Motorola Aura - Expensive Motorola Phone, But is it Worth the Price Tag?

Motorola is offering a new Aura mobile phone to all of those individuals who are looking for a new phone. When it comes to this new cell phone, we believe you will really enjoy it as it is just what you need. For years, we have been waiting for a great new mobile phone like this, but it seems no one wanted to make it. Then along came Motorola and we are very thankful for this handset. What is all this about over a little device? Well, we are going to tell you that within this article.

First, we would like to start by telling you that the new Motorola Aura mobile phone is well worth the money and if you have the money, then you should get this gadget. We’re sorry if we sound like a sales add, it is just that we are very excited about this new phone and we would like to get the news out. This new handset is highly fashionable and that is what we have been looking for. When you walk past the Motorola Aura, it will be sure to gain your attention, because it has a round interface. If you look at the other mobile phones, you are not going to find a round interface that is quite like this one. This is because the lens is made from real sapphire crystal. We don’t believe there is any cell phone that has a lens made from sapphire crystal.

We believe this was a perfect invention because cell phone lens are known for being scratched. Yes, cell phones get shoved in pockets, shoved in corners and shoved in purses; they are doomed to be scratched. This is not the case with this new device because Motorola made it almost impossible for the screen to get scratched. The screen resolution on this new phone is also out of this world. You will be getting high resolution that offers you sixteen million colors and don’t forget about the 300 DPI. Now, you are probably trying to figure out if there are sixteen million different colors, but there is and this cell phone proves it.

Once you get past the looks of this new cell phone, you will see that it has some great things to offer. Whilst it may not have as great of a camera as the other cell phones, it has a 2 -megapixel camera. However, the looks and the communication make up for the camera. This new phone also has 2 GB of memory that has been built in, so you should never have any problems with running out of room for the memory. You will be able to hold tons of messages, e-mails and don’t forget about the calendar that comes with this cell phone. When you purchase the sell phone, you will be getting just what you should expect from a cell phone, a great communication device that will never let you down.

The Motorola Aura has recently been joined by the new Motorola Jewel flip phone, for further details on both of these new models please visit our mobile phone website.

[Via http://212myblog.wordpress.com]

Most modern Apple iPhone 3G Black 16GB

The biggest change is on the back of the iPhone 3G, which is now made of smooth but durable black plastic instead of the aluminum back found on the first iPhone. Apple iPhone 3G Black is an update to the popular iPhone 3G, itself an update of the original iPhone. The third generation smartphone is available in 16GB and 32GB varieties, both of which can be had in black or white.

 

The iPhone 2megapixel camera appears to be identical in quality to the original, which is to say pretty good outdoors and somewhat iffier indoors.

 

On top of the application store support and enterprise features, the iPhone 2.0 software also includes several new end user features as well. Very handy tools like contact search, and full work support complements the already available Microsoft Office file format support, with the phone also being able to open PowerPoint presentations. With iPhone 2.0 you can also bulk delete messages from apps like Mail, and parental controls have been added to control the spending and viewing habits of the younger audience.

 

Second, the iPhone 3G feels better in the hand and is less slippery. The only downside is that the glossy back, like the front, picks up fingerprints quickly. The updated email client works with IMAP and POP3 accounts and has presets for Yahoo, Gmail, AOL, and Apple, but the big story is Microsoft Exchange support, making the iPhone a viable business phone. MS Exchange ActiveSync also lets you wirelessly sync contacts and calendars, and you can receive email on the phone as soon as it hits the server.

 

Another new feature is the built in GPS module, which adds real time position tracking to the Google Maps application. Lastly, the new iPhone has a non recessed 3.5mm headphone, so no adapter is required to use non Apple headsets. From the hardware perspective, one of the most anticipated enhancements to the platform is 3G data access, which gives the new iPhone its name simply the iPhone 3G. Despite the higher drain of 3G data, the battery life of the iPhone 3G remains solid up to 5 hours of 3G talk time and 300 hours standby is achievable. On GSM networks the iPhone 3G is rated for 10 hours of talk time. For more details: http://www.phoneandbeyond.com

[Via http://differentman.wordpress.com]

Android, the new Symbian?

Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X10 has recently been announced with the awesome inclusion of the Android OS, but with multiple brands jumping on the bandwagon is Android treading a familiar and dangerous path?

Android operating systems are infiltrating the world’s handsets. Starting quietly on the innocuous HTC, the monster OS is sneaking its way onto giant brands such as Samsung, Philips, Motorola and soon Sony Ericsson. The consolidation of multiple brands to a single OS has rarely been seen before and is a testament to the usability of the system. It’s also a unified backing against the brilliant iPhone, whose exclusive operating system is showing no signs of migration and threatened to dominate the market before the multi-tasking Android made a case for itself as a serious contender. Placing Android alongside Palm’s WebOS, there are seemingly no other platforms which present a decent alternative to the iPhone’s utility and ease of use.

Frighteningly, the only previous operating system to successfully migrate between multiple brands is the limited and stagnant Symbian. Its original and usable design got stuck in the mud and was incapable of progressing at the same rate as the hardware; a bit like a Bugatti Veyron with a wind up choke or Michael Bolton. With the new Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 comes the responsibility of power, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor lurks inside the recently announced Android phone. Surprisingly the X10 is only going to run Android Donut, placing it firmly in the rear view mirror of the Motorola Droid and its Android Eclair upgrade despite possessing a sizeable chunk more power.

The very fact that the Eclair upgrade exists is proof that Android is still very much on the move, let’s hope that other brands see fit to employ the added goodness that Google, Android’s developer, have granted its OS. However, if major hardware makers like Sony Ericsson are unwilling to adopt upgraded operating systems, there’s a chance that development could slow just as it did with Symbian. Here’s hoping that Google doesn’t drop the ball on this OS and continues to push the boundaries of mobile technology or it might become a dinosaur like Symbian.

Charles Thompson

for more news and reviews get your free subscription of Phonica Magazine UK online here!

[Via http://phonicamaguk.wordpress.com]

Unboxing the HP Mini 311

Hot on the heels of the Motorola Droid, the friendly people a Verizon sent me an HP Mini 311-1037NR review unit!

It’s a netbook with an Intel Atom N270 processor, NVIDIA ION graphics, and an 11.6″ screen. Of particular interest to me is the Gobi radio from Qualcomm (built-in WWAN) which supports both EVDO and EDGE/HSDPA networks…

The Mini 311 is rather large for a netbook – even the Acer Aspire 1410, a regular notebook with a similar price, yet more powerful hardware, is slightly smaller and thinner. I recently wrote:

I think current netbooks are too big and bloated – 11.6″ screens and full keyboards are great but how about smaller packaging? To me, older netbooks with 9″ screens are still the ideal in terms of system size and weight.

Take a look at my unboxing pictures, and stay tuned for some mods – contrary to the Sony VAIO P, the Mini 311 already features a SIM slot, so enabling GSM/UMTS is only a matter of hacking the software

[Via http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com]

¡Un Compañero Práctico y Bonito: Motorola Z6!

 

El Motorola Z6 es un celular Práctico, de diseño innovador, muy bonito y comodo. Una de sus principales funciones es la del reproductor MP3. Si tu intención es un celular muy bonito, rápido, efectivo, para escuchar música, viajar seguido y mantenerte comunicado, el Z6 es el tuyo. Características: • Tamaño: 105.5 x 45.5 x 16 mm.
• Peso: 105 grs.
• Duración Batería: 220-420 min de voz / 200-400 hs Stand by
• Frecuencias: 850/900/1800/1900 Mhz
• Pantalla Color: Sí.
• Resolución: 320 x 240 / 262K Colores
• Cámara de Fotos: Sí.
• Zoom: 8x.
• Resolución de la cámara: 2mpx.
• Agenda Calendario: Sí.
• Posiciones Directorio: 500
• Calculadora: Sí.
• WAP/ GPRS: Sí. Versión WAP 2.0+
• EDGE: Si
• Mensajes Multimedia: Sí.
• Infrarrojo: No.
• Bluetooth: Sí.
• Tecnología Java: Sí.
• Memoria interna: 64mb.
• Discado por Voz : Sí.
• Vibra: Sí.
• EMS: Sí.
• SMS MO-MT: Sí.
• USB/ Mini USB: Síí
• Mail (POP3): Sí
• Reproductor MP3: Si.
• MP3 Ringtones:
• Video Streaming: Si
• Video Recording: Sí.
• Video Playback: Sí.
• Función modem para laptop: Sí.

