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 you will need to buy $10 of call-out credit here.

Can GizmoCall receive calls?
You can receive calls using GizmoCall. Simply login and then any other GizmoCall user can call you at that username. As long as GizmoCall is open in any window or browser tab (even if in the background) you will be able to receive a call.

How can I make sure my speaker and microphone are working?
Click the “Test” icon below the numeric keypad and follow the instructions. Then use the microphone and speaker sliders to set the optimum settings.

Why not give it a try, and call your folks now?

[image screenshot c/o author]

Post from: Cellphone9

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, it isn’t just the processor we’re talking about but several other options geared towards mobile computing such as wireless connectivity and decent battery life. Why can’t we do the same with mobile phones?

There are certain implications when we see phones branded as “Nseries” or “XpressMusic” or “Live and Loud” or “this runs on Android” … the XpressMusic series always connote that the phone has a separate audio processor and a guaranteed 3.5mm audio jack. Why can’t it work for connectivity? Because not all XpressMusic phones have WiFi!

So instead of having to say that this or that new phone comes with a plethora of connectivity options and features, we could just say that this mobile phone is certified as well .. err .. a “Blentrino.” And that would mean a total connectivity package – Bluetooth, WiFi, HSPA, GPS!

Worth it? C’mon!

[image source]

Post from: Cellphone9

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:

Nokia iSync-PlugIns for 10.4 Tiger & 10.5 Leopard
N-Series: N75, N76, N77 , N81, N81 8GB, N82, N92, N93i, N95, N95 8GB
E-Series: E50, E51, E60, E61i, E65, E70, E90
Series40: 3109 Classic, 3110 Classic, 5200, 5300, 5310, 5610, 6085, 6125, 6151, 6233, 6234, 6288, 6300, 6301, 6500 Classic, 6500 Slide, 6555, 7373, 7390, 7500 Prism, 7900 Prism, 8600 Luna
Series60: 3250, 5500, 5700, 6110 Navigator, 6120 classic, 6290
Series80: 9300, 9500 Communicator

SonyEricsson iSync-PlugIns for 10.4 Tiger & 10.5 Leopard
K-Series: K320i, K510i, K530i, K550i, K630i, K770i, K810i, K850i
S-Series: S500i
T-Series: T650
V-Series: V630i, V640i
W-Series: W310i, W380i, W580i, W610i, W660i, W700i, W710i, W880i, W890i, W910i, W960i
Z-Series: Z310i, Z550i, Z710i

Samsung iSync-PlugIns for 10.4 Tiger & 10.5 Leopard
D-Serie: SGH-D520, SGH-D800, SGH-D820, SGH-D840, SGH-D900i
E-Serie: SGH-E250, SGH-E730, SGH-E900
F-Serie: SGH-F300
P-Serie: SGH-P300, SGH-P310,
X-Serie: SGH-X700, SGH-X830
Z-Serie: SGH-Z630

Price: €7,49 (including 19 % tax)

Post from: Cellphone9

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 be very hard for Google to use nearby cell tower data to figure out that I spend a half an hour inside one of two specific comic book shops nearly every Wednesday. [CST]

Post from: Cellphone9

The dispute over which wireless network should shoulder a massive scale of VoIP can only be settled by figuring out which one penetrates a concrete wall. But more than this, it seems that Dean Bubley has also identified something that’s actually very apparent: VoIP on a 4G network is more plausible because of the current types of phones we’re seeing today. As HSDPA is getting more and more accessible as a bundled feature, the trend is truly unanimous.

Cellphones for VoIP. Laptops for WiFi.

[Read]

Post from: Cellphone9

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% cheaper, and you can assign different contact numbers depending where your friends are located.

The phone also allows for unlimited international calls anywhere from wireless hotspots for a small fee of $42.00 a month. The phone is designed by Pireli and is available for a price of $140.00. Proceed here for the full article.

Photo credit goes to David Pogue’s column at the NY Times website.

Post from: Cellphone9

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!

Post from: Cellphone9

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 of window shopping and finding a bargain amidst the consumerism floating around. But if you’re in a hurry, why not?

Post from: Cellphone9

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!

Post from: Cellphone9

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 been out of signal for the past ten minutes.

Take advantage of your Bluetooth phone and pair it with your Bluetooth computer. You can keep it in a place where the signal is strong (like your roof) and keep your computer inside. Actually, it just looks really cool to do.

For Mac users this is every easy to do. All you need to do is fire up your Address Book and click on the little Bluetooth icon (which a lot of peopel actually forget about). You’re connected in a second.

Windows users, fear not! There’s also a similar application available for free for genuine Microsoft Windows owners. You can download it here.

Post from: Cellphone9