Smart Phones: Free Wifi Calling and Internet With No Service Plan!

If you are a cell phone company market researcher, listen up. There is an unserved market of cell phone users today: those of us who would like the benefit from the internet based apps of a smart phone, via Wifi, without paying the cost of an unnecessary (to us) 3G contract.

After all, Wifi is taking over the world! Those of us on budgets, or who can resolve to unplug ourselves from Facebook when outside hotspots, may prefer to limit our cell phone internet use to when we are in Wifi hotspots, and pocket the contract savings.

But as a quick Google search will reveal, there are not a lot of clear cut answers on how to get Wifi features without the 3G contracts. I've googled "smart phone Wifi no service contract" dozens of times.

In my searching I've found no company openly offering a smart phone, with Wifi capability, that will offer you a talk (and perhaps text plan) without a data package, where the Wifi is left accessible. If I missed it, feel free to link us in that companies direction in the comment section. I did, however, find ONE company offering a great alternative to the data plan issue. See the note at the bottom.

After much searching and taking a small chance I've found an alternative that pleases me. I have turned my new Virgin Mobile Optimus V phone into a Wifi capable device with calling capabilities over Wifi.

Wifi Access

First, out of the box the Optimus V was Wifi capable, without service. The phone prompted me to active, but I just began to tinker instead. No problem. I went to settings, to wireless to network and set up my home Wifi connection.

I also downloaded an app called KeepWifi that keeps me connected to Wifi even when my phone goes into sleep mode. It alerts every time I get a new message on my Gmail or Yahoo account. I love it!

Free Wifi Calling Without a Phone Plan!

Two easy steps:

1) Sign up for a free Google Voice account on your PC. You can even got to pick your phone number!

2) Invest 4.99 in the purchase of GrooVe IP on the Andriod Market, downloaded to your Optimus V.

You are ready to make free phone calls! I've found the call quality to be good. Goodbye magicJack!

So there are limits with this smart phone option I am presenting. You would likely still want to have some level of phone service (landline or cell) with another provider, particularly if you want a mobile phone.

I have a small but very cheap prepaid plan on an entry level Virgin Mobile phone, so that covers me in the rare place where I am not near a landline or at a hotspot. I chose not to port my number from Virgin Mobile to Google Talk (which you can do), as I prefer to keep my main number (which I've had for years) portable.

If I ever chose to get a smart phone plan from Virgin Mobile, there is a 300 minute plan with unlimited text and web for 35.00. Not bad! But for now, I'll pocket the money (that's 420.00 in a year) and enjoy me newly rigged "hybrid" call phone.

*There is a company that is in beta testing now with an amazing smart phone plan that is aimed at Wifi users. I'll post about that next. So big name companies, take note! Consumers, be ready for some evolution in the cell phone plan market!

Lianne Haught

http://takinghalfoff.blogspot.com/

Follow my struggles (failure and success) as an average woman who is becoming half the person she once was- through old fashioned diet and exercise. I welcome you to follow along in my journey and celebrate with me when I reach my goal- to be half the woman I once was and twice as fit!

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Improving Productivity As An Internet Entrepreneur

Improving productivity should be a primary and ongoing focus for any internet marketer being it affects their ability to earn an income! Now what we're talking about here is learning how to work smarter not harder which therefore boils down to increasing work efficiency! When working online there are 3 areas an internet marketer can focus on that will help them get the most out of their own efforts!

Know How to Automate

One of the biggest benefits an internet marketer has available to them is the use of certain tools and software to automate many of the tasks they perform! What's more is that it seems every day new ones are being introduced and even better yet many are freely available! It is important to recognize however this is one area that is always under constant change therefore it is up to the individual to stay on top of any new developments! Used correctly these tools can significantly boost your work efficiency so don't be shy about learning how to use them!

Be Your Best For The Toughest

Quit trying to accomplish the most complicated aspects of your work day at a time when you are not at your best! For starters this opens the door for many mistakes to occur which of course takes even more time to fix! Even if you are careful not to create any needless errors when you lack the energy or mental focus due to fatigue the task will almost always take longer to complete! This causes your work efficiency to plummet as well as decreasing your ability to earn an income comparable to worker faster and with less errors! Tackle your toughest tasks or projects when you're at your best which is usually when you're the most rested! For the large majority this would be the beginning of the day!

