What's On Tech?

After the airing of my "Experts On Call" segment on AM800 I have had some inquiries about which portable charging solutions are best. If you missed it click here . What I talked about was making sure you check how many milliamps the charger has. This is usually labelled on the box or the unit itself as mAh. The more milliamps, the more charges you will get out of the portable battery. There are a few different solutions you can get your hands on: Juice Pack - this is a battery pack that is a cell phone case, no external wires required Power Tube - These are small compact chargers that can fit in your pocket. You can usually get 1-1 1/2 charges out of them Power Packs/Power Stations - These are large battery packs with high output. You can get multiple charges and even charge larger devices such as cameras or tablets. I can only speak on the products that I have actually used myself: MiPow Power Tube ($34.99-$54.99) This is a compact little power...

Roger's has certainly taken it to the next level with their "Roam Like Home" packages that offer customers to pay a $5/day feature (up to 10 days) and receive the same service in the US as they do in Canada. This has been extremely competitive especially for border towns. TELUS has come back with their new line up of US Travel Passes that offer 3, 10 and 30 day increments. US Combo Pass $25 - 3 day - Unlimited roaming minutes (US-CAN, US-US, CAN-CAN) - 150 MB of roaming Data - Unlimited roaming text messages Savings of $725 in pay per use rates US Combo Pass $50 - 10 day - Unlimited roaming minutes (US-CAN, US-US, CAN-CAN) - 300 MB of roaming Data - Unlimited roaming text messages Savings of $1450 in pay per use rates US Combo Pass $80 - 30 day - Unlimited roaming minutes (US-CAN, US-US, CAN-CAN) - 1GB of roaming Data - Unlimited roaming text messages Savings of $5040 in pay per use rates All of these packages can be added via your TELUS M...

I was recently featured on a segment on CFCO in Chatham-Kent called "Ask the Expert" where local businesses come in and talk about their company and what is hot in the industry. I took this time to talk about some cool tech gadgets that have been coming through the channel recently. Some stuff that you may not think a store like TELUS or KELCOM would even carry. So here it is, "Ask The Expert" with KELCOM Wireless. You can download or stream this episode from SoundCloud or the SoundCloud application for Android and iOS. https://soundcloud.com/whatsontech/episode-1-ask-the-experts-kelcom-wireless I will also be featured on the "Experts on Call" segment for AM800 CKLW this Saturday December 13 at Noon.

TELUS has begun a week long campaign to spread awareness of their distracted driving awareness program "Thumbs Up Phones Down". As a TELUS WISE Ambassador it is part of my role to educate the community on how to keep safe online and offline. With the icy roads and the heavy traffic during this holiday season, this couldn't come at a better time. Here are some great tips for keeping you from Texting and Driving: Driver Distraction is a factor in 15-19% of fatal collisions involving teens. Young Drivers of Canada have the following useful tips for teens and parents to help them avoid smartphone distractions while driving and impart positive behaviours to stop distracted driving for good. Out of sight, out of mind : Keep your phone out of your line of sight while driving; keep it in your purse, the glove box or in the back seat to remove the temptation to check it. Put it on silent : Make sure your phone is on silent with vibrate turned off so you don't get dist...

The holidays are quickly approaching, but it's not too late to get your loved ones the latest in wireless technology from the KELCOM Wireless Superstore . Here are my picks for the coolest gadgets from our Showroom: FWD Powershot - $149 The power shot breaks down and analyzes your performance on the ice. Put the power shot in the top of your composite hockey stick, connect to your device and get real time results of shot speed, force and swing from one practice to the next. For a limited time, each FWD Powershot that is sold, TELUS will donate $25 to HEROS Foundation, providing underprivileged Canadians the opportunity to play hockey. Fitbit Flex - $99 The Fitbit Flex is a sleep, walking and running tracker. You can set your goals by steps, calories or distance. The Fitbit app will help you track your results and compete with your friends. This device is simple and easy to use and now on sale for a limited time. Compatible with iOS and Android. ...

One of the most common customer complaints is poor battery life. As our smartphones evolve with bigger and brighter screens, it sucks the life out of our batteries. Here are some great tips on how to preserve your battery life: Excessive heat from charging too long or on a wireless charger Leaving the device on a charger or dock all day instead of letting it naturally discharge Not letting the battery go completely dead Li-ion batteries do not have a memory and don't need to be discharged fully before charging again Weather and Network conditions effect battery life (low signal, very hot/cold temperatures, leaving it in a vehicle over night during winter) If you have multiple e-mail accounts, set your e-mail to sync manually or less frequently Disable unnecessary connections such as NFC, Bluetooth or Wi-fi when not in use Tune your screen settings by lowering your brightness or removing animated backgrounds and widgets Remove unnecessary applications. Some of these a...

