Episode #117 of the SMRPodcast, Chicken Wings And Ribs, has been recorded, posted online, and is ready for download. This week feels Rod sick and Robb and Chris picking up the slack. In this episode we cover Some surprising market share stats between Windows Phone and BlackBerry. We also talk about Windows 8 and the possible anti-trust lawsuit and also give out some Android tips and tricks.

Show Details

• Recorded: May 16th, 2012
• Published: May 17th, 2012
• Duration: 00hr 58min 00sec

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Hosts:

• Rod Simmons @RodSimmons
• Chris Ashley @bigcashley
• Robb Dunewood @RobbDunewood

SHOW TOPICS

Opening Thoughts

• Rod called out sick this week and Chris and Robb are holding the show down
• Robb is looking for some Rib rub for his next barbecue

We talk about some Android tips when changing phones

• Robb was surprised to hear more listeners not leveraging their Gmail login
• Chris points out that the “to the cloud” commercials actually did resonate with people
• We talk about “cloudifying” your phone

It seems that Sprint along with Verizon is interested in Windows Phone 8

• Robb believes that Windows Phone 8 will be a nice update
• Chris feels that this is a sign that carriers are liking what they see
• Robb describes is dream phone

BlackBerry losses another corporate environment but this time to Windows Phone

• Robb is not surprised as BlackBerry 10 is not released yet
• Chris points out why they chose Windows Phone over iPhone and Android

Kantar Reports that Blackberry is down to 3% Market share in major cities

• Robb is wondering what caveats come along with these findings
• BlackBerry as a phone designed by Porche

We cover various other topics

• Facebook IPO price goes up
• Siri calling the Lumia 900 the best smartphone
• The Windows 8 naming and possible anti-trust lawsuits

Picks of the Week

• Cisco RE1000 Wireless Access extender (Network Extender) Robb Dunewood (RIMarkable)
• Use Windows libraries with SkyDrive (Windows Tip) Chris Ashley (SimpleMobileReview)

Episode 116 of the SMRpodcast, A Phone With Ebola, has been recorded, posted online, and is ready for download. Chris is back on the show after a week of travel and Robb is actually in studio. We talk about the Facebook IPO and some copy cat Ultrabooks. We are also scratching our heads over the release of a new BlackBerry device. We have a lot of fun this week with all of us together so download the show and enjoy.

Show Details

• Recorded: May 9th, 2012
• Published: May 10th, 2012
• Duration: 01hr 22min 00sec

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• Rod Simmons @RodSimmons
• Chris Ashley @bigcashley
• Robb Dunewood @RobbDunewood

SHOW TOPICS

Opening Thoughts

• Chris is back from his trip
• Robb is in studio this week

We talk about the Facebook IPO and who is buying it

• Robb says that he is definitely getting a few shares of their stock
• Rod said he put his order in already
• Chris says that he is going in with Rod

There are a few Ultrabooks that released some that look like MacBooks

• Chris talks about an ultrabook that he recently played with
• Rod says that he is holding out for a Windows 8 tablet
• Robb says that he is looking at a Google tablet

BlackBerry Curve 9320 Announced

• Rod asks Robb why is RIM releasing a new device on the heels of announcing BlackBerry 10
• Robb says this move makes no sense to him
• Chris is wondering if they are doing it for enterprise vs. consumer

Some quick hit topics

• Chris talks about AT&T and the Samsung Focus 2 and their new home automation
• Rod asks Chris about their exclusive apps announcement
• We talk about the $99 dollar Xbox

Picks of the Week

• Instagram for Android / FlipBoard for Android (Android Social Apps) Robb Dunewood (RIMarkable)
• Apen A5 Smartpen (Writing Pen for iPad) Rod Simmons (SimpleMobileReview)
• Prototype 2 for Xbox (Xbox Game) Chris Ashley (SimpleMobileReview)

There has been a lot of talk of Samsung’s Windows Phone 8 plans which kind of through everyone for a loop with the announcement of the Samsung Focus 2. With both HTC releasing the LTE capable Titan II and Nokia releasing the Lumia 900 which is also capable of LTE speeds everyone was wondering if Samsung was going to release a device too or would they just wait for Windows Phone 8. Instead, the Samsung Focus 2 is a low cost Windows Phone going for 49.99 on contract. It will feature a 5 megapixel camera and 8 GB of space however the big kicker is that it will work on AT&T’s high-speed data network.

