Gear Diary » Texting http://www.geardiary.com Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:00:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 There’s an App for That, the Adele Versionhttp://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/11/theres-an-app-for-that-the-adele-version/ http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/11/theres-an-app-for-that-the-adele-version/#comments Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:00:04 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=183302 As Mike recently pointed out, Adele is a phenomena who popularity exploded this year because… she has a great voice and the songs are great! She's had a rough time lately however thanks to throat surgery and a silent recovery. After a polyp was removed Adele was told not to speak for a month. According to an upcoming interview on 60 Minutes, Adele, who loves to talk, found the silence more difficult than the actual surgery. Fortunately for her she lives in the era of smartphone apps. As she explained,
I had an application on my phone that you type the words into it and then it speaks it.
But there's more. You see, most text-to-speach apps offer G-rated language and Adele is a self-professed potty-mouth. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2012/02/11/theres-an-app-for-that-the-adele-version/feed/ 0 R U Professional? A GearChat on Text Messaginghttp://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/20/r-u-professional-a-gearchat-on-text-messaging/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/20/r-u-professional-a-gearchat-on-text-messaging/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:00:13 +0000 Carly Z http://www.geardiary.com/?p=174996

(image courtesy Activerain.com)

I received a text message from a professional person yesterday that set my teeth on edge. The content was fine, but it was presented in a very unfortunate way. See, any place "you're", "you", or "are" should have been used, she replaced it with "UR", "U", and "R". Unless she's on a special texting plan where she pays by the letter (unlikely), there's no excuse for those abbreviations in a professional setting. Sadly, this has been a trend I am encountering more and more, even with adults in a corporate setting. Text-speak is bad enough with personal messages, but at least those are informal. When you're trying to present yourself Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/20/r-u-professional-a-gearchat-on-text-messaging/feed/ 20 Teen Mobile Data Usage More than TRIPLES in 2011!http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/19/teen-mobile-data-usage-more-than-triples-in-2011/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/19/teen-mobile-data-usage-more-than-triples-in-2011/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:15:41 +0000 Michael Anderson http://www.geardiary.com/?p=174715

Study after study has shown that teens text more than 'older' folks, something I can attest to as my kids rack up thousands of texts each month while my wife and I only do hundreds. But now, as more and more kids are getting smartphones ... they are starting to lead the charge in data consumption as well according to a recent report.

Here is a sample:
Teens ages 13 to 17 used 256% more mobile data in the third quarter of 2011 than in the same time period of 2010. Teens took in 320 MB of data per
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/12/19/teen-mobile-data-usage-more-than-triples-in-2011/feed/ 0 Texting Women Falls into Fountain … Ashamed? Of Course Not – She’s Suing the Mall!http://www.geardiary.com/2011/01/20/texting-women-falls-into-fountain-ashamed-of-course-not-shes-suing-the-mall/ http://www.geardiary.com/2011/01/20/texting-women-falls-into-fountain-ashamed-of-course-not-shes-suing-the-mall/#comments Thu, 20 Jan 2011 21:30:08 +0000 Michael Anderson http://www.geardiary.com/?p=128282

Last week when a video of a woman falling into a fountain at a Pennsylvania mall showed up everywhere, it was interesting ... especially since I first noticed it on Windows Phone Thoughts where it was highlighted as 'Windows Phone 7 Ad Comes True'. Microsoft, you might recall, has a new phone generation out (you are forgiven if you missed it, and the 40 people who bought them will probably not notice), and their commercials show people completely immersed in their phones to the point of missing out on real life. Here is the mall security video showing the event:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Fortunately, you can immediately see that the person wasn't seriously Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2011/01/20/texting-women-falls-into-fountain-ashamed-of-course-not-shes-suing-the-mall/feed/ 10 Worried About Cyber-Bullying? Sexting? SMobile’s Security Software Can Protect Your Kidshttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/05/18/worried-about-cyber-bullying-sexting-smobiles-security-software-can-protect-your-kids/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/05/18/worried-about-cyber-bullying-sexting-smobiles-security-software-can-protect-your-kids/#comments Tue, 18 May 2010 15:00:49 +0000 Jason Reese http://www.geardiary.com/?p=93674

Growing up with today's technology has its advantages.   Constant access to family and friends via social networking, and the ability to take all of your music, photos and videos with you wherever you go are just a few perks.   As many parents will tell you, there are also downsides to growing up in  the "always connected" generation.

