Phone Smarts
In this installment of Questions and Answers, we give advice on unlocked cell phones and how to keep your cell phone safe from unwanted scratches. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.
I need an unlocked GSM quad-mode cell phone to use anywhere in Europe with pre-paid SIM cards. I don’t need a U.S. plan or special features, just the best value phone that can make and receive calls. Thanks, Renato
Check out the Nokia 6085. It does have a camera included, but you don’t have to use it. You’ll have more options once you travel to Europe and can buy an unlocked cell phone there as well. Just make sure it supports all four modes of GSM. In Europe, there doesn’t tend to be a lot of support for GSM 850, which is used in the United States.
I just recently ordered a Verizon LG enV2 cell phone in maroon and I wanted to know if a full cover is available for it. I want it so the phone will be protected at all times. I don't want a pouch because that means taking the phone in and out. I just want something that will remain on permanently. Thank you. - Nancy
There is actually a translucent screen that you can buy that you can use to cover the LG enV2 from a company called BodyGuardz. Basically it resembles the clear covering that initially comes on the cell phone screen, only it’s a more permanent covering that helps protect the wear and tear of the entire cell phone. The good news is that as permanent as it is you can still remove it. If you just want to protect the screen of the LG enV2 check out ScreenGuardz. It’s the same idea.
| Tags: | Phone Smarts | Nokia | LG | International |
| Travel | Accessories | Q&A |
In The Know
This week's deal comes from LetsTalk.com's Site Merchandiser, Gary Kishida.
What is it? The Samsung SLM SGH-a747 a great AT&T cell phone for music lovers. This cell phone has all the basic features you need in a phone as well as the ability to purchase and play MP3s through Napster over the air. This Samsung cell phone is slim and has a sleek metal finish that is extremely eye catching.
How much? Buy the Samsung SGH-a747 cell phone with a new two-year service contract from AT&T and make $84.99. With the purchase of this cell phone, you will also be entered to win an ultimate 3 on 3 pick-up game with a few NBA stars.
Why is it such a good deal? It is our cheapest 3G (great for high-speed web surfing) cell phone while still having a 2-megapixel camera and MP3 player.
| Tags: | In The Know | Music | Samsung | Deal of the Week |
Phone Smarts
This week AT&T announced nationwide availability of the LG Vu. It's a pretty sweet device that's all about the touchscreen experience and 3G data speeds. But don't take our word for it, we got a sneak peek of the LG Vu when we attended CTIA this year and took this video of the demo - check it out below.
Note: For anyone who ever wanted to know what attending CTIA (which is where we took this video) is like for us, this is pretty much the demo's we get of the new cell phones coming soon.
| Tags: | Phone Smarts | AT&T Wireless | LG | International |
Somethin' To Talk About
Textually.org points out the results of a Nationwide Mutual Insurance survey of 1,200 drivers that states a third of Gen Y-ers admit to always multitasking while driving and 37 percent send text messages while driving. These are young drivers who at this point probably have more experience with their cell phones then they do driving cars. That doesn't mean just because you've mastered one task you've mastered them all. Still, I wonder if they are aware of the changing laws around cell phones and driving. It's not just that you can't talk on cell phones. More and more states and counties are being more specific about the violation stating that you can't text or interact with a mobile device while driving - especially young drivers. However, young drivers are not necessarily in the GenY age group. Check out this story to find out if you're in an area where you shouldn't be talking or even texting on a cell phone while driving.
| Tags: | Somethin' To Talk About | Text messaging | Driving laws |
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Somethin' To Talk About
How to stay on top of the mobile social networking app game
by Guest Blogger
Monday, May 05, 2008 (permalink)
We asked Bloggers around the Internet about their thoughts on social networking sites for cell phones. We wanted to know what it would take to make them as popular on cell phones as they seem to be on the Internet. Our final post comes from Matt Jansen. To read more from Matt, check out his MetaViper blog or check out Blorge.com:
Social networking sites continue to grow as top destinations on the web. Three out of the top five most visited sites on the Internet are social networking sites: MySpace, YouTube, and Facebook, according to Alexa. Interest in these sites is typically driven by a desire to stay connected with existing contacts and expand social networks.
Just as social networking sites continue to grow in popularity, demand for access to those sites on mobile devices will continue to grow as users manage more of their lives online. That in mind, mobile social networking apps may taking the shape of enhancements for portals to existing sites like Facebook, will be the most popular.
