PhoneDog.com - The latest about Utilitieshttp://www.phonedog.com/tags/utilities.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDogThe latest information about Utilities(c) 2009, PhoneDog, LLC. All rights reserved.11/23/2009 12:09:45 PMARTICLE: Is your household cell-only?
In December 2008, more than 20 percent of households were wireless-only, while 17 percent used landlines alone. Another 15 percent said that, while they have both, the majority of their calling was performed on cell phones. These figures come from the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics.

The CDC started tracking these stats in 2003, when the agency started worrying that their phone surveys could be biased. Landline households and cell phone households tend to have certain generalized profiles, so focusing on one or the other could skew health data results. So they began looking at the numbers, and found some interesting stuff, among them:
  • Renters (as opposed to homeowners) are four times less likely to have a landline.
  • Wireless-only adults are more likely to engage in risky behavior, including:
    -Smoking
    -Binge drinking
    -Foregoing health insurance
    -Not wearing a seat belt

Should You Cut the Cord?
An article on Philly.com mentions Laura Cerda, a 41-year-old Sacramento woman who cut her landline only to reorder it a couple months later. Turns out, her mother (who watches Cerda's daughter) never turns on her cell. And Cerda's child doesn't answer hers either, preferring SMS.

"We have to text, and I can't really yell effectively through a text," says Cerda. (Okay, that's kind of funny. She's basically paying for the right to yell at her kid.)

For others, however, paying an extra monthly bill for a rarely used phone service is out of the question in these difficult economic times.

So how are phone companies responding? Check this out: Earlier this month, I ran across a blog post from BetaNews titled, "AT&T: Without a landline phone, you could die." Yowza. It's all about the need to have landlines for 911 emergency services. Call it a marketing scare tactic or what, but there's some truth to it.

At my parents' home, the landline is crucial — at least for now. 911 services can't find an address via cell phone yet (only triangulate a general vicinity), but they can pinpoint it via landline. So if Dad has an accident and can't talk, he can call 911 and they can find his address. For him (and for me), the peace of mind is worth the extra $60 per month fee.


The Nostalgia of Landlines
In my own home, it's a whole other story. I had no landline in my old apartment, and things went pretty smoothly, so I've been trying to convince my husband to box the hardline in our new place. The cost savings would be significant, and we rarely use all our minutes anyway. And since we're fairly young, I think the slightly less robust E911 services will be just fine.

But he's sticking to his guns. He likes the reliability of having a hardwired phone (even though the one we use is powered by electricity. So what will happen during the next outage? You guessed it — It becomes a paperweight. Our cell phones, however, will still work for as long as the battery has a charge).

Is it practicality, like he thinks, or is it more about being comfortable with a familiar (albeit, kind of old) technology? While I can understand the nostalgia — I have one of those old-fashioned telephone ringtones on my iPhone because I like how it reminds me of phone rings from my childhood — but I'd still be perfectly happy to get rid of our landline.

What about you? Do you live in a cell-only household? Have you had any issues with it? Or do you hang onto your landline phone? Seriously, please chime in, because your comments will probably help us figure out whether to keep ours or not.

[via BetaNews, Philly.com, CDC]
]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/is-your-household-cell-only.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDog7/28/2009 6:40:00 PMARTICLE: Cellscope turns phone into microscopehere.)

At least institutions of higher learning get the picture. Case in point: Professor David Fletcher, of University of California at Berkeley, issued an interesting directive for his students that is equal parts cool hack and educational experiment.

He instructed them to build a microscope using a cell phone. Lo and behold, after some tinkering with electronics and lenses, they had a functional and useful gadget on their hands, which they dubbed the Cellscope.



They're hoping the device will be a weapon in the arsenal for poor geographic areas battling malaria, sickle-cell anemia, and tuberculosis. These locations tend to have issues with equipment supplies, since diagnosis requires numerous expensive microscopes. The team hopes that the Cellscope will offer a less-expensive alternative that could help save lives.

[Scientific American via Neatorama]


]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/cellscope-turns-phone-into-microscope.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDog7/23/2009 11:05:00 AMVIDEO: Android app review - Sweeter Home
Springboards, which I mentioned in my video, but didn't understand, can be seen in their full glory here.

