Savings on the Go!!!

March 31, 2011 Leave a comment

As the economy begins its recovery, many of us are looking for ways to save a few bucks.  The other day, while shopping with my daughter at the mall, I saved over $20, just by using the very device that is by my side everywhere I go – my mobile phone. 

Remember the days when you had tons of coupons from mailers, newspapers etc and you forgot them at home?  Now all you need to do is turn on your mobile device, download one or many of the apps below and start searching for coupons, while you’re in the store!  No printing is usually required and many of the sales associates are aware of this common practice, which requires you to simply show the coupon on your phone. 

Here are some of the apps I would recommend (all of which were free in the Android Marketplace - other App Worlds/Stores might charge a fee, but these apps will pay for themselves):

GeoQpons

This app can be used along with your GPS to figure out where you are and what stores are in the vicinity.  If your store doesn’t show up or GPS is off, you can do a search for the store.  If a coupon exist, it will likely be on this application.  The app also has some nice additional features, including a Shopping list, a Wish List, Savings Calculator and Barcode integration to check pricing.

  

Coupons

Similar to GeoQpons, Coupons will also use GPS to figure out your location, if turned on.  Coupons also provides discounts that can be used right from the phone, but also shows discounts that can be obtained via e-mail sign-up.  Coupons main page provides the average gas price in your area, making you want to use the coupons provided, even more…

  

AAA Discounts

 

If you are a AAA member, you can get this app and it will provide all the AAA discounts offered in your area.  I didn’t know this, but apparently, New York and Company offers a discount for AAA members (don’t hold me to it, I am only going by what the app tells me).  You can also put your AAA membership number in the app, so if you need assistance, you can call right from the app and they will know your location.

 

Entertainment App

Do you have one of those Entertainment books and always forget the book when you are out?  Well, the app cannot act as a replacement for coupons in the book (it will tell you that there is a coupon for the store, but direct you to your book), but it can help for coupons that don’t require the book itself.  In addition, if you are in a store and you see there is a coupon, it will at least make you aware and you have the ability to save the offer, so you remember to clip the coupon (I am not sure about you, but I get overwhelmed whenever I start looking through the book itself).  What I have also found helpful, is letting the app find my location, so I can note all the coupons in my area.  I then go and save these under saved offers, so I know to clip, when I go to those retailers.  Membership number can be put right in the app, to validate you are a member.   

 

Foursquare

I reviewed this app awhile back and a lot more has been done to it since that time.  I will not go into a lot of details on the app itself other than to say there are some nice deals that can come out of Foursquare.  For example, I was once the mayor of Sports Authority in my area.  As a result, I received 10% off my purchase, any time I walked into that store!  There is also a coupon for a free Chips and Dip any time you go into a Chilis.  Some might think Foursquare is just a gimmick to check into places and let your friends know where you are, but as I wrote in my review, there are many practical uses – like saving money!!!

While there are probably many other apps out there, these are some of the ones I have found most helpful.  Even if you can save a little along the way, it can make a big difference in the end.  Happy savings!

Filed under Android, Apple, foursquare, Gadget Chat, General Tech, iPhone, Mobile, Mobile technologies, Tech Reviews Tagged with , , ,

Amazon App store is now live – free Angry Birds Rio today!!

March 22, 2011 Leave a comment

The much-anticipated Amazon App store for Android has finally gone live today (link provided below).  Even better, to entice people to use the site, Amazon is offering Angry Bird Rio, an all new exclusive Angry Birds game to the Amazon store, for free! 

I haven’t had much time to check out the site myself, but I will be checking things out today, and getting my copy of Angry Birds. 

