Cell Phone Deals

from Greg
Last week tablet certified reported on a great deal that Best Buy had on Galaxy phone. You can read that story HERE. Well the deals are getting better and better. Cricket announced 5 lines for $100 a month family plan and Aio is matching the Best Buy offer with a sale on devices featuring Samsung Galaxy smartphones starting at $49.99.

from Cricket

Cricket Helps Families Save in 2014 with "5 Smartphone Lines for $100"

As New Year's resolutions to save money linger and tax season approaches, Cricket Wireless is launching the best value multi-line plan ever – up to five smartphone lines for $100 per month. This new offer, along with "The Nation's Best Trade-In" program from Cricket (also announced today), will be available to new and current Cricket Wireless customers beginning this Sunday, January 26, 2014 at company-owned stores and premier dealers. Customers can enjoy unlimited talk, text, music and one gigabyte of full-speed data for as little as $20 per line.

Compared to other multi-line discounts, this new plan offers twice as much full-speed data and at least one more phone line than other carriers. Customers can save even more by signing up for Automatic Bill Pay, saving them an additional five dollars a month per account. That's just $95 for five smartphone lines.

"Our goal is to relentlessly advocate for our customers and help them save money so they can do more of what matters," said Julie Dexter Berg, chief marketing officer at Cricket.  "Our '5 Smartphone Lines for $100' plan, combined with 'The Nation's Best Trade-In' program, provides them the most affordable monthly plan and best bang for the buck for each phone so they can get the very best mobile experience."

Cricket's multi-line plans also include Muve Music, the first complete music experience created for the mobile phone. Muve Music gives Cricket customers unlimited access to more than 17 million songs that they can download directly to their phone and enjoy anytime – even offline or out of network – as part of their mobile plan, without using their data allotment or incurring additional charges.

About Cricket
Cricket is the pioneer and leader in delivering innovative value-rich prepaid wireless services with no long-term contracts. Cricket offers nationwide wireless voice and mobile data services over high-quality, all-digital 4G LTE and 3G CDMA wireless networks. Cricket's innovative products and services, including the award-winning Muve Music® - the first music service designed for a wireless phone, are available nationwide at Cricket branded retail stores, dealers, national retailers and at www.mycricket.com. For more information about Cricket, please visit www.mycricket.com.

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from Aio

Aio announced today a sale on devices featuring Samsung Galaxy smartphones starting at $49.99.

Until March 13, new customers activating Aio service can get the Samsung Galaxy Amp TM for $49.99 (normally priced at $129.99); the Samsung Galaxy Express TM for $199.99 (normally priced at $249.99); or the Samsung Galaxy S4 for 529.99 (normally priced at $579.99).  These devices, combined with Aio's first-class service on a reliable 4G nationwide network, are now available with no-annual contract through dealer-owned Aio Wireless stores as well as online to all U.S. customers.

Aio customers may also choose from a wide selection of smartphones, tablets, and feature phones from ZTE, Samsung, Nokia, and others. Customers may bring a device they love to an Aio store for activation on the Aio network or activate online at www.aiowireless.com.  Or, they may bring a qualifying wireless phone to an Aio store to trade-in for a credit towards an upgraded phone or accessory.

Aio customers may also now take advantage of Aio's newly launched Refer-A-Friend Program, which will reward $25 in Referral Rewards to each new qualifying customer recommended by an existing Aio customer.  In addition, qualifying existing Aio customers will also receive $25 in Referral Rewards for each successful referral that comes to Aio.   

Aio makes wireless easy with a friendly in-store and online experience and three simple plans from which to choose from. All three plans include unlimited talk, text, and data—with a pre-established amount of high-speed access, including 4G LTE.  Plans range from $40 to $70 per month, taxes and fees included.

"We are thrilled to offer this Samsung Galaxy smartphone sale as we kick off the New Year," said Andy Smoak, head of Product and Marketing. "Now it's more affordable than ever to get a Samsung Galaxy smartphone with prices starting at $49.99 for new activations running on our reliable 4G nationwide network," he added.

For more information visit www.aiowireless.com, or like us on Facebook and follow us on www.twitter.com/aiowireless.