Background Samsung has released a critical software update for the Galaxy Note 4 to fix many issues relating to the fingerprint scanner. This update is critical to avoid unnecessary DOA returns and repairs that will negatively impact our Customer's First promise. Enhancement and fixes The critical software update will apply the following enhancements and fixes: Qualcomm patches to address: fingerprint scanning issue possible software update freezes and front camera issues Enhanced connection with Gear VR When to install the software update The software update must be installed: upon activating all new Galaxy Note 4 devices. Install the software update in-store, or instruct customers on how to perform the update on their own. before preforming a DOA or sending Galaxy Note 4 device for repair if the customer is experiencing issues with the fingerprint scanner. If issues continue after this update, please follow normal troubleshooting steps. Action ...

If you are a fan of the Android world, HTC is a brand that you have probably heard before, but have always been afraid to explore. HTC is one of those brands that prides themselves on making quality and stylish products. Where other manufacturers like Samsung make great devices, they leave the user with a plastic cheap looking design. When the HTC One M8 launched, they changed the game with their Front Facing 5MP "Selfie" camera. It's no surprise that this device is targeted towards the average consumer and not the business market. This phone is strictly all party and no business. With the latest announcement of the HTC Desire Eye, they have done it again. This time sporting a very stylish 13MP Front Facing Camera with a Dual Flash! WOW! Not only does this device sport two great cameras (rear facing 4 ultrapixels), but it's up to par with other high end smartphones in terms of water resistance. The Desire Eye can withstand water resistance up to 1m for 30 mins, ma...

I am still in shock after seeing a presentation on the all new Samsung Galaxy VR. They have finally done it! The ultimate game changer. Samsung, with the help of Oculus, has created a fully immersed and interactive Virtual Reality device that connects to a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 or 4. It gives the user a 96 degree viewing experience for things like games, pictures and movies. This puts the user IN the experience and makes you feel like you are actually there. Are you a gamer? No problem. Purchase the Samsung game controller and hook it up to the Galaxy VR to get in the game. The estimated cost of the unit will be $200 which is pretty fair price, but what's the catch? The bad: The Galaxy VR only works with specific Samsung devices and no other Android phones, the unit is quite bulky and can only be used in a sitting position for the most part, lastly there are many attachments such as the game controller, NFC enabled headphones and the Galaxy Note itself. While $2...

It's been a short while since the launch of Apple's latest software update iOS 8. This has given us lots of time to play around and see all the great new features that the OS has to offer. One promise I was excited about was the ability for developers to create custom keyboards. Want to do the same? Here's how: I tried this with the most popular keyboard app "SwiftKey" and it works beautifully and gives you the option to use the ever so popular Swype Text. - Launch the App Store - Search "SwiftKey", Download and Install - Go to Settings>General>Keyboards - Add a Keyboard - Select the SwiftKey Keyboard - To switch between the Apple and SwiftKey Keyboard, hit the little Globe symbol in your keyboard. Enjoy :)  

Smartphone lovers are up in arms from Apple's announcement of the iPhone 6 Plus, their version of a next generation Phablet (Phone+Tablet). I myself am pleased to see that Apple has a larger screen, but let's be honest, Samsung created the Phablet and they do it right with their next generation of the Note series, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. Here's what we know so far: Screen The Note 4 is still packing it's beautiful Super AMOLED 5.7" screen. This time it has better resolution with better viewing for pictures and videos. Camera Take brighter and clearer images with the 16MP rear camera and 3.7MP front facing camera. This camera has the same technology as the Samsung Digital Camera series making this a first class picture taking device. Let's not forget the 4K video recording. Smart Select Copy and paste sections of an article or webpage and paste them into a text message or e-mail with the use of the ever so popular S-Pen. Advanced S Pen T...

If you didn't have time to tune in to Apple's live stream of Apple Event 2014, here's what you missed. Two versions of the iPhone were revealed. The iPhone 6 with a 4.7" screen and the iPhone 6 Plus with a large 5.5" screen. I think at this point we know that Apple isn't big on completely reinventing their product. The iPhone 6 has the simplicity of previous models yet has upgraded hardware in every way. Most importantly, they have size! Let's see what's under the hood of the new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Hardware Lightning USB port. (Don't worry you won't need to buy new cables) 8MP iSight camera with new light sensors and a wider angle lens. This camera also has an improved autofocus for a clear and more precise image. 1080p video recording at 30-60 fps. The Slo Mo feature has been upgraded to 240 fps!! Unfortunately no updates to 4k video recording. Upgraded A8 processing chip and M8 motion processing chip. The A8 processor allows ...

