I gotta tell you, I am long overdue for a trip to building 44. My last Android OS rock star photo was with the Honeycomb. The Ice Cream Sandwich has been chillin’ on the lawn over there waiting for me. Check out my OS pix from last year!  Below, I will remind you what to expect with ICS and some if the great features it has to offer. 

Face Unlock:

This feature has the ability to unlock your phone by just looking at it. Cool huh? When you initially set up face unlock, it’ll take a few screen shots of yourself so the phone can recognize you in different scenarios. Although this isn’t a perfected means of unlocking your phone (people have found that they can use a picture to unlock their phones) there is still a button that’ll take you to a manual unlocking setup.

Data Counter:

This is for everyone out there who’s settled into the new tiered data plan. If you’re ever afraid that you might go over your data plan, there’s a built-in setting to help you out. Here, you’ll find a chart that shows you just how much data you’ve used during your cycle. This feature can also chart out how much 4G LTE/3G data you’ve used in comparison to how much Wi-Fi data you’ve used. There’s even a setting to warn you when you get too close to your data limit. 

Live Effects:

Ever wondered what you’d look like with a larger nose or if your friend had really large eyes?  With this new feature, you can find all that out and more. This feature is linked into the video camera settings and can be used while you’re filming live! This also simulates many functions that an actual video camera would have as well.

Screen Shots:

This is the first time the ability to take a screen shot from a phone has ever been offered through Android phones. This feature makes use of the buttons on the side of your phone to snap the shot. This picture gets stored into your camera files so you can edit and share straight from your picture gallery.

Wi-Fi Direct:

With this feature, there’s no need to have a wireless network, data, or Bluetooth connection in order transfer files between two Wi-Fi Direct enabled phones. Through using Wi-Fi Direct, phones can transfer contacts, share pictures, and even stream videos. Wi-Fi Direct can also connect to comparable printers and other devices for file sharing.

Calendar Pinch:

A new feature within the calendar app is the ability to widen or shrink your daily events.  While looking in the week or daily calendar, you can pinch in to see what else you have going or you can pull out your calendar to see more detail on a specific event you have going on.

Drag to Unlock:

Straight from the unlock screen, you can now open up your camera, drag down your notifications, and even manage your music! Note: this feature doesn’t work if you have a security lock feature enabled. 

NFC /Android Beam:

Ever heard of Near Field Communication? Most people haven’t. It’s kind of like using an EZ-Pass, where you don’t need to stop at a toll to pay your way through. You just need to have a device attached to your car and it’ll read your information while you drive right on through. Android Beam incorporates the NFC technology to make file sharing and making payments as easy as possible. Using Android Beam, you can transfer just about anything from contacts to music to apps, even as a method of payment all with a wave of your phone.

With all of these new features, no one will want to pass up having an Android phone! Let me rephrase that...No one will want to pass up having an Android phone with Ice Cream Sandwich!

 

Don’t forget my prediction… when the RAZR MAXX gets ICS it will be the closest thing to THE PERFECT PHONE.  I would have said it would be THE PERFECT PHONE but I’m sure I can always think of that one extra thing that would make it just a smidge more perfect so I’ll always leave the manufacturers something to strive for! 

There are dangers lurking behind every corner. Why here comes my boss around one now. Seriously, Kind of like those “see something, say something” commercials you see on TV, you need to be aware of your surroundings. Let’s be real for a second. There are times when you really don’t feel safe or especially when others find that you could be in danger walking to your car alone after work. Thankfully, smart phones can do more than just make phone calls and link you to your favorite social networking apps.

StreetSafe

Free on Google Play and Apple App Store. (Plan req'd see chart below)

This app acts as your personal bodyguard.  There are two different settings that help to protect you.  The first is called “walk with me” which uses a GPS locator to pinpoint exactly where you are. With the “walk with me” service, you are connected to a call center with trained security advisors who will talk to you while you make your trek to where ever you’re going. Part of what makes this portion of the app better is if the security advisor feels like you’re in danger or if you feel that you're in danger, they will place a call to a 911 dispatcher. To activate, all you need to do is slide the green button.

 

The second portion of this app is the silent alarm.  If you aren't using the “walk with me” service you can slide the red button and your GPS signal with be sent to a security advisor who will send out a call to 911 and help you out. 

It’s free to download the app but it’ll cost you at least $20 a month for the service.  You also have $45 quarterly or $150 a year options for their service.

