I always kinda wondered about this, you know, why they charge SO much money for a text message. Well the good folks over at the New York Times have brought cell phone companies into the light. It cost the companies a good bit of money to send those messages and imagine that multiplied by the millions of people that send text messages every day.

Well after reading the article, you may be just as angry as I am. Basically, it is free. Yep FREE. Text messages are sent along the same “control channel” they use to keep in contact with your phone. So the information would be sent anyway. That is why they are limited to 160 characters. I could go into more detail, but that would leave you bored to death. The good thing is that the a senate committee is looking into it and should do something about this price gouging that is happening.

Check the link for more information.

New York Times [We Laugh At You While We Steal Price Gouge Your Money: A Message From Your Wireless Carrier]

Isn’t this…unorthodox?

[Via Bounce Phone]

When it comes to using the bathroom in public establishments, I can be quite the germiphobe, so I completely understand the need for such a site as Sit or Squat…however, there is still a part of me that is saying, has it really come to this? With mobile web and GPS, we can really do anything.

Sit or Squat is a website that directs you to the closest restroom and then proceeds to inform you if it is safe for you to sit, or to just go ahead and squat. It integrates well with both BlackBerrys and iPhones, making it convenient for almost everyone on-the-go. I took the chance of locating my nearest Starbucks, and checking out the toilet. 4 stars and an official sit stamp makes me feel safe again.

The Amazon app has finally been unveiled on the iPhone, and I have to say, as an Amazon obsessed shopper, this is enough to make me finally consider the switch. Not only can you browse the site, and make seamless, secure and speedy purchases, but they have offered the Amazon Remembers feature. You can snap a picture of any item you come across, at a store, someone’s house, a kiosk, and upload it to the app. It will scan through the Amazon database, as well as up to 9k additional retailers and try to find you the best price. It will also send you subtle reminders that you liked and possibly wanted to purchase the item. If anyone out there has the app, or plans on downloading it, PLEASE consider joining us on NerdLike and writing a review. Switchers all over the world are dying to find out if this will push us over the edge LOL.

[Via Amazon]

I was net surfing at MacRumors and saw that Apple will now be offering 50 promo codes per application accepted into the iPhone app store. This is a huge breakthrough, as usually NOTHING offered from Apple is ever discounted or :gasp: FREE.

[Via MacRumors]

[Via Crackberry]

iPhone users are finally exhaling after Google released their highly awaited update to Maps. Now, you can see the street view of any address you put in, get public transist information [around the world] and email location information to your friends.

[Via Google]

Google has released a new version of their mobile sync for Blackberry. If you are a Sync user, than you know that previously, you could only sync with your Google Calendar. Now, with the new and improved version, you can also sync your Gmail contacts and be alerted offline of events. I just downloaded it, and so far, it seems like a huge improvement.

[Via Google Blog]

Well, in the event you are, or you are looking for an awesome trick to teach a kid in your life, check this out.

Grab your home phone, or old school cell phone [ahem, one that looks like a candy bar with no QUERTY keypad].

Play the following songs by pushing the noted keys:

Jingle Bells
333, 333, 39123, 666-663333322329, 333, 333, 39123, 666-6633, 399621

Mary Had A Little Lamb
3212333, 222, 399, 3212333322321 or
3212333, 222, 133, 3212333322321

This is definitely an iPhone app that I can get with. Air Mouse turns your iPhone or iPod Touch into a wireless mouse for your computer. Do you know how convenient that would be giving presentations? Or when you are synced to your home theater system through the MacBook?

Great app.

A reader hipped me to the fact that T-Mobile is having a Customer Delight Day on Saturday, November 15th ONLY, which gives existing customers additional minutes.

Existing customers can get free 100 minutes on their account just for stopping by any T-Mobile corporate retail store.
Or
200 free minutes for stopping by and bringing someone who starts new T-Mobile service plus a $25 credit on their account for each line that is started.

Also they are offering the first month free on their home phone service ($10 value).

This is for saturday 11/15 only and only is corporate stores, not local dealers.

I’m going to check it out, there’s no harm in going up there!