Blackberry Halloween Apps

Our pick of 3 free apps for Blackberry owners :

Create an Halloween themed avatar with Jingu - Smartphone

Track down the ghosts, find the hidden objects with Hidden Object - Night of Spirits  - Playbook

Design your Pumpkin your way - Jack O'Lantern Maker - Playbook

Image Source : 27 Free Pumpkin Carving Patterns - Readers Digest

Bell Mobile TV

Watch tv programs on your Smartphone, Superphone or Tablet via Bell Mobile TV.
Over 20 channels to choose from in the interactive guide. Watch now, set an alert or watch later using the  On Demand feature.

Lost In The Woods Facing South. The solution.

If you have you seen The Discovery Channel snippet about being lost in the woods :

If you find yourself lost in the woods, stand a stick in the ground.

Mark the end of its shadow with a stone. 
Wait 10 minutes – the shadow will have grown longer.
Mark the new end with another stone.

Stand with the first stone on your right and the second on the left.
Congratulations now you are lost in the woods facing south.

The solution to finding your way home or being found is solved by the free Spot Connect App for iPhone, iPad (iOS 3 or later) and iPod touch owners.  The App "turns your smartphone into a satellite  communicator and one way text messenger."  Once the smartphone is paired with Spot Connect users can send GPS location based emergency communications or messages to predetermined recipients.  Custom texts can be typed and sent directly or the user can select from a pre defined list of 14 messages, popular choices include:

• Check-in/OK 
• SPOT Assist
• Help
• SOS
• Track Progress (automated function)

Messages, via the satellite link, can be relayed to a maximum of 10 groups (each group may contain up to 50 contacts).  Spot Connect service is designed to work in remote   locations: wooded areas, mountain regions, off shore and out on the lake.  Sent texts are delivered to email, Mobile phone SMS (simple message service) or GEOS Rescue Coordination Center (Emergency Response Center).  

Price Point: $180 plus taxes 


The Discovery Channel: 
Bell TV satellite channel 520 (standard definition), 1602 HD 
Fibe TV in high definition on Channel 1523


Photo Credits: 
Spot Connect
Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net "Forest" by dan

2000 - 2010, 10 years of Technology Holiday Gifts

Still thinking about what to give, here's 10 years of Technology must have gifts that were given between 2000 - 2010 Holiday Season

2000 - Pdas,(personal digital assistants - RIm 850).   Rio mp3 players, Computer Speakers, USB Thumb drives, iMac G3 Computer.

 2001 - SMS (short messaging services) was introduced. Headsets and ear buds for mobile phones, Handspring Treo smart phone (pds and phone combined into one).  Flat panel computer Monitors, Flat Screen LCD TV's (20 inch.).  iPod - "1,000 songs in your pocket" portable minidisk cd players.  Microsoft XBox. Bell ExpressVu 5100 PVR (Personal Video Recorder).

2002 - Bell Mobility launched, flip, swivel or sliding keyboard Mobile Phone with camera and internet connection were now available to customers.  Hot buy -  BlackBerry 5810 with thumb controls,  Sanyo cell phones.  Surround sound speakers and wireless computer routers, Windows compatible iPod, Nintendo Game Cube. Kodak Easy Share Digital Camera.

2003 - Bell TV Dual Tuner Digital Receiver.  Portable DVD players. Handheld video  cameras, BlackBerry 7230 smartphone. Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner

2004 -  Bell TV 6100 High Definition TV receiver.  Digital Sony Viao S260 Notebook.  Wide Screen TVs. Motorola Razr, iPod Mini, Samsung, Sanyo. LG and Nokia cell phones. USB Flash Drives. 

2005 - iPod Shuffle, BlackBerry mobile phone.  With a 100 song limit - Motororola Rokr incorporating iTunes, Sony VAIO Fj Notebook, wide screen laptops.  Sirius Satellite Radio. X Box 360 .
Handheld games Playstation  Portable and Nintento DS console.
Home Theaters - projectors and surround sound. 

2006 - Mini Camcorders, BlackBerry Pearl, Cell phones including email capabilities with built in camera and audio/video player.  Nintendo Wii.
In car DVD players. 

