By Aldo Panessidi

Following my ‘Cell Phone and Bathroom Usage’ piece… I thought to research on the hygienic condition of typical cell phones and mobile devices.

You may want to brace yourself… for your smartphone and mobile devices are a petri dish accommodating and sustaining a thriving micro bacterial  ecosystem.   Dreadfully frightening isn’t it?

In 2009, the prominent  journal “Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials” conducted a study wherein they tested the various cell phones brands (iPhone, Blackberry, Samsung, Motorola, HTC, Nokia, Sony,  LG, etcc..) of 200 of their staff members.  The results were alarming  a whopping 94.5 percent of the devices were severely contaminated with various bacterial strains – many of which were resistant to multiple antibiotics.  Moreover, the study yielded that over 60% of the bacteria thriving on the phones were ultimately transferred to the users.

When one considers that most users take their cell phones with them everywhere… including the bathroom.  A startling 95% percent of common folk admitted to routinely using their mobile device, cell phones, tablets, laptops, notebooks and other media playing devices during toilet sessions… you can discover the statistics from a study conducted by 11 Mark in my previous blog on ‘Cell Phone and Bathroom Usage’.

Microbes have been existing long before any other life form appeared on our planet.  Their inherent ability to thrive and multiply in adverse conditions and hostile environments has fuelled their prolific growth and widespread presence throughout the world.  Studies indicate their propensity to subsist in both highly populated regions and on public surfaces.  Our entire bodies as well as public bathrooms, phones, computers, park benches, restaurant kitchen counters and tables are all ideal hosts harbouring a magnitude of microbe strains – with paper currency being found to have one of the highest concentration of bacteria.   As such, it is plain to see that we are engaged in a true germ warfare… protecting our physical health against bacterial invasion.

Leaving your valuable mobile devices unprotected is risky!  Discover the latest innovative protection solutions… stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases specifically designed to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes.  Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside these brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

Wireless devices are excellent breeding grounds for bacteria…  as they generate the requisite heat which helps promote and facilitate breeding.   Furthermore, the majority of people do not think of routinely disinfecting their mobile devices, to this end, typical cell phones and mobile devices have more bacteria than toilet seats. I would highly recommend protecting both their devices and ultimately themselves with iSkin protective accessories‘ revolutionary  Microban technology.  Built-in to products during the manufacturing process, Microban antimicrobial product protection inhibits the growth of microbes such as bacteria, mold and mildew that can cause stains , embarrassing odors and deterioration of both cell phones and other mobile devices.

It was also reported  that while older flip phones have more nooks and crannies for bacteria to hide in, the flat touch screens of current smartphones are not immune to bacteria. Numerous studies have found colonies of streptococcus, staphylococcus and diphtheroids on people’s cell phones. And there’s even been one reported case of a person contracting an MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) infection – a so-called flesh-eating bug – from a phone. Now that is downright nasty!

For the most part, though, the bacteria that reside on your smartphone and mobile devices come from your own skin and mouth. It’s other people’s germs you have to worry about; think about that the next time you set your phone down in a public place or share your phone with someone. You’re taking in their germs, as well as the bacteria they’ve picked up just by using their cell phones out in world. You’re not only touching the phone, but also everyone and everything that phone has touched.

By Aldo Panessidi

For those of you loyal readers who have been following and reading my blogs…. you no doubt noticed my propensity to provide you with industry and market statistics and information.

Keeping with this tradition, I came across a study – IT in the Toilet conducted by 11 Mark “View Infographic“… according to this report, we shouldn’t be surprised if we hear a toilet flush in the background while on the phone with friends or colleagues; as a whopping 3 out 4 in America use their cell phones while in the bathroom.

Approximately the same number of men and women have used the phone in the bathroom, according to a survey of 1,000 Americans… although men seem more tethered to IT in the toilet: 30 percent of men versus 20 percent of women agreed with the statement, “I don’t go to the bathroom without my mobile phone.”

