I occasionally get to travel, not as much as I would like, but I always enjoy it.  However, whenever I travel internationally, I am afraid that my smartphone (iPhone) bill will be the most expensive part.  I have heard horror stories of people returning home to discover cell phone bills of over $2000 when they barely used their phone!!

So what can you do to prevent this, short of leaving your phone at home or off during the entire trip?

It is rather simple:

First, call your cell provider and find out what the charges are for the country or countries that you are going to.  Also, ask them what international plans they have.  At a minimum, this will give you a guideline of what to expect.  They might even be able to give you specific instructions for how to configure your phone for international travel.  Take good notes, so you can change back any settings when you return.

The tricky part of determining your costs with a smartphone are all the little things that go on behind the scenes.  So you want to turn off as much as possible. An example of data services that happen behind the scenes is the automatic periodic checking for new emails. Other services might include over the air automatic syncing of calendar and contacts, a “Find-Me” feature in case your phone is lost, and any other push or location services.  The obvious data services include features such as Text Messaging (SMS & MMS), manual Sending and Receiving email, and surfing the web.

1) Turn off data roaming. This disables data services over the cellular carrier when you in an area not covered by your provider.  You will still be able to use WiFi wherever it is available.

2) Turn off 3G or 4G services.  This is an extra precaution, that will prevent your phone from using the high speed data portion of cell service.  Again, you can still access most features of your phone using the regular phone portion of your cell service for phone calls and WiFi for data.

3) If you understand your international plan and what your charges will be, or your still really want to use your phone, turn off any features you can, that you do not need.  For example, make sure you only check for new email manually, not automatically.  Turn off push notification. Don’t text and especially do not send many pictures and videos via text.  Use email over WiFi when possible. Turn off syncing, and any “Find-Me” or “Find-My-Phone” type features.

Another option that I have heard other people use, but have not done yet is simply get a disposable phone at your new location or by a local SIM card that you can plug into your own phone.

Happy travels,
Richard Lazovick

I got very lucky!  I found a used one for sale by a friend of mine, so that helped make the decision easier for me.

However, I wanted to do a clean install on it, so it was completely configured with my own data, files, configurations preferences, and not have any hidden remnants of her’s.

Now, if you are not familiar with the MacBook Air, it does not have it’s own DVD/CD drive.  You need to use one remotely, that is on another computer.

I wanted to do a fresh install of Mac OSX Leopard, then do an upgrade to the latest version, which is Snow Leopard.  Although the procedure an tools are very easy to use, for various reasons I ran into one problem after another doing the install. I am relatively knowledgeable with computers and great at debugging problems, but there comes a point where it is sometimes just easier to get “professional” help.

Sometimes, the have done what you are looking for many times, they have immediate access to other knowledgeable people, and most importantly, they have all the tools and equipment right there.  Besides, I sometimes just enjoy going into the store to talk to the employees to get the latest updates, a different perspective, and new insights.

Such was the case this time. Let me explain the entire experience:

1. I tried doing the installs at home, but ran into one small problem after another.
2. I went to www.Apple.com and made an appointment for the Genius Bar.
3. At the appropriate time, I went to the store.
4. I was immediately greeted by an Apple Rep at the door, who asked if he could help me.
5. He “checked” me in for my appointment, and told me to wait in the back of the store, next to the Genius Bar.
6. I went to the back of the store and my son immediately found an iPad to play with the entire time I was being helped.
7. Almost right on time, they were ready to help me.
8. I explained my problem and told what I needed, I also thought of any possible question I could.
9. He pulled out a portable disk drive with all the necessary software already on it.  Connected it to the USB port on my computer, and installed the latest versions of OS X (Snow Leopard) and iLife.
10. They took an hour to install, during which time I went and did my own thing elsewhere, came back and picked up my computer and went home to complete my software migration and configuration process.

Overall, I give the whole process of using Apple’s Genius Bar an “A grade”.  It was an easy, pleasant experience that went smoothly.

Cheers,
Richard Lazovick

It looks like they are calling them the iOS4 and iPhone 4.