Here is the Samsung Focus 2 Press Release

AT&T to Launch Samsung Focus 2; Offers Cutting-edge Capabilities at an Attractive Price

Samsung’s First 4G LTE Windows Phone Offers AT&T Customers User-Friendly, Affordable Windows Phone in a Slim, Stylish Design
Dallas, Texas, May 07, 2012

Key Facts

• The Samsung Focus® 2, an affordable Windows® Phone on AT&T’s 4G LTE network, will be available from AT&T beginning May 20 in pure white for $49.99 with a two-year service agreement.
• With the launch of the third Windows Phone smartphone on its 4G LTE network, AT&T continues to offer customers the most robust Windows Phone portfolio of any carrier.
• As Samsung’s first 4G LTE Windows Phone, the Focus 2 is sleek and stylish.  Measuring 10.98mm thin and weighing only 4.3 ounces, it fits perfectly in your hand, purse or pocket.

In April, AT&T launched the first 4G LTE Windows Phones in the world with the Focus 2 marking the carrier’s third 4G LTE offering on this operating system.  AT&T customers have access to the nation’s largest 4G network, covering over 260 million people. As 4G LTE expands, AT&T customers are able to enjoy a widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G experience on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you’re on a much slower 3G network.

Beginning May 20, customers can purchase the Focus 2, available in a glossy pure white, from AT&T for $49.99 with a two-year contract.

Like AT&T’s other new 4G LTE Windows Phones, the Samsung Focus 2 features the Windows Phone 7.5 operating system which makes it easier to do everyday tasks faster.   Only Windows Phone has Live Tiles, providing real time updates on your Start Screen including calendar appointments, emails or social media feeds. With Bing Search built-in, you’ll never be lost, as finding directions or a highly rated restaurant nearby is quick and easy. Microsoft® Office Mobile and SkyDrive® also allow you to create, save and access documents anywhere from the cloud to help maintain productivity while on-the-go.

The Samsung Focus 2, the latest addition to the Focus family (following the Focus, Focus Flash and Focus S), comes with a 4-inch Super AMOLED™ screen and 5-megapixel camera that makes taking pictures or shooting video in HD 720p a breeze.  The front-facing VGA camera provides the ability for video chat.  Hands-free messaging is available through speech-to-text and text-to-speech features that make it easier to stay in touch safely while out and about.

“AT&T offers our customers the broadest Windows Phone portfolio of any carrier, with three 4G LTE Windows Phones – the only 4G LTE Windows Phones in the U.S. – now at a variety of price points and form factors,” said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility.  “The Samsung Focus 2 brings the people-first Windows Phone interface together with AT&T’s fast 4G LTE network for an unbeatable experience.”

“Samsung is the unmatched leader in offering smartphones across a variety of platforms and the Focus 2 is a powerful example of our continued commitment to Windows Phone,” said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile. “As our first 4G LTE Windows Phone, the Focus 2 is a fast and versatile device for productivity, entertainment and social networking.”

For more information, customers can visit http://www.att.com/samsungfocus2 or http://www.samsung.com/us/focus2.

With RIM announcing their BlackBerry 10 platform last week I am sure there are many BlackBerry 7 users not feeling loved and it seems an app giveaway should clear things up. From now until May 31, 2012, BlackBerry 7 users can receive 77 dollars worth of selected premium apps. Unfortunately this giveaway is for US users only who simple need to log into App World and install the premium apps by searching for “usa bb7 compliments”.

Some of the Free BlackBerry 7 apps available are:

Tetris

Play the Tetris game you know and love in Marathon Mode or explore the ALL NEW Rush Mode and dig down to reach the bottom of planets in cosmic settings! Blast off with power-ups to boost your score and shoot for “Planet 60.”

Need for Speed The Run

Race for your life from San Francisco to New York! No speed limits. No rules. No allies. Unlock and upgrade up to 7 fearsome cars and kick asphalt across 7 intense racing environments from coast-to-coast.

The Sims 3 World Adventures

An all-new Sims experience from the #1 best-selling PC franchise! The Sims 3 World Adventures from EA Mobile takes your Sims on thrilling adventures to world famous destinations. Explore destinations in Egypt, China, France, and America

Next Dual Pack

Think you’re smart? Make your NEXT move to solve this 128 level game. Challenge yourself and your friends. Entertaining and absolutely addictive!

BeWeather

BeWeather is a visually stunning weather application for your BlackBerry® smartphone. Voted #1 News/Weather App 2010 by CrackBerry.com! Voted #1 BlackBerry® App Developer of the Year 2010 by CrackBerry.com!

Pinball Deluxe

Whether you are a Pinball wizard or a novice, you are certain to enjoy Pinball Deluxe, a realistic, fun, eye-catching Pinball game on your BlackBerry®. We did not leave any part out while developing this great Pinball game: – Plunger, Flippers, Bumpers.

