New T4 Show Podcast Up on iTunes Store

The newest episode of the podcast was recorded last night and is available via the iTunes Store. In this episode, Robbie and I discuss Verizon and Cingular’s new unlimited messaging plans along with other news. Also, I give a brief review of Ubercaster, a Mac-only podcasting suite that we may use to produce a future podcast.

Athletes do some good.

Robbie here, I’m a huge sports fan, and will be putting up a blog soon for Sports with Podcasts and all, but for right now, I use thi as my forum to speak of sports. Now I’m not going to gush about last night’s Sox Yankees game where the Red Sox scored five runs off the greatest closer of all time in the eighth to win the game. But instead I want to highlight something that a professional athlete does that is a good thing.

but what about the good things. You always hear about stars doing charitable work and what not, but that never really effects me, so I never pay attention to it. But today at 6am a Pro Athlete, that wasn’t a wrestler for once, did something that actually effected me. Gilbert Arenas aka Agent Zero aka Hibatchi, set up something on his website that both helped out the common fan, and helped benefit charity. I got up around 5:45am to get on to his site GilsArena.com and logged in. He had something to reward his fans that got on there early that the first 2000 for a 25 dollar donation to his charity you would get an authentic jersey signed by him, and one of his shoes from adidas shoes also signed.

He also understood that people are just going to take some of these and sell them. So there was a second option that may even still be online. That for 150 you got the same package, except the jersey isn’t personalized, so it can be resold. But I was so happy about this overall, and probably would ramble about it on the podcast, so I figured I would just organize my thoughts and share them on here, and maybe covert a few people over to be fans of Gilbert Arenas.

Oh yeah, and I forgot to meantion that he sponsors the Halo Team Final Boss that will be at the championships at the Meadowlands from June 8-10. He also talks about how his rehab time right now since he can’t work out consists of playing lots and lots of XBox 360, and on his current blog he gives his end of the NBA awards, which include the catagory of “Best Video Gamer” by different games such as Madden, NBA Live and Halo. Although I really have to wonder how he can play NBA Live instead of NBA 2K7. See I figured a way to even turn this post around to being video game related!

Cingular Releases Unlimited Messaging Plan

Today, Cingular released the long-awaited(especially by me) unlimited messaging plan. That means you can text, picture, video and instant message all you want. I just called my friend Rob at the Wallingford Cingular Store and had my plan upgraded to it. Now I am, finally, free of counting my text messages on a daily basis to avoid the per-message charge of 100 bucks a text or whatever they are charging now. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have sign up for every text messge alert service that I can find.

New RAZR hits stores

I just got a demo phone in to my store today of one that you will probably see a lot of in the next few months. We got in the new Moto Razr Maxx Ve. The phone is close to the form of the RAZR but it has the nice rubberized feel of a black Q or a V325.

The Camera is where this phone shines. It’s a 2.0 Meg camera, but it has an auto focus that actually works. You hit the focus button and it blinks for a few and then takes the pic, and unlike most camera phone pics, it looks decent.

The only other good new feature is it has a very large external LCD. It’s a very clear 1.7 inch LCD screen that is a lot better than anything else you see on any other phone out right now.

The other features are A2DP to support stereo Bluetooth for the MP3 Player. The rest is just the standard stuff you get from a VCast phone with VZ Navigator support, VCast Video (Not VCast TV, if you even have that in your area), and touch music controls on the front of the phone.

I haven’t been able to get it activated as a store demo till it is officially released, so can’t give details on battery life yet, or call quality, but it seems just for the feel of it it’s a good quality sturdy phone. If you are thinking of this as a possible phone and have any questions give me an email at T4Show@gmail.com.

New T4 Show Podcast Up on iTunes Store

The current episode of the T4 Show Podcast is avaiable for download via the iTunes Store. In this episode, Robbie and I discuss everything from the new unlimited messaging plans from Verizon and Cingular to Robbie’s world-famous impression of Don Imus. If you suffer from ADD, this should be a especially enjoyable show.

AT&T to Offer Unlimited Messaging Starting April 20th

at&t is trying to “raise the bar” so to speak, with their new unlimited messaging packages. Starting April 20th, they will introduce these new packages “as well as increase the messaging buckets on some of the Consumer Data Packages/Bundles.” They also began taking shots at the other carriers by comparing their new service offerings to Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile, yet T-Mobile’s unlimited messaging plan is cheaper than theirs.