Can you really put a price on safety people? This would be a wonderful gift for a son or daughter going off to college.

MyForce

Free on both Google Play and Apple App Store (Plan req'd for Service)

Just like the StreetSafe app, this too connects you to a dedicated security group that is ready to help you out whenever you may need it.  There are some other perks with this app though.  When you click on the alert button within the app, your phone starts to record everything going on.  You can also set up a safe word in case you can’t explain your situation and you need help right away.

This app also charges for the service but is a bit cheaper.  It’s about $10 a month or $99 for a yearly charge.  When you sign up for this service, you’ll be asked to enter in some of your information like a physical description of yourself along with a photo and any important medical info that the service providers might need for your safety. 

 

This last app is to help against a different type of danger.  In general, using your phone while driving is a terrible choice but something not widely considered is texting while driving.  1 in 5 drivers admit to texting while driving, while 1 in 3 teen drivers admit to it. 

 

Textecution: FREE in Wireless Zone stores.

Bring it in and they'll install it for you.

By using your phone’s onboard GPS, this app blocks the ability to use texts, web browsing, and emails once you’ve gone over 10mph.  In instances where you may be a passenger, you can send press a button in the app that sends a text to whoever installed the app to deactivate it for a specific amount of time. 

This is a perfect app to use for parents worried that their children might text while driving or for companies who want to make sure their employees drive safe.  In the event your teen decided to delete the app, Textecution will send you a message letting you know it’s been taken off the phone. 

Safety is a number one priority for anyone. Why not use every opportunity to keep yourself or your loved ones safe?

Click here to read more about Textacution

I can't lie, being me (the Cellular Chloe side) is pretty darn great. I'm always meeting fabulous, interesting people. I get to share all the great cell phone tricks and knowledge with anyone who'll listen and I have come to find out that two of my favorite (non-material) things are learning and sharing. Let's just say I get my fair dose of both.
This month is no different, I am writing the Wireless Zone blog, the wirelesszone.com articles, our Insider Zone Newsletter articles and the sharing keeps getting bigger and better. I am now contributing to a magazine! What fun it is to see your articles in print, besides the kind that comes off your laser printer! I am contributing to the Mobile You column for CONNSTEP's Magazine.

The CONNSTEP Advantage is published by CONNSTEP, Inc. For the small to medium size business that wants to remain competitive and grow in local and global markets, CONNSTEP provides technical and business solutions proven to have both immediate and sustainable long-term impact. 

My article is on page 9. Power: How to Have It When You Need It I am referring to Battery Power just so you don't think this job has gone to my head!

Two weeks ago we celebrated the official start of spring! Did anyone try balancing any eggs? With the fresh air flowing through our windows and an extra hour of sunlight lengthening our days, many people are getting their old, worn-out clothes and digging deep in gardening.  Now if you are more of a tech-savvy geek like me, then gardening might not be your forte.  Thankfully, there’s an app for that!

The Gardening Guide: (Ogden Publications, Inc.)

Available from Apple App Store and Android Market

If you’re looking for an app strictly geared towards growing veggies, this is up your alley. This app contains many articles that simply require a free login through the app and you are set to explore.  Each article breaks down everything you need to know about how to plant and manage your veggies.

                  Inside you’ll find:

• Types to Try
• Planting
• Harvesting and Storage
• Saving Seeds
• Growing Tips
• In the Kitchen

Under the technique section, you’ll find more in depth articles from preventing certain plant diseases to keeping up with your garden. Although the crops are vegetable based, the tips in these articles can be used throughout any kind of gardening desires.

Gardening Tips: (Shamzap.com)

Available from Apple App Store, $1.57 for Android Market

This app has a wide variety articles ranging from ways to avoid tick bites to tips that make gardening a bit more upbeat. When you click on the article you like, it’ll give you a preview of the article.  If you like it, click over to the full story. 

  There’s even a section for videos. I watched one on using all the dirt and dust your vacuum drags up for a great fertilizer for tomato plants.

There aren’t any focused sections on specific themes, so this app is probably better suited for a garden enthusiast, but it’ll give anyone the inspiration to build more on what they don’t already know.

Grow Your Own: (The Royal Horticultural Society)

Available from Apple App Store

No matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned gardener, this app is perfect!  Although it only deals with fruits and veggies, this app helps to tailor to the specific gardeners needs.