So what compels users to choose one mobile social network over another, and where do additional opportunities for mobile social networking apps exist?
Well-organized contact lists that allow users to quickly separate work contacts from social contacts, and search functionality to find any given snippet of contact information instantly.
Entertainment. Does the site allow for playful or serious interactions between users in a fun and effective way? If not, a mobile social networking app could fill in the gap.
Expanding networks is a key activity for these users, and finding others with similar interests or goals is usually the first step.
Mobile syncing would empower users to access social networking sites while offline. An application that allowed caching and syncing at a later time would provide immense value.
Images, video and text are the primary ways users communicate online, so an application that simplified any of those functions would provide efficiency gains on a daily basis.
Popular local events and destinations help users meet in person, and drawing that information into a social network helps bridge the gap between virtual and real life. After users arrive at a local event, connecting them via Bluetooth (Read more)
| Tags: | Somethin' To Talk About | Camera | Video | Bluetooth |
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Phone Smarts
In this installment of Questions and Answers, we help Mac users use their cell phone as a modem and offer cell phone choices for people who don’t want a lot of bells and whistles. Got a question you want answered? Submit your question here. Got something to add to the answers below? Leave a comment.
Is it possible to connect my Apple PowerBook to my Samsung SCH-u740 via Bluetooth in order to use the EVDO connection from my cell phone as a modem for my laptop? - Tim
The good news is that you can likely use your Samsung cell phone as a modem. I do think you'll need to get a cable, however, since your cell phone is not listed as an applicable model for a Mac connecting via Bluetooth. If you had a PC, it would be no problem to make the connection. You should be able to just get a cable and use that with the VZ Access software, which you'll need to download from Verizon Wireless onto your Mac. Also, if you do plan to use your phone as a modem, you'll need to get an unlimited data plan. Megabytes add up really quickly when you're surfing the web or watching video with the cell phone doing double duty as a modem.
Can you help me pick a Verizon Wireless phone that has impressive voice quality, not a lot of bells and whistles, but still looks good? It’s for a first-time cell phone owner. – Christine
I would definitely suggest a flip phone for a first time cell phone owner since you can easily randomly dial calls on a candy bar-style cell phone if you don’t know what you’re doing. I would suggest either the Motorola W315 or the LG VX8600. The Motorola model is a durable cell phone that has got all the basics covered and doesn’t have a lot of extra features such as an integrated camera. While the LG VX8600, on the other hand, is a good looking cell phone that does have a few extra features such as camera and music functionality, but it’s easy to use and has impressive call quality.
| Tags: | Phone Smarts | Motorola | Verizon Wireless | Music |
| Camera | LG | Bluetooth | Q&A |
In The Know
What is it? The Samsung SGH-T719 cell phone for T-Mobile is a solid world phone that you can take on trips abroad. It doesn’t have a lot of frills, so if you’re in the market for a cell phone that does all the basics well, this is a great fit. Additionally, you can sync this phone with your computer, which will help you stay up to date on important calendar appointments and it even has a 1.3-megapixel camera; great for snapping spontaneous pics during your travels.
How much? Buy the Samsung SGH-T719 cell phone with a new two-year service contract from T-Mobile and make $100. We’re even throwing in a free Samsung WEP300 Bluetooth headset.
Why is it such a good deal? Our inventory on this cell phone is almost sold out and when the last one is sold, it’s gone.
Samsung SGH-T719
Samsung WEP300 Bluetooth headset
| Tags: | In The Know | Cell phone plans | Samsung | Camera |
| International | T-Mobile | Bluetooth | Accessories | |
| Deal of the Week |
Phone Smarts
Madonna appears live on Verizon Wireless V Cast-enabled cell phones tonight
by Joni Blecher
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 (permalink)
Tonight Madonna will be performing songs from her new Hard Candy CD at New York's Roseland Ballroom. Clearly, it's a hot ticket. If you can't get in or make it to New York for the performance you'll be able to watch 4 songs being performed live on your Verizon Wireless V Cast-enabled cell phone. That's right the performance will also be streamed live to Verizon Wireless customers tonight starting at 10pm EST. After the show, you can still watch four songs on the V Cast Performance channel.
How to check it out: Just visit the V Cast Performances channel on a Verizon Wireless V Cast-enabled cell phone and select Madonna. In the meantime, you can text MADONNA to 8933 to download a mobile underground remix of Madonna’s “4 Minutes” featuring Justin Timberlake.