Here are some key selling points from this document:

Cingular is now offering UNLIMITED MESSAGING in two new packages – so customers can send/receive as many Text, Picture, Video & Instant Messages as they want with anyone in the U.S without worrying about overage charges!
Customers can enjoy up to 50% more text, picture and video messages at the same great price on several plans!
Simplified billing on MEdia Max Unlimited and Messaging Unlimited plans
More competitive in the marketplace—better customer value allows sales reps to overcome customer objections.
Increase demand for Messaging Packages & MEdia Bundles, thus increasing the opportunity to sell data features!
Their new plans start at $4.99, and reach $39.99 for the all you can eat bundle which includes unlimited messages like SMS, MMS, IM, MEdia Net, Cingular Video, and even unlimited M2M.

I, personally, cannot wait for these plans to take effect. I am always counting my texts every month because I text with friends and family so much. I visited the Cingular store here in Wallingford, however, and my friend who works there said he knows nothing about the plan change. Well, I hope the above photo is not a hoax.

Do Not Use Guitar Hero 2 Patch!!!!!!!!

For those of you who own Guitar Hero 2 and are thinking of using the Guitar Hero 2 online patch that is supposed to solve the “whammy bar” issue, do not do it. I have it on good authority that the fix is bad and “bricking” owners’ 360s. You can try and do it, but I personally have not have any issues anyway and do not plan to take my chances. If you do, best of luck in your future patch downloading endeavors.

T4 BlogTalkRadio Show with Bullcrank.com!!!

Earlier today, I interviewed Larry and Aaron from Bullcrank.com. We discussed everything from their first project, “Nintendo Old School Revolution” to the work-in-progress “Zombies on my Airplane!”. Please go to www.blogtalkradio.com and search “T4 Show” and enjoy. We are considering making Larry and other members of Bullcrank.com weekly guests, so please stay tuned.

Completely Non-Technology Related Post

Robbie here and I just wanted to take a quick moment in this the main public forum I have to put a little tribute up to my favorite football player ever, Drew Bledsoe. He retired today, and I have to admit it is probably the saddest I have ever been in my life to see an athlete go. It’s not even because of how great he was at times on the field leading the Patriots, or the fact that if not for him, Bob Craft and Bill Parcells the Patriots wouldn’t even be in Foxboro anymore.

But it’s the little personal things like remembering driving around Florida with my Grandfather looking for his rookie cards because he wasn’t as hot down there to buy as he was here, and my grandfather spoiled me anyway. It’s the memories of my only Patriots game ever wearing my Bledsoe jersey, and going crazy at the first Monday Night Football game in New England in almost 20 years at that point, or my parents running around everywhere to get me his Starting Line up Figures.

But Drew’s gone now, so is my grandfather, and a lot of the Starting Line Ups are in my closet stored away, but the memories linger on. I know a lot of the readers are Philly fans, and I can assume you felt the same thing I am feeling now when Cunningham went to other teams and ended up petering out and being forced in to retirement. Drew’s the first “favorite athlete” I had as a teen when I really followed sports to ever retire, so it’s kind of a weird feeling. Clemens still hasn’t retired technically somehow….. whether it be magic…. science…. or ya know…

Skype and Podcasting

A few of our listeners have asked how Robbie and I can record our podcast in different states while sounding as if we are the same room. Well, the answer is simpler than you may think. We use a free internet calling service called Skype. Now, many people have probably heard of Skype at one time or another. However, many don’t realize that it is an invaluable tool to have 2 or more people host a podcast at the same time. All you need is a PC or Mac, internet connection(preferably broadband), microphone and speakers/headset. On a side note, I would use a headset due to the echo that speakers will create. If you have all these, all you do is download the application, create a screen name, then find out your friends’ screen names. When you start Skype, the people you have added will show up like a Buddy List. You will be able to see if they are online and, if they are, you can initiate a call with them. It’s that easy. To record the podcast, I use Audio Hijack Pro for my Mac, which hijacks any audio source and records it. From there, I take the mp3 and import it into Garageband for editing and upload to the iTunes Store. I know it may seem like I’m leaving some details out, but it really is that simple. For those who would like to do phone interviews with those without access to a computer, there is also Skype Out and I will have an in-depth look at that application in tomorrow’s blog.