[Via http://consejocel.wordpress.com]

What does Google gPhone mean to Android phone vendors?

Reports suggest that Google will partner with phone maker HTC to deliver the much hyped and awaited Google phone; the gPhone as some like to call it.  The Google branded phone is rumored to be out in early 2010 with advertising starting in January.

As PC World’s Ian Paul suggests, the driver behind a Google branded phone is to “own the customer experience” through the gPhone.  While this makes complete sense for Google, what does it mean for Android, and more importantly, handset manufacturers building  Android-based devices?

First, let’s consider whether Google would use Android improvements required for the gPhone as a competitive differentiator versus other Android handset makers.  The Android license doesn’t require derivative works to be contributed back. However, I’ll give “don’t be evil” Google the benefit of the doubt and assume that they will contribute Android improvements back to the Android community. In this respect, the gPhone helps the Android community.

Next, let’s look at brand.  Until now, Android-based handset manufactures have been able to trade on the Google brand.  Competing against the Google brand will be altogether different.  Matt Asay nails it when he concludes that Android is winning over Symbian because of Google’s brand.  Taken one step further, would a consumer purchase a Google gPhone over a similarly featured and priced Android-based phone from Motorola, LG or others?  I would.  Would a consumer pay more for a Google branded phone over, say the Motorola DROID? Yes, that’s why Google’s brand is the seventh highest valued brand according to BusinessWeek/Interbrand.

Finally, can Google actually design and manufacture a superior device versus Motorola, LG and other handset vendor?  That remains to be seen.  Google can hire experienced designers and work with manufacturers such as HTC.  Google expertise in creating compelling, yet easy to use, user experiences could be the competitive differentiator here.  If Google can come up with an innovative way to interact with the gPhone, akin to the iPhone’s “pinch to zoom out” or “flick to scroll”, then the gPhone starts to be real interesting.  These innovative interactions will require API support inside of Android and new hardware designs.  The former may be available to all Android handset vendors, while the latter would not, thereby providing Google another point of competitive differentiation.

In some respects the gPhone, which Google has insisted it had no interest in building, is a kick in the shins, or higher up, to Android handset makers.  Google, friend and foe at once seems like a common trend these days.

Follow me on twitter at: SavioRodrigues

PS: I should state: “The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent IBM’s positions, strategies or opinions.”

You Can't Ring & Ruin My Life!

Remember those days of carefree indulgence back in college or school or even the womb? You could do whatever you wished without anyone bothering you or asking you irritating questions. Life was so beautiful, with little misery to discover and a lot of fun to explore. Then, some jackass went and invented the mobile phone.

It’s bad enough to have one phone, but when you try to adhere to statistics (India has almost a 200% cell-phone penetration), you get stuck with two phones and a very short fuse. Constantly trying to please every one of the 900-odd contacts on both phones, most of whom just give you a missed call hoping you consider them important enough for you to call back, can be quite a challenge if you’re not taking anger management classes. Since my anger management involves some highly charged romantic moments with my girlfriend, whom I shall diplomatically call a bombshell, and since I can’t meet her as often as I would like to these days (due to our respective careers and not anything else), I am almost always one phone call away from losing my cool.

This morning, I had the (mis)fortune of running out of balance on my prepaid number and reach the end of the month’s grace period on my postpaid one, and at 9 in the morning, I was ‘temporarily disconnected’ from the entire world. It was such a beautiful feeling – I became nostalgic and went up on the terrace, placed both my phones in front of me and danced around in my underwear singing ‘It’s My Life’ and screaming,

“You can’t ring and ruin my life!
You can’t ring and ruin my life!
I control you, fuckers!
Tra-la-la-laaa….
You can’t ring… You can’t ruin my life…”

Just as the chorus built up a bit and I became more and more animated, one of the phones beeped. I stopped mid-sentence, “I control you fu-” and stared at the pair of life-ruiners in front of me. One of them definitely had beeped. Was I dreaming? I went closer, slowly, hesitantly, and saw that my Motorola phone was flashing “I New Message”.