At the top of the plants section, you’ll see a button called “Help me choose”. This will bring you to a screen asking a couple questions about your gardening abilities.  It’ll tell you plants that’ll work better for you and even plants that you should probably stay away from. 

When you choose which plant you want to work with, the app breaks down everything you need to do and which month to do it in.  It even will remind you when you need to perform certain tasks or even if there is a drought or frost advisory in your area. 

I give these all two green thumbs up!

AR Drone

Are you good at video games?
Are you ready for augmented reality?
Do you own an Android or iOS Smartphone?

Do you have what it takes to operate a flying video game?

If your answers were yes and you like what you saw in the video, then you're going to need to pick this baby up. It's the AR.Drone by Parrot.
What is the AR.Drone?
The AR.Drone is a groundbreaking device combining the best of many worlds, including modelling, video gaming and augmented reality.
The AR.Drone is remote-controlled by a Smartphone (iOS or Android). The device features a number of sensors, including a front camera, a vertical camera and an ultrasound altimeter.
The AR.Drone can also be used in video games, such as AR.FlyingAce, a dogfight between two AR.Drones. This game incorporates augmented reality, especially for modelling missile fire.

• A quadricopter made in carbon fiber and high resistance PA66 plastic
• MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) and video processing to ensure a very intuitive piloting of a radio controlled object
• Wi-Fi and video streaming for a modern interface with an iPhone™ or iPod touch®. Android interface just became available
• Images processing software for augmented reality

I won't completely bore you with all the deets, just the really important ones.

Here is a really nice tutorial of how to fly the AR.Drone. Or you can do what we did and learn while crashing into things!


I could post spec after spec but the best way to show you this bad boy is video. So buckle up and enjoy the ride. Remember, because it has two cameras, you can see where you are flying via the front camera and you can also get some really great aerial footage.



If I haven't satisfied your geekiness with enough info so far, here are a few more specs:

Embedded Computer System

• ARM9 468 MHz
• DDR 128 Mbyte at 200MHz
• Wifi b/g
• USB high speed
• Linux OS

Inertial Guidance Systems with MEMS

• 3 axis accelerometer
• 2 axis gyrometer
• 1 axis yaw precision gyrometer

Specifications

• Running speed: 5 m/s; 18 km/h (16.4 ft per second; 11.2 miles per hour)
• Weight: - 380 g with outdoor hull (0.8 pounds) - 420 g with indoor hull (0.9 pounds)
• Flying time: about 12 minutes

 
 Safety System

• EPP hull for indoor flight
• Automatic locking of propellers in the event of contact
• UL2054 battery
• Control interface with emergency button to stop the motors

 

If all this hasn't caused information overload, feel free to hop on over to AR.Drone's YouTube video page where there are tons of great vids. Or you can peruse the Q&A.

Peace out!

-CC

Warm weather is on its way!  Last week I talked about apps that will aid you in planting and gardening in the gorgeous warm weather we are having. This week another warm weather favorite is the classic ROAD TRIP. Spring time is the PERFECT time for road trips throughout the USA, seeing the sights and hitting up some awesome festivals! Such as Austin's South by Southwest Festival going on right now, the Cherry Blossom Festival down in Washington DC at the end of March and my personal favorite - the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience! 

One of the most daunting and mudane tasks though to road trips are setting up the schedules, places to stay, places to eat, setting directions, and other necessary planning that goes into a road trip. I have compiled a few great apps that will help make planning a trip easy and simple.  Do it on the fly from your smartphone or create your trip via your tablet.

AAA Roadside (Available on Android & iOS)

Before starting a road trip, I always make sure my AAA account is up to date and that I have my card on me. AAA comes in quite handy in a lot of situations. With the AAA Roadside app, roadside assistance is easier than it has been before. I no longer have to wait on the phone for the technician to receive my request for help. I can send the service request to a location near me using my phone and its GPS capabilities. After the app confirms my request, it provides me with information on locations of approved Auto Repair shops for AAA, branch offices, discount providers, and more. You can store your card on your phone so you need not carry it around with you.  If you choose to call AAA, all this great smartphone technology will send them you exact location.

Google Maps (Available On Android)

Replace that old fashioned paper map. This is an all around fantastic app for navigating your trip through the USA. It is updated constantly. Navigation is free and voice-guided. You can use the basic Places feature where you can find, rate, and get recommendations for places.  You can also see a location for your friends on a map if they have checked into places. 

