Monthly Archives: December 2011

Celebrating Christmas & Kwanzaa with Technology!

Posted on by
2

Well,  it’s down to the wire. December 25th is just around the corner.   Apple wants you to get in the mood. Here is a sample of what they’ve made available for FREE!

Christmas!!

Christmas!! [iTunes link] is an iPhone-specific app with all sorts of goodies packed into one little app. With a Christmas countdown, an Advent Calendar filled with surprises that you can unlock each day, including iPhone wallpapers, jokes and a gift list. The app is the perfect companion to get you into the Christmas spirit as you count down the days to Christmas Eve.

christmas iphone apps

Christmas Tale

An interactive Christmas story for kids of all ages, Christmas Tale is available in both iPad [iTunes link] and iPhone versions [iTunes link]- although it really comes to life on the iPad screen. Have the story read to your kids, or have them read it themselves, while also discovering little gems hidden in the gorgeous pictures on each page of the story from a Christmas wish list to helping Santa get the presents under the tree. via: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-free-christmas-iphoneipad-apps-festive-mood/

Kwanzaa Starts December 26th

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration held in the United States honoring universal African-American heritage and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year. It features activities such as lighting a candle holder with seven candles[1] and culminates in a feast and gift giving. It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966–1967. via Kwanzaa – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

CHECK out this Free App from Apple!

Kwanzaa

By Stephen Jones

Don’t forget to view more by this developer 🙂

♦ Open iTunes to buy and download apps.

iPhone Screenshots

iPhone Screenshot 1

For those of you with Android phones, check out this free app:

Countdown to Kwanzaa 2011 is a FREE app that will help you keep track of how much time is left to Kwanzaa. Make sure to check out our other apps for cool content, movies, TV shows, Football and other counters…

Click the link to see the app via Countdown to Kwanzaa 2011 – Android app on AppBrain.

♦ Here’s another Free App from Apple!

Kwanzaa Puzzles

By RGA Creations, Inc.

Don’t forget to view more by this developer 🙂

Open iTunes to buy and download apps.

iPhone Screenshots

iPhone Screenshot 1
I hope this is enjoyable!  Happy Holidays!
See you at the next Post 🙂

Free SMS – Take advantage of what’s available!

Posted on by
Reply

Short Message Service (SMS) is a text messaging service component of phone, web, or mobile communication systems, using standardized communications protocols that allow the exchange of short text messages between fixed line or mobile phone devices. SMS text messaging is the most widely used data application in the world, with 2.4 billion active users, or 74% of all mobile phone subscribers.[citation needed] The term SMS is used as a synonym for all types of short text messaging as well as the user activity itself in many parts of the world. via SMS – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Some common uses of SMS are things you may already be familiar with,  such as:   Twitter,  Reminders, and Calendar on your phone.

In last week’s post I asked you to think about your 2012 Technology Budget.  Many of you use SMS.  Some plans have unlimited texting, but what are you paying for that service a month? Are you paying separately for each message, or  (estimate for 100 messages @ 5.99/month), or maybe you are paying $30.00/month).  Either way, those dollars add up.  For 2012, think about whether in some instances you could use SMS from one of the free services listed here.  Maybe it will help you cut those costs.  I recently used  Textfree from Pinger.com, and was pleased  with how easy it was to set up an account. I also liked the support that was available. Below is a synopsis of what Pinger thinks about their service.

What is Pinger? Pinger makes texting and talking free. Our market-leading communications products have been downloaded by millions of iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Android users around the world. Who is Pinger? Pinger is loaded with inventive people who enjoy creating consumer products and services that make a difference in people’s lives. via Pinger makes texting and talking free..

Here’s a tip: After you decide which free SMS service you want to use, tell your text community about your new telephone number.  Ask them to put that number in their Contacts folder so they will recognize your phone number by name when they receive a text from you.

Listed below are other sites I visited.  There is a brief synopsis, of how the service works, and a link at the end of the paragraph that you can click.  The link will take you to the sign up screen.  I hope this is helpful 🙂

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦   ♦   ♦   ♦ 

Free Text Messages

1) OnlineTextMessage.com allows free text messaging. You can send free SMS text messages to anyone with a SMS or text message enabled mobile phone. You no longer have to pay to send quick SMS or text messages as long as you have access to the Internet. All major carriers are supported: Verizon, AllTel, AT&T, Cingular, TMobile, Sprint, SunCom, and Nextel. Please bookmark our site and make us your home for free online text messaging and SMS services. You can also add it to your MySpace Profile or Google! Bookmark Us.via Free Text Messaging – Send Free Text Messages.

2) Text’em The messages that you send and receive using our website are free. Check with the recipients of the text messages, is it free for them?

Regular rates apply, please check with the recipients before sending a text message to them. You can send text messages to any of the major United States cellular services. Click the link.

via Free Text Messaging – Send and Receive Free Text Messages – Text’em.

3) MobiClient
 Broadcast One Message to Many Recipients.  Need to notify multiple co-workers of a change in plan? With MobiClient’s unique Broadcast feature, you can send one message to all those recipients at once.Learn More

via MobiClient – Free SMS Text Messaging from PC to Mobile Phone Software Online Service. Free download Sending SMS. –.

There are many of these free SMS services.  If you have one that you use and like, don’t hesitate to share.  See you at the next post!  🙂

Reviewing & Preparing Your Cell Phone Budget for 2012

Posted on by
Reply

In these times  of economic challenges for many Boomers,  and their family members, it pays to check what options lie ahead to both save dollars in 2012, and still  have available to us the latest technology tools.

This week’s post provides  a synopsis of the descriptions for Roaming, and for Nationwide cell phone service from a  source I both support and use often: Wikipedia.  If you want more detail than I have given you here, please do not hesitate to click on the link after the Roaming description.

Roaming

In wireless telecommunications, roaming is a general term referring to the extension of connectivity service in a location that is different from the home location where the service was registered. Roaming ensures that the wireless device is kept connected to the network, without losing the connection. via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaming.

Roaming/Nationwide fees are:

  • Traditionally charged on a per-minute basis and they are typically determined by the service provider’s pricing plan.
  • All of the major carriers now offer pricing plans that allow consumers to buy “nationwide roaming-free” minutes.
  •  Carriers define “nationwide” in different ways. For example, some carriers define “nationwide” as anywhere in the U.S., whereas others define it as anywhere within the carrier’s network.

In addition

♦ Check out this  GREAT chart, which compares Cell Phone Providers, with reviews  in a side-by-side analysis at the link below.

Cell Phone Providers: Keeping in Touch

Cell phones keep you connected, always, to best friends and the latest news. Cell phone providers vary as much as your cell phones, offering everything from unlimited minutes to video calls to internet access plans. via Cell Phone Providers Review 2012 – TopTenREVIEWS.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

During the rest of  December, 2011, I will try to bring you information that may save you dollars, and may change the way you use the technology tools available to you.  Stay tuned for upcoming posts to get technology ready for 2012!

I hope this is helpful ! 🙂