When you get a chance today, head on over to the Amazon App store, let us know what you think and get your copy of Angry Birds today!   

http://www.amazon.com/mobile-apps/b/ref=sa_menu_mas2?ie=UTF8&node=2350149011

*Photo above taken from Amazon.com

Filed under Android, Gadget Chat, Mobile Tagged with , ,

AT&T and T-Mobile Merger – It’s a Sprint to the Finish…

March 21, 2011 Leave a comment

So AT&T has bought T-Mobile…what a surprise.  Did anyone believe something like this wasn’t bound to happen, eventually?  Did anyone ever think that it wouldn’t be AT&T and Verizon in the end, just like the US and Soviets during the Cold War? 

Well, hold your virtual horses for now because the deal is still pending regulators consent, but let’s pretend  just for a moment.  Let’s pretend that the merger is approved and AT&T absords T-Mobile USA.  What does it mean to the others?

The Consumers – right off the bat, I think consumers will prosper over this merger.  The merger gives AT&T more resources; for example, they can now utilize T-Mobiles infrastructure.  More resources, mean more leverage, which means lower costs in the end.  AT&T’s ability to lower costs, will likely spark competition and force competitors, like Verizon, to lower their costs.    Many might argue the consumer will lose here because there are fewer choices and greater potential for a monopoly.  Let me remind you a monopoly means one; even if we are left with Verizon and AT&T, it’s not a monopoly.  You might have less choice, but honestly, right now, I’d rather have 2 good choices, than 1 great choice, a good choice and a few sub-par choices.  In addition, for those worried AT&T and Verizon would collectively dabble in unfair business practices under Anti-Trust laws, do you really think these 2 companies could ever play nice together?

The competitors – Sprint is in trouble.  Sprint had hoped to merge with T-Mobile, but that is obviously not going to happen with this proposed AT&T merger.  Now Sprint is going to be running for its life with little room to breath.  They have little leverage to compete with the competitor’s price points and honestly, they don’t have the products either.  My suggestion here is for them to work out a deal with Verizon (like they would actually ask for my suggestion…).  They share the same CDMA technology, so it seems like a match made in heaven.  Worried a Verizon/Sprint merger would never be approved, you say?  Well, if the regulators approve the AT&T/T-Mobile merger, they are kind of setting a precedent to approve a Verizon/Sprint merger. 

Of course, there is still much to go before we see a completion to any official merger.  The merger must now be approved by the government, so it will be interesting how all of this plays out in the coming weeks.

Filed under Gadget Chat, Mobile Tagged with , , ,

The Thunderbolt has arrived – will lightning only strike once for extending your unlimited data plan beyond this Summer?

March 17, 2011 Leave a comment

 

Today marks the release of the much-anticipated HTC Thunderbolt from Verizon.  So why was the Thunderbolt such an anticipated device?  Besides having a cool name, the reason is because it is the first 4G (or LTE…however you prefer to call the next generation network) phone on the Verizon network.  While it is the first phone on 4G, many are asking should I go out and buy one, or a more common question asked specifically to me is, will I go out and buy one? 

If you would have asked me a couple of months ago, I would have said, no, I’m waiting, simply because there are a bunch of other 4G phones on the horizon, and I am also curious what the iPhone 5 will have in store (despite not likely being on Verizon until next year..imo).  Of course, that is if you asked me a few months (even weeks) ago.  I have since started to think (I do this every so often) and it hit me how well Verizon has played its hand these past few months…that’s assuming my assumptions here are accurate. 

Let’s look at some of the facts so far:

  • Verizon just released the most popular smartphone ever on their 3G network, the iPhone, locking people into a contract for at least the next year (likely 2 yrs).
  • Verizon has stated that the unlimited data plans will be going away, likely sometime this Summer.
  • Your rate is usually locked in, at least until the end of your plan term, or you make changes to your services.

If Verizon starts to not offer unlimited data plans beginning this Summer, if you are already locked into the unlimited plan, you will likely be grandfathered in and able to stick with unlimited, at least until your contract is up for renewal or until you make a service change (there is a gray area here, so these are the assumptions).  But, if you are one of the people who makes the change from 3G to 4G after the unlimited is phased out, you will likely be in the position where you have to take one of the new “limited” data plans. 