I talked about this in a previous post:

New iPhone OS4 & 4G

You can also get more information from the Apple site itself at:

iOS4 Software Update and iPhone 4, iPhone 4 Notify Me

The new iPhone4 can be pre-ordered starting June 15th and will be available starting June 24th. The date for the new iOS4 is still unknown.

Cheers,
Richard

Hopefully this will be a good thing, but in reality, only time will tell.  For most of us, this should end up saving us some money.

First, the data changes to the data plan rate structure:

Currently – At least with the iPhone, you are required to get an unlimited data

New Options -
a) Data Plus – 200 MB of data for $15/month. Additional 200MB for another $15.
b) DataPro – 2GB of data for $25/month. Additional 1 GB of data for $10.

AT&T claims that the Data Plus plan is more than sufficient for 65% of the iPhone/SmartPhone users, and the DataPro plan is good for 98% of the iPhone/SmartPhone users.  In theory, that means that 65% of the users will save $15/month and the remaining 33% will save $5/month.  What can possibly be wrong with that?

TETHERING

The new feature that is being offered on the iPhone is Tethering.  The phone has always had this feature, but AT&T is only now allowing it to be used.  Simply put, tethering is the ability to share the phone’s network connection with another device, such as a laptop computer or iPad.

c) Tethering – Additional $20/month for DataPro customers. (That’s right, you need to sign up for the DataPro data plan to be able to use tethering)

NOTES:
1) All new SmartPhone/iPhone contracts will require you sign up for either the DataPlus or DataPro plans.  The unlimited Data Plan is no longer available for new contracts.  This is the current understanding.  The actual details are not announced yet.
2) You can easily check your data usage by logging into your account on www.wireless.att.com
3) Keep in mind, that once you tether your phone to a laptop or iPad, your data usage is likely to take a quantum jump up.  So be careful to keep track of your usage when you first make the switch and enable tethering.

I hope this helps clarify and keep you up to date.

Cheers,
Richard

These specials range from buy one, get one, free deals to free coffee and free meals.

I do not have a complete list, but here are a few of them.  Your best bet is to go to your favorite haunts and check them out.

Free Coffee – Free brewed coffee all day at Starbucks if you bring your mug.
Free Cupcakes – From 6 pm – 8pm today, you get two free bite-sized cupcakes at participating Cinnabon mall locations.
Free Ice Cream – From 3 pm – 7 pm today, you get once free slice of ice cream pizza (pizza made to look like a slice of pizza.) at participating MaggieMoo’s.
Free Massage – Today through Sunday, you can get a free massage participating Hydromassage mall locations.  Call ahead to book an appointment and visit www.hydromassage.com/taxday.
Free Meal – Today through Sunday you can get one free meal for each one you buy at Boston Market.  Use this coupon.
Free Meal - From 4 pm – 10 pm, all month long, you can get one free kids (12 and under) dinner for each adult meal purchased at IHOP.
15% off – get 15% off food (not alcohol) at P.F. Chang’s.
$10.40 Dinner and Drink specials – At McCormick & Schmick’s you can get a $10.40 dinner and drink special in the bar. You can also get a gift certificate worth $10.40 for a later visit.  If you are a tax professional working until midnight, you can get their freebie Friday dessert plus a $10.40 certificate.  Get it?  $10.40 — tax-day (form 1040)!!

Please let us know if you know of any other great deals for Tax Day.

Cheers,
Richard

One such feature came in handy yesterday, so I wanted to share it with you.

The Feature is an Undo.

So how do you do it?  Turns out, this is very simple.

When you look at the iPhone/iPod Touch, you will notice that only has 4 buttons:

1) The Sleep/Wake button on the top
2) The Home button on the bottom
3) Volume control on the side
4) Ring/Silent on the side

You also already know that you have extra features, such as Select, Cut, Copy, & Paste by touching the screen.

But no where do you see an Undo feature and there are no other buttons.  So, how does it work?

The answer is very simple:

Shake The iPhone/iPod !!

That’s it.

In applications where it is supported, which is most text applications, if you want to undo the last process, simply shake your iPhone/iPod Touch.  For instance, I had written a long email, then accidentally erased it by Pasting text replacing what I had typed. I started to panic, then remembered this nifty little trick.  I shook the iPhone and – a little pop-up menu appeared asking if I wanted to undo the last action. I clicked Undo and – viola – my typed text reappeared! I was ecstatic.  Okay, a slight exaggeration, but needless to say, I was very happy.