Yelp

Yelp is your all inclusive guide to finding and reviewing local business near you and on your trips. Yelp is an active social community of locals in the area that know where to eat, shop, drink, relax, and play! Read their reviews and plan accordingly.

 

TripAdvisor (Available on Android & iOS)

TripAdvisor is ideal for the business traveler. There are over 50 million reviews and opinions by seasoned travelers. I have trusted this app for lot of my business travel. It also allows you to view area attractions. You can find hotels, restaurants, and attractions in any destination. One neat feature is the candid photos you can browse taken by some reviewers. You can organize many of your searched by ratings or distance.  For major cities, there are separate guides.

 

Guidebook (Available on Android & iOS)

Guidebook is the best and easiest way to create a guide for your road trip. It is a great app where you can download guides from the festivals I mentioned or even expos or trade shows you attend. My Schedule allows you to organize events, places to go, and give you a time table for each activity. From Guidebook you can post photos from your travels, too.

 

Ha!  There we are, some awesome pre-gaming, I mean, pre travel planning apps for your futre endevours on the road!  Get out and enjoy the warm weather coming!  I know I am!

Later!

Matt

Ice Cream Sandwich

If you happen to be sporting a Motorola Droid X2 in your back pocket (or in your handbag) you'll be happy to know that there is an update headed your way. Well, headed the phone's way, so until you get it, keep the phone out in the open, not in a pocketbook or at the bottom of a bookbag or in your pocket. That's why sometimes others get their upgrades faster, because their phone caught the signal first. If you are still reading this, you are either extremely gullable or you know what a goofass I am. Of course, none of that is true! Your phone will get the upgrade OTA (Over-the-Air) regardless of where it is! What you can do however is pull in the upgrade if it's available by going to Menu>Settings>About Phone>System Updates. It'll either say, "Your device is up to date!" or if it is available to you. it will alert you that you have an OTA update.

Click the thumbnail or read below to see what the update has to offer.

• Verizon Video and VZ Navigator are preloaded.
• A Google security patch has been loaded to improve the security level.
• Purchased ringtones are now able to be set and saved.
• Device is enabled with the Wireless Alerting System
• Shortcut names can be updated and saved
• The keyboard Auto Error Correction Setting defaults to off.

 

More Updates

In other Android News. The word is out on what Verizon devices will eventually be getting (ICS) Ice Cream Sandwich. 

• HTC: ThunderBolt, Droid Incredible 2, Rhyme, Rezound
• Motorola: Xoom, Bionic, RAZR/RAZR MAXX, Droid XYBOARD 8.2/10.1, Droid 4
• Samsung: Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 7.7
• LG: Spectrum

HTC just announced 16 of their devices (Verizon and others) eligible for ICS: The bolded ones looks like the have risen to the top of that list:

DROID Incredible 2 Amaze 4G, Desire S, Desire HD, EVO 3D, EVO Design 4G Incredible S Sensation

Sensation XL, Sensation 4G Sensation XE Raider Rezound Rhyme Thunderbolt Vivid

If you want to read an extended list of all carriers' devices (this guy has a nice up-to-date list covering everything) so click here.

Peace out

-CC

There was nothing particularly good on TV last night (even with the bazillion Satellite channels I get) so I scooped up my phone to see if there were any good movie downloads on sale in the Google market. They frequently have sales on apps, movies, games etc. So when I tapped on my market icon it took me to a different screen than the screen I normally ignore. It said Android Market is upgrading to Google Play.

Google Music and the Google eBookstore are now part of Google Play. Your music and your books, including anything else you've bought, are there available through Google Play.

Google Play started rolling out Globally two days ago. It is already live on the web at Play.Google.com. Devices will be a few more days while the Android market updates to the Google Play store app. The goal of Google Play is to bring together all of our favorite content in one place that you can access across all of your devcies.

The above "Google Play log" is what you'll see as an icon to get into the app...hopefully. When I say hopefully, it's because mine disappeared. Then I clicked on the shopping bag link on the top right of all the the app pages and it gave me an error and now I'm getting a blank screen.  Don't panic, you can still get in! Go to your apps and find the NEW Google Play icon. It is no longer called Market, it is now called Google Play. If you press and hold, it will reappear on your home screen and that link should work. I'm guessing the other link doesn't work until you restart.

Happy apping!

