“We’re continually testing new features to enhance the user experience. For a limited amount of time, we’re making the Google Voice number porting process available to users. We don’t have any additional details to share at this time, but plan to offer this feature to all users in the near future.”

The costs will be $20.  http://www.google.com/voice

‘Tis the Season. From now until January 15th, free wireless access will be available in over 45 airports Nationwide, including Nashville International Airport (BNA).  In addition, free wireless access will be available on board Virgin American flights, powered by Gogo® Inflight internet. Are you curious how in-flight wireless access works at 35,000 feet? It is very similar to how a cell phone works with cellular towers.  Click here for a full description.   

Google is also all about giving back to the community, and now you can contribute.  If you make a donation to one of 3 charities, Climate Savers Computing, One Economy Corporation or Engineers Without Borders USA, Google will match your donation 100%.  In addition, the Airport with the most donations, will receive $15,000 to give to the charity of their choice.   

That’s not all.  If you are in a participating airport, take a picture of yourself using the WiFi network and submit to win a number of awesome prizes.  Thanks Google for spreading the Holiday Cheer, and making traveling a little more pleasant through the busy season.  

Click Here for more information

When asked what the five best things are about Motorola’s new Smartphone, DROID, an Android 2.0-powered phone developed in partnership with Google, Verizon Wireless’ Manager of Data Solutions, Terry Henry, had much more than five things to say. There are a number of things that differentiate the DROID from its leading competitors in the wireless market.

1. Customization: DROID’s fully open operating systems makes it completely flexible for the user. You can add applications and widgets of your choice to 3 different screens, which can easily be navigated with the touch of a hand.
2. Flexibility with Applications: If you do not like the applications already installed on the phone, there are over 12,000 compatible apps available on the Android Market™, or you can simply create your own app with the software development kit. In addition, if you think your app is awesome, you can sell it on the marketplace.
3. Multi-Task Capability: The DROID has the capability to run multiple applications simultaneously. With the ability to toggle between 6 applications at one time, you can listen to Pandora, browse the web, answer text messages and check e-mail all without losing speed.
4. Speed: Speaking of speed, the DROID has a 550 megaHz processor, the largest available on the market to date. This speed makes web browsing have a desktop-like experience for the user.
5. Navigation: The user has the ability to search any location through Google, by voice command or text. DROID’s GPS navigation will give you turn by turn directions to you location of choice through Google Maps™ Navigation Beta.
6. Contacts: With DROID’s universal list, your contacts can be integrated from work, personal and even Facebook. What if your phone breaks? With Verizon Wireless’ partnership with Google, all of your contacts are stored in a Gmail™ account, so you can find them directly from your desktop.
7. Camera: In addition to the built in video-camera, the 5-megapixel camera not only has an image stabilization feature, but also has night vision capabilities.
8. Accessories: There’s no need for an alarm clock because your DROID will transform into a media station with the bedside dock. In addition, the car dock creates a hands free navigation system.

Last but not least, Affordability. The new DROID Smartphone is only $199, which comes with over 16 gigs of storage space, a 3.7” display with over 400,000 pixels, and both a touch screen and slide out full QWERTY keyboard. The DROID will be available in Verizon Wireless stores this Friday, November 6th.

Want to learn more? Click Here to view a DROID demonstration video.

Do you feel lost in the high tech world? Do you find yourself confused by the new language known as “tech talk”? You are not alone. Fortunately in this technology-based world there are those who want to provide basic information for those who are not so “techie”.Here are examples of how to navigate around a computer for the help menu. There are also examples of three search engines that can help you find your way.

Helpful Resources in Nashville for the Not So Techie Crowd

1. Let your device (computer or phone) help you first.  For help on a PC, click F1 key and a help menu will come up.  If you need help with the main PC, then do this while on the desktop.  If you do this an application, it will bring up help for that application.  Type in your question until you see an answer that looks like it will answer your question. 

If you have a Mac, click on Help in the top menu.

If you have a cell phone and need help, scroll through the menu.

I find that 95% of the questions most users have are answered here.

2. If you can’t get your answer here, then you can always try the following search services:Below are web sites that are available with basic information and step-by-step instructions.

• http://teachmecomputers.tripod.com/
• http://www.computerhope.com/
• http://www.moontoast.com
• http://www.liveadvice.com
• http://www.library.nashville.org/
• http://www.nash-pc-users.com/napcug/
• http://www.seniornet.org
• http://www.pcdude.com/
• http://www.geeksquad.com/

a. Google Search -  http://www.google.com/search?q=PC+Help&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
b. About.com – http://www.about.com/gadgets/
c. More Advanced PC Questions/Queries (http://www09.wolframalpha.com/examples/WebAndComputerSystems.html)

As you can see there is hope for you not so techie types. There are several resources at your fingertips. Jump in and stop feeling lost and confused.

This week we challenged ourselves to find and profile a new tool.  Although we came across this tool some time ago, we were re-introduced to it this week at a member meeting.  Google Latitude allows you to track on a map your family and friends location real-time.  It does this via GPS and triangulation in the mobile phone.  You can use on Blackberry, Iphone, or Androids.  It is very cool.

Like most social networking tools, it is opt in only.  No need to worry about creepy stalkers, you can control who has access to your profile.  Time to change your attitude about your latitude.

Click here to check it out.

To learn more about these tools, please join us for TechNashville next Thursday.

This is a happy day for those fortunate enough to get back a refund and a sad day for those who have to pay additional taxes.  Over 160 million people will file taxes this year.  Over 95 million of those will be filed electronically.  Approximately 115 million will receive refunds totaling more than $275 billion.  The average refund is expected to surpass $2,500 nationwide.  Combined, as individuals, we will pay more than $1.3 trillion (that’s right) in taxes to the federal government.

This year, Tax Free Day is estimated to be around July 15, 2009.  So while today is Tax Day, the real day we should care about is Tax Free Day.  Tax Free Day is the day when we stop working for the government and start working for the money we eventually get to keep.  If you are fortunate enough to work in Technology and in Tennessee, then Tax Free Day comes a little earlier than in most states.  You see, Tennessee is one of those states without an income tax and we have a balanced budget.  Often we forget to thank our Governor and Legislature for the great work that they perform in our state.

So how does tax day affect technology?  A lot.  According to Google’s latest K1 Filing for year ending 2008, it is estimating a tax bill of $1.6 billion.  We have become almost oblivious to a billion dollars.  I remember when a billion dollars meant something.  Oh the 90’s.  Of Google’s $1.6B, nearly $500 million is due to the State of California and it is going to get worse.

Do you think Google’s tax bill is bad?  Exxon pays nearly $30 Billion a year in taxes.  Now, that is a lot of stimulus.

So while many companies face the daunting task of paying a tax bill, you could be enjoying the low cost, low tax, high quality of life in Nashville, Tennessee.  Come on down and pay us a visit.  Listen to some music and code up some software.  We think you will like what you see and you will get to keep a little more money for yourself, your employees and have money leftover to spend on creating the next killer application.