By: Edward Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Free app enables users to check into TV shows and get real rewards such as gift cards, movie tickets, music and much more; innovative brands and networks onboard for launch

Viggle a Function(x) company, today announced that its first free app is now available in the iTunes App Store. Viggle works with iOS devices such as iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and rewards people with gift cards, movie tickets, music and more for checking into TV shows using its proprietary show matching feature. The company, founded by media and entertainment entrepreneur Robert F.X. Sillerman, also announced a number of strategic launch partners including Verizon, Pepsi, Gatorade, Burger King Corporation and Capital One.

“We’re excited that Viggle is now in the hands of passionate TV viewers,” said Chris Stephenson, president of Function(x). “And, we’re lucky to be working with networks and brands who really understand the connection people have with the shows they love. Everyone wins here—consumers get rewarded for their loyalty and networks and brand partners are able to connect with Viggle users in relevant and meaningful ways.”

“At USA, we are committed to expanding the ways our fans engage with great content beyond their TV viewing experience,” said Jesse Redniss, senior vice president, digital, USA Network. “By connecting to Viggle, we are able to offer access to more compelling engagement, participation and affinity rewards that extend our viewers’ access across multiple touch points.”

A number of innovative brand partners have signed on to take advantage of the rich opportunities Viggle creates for them to engage with consumers. Viggle provides these companies with easy ways to target different audiences and present their brands in a variety of contextually relevant ways including games, quizzes, polls, downloads and videos that are related to the consumer and what they’re watching. “Pepsi is and always has been an entertainment brand,” said Massimo d’Amore, president of PepsiCo’s Global Beverages Group. “Being partnered with the best in music, sports and TV is very natural for us and partnering with Viggle helps us keep close to the consumer on an exciting new platform.”

“The way people consume TV has completely transformed since everyone started watching their favorite shows with a mobile phone or tablet at their side. It is no longer a passive form of entertainment,” said Marc Mentry, senior vice president, advertising and sponsorships, Capital One. “We want to meet consumers where they are and unexpected rewards are a great way to drive engagement with the Capital One brand.”

Core to Viggle’s promise are the rewards consumers get for checking into the TV shows they love. Viggle users will be able to redeem points for rewards from a growing slate of more than 20 brands that span entertainment, retail, restaurants and travel, including Best Buy, Sephora, Hulu Plus, and many more. New rewards are being added to the catalogue every week and Viggle is working with rewards partners to create special reward opportunities such as daily deals and one-of-a-kind experiences for TV’s biggest fans.

Viggle works today with live, recorded and online TV content from more than 150 channels—with more being added daily. Using the integrated microphone on the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch device, Viggle automatically identifies what the viewer is watching on television. Once checked in, users can see a summary of all Twitter conversation related to the show and are able to share comments from within the app directly to Twitter or Facebook. Users can learn more about their favorite shows by clicking on direct links to online show pages, unique content, downloads and special merchandise that are integrated directly on the show pages.

“Viggle is a powerful new way for brands to engage with consumers using cutting-edge technology,” said Bob Jeffrey, CEO and Worldwide Chairman, JWT. “Our business today is driven by innovation and the road to success sits at the intersection of Hollywood, Silicon Valley and Madison Avenue. Clients and consumers alike will love Viggle.”

By: Tony Novoa (Contributing Editor)

Staff Note: Don’t forget about our ongoing contests and prize giveaways, upcoming giveaways and exciting passes to exclusive events!  Now that Brittney and Foster are done with CES 2011, we should have a lot to review and give away.   Remember that our contests are ONLY eligible to our fans & subscribers so don’t forget to sign up.  We send you a copy of each new post and giveaway announcement via email. No more, no less, zero spam! That’s a promise!  We’re always doing contest giveaways every month so it pays to be  on the list.

Both Mac & PC laptop friendly... up to 17"!

The Hot Apple Connection

As you may know, I am a big Apple fan but I wasn’t always one. Today, I couldn’t be happier to hear that the Apple iPhone will finally run on the Verizon network – but I’m sure that you’ve all heard enough about that and Jenna’s head will explode if MyRealityTech jumps on that bandwagon!  It wasn’t until 2003 that I was actually personally exposed to my first PowerBook.  Faced with the prospect of using a company-supplied Windows Fujitsu laptop with 90MB of RAM (yes, 90 MB to run Windows – laughable at best) I was faced with the dilemma of investing in my own Windows based laptop or exploring alternatives.  So, I visited an Apple store in the mall, saw and interacted with the Powerbook and was told that it could run Mac OSX and Windows (before Parallels – mind you).  Needless to say, I never turned back.  I am now on my third Apple laptop – the MacBook Pro and am constantly pushing it to its limit.