Kids can all to easily be maliciously bullied via texting, Twitter and Facebook.   All without any physical contact.  Even worse, kids can even become targets for sexual predators -- all from that mobile phone you gave them only for 'emergencies.'     A company called SMobile is working to help families block what's dangerous

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/05/18/worried-about-cyber-bullying-sexting-smobiles-security-software-can-protect-your-kids/feed/ 8 Use Your Phone to Help Nashville Flood Victimshttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/05/07/use-your-phone-to-help-nashville-flood-victims/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/05/07/use-your-phone-to-help-nashville-flood-victims/#comments Fri, 07 May 2010 16:01:09 +0000 Jason Reese http://www.geardiary.com/?p=92103

Nashville, Tennessee was recently devastated by flooding.   Many families have been displaced as their homes and possessions were literally submerged under water or completely washed away.  The disaster is one  that has hit especially hard for me  since I grew up in Tennessee, and still have  family and friends living throughout the state.    While local communities in the area have certainly come together to help those impacted,  I know many people-- like myself -- would also like to contribute in some small way.

That's where the American Red Cross comes in.   The organization is helping  to shelter and feed those impacted by disaster (just like they did after the earthquake in Haiti).  While each of us as individuals may not be able to do everything to help, coming together and doing something as simple as sending a text to '90999' and inputting 'REDCROSS' will provide a $10 donation (charged to your wireless bill).  Multiply that $10 by thousands of givers and you can imagine the ripple effect.   A very simple action suddenly helps make a huge difference in someone's life.

The American Red Cross's 'Text 2 Help' disaster relief fund is set up to assist disaster victims across the country.  Read on for a list of participating U.S.  wireless carriers.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/05/07/use-your-phone-to-help-nashville-flood-victims/feed/ 1 Shorthand Mobile Brings Apps To Your Feature Phonehttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/04/26/shorthand-mobile-brings-apps-to-your-feature-phone/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/04/26/shorthand-mobile-brings-apps-to-your-feature-phone/#comments Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:08:19 +0000 Jason Reese http://www.geardiary.com/?p=90178

Smartphones are all the rage, right?  We're a society that's constantly connected via our high-priced unlimited data plans to keep us Facebookin', Tweeting, and reachable 24x7x365.   Add our insatiable desire for apps -- be it games or the latest and greatest promise of added productivity -- and we'll gladly fork over a few more bucks. So what is all this about "dumb" (feature) phone apps?   I mean, first there was the announcement that AT&T was going to push Qualcomm's BREW platform for feature phones.  Now we see that Shorthand Mobile is bringing even more app goodness to phones that don't require a data connection. Could this be the next 'App Goldrush??' Read on to see why carriers and consumers alike love this new appraoch. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/04/26/shorthand-mobile-brings-apps-to-your-feature-phone/feed/ 18 Review: IM+ Lite for BlackBerryhttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/03/03/review-im-lite-for-blackberry/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/03/03/review-im-lite-for-blackberry/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:00:12 +0000 Jason Reese http://www.geardiary.com/?p=77888

An ongoing problem these days is simply how to keep up with everything and everyone? You've got email, Twitter, Facebook, Instant Messaging (or IM'ing as the kids simply abbreviate it these days).   Don't forget SMS texting.  Unless you're out on Mount Kilimanjaro you better get used to the expectation of being connected -- and reachable -- by at least ten different communication methods.   And they'll all be used before you even get a phone call.

