Gadgets

So if you’re like me, you’re about to go wait in line for the new iPad 2 (maybe you’re already in line)! But rather than buy the 3g model, save yourself $130 bucks and a monthly fee of $20-$50, by using your iPhone or Android as a WiFi hotspot. This will allow you to connect your brand new iPad to your phone’s internet connection If you’re not already doing using your phone as a WiFi hotspot, you can do this on the iPhone by “Jailbreaking” it, or “Rooting” your Android phone. This isn’t the easiest thing to do, but it also it’s as hard as it sounds.

If you’re on the iPhone, you can find instructions HERE

If you’re on an Android, you can find instructions HERE (find and select your phone model and click Android Development)

There is a great deal of reading involved, but if you’re looking to save $200-700/year it’s certainly worth the couple hours it may take you.

Make sure you carry your phone charger, or buy an extended battery though, as this will burn through your battery pretty quick!

My disclaimer: I’ve done this to all 4 of my Android phones and 3 iPhones without major issue. If you don’t know what you’re doing, DO NOT FLASH A CUSTOM ROM! This can brick your device and void your warranty. If you have an older device, I would recommend trying your skills on that first!

If you haven’t already heard, the next generation iPad aka the iPad 2 was just announced today and looks to be everything the first generation was not.

It’s coming out much sooner than expected, with a March 11th ship and in store date. Hopefully, like the first generation, it won’t be limited to Apple stores, but will show up at Best Buy and others on the same day.

As expected it has a faster processor, which most users won’t notice immediately, but will if you do any sort of multitasking (or at least what Apple considers multitasking).

The new iPad will be running an upgraded iOS 4.3, which only has a few upgrades, not worth mentioning.

Some of the cooler features make it slimmer by 33%, and quite a bit lighter. I have to admit, while laying on the couch, the old one did get a bit heavy after 20 minutes or so of holding it in the air, so consider this one a plus. It will also feature a larger more powerful speaker so you can blow the socks off your clients while giving them a listing presentation!

As seen in the photo on the right, the new iPad has a screen cover. It will be magnetic clamped to the iPad and bring your iPad out of sleep when opened, and back to sleep when closed. I have to admit, I like this feature. I wouldn’t necessarily choose pink, but I have an original iPad with an Apple case, and while it does a good job of protecting the tablet and it’s super low profile, it loses some of cool or wow factor with the case on. I’m hoping this maintains that.

After reading above, you may be thinking: “So not much has changed, why should I buy one?” Because this one has cameras! This was the one major feature lacking in the first generation model, and with video being the biggest hype in real estate and elsewhere, the newest model delivers!

The iPad 2 features a front facing camera for video chat like Skype, and the rear camera takes 720P HD video. I don’t envision many real estate agents using this for much photography, but it could be useful for still video recording, as the new iPad will have the ability to download iMovie for the iPad, Apple’s fantastic video editor.

So don’t wait, go get in line at your nearest retailer…probably now Video is the future of real estate, and the future is now! This “magical” little device will make it that much easier to deliver mind blowing presentations and communicate via video with clients. I envision our industry changing to accommodate showing buyers homes while they sit on their living room couch, and then doing a walk-thru of their top three choices.

Well I have completely exhausted myself trying to find a FREE VOIP (Voice Over IP) solution for an Android phone. There are a ton of tutorials out there showing how to use SIPDROID or other very labor and knowledge intensive of SIP and VOIP.

If the paragraph above read as if I was speaking in another language it’s because it almost is it’s own.

Breakdown: I wanted an app for my phone that would allow me to make FREE calls and texts over WiFi and 3g. Instead of using minutes (which I pay a ton for unlimited), I wanted to use my unlimited data plan to make calls and texts…sounds easy enough right?

Well, I have been using Toktumi as an awesome provider for my toll free 888 number ($15/mo. unlimited), and I knew they had an iPhone app, but I didn’t want to use my iPad as a phone (yet). Well now it’s coming to Android!!!

For only $9.99/month, I’ll be able to call and text to my heart’s content! Not only that, but it fully integrates with my Google Voice Number! If you’re in real estate, you definitely need a Google Voice Number!

Google Voice allows me to multi conference, set hours of availability, call screening, custom group messages, and ring multiple phones at once so I can answer it anywhere. Not only are those features amazing, but I can now make calls directly from my email to in phone in the US, completely FREE!!!

I’ve been saying this for a few years now, but plans based on minutes will be going away in the future. With the rise of Free Wifi and most carriers switching to 4g (mostly because of video chat), I believe you’ll soon (over the next few years) be on a tiered data plan.

In the meantime, get ahead of the game, and grab yourself a Line2 Account!