photo credit: Texting While Driving?

Chambersburg, PA—One local mother is concerned and doing something about teen texting while driving. When Pamela Rajtik learned of the statistics that 40 percent of young Americans between the ages of 12 and 17 have been in a car while the driver was texting and driving, she thought, “someone should do something about this.” As the mother of teens, she was more than just a little concerned. After waiting and learning, researching and taking notes, and talking with other parents, Pamela has started a new non-profit organization to help educate kids about the dangers of texting while driving.

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photo credit: Verizon to Pay $93.5 M

Verizon Wireless has agreed to pay $93.5 Million to the US government. According to an article written by Brad Reed, ITWorldCanada, the original complaint was filed against Verizon in 2007. MCI (starting in 1999) began overcharging the government by “submitting invoices for payment to the United States for certain surcharges … that it is prohibited from charging the United States under Federal Acquisition Regulations … and the FTS 2001 contract.” Since Verizon and MCI merged in 2006, the courts found Verizon liable for MCI’s actions.

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photo credit: Mobile App Investigation

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey are investigating mobile app companies. The Wall Street Journal reported that popular applications on the iPhone and Android mobile phones, including Pandora, transmit information about the phones, their users and their locations to outsiders, including advertising networks. Have you ever wondered how the ads on your mobile apps seem to know exactly what to target? Here’s the clue. The app companies are sharing your information.

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photo credit: ReadySet Changes Africa

There are over 500 million cell phone users worldwide. This is according to research by the GSMA, the international association of mobile operators. The problem with all those cell phones isn’t access to a network. The problem is that most of the users in 3rd world countries live off the grid and can’t charge the darn things. ReadySet, manufactured by Fenix International, San Francisco, California, may be the solution.

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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: 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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