PhoneDog.com - The latest about Travel

ARTICLE: Verizon Exclusive: Mobile Magic App

11/12/2009 1:40:00 PM

I remember as a kid standing in line for at least an hour and half, so excited for my turn to ride Space Mountain. Even though the ride was only about two minutes long, it was always worth the wait. Well times have changed, and Verizon Wireless has just given their customers an advantage when it comes to visiting a Walt Disney Resort.

Announced today, the Mobile Magic application will improve your visit to Disney World or Disneyland with great features such as attraction and restaurant locations, daily event notifications, and my favorite, updated attraction wait times. So before your next visit to hang out with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and the rest of the gang, be sure to have the right Verizon Wireless device loaded with the Mobile Magic application.

Complete details included below in Verizon's press release.

MOBILE MAGIC APPLICATION TRANSFORMS VERIZON WIRELESS PHONES INTO ELECTRONIC TOUR GUIDES TO NAVIGATE DISNEY PARKS

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and BURBANK, Calif. – Imagine having a personal tour guide to lead the way around the vacation magic of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Now imagine that tour guide is in the palm of your hand and able to point you to a visit with a Disney princess or directly to a Fantasyland attraction.

Starting today, Verizon Wireless customers have exclusive access to Mobile Magic, the first Disney-developed mobile application that enables them to easily navigate Disney parks on both coasts, providing helpful and timely information. With either a swipe of their fingers or the touch of a few keys, guests can access an array of park features on their Verizon Wireless phones, including:

Updated attraction wait times and FASTPASS return times for the park they are in
Locations of their favorite attractions, characters and restaurants, with GPS-enabled maps
Restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks
Tips on what’s happening in the parks
Trivia games to play against other parks guests

New content will continue to be added to the Mobile Magic application as the attractions and opportunities at the Disney parks and resorts continue to evolve.

Exclusive to Verizon Wireless customers, Mobile Magic is available for download and purchase for $9.99 for a 180-day subscription*. Customers can find the application in the Media Center/Get It Now® under the Travel and Navigation category. Verizon Wireless customers can also text MAGIC to 2777 to purchase the application on a wide variety of feature phones. Download and message charges may apply. Airtime or megabyte data charges may apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications.

Mobile Magic, marking a first in both the travel and mobile industries, is the outgrowth of a new multi-year relationship between Disney Parks and Verizon Wireless aimed at enhancing the park experience. Verizon Wireless continues to invest in its nationwide wireless network, and the relationship with Disney means Verizon Wireless users will benefit from further enhancements to the Verizon Wireless network in the parks.

Guests are currently using Verizon Wireless’ technology with Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an ultra-interactive attraction at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort.

Guests who are not Verizon Wireless customers can access select information, such as park hours, attraction information, entertainment schedules and dining information, through the new m.disneyworld.com and m.disneyland.com mobile Web sites with their browser-enabled phones.

*Message and data rates may apply. Coverage not available everywhere. Availability subject to handset limitations. If you’re under 18, get your parent’s permission first. Valid theme park admission required.

ARTICLE: Google wishes you a happy travel season (with free airport wifi)

11/10/2009 6:58:00 PM

Nothing like hanging out at the airport, while your minor flight delay ticks over into its 2nd hour. And for what? A red-eye that plunks you down at Aunt Martha’s table, in front of a plate of dry turkey? Ugh. The indignity of sitting in one of those stiff, immovable multi-seats is only matched by the discomfort. All the while, you’re just waiting there, wondering how you got hoodwinked into yet another extended family get-together.

Well buck up, weary flyer. Google knows. Google cares. And it has something to make your holiday travel a little less annoying: Free Wifi. The search (voice, nav, cell, everything) giant is opening its massive wallet to spring for hotspots in 47 different airports now through January 15, 2010. And if you’re taking Virgin America, it gets even better. Google’s providing free in-flight Wifi between now and January 15, as well.

In the spirit of giving, Wifi users will be asked if they want to donate to one of three charities: Engineers Without Borders, the One Economy Corporation or the Climate Savers Computing Initiative. Google will match all donations up to $250,000 (though I’m pretty sure if you have that much money to give away, you’re probably not sitting around in an airport, but waiting on a heli-pad for your private copter.) The airport that raises the most funds will get an extra $15,000 to give to a local charity.

The only real bummer here is that the list of participating airports doesn’t include such biggies as LAX, JFK, ORD or LGA. To find out if your hub is offering free Wifi, click here.

Via: IntoMobile

ARTICLE: Scientists drive vehicle remotely with iPhone

10/29/2009 3:48:00 PM

From the “Don’t Try This at Home” files: Researchers from the Free University of Berlin have successfully rigged a van for remote control by iPhone. The artificial intelligence team used an app called iDriver, which was developed by mobile phone software developers at Appirion UG, to connect via Wifi.

Turns out, commandeering a real-life vehicle isn’t that different from playing one of the many driving games that currently exist for the iPhone. The remote driver uses the handset’s accelerometer for steering wheel control and on-screen buttons for the brake and gas pedals. (As for visuals, there’s a rooftop camera that streams live video so the user can see what’s going on.)