2007 - High Definition Plasma or LCD TVs, Sony Playstation3, Wii Fit, iPhone, iPod Touch, Canon EOS 400D aka the Canon Digital Rebel  XT Camera. Bell 9200 HD PVR Plus (Dual Tuner) Satellite Receiver.

2008 - Digitial Cameras, 8 GB iPod Nano in black, BlackBerry Curve/ Bold 9000. Bluetooth headsets, iPhone 3G.  Mac Book Air.

2009 -  Canon and Nikon Digital Cameras, iPads, Kindle, Palm Pre smartphone (exclusive to Bell) iPhone 3GS, video calling via the Samsung Galaxy S.

2010 - Netflix subscriptions, media centre, blu-ray players, Bell Mobile TV.  3D TV sets, 3D Movies (Chanel 1933  3D Vuon Bell TV) iPhone 4

Photographer credit -
Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

IPod Shuffle - image Credit :  Courtesy of Apple

Microsoft Modular Phone

Engadget reported that Microsoft have submitted a patent for a modular phone.  The phone will incorporate interchangeable modules - keyboard, gamepad, media remote or additional battery that can be placed into a sliding compartment.

It is not clear where components, not in use, will be stored.  When built this phone with it's many gadgets and futuristic design might just be the smartphone of smart phones.


Engadget, Microsoft Modular Phone Patent  article

First Twitter message

When was the first twitter message - 5 years ago 21st March 2006.  
Who posted the Tweet - Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter.  
What was the first Tweet - " inviting co-workers " 


To date over 175 million registered global users utilize Twitter to share information or to discover breaking trends and news stories.
Because Tweeting is spontaneous it is essential to have an app for your smartphone that will quickly let you connect, tweet, catch up and retweet. Here are our recommendations for the top three smart phone operating systems - iPhone, Android, Blackberry :

iPhone
For multiple accounts Tweetdeck will handle your Tweets plus your Facebook, Google Buzz and Foursquare accounts too. 

Android
Android smartphone can also run Tweetdeck.  However, if you prefer to just handle Twitter then Seesmic will let you use multiple accounts. Photos and video can easily be shared as Seesmic supports Plixi, yFrog, TwitPic and even YouTube.  Bit.ly  and ls.dg account holders can also use the built in url shortener.    

Blackberry
The obvious app is Twitter for Blackberry which can of course be used on most BlackBerry model phones. Another good option is UberSocial which the standard Twitter features as well as some advanced ones, like tweet shortening, profile editing and search saving.


Note - For tweeting pics best app for all three - Twitpic  you can post direct, via website or email your photos in.

What is a SIM Card

Your smart phone may contain a SIM Card.  What is a SIM Card, what does it do ?

A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Card is essentially a memory chip.  
Each SIM Card contains a unique serial number plus an internationally unique number of the mobile user.  Each one is personal to the user and the service provider a (ie a Bell SIM Card will only work on the Bell Network).   The smart phone must also be  compatible  ie  HSPA (or UMTS) and 850 MHz and 1900 MHz compatible). 


It is possible to use your card in someone else's cell phone, the charges, if you are using a Bell SIM Card, will be charged as if you had made the call from your own phone via the Bell Network, which is good news for the person letting you use their SIM enabled smartphone.


This is possible because the SIM Card keeps stores your phone number, your contact phone numbers and text messages as well as your account information -- it becomes your mobile identity, the information is stored on thee memory chip that acts like a mini hard drive.  


The SIM Card can be moved from one device to another, providing all your devices are compatible, there should be need for multiple SIM Cards.

Bell Smart Phone Care Plan

A smartphone is attractive to robbers -  they are easy to conceal,  highly portable and once the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) has been replaced and the phone unlocked it can be set up as "new" with a different carrier. 


Safeguard your investment by taking out a Bell  Smart Phone Care Plan  The Premium Plan covers, defects, accidental damage, power surge, theft or loss and normal wear and tear.  It does not cover batteries, chargers or SIM Cards.  A deductible ($150) also applies but the plan will allows up to two replacements per policy per annum - which is better than having to purchase the smart phone at full price. The Premium Plan currently costs $7.00 per month.


