BestStuff - All

Students Kick-Off Program to Help Save Lives

jessica — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

This posting isn't reviewing a product, but making you aware of one of the top killers of teenagers - motor vehicle crashes. Students from several Indianapolis High Schools know it, and because of this, just kicked off a new program called "Buckle Down" in an effort to help save lives. Led by the students, the program is used to promote safe driving among teens.

From the press release:

The "Buckle Down" program provides contracts for students to sign, where they agree they will focus on making good choices while behind the wheel of an automobile. Participating students can then earn points throughout the year which can be used to redeem prizes, with one grand prize being awarded to a student whose school met program criteria. That lucky student whose name is drawn will win a CAR, donated by Don Hinds Ford in Fishers.

Students will register and sign their contracts on the new www.NowThinkNow.com website where they will also have the opportunity to interact with other students participating in the program from all the schools. This social site provides a forum for teens to discuss the choices they make on a daily basis and allows the message to come from their peers.

This is a wonderful idea. Texting while driving, distracted and drunk driving, safety belt usage….all of these topics need to be addressed to teen drivers. With this program, teens are interacting with other teens…talking to each other about these issues. It would be nice if every city of every state; every high school could get involved in a program like this. It would help make the streets safer for everyone.

Here is some recent television coverage on the program:

Slacker Radio Now Available for Android

jessica — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Are you the owner of a new Android device? Slacker just announced that the Slacker Radio app is now available for Android phones. The free application is available now by visiting www.Slacker.com from a supported Android smartphone or by visiting the Android Market. Verizon customers using the DROID by Motorola can locate the free Slacker Radio app by visiting the Verizon channel of the Android Market on the phone.

Slacker Radio for Android features:

Free music library featuring millions of songs
High-quality stereo playback from any wireless connection
Create custom artist stations based on artists or songs
Over 100 professionally programmed genre stations
View artist biographies and photos
View album art and read reviews
"Peek Ahead" artist and album preview
Multi-tasking - listen to music while using other applications
Share station links via Email, MMS or SMS messaging
Rate songs as favorites
Ban songs and artists
Vertical and Horizontal modes
Desktop widget

The Slacker Radio app works with the free Slacker Basic Radio service, Slacker Radio Plus and Slacker Premium Radio subscription offerings.

Paradigm Shows Facebook Fans Some Love

jessica — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:14:46 +0000

Paradigm just announced a new giveaway to show appreciation to their Facebook fans. Now through March 2010, each month Paradigm will be giving away a Cinema CT System. All you have to do is become a fan of Paradigm's Facebook page and you will automatically be entered to win! One fan will be selected at random every month and given a Cinema CT Home Theater Surround Sound System.

The Cinema 90 CT system is made up of 2 Cinema 90 satellites, 2 Cinema ADP surrounds featuring Paradigm's Adapted Dipole (ADP) technology, a Cinema CC center channel and a Cinema 90 CT subwoofer with 10-inch driver.

To win a system from Paradigm between now and March 2010, sign up to be a fan on Facebook and check back every month to see if you're a winner! Good luck!

Motorola's DROID Available Today

jessica — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:09:51 +0000

The time is here! The much anticipated Motorola DROID is now available at Verizon Wireless and Best Buy Stores.

The Motorola DROID is the first device powered by Android 2.0. Not only does it give you high-speed web browsing, voice-activated search, it is one of the thinnest full-QWERTY slider phones available. DROID also features a customizable large touch screen, with access to thousands of apps and hundreds of widgets from Android Market. Oh, and it being available through Verizon, it is on the largest 3G mobile network in the country.

Verizon Wireless will host demonstrations at select locations today, November 6th, (check with your local store) to help customers get the most from their new DROID. Are you in New York City? Today Verizon is hosting an interactive experience called, "DROID Does Times Square." This experience will let callers control two of Times Square's largest digital billboards – the NASDAQ and Reuters signs – using only voice commands. Pretty cool, huh?

Get more information on Motorola's DROID on Motorola's website or visit www.verizonwireless.com.