LemoNZ's Matricks video demonstration can be found here.

Also, be sure to look at Puny Weakling's themes page, and the Sweeter Home homepage.
]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-videos/android-app-review-sweeter-home.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDog4/1/2009 6:25:00 PMARTICLE: Does iPhone really need fingerprint scanner security? Apple Insider discovered a reference to some really crazy biometric security stuff for the iPhone. The patent — which was filed back in September and only recently published — covers fingerprint authentication via a sensor lodged beneath the touchscreen, retinal identification (using the camera), voice recognition security and DNA sampling for access via genetic code matching.



Reading this, I was suddenly reminded of those hokey iPhone apps with fake fingerprint scanners that display messages like "Hotness Detected" or some other dumb thing. The idea is similar, except that these security features would actually work.

              

I used to look at those apps wistfully and think, "It would be neat if they really worked for authentication." But now? Meh. I'd rather have Flash on my phone, along with better battery life and real background processes.

So maybe the real news is not that Apple's considering hot, future-forward security; It's that the company still has some important, basic features to address, ones that the phone needs to remain competitive. Don't get me wrong — iPhone 3.0 is a huge step in the right direction, but many of the neat new features in there actually should've been available out of the box a long time ago. And there's still work to do, not for future phones, but for the current handsets we're all using now. Where's the patent addressing that?

I am still an Apple fan, of the diehard variety. But I'm also just as much a critic, thus fueling my love/hate relationship with this brand. And this news sure doesn't help. With so many new handsets on the horizon that are looking shiny and new, it's getting hard to stay loyal.

For now, I'll let AppleInsider ponder the 12th generation iPhone, and leave Engadget to investigate minor points, like why the patent filings include sketches of jailbroken apps (below). (What's that all about?). As for me, June is the furthest I'm looking into the iPhone future, when the hotly anticipated new handset will likely debut.



]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/does-iphone-really-need-fingerprint-scanner-security.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDog3/31/2009 2:35:00 PMARTICLE: Face detection for Android (and iPhone)face detection app headed to their phones in the next few months. Face.com just launched a face detection app for Facebook, and it's bound to be as troublesome and embarrassing as photo-tagging. We doird fans may come a little late to the game, but Android developers are hard at work to make your online stalking a simpler task. Just thought I should let you know.
]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/face-detection-for-android-and-iphone.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDog3/25/2009 2:45:00 PMARTICLE: iPhone Apps: Other (very cool) timers (5/5)really cool dedicated-use timers.

I checked out these four, but they didn't multi-task too well. But they did succeed in doing what they were meant to do extremely well. So, they make the list of honorable mentions for their creativity and for giving me something I didn't realize I wanted or needed — but totally do.



eggXactly (0.99)
Super cute visuals that promises the perfect boiled egg. Science nerds may dig this, since it's based on physical experiments and studies. Users input variables, like the egg's temperature, the altitude (manually or automatically via GPS), and the size (by swiping to enlarge/reduce the image on the screen to match your egg). Plus, the clucking chicken alarm is just pure fun. And you can shut off or reset the timer by shaking the phone.





Gourmet Egg Timer (1.99)
Features a photo-realistic egg in water that moves with the phone's accelerometer. Comes with size chart, simple room vs. fridge temperature input, altitude gauge that's manual or automatic (via GPS), and the ability to time multiple eggs. It also continuously tracks elapsed time, so you can switch to another app and come back mid-timing, and forces the phone to stay awake, so you don't miss the alarm.





Tea Time! (0.99)
I admit, I like tea, but I'm no connoisseur. I have no idea how long to steep a cup before it goes bitter or what the time differential is for loose leaf vs. bags. No prob. Tea Time! figures it out automatically. I just put in what I'm having, and it sets the timer for me. The only downside I can see is that the selection is a little limited, to just Black, Green, White, Oolong, and Herbal. Hopefully, future updates will include more varietals, but for now — fortunately — I'm an avid Green tea drinker with an easy (and adorable) way to sustain her habit.





