BuyMeGetMe.com

BuyMeGetMe.com is going all modern – and wireless!

The staff here has decided the time is now right to allow all of these pearls of wisdom to fly through the air so it can be read on your spiffy Kindle book reading devices.

Starting right now.

Our perfect prose will now be available for downloading along side of all the other greats pieces of literature available in the world today.

Just for the record, Amazon.com does not allow us to do this out of the goodness of their little hearts. They charge for the privilege.

So, if you’d like to be able to read all of our timely missives miraculously and wirelessly delivered to your Kindle it’s gonna cost you $1.99 per month (a bargain at twice the price!)

And if you don’t have a Kindle (you don’t?) we’ll still allow you to get your fix via the Internet.

Copyright Apple 2010

Apple has a problem. It’s a problem they’ve created for themselves.  They wanted full control over all the content on their portable devices – and now they have it – warts and all.

They’ve decided to ban “some” apps from their iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad App Store and leave “some” other, similar ones there for everyone to purchase.  We’re talking about programs that show women in various states of undress – mostly shots of women wearing bathing suits or underwear.

The catch here is that key word “some”. It seems that if small companies make “interactive” apps that allow the user to, say, wipe clean a dirty window only to reveal a woman in a skimpy bikini – then that app has been removed from Apple’s App Store.  Same for the app that lets the user unscramble a jumbled photo of a similarly clothed actress.

On the other hand, if a large corporation produces an app for the annual Sports Illustrated “Swimsuit Issue” showing women in various poses wearing skimpy bikinis – then those kinds of apps stay.

Apple might be able to say that the banned app is slightly “interactive”  in other words you have to do something to actually see the semi-naked lady while all you have to do with the Sports Illustrated app is “turn some pages” to see many semi-naked women. 

You get the point?   They don’t want to offend Time Inc!

The man in charge of this or, at least, the guy taking the heat is Phil Schiller, Apple’s Worldwide Product Manager – one of the names that always pop-up when there’s a discussion of Apple execs who would be in-line to take over if and when Steve Jobs steps down.

The New York Times quotes Mr. Schiller in saying that Apple now believes a small number of app developers have submitted work with “objectionable content.”  He said Apple was getting an increasing number of customer complaints from women and parents.

The NY Times also quotes Schiller as saying that the Sports Illustrated app was different because it comes from a “well known company, was previously published material available broadly in a well-accepted format.”  Not sure I would have taken that tact or used the term “broadly”.

This is a dangerous tightrope that Apple now has to navigate.  I understand they have to make their App Store products “friendly” for everyone but, at the same time, not exclude large portions of the app buying public.

This is the same Apple which, through their iTunes store, sells TV and gazillions of movies and videos to watch on their devices. Some of those offerings include late-night cable shows such as “Californication”, “Tell Me You Love Me” and lots more.   Then again, how about some of that “music” Apple sells which could never be played over the radio?  How does Apple justify that when they’re banning some apps with pictures of women in swimsuits?

Apple says they have parental controls in place that should keep youngsters from being able to buy and download any App Store content deems inappropriate.  And, if that system doesn’t work Apple should fix it now.  All of these apps in question, including those like the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit app, could all be restricted to buyers of an appropriate age.

But, I also want to know what about the parents’ role in all of this?  If they’ve given their youngsters an iPhone or iPod Touch or plan to give them an iPad then they have a responsibility to know what their kids are doing with those devices. They should not be able to put all the blame on Apple.  If you wouldn’t let your child buy inappropriate items from a local store then why would you let them do so online?

If women or anyone else, for that matter, finds these apps offensive they shouldn’t buy them either.

Google seems to be taking a slightly different approach with their applications “Market” apps. At least, at this point, Google is taking a “hands-off” approach with developers. Google doesn’t screen apps beforehand but will remove offenders if they violate corporate policies. It’s a similar system to YouTube’s.

It should be very interesting to see how Apple continues to handle their ambiguous app policy – and customer feedback – going forward.

Today, industry giant Microsoft announced a top-to-bottom revision of their cellular phone operating system now being called Windows Phone.

