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]

image from Facebook

When do think we will all see Gray Powell again?  Here at the PocketUp nerve center Powell marketing ideas have been flying around all last week.

For those of you just waking from coma, Gray Powell work for Apple.  He left the ex-top secret Gen 4 iPhone at a bar after tossing back a few brews.  You can see full story here.

Here’s a small list of how we think Gray could make the most of recent “fame”.  What would you do now, if you were Gray Powell?

• Apple let’s him keynote the release event.  Using a “you started it, no finish it” theme.
• He becomes the lead spokesman for StuffBack
• Budlight…we could spend all day rolling those ideas
• He gets promoted to Apple’s head of MobileMe, touting it’s remote wipe feature
• Windows Mobile hires him to “lose” one of their new creations

Not sure I need PocketInformant, but here some video coverage at MacWorld.

[via TUAW]

Linux has fanboys?  I found this amusing

via < via

A few friends from another Denver Handheld User Group is wanting to branch off and start a new group.  The current group has been dominated by a few individuals which is not going helping others.  The group use to help each other no matter what platform, Apple, Windows, Droid, Blackberry, Palm.   The group has suddenly turned into an instruction session by one of the members.  The “teaching” is very one-sided.  I understand we all have opinions, some very strong.  A social group that meets on a Saturday morning is not the place for name calling and device bashing.  Seriously it’s a phone, an operating system, an application.

The new group is in the process of forming.  I hope we can meet in the Denver Tech Center once a month.  The plan is to have format that we stick with every meeting.  Facilitators will be chosen by the group two months ahead of time.  That persons job is just to keep everyone on schedule and to keep the conversation from being dominated.  As for other info, that’s about it so far.  Please check out the forum that has been dedicated to this group.

I am also growing unhappy with the local Mobile User Group I have been attending.  A few members and I have been tossing around the idea of a starting a new group.  If you’re in Denver and would like to be apart post up in the comment section and I’ll make sure to get you the meeting information.

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!

I sure hope it’s not a faux pas to ask this question?  After all I rely on Google to rake up my tags and keywords.

How is Google doing.  I know everything on the surface looks fine.  Stock is down, but everyone’s is.  In this time of perception is huge is Google pulling in the reins?

Check out this story from CNET: Google’s free SMS gravy train dries up. Don’t get me wrong here.  One story does not a rumor make, but I also received the email below from Google.

We’re writing to let you know that on May 5, 2009, Google
Checkout’s transaction processing fees will be changing. We’ll be
transitioning from our 2.0% + $0.20 per transaction rate to a new
tiered fee structure, where the rates will vary depending on the
dollar amount of your monthly sales processed through Checkout.
The rate you’ll be charged beginning on May 5, 2009 will be based
on your sales processed through Checkout during the month of April
2009. Each month thereafter, we’ll continue to use the prior
month’s sales volume to determine your transaction processing
rate. For more details about the new rates, please visit
http://checkout.google.com/seller/fees.html

This announcement raises rates as much as 0.9% and +.10cts per transaction.  I understand these rate are still low when comparing them to other credit card processors.  To see such and increase from Google surprised me a bit.  The email also advised that Adwords transaction fees are no longer free.

We’ll also be discontinuing the AdWords free transaction
processing promotion on May 5, 2009. Any AdWords transaction
processing credits accrued during April 2009 will be applied
towards transactions that occur on May 1-4, 2009.

Why is Google making chnages like a normal business.  This is very unlike them.

[via CNET]

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

The formula is simple: Combine the highly rated GeForce® 9400 GPU found in new desktop and notebook PCs with the Intel Atom CPU. This combination (code-named Ion Platform) enables the smallest premium PC experience available today, making it ideal for the exploding category of mini-notebooks and compact PCs.

This Ion reference design is a full-fledged PC that supports full-spec 1080p HD video, popular PC games, and Windows Vista Premium. OEM designs can be even smaller.

If your like me I have a Ninja or two on my Christmas list.  If someone one your list has a set of those two toed sock shoes I just found you a perfect gift for them.

There not really throwing stars.  Well designed magnets.  My oldest son is going to love these. No he is not a REAL Ninja.

[Site Link]

I found this great TechyShit blog post tonight and had to share it.  See when I was a kid my Dad hung out with a guy that had one of these.  I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen.  TechyShit breaks down 10 Old Computers With Outrageous Price Tags