How could this be? I knew for a fact that there was no balance in either of the phones. I couldn’t receive messages! This was not possible! Then, it struck me that if this phone could receive messages, then what’s stopping it from ringing! I let out a guttural scream of pain, grabbed both the phones and ran inside. When I flipped the phone open, the message was from a client of mine and it read, “Nikhil, can’t reach you. Please call.”

I felt like a piece of shit as I stood in line, trying to recharge both the phones, a few hours later.

Image Courtesy: Slate.com

Qik and Droid Together At Last - In DVD 720×480 Video Of Course

Not all Video Streaming sites are created equal and to prove it, Qik has announced a beta program for the Motorola Droid. The service allows you to post DVD quality video and stream it live in 720 X 480 quality.

With this device we are raising the bar on quality – yet again! Qik for Droid can now capture of DVD resolution (720×480) video – first ever by any live mobile video provider. If you are interested in giving this beta version a try send an email to droidbeta@qik.com

[via BGR]

more about “Qik and Droid Together At Last – In D…“, posted with vodpod

droid /'dɹɔɪd/

There was a frisson of excitement in the cellular telephony market a few days ago with the launch of a new mobile phone called the Droid. As the owner of a very old Motorola® MOTOKRZR™ phone and tied to the Verizon network, this new technology could be the ersatz iPhone® I have been looking for.

Motorola Droid

So, over the unseasonably warm Ohio weekend, I took a trip out on my Triumph® motorcycle to the local Verizon store, where I was able to get my hands on this new smartphone. It is, as the marketing suggests, a pretty cool device and offers the same general features as Apple® iPhone, as well as access to new apps – even if there are currently fewer on offer than the iTunes® store.

The word droid is clearly a contraction of android, which the OED defines as “An automaton resembling a human being.” (OED, Vol. I, p.452.) However, the phone in no way, shape, or form resembles a human being – unless the human being under consideration has had a horrific accident in a car crushing machine.

So how has this change comes about?

The first mention of android is in Ephraim Chambers’ Cyclopedia; or, an universal dictionary of arts and sciences, which was published between 1722 and 1751. Here, he says, “Albertus Magnus is recorded as having made a famous androides.”

By the mid-20th century, androids were also seen as being part human. The Spectator magazine on 19th September, 1958, said, “Today SF [science fiction - Ed.] must be more than a blood-and-sex day-dream spattered with words like android (robots made of flesh and bone).” This also marks the distinction between a robot (from the Czech word robota meaning “forced labor”) and android.

The use of the circumcised form, droid, appears to have originated in the first of the Star Wars series of movies back in 1977. Incidentally, this lopping off of the linguistic foreskin is called apocope, from the Greek apokope, which means “cut off.”

Imperial probe droid

This notion of Star Wars being the progenitor of droid is reinforced by the very recent filing for Droid as a trademark by Lucasfilm Ltd. They claim specifically that they want the mark reserved for;

“Wireless communications devices, including, mobile phones, cell phones, hand held devices and personal digital assistants, accessories and parts therefor, and related computer software and wireless telecommunications programs; mobile digital electronic devices for the sending and receiving of telephone calls, electronic mail, and other digital data, for use as a digital format audio player, and for use as a handheld computer, electronic organizer, electronic notepad, and digital camera; downloadable ring tones and screen savers; cameras, pagers and calling cards.”

I add all this information to highlight the fact that words can be very, very serious business. Many people think that etymologists (folks who are interested in word origins) are geeks who live in cloud cuckoo land. Not so. In fact, trademarking is an area of business where etymologists can be very useful folks to have around.