Dell Intros Super-Slim Adamo XPS

jessica — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:06:28 +0000

Last March Dell introduced Adamo, the world's thinnest laptop PC at just a .65-inch thick. Now they have added an even thinner laptop to the line, the Adamo XPS. Measuring just four-tenths of an inch thin and weighing just over 3 pounds, this is one impressive laptop!

Featuring a 13.4-inch high-definition display, 4GB DDR3 800 memory, Intel Core 2 Duo (1.4Ghz) ultra-low voltage processor, and a 128GB SSD, it performs well too.

More features:

When opened, the body of the Adamo XPS is raised so the keyboard is angled to enhance cooling.
Capacitive latching device – one finger swipe opens the latch.
Built-in location awareness to provide real time local maps to show people where they are.
Replaceable battery, with optional higher-capacity battery available.
Full size keyboard with aluminum keycaps; touchpad with gestures.
Built-in 802.11n wireless.
High Definition (720p) 13.4-inch WLED display.
I/O: display port, 2xUSB 2.0, audio, Ethernet (via included dongle).
Operating system: Windows 7 64-bit edition.

Dell expects the Adamo XPS to be available in time for the holidays. Prices start at $1799. More information is available at www.adamobydell.com.

Verizon Announces DROID ERIS, New Chocolate Touch and More

jessica — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:33:30 +0000

Today is a good day for Verizon Wireless subscribers. The company just announced a slew of new phones; there's one for the Android geek, one for the music lover, a push-to-talk phone, and don't worry…they didn't forget the BlackBerry die-hards.

DROID ERIS by HTC

The new DROID ERIS by HTC is the second Android phone in the Verizon line-up, (the DROID by Motorola was the first). The DROID ERIS features a 3.2 inch touchscreen and trackball interface, 5.0 megapixel camera, 8 GB microSD card (up to 16 GB supported), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5 mm headset connectivity, Integrated GPS, a digital compass, Full HTML browser with Flash Lite capabilities, and is compatible with Google services like Google Maps, Gmail, Google Search etc.

DROID ERIS by HTC will be available on November 6 for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an e-mail feature or e-mail plan.

LG Chocolate Touch

Music lovers rejoice! There's a new Chocolate in town, and this one has a touchscreen! Features of the LG Chocolate Touch include Dolby Mobile, FM radio, Bluetooth, 3.2 megapixel camera, access to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites. It also has a "Join the Band" function which lets you play along via virtual piano or drums, and can even press "Pause" to stop the music and play solo!

The LG Chocolate Touch is available today (November 5) for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a Nationwide Calling Plan.

Samsung Convoy

Those looking for a rugged Push to Talk device should check out the Samsung Convoy. This handset was built to withstand the harshest elements. It meets military specifications 810F standards for shock and dust resistance, vibration, salt fog, humidity, solar radiation, altitude and low and high temperature storage.

Other features include a high-quality stereo speaker, long battery life, 2.0 megapixel camera with Night Shot, Bluetooth, VZ Navigator, and a Personal organizer with calendar, tip calculator, currency converter, notepad, alarm clock, world clock and stop watch.

The Samsung Convoy will be available on November 15 for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement with Verizon Wireless. Unlimited Push to Talk can be added for $5 per month per line to any qualifying Nationwide voice plan.

BlackBerry Curve 8530

Verizon Wireless also announced the BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone. It features built-in GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities, as well as easy access to music, games and other mobile apps. Other features include a full QWERTY keyboard, touch-sensitive trackpad, 256 MB flash memory, 2.0 megapixel camera, advanced media player, access to e-mail, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. And of course, access to the popular BlackBerry App World for third-party mobile applications. It also has an expandable microSD/SDHC memory card slot, supporting up to 16 GB cards now and expected to support 32 GB cards when available.

The BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone will be available around November 20 for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an Email and Web feature or an Email and Web for BlackBerry plan. Data plans for theBlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice plan.

Visit www.verizonwireless.com for more information on all of these phones.

