Your Ally In The Android vs iPhone Battle

LG’s first Android phone is a winner right out of the gate. The LG Ally for Verizon Wireless offers an impressive array of features and the ability to customize your phone with tens of thousands of apps from the Android Market.

Is texting or email an important part of your mobile activities? If so, you’ll love the ability to use real keys instead of poking at a glass screen. The LG Ally offers both a 3.2 inch touch screen and a slide out full QWERTY keyboard with nicely sized physical keys. You’ve got 5 home screens to customize, so just go nuts with those Android apps.

This is also a social networking phone. The included LG Socialite widget lets you manage your Facebook and Twitter accounts simultaneously. Why have to choose when you can have both? What fun is voicemail unless you can view and manage it on your cell phone. This one has that capability.

As you can see, the LG Ally has some unique capabilities. But it also has all the standard Internet and multimedia capabilities that you expect in an advanced smartphone. Text message and multimedia messaging are built-in. So is an email client that supports push Gmail and Exchange. The Android Webkit HTML5-based Web browser puts the Web at your fingertips. Verizon’s 3G EVDO Rev A network and WiFi access connect you to the bandwidth you need to access the Web with ease.

You’re all set up to capture what you see with the 3.2 Megapixel digital camera. This one has modes similar to many higher priced digital cameras. You get night mode, macro mode, panorama, smile detection and beauty shot. Flash and auto-focus are part of this camera, as well as the ability to use it as a camcorder to capture videos that you can share with friends or your social network right from the phone.

Other useful features include integrated GPS that provides spoken turn-by-turn directions and real time traffic updates, MP3 player that lets you download MP3s from the Amazon Music Store, streaming multimedia support, Stereo Bluetooth so that you can stream your music in high quality to headphones and other compatible devices, and a lot more.

Does the this sound like the type of smartphone you’ve been looking for if you could afford it? Well, you can. Right now the LG Ally is free when you order it with new Verizon Wireless service. That deal may not last for long, so go for it this is the phone for you.

If you prefer, you can check out all the Android phones and other cell phone special offers now available through Cell Phone Plans Finder.

Democracy In a Cell Phone

As I’m writing this, I’m looking at a report that the American Red Cross has received $22 million in donations for Haiti earthquake relief via cell phone text messages. By the time you read this post, that number will most certainly have been superseded by an even larger amount. Such an outpouring of generosity by texting is being called unprecedented. It is, but this is more likely to signal a new social trend than an amazing one-time event.

The $22 million figure is truly astounding when you consider it was raised in about a week in increments of $10 per donor. That’s a couple of million people acting independently but almost simultaneously when the request for help went out. They were, and still are, enabled by a process that makes giving faster and easier than ever before. In the case of this relief effort for suffering millions in Haiti, all that is necessary is to send the text message “Haiti” to the number 90999. In seconds you’ve made a pledge that adds $10 to your cell phone bill.

But there are already established ways to make charitable donations, right? Of course. They include writing checks and sending them to published addresses or in response to appeal letters that come in the mail. The Internet savvy, and who isn’t these days, can go to a website address, click on the donate button and enter their credit card information. They’ll get a Web or email confirmation and perhaps a letter of confirmation a week or two later. You can also call in your donation. Just call the charity’s toll free number and a friendly operator will take your information for a credit card donation or as a pledge that you’ll follow up with a check later.

Now, compare sending a text message to a short number to navigating the Internet, finding your credit card, entering your information online, or calling a number and waiting to be served. The first process takes seconds. The other processes take minutes to who knows how long. Texting is like instantly voting. Everything else feels like filling out a form... and it is.

Cell phone texting has established new behaviors and expectations in at least one generation of users. The expectation is that you can participate in anything instantly and in real time. The voting analogy is a good one and rooted in fact. “American Idol” taught millions how to vote with their cell phones. How soon will we be able to voice our opinions on local and national referendums by simply texting 1, 2 or 3 to indicate for, against, or neutral? How few years will pass when we expect to vote for actual candidates via cell phone text message?

Seriously. Which would you rather do? Take time off work, drive to a polling place you never otherwise visit, stand in line, fiddle around with a punch card or paper ballot, and then drop it into a machine that you only hope is working correctly to tally your vote. Or, cast your vote by text message or smartphone voting app and have the system ensure that your vote is counted and that you have voted once and only once. Both systems can be designed to produce honest and accurate results. But one is orders of magnitude faster and easier than the other. Now, which do you suppose will be more effective in encouraging public participation? Think about the Haiti relief donations before you answer.