Color ID

You wanted it, you asked for it, and now it’s finally here. (Requires OS 5 or above) Go here to view how to apply Color ID to BBM contacts

iSpeech Caller ID Reader Pro

iSpeech Caller ID Reader Pro™ reads your incoming caller’s names aloud and can help you screen your calls! Hear the caller’s name read aloud without looking at your device.

Fixmo Tools

Unlimited Utility! Fixmo Tools 2.6 is like a utility belt for your smartphone, 16 handy applications in one simple download. Backed by world class support and experienced mobile developers, Fixmo Tools is an essential application for BlackBerry.

Episode #115 of the SMRPodcast, Mr Telephone Man, has been recorded, posted online, and is ready for download. We jumped right into BlackBerry 10. Despite my best effort Robb will not give up his Android phone for BlackBerry 10. To his credit he said RIM need to earn the right to be my primary device again. We also talked about Microsoft and Barnes and Noble, Hulu requiring a cable subscriptions. Robb and I both admit that we would love a tax loop that exempted us from paying taxes.

Show Details

• Recorded: April 24th, 2012
• Published: April 25th, 2012
• Duration: 01hr 16min 00sec

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• Rod Simmons @RodSimmons
• Chris Ashley @bigcashley
• Robb Dunewood @RobbDunewood

SHOW TOPICS

BlackBerrry 10 Initial Thoughts

• Robb is hurt and wants RIM to earn his respect again
• Rod is Rod and wants new technology

Microsoft and Barnes and Noble start a company and settle a dispute

• Will the Courier make a comeback?
• Will Windows 8 on the Nook help combat Amazon

Is Hulu Dead.

• Robb understands the change Hulu is making
• Rod and Robb both agree that MSNBC, CNBC, FoxNews all need to come to Hulu

Chris feels the pain of LTE

• Chris realizes the LTE can kick the life out of a battery
• Rod admits he talks 6,000 minutes per month on his mobile
• Robb tells the story of how to save battery life

Picks of the Week

• Tip: Put folder in your dock when organizing apps Rod Simmons (SimpleMobileReview)
• After Focus for Android and Google Drive Robb Dunewood (RIMarkable)

Microsoft and Barnes & Noble announced a strategic partnership.  Newco, placeholder name, will will bring the digital and college business of B&N.  Currently B&N had experienced growth mainly on the US market the goal is for international markets.  This means the Nook application will be coming to Windows 8.

Microsoft will invest $300 million in the new company for a 17.6% equity stake. If you recall the patent battle between Microsoft and Barnes & Noble, forget about it.

Barnes & Noble and Microsoft have settled their patent litigation, and moving forward, Barnes & Noble and Newco will have a royalty-bearing license under Microsoft’s patents for its NOOK eReader and Tablet products. This paves the way for both companies to collaborate and reach a broader set of customers.

Press Release

New York, NY and Redmond, WA (April 30, 2012) – Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) today announced the formation of a strategic partnership in a new Barnes & Noble subsidiary, which will build upon the history of strong innovation in digital reading technologies from both companies. The partnership will accelerate the transition to e-reading, which is revolutionizing the way people consume, create, share and enjoy digital content.

The new subsidiary, referred to in this release as Newco, will bring together the digital and College businesses of Barnes & Noble. Microsoft will make a $300 million investment in Newco at a post-money valuation of $1.7 billion in exchange for an approximately 17.6% equity stake. Barnes & Noble will own approximately 82.4% of the new subsidiary, which will have an ongoing relationship with the company’s retail stores. Barnes & Noble has not yet decided on the name of Newco.

One of the first benefits for customers will be a NOOK application for Windows 8, which will extend the reach of Barnes & Noble’s digital bookstore by providing one of the world’s largest digital catalogues of e-Books, magazines and newspapers to hundreds of millions of Windows customers in the U.S. and internationally.

The inclusion of Barnes & Noble’s College business is an important component of Newco’s strategic vision. Through the newly formed Newco, Barnes & Noble’s industry leading NOOK Study software will provide students and educators the preeminent technology platform for the distribution and management of digital education materials in the market.

“The formation of Newco and our relationship with Microsoft are important parts of our strategy to capitalize on the rapid growth of the NOOK business, and to solidify our position as a leader in the exploding market for digital content in the consumer and education segments,” said William Lynch, CEO of Barnes & Noble. “Microsoft’s investment in Newco, and our exciting collaboration to bring world-class digital reading technologies and content to the Windows platform and its hundreds of millions of users, will allow us to significantly expand the business.”

