Showing posts with label Samsung. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Samsung. Show all posts

How to Fix Ghost Clicking Bubbles on Samsung Chromebook

Bubbles on Samsung Laptop

Ghost clicking bubbles on a Chromebook may be caused by a number of factors, such as a malfunctioning touchpad, outdated or faulty drivers, or software bugs. Here are a few steps you can take to fix the problem:

What Phones Are Friendly With Wireless Chargers? Here is a list

wireless charger phone store

Starting at iPhone 8, X, XS, 10, 11, 12, 13

  • Wireless charging is a better option for your phone than plugging in with a cable all the time.

  • Wireless charging is great for people who do not want to charge their phone every night.

  • However, wireless charging is not as fast as cable charging.

The phones listed all have the same charging capability (Qi), but it's important to note that some phones may be able to charge faster than others depending on the charger used and whether or not you've updated your software on the device itself.  

Do IOS upgrades cause battery life issues?

Samsung Galaxy S6, S7, and S8

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus are the latest models to work with wireless chargers. This list includes the following:

  • Galaxy S6, S7 and S8 series

  • Galaxy Note 5 and later models

Samsung Note 5

You can use a wireless charging pad to charge your Samsung Note 5. It's a phone, it's a Samsung, and it's also a Note.

LG G4, G5, and G6

The G4, G5 and G6 are all compatible with wireless charging. However, you must purchase a specific type of charger for each device. The best way to ensure compatibility is to buy the charger from the brand itself. The LG-QC2 and LG-USBCVID can be used with any Qi-enabled phone and come in black or white.

Google Nexus 6 and 7

The Google Nexus 6 and 7 are two smartphones that were introduced in 2014 and released in two sizes. The Nexus 6 has a 6-inch screen, while the Nexus 7 has a 7-inch screen. Both of these devices are equipped with high-resolution screens and both have rear-facing cameras as well as front-facing ones. They also both run on Android operating systems.

Lumia 1520, 930, and 920

The benefits of wireless charging are that it's convenient, easy to use, and doesn't require you to deal with wires. It also saves you from having to buy a new charger every time your phone dies and you have to charge it. The downsides are that it's slower than wired charging (usually about 1/3 slower), and that some phones can't be charged wirelessly because of their design or battery size.

It's a lot of phones.

It's a lot of phones. The list of devices that support wireless charging is constantly growing, and as of 2019, almost all new phones will have the technology built-in. This means that if you have a phone released within the last couple of years, there's a good chance it will work with wireless chargers.

While many wireless chargers are compatible with multiple devices—and some are even capable of charging two devices at once—you should still check the product description before buying if you want to make sure your charger can handle your specific phone model.

What are the best quality wireless chargers?  

Mophie Snap+ wireless chargers

The Best Smartphones For Photography

Best Camera Phones

The Best Camera Phones Of 2021

For most of us our smartphone is more than a device used for making and receiving calls and messages. For many, it is the trusty camera we keep in our pocket. We use it for chronicling our daily activities, storing our memories in photos and videos. Many of us even use these images for work purposes, either to share social media snippets of our companies with users online or just to record vital information. Thus, it’s important that our phone has a decent camera.

So, if you’re looking for a new phone this year, then you’ll want to consider one of the below options whose cameras are sure to beat out the rest:

iPhone 12 Pro Max

The new iPhone 12 Pro Max is no doubt one of the best camera phones money can buy this year. Its 12MP wide camera features a large sensor that allows in more light, allowing for improved picture quality. The ultra-wide lens also allows for a 120-degree field of view, perfect for taking it all in. The camera is also fitted with a sensor-shift image stabilization system which is ideal for filming video. In addition, a LiDAR sensor is built into the camera which allows for great portrait taking, even in night mode. For those who use their photos for work purposes, ProRAW mode allows for flexible editing.

