Apple’s 2021 IPad drops to an all-time low of $250… and other small business tech news for this week

1 – Apple’s 2021 iPad drops to an all-time low of $250

With a price you’ll only see on Black Friday, the 2021 iPad is available for just $250, given that Apples sought-after inventory. This 10.2 inch iPad is loaded with the standard software and app availability. Equipped with enough storage space to handle most tasks – the 2021 version doesn’t come with certain features, such as the Magic Keyboard – but is worth the trade-off. (Source: engaged)

Why this is important for your business:

It seems like a good time to pick up an iPad, even if it’s two years old.

2 – Thryv enhances small business platform with Tap-to-Pay, TeamChat, eSignatures and other new features

Small business platform Thryv announced a comprehensive upgrade that gives their 40,000+ users ultra-sufficient ways to keep things organized. (Source: BusinessWire)

Why this is important for your business:

According to the company, business owners can make mobile payments through ThryvPay’s Mobile Pay Card Reader, which supports both Apple iOS and Google Android and has a low processing fee. There is also a chat feature that allows for interactive communication between individuals or groups and where team members can alert and locate other members with advanced messaging and tagging features. “Our new products, focused on payments, communication and collaboration, will help small business owners continue to meet their customers where they are,” Ryan Cantor, the company’s chief product officer, said in a statement.

3 – Google is launching two new tools for asset creation and customer acquisition

Google has increased its level of marketing and customer engagement with the recent announcement of “automatically created assets” – a feature that creates new elements within a specific ad based on the advertiser’s existing assets. (Source: Search engine country)

Why this is important for your business:

Writer Nicole Farley says that “this helps companies refine their advertising, using the most effective components to engage their target audience.” Customer acquisition – the second tool Google promotes – uses campaign optimization to give businesses the chance to find new customers through smart bidding and first-party data. Using target ROAS (Return on Ad Spend), they have the ability to target high value customers.

4 – Microsoft admits it flagged PCs as ineligible for Windows 11 upgrades

Windows users who have purchased laptops in recent years may have lost a system upgrade. (Source: Computer world)

Why this is important for your business:

Tom cider list Windows 10 22H2, 21H2 and 20H2 as the versions affected – also detailed by Tom’s hardware. The company provided guidance to users in reporting known issues from Microsoft. This isn’t the only system issue Microsoft has been dealing with lately. It was reported that watermarks appeared on hardware that could not support the upgrade. The takeaway: Do your upgrades carefully and work with a Microsoft partner or purchase Microsoft support if you’re planning an upgrade project.

5 – Lenovo’s ThinkPad and IdeaPad laptops are getting a welcome facelift

Lenovo customers will experience a performance boost with a 14-inch screen, PC World’s Ashley Biancuzzo reported. ThinkPad E14 now has a faster processor and up to 40 GB of DDR4 RAM, as well as a significant increase in storage capacity (2 TB). The first-generation ThinkPad E16 is about the same as the E14 in terms of performance, except for the maximum brightness setting. Both will launch in May. Also coming in May is Levono’s latest Chromebook – IdeaPad Slim 3. Ashley noted the impressive sound system, battery life and display quality. (Source: Computer world)

Why this is important for your business:

I’m writing this piece now on a Lenovo laptop, which I’ve been using every day for about five years and which has been reliable. I’m due for an upgrade though, so maybe I’ll do that in May.