If your Bell Mobility mobile phone is stolen report the theft to the police and also report it to Bell who have a policy of not reactivating a customer's stolen phone.

“

     TIP:

      After purchasing a Bell Smart Phone mobile phone, it is recommended that purchasers
     make a note of the phones serial number and keep it somewhere safe.  This will greatly help
     the police with phone identification and return to the owner,if it is recovered..

”      

CES 2011 - 5 Top Trends

The CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2011, which was held in Las Vegas, is a showcase for the manufacturers to announce, display and demonstrate the latest in electronics.  Some products were distributed prior to the show for testing, some products are still being assembled and some products already have been surpassed.  Our pick for Top Five Trends for 2011 :

1. Pads, Readers, Palms and Tablets
This market is growing, competition is fierce - useful apps, processing speed and media functions will determine the winner.  Multi functionality is one consumer demand manufactures dare not ignore. Ahead of the pack at CES 2011 - BlackBerry Playbook.  Loaded with business apps it is sure to be a success with business managers and office workers in companies of all sizes.  Dual Core processors provide ample multi function capacity. The BlackBerry Playbook also displays flash and runs full desktop versions of programs.



2. Smart Phones for Gamers
Many mobile phones have touch screen controls, so taking a cue from the PS3 Phone (the Sony Playstation Phone) expect to see slide out game controls in place of slide out alpha numeric key pads.

3.  Mini Projectors
In response to consumer demands that their smartphone do more, both RIM and Apple are offering mini projectors. Speculation strongly suggests that  iPhone5 will include a Pico  projector. The Rim BlackBerry Presenter is to be offered as an accessory for BlackBerry smart phones, using Bluetooth technology once connected to a monitor or projector.  Of course stand alone mini projectors are being developed by other companies too.

4. Wireless Charging Pads
No more jumbled up wires or cords. Put the electronic device (mobile phone, smartphone, camera, gaming controller, mp3 player, pad or e-reader) on to the battery charging mat, pad or charger zone.  WildCharge (UK and Europe only at present) and Powermat both use device specific sleeves. CES 2011 saw the debut of the ElectroHub which requires a special battery to be used in place of the devices own.

5. 3D and Multi Media
Imagine your TV displaying 3D images, now image it using 2D input and converting it to 3D output, then add the capabilitiy to download apps.  ON a smaller scale the new Sony Vaio F series laptop converts 2D to 3D on the fly too.  Gamers haven't been left behind either - Nintendo 3DS renders 3D without the need for special glasses.

Also worth noting:
Coming soon to your remote control a Netflix button.
LG have incorporated their Pen Touch technology into Plasma TVs and business boards.

LG Pen Touch Multi Board

LG Rumour Plus

Specifications for the LG Rumour Plus™

                      
• Compatible with the HSPA network            
• Global access  and GPS
• Bluetooth® 2.0
• Micro USB connection
• Text, Picture and Video messaging
• Email, Instant Messaging and Calendar
• Camera: 2 megapixels with 2x zoom and multi-shot
• Video recording and integrated Media player
• Form factor: touch dialling with full QWERTY keypad

• Internal memory: 80 MB
• Talk time: up to 4 hours
• Standby time: up to 378 hours
• Screen size: 2.4"
• Size: 103.0 x 49.9 x 15.3 mm
• Screen resolution: 320 x 240 pixel colour display

Bell Mobility Smart Phone Plans

Bell Apps for Android

 Bell have a selection of Bell Apps for Android  smartphones including :

• Facebook, 
• Twitter, 
• Guitar Hero,            
• Family Guy, 
• MTV 

Plus access to the Android Market where you can find many more great applications to enhance your mobile phone experience.  To access the Android Market select Market on your smartphone, then browse the categories to find apps that interest you.

CC-BY-3.0 page on Creative Commons

Smartphone

A Smartphone is a mobile phone that has computing features.  Smartphones have internet capabilities plus integrated business applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.  Calendar and address book entries can be synched with laptop or desk computers.

BlackBerry® Bold™
9000

Smartphones run on operating systems, which one depends on the make and model.  Currently the most popular operating systems are - Android, BlackBerry OS, iOS and Windows Mobile. 


For business professionals Smartphones are a necessity. 


See our Mobile Phone Models