whispers » tech

Google Voice and iPhone

mel — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:36:23 +0000

A couple of months ago, I read a small article about Google Voice. I had seen stuff about it before, but was unclear exactly what it was. A few trips to Google pages and I got a general idea, but still could not see how it would be of great benefit to me, especially since I have an iPhone 3G and my home number (a landline). Anyway, I found out that it was only available by invitation only, just like Gmail used to be. So, I applied for an invitation. The more I read during the previous months, the more intrigued I became. Finally, I received my invitation a few weeks ago and just sort of looked at it. I submitted it, and got my new phone number (which you can choose yourself).

Google Voice Symbol

It’s really cool because the calling is free except for international calls (which is a very small amount in terms of money). You can have different answering messages for different people. Free text messaging, voicemail transcription to name just a few of the advantages. I can see why AT&T did not want Apple to allow Google Voice as an app on the iPhone. Basically, I am trying to understand why I should even pay AT&T, when I could get all my services fro free.

The most obvious answer is that it is not as smoothly integrated. For one, in order to have any of those features, you have to have people dial the new number. Also, having to use an HTML5 app to make calls is a lot slower than just using the phone app on the iPhone. Another drawback, is you would have to use your Gmail addressbook, or import your iPhone addressbook to Gmail.

Want to try it out for free? On the bottom right of the page is a widget that says Call Me. Enter your name, number and check the box that protects your anonymity, and it will call me. I have the option set to only take messages though. Feeling brave enough?

New Theme Installed

mel — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:39:47 +0000

Okay,… here it is. The new theme, called Motion is activated. Let me know via your comments if you love or hate it… or don’t care.

New Theme Coming

mel — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:16:17 +0000

I’ve gotten a little tired of the theme I’m running for this blog. It has served me well, but right now it is looking a little old and yes clinical. I’m tired of clinical. This theme is called Biru and is pretty straight forward. So, here’s an image of it. I know you’re looking at it now, but once this site changes, people won’t know what I’m talking about.

This is the older Biru Theme

Yes, it has served well for a couple of years. I liked that it has a clean design. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles getting in the way. Nothing to take away from the words… I know,… what words. There was not a lot written. It’s hard to write a lot when you’re whispering.:)

The other thing, is that it would never display photos where I placed them. For example, the image of the Biru design is supposed to be on the left side of the screen. But if I wanted it on the right side of the screen on the center of the screen, it would show up on the left side of the screen

The new theme is called Motion. It is much more colorful, but it is also darker. I kinda like it because it’s not bland but it’s not so dark that you can’t read it. I don’t think it makes you depressed after reading and the controls for finding articles, make it easier for the reader to navigate the web site.

I hope you’ll like it. This is what it looks like:

This is the new Motion Theme

See, it just doesn’t display properly. I set it to show on the right side, not next to the end of the post.

Interesting

mel — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:51:58 +0000

I just happened to get the weekly analysis for this blog recently and it is the most popular of my blogs. I don’t know why that is so, since I’ve neglected it so much. Also, Thursday and Friday are the most popular days.

Let me know if there are any subjects of interest to you and I’ll try to comply… especially things that encourage conversation.

2.8.4 upgrade

mel — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 04:18:26 +0000

Apparently WordPress is under attack. As a result I was forced to upgrade despite my weeks of delaying. Here’s the story.

iPhone WP app

mel — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:10:27 +0000

I just discovered the WordPress iPhone app that lets you post/blog/edit from your phone. The reason it has taken so long for me to discover is because I just couldn’t imagine typing on a keyboard that small for very long.

So, this represents the first post from iPhone.

Autoupdate problem for 2.7.1 solved

mel — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 06:06:59 +0000

Recently WP 2.7.1 was released and when I hit the autoupgrade, I kept getting a fatal error.

It turns out that I had to deactivate and then delete my auto upgrade plugin first.

The new version of WP comes with the autoupdate built in.