LetsTalk.com Blog

Deal of the Week

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 06:11:10 PST

This week's deal comes from LetsTalk.com's Merchandising Manager for AT&T, Jack Cooper.

What is it? The AT&T Quickfire™ (available in orange, green, and silver) is next in up in the new line of AT&T quick messaging cell phones. This 3G (that means super fast data speeds) cell phone is the first of its kind with a touch screen display in addition to a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard – elevating its cool factor and ease-of-use for the text-first crowd. On top of an optimized messaging interface, a multitasking shortcut key, and a large display, the Quickfire also automatically rotates to landscape mode for typing quick messages. Equipped as well with the best entertainment and navigation apps, Quickfire is great choice.

How much? Get the AT&T Quickfire for FREE when purchased with any two-year AT&T service plan.

Why is it such a good deal? It's hot, it's new, and you can save even more money monthly and meet most of your texting and web-mail needs with an AT&T messaging plan. Plus, we’re throwing in a 1GB MicroSD card so you have more room to store more of your favorite things on your cell phone.

Dear Cell Phone User

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:11:52 PST

We've all witnessed the poor etiquette people sometimes use when they talk on cell phones in public places. We even have an etiquette survey about what seems to be "acceptable" talking behavior these days. But what about the people who still talk loudly and often in public places? We asked bloggers around the Internet to tell us what they think should be done about that and if there's technology available that can help. Our final post comes from Joshua Howe. To read more from Joshua, check out Maine VRC.

Since the widespread adoption of cell phones, there have been those who use them appropriately and those who do not.

Most people would agree that it is rude to talk loudly on a cell phone in a public place, especially about personal issues such as bodily functions, relationships/ sex etc. However, if people actually acted consistent with their answers we'd rarely have to deal with the details of strangers' lives while we're trying to get a cup of coffee. Many of use would believe that our call is that exception and are likely unaware of how loud we're actually being.

The semi-serious Society for Hand Held Hushing (aka SHHH) has created cards which you can give out to the worst offenders. Some cards are more gentle than others:

"Dear cell phone user, We are aware that your ongoing conversation about ____ is very important to you, but we thought you’d like to know that it doesn’t interest us in the least. In fact, your babbling disregard for others is more than a little annoying."

Whether it's signs at the movie theater or in a waiting room, people tutting, reminder cards, there are always going to be people who ignore this. England just got its first truly "quiet" train carriage. According to the Daily Mail, train cars in which passengers voluntarily comply with a restriction on cell phones and MP3 players had been tried, but did not work. It is a train car where a film on the car prevents cell phone reception, allowing riders to enjoy a ride free of cell phone abusers. That is, unless they're walking through saying "Hello? Hello? Can you hear me? Where did you go?"

For the majority of places which we go, voluntary compliance is the best we can hope for. Cheer the musicians who strongly encourage it, give out cards if you're brave enough, and hang up and talk to the person you're with. That way I won't have to worry about how your date/ job interview/ grandmother/ rodent.

Etiquette Enforcement

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:11:00 PST

We've all witnessed the poor etiquette people sometimes use when they talk on cell phones in public places. We even have an etiquette survey about what seems to be "acceptable" talking behavior these days. But what about the people who still talk loudly and often in public places? We asked bloggers around the Internet to tell us what they think should be done about that and if there's technology available that can help. Our next post comes from Devin Moore. To read more from Devin, check out his blog at DevinMoore.com notes.

If cellphone etiquette rules can't be followed in situations where discretion in their use is clearly called for by society, then rather than ban cellphones, cellphone abusers should be banned. There are two important situations that should be considered to determine how I arrived at this conclusion:

1. The well-behaved theater

In a well-behaved movie theater, there are no problems from cellphones interrupting the movie, despite the fact that many people have cellphones and use them before or after the movie. In these cases, it can seem to those moviegoers that a ban on cellphones is unnecessary. This same principle applies to the restaurant or classroom where phone privileges are not being abused.

