03.06.12: supplement to post, I just received an email from Rogers indicating the wrong replacement phone is being sent ... never ceases to amaze me ... Now I must decline the phone being sent and wait for Rogers to send an email indicating my account has been reset ... before going after the correct replacement.
03.06.12: This may be my last post for iPhone items, as I am replacing it with a Rogers Samsung Galaxy Note LTE (to arrive in the next few days).
While my iPhone still has more than a year to go o n my Rogers plan, somehow, they are giving me this replacement for $65.
I didn't ask why...
Tip 1: Shortcuts (Settings -> General -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts) This aid is very good for those who text or regularly enter the same long words in emails. I use it for email addresses, words like "tomorrow", phrases like "in my opinion", etc.
Tip 2: Restrictions (Settings -> General -> Restrictions) Turn most of them off to ensure you know what is being downloaded to your iPhone.
Tip 3: Data Roaming (Settings -> General -> Network) Turn off Data Roaming, to ensure no large charges when travelling. I leave it off at all times.
Tip 4: Location Services (Settings -> Location Services) While a lot of apps would like to use your current location, it isn't required. Turn it off, except when using something like Maps for a non-saved location. Each time you use Maps to get directions for a location, save it by clicking on the red dot (end location) and then the blue carrot and then "Add to Bookmarks". When you turn on Location Services, only allow the app you are using. This is probably to most battery saving tip available.
If you aren't aware, the main reason I am changing cell phones is lack of wi-fi with my 3gs iPhone. The latest operating system update (which cannot be undone) made it almost impossible for a lot of iPhones to get wi-fi at more than 10 feet from source. With earlier releases, it worked at quite a distance from the source. Apple indicated it is a hardware problem and anyone outside warranty (more than 1 year) should buy a reconditioned 3gs for $160 plus taxes only warranty is 30 days).
03.02.12: I really dislike this time of year ... giving the governments money to foolishly waste on jets and G8/G20 sessions and other non-essential flights of fancy to make them more important internationally.
But this ranting is best placed on my other blog.
StudioTax 2011 is a free Internet Canadian tax preparation application.
It works very well for simple tax preparation and combines husbands/wives quite easily.
It also allows for easy adjusting of T3s and T5s and other joint incomes/expenses between husbands/wives.
It has an easy NETFILE approach and stores easily for retrieval in following years.
It took about two hours to do both returns yesterday (the first time used).
They provide you a free local cell phone number and the app automatically syncs to your cell phone contacts list.
The reason for the new number is to allow you to call for free (to any Canadian number in any of the many identified Canadian cities) and allow others to call you without impacting your cell phone monthly costs.
Dell Voice to Dell Voice calls are free ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
Some specific details, if you have a Dell Voice number:
1. you can only use your Dell Voice number in the city is was set up for.
2. calls are free from your Dell Voice number to any Dell Voice number in Canada.
3. calls are free from your Dell Voice number to any identified Canadian city (see above link).
4. if you call an international number, there is a cost. To see what the cost would be before proceeding, you enter the number and then press the world rate button.
5. the app will always use wi-fi if available and indicates when you are using wi-fi.
6. always use wi-fi when using Dell Voice, if possible, as your Internet data plan is cheaper than your cell phone data plan. 1 minute equals 1mb of data.
7. if you regularly talk to someone (not having a Dell Voice number) in another Canadian city, you will soon be able to get an additional number for that city ($.99/mo) so that person can call you as a local call.
8. If it does work well for you, consider the next step to reducing costs: a. reduce your cell phone minutes/mo plan b. drop voicemail, call forwarding, caller ID, call waiting, etc
I am trying to determine the limitations in the next few weeks and will provide an update then.
If you would like to try it, go to the site (above) and setup a number and call me. If I don't answer, leave a voicemail - free service as well.
