Tag: Smartphones

KELO Radio – Things to Know on CyberMonday

Play Audio – KELO AM 1320 – FM 107.9 – December 1st, 2014

KELO Radio AM 1320 FM 107.9CyberMonday, was created by Shop.org in 2005 as a way to the public into online deals on the Monday after Black Friday. As Internet access become more widespread, online shopping has become a common way to get those gifts throughout the holiday, but there’s still plenty of deals on this day in particular.

I spoke to Greg of the Greg Belfrage Show on KELO AM 1320 – FM 107.9 about how shoppers can keep safe while getting gifts this CyberMonday.

WTAM 1100 – Disney Movies Anywhere Crossing Platforms

Play Audio – WTAM 1100 Newsradio – Tech Tuesday – November 18th, 2014

WTAM 1100 Newsradio Cleveland OhioDigital content stores like Apple’s iTunes or Google’s Play have allowed us to buy and play movies on our mobile platform for some time. But those purchases have generally been limited to the platform they were purchased on. If you bought Frozen on iTunes, it’d play on your iPhone, but not the cheap Android tablet you bought for your kids to use.

One of the larger players in movie content has a new service that seeks to change this. Disney Movies Anywhere allows you to connect your iTunes, Google Play, or VUDU accounts so that any purchase on one unlocks that purchase on the others. So buy on your iPad and share with your Android phone and vice-versa. If you’re still a collector of physical media, look for Blu-ray Combo Packs that include the movie on disc, as well as a code to unlock the digital version for use on your mobile devices.

For a limited time, Disney is even offering those who sign up for the no cost, no contract account a free copy of Wreck-It Ralph.

Disney already has a wide range of releases beyond the typical movies we associate them with, which includes Pixar and Marvel movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Muppets Most Wanted. If Disney can prove this to be a successful move, expect to see other players, like Sony and Warner-Brothers follow suit.

That $100 Smartphone Costs More than $100 to Replace

Smartphone owners, please keep in mind that while you paid $100 for that smartphone, that’s not the true cost of the phone. Many smartphones are “subsidized”, which hides the true cost of the phone in the 2 year contract fees. Carriers have started rolling out un-subsidized plans, like AT&T’s Next, that ask you to pay for the true cost of the phone in monthly installments.

In many cases, that “$100” phone costs $300 to $500. “$200” phones are often between $500 and $1000. This is important to understand should that phone need to be replaced due to damage. It’s why many phone protection plans from various carriers and retailers ask you to pay anywhere from $99 to $199 to replace your damaged “$100” phone. It’s more than you initially paid for the phone, yes. But you’re still ahead, because you’re not paying the full replacement cost of the phone.

You have many options for coverage these days, from the retailer, the carrier, and in some cases, even the phone manufacturer. Consider what coverage is important to you. For example, manufacturer coverage is often cheaper, but doesn’t cover theft or loss.

Take the time to read through the plan details, not just the quick overview provided to you at the retail or phone store location. Smartphones have truly become an important tool in our lives, so make sure you’re considering your options … all of your options … should it suddenly be dropped, lost or stolen.

WTAM 1100 – AT&T and Verizon Looking at Data Plan Changes

Play Audio – WTAM 1100 Newsradio – Tech Tuesday – Novemner 11th, 2014

WTAM 1100 Newsradio Cleveland OhioIt’s no secret that most of us are spending more of our “online time” on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. This is only going to increase over time, and ?one study suggests mobile data use will grow 325% by 2018. The carriers seem to be responding to this by focusing on their data plans more as smartphones become more common than regular phones.

Sprint and T-Mobile have had some success in drawing new customers with their broad data plans, and now AT&T and Verizon are in a new battle over increasing the data on some plans or offering the same data at a cheaper rate.

Another driver of data versus voice plans is a feature called “Voice over LTE” (VoLTE) which allows voice calls to be placed across the much faster LTE data networks if the hardware (and carrier) supports it. This use of mobile Internet access promises higher quality audio on voice calls, and the potential future integration of video and other voice services.

Verizon and AT&T have announced they will look at allowing interoperability of this feature on each other’s networks in 2015, increasing the availability (and adoption) for customers of both carriers.

It continues to be a highly mobile, always connected world!

WTAM 1100 – Smartphone Emergency Alert Settings

Play Audio – WTAM 1100 Newsradio – Tech Tuesday – October 21st, 2014

WTAM 1100 Newsradio Cleveland OhioEmergency alerts on your smartphone often surprise people when they go off, but often they’re one of the quickest ways to get rapidly changing news out to a local public. Enabled by default, these settings can be checked or changed within the settings of your device.

Android: Open your Settings app, then look for the Wireless & Networks heading. Tap More… and scroll to the bottom. Finally, tap Cell Broadcasts.

iPhone: Tap your Settings app, then scroll to select Notifications. Look for Government Alerts at the bottom of the list.

Windows Phone: Open Settings, then Applications. Select Messaging, then Emergency Alerts.

These emergency alerts will help provide early warning about imminent danger, but what if you want more information about potentially hazardous weather in your area? The Red Cross Mobile Apps provide can help with everything from tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and wildfires. They also include general safety apps for first aid for you and your pets.