All Posts by Paul

Google pulls a very vital App off their store and says we didn’t mean to release it! (Apps Ops)

Paul




Google removes a Hidden Privacy feature!

If you haven’t heard, the last week Google removes a hidden privacy feature in the new upcoming Kitkat build to help keep apps such such as this flashlight app that sold users data without your permission!  I am quite concerned with what happenes when another app does this or something else and you have no way to deny it or not use it.   Some of the things that I am sure your wondering like I am are the very things that come to mind.  Then Google tells it users that this was an accidental release of the feature and that it isn’t ready for public consumption.

Keep in mind the privacy feature wasn’t well known or even that easy to get to.   You had install another app such as App Ops to even get to use this little known menu in Android 4.3+.




App Dev

The people behind the apps are probably up in arms because they worry that they won’t be able to make money on their apps that are using advertising to help pay them for each time someone sees an advertisement or when a users clicks on an advertisement they get some kind of revenue.   This isn’t the only reason but I am sure it is one of the top reasons why the development gurus would be up in arms over this new way to control what permissions an app can have and who ultimately has control over what they can and do with your app.   It was and probably soon will be the customer who decides what the app will have permissions for and that worries them.

Google apps will become paid!

The one thing that will happen for sure is that we will either have to pay a monthly service or a one time fee for an app because once this starts to be released or if it is released then the app developers will have no choice but to go to a pay wall model to get the money they probably think they deserve and/or want for their work.   I am sure we haven’t seen the last of this and or other apps that do something similar.   I would just like to have Google be more upfront to their customers about why.

The Naked truth about you and your Cell Phone!

Paul

Technology is fun

Do you need your cell phone?

This is been a common plight of mine when it comes to having a cell phone, is the age old question of do you really need a cell phone?  We are going to discuss this in this post!  I’ve been going without a cell phone to work and I’m going to tell you my experiences!   Be that it might be sacroligious to some, it is something that happens from time to time.   

Do you panic if you don’t have you Cell phone? I did a few times until I got used to not having it with me.   It can be a very bad reaction the first few times.  I was frantically trying to find my cell phone and yet I forgot that I left it at home.  I know I’m not the only one who has left a cell phone at home and it is bound to happen to someone sometime! 

This all started last week when I was in such a rush to get to work that I left my cell phone on the cell phone booster holder.   Usually I would grab the phone the last second and go merrily off to my job.   This time however, I bypassed grabbing and rushed out the door to my car.  The easy answer to why I did it was because of it snowing and I didn’t want to be late for work.   

I really was shocked at how much time I had at work to do some amazing things and to flirt with females at my work.   I won’t say that was all I did, but it was a pleasant change to actually talk to people and interact with them.   I guess we are all addicted to Facebook, Twitter, and more social media sites than we were 5 years ago.   It has become the thing, to be social on the phone and not it person.   

You may be asking questions of the old time, what if this and that.   Do you really need a phone when an emergency comes up?  Someone would argue yes but I really don’t see that as being a problem.  As long as my family knows how to reach me through my work, I am better off to not be bother unless it is an actual emergency.   There are times not having a cell phone has been nothing but a God send, not having to deal with friends or old relationships can be such a joy!

I Challenge YOU!

I’m throwing this challenge out to all my readers.   If you think you are addicted to your phone, than leave it at home and start making conversations at work.   If you think you can’t handle that, start by doing it 1 to 2 hours at a time and work your way up to a full day.   You will be surprised at what you accomplish.   Then when you do actually do that, come back here and leave and tell me what happened and how you did!   I’d love to hear your stories about your experiences.    

Non-Profits Turn to Technology for Holiday Fundraising

Paul

While most people take the holidays to relax with family, non-profits organizations see this season as a chance to capitalize on the abundance of generosity and good cheer. Charity fundraisers and events are popular this time of year, as even our favorite stars take the time to give back. Celebrities run successful charity events for causes they are passionate about, including Harrison Ford’s conservation initiative, Olivia WIlde’s fundraiser, “Artists for Peace and Justice” and Ashton Kutcher’s charity to end human trafficking, “Real Men Don’t Buy Girls.” The holiday season is an important time for these and other charities.

Last year and this year, a coalition of non-profits came together to promote “Giving Tuesday,” a spin-off of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The day is designed to kick off the holiday seasoning the right frame of mind. Launch the right fundraising campaign and your non-profit will take a stocking full of momentum into the new year.

Embrace technology to spread your cause this holiday season. Social media is the perfect way to connect with potential donors. If you’re out on the street seeking donations, a mobile credit card reader is a convenient tool to process credit card transactions. Above all, a clear message and purpose with draw the attention of willing donors.

Craft an Elevator Pitch

Non-profits don’t like to think about competing with each other, but during the holidays, they are. You’re competing for attention and awareness, and the only way to make your mark is with a strong, concise pitch. No one wants to get guilt-tripped into donating. Those who donate after hearing how little they care for a cause usually won’t be drawn to a life of activism. Rather, people want to partner with causes that they believe in. Instead of reciting how much your non-profit needs to raise, lead off with what you’re going to do with the money. Craft your campaign’s elevator pitch. Why are you raising money? Where will it go? And how can people donate? You’ll earn money from donor who relate to your cause and respect from those that aren’t able to donate.

