Problem With Google's Blogger Mobile-Part Duh

As promised, I'm writing about my "band-aid" approach to getting around Blogger Mobile's lack of support for Metro PCS (could this be the start of a revolution...).

My "thumb in the dike" fix for today is called Mail2Blogger.

Setting up the Mail2Blogger was real simple and it took less then 2 minutes to complete.

For those interested in how-to:

1. Sign in to your Blogger.com blog account.
2. After logging on, click the "Settings" button.
3. Click on the "Email & Mobile" button.
4. Enter up to 10 email addresses to the "Blogsend" text box in the Email Notification section.
5. Enter a unique password into the Email Posting Address in the Posting Options section.
6. Choose your preferred posting option (post live or post as a draft).
7. Click on the "Save Settings" button.

Once completed, you are good to go.

Although I'm glad there is a makeshift solution to my Blogger Mobile problem, I'm won't be content until; 1) Google supports the Metro PCS platform, 2) I find a third party app that allows me to do what Mobile Blogger does.

Stay tuned as I continue my crusade.

Until then...

Having A Problem With Google's Blogger Mobile? So Am I...

But not for long, I hope…

I realized shortly after starting this blog, that I wanted to be able to update it on the fly regardless of where I am.

So I visited the Blogger Mobile site this weekend and followed the instructions---I sent a SMS message with the word “REGISTER” to BLOGGR and…

Nothing.

Not even a courtesy error message until I checked my spam filter on my laptop and found this response:

___________________________________________
From: postgateway@blogger.com
Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 4:40 PM
Subject: Blogger Mobile Post

Your carrier is not supported by Blogger Mobile. Please visit http://www.blogger.com/mobile-request for more information.
____________________________________________

Well, all I can say is, it’s on!

It’s on to finding a solution to this problem that is.

Make it a point to come back tomorrow where I’ll update you on my short term fix and my efforts to find a third party app that will get me over this hump.

Stay tuned…
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m.Tools---Microsoft MyPhone (Get This Now)

I sync with my laptop so I wasn't immediately concerned with a mobile phone backup strategy, but then it dawned on me, "what about the folks that have a Samsung Code but don't ActiveSync with a computer"?

If this is you, then you need to get Microsoft MyPhone on your Samsung Code NOW (or you might be sorry when you lose your phone).

Microsoft MyPhone allows you to:

* Back up your phone's contents automatically.
* Send photos to your PC and favorite social sites.
* Find a lost phone.
* Access your contacts, test messages and more online.

For those that want to download this now from their Samsung Code:

http://myphone.microsoft.com/install

For those that want to learn more:

Microsoft MyPhone

m.Tools: TinyTwitter

Likes:
- It's a thin application (693 Kb CAB file)
- Free of Adware, Malware and Spyware according to McAfee SiteAdvisor.
- Facilitates quick feed checking and tweeting
- Cheaper then Tweeting by SMS/Text message
- Simple Interface
- Free
- Can send a tweet to multiple followers

Dislikes:
- All Twitter features are not made available (missing profile management and people-finding tools for example).
- Doesn't support multiple Twitter accounts.

Features include:

- Automatically updated follower timeline
- Automatically updated inbox (direct messages)
- Delete all or single tweets
- One click replies (@) and direct messages from the timeline
- Quick access to see a follower’s timeline
- Access links embedded in tweets
- Hide friends (Java only)
- Settings to customize the update interval and appearance
- And of course most importantly send tweets!!!

For those that want to download it now on their Samsung Code:

http://tinytwitter.com/m/

For those that want to learn more about TinyTwitter:

TinyTwitter

Find SamsungCode On Twitter...

Follow me for regular tips on how to maximize your mobile experience using the Samsung Code and Metro PCS:

@SamsungCode
www.twitter.com/SamsungCode

Tweet, Tweet...

m.Trick: How To Send A Text Message To Any Mobile Phone Number Using Email

To send a text message (SMS) to any cell phone number using email, simply substitute the intended cell phone where is says "number" below:

- Alltel: number@message.alltel.com
- AT&T: number@txt.att.net
- Boost Mobile: number@myboostmobile.com
- Cricket: TBA
- Clearwire: TBA
- Helio: TBA
- Jitterbug: TBA
- Metro PCS: number@mymetropcs.com
- Nextel: number@messaging.nextel.com
- Powertel: number@ptel.com
- Qwest: number@qwestmp.com
- Sprint: number@messaging.sprintpcs.com or number@pm.sprint.com
- Suncom: number@tms.suncom.com
- T-Mobile: number@tmomail.net
- Trumpet: TBA
- U.S. Cellular: number@email.uscc.net
- Verizon: number@vtext.com
- Virgin Mobile: number@vmobl.com

Am I missing any? Let me know and I'll add them.

m.Tools: Skype 3.0 for Windows Mobile

If you are learning about Skype for the first time, then all I have to say is, "good morning Rumpelstiltzkin, did you have a good nap"?

