Usually if I thought something would set me back 59p, I wouldn’t blink an eyelid. Hell I pay easily triple that for a coffee and that’s just coloured water in a cup.

But we still have a slight reluctance to splurge on apps. Even as a dedicated iPhone user I still hesitate over any app that costs over £1. That is exactly the mental contradiction that the Oatmeal, that chronicler of geek dilemmas, picks up on in his cartoon recently “This is how I feel about buying apps”.

I do sort of know why of course: that’s because at heart I still think stuff on the internet is free, so I don’t compare apps with coffee, I compare them with FREE STUFF ON THE INTERNET. Compared to nothing, 59p is expensive. Still, I’ve got 90 odd so it’s not exactly prohibitive.

The Android store is known for having the most free apps, then Apple’s store is probably next with Blackberry and Window’s mobile apps being pretty pricey – in general. Nokia’s Ovi store prices are moderate but they don’t have many quality free apps.

The Internet has been well developed for the recent decade, and it becomes a most important part of our life. But things become ugly when it comes to shopping for internet resources, we are way more generous when buying real things that we can touch and feel. It’s just we don’t get it that the Internet is real, and so are the apps! We could really become a tightwad when it comes to the Internet, and the Oatmeal comic well explained this, you can check out the full cartoon at their official site.

Well, how do you feel about apps?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by cellphone sidekick.

Sony Ericsson have added a business phone to their line up of eco-friendly handsets. The multi-tasking Windows Aspen joins the Elm and the Hazel in the Sony Ericsson Greenheart range.

The phone’s general features reflect the business niche that Sony Ericsson are gearing their Aspen handset towards: the key point being the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, the latest version of the Windows phone set up that allows users to co-ordinate their phone with their PCs. And a Blackberry-ish shape with both a touchscreen and a full QWERTY keyboard makes easy typing a priority.

On the entertainment side, there’s also a media player and a 3.2 megapixel camera. The phone has built in Facebook and Windows messenger apps and the “Human Curvature” design lets it fit in the palm of your hand more easily.

It’s not just calling the phones after trees that make these phones eco-friendly. Their green credentials come from the manufacture, the packaging and factors like power-consumption. Green features on the previous Greenheart phones that we hope to see on this one come in three categories.

1. Less energy and raw materials are used in their manufacture and packing:
- Made out of recycled plastics
- Free from hazardous chemicals
- The instructions booklet is not printed on paper but is an e-manual in phone
- Packaging has been minimised

2. The Greenheart phones are designed to be more energy-efficient
- Low power consumption charger (EP300 GreenHeart(TM))
- Clearer voice technology should mean lower volume is required
- A Widget Manager application, which allows users access to their social networking page via the stand-by screen and quickly switch between different social networks, reduces the battery-wasting waiting time.

3. They come with apps for helping you cut down on CO2 and energy use in other areas of your life..
- Walk Mate eco application
- Green calculator

You can also use a special power-saving charger which minimises the power wasted when charging the phone.

The Sony Ericsson Aspen looks beautiful, and it is a tough phone with amazing functions, and it’s quite eco-friendly. So how do you like this Sony Ericsson green heart new phone? The phone’s available in Iconic Black or Silver White.

Related posts:

1. Sony Ericsson X10 Upgraded Android 2.3 only for Non-custom Machine Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 is the Android model launched by...
2. Obesity Version of Arc Mysterious New Product Sony Ericsson Acro Showed the Appearance Sony Ericsson introduced the Arc on the 2011 CES general...
3. The Exposure of the 4.3-inch qHD Screen HTC Pyramid Phone Seeing the major competitors such as Motorola, Samsung and LG...

Related posts brought to you by cellphone sidekick.

At a tiny £6 a month Tesco’s claim to have released the nation’s cheapest phone deal. The Sim-only contract gets you unlimited texts and 100 free minutes a month.

Aimed squarely at cash-strapped tweens, teens and students who don’t use calls very much, this is a pretty good deal. It’s a one month SIM only contract so you can cancel anytime after the first month.

Of course, it’s not going to work with your new iPhone or indeed any other smartphones, because it doesn’t offer any internet access but hey if you like to text, this is great.

It is totally great for you if you love texts, other bottom end contract deals cost £10 minimum. It is really cheap, and sounds like the prefect contract for you. But as it doesn’t work for any smartphone, I guess many of you can’t stand it, so this might be only good for the kids, the elders, or work as a second mobile for you. To get it, you can buy the SIM card on the Tesco Website.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by cellphone sidekick.

I always thought of slingshot as a toy especially created for naughty boys, as we often saw young boys sending stones or balls onto girls or birds. But the SMS Slingshot designed by Berlin based VR/URBAN has totally changed my opinion.

It is a handheld digital slingshot device that can send color splashes and text messages onto public screens. There’s a mobile built in the wooden device to store messages and a laser to blast those contents onto nearby screens via a projector. So just as what you can see from the photos below, the user keys in the messages, shoots the slingshot, and then he/she can find a color splash appear on the screen with the text inside.

