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SMS text messaging comes to Google Chat
Posted by Patrick Phelps Categories: Cell Phones, Google, Internet, PC / Laptop
The folks over at Google Labs have been hard at work, trying to tighten the grip of your virtual leash, and today introduced a new way to feed the desire for instant gratification: SMS text messaging for chat. How often have you tried to chat with somebody, but they don’t respond because they “just walked away from their computer?” Well, Gmail chat will now send those messages along to your intended recipient’s cell phone so it’ll be that much harder to ignore you; and if you’re in the middle of a conversation you want to continue, but they need to leave their computer, you can now do that seamlessly.
Just go to the Labs area in Preferences to turn it on - you can type any US phone number into the search box in the chat window on the left, then select “Send SMS.” You can also select the contact you want to SMS first and then add their phone number. You can send messages to US numbers from anywhere in the world. If you’re on the receiving end, when you get a text message from Gmail on your phone, messages from each contact will come from a unique number with a 406 area code (406 spells G0O…), reply like you would to any other text message and the reply will be routed through Gmail’s servers straight to your friend’s Gmail chat window.
If your recipient REALLY doesn’t want to talk to you, it’s easy enough to reply to the message with the word BLOCK and you’re just out of luck, no more SMS delivery to that contact! If you’re someone who doesn’t have a text messaging plan or are limited in the number of messages you can receive for free, you can simply reply with the word STOP and you won’t receive texts from anybody using Gmail. Another awesome innovation that makes it that much harder to hide…
Read More 
| Gmail Blog
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Obama’s BlackBerry Likely Won’t Be A “Presidential BlackBerry”
Posted by Patrick Phelps Categories: Handhelds, PC / Laptop
He may soon be the 44th President of the United States, but security concerns and record-keeping laws mean that Barack Obama is unlikely to become the first e-mailing president.
When the President-elect is sworn in 64 days from now, we expect that his advisers will insist that he hand over his favorite little gadget, his BlackBerry. Not only are there serious concerns about e-mail security (if it’s connected to the internet, it can be hacked), he also faces the Presidential Records Act, which means that all correspondence must be put in the official record and is ultimately subject to public review and possible subpoenas. Although he could, theoretically, craft an Executive Order allowing BlackBerry use — or e-mail in general — there are plenty of aides who can deal with electronic communication for him, likely making presidential BlackBerry use unnecessary.
Obama is, however, sending a clear signal that he is venturing into new, uncharted territory; for the first time, the weekly Democratic radio address has been released as a web video on YouTube (up top) — it will also continue to air on the radio and the President-elect plans to publish these weekly updates through the transition and then from the White House. We’re hoping this will encourage more Americans to take an active, well-informed role in the political process — and rumor has it that in those future presidential videos there will be one previously absent device gracing the historic presidential desk: a laptop computer. Only time will tell.
Read More | MSNBC
Peek Portable Email
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Misc. Tech
Email addicts might want to look into Peek, a simple device that makes it easy to check messages on the fly. Available in 3 colors, it features a full keyboard, scroll navigation, and is lightweight with a 2.5-inch color display. The Peek is compatible with most providers in the U.S. and holds up to 8MB memory. You get unlimited access and text messages for a flat monthly rate of $19.95. Right now they are running a special of $20.00 off the $99.95 price until December. Their new software, including shortcuts, will be loaded in the devices, and a rechargeable lithium ion battery, case and AC charger are included.
Read More | Peek
Gmail Now Offers Drunken E-mailing Protection
Posted by Patrick Phelps Categories: Google, PC / Laptop, Software
First there was drunk dialing – with a virtual Rolodex of both personal and work-related contact information just a keystroke away, it was only a matter of time before Google Labs came up with an idea to combat the latest device of the cocktail-inspired composer: drunk e-mailing. Mail Goggles, a new Gmail feature offered only on weekends between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. was created with the intoxicated in mind. The program requires users who’ve enabled the function to perform five simple math problems within 60 seconds of clicking the send button, just to verify that you’re in the right state of mind – a designated driver on the so-called information superhighway.
Read More | The New York Times
Celio Lowers Price on Redfly
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Handhelds, Hot Deals, Misc. Tech, Wireless / WiFi
If you were thinking of investing in Celio Redfly, now is the time. The smartphone terminal allows email access, web site viewing, application use and attachment reading. Connection of the screen and keyboard is wireless but there is no OS, CPU or storage capability. The Redfly usually sells for about $399.00, but if you purchase before October 31, the cost is only $199.00. While this seems a good deal for those with PDAs who want flexibility, let’s not forget that netbooks are getting less expensive as well.
Read More | Celio
RIP Yahoo Mash
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Editorial, Internet
Mash subscribers received this email message: “Thank you for trying out our Mash Beta service. We hope you had fun with it. Please note that we will shut down Mash on September 29, 2008. As a result, your current profile on Mash will no longer be available.”
So ends Yahoo’s second attempt at social networking, following the former demise of Mixd. One of Mash’s features was that you could create a profile for one of your friends, then ask her/him to customize it. Sounds a little creepy to us. We will now share about a nanosecond of silence to commemorate the loss, and ask Yahoo to stick to what it does best, if they ever figure out what that is.
Read More | Daily Tech
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