Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched an app for its Flying Without Fear course proving yet again that Virgin Atlantic president, Richard Branson, is on a mission to accomplish just about everything he possibly can in life.

“Our first iPhone app will bring the benefits of our successful Flying Without Fear course to millions of people around the world who are now using mobile technology to make their lives better,” Branson said.  “The app will put many travelers at ease and enable them to prepare for their first Virgin Atlantic flight.”

The app features an introduction by Branson and then offers a number of resources to users including relaxation exercises and an in-flight explanation of a flight.  I’d love to see what this looks like even though I’m not really afraid of flying.

The Flying Without Fear course boasts a 98 percent success rate which is pretty flipping impressive.  The app was developed in collaboration with Mental Workout, “a company developing software to help people resolve issues and increase mental performance.”

Would you consider using this program and an iPhone application to get over your fear of flying?

image: Bell.ca

Post from: Cellphone9

A Canadian article discussed why this could be dangerous.  Have you ever been asked to enter your cell phone number for any reason?  I was at a concert last November and they told us to text our phone numbers to a certain code for a chance to win backstage passes and send the band a message.  I did it without even thinking but, truth be told, I could have been signing up for something I didn’t necessarily want.

Some consumers have been complaining that they have been signed up “for pricey text message schemes after entering their cell phone number through games and quizzes” and I can see how that could be something very easy for thieves to pull off. 

This is particularly true in some parts of Europe where cell phone number are now used to pay for small services including parking and restaurant bills.  It is probably only a matter of time before features like that become available in North America.  In fact, there are already websites, like mobilegiving.ca, that allow used to type in their cell phone number to make a donation to a charity.  That could very easily be exploited.

Long story short – be mindful of who you give your cell phone number to.  It could cost you more than having to deal with an annoying person that you met at a bar.

image: Amazon

Post from: Cellphone9

The Equinox features a 3.2 megapixel camera (with picture messaging), stereo Bluetooth and 3G network support and a built-in GPS sensor.  It also lights up and pulsates when a call or message comes in which would be great for me since my ringer doesn’t currently work (I accidentally put my phone through the washing machine).  I also read that you can silence or reject phone calls with hand gestures.  Handy (no pun intended).

Visit the Sony Ericsson website for more specific information about the Equinox and its accessories.

image: Sony Ericcson

Post from: Cellphone9

The company says that this enables applications “such as sports and fitness equipment, medical and health, home and office, and mobile accessories, to use coin cell and energy harvesting solutions to operate for more than a year on a tiny button cell battery.”  That’s pretty impressive.

The new Bluetooth is expected sometime next year.

image: Amazon

Post from: Cellphone9

First things first, though – this is NOT a Smartphone.  It’s a Smartwatch.  Make sure you don’t get your expectations up too high.  I think it was a little risky for them to choose a name like that but maybe they are hoping the confusion will result in people buying this thing under false pretences.

The Smartwatch is designed to be a companion to your Blackberry Smartphone by notifying you about any incoming Blackberry messages or events.

The watch features interchangeable wrist bands, a battery that can last up to four days (but can be recharged in 30 minutes using a standard microUSB cable) and receives firmware updates wirelessly.  For more information, visit the inPulse FAQ page.

image: inPulse

Post from: Cellphone9

Last month, the U.N. telecoms agency approved technology for a universal cell phone charger and their reasons completely make sense – they want to “reduce the confusion, clutter and waste” caused by phones having to many types of charging devices.  I personally think that is awesome!

According to the article, the new chargers will use a micro-USB plug which will be similar to the ones used for digital cameras prompting some manufacturers to consider allowing the cable to plug into a computer.  This is convenient in a pinch but the power you’d get from a computer isn’t going to be as strong as that from a wall socket so it would take longer to charge the phone but, as I said, it is a nice option for times when you don’t have a choice. 

I seriously am looking forward to seeing this implemented.  I’ve got a phone charger graveyard in my basement from all of the phones I’ve gone through (as well as those of my family members) and I’m sure we can all think of a time when we were someplace and our cell phone battery died and no one had the matching charger.  This really makes things so much simpler!

image: Amazon

Post from: Cellphone9

This is the first smartphone to be powered by Android 2.0 and is supposed to be stronger and faster than the competition.  The device promises “high-speed Web browsing, voice-activated search, customizable large screen, access to thousands of Android applications and hundreds of widgets.”  

Apparently, the shell is pretty solid while still being one of the thinnest full-QWERTY slider phones around so I’m sure a lot of people are going to be putting this on their holiday wishlists!

I read over some of the product details on the Verizon website and the best features include the following:

• Connecting to the internet at 3G speeds with access to a multi-window HTML browser.
• Widescreen visibility on a 3.7” high-resolution screen which makes viewing email, Google Maps, videos and websites a lot easier!
• You can toggle between up to six applications at the same time!
• Super quick Google searches!
• The 5 megapixel camera lets you take digital camera-quality snapshots with autofocus, image stabilization and dual-LED flash.  The DVD-quality video capture also comes in handy as does the 16 GB memory card!
• The DROID is the first device to feature Google Maps Navigation which provides turn-by-turn voice guidance for FREE!!!!  That alone is worth checking this phone out.  How awesome is that?  You can even see live traffic, street views and satellite images along your route.

The DROID by Motorola will be available in the United States exclusively at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online on Friday, November 6, 2009 for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate.

For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

image: Verizon

Post from: Cellphone9

We’ve seen what the new iPod touch can do and this is the start of something big. We’re looking at pretty neat 3D graphics with a plethora of weapons, special moves and characters to choose from. There’s a free version out that allows limited access and a full version that unlocks all the items.

[Download Now]

Post from: Cellphone9

Nokia did it again with the 6720. While retaining the essentials for any classic line, it brings in two main features that make the mobile stand for functionality: active noise canceling for better quality phone calls and TV out for viewing photos and images onto the big screen.

We like this.

Post from: Cellphone9

Everyone’s gone mainstream. Three years ago, you’d consider Windows Mobile users to be either geeks or early adopters. We’re not exactly sure if it was because of the iPhone, but smartphones have gotten sexier. It’s not just HTC that’s gone into the lifestyle route. BlackBerry has too, with the debut of the 8520, making push email more accessible to everyone.

Post from: Cellphone9