Showing posts with label Smartphone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smartphone. Show all posts

Saturday, June 02, 2012

Phone Home With Android

0 comments

I love to debate the differences between MAC and PC with people. Actually, those that held fast to their opinions and could not understand my stubborn refusal to play for their side, have booted me out of the life because of it.

I was Skyping with my long time friend Daphnee, yesterday. She and her partner Ellie who have been together for 27 years, flew to New York City from Santa Fe to get married. Both of them are originally from NYC, so it is not like they are taking advantage of the system. Because they can afford it, they had a professional photographer who put all of the photos on a DVD for their continued memories. I asked her to send me some pictures.

Daphnee who had a MAC, coyly shared that she had no clue how to get the photos from the DVD to an e-mail. With regrets, I said if it were a PC, I could take her through it over Skype, but for a MAC, I am clueless. She said she would have to call her son in NJ to tutor her. Instead, I offered to have one of my friends here who is a MAC user to write out instructions step-by-step, however, I had her do this from my computer for feel that procrastination would set in. 

It was interesting to me that she had problems remembering how to do it. Before sending it off to Daphnee, she mailed it to herself to review and edit while on her MAC before sending it off. She also shared that her father had a MAC, but never felt comfortable learning it and returned it.

Daphnee also wanted to download Skype, but didn't know how. I found the MAC Skype download page for her and sent the link. It stated that one needed to have OSX 10.4 or higher to use Skype. She had no idea what version of her OS she had and I couldn't help with a MAC. Another call to NJ to speak to her son for assistance. FYI, Microsoft bought Skype.

Today, I read an article about Android phones vs 'the others'. Androids are taking over the market. 
"Smartphones powered by the Android and iOS mobile operating systems accounted for more than eight out of ten smartphones shipped in the first quarter of 2012 (1Q12)." It further states "respectively of the 152.3 million smartphones shipped in 1Q12" with Android having 59.0% of the market with 23.0% for iOS (iPhone). 

Losing the race, but still contenders Nokia follows with Blackberry on their tail.           
Enhanced by Zemanta

Pin It Now!

Friday, May 06, 2011

My QRC is Showing

0 comments

QRC is Quick Response Code that you see in the right hand column. It kind of looks like the old time televisions back when TV stations actually went off the air in the evening or before cable when you could not get good reception with the Rabbit Ear antennas.

Hidden in the static is information. You need a QR reader to decipher it. It brings me back to my childhood with the secret decoder rings. No, I am not old enough to remember the coded messages on radio, but there were coded messages on some of the early children's shows and on cereal boxes too.

If you have a QR reader, send me the info you gather from it. I am curious how well the generator worked and if everyone receives the same information. There is a prize in it for the first 10 responders.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Pin It Now!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

What's App With You?

0 comments

One of my darling former students who had graduated to nephew status is now living in Berlin. He is working on his PhD is American History at an American university. I cannot remember which university, but if he reads this I am sure to be admonished; I will return to correct the details. 


The point of drawing attention to him is that he made me aware of a new smartphone application. Yes, he is a poor destitute university student, yet found hidden coins in the depths of his change purse to buy an iPhone. Now that I think about it strangely it was at the time he just happened to mention he did not have money for food for a week. What's an uncle to do? You think you raise them right and then...


Whatsapp messenger is compatible with the iPhone, and smartphones of the Nokia, Blackberry, and Android persuasion. They allow the user to SMS anyone anywhere in the world for free. Caveat emptor (Let the buyer beware), in this case, let the user beware, the app is free, but the receiver needs to have the same app on their phone. It takes two to tango or swap files in this case. The bonus is that you can also send unlimited images, video, and audio media. Using the same data plan as your Internet connection, the phone does not use the traditional SMS route of transfer.


At first I hesitated. How many people am I in contact with who have smartphones? Let me think! Oh, yea, one in Berlin. I told him I would install it, but he had better use it with caution. Any messages concerning his destitute finances will now require he SMS me a copy of his latest credit card and bank statement before I think about playing any soulful tune on my heartstrings. 


I easily found the app in the Android Market on my Samsung Galaxy i9000, the best phone decision I have ever made. Now we will have to see if this is the best app decision I ever made. For now, I am able to send SMS messages to and fro Berlin for free.


If you have a smartphone and download the app, send me a message to let me know. You need to use the + sign, country code, and then the mobile number. My number is
+36-70-315-8828. Happy texting. 


Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta

Pin It Now!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Now Your Smartphone Can Get Cultured

0 comments

If you have a smart phone in your pocket, purse or backpack, just how smart is it? Now, it can be smarter by accessing some culture at the same time. The Museum of Fine Arts here in Budapest has created a free mobile guide service using their WiFi system. Found here, but of course this is not going to do you any good at all unless you are reading this blog in the museum. This link has been designed for smart phone use. The first audio presentation is the current special exhibit on Klimt and the Secessionists, but others are planned perhaps putting the docents at risk. Who knows?  

If that happens, these retired guys will have to find something else to do with their days besides listening to Rachel Maddow, Jon Stewart, and the others all day.

For a museum that had announced they would be closing for extensive renovations starting July 2010, they certainly need a calendar adjustment.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Pin It Now!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Hello? This Parade is for the Blackberry iPhone

0 comments

Microsoft held a funeral parade for the iPhone and the Blackberry as the new Windows 7 phone was about to debut on the market. I think they may be too optimistic, but heck, they look like they are having fun.

If you like parades, catch theirs here. If you are a subscriber, you may have to go here to see it.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Pin It Now!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Interesting Tidbits 3 Mobile Phones

0 comments


Some swear by the iPhone, but plenty of others are saying something differently with their purchasing power. Symbian phones are way ahead worldwide. Your little corner of the world may make you think otherwise, but here are the numbers. This is great information for those of you who travel also. You can see what will work where as you move about.

Cell Phone Operating Systems
Enhanced by Zemanta

Pin It Now!