TechTalk - Set up MMS and Internet on Samsung Sidekick 4G on Simple Mobile

How to set-up internet and MMS on you Samsung Sidekick 4G

1.  Click Settings

2.  Click Wireless and network

3.  Click Mobile networks (should be at the very bottom)

4.  Click Access Point Names

T-Mobile US should be your current option. 

Next you will click your menu button (the one with the three straight bars), then click New APN (has a + sign)

Enter these settings – case sensitive

Name	simple
APN	simple
APN type	Internet

Click Menu and SAVE

Next you will click your menu button (the one with the three straight bars), then click New APN (has a + sign)

Enter these settings – case sensitive

Name	mms
APN	simple
MMSC	http://10.165.193.23/mms.wapenc
APN type	MMS

Click Menu and SAVE

You should have 3 APN now.

T-Mobile US

simple

mms

The top 2 should be the only ones with a button to select on the right.

Now, go head and select T-Mobile US.

Hit your menu button.

Select Delete APN.

Your settings should look like this.

You’re done, just restart your phone! =D

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

TravelTalk - How to be Nomadic - Tip #1

I was inspired to start this segment by a friend who is heading to Alaska.  She has been asking for tips and tricks of the trade and here we are.  Being nomadic and traveling from place to place does not mean that an individual is out of touch with the rest of the world.  This sort of depends on the person.  For me, technology is a part of my life and how I keep in touch with people and it is integral to have certain technologies whilst traveling.  I mean now more than ever most things can be found online - how to get from point A to point B (no I am not talking about google... o_O)

Alright - tip #1 - Invest in an unlocked Quad-band cell phone.

I know - sounds stupid right!?  Well, if you are here in the U.S. and you're planning to travel soon - specially overseas, I really recommend an unlocked phone!?  Why!? Saving $$$ - have you ever traveled overseas with your smartphone?! The roaming charges are ridiculous - especially for texting and data.  AT&T charges an INSANE amount for DATA!!  $199.99 for 800MB - and if you have AT&T you're probably paying $30 for 3GB (3,000 GB). Seriously AT&T?!  Not to mention that 2 year contract. EW. (seriously!?)

Courtesy: AT&T website (04/19/2012)

My number one pick for a world phone is none other than a Blackberry.

I love an unlocked quadband blackberry if you are traveling to Central or South America or India.  Blackberries may not be as popular as they once were here in the U.S., but overseas they are great.  Most places you can get a pre-paid SIM card and you pay a really inexpensive plan.  In Guatemala, I was paying $20/month for Blackberry plan with 100 minutes.  Most of the people in Central and South America has a Blackberry, so you can use an application BBM (Blackberry Messenger) so securely IM other people for free - it doesn't count as a SMS.

Well, you might be saying, I'm not going to use a Blackberry here in the U.S. and I want a phone that works here and overseas.  You are correct!  My #2 recommendation is any unlocked Quad-band Android device.  

While we are on the subject, I might as well save you some $$.  You should buy a phone outright with cash. Sounds ridiculous right?!  Well, you can head to eBay and buy an unlocked Blackberry ($100-$200) or an unlocked Android device ($200-$400).  You might be paying more upfront, but you can save money here in the U.S. as well.  If you have an unlocked phone you can pick your carrier (one that takes SIM cards).  I personally recommend SIMPLE mobile. $40/month unlimited SMS (including international SMS), phone calls and internet.  No tax or other hidden fees.  A comparable plan with Sprint, AT&T, T-mobile or Verizon will cost you at least twice as much!!

Alright, I know its probably not what you expected for the first tip of being nomadic, but hey, keeping is touch very important.  You never know where you will be in the world and who you'll run into.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

What's new?!

Alright... what is new in my world?!

A couple of things, I'm quite excited about next month's monthly challenge... Stay tuned!  It is going to be one of the most challenging (if not the most challenging - monthly challenge) that I will be challenging myself with.  o_O

Other than that, school is school... presentations, readings and such... Though this semester is really interesting for me, especially my class in Medical Anthropology.  I just feel the class speaking to me and the things I want to do in the future...

Oh yeah... I took the new format of the GRE and though its slightly different than the old version, I don't think it really changes anything.  The new scores will not be released (for about 3 months) just to ensure enough scores are in the database to provide a more accurate "percentile" score.  Yes, I like knowing I am better than a few people. lol

On Tuesday, I watched Lion King 3D - and to be honest, it was great seeing the movie again, but the 3D was really an additional novelty that was NOT needed at all!  Here in Hawaii there is a $4 surcharge for all 3D movies and to be honest, I did not think the 3D effects were utilized to the maximum... or even at 50%.  The commercials in 3D prior to the movie were more interesting.

Have you guys read my research report?! CLICK HERE for 34 pages of nerdy goodness!

Next week, I will start training for the 2011 Honolulu Marathon - WOW - I can't believe this will be my 4th consecutive Honolulu Marathon.

OK, I fell off the bandwagon on posting pictures... Will post more this week!

The rest of the blog is quite a long RAMBLE about mobile plans and phones... (just to warn you!)

Virgin Mobile's monthly plans!

Thinking of also getting a new cell phone!  Yes, as you guys know, I'm quite thrifty when it comes to my mobile plan - I currently have Virgin Mobile, and my plan is grandfathered in at $25 month - before the $10 increase... and its still the best plan around if you don't talk on the mobile that much, unlimited web, SMS and 300 minutes a month... CLICK HERE for more info on Virgin Mobile.

SIMPLE Mobile's monthly plans!

However, there is a new game in town... There are many unlimited phone, SMS, web plans out there the best being Boost Mobile (at $50/month - and every 6 months you are with them, your bill decreases by $5)... Well Boost was the best... until NOW... I am a BIG FAN of a new pre-paid mobile company called SIMPLE Mobile... Why? Check out the monthly plan! CLICK HERE for more info on SIMPLE Mobile.

Ok, besides the cheap unlimited plan - the best part is UNLIMITED INTERNATIONAL SMS!  WOW!  So all my friend's overseas... If it does not cost you to receive an SMS, you will be receiving a lot more from ME in the near future!  I am quite excited about this really... I'm debating on an Android phone or a Windows 7 phone.  You guys know me and my tech, I like to get my grubby hands on technology, but also dip my hands in different cookie jars.

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.