While the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the ultimate option from iPhone for 2021, the manufacturer’s iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini still offer fantastic features for a lesser price tag. The video is particularly impressive on these phones, recording 4K HDR video and Dolby Vision video, capped at 30 FPS.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The last Samsung Galaxy phone builds even further on their predecessor’s success when it comes to offering excellent picture quality. The phone's camera is made from two telephoto lenses, one with three times optical zoom, while the other allows for ten times optical zoom. What this means is increased zooming capability to capture finer details. This smartphone from Samsung also has enhanced software features that allow for several unique options such as capturing slow-motion videos and taking pictures from the front and rear cameras at the same time.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra features a primary 108-megapixel sensor which has been greatly improved using a dedicated laser autofocus sensor. It offers 5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom, which offers more flexibility than the iPhone options although the light capability isn’t quite as good. This particular device is also known for offering exceptional battery life so you can rest easy knowing your phone won’t let you down when you need it most, even if you have been out shooting with it for most of the day.

Vivo X50Pro

For anyone looking for a good camera phone option that doesn’t come from the giants of Samsung and iPhone, the Vivo X50Pro is a good option. This beautifully built piece of equipment makes playing online slots for real money simple and features a main 48MP camera that is mounted on a mechanical gimble. This allows you to maintain focus on your target even when moving or shaking, making it great for the not-so-steady video taker. It also allows for low-light photos that knock the socks off some of its competitors.

Are LTE Phone Batteries Ready for Primetime?

LTE phone

LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology has been widely adopted in smartphones for several years now, and LTE phones have become the standard for cellular connectivity. In terms of battery performance, LTE phones have made significant advancements compared to earlier generations of mobile technology.

LTE technology itself is designed to be power-efficient, allowing for faster data speeds while minimizing battery drain. However, it's important to note that the battery life of an LTE phone can still vary depending on several factors:

Network Conditions: The strength and quality of the LTE network signal can impact battery life. In areas with weak LTE coverage, the phone may consume more power as it constantly tries to establish and maintain a connection.

Data Usage: Activities that require continuous data transfer, such as streaming videos or using data-intensive apps, can consume more battery power on LTE phones compared to basic tasks like making calls or sending texts.

Display and Usage Patterns: The display of a smartphone is often one of the most power-hungry components. Extensive use of the screen, especially at high brightness levels, can contribute to faster battery drain.

Background Processes: Some apps may run in the background and use cellular data, leading to increased power consumption. Managing background app refresh and restricting unnecessary background activities can help preserve battery life.

Manufacturers continually work on optimizing the power efficiency of their devices, including LTE phones, by improving hardware design, implementing power-saving features, and refining software optimizations. Advances in battery technology also contribute to better overall battery performance.

While LTE phone batteries have come a long way, the overall battery life and performance of an LTE phone depend on various factors, including usage habits, network conditions, and the specific phone model. It's always a good idea to be mindful of your usage patterns and implement battery-saving practices to maximize battery life, such as adjusting screen brightness, managing background activity, and utilizing power-saving modes when necessary.

Which Hardware Manufacturers Have the Most Reception Problems?

Mobile Hardware Manufacturer Visitors to Deadcellzones.com
It's hard to conclude that just because Samsung and Apple have the most users that they have the most coverage problems.  So we broke down our data in two charts.  The first is a pie chart explaining the number of users and the last chart explains which users are most engaged.  

Apple and Samsung had by far the most sessions on Deadcellzones.com but not the most engaged users according to our data analysis below.   What can we conclude from this?  I will leave that conclusion up to you.  

We ranked the number of sessions on our site as well as the engagement below.  

If you like this information you might enjoy reading top ISPs & companies will poor cell phone reception and  where are our visitors from.

