Tawkon’s app that measures cell phone radiation is still being banned by Apple. Just last week the app for the BlackBerry was released, but Apple is still rejecting the cell phone app. As more and more manufacturers embrace this new technology, you have to wonder why Apple isn’t. What is Apple afraid of?

Tell Apple to Stop Banning Tawkon’s App

Tawkon’s new patent-pending technology takes 3 factors into consideration for their measurements of cell phone radiation. (Quoted from Tawkon’s blog “tawkon: How We Help Avoid Mobile Radiation” )

• Hardware: The way a mobile device is engineered, the model of the phone, factors such as the location of the device’s antenna, the materials out of which it was constructed, materials that physically shield the device from the cellular network (covers, sticker, etc) as well as the shape and size of the phone are all components that affect your levels of exposure to radiation.
• Environment: The location of the mobile phone is a crucial point. The terrain (whether the user is shielded from the cellular network e.g. in a basement, elevator or behind a concrete wall), mobility (due to frequent handover between cell towers) as well as weather conditions are all characteristics that are factored into this equation.
• Usage: While the above two factors are not in the hands of the user (besides of course selecting a device and changing location when possible), the way we use our phones very much depends on us. Many people are unaware that even the smallest adjustment in the way we operate our mobile devices can drastically reduce our exposure to mobile phone radiation. Holding the phone vertically and not horizontally, distancing the device from ones body & head via peripherals such as headsets (wired or Bluetooth) or by using the phone’s speaker, we can actively take part in lowering our exposure to radiation.

Isn’t that simple to understand? Perhaps not, but do we need to know how electricity works in order to enjoy its benefits? The important things is that you can measure the radiation and make informed decisions based on that information.

Tawkon is actively seeking Apple’s approval for the iPhone app. They have an online petition you can sign (Tell Apple). The more people who sign the petition, the faster iPhone users can talk more with lower radiation. More information to consumers is always a good thing.

I urge you to go sign the petition.

Worried about your teen texting while driving? Texting while driving (cell phone distraction) is reported to cause a 23% increase in car accidents. So you nag and you nag, but do they listen? No worries. There are 3 new mobile apps that can prevent your teen from breaking the rules.

3 New Mobile Apps Can Block Texting and Calling While Driving

These new apps block text and calling when the user is shown to be moving, detected via their phone’s GPS function. All 3 apps let you keep “911” unblocked for emergencies. You can program your phone to send a text message back to the person texting you that might read, “I’m driving right now; and will get back with you as soon as I can.” So no excuses that you just HAD to answer that hot guy who texted you. You can also program a verbal alert that warns your teen, “Put down the phone or the car keys are mine!” Cute, eh?

The new apps work on the Android OS, BlackBerry and the Windows Mobile OS, but will soon be available for the iPhone as well. Each app has it pros and cons, so if you want to check them out, they are ZoomSafer ($2.99/month), iZup ($5/month), and CellSafety $10/month).

For a mere $3-$10 per month subscription rate, what parent in their right mind wouldn’t want this on their teen’s phone? It may also be a prudent thing for businesses to consider for their company owned cell phones. Passing laws doesn’t seem to prevent texting or calling while driving, so perhaps a built in program is the answer. What’s your take on it?

BlackBerry cell phone maker, Research in Motion, is set to buy QNX Software Systems, which was acquired by Harmon, which makes audio and entertainment products. The partnership would allow Research in Motion, QNX and Harman to build a better system between Smartphones and audio and entertainment systems in vehicles.

BlackBerry Music Quality to Improve?

iPod has been the dominant device to interface with car stereo systems, but with BlackBerry rising to the occasion, we may see the market share shift. Depending on the quality BlackBerry shows us, iPod may be in trouble (NOT). It is still inconvenient to have your phone hooked into your stereo when receiving an incoming call.