2. The ill-behaved theater

It only takes one visit to an ill-behaved movie screening, however, to change what I imagine is everyone else's mind along with my own about how cellphone usage should be restricted in such an environment. Without an outright ban and the authority to remove abusing patrons, the movie going experience can be ruined for everyone in attendance. Furthermore, what is supposed to be a nice dinner can be disrupted, and worst of all, the academic integrity of a classroom can be violated via copying answers texted from a cellphone.

"Letting people know when it's not appropriate to use phones" works just fine as it is for situation #1 above. Those people already know not to interrupt a show, dinner, or classroom with their phone use. However, that edict does not apply to people in situation #2. Why not? Because they don't care, that's why they're using their phone in a theater in the first place. In fact, they may be deliberately trying to ruin the experience for others as a form of social schadenfreude.

Because there are people who simply don't care about any sort of passive ban, there must be an active ban that allows business owners to remove impolite parties (potentially permanently) at their discretion. These rules would be endorsed by any sensible patron of the establishment, and will only be fought against by those who truly wish to abuse their privileges and cause problems for everyone.

There can be situations where using a cellphone is absolutely required, and so the phone itself should not be interrupted -- just make it so that the administration has the right (and uses it frequently) to make a judgment call and remove troublemakers.

If you disagree with this position, ask yourself: have you simply never t been interrupted bad enough by a cellphone in such a situation, or perhaps are you the one doing the interrupting?

Technology or regulation?

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:11:36 PST

We've all witnessed the poor etiquette people sometimes use when they talk on cell phones in public places. We even have an etiquette survey about what seems to be "acceptable" talking behavior these days. But what about the people who still talk loudly and often in public places? We asked bloggers around the Internet to tell us what they think should be done about that and if there's technology available that can help. Our first post comes from Cody Jackson. To read more from Cody, check out his Common Sense V2.0 blog.

As noted, many people don't like cell phone talkers. For several reasons, people tend to talk louder when using cell phones than when using regular phones. Banning cell phones is the most extreme way of solving the problem. As I see it, there are a couple of ways to remedy the situation.

One way is with technology. The microphones in mobile phones are sometimes not the best quality, leading people to talk louder (consciously or unconsciously) in order to make themselves heard. However, one of the features that landline phones have and few, if any, cell phones have is the user can hear himself in the receiver. This helps control his volume because he can be sure his voice is being received.

Another way is with regulations. The most drastic measure is banning phones from certain areas. The problem with that is that people will always smuggle phones in, especially as they get smaller and smaller. To counteract this, I suspect many places will start searching people as they enter, which will just upset a lot of people. Some movie theaters do this already to stop camcorders from filming the movie.

However, regulations can simply add heavy fines to mobile phone violators, such as people who drive while using them. Again, this won't discourage many people, who will simply put up a fight when confronted; speeding is illegal yet people do it all the time.

An alternative to adding regulations is to simply ease regulations, i.e. have the FCC relax the ban on radio jammers. Originally created to ensure vital services (police, fire, medical, etc.) are able to send and receive radio transmissions, these regulations make it illegal for most people to own and use cell phone jammers, including businesses. If people could carry around personal jammers, they could create "quiet zones" around them. Businesses could install jammers inside their buildings to simply prevent people from using cell phones inside.

The problem with that is controlling the range of the jamming signal; there would likely be some bleeding into the exterior area. However, businesses could simply post a notice that jamming is being used and have a designated cell phone area, much like designated smoking areas. Personal jammers are more problematic, but personally I think if more people had them, people would simply learn to use their cell phones in a "nicer" manner.

An alternative to active jammers is to create a Faraday cage-effect within buildings. This would block radio signals without violating current regulations, because the signals are simply being blocked, not jammed. Buildings may or may not be required to post notices that they have Faraday cages; most people would simply assume that they can't get a signal inside, much as they do now. Refitting current structures to have this effect can be relatively cheap; paint and paneling is available with embedded metal that reduces/eliminates radio signals.