The new Version 7 was announced by Microsoft Chief Steve Ballmer in his keynote speech at the Mobile World Congress confab in Barcelona, Spain.

From all the coverage I’ve seen Microsoft seems to have done wonders. As legend has it, Windows Phone 7 is a complete re-write of previous (and now woefully outdated versions of the OS. It looks great. And if you can believe the fan-boys blogging from the show it’s pretty amazing as well.

WinPho7 looks a lot like the logical extension of their current Zune music player operating system. That’s a good thing. Current Zunes have big block lettering, bold graphics and an easy to master touch-screen, on-screen directory system. WinPho 7 adds big block icons on the home screen.  The picture shows that it looks like no other smartphone OS. That’s a good thing.

The Windows Phone 7 manufacturing rules are a giant departure for Microsoft. In the past Microsoft produced a mobile OS and then handset manufacturers were allowed to build phones that loosely incorporated older WinMo features. Now, with version 7 Microsoft has laid down the law, Apple-style. “Here is the OS. You may now produce phones that run it exactly as we say.”

That’s currently one of the most annoying problems with Android phones. There’s an OS (actually there are a bunch of current versions in use) and manufacturers can (and do) ask Google for help in making each different phone do things differently from other Android phones. Some even change the way Android looks and operates. You’ll never see that with iPhones, BlackBerries, Palm WebOS devices and now Windows Phones.

As with previous versions, these Windows mobile phone devices are going to be warmly embraced by users who need access to their corporate Microsoft Exchange e-mail servers.

Windows Mobile phones always worked best with Exchange servers just like RIM BlackBerry phones worked best with BlackBerry Enterprise e-mail systems. Add to that Apple who want you to use mac.com features and Google’s g-mail which syncs and works best with Android phones. Those lines are blurring slightly these days but, for the most part those are facts of life for smartphone users.

With the advent of WinPho7, these new mobile devices will also have access to Xbox Live. Gaming – especially live, multi-user competition, is one area where Microsoft has a giant leg up on the competition. This level of gaming integration should appeal to the legions of Xbox junkies. It’s a good selling point for Microsoft if handled correctly.

Taking all of this into consideration, WinPho7 devices are probably going to have their work cut out for them. They’re years behind iPhones and Androids. Months behind new Palm smartphones. I’m not sure being fourth in with work for Microsoft – no matter how innovative this new OS really turns out to be.

We’ll see. Actually, we’ll have to wait and see. Manufacturer HTC says their first WinPhoi7 smartphone will be ready in the fourth quarter of 2010. That’s at least eight months away. And a few months after the fourth generation iPhone hits the market. 

A few days ago I received an email from Research in Motion.

RIM is pleased to invite you to participate in a limited preview of an upcoming application for BlackBerry smartphones. We’re offering you and a few other select BlackBerry and Twitter fans the chance to be the first to try a beta version of Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones.

You’ll have about a month to play with the app and share your thoughts on the BlackBerry Support Forums and in BlackBerry App World before it’s available to everyone else.

The application requires activation with data plan with Internet service browsing capabilities, a BlackBerry smartphone with at least 64-MB of built in memory (with at least 750KB available) and BlackBerry Device Software v4.5 or higher.

As you might expect I jumped at the chance.

Once I received the instructions and the secret password download and installation on my Storm2 test handset was a snap. I was up and running within two minutes.

After putting this beta software through its paces, my first impressions are very, very positive. I couldn’t wait to share my thoughts with you.

I know you can access Twitter on any browser – but this new BlackBerry app integrates Twitter into the smartphone’s entire operating system. That means if you’re inside your BlackBerry’s e-mail you now have the option to send a Twitter Tweet or Direct Message from your e-mail queue. That’s in addition to being able to IM or send a post to your Facebook account from your handset’s e-mail software.

Also, in addition to application’s large, blue “t” icon (which you can move onto your home screen) there’s also a tiny, little Twitter logo at the top of the screen telling you how many new tweets have arrived in your Twitter account since you last checked.

The BlackBerry Twitter app allows you to do many of the groovy things you’re able to do in your computer’s Web browser. According to RIM you can reply to tweets and also re-tweet, post a link from your BlackBerry Browser, take a funny picture and upload it (serious pictures too) and, of course, follow friends and search for popular topics.