Since only 14% of respondents reportedly cleanse their phones after a toilet session…  I would highly recommend protecting both their devices and ultimately themselves with iSkin protective accessories‘ revolutionary  Microban technology.  Built-in to products during the manufacturing process, Microban antimicrobial product protection inhibits the growth of microbes such as bacteria, mold and mildew that can cause stains , embarrassing odors and deterioration of both cell phones and other mobile devices.

Check out the following video for in-depth information on Microban iSkin protective cases and skins.

More than half the surveyed users (63 percent) said they have answered a phone call in the bathroom, and almost half (41 percent) reported initiating a phone call. That’s not all, however: What goes on behind the walls of the stalls is anything a mobile phone is capable of. Sixty-seven percent said they have read a text, and 39 percent have surfed the Web. Men work more from the bathroom—20 percent said they have participated in work-related calls, versus 13 percent of their female colleagues.

As expected, Gen Y respondents are the pacesetters in the “mobile everywhere” movement, with 91 percent using their phone in the bathroom. Still, older generations are not far behind. Eighty percent of Gen X reported using the phone in the bathroom, as did 65 percent of Baby Boomers and 47 percent of the Silent Generation.

While online, they are doing more than just surfing; 16 percent of Gen Y report they have made an online purchase while in the bathroom.  The study indicates that 87% of Droid users (Motorola Droid RAZR, Samsung Galaxy S 2, HTC Amaze, LG Optimus 2X) and 84% of Blackberry users (Bold 9900 Touch, Bold 9790 , Curve 9370) followed by  77% of iPhone users are particularly likely to browse and buy in the bathroom – 22 percent have made a purchase, versus 10 percent of Americans with mobile phones overall.

“The writing is on the stall,” said 11mark principal Nicole Burdette. “This study confirms what we all know: that the last private place is no longer private.”

By Megan Fleet

The Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS is ramping up in hype and anticipation as the flagship device, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is due to be released in Canada. Industry experts point to an OS that is classic and polished and also has capabilities that can marry function and frugality.

But how can a smartphone save you money? Since the advent of the feature phone and VoIP services like Vonage, customers have had alternatives that permit them to ditch the landline and consolidate their monthly household costs. This has had serious repercussions for the power and profits of telecommunications companies that have had to adjust with the times.

When combining VoIP capabilities (where calls can be made from an internet connection instead of a landline connection or cell tower) and smartphones, customers again will have the power of their pocketbooks to use against the mobile carriers they had previously chosen over traditional landlines. The capability is there and with the ever growing popularity of smartphones VoIP providers like Skype, Vonage and Axvoice are developing apps to make their technology available and attractive to smartphone users. These same apps should be available for tablets and media devices to keep us better connected with this tech.

As businesses have known for some time, VoIP is markedly less expensive and as is typical in innovation, the technology has found its way to the consumer market. For anyone who has been shocked by a cell bill that had voice plan overages or has family and friends overseas, this option can make a marked difference in the wallet.

The VoIP apps that will be available on Android 4.0 devices (I personally use a VoIP app on my iPhone for calls to Europe and has saved hundreds of dollars) are intuitive and easy. The repercussion of this service is a serious blow to the current services provided by mobile carriers that can lock customers into contracts based on call service in addition to exclusive phone deals.

The freedom to choose an unlocked phone of your choice and choose the carrier plan of choice to provide the best data plan (calling plan can be minimized) makes for a healthier competitive market that will undoubtedly result in further innovations!

By Megan Fleet

Let’s be honest, the latest hero device from the Nokia cell phone line-up, the Lumia 900 wowed spectators at the CES. From the keynote Microsoft address that showed an impressed audience the fruits of its partnership with Nokia and how the device works with Microsoft peripheral devices like the Xbox. The stellar performance of the Nokia Lumia 900 was duly recognized by CNET which named the smartphone as its category winner at the 2012 CES.

