Playing United’s Optathlon Game/App for upgrades and discounts
By woozy | August 11th, 2010 at 1:56pm
So I got this email the other week from United on a promotion to win a millions miles in a sweepstakes and at the same time win prizes instantly including 10% off flights. I decided to check it out as I could use the 10% off a trip I plan to take to Asia.
The link takes you to United’s “Optathlon” website to play simple action games. You can also download them as apps for your mobile phone (more on that in a moment). It really doesn’t matter how well you do (at least to my knowledge) but just that you play the game. At the end of each game you have a chance to enter their sweepstakes to win a grand prize of one million miles. I never think I can win these things so I was really interested in a shot at an instant winner prize of a 10% e-certificate off United flights where you can try once per day. I’m happy to say after my fifth day of trying, I finally got the message that I was an instant winner of the 10% coupon! Not huge savings, but hey – a win is a win, and if you’re considering a trip to Asia in my case that’s $120-$150. You also get free entertainment value vegging out on a semi addicting game trying to beat the outrageously high scores of others that probably are spending way too much time playing. (Ok, i admit, I wasted maybe a half hour or more trying to crack the Top 100 in the “Line Jump Hero” game before giving up. I was close.)
As of this post there are only two games:
“Legroom Legend” is a game where a bratty kid throws stuff at you from the seat in front of you. The object is to kick them on your tray table. (It’s reminiscent of the classic bouncing babies or fireman game). With the right timing, you can get the objects on the tray in fewer kicks. I was a bit tired of this game after few tries.
“Line Jump Hero” is a strange but fun game where you’re scooting on your suitcase to launch over a line of people Evil Knievil style. The object is to jump as far as you can. You pick up speed by pressing the right arrow keys at the right time (think Guitar Hero or Dance Dance Revolution) and then maneuvering mid-air to hit objects that further propel you and extend your airtime. Hitting these objects is more by chance than skill so there’s a lot more luck involved in this game. Your score is the combo of 3 jumps. I found this the more frustrating yet addicting game.
These games are available on both iphone and android devices. I can’t speak for the iphone, but on the Droid it’s a memory hog taking up a whopping 28MBs! (almost as much as Google Earth). It also utilizes quite a bit of resources. If you have a newer Android phone like a EVO 4G or Droid 2 I’m sure you’ll be fine. If not, expect long load times. Somehow the developers fell short on best practice of making this an efficient mobile app. As of this post, the Android Market shows less than 500 downloads with poor ratings with people thinking the app is malicious. You can’t blame them for thinking that. The 3rd party app developer is list as the author instead of United.
Ok the bad aside, the mobile apps do offer additional prizes you can’t win on the website version of the games – free upgrades and passes to the Red Carpet Club. The intent seems to be to for travelers to play the game while waiting for their flight at the airport. If you are an instant winner, you show the screen to the gate agent to redeem your upgrade! If this game catches on, it will be funny to see everyone in the United terminals across the country trying to win before boarding their flight.
Play the United Optathalon games thru 10/31/10 at: www.optathlon.com
Or Download the mobile app on itunes or Android Market
Two Must-Have Video Apps
By woozy | June 24th, 2010 at 12:04pm
When I replaced my Nokia N95 late last year, I was sorely disappointed to find that two of my favorite apps were not available on my then new Motorola Droid. Hearing word that one of the developers had no plans to offer their app on the Android market almost caused me to pass on the Droid and the Android OS completely – no joke. But I figured it was only a matter of time. So for months I toted around my Nokia N95 in addition to my Droid just so I had access to these apps. But alas! Those days are over now that both apps are now available on phones running Android 2.1. The apps I’m talking about are the Skyfire browser and Sling Player.
Skyfire
There are a bunch of different mobile web browsers out there but Skyfire browser does something that no other browser can do on a mobile phone and that’s play Flash content. With many popular websites these days you often get a dumbed down mobile version. I don’t know about you, but this totally annoys me. More often then not, there’s always something missing (content or function) that I desire from the original site. Part of the reason is that these sites are data intensive but the other reason is they incorporate flash which doesn’t work on other mobile browsers. With Skyfire, I can have nearly the same browser experience I have when I’m on my desktop or laptop computer. But what makes this browser sweet is the ability to watch video. Not that big of a deal if the video is YouTube content (you can simply use a YouTube app) but it’s awesome if you want to watch content from some of my favorite sites like ESPN and Hulu. (Update: Hulu seems to be blocking Skyfire servers at this time) I’m still testing it and haven’t decided to completely ditch the original browser that came with my phone making Skyfire my default browser, but so far I haven’t found a reason not to.