Brand Sessions Time on Site Pages Bounce Rate
Apple 530529 48.39 1.93 68%
Samsung 326741 74.25 2.29 37%
LG 68374 77.50 2.27 35%
Motorola 60405 71.07 2.22 42%
HTC 50217 105.05 2.17 42%
Amazon 28087 79.02 3.09 37%
Google 19086 73.32 2.34 44%
Nokia 10544 66.68 2.41 52%
ZTE 10526 130.10 2.29 31%
Huawei 5498 93.45 1.90 39%
Alcatel 5462 115.34 2.34 28%
Blackberry 5358 102.38 2.07 49%
Kyocera 4621 67.02 2.64 31%
Mozilla 3776 142.63 1.90 32%
Microsoft 3636 55.70 2.37 33%
Sony 3248 47.18 2.39 41%
Asus 3132 87.01 2.35 33%
Barnes and Noble 3033 223.44 2.30 30%
Acer 2087 188.62 2.48 30%
Casio 1467 71.35 2.53 44%
Toshiba 1345 199.08 1.54 31%
Pantech 1164 84.43 2.09 38%
Ellipsis 1045 54.80 2.74 47%
Lenovo 1041 50.11 2.20 24%
RCA 883 33.91 1.55 40%
Nextbook 723 105.33 2.15 36%
Quanta 663 94.06 1.96 15%
Blu 640 7.30 2.23 40%
Fujitsu 462 86.67 1.82 78%
HP 402 14.25 1.87 58%
Dell 361 35.32 1.53 43%
Hisense 321 59.20 2.15 7%
Sharp 321 30.11 1.82 71%
DoCoMo 180 139.52 3.49 18%
Vizio 100 18.48 2.21 20%

The Most Engaged Users On Deadcellzones.com
Which hardware manufactures users were the most engaged with Deadcellzones.com.  We ranked them below...

Manufacturer Brand Sessions Time on Site Pages Bounce Rate
Barnes and Noble 3033 223.44 2.30 30%
Toshiba 1345 199.08 1.54 31%
Acer 2087 188.62 2.48 30%
Mozilla 3776 142.63 1.90 32%
DoCoMo 180 139.52 3.49 18%
ZTE 10526 130.10 2.29 31%
Alcatel 5462 115.34 2.34 28%
Nextbook 723 105.33 2.15 36%
HTC 50217 105.05 2.17 42%
Blackberry 5358 102.38 2.07 49%
Quanta 663 94.06 1.96 15%
Huawei 5498 93.45 1.90 39%
Asus 3132 87.01 2.35 33%
Fujitsu 462 86.67 1.82 78%
Pantech 1164 84.43 2.09 38%
Amazon 28087 79.02 3.09 37%
LG 68374 77.50 2.27 35%
Samsung 326741 74.25 2.29 37%
Google 19086 73.32 2.34 44%
Casio 1467 71.35 2.53 44%
Motorola 60405 71.07 2.22 42%
Kyocera 4621 67.02 2.64 31%
Nokia 10544 66.68 2.41 52%
Hisense 321 59.20 2.15 7%
Microsoft 3636 55.70 2.37 33%
Ellipsis 1045 54.80 2.74 47%
Lenovo 1041 50.11 2.20 24%
Apple 530529 48.39 1.93 68%
Sony 3248 47.18 2.39 41%
Dell 361 35.32 1.53 43%
RCA 883 33.91 1.55 40%
Sharp 321 30.11 1.82 71%
Vizio 100 18.48 2.21 20%
HP 402 14.25 1.87 58%
Blu 640 7.30 2.23 40%

Walmart & TracFone Offer Prepaid Wireless

The prepaid cell phone market continues to gain lots of momentum as consumers are still looking to save money. The new discount cell phone service is offered exclusively from Walmart through Tracfone Wireless, a subsidiary of America Movil. Walmart is currently offering two plans: the first is a $30 plan that provides 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts, 30 megabytes of data and unlimited 411 for 30 days; the second for $45 gets you unlimited talk, text and data for 30 days. The discount plans prices do not include phones, which on Walmart.com's Straight Talk brand shop range from LG and Samsung models between a basic $39.98 device and a $328.88 phone with touch-screen, camera and video.