Game Timer (0.99)
Love the wooden theme of this app. Not to be confused with Game Timer App, this one features dual interfaces pointed in opposite positions, which is perfect for Chess, Checkers, Go and other games. You can configure the individual start times for handicapping a player, track number of moves per game, play sounds during use, track overtime per player and force the phone to stay awake during use.



So that's it, my top timer apps so far. Wow, I had no idea there was so much to say about timers. Of all the ones I tested, my favorite is probably the Talking Timer, followed by Chef Timer. Both work well even when the phone's asleep, which means I can put it in my pocket and it will vibrate to tell me when time's up without worry. But since I loaded Talking Timer, with its verbal countdown, I have not even slipped once while running into the kitchen — which is huge for a klutz like me. It warns me when there's 20 seconds left, at which point I just saunter over to my stove to finish cooking, cool as a cucumber.
]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/iphone-apps-other-very-cool-timers-5-5.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDog2/28/2009 7:45:00 PMARTICLE: iPhone Apps: Timers — Game Timer App (4/5)Game Timer) is exactly what the name says: a simple timer intended for use in board games and other activities. But I tend to use it whenever and wherever I need a fast, no-fuss single timer.



Game Timer App (free)
It has a clean, simple interface, keeps the phone awake while in use and offers increments of minutes and seconds. For a free app, I also appreciate the fact that it has no ads.

What you should know:
The maximum amount of time you can set is 59 minutes, 59 seconds and the alarm only dings once. The app also defaults to 1 minute whenever you open the app. Though this tracks time when the phone's sleeping, it does not have the continuity to account for lost time when you switch to another app or take a call. When you come back, the timer will be off and set to the default 1 minute again. (Be warned: If the phone rings and you're timing something important, you'll want to decline the call.)

Impressions:
There's a lot that this timer doesn't do, but it was never intended to do everything. It's just a clean, simple app that keeps a basic countdown — no more, no less. So for that, and the $0 price tag and ease of use, it's a winner for me when I need a simple timer for anything, except for maybe boiling an egg.
]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/iphone-apps-timers-game-timer-app-4-5.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDog2/28/2009 7:40:00 PMARTICLE: iPhone Apps: Timers — Talking Timer (3/5)


Talking Timer (0.99)
Originally intended as a fitness tool, it counts both up and down, and even features milliseconds, so I can use it for meal prep, yoga workouts, or anything else I need to time.

Mostly, I use it as a kitchen utility, and it works great for that. Instead of a sudden blaring alarm, Talking Timer has spoken reminders to warn before the time's up on my meatloaf. It can be set to announce every hour, minute, or over the course of the last 10 60 seconds. It also features a vibration mode, which can be used with or without the voice, and timing continuity (so you can close it and come back without missing the time).

What you should know:
It would be nice to have different voices to choose from, but aside from that, I hardly have any complaints about it. A user once vented that the time got out of sync, but since then, Talking Timer's latest update matched the app to the phone's internal clock, making it as accurate as your iPhone. It's reliable and works when the phone's asleep, which is a big plus.

Impressions:
I've experienced nothing but smooth sailing so far. In fact, this app is even finding its way into other parts of my life. It's particularly handy when my husband and I compete for who can get dressed and ready to go out first. (Loser buys dinner.)

The bottom line is, if you're the type who needs advance warning before time is up, get this app. If, however, you rarely cook, don't exercise or engage in goofy activities with your significant other, and all you want is a simple, bare bones timer, you may want to consider the Game Timer App instead.

]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/iphone-apps-timers-talking-timer-3-5.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDog2/28/2009 1:05:00 PMARTICLE: iPhone Apps: Timers — Chef Timer (2/5)5 in 1 Timer on the surface, since it has multiple timers, but it packs an awesome feature that tips the scales in its favor.



Chef Timer (0.99)
Playing with this timer is fun. The stainless steel theme is cool, and the gear-like adjustment noises make it feel like a game. (But if you grow tired of them or find them irritating, you can turn the sounds off.)

Chef Timer has four timers, one per stove burner, and a display with large numbers and editable labels. You can set it by "turning" the knobs in 15 second increments and change the time while it's running. The clock tracks continuously, so if you leave the app and  come back, it accounts for this. There are also 9 different alarms  to choose from, as well as a vibration mode.

