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Unlocking Your Cell Phone Is Perfectly Legal In The US

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:38:40 -0700

In an ideal world cell phones would come unlocked and SIM cards would be easily inter-changeable between phones and networks. In the meantime, don't let cell phone companies fool you. Little did we know that the Library of Congress issued a 'new rule in 2006 making it legal to unlock cell phones for the purpose of lawfully connecting to a wireless telephone communication network.' Before this rule, unlocking your SIM card was considered modifying your phone's internal software- making the phone illegal to use or sell according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Now when you break your SIM lock it will not be considered a DMCA violation. Do you think this will solve the whole Cingular/iPhone issue?

Click here to read the full article.

Slide to Unlock Tee: Not the Way to Declare Your Girl Geekery

GeekSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:02:20 -0700

I just had one of those classic brain-fart moments when you see something and think it's clever and harmless, and then you actually, you know, think about it, and go, "Oh, come on." And with that I bring you this new Slide to Unlock T-shirt from ThinkGeek.

At first I was like, cool! iPhone T-shirt! And then my brain worked and I realized that it was an invitation your momma wouldn't approve of.

Call me a square, I can take it. Don't think it's sexist? Well, they're not making it in mens' sizes.

Verizon Wireless Offers Customers More Flexibility

GeekSugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:20:55 -0800

After spending some time in Europe, I absolutely loved the fact that I could use my T-Mobile SIM card in any phone. When I came back to the States, I was quickly reminded that I couldn't swap phones like I had grown accustomed to doing overseas.

With the recent announcement of Google's planned Android platform, networks are scrambling to keep current customers, while planning innovative solutions to attract new ones. Yesterday Verizon Wireless announced that it plans to open up its network to give customers the freedom to choose what cell phone they want to use. According to The New York Times, this is a huge advancement in the industry, especially for Verizon, which has been traditionally viewed as a stricter network.

Details and pricing are still being worked out.

Source

Daily Tech: BlackBerry Announces a TiVo App

GeekSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:35:46 -0700

BlackBerry users with a TiVo box can now record their favorite shows remotely with the TiVo app - The Boy Genius Report
Borders will be rolling out free WiFi in 500 store locations across the country - CrunchGear
Wired chats with Felicia Day about the Guild and what it's like to be a geek in Hollywood - Wired
A BlackBerry desktop manager for Macs is said to be coming out on Oct. 2 - Engadget
Zipcar releases a pretty sweet iPhone app that will even unlock your car for you - USA Today
The Motorola Cliq android handset is coming to stores on Nov. 2 and will cost $200 - Gizmodo
It's giveaway and game time on GeekSugar! Be sure to log in and play our Best Video Game Ever bracket! - GeekSugar

Gap's Style Mixer iPhone App Hooks You Up With Discounts

GeekSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:25:18 -0700

Why do you need another free app from a retailer?

Because Gap's Style Mixer app for the iPhone does more than just let you peruse and mix Gap pieces - the cool feature is that when you open the app near a Gap store, you unlock a special discount.

So, sure, you can mix and match styles and then add them to Facebook, but what you really want is the discount, right?

And if you can't find a Gap store? There's an app for that.

Apple Teams Up With Zipcar to Get You Going

GeekSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:35:04 -0700

Need a car, like, right now? With the Zipcar App and a Zipcar membership, you can find a ride wherever you are. With just a few taps, you can find the closest available Zipcar lot according to your current location and see which ones have available cars. Not only that, but with the new app and technology, you can see how much the car will cost, reserve it, and even save as your favorite right from your iPhone.

If that's not enough, once you get to the Zipcar lot, it's easy to find your reserved ride. Right from your iPhone, you can enable a locator,which will honk the horn and even unlock the car. I've always said I never needed a car in the city, and now I'm totally convinced!

Spotted: Fake iPhone and BlackBerry Toys at Safeway

GeekSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:03:17 -0700

Dying for an unlocked iPhone? Head to your nearest Safeway, where I spotted this fake toy iPhone and BlackBerry (if you're a RIM devotee). I like how kids' cell phones used to be generic-looking devices, and now the toymakers are going straight for the instantly-recognizable iPhone and BB. Are our babies turning into gadget snobs? They are starting to learn very young.

The Apple Store Is Now Selling the iPhone 3G Contract Free

GeekSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:38:19 -0700

Just one week after announcing the news that AT&T planned on selling the iPhone 3G with no commitment for $599 and $699 - most of you thought that was way too expensive - Apple retail stores are now offering the iPhone 3G without contract.

Two things to note about this. With T-Mobile expanding its 3G network coverage, this could mean more T-Mobile users upgrading to the iPhone (so you're locked to AT&T, but you could unlock at your own risk), and with the Apple store now selling the iPhone - contractless and no limit on how many you purchase - this basically seals the deal that a new iPhone is on its way this June.

Source

Sick of Expensive iPhone Plans? Here's What to Do:

GeekSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:02:51 -0700

To have a fully functional iPhone with all the bells and whistles, AT&T will make you sign up for a two-year contract, charge a cool $30 a month for unlimited 3G data, and $39.99 a month (in the beginning) for voice - with unlimited 3G data plans for business users costing $45 a month (in addition to a voice plan). If you're fed up with increased data plans - AT&T jacked up rates from $20 to $30 - IntoMobile has some great tips for terminating your plan, in case you're one of the few who wants a plan B. Personally, I'm so obsessed with my iPhone, I'd seriously pay $100 a month. But without further ado, continue reading at your own risk!

New iPhone 3G owners can cancel their At&T contract after 30 days of service.
In order to do so, you must pay the EFT (Early Termination Fee), and pay your monthly bill.
Keep in mind that if you don't wait the 30 days, you'll have to return your handset to wherever you purchased it.
Once your phone is set free from its contract, you can find the "safest" unlocking software that there is.
When unlocked, your iPhone will become network friendly, giving you the option to switch SIM cards while traveling, etc.

Source

Unlocked White Palm Centro: All Yours For $299

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:00:15 -0700

Ah, finally the freedom to switch your SIM card from phone to phone has arrived with the white "unlocked" Palm Centro smartphone. This tiny and extremely light cell also includes Google Maps for mobile with the fabulous My Location feature. With My Location you can easily get directions to various locations in proximity to your current location on the map. . . Trust me, I use it on my Curve and it's a total lifesaver! Just visit Google Maps Mobile on your Palm Centro for the free My Location download.

The unlocked GSM version Centro is available for US customers and costs $299 from Palm.