American cell phones verses the rest of the world’s
For those of you who travel overseas, you probably already know this: The United States has the worst cell phone service on the planet. Can you hear me now?
Not only that, but we pay a lot more for our cell calls and we’ve blown several opportunities to become more competitive, more standardized and more in-line with the rest of the world.
Yes, at least some U.S.-based cellular networks make use of the same GSM standard as the Europeans but our phones run on different frequencies, which means that you’ll need to have dual (or tri-mode or quad-mode) band radios in your phone.
As a result, our phones can be more expensive to make and they’re more liable to break. Plus, U.S. phones are often sold locked to a specific carrier, which limits their markets and keeps prices high, forcing most of us to sign up for two-year service contracts when we want new phones.
With the unlocked phones that are available outside the United States or if you get it unlocked here, you can easily add features from a variety of third-party providers.
And speaking of lockouts, remember when 300-baud modems were first invented and the phone companies tried to block their use, claiming that they would damage their networks?
Sadly, we still have some of the same attitudes today with newer devices that are on the phone networks.
Skype is trying to get the FCC to unlock its IP phones for American users so that any phone can be used with any VOIP provider.
And to make matters worse, the latest efforts by cell companies to provide high-speed data service are rewriting history once again, with incompatible systems between Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and Cingular/AT&T networks. When will these guys come together with one single data technology?
Finally, for those of you who travel to Canada with your cell phones, don’t forget that you’re now making international calls at ridiculously high rates, even though Canada uses three-digit area codes.
There ought to be a better way.
Solar Charger Powers Any USB Gadget
Brando is selling a $59.00 USD clamshell solar charger with two USB ports. Just plug your USB-powered devices, such as your Apple iPod or cell phone and it charges them.
This solar charger can be recharged through direct sunlight, AC power or car power. It is a portable, environmentally-friendly, lightweight, durable and versatile solar charging product.
Here is a brief feature list of this cool and geeky “must have” toy:
- Portable and convenient power back up for your devices
- Use the sunlight to charge your mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 players, MP4 players
- Built-in lithium battery can be recharged by sunlight, AC power, Car power, and stored
- Built-in battery can provide up to 180 minutes of talk time depending on handset
- Flash light as a torch: Bright white LED for lighting
- 7 connecting charger heads (for use in other countries)
According to the manufacturer this 2-USB-Ports Multi-Solar Charger is convenient for you to take along with when you are out on business, travel, on bus or ship, etc.
This unit is packing a 2000mAH Lithium battery, so it will provide plenty of back up power, especially in a pinch which happens to many of us laptop carrying Road Warriors.
Find out more by visiting the official product page. Enjoy.
1-800-GOOG-411: Now with Google Maps
In case you hadn’t heard, a few months back Google launched 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) in the United States.
So what is 1-800-GOOG-411?
It’s a free telephone service that lets you search for businesses by voice and get connected to those businesses for free.
Thanks to the Google Development Team, your GOOG-411 experience just got better.
During your call to GOOG-411, just say “map it” and you’ll get a text message with the details of your search plus a link to a map of your results right on your mobile phone.
You can even get to it via your mobile phone by visiting http://mobile.google.com/
How much does this service cost?
Like many of Google’s web bases services, Google Voice Local Search is free.
However, you may be charged for air-time minutes or for using the SMS functionality based on your mobile phone plan.
As with many of Google’s cool services, this service is still in its experimental stage. It may not be available at all times and may not work for all users.
It’s currently only available in English, in the US, for US business listings.
More SOBCon Chicago Pictures
As mentioned in previous posts, I took a ton of pictures at the SOBCon 2007 event in Chicago this weekend, so over the next couple of days I’ll be posting them with some link love as well… ok on with the pictures.
First up, it’s Liz from Successful Blog speaking about having vision with your blog:
Here is a picture of my website up on my laptop. Yeah, I’m a geek:
Here is a picture of me with Lorelle on WordPress looking really tired:
Up next is Robyn Tippins of Practical Blogging and MyBlogLog/Yahoo:
Hey, it’s Jason Alba from JibberJobber “Live Blogging” SOBCON 2007:
Here is a picture of my Geek lunch complete with laptop:
Like I said up top, I’ve taken a lot of pictures during the conference and will be posting more over the next few days along with my normally scheduled postings.
Stay tuned for more as the Geek With Laptop show continues…
What’s Shaking in Chicago?
Ben Yoskovitz Co-Founder of Standout Jobs just finished a great presentation titled “Podcasting 101″.
Things Ben hit on with his Podcasting 101 presentation:
- Length doesn’t matter
- Quality needs to be high
- Use music
- Write a script, but keep it an outline
- Keep it in a conversational tone
- Link to others; best blogging practices
- Draw in your audience
Ben is one of the many people here today that I want to talk with for some in depth conversation.
Rodney Rumford of VideoSticky.com is up next with his presentation on Video Trends.
According to his presentation, 80-100k new videos are uploaded daily. Wow. That’s a lot of videos and bandwidth.
Rodney also pointed out that video engages users and creates longer site visits. If you offer video, you offer extended branding and as a valued resource. I agree 100% and will be looking into VideoSticky a lot more as the day goes on.
Side note, I just realized that there’s a wide variety of laptops being used today. I see Dell’s, IBM ThinkPads, Sony VAIO’s, Toshiba and of course a large amount of Apple MacBooks:
Did you see them? I’ve actually counted 7 within 10 feet of me in the conference hall. Yeah. I’m a geek counting laptops.
I’m going to try and jump out of the conference and visit the Art Institute of Chicago as it’s only 12-15 miles down the express way from the hotel.
I’d really like to see my favorite painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte”.
There is so much going on today and I’m torn if I should leave for an hour to see my favorite painting today.
Maybe I’ll do it tomorrow morning? Any thoughts on this from people at the conference? Anyone want to take a road trip? If so, comment or find me here at the conference.
Pictures As They Happen At SOBCON V1.0
Things are moving quickly here at SOBCON 2007.
There’s a lot of talking, blogging and of course picture taking going on. It’s like a Hollywood movie premier with all the camera flashes going off.
Speaking of Hollywood movie premiers and famous people, who do I see behind me at this very moment?
Easton Ellsworth as seen in picture 3 below rocking his geektastic ring tone on his cell phone. I wonder who was calling him? Inquiring minds want to know.
Here are a few recent pictures from the conference floor:
Look! It’s Easton Ellsworth blogging… probably about me at this very moment 
I’ll be posting more pictures and the day moves forward… and now back to David Armano and his presentation on brand engagement and experience design.