About Aio Wireless 
Aio Wireless (pronounced A-O) was created for today's value-conscious connected consumers who want it all.  We created a new class of service for individuals who expect a first class wireless service at a value price - one with no-annual contract, friendly service, uncomplicated plans and the mobile phones and tablets you love.   All of Aio's phone plans include unlimited talk, text, and data, with taxes and fees included - the price you see is the price you pay. Aio Wireless is a subsidiary of AT&T Inc.  Visit www.aiowireless.com to find out more.

Aio's plan pricing includes applicable state and local taxes, and fees. Each unlimited plan includes a pre-established amount of high-speed-data access, and service is subject to Aio's Terms and Conditions of Service and Unreasonable Use Policy. Coverage and services are not available everywhere.

Related articles

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• RUMOR: Samsung's Next Galaxy Phone Won't Have Wireless Charging
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Wireless Charging S-View Flip Cover now available

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WiFi on Planes

from Greg
Internet on the airplane is starting. Delta announces it will offer $2 passes to use WiFi inflight. Who thought Delta would lead the charge.

blog.spotnews.com proudly sponsors the Red State Update podcast

from Delta
Read the full press release HERE

Take off and txt away.  With an in-flight Wi-Fi Mobile Pass available starting as low as $1.95, you can keep up with your friends and loved ones from above 10,000 feet.  Send and receive mobile messages using most Wi-Fi enabled smartphones via iMessage, Blackberry Messenger, or other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Google Hangout, and Facebook Messenger.  Or you can email and browse the web, all from your smartphone.

So no more “BRB” when you get on a flight. Instead, feel free to “ROTFL” (only when the fasten seat-belt sign is turned off).

With the most Wi-Fi equipped planes in the air, no other airline keeps you more connected.

GOGO HAS THE U.S. COVERED
Delta Connect and Gogo are available on Gogo equipped flights within the continental U.S. and portions of Alaska*.

With Delta and Gogo, you can surf the sky knowing that we have you covered on Gogo equipped flights within the entire continental U.S. & Alaska.
*Service is not available outside the continental USA and Alaska as shown. Some parts of Alaska may experience interruptions.

Check My Trips to see if Wi-Fi is available on your flight.

HOW TO CONNECT
Wi-Fi. You've got it on the ground — now look for it in the air.
To see if the Internet is available, look for the "Wi-Fi Onboard" icon overhead or next to your row number.

To connect, turn on your Wi-Fi device, connect to the "gogoinflight" signal and launch your browser.

Tech Tip: You can connect with any Wi-Fi enabled device, including laptops, tablets and smartphones (set to airplane mode, of course).

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Apple beats Samsung in Mobile

Earlier this week I posted about the amazing deal Best Buy had on the the Samsung S4 and S3. The S4 rated higher than the iPhone 5S on the current CNET rankings. It is superior in every physical way. However they are on sale 75% off while iPhone remains at the same price as launched.

Read the post HERE

Now I think I know why. The NPD Group announced that research showed iPhone ownership increased from 35 percent in Q4 2012 to 42 percent in Q4 2013. Likewise, Samsung Android phones increased from 22 percent of smartphones owned in Q4 2012 to 26 percent in Q4 2013. In contrast, fewer smartphone owners reported having an HTC, Motorola, or Blackberry device in Q4 2013.

Source: The NPD Group/Connected Intelligence Connected Home Report

The NPD's first retail tracking service was for toys in 1984 and has launched services in more than a dozen industries since then.  Today, they track businesses representing over $1 trillion in sales in the Americas and more across Europe and Asia-Pac.

Read the full story HERE
As more US consumers migrate to smartphones, they are increasingly opting for iPhones and Samsung Android phones. According to the Connected Intelligence Connected Home Report from The NPD Group, over the past year, smartphone penetration increased from 52 percent in Q4 2012 to six-in-ten cell phone users in Q4 2013.

Apple and Samsung were the winners as more consumers migrated to their flagship devices.  iPhone ownership increased from 35 percent in Q4 2012 to 42 percent in Q4 2013. Likewise, Samsung Android phones increased from 22 percent of smartphones owned in Q4 2012 to 26 percent in Q4 2013. In contrast, fewer smartphone owners reported having an HTC, Motorola, or Blackberry device in Q4 2013.

