photo credit: New Fast Charge Batteries

A new technology may change the battery industry. According to article published by John Timmer, Ars Technica, this new technology uses a whole new approach and can work with both lithium- and nickel-based batteries. Imagine being able to charge your cell phone 90% capacity within 2 minutes. Charging a NiMH battery to 90% takes only 20 seconds.

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photo credit: Japanese Factories at Risk

A devastating earthquake and tsunami earlier this month in Japan caused shortages of electronic components. It will also result in increased prices. Currently, Apple has to find alternative manufacturers for components of their new iPad2. While Apple may be able to find substitute manufacturers, those same manufacturers realize they have Apple in a desperate situation, and are charging more for those parts. In addition to Apple finding itself in a bind, consumer electronics as a whole are finding shortages of components. And of course, the old “supply and demand” axiom is pushing prices up.

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photo credit: Texting During Disasters

Phone call restrictions in Japan leave more people texting. After the earthquake in Japan earlier this month, cell phone providers as well as landline phone service was restricted or at best, heavily congested. Many found the only way to reassure friends and family was through texting. CNET reported that in addition to texting, people were using “social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and Mixi” to stay in touch. The phone carriers were “limiting voice calls on congested networks, with NTT DoCoMo restricting up to 80 percent of voice calls, especially in Tokyo and in northeast Japan, where 30-foot tsunami waves caused extensive damage.” Even after restrictions were relaxed, coverage was spotty. For many, texting was the answer.

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photo credit: Helping Japan

The largest wireless service providers, AT&T and Verizon Wireless have announced free calling and free texting to Japan. Peace of mind is free for a limited time. In the wake of one of the worst natural disasters in history, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and 30 feet tsunamis, the world watched in horror and worried about the people in Japan. Now with nuclear reactor melt-downs, everyone is sitting on pins and needles waiting…

AT&T was first to announce free calling and free texting to Japan. Verizon followed suit shortly thereafter. Both companies also make it easy to donate by texting to help the people in Japan. If you are calling from an AT&T phone, simply text “redcross” to 90999 to donate $10 (added to your cell phone bill) to help the relief efforts in Japan.

Verizon actually posted a list of 9 charities to text donations. Verizon customers can easily make a $10 donation by simply sending a text message and may choose from nine organizations aiding those in need in Japan, including the American Red Cross. Donating $10 is easy – simply text the specific word to the organization’s designated short code:

* ADRA Relief: text SUPPORT to 85944
* American Red Cross Relief: text REDCROSS to 90999
* Convoy of Hope: text TSUNAMI or SUNAMI to 50555
* Global Giving: text JAPAN to 50555
* International Medical Corps: text MED to 80888
* Mercy Corps: text MERCY to 25383
* Salvation Army: text JAPAN to 80888
* Save the Children Federation, Inc.: text JAPAN or TSUNAMI to 20222
* World Relief Corp. of National Association of Evangelicals: text WAVE to 50555
* World Vision, Inc.: text 4JAPAN or 4TSUNAMI to 20222

Text messages are free for customers donating to any of these organizations. Verizon Wireless always waives text-messaging fees for disaster relief, and 100 percent of each $10 donation goes to the relief organization. For Verizon Wireless customers who pay monthly bills, the $10 donations will appear in customers’ next regular monthly bill. For customers using the company’s prepaid services, the $10 donations will be taken from customers’ prepaid balance.

As with any crisis, scammers are beginning to form schemes to take advantage of people’s generosity. See my blog Avoid Donation Scams—Giving Help to Japan. My advice would be to text from the list provided above if you are a Verizon customer, or check with your cell phone service provider for their approved list.

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Support for CellPlaza.org is provided by batteries4less.com, the leading online retailer of camera replacement batteries, cell phone batteries, chargers, mobile accessories and cordless phone batteries. Buy a new Droid X Extended Battery, online at batteries4less.

photo credit: Donation Scams

Last week Japan was rocked with one of the worst natural disasters of this century—and it’s not over yet. Besides getting hit with an earthquake beyond anyone’s imagination, and then having a 30 foot tsunami add further destruction, Japan is now faced with nuclear melt-downs. Not only are there feared to be over 10,000 deaths, but the country has been crippled with no power or heat—and it’s snowing there. People are starving and freezing, and we are called to help. Unfortunately there are those out there that try to take advantage and are forming donation scams. The money doesn’t get to the victims in Japan, but in addition, your donation online can actually put you at risk for identity theft, as well as emptying your bank account.

