Your Blog » Cell Phones

Archive for the ‘Cell Phones’ Category

PockeTwit: Twitter Client for Windows Mobile Users

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

I’ve been an avid Twitter user for a little more than year now. And just as the online Web version of Twitter is not as robust as say TweetDeck or Twhirl, neither is their online mobile interface for my phone. So I went hunting, and found a really great client that I can use on my HTC Mogul phone.

Enter PockeTwit.

PockeTwit expanded with side menus

PockeTwit is a big step up from the online Twitter interface. Once installed, you can immediately appreciate the Kinetic scrolling the interface has to offer. Just flick your finger to the left or right, and you have quick access to robust side menus for the UI. Of course, an up or down flick scrolls through the tweets from your followers as well.

PockeTwit uses standard Windows Mobile notifications to inform you of new messages and/or new friend status updates. So if you are out and about and want to know if someone has contacted you, you can set your phone to alert you. I’ve got mine set to “Display message on screen” and “Vibrate.” This is essential for those of you going to SXSW 2009, when you need to make sure you are notified when the next “It” band is killing the crowd with their set.

PockeTwit also allows you to set up multiple Twitter accounts, so if you are like me and need to Tweet from more than one account you aren’t locked into only one on your phone.

Check out the rest of the features:

* Unique user interface.
* Works on VGA, QVGA and SmartPhone devices.
* Support for multiple Twitter and identi.ca accounts.
* Maps view shows users on a world map and allows searching by region.
* “Conversation View” shows what this status was in reply to.
* Uses standard notifications to alert you of new friends statuses or replies.
* URL shortening with is.gd.
* Take photos and send to TwitPic.
* Integrated search.twitter.com.
* Clickable @names, URLs, and #Hashtags.
* Themes.

If you would like to see a quick PockeTwit UI demo, take a look at the following video:

PockeTwit UI Demonstration

That said, you really need to experience the software on your phone to appreciate it. Let me know what you think, or if you have a better recommendation, please share as well.

Follow me on Twitter: @ChrisBatDell

Posted in Cell Phones, Social Media, Tips | 4 Comments »

Techno-Traveling Grandmother

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

Jeannette Burris is a practice manager for a cardiology office two hours away from where she lives. Her grandchildren live two hours away in the opposite direction (yes, Texas is a big state). Somehow she manages to be everywhere she needs to be, but I have noticed that she travels with lots of technology. Sometimes all carried in a big box! I sat down with her this week to try and get a handle on all she does… and how.

First I asked her to explain to me what a practice manager is. She said it is a lot of things all rolled into one: human resources director, recruiter, payroll clerk, purchasing officer, financial manager, software trainer, contract negotiator, IT support… and the list goes on and on.

She told me that there is no typical day for her. Some days she may be in the office, other days working from her home office, and every now and then she works from my house to take care of sick grandchildren (oh yes, Jeannette is my mom). She said that regardless of where she is, most days consist of some employee issues, working with sales reps, managing workflow in the clinic, being available to the doctors for questions, managing financial issues… that list goes on and on too. My favorite thing she mentioned is that she tries to maintain morale for 30 women all working closely together. If you did not envy her before, I am sure you do now.

So now we get to dig into the box of technology. I asked her what gadgets she uses every day. She says she loves her Palm smartphone, which syncs with MS Outlook. She keeps everything planned there! She also can’t work remotely without her Dell Latitude and PC.Com. She remotes in to her network at the office and can access everything she needs from home. She has also really enjoyed having an aircard to work online no matter where she is.

She said it is her laptop that she can not live without. She cannot travel, work remotely and still manage the practice without her system. Of course, I love her system the most too, since it allows her to help me out with the kids when I need it!

Can you relate to this story? How do your gadgets make your lifestyle possible?

Posted in Cell Phones, Cyber Sisterhood, Laptops, Productivity Software | 2 Comments »

Cyber Sisterhood Reads from ‘Round the Web

Friday, February 6th, 2009

If you have read the news this week about Dell offering exclusive Twitter deals, but not sure where to get started with the social networking tool, Techno Glam has posted a Quick Twitter Guide for beginners.

The Domestic Diva posts Thank goodness for the Picture Keeper, which is a very neat device for backing up photos without much work. You almost do not even have to remember to back them up. It does it for you.

We all can use a little of this: Use Your Cell Phone’s Camera to Make Your Life Easier. My favorite is #4, which suggests taking a pic of your makeup or shampoo before going shopping so you remember which one to get!