Skyfire has been available for Symbian for a while but just launched in April for Android 2.1. Until 2.2 comes out Skyfire has got to be THE browser to use. Of course, it’s not available for iPhones (although I hear they have developed the app should Apple allow it into their app store). www.skyfire.com
SlingPlayer Mobile
SlingPlayer on my laptop was cool. SlingPlayer on a mobile phone is genius and to me more useful. The ability to watch TV or control my Tivo anywhere I have a 3G or Wifi connection is a great advancement in tech and a game changer. Yes, I have Tivo and can just as well record something and watch it later when I get home, but how about having access to instant replay or insight from an announcer while at a sporting event? Having this at the Giants game (on the free AT&T Wifi) is killer and enhances the experience. Also how many times have you been stuck with your friends in a car after hitting the slopes in Tahoe trying to make it back to your cabin or home in time to watch a NFL playoff game? Or when you’re away from home traveling on business? That’s when you can really appreciate it, especially if you’re phone has an A/V output (like the N95 or the soon to be released Droid X) that you can plug into the hotel TV. Traveling internationally you’ll probably want to use a Wifi connection for economic reasons. SlingPlayer Mobile is game changing because I’m no longer in a hurry or feel the need to stay or get anywhere with a TV. I’m still playing around with it on my Droid but so far I must say it is very well done in the way of function and UI – way better than I expected. I’m off to the Giants vs. Redsox game on Friday to give it the true test.
SlingPlayer Mobile has long been available for Symbian, Blackberry, and Palm OS and more recently iPhone. And now, the much anticipated app for Android 2.1 just released. The app costs $29.99 but that’s cheap considering you will now have a portable TV. Of course you do need to buy hardware and connect it at home first (I recommend the Slingbox SOLO
As of today, I no longer miss my N95 (with the exception of its camera) as now I have everything I need and more on my Droid.
Fring Me! IM, Voice, and now Video Calls
By woozy | December 1st, 2009 at 11:02am
The buzz today is all about Fring and its video calling capability on the iPhone. With this update, many people are discovering Fring for the first time. The app has actually been around for over a year (at least that’s how long I’ve been using it). I originally loaded it on my Nokia N95 as I was looking for an app that would allow me to have to Skype on my phone (since Skype didn’t, or wasn’t going to offer it). I can honestly say this one of my favorite and most used apps on my phone. And it keeps getting better. Besides, Skype, it gives me the ability to connect with friends over Yahoo IM, Google Talk, Facebook, and Twitter over IM all in one application and do voice calls as well. That makes it a must have for anyone traveling in foreign countries, concerned about minutes or using up all their credit with their cellular provider. If you’ve got a WiFi connection, you can talk to your friends on Google Talk or Skype for as long as you want - free.
[Attention Motorola Droid users stuck on Verizon, here's your solution! Better yet, if you have an iPod Touch, you now have a VOIP phone!]
Domestically within your network cell providers coverage, Fring can also be used to talk to your friends in other countries without incurring long distance charges. Yes, you can do this from Skype on your desktop, but it’s more fun and handy to use on the go.
The quality and reliability is what you would expect and similar to a VOIP phone. Just last November when I was in Buenos Aires my friend Paul had a T-Mobile VOIP phone to make calls back home. I guess that’s now obsolete!
So what about the video calling? Fring just released versions with video call capabilities, first with for Symbian 9, a beta version launched last week and today for iPhone/iPod Touch. With the iPhone/iPod Touch you only get one way video (incoming). This makes sense considering on the iPhone/iPod Touch the camera faces outward! With Symbian phones (i.e. Nokia N95, N97) you have both a inward facing camera in addition to your outward facing camera and can do two way video.
Since the video versions are beta you won’t likely get an auto update on your phone (at least this was the case with mine). iPhone users can go to itunes while Symbian and other users will want to go to their mobile site.
