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Tethering
While some newer phones like the HTC Evo 4G have a built-in capability to share their data connection with other devices, most do not, opening the door for tethering applications. There are many apps now that effectively turn a handset into a wireless modem. One option is PdaNet by June Fabrics, available for all platforms, including Palm, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Android, and iPhone. (Currently the only way to activate tethering on an iPhone in the U.S. is by purchasing monthly tethering service from AT&T or to jailbreak the handset and install a third-party tethering app.) The free version of PdaNet eventually blocks access to websites that require a login, but still allows general surfing.
Tethering apps are very convenient, especially for travelers who are all too familiar with the steep one-time wireless rates in airports and hotels. And for those who work from home, they are wonderful backup tools in the event of a home internet outage.
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Tethering apps are very convenient, especially for travelers who are familiar with steep one-time wireless rates. |
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handset to make voice calls without
impacting your monthly talktime or data
balance? The market is full of "over-the-
top" apps that utilize VOIP technology
and a handset's Wifi capabilities to
open the door to (sometimes) free
calling, including Skype, Skuku, fring,
Google Voice, and 3CX Phone. And
traditional voice calling isn't the only
service going over the top with apps;
push-to-talk, or so-called walkie-talkie
apps like TiKL are on the market that
allow users to instantly talk to one or a
group of friends or colleagues with the
push of a button.
Mobile Recording/Music
Mobile devices that are powerful
enough can host full-fledged recording
and music production applications,
turning life in a tour bus or on a train
platform into creative renaissance.
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Utilizing the Cloud
Cloud computing can and will dramatically expand the mobile universe. Why store and manage large amounts of data and obtuse applications on a phone when you could pull it from the clouds? Cloud computing has made the leap to mobile platforms with mobile apps like Dropbox (backup and storage), Spinlet (cloud-based music archive and player), and Lotus iNotes (email/calendar/contacts). All the Google services-most of which are bundled with the Android-are essentially cloud applications, and new Windows 7 phones are bundled with Microsoft Office Mobile and SharePoint Mobile Workspace for cloud collaboration.
Free Voice
By now most people are familiar with
Skype and Google Voice for their home
computers, but how about using your
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There are myriad drum machines and
synths released by major hardware
producers, like Roland/Korg, and many
desktop programs have been reworked
into mobile apps, like AmpliTube. In
addition, new apps enable sound and
lighting engineers to use tablets and
faster handsets to control lighting and
sound in realtime.
Remote Printing
"I forgot to print the report," will soon be an unusable excuse. Offering to print anything to any printer from a handset, apps like Roboprint (Android) and PrinterShare Mobile (Android, iPhone) enable users to print from nearby Wifi printers or any networked printer in the world with account access. Motorola recently announced development of a remote printing app, and other larger companies may follow suit, offering expanded features, but at a premium.
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