King Android?

This is it... we've reached a point where every cell phone (almost) is leaping to get ahead or somewhat near the ever-so-famous iPhone. There's a reason for it. The iPhone is awesome. I'm not going to talk about it anymore.... Although, I am going to talk about Google's first cell phone. Which is seeming like the best alternative to that phone, to me anyways. Its got WiFi, GPS, bluetooth, touch screen, qwerty keyboard stashed underneath, four actual physical buttons, and a track ball. The buttons are great because it doesn't matter what screen your on you still have those dedicated buttons. It will be available the third week of October for $179 through T-mobile. My favorite cell company for texting plans. Head to http://www.google.com/mobile/index.html for information on Google and it's multi-cellular capabilities.

Update: (Oct. 30, 2008) Wal-Mart customers can now buy the handset for a discounted $148.88, for new customers who sign up for a two-year contract.

Government Control isn't always Bad

Sometimes the government intervenes in our free market society. Take for example Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, whom recently wrote a letter to the major wireless carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon) asking each of them Whats up with pricing? His letters ask specifically; Why have prices on text messaging doubled since 2005? The size of texts has stayed at 160 characters and the technology hasn't changed... so why the doubling of the price?

Thats what senator Kohl wants to find out. He doesn't think these companys should raise the cost because it takes away the competition from the consumers, whom rely on competition for the best prices. Kohl asked for a reply by October sixth, so we will hear more about this next month.

Depending on their replys, which most (if not all) of them will be loaded with bullshit excuses, will determine the reponse by the government...
Time will tell.

iPhone 3G Fix?

Good news could be here for iPhone 3G owners. Apple has released an update (2.1) to help fix the problem associated with the chip that switches from EDGE to 3G that so many users had complains about. Apples website lists twelve updated and/or fixed features.

Among them is support for "Genius" the new software that works in iTunes to create playlists automatically from your songs already in iTunes. All you do is pick one song you like and "Genius" arranges other songs that fit with the one you picked. Although, the process involves sending information about your entire iTunes library to Apple to get other users involved in the more perfect fit of "Genius" Playlists.

Another feature worth noting is: "Dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes". Who actually likes waiting for backups anyways?

For the complete list of improvements and how to upgrade, go to Apple.com.

Eyes in the Sky

Vandenberg Air Force Base, California was the site of a Delta II rocket launch that a variety of companies were involved with, including: ULA (a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin), GeoEye, Google, NASA, and General Dynamics (the builders of the satellite). This satellite named GeoEye-1 (GeoEye-2 is scheduled to be launched in 2011). This satellite will travel at 4.5 mps in space taking much higher resolution pictures than that available today. Although Google Earth will have exclusive rights to these photographs the public will not see such clear or close images for privacy reasons. The government will have access to these pictures and be able to see objects as small as sixteen inches in width from above.

You can visit geoeye.com for media and more information.

Music has a Buddy

A new website that sells music has come to my attention and it's very different that all previous services. Enter POPcuts. It gives credits (essentially money) to users who bought the song already after more people buy it. Example: New U2 single comes out at midnight on the site... Many people will probably buy it. So if your the very first person to buy it, everyone there after who purchases it (all songs 99 cents) will contribute a portion to your account.

Pretty cool isn't it? You can visit the site here: Popcuts

CarTube?

The second device isn't as cheap but comes at a different angle. DriveCam is actually two cameras in one that constantly record video forward of the vehicle windshield and behind it as well. Recordings over 10 seconds old will be erased and the camera continues this cycle until an "event" occurs. These events are hard braking, swerving, collisions, etc. The small windshield mounted unit also sends (wireless- through cell network) "event" recordings (every night)to a secure website for you or your parents to review. This system is priced at $899.00 US dollars directly from Drivecam.com or it's free (usage) for American Family Insurance automobile insurance policyholders. American Family Insurance is available in the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
If interested you can visit their program online at Teensafedriver.com. Note: This program does not change premiums.

Keep that Old Car Around!

There's some pretty sweet devices out there now-a-days for car insurance companies that benefit consumers as well. The first is from Progressive, which I am in no way endorsing... I just happen to like this particular road they've visited, pun intended. They call it MyRate, and the name fits well. Not only does this device install easily, it could lower a drivers insurance tremendously. It records miles driven, miles during high-risk times, and aggressive acceleration and deceleration. You just plug it into your car's diagnostic port under the console/dash (note: your car must be 1996 model or newer). There's a few bad things about it though. One, your rates could go up if you drive a lot or say... break erratically. Two, you must be (as this date) in the following states: Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Oregon. Three, your state might charge a 30 dollar technology charge for some reason.

I thought it was interesting. You can visit the site here: MyRate