Want to Control Your International Telephone Costs?
Planning a business or pleasure trip overseas? Do you have a child studying abroad? Keeping in touch while traveling to other countries can be very costly. Fortunately, there are many Internet based programs that have reduced the costs of communicating substantially, and in many cases, for free, depending on the country.
If you own a smartphone, (iPhone, Android, or Blackberry) free calls are a snap. No need to worry about placing calls for as much as $3 to $4 PER MINUTE.
While there are many services available, I suggest you look at Viber, MagicJack, and Skype. All three have the ability to communicate for free from anywhere you can access the Internet through a wireless connection.
Many of you already are familiar with Skype which offers free video chatting with a computer, tablet, and a smartphone from a wireless connection. Using Skype on your smartphone or tablet from an area without a wireless connection is not free and the costs will depend on your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, etc.) and the country who are in.
Viber offers free telephone calls and text messaging from smartphone to smartphone from a wireless area. Both you and the person you are calling need to have the app installed on your smartphone. The app is free.
MagicJack is a matchbook size device with a USB plug that is plugged into your laptop computer. The price of the MagicJack is $39.95 and the annual cost is under $20. It can be bought either at their website or at any electronics store (Best Buy, etc.). When you register, you select a local US number (where you live) and all calls, placed or received through the MagicJack, from a wireless area, are free.
There are a host of services available, however I am able to communicate with friends, family and business associates in other countries on a regular basis for FREE.
If you would like to discuss any of these services in greater detail, or if you have any other questions regarding how to control your international communication costs, I can be reached at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com
To listen to my latest BlogTalkRadio Program, “How to Control Your International Calling Costs,” click on the site below.
2013 – The Year of Mobile Technology
Do you have the right tools to operate in the new mobile world?
Over 85% of the world population now owns a mobile phone. In the United States, there are more mobile phones than people. In 2012, over 60% of mobile phones purchased in the US were smartphones.
Do you own a smartphone? Are you considering an upgrade? Which phone is right for you, an iPhone, Android, or Blackberry? Over 25% of households in the US have a tablet. Should you have one?
If you want to make sure you are ready to be a true road warrior, give me call at 917 921-4518 or e-mail me at jblue@bluetutor.com/bluetutorold.
To listen to my most recent BlogTalkRadio program about the mobile world in 2013, click below.
What Boomers and Seniors Need to Know
So much technology……. So many choices
Chances are that your children are more tech savvy than you are.
Are you on the wrong side of the Great Digital Divide?
Do you have the right tools to operate in the new Mobile World?
Now available as an e-book. Order it for your Kindle
ARE YOU SECURING YOUR MOBILE DEVICES?
We are living in a mobile world. Chances are that you are using your smartphone and tablet more than your computer for e-mail and information. Are your mobile devices secure? Do you know how to find them if they are lost?
Within the next couple of years, more people will be accessing the Internet through a mobile device than with a desktop or laptop computer.
Listen in to my BlogTalkRadio program for a discussion with my guest, Neil Forster, President of Forster Technology Solutions, about what you need to know about securing your mobile devices and how to locate them if they are misplaced.
Is It Time For You to Get a Tablet?
Apple introduced the mini iPad yesterday as the tablet wars heat up. Sales of tablets worldwide, with displays in the 7-inch range, are expected to double this year to 34 million units, and to double again in 2013, to 67 million units, according to IHS as reported in the Wall Street Journal.
So much to choose from: Amazon’s Kindles, Barnes and Noble Nooks, Google’s Nexus 7, etc. and more to come in the weeks and months ahead.
Which one is right for you and what are the differences? As I have indicated many times in the past, it depends on your needs, preferences, comfort level with the device, and budget.
The Wall Street Journal offers a price and feature comparison of the most popular tablets.
According to a recent report in CNNMoney, PC sales will decline in 2012 for the first time since 2011. This is in part to the explosive growth of the tablet market as detailed above.
Many of my clients who have never used a computer have embraced tablets for simple web browsing, e-mail, reading, shopping and viewing videos and pictures, to name a view.
IBM reports that by 2013, there will be more mobile devices than people in the world. Isn’t it time you entered the Mobile World?
If you have any questions about tablets, or any other technology issues, please do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 of by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com. You can also access my BlogTalkRadioShow by clicking on the link below.
Does Your iPhone Battery Need A Boost?
Are you scrambling to find an outlet to recharge your iPhone by mid-afternoon? Well, Mophie is the answer to your power outage. Mophie is an ultra-thin case that houses a rechargeable battery that virtually doubles the battery time and serves as a protective case for your phone. Although is adds width and weight to the phone, the difference for anyone using a simple protective case is not that great.