Free Ground Shipping

Free Ground Shipping

This should bring lots more competition from new sources that AT&T or Verizon cannot just buy out (i.e Alltell or Cingular). This should also translate into more reasonable prices for current plans in the not so distant future.

Ironically there are currently 16 Walmart stores listed in our database as having poor cell phone coverage around the US.  Hopefully, someone diligence from Walmart or Tracfone will find this information and take some action to fix the problems for its' customers.


Is Verizon FiOS Blocking Wifi Enabled TVs From Connecting To Routers?

Having Samsung Wireless Link FiOS Router Problems?

What most people don't know is that Verizon FiOS has a nasty reputation of secretly blocking competition by creating technical hurdles that make devices not work any longer.  I had my Samsung TV hooked up to my Verizon Actiontec router for over a year and it suddenly stopped working.  This happened a few years ago when I was using Slingbox as well and trying to access TV programming remotely.  Verizon blocked access.   Are they not blocking access to their routers from Samsung and other WiFi-enabled TV's?  

Why would Verizon FiOS do this?  First, they want to rent you DVR boxes for $10-$20 per month.  Second, they don't want their customers using Netflix, Pandora, or anything that competes with watching TV or video on demand.  Why is no one investigating this?   FCC?


Sprint Femtocell Growth Up 240% in One Year


Sprint (NYSE:S) now counts 600,000 femtocells on its network in 2012 according to this Fierce Wireless article. This is a big jump from the 250,000 femtocells Sprint said it had deployed as of March of 2011. Sprint also it plans to update its Airave femtocell product to support CDMA services over its 800 MHz network and to enable the products to better work together to coordinate coverage.  The updates would be available sometime in 2012.

What is a Sprint femtocell and how much does it cost? Femtocells are essentially mini cellular base stations that users can install in their house or workplace for voice and data coverage, and can route the resulting cellular traffic through a standard wireline Internet connection.  The device made by Samsung costs around $99.99 and carriers a $5 monthly fee.

What does the growth of femtocell usage say about carrier macro networks and WiFi alternatives?  It says that carrier macro networks are still very congested and that most people are still using their cell phone and smart phones to access data at home and in the office.  Will consumers finally learn to use WiFi whenever possible?  T-Mobile allows customers to make WiFi phone calls and it works great.

Related Articles:
Sprint Home Cell Tower or Femtocell

What Android Version Do I Have?

How do you determine which Android operating system you have on your smartphone or tablet?  It is pretty easy to do, by simply clicking on Settings / About Phone.  Scroll down and look for "Android version" and there will be 3 numbers.  For example, my G2 T-Mobile smartphone has "Android 2.3.4", which would be Android Gingerbread.  The Android version code names are in alphabetical order with the most recent release being Ice Cream Sandwhich 10.3 v4.0.3 as of CES 2012.   (See versions below)

Android Ice Cream Sandwich
10.1 v4.0.1
10.2 v4.0.2
10.3 v4.0.3

Android Honeycomb
9.1 v3.0
9.2 v3.1
9.3 v3.2
9.4 v3.2.1
9.5 v3.2.2
Android Gingerbread
8.1 v2.3
8.2 v2.3.3
8.3 v2.3.4 
8.4 v2.3.5
8.5 v2.3.6
8.6 v2.3.7
Android Froyo
7.1 v2.2
7.2 v2.2.1
7.3 v2.2.2
7.4 v2.2.3

Android Eclair
6.1 v2.0
6.2 v2.0.1
6.3 v2.1

Android Donut
5 v1.6

Android Cupcake
4 1.5

Android Astro 
3 v1.1

Android Bender 
2 v1.0

Android Alpha
1

Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google used for developers of smartphones, tablets and netbooks.  Every carrier today including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile use some derivative of the operating system on their Android phones.  Unfortunately, the complexity of Android versions on the market has made marketing the phones confusing to many consumers.  Unlike Apple which has a closed development platform, Google has an open development platform that allows bleeding edge developers and manufacturers to stretch the limits of the software.