-CC

March 6, 2012! Spring is right around the corner! Who is excited!? I know I am thrilled to get some warm weather and also start seeing green grass, green trees, and more! Everyone's favorite spring time activity is also scheduled into weekend plans. . . . SPRING CLEANING. Open up those windows and start to air out the house while you are cleaning. If you need know where to start, luckily I have some apps for you to ponder and use to organize for a heavy spring clean!

SPRING CLEAN

Good Housekeeping @Home (Available for iOS & Android)

This is the classic Good Housekeeping magazine's first ever application for smartphones. It is a true gem in my opinion. I liked the fact that I had solutions to everyday cleaning issues in my pocket. Packed in this app are no fail cleaning advice and do it all cleaning backed by the trusted professionals at the research institute for Good Housekeeping. The app goes beyond cleaning to allow the user to get articles, advice, and inspiration on everything from organizing the home to craft projects. Packed with these features makes it a no brain download!

Epic Win (Available for iOS)

This app is for adults and kids! EpicWin for iOS enables users to have a great time while cleaning and doing chores. It has a streamlined to-do list with a role play spin. You play as a character that at each completed task you level up, improve your stats, and gain riches. The app provides the encouragement that some need or start spring cleaning tactics.

Evernote (available for iOS & Android)

Evernote is an easy-to-use, free app that helps you remember everything across all of the devices you use. Stay organized, save your ideas and improve productivity. Evernote lets you take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders--and makes these notes completely searchable, whether you are at home, at work, or on the go. Cellular Chloe and I use it a lot to bounce ideas for blog articles off each other. This will also come in handy for quick notes to yourself about what you want clean and how you want to clean it.

HOME RENOVATION

Now after cleaning, many people want a fresh start with new additions, new paint, or new everything. The following apps will come in handy (no pun intended) when you are ready to do some renovation to the house.

HandyMan DIY (Available on iOS)

Getting assistance for your future renovations at your fingertips has gotten a whole lot easier! This app is PACKED with a home improvement planner that allows you to forecast how much paint you need, trim you want, or how much paint it will take to cover a room. A pretty neat feature is the pre-built material lists for common projects around. Along with estimating reno costs and taking the guess work out of materials, the app also allows for storage of room dimensions in terms of volume, window and door dimensions, and more!

Handyman Calculator (Available on Android)

Simply stated - the calculator for the ultimate handyman. It is a complete construction calculator with simple inputs. The list for what this calculator can do is enormous. Visit it in the Android Marketplace and check it out!

MyMeasure (Available on iOS & Android)

My Measures is a powerful application for storing and sharing object dimensions. must have tool for all real estate agents, engineers, carpenters, architects, auction sellers, construction workers...All you have to do is take a photo of an object you wish to store dimensions of. Then you add dimensions: arrows, angels and text. Now your measures are stored and you can see and share them anytime anywhere.. AMAZING!! No more pen and paper!

ColorSnap (Available for iOS & Android)

Color, color, color! I love color and sometimes have issues with finding just the right color for the fabric I am using in my new design. With ColorSnap, capture real world colors and match them to Sherwin-Williams paint colors—for free. With ColorSnap®, it's easy to take color inspiration from a photo in your library or one you just snapped. Then choose matching colors or Ask Sherwin-Williams for recommendations. Either way, it's a cinch to match, adjust, and save colors. Pretty awesome app! Try it out!

 

After reviewing these apps with friends and myself, I SO want to live in my own house instead of a rented apartment. My friends have used some of these apps and have really gotten into them.

I hope they help you accomplish some spring cleaning and some fresh starts with home renovations!

Later!

Matt

 

If you know me at all, or have read my blog consistently, you'll know that I love all things Monster, Including Monsters themselves! Strangely, I like to be scared! But that's a story for another time.

Monster just came out with a new headphone. You may be asking yourself, Seriously, does the world need another set of headphones? Well if it's the iSport, then the answer is yes, we did need another pair.

Think about it...with your current headphones, can you swim with them on? Shower with them on? Run in the rain with them on? Well you probably could but you may get a nice electric shock.

The iSport are made to be drenched in sweat, water, rain, whatever elements you want to throw at 'em!

Another perk is they fit great under goggles or a helmet. You'll never feel them there if you are Snowboarding, swimming, mountain biking or wearing a motorcycle helmet, except for the pure audio adrealine you'll hear! Monster makes the best headphones and you know what they say...Life is too short to listen to bad headphones

Did I mention you can throw them in the washing machine after all that and they will clean up nice for the next time you plan to sweat all over them!

Peace out

-CC