No, iDriver isn’t available in the App Store, it probably won’t ever be, and even if it were, the app and gear would cost more than most people’s mortgages. Even so, it’s still neat to know that the technology that makes this possible exists outside games and movies.

Check out the vid (below) to see it in action. (It sort of reminds me of the infamous “A Man’s Gotta Do” scene from Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog. I guess creator Joss Whedon has a fanbase in Germany.)

iDriver, iPhone remote controlled car

“A Man’s Gotta Do,” from Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog

[via Mobile Crunch]

ARTICLE: Nav companies falter in light of Google Maps Navigation

10/28/2009 3:25:00 PM

Some crazy stuff is happening in the world of nav. This has everything to do with Android, specifically in regards to Verizon’s Moto Droid, which was just announced today:

The big news for the directionally challenged is the debut of Google Maps Navigation, a beta for a new voice-guided, turn-by-turn solution with 3D maps (more on that below). The new app will be integrated in Android 2.0 (which is only being offered on the Motorola Android phone for now).

Anyone can guess that this is not good news for Garmin or TomTom. But yow — this level of bad is just shocking.

Add in the fact that the Garmin nüvifone G60, which only just debuted like 5 minutes ago (okay, a few weeks ago, at $300), is now going for the contract price of $100 at Amazon, and the prognosis for the nav industry is starting to look a little scary.

That presumes, of course, that Google Maps Navigation is really all it’s cracked up to be. Well, by all accounts — it sure is.

Google Maps Navigation offers simple searching (you can look up a business name, just like on the original Google Maps, so no need for addresses), plus voice search, traffic info, street view close-ups (that automatically trigger when you’re near the destination), satellite view (that overlays your route on top of Google’s overhead imagery), and even a car dock mode for some devices, which provide bigger, cleaner-looking icons and auto-voice mode.

And, did I mention, that it’s a totally free app, unlike most of the other mobile phone software programs and all of the retail GPS solutions? (For a closer look at Google Maps Navigation, click here to see a video of it in action.)

Maybe it’s too early to say “RIP, nav companies,” but this certainly looks like a potentially fatal blow. What do you think? Are there any compelling reasons why consumers should stick to traditional car GPS units, or is this the death knell of the navigation industry?

[via Phone Arena, Phone Scoop, Engadget Mobile, Tech Crunch]

ARTICLE: Thursday News Roundup: HTC Pure for a penny; Motorola Droid picture leaked

10/15/2009 6:40:00 PM

Cameraless BlackBerry Bold launching on Friday, October 16th
Looking for a new BlackBerry, but don't want to wait for the Bold 9700 to launch? White BlackBerry Bold 9000 doesn't tickle your fancy? Need a cameraless device for work? Look no further than the BlackBerry Bold cameraless version, coming this Friday to an AT&T store near you. Feature-wise, it's exactly the same as the original Bold, but without the 2.0-megapixel camera. My guess is that stores won't carry a huge stock of the cameraless model, so purchasing online or via telesales might be your best bet. Via IntoMobile

HTC Pure on sale for a penny at Amazon.com
Despite it being fresh out of the gate, Amazon is taking no time in marking down the HTC Pure Windows Phone. Priced at $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate on AT&T's website, Amazon is taking it to a whole new level by offering it for $0.01. Of course, a new two-year agreement is required, so family plans and contract upgrades don't apply. Via IntoMobile

Clear picture of the Motorola Droid/Sholes comes to light
Courtesy of BGR, we have the first clear picture of the Motorola "Sholes," now referred to as Droid. While we wait for more pictures to come to light, the shot above tells us that the device will be running Android 2.0, rumored to be a marked improvement over today's builds. Here's to the hope of a launch before the end of the year! Via Boy Genius (Twitter)

Air Canada and The Weather Channel applications available for BlackBerry
If you're flying on Air Canada, need to check the weather, and own a BlackBerry, you're in luck. Fresh off of a similar announcement for the iPhone, Air Canada has launched an application for the BlackBerry. Checking in, boarding, obtaining flight information, and checking flight announcements is easier than ever, and thanks to the company's electronic boarding pass program, paper copies could become a thing of the past.

Separately, The Weather Channel has launched a free (but ad-supported) version of their application for BlackBerry. Current conditions, 36-hour forecasts, 10-day forecasts, radar maps - it's all there. Plus, with a built-in location tracker, the information is about as precise as it gets.

Download The Weather Channel application here (directly from your BlackBerry):

Weather Channel for the BlackBerry Curve, Bold and Tour: here
Weather Channel for the Storm: here

Source: IntoMobile

ARTICLE: iPhones & Cars II: Zipcar app

9/29/2009 1:52:00 PM

The highly anticipated Zipcar app for the iPhone and iPod Touch has just launched. (If you’re an urban dweller sans automobile who doesn’t know about Zipcar… Well, you should. Nothing beats renting a car for just an hour when that’s all you need.)

It was already easy to find and book a Zipcar car online, but with this app the task becomes stupid simple. There’s a map view and location-based search for closest Zipcar locations; sort by time availability, type and model; and a big green click-to-reserve button. Users can also see upcoming reservations or cancel a booking using the app.

Most app developers would’ve stopped there, but this program also sports some other nifty features.