Finally, and probably the least effective method, is to simply rely on people to "do the right thing". Education and conditioning are usually considered the best way to stop bad behavior but not everyone responds the same way. Some people rebel against such actions, simply on principle. Some people are set in their ways and refuse to change. Some people are simply untrainable.

Mobile phone technology has been around for more than 30 years. Other cultures have created social norms for good cell phone behavior. For example, it's bad etiquette to use a cell phone in many places in Japan, such as on trains. In those situations, people either use SMS or simply cover their mouths to minimize the noise they create.

Americans still seem to think that cell phones are status symbols and many have the attitude that they must show their status by "flashing the phone". American society is based on individualism, which cell phones play into. Americans also tend to be very self-centered, comparatively, so they often don't care about people around them.

Trying to change the social norms regarding cell phones is the least likely to work. At a minimum, I think it would take a generation or two to have a significant effect.

Deal of the Week

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:11:38 PST

What is it? The MotoRIZR Z6tv, by Motorola, has all the entertainment capabilities you could ever want in a cell phone, while keeping its iconic slider design. This sleek handset offers: V Cast TV, Music, and Video; a 2-megapixel camera; Bluetooth stereo support for listening to music via Bluetooth speakers or headphones; and VZ Navigator to help keep you going in the right direction.

How much? The MotoRIZR Z6tv is FREE out-the-door for lines 1 and 2 with any 2-year service plan with a monthly fee of $34.99 or more.

Why is it such a good deal? The MotoRIZR z6tv is a fantastic cell phone that’s good looking and fun to use. Not only is the cell phone free with new service, but we’re also including 2GB MicroSD memory card so you can start storing music, pics and videos from the minute you start using it.

New T-Mobile Samsung cell phone helps keep you grounded

Sat, 8 Nov 2008 13:11:24 PST

In the market for a compact cell phone with a hidden QWERTY keyboard that's not a smartphone? Check out T-Mobile's latest product arrival, the Samsung Gravity. The cell phone is available in two different color combos: grey and lime and a cool white and aqua. The Gravity sports a 1.3-megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth for listening to tunes via the MP3 player, and can easily sync up with a PC for easy transfer of contacts and other pertinent info you want on a cell phone. But the real story here is that it's really a messaging device and with forecasts coming out from ABI Research that states mobile messaging isn't slowing down any time soon, this compact phone coupled with a $19.95 T-Mobile data plan that includes unlimited messaging is a good alternative to a high-end smartphone.

Visit the LetsTalk booth at the UC Davis game

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:11:52 PST

Has getting settled into the Fall semester made you re-evaluate your cell phone choice? Think it’s time to upgrade to a BlackBerry? Then be sure to check out the LetsTalk.com booth at the UC Davis vs. Sacramento State game on Saturday where you can sign up to get a new BlackBerry and $50 for your existing cell phone. That’s not all, you can also enter to win $50,000 to help pay off your school debt. It’s a deal that’s a win for everyone. If you can’t make it to the game, check out BlackBerry.LetsTalk.com for more details.

Cell phones In action: BlackBerry Bold

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 06:11:07 PST

The BlackBerry Bold has finally arrived. It still has all the features we've come to expect from a BlackBerry, it's got a slicker interface and some nice multimedia additions. To show you what I mean, watch the video below to find out what all the buzz is about.

Following the election? See how your cell phone can help.

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 12:11:27 PST

It's a big day in the United States and staying on top of late breaking election news couldn't be easier -- thanks to your cell phone. Verizon Wireless is offering a customers a plethora of ways to stay informed today. If you have VCast service you can watch live coverage tonight on your Verizon Wireless cell phone. Here's the mobile line-up:

MSNBC’s Election Night coverage kicks off at 5:00 p.m. ET

NBC News’ Election Night coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. ET

CNBC’s Election Night programming from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET

A live simulcast of CBS News’ Election Night coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. ET

ABC News NOW’s live broadcast beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET

Don't have VCast service on your cell phone, you can sign up for the service for a 24-hour pass for $3 or check out the text alerts from Verizon Wireless. Here are some options for race projections:

Get election news from NBC News by texting “elex” to 622639

Join subscriber text groups by texting “First” (for First Read), “Joe” (for Morning Joe), “MTP” (for Meet the Press) or “HB” (for Hardball) to 622639 to find out the latest election news

Note: You'll still be charged for text messages, so make sure you have a text messaging plan.