Samsung Convoy Joins Verizon Wireless' Fleet Of Push To Talk Phones

jessica — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:06:23 +0000

Rugged Push to Talk Handset Works Hard To Let Customers Play Harder

November 5, 2009 — Verizon Wireless and Samsung Mobile, announce the availability of the Samsung Convoy, a rugged Push to Talk device with military specifications built to withstand the harshest of elements. The Convoy's high-quality stereo speaker, extended battery life and multiple messaging options make it the ideal device to stay connected in the toughest conditions.

Available color: Charcoal grey

Key features:

Rugged, durable and robust design: Meets military specifications 810F standards for shock and dust resistance, vibration, salt fog, humidity, solar radiation, altitude and low and high temperature storage
Push to Talk capabilities that leverage Verizon Wireless’ Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) network for fast two-way communications to get jobs done quickly and efficiently
High-quality stereo speaker
1300 mAh for long battery life

Lifestyle features:

VZ Navigator –Allows customers to get audible turn-by-turn directions to more than 15 million points of interest and share the directions with others
2.0 megapixel camera with Night Shot, panorama, color effects and more
Bluetooth version 2.1 wireless technology: Support for headset (mono and stereo), hands-free, dial-up networking, serial port, object push (vCard and vCalendar only), basic image, basic printing and phonebook access
Personal organizer with calendar, tip calculator, currency converter, notepad, alarm clock, world clock and stop watch

Price and availability:

The Samsung Convoy will be available Nov. 15 for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement with Verizon Wireless. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

Verizon Wireless customers can add Unlimited Push to Talk for $5 per month per line to any qualifying Nationwide voice plan.

Customers can purchase the Samsung Convoy beginning Nov. 15 at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores or online at www.verizonwireless.com.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless Introduces The BlackBerry Curve 8530 Smartphone

jessica — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:57:30 +0000

New Smartphone Features 3G Connectivity, Built-In Wi-Fi and GPS, Touch-Sensitive Trackpad and Dedicated Media Keys

November 5, 2009 — Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) today introduced the BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone, an exciting new addition to the BlackBerry Curve series of smartphones. The slim BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone gives customers access to Verizon Wireless' 3G network, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities, as well as easy access to music, games and other mobile apps for entertainment on the go.

Available colors: Black and Smoky Violet

Key features:

Easy-to-use, highly tactile, full QWERTY keyboard and touch-sensitive trackpad for reliable, responsive typing and navigation
256 MB flash memory and 528 MHz next generation processor for enhanced performance
Supports voice-activated dialing and Bluetooth (version 2.1), with support for hands-free headsets, car kits, stereo headsets and other Bluetooth peripherals
3G-enabled (EV-DO)
Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)
GPS with support for location-based applications, including geotagging pictures and Verizon Wireless’ VZ Navigator service
2.0 megapixel digital camera with zoom and video recording*
Advanced media player for music, pictures and videos, with dedicated media keys and a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, plus BlackBerry Media Sync, which makes it easy to quickly sync music from your computer to the smartphone**
Access to BlackBerry App World, featuring a broad and growing catalog of third-party mobile applications developed specifically for BlackBerry smartphones. Categories include games, entertainment, social networking and sharing, news and weather, productivity and much more
Access to e-mail, messaging (IM, SMS, MMS) and popular social networking sites (including Facebook and MySpace)
Rich multimedia capabilities, including dedicated media keys smoothly integrated along the top of the handset, giving customers an easy, convenient way to control their music and videos
Support for BlackBerry services with access to up to 10 supported e-mail accounts, including most popular ISP e-mail accounts such as Yahoo! , Windows Live Hotmail, AOL and Gmail, and BlackBerry Enterprise Server support, which provides advanced security and IT administration features for corporate deployments
Expandable memory via hot swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot, supporting up to 16 GB cards today and expected to support next generation 32 GB cards when available

Pricing and availability:

The BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone is expected to be available from Verizon Wireless beginning Nov. 20 for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an Email and Web feature or an Email and Web for BlackBerry plan. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. Data plans for the BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone begin at $29.99 when added to any Nationwide voice plan.

