October 31st, 2011 / No Comments » / by Jason Harris
As a gadget owner, I look to take care of my electronic tools and toys. This extends to my BlackBerry PlayBook as well. On its PlayBook is already a pretty rugged device. It has a tough glass exterior on the front and an already tacky and easy to grab rubber backing on the rear of the tablet.
However, I like to carry my PlayBook with me when I go out to coffee shops, during travel and just generally on the go. I constantly worry about the PlayBook getting scratched or damaged while in my backpack.
PlayBook has a soft pouch of a case it comes with, but I like to cram phones, books and notebooks into my bag, along with the PlayBook, making it a somewhat hostile place for my PlayBook.
When I decided to look for cases, the OtterBox line came recommended from my Twitter followers, so I decided to give the protective case a go. Enter the OtterBox Defender Series for BlackBerry PlayBook.
October 28th, 2011 / 1 Comment » / by Jason Harris
I’ve had a Google TV for most of this year. I was super excited about the potential of the device that was supposed to merge Internet content on to my regular TV experience.
As a Roku user, I was already used to the idea of streaming Amazon and Netflix content to my TV, which is great. Google TV was supposed to take the experience a bit further by bring the Internet to into my living room.
I have enjoyed having a browser on my 47″ Vizio TV, but other than that, Google TV has offered no advantage for me over the Roku devices. In fact, I was just about to rip the GoogleTV powered Logitech Revue box out of my entertainment system over the weekend.
This all changed with a recent blog post from Google this morning. Finally, after waiting all summer, a new version of Google TV software is being pushed out. This weekend and next week, Revue boxes will receive a much-needed revamped user interface along with Apps from the Android market. According to GigaOm, there will be close to 1,800 applications available at launch time.
The update will include a simplified programming guide, in the form of a TV and movies application that offers access to live TV listings as well as online sources for content. That is, search for “Mary Poppins” and the app will show you live listings (if they exist at that time) and the ability to stream it from sources such as Amazon or Netflix.
Also, GoogleTV will be receiving an updated YouTube client that will replace the very awkward client that currently exists on the platform.
Android Market is coming and will include apps from sources such as QVC for Google TV, AOL HD, Fox News, Wall Street Journal Live, Pandora, Clicker and Twitter. But there will be the ability to install apps from the general Market as well.
Please Google TV, please make my cable TV experience suck less now. :)
October 16th, 2011 / No Comments » / by Jason Harris
In addition to my writing here at Techcraver.com, I write at a few different places online. Here are my links to materials from around the web, for this month so far:
October 15th, 2011 / No Comments » / by Jason Harris
Introduction
When it comes to traveling or being constantly on the go, one problem we constantly face is keeping our gadgets charged. When I attend a conference, I often have a few devices on me, including an iPad, my mobile phone (often 2 or 3) and even an iPod. Since I’m constantly using the phone to call, take photos, shoot video and the iPad to do every-day computing, these devices’ batteries drain early and often.
I’ve carried around battery packs before such as the Zagg Sparq 2.0, which has a monster battery and two USB ports for charging more than one device at a time. However a new product popped on the market that got me very interested: a nice looking backpack that will not only carry everything, but charge multiple devices simultaneously with an integrated battery system.
Overview
The Powerbag Deluxe Packpack looks like a mainstream backpack. The black bag has numerous pockets and a nice padded strap with suspension for added comfort. What sets this backpack a part is this nice slide-in pocket for up to a 16″ laptop and lots of small pockets for pens, notebooks and other accessories you need while traveling about.
However, the star of this show is the removable and surprisingly lightweight recharable 6,000 mAh battery on board. This honking battery can charge a smartphone such an iPhone up to 4 times. Also, Powerbag has included 4 connectors to the battery, including one specifically for Apple devices such as an iPhone, iPod Touch a mini-USB connector and a micro-USB connector. It’s possible to charge multiple devices at one time, including an iPhone and an Android device. There’s a USB port custom designed for high-capacity devices such as an iPad or other tablet.
There’s a one-touch battery level indicator and a weather-resistant AC adapter charging port on the side, meaning you actually plug the backpack into the wall to recharge.
October 10th, 2011 / No Comments » / by Jason Harris
There are 800 million people worldwide who access Facebook, most on a daily basis. Most of the time, we’re on our computers at home or on the go. However, Facebook becomes even more engaging when we can post on walls, upload photos and interact with the social network while on our mobile phones.
