “cloud-based server,” a virtual server can house and manage a business’s network resources remotely, making them accessible at any time from anywhere via the internet (or through “the cloud”). A virtual server can also replace most physical onsite...

Oct

09

2020

Ways Consumers Can Make Their Holiday Shopping Safer (and Smoother) During the Pandemic

With the coronavirus pandemic still upon us, this holiday season promises to be distinctly different from the ones American consumers are used to celebrating. This year, the in-person Christmas parties are likely to be few and far between; many family celebrations are bound to be shifted to online video chats rather than gatherings at Grandma’s house; and if the kids can even find a Santa to visit for Christmas-wish-list sharing, he’s likely to be wearing a mask when they sit in his lap — if that’s allowed at all. The holiday shopping season is bound to see some major changes...

Oct

07

2020

FTC’s Manning Store Gets a Range of Exciting Upgrades—With a Focus on Improving the Customer Experience

When customers visit the Manning FTC store at 2389 Paxville Highway, they are going to notice some new and exciting differences. In an effort to give the customer retail experience a more modern, techy look and feel — and to improve customers’ ability to see and demo a range of FTC’s core products and services — the location recently underwent a long list of renovations and upgrades, with most of the work completed in mid-September. (more…)