As smartphone penetration increased over the past year, so has consumers’ data usage, which went from 5.5 GB per month in Q4 2012 to 6.6 GB per month in Q4 2013.  While this increase in data usage came from a variety of activities, a key driver has been the adoption of streaming music services such as Pandora and iHeart Radio. 

According to the Connected Intelligence Smartphone Usage Report, the percent of smartphone owners that use an app to stream music increased from 41 percent in Q4 2012 to 52 percent in Q4 2013. 

The market for streaming music services is getting more competitive.  While Pandora remains the most commonly used music app in Q4 2013, it is followed by iHeart Radio, Spotify, TuneIn Radio, and Slacker Radio, all of which experienced an increase in incidence of usage over the past year.

Top 5 Music Apps Used on Smart Phones
(Q4 2013)
1 Pandora
2 iHeart Radio
3 Spotify
4 TuneIn Radio
5 Slacker Radio
Source: The NPD Group/Connected Intelligence, Smartphone Usage Report

“Considering the increase in prominence of smartphone music apps, it’s not surprising that hardware manufacturers such as Beats are leveraging partnerships with carriers, like AT&T to break into the streaming music market,” said John Buffone, Executive Director, Industry Analyst, Connected Intelligence.  “This allows AT&T to offer subscribers more of what they want in the way of innovative music apps and provides Beats a partner capable of driving trial in a market where consumers already have an affinity for the music services they use.”

Smartphone Usage Report
Data is sourced from an on-device meter "SmartMeter" leveraging a three month rolling panel that provides the equivalent base of 4,500 smartphone users. The panel is weighted and representative of the Android and iPhone U.S. smartphone base. The data was collected between September and November 2013 and compared to trends from the same period in 2012.

Connected Home Report
More than 5,000 US consumers, age 18 and older were surveyed in the fourth quarter of 2013 for the Connected Home study; trended results are compared to the Q4 2012 survey.

About Connected Intelligence
Connected Intelligence provides competitive intelligence and insight on the rapidly evolving consumer’s connected environment. The service focuses on the three core components of the connected market: the device, the broadband access that provides the connectivity and the content that drives consumer behavior. These three pillars of the connected ecosystem are analyzed through a comprehensive review of what is available, adopted, and consumed by the customer, as well as reviewing how the market will evolve over time and what the various vendors can do to best position themselves in this evolving market.

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Smartlet Kickstarter

From Greg
My favorite thing is a good Kickstarter campaign. I just signed up to support the Smartlet campaign at the $39 level. 

Who needs a smart watch. Wearable tech is getting to be the new buzz word. The Smartlet turns you iPhone into a tricorder. I am stoked! 

From Developer

Introducing: Smartlet

Smartlet is an iPhone case for your wrist. Instead of neurotically holding your phone waiting for a message or burying your phone in a pocket or purse, Smartlet keeps your hands free while keeping your iPhone in a super convenient location (your wrist). 

Unlike typical phone armbands that joggers use on their upper arms for running, Smartlet is: 1) minimalist by design, so that your iPhone's full screen is available to view notifications (like a smartwatch); 2) designed to be worn with everyday shirts by holding your iPhone by its buttons and allowing the lower half of the device to fit over a shirt cuff; and 3) locks your iPhone securely in place through a patent-pending unidirectional button locking mechanism, so that you can easily slide your iPhone in and out when you need it. In short, Smartlet frees up your hands so your phone doesn't interfere with your everyday life.

- Minimalist design

Smartlet was designed to hold your iPhone securely, without covering it up. Smartlet holds your iPhone by its buttons so that the entire screen of your iPhone is open and free and the beauty of your iPhone's body can remain on display. 


- Wearability
Smartlet was also designed so that you can wear it and your iPhone with normal shirts. By holding the iPhone by its buttons, the lower half of the iPhone extends over a shirt or jacket cuff, allowing you to wear Smartlet over a shirt, under a jacket sleeve or over a jacket. 

We designed Smartlet in multiple colors--black/black (not shown), white/white, and black/red--so you can choose that look that works for you and your iPhone.

