When surfing the Internet you are being watched... closely. Now a similar technology is being rolled out that will do the same tracking in real life. The Wi-Fi on your smartphone is allowing companies to follow you around, then report back what you've been up to. It is not as exact as online tracking, but The Wall Street Journal reports that kind of accuracy may not be too far behind.
There are few things more annoying in life than robocalls, those automated telephone marketing messages sent your way just as you are sitting down for dinner. There could be relief. The FCC is set to issue new rules today that would do away with most robocalls unless you previously agreed to receive them. The current rules say they are allowed if you, "have an existing relationship with a business", which is why your bank and credit card companies are always robocalling you. This rule, if enacted would really cut down on these calls, but not all telemarketing calls would stop. Those companies still hiring real people will be allowed to continue to bother you.
I don't know how I missed this one. A survey from a local company says we'd rather give up sex than our smartphones. This, by the way, came out right before a survey showing we have more geeks per capita than anywhere else. Connection? You be the judge!
Get out of a boring meeting or date going nowhere, and look good doing it. With Popularity Dialer you can schedule a phone call to interrupt you. The call is so realistic you won't get caught. You decide if the call is from a cousin or boss, male or female and when the call comes in the recording on the the side offers a one sided conversation. Sweet!
One less wireless company? AT&T is buying T-Mobile making it the largest wireless provider and potentially setting up a series of takeovers that could leave America with just two wireless phone companies. AT&T says this is good for consumers, consumer groups say, nuh-uh! There are real concerns this could move could cause your cell rates to soar!
One of the cool things about cell phones is getting a new one every two years real cheap. Now that is changing. Verizon is reportedly going to stop handing out the free phone money every two years: iPhone mania means the company no longer has to work as hard to hang on to customers... so free phones and cheap upgrades will be harder to come by. It isn't just Verizon other companies are expected to follow along, so read those contracts boys and girls... the mobile world is changing.
AT&T has rolled out its 4G network, which is supposed to be faster and better. Techies questioned what was really happening, controversy erupted and the rest of us said, “huh”? Well here is a good wrap up on who is saying what to whom… and what it means to your cell phone bill.
Attention iPhone shoppers… The National Retail Federation is looking ahead towards holiday shopping and have found what you no doubt suspect. Smartphone shopping is going to explode this year. A quarter of all smartphone owners say they will be using their devices to shop this holiday season. And get this, online shoppers spend about 25% more than those going the traditional store route. With those numbers floating around, mobile shoppers will be catered to this year. So stay on the lookout for mobile and app based sales.
