PalmAddicts

Gmail SMS

I'm loving Gmail's new lab feature, Chat with SMS. It seems so frequent that a friend sends me a text message, but it's silly to text them back because I'm sitting at my computer! Now, I can write them back without using a SMS (since I don't have unlimited). I also like it because if I'm chatting with my sister or another friend, we can keep chatting even if someone needs to step away from their computer for a moment.

Now the next thing they should integrate is the ability to forward chats while you are offline or idle to your mobile via text message. That would be awesome!

New Centro

Just a little update on my Centro... Remember how it thought my headset was still engaged, even when it wasn't? This meant that I was unable to make calls, or even hear anything! So I called AT&T, and they shipped me a new one! It only took 2 days to get to me, too. One good thing about this experience is that it taught me how much I really love my Centro. I was using an LG VU for a few days, which is a very sleek and pretty phone in its own right, but it just isn't a Centro. Now I just have to decide what to do with my brand new Vu...

My Centro is dead!!

Well, not completely dead, maybe. I was on a phone call yesterday, and I was using my headset (that came with my Treo 650). I took the headset out in the middle of the call, and somehow, my phone thought it was still plugged in. I couldn't hear or talk, and the screen indicated that my headset was still attached. I put the headset back in, and could then hear, but my husband on the other end couldn't hear me! I ended up doing a hard reset, and it still didn't work!!!! I could have cried... I went to the AT&T store, and they basically told me to call the warranty department.

Sooo... I'm calling them today. For now I'm using my old trusty Treo 650. I'll keep you updated on how it goes!

Sandy's gone

I was soooo sad when I heard my "personal assistant" Sandy was going offline. I use Sandy all the time for getting email and sms reminders.

I went in search of a replacement, and I needed it to do these things:
- Add reminders via text message/email. Lots of programs will send the reminders by email or sms, but there aren't a lot that will receive additions by those methods.
- Have control over which medium is used for the reminder (i.e. mobile OR email)
- Have a flexible, easy-to-use snooze system
- Have a syntax that can be memorized

I haven't found the perfect system, but I'm giving PingMe a try. It does everything I want it to -- my only complaint is that the syntax is pretty hard to learn at first. I think I'm getting the hang of it though! I like that you can specify dates that are relative (e.g. "8w cut hair" will send a reminder to cut your hair in 8 weeks -- you don't have to figure out the date). I also wish the system would send some sort of confirmation that the event/reminder has been scheduled. I think I'll be sticking with it for now.

I sure will miss Sandy though!!

Wishing for Wi-fi

Don't get me wrong -- I love my Centro. But I don't want to fork over the money for an unlimited data plan (the Centro isn't 3G anyway), and I can't help but go trolling eBay for used T|Xs or LifeDrives. I'd love to have wi-fi available! I wouldn't even care if it were a phone, as long as I had some sort of handheld device with wi-fi. I could get all my email on my phone, and even download podcasts directly to my device. Oh well, I can keep dreaming, right?

Voting with my Centro

I'm standing here in line waiting to vote. This is my 3rd Presidential election to get to vote in, and I've never seen turnout like this! This has definitely been a popular election. If it weren't for my Centro, I'd be going crazy! I'm able to listen to my podcasts, exchange emails with my husband, text my mom (who is at home babysitting for me), play games, and write this blog post! My Palm is definitely keeping me company. This is a great day for America, with so many people taking advantage of our democratic process.

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Blogged from my Centro

Calculations on the fly

Usually when I want to use the calculator on my Centro, it's for a very brief calculation. It can be annoying to have to go to an entirely different application and lose my spot where I am, just to figure out the tip I want to leave. So I was really glad when I found SnapCalc, a pop-up calculator that can be accessed from any program and doesn't exit the current program. I'm loving having it at my fingertips whenever I need it! Best of all, it's completely free.

Lost my stylus

Does anyone else have trouble keeping up with their stylus?? I have lost 2 in the past few months. I'm going to have to buy some replacement styluses for my Centro. Actually though, that could be a good thing because I personally don't like the flimsy plastic stylus that the Centro comes with, so now I'll be able to replace it with metal ones.

My Centro's close call

This is a TRUE STORY!!! I was pulling out of Red Lobster tonight after dinner and I thought, "Am I rolling over something??" It seemed like I felt a bump. So I pulled back in (felt the bump again) and got out to see if there was anything behind my wheels -- nothing. So, I pulled out -- again feeling the bump -- and asked my sister to see if there was anything in the parking spot. She immediately said, "Is that your purse?!" I had placed my little handbag in my baby's carseat carrier on top of his legs. Evidently he had kicked it off (of course) and it had fallen under the driver's side wheel, where I proceeded to drive over it it THREE times.

"Oh no!!!" I yelled, "my phone is in there!"

She jumped out and grabbed it. The metal clasp was bent, so I opened it, fearing the worst, to find my makeup shattered and smashed all over. I picked up my Centro (my brain, my life!), which looked okay, and guess what?? It was fine! It had been underneath my FlyLady wallet. That tough piece of leather had protected all my cards AND my precious phone! I was shocked, but I called my husband to make sure it was working, and it's totally unharmed. I'm soooo relieved!!

Free Palm dictionary

The dictionary that I use on my Centro is Noah Pro. Don't let the "pro" confuse you -- it's free! It's a great basic dictionary and can be run from an expansion card. I love being able to look up words anywhere I am! I'm seriously an addict....! I guess that's why I'm here on Palm Addicts. :-)