So the slingshot is now not just a mean toy for naughty boys, it is a fun toy for all of us! Hopefully you’ll enjoy it!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by cellphone sidekick.

Yes, I’m one of those people who still have a landline – it is VOIP if that makes me sound any better. So it really annoys me to no end when I have to go to my cellphone for a number because my landline doesn’t have it in its contacts log – obviously.But my problems could be solved with the Panasonic KX-TG9382T which is the first-ever landline telephone that lets users transfer their cell phone contacts to the KX-TG9382T via Bluetooth.

Let’s see how you can transfer your cellphone contacts via bluetooth to the Panasonic KX-TG9382T. All your contacts will be at your fingertips without having to shuffle through all your devices for a number.  To transfer a cell phone address book of up to 600 entries, simply select the “Phonebook Transfer” option from the KX-TG9382T’s menu screen, and then follow the instructions for phonebook transfer onto a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone. The KX-TG9382T’s menu screen displays each entry as it quickly and automatically transfers each phonebook entry in alphabetical order, allowing users to track progress.

Another nice feature is that it can be paired with any Bluetooth enabled headset so you can wander aimlessly and still be connected. It’s perfect for home businesses since it is a two line phone with an answering machine and conferencing capabilities.

The Panasonic KX-TG9381T will retail for $169.95 and if you want to expand it – it will cost you an additional $79 for each handset. It should be popping up at Amazon later this month.

Nice job Panasonic, you may have just given the landline a new lease on life, a good one. So if you’re like me who have a thing for landline, and felt it was inconvenient, now this might be a good chance for you to pick up a landline again.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by cellphone sidekick.

It looked like the iPhone is in serious trouble, as the Palm Pre once had announced news that will have Apple HQ wearing sackcloth and ashes before very long. The Palm Pre to be able to sync with iTunes- cue drumroll, gaping mouths, and a serious problem for the Apple clan. Back then and up till now, iTunes as well as a snazzy interface and web browser has been what’s kept the iPhone ahead of the game, but with news that the impressive looking Pre was going to be compatible, well, battle lines have been firmly drawn.

Indeed, DRM will still be an issue with the Pre, but considering you’re getting superior specs to the iPhone combined with their natty new OS, it’s going to be a close call. But sadly for us, the Apple soon disarmed that function and the Pre gets only Palm Pre when it came out.

Well this is a sad story, but maybe a nice start, let’s just hope these things to get real one day. And nevertheless, the Pre still has a 3 megapixel camera, 3.1 inch touchscreen and the usual Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections. It also gives you a 3.5mm jack- important for audiophiles, and quite nice looking too, still a nice phone!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by cellphone sidekick.

I made my first documentary when I was 13, so I’m not entirely shocked by the idea that the Butterfly mobile phone concept was designed by a 15 year old – and looks better and has more sensible design principles than most stuff coming out nowadays. Using existing tech such as Bluetooth and touchscreens (unlike many concepts which are doomed to remain concepts for lack of tech) and sporting an impressively polished interface, this is definitely my favourite non-existent phone to date.

Wow, I’ll just wait till this finally hit the market and run to get one of mine!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by cellphone sidekick.

Well, after a long journey in iPhone chargers I finally find this for other smarphones: the RichardSolo 1800 for BlackBerry/Smartphone is really good.

When it comes to the iPhone, there are tons of battery packs out there that are available for it. From solar powered to battery packs that also double as cases, the iPhone is super spoiled when it comes to options. On the other hand, most smartphones are generally left scrambling in the dust, even if they do have battery lives that are just as sucky and just as in need of a boost on the road as the iPhone’s. Fortunately, Richard Solo heard the cries of these other capable smartphones. Besides having a backup battery solution available for the iPhone, Richard Solo has also come out with the RichardSolo 1800 for BlackBerry/Smartphone. This battery pack is unusual in that it will work with several types of smartphones, including all BlackBerry models, the Palm Pre, Nexus One, and nearly all of the popular smartphones out in the market now as long as they use a mini or micro USB charging post. We tested the RichardSolo 1800 with the Google Nexus One.

What makes the Richard Solo 1800 really stand out is the fact that it also has a built in laser pointer and LED white flashlight. The flashlight can last for over 100 hours when the battery is fully charged. These are two features that you never know when they’ll come in handy. Heck, if you’re stuck somewhere where you need a battery boost, there is a good chance that at the same time you’ll need a flashlight too in one of those situations. But of-course, if you use the Richard Solo to charge your phone, the flashlight will be capput.

The design of the Richard Solo is clean and very pocket and purse friendly. Its gray coloring will easily match the looks of most modern day smartphones. The device itself weighs 2.30z and measures 2″ x 7/16″ x 4 3/8″. On its front fact, the Richard Solo sports LEDS which indicate its charging status. Green indicates that the device itself is being charged, red indicates that the Solo needs to be recharged, and finally, Blue indicates that the Richard Solo is actively charging a connected smartphone.

