However, beyond their refusal to use a phrase as stuffy and formal as “tech support” there’s quite a lot about Apple that should actually have you pretty worried. The US Government has just announced a “Fair Use” exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, an exemption that will allow people to jailbreak their phones. Jailbreaking, what with being made of words like “breaking” and “jail” sounds like something illegal, like piracy. However what it amounts to is the ability to install whatever software you like on the phone that you have paid for.

Most iPhone users can only use the official app store, which vets all applications before allowing you to decide whether to buy them. While they allow in all sorts of rubbish, such as the wavey-lightsaber app or the “Hey! Look! I made my phone look like a pint of beer!” app, they block applications such as a video camera for your 3G iPhone, or Google Voice. One notable application they banned was an e-reader product called Eucalyptus that allowed you to read public domain books downloaded from Project Gutenberg. Apple blocked the app for reasons of “obscenity”- because the app allowed you to read the karma sutra. Apple’s own software, the Safari web browser, incidentally, allows you to see all of the porn.

Apple’s iron grip over the iPhone apps isn’t the only place where you can peer under their smiley face to see the Darth Vader mask beneath. One of Apple’s big announcements lately has been their unveiling of the iBook Author software. This software does pretty much what you’d imagine software called iBook Author to do. It lets you write, format and publish e-books. As self-publishing e-books rapidly expands, you can see the demand for a nifty tool like this, along with all the swell design innovation Apple is famous for, is going to be pretty huge.

When you download the software, you get a great big wall of terms and conditions that  you don’t read at all before clicking on the I Accept button, because nobody in the history of the world has ever read a piece of software’s terms and conditions.

Which is a real shame, because if you had read the terms and conditions, you’d come across this beauty:

“(i) if your Work is provided for free (at no charge), you may distribute the Work by any available means;

(ii) if your Work is provided for a fee (including as part of any subscription-based product or service), you may only distribute the Work through Apple and such distribution is subject to the following limitations and conditions: (a) you will be required to enter into a separate written agreement with Apple (or an Apple affiliate or subsidiary) before any commercial distribution of your Work may take place; and (b) Apple may determine for any reason and in its sole discretion not to select your Work for distribution.”

Just to put this in context, I’m writing this blog post using Microsoft Word. These conditions are the equivalent of Microsoft having the final say over how I’m allowed to use this blog post when I’m done.

Control Your Own Hardware

If you buy a washing machine, that washing machine becomes your property. You can put clothes in it, you can put bedsheets in it, you could put your cat in it (although I should say we really recommend you don’t). The point is, once you have bought a machine, you own it, and the company who sold you that machine gets no further say in the matter.

Yet with computers, we’re suddenly happy for this not to be the case. When the iPhone came out, you didn’t buy it, you licensed it. Yes, you got to keep the plastic casing and the hardware inside, but you should only use it in the proper, Apple approved way. The lengthy and detailed End User License Agreement strictly lays out the ways you can and can’t use your new phone.
jailbreaking can also be reveresed.

If you want to buy an app from the Apple’s app store, it has to be one they approve. There are a lot of things Apple doesn’t approve of. One way to get an app rejected is if it’s seen as “duplicating the functionality” of an app Apple is already selling themselves. You know, like Pepsi duplicates the functionality of Coke. They also don’t like apps that “ridicule public figures”, a rule that has seen the rejection of such classics as Obama Trampoline (bouncing politicians off a trampoline to burst balloons) and MyShoe (a game where you throw shoes at public figures). Similar rules have seen South Park’s effort to get their own app onto the iPhone blocked at every turn.

Under Apple’s rules the iPhone is a safe, family friendly place where nobody ever says anything bad about anyone and everything you want can be bought from Apple. Understandably, it’s a place that quite a few people don’t want to live. This has led to the rise of jailbreaking- the process of hacking your iPhone to allow the use of third party applications.

Cydia, the alternative appstore for jailbreaking phones, offers a whole array of apps that do thinks your regular iPhone can’t, or do things it can, but better. Apple has, understandably, done everything that can to try to keep this practice from being legal, but recently the Electronic Frontier Foundation has successfully persuaded the government to include a Fair Use exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act means Apple can no longer try to stop you jailbreaking your phone.

So it’s worth having a go, and checking like iBlacklist, that makes it simple and easy to block unwanted callers, 5 Row Qwerty Keyboard, an app that gives your iPhone’s keyboard an extra row for numbers, or my3G, an app that tricks your phone into thinking it has WiFi access when its only on the 3G network.  Many of these apps are extremely simple, but they allow you a level of control over your own technology that Apple doesn’t.

Jailbreaking your phone doesn’t just allow you access to better toys. It allows you to feel like a grownup, using a grownup piece of machinery, rather than offense-free, zero competition playpen Apple seems to want to keep its users in.

One can find and be led to many great sites and sources that offer Android 101 and give a lot of good information and advice that many individuals would want to access. It can help individuals learn basic information about Android software and different Android devices. In addition to the basics and just giving one a fundamental knowledge of Android, there is information available about more complex functions. There are individuals that just want to know the basics and be informed and about the Android and what it can do or what it is all about. On the other hand, there are individuals that know the basics and want to get to know the more high-tech and complex functions. These individuals want to increase the capabilities that their Android device already has.