So while waiting for the other phones could be a good thing, it could also work against you because making the service change from 3G to 4G, later this year, could force your hand in forfeiting your unlimited plan for one of the new limited data plans (depending when Verizon makes the change from unlimited to limited only plans). 

Also, all the people who signed up and got an iPhone are trapped in the 3G world until their contract expires; unless, they go out and buy a new 4G phone at full cost.  By the time the iPhone users are up for renewal, I assume most of the new phones will be on the 4G network, so even if you are grandfathered on the 3G network, you are going to eventually have to make the change to 4G, hence likely going to lose the ability to stay on the old unlimited plan. 

The best case scenario than is to be one of the first in on the 4G network before anything is changed.  Once on the 4G plan, as long as you stay with 4G and don’t swap out onto a different data plan (ie.  Blackberry Corporate vs. Smartphone), you should be grandfathered into the plan.  Even if your contract expires, I wonder if you would still have the ability to keep the unlimited…hmm?   

Remember, a lot is assumed here based on what has transpired for me in the past with Verizon.  I don’t work for Verizon, nor has anyone from Verizon confirmed any of these assumptions to me.  I am clearly speculating, based on what I have seen from being a Verizon customer the past 10+ years.  I can tell you I ran into a similar situation with the mobile hotspot/tethering service and it wasn’t until I let my Blackberry go and hooked up my Droid that they changed my tethering plan from the, no longer offered, $15/unlimited, to the new $20/2G plan.  If I would have kept the Blackberry, I would have continued to enjoy the $15/unlimited tether option, since I was grandfathered into that service option.  

For all we know, Verizon could just make everyone change their data plans; regardless of when your contract expires, or phase people out based on some internal algorithm.  The data plans are just considered an added service, taken on a month to month basis, so they likely have these options without going against your contract.  On the other hand, they could  just grandfather all loyal customers into unlimited, although this is very unlikely – probably more likely they just keep the unlimited plans and just raise the price.   What I do know, is I would rather take my chances now and move to a 4G unlimited plan with the chance of being grandfathered in, rather than take that chance later, knowing they will more than likely take away my unlimited once I change over. 

It might be time to get out the lighting rod, and get into some of this thunder, before it’s too late!   Thunder….Thunder…Thunderbolt…Hoooo!  (yes, I had to say it…I grew up in the 80s, I couldn’t let it go…snarf…snarf..snarf…okay, I’m done)

Filed under Gadget Chat, General Tech, Mobile, Verizon Tagged with , , ,

iPad 2 is Bleeding Conspiracy!

March 15, 2011 Leave a comment

The iPad 2 has been out for less than a week now and it seems a potentially major problem has been discovered.  Many people are reporting that their iPad is experiencing “screen bleed”.   I’m not going to go into the details of screen bleed.  If you are interested, please check out this link to Gizmodo – they do a great job explaining and showing you the actual problem – http://gizmodo.com/#!5781452/the-ipad-2-is-bleeding.

The point of this post is my new conspiracy theory, which plays nicely into my previous post, where I believe an iPad 2.5 will be released this September.  If you note, one of the things I predicted that would be part of the September model was…wait for it…a new retina display!  Well, look at what we already have here with the iPad 2 – a bad display!  Wonder how widespread this issue is?  Was it just a bad batch?  Is the screen incompatible with the new chip?  Probably a long shot, but a nice transition in for Apple to say, well, we do have a minor screen problem and to mitigate the risk of it continuing to happen in the future, we have upgraded to a better improved screen! 

So what do you think now - iPad 2.5, coming this Fall, to an Apple store near you?

Filed under Apple, iPad, Uncategorized

iPad 2 – What’s the Plan?

March 10, 2011 2 Comments

 Verizon, AT&T and Apple are all set to start selling iPad 2 devices tomorrow, beginning at 5pm EST. 

