I’ll give AT&T a month or so to offer Bluetooth tethering…then I’m break’in out.

image from Gizmodo.com

[via TUAW from Gizmodo]

I’m currently in the process of getting a t-shirt and “personal badging” business off the ground. We’ll be selling our products at trade shows, car, motorcycle and bicycle events around the country. A MiFi makes a perfect companion to the Quickbooks Merchant account we have. So with all that said, on to my point.

Verizon, call me. (or read on)

- iPad(64gb) 3G version is $829
- AT&T wireless plan with no contracts is $14.99 (250mb) or $29.99 (unlimited*/5gb)

- iPad(64gb) WiFi Version is $699
- Verizon MiFi device $269 with no contract. $39.99 (250mb) or $59,99 (5gb)

Hey Verizon “marketing genius dudes”… Why not offer the MiFi for $130 at no contract, the difference between the two iPad versions, and lower your data plans?

Wouldn’t that be a great way for you to show, likely iPhone customers, that your network is better?

Couldn’t you market your device connects with three others, not just your iPad?

How about the handy little cases that Sprint is giving away at BestBuy stores?

…too bad you didn’t think of this the day the iPad rolled out.

PS: I’m in PR/Marketing and looking for freelance work. …call me

About 18 months ago my 1st gen Slingbox took a dive, power supply I thought.  I tried reviving it with another power supply, but no luck.  So I just tossed the unit onto my growing pile of old, out dated, powered plastic.

This morning however my ears perked up.  Slingbox’s iPhone application has now been approved for 3g.  The original iPhone application on used Wifi.  Having 3G may have just changed my tune on watching live TV in my iPhone.  Maybe it’s time to invest in a new Slingbox?

[story via | image via]

But wait, isn’t paper to be used as a medium for written communication, as a canvas for art, and a place to jot all those little notes on? When looking up the definition of paper in the dictionary nowhere does it say a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood, rags, or certain grasses to be used for making cute shapes and animal art.

Although origami finds use in paper for which it was not originally intended, most reasonable people accept with open arms the art form. In fact using paper for spit-wads, to start a fire, for building paper airplanes, or any of the other uses is generally supported by the human breathing community.

Within the past couple of years the digital world has brought us “digital paper”. This digital paper has been cleverly aliased as an e-book, an e-reader, an ePad, an eSlate, or some other derivative. Based on the physical form factors of these digital paper products not too many people uses their new devices to practice their origami.

Ok, so we are not going to destroy our new little electronic gadget just to make a crane or a frog, but what about using this “digital paper” for a use for which it was not intended? Should the manufacturers of these devices mandate how we should use our “digital paper”? If you answered, No, then please read on. If you answered, Yes, then you probably own an apple product and you just do not know any better.

Apple released its version of “digital paper” this week and have officially named it the iPad. It is of course, a “pretty” device, as are all of Apple’s iProducts. It should look very nice in your Feng shui, iOffice space. The problem with the iPad, well actually there are many but that is for another day, is that the iPad will only due what Apple says it can do. Imagine buying that ordinary piece of paper and being told that it can only be used for written communication; would you still buy it?

Not to be too critical of Apple, as many manufacturers practice the same rouge product dictatorship. Although, many companies, not including Apple, will give you the blue prints to their product so you are free to make the product your own. The manufacturers obviously can not offer support when you start using their product in a way it was not intended. Once you have “hacked” the product the product is officially yours and you own the support of that product.

Take for example, the NOOK, which is Barnes & Noble’s version of “digital paper”. The underlying operating system that makes this device tick is the open sourced OS developed by Google called Android. Although the NOOK, when purchased, is limited to functionality defined by Barnes & Noble and its partners, it can be “hacked” to open up endless new functionality.

The next time you are out buying your next little gadget ask your self if you want to buy an ordinary piece of paper that can only be used as a medium for written communication, or if you want to buy the paper that can magically be transformed into a wonderful piece of origami art.

Sound off with your opinion one how companies dictate that way in which you can user their products.

Some of you are asking yourselves why do I think Apple will stay with AT&T.  It’s very simple.  Almost everyone hates their mobile carrier.  Whether it’s Verizon, Spring, T-Mobile, AT&T, etc, we all hate them for some reason.  I also think this because Apple does not want to move away from SIM card based mobile devices.  Building a CDMA and GSM device is a waste of resources in Apple’s mind If you want our devices change carriers.