The fact is that the rise of the cellphone in every pocket has changed the fabric of society. Actually making telephone calls is the least of it. Nearly every new phone has texting capability and most give you email and website Internet access, increasingly at broadband speeds. How about cell phone cameras? The combination of built-in cameras and YouTube has given rise to the age of the citizen journalist. Now everyone has the ability to capture the events that they are witnessing in both still photos and video. You see these contributions on TV news more and more. Often, the random person lucky or unlucky enough to be present when something momentous occurs is the only one who can act fast enough to capture the sound and images of a fleeting event.

More than any development before it, cellular technology is enabling us to function as individuals but act in concert on matters of importance to all or many. I think that we’re just at the beginning of this trend. As it plays out, our cell phones may replace our credit cards and even cash for most transactions. Wallet? Why would you need a wallet except to hold pictures of the family? Oh, wait, they’re right there on the cell phone screen.

In the present, you have an opportunity to participate in a significant way in the rescue and relief of an entire nation crushed by an unforeseen natural disaster. Have you got a few seconds? Then go ahead and text “Haiti” to 90999 to make your $10 donation. The carriers are participating by waiving their standard text messaging fees and are taking actions to get the funds to the American Red Cross as quickly as possible, so that we can support the Haitians in real time... which is what they need more than anything.

Going Incognito With SANYO and Sprint

If someone says you have to do your messaging incognito, just SANYO.

The new SANYO Incognito for Sprint is the text messaging phone you’ve been waiting for. It’s subtle on the outside and powerful on the inside. Remember the big black monolith in “2001: A Space Odyssey?” Well, this looks a little like that, except it’s pocket size. Keep it in your pocket and you won’t have to worry about any apes going loopy and throwing bones around. When you need it, the mirrored shell will glow to reveal a monochrome display and the buttons you need for dialing a phone call.



“OMG, it’s full of keys!”

OK, another homage to the Stanley Kubrick movie. But flip open your SANYO Incognito and you’ll find a full QWERTY keyboard with keys big enough to enable high speed messaging. You’ll also have a crisp 2.6 inch color display with 320 x 240 Pixel resolution. It’s almost like having a sub-netbook computer in your hand. Hopefully, not too smart of a computer. You don’t want to be texting along and hear a disembodied voice say, “I’m sorry Dave. I can’t let you send that.”

No way. That’s not going to happen... at least right now. You know some clever dude is going to develop a HAL 9000 app, but you won’t have to download it unless you want the cybernetic companionship.

Are you a social person? How about a social networking person? Good. The Incognito has your favorite apps, including Facebook, MySpace and Photobucket pre-installed. There’s a WAP 2.0 browser for surfing the Web and support for email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging and standard SMS text messaging. After all, you’ll need to make good use of all those keys.

Multimedia will get a workout, too. The SANYO incognito sports a media player that works with your music library and streaming media, including Sprint TV. The onboard digital camera has 2.0 Megapixels of resolution with multiple capture modes including night shot, multi-shot, color effects, zoom and more. You can capture video clips of any pesky simians and expose their evolutionary antics on YouTube.

Is Incognito the messaging phone you’ve waited eons to appear? Well, would you like to have one anyway, especially if you knew you could get it free online? No need to wait for any Moon or Jupiter missions. Get complete details and order your SANYO Incognito for Sprint PCS right now.

Or check all the current special offers for free and low cost cell phones and smartphones.

Going Rogue But Not Rouge With Samsung

Are you a maverick personality who needs a high performance cell phone that won’t quit on you in the middle of its service term? Then consider the new Samsung Rogue U960 Black (sorry, no red) for Verizon Wireless. It’s one hot candidate in a field of competing smartphones.

Does your current phone have one-touch access to your favorite social network apps, like Facebook and MySpace? No? How about the ability to surf the Web, watch YouTube videos and edit high resolution photos on a screen so bright its easy to use even in sunlight? No? Can you stream stereo music to a wireless headset, get driving directions, or message with ease using a real pushbutton slide-out QWERTY keyboard?

Still no? Your phone’s just too out of date to do everything you want to do, with ease, when you want to do it. Well, don’t waste your time trying to put lipstick on that pig when you can trade up to an advanced multimedia messaging-centric phone like the Samsung Rogue. It’s available at an incredible online discount with free shipping right now.

Let’s take a look at this candidate’s qualifications. What the Rogue has that you’ll be hard pressed to find on another phone is the AMOLED touchscreen color display. That stands for Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode. Eventually your TV will have one of these displays, but right now you can enjoy the advantage of this new technology that is incredibly bright and easy to see even in direct sunlight. The Samsung Rogue display measures a generous 3.1 inches with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and the ability to display over 262,000 colors. That gives you a rich, desktop-like Internet experience on your cellphone.