As a result, the workhorse tends to run pretty hot (from 150 to 179 degrees) so you can imagine that it gets pretty hot to the touch – great when my hands get cold but also keeps the internal fans running at a good clip.  Everyone also knows the derogatory effect that heat has on electronics.  At a minimum, it can shorten the life expectancy of the device and can even contribute to it’s early total failure.

The Revelation

So, last weekend, I’m at Staples, searching for a power adapter for my daughter’s laptop which she had forgotten to bring for the weekend.  Lo and behold, next to the power adapters I see cooling mats.  Now, it’s not the first time I’ve seen cooling mats – I know they’ve been around for a long time but I’ve also known them to be potentially noisy, flimsy and not well suited for placing on the lap.  Many are better suited for desk use, others are meant only for lap use (they typically sport the pillowed surfaces on the underside) and others are just plain cheap – which usually means they are poorly designed and probably won’t last very long.

Time For A Chill

That is, until I noticed the Targus Lap Chill Mat™.  It appeared to be well constructed yet light, gently padded with soft neoprene material for lap use but also appropriately shaped to rest on a desk or hard surface and USB powered – meaning no need for batteries or dragging around an additional power cord.  Priced at $39.99 – it wasn’t overly expensive considering that it could help cool a very important piece of technology on which I constantly rely.  Furthermore, with Staples’ return policy, I knew that if I wasn’t happy with it, I could return it for a refund.  Sweet all around!

Angled, open design

Silence Is Golden

So, I gave it a shot.  What I found surprised me.  I placed my MacBook on top of the Lap Chill Mat, plugged it into a spare USB port and waited for the 2 nicely sized fans to start blowing air.  But I heard nothing.  I figured, perhaps the fans turn on when the computer gets hot.  So I lifted the laptop and placed my hand over the vents… air was blowing through them!  It just so happens that the fans are incredibly silent.  Watching the smcFanControl temperature gauge on the laptop, I realized that the computer was running noticeably cooler (140 to 160 degrees).  An added benefit is that the internal fans are running at a slower speed and are, therefore, also quieter.

One Package, Multiple Solutions

An added benefit in the design is that air disperses under the laptop and out of the sides of the Lap Chill Mat.  It is also slightly angled, making it ergonomically better when typing.  Another added benefit is that the Lap Chill Mat provides solid support for the laptop.  My previous solution, if you can call it that, was to place a laptop sleeve between it and my lap.  This definitely helped my lap from heating up but didn’t do much for keeping the laptop itself cool.  Another subtle effect of having the laptop on a soft surface is that it can warp a bit, adversely affecting the touchpad’s performance – I noticed that it would sometimes “stick” due to the slight warping.  That problem is also solved by the sturdy Lap Chill Mat.

Here’s A Quick Look At The Targus Lap Chill Mat

I was also concerned the the angled shape would cause the laptop to slide but this is nicely handled by the rubber stops on the face of the Chill Mat which keeps the laptop in place.  While I realize that this product is hardly the fancy tech that we typically feature at MRT, I can appreciate good solutions that can improve our experience with the fancy tech we know and love.  As for the negatives with this product… none worth mentioning.  So, here’s to a simple but valuable solution to add to your technology accessories that will add value to your daily computing experience in more than one way.

Product Specifications:

• Color: Black/Gray
• Exterior Dimensions: 12″ x 15.1″ x 2.2″
• Warranty: Limited One Year
• Weight: 2.65 lbs

MSRP: $39.99 (available for less online)

MyRealityTech Grade: A

For more information: Targus Lap Chill Mat

Tell us what you think about the Targus Lap Chill Mat.  You know that we always love to hear from you. And don’t forget, now that the Holiday Season has safely come to an end, we will be announcing details on CES giveaways very soon.

For now, you may want to get a head start and follow @MyRealityTech on Twitter and “like” us on Facebook if you have not already done so.  As with all our other contests, a substantial number of prizes will be awarded via these two avenues, so it always pays to follow us!