There are people all over that enjoy technology and enjoy Android or enjoy learning about Android. These people will appreciate the information they can find to help them with whatever level and complexity of Android help they are seeking. There are many different levels of capabilities and many different levels of desires to learn about Android and the capabilities of the mobile device. It is convenient for everyone to be able to acquire this information.

Take rooting for example. This is the process of adding super-user facilities to your phone that can help one enjoy it more. To do so, one must alter the mobile devices system permissions. This action can result in negative consequences and damage of your phone. One should know the Android 101 and have their awareness of rooting be raised. It seems cool and harmless, but if one does not know what they are getting into and does not know a lot about rooting then they should not proceed to do such an act.

Android 101 on rooting can raise awareness of the consequences of the action. Pros and cons of rooting are addressed, and it is obviously up to the Android device owner to decide whether or not they want to do such a thing, but should at least be made more aware of what could happen and all possible results of rooting. Android 101 can help an individual be more informed about rooting. They can know more about how it’s done, what it does, and what can happen from doing it. This will help them be more aware of whether or not they really want to root. Just because one can go about the process of rooting does not mean that they should. They should go about it carefully and not attempt it if they are even the slightest bit skeptical.

Also known as online faxing, these services use the internet to send and receive fax. Using the internet helps make faxing faster, easier and cheaper as well. Instead of having to waste time shopping for a fax machine that can cost around $100, plus installation fees for wiring and an extra phone line, within a few minutes you can begin faxing from your computer or cell phone for free!

Online fax providers are aware that new customers may have no idea what online fax is like, which is why they are currently offering free 30 day trials. These trials are safe and risk free and of course the best way to review the service first-hand and see how easy and affordable it is to use online fax.

When you sign up you will also be able to integrate the service with your email, which means that you can fax with gmail, hotmail, yahoo or any other web email. You can also integrate the service with Microsoft Office applications as well as Outlook.

Most importantly you can also fax from your cell phone! If you have an iPhone, Android or Blackberry some online fax services offer free apps for your mobile phone. However if you have a smart phone you can also fax via cell phone by accessing your email on your phone.

That’s not all, when you sign up most services also include a free fax number. This number can be a toll-free or local fax number but you can also keep your current fax number and use it with the internet fax service. You also have access to amazing faxing tools such as sending multiple faxes at once, online fax storage, incoming fax alerts and much more. All for a low monthly price, plans start as low as $5 to $8 a month! But remember that you can try them out for free!

Net10 Android Phones

The very first Net10 Android phones were released earlier this month and you can now purchase them on the official website with free shipping.  You have some freedom with these phones, in that you are allowed to use any of the Net10 available plans including Net10 Unlimited (which costs $50 per month for unlimited everything).  There are not many prepaid Android phones out there with this kind of freedom.  Many of them require you to use a certain plan like Straight Talk, which only allows its Android devices to run on its unlimited plan.  It’s a great plan, but still, it’s nice to have options.

Net10 LG Optimus Lineup

The two Net10 Android phones are the LG Optimus Q and the LG Optimus Net.  The Optimus Q is the preferable device because it has a slide-out keyboard, but if you prefer not to have the sliding element, the Net will treat you just fine.  They are very similar in nature and have few differences, the sliding feature being the biggest difference.  The “Q” costs $179.99 while the “Net” costs $149.99, both good prices when you consider there is no contract to go along with the use of these phones.

Do You Want a Net10 Android?

Since you are considering a prepaid Android phone, you might want to check out the competition as well.  It’s always smart to do this.  Straight Talk, Virgin, and Boost Mobile are three good places to start.  Net10, however, is a very good company and is a safe bet.

Email fax services are companies that allow us to send and receive faxes using your email account.  You can fax from Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo or any other fax provider of your choice.  They also give you a dedicated fax number free of charge that will allow you to receive incoming faxes.

On the other hand, smartphones are mobile phones mixed with a computer.  iPhones, Android and Blackberry devices are all smartphones that do much more than just phone calls. You can read news, access Internet, take pictures, watch videos, and of course, send and receive email fax.

If you have an account with an email fax service, you can download the corresponding app to fax through iPhone or any other mobile phone.  These apps let you fax on the go, using the power of a digital fax solution, but they only work with an active fax account.

You can fax over Internet for as little as $4.95 a month, but if you want to fax for free, know that you can also make use of email to fax free trials.  These trials come with all the benefits and features of a regular fax plan, and this includes your own fax number.

Right now the companies that offer apps for smartphones are eFax, RingCentral Fax and MyFax. You can find them for free on the iPhone app store. Install them, link them to your fax account and you are ready to receive faxes anywhere!

I want to be able to talk to my kids anytime of the day no matter where they may be or what they are doing. And relying on landline phones for that has somehow become inconvenient since the kids now-a-days have more activities and are no longer limited to staying in the house and in school all the time.