Verizon to offer unlimted text, pix and flix on April 15?

According to Engadget Mobile, Verizon Wireless will be offering an unlimited messaging option for $20 on its single lines beginning April 15th. It’s kind of eerie that I brought this exact point up to Robbie in inaguaral T4 Show Podcast last week. I feel that messaging, especially of the text flavor, is an extension of your voice plan and should include an unlimited plan. According to reports, Verizon has already surpassed AT&T/Cingular in subscribers and this could cause people to jump ship and have that werido in the Birth Control glasses follow you everywhere you go. Can you hear me now, Cingular?

Edit from Robbie: The rumored plans that “may launch on April 15th” are an additional 20 dollars per single line to get the unlimited plan, or 30 dollars for a family plan to get unlimited texting on all lines. Should be a ton of fun for sales reps who get paid mostly on adding on data features for customers who need text plans or go over their current plan. If anyone who reads this is a verizon customer and needs assistance with this when it may or may not launch email me at t4show@gmail.com

It Can’t Come Soon Enough………

That about says it all.

Citizen X’s Take on the Tech Industry

I realize that this is a tech blog, but another subject that is gaining space in my head more and more on a daily basis is politics. As you can see in our Blogroll section, we have a few Libertarian blogs and websites listed. Two of my favorites are “Freetarian” and “The Adventures of Citizen X”. As a matter of fact, Citizen X recently wrote me an email that I wanted to share with all of you. If you get a chance, please check out his blog as well as his BlogTalkRadio show called “Tiny Political Show”.

Hey Michael,

This question will push you completely into the libertarian camp. Why is it
that the computer industry is progressing so fast? The answer: because it
is virtually unregulated. With the exception of FCC requirements, computer
and gadget makers compete with one another. The result: better computers
and gadgets at continually falling prices. Could you imagine if the
government had granted IBM an exclusive monopoly on PCs what the result
would have been? Think about the telephone service industry before it was
deregulated. No innovation, bad service, high prices. Another example, why
is it that while the price of computers is falling, the price of stamps keep
rising? Because it is against the law for anyone but the US Postal Service
to deliver the mail. It sets the price it wants and if you don’t like it
tough. Why do health care costs keep rising? Because the government
controls about 50% of the money paid to the health care industry.
Meanwhile, in less regulated industries like telecommunications, service
keeps getting better and prices keep dropping. Take the internet, for
example. It regulates itself. If the government did it, the internet would
die. Yet what is the politicians answer to health care? Just take the
whole thing over. They never admit that they screwed it up to begin with.
The computer industry and the internet are two of the best examples of what
happens when the free market is allowed to work without government
intervention…for now.

Your buddy,

Citizen X

4/7/7 Follow Up

We cover a lot of info on the T4 Show, and from time to time I will be adding links as a follow up to give more indepth coverage for products we discuss in the show. Here is a link to the official Jabra Page for the 8010 Stereo Bluetooth headset that we discuss on the show. If there is anything we discuss and you would like some more information on it please feel free to email us at t4show@gmail.com

Google 411 goes live

Robbie here and if you are like me and hate calling 411 because it’s not even remotely cheap you should check this out. Google launched today what they have named Google Voice Local Search or Google411 for short. You just dial 1-800-G00g-411 or if you are a PDA user like Michael or myself, just dial 1-800-466-4411. It’s a free 411 that even connects your call. Just put it in your phone as a speed dial, and it’s really convienient especially if you are a bluetooth user, you can get a number you need from anywhere.

Welcome to the Official T4 Show Blog!!!

Good morning and thank you for reading the welcome blog for the Tech Today, Tech Tomorrow Show. Everyone involved with the show is very excited about the opprotunity to bring you the T4 Show Podcast and Live BlogTalkRadio Shows along with this blog. We will strive to get better with each and, hopefully, you will have as much fun listening as we do producing the shows. One thing we promise…….no beavers will ever be harmed in the process. Thank you for reading and best of luck in future endeavors.