Considering there will be 54 million seniors in the US by 2020 facing the challenges of old age—hearing, vision, dexterity, mobility and security—there is a tremendous and growing need for a phone like the Clarity Pal. The Pal is a traditional 5″ candybar style phone, with big easy to read numbers, and a 2″ color LCD display.

As you can see from this image, the screen is bright, and the numbers are backlit. It’s very convenient for old eyes. There’s no confusion about what button to press, or how to turn it on or off.

For the most part, the menus are simple to navigate. My biggest concern with operating the Pal is that the instruction manual that comes in the box is minimalistic, and requires that you go online to download the full operating manual. If you’re aiming at seniors, this is probably not a great idea. Better to include a red lettered flag “for further assistance, please have your adult children help with setup.”

One of the coolest features of the Pal is the little emergency button on the back. I was at first concerned that it would be too easy to accidentally press this button just by picking up the phone, but you have to depress the button for several seconds to activate your emergency call. You can set any number you want as your emergency number: children, doctor, ambulance, police.

After pressing the emergency button, you get an appropriate emergency alarm sound, and your number is dialed. No need for thought.

The Pal has a standard style volume rocker on the side, that is clearly marked. You can use a headset with the Pal, and it is Bluetooth compatible. While you may think Bluetooth is unnecessary on a phone aimed at seniors, there are a lot of Bluetooth speakers (not headphones), that make handsfree calling particularly nice.

The Pal is also hearing aid compatible.

With 25 decibels of amplification, Pal is an ideal solution for the 36 million Americans with hearing loss.  The boost and adjustable tone control buttons give users the option to customize their listening experience to their particular degree of hearing loss.

You can also see the charging port, noted by a red plug icon. The Pal can be charged directly, or by sitting it in the charging dock that is included in the box.

The sound quality is excellent, and the battery lasts for days (over a week on standby!) While the ringtone options are limited, you are not likely to miss a call, and Pal gives you an option of hearing the incoming call number announced. The voice speaking the incoming number is loud and exuberant, with some numbers (such as ZERO!) being somewhat overemphasized.

The Pal does have a few other little extras. It includes a calendar, and notes. And while you can fill up your phonebook with the numbers of loved ones and health care providers, you also get three speed dial numbers, that are fairly simple to program, and very easy to use.

Available as an unlocked GSM phone, Pal can be purchased at www.claritypal.com for $99.99. Pal users can sign on with the wireless phone provider of their choice. Clarity is a division of Plantronics, makers of some of our favorite headsets.

The FlyGrip is a great little gadget that makes holding your cellphone or e-reader more comfortable.

Available in 8 colors and 3 sizes, it goes with everything and everyone. Simply take the adhesive backing off the FlyGrip, and attach to the bottom of your phone or e-reader. The FlyGrip pivots back and forth so that you can get your fingers under without pinching. The hard plastic is smooth and quite comfortable.

Mostly, it allows you to hold your device with one hand, and still access the entire screen. It’s great for taking photos!

If you wanted to, you could attach the FlyGrip to the back of a favorite case, instead of the phone itself. The FlyGrip has a fairly thin profile (1/4″), as it folds in on itself to lie flat when not in use.

You can also use the FlyGrip as a desktop stand, by inserting the bottom piece in the slot on the back. Great for FaceTime or Skype chats.

The only major drawback to the FlyGrip is its price. $29.95 from their online store is a bit steep, although that does include a case for your device so that you can attach the FlyGrip to its own case.

MISC  

• Edward saw new Spiderman movie (in USA on July 3drd starting) : Sony Xperia Android and Sony Vaio aplenty in it, also holographic user interface with 3D-motion detection like Kinect but very precise
• “Leap Second” bug caused problems for Reddit, Mozella and possibly other big sites.
• Unrelated to the previous, LeapMotion introduces a new way to interact with your computer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d6KuiuteIA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Apple 

• No rumors!
• Macs have no kensington lock, for example : Macbook air doesn’t have it, mac mini too, what the duck? (Edward needs it)
• Chrome for iOS is cool, has good voice control, but it sucks because it is wrapperbbgound standard safari control
• MobileMe has shut down
• New survey finds 21% of iOS users wouldn’t switch to an other platform for any price

Google and Android

• Google IO conference , many topics: Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) with fluent user interface, Nexus 7 (the real iPad killer because 2 times cheaper and 2-3 times more cores/faster than iPad 3), google glasses, chrome for iOS, etc
• Jelly Bean features include improved notifications & gallery, widget resizing, offline voice typing and Google Now (Google’s Siri).  HTC and Samsung  “Are evaluating the new software to determine update schedules” and “will soon announce a schedule and which devices will get the update”
• Project Butter (youtube video):
  http://t.co/2ueevRvv

Microsoft

• Update for Kindle for Windows Phone released, add only multitasking support but still no search, no highlight, no dictionary support – conclusion: do not buy Windows Phone if you wanna read eBooks
• Microsoft just announced it has indeed acquired Yammer, the four-year-old social networking company for enterprises, for $1.2 billion in cash.
• Some Microsoft manager promises that Microsoft will not abandon Windows Phone 8 users like did with older: Windows Mobile 6.5 users Screwed, no update to 7. Windows Phone 7 users Screwed, no update to 8. Now we should believe Microsoft? No, do not buy Windows Phone !