“The shift to digital is putting the world’s libraries and newsstands in the palm of every person’s hand, and is the beginning of a journey that will impact how people read, interact with, and enjoy new forms of content,” said Andy Lees, President at Microsoft. “Our complementary assets will accelerate e-reading innovation across a broad range of Windows devices, enabling people to not just read stories, but to be part of them. We’re at the cusp of a revolution in reading.”

Barnes & Noble and Microsoft have settled their patent litigation, and moving forward, Barnes & Noble and Newco will have a royalty-bearing license under Microsoft’s patents for its NOOK eReader and Tablet products. This paves the way for both companies to collaborate and reach a broader set of customers.

Newco

On January 5, Barnes & Noble announced that it was exploring the strategic separation of its digital business in order to maximize shareholder value. Barnes & Noble is actively engaged in the formation of Newco, which will include Barnes & Noble’s digital and College businesses. The company intends to explore all alternatives for how a strategic separation of Newco may occur. There can be no assurance that the review will result in a strategic separation or the creation of a stand-alone public company, and there is no set timetable for this review. Barnes & Noble does not intend to comment further regarding the review unless and until a decision is made.

Additional information will be contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Barnes & Noble.

Barnes & Noble and Microsoft will host an investor call and webcast beginning at 8:30 A.M. ET on Monday, April 30, 2012. To join the webcast, please visit: www.barnesandnobleinc.com/webcasts.

Media Contacts

For Barnes & Noble:

Mary Ellen Keating, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications

Barnes & Noble, Inc.

(212) 633-3323 mkeating@bn.com

For Microsoft:

Rapid Response Team

Waggener Edstrom Worldwide

(503) 443-7070 rrt@waggeneredstrom.com

Investor Contact

For Barnes & Noble:

Andy Milevoj, Director of Investor Relations

Barnes & Noble, Inc.

(212) 633-3489 amilevoj@bn.com

About Barnes & Noble, Inc.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS), the world’s largest bookseller and a Fortune 500 company, operates 691 bookstores in 50 states. Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, also operates 641 college bookstores serving over 4.6 million students and faculty members at colleges and universities across the United States.  Barnes & Noble conducts its online business through BN.com (www.bn.com), one of the Web’s largest e-commerce sites, which also features more than two million titles in its NOOK Bookstore™ (www.bn.com/ebooks). Through Barnes & Noble’s NOOK™ eReading product offering, customers can buy and read digital books and content on the widest range of platforms, including NOOK devices, partner company products, and the most popular mobile and computing devices using free NOOK software. Barnes & Noble is proud to be named a J.D. Power and Associated 2012 Customer Service Champion and is only one of 50 U.S. companies so named.

General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained via the Internet by visiting the company’s corporate website: www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

NOOK®, NOOK Tablet™, NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight™ , NOOK Simple Touch ™, NOOK Color™, Reader’s Tablet™, Best-Text™, NOOK Store™, NOOK Bookstore™,NOOK Magazines™, VividView™, NOOK Newspapers™, FREE NOOK Reading Apps™, NOOK Kids™,NOOK Digital Shop™, Read In Store™,More In Store™,LendMe®,NOOK Library™,NOOK Books en español™, NOOK Study™, Lifetime Library™ and Read What You Love. Anywhere You Like™are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc. Other trademarks referenced in this release are the property of their respective owners.

Follow Barnes & Noble on Twitter (www.bn.com/twitter), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/barnesandnoble) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/bnstudio).

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and information that are based on the beliefs of the management of Microsoft or Barnes & Noble, as applicable, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to such management. When used in this press release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “will” and similar expressions, as they relate to Barnes & Noble, Newco or Microsoft or the management of Barnes & Noble or Microsoft, identify forward-looking statements.

Such statements reflect the current views of the relevant entities with respect to future events, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks, including, among others, the risk that the transactions contemplated by this press release, including with respect to any spin-off, split-off or other disposition by Barnes & Noble of its interest in Newco, are not able to be implemented on the terms described or at all, the risk that the transactions do not achieve the expected benefits for the parties including the risk that Newco’s applications are not commercially successful or that the expected distribution of those applications is not achieved, the risk that the separation of the digital and college businesses or any subsequent spin-off, split-off or other disposition by Barnes & Noble of its interest in Newco results in adverse impacts on Barnes & Noble or Newco (including as a result of termination of agreements and other adverse impacts), the potential impact on Barnes & Noble’s retail business of the separation, the risk that the international expansion contemplated by the relationship is not successful, the potential tax consequences for Barnes & Noble and its shareholders of a subsequent spin-off, split-off or other disposition by Barnes & Noble of its interest in Newco and the risk that Newco is not able to perform its obligations under the commercial agreement, including with respect to the development of applications and international expansion, and the consequences thereof and general risks related to the businesses that will become part of Newco, including those risks discussed in detail in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in Barnes & Noble’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A, and in Barnes & Noble’s other filings made hereafter from time to time with the SEC.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. Subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Barnes & Noble or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph. The parties undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this communication.