If you have a smartphone, Facebook is just an application on your iPhone, Android, Nokia or other phone. However, what about the huge majority globally who don’t have a smartphone..how can they interact with Facebook? Yes we have SMS based updates, but this level of activity leaves a lot to be desired.
Personal Argentina is the first mobile carrier to deploy a Facebook-enabled SIM, making any GSM phone capable of using Facebook. By using the SIM Toolkit commands, Facebook is accessible via a cascade of text menus. All the Facebook interactivity happens over SMS, not an expensive mobile Internet connection.
By utilizing Class 2 SMS for connectivity, the user simply pays a monthly subecription and gets unlimited use of Facebook and the carrier gets to sell a value-added service without having to spend money on handset subsidies.
This is especially important in nations such as those in South America. Personal Argentina, the carrier, can reach ou to these geographies where Facebook adoption is high, but smartphone penetration isn’t . There’s an eager market of users who want access to social networks, but can’t pay a high monthly tariff for data or for an expensive smartphone.
To see more about the service, see the video below:
September 26th, 2011 / No Comments » / by Jason Harris
I worked for years in corporate IT departments. In my last job in this role, I was consulted on mobile carriers/phones because of my work on this site and others and my experience with a variety of different platforms. Corporate IT departments desire consistency because these hard working departments don’t have bandwidth to support dozens of machine types and all the problems that arise from differing platforms.
This is why IT departments typically demand that you use X laptop and Y mobile phone (typically a BlackBerry) and nothing else. However, there is a shift occurring.
Many IT departments are loosening requirements and allowing for more flexibility in machine choices. Especially now that iPads and iPhones are being used by many professionals, which can easily be configured to utilize Microsoft Exchange email accounts.
According to NY Times, 48% of information workers buy smartphones for work without considering what IT actually supports.
Why? Because Microsoft Exchange is so ubiquitous now that just about any phone platform supports it, so consumers who happen to be professionals who want to connect to corporate email don’t have to care any more.
Going beyond mobile phones, more IT departments are succumbing in other ways too. Consumer friendly apps such as Skype, which were once forbidden on corporate machines, are finding a way onto desktops.
Also, Bring Your Own Device policies are in becoming more commonplace, where office workers are given stipends to buy whatever laptop they want. This is a delight to companies such as Apple that are seeing increased sales, especially with laptops, which were rarely seen in corporate America a few years ago.
September 22nd, 2011 / 2 Comments » / by Jason Harris
Statistics are fascinating. Also, to me, how folks use their mobile phones is a fascinating study as this medium and tool infuses into our society.
The Pew Research Internet and American Life recently conducted a survey to gain insight into mobile customers in America and their communication preferences when it comes to their phones. Yes we know that the majority of Americans have a mobile device, which Pew says ownership is up to 83% nationwide and about three quarters of these mobile toting customers utilize text messaging.
One more interesting note is that about a third (31%) prefer to be in touch via text messaging over voice. Looking at the other point of view, 53% of respondents say they prefer to a voice call to a text message. However, digging a little deeper, young adults aged 18 to 24 prefer text messages by a wide margin! People in this age category send an average of 109.5 messages per day, which is a total of almost 3,200 messages per month.
So, as you can plainly see, there’s a huge generational gap as to how Americans are utilizing their phones. Youth prefer messaging while older mobile users want to talk via voice. Personally, I’ve seen many parents and grandparents switch over to text messaging out of necessity. That is, in order to interface with their kids or grandkids, they’re adopting text messaging as it’s the only way they can get adequate responses.
As for my habits, I used to prefer voice calls because I found them to be a more efficient use of my time. However, as I grew more accustomed to SMS and now use it more heavily, I prefer this method of communication.
What method do you prefer? Let’s chat below in the comments!
September 16th, 2011 / 1 Comment » / by Jason Harris
According to the Market Intelligence and Consulting Institute (MIC), the numbers of eReaders (such as the Kindle) shipped will balloon 183% from last year. That is, this year, almost 35 million ebooks readers will ship this year, up from 12.3 million units in 2010.
This is a remarkable number, indicating that the Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook and other eBook Readers are taking off in popularity.
Looking further, the 2012 figures might surpass 50 million units shipped, if current growth patterns stay in line. MIC sees the United States as the biggest growth market during that period as eReaders evolve into a new generation. To quote the organization, they say “Consumers prefer e-readers with multimedia functions in overal performance, coloriazation, and product differentiation are key factors for market success.”