If you were considering getting a Verizon ready iPad, here are the plans that will be offered:

  • 1GB per month – $20
  • 3GB per month – $35
  • 5GB per month – $50
  • 10GB per month – $80

If anyone has a data plan on their smartphone and utilizes the hotspot feature for an extra $20 a month, you might start reading between the lines on these plans.  For $20 a month, I can use my smartphone as a mobile hotspot and have my iPad hooked up to the Internet via the phone.  While it drains the battery a bit, it is a lot cheaper at $20/2GB, then the plans above.  It makes me wonder what Verizon has in store for the mobile hotspot plans.  We already know the unlimited plans on the phones are going away…I have a feeling the $20/2GB hotspot/tether plans will change in the near future too, to look more like the plans above. 

If you are an AT&T user, the plans offered, will look these below:

  • $14.99/250 MB per month
  • $25/2GB per month

Overage on the plans varies based on the carrier and the specific plan.  See carrier for details.

Filed under Apple, ATT, Gadget Chat, iPad, Verizon

Your smartphone battery draining the life out of you?

March 9, 2011 Leave a comment

Did you just buy one of the latest smartphones, only to find it consumes your battery quicker than the next Charlie Sheen story can be published on a major news site? Wondering why such a sophisticated device can run at ancient capacity levels? The problem actually isn’t capacity, the problem is demand for that capacity. Since the devices are becoming much more powerful, they are requiring more power! The recently announced Thunderbolt that will run on Verizon’s 4G network has, as many know, been delayed and the rumor is the device has battery issues. More speed, usually means faster processing, which equates to more required juice.

If you find yourself charging your phone every 4 hrs, and are not willing to upgrade to a larger capacity battery, here are some quick hits that should improve your battery levels:

  • Turn off your location services – this includes Google, Verizon (or whoever your provider is), and GPS. This will impact your instant weather and any cool features that require these services to know your location, but how often do you really use them, and you can always turn them back on when you do.
  • Lower the brightness of your screen and don’t use auto bright. Your display is your worst enemy when it comes to consuming the battery. Keep it at a minimum.
  • Watch out for programs that auto sync or pull information regularly. Getting your tweets every 5 minutes; perhaps your e-mail every 10 minutes? Every time your phone goes out to get this info, it costs you battery power. If you only check this info every hour, have those services only poll every hour. You can usually poll on-demand, so if you happen to check before the next scheduled poll, you have options available to you.
  • Turn off your WiFi – if you aren’t using it, turn it off. Yes, you will have to remember to turn it back on when you are home or wherever you use WiFi, assuming you do, but WiFi “always on” draws a lot of power because the phone is constantly looking for connections. There are also programs out there that will allow you to better manage your WiFi, if you are adamantly against turning it off.
  • Bluetooth – see WiFi above – just insert “Bluetooth”; wherever, you see “WiFi”.

While this is not an all-inclusive list and there are surely other ways to preserve your battery, this should provide a good place to start.

Filed under Android, Gadget Chat, iPhone Tagged with , , ,

Things your Parents didn’t tell you – Netbook or Tablet??

March 9, 2011 Leave a comment

Are you like one of the many people I have spoken to recently, trying to decide what is the right device for you?  Do you need a very mobile device, but are not sure if you should go with the traditional Netbook or get caught up in the tablet hype?  Well, I can tell you first hand, I own both types of devices and there is a time and place for each of them.  What I hope to accomplish here, is provide a little bit more insight on the pros and cons for each.