This new app makes my Storm2 a very worthy tweeting platform and could broaden the appeal of BlackBerries for the general cell phone buying public. This new Twitter interface is clean, clear and easy to master. Integration with other BlackBerry messaging functions is a major plus.

The only fault I could find is the overall speed of the program. Not that any Blackberry software title is as speedy as similar titles on many other phones (especially devices – like the Google Nexus One – which boast Snapdragon processors inside).

This is not especially a fault of the Twitter software per se. I’ll bet that if and when RIM begins using more modern processors capable of super-speeds that their apps will benefit from the overall boost in speed.

Then again, BlackBerries are the favorite communications tool of big business, Wall Street and even the President of the United States for one reason: secure e-mail.

I’m pretty sure those power users won’t be standing around measuring the ultimate speed of their tweets. They do care about getting e-mail quickly and safely.  That’s really what made BlackBerry a major force in mobile devices. in the first place

In case you are on the fence about whether the new Apple iPad is right for you (see below) here are some encouragnign words from some people who know.

(Not that they’re biased, or anything like that…)

Nokia just announced a very big deal.

Actually, the big deal was really announced awhile back when Nokia told the world that they had purchased a company called Navteq who, in their own words, are “a world leader in premium-quality digital map data and content.” They boast that their mapping data can be found inside most in-vehicle navigation systems sold in North America and Europe.

Nokia’s been pretty quiet about their plans for Navteq up until this morning when they announced that Navteq maps would now come free with Nokia’s GPS-enabled phones.

Available as immediate downloads for ten Symbian OS phones (access for additional phones is coming soon), the new Ovi Maps application promises turn-by-turn travel (driving and walking) instructions for free for the life of your Nokia phone.

OK, you say. Other phones also have GPS inside. True, but not as complete as this. The new, free, Ovi Maps app can get you where you want to go in 70 countries. It also offers free map updates plus free Michelin, Lonely Planet and events guides as well as providing up-to-the-minute weather forecasts.

Did I mention it’s free? This cannot be good news for the Garmins and TomToms of this world.

I had to try it for myself to see how it works. I “navigated” to the proper Website on my N97 Mini test unit (http://www.nokia.mobi/mas/download), selected my phone – downloaded the installer and let the phone do it’s thing. The entire process took something like two minutes.

I started the newly installed Ovi Maps program – pressed the “My position” button on the screen and within 1 second the phone told me exactly where I was standing. I’m not exaggerating – it was that fast.

That’s important because Nokia/Navteq’s new Ovi Maps system is completely loaded inside your phone. Pinpointing your position on a map is nearly instantaneous. The current Google/Android map solution, while very good, has to constantly download new map information to your device slowing down the process in the process.

In very early tests, the Nokia mapping system is accurate and fast. I’ll take it out on the road this weekend to see how annoying the voices helping with directions can become (a problem with nearly all GPS systems).

Free GPS maps could just be the boost Nokia needs to have some of their newest phones subsidized and sold by U.S. cellular companies. Even if that’s not the case, having super-speedy GPS in your smartphone at no extra cost could make the price of unlocked Nokia devices a lot easier to swallow.

So now my Google’s Nexus One smartphone test device is a few weeks old. I’ve gotten over all the the “new and cool” features and since I’m using it as my primary cellular device I’m also learning to live with some of its quirks as well.

Yes, I still think the Nexus One is a fantastic Android phone but there are some features I’m beginning to find downright annoying. Like the fact that, at times, the handset can’t make up its mind whether it’s a 2G, 2.5G or 3G device.

The Nexus One seems to have a well-documented problem locking onto T Mobile’s 3G data network signal if you happen to be standing in a fringe or semi-fringe reception area.

Let me explain. If you’re standing in Midtown Manhattan, the Nexus One is rock-solidly connected to T-Mobile’s 3G data network. And if you’re standing in some location where T-Mobile’s 3G network is non-existent – say far Eastern Long Island or somewhere in the wilds of western New Jersey – then your Nexus One will not waver from receiving a 2.5G/EDGE signal.