Have you been approached by phone or email to donate to the earthquake victims? The FBI has already found one such scam. According to KPSP Local 2 News, the FBI and the National Center for Disaster Fraud have issued a warning against donation scams as well as creating a tip line to receive information from the public about suspected fraud regarding the disaster in Japan. The FBI website says tips should be reported to the National Center for Disaster Fraud, (866) 720-5721. The line is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, e-mails can be sent to disaster@leo.gov, and information can be faxed to (225) 334-4707.Email scams may put your computer at risk for viruses. Not only might your donations not actually be going to the people of Japan, but some email scams may have key stroke capturing code to steal your personal information, thus putting your passwords and secure banking information in the hands of the scammers.How can you avoid being scammed and still donate? KPSP Local 2 News put together the following list to help you make sure your donations actually go to the people who need help in Japan. Here are some tips to follow:

1. Make sure you verify the charity is legit: If you’re unsure, you can check them out with the BBB at bbb.org/charity. Stick with names you know-like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
2. Be cautious when giving on-line-Especially in response to spam messages and emails that claim a link to a relief organization. Watch for spelling errors and don’t go to a misdirected website (from a popup window).
3. Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence-Unless the charity already has staff in the area, it may be difficult to get aid workers there. See if the website clearly describes what they can do.
4. Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups-some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations-you may want to consider “avoiding the middleman.”
5. Make checks payable directly to the charity and ask for a written receipt-This will help confirm legitimacy.
6. Make sure admin costs are held to a minimum-Don’t expect 100%, though.

HOW TO DONATE:

• You can do it via Cell Phone-American Red Cross-text REDCROSS to 90999 and can donate $10; same for Salvation Army-text “Quake” or “Japan to 80888 or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Texting donations may be delayed, so consider contacting charity directly.
• You can Donate Miles-American will offer up to 500 bonus miles if you donate $100; you can donate Continental, Delta, or United miles to the Red Cross-they’ll use them to fly relief workers there.
• You can go directly to website-don’t respond to email solicitations.

As with Hurricane Katrina, the disaster in Japan is bringing out both the best and worst in people. Scammers come out of the woodwork to take advantage of people rushing to help. It is an unfortunate reality that a small percentage of people will follow such a dark path, but with awareness and caution, you can still help the unfortunate in Japan.

What about you? Have you been contacted to donate? Are you looking for ways to help the Japanese? Let us know.

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Support for CellPlaza.org is provided by batteries4less.com, the leading online retailer of camera replacement batteries, cell phone batteries, chargers, mobile accessories and cordless phone batteries. Buy an new Droid X Extended Battery online at batteries4less.

photo credit: iPhone 5

The new iPhone from Apple is due out sometime this summer. Rumors are flying about just what the new iPhone will include. First of all, will it be called the iPhone 5? For simplicity, that’s what I will call it. Notable sites like PC World Report, iPhonereleasedate.org, and the UK’s The Independent are reporting “reliable rumors” (if there are such things.) Speculation about what will and won’t be included in the new iPhone differs, but most agree there will be a new case design. The back will be made from aluminum rather than glass, and the phone itself will be thinner. It is rumored that the screen will be shatterproof and scratch resistant. Other rumors include an HD audio system and a better “all the time” GPS mode.

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photo credit: Verizon iPhone vs. AT&T iPhone

Which iPhone is faster—Verizon or AT&T? According to an article by Peter Svensson, (AP Technology) posted on TechBits, “the Verizon iPhone loads Web pages just as fast as AT&T’s version of the phone, even though Verizon’s network has lower data speeds, phone testing firm, Metrico Wireless reported.” However, Metrico Wireless said that data downloads on the Verizon iPhone turned out to be half as fast as those on AT&T’s network, but unless you are downloading data, most users didn’t notice much difference in web browsing. Metrico tested the Verizon iPhone’s performance with 4,000 calls and 10,000 Web page downloads in New York, Seattle, Washington, Baltimore, Chicago and Dallas, Rich McNally, Metrico Wireless’ VP of Information Products said.

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photo credit: PlugShare App

So, you have an electric car? Do you ever worry about finding your next charging station before running out of juice? There’s an app for that. PlugShare for the iPhone allows electric car drivers to locate the closest charging stations. Now you can rest easy that you will be able to travel the highways without worrying about being stranded with no power.

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photo credit: Bluetooth Mobile Headset

With hands-free driving laws in 9 states, Bluetooth enabled headsets are becoming a necessity. As more states come on board with hands-free driving laws, it is inevitable that more Bluetooth mobile headsets will be manufactured and sold. There are also a plethora of mobile headsets already being sold. How can you navigate the market and find the best Bluetooth for you? Only you can choose what works for you. Several notable sites, like CNET and PCMagazine, have recently put together a review of the top rated Bluetooth mobile headsets. I have compiled their lists to give you a best of best list to check before you purchase a new Bluetooth mobile headset.