What is a digital footprint? It's a collection of data that is left behind every time you enter passwords, usernames, bank account details, visit websites or basically click on anything. It is very important that you are educated enough to stay safe when entering the wonderful world of the Internet. Here's some tips on how to stay safe: 1. Don't Leave a Big Trail - Ask yourself, does the application or website I'm visiting really need all this information to function? Think twice about enabling services like geotagging and location services. These services will let the entire world know exactly where you are. In fact many home invaders use this information to see when you aren't home to break in at the most opportune times. 2. Screen your E-mails - Many times we will receive e-mails from companies or services that we may have never subscribed for. Think twice about clicking on the link to the service they may be offering. It's best to flag these e-...

For the month of September, get the JBL Clip Bluetooth speaker for $50 at participating KELCOM  and FM Communications locations. Below is a video on the features of the product.

If you work in the wireless industry, you know that there is no credible information about Apple's next iPhone until it is official released by Apple. Everything leading up is just speculation and rumour. It is quite humorous the kinds of things people will say to get customers going about the next iPhone. From See-Thru Displays to Flexing Glass, here are the Top 10 Worst Predictions of iPhone 6's rumoured designs:

There has been a lot of uproar about Facebook's most recent mandatory update to Facebook Messenger on the Mobile platform. Some are upset about the fact that the messaging portion of the app worked fine and there's no reason to have two apps for Facebook, the other is the privacy settings. Let's clear some things up. Why Facebook Messenger vs Messages? Like all instant messaging apps, Facebook wanted their users to have a cleaner and more intuitive experience. With the Facebook Messenger app, now you can send and receive messages much quicker than you could before. It's not about just messages either, you can now make phone calls via cellular data or Wi-Fi. This takes the heavy load off the regular Facebook app and enhances your experience. Now, there are many other apps that do this very well such as What's App, BBM, Google Hangouts. Facebook is just trying to fit in. Privacy Everyone is FREAKING out about the new privacy settings on the Facebook Messenge...

TELUS Business and Corporate accounts can now take advantage of the MDM ME (Mobile Device Management Made Easy) program at no cost. Don't know what MDM is? Mobile Device Management is a secure software solution that allows an administrator to control and manage Android, iOS, Windows or Blackberry smartphone and tablets from tracking location to security wiping remotely. TELUS has partnered with AirWatch to deliver a MDM Made Easy program that provides Business and Corporate accounts with a NO COST solution that includes: Cloud based MDM Server Complimentary Base License for Devices on TELUS rate plans (Smartphone or Tablet) Setup Wizard with ongoing management and support by TELUS The combined offer delivers more than $50 annual value per TELUS subscriber. Not with TELUS? No problem. You can still take advantage of the MDM solution for a reduced cost. License Options TELUS Smartphone or Tablet Rate Plans Non TELUS Rate Plans Base C...

Now available at TELUS and KELCOM you can get $100 off the price of a Samsung Galaxy Gear Fit when activating or renewing a 2 year term on  Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 3 or Galaxy S4. If you already have a contract and you just want the SmartWatch, it is also priced at a promotional rate of $150 (Reg $249). No idea what  Samsung Galaxy Gear Fit is? Here's a short description of the product: The Samsung Galaxy Gear Fit Smartwatch that has a main focus on fitness. Chose from a variety of customizable watch bands and themes. The Gear Fit also allows you to receive notifications. Get notified when a text, e-mail, What's App message or even incoming phone calls start pouring in. The Gear Fit also works great for fitness. It acts as personalized fitness manager that checks heart rate, counts steps as well as distance via the S-Health app on your Samsung device. All of this is possible by the connection of Bluetooth to your Galaxy smartphone or tablet. Please see S...