I’ve been using the mophie charger for several weeks and find that it is no longer necessary to charge the battery during the day.
To find out more about Mophie, you can visit their website at www.mophie.com to determine which of their products fits your iPhone model.
If you have any questions about Mophie or any other technology issues, please do not hesitate to contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail, at jblue@bluetutor.com. In addition, you may access my BlogTalkRadio program “Keeping Technology Simple” by clicking on the link below. On the program, I discuss the latest technology with experts in the field each week.
What is Viber?
Viber is a free application for calling and texting other Viber users who have also downloaded and installed the app on their mobile phones. It works on iPhones, Androids and Blackberries. The voice quality is excellent as long as you have Internet access.
Why use Viber?
- No registration required
- Instantly integrates with your contact list
- Excellent for making phone calls and texting globally, country to country
- No need to be signed into an account – phone will ring automatically
- Free when calling from a Wi-Fi area.
- Available through a 3G/4G data network (calls use your data plan)
Excellent app for people who are traveling overseas who need to maintain contact with other Viber users in other countries.
If you have any questions about Viber or any other technology subjects, my phone number is 917 921 4518 or e-mail me at jblue@bluetutor.com. Please visit my website, www.bluetutor.com to register for my updates and special offers.
Tune in to my BlogTalkRadio Show to hear all about the relevant technology news of the day.
THE WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.
– Do you have the right equipment to support your business and personal needs?
– Confused by all the new gadgets being introduced almost on a daily basis?
– Do you know what type of smartphone (iPhone, Android, blackberry) is right for you?
– Do you understand the new data plans that have been introduced by your wireless service provider (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, etc.)?
– Are you or someone you know going through career transition and need help determining their technology needs?
– Need to set up a home office?
These are just a few topics that I discuss on my weekly radio program. While the shows are aired every Thursday at 4:30 PM, you can click on the link below to access the archives of all past programs at anytime. The topics as well as the names of guest speakers are listed for each show.
If you have any questions about any of the topics discussed, please contact me at 917 921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com for a FREE telephone consultation. Feel free to visit my website, www.bluetutor.com for more information about my services.
To hear the latest program, click on the play button (>) below. To access my program site and the archives, click on my name (Jim Blue).
ARE YOU PART OF THE NEW MOBILE WORLD?
We are all spending more and more time on the road, whether for business or pleasure. The operative word now is “Mobile.” Are you ready? To be a true “road warrior,” you must be able to:
– Select a mobile device (iPhone, Android, Blackberry, iPad, etc.) based on your needs.
– Choose the right provider (Verizon. AT&T, Sprint, etc.)
– Understand the differences between “data” and phone plans.
– Understand the rules for accessing the internet while traveling.
– Use mobile apps for travel sites (hotels, flights, etc.) as well as information such as restaurants, weather, news, movies, online banking, stocks, etc.
– Control your telephone costs.
– Manage your e-mails.
– Text messaging.
– Access your contacts.
– Maintain your calendar.
– Set up reminders.
– Access your critical files.
– Store important personal information such as medications, emergency contacts, passwords, etc.
– Watch movies.
According to the most recent report issued by Ericsson, the number of worldwide mobile subscribers in 2011 was 6 billion. Within the next five years, the number will grow to close to 9 billion.
The population of the United states is 315 million. There are over 325 million cell phones in use in the US. Smartphones (iPhones, Androids, Blackberries, etc) now represent over 50% of all mobile phone sales.
I can make you a true “road warrior.” To set up a free consultation, I can be reached by phone at 917-921-4518 or by e-mail at jblue@bluetutor.com.
STILL UNDECIDED ON WHICH SMARTPHONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Recent studies, as reported in the Wall Street Journal, indicate that in the first quarter of 2012 , Google’s Android and Apple’s iPhone combined market share is now over 80%, up from 54% during the same period last year. Rim’s Blackberry, which once dominated the market for so long has seen its market share drop to well under 10%. Both Google and Apple have developed operating systems and services with greater appeal in the new mobile world than offered by Rim and other resources.
Within the next few years, more than three quarters of all mobile phone purchased will be smartphones. So, how does one decide which one to buy? The first step is to determine your needs. How much time do you spend out of your home or office? Are you a phone person? Is e-mail your primary means of communication? How often do you access the Internet from the road? Are you comfortable with a touch screen or do you prefer a keyboard?
Need help making the right decision? Give me a call at 917 921-4518 or e-mail me at jblue@bluetutor.com.