HOUR 2:
Tech News & Commentary
Tony in Seattle, Washington listens to the Podcast asked: “My cell phone contract recently expired and at the same time, I lost my cell phone. So, I’m looking for a new phone and contract. I’m really partial to smartphones with a slide-out keyboard. I know there are some out there. I was wondering if you had any recommendations for a good Smartphone with a slide-out keyboard.”
You didn’t tell us what network provider you had the contract with. But, we’ll assume you’re a “free agent” and will recommend a phone you might enjoy. Mark on our team is also partial to phones with hard slide-out keyboards and has become a “Droid”.
He carries a Motorola Droid 2 Global, but will soon upgrade to the Droid .
On Sprint, your options would be the HTC EVO Shift 4G or the Samsung Epic 4G. Both are Android smartphones and are on Sprint’s version of 4G WiMax. The Samsung Epic has been out longer than the HTC EVO Shift. But, it offers a bigger screen, and thus a bigger keyboard. The HTC EVO Shift has a 3.6-inch screen whereas the Epic has 4-inch Super AMOLED screen. You can snag the HTC EVO Shift for as low as $99 or the Samsung Epic for $149 with a 2-year contract.
On AT&T, you can look at BlackBerry Torch 9800/9810. It’s got the slide-out keyboard you’re looking for and has done well with BlackBerry fans. It’s also has the latest OS update.
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
“This Week in Tech History” Weekly Feature with Chris Graveline.
Rickey in Colombus, Ohio listening to the Podcast, heard us discuss the Terrafugia Transition (a car/plane recently approved by the FAA) and called in to share some information about it.
The Terrafugia Transition
Thank you Rickey!If you have any questions or comments about anything you hear on the show call us anytime at +1-800-899-INTO (4686) or email us.
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Russ listening on KMAX asked: “Is there inexpensive software available for my students to use to create Android and iPhone apps? Thank you for your help.”
For Android, absolutely, they can download the Android SDK (the Software Development Kit) and a development environment called “Eclipse”. Both are free and that’s all they need. In fact, they could even create apps and distribute them for free outside the Android Market. If they wanted to get them onto the Market, they’d only have to pay a one time fee of $25.
For Apple, they can get (Xcode also for free) from the Mac App Store and they can use it to develop iPhone apps. The problem is that they will not be able to install them on phones or distribute them unless they pay $100 a year to be a part of the iOS developer program (the same goes for Blackberry, Microsoft and Intel).
Setting up Xcode is a lot easier than setting up Eclipse with the Android SDK add-in, but it will require an Apple computer.
Eclipse is an open source Java development environment that is used for much more than just Android, (it predates Android smartphones) and has builds that will run on any popular operating system.
Keep in mind these programs are not consumer-friendly. They are meant to be used by professionals, so they’re not the simplest software to use, and developing application for either platform will require, at least, knowledge of Object-Oriented Programming.
Don’t let that discourage your students, though. Every developer had to learn it at some point!
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Listener and Facebook friend Russ sent us this encouraging message: “I listened to the podcast this weekend, and heard about Apple’s weak ‘support’ of iPadsForSoldiers.org.
I’m a cog in the corporate machine that is HP, and sent an e-mail to the executive that heads the division that makes the TouchPad (the exec has been responsive to previous messages I’d sent him, which makes him a good egg, in my book!).
HP is a great corporate citizen, and it will not surprise me if HP takes an active role in this effort, providing an alternative to the iPad.
Thank you and the team for your continued support of our troops! I’m looking forward to them all coming home, but while they’re out there, let’s do what we can to support them.”
Thank you Russ! We hope that HP can help support iPadForSoldiers on the great initiative they’ve undertaken!
For more information, tune in to Hour 2 of our podcast.
Guests in this hour:
Chuck Hamby, Public Relations Manager – Verizon Wireless
Chuck carries a plethora of the latest mobile devices with lightning speed and is on top of the latest innovation.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT with Rob: “Back-to-School Tech Gear” A recent survey showed that parents are cutting back on plans to purchase electronics during this year’s school shopping season. Only one-quarter of parents surveyed said they would buy computers, phones and other electronic products for their children this year. But … we’ve chosen a few products that may not break your bank too much. |
1) Computers/Laptops — Upgrade the Brains!If you can’t afford to buy a new laptop or desktop computer, a more affordable approach is to upgrade RAM, processors, and hard disk space. Newegg.com and TigerDirect.com offer good prices in computer parts.2) Skins (for an inexpensive makeover)
If your computer needs a facelift, the most inexpensive way to enhance the look is with a skin. You can create your own or choose one that best fits you! ) Tablets Acer Iconia A500 — Android Honeycomb, 10.1-inch HD display, WiFi, USB Port Downside: the heaviest Android tablet! Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 — 4G LTE on Verizon Wireless, 10.1-inch screen, a good alternative to the iPad. 4) The Cloud SugarSync — A great way to backup, sync, access and share your files (music, pictures, docs and more) across different devices (laptop, desktop, smartphone or tablet). Once you setup what folders you want to sync, it’s a set it and forget it process. Everything will be stay up-to-date … It syncs any changes or new documents stored in the folders you choose to sync. |
This Week’s Prizes for Our Listeners
C.Crane: Several Super USB WiFi Antenna
Endangerbles: Several music CDs to help children learn about endangered species
VSO Software: Copies of Convert-X-to-DVD 4 – Lets you convert videos to DVD and watch on any DVD player.