With this onslaught of communication overload, how are you going to manage?  Are you going to ball up in the fetal position and cry yourself to sleep at the mere thought of all of the apps you're going to need to purchase and learn how to use (much less check to be sure you're on top of it all)?  Aw, heck no!   That's where we have you covered.   See, Shape Services recently released a very special version of their popular IM+ application.

What makes it so special you ask?  For starters, this single application will connect you to just about every single instant messenger out there (Google Talk, Yahoo, MSN, etc.) as well as Facebook and Twitter.  All from one app and one screen.  If that's not enough to make you want to try it out how about a pricetag of   $0.00.  That's right folks, it's F-R-E-E.    Want more reasons?  You sure are stubborn.  Ok, then let's get to it.  I'm gonna show you why you'll want -- no, NEED -- IM+ Lite on your BlackBerry.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/03/03/review-im-lite-for-blackberry/feed/ 3 Banning phone and texting while driving doesnt workhttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/02/01/banning-phone-and-texting-while-driving-doesnt-work/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/02/01/banning-phone-and-texting-while-driving-doesnt-work/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:38:52 +0000 Amy Zunk http://www.geardiary.com/?p=73408

Ok, we all know that logically, texting while driving isn't a smart thing to do.  It's too distracting from driving, and one could wind up with some serious repercussions. And, in cases where the state hasn't enacted the law about requiring a Bluetooth headset while talking on the phone, the same thoughts apply.  This is just common sense. So, state legislatures have been working hard to put laws in place to ban phone usage and texting while driving to save us from those 'serious repercussions.'  Has it worked?  Well, according to a study put out by the Highway Loss Data Institute, the answer is no.
"The laws aren't reducing crashes, even though we know that
Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/02/01/banning-phone-and-texting-while-driving-doesnt-work/feed/ 7 Donate Aid to Haiti From Your Cell Phonehttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/01/14/donate-aid-to-haiti-from-your-cell-phone/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/01/14/donate-aid-to-haiti-from-your-cell-phone/#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:45:11 +0000 Carly Z http://www.geardiary.com/?p=70396 Looking for a way to give assistance to Haiti in the wake of the tragic earthquake? Thanks to the Red Cross and Yele Haiti, you can do it through a text message. To donate to the Red Cross, text HAITI to 90999; this will automatically donate $10.00 to Haitian earthquake relief, billed to you through your cell phone. If you'd prefer to support singer Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti, text YELE to 501501 (this donation is for $5.00). Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/01/14/donate-aid-to-haiti-from-your-cell-phone/feed/ 6 textPlus Released for Androidhttp://www.geardiary.com/2010/01/05/textplus-released-for-android/ http://www.geardiary.com/2010/01/05/textplus-released-for-android/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:55:28 +0000 Carly Z http://www.geardiary.com/?p=68035 Click here to view the embedded video.

The march of applications to Android continues, as GOGII's textPlus has landed in the marketplace as well. textPlus lets you organize group text messaging as well as individual texts. This is perfect if you have friends you have not yet assimilated into the wonders of smartphones, and therefore email is out, but texting is king. If this app sounds familiar, it is because it first launched on the iPhone, and is now expanding to more platforms. Group texting is only one part of the feature list; coming soon will be the ability to send messages from a textPlus address instead of your phone number (great if you don't have a texting plan)! Check out the demo video, and then hit the jump for the press release and more information on this great app! Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2010/01/05/textplus-released-for-android/feed/ 1 textPlus 2.1 Hits iPhone/iPod Touch with Free Unlimited Group SMShttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/12/21/textplus-2-1-hits-iphoneipod-touch-with-free-unlimited-group-sms/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/12/21/textplus-2-1-hits-iphoneipod-touch-with-free-unlimited-group-sms/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:45:40 +0000 Jason Reese http://www.geardiary.com/?p=65261

Click here to view the embedded video.