Lost the car in the garage? Launch the app to honk the horn. And once the vehicle’s been activated with the RFID Zipcard, the app can also lock and unlock it remotely. By far, the most useful function is the ability to extend a reservation right from the app. If no one’s booked a slot immediately after, users can add time to their trip while on the go.

There is one annoying thing with the app, though: When searching for a car, it’s not possible to change the desired time slot except at the beginning of the search. This is a pain in the neck, especially when “no availability” means going back and adjusting the time slot for better results. But, the developer is aware of this problem (and has even mentioned it on the App Store page under the “Coming Soon” section), so this hassle will probably get resolved in a future update.

Understandably, you need to be a Zipcar member to take its vehicles out for a spin. But the company has improved this process too. It used to require paperwork filled out and mailed, but now there's an online form that makes the application process faster and easier.

While the Zipcar service may not be free (there are tiered plans based on usage), the Zipcar app costs nothing. It just requires iPhone OS 3.0 and either an iPhone or iPod Touch with a network connection.

Interested? Click here to come and get it.

[via TUAW]

(Thanks, Swifty!)

ARTICLE: iPhones & Cars I: TomTom car kit

9/29/2009 12:52:00 PM

Pricing info is finally available for the TomTom Car Kit for the iPhone. Sold separately from the GPS/navigational iPhone app, the package will be available in October for $119.95 and be compatible with the iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

No details on precisely what is included, but TomTom’s promo video suggests that it will at least feature an adjustable, mounted cradle with charger, GPS, microphone (for hands-free calling), audio jack (for music over the car’s stereo) and speaker (for voice nav and phone calls).

For more info, check out the previous post on the TomTom app, the company’s website or check out the promo vid here.

[via Engadget]

ARTICLE: Keepin’ it safe: iZup and other apps discourage distracted driving

9/27/2009 9:55:00 PM

There’s a new app in town, and its mission is to save lives.

By now, you’d have to live under a rock not to know that texting and driving is dangerous. According to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 80 percent of all accidents are caused by driver inattention, much of it being increasingly attributed to mobile phones.

iZup, a take on the phrase “eyes up,” is a new app and service that aims to reduce those numbers. Activating when phones sense a speed of over 10 miles per hour, the program sends calls to voicemail and puts texts on hold until the vehicle has stopped. The only communication permitted is for emergency only, for calls to parents or 911.

Slated for release on October 15, iZup costs $4.95 per month (or $49.95/year) for one handset, and Family plans covering 3 or more people are available for $5.95 monthly (or $59.95/year). The website doesn’t appear to be ready, so if you want more info, you can follow iZup on Twitter here.

The one thing’s that’s unclear about this and other services is how (or if) the app distinguishes whether the user is a driver or passenger. This is a challenging snafu that some other programs have unique workarounds for, including:

Key2SafeDriving, which features a hardware and software component. There’s a Bluetooth device attached to a car key, which opens up so the key can be used. The device communicates with a user’s phone, activating the service. Calls can then be redirected to voice mail, and texts return an autoresponder stating the phone’s user is driving.

DriveAssist. This service operates on a network level to reroute calls and texts when it thinks the user is driving (based on handset data from accelerometers, wireless baseband data, Bluetooth, WiMax, WiFi and GPS). It offers an override feature for passengers whose phones get errantly activated.

ZoomSafer, a call/text redirection utility with autoresponders when the handset is in motion (faster than 10 mph). It doesn’t completely disable the phone, but emits an alert sound when messages from designated priority contacts arrive. At the push of a button, it reads them out loud. It’s in beta for BlackBerries, but various services are being readied for use across different platforms, including non smartphones.

DriveSafe.ly also reads texts and emails. But it’s different from ZoomSafer in that it’s not limited to three contacts. And its push-button activation works prior to driving (not during). I like this option over the others that disable a phone completely, because if there’s an important message, drivers will know and have the option of pulling over to respond. But parents should note that this relies on the driver’s discretion for activation, so those looking to monitor (or restrict) your kids’ phone usage behind the wheel may need to look elsewhere.

Mobivox may not necessarily be focused on safe driving, but it’s still worth considering. Coupled with a hands-free device, the speech-to-text technology lets drivers compose texts and emails while keeping hands firmly on the wheel. (Otherwise, it requires holding the handset up to the face — which sort of defeats the purpose.) Though many people consider any kind of phone activity a distraction while driving (and I can’t say I disagree), this at least this offers an alternative to fumbling with keypads.

If you’ve gotten this far, then chances are, you recognize the serious risk of driving and texting. But even if you don’t, you may just want to keep from getting ticketed or fined for breaking the law. That’s where things get confusing. Some states single out certain types of phone behaviors, while others outlaw all mobile devices behind the wheel, but only for certain type of drivers.

The Governor’s Highway Safety Association created a chart that outlines the latest legislation, broken down by state, as of September 2009. Click here to find out the scoop on what's legal in your state (or a well-traveled neighboring one).

ARTICLE: Apple files patent for location-aware iPhone screens

8/28/2009 9:17:00 AM

Looks like Apple’s interested in turning the iPhone into your travel buddy. According to a patent application, the phone could someday sport a dynamically updating screen featuring local weather, time, maps and contacts — all based on the user’s location.