The Richard Solo 1800 comes with a 100-240V, 50-60Hz AC wall charger, dual-port USB car charger, retractable USB cable, and mini/micro-USB connector cables. That means that you’ll be able to use the included accessories to conveniently charge your phone in the wall, in your car, or by connecting it to the USB port in your computer. The Richard Solo itself has a dedicated mini-usb connector. If your smartphone uses a mini-usb charger, then you can directly connect the Richard Solo to it to charge the device. But if your smartphone is like the Nexus One and it uses a micro-usb charger (which most modern day smartphones do use) you’ll need to connect the micro-USB connector cable to the Richard Solo’s body, and you’ll need to stick the other end of the micro-usb connector into the Nexus one. So basically, if you want to take along the Richard Solo with you for an extra boost during the day, you better remember to bring along the micro-USB connector cable or it will be useless for charging the Nexus One. This is a bumper, but not a total deal breaker.

The Richard Solo took almost 5 hours to fully charge when connected to a wall outlet, and then its 1800mAh polymerized lithium-ion battery took 2 hours to charge the Nexus One, at the end of which it left the Nexus One with 75% of its battery full. Of course, each smartphone will vary by how much % of a full charge it receives from the Richard Solo, but the Nexus One is a good average for today’s smartphones with their hungry batteries.

When it comes to all the included cables that come with the Richard Solo 1800, having so many cables is both convenient and inconvenient all at the same time. It’s great that the kit provides you with everything you need to charge your device in the car, with your computer and via a wall outlet, but you to remember to bring the cable you need along with you (if you’re using a micro-usb device) or else the battery pack is useless. Of-course, the Richard Solo’s inclusion of a laser pointer and built-in flashlight is very unique and wholeheartedly welcome. But the truth is, even if it weren’t there, we’d just be grateful to have a proficient and compact battery pack device that is compatible with so many smartphones. And chances are, that the Richard Solo 1800 will be compatible with your next smartphone – whether it’s a BlackBerry or Android device, so it has good long term value too.

All in all, this is nice device that support for many devices, and built-in laser pointer and LED flashlight are neat extras, comes with everything you need to charge your phone via car, the wall, or your computer; However, you’ll need to carry around two pieces to recharge a smartphone with a micro-USB charging port, although its slim and lightweight – it’s almost as big as the Nexus One itself. So, now it’s your call to get one of these or not.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by cellphone sidekick.

Do you find yourself falling out of planes or being submerged in water often? Then the Sonim XP3 Sentinel is the phone for you. The XP3 Sentinel has actually been designed for Lone Workers in energy, utilities, construction, security, forestry and logistics sectors, and to that effect it has been engineered to be super tough.

The phone can be dropped from 2 metres on to concrete (so you’ll have to drop it onto the floor right before you land), submerged in one meter of water for up to thirty minutes, and it can operate in temperatures from -20 to 55 Celsius. It also sports a Gorilla glass screen that meets the military-level MIL-810F certification for resistance to humidity, salt, shock and heat.

Inside the phone, its 110 decibel speakers are made to be loud enough to be heard even in the noisiest and most hostile of conditions – like picking the kids up from school. The phone also comes with an Emergency Red Button that will work even if the phone is locked. This button sends the user’s GPS location to a monitoring center. So you can never be lost, and that’s really useful when in danger. A second button, colored Amber, is the way for a lone worker to send out a message that he/she is going into a risky situation and that they need to be monitored and tracked. The XP3’s monitoring service will then track the user on a map and remind them to use the phone to check in every ten minutes until they cancel the amber alert. Finally, a green button on the phone can be used for a worker to send a signal that their work shift is done for the day.

This is really not a pretty phone, but still kind of special in shape. And I don’t think this is necessary for everyone to get a phone like this, but totally a great choice for the lone workers, and the kids too maybe. Anyway, this is unique cellphone, it’s tough and really useful in certain occasions.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by cellphone sidekick.

But also we can always hear elderly people complain about having trouble using their phone, either can’t see clearly or just too complicated to use. That mean the elder needs a phone that is designed for the generation at the first place, and here it is, a nice senior citizen cellphone.

It has big numbered buttons to dial for those who have a hard time seeing. A torch light if they get lost in the night, FM radio for entertainment, and a SOS button which can be programmed to dial four emergency numbers and send text messages to those numbers programmed into the cellphone. All they need to do is press the SOS button in emergency situation, and the phone will issue a loud warning sound and automatically send broadcast messages to the default phone numbers programmed in.

There may be no touchscreen or color display but the big keys alone would probably be a big hit for the elder. Features big numbers and SOS panic button, the Blind Embossed Big Keypad Cell Phone For Elderly People with SOS retails for $70.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by cellphone sidekick.