As we continue to see the progression of [tag]technology[/tag] creeping into every aspect of our lives, major [tag]sports[/tag] stadiums have introduced a way to stop unruly fans from ruining the game for everyone else around. That’s right, you can now [tag]text message[/tag] the stadium to have annoying fans removed.

For those who get [tag]ESPN[/tag] the Mag, you may have seen the recent Rick Reilly’s piece about this on the last page. The story was also reported by [tag]CNET[/tag]. So far, all but 3 [tag]NFL[/tag] teams have this service, though the remaining will most likely adopt it soon. It has proven highly effective, and according to Scott Meyers of [tag]InStadiumSolutions[/tag] (who puts out the service), only 5% are joke texts.

So next time you’re at the stadium, and you can’t see the field because of the 350 pound main yelling obscenities and screaming, you know what to do.

Check it out at CNET

For those of you following my twitter feed, you may already know that I had power cord yesterday.  The last few days, I’ve noticed that I’ve had to move my power cord around several times to get it to charge my computer.  Basically, it wouldn’t recognize the cord.  I figured this was a problem with the outlet or computer, but after testing each, I was confused.

In hindsight, I should have known.  I thought I had noticed a slight burning smell while charging it, but I attributed this to the space heater in the room.  However, this time, I examined the cord carefully.  Turns out, I had a hole straight through the cord.  A few sparks later, it went “pssssssst”, and was done for good.

Read the rest of this entry »

As you well know, I got a BlackJack several months ago to replace my all but useless slider phone.  While this is not my first smartphone (I got a Treo 650 a year ago), it is most certainly the best phone I’ve ever had.  Web-surfing, full keyboard, Windows Mobile, customizable .XML homescreens, and now email delivered right to my phone!

I have known that this was an option for some time now, but I never thought that I would get it working.  In fact, I thought for a while that it was only configurable with a Microsoft Outlook Exchange Server.  I am happy to report that it is not, as this would have been not only useless to me, but a teaser of what could have been (and should have been…and, thankfully, what is).

In fact, it couldn’t have been easier.  After browsing through the menu’s earlier today (8AM, 1.25 hour classes what they are), it seemed no more difficult than setting up a Thunderbird (or Outlook) account.  However, I chose to wait instead of waste battery power connecting to the internet, only to find that I had faulty settings.

To make a long story short, Google has once again come to the rescue with not only clearly laid out instructions on setting up an IMAP4 account, but specific Windows Mobile 5 instructions!  Saweeeeet!  I am now getting email right on my phone, laid out in simple text message format.  It’s, in a word, awesome.

Below are the links to Google’s instructions for setting up an account.

Mail Clients

• Outlook Express (Windows)
• Outlook 2003 (Windows)
• Outlook 2007 (Windows)
• Apple Mail 2
• Apple Mail 3 (Leopard)
• Windows Mail
• Thunderbird 2
• Other

Mobile Devices

• Android
• iPhone
• BlackBerry
• Symbian
• Windows Mobile
• Windows Mobile 6
• SnapperMail

http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&ctx=mail&answer=75726

For years now, I have made it known that I don’t like video games.  Sure, the occasional Tiger Woods 08, Wii Sports, or Halo 2 tournament can be fun, but for the most part, I don’t see the point.  After hours and hours of staring at a screen, seemingly unconsciously pushing buttons on a controller, I feel that I have accomplished absolutely nothing.  And my head usually hurts by then as well.

This morning, however, I was looking over some Slashdot headlines I was emailed, when I saw the story of a 17 year old boy who shot both of his parents, killing his mother, when they took away his copy of Halo 3.  Unbelievable.

While I don’t think Microsoft, or Bungee (who, I believe, still makes Halo), should be charged or blamed for anything, it is sad that people, both young and old, are so hooked on these games. As Judge James Burge declared the boy guilty, he still came to his defense by saying that he did not realize that his parents would be dead forever.

Check out the articles below for the full story.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7826663.stm

http://www.gamepolitics.com/2009/01/13/judge-comes-down-hard-video-games-halo-3-murder-trial

http://kotaku.com/5112289/halo-3-shooters-attorney-argues-insanity-due-to-video-game-addiction

After browsing several forums, blogs, and various other web sites, I have finally configured my Unlocked Samsung BlackJack for T-Mobile Internet and multimedia messaging.  Wow.  What a mouthful.

Ok, so here we go.

Internet (T-Zones)

• Settings > Connections > GPRS > GPRS > Menu > Add
• Description:  t-mobile internet (or something to that effect)
• Connects To:  WAP Network
• Access Point:  wap.voicestream.com
• Leave everything else blank…
• Now, click “Done” two times, and then go to Menu > Advanced
• Make sure the Internet Connection is pointed to “t-mobile internet” (or whatever you typed)
• Now, for the last step, go More… > Proxy > Menu > Add
• Connects From:  WAP Network
• Connects To:  The Internet
• Proxy:  216.155.165.50:8080
• Type:  HTTP
• Leave everything else blank…
• Now, all you have left to do is go into Internet Explorer and Menu > Options > Connections > Select Network, make sure it says “The Internet“, and you’re ready to go!

Multimedia Messaging

• Follow the instructions for setting up a new “Connection” as stated before, but this time title it “Picture Messaging”
• Connects To:  WAP Network
• Access Point:  wap.voicestream.com
• Leave everything else blank…

Found this little beauty for $10 at Circuit City.  And it is a beauty, rubberized, very small and compact, and has a slot at the top to thread a string or key ring for portability.
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Originally uploaded by ryanlbowen

T-Mobile

My friend’s LG enV2.  It’s a really neat phone – has a great 2.0 MPxl Camera, very easy to text message, large screen once opened, etc.

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Originally uploaded by ryanlbowen

T-Mobile

Picture0217.jpeg

Simple test from the game to make sure Flickr’s photo blog tool is working correctly! It is, and more to come on that later.

Originally uploaded by ryanlbowen

T-Mobile

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Originally uploaded by ryanlbowen

T-Mobile

Two days ago, I checked the T-Mobile website (since SunCom was recently bought out) and saw that unlimited mobile internet was only $5.99/month.  Naturally, I immediately signed up.  I was told that it could take 2-48 hours for T-Mobile Web to begin working, which confused me, but not a big deal.

When it finally began working (on my way home from the Carolina vs Arkansas game – don’t worry, I was a passenger), it had been about 7 hours.

So far, these are my thoughts.  It’s a handy service to have, because I can now check my Facebook, GMAIL, and ESPN Fantasy Basketball team while riding the bus to class.  This sounds cheesy, but it really cuts down on time (and distraction time) when I get to my computer and need to do work. 

It is mobile web, however, and it has it’s drawbacks.  So far, I’ve been using soley sites formatted for mobile devices, although I have checked a few blogs of friends of mine.  It seems that Blogspot automatically formats just the text entries for the phone, which makes it really convenient.  Wordpress, however, does not. 

The connection and speeds aren’t fantastic, but for a slider cell phone (note: NOT a smartphone), I can’t complain.  I get almost instant access to scores, news, email, and Facebook from anywhere I can get a cell phone signal.  Plus, it’s all less than half of my monthly texting bill.