But the best thing is that you can put the phone to sleep (by hitting the button on top of the phone) and the alarm will still work. This means you can stick it in your pocket without fear of bumping the screen or interfering with the settings.

What you should know:
Sadly, there's no dedicated  fifth oven timer like 5 in 1 Timer has, which would've been nice. Also, the "knob" can be a little tricky to use. It requires a lot of circular winding to allot an hour or more, and you have to stop rather precisely to schedule the right amount of time. In addition, I found all 9 alarms to be kind of annoying. This, however, actually works for me since there's little chance I can ignore them.

Impressions:
This is one of the top timer apps I tested. The fact that the alarm works when the phone's sleeping is awesome. Some of the other apps do this as well, but none did so as consistently or reliably.


I thought I was done at this point. I had found a great app that let me time things the way I needed to — or so I thought. Then I met Talking Timer.

]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/iphone-apps-chef-timer-2-5.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDog2/28/2009 1:00:00 PMARTICLE: iPhone Apps: Timers — 5 in 1 Timer (1/5)


5 in 1 Kitchen Timer (0.99)
This is common-sense design that lets users visually match their kitchen setup with its five timers, which includes four "burners" and one "oven."

If you don't like the colors, you can change them in the settings. The timers themselves are really easy to operate — just tap +5 or +1 buttons to add minutes. It features dings and vibration alarms, an automatic force-awake function (to keep the phone on during use) and a continuity feature, so you can open another app and go back in. The app factors in the elapsed time and puts you back on track.

What you should know:
You can't apply labels or adjust time increments while a timer is running. Also, the alarm only dings three times, not endlessly, so if you somehow miss them, it doesn't keep sounding off. On the up side, the alerts are loud enough to hear if you're anywhere near your phone (and you don't have Linkin Park turned up or something).

When I put the phone to sleep (to shut off the screen and put it in my pocket), the alarm is kind of hit-or-miss. I got it to work occasionally this way, but definitely not consistently.



Impressions:
Not bad. I love being able to keep track 5 things at once (which could be applied to multiple activities, not just cooking). It's very easy to use, and I even like the little icon on the main screen. The fact that it doesn't sound off when the phone's asleep, however, is sort of a dealbreaker for me. I'd like the ability to put it in my pocket without accidentally changing the settings.


That's where Chef Timer comes in.]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/iphone-apps-5-in-1-timer.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDog2/27/2009 9:15:00 AMARTICLE: iPhone Apps: For whom the timer ticks… (intro)
The roast wound up dry and overdone, but I didn't even notice because I was distracted by having to eat standing up and holding an ice pack on my butt. As I said, I'm clumsy, and I have a tendency to lose myself in my activities — games, phones, writing, social networking, reading kooky Diggs, etc... This is why having a timer to remind me of things has become essential.

After my colossal fall, I turned to my trusty cell. I'd tried using the microwave, as well as my built-in oven timer, but they don't work if you're not in earshot. Plus, I love any excuse to use my iPhone, so why not let it give me a helping hand?

In all honesty, the phone itself has a decent alarm clock that even lets you set your own music and a seemingly endless array of alarms. And I do use it often — but mostly for waking up in the morning. I need something much faster and easier to configure on the fly when I want to time an activity like cooking, gameplay or laps around the jogging track (not that I need that one, but it's nice to know it's there).

Turns out, I wasn't the only one with this idea, because there are several entries in the App Store for timers. I took a closer look at four, plus a few extras, and tested them to see which had the best features and ease of use.

One thing you should know before you attempt to use any of the timer apps: These, like all third-party applications, won't work in the background. But in some cases, the developers have figured out a decent workaround. Where noted, the programs have a continuity feature that tracks the time elapsed when you switch to another app and back. This only works mid-session, though. If you take a phone call or open a separate program when a timer is done, the alarm won't go off until you return to the app. Just remember that before you set it and forget it.

So with that in mind, let's get to the first item, the 5 in 1 Timer. Ready. Set. Go!
]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/blog/iphone-apps-for-whom-the-timer-ticks-intro.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=Tag_utilities&utm_campaign=PhoneDog2/27/2009 9:10:00 AM