Fem2Cell Rooooocks!

As many of our friends and family knows, we have terrible cell signal at our house....The Beautiful Janny and I recently got new cell phones and it made it worse.  Apparently, Samsung phones have weak radios.  Jan has been complaining for over a year.  I didn't know what I could do.  I knew verizon had a Fem2Cell device but it's $300!   

Fem2Cell is  sort of like a personal cell tower in your house.  It looks like your wireless network router, only works on the cell frequency rather than the wifi frequencies.  Anywho, the Fem2Cell take your calls and send them thru your High Speed internet connection.  So...back to my problem.

$300!   after a while though....I just figured it was worth the money to have a happy wife/happy life.

But I had a plan...For a while now I've been using an IP Client on my cell phone to make calls.  It uses my Google Phone number....it actually worked pretty well.  A little spotty...actually, I got dropped off a business call at just the wrong time.....so....I figured it was worth the money

Happy Wife + Job Security = worth $300


So I call Verizon...I tell the guy, :
"You have an opportunity today sir...an opportunity to save a marriage"
blah blah blah.....
"did you know I've been using an IP phone to make calls out of my house?"  did you know I can't use my verizon minutes when I'm at my house"

"no problem sir, I'll send you a Network extender."
"free?"
"yes sir"
"good choice...you made the right choice"

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/device/network-extender

I am happty to report that it works awesome.  My wife is happy.  I can easily and safely make work calls.  Send text messages.....

very very very happy.

Phone cases

Today I purchased my fourth case for my galaxy cell phone. I think that some people don't put enough thought or importance into the case they use for their cell phone. I mean, think about it, this is the thing that you are touching. Make sure that your physical interface with your phone is something that you are happy with.

Good For Android Apps

If you're like me...you can't keep up with all the lateste apps.  That world just moves too fast.  But, this link to Android Central's Apps Of The Week Archive, will let you catch up to what THEY think is cool.

Just a suggestion.

Moved on to Samsung Galaxy S III

I've recently moved on to the Samsang Galaxy S III and I couldn't be happier . 

There are many reviews on the phone, here's one from Android Central.  There are many comparisons out there as well....Here's one comparing it to the iPhone 5.  I plan on doing a post comparing iPhone to Android in general..discussing the pluses and minuses of each.  Look for the Link to see when it's done.

Generally, it's considered to be the best Android phone you can buy right now and I've seen nothing to keep me from agreeing.

I'm still with Verizon.  I learned about how to mod the phone on XDA.   Currently I'm running Incubus' JellyWiz ROM.  It seems to be the fastest out there right now running around 8000 Anututu and 6000 Quadrant scores. 

I will say that finding the best ROM for any Android phone is a huge time suck....and it's basically turned into a compulsion....I simply have to be on the latest and greatest. 

Back in business

I haven't been very good recently at updating this, or any other, blog.  But I will endevor to do better from here on out.

I spend a lot of time with technology and mobile stuff and I think I have some insite to offer.

So stay tuned.....and thanks for stoppin' by.

This is better

Possible Fix for Non-working Gateway Tablet

http://www.fixya.com/support/t210220-gateway_tablet_screen_not_respond_pen

The pen on my old Gateway tablet PC stopped working....maybe this will fix it.

in reference to: Gateway tablet screen does not respond to pen. - FixYa (view on Google Sidewiki)

A GREAT way to drive your DROID.

One thing that has frustrated me about my droid is getting access to my applications...while in an app.

For example, if I'm reading email, and I want to check a website, I have to press Home, then this, then that.....I came from the Windows Mobile world where there's a Windows button that launches my applications.

Well, I finally figured out how to get something close.

First, you need an app that gives you access to your applications, contacts and bookmarks.....I like abc Apps Organizer.

Next you need another program to capture the button presses.....I use Button Shortcut

After it's all configured, I can long press on the search button, and get access to all my apps, contacts and bookmarks in a nice organized, configurable interface.

Here is Apps Organizer

Notice each category has a little > symbol. this indicates that this is an expandable group.....

This is totally configurable and you can create your own groups.

See below













Here is the Games group expanded.....

I love Flight Director....

Can't find any Robot Football players....maybe one day














Tap and hold on any item will bring up the Label editor...

You can categorize any item.

Applications
Contacts
Bookmarks












Here is he interface for the Button Shortcut application.


You define the application that runs when the Camera Button is held in.

You also can define the applicationthat runs when the Search button is long pressed.



You probably need to do both of these because sometimes the Search Button doesn't work.

I don't know about you.....but I don't use the camera THAT much....having access to all my other stuff is WAY more important.





Hope this is helpful

Update on Overclock

OK, if you have a Droid, you must overclock....The phone is actually useable. Not only usable but...dare I say....kind of fun....the way it should be.

Clock Now!