Batch What You Can

As an internet marketer you will be in and out of different folders, files and software applications multiple times a day! Step back for a moment to consider what else you can accomplish within any particular file or software while you have it open! This will help to increase your work efficiency by not spending additional time opening and closing different folders or applications needlessly! It is much like going to the same store several times a day but only picking up a few items while you're there! Group together or 'batch' what you can and in doing so your efforts will become more efficient!

Improving productivity is an important area to focus on for any internet marketer because this is how they earn an income. Online marketers must be conscious of always making strides to increase their work efficiency since their own efforts is all they can rely upon! Our discussion above focuses on 3 areas where an internet marketer can make a huge impact on not only improving their work efficiency but also their ability to earn an income!

TJ Philpott is an author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For more tips about improving productivity when working online and to also receive a free instructional manual that teaches valuable niche research techniques for your marketing needs simply visit: http://affiliatequickstart.com/

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The Fall of Gadaffi and Internet Marketing

Libya's civil war or revolution began in February 2011 and it has been a hard won victory with many atrocities committed and although the rebels have 'won' the revolution is far from over. The rebels were not just one group with at least five separate organisations involved, although united in their desire to remove Gadaffi from power, the various groups involved in the rebellion often did not share the same long term goals. While some are pushing for democracy with free elections, free press and separation of power between the judicial, executive, and legislative branches of the government, another group is seeking the return of a constitutional monarchy while another group would like to see Islamic law introduced into Libya.

But what does all this have to do with internet marketing? My contention, while tenuous, is that the rebellion is now at the same point as someone brand new to internet marketing, faced with a number of choices and unsure which is the best way forward to achieve their goal.

While Libya faces decisions around political structure, the relationship between church and state, dealing with tribalism, distribution of wealth, building infrastructure, foreign policy, and so on the new internet marketer is faced with choices between article marketing, pay-per-click, banner advertising, email marketing, social networking, forum marketing, online classifieds, and so on.

One of the important differences between the two though is what the overall goal is. While with internet marketing the goal is basically to earn an income for the marketer in Libya the goal is not so clear. While one would hope the goal would be for the improvement in the quality of life for all Libyan people that is not necessarily the case. Some will have that lofty goal but others will simply seek money and power for themselves, others will try to promote tribal interests ahead of universal ones, others will try and introduce what they believe God would want. If you put the agendas of other countries into the mix trying to find a way forward will be a nightmare for any new government.

As a new internet marketer needs good training and mentoring to successfully find their way forward in their business, so to will the new Libyan government need good guidance, advice, training and support in the future.

Just as many new internet marketers fail to achieve their goals unfortunately history shows us that after a revolution the new regime can be just as bad for the general population as the old one was.

Just as I hope people who are new to internet marketing get good advice and training to develop a business that best suits them personally so to do I hope that the international community will support the new government of Libya even if it doesn't look exactly the way they would like. If a constitutional monarchy, benevolent dictator, or even some form of communism would be best for the improvement of basic human rights for all Libyans at this point in time then they should be considered. A 'democracy or bust' attitude may not be the the best answer.

For more opinions about internet marketing visit Paul at his blog or his website

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Refusal of Calif Airport Screening Is Internet Hit - ABC News

A man who refused a body scan and pat-down search at a San Diego airport has become an Internet sensation in the debate weighing fliers' security versus their privacy.

John Tyner posted a cell phone audio recording of his half-hour encounter Saturday at Lindbergh Field.

The software engineer couldn't board a flight after refusing a full-body scan that reveals an image of what's under his clothes. He also wouldn't allow a Transportation Security Administration worker to conduct a groin check. Tyner tells the worker, "If you touch my junk, I'm gonna have you arrested."

Tyner's blog says he left the airport — but only after being threatened with a lawsuit and fine for failing to complete security screening.

A TSA statement Sunday said body scans and pat-downs make flying safer.

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John Tyner's blog account: http://johnnyedge.blogspot.com/2010/11/these-events-took-place-roughly-between.html

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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