Posted in Cell Phones, Cyber Sisterhood, Photography, Social Media, Tips | No Comments »

Smart Phone to the Rescue

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

A couple months ago, I was sitting at the doctor’s office with a sniffling toddler. He fell asleep in the exam room while we were waiting our turn to be seen. Suddenly I found myself with a rare opportunity to catch up on some things, but I did not have my computer with me. No worries, smart phone to the rescue (imagine rescue theme song here).

A friend of mine had recently shown me that my phone has a calculator in it. In my free five minutes, I was able to balance my check book and write in all my receipts that had been cluttering my bag for ages. Yes, I know, I could just do all my banking online, but I like to use a ledger the way my dad taught me when I was a teenager.

On my phone, the calculator is located in the “Organizer” folder. I am sure that every phone is different. If you cannot find yours, Google your phone make and model and calculator. If you still have no luck, you can always download one from online.

I know my phone has more to offer than a calculator and I will share those as I find them. It is nice to have such a handy little device that can turn five minutes of downtown into a productive de-cluttering!

Posted in Cell Phones, Cyber Sisterhood, Tips | No Comments »

Pssst … Dell Has Unlocked Mobile Phones

Friday, January 30th, 2009

The phrase “unlocked mobile phone” can have a bit of negative connotation to it. Is it stolen? Is it hacked? Is it safe to use? Well no, no and yes, it’s safe to use. In fact if you are traveling to Europe anytime soon, having an unlocked mobile phone is almost essential if you hope to travel and easily stay in contact with friends and family while country hopping.

So what exactly does “unlocked” mean?

In a nutshell, an unlocked mobile phone can use the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card from any mobile carrier. The SIM card is what is used to recognize your particular phone, on a carrier’s network, so calls can be made and incoming calls can be routed back to you.

With unlocked mobile phones you no longer need to be tied exclusively with the carrier you had originally purchased it from. Or in the case of purchasing an unlocked phone independently, you can take the phone to the carrier of your choosing for service. Makes sense, right?

Dell has a number of unlocked phones available, but has recently teamed up with Nokia to provide a robust lineup of multimedia and Internet/e-mail ready phones, including the ever-popular Nokia N96.

The Dell+Nokia Web site provides tons of information. Looking to stream multimedia entertainment, take photos or video from your phone? Check. Looking to surf the Internet or check your e-mail. Check. Lost and need GPS navigation. Check. Oh, and of course, you can also make mobile phone calls … =)

Stop by the site today and see how Dell and Nokia are making it easier than ever to stay in touch with your loved ones, and ride the tide of digital technology.

Posted in Cell Phones | 2 Comments »

Have You Heard of Qik?

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

Qik is a site that lets you share live video from your phone. Regeneration.org recently used Qik to share video of their road trip across the country. How might you use it? Here are a few ideas.

I will start with my favorite hobby — shopping! It could be used to take someone virtually shopping with you. Instead of taking pictures of each outfit, you could video all of them and then ask for feedback. I might also use it if the grandparents can not make it to a soccer game. I know they would still feel they are a part of the event if they could watch some of the game live. Best part of all, using my cell phone to take the video would be super easy and non-intrusive.

Let us know if you have used Qik and give us your thoughts.

Posted in Cell Phones, Cyber Sisterhood, Tips, Video | 1 Comment »

Cyber Sisterhood Reads from ‘Round the Web

Friday, November 7th, 2008

Geek Sugar shared a great site this week: Newseum. It allows you to search for and read the front page of newspapers around the world. If you are interested in local news for several areas, this could come in handy! I was even able to find my hometown newspaper.

If you are interested in social media and marketing, Jessica Knows is doing a series called 15 Days of Marketing. Day seven is about Building Your Brand through Self-Promotion.

Anti-Bacterial Cell Phone Wipes – Need I say more?

Posted in Cell Phones, Social Media, Tips | No Comments »

Cyber Sisterhood Reads from ‘Round the Web

Friday, October 24th, 2008

Some people are glued to their cell phones and take calls or text almost anywhere. Geeksugar’s post — Cell Phone Rant: Is It OK to Talk in a Taxi? — explores this topic and even links to a previous post about taking calls in the bathroom.

Popgadget has found a Web site that answers your election questions by text. ChaCha is a Rock The Vote-backed initiative to help people get objective information on the candidates.

Parentdish shared a great site in Tried and True - Lookybook. Lookybook lets you flip through books cover to cover and even create an online bookshelf.

Posted in Cell Phones, Cyber Sisterhood, Tips | No Comments »

A Cell Phone for Your Kid?

