Mobile Wiseguy

Archive for the ‘Verizon Wireless’ Category
Blackberry updates coming this February
I just got an interesting call from Blackberry support they wanted to inform me of the new updates. I don’t use a Blackberry currently so I was a little confused why the called me and it was because I have written a few post about Blackberry in the past. I told the representative that I did buy a Blackberry Playbook recently and wanted to know about the update that is coming out and if it will bring the Android Market to the Playbook. I was told yes it will have the ability to use Android application but not all the applications at the beginning. Each application has to go through a approval with Blackberry before being allowed on the Blackberry Playbook. I ask about the camera on the Playbook because I was very upset to find out that the only video conference application was from Playbook to Playbook only. I was hoping Skype would work with the new update but it will not at the beginning until Microsoft which owns Skype and Blackberry work out the details. The Blackberry representative did tell me he uses Real Portal to Video chat with someone using a Apple iPad now.
The Blackberry Bold and the Torch will get an update that will allow Near Field Communications, Wifi calling and Mobile Hotspot capabilities. This update will first be available for Verizon Wireless and Sprint Blackberry devices.
Verizon Wireless new rate plans
The new plans are: (all require unlimited texting which is included in the price plan)
Individual lines: 450 minutes $64.99 900 minutes $79.99 (plus 5 friends and family)
Family share: 700 Minutes $104.98 1400 Minutes $119.98 (plus 10 F&F) 2000 Minutes $129.98 (plus 10 F&F) (includes 2 phones/ add lines are still $9.99)
All plans are unlimited texting and not available without unlimited texting. They will only be using “anytime” minutes when they are calling landlines/800 #’s. Unlimited any mobile/any network!!!
Once you change to these plans you can keep forever unless you change it.
Available for area codes 239, 786 and 305 now hopefully all of Florida in the near future.
Tablet war 2011: Nook vs. Kindle vs. iPad
I just read an article on 3 tablets, it breaks down the difference between the different tablets with price points from 200 dollars to 500 dollars. The 3 tablets in this article do not subscribe to any cellular services. They all need WiFi to access the Internet for browsing, downloading books, applications and any streaming media.
I use the Motorola Xoom which is a LTE 4G tablet on Verizon Wireless. My tablet does what the Nook, Kindle Fire and iPad do and has its own built in service. I can use my tablet anywhere on the Verizon Wireless Network and it has its own built in hotspot that I can allow up to 5 other WiFi enabled devices connect to the Internet.
http://gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/07/8682322-tablet-war-2011-nook-vs-kindle-vs-ipad
Verizon Wireless September promotions
$100 Basic to Smartphone Trade-In Offer Upgrade eligible customers with basic* phones receive a $100 Verizon Wireless Gift Card via mail when they upgrade to any Smartphone with a 2-year agreement and corresponding data plan and trade in their basic* phone by mail. Customer must purchase and activate a new Smartphone, complete online submission at trade-in.vzw.com with promo code, and mail in basic phone within 30 days of online submission. VZW Gift Card will be mailed within 3 weeks of receipt of basic phone.
New customers free activation on tablets and aircards till Sept 30th and free activation on cellphones Sept 22nd till Sept 25th.
AT&T is scrambling to save its T-Mobile merger plans
AT&T to Woo and Fight Justice Department on Antitrust Lawsuit according to NYTimes.com. AT&T needs merger because Verizon Wireless LTE network will dominate the industry with all the new products and services. If I was developing a service or product to be used on a 4G network would I not use the largest, fastest and most reliable network and if things stay the same that will be Verizon Wireless.
The future is data service in real time and LTE is the pathway that most of the world is choosing to follow.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/03/technology/att-to-woo-and-fight-justice-department-on-antitrust-lawsuit.html
Verizon Wireless has phones that are great for visually impaired customers
Verizon Wireless has phones that are great for visually Impaired customers needs. I recently got a call from a friend of a previous client he wanted me to help him find a phone for the visually impaired. I did a little research and realized a few Verizon Wireless phones have the ability to speak all of the functions. The phone has voice readouts and will speak all the digits when dialing the menu functions and the incoming text messages.
I showed the client two phone models when he met me at a Zephyrhills store. One was the Samsung Haven which is a basic phone without a camera or Bluetooth technology and the other was the LG Octane a phone with a QWERTY keyboard for texting. Both phones did what he wanted but he was a big texter so the LG Octane was his choice.
My smartphone also has the ability to speak all the commands but I never tried the texting part of it to see if it would read the incoming text but I am sure if the phone did not have that capability there would be an application for it.
Which Tablet is the best choice for you?
So you’ve decided to get a tablet PC, but you don’t know how to go about choosing the right solution for your needs. Here are a few tips that might help in your decision.
1. First and foremost which is the hardest decision….which operating system do I want to go with? Do I want to go with a chosen leader for ease of use like the Apple iPad? Do I want to have the freedom to add widgets withing Android Honeycomb? Or are you still addicted to your BlackBerry (in an Apple and Android World) that you want to continue the legacy with a BlackBerryPlaybook? This isn’t the easiest of decisions. The last quarter of this year we will see an influx of Tablet makers and this is one decision that cannot be judged by price and specs. Is it for social networking, remote access to your server, or just looking for an easy way to access your company mail on the go.
2. Next…this decision doesn’t get much easier. Which screen size should I choose? They typically range from the small 7 inch screen to the large 13.3 inch screen. Remember, that bigger isn’t always better or more expensive. Unlike desktop monitors, tablet monitors are meant to be small and handy to carry anywhere. Choose a screen that you are comfortable with, but remember sometimes the bigger they are the shorter the battery life will be!
3. What kind of performance are you looking for? Single core processor? Dual core processor or does it even matter? With a world of tablets coming to the table performance doesn’t always = price. The best “bang for your buck” might be in the middle of the road so avoid the most expensive tablets (unless you have money to burn) and check the consumer reviews of the models you have in your sights.
4. Are you looking for expandability? Determining what type of ports might actually determine which operating system you choose. Typical ports include Type I and II PC card slots, SD card reader, USB ports, VGA port, docking connector, microphone jack, and headphone jack, but Apple limits you to only the microphone jack so expandability is what your looking for than an Android tablet might be what your looking for. Take into account what you might be doing on this tablet in a year to make a better informed decision. 5. Battery life is more important than you may think! Here is a great Wiki that shows a complete comparison of the available models out there with their run times. Once you find a style and OS of your future tablet, make sure it meets your demands for battery life.
The Mobilewiseguy will help guide you with all the different choices and features so contact me.
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I had some promotional material made with my new logo from Dave Thompson with Bay Wide Specialties informed me that there was no way for anyone to contact me from this site. So I had a contact form added by my web guy and then I added a Google Voice widget that calls my phone. The widget is great because it gives me control of my calls and eliminates a lot of spam. If I put my phone number on the site I would get text and calls from spammers.
Check it out send me a message or call me.



