Stealth Guards: Full Body Armor for your Mobile Devices

Today, I am writing a product review about Stealth Guards.  Stealth Guards is a company that offers full-body protection for your mobile devices.  The advantage with their products over many other competitors is that they cover the front, back, sides, and trim of your device - keeping it almost 100% scratch free!  The application is very simple, as it entails wetting your hands and the adhesive side of the clear protector with a solution, and pressing out the air bubbles and any leftover solution.  If you've applied transparent screen protectors in the past, the application method should be second nature.

I discovered this product by accident.  They were offering free protectors to the first 1,000 customers.  They extended the offer to 2,000 customers - and last time I checked, it now says "limited time offer".  I placed the order on 8/19/2010 for my iPhone as well as my Droid.  I received the order today - 8/30/2010.  I felt very secure placing an order with them because they followed up with emails telling me my order was shipped.  Thank you "Stealth Guards"!

My only concern is that the products arrived in a plain envelope.  For shipping costs totally $5.70 ($2.85 per device), it would have been nice to have them shipped between a couple index cards to help prevent the possibility of them being ruined in the shipping process.  They did, however, arrive in perfect condition.

I highly suggest checking this product out immediately, as limited time offers don't last forever!  I was amazed at how many devices they offered these shields/guards for!!

http://www.stealthguards.com

Why use Google Voice: computers and telephones are happy together.

Today, I decided to write about advantages and concerns regarding Google Voice and why Google Voice can be a valuable tool for managing your telephone calls.

Google Voice is an internet based Google application.  It assigns you a telephone number from a calling area of your choice, and provides services such as voicemail, voicemail transcription, and text messaging (SMS).  It also offers advanced management of how your calls are handled.   It should be of interest to anybody that has multiple telephone lines, those who have a need for easy text messaging while at a desktop computer, and for those who would like to have their voicemails transcribed to text so they can be read within a text message or email.  If you choose to hand out this telephone number freely, you can configure the application (service) to route the telephone call to all of your telephone numbers, so you can simply reach for the telephone number closest to you.

A word on the assigned telephone number... the one advantage is that you can choose your calling area.  This may be to provide a long-distance family member or friend a way to call you without incurring long distance charges.  While most of the civilized world are using computers and cell phones, some people still choose to use "land lines" powered by telephones on hanging on the kitchen wall.

The advantages to Google's assigned telephone number relate to it's ability to:

1. Route received calls to previously existing telephone lines.
2. Execute specific actions for specific callers.  For example, you can choose to blacklist someone from being able to place a telephone call, or you can send them directly to email if you choose.
3. Make free national calls, and really cheap international calls - assuming that you can get around using cellular minutes - as described below.

Google's provided voicemail can also:

1. Be set up to replace existing cellular voicemail.
2. Transcribe your voicemail to email and/or text message.
3. Be listened directly from your computer, or smartphone.

While a telephone number is assigned largely for incoming calls, outgoing calls can be placed by:

1. Accessing http://voice.google.com from any HTML.5 compatible smartphone.  This is the workaround for using Google Voice with the iPhone.
2. Any smartphone that offers a "Google Voice" application - such as the Android based phones.
3. From your desktop using a service called "Gizmo5" - which allows you to connect calls using your Google Voice account.  Gizmo5 is a company that, from what I've been told, was recently purchased by Google.

So far, there area few concerns about Google Voice which should be considered before using the service.  None of these concerns are deal breakers, however, it's best to understand them before utilizing this awesome service.

1. Google uses the internet to decide how to route the telephone calls, however, instructs your device to dial an outgoing telephone number which is Google proprietary.  So, this means, that you're calling Google, and then Google is connecting to the person you choose to call.  Since the telephone call is not placed over the internet (VOIP), it will effect your cellular minutes and how they are billed.  If you do not have unlimited calling, the resolution is to add Google's telephone number to your cellular account if it offers free calling to specific telephone numbers.  If you can Google's outgoing telephone number for free, then this comes in handy for telephone calls where you know you may be holding for extremely long periods of time.
2. If your Google account is broken into or hacked, your call history and voicemails may be accessed and saved by the hijacker.  The resolution is to employ safe password habits, such as using at least 12 characters, a mixture of numbers and letters, and not using the same password for multiple sites.
3. Voice transcription is not perfect.  If the servers can not fully understand what your caller is  saying, it will make it's best guess.  The result is a message that looks as if it were written with funky automatic spell correction.  Most of the time, however, it is accurate enough to understand why someone called you.  The resolution is to listen to the actual voicemail.

So, this is Google Voice in a nutshell.  I like Google Voice because:

1. I have multiple telephone numbers, and it enables me to use one voicemail system for both cell phones.
2. I really like the voicemail transcription.  I configure it to send the voicemail through email, as well as a text message to both cell phones.
3. It provides a telephone number that I can give to creeps, businesses, and people that I'd rather not talk to.  In turn, I can route their telephone calls directly to email.

This is an excellent service worth checking out!  It's free, unless you intend to make international calls!

No iPhone 4.0.x Jailbreaks!

http://tmo.to/eeGm

Above is a link to an interesting article by Bryan Chaffin on themacobserver.com.  In summary, we will probably not be seeing iPhone 4.0.x and Ipad 3.2.2 jailbreaks.  We'll have to wait and see what arrives for the next release--which is currently in Beta.

Droid 2: Voice to Text (Transcription)

I'd like to write real briefly about a very useable feature on the Droid 2.  Google has a feature which is now a universal input method which allows the user to speak into the phone (rather than type).  Universal, meaning, it works in all applications.

I feel this offers some excellent advantages.  If you're unable to spend time typing, you simply hit the "microphone" button and speak into the phone.  It converts your speech to text in the same fashion as it does for voice search.