One of our frequent readers and iPhone users asked a simple question.

On my iPhone if I try to add a caller to an existing call and the caller does not answer, IE I get voicemail, how do I switch back to the original call?

The answer is simple it depends on your carrier. To be clear it depends if your iPhone is on a GSM Network, AT&T in North America, or CDMA Network, Sprint and Verizon in North America.

It took a little digging on Apple’s support site and reading the iPhone user manual, but it is explained clearly. On a CDMA network (Verizon and Sprint) you cannot switch between calls if the second call is outgoing. This is a limitation of CDMA networks thus consistent on Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone devices that are CDMA. Most Android devices on Verizon are LTE so this limitation does not apply.

This means if you are on a call and try to add another call, only to receive their voicemail your only real option is to merge or terminate both calls.

Additionally, when it comes to merging calls on a CDMA network you cannot merge two calls if the second call was incoming. Again this is a limitation of the CDMA technology.

If  you wan to read the details yourself check out the iPhone 4S user guide on page 58.

Ever since I started working from home I have been looking for an online fax service that was reasonably priced and with a basic plan starting at free, HelloFax is perfect. HelloFax is an online fax service which lets you eliminate a fax machine from your office. In order to send a fax, you simple upload a file to HelloFax then enter in the number you want to fax the document to. The free plan gets you 5 free faxes a month and 99 cents per fax afterwards. It also gets you the ability to sign emails which is a paperless option.

Cloud Storage Support

The cool thing about HelloFax is their support for cloud storage options such as Google Drive, Box, and Dropbox. Essentially, HelloFax can be configured to fax or email documents directly to or from one of these services by configuring the service under the “My Accounts” option.

HelloFax Pricing

Outside of using a cloud storage you can receive your faxes via email. Other features of HelloFax are the ability to have a fax number which will require one of the paid services which range between 4.99 up to 69.99.

HelloFax’s pricing is perfect for the average home office because I don’t thin people are sending faxes everyday all day. And if you look at another company such as eFax, you will pay 14.99 a month plus a 10.00 setup fee. There is nothing there that supports a basic use case.

Final Thoughts

HelloFax’s pricing is perfect for the average home office because I don’t think people are sending faxes everyday all day. And if you look at another company such as eFax, you will pay 14.99 a month plus a 10.00 setup fee. There is nothing there that supports a basic use case.

Google’s new cloud storage, Google Drive was announced and began rolling out the other day however it seems there are many people who are still waiting. after checking four of my accounts, none of them have received their Google Drive storage yet. Google is offering their users 5 GB of free storage space that will allow users to store content in the cloud and access them from different devices such as a PC, Android phone, or Android Tablet. Google is also offering the ability to upgrade that service to a paid option for those users that need more space.

If you browse to drive.google.com, in the right hand corner you will see if your Google Drive is ready yet. there seems to be no rhyme or reason to who is getting accounts first as Robb mentioned on this weeks SMRPodcast that accounts he had for years are still waiting while new accounts have been granted access. Whatever the case, I am sure everyone will get their space soon enough.

On one side of the house, Research In Motion have been losing applications with the latest being Google ending support for Google Sync on the BlackBerry however, it seems the Playbook is still attracting big name developers as Rovio released Angry Birds Space for the BlackBerry Playbook. Angry Birds Space is 2.99 in the Blackberry App World and features the loveable birds floating in space surrounded by space pigs.

Here is the full Angry Birds Space description.

After a giant claw kidnaps their eggs, the Angry Birds chase it into a wormhole and find themselves floating in a strange new galaxy – surrounded by space pigs! Luckily the Angry Birds have super powers of their own…

Angry Birds Space features 60 interstellar levels on planets and in zero gravity, resulting in spectacular gameplay ranging from slow-motion puzzles to lightspeed destruction. With regular free updates, brand new birds, brand new superpowers, and a whole galaxy to explore, the sky is no longer the limit!

FEATURES

• 60 interstellar levels!
• Regular free updates!
• Brand new birds!
• Brand new superpowers!
• Zero-gravity space adventures!
• Trick shots using planets’ gravity!
• Hidden bonus levels!
• Beautifully detailed backgrounds!

You can grab a copy of Angry Birds Space from BlackBerry App World.