The Rogue’s customizable widget bar enables you to have one-touch access to social media such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube and so on. You’ll be able to surf the Web with the built-in HTML Web browser and take advantage of Verizon’s cellular broadband network that’s available in most populous areas. You’ll also have access to V Cast Videos and V CAST with Rhapsody, if you choose to subscribe to these multimedia services.

The vibrant color display will also be appreciated for viewing the high resolution photos you take using the Samsung Rogue's 3 Megapixel digital camera with flash. It has advanced editing tools and zoom capability onboard, plus it runs in camcorder mode so you can make your own videos wherever you happen to be. Share them with your friends using multimedia messaging for picture and video messages. You won’t run out of storage space if you plug in a microSD memory card with up to 16 GB of capacity.

If messaging is a major part of your communications, you’ll love the slide-out full QWERTY keyboard of the Samsung Rogue. No tapping on the screen to compose messages with this phone. You get real pushbuttons with comfortable size and spacing so you can compose text quickly, easily and accurately. Slide it back in when you are done for a smaller profile phone.

What are the hottest cell phone deals available right now, including free cell phones? Use the Cell Phone Plan Finder to check out the top phones and associated wireless service plans.

It's a Sidekick and a Running Mate

The new T-Mobile Sidekick Slide is a messaging addict's best friend. You might want to say it's your favorite "side kick." Since you can't stand to be out of the loop regardless of what you're doing, slip this in the pocket of your sweat pants and take off on your daily jog. If anything happens during that hour or so, you'll be connected. You might consider it your favorite "running mate."

I should mention that this mobile device is a cell phone, although that may not be its most heavily used application. The T-Mobile Sidekick Slide is a rapid access messaging machine. Rapid access because the slide feature presents a full QWERTY keyboard with just a flick of your thumb. Turn it sideways and you have something resembling a miniaturized computer. It has a large 320 x 240 pixel 16 bit full color display. Just below is the QWERTY keyboard with actual buttons, not virtualized pictures on a screen like that i-something-or-other.

The Sidekick Slide is what you might call messaging-intensive. SMS text messaging is just the start of it. There's also multimedia messaging so you can send and receive picture messages. A built-in instant messenger supports AOL, MSN and ICQ. You can also acess Web-based email accounts including Yahoo!, Gmail and others with a Sidekick plan.

What's a Sidekick plan? It's the messaging and Internet access service plan for your T-Mobile Sidekick Slide. It's different than a voice plan. The voice plan provides traditional cellular phone service with a basket of monthly minutes. The Sidekick plan gives you messaging and Web access. If you want both you can order both. But you do have the option of ordering just a Sidekick plan if you rarely make or receive telephone calls. In this case you can still use your Sidekick as a phone. You'll just pay by the minute for phone calls.

What else does this handy little gadget offer? How about a 1.3 Megapixel digital camera that takes photos good enough to print? You'll also get a MP3 player so you can listen to your favorite music while you're waiting for the next text message to arrive. There's 128 MB of internal memory available for user storage. You can add additional memory for more music and photos by adding a 4 GB microSD memory card.

What are the hottest cell phone deals available right now, including free cell phones? Use the Cell Phone Plan Finder to check out the top phones and associated wireless service plans.

Economic Woes Drive Rural Telegraphy Initiative

The ongoing deterioration in economic activity has caused a complete rethinking about how to bring digital communications to rural areas. It's no secret that Internet access and even cell phone service is hard to come by out in the boonies. That's what the rural broadband initiative in the economic stimulus plan was designed to correct. But in a cruel twist of fate, it's been discovered that the monies intended for trenching fiber optic cable down country lanes has instead been appropriated by city hedge fund managers.

As one of the fund managers, Robb M. Blihnd, explained: "The need for hedges to separate adjoining properties in densely packed urban and suburban landscapes is critical to public safety. People are getting testy and going after their neighbors over little things like barking dogs, smoke from barbecue cookouts and children straying into adjacent properties. We need the money for planting hedges to clearly identify property boundaries and provide a natural barrier against intrusions. The demand for hedge fund financing is clearly more critical in metro areas than out in the country where the population is more dispersed. That and our executive bonuses, of course."

The dearth of funding has sparked renewed interest in an alternative technology well suited to rural communications. With minimal construction costs and low bandwidth requirements, telegraphy may the answer to doing "something" for the long ignored rural constituency without Congress having to come up with additional funding. Samuel F. B. Morse's telegraph was America's first telecommunication technology and designed to work in the frontier environment of the 19th century. Sometimes referred to as the "The Victorian Internet", there are eerie parallels to today's messaging technology. Users known as "telegraphers" networked across the country to exchange messages at will. Simple battery power energized both transmission and reception, much the way cell phones use batteries today.