- Accessibility 
Smartlet's patent-pending, unidirectional button locking mechanism prevents your iPhone from falling out during everyday activities, while also allowing you to slide out your iPhone in one simple motion to use it. So if you need the full functionality of your phone (e.g.,to type out an email, answer a call, or take a quick photo), it's never more than a swipe away.

When you slide your iPhone into Smartlet, it is locked into place using your iPhone's buttons so that you can't push it any further in that direction. However, Smartlet is structured so that you can still easily slide out your iPhone when you want to use it.

Why is Smartlet better than a smartwatch?  
Smartlet gives you all of the functionality and convenience lacking in the smartwatches on the market today. These smartwatches have a critical design flaw: they must be linked to your phone to perform their most important functions, and you still have to take out your phone to do anything substantial. Smartlet is not just another piece of technology--it lets you use your existing technology in a stylish and easy way.

Ever since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, it has been our go-to device--always in our hands and on our minds. But, while over time the iPhone has evolved to become lighter and faster, nothing was being done to make it more integrated, useful, or wearable. The future wasn't coming fast enough, so we sought to create it.

We first experimented with attaching off-the-shelf iPhone cases to watchbands and strapping the contraption to our wrists, but we found it extremely cumbersome to remove the phone from the case when we needed to use it. That's when we realized we would have to create something entirely different, and the idea for Smartlet was born.

The 3-D printing revolution allowed us to turn the idea of Smartlet into reality. We designed, prototyped, and field tested different versions of Smartlet until we arrived at something functional and stylish. 

The design was driven by three core goals: convenience, style, and security. We wanted to make Smartlet removable and accessible, not cumbersome and complicated, so we developed Smartlet's patent-pending undirectional locking mechanism. We also wanted to ensure Smartlet could be worn in everyday settings without appearing awkward or unfashionable, so we designed Smartlet to be as minimalist as possible without sacrificing security. 

Which brings us to the most important goal: security. We know you love your iPhone as much as we do, so we worked hard to make sure it's secure while wearing Smartlet. We experimented with different band widths until we arrived at the perfect balance of stability and versatility, and structured Smartlet so that it grips your iPhone with enough strength to prevent it from sliding out in any direction, while still making it easy to remove your iPhone when you need it. We have been improving Smartlet's design over the past year and a half as we subjected various prototypes to daily wear and tear and tested them in a variety of environments. 


We've come this far on our own, but now we need your help to share Smartlet with the world. Join us on this journey!

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PowerUp 3.0 Kickstarter

From Greg
My favorite thing is a good Kickstarter campaign. Yesterday I signed up to support the PowerUp 3.0 campaign at the $40 level. This is a blue tooth device you attach to a paper airplane that allows you to remote control it. WOW! AMAZING! You had me at HELLO!

From Developer
PowerUp 3.0 turns your self-made paper airplane into a smartphone-controlled flying machine.


PowerUp Toys has introduced a new form of play by meshing origami classics with technology. This time we took a big leap forward, by integrating state-of-the-art Bluetooth Smart technology into our PowerUp design. Now you can easily control a simple homemade paper airplane with your smartphone. Say hello to the World’s First Smartphone Controlled Paper Airplane - PowerUp 3.0.

We have made major improvements over  the past months. Now we are ready to start production and put this innovative toy in your hands. By backing us on Kickstarter - the leading crowd funding platform - you will help us reach our minimum order goal. In return we will give you a reward. On the right hand side you can see the various pledge and reward options. To get more information press here.

1 -Fold It: Simply fold a piece of copier paper into a paper airplane
2 - Attach It: Attach the Smart Module to your paper plane with the patented clips underneath the Smart Module.
3 - Connect It: Start the app to connect to the Smart Module with your iPhone.
4 - Fly It: Push throttle to full and launch the paper airplane high up into the sky. Tilt your smartphone to the left or to the right to steer your plane, increase or reduce throttle to go up or down.