Netbook

What is it?   A netbook is a stripped down laptop that runs the same type of  operating system, your typical desktop or laptop runs.  Some netbooks these days are borderline laptops and vice versa, but generally a netbook sports a screen size between 10-13 inches, does not have any CD/DVD Drives and is less powerful, than your average laptop.  Netbooks are designed to provide portability and efficiency, hence the small screen sizes and less impressive specs.  They were originally targeted at people looking for a more economical  system that would allow them to surf  the web, check e-mail and perform basic pc tasks (ie.  MS Office).   Today, some netbooks are a bit more powerful, like the one I am typing on right now.  Mine houses a faster processor and graphic card, but comes at a price, specifically, greater cost and  6 fewer hours of battery power than your average netbook.  It’s all really personal preference.  The bottom line is a netbook is good for anything that will require you to type a lot and  jump between applications.  If you are like me and want to work remotely every now and then and need to link into another desktop or device, a netbook would provide the perfect blend of functionality and portability.  If you are a blogger, like some others you might know, and will be doing a lot of typing, a netbook would also meet these requirements. 

Tablet

What is it?  It’s an iPad…okay, just kidding, obviously there are more tablets out there than just the iPad.  A tablet is a flat device with a touch screen that allows you to do various tasks.  It runs a mobile operating system, like iOS, Android, or WebOS.  What are these mobile OS I speak of?  Do you have a smartphone?  If so, you have a mobile OS on your phone.  As you already know, one of the advantages of how your phone operates is instant gratification.  Another words, as soon as you turn the device on, it is ready to serve you.  Even when you completely reboot the device, it comes back to life, ready to roll, fairly quickly….of course, unless you have  Blackberry…sorry RIM, but 11 minutes to reboot my Blackberry Storm 2 was never a fun experience (at least it was consistently always 11 minutes).   This leads me to one major advantages of a tablet – it’s always ready to go.  There are no long boot times.  If you are looking for a very portable device, that you can turn on and off without delay, the tablet could be for you.  If you have a smartphone, and love it, but find the screen too small, then the tablet is for you.  If you want that device you can sit on the couch and surf the web, the tablet is for you.  The tablet provides quick, on demand portability.  What it won’t provide is the ability to multi-task efficiently between applications or type well (although the tablet is making strides here with 3rd party products). 

Still confused on what this all means?  Here is the quick and dirty rundown: 

Netbook

Pros

  • Fully functional OS – true multitasking and integration with other devices
  • Easier to type (for the most part)

Cons

  • Slower start-u whether full boot-up or just being “woken”
  • Harder to manuever, while in transit - opening and closing screen and typing..there’s a reason they are called laptops (and physically, other than size, a netbook is inherently a laptop)

Who would benefit most – users looking to work remotely, bloggers, students, people who want a more portable device to their laptop, economical alternative to a laptop or desktop replacement

Tablets

Pros

  • “Always ready” – little wait to boot up and ready to serve when needed
  • Easier to use on the go – no keyboard and completely flat
  • Inherits same full functionality a desktop would have since it uses same OS

Cons

  • Multi-tasking between apps is very challenging
  • No keyboard built-in other than touch screen
  • functionality is limited since it runs on a mobile OS and not the same OS a full-blown desktop would run on

Who would benefit most - couch surfers (Internet), users who are looking for a personal assistant (portfolio) replacement, students (as a supplement to a netbook), workers in the field that normally carry client info (ie. sales, real estate, Dr,  etc.), e-readers who want the best of all the e-reading device world.

Filed under Gadget Chat, General Tech, iPad, Mobile

iPad is less “Spec”-tacular, but should remain more popular

March 7, 2011 Leave a comment

As I have harped upon in my previous posts, the iPad 2 enhancements were predictable and anything but a technological breakthrough.  The mother of all Android tablets on the other hand, which at this moment is the Moto Xoom, has some impressive specs and features, which many are saying could give the iPad a run for its money.  While I agree, I would like to provide some reasons I believe the iPad will remain the leader in the tablet market.

