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

- post from Jan 10, 2010

Sweet little prediction I had.   Hung?  Well at least the last line.  Jump to the link.

[TUAW]

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]

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

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.

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]

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]

Boxee has a cool idea.  It links all your TV/Music and other video in one place.  The key here is that it also links you to the network run TV show sites like Hulu, CBS.com, etc.  This way you don’t have to URL browse for your favorite shows.  A couple clicks through the Boxee UI and your linked to your favorite shows.  It has a few minor glitches right, but it’s only a Alpha right now.

I am using it on my MacBookPro.  Most of the shows I like are on CBS.com or Hulu.  I may be re-evaluating my need for TIVO.  Domino’s Pizza is not my favorite anyway.

Boxee also offers Netflix download customers the ability to watch downloaded movies.  This is all the rage these days.  The PS3, XBOX 360, TIVO and many other set top boxes are signed with Netflix.  I use Blockbuster’s service, but it is getting hard not to switch with all the options that NetFlix is offering.

Time will tell if Boxee.tv will last.  I frankly believe it will be something I use at first.  I’ll enjoy the experiance, but see the lack of a feature or two that something else will offer and I will stop using it.

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.