There are really 4 categories of Bluetooth headsets. For comparisons, we have to relate apples to apples. The 4 categories are: mono Bluetooth headsets, stereo Bluetooth headsets, speakerphone Bluetooth devices (usually clipped to your car visor), and then those most compatible with the iPhone (naturally not all Bluetooth headsets are compatible with Apple devices.)

Mono Bluetooth Headsets

PCMagazine lists its top 6 mono Bluetooth headsets with pricing and comments. In order of their ratings, below is their list:
Aliph Jawbone Era – $129 – 4 ½ stars.
Aliph Jawbone Icon – $99 – 4 stars.
BlueAnt Q2 – $129 – 4 stars.
Plantronics Discovery 975 – $129 – 4stars.
Plantronics Voyager Pro+ – $99 – 4 stars.
Sound ID 510 – $129 – 4 stars.

CNET’s list for mono Bluetooth headsets is almost exactly like PCMagazine’s list. The exception is the Motorola Finiti ($99). CNET’s initial review gave it 4 stars, but it has dropped the rating to 2 1/2 stars due to disconnection problems.

Stereo Bluetooth Headsets

PCMagazine lists 2 in its favorite review for stereo Bluetooth headsets. CNET didn’t offer a review of stereo Bluetooth headsets.
Motorola MotoROKR S9-HD – $129 – 3 1/2 stars.
Samsung Modus HM3500 – $59 – 3 1/2 stars.

HubSpot has also given a good review of stereo Bluetooth headsets. Their favorite list includes:
Sony Ericsson HBH Bluetooth Headset – $149 – 4 1/2 stars.
Motorola MOTOROKR S305 – $39 – 4 stars.
Plantronics Backbeat – $69 – 3 1/2 stars.
Nokia BH-905i Bluetooth Headset – $188 – 4 1/2 stars.

Top Bluetooth Speakerphones

PCMagazine only rates one Bluetooth speakerphone.
BlueAnt S4 – $99 – 4 stars. The BlueAnt S4 is an excellent-sounding, voice-enabled, hands-free speakerphone that’s a must buy for anyone sick of wearing a Bluetooth headset in the car.

Top iPhone Bluetooth Headsets

Only HubSpot gave us a list of headsets especially good for the iPhone. Briefly, here is their list:
Plantronics Discovery 975 – $59 – 5 stars.
Plantronics Voyager 510 – $117 – 5 stars.
Plantronics Voyager Pro – $42 – 5 stars.
Plantronics Discovery 95 – $149 – 4 1/2 stars.
Aliph Jawbone Icon – $59 – 4 1/2 stars.
Jawbone III – $49 – 4 1/2 stars.

How do you choose a Bluetooth headset? PCMagazine lists 9 criteria for choosing just the right headset for your tastes. The 9 things to consider are: call quality, noise cancellation, battery life, comfort, style, range, mono v.s stereo sound, bonus features (texting via the headset), and price. No matter which one you choose, getting a Bluetooth headset is a great idea. I love using my Bluetooth any time I use my Droid X Smartphone, not just when I drive. I don’t like having to hold my phone crook’d in my neck to make calls. I personally use what I consider to be a great headset. It’s the NoiseHush N500—light weight and great sound. It comes in a variety of colors. You can get it for only $25 at batteries4less. The best thing about getting at batteries4less is that they offer a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee (in case you don’t like it or it doesn’t work well with your cell phone), and a 1 Year Warranty.

Support for CellPlaza.org is provided by batteries4less.com, the leading online retailer of camera replacement batteries, cell phone batteries, chargers, Motorola RAZR v3 Battery, mobile accessories and cordless phone batteries.

photo credit: Grey Market iPhone 64GB

An iPhone 64GB prototype has surfaced in the ‘grey’ market in Hong Kong. According to an article by Sara Yin, PCMagazine.com, the rumor was first announced on Chinese-language blog Unwire.hk and later ‘confirmed’ by MIC Gadget. The 64GB model appears to be unlocked and running iOS 4.1. MIC Gadget’s photos of the model found are much like the iPhone 4 model that Gizmodo found last spring in a bar. The model shows lots of XX’s on its case. The model number states ‘XXXXX’, FCC ID number is ‘BCG- XXXXXX,’ and printed capacity is ‘XXGB.’

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