  • Let’s start with cost.  What does the new iPad 2 really mean to the marketplace?  It means there will be plenty of original iPads to snatch up at a great value, whether it be by purchasing a new one discounted to clear out of inventory, or a used one on Ebay, Craigslists, etc.  The bottom line is the original iPad is still a cool device, far from being outdated and well worth the discounted price tag.  People who couldn’t afford the entry-level $500 price tag  to play with the next best innovative device, can now flock to get them at much more affordable price.   More iPads in the marketplace, means more buzz and demand for the devices, all while price points diminish.  It’s like the perfect storm!  (Certainly, the law of supply and demand states demand will cause prices to rise, but remember, they can only rise so high for the first generation iPad, with iPad 2 out there. )

 

  • The iPad might not look as techy as the Android, but that can actually be a good thing.  iOS can be viewed as “boring”, but boring can equate to simple, and when dealing with a technical device,  most people like simple.  Not to mention, the device is still a great looking experience!

 

  • Apple is already trusted and mainstream.  Ever play the game where I say a word and you have to immediately say what comes to mind?  Let’s play:
    • Phone…
    • Tablet…

             Did they both happen to start with “i”.

  • Verizon is promoting Apple products now and is not an Android exclusive shop (yes, there is also Blackberry, but when is the last time you happen to see a Verizon Blackberry commercial).  Verizon is a big player in the mobile world and advertising Apple along side Android, definitely helps Apple…at least a lot more than when they weren’t promoting Apple. 

 

Can others compete with the iPad – surely, as I have noted in previous posts.  I just don’t see it coming as soon as many might think.

Filed under Android, Gadget Chat, iPad

Bold Predictions!

March 7, 2011 Leave a comment

I would like to start off the week by presenting some of my predictions (pure speculation – no solid facts to back these folks) for the upcoming year, with regards to some key mobile devices:

iPad 2.5 – I see in my crystal ball, another incremental update around September of this year.  Included with the iPad Premium (aka 2.5) line will be increased memory options (say a 32, 80, and 128 gig’er), retina display, and possibly a USB port! 

iPhone 5 – thinner and larger.  Larger screens seem to be the cool kids of smartphones these days, so I expect a 4.0 inch screen, off-set by an overall thinner device.  I expect the iPhone 5 to be released by the end of this summer, but Verizon customers shouldn’t hold their breath for it, until at least 6 months after initial release. 

iPhone 4G – not sure when and I am pretty sure it won’t be the next iPhone 5 coming this summer, but it will happen and it will be Verizon to bring it first, to a 4G network close to you.  (If I had to predict a date – late next year, 2012)

Window Tablets – I have a netbook and I have an iPad.  The netbook still allows true multi-tasking, easy integration with other PCs and the file systems.  The iPad provides instant gratification, as it takes no time to boot up and is ready for me immediately – it lacks in the areas I mentioned the netbook was good.  If Microsoft can provide an innovative experience with their Windows tablet, they might have a shot into the market.  The only problem is they are now saying their devices won’t be out until 2012, which only allows the competition more time to give Microsoft a reason to put their tablets on clearance, shortly after their release. 

Blackberry Playbook – this is a tough one to call.  I personally don’t like it much, but I have not played with one,  so again only going with what I read and see online.  I read you can integrate with your BES account, but only if you have a Blackberry phone.  That’s annoying in my opinion.  Blackberry has always relied on the business and enterprise users and I see a lot of businesses working with the iPad right now.  Like Microsoft, the delay to market might have hurt Blackberry’s chances here. 

Android Tablets – from what I see, if you take away the cost, the Moto Xoom has a good chance to take on the iPad.  The problem is the cost.  I am not sure that many people are ready to pay that much for a tablet, especially when the mainstream product, the iPad, can be had for less.  Gadget geeks and highly intelligent tech people might disagree, but that is not the complete make-up of all the consumers these devices should be targeting, if you want to make an impact.  Speaking of the gadget geeks, right now, that’s where i see the Android market staying because….

The iPad will win the tablet battle this year and keep its lead in the tablet market.  Why you ask?  Look for my reasons, later today.

Filed under Android, Gadget Chat, iPad

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