Carriers are typically several versions behind rolling out the new features of the system.  If you are wondering what new features have been added in the new Android version see this link of Android version features.  It can often take up to a year or more of testing before the new versions are automatically downloaded and upgraded into phones.  You can also check under System Updates under settings to see if you have any updates available.  


Carrier IQ Sued in Delaware Federal Court

Apple, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Carrier IQ Sued in Delaware Federal Court in Cell Phone Tracking Software Scandal.

WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 2, 2011- The law firms of Sianni & Straite LLP of Wilmington, DE, Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow & McElroy LLP of Edison, NJ, and Keefe Bartels L.L.C. of Red Bank, NJ, have today filed a class action complaint in Federal Court in Wilmington, Delaware related to the unprecedented breach of the digital privacy rights of 150 million cell phone users. The complaint asserts that three cell phone providers (T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T) and four manufacturers of cell phones (HTC, Motorola, Apple and Samsung) violated the Federal Wiretap Act, the Stored Electronic Communications Act, and the Federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

The carriers and manufacturers were caught last month willfully violating customers' privacy rights in direct violation of federal law. A technology blogger in Connecticut discovered that software designed and sold by California-based Carrier IQ, Inc. was secretly tracking personal and sensitive information of the cell phone users without the consent or knowledge of the users. On Nov. 30, 2011, the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary said in a letter to Carrier IQ that "these actions may violate federal privacy laws." It added, "this is potentially a very serious matter."

David Straite, one of the attorneys leading the action, noted "this latest revelation of corporate America's brazen disregard for the digital privacy rights of its customers is yet another example of the escalating erosion of liberty in this country. We are hopeful that the courts will allow ordinary customers the opportunity to remedy this outrageous breach." Steve Grygiel, co-counsel for the proposed class, agreed: "anyone who cares at all about their personal privacy, or the broader constitutional right to privacy, ought to care and care a great deal about this case." Barry Eichen added, "today's comment from Larry Lenhart, CEO of Carrier IQ, that his software is somehow good for consumers starkly demonstrates what is at stake."

A copy of the Class Action Complaint in Pacilli v. Carrier IQ, Inc. can be viewed on the Firms' websites at www.siannistraite.com, www.keefebartels.com, and www.njadvocates.com.

Plaintiffs are represented by Sianni & Straite LLP, a Delaware-based litigation firm with a branch office in New York, Keefe Bartels LLC, a New Jersey-based plaintiffs' rights trial law firm, and Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow & McElroy LLP, a leading plaintiffs firm with three offices in New Jersey.

Smartphones with the Longest Battery Life


Top 5 Smartphones with Long Battery Life
With over 25% of US cell phone users now using smartphones, cell phone companies have released new smartphones with features like bigger screens and more apps while leaving one of the most important features as an afterthought… battery life.

Because battery life is one of the more overlooked features in smartphones today, we have compiled a list of the top 5 smartphones that have long batter lives. In order to determine the top 5 phones, we researched phones with the highest overall expert rankings from sources like CNET, PC magazine, Wired, and PC world and that also had at least ten hours of talk time battery life.

1. HTC myTouch 4G: The top smartphone on our list was the HTC myTouch 4G because of its overall excellence with an expert rating at 4.37 out of 5, as well as its 10 hour talk time and 432 hour standby battery life.

2. Apple iPhone 3GS: Apple’s iPhone 3GS exceptional talk time of 12 hours can be attributed to its smaller screen that is measured at 3.5 inches, and even though this is the highest on our list, the standby life of the 3GS is a moderate 300 hours. With these features taken into account, the 3GS received an average expert rating of 4.25 out of 5.

3. Samsung Droid Charge: The Samsung Droid Charge was the only Verizon phone to make our top list for performance and battery life. Expert rankings came in at 4.23 out of 5 for the Charge, while its talk
time was measured at 11 hours, but its standby battery life was the lowest on the list at 280 hours.

