May 8, 2008
Clearwire is poised to make a huge expansion thanks to a new deal with Sprint Nextel. Over the next 18 months, most midsized cities will have this ultra hi-speed Internet that's superior to what you can get from the monopoly companies. In fact, it's already up and running in Baltimore and Chicago.
Clearwire will use WiMAX technology to blanket additional metro areas with a signal. Google, Time Warner and Intel are among those who have staked money on this new deal.
Clark's used Clearwire for about 4 years. Interestingly though, the company hasn't exactly been a financial or operational success so far. That's because what they have offered hasn't necessarily been compelling in price and capability. But that's all likely to change now.
Clearwire will deliver true wireless flexibility where you can access hi-speed Internet anywhere. Another fringe benefit may be what Clark calls "poor man's cell phones." These handsets will run you about $3 to $5 a month for unlimited calls!
We've fallen so far behind the rest of the world in Internet experience and price. That's because of the stranglehold the monopoly phone and cable companies have had. But this new Clearwire development may just bring us up to speed.
(Editor's note: Some users have reported negative experiences with Clearwire.)
May 8, 2008
Best Buy's Geek Squad is accused of spying on customers by digging through the hard drives of computers brought in for repair. This is not exactly a case of ID theft; at least one Geek Squad employee has fessed up to copying a woman's personal nude photos from her computer.
The message here is that you shouldn't be careless with your own info. This is especially important for teens that use popular social-networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. Members of those sites usually list personal info -- date of birth, city and other specific identifiers -- that can greatly aid ID thieves.
Politicians have become particularly savvy at using the social-networking sites. Obama has done a great job reaching out to first-time voters. They're invited to join his MySpace page as virtual "friends." The politicians, of course, are ultimately seeking campaign money -- a more legitimate desire than an ID thief who also wants money but for a different reason.
If you're a parent, do you know if your child has a MySpace or Facebook page? Do you know who their virtual "friends" are or have any idea about what's on their page? One requirement should be that they make you one of their friends. You've got to know who they're virtually interacting with for their own good.
May 1, 2008
Clark loves free services and has 2 new ones to share with you.
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April 22, 2008
The iPhone has been the phone to beat since it first came out. During a recent trade show, many companies rolled out plans for their hot new iPhone killers.
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April 22, 2008
Electronics retailers love to set up Blu-ray DVD players with HDTVs to spotlight the amazingly life-like picture that you can get. But then the average consumer is crestfallen when trying to duplicate the results at home using the same equipment with a cable or satellite signal. What's going on?
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