GOGII recently launched version 2.1 of the textPlus application for iPhones and iPod touch devices.  What does the update bring to the table, you ask?  How about unlimited group texting.  Not flashy enough?  OK, fine.  How about Free Unlimited Group texting. That's right, you can ditch the SMS text plan from your wireless carrier and go the free route with textPlus.  The application lets users create groups of up to 50 people and use a single broadcast text message to instantly communicate back and forth with all participants at once (think a "reply all" feature for SMS). This is an application that would work great for sports teams, families, students, businesses, and just about any organization that needs to be

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/12/21/textplus-2-1-hits-iphoneipod-touch-with-free-unlimited-group-sms/feed/ 12 How young is too young for a cell phone?http://www.geardiary.com/2009/12/01/how-young-is-to-young-for-a-cell-phone/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/12/01/how-young-is-to-young-for-a-cell-phone/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:04:33 +0000 LarryGreenberg http://www.geardiary.com/?p=62235 kid_with_cell_phone

At what age do kids need cell phones?  It's a question my wife and I have been struggling with lately. I've heard stories of six year old kids getting iPhones from their parents.  There's no way we're prepared to go that route. My oldest daughter is nine and has been hammering us for a cell phone over the last year.  It's on her Christmas list this year and she's recently started an all out campaign to make sure it's under the tree this year.  By campaign I mean she's making sure she's cleaning her room every day, being more responsible with her things etc. All things we as parents try to get her to do regularly. But the real question is at nine years old does she really need a cell phone? Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/12/01/how-young-is-to-young-for-a-cell-phone/feed/ 34 Android Users – Back Up Your SMS Messages to Gmailhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/10/17/android-users-back-up-your-sms-messages-to-gmail/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/10/17/android-users-back-up-your-sms-messages-to-gmail/#comments Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:29:31 +0000 Thomas R. Hall http://www.geardiary.com/?p=54439 sms_backup_android_main

In talking with people that send text messages (SMS), one of the most frequent things I hear is that they wish they could save some of their SMS messages. Many of them have lost their messages forever if their phone is damaged/replaced/upgraded, or they run out of room and are forced to delete them. There is a very useful application for Android called SMS Backup that helps you save your SMS messages to Gmail so you can keep them forever. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/10/17/android-users-back-up-your-sms-messages-to-gmail/feed/ 5 iPhone/AT&T Feature Checklist… MMS- CHECK! VOiP Over 3G – CHECK! Tethering – NOPE!http://www.geardiary.com/2009/10/08/iphoneatt-feature-checklist-mms-check-voip-over-3g-check-tethering-nope/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/10/08/iphoneatt-feature-checklist-mms-check-voip-over-3g-check-tethering-nope/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:45:47 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=52448 Firefox.png

I am still a bit surprised by AT&T's sudden decision to allow VOiP over 3G. Happy but surprised. Sure the decision might just be an attempt to deflect some of the mounting criticism over lousy service (30% of calls in NYC are dropped!!) and numerous conflicts over apps like Google Voice and Slingbox. But no matter what the reason, I'll take. AT&T has had a good couple of week. First they finally got MMS pushed out to iPhones. Now 3G VOiP. What's next?? Perhaps tethering? NOPE! Don't expect it any time soon. Here's why... According to a Wall Street journal post, when asked about the possibility that tethering would be Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/10/08/iphoneatt-feature-checklist-mms-check-voip-over-3g-check-tethering-nope/feed/ 3 Peek offers device plus lifetime wireless push email and text messaging for $299http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/28/peek-offers-device-plus-lifetime-wireless-push-email-and-text-messaging-for-299/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/28/peek-offers-device-plus-lifetime-wireless-push-email-and-text-messaging-for-299/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:35:04 +0000 Wayne Schulz http://www.geardiary.com/?p=50337 peek pronto.jpg