The filing — which was entered in February 2008 as "Transitional Data Sets," but only recently came to light — focuses on a gadget whose displayed apps are populated by variables like location. Unlike typical mobile devices, this gadget would minimize a crowded screen by providing just what users need based on where they are. A change in location could also even trigger an icon swap.

Like, say you’re in San Francisco, so it shows an icon of the Golden Gate Bridge. When you fly to Las Vegas, it could change to an Elvis impersonator or a showgirl automatically. That would be fun. And if the features work as it’s supposed to, you could find a rental car, look up the nearest casino, and ask a local friend to go to Cirque du Soleil with you, all from the main display on the iPhone.

I like the idea of this, as long as the new icons occupied its own page. But if it messed with the order of the apps I already had, I’d be one cranky blogger.

What do you think? Cool idea or silly novelty?

[via AppleInsider]

ARTICLE: TomTom for Android

8/20/2009 12:20:00 PM

TomTom has apparently "implied to Pocket-lint" that they will follow up on their successful iPhone software launch with a GPS navigation app for the Android Market. A TomTom exec named Benoit Simery told Pocket-lint, "We cannot ignore such a successful platform as Android. HTC is an important partner of ours and Android is becoming increasingly important too."

This partnership was evidenced by the joint creation of the TomTom Windows Mobile application and will be reinforced by the Android app - though there's no word on when we can expect it. RIM and S60 will have to wait, though TomTom will address those platforms eventually:

"I do not question the opportunity that RIM might offer but we know that a satnav device needs to have a large touchscreen and voice commands to be able to work for turn-by-turn navigation. We come from a PDA background and we know what will work."

This news is spawning rumors of a TomTom Android phone - most likely due to Garmin's Android handset plans.

Via Pocket Lint, via Into Mobile

ARTICLE: How well can you text and drive? Try the NYT game to find out

8/18/2009 10:51:00 AM

Have you tried this? Last month, The New York Times posted an online game that gauges the impact of distraction on players’ reaction times.

Users drive through the gates by hitting the corresponding gate number on the keyboard, while simultaneously texting on an onscreen QWERTY with a mouse. If you’re good at Rock band or Guitar Hero, you stand a pretty good chance of doing well. As for me — well, not so much.

I gave it a try, and the following are my results. If you want to try as well, click here. But you may want to do it before reading the next paragraph. I give something away there that you might not want to know beforehand — that is, if you want more honest results.

Okay, so I drove 0.29 seconds slower when texting and “driving” than when playing undistracted, and I missed 5% more gates. (The average user reaction times are 0.24 seconds slower, and 8% more gates missed.) Looking at that, I thought, “Well, not great, but not so horrible.” Then I saw the bottom of the page and grimaced: I totally missed The Gray Lady standing on the side of the road.

In fact, I ran the game again, knowing she was there somewhere, and still didn’t see her. It took me three tries to spot her. So if I were actually driving, and this was someone trying to flag help, a child about to wander into the street or a dog zooming into my path, I wouldn’t even notice. That’s just disturbing.

The more I played, the better I got of course. But in real life, scores don’t matter. Even if you’re a master multitasker — like this crazy dude — all it takes is one wrong moment for disaster to strike.

(P.S. Thanks for the link to the crazy motorcyclist, dynamud. It’s both entertaining and horrifying at the same time.)

ARTICLE: iPhone app: TomTom gets going

8/18/2009 10:49:00 AM

TomTom has just joined the ranks of GPS apps in the App Store. The popular navigation brand has just unveiled its own iPhone application for the U.S.

I'm not sure what took so long for this to arrive — TomTom first announced it last June at WWDC — but now that it's here, the app looks pretty good. At least the reviewer at iPhonewzealand digs it. (Apparently, the Kiwis got theirs first.)

Like full-fledged GPS units, TomTom for iPhone has turn-by-turn directions, voice-guided navigation, route options (for fastest or most direct), points-of-interest (POI) feature and night colors. But unlike its hardware cousins, it also takes advantage of iPhone functionality, including addressbook integration, fast calling to POI, pinch/zoom interface and accelerometer-driven display for landscape and portrait modes.

The reviewer mentioned a few glitches (like the app pinpointing his location in a nearby field once, or going a little buggy when he deviated from the directions), but aside from the occasional hiccup, the app worked well overall.

TomTom also plans to launch a pretty great-looking bundle (see vid). The package will include the app, plus a car cradle kit with charging port and hands-free calling. No other details on the bundle yet, but updates are available via online sign-up here.

[via TUAW]

EDIT: According to user reviews at the App Store, it's not quite as fleshed-out as the regular GPS units, which has some people waiting for updates that will hopefully improve or add features, such as speaking street names out loud, etc. And the price for the TomTom app is $99.99, which isn't cheap. But it's still less expensive than the cheapest new hardware product at TomTom.com ($119.95). So users are paying less, but might have to wait for enhancements as a result. Even so, if you prefer having an all-in-one device instead of multiple gadgets, this might be worth a look. I'll contact TomTom directly and see if they'll send me a review code for the software. If so, I'll report back on what I find.

EDIT2: Also, it appears that voice-guided navigation doesn't come in various accents, as was first reported, so that bit was removed.