Will I rush out to get a new BlackBerry when the new technology arrives? No. I have a car stereo with a USB port and use a flash drive. It solves all my musical challenges in my car. My Moto Q cell phone allows me to listen to music and hook up to the car, but I prefer the flash drive. I have the iPod for “out-of-car” music. BlackBerry? Nope. What about you?

iPhone and BlackBerry have health apps to help you with those New Year’s resolutions. Want to lose weight? There’s an app for that. Actually there are several apps that help you count calories, journal exercises, and there is even a scanning app to calculate the nutritional value of foods.

Your Cell Phone May Help You Get Healthy

So far, iFitness works only on iPhones and BlackBerry phones, but watch for the wave to hit the Droids. I predict Weight Watchers, Jillian Michaels, Curves and other top names will soon join in having cell phone apps. After all, Weight Watchers has had a little purse sized calculator/journaling device for years. It’s time to bring it into the cell phone age.

Finally! Cell phones are not just the cancer causing demons. Do I see this idea catching on? Yes! In a BIG WAY!

Apple, Google, BlackBerry, Nokia and Palm are all fighting for the number one spot. With more and more demand for content rich apps on Smartphones, the very competitive market is the driving force for these companies. So how is the Smartphone war going?

The Smartphone War

Apple has held the number one spot for the past 3 years. But the mighty Apple iPhone is losing ground. Apple’ stock prices have flattened. The iPad isn’t the fix all that was predicted by Apple. Verizon won’t be carrying the iPhone this year, which would have boosted the iPhone sales. Is Apple in trouble?

The new Android trend is catching on quickly. With new devices, new apps and new service providers, the Droid is gaining momentum. Google’s willingness to upgrade the Android when new features come out is part of the draw. HTC has several Droids with more being released. Motorola has a Droid with Verizon and Google even has an HTC Droid of its own, an unlocked Smartphone available through Google’s website.

BlackBerry, once the leader for email syncing, is losing ground. Perhaps with Google Mail being available on the Droid, the BlackBerry needs to upgrade. With all the features being offered on other Smartphones, BlackBerry needs to get on the bandwagon and offer more.

Nokia, the Finnish manufacturer, is seriously in trouble in the Smartphone market. Nokia had no new device to show off at the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona. With the trend moving towards feature rich Smartphones, Nokia better “smarten up.”

Palm is struggling to keep up. They released the new Pixi hoping to compete in the market, but sales have been weak and the lack of cash flow is crippling Palm. Palm has moved to a partnership with AT&T, which will hopefully bring in more phone sales. The analysts predict Palm is going to continue to be pulverized.

Where are you headed with your next phone? With the unlimited talk, text and web browsing options being reduced in price from the service providers, the new Smartphones are much more attractive to me. How about you?

Nokia just rolled out its new Maemo phone, after 5 years in development. It combines their Linux Maemo software platform with Intel’s Linux based Moblin to create the new platform, MeeGo.

Intel and Nokia plan a merger on new cell phone

The MeeGo announcement came last week at the Mobile World Congress fair in Barcelona, Spain. The MeeGo is direct competition to the Apple iPhone and other Smartphones. Nokia understands that getting out a phone that will appeal to the consumers is the key to the race. But will anything really replace the popular iPhone? When AT&T loses it exclusivity this year, other providers will be able to sell the iPhone. I predict it will triple in popularity, replacing the new trendy Droids as well as the BlackBerry phones.

For those Linux fans, this is another way to slap at King Kong (Microsoft). Will Microsoft even feel the blow? It’s doubtful. Still it’s nice to see that free enterprise competition out there.

Microsoft fulfills your Xbox dreams! Unfortunately this app will be available exclusively on Windows Mobile phones. That’s right… no iPhones, BlackBerry phones, or even the new Droid phones.

Xbox Live Games is coming to your mobile phone

Will the Xbox mobile phone app pump new life into the Windows Mobile phone market? Maybe it will, but with the growing number of iPhone, BlackBerry and Droid owners, I doubt the Xbox will catch on like Microsoft would like.

Are you an avid Xboxer? Would you use this on a cell phone? Let me know.