Just another WordPress weblog

Anyone remember TurboGrafx-16? Oh, come on. It was supposed to be the next generation video game system. Before Super Nintendo, before Genesis. But, like its ancestor Neo Geo, it never caught on. But you can nab a TurboGrafx emulator for the iPhone. I’m sure a Neo Geo emulator is in the offing. The only problem, of course, is that there are no physical buttons, seeing as it’s the iPhone.

Read the rest of Mobile Notes: TurboGrafx-16, ETFs, iPhone rumor, Bluetooth…

So CTIA, a wireless industry trade group, conducted a study to show how wireless broadband services help the U.S. economy. Of course, they found immensely positive numbers, showing that wireless broadband can bolster our economic standing. Apparently, the service is projected to be valued at $427 billion by 2016. That assumes no large-impact, rare events, however, so it’s certainly optimistic at this point. But large scale broadband access certainly does have enormous economic implications.

Read the rest of Wireless broadband boosting U.S. economy…

So we’re starting to hear a bit more about Android. There’s more at Engadget Mobile. Am I the only one who’s having a hard time getting pumped up about Android? I guess that could change once we see further builds and get closer to the release date.

Read the rest of Mobile Notes: Android, Mobile ads, Cell service, Games, Verizon…

Our friends at Phone News remind us that new and renewing AT&T customers will now have their $175 early termination fee reduced by $5 per month. So if you want out in the 23rd month of the contract (for some unbeknownst reason), it’ll cost you $65 instead of $175. I just hope none of you signed an AT&T contract on Sunday.

This comes while the FCC is working to create a more consumer-friendly way to handle contract terminations, though the deal might not happen. Consumers don’t want to give up their right to sue, which would be part of such an agreement. The Supreme Court just rejected a T-Mobile appeal regarding the allowance of class action suits despite a binding arbitration clause in consumer contracts

The program in place by Verizon and now AT&T seems like a good compromise. You sign a contract, you get a subsidy on your phone. If you want out early, you can, you just have to pay back the subsidy. While it’s far from an exact science, once again, it’s better than having to paying $175 in month 23.

Clearly, I’m no big fan of the iPhone. However, here’s a real iPhone story: The prototype of iControlpad. It fits around your iPhone, adding a directional pad and buttons. It will take a while for everything to actually become available, but at some point we’ll be seeing Playstation, Super Nintendo, Genesis, and Nintendo games playable from the iPhone. And all with an easy interface. Truly something to get excited about.

Read the rest of Mobile Notes: Samsung, AT&T, Phone recycling, Sprint, Helio…

You’ve probably seen a few iPhone owners with their smug little faces watching videos on that sexy 3.5 inch screen and you’ve probably been enthralled by the quality of that display. Although it does looks great it’s still a tiny screen and if you don’t have a iPhone, the chances are you have a much smaller screen. So who in their right mind is prepared to sit in front on a small handheld device for two hours and expect to be blown away by a cinematic masterpiece like, say, The Butterfly Effect starring the granny loving Aston Kutcher? Idiots and morons, that’s who!
Read the rest of Movie Rentals on the Go…

Do you have a cell phone contract? Then you’ve signed a binding arbitration agreement — which you can read about here. Basically, you waive your right to file a class action lawsuit against the company. Consumer groups consider it unjust, but businesses love it since, among other reasons, it means cheaper and quicker legal remedies for them. Bad news for companies, though: The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that state laws can preempt federal laws regarding binding arbitration agreements.

Read the rest of Supreme Court: States can ban mandatory arbitration clauses…

One of the greatest advances that came with the introduction of cell phones was free long distance. It was so strange at the time, too. I often fretted about calling another area code, as I would with my parents’ landline, even though I knew that I wouldn’t be charged for it. Another area that has made some progress is international calling. Rates can be much lower on your cell phone for international calls…if you know how to use it. So let’s take a look at international calling.

Read the rest of Calling internationally on your cell phone…

So today, I managed to keep the iPhone out of Mobile Notes. You’d figure that with the release date creeping closer and closer, we’d be seeing an avalanche of information. But not on this Tuesday morning. Perhaps tomorrow. Heck, the Law of Averages pretty much says that we have to see something rumory tomorrow, right?

Read the rest of Mobile Notes: T-Mobile, Sprint, SMS, Global cell users…

Once upon a time, we were told that the 700 MHz auction would be important because it would be the last of its kind for a long time. Looks like a long time means less than a year. FCC Chair Kevin Martin has scheduled a vote that would set the rules for a new AWS auction. Among the proposals is that the winner must provide free broadband service in some capacity.

Read the rest of Another spectrum auction in the works?…