App Picks

• Diana – Screenshot It/No Root Screenshot It https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edwardkim.android.screenshotitfull&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5lZHdhcmRraW0uYW5kcm9pZC5zY3JlZW5zaG90aXRmdWxsIl0 And https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edwardkim.android.screenshotitfullnoroot&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5lZHdhcmRraW0uYW5kcm9pZC5zY3JlZW5zaG90aXRmdWxsbm9yb290Il0
• Alli – Fandango http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fandango-movies-times-tickets/id307906541?mt=8
• Edward – Map Measure for iPhone / iPad (I will review it upcoming week):
  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/map-measure-area-distance/id476039389?mt=8

Follow Alli on Twitter
Follow Diana on Twitter
Follow Edward on Twitter

Call the Just Another Geek Site Google Voice number, and leave us a message! (304) 884-JAGS (5247)
Download the episode directly here. Subscribe via iTunes. Add our RSS podcast feed.

Apple 

• No rumors!
• WWDC – new Macs and iOS 6 along with Moutain Lion – this year’s WWDC seemed to return focus on developers, highlighting specs of new Macs
  • New retina display 15″ MacBook Pro
• iOS 6 Features:
  • No more Google Maps – Apple Maps (Edward says: TomTom turn by turn!!!)
    • Flyover – hah!
  • Multiple signatures in Mail
  • Add images/video from compose window of Mail
  • Facebook integration
  • Improved Spotlight Search
  • New Download banner
  • New Emojo (only visible on iOS 6 devices)
  • Clock app – finally allows you to choose any song as alarm, and iPad actually gets its own clock app
  • Share screen goes graphic
  • New skin for music player
  • Updated iTunes/App store
  • Facetime over cellular
  • Improved Siri – limited (US-centric) sports, ability to launch apps
  • DND / reminders
  • New phone dialer layout
  • Safari updates including iCloud sync’d tabs
  • Passbook
  • Guided access
  • New iPad gets Siri
• Edward played with Retina Macbook Pro in Apple Store – is telling his impressions

Google and Android

• “Unprecedented demand” pushes back release of Galaxy S III – (Edward:) in USA? in Eurotrashland already on sale everywhere S3 is
• Samsung files a patent for a stylus that doubles as a headset (ostensibly to go along with larger devices)

Microsoft

• Microsoft has some huge event on Monday, probably iPad killer according to rumors (ARM based Windows RT tablets)
  • The ARM-based version of Windows 8 will not support installation of traditional computer software. Instead, Microsoft intends for developers to to focus on WinRT, the new Windows runtime that will form “the foundation of a new
    generation of cloud-enabled, touch-enabled, web-connected apps of all kinds.”
    - but will this move not upset the manfuacturers that license OS from MS
• Nokia fires 10,000 people and downgraded to trash by Moody’s, so windows phone doesn’t pay off?
• revolutionary BIG NEW Xbox plans revealed (XBox to stream TV to all devices, Xbox 720 8x more powerful than 360, since 2015 all gaming via cloud and no need to buy/change console, Glasses with overlay – like Google glasses but for gaming!):
  http://wmpoweruser.com/microsofts-xbox-plans-through-2015-leaks-reveals-plans-for-cloud-games-delivery-3d-glasses/

App Picks

• Diana – Songify https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.smule.songify&feature=nav_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDNd
• Alli – HD 4cast² -  http://justanothergeeksite.com/2012/06/hd-4cast2-ios-app-review/
• Edward – Panorama (TM) (allegedly the best panorama app for iPhone):
  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/panorama/id499150255?mt=8

Follow Alli on Twitter
Follow Diana on Twitter
Follow Edward on Twitter

Call the Just Another Geek Site Google Voice number, and leave us a message! (304) 884-JAGS (5247)
Download the episode directly here. Subscribe via iTunes. Add our RSS podcast feed.

In this video, Jonathan and Clayton from Wilson Electronics talk about their signal boosters. Two versions for AT&T or Verizon LTE – these devices will work with cell phones or MiFi.