And, as seen about a week ago, Amazon is expected to release a new version of the Kindle. The new tablet version will actually run a version of Android and will run apps, view movies and allow you to listen to music. Also, the Nook is more than just an eReader – it too runs applications, much like MIC is suggesting.
This holiday season is coming up and new eReaders and cheap tablets will be very interesting to watch. What excited you the most?
September 6th, 2011 / No Comments » / by Jason Harris
This last weekend, I had the honor of appearing on Rudy Maxa’s World, the United States’ most listened to travel radio show. There are two radio shows that Rudy Maxa is responsible for, one that is nationally syndicated across 120+ stations nationwide and a second that is a part of KFWB 980AM, the major news station in the Los Angeles area.
On the 3 September show, I discussed the new tablet that is forthcoming from Amazon.com and 6 must-have travel applications for travelers this Fall season.
The link is on my Radio page. I look forward to your feedback.
September 3rd, 2011 / 1 Comment » / by Jason Harris
For those who are regular readers of this website, you all know that I take pride in being a regular contributor the Rudy Maxa Show. This top radio show is squarely aimed at anyone interested in travel, whether as a regular activity or anyone who has an upcoming trip. To hear my past appearances on the show, check out my Radio page.
Tuday, on the Rudy Maxa show, I presented the top travel applications for this Fall traveling season. Here is a summary for those who listened to the show and want more information.
Airline applications
Alaska Airlines and United both released new versions of the company’s mobile applications which now let you buy a ticket in the app but also do mobile ticketing as well. Yes, this means no more having to print off your ticket before you leave. This utility has been available in European countries for some time but is now becoming more common in the United States, thank goodness.
Staying in touch while abroad
Facetime: iPod Touch devices, iPads, and iPhones can do full video conferencing with another Apple devices, no matter where they are in the world. However, this is only available in the Apple ecosystem.
Skype: yes Skype has been around forever, but now on iPad, newer Android phones and for iPhone, we can do full video calling free of charge with other iPhones and any computer running Skype. This means you can do full face to face video with any computer and most mobile devices. This is a very cool feature that keeps you in touch while you’re off on your next journey.
1000 Experiences
From Lonely Planet, this rich iPad app is now available and gives your vacation some added flair with the publications top recommended experiences. The ventures are shown with wonderful images and insights from travel authors and video highlights of journeys the world over.
UrbanSpoon
In a nice city and need some grub? Let Urbanspoon direct you no matter where you are. You can filter selections based on price, cuisine and neighborhood. Ratings come from newspapers, food critics and fellow diners.
FlightTrack Pro
This app will help you keep on task at the airport when it comes to your flight. Simply forward the confirmation email to the service and it keeps you up to date on delays and other schedule changes with push notifications. FlightTrack Pro is available in the iTunes app store.
Nokia Maps
Absolutely the best map app all around. Yes it does maps and routing and all. However, Nokia Maps stands out with its ability to allow you to download maps before you go; making it possible to navigate while abroad without a data connection – just take your (Nokia) phone and go!
Jason Harris is a technology writer, community manager and mobile enthusiast. I am also a tech radio reporter, appearing on a nationally syndicated radio program.
I focus on the fields of mobile hardware and apps, consumer electronics, and hardware/software.
However, I like to carry my PlayBook with me when I go out to coffee shops, during travel and just generally on the go. I constantly worry about the PlayBook getting scratched or damaged while in my backpack.
I’ve had a Google TV for most of this year. I was super excited about the potential of the device that was supposed to merge Internet content on to my regular TV experience.
There are 800 million people worldwide who access Facebook, most on a daily basis. Most of the time, we’re on our computers at home or on the go. However, Facebook becomes even more engaging when we can post on walls, upload photos and interact with the social network while on our mobile phones.
This is why IT departments typically demand that you use X laptop and Y mobile phone (typically a BlackBerry) and nothing else. However, there is a shift occurring.
The Pew Research Internet and American Life recently 
According to the Market Intelligence and Consulting Institute (MIC), the numbers of eReaders (such as the Kindle) shipped will balloon 183% from last year. That is, this year, almost 35 million ebooks readers will ship this year, up from 12.3 million units in 2010.
This last weekend, I had the honor of appearing on Rudy Maxa’s World, the United States’ most listened to travel radio show. There are two radio shows that Rudy Maxa is responsible for, one that is nationally syndicated across 120+ stations nationwide and a second that is a part of KFWB 980AM, the major news station in the Los Angeles area.