4. Google Nexus One: The Google Nexus One is the most widely available phone on our top list, as it is available on Vodafone and Singtel in places like Singapore, Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. The average expert score on the Nexus One was 4.1 out of 5, with a talk time of 10 hours and a
moderate standby time of 290 hours.

5. Samsung Captivate: The Samsung Captivate from AT&T comes in at number five on our list receiving an average expert rating of 3.78 out of 5. The talk time on the Captivate is 10 hours with an amazing maximum standby time of 710 hours, which almost twice as much as any other phone on our list.

When put in a side-by-side comparison, these smartphones all prove to have great battery life as well as several differences in price and features that will allow shoppers to find the best smartphone that won’t die when their needed most.

WiFi in TVs is a Revolution

WiFi in TVs is a Revolution
Today at the All Things Digital Conference, Reed Hastings, the CEO of Netflix, said "WiFi TV is a Revolution."  Watch the video below and fast forward to 6:55 into the video to hear the visionary statement.  This statement struck a chord with me and if you have not been enlightened to the benefits of having a networked enabled TV, then you are missing out!

All HDTV's today have the capability to connect to your router WiFi or Ethernet cable to download movies or stream content from companies like Netflix and Pandora.  Its a tremendous innovation that cable companies have been resisting for years because it disintermediates their programming agendas and control of what your eyeballs watch.  The only hope for cable companies to survive in the content business is to maintain their monopoly licensees on live sports programming.  Personalized content is the next big thing on the web and Pandora and Netflix are driving it.

There are many technical benefits to having a WiFi enabled TV, which include software upgrades and access to any content anywhere on the web.  Boxee, Google TV, and Apple TV have been early pioneers at helping you aggregate and watch content through specialized boxes.  However, the reality is TV manufacturers like Samsung are leading the way to home-viewing innovation.  It took almost a decade for IPTV to arrive thanks to an innovative company from Korea called Samsung which is paving the way to the future.

One snafu that Netflix is starting to deal with is the broadband carriers starting to impose data caps on customers in order to protect their expensive cable programming subscriptions the consumers are starting to bypass.  In order to help avoid breaking bandwidth caps starting to get imposed by broadband ISPs, Netflix is letting U.S. customers adjust their bit rate and video streaming quality settings.  Netflix is already allowing customers to manage the bit rate in Canada.

Related Stories:
How to Improved Home WiFi Signal
Why Pandora Could Be The Next Google
Walt to FCC: Cable Companies Have Been Screwing Their Consumers For Years
10 Reasons to Cut your Cable TV Cord
ESPN & NFL Saves Cable Subscribers

Where Did ESPN 3D Go?

cameras on field
Watching the National Championship game with a 3D TV in my home and I can't watch it in 3D. When are the Verizon FiOS 3D channels coming?  I am tired of waiting for the 3D content after paying a premium for a new 3D TV from Samsung earlier this year from Best Buy.  Verizon FiOS was heavily promoting the content at CES in Las Vegas as well but yet they have nothing but marketing hype to back it up.

How to Get the SiriusXM App on Your TV

1. Streaming Devices

  • Apple TV: Download the SiriusXM app from the App Store on Apple TV.
  • Amazon Fire TV: Search for "SiriusXM" in the Amazon App Store on your Fire TV device.
  • Roku: Find and download the SiriusXM app in the Roku Channel Store.
  • Android TV: Open the Google Play Store, search for "SiriusXM," and download.

2. Smart TVs

  • Samsung Smart TV: Many Samsung TVs allow you to download the SiriusXM app directly from the Samsung App Store.
  • LG Smart TV: While the app may not be available on all LG models, some do support SiriusXM through the LG Content Store.

3. Casting from Your Mobile Device

  • If your TV supports Chromecast or AirPlay, you can cast SiriusXM from your smartphone or tablet to your TV.