But lookout if you’re standing in Lower Manhattan. Or Washington Heights. Or the middle of The Bronx. In that case, you can actually watch your phone bounce from 3G/4 signal bars – to 3 bars – to 2 then 1 then no bars – then flip to “E” for 2.5 G EDGE with 4 bars, then 3,2,1 0 then even bump down to 2G/GPRS then quickly bump back up to 3G – and start the dance all over again.

I’ve also found that the Nexus One is less likely to bounce networks if you’re not touching it. Keeping your hands off the handset allows the phone to stay locked onto 3G for a lot longer.

Since this does not happen with other T-Mobile 3G/Android OS test phones in my possession (a G-1 and a Motorola’s CLIQ) I’ll take an educated guess and say the problem lies with the Nexus One.

There are settings on the Nexus One that allow you to “lock” your phone into using only 3G or only 2G networks in your area. Some users report good results with that quick fix. The only problem is if you’ve chosen “only 3G” then you’re out of luck on the rest of T-Mobile’s (2G) network. I’ll wait for a real solution.

My years as an Amateur Radio station operator as well as being a broadcast radio fanatic tell me that something is going wrong with the way the phone receives and/or handles connections to wireless networks.

It could be the software. The Nexus One is the only Android phone to run on version 2.1 of the operating system. Hopefully that’s a problem that can be addressed quickly and easily.

It could be the hardware. Maybe HTC needs to figure out a way to re-route some of the receiving antennas inside the phone. That problem is a little tougher to solve.

Inside this skinny handset there is circuitry for GSM, GPRS, EDGE, and 3G cellular networks as well as GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-fi features. That’s a lot of antennas inside one little device. Maybe they’re interfering with each other. Re-routing those tiny embedded wires is probably not a viable option.

A wise man who runs one of the largest smartphone firms on the planet once told me that at some point there will be so much circuitry in these devices that it will be nearly impossible to keep everything from interfering with other circuits. He said that’s why they preferred to stick with 2.5G/EDGE phones as long as they could – because that way they knew exactly what was happening inside their devices.

Again, if I’m using the phone in Midtown Manhattan, the Nexus One is pinned on 3G and I have no problems. Same for 2.5G/EDGE out in the wilds. It’s just when you’re attempting to use the phone on the edge (pardon the pun) of the signal-strength area that this becomes a problem.

Of course, that means that if T-Mobile decides to blanket your area with 3G towers the Nexus One problems will disappear for you. Good luck with that. I’m hoping the experts can come up with a software fix ASAP.

I love the phone’s speed thanks to Qualcomm’s 1.0 GHz Snapdragon processor. Going back to using one of my slightly older Android phones mentioned above I find them to be a lot slower to carry out my commands. You don’t realize this until you’ve used the Nexus One for awhile and then go back to an older (by a few weeks) device.

And, I’m in love with the Nexus One’s 3.7-inch (diagonal) screen. But, at times, I find the on-screen buttons on the bottom tough to find and press. I’ve searched for some sort of screen calibration software in the phone’s set-up but to no avail.

I also wish that the phone would ring louder. When protected in it’s fabric sleeve – and it’s sitting in your pocket (or bag) a ringing Nexus One is barely detectable.

Overall, I still really like the phone. It’s form factor. It’s features. But, I’m not sure it’s the 100% ultimate Android device on the market today. Especially if the rumors are true and that Verizon’s Droid phone will be getting an upgrade to the Android 2.1 OS very soon.

And then again, it’s been two weeks since the Nexus One was announced. That means we’re probably due for another Android/super iPhone-killer device any day now.

Amazon.com's Kindle

I have a good friend who lusted for a Kindle as soon as it was announced. 

Now he has one – and in some ways might be regretting it.

I think I’ll let him tell you his tale of woe in his own words:

I had wanted a Kindle from day one.
My wife rolled her eyes.
The kids went to her and said “Daddy wants a Kindle”
“It’s a waste of money. He’ll never use it.   Forget about it.”

So I got a sweater.
I still wanted a Kindle.
But they gave me a shirt and tie.
A Kindle would have been nice.