More interesting is that the filing comes now, just prior to the release of the Motorola Droid, which doesn’t appear with a trademark but is cited as being “under license from Lucasfilms Ltd.” The actual filing is dated October 9th, 2009, which looks suspiciously like a last-minute dash by the Lucas attorneys to snag the mark before Motorola.

The word android is rooted in the Greek word ὰνδρο, meaning “man,” and the suffix -ειδῄς, “having the likeness of.” It’s the same root as the word androgyne, a being with the physical characteristics of both a man and a woman. More commonly, the word hermaphrodite is used for such as blended person. This comes from the myth of Hermaphroditus, the son of Hermes and Aphrodite, who became half-man, half-woman after the gods fused him with the nymph, Salmacis.

Salmacis and Hermaphroditus - Navez (1892)

The adjective form of the word is androidal, meaning “like an automaton,” but it is rare. A quick Google search reveals 150,000 ghits, most of which seem to be the names of companies.

Now not only can the iPhone brigade get their dose of The Word Guy on their phones but now the Droid set can join in with words on the web.

Motorola DEXT MB220 Unlocked Quadband

Motorola has been silent for a long time, but it has finally brought out the Dext – the first phone in years that can be spoken of in the same breath as the Palm Pre and HTC Hero.The Dext is a pretty big device, thanks to packing a full QWERTY keyboard and a 3.1-inch capacitive touchscreen. It feels like two phones merged together – with a super thin iPhone-a-like on top with a chunky physical keyboard beneath.Apart from its large and responsive touchscreen, the inclusion of a full keyboard on the Dext gives users the choice of text input. The keys are well formed and rubberised, with a decent amount of travel and space around them.

The Droid

Tomorrow will be a very exciting day. Tomorrow is the launch day for Verizon’s new kickass Android device. It’s about time Android came to Verizon. The Motorola Droid is going to be the number one Android device out, at least for now. It’s going to be running the same processor as the iPhone, have a huge touch screen display, and a 5 megapixel camera. It’s pretty exciting stuff that there will finally be a phone that can play in the same league as the iPhone on the best network around.

I’m pretty excited to dump my Storm and get a Droid. The Storm is a piece of junk, and I’m pretty positive the Droid will eat it alive. It’ll be nice to have a hardware keyboard, the best mobile operating system out there, and all kinds of other awesome stuff (like turn by turn navigation) on America’s Most Reliable Network (with the most 3G coverage). The best of both worlds. Tomorrow.

If you want to learn more about the Droid check out the review on endgadget – here.

iPhone 3GS vs Motorola Droid, comparación en vídeo

Una comparativa de ambos teléfonos ya era absolutamente necesaria. En un lado del ring tenemos al actual rey (iPhone 3GS) y culpable de la revolución que ha visto el mercado de la telefonía últimamente. En el otro, tenemos al aspirante (Motorola Droid) con procesador más pontente, más pantalla y un sistema operativo Android 2.0 de lo más atractivo. ¿Quién va a ganar?

Funete: Engadget

More Details on the Motorola Droid & Other DROID Devices.

Motorola Droid

Well if you don’t already know, the Motorola Droid is kinda a big deal for Verizon, Google, and Motorola. Reviews around the tech industry are positive about the Android-powered device (see links below). To sum up the past several weeks of information, DROID is a series of phones on Verizon that will be running Google’s Android OS. HTC will be releasing Droid Eris on Verizon’s Network also. But the Motorola Droid is Verizon’s flagship handset for the DROID lineup right now.

Also there is confirmation of a GSM-version of the Motorola Droid to be released in Europe. Overseas the device is known as the Motorola Milestone. As of right now, the Euro-version does have multi-touch support (meaning you can do finger gestures like pinch zooming a la Apple iPhone), which the US version has not confirmed or demoed – score one for the Europeans. However, U.S. GSM users at AT&T and T-Mobile should not expect the Motorola Droid/Milestone to come out in GSM form stateside, but nothing is stopping them from nabbing a Euro-version.

The Motorola Droid will be released in Verizon stores nationwide on Friday, November 6th at a price of $200 on contract of course. Several of the Verizon Wireless stores nationwide will be opening at 7am or 8am local time to launch their flagship device. Also the cool dock cost $30. With the marketing blitz and tremendous specs and rave reviews, expect the Motorola Droid to be a success.