Note: Verizon Wireless customers who don't currently have a V Cast VPak monthly subscription, can still watch the performance by purchasing V CAST Video for $3.00 for 24-hour use.
| Tags: | Phone Smarts | Verizon Wireless | Music | Video |
Somethin' To Talk About
What should be expected of social networking apps for cell phones
by Guest Blogger
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 (permalink)
We asked Bloggers around the Internet about their thoughts on social networking sites for cell phones. We wanted to know what it would take to make them as popular on cell phones as they seem to be on the Internet. Our next post comes from David Cassel. To read more from David, check out Blorge.com:
It's an exciting time. T-Mobile's "Fave 5" campaign proved cell phone companies are
finally getting serious about social networking. Cell phones have reached a critical mass,
and in the next stage they'll provide a platform for some unbelievably cool networking applications.
But there's already some clear signs about where we're at — and what to expect in the future.
- Helio's "Buddy Beacon" set the standard for mobile social networking. It actually tells you where your social network is — using a map! Cell phones have a lot of position-based information that isn't being fully utilized. Once developers unlock its potential, there should be a huge rise in mobile social networking.
- The University of Southern California tried a fascinating experiment. Their information technology program created a mobile "scavenger hunt," texting once-a-week questions that could only be answered by exploring the campus. Dozens of students flocked to the game, proving a secret truth about social networks. In a lot of cases, their only real use it they're fun!
- "Bluedating" only really works for the young and adventurous. People have a natural uneasiness about interacting with strangers, and that doesn't change just because they both have cell phones! But instead the killer app will probably be something like "blueshopping" — helpful alerts when you're within twenty feet of your favorite food!
- I'm actually surprised no one has created a mobile "coupon book" to distribute to shoppers at a mall. Just beam over the coupons, and let shoppers scroll through special "digital bargains" being offered by nearby merchants! Early market tests proved this was popular with cell phone owners — and with merchants!
(Read more)
| Tags: | Somethin' To Talk About | T-Mobile | Bluetooth |
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Somethin' To Talk About
5 Keys to a successful cell phone-based social networking service
by Guest Blogger
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 (permalink)
We asked Bloggers around the Internet about their thoughts on social networking sites for cell phones. We wanted to know what it would take to make them as popular on cell phones as they seem to be on the Internet. Our first post comes from Steve Litchfield. To read more from Steve, check out his blog:
This is indeed a big issue. In fact, it's just about the Holy Grail of mobile communications. Our lives, on both desktop and mobile, are so fragmented. What's needed is a way of integrating (in approximate order of importance)in a sensible way.:
- Contacts
- Chat
- Media
- Blog feeds
- Presence (and Calendar)
But, like Facebook, it needs to reach a certain critical mass before it'll take off properly.
In fact, it's tempting to quote the mobile sites of sites like Facebook (m.facebook.com) as the most popular mobile social network. But these are hosted by a web browser, have limited (or no) syncing to phone native Contacts and Calendar, and have no concept of presence (i.e. where in the world you are).
Think of what's needed (the five points above). Then think of who is the biggest Internet and mobile company in the world. Google. And then remind yourself that Google bought a little Finnish company called Jaiku last year. Jaiku was an S60-native (OK, so not every phone in the world runs S60, but it's a heck of a good start) social network client, pulling together contacts, chat, feeds and presence (in every sense). But it was a tiny company crying out for big boy attention.
And then Google bought it.
Not quite job done though, since Google have either been planning Jaiku v2 or using the expertise from the Jaiku engineers to further their mobile plans using other Google applications. And, despite Google's inexplicable six month's gestation of their acquisition, Jaiku remains by far the closest thing in the mobile world to the aforementioned 'Holy Grail'.
So we have a killer (but fairly small) mobile social app, plus the largest Internet company in the world - what else is needed? Heard of Open Social? It's Google's next generation attempt to solve the silly fragmented situation in the online world. We're talking one login, one set of contacts, one set of feeds, and so on.
I believe that we're within six months of all this coming together - I predict both S60 and Java clients released by Google for general download and for inclusion in phone firmware builds. The solution name? Google Friends? Maybe. It will encompass all of Jaiku's current functionality, while being easier to use, Open Social-compatible, linking in and from every other major social source using RSS technology AND it will be backed by the 800lb gorilla in the Internet room, backed with the might of Google.
(Read more)| Tags: | Somethin' To Talk About | Etiquette |
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