Cell phones In action: BlackBerry Bold and Apple iPhone compared

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 08:11:39 PST

The newest BlackBerry to hit the market is the Bold. While it still has all the workhorse features we’ve come to expect from BlackBerry, the Bold has a flashy new interface and some new multimedia additions. So we wanted to see how it stacks up against the Apple iPhone. Check it out below.

Deal of the Week

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 08:11:18 PST

What is it? The Samsung Rant features a messaging-centric form factor available in two great colors (red and black). This sideways slider hides a full QWERTY keyboard. This cell phone is built to text, e-mail and IM, but don’t let the keyboard fool you, this device can do it all. Featuring a 2-megapixel camera, Stereo Bluetooth, expandable memory up to 8GB, and the full suite of Sprint Power Vision applications and services, you’ll want to tell all your friends about the incredible value and versatility of the Samsung Rant. It also has Sprint One Click, which is a customizable home screen created to optimize your experience. Get your text messages, web access, MySpace friend requests, e-mail, entertainment and more within a click of your home screen.

How much? The Samsung Rant is available for Free with a new two-year Sprint service plan.

Why is it such a good deal? The Rant has it all; versatility, dependability, and a sliding QWERTY keyboard. Plus, it is brand new and you can get it for free! We’re even throwing in a 2GB MicrosSD card so you can start saving pictures and listening to music out-of-the-box.

Cell phones in action: Verizon Wireless' Rhapsody music service

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:10:26 PDT

We heard a lot about Verizon Wireless' partnership with Rhapsody and we wanted to know if it would be music to our ears, so we took it for a spin. Overall, it's a good option for people who like to sample music and want a simple way to sync music on your computer with a cell phone. We particularly liked the desktop version of Rhapsody as well, it was an easy way to sample new tunes before committing to them.

We should note this is a subscription service so you can listen to an unlimited amount of songs and transfer them to your cell phone. If you don't think you're going to keep the subscription for long, but want to keep the music you can purchase those songs separately. This way you won't need the subscription to listen to your favorite tunes in the future. Check out how it works below.

Washington Mutual mobile banking to the test

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:10:59 PDT

Banking has changed a lot over the years and now, you can even use banking services on your cell phone. But are you ready for that? Maybe you just want to know what you can expect before you put your cell phone to use in this manner. We asked Bloggers around the Internet to tell us about their "Banking By Cell Phone Experience." Our next post comes from David Cassel. To read more from David, check out Tech.Blorge.

I remember living in a city in Los Angeles that bordered five other small cities. Washington Mutual gave me a list of ATM locations that was sorted by city -- so I had to read all six pages to determine which one was closest. So I was thrilled when they offered a cell phone application which could pinpoint the nearest Wamu ATM. And best of all, I could do it with a simple text message. (Just type "ATM" in a text message to MyWamu, along with an address, zip code, or city name.)

Mobile banking also solved one of my biggest problems. As an online journalist, I receive a lot of my payments via PayPal. But hitting the "transfer funds" button PayPal doesn't mean the funds have arrived in my checking account. Instead of repeatedly wondering "Are they there now? How about now?" I can whip out my cell phone and get an up-to-the-minute check on my balance. (Again, by text messaging "MyWamu" the simple three-letter keyword "bal".) And if my checking account is running low, Wamu even lets me transfer funds. (And instead of the old-fashioned "Press 1" options, I simply scroll through a list of options.)