The move from Symbian to Windows mobile OS and the added bonus of BlueStack’s technology which will bring Android apps to those customers has sparked excitement and hope into both Nokia and Microsoft that 2012 will bring a 180 degree shift in sales and market share.

What is better news is that the vague announcement that the Nokia Lumia 900 will be available in “the next few months” may be whittled down to a more accurate date if the rumor mill is based in any kind of truth. Even more reliable is that the March 18^th date is being bandied about by Windows gurus Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley. These two “all about Windows” people came together to work on TWiT and discuss March as the release month in the latest Nokia developer newsletter.

Mister Thurrott is apparently not one for vagueness by making it clear that the Nokia Lumia 900 will be released precisely on March 18^th. Hopefully his crystal ball or tea leaves are accurate as anxious customers are bound to seek out this sleek unlocked cell phone as soon as possible.

Surely the smartphone manufacturer will make more accurate announcements that will include date of availability, the cost, and start touting more of the peripheral accessories that will heighten the handset’s popularity and longevity in a fickle, competitive and ever changing mobile tech market.

By Aldo Panessidi

If variation is the spice of life, Samsung is adding vanilla to its tablet spice rack for its Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy Tab 7.0 . Scheduled to hit the North American market sometime in the coming months, the major question is what new features and major upgrades are to be expected besides the color change?

Well… nothing. The specs for both the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus are to remain the same. Whether this translates into a difference in price for the tablets is yet to be seen, but customers with the current black version should have no worries about their existing Galaxy Tablet’s innovative protection solutions… stylish bags, sleeves and cases specifically designed to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes. Moreover the tablets are also designed for compatibility with other such docking stations and micro SD memory cards.

Some people may balk at this announcement saying that there is already a white version of the Galaxy Tab device, but it is only the rear of the tablet that is white. The front is still black bezel for those currently available in the US and Canada.

With the popularity of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus cell phones, there will undoubtedly be continued demand for its tablets as well. This eventual variation is bound to please customers who enjoy the Android device but simply want the cleaner look of the all-white offering. Another, more cost effective option is to personalize the look of the device with award-wining design protective cases and skins that deliver modern style, stunning design and smart protection Make your mobile devices stand out. Customize your look – how cool can you be?

However, if you are in the market for a new tablet and have an eye out for the all-white Galaxy Tabs, keep posted for their North American debut. Enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool! Discover select accessories such as; stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

By Aldo Panessidi

When Apple launched the iPhone 4S there were plenty of bystanders that were disappointed that the latest smartphone was not the elusive iPhone 5. The silver lining is that this prolonged release has given plenty of fodder for the tech gossip mill as we all speculate if the next generation iPhone will be drastically different.

Latest reports note that Apple’s upcoming device will be slimmer than the iPhone 4S and iPhone handsets and will also strut some new tech as well. The iPhone 5 may have a quad-mode chipset from Qualcomm that will work on all 4G LTE and 3G networks which has the implication of making this unlocked cell phone device more widely available across mobile carriers.

Giving credence to these details is a BGR exclusive last month that reported Apple’s intention to launch a completely redesigned iPhone in the fall. It will have an aluminum case and a rubber or perhaps plastic bezel that will protect and cover a new wrap-around antenna.  Possibly more dependable accounts came from Morgan Stanley’s analyst, Katy Huberty, who noted that Apple sent a communication to clients last Friday. Those statements assured that Apple’s business will continue to grow even with a slowing demand for high-end smartphones. There is no question that the company’s strength is in its iTunes, iCloud and other proprietary technologies that marry customers so closely the OS platform.

Included in Huberty’s comments was the mention of Apple’s next generation tablet, the iPad3 which is slated to launch at some point in the first half of the year. With traditional pricing strategy in play, the iPad2 will be lowered in cost to attract additional customers to the iOS platform and to Apple’s strength in the tablet market.