Then Father’s Day rolled around and guess what?
I got a Kindle.
Life was grand.
I ordered books.
Dickens. Tolstoy. Powers.
I clicked through Furst and Armstrong and Brown and Larsson.
I read about Google and Wiki Government and a Girl with a Dragon Tattoo.
My wife was “impressed”, she told the kids.

And then, just before Christmas, my Kindle screen went dark.
It looked like a rogue Etch-a-sketch.
If I held it a certain way and read under a spotlight I could just barely make out the words.

I was despondent.
So I called the Kindle people.
They had me push this button and slide that one.
Plug it in, unplug it.

 “It’s dead,” the guy said.
“What do I do now?”
“Send it in. We’ll send you a new one.”
“Really?”
“Sure”.

So a couple of days later, the new Kindle arrived.
It looked exactly like the old one.
Felt just like the old one.
Even had the same screen savers as the old one.
Funny thing about computers… they all look alike.

Anyway… I found all my old content, got tech support to help me re-activate my NY Times subscription, changed e-mails and Kindle names and I was good to go.

For a week.
And then the Times didn’t come for 3 days in a row and I was on the phone again.
“Your Wi-fi is dead.”
“What do I do now?”
“Send it in. We’ll send you a new one.”
“Really?”
“Sure”

So, a couple of days later, the new Kindle arrived.
It’s charged and loaded.
But I needed help getting the NY Times again.
So I called tech support and the guy got me back my NY Times.

Then I had a notion.
“Hey, before you hang up.  Can I get MP3s on my Kindle?”
“Sure.”
“You mean I can read Tolstoy and listen to Tchaikovsky at the same time?
(You must think I’m a loser…)”

“No, not at all.
I’m an English major and that sounds great.
Sure, you can do that…  just transfer the MP3 from your computer to the Kindle using the USB cord.
You can find the tunes on Amazon.”
“Great”.

So I went on Amazon and ordered up a Bach unaccompanied cello suite as a test.
99 cents!
But, I had trouble getting my computer to accept it.
So I called tech support and found myself talking to someone who sounded as if he may have been sitting on the opposite end of the planet.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Robert, but you can not put MP3 content on your Kindle.
I don’t know who told you this, but it is not possible.
You cannot put MP3 on a Kindle it’s not possible.
May I help you with something else?”

“I talked to some guy at Kindle support who told me I can definitely listen to MP3 files on my Kindle”
“I’m so sorry Mr.. Robert, but he is definitely mistaken.
You cannot put MP3 on a Kindle”.

“Thanks.” I said.
And then I said some things I probably should not have.
CLICK was the next sound I heard.

So here’s something I found on the Kindle website:
Transferring, Downloading, and Sending Files to Kindle
If you already own a Kindle and Kindle content, you can download content to your new Kindle DX. Download your books directly from your new Kindle DX wirelessly and transfer subscriptions from the Manage Your Kindle page.
Transfer personal document, MP3, or Audible files from your computer to your new Kindle DX via USB.

I feel bad for my friend. 

Unfortunately this is how modern-day companies deal with modern-day technology problems and modern-day customers.

What I worry about is the future.  When Father’s Day 2010 rolls around what happens when my friend’s e-book reader warranty runs out and his third Kindle is DOA?

Will Amazon.com continue to back a year+-old product – or will my friend’s Kindle become another non-working electronic doorstop and dust collector?

I hope that his third Kindle continues to work and he never has to find out.

We’ll let you know what happens.

CES 2010 was a huge disappointment.

Each January, the giant Consumer Electronics Show provides a lot more than a glimpse of what the industry has in store for us in the coming year.

This year, the industry wags who based their “predictions” on leaks from electronics manufacturers proclaimed that 2010 would be the year of tablet computers and 3D TV.

After scouting the show floor I must report that if those were supposed to be the “hot” items then CES was a giant flop.

First of all, if the experts were expecting a glut of new tablet computer designs they missed the boat completely. Except for a small number of unexceptional designs, reminiscent of rejected tablets of the past, there was nothing exciting to report.

The majority of companies promising greatness finally were forced to admit that their new tablets would actually be announced “very soon”. I’m guessing that those announcements will be timed to coincide with whatever Apple announces – when they announce it.