By: Foster Scott (Contributing Editor)

As I plan my approaching trip to see all the electronic wonders that CES has to offer me, I am also planning my Internet connection.  While the trip itself is made possible by Jenna the “Uber-Goddess:Boss Extraordinaire” we all love and adore, relying on hotel room wifi connections and local hotspots to search local information and upload daily MRT video can make an editor’s hair turn gray fast.  To be fair, a convention as large as CES will no doubt have wifi throughout its’ venues, can a writer leave it all up to chance?  This has me searching for ways to connect my laptop and Gen 4 iPod Touch reliably so I can stay in touch and update Twitter and Facebook pages on the go. This has me searching for ways to connect my laptop and Gen 4 iPod Touch realiably so I can stay in touch and update Twitter and Facebook pages on the go.”

Two products from Clear (company reviewed by our own Senior Editor,  Bill Armstrong)  caught my attention for what I need.  The Clear 4G+ Mobile Series S USB modem that offers over 8Mbps* download speeds for a single computer and comes with an unlimited 4G data and 3G backup plan, and the Clear Spot 4G+  that also has the 4G unlimited + 3G backup plan.  

Clear 4G+ Mobile Series S USB Modem – “This little genius of a 4G/3G mobile USB modem lets you enjoy 4G take-it-with-you internet everywhere in CLEAR coverage, along with 3G coverage nationwide. And it automatically switches from 4G to 3G for expanded coverage and seamless use. Whether you’re a business road warrior or an avid travel buff, your mobile internet dreams are about to come true.”

Clear Spot 4G+ – “The Clear Spot has everything you need to create your own, personal wi-fi hotspot and connect up to 5 data-loving, wi-fi enabled devices. It is pocket-sized and runs on a rechargeable battery that lasts for hours.  Even while recharging it keeps you connected.”

 *(8Mbps speeds would let you download a full 800MB DVD in less than 15min. Speeds of 11Mbs have been reached which would download the same movie in less than 10min.)

 What peaks my attention is compared to a similar Verizon 4G device that claims only a few Mbps faster speeds, Verizon charges $80 a month with a 10GB cap and extra charges for going over.  Clear offers a $55 unlimited plan while connected to 4G and includes and extra  5GB if connected to a 3G network.  Looking at the coverage for Clear and changing from 4G to 3G coverage and future expansion plans, it is clear to me that this is something a traveling writer or someone who is on the go visiting family and friends would, or I say should check out.

by: Bill Armstrong (Senior Editor)

We all love our smart phones, especially when we have coverage. There are few things in life more irritating than not getting a signal in your own home. I speak from experience. I once lived in an apartment that blocked all signal, unless I sat on the kitchen counter and leaned towards the window. Not the most ideal situation, but still better than going outside in the winter to make a call or update your Facebook.

I’m not alone. Many of us live in buildings or in geographical areas that limit wireless coverage. But now, if you happen to live in one of these areas, and happen to be a Verizon Wireless customer, you are in luck. Verizon Wireless has released its 3G Network extender. A mere $250 dollars gets you your own Verizon mini cell tower in your home. Good for up to 6 devices, it boots the 3G coverage in your hard to reach location.

A good way for Verizon to squeeze more money out of its customers living on the edge of coverage zones, and helps prevent them from having to actually put up more towers and increase their coverage. This handy gadget comes just in time for the upcoming iPhone release that VZW customers have been waiting two and a half years for. Check out the press release below, and if you want to learn more, be sure to hit up the Verizon Wireless website.

via Geek.com

EXPAND YOUR 3G NETWORK: VERIZON WIRELESS 3G NETWORK EXTENDER NOW AVAILABLE

Newest In-Home Device By Samsung Enhances Both Calling & Data Capabilities

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – The power to enhance wireless voice and data coverage at home is in customers’ hands with the launch of the Verizon Wireless 3G NetworkExtender.

Beginning today, customers who live in homes where location, geography or structural conditions interfere with reception can use the Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender to instantly enhance the signal on their Verizon Wireless phones and smartphones. Now, with the new Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender, customers can not only make calls and send text and picture messages, they can also download apps, browse the Web, send e-mails, download and play 3D games, and stream video using their home Internet connection.

Ideal for those customers who want to use their wireless devices in homes with structural barriers or homes located in remote, mountainous or hilly areas, the Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender is easy to set up and can provide coverage within 40 feet of the Network Extender device.

The Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender, a “mini-cell site” manufactured by Samsung Mobile, is about the size of a wireless router box or woman’s purse and routes Verizon Wireless calls through the customer’s home broadband Internet connection. Up to six Verizon Wireless customers can use their phones and monthly plans to place calls and access data using the Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender. Customers can also use My Verizon (www.verizonwireless.com/myverizon) to set up a list of preferred users who will have access to their Network Extender. Customers do not need to update their plans or add minutes and will incur no additional monthly charges for using the Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender.

The Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender replaces the original Verizon Wireless Network Extender, which was introduced in 2009. The Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender can be purchased online at www.verizonwireless.com or by calling 1-800-256-4646. The price is $249.99 plus local taxes. For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/networkextender.

By: Edward Jackson (Senior Editor)

New carrier is unlikely to turn back the Android tide, but should make Apple a tidy sum of cash.

Since the launch of the iPhone one critical factor has remained constant.  In the smartphone’s biggest market — the United States — the iPhone was sold exclusively on AT&T.  But that’s about to change. The Wall Street Journal claims that multiple sources brief by Apple have said that a CDMA iPhone will land early next year on Verizon’s network.  CDMA is Verizon’s 3G tech of choice.  Sprint also uses CDMA, while T-Mobile and AT&T utilize GSM, a rival standard.

The iPhone undeniably helped AT&T hang on to its second place spot in the U.S.  However, many customers — particularly in 2007 and 2008 — were disgruntled about AT&T’s poor voice network.  While AT&T has made a concerted effort to improve, the experience has still left a bitter taste in many’s mouth, and many still hold a negative opinion about the carrier’s quality of service.

Meanwhile the iPhone is struggling to stave off dozens of handsets sporting Google’s Android operating system which have flooded the U.S. market.  Android has already passed the iPhone in U.S. sales and analysts generally believe that it is only a matter of time before it does the same worldwide.  More worrisome for Apple, interest in the iPhone is also dropping. A shift to Verizon, the nation’s largest carrier, could help Apple somewhat with both problems. According to James Ratcliffe at Barclays Capital, a Verizon iPhone would grow the carrier’s subscriber base by 900,000 in 2011 and sell 9 million iPhones in total (most sales going to existing customers).  Hudson Square Research, on the other hand, believes that Verizon could gain even more new subscribers, estimating that 4 million iPhone users would switch from AT&T — roughly 18 percent of AT&T’s iPhone subscriber base.

Verizon Communications Inc. President Lowell McAdam refused to confirm or deny the rumors of an Apple deal, stating, “At some point our business interests are going to align.  I fully expect it, but I don’t have anything to say.” The report offers a lot of compelling details to support its claims that the Verizon iPhone is real.  It claims that Pegatron Technology Corp., a contract manufacturer subsidiary of Taiwanese electronics giant Asustek Computer Inc. won the contract to produce the phone.  And reportedly Qualcomm is providing the CDMA chipset for the new phone, though the form factor will stay the same.

A Verizon iPhone was already prophesied earlier this year by Bloomberg, which says the phone will land in January (coinciding with one of Apple’s typical product launch times).  However, one of the sources briefed by Apple told The Wall Street Journal offers a new piece of information — Apple is also working on a different form factor of its popular device. If it truly exists, the real question is whether this form factor is bigger or smaller than the existing iPhone. A likely scenario seems a smaller candy-bar like phone, similar to the iPod Nano 5G. The need for a Verizon iPhone is illustrated most clearly by subscriber numbers.  According to market researchers at Comscore, in August 2009 there were only 866,000 Android smartphones, compared to 7.8 million iPhones in the U.S.  In August 2010 Android had exploded to 10.9 million phones, while Apple managed an impressive, but lesser growth to 13.5 million handsets.

Ultimately despite the “danger” of getting passed by Android, the release of a Verizon iPhone may be more about bumping up profit and less about staving off its competitor.  After all, Apple currently has only 2.8 percent market share in the global phone market, but it makes 39 percent of its profits thanks to its ability to move less-than-premium hardware at premium prices and its aggressive negotiation of supply deals.  Android eventually passing Apple seems inevitable, even if Apple does launch a Verizon iPhone, but the new phone could send the already profitable company soaring to new heights in profitability.

Did you know MRT has a YouTube Channel?  We will be adding more video on a regular basis, and yes, we will be running a ton of giveaways exclusively though our Youtube channel so subscribe! http://www.youtube.com/myrealitytech 

Plus you can always follow us on Twitter and Facebook too.

By: Edward Jackson (Senior Editor)

Consumer installable in-vehicle Device Holder / Device Mount makes the [BlackBerry 9800 Torch]  and the [BlackBerry 9650 Bold]  smartphones easier to view and access while in the car. 