- Crash-proof carbon fiber frame 
- Precision control for easy flying 
- Automatic thrust to assist when banking
- Lithium Polymer Battery provides 10 minute of flight on one charge

- Ascend/Descend using the throttle lever
- Tilt iPhone right or left for maneuvering
- Battery level indicator
- Charging status indicator
- Range indicator
- Thrust level indicator
- Artificial horizon
- Air Traffic Control (ATC)  

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Kickstarter 1-9-2014

From Greg
Tablet certified is a big fan of Kickstarter. It lets developers raise money for projects without going to the Corporate Overlords. Some of the best software and hardware accessories are currently starting on Kickstarter. Here are some of our current favorite open Kickstarter projects:

TEO first key-less padlock
We have built TEO - the world's very first key-less padlock system that you can open, close, access and share with a simple touch of your smartphone - anytime and anywhere you happen to be.

With TEO, your smartphone is now your keys.

Why you need TEO? We all have padlocks in our lives. On our bikes, on our sheds, on our lockers at school and at the gym. All these padlocks need to be opened and closed when you want and by who you want.

With TEO, your smartphone is now your keys.

Wear is a wearable mic to improve hearing
Wear is an affordable, attractive, lightweight wearable assistive directional microphone designed to improve quality of hearing.

Wear is an assistive listening device designed to improve quality of life for people with hearing loss. Wear is a high fidelity directional analog microphone that is significantly lower in price than existing hearing aids. This microphone can be used with any pair of headphones, has a volume control, is rechargeable, and comfortable to wear.

Our Development Process
We've been developing this technology in our Brooklyn Studio for the past two years.  Wear incorporates a low profile micro-miniature, patent pending, directional microphone technology that creates a 6 foot zone which captures, focuses and clarifies conversations in noisy environments, while reducing the effects of extraneous noise. 

Wear is not a replacement for a hearing aid.  Wear is designed to be used when an individual is interested in having a quality conversation in very noisy environments like family gatherings, restaurants or meetings. Wear can also be used as a commentators microphone eliminating the need to hold a microphone during an interview and other high quality audio recording applications.

limited edition wood/metal case

Wire Stripping Gauge
This Wire Stripping Gauge enables you to build a circuit on breadbord efficiently and quickly without stress!!

When you make a circuit on a breadboard, didn't you ever experience you failed to finish joining in attempting to hook up the lead to the breadboard without cutting extra length of lead? Or, when you cut the lead and try to hook it to the breadboard, didn't you ever get frustrated by differenet lenghts of each leads? Here is the answer for you. It's Wire Stripping Gauge!!!

Robocular - the 3D Scanner for everyone
An affordable, high-resolution, full color and texture 3D Scanner that can automatically create 3D models of every day objects.

Bringing high quality 3D scanning to everyone

We created the Robocular 3D scanner for people who, like us, were not satisfied with the existing solutions available for 3D scanning. Today, you can either buy a high-quality, but very expensive machine for several thousands of dollars, or you can buy a low-cost scanner but with low-mid accuracy components. Many high-resolution scanners don't even support color, let alone texture. In 2012, we decided to build a device that just worked, and had the precision of the very high end scanners, at the cost of a few hundred dollars and would be so simple it could be used by everyone. After ten different prototypes, we are now ready to share this scanner with you.

JUMP Charging Solution

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best: Cable + Battery + Intelligent Circuitry = JUMP. The everyday phone cable that charges itself

Our frustration

We’ve all faced the frustrating issue of our smartphone running out of power, just when you want to make that call, send a message, or find where you are on a map.

From studying the market, we discovered key user needs that were not being satisfied. JUMP creates a new category of product – one that fulfills these previously ignored aspects of the user experience.

We have therefore developed a new solution: something that is thoughtful, intelligent and efficient by design.

JUMP is not just a charging cable; it also provides your smartphone with a substantial power boost wherever you are, without ever having to remember to charge it. Perfect for work, play, and travel.

We managed to pack 800mAh into this compact form factor that weighs less than two AA batteries. This provides up to 3 hours and 50 minutes of additional talk-time: more than enough time to get you out of (or into) trouble.

We designed JUMP to be your everyday charging solution. One of the priorities was to ensure it is small and compact, no bigger than your average rolled up cable, allowing you to take it with you wherever you go.  

This is what we have been waiting for.

Checkout the full web site at kickstarter.com

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