Google Voicemail.

So, you’re not quite ready to change you number to Google Voice? You can now use your existing mobile number with Google Voicemail. Check out the video.

Facebook For Blackberry App Update

Blackberry has released  an update to the Facebook app.  Some new features and better performance.   Go to http://blackberry.com/facebook in your blackberry browser to get the update.

Family Online Internet Safety Contract

Children are often more comfortable, knowledgeable and literate than their parents when it comes to computers and the internet.  Social networks are quickly becoming a part of their everyday lives.  I have posted a link here to The Family Online Internet Safety Contract.  This contract has some rules and guidelines for both parents and children and their use of the internet.

ReQall, The Voice Enabled Reminder System

reQall is a voice-enabled memory aid that seamlessly integrates your mobile phone, email, text messaging and IM into a powerful organizer, reminder system and productivity assistant. reQall lets you capture your ideas, tasks and commitments before you forget, and it proactively keeps you well-prepared and memory-strong.

A little confused?  Don’t worry, I was too.  I even found it difficult to explain the “coolness factor” of this one to my wife.  reQall has quickly become one of my favorite and most useful web apps.  The easiest way to tell you about reQall, is to give you an example.  All you have to do to get started is sign up for an account, provide your cell number (they do not call you) and enter the reQall 800 number in your cell phone.  Now, call the number, say “add”, after the beep say,”Dentist appointment Wednesday 4:00 PM”.  reQall will now transcribe your message, enter it in your to-do list on the reQall site, send you an email confirmation, enter it in your Google calendar (reQall pro accounts) and send you a reminder the morning of and 1-hour before your appointment.  All of these reminders are completely customizable.  Also, you can create notes and shopping lists by voice using key words.  They have Blackberry and iPhone apps available and Yahoo Messenger, Googletalk and text integration.  If you are a Google Calendar user, the $25 annual fee for the pro account is well worth it.

The Family Tech’s Guide to Troubleshooting

Tech Support Cheat sheet By: xkcd.com

Gmail on Blackberry just got a whole lot better.

RIM just released their Enhanced Google Mail Plugin for BlackBerry. The plugin allows you to add and remove labels and stars on email messages, report spam, archive and perform local and remote searches.  Messages that are opened on your Blackberry are now marked as open in Gmail. Download the plugin OTA (over the air) by pointing your Blackberry browser to blackberry.com/gmail.

To read more about the plugin, go to the Blackberry support forum Here.

Google Voice

I have been using Google Voice for a few months now and loving it.  If you have not yet heard of Google Voice, watch this short summary video.  To get all the juicy details visit the about page here.

Easy P2P File Sharing

Files Over Miles is a simple browser-to-browser file sharing tool that is very useful when files are to large to email.  Go to filesovermiles.com, click browse and  select the file you want to send.  Copy the link and send via IM or email to the recipient.  Make sure you keep your browser open until the transfer is complete because the file will become unavailable once you close your browser.  The main benefits of Files Over Miles include no file size limit, peer to peer (so it’s fast)…and FREE.

OpenDNS

OpenDNS is a free tool that can help parents keep their kids away from inappropriate sites on the web.  If you are not sure what DNS is, it is essentially the phone book for the internet.  When you type in a URL, your browser check a DNS server for that website’s IP address.  Once the browser receives the address, it can then connect you to the website.  With an OpenDNS account, users can customize content filtering just by changing a simple setting on your child’s computer.  Or, it’s just as easy to configure your router for content filtering on your home network.  Whatever your preference, OpenDNS has easy step-by-step instructions and can be implemented in under 2 minutes.  To learn more, go to OpenDNS.

Blackberry Profiler

Is your Blackberry waking you up at night?  Did you forget to turn your ringer off during a meeting?  Try Profiler by Toysoft.  You can schedule your Blackberry to automatically change profiles. For example, have your Blackberry switch to “phone only” at your usual bed time, then switch back to “normal” or “loud” at your wake-up time.  You can also set up  keywords to switch profiles anytime that word shows up in a calendar event.  Get this app over at Crackberry.com on sale now for $4.95. You can also try it free for 14 days.