Mobile gadgets running Blackberry & Android OS'
Posts tagged gsm
Free unlimited SMS? Not without hidden costs.
0174 days
Just yesterday, while reading the news, I found out about an Android application that will allow you to send free SMS. It’s called JaxtrSMS and it works. Just like the description brags it allows you to send worldwide SMS’, even coming from your number, not some shoddy service over the Internet. It uses data and some complain that 5 MB/day is a bit much when you’re not sending many SMSes.
I registered with my name and mobile number and I’ve tried it a few times on various numbers. By the time I pressed the “Back” button to exit the app the SMS was delivered! JaxtrSMS is a bit slow, its blue background comes a bit hard down on my eyes, especially when the writing is pale white. Your recipient’s replies are coming into the SMS Inbox as usual.
What I really found out afterwards is what pisses me off: the application will send a separate SMS or add ads to your initial SMS urging the recipient of your message to signup for the free service! And I can’t find a disclaimer letting you know about this when you sign-up for the service. I used to use a service like this more than 10 years ago and paid for it. The free portions also contained an ad, but it was the link to the service, 20 chars or so.
Of course, I unistalled the app right away.
It is a nice option but not for me. And the fact that it’s coming from Sabeer Bhatia, founder of Hotmail, makes no difference; in my eyes it’s still spam.
When Google Plus 2.0 for Android is not what it seems
0214 days
12 days ago I was happy to report that a 2.0 version of Google Plus for Android has been leaked! I also shared it to a lot of people, finding about it very early on a Saturday morning, thus having a high share of re-posts on Google Plus.
I’ve used it ever since up until last week, when suddenly I got a “corrupt” message when I tried to open the “People” application on my Desire HD. To my horror, I was unable to access any other contact in my phone except for the ones in the call logs! Being a HTC core application, I knew I was in trouble.
I guess I don’t have to mention I spent the next hour trying to find a way to get into my People app and get the contacts. To no avail. I even installed 3rd party contacts apps only to receive the same error no matter what I did.
I tried contacting HTC on Twitter: no reply. I figured “whatta hell, they’re busy, screw this, I’m reinstalling”. Everything. Relying on HTC Sense’s backup. Bad idea. I ended-up reinstalling everything from scratch. Then the phone wouldn’t log on GTalk, so I couldn’t use the Market at all.
Long story short, after 2-3 Master Resets and cleaning up the 8 GB card I was informed that the G+ 2.0 was the culprit. I don’t know why but I guess it has to do with IceCream Sandwich and the way it handles the new “People” application in the Android OS.
So back to 1.08 (updated, nice!) and I kinda miss the 2.0 improvements and nice design.
I wanted to ask if any of you had that issue? Because I know for a fact that not everyone had this issue (I know a Froyo user who had no problems) ; the 2.0 version had a bug with not receiving pictures in the new Chord application and had to be uninstalled.
Picture courtesy of FreeFoto.
Google Plus for Android bumped-up to 2.0
3227 days
Saturday morning is always better when you find-out about a new update for the newly born Google Pus for Android!
It sports a new look: the notifications were moved from the bottom of the screen to the top. The notifications number is bigger and rounder on the edges. The “Messages” section was renamed “Chord” to differentiate from all the others.
Every section of the application was changed or improved: “Profile” has 3 sections now – Posts, About and Photos. You can now browse all your data. “Circles” shows you everyone in your Circles based on your choosing, individual “People” in a different section, o.. You can also make a new Circle right from the phone.
I also noticed the performance was improved. The timeline started almost instantly compared to 1.07 I rocked till now. The app also starts-up faster when the icon is pressed.
I am sure there will be bugs, they always are. For now I have only one wish: I hope they fixed the phantom
notifications. They always show up, no matter how may times you read that them and it’s quite annoying.
Is this the Ice Cream Sandwich version? Might be, I found no indication in those regards.
Version 2.0.0, build 10000 and you can find it here.
Plantronics Discovery 975 – a Bluetooth headset
0237 days
I’ve been using BT headsets for more than 7 years now. I find them more convenient than the wired ones, although it’s true, it’s a hassle sometimes: keep it safe, keep it close, charge it, try to use it when you make and receive a call – oops - disconnected/out of battery/out of reach, the usual stuff. But all in all, a truly handy tool for long talks at the office or when driving or doing anything else and your hands occupied.