Get ready to walk red carpet with the ALL NEW Hollywood 35 Prepaid Plan on the TELUS Network. This plan is "Risky Business" if you have a "Sixth Sense" for good deals. You will be "Good Will Hunting" for a better Prepaid plan. No but seriously. Here is what the new Hollywood 35 plan includes:

Introducing the All-New Nokia Lumia 635 on the TELUS network. The 635 is the latest device with the Windows 8.1 operating system to be available on TELUS. This is low cost smartphone with an exceptionally nice looking design. The 4G LTE speeds on the Lumia allow the device to be 10 times faster than it's sister model, the 625. Along with a Quad Core Snapdragon processor, the 635 sports a 5MP rear camera capable of shooting 720p video and a new "Glam Me" feature that enhances the customer experience by using voice-controls to take "Selfie" portraits. The internal memory is a very small 8GB of space, but not to worry, the Lumia 635 is expandable up to 128GB with a MicroSD card. Come in to KELCOM to check out the All-New Nokia Lumia 635 for $0 on a 2-year agreement and $200 on a Month to Month commitment.

Have you noticed a change in your data usage in the last month? Facebook's latest update to their mobile app may be the cause. In the new update, all videos on your news feed will automatically start playing causing your phone to download the feed at a higher rate. How do you disable this? For iPhone/iPad Go to Settings In your settings menu there will be a Facebook tab, tap that Below the Facebook logo you will see a "Settings" tab, tap on that Under the heading "Video", there is an option for Auto-play, select either Wi-fi Only or OFF For Android These steps may vary depending on your device or version of Android In the Facebook app press the Menu key or button Tap on Settings Find the Auto-Play option and either disable or choose Wi-fi Only Kelcom

TELUS has launched a new lineup of 30 day and monthly travel passes when travelling across the border or overseas. Now instead of paying to have your device unlocked, buying a SIM card and prepaid plan in another country, you can add a loaded travel passes on your existing TELUS plan. Below is the updated pricing for the Travel Passes: US Travel Passes Feature Name Fee (Before Tax) Bucket Overage Free Incoming Texts US Combo 25 $25 50 mins 150 texts 50 MB $0.50/min $0.60/text $0.50/MB Included US Combo 45 $45 150 mins Unlimited Texts 150 MB US Combo 65 $65 300 mins Unlimited Texts 300 MB NEW - US Combo 150 $150 500 min Unlimited Texts 1 GB Europe Travel Passes Feature Name Fee (Before Tax) Bucket Overage Free...

The very first "Android Wear" watch has been released, the LG G Watch from LG Electronics. The G Watch gives you everything from directions, flight arrivals, calorie counter, weather and much more. The Smartwatch features a range of built-in sensors for a more accurate reading for your location based services. These sensors allow a wider range of fitness apps to be compatible. What else is great? Just say "Ok Google" to get things started. This will activate the watch's voice commands. Water and dust resistant, so you don't have to worry about getting it a little sweaty when running. It's always on, so you never have to wake it up to see the time. 1.2 gGhz processing speeds 512 MB of RAM Bluetooth 4.0 Average Battery Life - 1 day The G Watch can be found at any of our Kelcom locations for $249.99. The LG G Watch can be used not only with LG, but any Android smartphone running OS version 4.3 and higher. For more information visit l...

There are thousands of applications and wearable devices that measure speed, distance and steps. But what about the strength training market? There are some great apps that do a good job of recording results, BMI, reps, etc, but wouldn't it be nice to have a wearable that records reps and strength? Now there is. Image from PUSH Push is a new fitness wearable that is "Designed With the Gym In Mind." This rugged arm band measures things like: Reps & Sets Force Power Balance Speed Explosive Strength 1 Rep Max Volume Load Tempo All the results are plugged pushed from the device to your smartphone where you can review, share and compare your results with friends. You can also choose from a variety of exercise routines. Push allows you to customize your workouts as well with performance reviews after every rep. Push is the answer to eliminating the pen and paper or manual entry method of keying in your results at the gym. Now you can spend les...

HTC has made it clear that they are in no rush to release their version of a wearable "Smart" watch. Their attention to detail and design is what make them stand out against the competition. Each product that HTC puts out takes a lot of time and effort to design and produce. This video highlights a behind the scenes look at the HTC company as well as a little tease of the team working on the new wearable.

I have a lot of customers that come in and are either petrified or simply unaware of the every day dangers of using the internet on their smartphones and tablets. Here are some frequently asked questions with some great solutions to make sure you are keeping safe in cyberspace. Why is it important to have a password or lock code on a smartphone? Most smartphones contain a heavy amount of personal information such as passwords, banking information, personal contacts, emails and pictures. If you do not protect yourself with a security pass code, you are leaving your self open for possible identity theft. Tip: Don't use something simple just so you can remember it. Avoid using birthdays, addresses or family names. What do I need to think about before posting photos online? Make sure you have geo tagging turned off. Geo tagging logs the geographic location of where you took the picture. This is a neat feature, but could give internet predators an exact location of whe...