Of note, I have also been using a similar app, Nimbuzz which up until this past week did everything Fring did. But unlike Fring, you can do group chats and conference calls. I actually like their UI better as it not only shows which IM your friends are using but a thumbnail pic of them as well. You won’t have the coolness factor of video, but definitely something to keep an eye on. Nimbuzz also has a desktop and web version which gives you other access options.
Fring is available for Android, Symbian, Windows Mobile, and iPhone/iPod Touch OS 3.0. Some features and functions are not available on all OS’s.
Download Links to Fring:
iTunes (link to app)
m.fring.com (mobile)
www.fring.com (web)
The Nokia Sports Tracker
By woozy | May 7th, 2009 at 11:09am
Here’s a cool app that I installed last year when I first got my Nokia N95. Nokia’s Sports Tracker allows you to monitor and record your workouts – time, speed, and distance. It was one of the first apps I install however I actually didn’t use it much mostly because as an athlete, I didn’t find it very convenient as a serious athlete and didn’t think it worked all that well. (Admittedly, it could have been due to user error – with the N95 you need to slide the phone open in order for the GPS to work!). So why am I talking about it now? Continue reading this post »
Mobile Phones and 3G in Australia – “Yes” to Optus
By woozy | February 23rd, 2009 at 9:32pm
Yes 3G lets you know your location
If you’re traveling anywhere outside your domestic mobile phone provider coverage it’s gonna be expensive. As I always do when I travel to another country, I came to Australia with the intentions on getting a SIM card from a local provider for my phone and buying pre-paid calling plan. In Australia, there are four major players when it comes to 3G mobile networks: Vodaphone, Next G (Telstra), 3 (Hutchison), and Yes Optus. By all accounts, they are more advanced than the US so I was excited to try one of them out. Which one to go with could have taken me forever to figure out. Luckily, I got the scoop from a fellow techie from Sydney while on the plane flight over. Continue reading this post »
Tagged with SIM Cards
Categories: Australia,Cool Apps,Mobile Phones,Travel Log,Travel Tips
Comments: No comments
Amazon Unveils Kindle 2
By woozy | February 9th, 2009 at 10:35pm
Today Amazon.com unveiled its new slimmer Kindle. At 1/3″ thick, the Kindle 2 is about half as thin as the original version which means better portability for the space conscious traveler. Here’s an idea: download digital copies of travel guidebooks (like those from Offbeat). There’s a significant upgrade in internal storage from 256MB to 2 GB and a 25% longer battery life which is more good news for the traveler. For speed readers like my friend Judith (who consistently reads over 100 books a year), the page turning is 20% faster. The Kindle 2 has upgraded its controls making for easier on screen navigation but it’s most significant upgrade, in my opinion, is it’s new text-to-speech feature. While I know I’m not alone in my preference to actually read books myself, I can definitely see the utility and instances when having the Kindle 2 read to would be welcome… like times when your eyes need to focus on other things (driving, walking, hiking, etc) or simply when you don’t want your eyes to focus on anything or hold anything for that matter. And for people prone to motion sickness this can be key. This is taking “books on tape” to the next level. Of course, more than books, you can read blogs, newspapers, and other common digital documents as well as play Mp3′s. 3G Wireless service (EVDO) is still limited to US only which means you’ll want to do all your downloads everything up before traveling aboard internationally.
It can be pre-ordered through Amazon.com for $359.
Mobile Technology and The Inauguration
By woozy | February 2nd, 2009 at 6:55pm
Firemen capture moments on their own cameras
As you may have seen or read, seemed like everyone had their tech gadgets (iPhone, Flip, Digital camera, etc) with them at every event that surrounded the Inauguration to personally capture a piece of history. While I thought it was completely ridiculous to see the well documented sea of digital cameras and camera phones at the Inaugural Balls, I must admit I was no exception at the Inauguration ceremony.
With Nokia N95 in hand with a cache of batteries and backup power (Lenmar’s PowerPort mini charger and Power Monkey) I was set to use my phone to use Slingbox Mobile to see the things I couldn’t see and hear as well as use Qik to stream live the moments and scenes of Obama’s Inauguration out to my friends and family. Continue reading this post »
Amazon Video On Demand portable to Nokia phones
By woozy | January 8th, 2009 at 8:18pm
Amazon original launch of Unbox allowed for downloading movies and your favorite TV shows to watch on your PC and TV (Tivo