Gizmodo’s Android 2.0 Review (this is the OS in the Motorola Droid)

Gizmodo’s Motorola Droid Review

Gizmodo’s Google Navigator Review (this is included in the Motorola Droid)

Engadget’s “Panel of Thoughts” on the Droid

Engadget’s Motorola Droid Review

CNET’s Motorola Droid Review

PCWorld’s Motorola Droid Review

My Thoughts on Motorola Droid

Google Navigator

Droid + Dock

So Happy Together...

Droid Startup

Droid/Milestone EURO-version Hands On (with Multi-Touch)

Credits to Engadget.com & Gizmodo.com!

Gold Stars For Motorola, McDonalds; Trader Joes - Vonage Sits In The Corner

Remember this mystery I shared in last week’s blog?

Let me refresh your memory:

Here’s another mystery.  Currently I connect Comcast -> Motorola Surfboard Surfboard SB5101 Modem – > Vonage V-Portal -> Computer

1. If I try to eliminate the Vonage V-Portal for tests, I can’t connect to the Internet via Comcast -> Motorola Surfboard SB5101 Modem – > Computer, without rebooting the modem
2. If I perform action #1, then I can’t connect to the Internet via Comcast -> Motorola Surfboard Surfboard SB5101 Modem – > Vonage V-Portal -> Computer, without rebooting the Modem, followed by rebooting the Vonage V-portal.

I did contact Motorola technical support and they shared this with me:

“The SB5101 uses a Lease table to assign IP addresses to devices. When the modem is connected to the internet service provider, it only has one IP address to assign: the IP address that the ISP gives you. Once a device connects to the modem and obtains that IP address, the modem associates the two together in its lease table. The modem will keep those two associated for an unknown amount of time even after the device is shut down or disconnected from the modem. When you power cycle the modem, this clears that Lease table and allows any device to obtain that IP address.”

“This method of assigning IP addresses has been addressed in newer versions of the modem’s firmware so that it will dynamically update the lease table for any device without the need of a power cycle. Unfortunately, the ISP controls the firmware, so you cannot upgrade that firmware yourself. The ISP automatically updates the firmware on all modems installed on their network to be sure they match what their systems support. This also includes downgrading firmware to versions that their systems support.”

“The only thing you could do at this point is to either contact your ISP to see if they will update your firmware for you. If they will not, then we’ll have to stick to power cycling the modem each time you switch the connection.”

“Alternatively, you could also purchase a router to connect to the SB5101. That way, the router would handle all the IP Addressing and the modem would only have to recognize the connection to a single device: the router.”

Vonage Lessons learned:

Time to beat up Vonage…to be fair, I’m not anti-Vonage (companies like Lingo probably wouldn’t fair much better) .  This week, I tested talking to the University of South Africa via Vonage – very nice – when 0% packet loss.  I’ll wait a year and see…do they fix their problems?

At least I give Motorola credit.  They knew what the problem was – shared the current status – then confirmed a firmware fix would arrive, in the near future.

Remember my discovery in last week’s blog with Vonage?

OK Vonage – give me an explanation (Or for that matter, any competitors like Lingo can take a stab):

1. How come when I run tests with http://www.pingtest.net and http://www.voipreview.org, they both show a significant packet loss – at the same time I experience voice degradation via Vonage?
2. How come every time I recycle your device for 30 seconds – then run tests on with http://www.pingtest.net and http://www.voipreview.org, they both show zero packet loss – at the same time I experience excellent voice quality via Vonage?

“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands.” -  Douglas Adams

Let me share a cool layman’s article on packet loss at http://is.gd/4JhHN, before I discuss my technology discoveries this week.  Another article by the same author at http://is.gd/4Ji1D,  shares an interesting thought: “In my experience, and that of others I’ve seen on the forums, Vonage devices seem to work better when placed behind a more effective router.”  Would this minimize my packet loss concern?  Maybe I test this with inexpensive routers, like those found at http://is.gd/4JkFx or  http://is.gd/4JjOI?