MISC 

• Also on NBC Nightly News – http://techland.time.com/2012/03/19/faa-rethinking-airplane-gadget-policy/
• Various news sources this week stating that teenagers send an average of 60 text messages/day – girls tend to send way more
• In-App Ads Drain Up To 75% Of Your Phone’s Battery – http://www.cultofmac.com/154790/in-app-ads-drain-up-to-75-of-your-phones-battery/ iPhone and Android phones!
• South Carolina Teacher Suspended For Reading ‘Ender’s Game’ To Middle School Students – http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/03/19/south-carolina-teacher-suspended-for-reading-enders-game-to-middle-school-students/
• Some time back we spoke about PayPal’s secure login. Say Goodbye to User Name and Password Logins, and Hello to ‘OneID’ http://mashable.com/2012/03/20/oneid/
• In a Major Restructuring, Hewlett-Packard to Combine Printer and PC Groups http://allthingsd.com/20120320/exclusive-hewlett-packard-to-combine-printer-and-pc-groups/
• Potential employers requesting Facebook login info and Facebook Now Suggests Friends to Add to Acquaintance List http://mashable.com/2012/03/21/facebook-suggests-acquaintance/
• biggest  app news this week: Angry Birds Space for iOS, Android (free!!!) and desktop PCs and Macs released, NOT FOR WINDOWS PHONE (also no Draw Something for Windows Phone – another proofs tha Windows Phone sucks)
• RIM on PlayBook Jailbreaking: Don’t Do It http://allthingsd.com/20120322/rim-on-playbook-jailbreaking-dont-do-it/
• Texting while walking claims another victim, woman falls off pierhttp://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/texting-while-walking-claims-another-victim-woman-falls-off-pier/

Apple 

• Why Apple’s new iPad isn’t able to charge while some games and apps are running http://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/03/21/why-apples-new-ipad-isnt-able-to-charge-while-some-games-and-apps-are-running/
• Apple says temperature of New iPad is within normal parameters.
  (but Edward was right: consumer reports – respectable organization – confirms that new iPad is hotteer than ipad 2, 10 degrees hotter at last, over 10 degrees of body temperature)
• Should have been done long ago: Tim Cook Forces AT&T To Unlock Customer’s Phone http://www.cultofmac.com/154873/tim-cook-forces-att-to-unlock-customers-phone/
• Various tests popping up with side by side visual tests iPad 2 and new iPad (3) – results inconclusive, which in itself is conclusive.
• Edward: iPhoto for iOS big sales hit, sold over 1 million in few days – so Edward was right that it’s cool app, see review of iPhoto written by Edward!
  http://justanothergeeksite.com/2012/03/iphoto-for-iphone-ipad-review/ (Clear also sold a million in a few days & we determined it was all hype.)
• iPad 3 issues: yellowish displays (and 2 sub-rumors: a) it’s just glue, so let it dry over days, b) news batch of iPad 3 will use displays made by Sharp in Japan and better than current from Samsung, -complaint (again) no LTE in EU empire
• german press writes: ipad 3 has the same scratch-resistant glass as ipad 1, but ipad 2 ‘s glass was not scratch resistant

Android

• Edward claims that android may have in total fewer apps than iOS but android has many apps that iOS doesn’t have at all. But iOS has many that Android doesn’t have at all. Point? Let’s start with Instagram and DirecTV. Show me your Android apps.
• Galaxy Note ICS upgrade pushed back to Q2, adds exclusive set of stylus-ready apps (video) http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/22/galaxy-note-ics-upgrade-pushed-back-to-q2-adds-exclusive-set-of/

Microsoft 

• flagship device nokia lumia 900 is launching in April (1st half): http://www.youtube.com/embed/mjZ56ShKNIU – unboxing of it. on AT&T. Big expectation at Microsoft and nokia about it.
• debacle wiht Angry Birds Space: no version for Windows Phone: one Rovio executive says “no plans at all” and nother says “coming soon” but after years of waiting for PhotoSynth for Windows Phone (still not available but present for iOS for years), EDWARD DOES NOT BELIEVE AT ALL. Another example: new cool app is out but only Android and iOS get it, not Windows Phone. Do not buy Windows Phone!
• Edward: windows 8 ARM tablets will have ventilator, boo! but will support retina displays too (no brainer as windows supports all resolutions anyway)
• rumors heating up: nokia lumia 900 (LTE, Windows Phone, 4.3 inch display) coming to AT&T on April 1st, 2012
• general question many potential Windows Phone users ask themselves: to buy Windows Phone now or wait till Windows Phone 8 will be on sale (end of year). Answer: not sure if current phones will get upgrade to Windows Phone 8 so better wait
• apps for Windows Phone 7.5 : very crappy, it’s like wild wild west for apps because even console emulators (NES etc) and illegal (without permission from copyright holders) are  approved, example : Kill Kenny (see below)
• sales and marketing group of Microsoft – tens of thousands of employees: now it’s forbidden to buy ipad and mac computers by Microsoft as company devices. What about iPhone? Also?