Of course I want them to have the convenience of being able to call me anytime of the day too, especially when there are emergencies. You just never know when and where some things can happen, and it is better to be prepared and provide them means to be able to contact me than suffer the consequences just because I am too stingy to buy them a cell phone.

Since it is already established that mobile phones are indeed important for kids now-a-days, then I guess might as well get them stylish mobile phones as to not embarrass them with their friends. Kids today are much more image and fashion conscious, more than we were in our generation.

Style and fashion is important to them to be able to belong in cliques and groups in school and in other places. Today, when it comes to girl’s mobile phones, hot pink phones are the in thing right now. Their generation is all about styling even when it comes to their gadgets and gizmos. A pink mobile phone is a definite must have for any teenage girl to be considered cool and chic.

Net10 Prepaid Android Phones

Net1o Android phones are comprised of the LG Optimus Q and the LG Optimus Net.  The Optimus line of phones is a middle of the road option that will not break your bank.  Both phones cost under two hundred dollars with no contract and no commitments.  Straight Talk is another prepaid company that has a couple of prepaid Android phones, in addition to some good smart phones like the Nokia E71 and Nokia E5.  The LG Optimus Q is also a Straight Talk model of phone. The “Net” is probably the better phone that Net 10 prepaid has to offer.  The “Q” also has a good touch screen phone and allows you to manage multiple email accounts as well as download apps from the Android Marketplace.

How to Select a Prepaid Android Phone

The best way to decide which prepaid Android phone to buy is to really research your phone use and make sure that you select the plan and phones that work for you.  Net10 prepaid Android phones are pretty nice, but you should also compare them to several other ones available like the phones I mentioned above from Straight Talk and the ones from Virgin Mobile.

click on the phones to purchase or find out more info

Subscriber Information Modules

Subscriber information modules are also called SIM cards. This card is inside of your cell phone, and is issued by your carrier. The card stores all of your subscription information, and virtually locks you into that particular network. In other words, if you wish to change providers, you need to get another cell phone. If you place a different subscriber information module in your current phone, it will only accept it, if it is for your current carrier.

The advantages of these modules are basically for the network provider. When they issue you a cell phone, you can only use it with their network. Also, this kind of technology only works with GSM technology. Not all networks utilize GSM equipment, as some use a technology known as CDMA. If your phone utilizes GSM technology, you can find a tiny computer chip, near the battery area. This is the subscriber information module. If you are still unsure, check with your network provider.

Pros of Unlocked Mobile Devices

If you have a GSM phone that is unlocked, this means that it is in its pristine state from the manufacturer. You can use any SIM card in it, and this is a large benefit for world travelers. In other countries, you can purchase a prepaid subscriber information module, and make international phone calls much cheaper than using your current provider.

Another advantage of an unlocked phone is the freedom to choose. If you sign up with a cell phone service, you only have access to their devices. If there is a particular mobile device that you want to use, you cannot utilize it with a locked phone. However, with an unlocked phone, you can simply place your current SIM card into the new phone, and use it. This works well if your current phone quits or is damaged.

You also may get cell phone service without signing a long term contract, with an unlocked phone. Locked phones usually require a commitment of a year or two. This allows the carrier to make up the difference of the price of a free phone.

Cons

You will pay more for your new unlocked phone. In fact, it may be substantially higher. Many times you can get a locked phone with your provider at a fraction of the retail price. In fact, sometimes, you can get a deal with the phone for free.

Summary

SIM free phones are also referred to as “unlocked”. An unlocked phone is an unaltered GSM phone from the factory, and any SIM card or subscriber information module will work in it. You can use these phones on any network and may not have to sign a long term contract. You also are not limited to certain mobile devices, with an unlocked cell phone. However, you will pay much more for an mobile unlocked phone.

click on the phones to purchase or find out more info

On the façade, it could be assumed that the HTC Thunderbolt was designed with the HTC Evo 4G in mind. The phone has a 122 x 66 x 13 mm dimension, weighing in at 164 g. Some would say that the Thunderbolt is rather huge, but it still maintains to look classy with an all-gray body, featuring a glass front and a soft-touch back. The edges of the phone are really also clean and simple.It boasts of a 480 x 800 pixel, 4.3 inch WGA highly sensitive capacitive touch screen display. There is also an accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate and multi-touch input method, which is almost present in all of the touch phones in the market. The typical and ever-present feedback buttons are featured below the screen: Home, Menu, Back and Search. Due to its 4G capabilities, the HTC Thunderbolt also features a 1.3 mega pixel front facing camera. The rear camera is not to be ignored, as it packs a punch with 8 mega pixels, an auto focus and a LED flash. Fond of watching movies and videos on a mobile device? Thanks to its kickstand, one can easily prop up the phone and enjoy the media properly.

The HTC Thunderbolt is one macho package. Though in 6.4 ounces, it might not fit everyone’s pocket because it’s a big and bad smart phone. Owning a gunmetal gray and matte black color combination, it is elegant and sturdy. The perfect way to describe this smart phone’s aesthetic? Classic.