ARTICLE: iPhone App: Google Latitude debuts for iPhone 3.0

7/27/2009 8:50:00 PM

I love crime dramas, but one thing that always drove me a little nuts was how cell phone triangulation — at least on TV — rendered pinpoint accuracy of a perp's whereabouts. Viewers could always see the primary dot as it traveled down the street, stopped in for coffee, got a newspaper, ditched the murder weapon, etc...

Well, the new Google Latitude for iPhone isn't quite the same as the technology delivered on Law & Order: SVU — but it's kind of close.

Google Latitude is a web app that makes tracking the movement of fellow iPhone users (with their consent and complicity, of course) a little easier. You can see your contacts' locations on a map and let others know your whereabouts, as well as use location search and directions.

If you're an iPhone 3.0 user in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, you can just launch Safari on your phone and go to Google.com/latitude to get started.

The company first created Google Latitudes as an onboard app for the iPhone, but at Apple's request, re-tooled it as a web app to avoid confusion with its built-in Maps application. (Now that Safari can access location services, this was no problem.)

But be warned: Because the iPhone can't multitask, the web app can't update your location in the background. (Latitude users on Android, Blackberry, Symbian and WinMo apparently don't have this problem.) So if you forget to launch Safari to refresh Google Latitude, your Mom (or your spouse) might wonder why you've been at that hot friend's house for so long. To play it safe, you can keep your location continuously updated by making sure the app is running in the foreground — at least until you get to your local church. Then, if you want, you're clear to go ahead and shut it off.

[via iClarified]

ARTICLE: Nothin’ but air: US Airways gets Wifi

7/24/2009 2:40:00 PM

I used to enjoy flying. It was a good time to unplug, catch up on some reading, or enjoy bonding time with a pal. I was even one of the few people who liked airplane food, as it used to be delivered, if not piping hot, then at least always with a smile.

Well times have certainly changed.

Over the years, flying has become — to put it mildly — less fun. With airlines squeezing more passengers on board, eliminating meals, reducing the number of attendants per flight (rendering them stressed and even quite snippy), I typically find myself desperately wanting to plug into something/anything, just so I can tune out the whole experience.

Flying for business can be doubly awful. Travel is often one of the first budgets to get cut, so most employees never get to see the inside of the first-class or even business-class sections. And more often than not, the miserable experience is compounded by a deadline of some sort.

There's nothing more frustrating than being forced to unplug when all you can think about is if an all-important email might be waiting in your inbox.

So what does this have to do with mobile phones? Well, US Airways is the latest airline to get in-flight Wifi, so next year, many of its smartphone- and computer-equipped passengers will be able to connect for $5.95 to $12.95 (depending on flight length). The airline may not be the first to offer Wifi, and it won't be available on all flights, but nonetheless it's still nice to see an airline attempt to satisfy customer demand.

With buses like Bolt and Mega Bus, Acela trains and airlines offering Wifi, it looks like mobile hotspots are becoming a bona fide trend. I should be thrilled about that — and I am — but there's still a nagging concern that's sending a shudder down my spine.

With in-flight internet becoming more widespread, how long will it be before people start taking advantage of VOIP services in the air? With a free or cheap alternative to those ridiculously expensive airphones, does it mean that passenger cabins will be subject to a cacophony of long-distance conversations? Uggggh. It's one of the last places left these days that's guaranteed to be free of phone chatter.

*Sigh* Let that be a warning: Be careful what you wish for.

What do you think? Are you thrilled with the prospect of being able to connect anywhere, or do you believe airplanes should staunchly remain a no-plug zone?

[via Gizmodo]

ARTICLE: Don't text and walk: OMG, fell in2 opn swr!

7/12/2009 12:50:00 PM

As if we needed more proof that text messaging should not be done while you're doing anything else, this gem of a story has made its way to the InterWebs from Staten Island, aka NYC's fifth boro.

15 year-old Alexa Longueira fell "four or five feet" into an open manhole on Victory Boulevard while attempting to send a text message, according to MSNBC. Crews were flushing out a sewer line and "had turned away briefly to grab some cones when the incident occurred," according to the Department of Environmental Protection - though perhaps a twitter alert would have done more to reach Longueira, who apparently had her head buried in her phone (sadly, we don't yet know what kind of cellie she was rocking at the time). The girl was checked out and released by Staten Island University Hospital, suffering some scrapes but nothing worse, according to reports.

The family has said they will sue the city, perhaps to recover one of the girl's sneakers, which is still down in the hole. Kim Longueira, the "victim's" mother, said that "it doesn't matter that her daughter was walking and texting" and that the manhole "was putrid." I'm very glad that the girl is okay. I also think the Mom should knock it off. Yes, the DEP should have blocked the open manhole cover off as soon as they opened it up, but come on ... if you walk into an open manhole because you're too busy writing a text to notice the hole in the sidewalk, I think you lose your right to sue. But, hey, I'm not a judge.

via Gizmodo

ARTICLE: Death by Cell Phone: NSC video targets driving and mobile phone use

7/10/2009 8:55:00 AM

A couple of days ago, I nearly got hit by a car. Happens to people all the time — the near miss, the "if I'd been two inches more to the left, I'd be toast" type of scenario. Not to force a drama out of this, but I'm writing about it because of the nature of the driver's distraction. She was clearly having an argument with someone on her cell phone. (Yeah, I get the irony, given what I do for a living.)