Surely these new smartphone and tablet devices will come with revamped and original peripheral accessories.   Leaving your valuable mobile devices unprotected is risky!  Discover the latest innovative protection solutions… stylish top brand bags, sleeves and cases specifically designed to protect your devices from scratches and blemishes.  Tough on the outside, sweet on the inside these brand name protection accessories combine complete device coverage with sleek artistic expression.

By Megan Fleet

For a woman like my grandmother who was hampered by blindness and arthritis but who also embraced all technology that improved her quality of life and kept her as independent as possible, Clarity’s upcoming product, the Fortissimo speakerphone would have been a hit. So, right out the gate I would like to say that I love the functionality and purpose of this product.

Recent reports note that it is to be brought to market by Clarity sometime this Spring. A comprehensive solution that is geared towards the mobility-challenged and for those with other disabilities, the implications for communication, enhanced enjoyment of media, and leveling the playing field make this a winner out the gate. It features massively loud 95dB speakers, huge buttons, Planttronics ‘Vocalyst’ technology, DECT connectivity and Bluethooth capability… making wireless earpieces and headsets great accessories to make the most of such a great gadget. The combination of these technologies and design can make the world of difference for those who are limited by hearing, seeing, and mobility challenges.

The Fortissimo features Plantronics’ Vocalyst technology that takes the physical design considerations to the next level by pushing social network updates, send messages, and push emails. This capability helps connect those who are more easily isolated to the world and could have safety implications as well.

To ensure that customers aren’t left in the dark if things go awry, there is a dedicated button on the device that will automatically call the Clarity support center. From there, a rep can remotely program the phone which will offer a huge sigh of relief for those who are not so tech savvy.

With a projected launch of April or May, the device is said to retail for $500 and will undoubtedly be a worthwhile investment.

By Aldo Panessidi

Who doesn’t want to have technology customized and tailored to personal wants, needs, and preferences? This desire is what likely led Steve “Cyanogen” Kondik to create the CyanogenMod a breakthrough aftermarket firmware that empowers Android based device such as the Samsung Galaxy S 2 cell phone and Galaxy Tablets users the ability to install a custom ROM and then tweak the device to best met their needs and lifestyle.

There are other such programs out there that will help users achieve the same end result, however, CyanogenMod is designed increase performance and reliability over Android-based ROMs and offers a variety of features & enhancements that are not found in the current versions of Android. These enhancements account for its popularity for exceeding one million downloads. Needless to say, the technology isn’t stagnant either. There is a CyanogenMod team in place that develops up-to-date customer ROMs that will supercharge a smartphone’s capabilities by adding features and utilities. Throw in any number of Android accessories or devices and users of that OS will be the envy of their friends.

Enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool! Discover select accessories such as; stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

In the spirit of continued innovation, one such CyanogenMod team member, Koushik Dutta, has been mulling around the idea of making an app store that is exclusively for root apps. The big motivation for creating this and for its likely success is the continued policing of the Android Market. The “Clopen” approach of the giant has it and its partner carriers on the lookout for tether apps, one click root apps and emulators.

With these newly developed apps being squashed by the big boys, developers and customers alike are getting frustrated because they aren’t getting what they need or want. The idea of a root app store was proposed to Amazon and they were not interested. Whether it was because the proposed store would be open-source to any customer ROM (and therefore not just selling CyanogenMod) or if it simply didn’t align well with Amazon’s business model is unknown.

Thankfully, these actions point to a tech evolution that works to bring greater freedom to the consumer to choose their carrier, customize their handset, and optimize their use in everyday life. The case for unlocked cell phones and carrier neutrality is being made even more strongly by developers which is a step in the right direction for customers.

By Megan Fleet

Docking stations are a great way to manage devices power needs while allowing to keep an easily cluttered work station neat. So, when Henge Docks announced that they had a new desktop charger for the MacBook Pro whose users were excited to integrate the docking station into their collection of accessories.