Google

• Google Docs Improves Spell-Checker http://mashable.com/2012/03/21/google-docs-spell-check/

App Picks

• Edward: kill kenny for windows phone
  http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/b3eb642a-b48f-4b6e-a7d3-04d46d43ce50
• DirecTV app for iPad http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/directv-app-for-ipad/id421547368?mt=8
• Total Pool for Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.friendlymonster.totalpool&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5mcmllbmRseW1vbnN0ZXIudG90YWxwb29sIl0.

Follow Alli on Twitter
Follow Diana on Twitter
Follow Edward on Twitter

Call the Just Another Geek Site Google Voice number, and leave us a message! (304) 884-JAGS (5247)
Download the episode directly here. Subscribe via iTunes. Add our RSS podcast feed.

Enter the Cobra Universal Cigarette Lighter Mount. One word of caution, check the location of your cigarette lighter power inputs before looking at this type of mount. Placement is important. My last car was a Toyota Camry, where one lighter was hidden inside a cupboard low on the console, and the other was between the shift and the arm rest. Neither of these were practical for a lighter based mount. Fortunately, placement is more standard on my Kia Soul, and the Cobra Universal Mount is a nice fit.

The mount plugs right into the lighter socket. No clips, no glue required. It’s quite sturdy, and should be able to hold the weight of most cell phones.

It is a “goose neck” type, so it offers flexibility as to position. You can angle it down, or to one side, depending on where the lighter is in your vehicle.

In addition to having two “feet” on which you can rest your phone, the back has Ever-Last BreakAway Adhesive. That is a sticky slab of…sticky stuff. It leaves no residue on your phone, and holds tight.

As a matter of fact, you need two hands to get your phone off that adhesive back. You absolutely don’t have to worry about your phone falling off the mount and on to the floor of your car. I don’t know for sure how long the adhesive lasts, but Cobra suggests that you can just wipe the surface clean with a basic glass cleaner to revive the stick.

The part where you stand your phone is attached by a locking collar so you can rotate your view left or right. This means you can also turn your phone from your view to whoever’s in the passenger seat.

The only real negative is that the base is circular. And circles roll – it’s a matter of physics. So if you apply too much pressure, the whole top (with your phone) acts like a lever and slides around and down.  Of course, once you have adjusted your mount, you generally don’t need to move it much, so there

won’t be many opportunities for this to happen.

One of the unique features of this mount is the usb port. After all, you’re taking up a power supply, so it’s nice to be able to still use it. There’s even an indicator that it’s receiving power from the plug.

At $29.95 for the mount, it’s a pretty average price. If you’re looking for a mount for your car, and don’t want to block the vents, this is a great option that is both sturdy and portable.

Check out Cobra’s video below.

Untitled from Blake Miller on Vimeo.

Tonight’s guest, Alli’s Mom – former broadcast journalist, Sheila Small (not on Twitter).

How does the non technically minded person move from a Palm to an Evo.
(Dad thinks the Evo screen is too sensitive.)

Likes and dislikes
Used to like documents and memos on Palm
Like: web browsing, calendars and Google sync, large screen – awesome!, camera
Dislike: virtual keyboard, no quick/easy way to enter notes, predictive text, battery

Customization

Social media integration – synergy

Want your app reviewed on JAGS? Send a promo code to edward@justanothergeeksite.com.

Give-away one license for 1Password for Mac or PC. DM Jerry on Twitter with the name of our first guest on Convertcast?

Follow Jerry on Twitter

Follow Alli on Twitter

Call the Just Another Geek Site Google Voice number, and leave us a message! (304) 884-JAGS (5247)

Download the episode directly here. Subscribe via iTunes. Add our RSS podcast feed.

http://www.mediafly.com/Podcasts/Feeds/ConvertCast

A special 50th podcast episode with a full panel of great guests.

Mickey Papillon from The Cellphone Junkie
on Twitter
Chris Oldroyd from Supertrader and Mobile Tech Addicts
on Twitter
Edward from msmobiles.com
on Twitter

Follow Jerry on Twitter

Follow Alli on Twitter

Call the Just Another Geek Site Google Voice number, and leave us a message! (304) 884-JAGS (5247)

Download the episode directly here. Subscribe via iTunes. Add our RSS podcast feed.