Jon Dehre is owner of the first TSP or Telegraph Service Provider to apply for federal funding under the massively scaled down Rural Telegraphy Initiative. According to Jon: "Wiring for a telegraph system is easy out in the country. Most farms have barbed wire fencing that works great as a conductor to carry the signal for miles. Of course, you have to watch out for those electrified fences. We zapped a few operators before we learned to test for high voltage by throwing a wet tarp on the wires. We go through tarps pretty fast, but there seems to be plenty of tarp financing available."

The resuscitated telegraph technology should have a special appeal to younger users who are addicted to texting. Only a single finger is needed to tap out the dots and dashes of the Morse Code using a standard telegraph key. Power users can upgrade to a semi-automatic keyer, also known as a "bug." These require the use of two fingers, but leave one hand completely free to act as an unpowered "green" printer for writing down incoming messages.

Telegraphy solutions may also be appropriate for some businesses with little technology need and even lower expectations. For those that require a true broadband solution, it should be noted that T1 lines are available at reasonable rates through Sheep For T1, a website designed to support businesses located beyond metropolitan areas. In addition, satellite broadband is available for residential users in nearly all USA locations. No fooling.

LG enV2 Sparks Envy Too

The original enV "envy phone" from LG turned a lot of eyes green. The new enV2 VX9100 upgrade makes the envy factor even stronger, especially for heavy text messagers, mobile gamers and mobile media aficionados.

What makes the enV2 really special is the hidden full QWERTY keyboard. This phone doesn't force you to tap out messages on a virtual keyboard shown on a glass screen. Oh, no. This is a real keyboard with nice size keys. Normally, you'll keep your enV2 closed and use it just like any other candybar phone for making and receiving calls. But when you want to text, just open the case to reveal both a full keyboard and a larger 2.4 inch high resolution color display. There are also dual stereo speakers to make your multimedia experience special.

The sleek black and silver styling of the LG enV2 sports a plethora of features that make it an up to date high-tech cellphone. It's broadband data connectivity is EV-DO on the Verizon Wireless network. That gives you up to 700 Kbps download speed, similar to many DSL connections. This bandwidth is great when you are watching on-demand TV or listing to music with Verizon's VCAST add-on plans. It's also valuable for sending and receiving picture messages.

Photographic capability of the enV2 includes a 2.0 Megapixel resolution digital camera that can be used in camcorder mode with QVGA resolution (320x240 pixels) and record videos up to 1 hour long. There is 63 MB of memory built-in and you can expand that up to 8GB using plug-in MicroSD/Transflash format memory cards.

Other niceties include GPS services support so you can get turn-by turn directions from VZ Navigator, if you choose to subscribe to it. There is Bluetooth streaming for musical enjoyment on high quality wireless headphones and other devices that support the A2DP protocol. Voice activated dialing lets you speak a phone book name with no pre-training required.

What are the hottest cell phone deals available right now, including free cell phones? Use the Cell Phone Plan Finder to check out the top phones and associated wireless service plans.

Net10 Goes All You Can Eat

No contract cell phone services are popular with people who, for one reason or another, retch at the thought of committing to a two year cellular service contract and the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars involved. For certain. Cellular contracts are notoriously hard to weasel out of. If you are in the country on a student visa and will be going home in nine months, what on earth do you want with a two year yoke around your neck?

The one bugaboo with no contract phones that you buy online or in a retail store is the constant hassle of recharging them to keep talking. On the low end, if you buy a minutes card and then toss the phone in the glove compartment of your car for emergency use, all those minutes might have gone bad by the time you find yourself marooned on a deserted back road and really, really need that cell phone. On the high end, who wants to be running out of minutes when you're talking up a storm or texting like mad?

The low end emergency phone issue has been solved by Net10 "Easy Minutes" automatic monthly service. It charges your credit card to extend service every month. Plans start at $15 a month for 150 minutes. Try finding a conventional contract cellphone service for $15 a month. Ha!

Now the power user gets a boost, a power boost if you will, with the new Net10 Unlimited plan. It is what is sounds like. For just under $80 a month you get unlimited local and long distance calling nationwide plus unlimited texting. Have you got the calluses on your fingers to give this service a run for the money? Text until you cramp up. Or talk until you're out of breath. The price is the same and there is no contract to sign. It just charges to your credit card.

You will need a special Net10 phone that you buy from them in order to use any of the pay-as-you-go services. These are flip phones and candybar phones, like the ones you buy at a cell phone store or electronics retailer. They've been specially set up to display your remaining available airtime and let you order more right from the phone. Of course, with the Unlimited plan you won't be worrying about running out of minutes, will you?

There are lots of phones and many different service plans to meet the needs of light duty, typical, and heavy duty users. Learn more and sign up conveniently online at Net10