There actually were a number of 3D televisions on the show floor. Everything from plasmas, LCD and LED models from some of the biggest TV manufacturers made their way to CES. Unfortunately not one of the 3D sets I saw would get me to part with my money.

Samsung had one of the best-looking 3D demonstrations in Vegas. But, Sony’s OLED 3D sets were somewhat underwhelming.

Then, you have to wear special glasses to see the 3D effect. Those glasses were very cool – but they are a big part of the 3D TV problem.

I don’t care what special effect they want you to experience – I don’t believe that a majority of the TV-watching public will be willing to purchase and don special glasses to watch television. Maybe for 2-3 minutes but not for an entire show – or 2 hour movie.

And what happens if you don’t want to wear the glasses? You’re greeted by an amazingly blurry, color-shifted image on the screen that is nearly impossible to watch for more than a few seconds. I always hated those 3D movies and also comic books from the 50’s and 60’s that used color-blurring techniques. 50 to 60-years later and the technology is still pretty rotten.

Last year at CES there was a company showing off a prototype 3D TV that didn’t need glasses to see the effect. This year it seemed as if we’re going backwards.

Oh, I didn’t tell you the best part. TV manufacturers think you’ll be willing to pay a big premium for 3D capable TVs and the special eye wear you’ll need. Maybe a few hundred of so. For one special effect that’s not so great to begin with.

I don’t think so. Especially not during a recession.

The only other items of note were electronic book readers. It seemed like everywhere one turned there was another small company showing-off their idea of electronic book readers should look like – in all shapes, sizes and colors. I’m not sure there are that many people left on the planet who still cherish reading books, newspapers and magazines enough to run out and buy a book reader. I think most of them have bought an Amazon Kindle already.

Otherwise, the best of CES 2010 turned out to be a handful of isolated glimmers of good ideas that may make find a way into items we’ll just have to own within the next few years.

Like I said – CES was disappointing.

Interesting developments in the world of “hotspots” or small, very portable Wi-fi devices that connect to cellular data networks instead of your high-speed DSL or Cable line.

Also known as “My-fi” devices, these hotspots allow up to five devices to connect to a 3G cellular data connection via Wi-fi.

Sprint has just raised the bar a notch with their just-announced Overdrive mobile hotspot made for them by Sierra Wireless.

The Overdrive works on Sprint’s 3G network and also on their 4G/WiMAX network where it’s already been rolled-out. Fortunately, that includes Las Vegas – which is probably why they introduced the thing here.

Sprint’s Overdrive has a built-in rechargeable battery (good for 2-3 hours of continuous use on a full charge) so that you can use it nearly anywhere. You can also while plugged into a nearby A/C outlet or directly into a laptop’s USB port so that you have a secure, wired connection to your computer (instead of Wi-fi) and slow-charge the battery at the same time.

For the record, on 4G connections (WiMAX) the Overdrive is said to be capable of peak download speeds of more than 10Mbps with average speeds of 3-6Mbps. 3G data speeds (EVDO Rev A) peak speeds of 3.1Mbps and average downloads of 0.6-1.4Mbps.

Here in our Las Vegas hotel, the 4G connection we were able to use was pretty speedy and comparable to the high-speed” connection available in our room available for daily rental.

Speaking of costs, the Overdrive sells for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and will cost you $59.99 a month for the actual 3G/4G connectivity.

Sprint’s 4G network is currently available in a number of smaller cities but they’re promising roll-outs in Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. sometime in 2010. Can’t wait.

Also announced at CES are new versions of Palm’s two, slick webOS smartphones for Verizon Wireless. The big differences are the Pre Plus has double the memory (16GB) of the Sprint version (8GB) and and Pixi Plus has Wi-fi. They’ll be available later this month. Prices for both are TBA.

But the biggest additional feature for the two phones is the fact that either can be used as a mobile hotspot. That means your phone connects to Verizon’s 3G data network and you can connect other devices to your phone via the phone’s built-in Wi-fi.

OK, it’s not 4G (Verizon is busy working on that) but it is a very cool idea. In the near future, expect to hear about other smartphones which will have similar connection capabilities.