Mobile banking is really useful for that quick information you need when you're on the go. But I also like knowing I can "view transactions" if there's an unexpected shortfall that needs immediate investigation. Usually I only view transactions on my PC while balancing my check book, but it's just as easy on a cell phone. It's just like scrolling through any other menu -- which means it's possible to balance a checkbook on a business trip in those spare minutes while waiting for a plane.

Washington Mutual has a unique security procedure which involves going to a unique URL which is created when you register your phone. This prohibits unauthorized access from other phones -- but if someone steals your phone, you'll have to hope they can't get past your pin number. I've heard people argue that an ATM card can be lost just as easily as a cell phone, so they're both just as secure -- but if a thief tries to use a stolen ATM card -- the bank also gets to take his picture. The real security lies in the banking procedure, since funds can only be transferred from one registered account to another.

So if a thief really wanted to clean me out, he'd have to steal both my cell phone and my ATM card -- and then figure out my PIN number!

Bank of America mobile banking to the test

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:10:38 PDT

Banking has changed a lot over the years and now, you can even use banking services on your cell phone. But are you ready for that? Maybe you just want to know what you can expect before you put your cell phone to use in this manner. We asked Bloggers around the Internet to tell us about their "Banking By Cell Phone Experience." Our first post comes from Joseph Hunkins. To read more from Joseph, check out his Joe Duck blog.

In addition to an excellent online interface to banking, Bank of America offers phone call banking with voice activated login and features. As with most voice interfaces it is generally somewhat frustrating to move effectively through multiple choice menus, especially if you have several accounts and want to complete a complex inquiry such as reviewing checks. Generally I avoid voice interface banking in favor of using the online system.

Bank of America does offer a nice quality mobile offering at www.BofA.com/mobile/

Although the mobile system is fast enough on my smartphone under normal connection speeds (in rural Oregon) it it still clunky enough to be really useful only when PC access is not available.

The initial menu screen on the mobile interface offers four choices:

Accounts: Here you can access account details such as balances, deposits, and itemized checking records.

Bill Pay & e-Bills: Online bill payments can be made from the mobile interface as well as setting up and scheduling payments.

Transfer Funds: Here, selecting from different accounts allows transfer of funds from one account to another. User is prompted to pick outgoing and incoming account, then to enter the amount to transfer.

Locations: This odd menu choice seems misplaced as it takes you out of the protected interface and into the non-encrypted site - I think it may have been added in the secure area due to popular demand for a link to this feature even after logging in to access account information.

In terms of security I think mobile has advantages over PC online banking security in that a mobile phone is generally an excellent way to uniquely identify a user. For example cell phones are not shared nearly as much as PCs, so if passwords are saved on your phone it is very unlikely somebody else will ever see them. I don't know if most mobile banking applications identify the device before logging on but I assume those that do not soon will, offering a strong measure of security. Are four letter passwords enough? Probably yes until phone hacking becomes more widespread (as it will as smartphone use continues to rise dramatically). At that time longer passwords are called for though the physical security of a phone and the fact the networks are generally more secure than, say, wireless hotspots offers user protection.

Deal of the Week

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:10:50 PDT

This week's deal comes from LetsTalk.com's Merchandising Manager for T-Mobile, Gary Kishida.

What is it? The Motorola W490 is a good choice for anyone who wants a basic camera phone that is easy to use. It is one of the smallest and lightest cell phones Motorola offers and comes in four great colors (purple, green, pink and black). The cell phone has an MP3 player and supports Stereo Bluetooth so you can listen to music through Bluetooth stereo speakers. Store your MP3's and photo's using a Micro SD removable memory card.

How much? Get the T-Mobile Motorola W490 FREE out-the-door with a new two-year T-Mobile service contract. Plus you’ll get a $50 Mail-in-Rebate from T-Mobile, so you’ll make $50 with activation.

Why is it such a good deal? Not only is this Motorola cell phone free, but you can also make a dent on your holiday shopping since it comes with a free X-Box 360 console with purchase of a 2-year activation.