For information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

* Video recording requires microSD card, sold separately
** Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless Music Lovers Can Taste The Sweetest LG Chocolate Yet

jessica — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:46:47 +0000

New LG Chocolate Touch Invites Customers to Join the Band

November 5, 2009— Verizon Wireless and LG Mobile Phones today announced that the LG Chocolate Touch will be available beginning Nov. 5 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com. Equipped with patented Dolby Mobile, the Chocolate Touch brings a dramatically richer listening experience with its potent bass and sparkling clarity, making it the perfect companion for music lovers.

Music features:

FM radio with 12 presets
Integrated Song ID
Dedicated side key for easy access to favorite songs
Bluetooth-capabilities with support for the following profiles: headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, stereo, phonebook access, basic printing, object push for vCard and vCalendar, file transfer, basic imaging and human interface device
"Join the Band" feature allows customers to use their fingers to tap on a full drum kit complete with snare drum, kick drum, floor tom, hi-hat cymbal, ride cymbal, crash cymbal, and even a cowbell. The "Join the Band" piano function allows customers to play along on a full scrolling 88-key keyboard. With the option to press "Pause" to stop the music and show off solo skills, the possibilities of fun are endless
Dolby Mobile equalizer, enhancing the listeners experience with:

Sound Space for Headphones – Adds spaciousness and impact to headphone listening from stereo content
Natural Bass – Provides a clean, powerful bass extension without artificial side effects
High-Frequency Enhancer – Reinforces high frequencies, especially for lower-quality source content
Sound Level Controller – Maintains a consistent playback level, both within a particular program and across content

Additional features:

Sleek, compact and stylish multi-featured touch screen phone with a rounded shape and metallic finish
Access to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites. A dedicated social networking shortcut key allows users to upload pictures and videos to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and other social networks.
3.2 megapixel camera and camcorder that includes:

Five different resolutions
Zoom up to 1.6 times
Intelligent shot for improved image quality
Panorama for three guided sequential shots
Facial makeover that removes blemishes and enhances features
Image editor with zoom, rotate, crop, added frames and stamps
Ability to write over images
Customize brightness, white balance, shutter sounds, color effects and use a self-timer

Pricing and availability:

Customers can purchase the LG Chocolate Touch beginning today in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com.

For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Bring An Android Device Home For The Holidays With DROID ERIS By HTC

jessica — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:30:38 +0000

DROID ERIS by HTC Debuts with Verizon Wireless with HTC Sense Experience and an Ultra-Attractive $99.99 Price

November 5, 2009— Beginning Nov. 6, DROID ERIS by HTC will invade Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the United States, bringing the power of the Android platform and the Verizon Wireless network together. DROID ERIS by HTC combines the popular Android platform with HTC Sense, a user experience from HTC that makes it easy for customers to stay close to one another and create an individualized mobile experience tailored specifically to their needs.

DROID ERIS by HTC offers customers the opportunity to customize a seven-panel wide home screen with a wide variety of widgets designed to bring the most important information to the surface. DROID ERIS by HTC also includes the innovative "Scenes" feature, which allows customers to create multiple home screens, each with different widgets and shortcuts, to transform DROID ERIS by HTC from a "work" phone to a "play" phone with just a touch of a finger.

DROID ERIS by HTC also organizes interactions by person, which makes it possible to access text messages, e-mails, phone calls and even Flickr streams and Facebook updates from a single contact card. The unique HTC Sense experience found on DROID ERIS by HTC is supported by an array of the latest mobile features, including:

3.2 inch capacitive touch screen and trackball interface
5.0 megapixel auto focus camera
Expandable memory with pre-installed 8 GB microSD card (up to 16 GB supported)
Supports USB mass storage
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3.5 mm headset connectivity
Integrated GPS and a digital compass with a sensor that enables the phone to know what direction it is facing
Smart dialer for simplified dialing by name, number or initials
Full HTML browser with Flash Lite capabilities
Seamless compatibility with Google services like Google Maps, Gmail, Google Search and more

DROID ERIS by HTC will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com on Friday, Nov. 6, for $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement on a voice plan with an e-mail feature or e-mail plan. Customers will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless