Mobile Lifestyle
Hijacking for the Right Reasons: A Phone Guide
Aug 23rd
If you’re paranoid and neurotic then the following is a must read.
I know you thought about it – getting your hands on his/her phone to check text messages, passwords, contacts, pictures and anything else that will get you answers about the inner workings of the opposite sex.
Yet, why waste your time with those details? What you really want to know is cell phone behaviour – this will provide the answers you seek.
Cell phone behaviour is defined by the sound profile. Yes, dear readers – that is all. Now, I know you thought it started and ended with the phone skin – but that was based on personality – now we must go deeper and analyze motivations and intentions, hence behaviour. When you hijack his/her phone (I will leave the hijack plan to you), check their sound profile – is it normal, custom or silent? Check out the following personality types and see if you’re crazy or sane.
The Silent Predator
This person is the most dangerous yet also the most vulnerable. You will never really hear his/her phone although it will be frequently seen placed casually on the dinner table or surgically attached to the hand. Basically, the blinking light or vibrating phone indicates to them there is a message and they drop everything to check it.
How you know you are crazy or sane: If he/she answers your messages/texts/calls in a timely fashion but then one day suddenly stops, then there is a definite problem.
The Loud Killer
This person wants the whole world to hear their phone whether it be their loud message chimes, glass tingling vibrations or “I am bringing sexy back” ringtones. Of course, said person could also be too lazy to change their sound profile.
How you know you are crazy or sane: Does he/she have a custom ringtone for you? This could be sweet or disturbing – in any case – it may be prudent to check who else on his/her phone has a custom ringtone. Furthermore, the crazy/sane test is similar to that of the silent predator.
The Multiple Personality
By far the most cunning of the three – this person has silent and loud profiles for different occasions, moments and people. It will be hard to determine the true personality and will take further investigation over a span of a week or two.
How you know you are crazy or sane: Call/message said person everyday at the same time to see if he/she will answer. Track timing, if erratic then decide if you can put up with it, in most cases I would suggest moving on to the next one.
In all seriousness, it is difficult to pin down cell phone behaviour when it comes to you, since he/she is not messaging or talking to you on the phone when with you in person. My advice is to learn about their sound profile as soon as you have invested interest – this will alleviate and answer a lot of burning questions about timeliness of receiving messages and calls.
RIAA wants FM radios in every mobile device, but why? Because it’s huge business!
Aug 18th
Earlier this week, the RIAA and the record companies issued a request to the US Congress to mandate the inclusion of FM radios on all future mobile phones. The motivations are clear: having them on devices that everyone already uses will increase listenership, and therefore ad revenue. Not to mention the fact that all one really needs is a pair of headphones plugged into a 3.5mm jack, and you have yourself a built-in antenna.
Indeed, the latest Android phones that I have used, including the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant and the HTC Desire, both have FM radio capabilities included in the kernel. All you need is a pair of headphones to act as an antenna (copper wire is a great antenna of FM signal) and you’re good to go.
But why do they want to move backwards when the rest of the industry seems to want to move forward with digital music sales? Doesn’t it scream desperation? Absolutely! And they don’t care! Advertising is still, by far, the more profitable way for media to be consumed. There is a reason that HBO/TMN is so expensive when added to an existing cable line-up, or that movie ticket prices haven’t greatly increased in the last ten years despite exponentially larger budgets.
FM radio, according to Ars Technica, isn’t decreasing in listenership, either. In fact, it has grown in the past few years. 239 million people listen to radio on a regular basis, and 93% of individuals aged 12 and higher listen to radio at least weekly. I know some people who have it on all day at their office desks. And for those who commute, it is much easier to turn on the dial than load up a CD that ends after 50 minutes.
Like the TV that is always there, blabbing away in the background, FM radio will never die, as long as their is pop music to keep listeners coming back. But do you listen to the radio on your phone? And would you, if it was there? Despite having it on my Galaxy S for the past couple weeks, I have never listened to the radio because I hate ads. Why would I subject myself to something I don’t want to hear for 10 minutes of every hour?
Would you? Let us know.
(via Ars Technica)
Mobile Lifestyle: How To Be Sneaky On BBM!
Aug 8th
Lately, I feel like I have been bombarded with BBM commercials of really obscure groups of people using BBM. The only thing I could possibly relate to is when a woman around my age says, “I can see when they received the message!” <Insert evil laugh here> Thankfully, I am here dear readers, to inform you of deeper and more pertinent features of BBM.
Just when I thought I had exhausted the subject of blackberry messenger with my ever popular debate of “received” versus “delivered” messages and argument of BBM being a personal messaging tool, there is more.
Consider the following scenario: Adam has not replied to Sarah’s message for 3 days and she knows this because it’s “delivered” and not “received”. However, Sarah has a blackberry 8830 and Adam has a 9700. Why does this matter?
Let’s examine the 9700 a little closer:
Notice how the first line of the message can be viewed without answering it? You are able to read what the person is saying without actually answering the message, therefore the message remains delivered to the sender. Furthermore, you can click “back” on your Blackberry and the alert (whether it be the flashing red light or sound is disabled) allowing one to completely forget the about message except that the icon remains. Fortunately, older Blackberries allow you to disable the alert without answering the message yet do not allow the luxury of reading the first line in the way described above. Fortunately, there is a way around this for older users, let’s look at an 8830 Blackberry messenger screen:
If you get a message that you don’t want to answer, go to another active conversation, the incoming message will appear (at least the first line) at the bottom of your conversation, however this does not appear to work for the bold. For other blackberry versions, you can go to your “messaging” icon which collects all of your messages; the first line of the BBM message will show up there. Just be sure to checkmark or click yes in BBM options for “forward/show chats in message application”.
The new version of BBM is very sexy compared to the older versions as it includes options of showing a picture and little status message; it’s very ICQ-esque. Yet, as I argued in an earlier post – with these new features of picture and status changes – it becomes quite personal and borderline stalker city since there is no private settings for BBM – all your “friends” see you. The advantage is, although they can see you, they don’t have to know that you read their message. That, folks is how to be sneaky on BBM.
Vlogging Phones with Sean Ward [Video]
Aug 3rd
Yesterday @GuruDaniel and myself had the opportunity to walk around Toronto’s harbourfront and have a candid chat with vlogger @seanward on all things cellular.
We covered the new iPhone 4, Blackberry’s popularity, the phenomenon that is Android, and why Canadians pay so much for their phone bills.
Check out the video below
[Click here for mobile friendly viewing]
We’d like to thank Sean for taking the time to meet with us and encourage you to check out his daily vlog at seanward.net
Follow me on twitterMobile Lifestyle: My Phone Has Feelings Too!
Aug 2nd
My Phone has Feelings Too
We’ve all experienced that infuriating moment when instead of basking in the glory of our conversation with edge of the seat suspense, said companion feels the need to check their phone. How could one have the audacity to suddenly decide that the incessant buzzing, beeping and blinking could be more important than the live spoken word!?
It’s a stinging feeling in the heart when someone decides you’re just not important. But then, one day I had an epiphany.
The world does not revolve around you and I truly hate to break this to you but you are actually not the centre of attention.
Now you might be thinking – isn’t it still rude to be on your phone during social occasions? Common courtesy and sense would point a rational member of society to turn off his or her phone during face to face meetings or where silence is required. Yes, in some instances it is necessary, like during the opening night of a new movie or at your best friend’s wedding. Yet, most social situations fall in the grey area like a casual conversation, or lunch with a group of friends. When is it okay to check your phone?
Especially when “phone” is not the right way to address your phone anymore as dear reader, by reading this I must assume you have a “smart” phone – one that is so smart I sometimes think it has feelings. Having feelings, does it not deserve your undivided attention when it buzzes, beeps or blinks?
It’s a daily battle we all face with real person vs. electronic person conversation. Here are some tips that I have learned over the years or alteast help me rationalize the use of my phone.
- It is okay to use your phone unconditionally from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5:30pm as these are standard working hours. I conveniently forget to put my phone on silent during client meetings, regardless it’s perfectly acceptable to check your phone at the hour mark of a meeting. In some cases, social messaging while the client attends to his/her own pressing business makes you appear very busy – this can work to your advantage.
- It is okay to use your phone when you’re with your friends. At this point, they know you are a phone freak and shouldn’t take offence to it. They are probably checking their phones constantly themselves.
When is it not okay to use your phone:
- On a first date: nothing can be more of a turn off than a guy who decides you are not the centre of the universe.
- At the gym: there is nothing grosser than someone answering the phone while they’re out of breath, it just sounds tacky.
- During a formal occasion: wedding or funeral. Do I need to explain this one?
- On vacation: don’t check messages or communicate with the outside world –Unplug yourself formally. Mild use of Foursquare and Twitter is acceptable.
The Rest of the Time
I would say that the use of your discretion is perhaps your best option for everyday use of your phone in social situations, yet again we are stuck in that grey area region. In the end, always ask your companion or party if the use of your phone during your social visit or gathering is okay. A vote will keep things democratic and hopefully no hearts will be broken or feelings left irate.
How to lose a GIRL in 10 BBMs
Jul 26th
It appeared that most of you related to my last article. So much so that I felt the need to write a Part Deux. Believe it or not, there are many ways to lose a guy through BBM. Yet, did you know that girls can equally be lost through similar means?
Most girls are emotional creatures who thrive on feelings! Isn’t it then ironic that most communication now occurs through the use of devices that through which it is impossible to successfully convey emotions?
Perhaps it would be helpful for there to be an app that would judge the type of emotion and level of intensity of that emotion via cellular communication. Unfortunately, we are left with decoding emotion with wild imaginations that create large dramatic storylines.
Thankfully, I am here to save you from hours of analysis with the following simple translations:
The One Worded Guy
You see clear and normal interaction in real life which involves conversation in full sentences. Yet, when it comes to BBM – the conversation skill level deteriorates to that of a 2 year old. Could it be that he has abnormally large thumbs? Perhaps he wants to avoid all miscommunications so he replies with a simple “yes”, “no” and the occasional smiley face (J).
Guess what, buddy, your every move is being analyzed and evaluated! My only advice to this poor soul is to remain consistent between your real life self and your electronic self – you are currently giving off standoffish signals! Next!
The Crazy Emoticon Guy
Are you in high school? Okay, then please carry on.
Yes, an emoticon is used to portray emotion (sort of), yet there is a point where too much use of smiley faces can make you appear immature and in some cases, desperate. “Everything in moderation” should be your new mantra. I know guys can be a bit on the non-emotional side in real life; in that sense pouring out your heart through the use of emoticons is not the way to go.
The Over Use of LOL guy
Is it really that funny? No, I don’t think so. As a constant BBMer, even I have fallen victim to the overuse of LOL – am I really laughing out loud? Only in rare instances does such an event take place. Am I that funny? Well, apparently, because everyone is laughing out loud with the occasional “rolling on the floor.”
To a guy that overuses this term, please invest in a thesaurus. Furthermore, if it’s not funny then don’t lead us on and think that you are actually laughing out loud; do us a favour and tell us what you really think – a smile emoticon would work in this instance (but not too many!).
The Rest
You may have encountered a mixture or parts of these types of people in your history of BBMing – the best way to deal with it is to let the person know that you just don’t roll like that. The bottom line is: keep emotional and earth shattering conversations off BBM!
There are of course other anomalies that I have not encountered, yet. What types of emotional misunderstandings have you come across on BBM?
Mobile Lifestyle: How to lose a guy in 10 BBMs
Jul 18th
A boy must have invented the “delivered” versus “received” system on BBM because he certainly did not take into account the potential torture and agony that would ensue. Don’t get me wrong, I love BBM, yet where do you draw the line on who to add and when it is appropriate to add them? To avoid emotional turmoil, and embarrassing conversations like the one below, I have developed some simple rules.
| BBM Conversation | Translation |
| 1:54 am R u still up? | Drunk text to new guy |
| 1:54 am thx baby – had a great time too J | Misdirected message intended to be sent to old guy |
| 2:18am oh! Sorry, wrong person…..lol! eek.. | Back peddling! |
| (messages all received) | The glaring “R” shows up on all messages to new guy |
| 2:19am hello??? | More Back peddling and slight anger at his non-responsiveness |
| 2:21am k listen, don’t worry about that message – its nothing. | …. |
| 2:22am am I | …. |
| 2:22am right? | …. |
| 2:23am k, well ur prolly sleeping | Resignation and acceptance |
| 2:23am are you?? | Disbelief |
| 2:24am I am sorry for waking u up… | Apologetic |
| (all messages received) | Anger and Rage |
| 12:34pm Yah I was. I was fast asleep and I heard my phone beep 10 times. | Good riddance – didn’t like him anyways |
- Do not engage in drunk-texting, sexting or any type of mobile communication after 1:51am. This will ultimately lead to messages sent to the wrong recipients. #fail
- Do not date those that choose to leave your message as “received” with no answer. These individuals are clearly not eager to read your message – how dare they.
- There is also a smaller group who choose to leave the messages “delivered” for up to 3 or more hours that could be on the non-date list as well. These individuals are either a) playing games b) industrial strength phone answering control. In either case, you are a phone junkie and need to know things right away and have no patience for either.
- If you do choose to place your new “special someone” on your instant message list – first think about the implications: 1. You can be reached 24/7 – do you want to be that available? 2. Unfortunately, deleting will be noticed.
- My number one rule going forward with BBM is to just keep it to close friends and family where no miscommunication can occur. If it does, than a simple phone call can alleviate such matters.
Email is sooo 2009, BBM is the new hotness, and in any case it’s more personal than email.
When you add a new contact it’s an open invitation to conversation 24/7. So be mindful and weary as to who you draw into your inner personal mobile space – it can get crowded.
Angry Birds Coming To Android!
Jul 1st
If you’ve ever owned an iPhone or have friends that have one, then you may have heard of a game called Angry Birds. The good news is, it is coming to Android devices this summer. Bad new is, it’s highly addictive and will suck away your life for possibly hours at a time if you get too involved with it. The creators of Angry Birds have posted the above preview of the game running for us all to enjoy and lust after. Rovia has stated the game will be in the Android market for summer and will sell for only $.99 cents. Not bad at all. I guess the Android market was just to big now for Rovia to pass over.
Numbers – The Bigger, The Better?
Jun 29th
So, there are all these charts trying to blast the iPhone 4 away because “its megapixels aren’t good enough” or “512 MB of RAM is nothing!” My feeling is that these specifications shouldn’t mean anything. It’s not even uncommon for people to have 512 MB of RAM (or less…) in their home computers, so why is it a big deal that the iPhone 4 doesn’t have 1 GB? I feel like these numbers are a hold out from the PC era, where everything was about specifications plus a general ignorance about the market.
I mean, people still think more megapixels = better pictures. This has been proven over and over to be not true. These numbers (processor clock, memory, storage, etc), are put on charts to try and judge a device. The intention is, that someone could look at this chart and decide that something is better. The bigger the number, the better the phone, right? It matters to people because their ignorance is high, and so are “the numbers.” These days, since every mobile phone environment is more controlled, it’s more a matter of “How well does my phone run?” rather than “What’s in my phone?”
If my phone streams to bluetooth speakers, scrolls through lists smoothly, runs all my apps and games, and never gets in my way,.. then why do numbers matter? It’s about the experience those numbers provide, and more numbers, doesn’t mean it’s a better device. So all those folks with “irrelevant” G1s, Droids, iPhone 3Gs, Palm Pixis, and Blackberry Pearl Flips – do you like your phone? Does it run well? Does it get in your way?
Ignore the number folk, they just don’t get it.
What Does Your Phone Skin Say About You?
Jun 27th
A cellular phone skin (cover/protector) can come in many different colours, and materials which can say a lot about one’s personality. Here is my short list on what your phone skin could say about you. Please take this seriously as the following has been researched based on psychological science.
The Naked Phone (no skin)
You are a highly responsible and organized individual. Your phone does not dictate your identity as its primary use is for business purposes. You don’t feel your phone requires any protection as it usually sits in a holster on your hip, or at the side of your leather office bag. Furthermore, you know where your phone is located at all times and would never carelessly drop it due to any scatterbrain activity as this is completely against your nature.
Black Dark Coloured Rubber or Plastic Skin
You are a highly practical and a down to earth person. Your phone means quite a lot to you, yet you don’t want to draw attention to yourself or your phone as you relish those under the table tweets and quickie pillow talk texts. Furthermore, you didn’t think beyond having a suitable non-coloured protector to your phone which occasional dropping would protect.
Solid Colour Skin – White
You are a bold individual that is highly neat with a unique style. You own special cleaners for your phone and skin that you use on a daily basis. Your phone is always in perfect condition. You shudder at the thought of it being placed on a cement floor or wet bar; this would never happen.
Solid Colour Skin – Bright (Yellow, Pink, Green, Orange etc..)
Depending on your colour, you are a range of extroversion that may include the need to have people notice your phone and comment on its brilliant colour. You are loud and noticeable in your demeanour and feel that your phone should match that similar personality. You drop your phone a few times a week due to multi-tasking and frequent scatterbrained activity. Furthermore, you feel the need to switch up your bright colours as your tastes of colour and style change like the weather.
Intricately Designed Skin
You are a creative and unique person that believes your phone could be an actual living spirit. You have decorated your phone with jewels, caricatures, or purchased uniquely designed skins of graphics with a mixture of colours. You are most likely an iPhone user who enjoys music, application use and taking pictures – you may aspire or take part in design or creation of ideas as your profession.
Whichever skin your cell phone wears, whether it is unconsciously or deliberately, be mindful that it generally doesn’t go unnoticed. It is directly related to your personality and mobile lifestyle.
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