We looked at the Peek wireless email devices back in October of last year. At that time the only thing that seemed a bit off was the price of the service (then $19.95/month and since lowered to $15/mo). Now the updated Peek Pronto is available with lifetime push email (up to 5 email accounts - Windows Live, Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, AOL, Outlook) plus text messaging. With Peek Pronto you get everything Peek packs: unlimited push email, 5 accounts, unlimited texting to cell phones, PeekSocial for Facebook, PeekMaps that lets you track Peeks on a map, PeekFeed for your Twitter and weather and news feeds. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/28/peek-offers-device-plus-lifetime-wireless-push-email-and-text-messaging-for-299/feed/ 1 MMS Is Coming… MMS Is Coming… MMS Is Coming…http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/24/mms-is-coming-mms-is-coming-mms-is-coming/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/24/mms-is-coming-mms-is-coming-mms-is-coming/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:00:47 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=49775 mms.jpg (JPEG Image, 300x336 pixels)-3

MMS Is Coming... and I'm still not sure what is so exciting about it. Admittedly I have never used MMS on ANY phone but still... why would I choose to use MMS over emailing images when emailing works just fine? I am, however, open to finding out WHY it is such a big deal. So I turned to my friends in the hope that they would enlighten me. Here's what they said... Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/24/mms-is-coming-mms-is-coming-mms-is-coming/feed/ 7 BlackBerry Instant Messaging Upgraded to 2.5http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/24/blackberry-instant-messaging-upgraded-to-2-5/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/24/blackberry-instant-messaging-upgraded-to-2-5/#comments Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:45:05 +0000 Wayne Schulz http://www.geardiary.com/?p=49670 blackberry im 2.5.jpg

BlackBerry users with OS version 4.5+ can download upgraded versions of RIM's Instant Messaging clients for BlackBerry. Versions are available for Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ, Google Talk and AOL Messenger. New to these programs is the ability to create a standalone contact icon on the BlackBerry Home Screen, search saved conversations and add contacts and display pictures or avatars to the address book to easily instant message, email, SMS, or call right from the address book or conversation box. For easy over-the-air downloading guide your Berry over to http://mobile.blackberry.com BlackBerry Instant Messaging 2.5 Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/24/blackberry-instant-messaging-upgraded-to-2-5/feed/ 1 What’s the deal with MMS?http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/15/whats-the-deal-with-mms/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/15/whats-the-deal-with-mms/#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:10:03 +0000 LarryGreenberg http://www.geardiary.com/?p=48106 mms-interoperability

Jessica just recently posted a great tutorial on how to get MMS on your iPhone now, before AT&T's promised September 25th delivery date.  If you missed it check it out here. That got some of us here at Gear Diary started on a small debate about the merit's of MMS. I saw the MMS trick a few days ago couldn't come up with a reason for MMS on my phone so I simply didn't install it and still haven't. For the life of me I can't understand why everyone is making such a huge deal about MMS.  Is it just that AT&T's failure to deliver it a few months ago was something Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/15/whats-the-deal-with-mms/feed/ 8 Want MMS on your iPhone before 9/25?http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/15/want-mms-on-your-iphone-before-925/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/15/want-mms-on-your-iphone-before-925/#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:31:32 +0000 Jessica Fritsche http://www.geardiary.com/?p=48048 Writing an iPhone MMS

So, yesterday in my daily perusal of the web, I saw that AT&T had started silently rolling out MMS functionality for the iPhone in small batches.  It didn't seem to have a rhyme or reason--some people on iPhone OS 3.0 had it, some on 3.01, and some on 3.1, all in different locations. Some people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area were reporting working MMS, so the question at the forefront of my mind was HOW DO I GET IT!?  I'm an impatient girl, and I didn't want to wait another 11 days for MMS on my iPhone if I could get it now!  A little more Googling and a few visits to the HowardForums gave me the answers I needed.  How can YOU get MMS working on your iPhone?  Well, I'll show you. Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/15/want-mms-on-your-iphone-before-925/feed/ 21 NTSB bans mobile texting and talking by its employeeshttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/09/ntsb-bans-mobile-texting-and-talking-by-its-employees/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/09/ntsb-bans-mobile-texting-and-talking-by-its-employees/#comments Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:08:02 +0000 Wayne Schulz http://www.geardiary.com/?p=47021 texting.jpg