How to Sign In and Start Streaming SiriusXM on Your TV

  1. Open the SiriusXM App on Your TV: Once the app is installed, open it and choose "Sign In."
  2. Enter Your Credentials: Use your SiriusXM username and password to log in.
  3. Explore Channels: Use the search function or browse by category to find Howard Stern, music, news, sports, and more.
  4. Add Favorites: Just like on the mobile app, you can save your favorite channels for easy access on your TV.

Benefits of SiriusXM on TV

  • Home Audio Experience: Enjoy enhanced audio on your home theater or TV sound system.
  • Family Friendly: SiriusXM's diverse selection means there's something for everyone in the household.
  • Easy Access to Shows: Whether it’s Howard Stern or exclusive podcasts, all your favorite content is just a click away.

Subscription Plans and TV Access

To access SiriusXM on your TV, you’ll need a subscription that includes streaming. The Platinum Plan and Streaming-Only Plan both support TV streaming, so you can enjoy a seamless experience across all your devices.

Where Did The 3D Channels Go?


Where are the 3D channels consumers were promised this year on cable TV?  Cable subscribers of Verizon FiOS, Cablevision, Cox, Time Warner, Comcast, and AT&T U-verse are still waiting patiently for their channels. According to this blog, Direct TV has 4 3D channels, Time Warner has ESPN 3D while the other cable operators have 0. HDTV's success can be attributed to content and now 3D could draw the same road map. It is likely that nearly 1 million 3D TVs have been sold in the US and the number is growing by 50% per year and Samsung owns the majority of this market share.

ESPN broadcasted 3D programming on a dedicated channel for the World Cup Soccer but that is about it for content. Comcast subscribers were able to see the Masters golf Tournament in 3D.  I will admit that some sports are better than others for watching in 3D and stadium events might not be that compelling unless you are watching a camera from the sideline. 3D content is still lacking and ESPN will likely be the driver of more sports programming content with hopefully some more NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and college football games. Why isn't Fox carrying the Super Bowl at Cowboy Stadium in 3D? Golf to me is one of the greatest 3D viewing experiences having viewed the Maui open on a DVD at the store.

Sony, Discovery, and IMAX announced a 3D venture for programming this week to launch the first 24/7, fully programmed 3D television network in the U.S. Content includes a collection of 3D content including natural history, documentary, action/adventure, hard travel, history, hyper-reality, concerts, movies, scripted series and more.  So why isn't Samsung sponsoring more sporting events to get more people interested in buying 3D HD TVs?

3D channels were introduced in the late 2000s and early 2010s, aiming to provide a three-dimensional viewing experience for television content. However, due to various factors, including limited consumer demand and production challenges, many 3D channels have ceased their operations or reduced their offerings.

One of the major reasons for the decline of 3D channels was the lack of widespread adoption by consumers. While 3D movies gained some popularity in theaters, the demand for 3D content at home did not reach the same level. Many viewers found the use of special glasses uncomfortable or cumbersome, and the limited availability of 3D content further contributed to the diminished interest.

As a result, several broadcasters and cable/satellite providers gradually discontinued their 3D channels. Instead, they shifted their focus to other technologies and content formats that gained more popularity, such as high-definition (HD) and Ultra HD (4K) programming. These formats offered improved picture quality without the need for specialized glasses.

While it's possible that some 3D channels may still be available in certain regions or through specialized providers, the overall availability of 3D channels has significantly declined in recent years. The emphasis has shifted towards other technologies and content formats that offer enhanced viewing experiences.

Google TV Sony Logitech Demo at Best Buy


Google TV Logitech, Sony Blue-Ray are on display at Best Buy showing off the capabilities on Sony TVs. I really like the concept and the fact you can use your TV display to surf the internet and watch YouTube vides but its not compelling enough for me to buy.  Sony was the first manufacturer to jump onto the tidal wave of Google Internet TV and now indications are that Samsung will be the second.  I just purchased a Samsung 3D TV and love the idea of having applications directly on the TV and having a display directly connected to the internet.  Its great to see technology finally trying to disrupt cable monopolies who control video content distribution.