I’m ready to go out on a limb here, but I think in the near future Apple will buy AT&T’s wireless division.  I think Apple is very interested in keeping pace with Google.  A few years ago when the 700mghz network became available, and Google was bidding, I think Apple was very intrigued by this.  Asking themselves why would Google want that.  This got Apple thinking about mobile communications on a different level, not just hardware.

Apple is very tatical.  They start by releasing devices that cause AT&T to spend money and build their network.

Remember this is from someone who thinks Google will buy Verizon too.

According to me over a year ago

Finally one of my Apple product psychic moments is coming true.  Now if they’ll release a MacMini with Blu-Ray, I’ll be batting a thousand.  Oh wait…I also think they will soon turn the MacMini into a gaming console to run downloaded, full sized games from the app store.

link to my photo gallery

A few weeks ago I pre-ordered my new iPhone 3GS for delivery this Friday.  I was under the impression that I was going to pay $499.  I was an early adopter of the 3G version(launch day) and was only being offered a $200 cut form the $699 retail, no contract price.

Today I log in to AT&T and run through the upgrade process and it’s offering me the 3GS for $299 with 2 year contact.  A story broke yesterday on Gizmodo that AT&T was July/Sept/Aug 2008 upgraders a better deal, but the prices won;’t show up till today.

Bottom line is that AT&T just saved me $200 tomorrow.  My $349 sale of my 3G on Craiglists on Monday just got a little sweeter!

Google has recently released a video on YouTube describing a new iPhone app that allows you to dial out using your GV account.  Check out the video.

GV Mobile iPhone App

[again via Gizmodo]

This software is very helpful for thos of us that don’t have 3G 100% of the time.  The maps are store on the device.  Unlike the Google maps that require an internet connection to load.  This really makes the application run quickly.

Well worth the $24.99 for the West where I live.

The interface is great and plugins are plentiful.  We’ll see how it works and feels long term.  If your in the Denver Metro area and want to help me start a Mac User group in Douglas County post up of at MacMingle.com

You can also follow the progress of the Group formation on Twitter, User ID MacMingle.

G-Map is an iPhone app that load all the maps in the West and or East, $20 a coast.  This is a great option for those of you traveling through areas where cell coverage is limited.  As most of you know the iPhone’s Google Map feature only works when the phone can reach the online maps.

Version 2.1 Includes:  Search 100+ stations, Bookmark your favorites, Tag songs for purchase in iTunes, Shake It! and find something new

Works With:  Apple iPhone, iPhone 3G or iPod Touch, WiFi, EDGE or 3G data connection, iPhone OS 2.0.2 or later

Plica consists of two touchscreens and it looks exactly like a regular cellphone. When the phone is folded in two screens, you will use one as a keyboard and on the other you will be able to see whatever you want to. Also, you can view the images on both screens which means twice the resolution. Plica is very functional kind of like a mini-laptop and it features USB and headphone jacks.

[site link]

I have issues. I love to track automobile data like mpg, oil changes, and other service information.

I have been using a Twitter app called MyMileMarker. Their software reads direct twits with mileage, gallons, and price. It has a few bugs. I had a little trouble getting responses confirming that the data was received. MyMileMarker also does not allow for recording service items. I like to track oil changes and tire rotations also.

A few days ago I found Gas Cubby. Here is a direct link via iTunes.

Gas Cubby fills the bill for me. It allows for multiple vehicles and tracks all your fuel fill-ups & vehicle service records. The options are endless. I enjoy being able to track Octane. My Mini Copper S requires a high grade of fuel and being able to track mileage when I don’t fill it with Premium is great. My new Jeep has a a life time warranty, assuming I keep good service records. Gas Cubby allows for export in .csv. Making and annually service log will be simple.

Good luck Gas Cubby. Worth every penny to me.

I don’t really have need for it these days. I used tethering quite bit a few years ago. These days WiFi is almost everywhere. I also find myself using my iPhone for tasks that I use to pull out the lappy for.

I would like to see some info about how the connection is going to be made. A bluetooth connection in combo with a 3G tether will drain the iPhone battery pretty quickly. Let’s hope those of you that decide to subscribe can us it via USB also.

Do you like streaming iTunes music from MAC to MAC?  I do.  Now you can stream it to your iPhone.  Right now I have it working with Edge, 3G and WiFi.

You can also share your library with 30 of your friends.  We’ll see how long that lasts.  Thanks Gizmodo for the the story.

iTunes direct link to applicaiton

Simplify Media

Is yours cracked?

Get it here