HOUR 1:
Tech News & Commentary
Lucas in North Pole, AK listening on KFBX 970 AM asked: “I gave my ex-wife the computer and I tried to get the iPhone and it just didn’t work out for me, so I took it back. I’m wondering what kind of electronic device would be good for e-mails, business and getting on the Internet.”
Have you thought about getting another computer? If you’re just using it for business, websites, and email, unless your business is graphics or video editing, almost any basic computer system will be fine. There are entry-level desktops and laptops selling for under $500, from brands too numerous to mention.
The other possibility, if you don’t want a computer for some reason, is a tablet like the iPad or the Samsung Galaxy Tab. You didn’t say why the iPhone didn’t work for you, and it’s possible that a tablet based on a mobile operating system might have the same issues as the phone did. But if your primary objection was screen size, then the tablets will correct that for you.
Finally, you have netbooks. These are inexpensive laptops with smaller form factors, built in 3G as well as Wi-Fi, and processors specially designed for extended battery life, albeit at the cost of performance. There are Wi-Fi only versions that you can buy from the companies that make them, but the models that include 3G are usually purchased through a wireless carrier. The carrier subsidizes a portion of the price, because you’ll be signing up for a data plan with them.
For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
“Consumer Reports” Feature with Mike Gikas
How often do you find your smartphone battery nearly out of juice and no charger in sight? Battery life is getting better, says Consumer Reports Sr. Electronics Editor Mike Gikas, but they can still run out before the day is up.
The “Into Tomorrow” team discussed the latest apps that they have been playing with recently.
- For Android: Easy Tie, an app that shows you step-by-step how to tie a necktie and Bedside, a $1.79 bedside clock with plenty of options.
- For iPhone/iPad:PetFinder, a free app that lets you search thousands of rescue groups and shelters to find your future pet and Santa Smash, a christmas version of whack-a-mole where what you “whack” is a Santa!
Tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast for more details.
Guest in this hour:
Josh “Kramer” Crane, Product Advisor – Crutchfield
TrueCare provides Internet monitoring services. Their premier product is a social media monitoring service that automatically tracks a child’s use of social networking sites including Facebook, MySpace and Twitter for inappropriate content.
Lane in Springfield, Illinois asked: “I have a Motorola backflip on AT&T. It’s constantly freezing up and turning itself on and off. Just wondering if it’s just a crappy phone or if there’s something I can do to fix it.”
Unfortunately we’re leaning towards “crappy”… we’ve heard tons of people complaining about the same freezing problem, apparently it’s most common when typing a text message or otherwise using the keyboard when getting the call.
We’ve also heard of AT&T representatives blaming the phone’s processor and it’s supposed inability to handle it’s version of the Android OS adequately for it’s problems.
However besides the freezing there are reports of other behavior that is not likely to be related to processor power, for example, some people have reported that after listening to a certain number of songs the phone seems to turn the volume all the way up if the user is reckless enough to do something as crazy as… unlocking the screen.
Issues such as the last one make us suspect that these problems may suddenly go away if motorola decides to update the custom version of Android they’re using for the phone, that unfortunately means there’s not much users can do to fix it.
For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
Dane in Pennsylvania listening on Sirius XM sent us the following email: “I really think SiriusXm wants their stock to drop lower than $1.00 per share. It possibly could with the “new” time your show is being broad casted! IDIOTS!!!!!
Now that being off my chest what can u tell me about the iPhone 4 or 5 possibly coming to Verizon Wireless in early Jan 2011? Do I want to change from my Blackberry to that? I guess I won’t be able to hear your response to this because the geniuses at Sirius would sooner broadcast a show that 10 people listen to instead of “into” where there are millions!
Thanks,
Dane”
Regarding the first issue, here’s a link to our press release: https://intotomorrow.com/dumpsat
About the iPhone, we would hold off on getting an iPhone this holiday season. The iPhone 4 is great, but what if we get more exciting news next month? If you get the iPhone 4 now, you might find yourself stuck to AT&T or pay fees to get out of their contract or for a new iPhone, should it be introduced in january as expected.
For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
We discussed Facebook friend Tom’s issue with unwanted calls coming from hackers who took over a school’s VoIP phoneline.
For more information, tune in to Hour 1 of our podcast.
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
Balanzza: Digital Luggage Scales – not only for weighing your holiday packages, but this can be your best way to save on baggage fees BEFORE you get to the airport by checking the weight of your luggage.
CTA Products: Several Cloth Addictions – The microfiber cloth that cleans ANY screen: iPads, Phones and Monitors. Take your screens to a whole new level of clarity!
Honestech: Copies of Audio Recorder 2.0 Deluxe – Software to convert your analog music into digital formats including MP3s and audio CDs. Save those great musical memories.