Over the years Sony-Ericsson BT headsets were trustworthy partners. In fact, these HBH series have to be the most reliable they ever launched; they’re still in production after so many years. Great price, battery life, great connectivity, great comfort. And a little bulky – there’s no perfect solution in life!
But after 3 or 4 of these in as many years I decided I need to move on: something without an over-the-ear-hook! And something less bulky! And I chose the Plantronics Discovery 975.
Here’s why:
Hardware:
- Build quality is very good, sturdy, nice aesthetics and ergonomics. Hairpin shaped, this headset has a thin, short arm with nice, glossy, finish - yes, parts of it came off after 9 months of usage, but this is a working tool… So much for Premium quality though. While worn and stuck into the ear, the multi-function button works just fine; I need to press it a little harder in order to operate and I have to grab the unit with another two fingers, otherwise the ear would hurt. I try to interfere as little as possible with the headset while I’m wearing it. There’s also a volume button with 3 stages – they are notably different in volume, which is quite high for a BT headset.
- Charging/protection case: the headset comes with a charging case (with a battery inside) wrapped in Faux leather, which sports a led illuminated mini-display showing you connection status, charge level of both the headset (if inside) and case. The headset itself is a little lacking on stand-by and talk time (more about that later!), so they threw-in the charging case. This one will keep your headset full at all times. Both devices have the Universal Micro-U.S.B connectors, so I am able to use the same chargers for the phone, headset and charging case.
- 3 kinds of different spare small ear-tips for different ear sizes and shapes. I use the medium one, so the headset will fit perfectly in the ear. There is also a lanyard for the case.
Performance:
- With Dual-Mic Audio IQ2 noise-cancelling technology and WindSmart wind noise protection this is the best BlueTooth headset I have ever used in operation terms. Yes, others might be lasting longer for example, but your voice will come-out of this one crystal-clear, even in the harshest of environments. Of course, there is the halo effect you find in every BT headset as noticed by my callers, but that’s reduced a lot thanks to the software improvements above.
- Voice alerts for low battery, as well as led status (red for empty battery, pulsing white light for receiving a call, as well as slow pulsing white light for missed calls – for example, it flashes slowly 3 times for 3 missed calls!) are provided. There is also voice control which I never use because I don’t need it.
- A double press on the operations button will redial the last number used (sent and received).
- Talk time is estimated at 6 hours from the 85 mAh battery inside. I was able to use it for hours at a time but never for 6 hours. I usually find the headset empty after just 2-3 days of being constantly on, used and connected to the phone most of the times.
- Connection is almost flawless. I’ve been able to move around in the house while talking on the headset, even from one room to another (no brick walls, indeed!). Working distance is ~ 10 meters.
All in all, a great headset! Very expensive when launched in the Autumn of 2009 priced at around 125$, now it can be found on Amazon at around 60$. Not in Romania though: still 125 Euros. But hey, all good things come at a price! And sometimes is just justified.
New Live wallpaper for any Android phone
0239 days
Just a quick update on a great Live wallpaper I stumbled across Friday.
It’s called Verizon Wave Live Wallpaper and it was taken from a file – dump of the leaked upcoming HTC Vigor Android smartphone on Verizon U.S.A. Among other files like regular wallpapers and ringtones was this file. The only thing I wanna write about is that it doesn’t consume more energy than a regular wallpaper. It does not appear in the battery consumption log which means it takes less than 1% of the weak 1230 mAh equipping my Desire HD.
Oh, yes, some of the users report it causes motion sickness, so be aware!:)
A demo here from bmmahfood user on YouTube.
You can get it here.
Google Reader updated
0278 days
Yet another update for Google Reader! A very useful tool for reading and sharing everything we read over the Internet.
This time around they introduced a new U.I and optimized it for tablets. I like the flowing transitions, it’s definitely a big improvement over the dull and static interface we’ve employed for almost a year now. The team also altered a very important function; the “Mark All Read” is now contextual, which means I need to press long on an item in order to mark all previous as read. It’s a bit annoying but I guess it’s the same thing as hitting “menu” and “mark previous as read” – there were two clicks before as now there’s only one…oh, well.
Other than that, I can remark the adding of “share” and “star it” on the top right thus enabling the reader to quickly share with others or mark it in order to read it later.
A good improvement all in all! Keep ‘em comin’!
Pictures courtesy of Google.