[ProClip USA, Inc.] today announced a variety of new Device Holders / Device Mounts designed to securely mount the AT&T BlackBerry Torch, and the Verizon and Sprint Bold smartphones to car, truck and SUV dashboards and consoles. [ProClip Device Holders / Device Mounts], designed and manufactured by Brodit AB, in Sweden, are custom made and attach to a vehicle specific [ProClip Car Mounts]. Once this two part solution (Device Holder / Device Mount plus Car Mount) are attached, to the dashboard, the solution provides better viewing and easier access. ProClip Device Holders / Device Mounts may also be attached to other manufacturers’ car mounts or any flat surface.

“Securely and conveniently mounting handheld devices like the BlackBerry, without damaging a vehicle’s interior, is what we do best,” says Bjorn Spilling, president of ProClip USA. “We offer mounting solutions that are custom designed for virtually every car in the world, and all popular handheld devices.”

ProClip USA has just released new Device Holders / Device Mounts for other new smartphones such as:

• Samsung Captivate, Samsung Galaxy S phone (AT&T)
• Samsung Vibrant, Samsung Galaxy S phone (T-Mobile)
• HTC EVO 4G (Sprint)

Also, coming soon are Device Holders / Device Mounts for:

• Samsung Epic 4G, Samsung Galaxy S phone (Sprint)
• Samsung Fascinate, Samsung Galaxy S Phone (Verizon)
• Motorola Droid X (Verizon)
• Motorola Droid 2 (Verizon)

Device Holders / Device Mounts are available for other BlackBerry, Samsung, HTC and Motorola devices. All products available at [www.proclipusa.com].

ProClip Car Mounts provide the mounting platform to attach any ProClip Device Holder / Device Mount or adapter. The ProClip Car Mount is the only vehicle specific, consumer installable mounting bracket in today’s global market. The mount clips into the dashboard seams, providing a very sturdy and tight fit. Average installation time is 2 minutes. No dismantling of the dashboard is required and there is no damage to the vehicle’s interior!

By: Foster Scott (Contributing Editor)

Today, September 30, Verizon Wireless releases their R2-D2 version of the Droid 2 phone.  Originally it was only going to be available online.  You can now look for select stores to also have some available.  That is if you are fast enough to grab one before they are all sold out.  How do I know they will be sold out?  Okay, I don’t really know for sure.  What I do know is companies who score a movie tie-in for their product, have to invest more than just the licensing fees.  Advertisement, customers’ emotional interaction, content available and pre-release hype are all part of the package needed to separate cash from today’s consumers.   Coming up with a design that customers will want is one of the many challenges a company faces.  When it is right, it can mean large returns on a companies invested dollar.

Anything R2-D2 is sure to be a lock on a customer’s wallet.  Looking at these released pictures of the Motorola Droid 2 Limited Edition R2-D2 phone for Verizon, they even has me wanting to switch my cell phone provider just so I can get my Star Wars loving hands on one!  So I want you to comment below, not only on this phone, but on what movie product tie-in made you pull your wallets out. Aditionally, what would you like to see come out?   With the announcement  that all 6 Star Wars movies are being re-released to theaters (one every year) remastered in 3D, what would you like to see tied-in with them?

 (I admit I was one of the many who wanted the limited edition Matrix phone that was part of a contest!  Alas, it was not to be…) 

(Images via Motorola Press Release)

Our own Edward Jackson wrote about the LG Ally with the Iron Man 2 tie-in that can be read here: http://mcaf.ee/9ae15  

Here is part of the Press Release from Motorola on the R2-D2 phone.

May the DROID be With You: Limited Edition DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola Lands on Verizon Wireless’ Network

DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola Brings the Galactic Empire to Customers September 27, 2010 BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ – Verizon Wireless announced that the highly anticipated limited edition DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available online at http://www.verizonwireless.com/ and in select Verizon Wireless Communication stores beginning Sept. 30.  With a graphic design to look like the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars™ Saga, the DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be packaged in a custom box resembling carbonite and come with a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset.  Exclusive content comes pre-loaded on the special edition smartphone, including: 

To celebrate 30 years since the film hit theaters, customers with Android devices running Android 2.1 or higher will soon be able to get the Empire Strikes Back app from Android Market™. The app, only for Verizon Wireless customers, allows Jedi Masters to browse, preview and download Star Wars content related to Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.  Verizon Wireless customers can access premium Star Wars content for a one-time charge of $2.99.