She didn't stop, slow down or even end her conversation. It was like I wasn't there. To her, I'm sure I wasn't. She was too distracted to even notice the piece of background scenery wearing a tee-shirt and jeans.

According to the National Safety Council, cell phone use is responsible for six percent of all vehicular crashes each year. While six percent may not seem like much, it equates to 636,000 collisions annually. That's over half a million completely preventable car accidents. No wonder cell phone use on the road has become a hot topic these days, both in the news and on legislative agendas.

In addition to doing battle with drunk driving, accidental prescription overdoses, workplace injuries and senior falls, the Council has taken up the fight against mobile phone use while driving. Its goal is not just to promote safety practices and push for legislative bans, but also to make the behavior socially unacceptable.

Creating a new cultural norm is no small feat. To aid the cause, the Council recently released a YouTube video aimed at inspiring and informing the public. In the clip, David Teater and Jennifer Smith discuss the loss of their loved ones, who were killed in accidents caused by drivers distracted by mobile devices, and make a plea to people to stop using them while on the road.

Generally, I'm no fan of melancholic piano solo soundtracks or other melodramatic techniques aimed at pulling the heartstrings, but it is totally appropriate here. People need to get how devastating these types of collisions are for the victims and their families. Hearing Teater and Smith mourn the loss of their family members can only evoke sympathy and hopefully some activism.

I thought this was a good cause before, but after my recent experience, consider me a staunch supporter. I made a donation to the effort at the NSC microsite. If you'd like to make one too, click here.

The vid follows below. Don't be shy about forwarding it around — especially to the worst offenders you know.

[via Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

ARTICLE: Whoa: Texting more dangerous than driving drunk?

6/26/2009 10:30:00 AM

Unfortunately, text messaging while driving is something that many do on a regular basis; I'll be the first to admit that I've sent the occasional e-mail while on the road. In an interesting experiment, Car and Driver magazine tested the reaction of individuals text messaging versus driving intoxicated, and needless to say, the results were wild. The results were as follows:

While text messaging:

Driving 35 MPH: An extra 21 feet to stop (while reading) and 16 to stop (while writing)
Driving 70 MPH: An extra 30 feet to stop (while reading) and 31 to stop (while writing)

While driving drunk:

Driving 35 MPH: An extra 7 feet to stop
Driving 70 MPH: An extra 15 feet to stop

It's important to note that while the times were longer with text messaging, driving while intoxicated resulted in unintentional lane changes and poor control of the car as a whole. I think it's safe to say that both text messaging and driving drunk are poor things to engage in!

Source: PhoneArena

VIDEO: nru plots restaurants, bars on Android radar

6/17/2009 10:00:00 PM

If Layar doesn't suit your needs, check out an Android app by ZAGAT and lastminute.com called nru - spoken as near you. It uses GPS, an accelerometer, and a compass to give you 360 degrees of restaurant ratings and bar information. Remember the cool Google Maps demo that showcased the G1's compass capabilities in Street View mode? I guess this kind of stuff was bound to happen. Awesome.

ARTICLE: Colorado school says texting and driving is dangerous, proves point using Wii

5/18/2009 10:10:00 AM

Everyone knows that talking on a phone while driving is dangerous. But texting while driving? That's just insane. Case in point: A recent incident involved a Boston trolley driver who, distracted by text messaging on his cell phone, caused a horrendous train accident on May 8. The accident injured 50 people and cost 9.6 million dollars in damages.

Now it looks like everyday people have stopped complaining about the behavior and finally decided to do something about it. And this, I've got to say, is probably one of the most creative and effective ways to get the message across.

Eagle Valley's Vail Christian High School has devised an educational exercise that uses a Nintendo Wii loaded with Mario Kart as a driving simulator.

Students have one hand on the wheel and another on a cell phone while trying to navigate the game's driving course. Sure, there are no shells thrown onto the road in real life or warp thresholds that auto accelerate cars through space, but the kids still got the point.

For now, only 5 states — California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia — outlaw all handheld cell phone use, though 11 states, plus D.C., have banned text-messaging behind the wheel.

After I finished reading the item on Vail Christian High School, another text-themed story popped into my RSS feed. A new trend for classical music concerts is to allow audiences to vote for selections at the symphony via text message. So now, concert-goers are actually encouraged to turn on their cell phones at performances. Nice.

Judicious (and clever) use of text messaging = good
Bone-headed, disaster-prone texting = bad (and hopefully illegal everywhere soon)

[9News via Gizmodo; The New York Times]

ARTICLE: New to town? Let your BlackBerry Poynt the way

5/16/2009 1:50:00 PM

There are a few services that you can download that will help you find the places you want to go whether on the road or in your own backyard. Let's add another service to the list that can be downloaded to your BlackBerry from the App World, it's called Poynt.

Basically it's a search service that includes info on local businesses, movies and map it in its current form. You can use the GPS on your cell phone to automatically find your location or enter one manually. In a couple of weeks the service will include restaurants that will incorporate available info from OpenTable and Yelp. So you'll get ratings from Yelp and be able to determine availability and make reservations using OpenTable. If you have an OpenTable account just log-in once and you'll be remembered, so you can earn all those OpenTable points (these will get you something...eventually, but at the very least offers convenience and efficiency now) and if not, you can create an account on the BlackBerry.