The National Transportation Safety Board just banned mobile texting and talking on portable devices by all 400 of their employees. For the last three years the NTSB has been recommending motorcoach and school bus drivers be bannded from mobile device use. There are no states that completely ban cell phone use by drivers. That may change though as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood holds a summit on September 30 to discuss mobile cell and smartphone use. NTSB Bans Mobile Texting and Talking Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/09/ntsb-bans-mobile-texting-and-talking-by-its-employees/feed/ 2 SMS from the lock screen with biteSMShttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/03/sms-from-the-lock-screen-with-bitesms/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/03/sms-from-the-lock-screen-with-bitesms/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:25:30 +0000 LarryGreenberg http://www.geardiary.com/?p=45950 IMG_0134

I'm a big fan of the iPhone application biteSMS.  It makes text messaging so much easier. I showed you the application in detail in a recent post here. With a recent update biteSM has become even better now adding the ability to quick compose SMS messages right from the lock screen. You can create, send and respond to SMS messages from virtually anywhere on the iPhone. Check out biteSMS, a "must-have" application for anyone with a jailbroken iPhone, here Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/09/03/sms-from-the-lock-screen-with-bitesms/feed/ 0 Sneak Peek – IM+ To Get Voice To Texthttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/08/28/sneak-peek-im-to-get-voice-to-text/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/08/28/sneak-peek-im-to-get-voice-to-text/#comments Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:30:55 +0000 Dan Cohen http://www.geardiary.com/?p=45161 IM+

Larry and I have both had the opportunity to try out an early release of ShapeServices' upcoming update to iPhone messaging app IM+.

The biggest feature in the next version? The ability to have voice messages transcribed for you within the app itself, for just $.99 a month.

It is a neat trick and a taste of things to come. Let's take a look...

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/08/28/sneak-peek-im-to-get-voice-to-text/feed/ 2 Eyes On The Road! Graphic New PSA Aims to Stop Texting While Drivinghttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/08/17/eyes-on-the-road-graphic-new-psa-aims-to-stop-texting-while-driving/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/08/17/eyes-on-the-road-graphic-new-psa-aims-to-stop-texting-while-driving/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:11:53 +0000 Jason Reese http://www.geardiary.com/?p=43146

Click here to view the embedded video.

Disclaimer: The video above contains graphic images and pulls no punches with the depiction of an auto accident.  Gear Diary is in no way liable for any nightmares or post-traumatic stress syndrome caused after viewing this video.  You've been warned...

Last month Carly shared the interactive game that shows the likely consequences of texting while driving. The Gwent police department of Wales has taken the message even further with this video using local actors to drive (literally) the message home.   If you've texted or emailed while driving (and we're all likely guilty of it at some point or other), you should definitely watch this video.   If you have a teen driver in your

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/08/17/eyes-on-the-road-graphic-new-psa-aims-to-stop-texting-while-driving/feed/ 11 Texting, driving, and youhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/07/30/texting-driving-and-you/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/07/30/texting-driving-and-you/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:15:04 +0000 Carly Z http://www.geardiary.com/?p=39990 All over the news lately is how bad texting and driving can be. It's common sense that looking at your phone and driving is a bad idea. But have you ever tried to quantify how bad it is? The NY Times has an interactive game up that lets you "test" how bad you are at texting and driving. The goal of the game is to use the numbers on your keyboard to control what lane your car is in, while simultaneously answering texts that require simple, one word answers through a phone that appears off to the right. According to the end of the game, the average user is .24% slower at responding, and misses Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/07/30/texting-driving-and-you/feed/ 0 Peek Mobile E-Mail Device – $19.99http://www.geardiary.com/2009/06/03/peek-mobile-e-mail-device-1999/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/06/03/peek-mobile-e-mail-device-1999/#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:49:00 +0000 Wayne Schulz http://www.geardiary.com/?p=31943 peek wireless.jpgI paid $99 when I bought my Peek Mobile device back in October 2008. Since then the company has added an upgraded version called the Pronto which allows up to 5 email accounts and Microsoft Exchange access. If you don't need any of the advanced feature, this older style Peek will work just fine. Amazon has it marked down from its normal $49 (Aqua only). Don't forget that you'll need to pay $19/month in order to get your email on the Peek and the device is data only - there's no voice capability. Peek - $19.99 via Boing Boing Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/06/03/peek-mobile-e-mail-device-1999/feed/ 1 Peek to get new Pronto device soon?http://www.geardiary.com/2009/03/19/peek-to-get-new-pronto-device-and-google-maps-soon/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/03/19/peek-to-get-new-pronto-device-and-google-maps-soon/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:24:51 +0000 Wayne Schulz http://www.geardiary.com/?p=23355 peek-vs-blackberry-size.jpg