Social Giving

Fundraising campaigns are as much about awareness as they are about money. Get a wave of support behind your cause and the money will follow. Luckily for today’s non-profits, a revolutionary marketing tool is at your disposal, and it’s free. Social media is the most efficient way to spread the world about your holiday fundraiser. The key is connecting with users through videos, photos or personal messages. Consider adding incentives to your social media fundraising campaign. Randomly selecting those who re-tweet a link to your donation page will generate some viral energy and awareness. The more creative you with your social media content, the better.

Accepting Donations

You’ve seen Salvation Army representatives ring bells outside of malls and department stores. It’s obviously an effective fundraising model, but it’s held back by it’s analog nature. As fewer shoppers carry cash, non-profits that are able to accept credit and debit cards have the upper hand. Mobile credit card readers turn your smartphone into credit card POS system, complete with electronic receipts and encrypted software. Intuit credit card readers, for example, attach to your smart phone and receive credit card swipes. You can accept credit cards anywhere will cell service, and Intuit charges as little as 1.75% per transaction. If your non-profit asks for donations on the street, a mobile credit card processor will undoubtedly boost your income.

Cedric Goodwin

Cedric loves all things sports and is the social media director for several local sports teams.

Codes you will need for the ZTE AWE!

Paul

Codes you should know!

From time to time, I occasionally like to look up codes for new phones like the ZTE AWE and keep them handy. I found some really good codes tha tyou may need in the future.   I also like to know which codes are used for certain purposes.   In this article I will tell you which codes you will need to use with Virgin Mobile USA and this will hopefully help you before you call Virgin Mobile with your phone problems.   You never know when these codes will be useful but it should at least help you get what you want from your phone!

Codes

Before I begin, I will remind all readers that you use these codes at your own risk and I can’t be held responsible for any thing you aciddently delete!

Factory Reset — *983*57#  (Will delete all you personal files and information off the phone.  Do not use unless you need to!)

IMSI (international sematech manufacturing initiative) — *983*36401*01#  Sometimes Virgin Mobile will need this to help solve your problem and thus you should either know the code or have your IMSI written down to make it quicker for them to help you!

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) —*#06#  Good for the same purpose as the IMSI but it mostly what is requested by Virgin Mobile.   

Mutliple Menus and Information — *97*0#  This is very good code for finding out the Wifi MAC Address for those wifi networks that are limited by which mac address are allowed on that wifi network.   So you may need this information from time to time.   It also shows your batter information and how good the health of your battery!

Phone Device Information — *983*5182# very good to know you model number and which android OS your are using with what Kernel are being used currently on your phone!.   You may need thise for Virgin Mobile USA but that depends on how much information they need!

In order to use these codes you will need to go to phone dialer to use these codes. 

Another good TIP:

If you are wanting to send a file or photo to your phone you can easy do this by emailing the phone.   This is also very useful for those times when you need to know what is going on very quickly with maybe your bank account activity or something really serious.   Just send an email to: [10-digit phone number]@vmobl.com.   Just a reminder it comes over a text message(SMS) and thus you only get the first 180 characters or so.   It however can be quite useful for sending files to your phone by attachment or when you need to keep on top of a service or server and keep it from going down.   This is one of the mostly used tips in my library for my business or other such problems.  Can be quite useful when you need to keep on top of important things!

Well this pretty much does it for what you might need for Virgin Mobile USA customer support.   I am sure I have missed something but this will at least get you a head start when you call them.   You can be ready to tell them all this information and not have to wait.   

Google Wallet tries but fails!

Paul

It’s a Mastercard with NO Fees! But not very useful!

Got my Google Wallet Card!

Wasn’t really that impressed with it.   I was hoping the Google Wallet card had a NFC chip in it but that was really not the case.   It comes with as a way to load money through your Google app or through the website.   There is no way to deposit money from a Adsense or for that matter from job.   You have to use another credit card to transfer money on to this card.  It seems redundant and not very well received around the tech community.   Even Android Police was thinking it was going to have an NFC Chip in it, but the functionality of this card was to me a lot under whelming.   It has so much to be desired for.   

Possibilities are endless!

The Possibilities for this card are endless if you step outside of the box.   You could put it in a museum and see if anyone can guess card number by looking just on the front of the card, and not the back.   You could give out a full 20$ if someone figures out all the required information to use the card.

Other than that, here are what I see you can do with this card.   If you don’t have a NFC device and that is like 85% or more devices who don’t use NFC than you can at least use this as a way to make payments to a shop that accepts credit cards.   It however has that possibility.   

Online Purchases!

If your planning to use this for online purchases it.   I haven’t tried this but can’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work.   Just turn the card over and use the back 16 numbers that are on the card, they are divided into 4×4 sections ( EXAMPLE: 1234 1234 1234 1234 ).   You would use all those numbers as your credit card number and then you will need the 3 digit code that should be right beside where you sign your card.   It was the number you needed to verify you got the card.   Then you would be all set to use your new Google Wallet card online.  Again you can try this yourself but I don’t see any reasons why it wouldn’t work!

Other than that, you really don’t have much else you can do with this card.  So much for it standing out and creating even more buzz.   If this service survives it will need to be more useful in the future.   I guess you could say this is still in beta but I am not impressed with it and disappointed with the product myself!