I lived abroad for a number of years (SE Asia and Ireland) and I've been a big fan of Skype for a number of years, so it made sense for me to extend this to my mobile phone.

For those that want to learn more about what you can do with Skype:
www.skype.com/intl/en/features/

For those that want to learn more about Skype 3.0 for Windows Phones:

www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windowsmobile

If you want to download this directly to your phone now:

www.skype.com/go/getskype-windowsmobile-cab

m.Tools: Google Maps

Decided to download and test Google Maps to determine if I have any further use for MetroNavigator.

From quick glance, Google Maps can do everything that MetroNavigator can do, plus:

- Access to business listings.
- Transit and walking directions (great for commuters)

I intend to do a comprehensive comparison and will make my findings available for any of you that might be interested (wait a minute, I don't have any followers yet).

For those that would like to install Google Maps from their phone:

m.google.com/maps

For those that want more information on Google Maps:

Google Maps

Happy trails!

m.Tools---If I Had I Hammer...

I'd hammer in the morning or so the song goes, which reminds me...

Check out the "m.Tools" folder for software and misc. add-on recommendations that I'll install, test and run on my Samsung Code in the future.

Beam me up Scottie...

m.Live-Can You Hear Me Now?

I just can't get those words out of my head, "You shouldn't get Metro PCS unless you live in the city, that's why they call it 'Metro' PCS, you know".

The naysayers have inspired me to go where no other man has gone before with my phone, just to learn whether Metro PCS is as limited as some folks suggest.

First log entry:

Metro PCS works at:

Latitude: N 42° 14' 52.6"
Longitude: W 71°43' 7.4"

aka, the Bat Cave...

Check the "mLive-Can You Hear Me Now?" folder for where this Waldo will end up with his Metro PCS Samsung Code.

m.Tip: How To Customize Your Desktop

Another winner from Frenchy on the options, styles and configurations you have at your disposal when changing your Samsung Code's interface.



Check back in "m.Tip" file for fresh ideas on how you can maximize your mobile experience.
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Do you want to see more tips like this one? Check out the m.Tip Library to find all the m.Tips in one convenient place.

m.Trick: How To Play Nintendo On Your Samsung Code

Found this how-to video on You Tube that some of you die hard gamers will love (those in there 40s and 50s that is).




The link referenced in the video is:

http://mobile.surrealnetworks.com/DashApps.htm

Have fun and stay tuned (and a shout out to the frenchy moustache guy about to take a blow to the head)

Do You Want A Little Help From Your Friends?

Everyone can use a hand and I'm no different, that's why I'm going to create a resource on this blog called the "m.Trick" file.

Contained within, will be the tips and tricks I find on how to maximize your use of Windows Mobile 6.1, the Samsung Code and the Metro PCS service from me and all from our friends in Internet land.

Stay tuned for some great ideas on how to customize your mobile experience...

When Best Buy Is Just The Best Buy

I've made a habit of shopping at Best Buy for my electronics.

Sure, I could go to Walmart and get it on the cheap, but I'm willing to pay a little more to speak to someone that actually knows something about what I want to buy (call me old fashioned I guess).

That has been my experience to date with Best Buy, until it came to researching Metro PCS.

I went in about two weeks ago, believing the (Metro PCS) hype and itching to pull the trigger.

So when I was approached by one of the girls in the phone section I asked, "I'm thinking about going with Metro PCS, what do you know and what have you heard about the service?", and what I heard gave me a moment for pause (actually a week of it).

I was told, "the service isn't that good outside the city, that's why it is called 'Metro' PCS---it works good in the metro (city) you know".

"But I don't live in the city, I live in the next town over", I said. "Oh forget it then, I wouldn't go with them (Metro PCS)" she said.

So that money that was burning in a hole in my pocket, continued to burn in my pocket for another week.

The following weekend, I threw caution to the wind and bought the Samsung Code with Metro PCS from the same un-approving sales-girlie and the rest as they say, is history.

The moral of the story, you ask?

The only thing that Best Buy turned out to be good for in this instance, was the best buy (honestly, I'll give them props where it is due---the price at Best Buy was better then the Metro PCS corporate store and the price advertised on their website).

Why Did I Do What I Am Doing?

I was looking to start over again...

I just got out of a 2 year stint with the "Can You Hear Me Now" Network and was looking to make a move.

What I needed was simple---give me everything, all the time for one flat (read cheap) price and let me have access to the amenities that will allow me to run my personal and business affairs from the palm of my hand.

So I parted from conventional wisdom and went with the underdog, the unknown, the new kid on the block, Metro PCS and their Mercedes Benz phone, the Samsung Code.

Will it stack up or will I be disappointed?

We'll just have to see won't we?

What Am I Doing?

Writing a blog about my experiences with my Samsung Code and Metro PCS, that's what!

So join me as I tell you about my experiences, share some of the tricks and tips I found along the way and sing the praises or scorns for my new mobile phone carrier and smart phone.

Let's begin...