Now, Henge Docks has uncloaked a docking station model for the MacBook Air earlier last week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and even more Mac lovers can add this sleek accessory to their homes as well. The prototype models were on the show floor at CES and had some pros and cons, but for an easily affordable $50 per docking station, these will doubtless be a popular option. Enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool! Discover select accessories such as; stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

Aesthetically, the white, plastic exterior may not suit the tastes of all potential buyers. But, that is always the case and more pointedly so in an industry with so many manufacturers and competition. This device is quite straightforward and has garnered some criticism and praise on the online forums. However, based on reviews of attendees of CES, the docking station as seen in action and in person is more substantive and sturdy than expected. This is thanks to the rubber padding that snuggly holds and hugs the docked laptop, offering more security to the device than its plastic exterior suggests.

Potential consumers should note that this peripheral accessory makes the USB port (the one located on the laptop’s docked end) usable on its backside. Alas, the Thunderbolt socket has only display functionality when the MacBook is docked. When faced with these inquiries, Henge Dock was quick to assure attendees that a resolution is in the works to ensure that the Intel potential is not stymied. Discover an extensive selection of the latest lithium technology replacement cell phone and wireless devices batteries. Ensure your device is powered by brand name batteries for longer operating life

As with any beta or prototype, the feedback from both the CES show floor and the online forums are bound to help perfect and shape the peripheral device into the best desktop docking station for the money.

By Megan Fleet

Ah, Nokia – you are fast becoming a breath of fresh air! Sure, dumping Symbian for Windows as a mobile OS was a little harsh, but who can’t see the vividly dramatic humor in that? So in this week of consumer tech euphoria, what did Nokia dish out? A little love to its prospective customers in the United States: the first Nokia cell phone, the Lumia 900 4G LTE which was designed specifically with the US in mind. 

Let’s be honest – this is a striking phone. Not only does it have a 4.3 inch Clearblack AMOLED display, the polycarbonate shell (available in cyan and black) is indeed both “bold and beautiful.” As this device was designed with the States in mind and is sporting Nokia’s new mobile OS alliance, Windows, it is no surprise that this model will be exclusive to AT&T when it is released. Unfortunately for customers tied to other network carriers, this smartphone is not to be released unlocked.  Let our  trend setting fashionable cases and skin accessories express your unique style.  Make your mobile devices stand out.  Customize your look – how cool can you be?

The inner workings and benefits of the Windows OS (People Hub, Live tiles etc) will override some customer concerns about the exclusivity with AT&T. Sporting 4G speed, a long lasting 1830 mAh battery, a typical 16GB of storage (and for flexible storage options, supplementary memory cards are an option) and a 8MP camera, this device may well be the preference for AT&T customers considering the “aggressive pricing” we are being advise to anticipate when the Lumia 900 is made available later this year.  Discover an extensive selection of the latest lithium technology replacement cell phone and wireless devices batteries.  Ensure your device is powered by brand name batteries for longer operating life.

I will say that the mobile app to connect to AT&T’s U-Verse as a remote is pretty darn neat. As is the Nokia Drive app to give customers free GPS capabilities. For gamers, rock a great set of headphones or ear pieces and soak in some bragging rights. Nokia’s partnership with EA will bring over 20 of the most popular games to the Windows Phone marketplace. Of course, the Nokia Lumia devices will be the first to benefit from this liaison.  Enhance your mobility and turn your device into a power tool!  Discover select accessories such as; stylus & pens, micro SD memory cards, batteries, docking stations, Bluetooth headsets, data cables and glider gloves all specifically designed to make your devices functionally efficient and performance rich.

With a great start to 2012, Jeff Bradley, senior vice president of devices for AT&T surmised the year’s goals beautifully: “Together, we are working to supercharge the ecosystem around the Nokia Lumia 900 and the Windows Phone platform.”