If you delete more than one portion, shake your iPhone/iPod again and you will get the options: Undo & Redo.

Watch this video to learn more.

If you are having trouble viewing this video, try downloading and installing Quicktime (for free), or you can view the video online by clicking here. (see Note)

Good luck,
Richard

Now really?  Do you believe it? Engineers and regulators are so confounded by Toyota’s acceleration problem, that they are now investigating whether the problems could possibly be caused by cosmic rays.

If you are like me, your first reaction is that Toyota is just looking for an excuse. I mean, this sounds more Sci-Fi than reality.

Turns out, that it is scientists and engineers that have come up with the theory that cosmic rays are causing Toyota’s problems.  Toyota is denying the possibility.

Scientists claim that cosmic rays cause random and totally unpredictable problems in electronic circuitry of all types.  Airplanes are very susceptible to them, that is why they now have triple redundant systems.

Toyota’s cars are more susceptible to them than any other manufacturer’s cars because they have much more electronics in them than any other manufacturer’s cars.

On the flip side, Toyota maintains that it’s electronics so safe and reliable, that there is no possibility that cosmic rays could be effecting them.

I know this is a complete non-sequiter post and completely off topic, but I just found it very interesting and felt compelled to share it.  Let  me know your thoughts.

Cheers,
Richard

Here is just a quick update.

The iPad will become available on April 3rd, 2010.   If you are so inclined and just can’t wait, you can preorder it now on Apple’s website.

You will have two options:

a) Get your iPad on day one. Pre-order it from the Apple Online Store and have it delivered free on April 3.

Or

b) Reserve one to pick up at an Apple Retail Store on April 3.

But, I have a question for you.  Do you care?

Are you so excited to get the iPad that you just can’t wait?

Here is my opinion, and most of the people I have talked to agree:

I think the iPad is very cool.  It has the “Gee Whiz” factor that Apple is known for.  But right now it does not seem like it is worth the price.  Yes, it is great for viewing movies and surfing the web, but other than a larger screen and being faster, does it really offer more than an iPhone or iPod Touch?

I cannot carry it around as easily as my iPhone or iPod Touch, and it cannot do as much as my laptop.  Is it really worth $499 for the starting model or as much as $829 + celluar charges (3G data plan)?

If money were no object, I would definitely get one.  But for now, money is a consideration. So I am going to wait to see what new applications come out and read some other reviews before I get one.

What is your opinion?  Are you going to get an Apple iPad?

Cheers,
Richard

I can’t believe how quickly 2009 went.  Actually , I can’t believe how quickly the entire decade went by.  It seem like just 2 years ago we were all “worried” about Y2K.  Oh my, it is the year 2000!  We were even arguing over whether we should celebrate the new millennium in 2000 or 2001.

Well, it is now 2010.  So much has changed, yet so much has still remained the same.  I could start enumerating my list, but do you really care.  Lists are all over the place.

As you can tell, I took a short break over the holidays.  Now I am back and I have some great plans for the upcoming year.

There is so much going on in technology I am going to be overwhelmed.

I have some great training videos planned, will be on the look out for the latest news, will have some great iPhone Apps to share, and occasionally will have discounts and other tidbits to share.

The best way to make this site work for everyone is through reader contributions.  Please feel free to add to the conversation.  Even better, let me know if you want to be a contributing writer.  Do you have a special interest, skill, or knowledge?  Share it with the world!

(You can send me a message using the Comment box below or the secure, private “Contact Us“ form.)

Welcome to 2010 !

Cheers,
Richard

You can make fun little holiday movie featuring you and your relatives or friends.  All you need is a picture of their faces.  That’s it.

Here, check out this sample that I made in about 10 minutes:

If you are having trouble viewing this video, try downloading and installing Quicktime (for free), or you can view the video online by clicking here. (see Note)

To make your own, just click here to be taken to http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/

Note: You can create and share the video for free, however, you will also see the advertisement that JibJab uses.  Click on the link above to see what that looks like.  You can also download it, as I did in the video above, but they charge you $4.99. for that privilege.  However, that way you can also keep it for ever.