Smartphone gadget: Stand

Wasn't that the cutest!

For my old flip-style phone, I didn’t really need anything to hold the phone at any particular angle because other than making phone calls, there wasn’t much more it could be used for. I did have a phone-sized chair—a freebie from a vendor—that was supposed to be used on a desk to keep the phone handy. I used it as a handy place to keep the phone while it was being charged, but I had to place the phone upside down since the plug was at the bottom.

When I got my smartphone, I ordered a case, screen protector, retractable USB cable, and a USB cigarette-lighter-style charger. I also added a stand to my order. Since I no longer have a Prime membership with Amazon, I was mostly trying to get my order up to $25 so that I could get free shipping. Yep, you know it, always striving for free.

Don’t forget the app: How do I get there?

On my laptop, I use Google Maps, and when I got my smartphone, I started using Google Navigator to find my way to unknown locations. What I’ve discovered, however, is that it’s best to have more than one navigation app on your phone, just in case. Models of phones and/or where you are when you use the app can make some difference in the success of the app.

App Choices

A friend had recommended Navfree USA. One of its features is downloadable maps so that if you have no data signal, you could still use the app. This app did not work well for me. It couldn’t find my house successfully, so getting started always affected the route it gave me. Even navigating from other locations always seemed to be off a little, and it would constantly lose the GPS signal.

What to do with your phone in the car

Now that you have your wireless earbuds, you’re probably trying to figure out where to place your phone while you’re driving your car. If you’re a woman, you can leave it in your purse, but how will you see the display? You won’t be able to identify who’s calling, well, unless you have specific ringtones for those most-important callers.

And if you don't have something similar to the wireless earbuds that I wrote about in my previous post that allow you to answer the phone on the unit, you’re going to have to have the phone handy to answer the calls.

Review of Plantronics BackBeat® GO

A happy face: Bluetooth to earbuds

I have gone through a bit of a progression with my headsets for my mobile phones. Years ago, I used one of those over-the-head style headsets that was wired and plugged into the phone. I actually still have it and was surprised to see that the jack is too small for my current phone.

Introduction

For my previous phone I used a Motorola Bluetooth headset that fit over one ear. It worked fairly well with that phone and Bluetooth was the only option—there was no place to plug in anything. However, it never really fit my ear and tended to move around thus causing some background noise when the boom would touch my cheek.

Protect that device from viruses

You would probably have to be living under a rock not to have heard about Instragram now being available for Android devices. Also in the news a lot recently was how facebook bought Instagram for one billion dollars.

Obviously, so much press has made it something that people want even if they may not know why. A friend told me that there was a bogus version being downloaded by a lot of people, and as a result, one of the recommendations being suggested was to be sure you only download from the Google Market.