Tag: cellphone

iPhone vs Android initial thoughts

Me and my iPhone 3G
Me and my iPhone 3G

Well I’ve done the unthinkable… I’ve switched to an iPhone… for the time being.

After several months of using a rooted G1 and Cyanogenmod 6 (Android 2.2) on AT&T the phone was becoming more and more unreliable. While the last few weeks (since the stable version of Cyanogenmod 6 was released) I haven’t had too many problems, after missing a vital text message early Saturday morning, I gave into Laurie’s request to consider getting a different phone.

After all, with twins on the way and her at 34+ weeks… it’s probably best I have a phone I know I can count on.
Continue reading iPhone vs Android initial thoughts

The perfect cellphone (revisited)

Evolution of the mobile phone
Evolution of the cellphone | Via Wikicommons

In April 2008, Laurie and I were on the search for new cellphones. We both ended up with a BlackBerry Curve, which met almost every thing on my dream list at the time.

I went on and upgraded to a newer BlackBerry Curve and she moved to the iPhone 3G.

And now I’m sporting a G1 running Froyo after my BlackBerry took a nose dive on our new tile floor.

I try not to be too picky about my cellphones, but for the initial (and monthly) cost, I do have my preferences.

So I think its time to upgrade my wishlist for the perfect cellphone (especially considering with the recent advances in phones like iPhone 4, Evo 4G and Droid X) in hopes that some carrier and manufacturer will get this all together by the time my contract is up in April 2011.
Continue reading The perfect cellphone (revisited)

Going dark

Croatia Internet - http://www.flickr.com/photos/notrealistic/3434937007/

It’s no secret that I enjoy being online and connecting with others.

But being on vacation last week — primarily in international waters — forced me to forgo my daily habits and go dark online for the extent of our trip.

I loved it! It was a nice change of pace for sure. Granted there were several time when I thought — ooh I should Twitter that — but the high price of phone service kept me in check.
Continue reading Going dark

Distributors found for open source phone

Looks like one of the first Open Source phones is about to go public!

The press release doesn’t give many specifics about the phone other than pricing. But here’s the specs from the Openmoko website:

  • 2.8″ VGA TFT color display
  • Touchscreen, usable with stylus or fingers
  • 266MHz Samsung System on a Chip (SOC)
  • USB 1.1, switchable between Client and Host (unpowered)
  • Integrated AGPS
  • 2.5G GSM – tri band (900/1800/1900), voice, CSD, GPRS
  • Bluetooth 2.0
  • Micro SD slot
  • High Quality audio codec

And of course, with the phone being Open Source the phone will be powered by Linux software which opens up loads of possibilities for software customization and features.

Here’s the press release:

Openmoko Signs Five Distributors for Freerunner Open Source Mobile Phone

Distributors seize opportunity to reach significant markets with programmable mobile phone

TAIPEI, TAIWAN June 25, 2008 – Openmoko, creator of the first completely open mobile computing platform, today announced agreements with five distributors for the Neo Freerunner Open Source mobile phone. Today, Openmoko will begin shipping the next generation Neo Freerunner to Pulster, Golden Delicious Computers and TRIsoft located in Germany, Bearstech in France and IDA Systems based in India.

IDA Systems specializes in customized software development and retail sales of hand-held computer devices. Golden Delicious Computers is a specialist for mobile office solutions and was founded as The Handheld Linux Shop. TRIsoft, in business since 1985, has been focusing in recent years on mobile Linux devices. Bearstech offers expertise in Open Source architecture and complex internet projects, and Pulster specializes in online sales of mobile devices into industrial and education markets with focus on Linux-based solutions.

Continue reading Distributors found for open source phone

Victim of theft gets purse back after sending text messages to thief

Pan Aiying, a teacher from China, had her bag stolen recently. Inside the bag was approximately $630, a cellphone and other goods. Instead of doing the norm and contacting police, Aiying decided to start sending text messages to the thief.
Maybe everyone should just change their phone’s wallpaper to read “Please return if stolen.”
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Let Google find your cellphone

Next time you’ve lost your cellphone, let Google maps help you find it.
If you search for a business using Google maps, the site will offer to place the call for you. Type in your number and it will place a call to your cellphone or land line and then connect you to the business after you pick up.
If you lose your cell phone, just use the service and then simply ignore the call from Google.
It’s a lot less embarrassing than admitting you’ve lost your cell phone and need someone to call it for you. From Google:

There are two things that I really like about this. The business’s phone number is automatically stored in your caller ID so you can easily call back in the future. And by checking the box to remember your phone number, you can make future calls from Google Maps with just two mouse clicks (and picking up your phone, of course).

Via Lifehacker