GeekSugar

Lighten Your Cellphone Bill by Texting For Free

Anna Monette Roberts — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:11:25 PST

People love the word "free," and cell phone addicts especially love the word "text." However, mobile phone services love to raise data service prices, and if you aren't careful about sticking to your service plan, you can find yourself outraged by the additional charges. Luckily, several companies have created ways to bypass the whole pay-for-texting situation. Here are six messaging services you must try.

iMessage – All iOS 5 users can send unlimited text messages with Wi-Fi or 3G from the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch to anyone else that also uses those devices. The service is already built into the messages app, and like iChat, you can even see when someone else is typing you back (if you are urgently awaiting their reply).
BlackBerry Messenger – Send and receive messages using your BlackBerry; see when your messages are read; and know when your contacts are typing. Intended for BlackBerry-to-BlackBerry communication, you can still text your non-BB friends by adding the contacts to your BBM friends list.
Viber – Text or call (also works internationally) to other Viber users over 3G or WiFi. Viber automatically shows which of your friends has the service; otherwise, simply notify your friends to download it, so you can communicate via Viber.
Text Free – Download this app on the Android Market for free text and picture messaging as well as Facebook chat capability.
Google Voice – Send and receive free text messages using the app, which is available for Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, and Nokia S60.
ChatOn - This new Samsung-powered service allows you to send free messages, group messages, photos, videos, and audio messages to other ChatOn users. Currently, ChatOn is available on Android devices (2.2 and above), but will be rolling out to iOS and BlackBerry soon.

6 Places You Should Fight the Urge to Use Your Cell

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:34:33 PST

A new survey says that 75 percent of Americans use their smartphone while on the toilet. No wonder 16 percent of cell phones have poop on them. Gross. Not only is talking, texting, or web surfing on the John a disgusting habit that encourages the spreading of germs and bacteria, but it can also cause awkward moments for others around you. But the loo isn't the only place you should consider a tech-free zone. Check out the list below for five other locations you should keep your phone under wraps and on silent.

At the movies - We all paid to get into the theater, so please keep your cell phone on silent and don't answer it if it rings; you'll be ruining the experience for the rest of us!
At the gym - Talking on your cell at the gym is a no-no according to FitSugar, and I'd have to agree. Getting distracted and walking away from equipment slows the rest of the gym-goers down, and no one really needs to hear you go into detail about last night's date, your annoying coworker, or your mother-in-law's upcoming visit while we're trying to run.
At the dinner table - If you've gone out of your way to meet with friends, family, or heck, even a date over dinner, the least you can do is keep your cell phone off the table. Placing your phone next to your plate just makes it seem like you're waiting for someone to call, or worse, looking for something better to do.
Behind the wheel - This one seems obvious, but 56 percent of people have seen someone use their mobile phone behind the wheel. Even scarier? Almost 25 percent of Americans have seen someone using a laptop behind the wheel.
In the bedroom - This is a no-brainer, right? Maybe not. A 2010 study showed that 10 percent of people would check texts during sex. Are we so preoccupied with staying connected that we can't even enjoy a little unplugged "business time"!?

Gadget-Friendly Gloves to Keep You Toasty While Texting

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:38:06 PST

Winter is in full force, y'all (especially here in SF - burr!), which means you'll probably be layering up in sweaters, gloves, and hats. The downside? The gloves that keep your digits nice and warm could put a damper on your texting addiction (I know how much you all love to text). Fear not; these gloves will keep the chill away, while still allowing you to send those important (or, maybe not so important) text messages.

Why You Shouldn't Read Into His Texts

TresSugar — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 02:00:00 PDT

In the wild world of dating, the huge role texting has taken on in our lives is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that it's a quick and easy form of communication. You're going to be 10 minutes late? Send a text. You had a really great connection after a date, but you don't want to call immediately? Send a text.

But the curse part comes in the form of the anxiety we get from what he says, when he says it, why he doesn't respond immediately, why he uses stupid emoticons, etc. Contrary to popular belief, men and women speak very similar languages. There's no formal form of "guy speak" you have to translate. You've just got to get out of your own head!

Here's a quick list of reasons why this is a good idea.

The time between texts doesn't account for anything. How long it takes your guy to respond after you send a text is not an accurate gauge of how much he likes you. He's busy. I know you're busy, too. But think about how much more proactive you could be during the day if you compartmentalized your dating life from your work life. Most of the guys I know that I'd actually be interested in dating are really good at doing this.
If he doesn't text back, he probably doesn't want to talk to you. Plain and simple. I've fallen victim to building up the circumstances in my mind. I hope he didn't lose his phone. I hope he didn't lose my number. I hope he's OK. While of course there are exceptions to the rule, here are words for the wise. If he doesn't text you back and you feel awful about it, don't text him again. It's his loss.
If he confesses his love for you via text at 2 a.m., take it with a grain of salt. From experience I can say that this is the best option. If his text is overflowing with typos and something feels a little out of character (like it includes a marriage proposal), check the time and figure out where this is coming from. If he's in Vegas or just at the bar with the boys, it may be a drunk text, and should therefore be disregarded.
Men say what they mean. If he says he had fun, that means he had fun. If he says he doesn't want to see you again . . . well then that's exactly what that means.
It's a waste of time. I know that giving up our reliance on texting is no easy task. You hate it when you're waiting, but you love it when he responds. And if you've been conditioned like me, you're attached to your phone and you grew up in the world of instant messaging. But here's the thing, it's time to remember that you're far too special to be wasting your time worrying about a problem that may not even exist.