Looks like some type of new speedier wireless device is headed to the Peek wireless family. According to tidbits dropped on Peek's site a new Pronto device that is "much, much faster in every way possible" is coming soon. Speculation abounds that this will be a 3G version of the Peek though I'm not so sure the creaky T-Mobile pipes support that marketing push. My guess is that you're looking at a device device that gets a processor/memory bump and maybe Wi-Fi. Peek via SlashGear Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/03/19/peek-to-get-new-pronto-device-and-google-maps-soon/feed/ 0 Sprint allowing SMS whitelisting once againhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/26/sprint-allowing-sms-whitelisting-once-again/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/26/sprint-allowing-sms-whitelisting-once-again/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:48:42 +0000 Wayne Schulz http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22285 sprint whitelist sms text.jpg

Subscribers to Sprint again have the ability to create SMS allow lists. Using a maximium of 50 numbers you can create a set of numbers that are the only privileged ones that can get a text message through to you. Seems that Sprint had this feature a few years ago. Removed it. And it's now making a comeback in your online account. Sprint via SU Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/26/sprint-allowing-sms-whitelisting-once-again/feed/ 0 Peek wireless email device down to $49.95 at Target – permanentlyhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/11/peek-wireless-email-device-down-to-4995-at-target-permanently/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/11/peek-wireless-email-device-down-to-4995-at-target-permanently/#comments Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:35:07 +0000 Wayne Schulz http://www.geardiary.com/?p=21043 peek.jpg

While I was at Target tonight (Manchester CT) I spotted this Peek wireless email device priced at $49.95. The unit doesn't show in the weekly sales circular which left me wondering if this could be a pricing mistake or maybe the start of a permanent price reduction. Upon further investigation, if you look at Peek's own site here, you'll see they are now offering the device at $49.74. Peek has experimented previously with specials and deals that temporarily lowered the price of the device. This time it looks like the cheaper price is here to stay. Now they just need to get the monthly email fee down to under $10. UPDATE: Peek's site lists a "Valentine's Day" special and this $49 price Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/11/peek-wireless-email-device-down-to-4995-at-target-permanently/feed/ 2 Peek is Free for 44 Hours if You Have a 1600 Addresshttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/01/20/peek-is-free-for-44-hours-if-you-have-a-1600-address/ http://www.geardiary.com/2009/01/20/peek-is-free-for-44-hours-if-you-have-a-1600-address/#comments Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:08:59 +0000 Judie Stanford http://www.geardiary.com/?p=19789 Peek email device a bit of coverage in the past, and when a tweet from Michael Gartenberg came through, I thought it worth mentioning: for 44 hours Peek is offering an Inauguration Day special of $44 for one of their mobile email devices, or for FREE if you live at a 1600 address. peek You'll still have to pay the $19.99 / month service charge, but it's not a bad way to get the device if you've had your eye on it. :-) Peek's Inauguration Day Special Continue reading on Gear Diary ...]]> http://www.geardiary.com/2009/01/20/peek-is-free-for-44-hours-if-you-have-a-1600-address/feed/ 0