Some of the uses for this would be emails, text messages, memo pad entries.

I know a few people who would rather spend the time typing, as they prefer not to speak into their phone. 

As for myself, I think it is a wonderful feature and have started using it for quick replies sent through text messages and emails.

I do, wonder, however - the legality of talking to you phone while driving =)

ANDROID 2.2 IS RELEASED

Apparently, there hasn't been much talk about Android 2.2 being released.  Just now, users are starting to realize that their phones have been updated to 2.2.  Well, what can we expect with the update?  Everything is posted right here.....

http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.2.html

Droid 2 and Task Killers

There is a large debate in the Droid community regarding the use of Task Killers.  It's seriously the latest form of abuse!  The debate goes something like this.  All of the techies who wanted control over their phones purchased Droids.  The android phones can load programs which personalize your experience, and they provide fair and accurate warning regarding which system processes they will want to dominate while it's on your phone.  For whatever, some of these programs are often found in your process list -- even while you're not using them.  Sometimes it's something as simple as a news application which constantly updating in the background.  Sometimes, when you leave an application, it's like the toaster - you aren't sure if you left it on after you left the house.  Some of the techies claim that the applications are running for a reason, and that by terminating your processes, your phone will stop behaving in the way it's supposed to.

Frankly, I don't think the average program is causing problems or power loss by running in the background.  I'm sure there are a few glitched programs that may do so accidentally.  Naturally, I think it's always good to monitor your processes from time to time so you can identify any strangeness happening inside of your phone.

 

I think I read in the Droid 2's tips widget that our pet phones like to be reset once a day, since they are ultimately mini-computers.  If they're cranky, they may need to be rest a few more times than once.  It's like washing in the morning.  This is something we all do, right?

Sure, there may be phones *cough* that don't have to be reset everyday.  However, one reason why many people choose the Android platform is the "freedom" to use your phones how you want, and with whatever software you'd like. 

This is a trade off ..... versus the competition's platform which is under lock-down with little room for personalization or experimentation.

Conversations will most likely revolve around this topic for the lifespan of the phone, unless the Android platform is subject to radical change . 

I do, however, notice that I rarely have to kill a process to save power, if I utilize the Power Management widget and disable all the services which do not apply to what I'm doing.

 

Problem solved.

In Search of the Perfect Memo Pad For the Droid 2: Wizard Memo by Wizard Works

Today, I have been searching for a Droid application that will accommodate my needs for a memo pad/text editor.  Sometimes I like to write on my phone because it allows me to capture my thoughts without being tied down to a single location.  My handwriting has always been sloppy, so keeping a physical notepad has always been challenging for me.


The iPhone is shipped with Apple's "Notes" application.  When the application loads, you are presented an interface resembles that of a ruled yellow writing tablet.  I've used it extensively for memos and notes; both long and short.


Today, I choose the Droid 2 as my "carry along" notepad.   I'm relatively new to the Droid 2, so I had to search for a "memo pad" application.  I really did assume that it shipped with one, aside from Quick Office, and the dandy sticky note widget.  It didn't!


How shocking?, I thought, for a full featured modern phone to not have a usable application for memos!


So far, my favorite free Android application for note taking is called Wizard Memo, by Wizard Works.  WM allows you to create multiple entries and automatically stores them within it's file system.  It stores all of your memos in one centralized area.  The other applications I tried either didn't auto save, one of them didn't automatically wrap the text within the screen's margins, and most of them made managing your notes a science which requires the understanding of directory structure (which many users do not).  Wizard Memo automatically takes care if all these concerns, and organizes your memos in a style that requires zero effort or planning, and in a way that is very "in your face."


This is definitely an application worth checking out on the Android Market if you're in need of a memo pad, simple text editor, or a program just to take quick notes.  *****

Introduction to SoupToNuts

I am a technology geek.  I love gadgets as well as the opportunity to use the latest devices in the most fashionable manner.  Since my wallet only affords this luxury from time to time, I fortunately have lots of gadget happy friends who allow me to explore their new toys as if they were my own.  Playing with new technology always glazes my eyes; just like my dog, as he stares down sausage and bacon.

My latest fascination includes two phones:  The Motorola Droid 2 and the iPhone 3Gs.  Yes, I do realize that there are many generic debates regarding these phones.  People get freakishly odd and often engage in frantic conversation in a similar manner to those of us whom stir heated debates about sex, politics,  and religion. There's a strange sense of pride, with overtones of superiority complexities while maintaining a snobbishness that I usually associate with cigar lovers, wine aficionados, and the loonies who insist that Philadelphia offers the most genuine Seattle coffee drinking experience.

The above personality profile is the antithesis of my take on the two phones.  I think they both offer really super cool mobile computing experiences.  

The iPhone

I have a strong appreciation for the Mac's user experience.  There is something that feels as though their products were designed for me.  Simple, effective, reliable.  As a Mac user, the phone made sense to me immediately.  There was no adjustment period for learning how to use the iPhone.  I think that something special pulls together in products made by companies that control both the hardware and software aspects of the device.

The Droid 2

I really like the Android platform.  I like the software modifications that Motorola offers with their Droid 2.  Most specifically, I like their social networking applications.  I'm a huge fan of Twitter, as well as Facebook.  I am constantly sending emails.  I am constantly sending text messages.   I love Motorola's widgets that let you take advantage of all these services within one application.  It maintains a log of your accounts, and interfaces with all of the services so you don't have to load multiple programs or web pages.

In the following days, you will find rants and rambles regarding each device.  The topics you will revolve around product and software reviews, comparisons, tips and tricks, and frequently asked questions.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading - and stay tuned!