Author Archive
Thursday, May 10th, 2012
Stephani Lewis, Marketing
The International CTIA Wir
eless 2012 show, located in New Orleans this year, hosts speakers, exhibitors, and attendees from around the globe, and addresses all things mobile. Here are some highlights from Day One of the three day show.
Winners announced in the second annual BIG Idea Contest
Broadsoft, Missing Link and Tip Solutions were the winners in the second annual BIG Idea Contest which recognizes the mobile industry’s newest and most innovative concepts dedicated to improving the way we live, work and play.
New products have been announced by multiple vendors including both Verizon and AT&T, both showing off new 4G smartphones at the show. You can learn more about these in the Washington Post and at CNET.
Verizon’s HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE is reviewed on CNET of if you want all the details. This is a variation of the HTC One S currently selling on T-Mobile USA – but this version supports 4G LTE. It also boasts an advanced 8 megapixel camera and Beats Audio integration to improve sound quality.
AT&T is targeting the budget-minded user with the new Samsung Focus 2. It’s a Windows Phone 7 device supporting the AT&T 4G LTE network. One included feature that you might not expect from a low cost phone is a front-facing VGA camera. There’s a short demo you can watch to see all the details up close and personal.
To find out everything happening in New Orleans this week visit the International CTIA Wireless 2012 site.
CTIA Wireless Show News: Day One >>
Friday, April 6th, 2012
Stephani Lewis, Marketing
Instagram, already wildly popular for the iPhone, is now available for Android.
This app not only allows users to enhance photos but to share them. Instagram is handy for keeping in touch with friends and relatives but also has obvious uses in the business world.
Since its release on Tuesday, over one million users have already downloaded the Android version. Some iPhone users are unhappy that Instagram is no longer exclusively available for them.
If you plan to use Instagram, here are some pointers on how to make your photos look their best. Learn more about lighting, tagging and sharing.
Read some reviews from CNET Editors and everyday users.
And if you decide that Instagram is for you, here’s where you can download.
Instagram for Android >>
Thursday, March 29th, 2012
Stephani Lewis, Marketing
Not having as much fun as you want to with your iPhone or iPad?
Has it slowed down? Here are some easy tips on putting the spring back in its step. Like any other computing device, your iOS device needs to be rebooted periodically. iPad FAQ will show you how to restore speed, remove apps running in the background and get instructions on how to free up space.
If you have the iPhone 4S you’ll want to know how to get the most mileage out of Siri. Far from home? Siri may cure your homesickness by speaking in a familiar dialect. Find out about this and other Cool iPhone 4S Siri tips.
Embarassed when your iPhone suddenly rings in a meeting? Tired of scrolling through web pages? Want to switch between apps in a flash? Battery runs out too quickly? Get easy tips on all these questions and more.
Try a few of these tips and tricks and enjoy increased productivity with your iOS device.
Tips and tricks for iOS users >>
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
Stephani Lewis, Marketing
Do you use your phone for both work and personal activities?
A new app, AT&T’s Toggle, will allow you to have two completely separate profiles on your Android smartphone.
iPhone users, don’t despair – AT&T says that Toggle will be coming for your device as well.
With Toggle, installed corporate email, calendars, apps and data will only be accessible through the work profile while your personal mail and apps will be available only through the personal profile. No more worries about the kids getting ahold of your device on off-hours and accessing things they shouldn’t!
Since users have told us in the most recent iPass Mobile Workforce Survey that 78% use their smartphones for both work and personal reasons, this app may be of interest to quite a few of you. Now you can use a single device for both work and play.
IT Managers, you will be happy to hear that AT&T provides a special web portal you can use to remotely manage, add and delete business apps and even better, wipe sensitive corporate data from an employee’s device. This is particularly handy if an employee leaves the company or inconveniently forgets the device in a taxi or other public place.
So go ahead, bring that device to work!
Feel free to bring that (Android) device to work! >>
Thursday, July 7th, 2011
Stephani Lewis, Marketing
I was at a local Verizon store last night, of course, weren’t you?
I was standing in the queue to get a smartphone with an unlimited data plan on the very last night it was available. It was about 9:15 pm Pacific Time (take note of this) and I’d paid for a new Droid.
Just as my sales rep was activating my new phone (and the same was happening with customers on both sides of me), the Verizon system abruptly cut off the unlimited data plan; and only offered the tiered (read “expensive”) plans as options.
Pandemonium. There were a couple dozen customers in the store who immediately panicked.
To Verizon’s credit, the store manager and Verizon IT immediately addressed the problem and began communicating this to customers. One particularly irate customer began yelling and verbally attacking his sales rep and the store manager. The only thing which quieted him was the store manager’s request that he leave (without a new phone!) and if needed, the police would be called. He decided to tone down at this point.
The Verizon reps tell me that over 90% of customers use under 2GB of data (the new $29.95 plan) per month. (They must not listen to music? Only check email once a week? Have no teenagers in the family?)
In the end, all customers (including Mr. Irate) left with their phones, the 2 GB data plan and the promise that their plans would be adjusted to unlimited “shortly”.
Fingers crossed!
ADDENDUM – 7/8/11 Update:
In less than 24 hours received this text message from Verizon: Free VZW Message: Your Smartphone plan has been confirmed on the $29.99 Unlimited Data Plan effective today 7/7.
Have to give them an A+ for the quick fix.
Pandemonium erupts as Verizon kisses unlimited data plans goodbye >>