 The Star Wars mobile app will have the following features and content:  

• Bounty Hunt Visual ID: Find and capture images around the Star Wars universe to unlock hidden content
• Sound and Photo Gallery
• Live Wallpapers:
  • Blast the Probe Droid
  • Luke Balancing Yoda
  • Navigating the Asteroid Field
  • Watch Bespin’s Cloud City
• Trivia Challenge: Answer trivia questions about The Empire Strikes Back
• Widgets

The DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.  Customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan (beginning at $39.99 monthly access) and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan (beginning at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access). Customers will receive the 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 on DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola, go to www.droiddoes.com/r2d2.  

STAR WARS™, DROID™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.  Used under license. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.  

 Android, Android Market are trademarks of Google Inc.

(Images: engadget)

You can follow MRT on FaceBook and Twitter!  Don’t forget to comment below.

By Michael Hunter (Contributing Writer)

Fresh out of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Verizon Wireless and Skype have announced a new partnership between the two huge companies. Verizon Wireless 3G Smartphone users with data plans will soon be able to make and receive unlimited Skype to Skype voice calls to ANY Skype user ANYWHERE! The new partnership also offers competitive Skype Out calling rates to international phone numbers as well as the ability to see your contacts online status’ and send and receive instant messages. In March this Skype service will be available for all of the Verizon Android and BlackBerry users.

Here’s the part that puzzles me, the official press release has this joint venture listed as “exclusive”, but I’m pretty sure I have Skype installed on my iPhone. Not only that, AT&T lowered the flood gates and now allow for Voice Over IP applications to be downloaded from the App Store. As popular as Skype is on the iPhone, it still hasn’t seen an update since the great news came out by way of AT&T and Apple. Well, I happened to bump into a video and written post on Skype’s very own blog site stating exactly why we have yet to see an update:

“You may have seen other apps offering calls over 3G, but we’re holding ours back for a little bit longer. Why? So that we can give you the very best audio quality we can. When our 3G-capable Skype for iPhone app is released, it’ll let you make calls in wideband audio, giving you greater clarity and fidelity – because that’s what you expect from Skype.”

So just how “exclusive” is this Verizon and Skype VOIP 3G deal? It’s looking like for now (and just for now!) we must continue to use Wi-Fi to make our Skype calls on an iPhone. At any rate,this is very cool offering from Verizon and AT&T the same.

(via: Skype, Skype Blog)

Dell is collecting pre-orders for its petite and powerful gaming netbook, the Alienware M11x.

The Dell Store is sporting a pre-order page for its new M11x gaming netbook. The Alienware M11x, which features an 11.1″ 720p display complete with both NVIDIA GT335M and integrated graphics. Dell says the M11x should achieve over six hours of battery life in its lower-graphics function mode and attain around two hours of intense gaming time in its other mode. The M11x also comes with DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA ports so you can take your gaming to the big screen and connect to larger monitors and HDTVs.

The M11x has a starting price of $799 and comes with a 1.3GHz Pentium SU4100, 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT335M, 2GB of memory, and 160GB HDD. Mobile broadband is available from Verizon or AT&T for another $125—which is starting to make this gaming netbook a lot more expensive than we hoped for. The specs really do add up fast, so careful with your clicking.

The ship date is March 1st.

By Michael Hunter (Contributing Writer)

Remember that new Hotspot feature on the new Palm Pre Plus we talked about? Well, check this out. The Pre Plus has been out for about 2 weeks now and I’m hearing mixed reviews about it, but one of the biggest gripes I hear is the price of the notable Hotspot feature… A whopping forty bucks added on top of your phone bill and data plan! This is where we introduce you to My Tether, a homebrew application allowing you to share your 3G or Wi-Fi connection with other devices such as a laptop or even an iPod touch. That’s not all it does though, it also offers the option of sharing your 3G data connection wirelessly by turning your Pre device into a wireless router. In other words it lets you do exactly what you don’t want to spend $40 for.

What’s the catch you ask? A $14.95 “donation” is all that the developer asks for in order to rock this one. Look at it this way, $40 monthly for the life of that 2 year contract you just signed (which equals out to be $960) or a onetime payment of $15 for unlimited tethering and software support. But wait one more thing! This one is for the Sprint Palm Pre customers as well, so don’t feel left out.

With that being said, this would be a smart alternative for all of us that need an internet connection On Demand. Well… that or you could always go the Windows Mobile route and wirelessly tether for free!

(via: http://mytether.net/)