The capabilities on display at Best Buy demonstrates some nice functionality but nothing too complicated that couldn't be accomplished in a applications similar to Pandora or Hulu.  However, I really don't want to have another device like a Logitech keyword to do it.  I would prefer having the capability to control the Google TV app with my laptop or iPad that is directly connected through my wireless network to the TV.  That is the holy grail of being able to use a huge plasma, LCD or LED to surf the internet.  Let's hope that some is working on it because I don't see lots of consumers buying this product in its current form.

List of T-Mobile Phones That Have UMA WiFi Calling


Right now T-Mobile is the only US carrier to offer UMA WiFi calling on Android phones.  Here is a list of phones that currently support the Kineto application that is not currently available in the Android marketplace.  The application is free but minutes are deducted from your total plan if you make calls over WiFi which is reasonable.  Other carriers like AT&T, Verizon & Sprint have largely ignored this demand from consumers because of their growing femtocell businesses where they would like to sell you a piece of hardware for around $250 plus a monthly data plan. See: AT&T Microcell, Verizon femtocell & Sprint femtocell sales.

Kineto Wireless is an innovator and leading supplier of solutions that enable delivery of mobile services over broadband. They have deploy Smart Wi-Fi Application for Wi-Fi Calling to their customers for free improve indoor coverage through the use of existing Wi-Fi access points. This list is constantly being updated so please check back for further updates and and become a Facebook fan to stay informed.

After speaking with T-Mobile's customer service team we came up with a list of phones that currently have UMA on the device:  G2, MyTouch Phones, Samsung Vibrant, Behold 2 Katalyst, Most Blackberry Phones, Nokia e73 and Nokia 6086, Motorola Cliq and Cliq XT

T-Mobile 4G Phones: G2 & MyTouch Compared

The MyTouch 4G and Tmobile G2 are both supporting HSPA+ or 4G T-mobile's network. Both the MyTouch 4G and G2 both run on Android 2.2 and the new WiFi calling feature that allows customers who don't have coverage in the home to make and receive calls on WiFi. The G2 is slightly heavier than the MyTouch but feels more solid.  I prefer the new G2 slide-out keyboard that has a hinge versus the MyTouch slide.  The MyTouch is selling for $50 cheaper but I think it's worth it to pay up for the G2.  Having a phone that is developed and integrated with Google applications will likely pay off in the long-run.  The only reason you would likely prefer the MyTouch is likely the front-facing camera. However, if you look at the G2 phone there is a place on the front of the phone that looks a lot like a front-facing camera. A front-facing camera may not currently be available in the G2 software but I have a sneaky suspicion that it will have it as well soon.  If you like this review see our review of the Samsung Vibrant vs HTC G2

Why Apple or Google Should Buy Pandora

Consumers Don't Want to Own Music Anymore

How much longer can iTunes maintain its leadership position as the middleman for content owners to consumers?  I think the device manufacturing giant needs to think very quickly about buying a service like Pandora.  What is holding them back from spending their $50 billion dollars in cash?  Do they think they can recreate a similar experience themselves?  Is Apple afraid of cannibalizing their business of music and programming downloads?  My sense it is likely because AT&T, Verizon, Sprint & T-Mobile don't have their networks in order to handle the additional data streaming on 4G, LTE, Wimax.  However, this could be a strategic move if the new iPods and Shuffles become Wifi enabled.  

Google on the other hand doesn't have a music play and Pandora will start being used more frequently in the car.  Google could quickly bring a lot of location based advertising inventory onto the market with Pandora's 50M+ users.  Apple and Google have both shown their interest in predictive analytics which is Pandora specialty in music. Pandora uses this predictive playlist to recommend other songs you might like to keep you connected. The predictive playlists are an incredible user experience and are starting to carry ads that are relevant to the music.  The Pandora experience on my Samsung TV and new G2 phone.  It won't be surprising to see that Google TV also has a streaming music option very soon.  The question is whether they build it or partner with someone like Pandora? 

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