The moral of the story? Here's what you should be deciphering from his texts: nothing.

Philly Could Fine You $120 For Texting While Walking

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 03:12:31 PDT

Heads up, text addicts: you could be fined if you're caught walking and texting on the streets of Philadelphia! We all know that texting while driving is dangerous, but a new program launched in May called "Give Respect Get Respect" is encouraging motorists, bikers, and pedestrians alike to pay attention while in transit. Fines are being issued for drivers that veer into the bike lane, bikers who run through traffic signals and ride on sidewalks, and even pedestrians are being warned that texting while walking could cost you $120.

Philadelphia isn't the first city to consider fining text-walkers; back in 2008, Chicago introduced a bill that would ban texting while walking due to the high level of injuries caused from pedestrians walking into oncoming traffic, falling off curbs, and running into light posts and telephone poles. Though you can download an app that could help you text and walk with confidence, I'm not sure the city of brotherly love would consider that an acceptable alternative.

One Fast Way to Stop Spam Texts

Leta Shy — Tue, 24 May 2011 05:08:25 PDT

My work phone number must have had an illustrious history before being assigned to me, because I've gotten several calls from debt collectors and tons of texts from spam marketers since the day I got it. Recently, I realized that the frequency of "how to become a secret shopper" and "ways to get a car loan" texts meant that it was time to find a way to block spam texts.

Most of you have also received unwanted spam texts too, so I know you share my frustration! And even though almost 90 percent of all emails sent last year were spam, somehow the occasional junk email that gets through to my inbox is not as annoying as its SMS counterpart; after all, you don't have to pay for emails from a shady marketer like you may have to for your incoming texts.

So how do you stop spammers from texting you? While some recommend replying "STOP," I'm not convinced that doing this would work and not, say, alert the offender of your working cell phone number. So instead, I use a simple recommendation for reducing the amount of junk texts you get. Read about it after the break.

Make Free Calls, Texts to Japan Thanks to AT&T and Verizon

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:32:16 PDT

As the aftermath of last week's horrific earthquake and tsunami continues to unfold in Japan, people all over the globe are reaching out to help citizens in the East, whether it's with money, time, or commodities.

Currently, you can donate money via iTunes and Facebook to Red Cross relief efforts, and now AT&T and Verizon are joining forces by offering US residents free calls and texts to Japan until April.

Get the lowdown on each carrier after the break.

Group Therapy: I Feel Smothered by Every Guy I Meet

Tres Community — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 03:05:15 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

This guy that I met at a party messaged me on Facebook. I invited him to hang out with a few of my friends, we all had a great time, and now he's texting me. It's not like he's sending me 100 texts a day . . . he just says things like, "so how was work?" "Going to ____ tonight if you wanna stop by." "OK, text me later if you wanna hang out." "How was your day?" Small talk, etc.

Now here comes the problem: he's only texted me like 10 times ever, but I feel smothered. I'm sure this problem is all me - maybe I just don't like to text? Maybe I just don't know how to meet new people? I told him I had to go pick up a friend last night, and that I was really sick and tired but still making the drive. He texted me an hour later, "Hey, you doing okay?" and I didn't even respond.

It was really a nice, sweet text, but I read the text and thought, "Ugh . . . stop smothering me." In the past, this has happened with about 5 different guys too. They start texting me with small talk, and I think, "Ugh . . . stop inviting me places," etc., and I start ignoring them!

I don't know what my problem is. I'm really not looking for a boyfriend, so maybe I get freaked out by males showing me nice attention? Maybe I don't want them to think I'm interested like that, so I just naturally pull back? I'm really a kind person . . . someone help me before I sabotage another potential friendship!

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Website of the Day: Parents Shouldn't Text

GeekSugar — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:02:15 PST

A hilarious offshoot of the LOL-worthy website Damn You Autocorrect, Parents Shouldn't Text catalogs funny texts from (often well-intending) parents. So far today I've cracked up loudest at a mother accidentally ruining her daughter's surprise proposal, but there are plenty of gems on there good for a lot of laughs.

The site is slightly NSFW, but most of its content is PG-rated. Reading through page after page (after page) of this site makes me happy that my parents rarely text.

Do you have an interesting website you want to share? Join the Website of the Day group, and blog it for a chance to be featured on GeekSugar.

Love Your Gloves but Want to Text? The Digits Are For You

Kristen Hawley — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 04:00:50 PST

It's cold, you're outside, and if you take your gloves off to text, your fingers will freeze. There are plenty of texting-friendly gloves to choose from, but I especially enjoy this simple solution from Quirky. The Digits are conductive pins that attach to any pair of gloves, instead of buying a dedicated texting-only pair. For $14, you'll get four pins, so just choose the fingers you use most and snap them into place.

The tips are made from silicone and attach to gloves with a metal pin so your device's screen is protected from scratches.

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