President Obama’s New Cell Phone
Jan 19, 2009 Information, Tech News
Ever wondered what kind of cell phone the President of the United States uses? Me too!
I never really knew until now. I often wondered did he use a special satellite phone? If not, does he ever miss calls in remote areas?
It seems that President Obama did not want to part with his crackberry, err umm I mean Blackberry cellular device after his inauguration. As it turns out, he will be able to keep it, but it will be limited to personal use matters only.
For all non personal and business related calls, he will have to use the NSA approved Sectera Edge
There is only one thing that concerns me about this phone aside from the fact that it is almost the size of a brick. IT RUNS WINDOWS MOBILE !!! How secure can this thing really be?
Video
Tags: blackberry, crackberry, nsa, Obama cell phone, Presidents Cell Phone, sectera edge
AT&T – Fewer Bars in Fewer Places
Jan 6, 2009 Information, Tech News, iphone
How many of you out there have the 2g iphone and have yet to upgrade to the newer 3g model?
Sometimes we need a push to get going in the right direction and it seems AT&T is wanting to push its 2g users into getting new phones.
Timothy Butler over at OFB did some sleuthing and found that AT&T is downgrading its EDGE/2G service to the weaker 1900 MHz band. Their response to those with newly-lousy service? Buy a new phone.
What this means is that instead of the “More Bars In More Places” motto that you often hear on the commercials it will be more like “less bars in less places” like inside your homes and offices, and out of the way places.
Additionally, this makes a lot of us wonder what will happen to iPhone 3G users in 2G-only areas? Will AT&T leave the 850 band for them until 3G rolls in? And what about users switching to 2G to save battery life? Will it now come at the expense of their signal?
What about the users that are still in contract that have no way to purchase a new 3g device, whether it be an iphone or blackberry? If your new phone sees a drop in reception and reliability due to a change in network coverage, you have no choice but to suck it up, or buy a new device outright.
AT&T’s executive director of analyst relations, Mark Siegel, is denying reports that salespeople are telling customers to switch from 2G to 3, but that’s to be expected. The really sad part is that AT&T’s 3G service leaves much to be desired, too.
It is not even offered in my area 
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Tags: 2g service, 3g, ATT, cell phone reception, iphone, lousy service
Windows XP is not dead yet!
Dec 22, 2008 Information, Tech News
The cut off date for PC makers to obtain licenses for the software was initially January 31 2009, but now Microsoft has put in place a plan that will allow the hardware firms to get hold of XP licences until May 30 2009.
In the past, Microsoft extended XP’s life until the year 2010 – provided it was installed on netbooks and low-cost laptops.
Windows XP was originally due to disappear off shop shelves on January 30 2008.
It was intended to be removed from store shelves to make way for Windows Vista which went on sale to consumers early in 2007.
Consumers have not given a very warm reaction to the Vista Release despite Microsoft’s claims that Vista has sold well. Microsoft is granting this extension of life largely because of the customer’s preference for XP.
This affects PC makers and resellers who were working to a January 31 2009 deadline to order licences for XP.
Many PC makers they planned on stockpiling licences before the cut-off in hopes they could sell them in the coming months.
Now, Microsoft has changed the terms allowing the PC makers and resellers to order before January 31, but take delivery at any time up to May 30.
The change in policy is another indication of the general resistance to Windows Vista.
Early versions of Windows 7, the replacement for Vista, are due to appear in late 2009.
SOURCE BBC NEWS
Tags: end of life, lifecycle, microsoft, windows vista, windows xp, windows xp life, windows xp lifecycle
Security Experts Advising You Not Use Internet Explorer (for now)
Dec 16, 2008 Information, Tech News
A serious scripting hack that can grab passwords (or, potentially, do worse) from any version of Internet Explorer is leading security and malware experts to suggest switching from Internet Explorer to Firefox, Chrome, Opera, or any other browser, if only for the time being.
Microsoft itself is, of course, asking users to just be cautious while it works on a fix. The BBC article thumbnails security tips, including switching IE’s security settings to “High,” if you won’t be migrating (or can’t switch at work).
Tags: firefox, internet explorer, malware, microsoft, opera, scripting hack, security experts, security tips, web browsers
FCC Wants To Give Out Free WiFi
Dec 1, 2008 Information, Tech News
Outgoing FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is pushing for action in December on a plan to offer free, pornography-free wireless Internet service to all Americans, despite objections from the wireless industry and some consumer groups.
At its December meeting, the FCC could also consider new rules designed to speed up consideration of disputes between independent cable programmers and cable providers such as Time Warner Cable Inc. and Comcast Corp., which either refuse to carry some channels or put them on specialty tiers of service that cost subscribers more.
The agency also will ask for more feedback on its proposal to require programmers to sell their channels to cable operators individually instead of in bundles.
The free Internet plan is the most controversial issue the agency will tackle in December. Mr. Martin shelved plans to consider a wider variety of sticky issues pending at the agency, including a request by the Hollywood studios to hobble TVs and set-top boxes so studios can offer copy-protected theatrical releases sooner.
The proposal to allow a no-smut, free wireless Internet service is part of a proposal to auction off a chunk of airwaves. The winning bidder would be required to set aside a quarter of the airwaves for a free Internet service. The winner could establish a paid service that would have a fast wireless Internet connection. The free service could be slower and would be required to filter out pornography and other material not suitable for children. The FCC’s proposal mirrors a plan offered by M2Z Networks Inc., a start-up backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers partner John Doerr.
Consumer advocates have objected to the FCC’s proposed pornography filter, while the wireless industry has objected to the entire free Internet plan. To address concerns about the filter, the FCC is proposing that adults could opt out and access all Internet sites.
T-Mobile USA, in particular, has raised concerns. The Deutsche Telekom AG unit paid about $4 billion a few years ago for nearby airwaves and has complained that the free wireless Internet plan will likely result in interference for consumers of its new 3G wireless network. The FCC dismissed the company’s interference concerns this fall, although T-Mobile disagreed with that finding.
SOURCE: WALL STREET JOURNAL
Tags: FCC, fcc chairman, m2z networks inc, pornography filter, time warner cable, wireless internet connection, wireless internet service
