Hey geeks, it’s the holidays and I’m quite sure that I can’t wrench you out of your computers to go call your relatives. In its stead, I’m recommending Skype, Gizmo Project or this neat service called Gizmo Call, a browser based VoIP service that allows you to call any phone straight from your browser.

Who can I call?
You can call any other GizmoCall, Gizmo5 users, 800 numbers, or SIP address for no charge. Here’s a guide to free calls you can make. To call a traditional phone number and take advantage of some of the low rates on the net …read more

As a tech journalist, I repeatedly have to write about the mobile phone industry and almost sound like a broken record when it comes to naming specs for mobile phones. Bluetooth, WiFi, HSDPA, Song ID, GPS with geotagging and facetagging are all common connectivity options we see in today’s stable of phones. Most, if not all, are starting to sport the same standard features. What am I driving at here?
Remember when the Centrino package was launched many years ago? It wasn’t a processor, but a total marketing platform for Intel to show that when something is labeled as a Centrino, …read more

I wrote about how Nokia now has a page with plugins for iSync. The list of phones is rather comprehensive but not complete. I happened to chance upon the Mactomster – a site that has released a series of iSync plugins for several phone brands and models. Here is the list from their website taken December 2007. These are brands ranging from Sony Ericsson, Samsung and Nokia. The site is a must visit for Mac users who need to make their phones work with iSync.
Here is the list:

In a previous podcast, Mike Abundo explained how the Google Phone will not be hardware, but software. With the way Google collects information about people when they are in front of their computers, isn’t it a scary thought to have an “android” lurking in your pocket, learning your every move as you transfer from cell site to cell site?

Normally, you’re just under the Google lens when you’re sitting in front of a Web browser aimed at one of Google’s services. With an Android-based phone in my pocket, Google can be collecting data about me and my habits 24/7. It wouldn’t …read more

“I’m a huge disbeliever in metro Wi-Fi for VoIP simply because the external Wi-Fi doesn’t penetrate into building, so it’s pretty much useless for the majority of calls.”
- Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis

Cubic Telecom aims to make international calls cheaper, gives you multiple numbers ID’s in just one phone.

Cubic points out that this feature alone is a life-changer for people who have moved, for example, to the United States from overseas. Their family back home can keep in touch for the price of a local call.
In his column, David Pogue talks about the new global cellular phone that allows globetrotters to call for less, anywhere. The phone, provided by Cubic Telecom is a prepaid device that works just the same way mobile phones do – except that the call rates are 90% …read more

Apparently, the folks from the USA and Canada are still trying to grasp the concept of a prepaid load for mobile phones. With SMS gaining ground in the States because of American Idol, the Philippines had been declared the SMS capital of the world with over millions of SMS sent per day. Why? Because it is cheaper!
A new service called Aryty allows family and friends from the USA or Canada send prepaid load in denominations of 150 pesos / USD $2.99 (depends on the telco) to the Philippines.
Registration is free!

I’ve come across several online shopping sites, but none as robust as Reporo.
Reporo is a Java application that lets UK phone users shop on their
cellphones – any time, any place. Users can choose from thousands of
products from leading retailers, with new shops being added every week.
Reporo is free, easy to use and simple to setup. It is the first mobile
shopping service that works across all major UK mobile networks and is
compatible with over 150 handsets, including almost all recent models.
Users register at www.reporo.com, we send Reporo to their cellphone and
they can start shopping straight away.
Personally, I’ve always enjoyed the thrill …read more

Just a quick heads up on this service offered by Google – Gmail subscribers can now check their mail from their mobile phone in a few easy steps.
What’s so cool about it?
“Now you can access your Gmail messages from the web browser on your mobile phone or device. Read and reply to your Gmail messages any time, anywhere.
* It’s free. (But your wireless plan might still charge, so you might want to check with your provider first.)
* It’s smart. It can handle attachments like photos and .pdf files.”
Presenting GMail Mobile!

A lot of us have taken for granted certain features that our phones have with our computers. Bluetooth phones especially.
I’m not sure how great your carrier signal is from where you lodge but unless you live right beside a cellular site (isn’t that cancerous?) there may be small nooks and crannies at your place that don’t have a phone signal.
And guess what? Those small nooks and crannies just happen to be your work space. I’m sure it’s happened that you’re in the middle of work expecting an important call or SMS. Then you realize your mobile phone has …read more