This service is free and will work on the BlackBerry Storm, Bold, and all Pearls and Curves running the BlackBerry 4.2.1 OS and higher. We're going to take the app for a spin once restaurants are incorporated and report back on how it works for us.

ARTICLE: iPhone/Blackberry App: SitOrSquat, now sponsored by Charmin (who else?)

3/26/2009 11:45:00 AM

Made famous for helping users easily locate clean bathrooms and other amenities, SitOrSquat (which is, by the way, possibly the best name for an app ever) now has a new sponsor, and it's none other than TP kingpin Charmin.

In addition to its involvement with the app, which works on both iPhones and Blackberries, the company is also launching a new global sponsorship of the "SitOrSquat" website. (Huh? There's a website dedicated to this?!) The service works off a Wiki for global bathroom info, and users are encouraged to add content and give feedback when they've used one of the toilets featured there.

"Our goal is to connect Charmin with innovative conversations and solutions as a brand that understands the importance of bringing the best bathroom experience to consumers, even when they're away from home," explained Jacques Hagopian, Brand Manager of Charmin, which is the first toilet paper to partner with a downloadable mobile app.

Innovative conversations about the bathroom experience? (I'm laughing so hard, I had to type that twice due to typos.) Man, that's a lot of serious talk about tinkling. Someone's literally got a case of potty mouth.

It gets even better: According to the press release, Charmin has been dedicated to giving consumers a great public bathroom experience for nearly a decade. It "Charminized" public restrooms at State Fairs in 2000, provided "Potty Palooza" mobile units from 2003 2005 and offered 20 free Charmin Restrooms in Times Square, making it one of the most popular destinations out there during the holiday season. (Uh, destination or pit stop? You decide.)

Since SitOrSquat launched, more than 1,600 users have downloaded the app, and the website has had over 500,000 unique visitors.

Well, this partnership's a no-brainer. In fact, I wonder why it took so long. SitOrSquat's been in the App Store since last October. I guess when it came time to either get off the pot or... well, you know, Charmin decided to sit and... (oh, forget it! I'm NOT going there.)

ARTICLE: iFlyz holds your media player for long flights

3/4/2009 12:55:00 PM

The clamping, suction-cuppy-gooseneck thingy pictured below is designed to hold your phone or media player up for display on the plane. It looks like it could function in some other environments as well. But the method used for supporting your device - suction, probably isn't the best approach for compatibility with *all* handsets. Still, it apparently works well with polished surfaces - like the back of an iPhone.

The creators promise compatability "with iPhones, iTouches, iPods, Blackberrys, SmartPhones, and PMPs of various brands." It's definitely better than propping a $400 gadget against a plastic cup half-full of soda. The iFlyz is 5.5 inches long and 2.5 inches wide, and weighs two ounces. It costs $29.99.

ARTICLE: WinMo + real GPS + pay-per-use nav = Traveler 137 smartphone (niiiice)

1/8/2009 10:20:00 AM

Windows Mobile fans, did you really think PhoneDog would forget you? Yes, MacWorld broke open this week, but there's also the Consumer Electronics Show and its diversity of goodness. To get a jump on CES, Pharos, a location-based services provider, officially debuted the Pharos Traveler 137 smartphone on Tuesday.

So it's not exactly the sexiest phone, and slightly chunky at a half-inch thick, but it's certainly not bad. It's the brains, however, not the looks of the Traveler 137 that's impressive. Here's why:

The handset — an unlocked, quad-band GSM, 3G phone — runs on Windows Mobile 6.1 and features integrated GPS with Pharos' preloaded Smart Navigator system. The solution offers maps, routes, and turn-by-turn directions without the insufferable wait for a cell signal. (Which also means you can get directions, even when you're stuck in a dead zone.) You also get real-time traffic info and points-of-interest search, as well as an interesting feature called "Follow Me," which lets friends view your location on the Web or their Windows Mobile devices.

That's all very nice and good, but here's real the kicker: Say buh-bye to useless subscription charges when not in use! You can use the navigation on a pay-as-you-go basis. The incremental fees for access are absurdly cheap for the utility: $1.99 (one day), $4.99 (one week), $6.99 (one month), or $49.99 (one year). The phone comes with free maps of the U.S., with maps for Canada, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe available for purchase. Other international maps are in the works.

Not interested in Smart Navigator? That's fine. You still have WinMo, which means you can use Windows Live Search for maps and directions. (You'll need a cellular or Wifi connection for that.)

Sounds pretty sweet as a GPS unit, and guess what — the smartphone specs are pretty respectable too.

Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
Unlocked GSM quad band, EDGE/GPRS, tri-band 3G (1700/1900/2100MHz)
(NOTE: 3G works with T-Mobile and foreign 3G networks, not on AT&T's)
GPS, Wifi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth v2.1
Processor: Qualcomm MSM 7201A 528MHz
Memory: 256MB DDR SDRAM, 512MB Flash ROM
3.5-inch TFT LCD touchscreen, Wide-VGA (480x800 pixel res, 65,000 colors)
3 MP camera (still and video); 0.3 MP on front for video conference
MicroSD/SDHC expansion slot (supports up to 16 GB)
FM tuner
Stereo audio jack
Talk time: up to 4 hours (with 200 hours standby)
Battery: Li-Ion (1380 mAh ), rechargeable and replaceable
Dimensions: 4.60 in x 2.40 in x 0.51 in, 4.9 oz weight

The Traveler 137, which got a 2009 CES Innovation award for Smart Navigator, will be available late Q1 for $599.95. Considering it's an unlocked, carrier-independent phone with real GPS functionality, the price seems very reasonable. (What, no price gouging? I hope it's the start of a trend.)

So now, when you're out egging the houses of smug Mac/iPhone users in your area, you won't get lost. (Or you could just stay home instead and laugh at this vid from The Onion, which pokes fun at the Apple-obsessed. Enjoy.) :-P

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

(edited to fix typo)

ARTICLE: Best way to travel (for gadget heads in NNE corridor)

11/13/2008 3:45:00 PM

Something funky always happens en route from New York to my parents' house in Pennsylvania. Typically on the bus or train, I experience connection loss and EDGE problems somewhere around Exit 8 on the New Jersey Turnpike. I stopped complaining about not having any consistent wifi signal on the road (because that's just a fact of life), but when I can't make calls, check my e-mail or look up maps, I get really cranky.

If only I could take Greyhound's new NeOn bus service there. Rates start at just ONE DOLLAR (if you buy in advance), and for your money, you get onboard wifi and a plug-in port to keep your phone or other gadgets charged. You get other non cell-related goodies too, like videos and extra legroom, but the prospect of being able to play Aurora Feint for hours without draining my battery dry is motivation enough for me. (Last time, I almost didn't have enough juice left to call my folks for a pick-up.)

While it doesn't exactly have a cell tower embedded on the roof for a stable phone connection, the other features would've been plenty to keep me in good spirits during the trip. But alas, NeOn only travels from New York to Toronto and points in between, at least for now. I hope they'll expand service at some point. In the mean time, I'll have to resort to extreme measures -- like bringing a book or something.

ARTICLE: Just say no: Goverment to ban in-flight calls?

4/21/2008 12:00:00 AM

Right up front let me say I'm all for this bill.

Some important members of the House - that'd be the U.S. House of Representatives - introduced a bill that would ban cell phone use on airplanes during flight. The oh so nicely titled HANG UP Act, "would ensure that financially strapped airlines don't drive us towards this noisome disruption in search of further revenue," in the words of Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon. Amen, Brother Pete.

As he put it, "The public doesn't want to be subjected to people talking on their cell phones on an already over-packed airplane." I couldn't agree more. The European Union may have just announced it will let airline passengers talk on their phones during flights, but frankly they're in a different league than us Americans when it comes to mobile culture and etiquette.

The last time I flew, the dude in front of me was playing pinball on his laptop with the volume turned way up. 40-year old grown-up, not a kid who didn't know better. It was driving me insane until a flight attended kindly asked him to spare us all his blips and bleeps (got headphones, dude?). That was bad enough, but imagine the horror of the person crammed in next to you yapping into their RAZR all the way from LA to New York? With no recourse to ask them to please stop, I'm trying fend off a migraine, because it's within their Bill of Passenger's Rights? Seriously?

Air travel is horrible as it is. Ticket prices are high, timeliness and reliability are a joke, and the poor flight attendants who bear the brunt of our frustrations with their employers have started becoming a bit less cheerful as of late (at least in my experience). Can't hardly blame 'em. While I'd be into some pay-per-flight WiFi to help pass the time while airborne, the last thing we want is an overcrowded plane full of people yelling into their Bluetooths.

Even if you think I'm way off base on this one, I'm not. Trust me. You don't want this.

ARTICLE: Confused about international roaming?

11/17/2007 12:00:00 AM

Many American cellular phone users planning to travel abroad wonder whether their cell phones will work while they are overseas. Unfortunately, the world of international roaming often seems intentionally designed to confuse consumers. For example, customers of Verizon Wireless and Sprint-Nextel will likely find that their phones will not work at all in most countries since they work on the CDMA and PCS/iDEN standards, respectively, and most of the rest of the world operates on the GSM standard. T-Mobile and AT&T Mobility customers are in more luck since both companies' networks operate on the GSM standard.

Beyond operational worries, pricing is also likely to be an expensive headache. International roaming (i.e. using an unmodified U.S. cell phone to make calls overseas) is likely to cost $1.50-$2.00 per minute or more, depending on location. In many instances, customers can buy a replacement SIM card (the card in all GSM phones that holds network and customer information) in their destination country and use a prepaid service. Many U.S. carriers also offer overseas phone rental options and special roaming rates to customers that purchase international plans.

Unfortunately, the end result of all these options is likely to be consumer confusion. However, the always useful Consumerist.com blog is ready with an easy-to-understand consumer guide to international roaming. The guide includes recommendations for the cheapest roaming options, depending on type of travel (infrequent, frequent, multiple countries, etc.), lists of U.S. phone models that will work in Japan and the pro's and con's of various international roaming options.

Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org