1. Vonage tech support says things like, “it could be anything.  It might be the router, the Comcast connection… blah, blah, blah.”  A former Motorola electrical engineer – who has several patent applications over the years…designed and build cell phones…says it’s the Vonage router.   I also contacted a “computer hardware genius”, studying computer engineering technology at DeVry University …says it’s the Vonage router.   Common sense says that if I power down their device…then power back up…where packet loss is non-existent…it’s the Vonage router.   What do you think?
2. I had a strange problem this week, where I worked with Vonage level 3 support (normally I get level 2).  The level 3 support person spent 4 hours with me, trying to diagnose the problem.  We came away with a mutual respect for each other.
3. The problem in item 2 was a Comcast issue.  My Motorola Comcast modem is leased by Comcast.  Guess what they did?  They unregistered my modem on their side.  Why?  They mixed my account up with some other account.   Excuse me?  You win the Curly Stooge tech support award.
4. I mentioned that Google Voice works well with Gizmo5 (see http://www.gizmovoice.com/).  Question: If I took a laptop to Mexico and initiated a call to a US number – would that constitute a free call?
5. I now have Windows 7 running and I’m impressed.  Office Depot will install Windows 7 free in store – regardless of where you brought it http://is.gd/4I5fI

Or ask this question of Vonage – What is your definition of “unlimited service?”:

I recall seeing some Vonage TV commercials where they advertised unlimited world service.   Yet if you carefully review their terms of service, they state that 5,000 minutes/month  is what they consider normal, for usage with normal residential plans.  Where did they get this number?  Especially when Skype considers 10,000 minutes/month normal for their unlimited plan?

Or things like they can cancel a 30 day money back guarantee any time – without notice?

Suppose you brought sometime from the Internet.  They offered a 30 day money back guarantee (like Magic Jack does).  You  send the product back after 15 days.  They refuse to refund the money, because they claim they can cancel a 30 day return policy any time.

How would you feel?  Tell me!

This is similar to some Magic Jack complaints I found via Google.  Yet Magic Jack has no excuse -  Vonage does – it’s stated in their “terms of service”.

Or (if I read this correctly), if you don’t cancel within a precise time frame – after one year of service – they can automatically renew you for another year?

What?  Come again?  I feel like I’m an actor in the TV series Star Gate – in order to return to earth, I need to enter the Star Gate within a certain time frame.  Else, I’m stuck on a remote alien outpost for another year.

There’s So Many “Loopholes” in Vonage’s “Terms of Service”, an elephant can squeeze through – Lingo probably wouldn’t fair any better – didn’t  they change their contract length from 1 to 2 years a few months ago?

One good thing I did was to buy another surge protector.  Why?  Plug the Vonage device into surge protector 2.  Plug surge protector 2, the Motorola Cable modem, and other electrical components into surge protector 1.  If I need to reboot the Vonage device, I just use the surge protector’s off/on switch.  I can even boot the modem – followed by the Vonage V-portal – all by using surge protectors’ off/on switches.

McDonald’s Now

I’m not sure if you visited the McDonalds’ headquarters in Oak Brook.  I have several times over the years.   There used to be this former Roman Catholic priest (now deceased), who became a spiritual healer.  Someone in his audience worked at McDonalds, so they were able to hold spiritual healing seminars there.

Someone else I knew had a connection with McDonalds.  There were different presenters of homeopathic medical topics, over the years.  It’s interesting that many medical doctors were audience members.  There’s actually no disconnect between homeopathic medicine and spiritual healing.  I find them to be quite complimentary.  You can ever throw in traditional medicine into the mix and I would see them as potentially fitting together.

Speaking of McDonalds – their coffee is very good!  Let’s not forget the excellent price also!  I know some would rather pay he premium prize for Starbucks.  Or buy these very expensive beans, rather than the excellent Trader  Joe  (a grocery store chain) “Joe” variety.  I’ll tell you what.  I rather invest the money I save, not going to Starbucks.  Let me stick with McDonalds and Trader Joes store blends.

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