Tom Keating : VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Tom Keating
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Mobile Phones

Mobile Phones, cell phones

Cell Phones Do a Body (& Mind) Good

January 7, 2010

Well, well well - it appears that cell phone radiation isn't all that bad; brain cancer be damned! You see, a recent study showed that electromagnetic radiation exposed to mice actually reversed Alzheimer's disease and improved cognitive capabilities. So you see, you are smarter the more you use your smartphone.

According to the ABC News article, "A similar (electromagnetic radiation) exposure in normal mice -- for two hours a day over seven to nine months -- improved their cognitive abilities compared with controls, Arendash and colleagues said in the January issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, which is the research journal of the Alzheimer's Association."

Hey, if radiation can give Spiderman super-strength and "spider sense" that lets him sense danger, then it makes sense that low-levels of radiation can make us smarter.



Truphone Comes to Android - But no VoIP over 3G

January 7, 2010

Truphone fans will be happy to hear that the popular VoIP application now works on Android mobile handsets, though support for the new Google Nexus One is coming soon. Truphone's new Android application enables free calls to other Truphone, Skype and Google Talk users  - though only over Wi-Fi and not 3G. 

I don't get why Truphone only works over WiFi. AT&T for example recently announced they were allowing VoIP over 3G applications on the iPhone , including Skype. While running VoIP over AT&T's 3G data connection can have sketchy quality sometimes, it's still nice to have the option. Is Google not allowing VoIP over 3G on their Android devices or has Truphone just not enabled that feature?

Dragon Dictation for iPhone Addresses Privacy Concerns

December 16, 2009


There was a bit of controversy surrounding the cool Dragon Dictation speech-recognition app for the Apple iPhone. Namely, some privacy advocates weren't happy that the app would upload their entire iPhone contact list to Dragon Dictation's servers. The purpose was merely to improve name recognition and no personally identifiable information such as phone number or email address was uploaded. Nevertheless, it caused a bit of a firestorm among privacy advocates.

Nimbuzz for Blackberry Launches

December 3, 2009

Nimbuzz today launched their social networking, IM, and VoIP app for the Blackberry. Although it doesn't support VoIP. It works on multiple IM networks including Skype IM as well as online chat support for MSN, GoogleTalk, Yahoo!, Facebook & MySpace.

Running as a native application it allows Nimbuzz to run constantly in the background, have alert notifications 'pushed' to the home screen and integrate notifications with sound profiles, ensuring you don't miss a message.

Nimbuzz claims this is "the most comprehensive mobile social messaging application available for the Blackberry."


The application is available free to download now from Nimbuzz.com and BlackBerry App World.






D2 Technologies, Beceem & ECS Extend VoIP over WiMAX to Android Smartphones and MIDs

December 2, 2009

Interesting news from D2 Technologies I thought I'd share. They are announcing a partnership with Beceem and ECS to offer a turnkey solution for developing and delivering VoIP over WiMAX smartphones to market running the Android platform.

Full news release after the jump...





fring Brings Video calls to iPhone and iPod touch

December 1, 2009

fring has done it again! A few weeks ago they brought video calls to the Google Android. Then last week they brought video calls to Nokia phones with promises that the Apple iPhone was coming soon.

Well, that day has arrived! You can now have video calls on your iPhone I installed fring on my iPhone and am about to test it.

fring and Skype Video calls on your Mobile Phone

November 25, 2009

Nokia N900 Maemo 5 Bakes in Skype

November 23, 2009


The new Maemo 5 software in the Nokia N900 has some surprises, including Skype baked into the operating system. Sweet! This will allow you to make free calls using the uber-gadgety Nokia N900.

What else is new? Well Maemo 5 will update over-the-air (OTA), so no more connecting to a PC just to do a software update.


Judge rejects AT&T Request to pull Verizon ad, AT&T Responds with Anti-Verizon Ad

November 19, 2009

Break out the popcorn wireless fans, the battle between AT&T and Verizon Wireless is getting ugly! A judge has rejected AT&T's request to pull the Verizon 3G ad which compares Verizon's 3G map footprint vs. AT&T's 3G map footprint where AT&T's 3G footprint looks downright pathetic.

Although the judge rejected AT&T's request, he was not without some sympathy. Judge Batten said people might "misunderstand" the commercials, "but that doesn't mean they're misleading." and he said "Most people who are watching TV are semi-catatonic," he said, prompting laughter.

fring for Google Android Launches

November 18, 2009

fring is finally available for the Google Android. It's about time! One drawback though is that SIP and SkypeOut calls are not yet available on Droid devices. There's always a catch...

In addition to Skype chat and Skype-to-Skype VoIP calling you also get MSN and GoogleTalk support, real-time presence and live chat with  ICQ, Yahoo!

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