Monday, October 20th, 2008

My 3 year old loves my cell phone. He actually has one of his own (an old one of mine that no longer works), but he likes using mine because it actually functions. I mean, he’s not fooled. Mine makes sounds and has colors, and he can actually hear grandma on it of course. He hasn’t figured out *how* it works yet, but it probably won’t be long before he figures out what numbers to push to get someone else on the line. Hopefully he finds the number for pizza as opposed to 911 like this toddler.

But it got me thinking… at what age should a kid actually get a cell phone?

An NPD Group study last year indicated “15% of 2- to 5-year-olds use cell phones,” which is certainly shocking. But in this age where everyone is “connected” to one another, it only makes sense that the connectivity trickle-down eventually reaches our youngest family members.

So what is available for youngsters, should you decide they absolutely need to have a cell phone? Take a look at the following:

Migo mobile phone

The VX1000, shown here, is perfect for your kid’s first phone. You can program four speed dials plus feel good about having an emergency key. A service can be provided so with the push of a button, your mobile will know where your kids go.

Firefly mobile phone

Firefly has cool phones with popular features designed specifically for kids and tweens.

TicTalk mobile phone

This age-appropriate mobile phone gives you security and control, and gives your child freedom and fun!

WheriFone GPS locator phone

The WheriFone is billed as the world’s smallest GPS cell phone for children, and a gadget that provides affordable peace-of-mind for the modern mobile family.

Deciding which phone to purchase will undoubtedly be easier than whether your child should have a phone at all. Especially when there are reports of medical concerns with kid’s cell phone usage. However, this is something each parent will have to decide on their own as they weigh the benefits of staying connected in this digital age.

Posted in Cell Phones, Techno Tots | No Comments »

Technology and Poverty – Blog Action Day

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

Today is Blog Action Day 2008, and the topic is poverty. The goal of this online coordinated event is to have as many people blog about one topic on the same day to bring awareness to an issue. While poverty is a serious and complex issue to tackle, I will just explore a few ways that technology is having a positive impact.

For many of us, a cell phone is a daily convenience that we are not often without. They have, however, become a thriving business for those in poverty-stricken villages. The Village Phone Project has brought phones to remote villages, eliminating what in the past might have been a six-mile trip to use a phone. Phone operators charge others for the use of their phone within the village, which benefits everyone.

Locally, you can visit the public library and use the computer to access the Internet. This simple convenience is easy access to information that can improve the life of someone in need. Someone looking for a job can save the money on gas or public transportation by applying online in most cases. Again, a simple convenience for me or you may make a big impact for someone living in poverty.

The Dell (PRODUCT) RED is another way that technology is helping improve the lives of those in poverty. Purchasing your own (RED) branded product from Dell contributes to efforts to help eliminate AIDS in Africa, where life-sustaining treatment for an individual costs only 40 cents a day. Helping keep people with HIV/AIDS healthy and productive also fights poverty by enabling those individuals to continue supporting themselves and their families.

While technology now plays a role in all aspects of life, it is the impact that it has on one’s life that makes it a gift. With the state of our global economy and the uncertain outlook for the future, making readily available and affordable technology will continue to have a positive impact for those who need it.

Posted in Cell Phones, Desktops, Events, Fashion, Laptops, Music, Printers, Social Media | 2 Comments »

John Pope

About

Recent Posts

Jennifer Hughes

About

Recent Posts

John Blain

About

Recent Posts

Chris Byrd

About

Recent Posts

Natalie M. Davis

About

Recent Posts

Jay Pinkert

About

Recent Posts

Richard Bernier

About

Recent Posts

Anne B. Camden

About

Recent Posts

Ed Hassinger

About

Recent Posts

Randy Gibson

About

Recent Posts

Jesse Leonard

About

Recent Posts

RichardatDELL

About

Recent Posts

Ellen Murphy

About

Recent Posts

Winnie Wong

About

Recent Posts

Stefanie Nelson

About

Recent Posts

Michelle Mosmeyer

About

Recent Posts

Vida Killian

About

Recent Posts

Michelle Forde

About

Recent Posts

Lionel Menchaca

About

Recent Posts

Matt Parretta

About

Recent Posts

Anna Hutchinson

About

Recent Posts

Michael "Odee" O'Dell

About

Recent Posts

Kara Krautter

About

Recent Posts

Jennifer Allison

About

Recent Posts

Deborah R. Wood

About

Recent Posts

Jacqui Zhou

About

Recent Posts

Bill Bivin

About