RIM’s BlackBerry Messenger carries the message during earthquake

You’re typing away on a memo for a client when suddenly your office building starts to shake. Not sure what to do, you grab your phone and keys and run out of the office. Standing with your co-workers outside of the building, you frantically try to send a text and make a call, but the only one getting service is your co-worker who has a BlackBerry. Unfortunately, this scenario occurred last week when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit the east coast. Residents in some of the nation’s largest cities including Washington D.C. and New York City were unable to connect with their worried loved ones across the country-- that is, citizens using iPhones and Androids-- BlackBerry owners had no problem getting the word out.

Throughout the dramatic event, RIM’s BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) remained steady and true to its users. While Android and iPhone users were fidgeting with their phones, BBM was sending and receiving texts and calls. Unlike other phones, BBM can run on either the phone’s data connection or a local Wi-Fi network, which gives it the ability to connect no matter the time, day or event. This software set-up has earned the phone an impeccable reputation. Mashable recently pointed out that BlackBerry was the only functioning phone during both the Chilean earthquake of 2010 and the events of Sept. 11 in New York City.

So what?

Well, smartphone users looking to change devices should give the BlackBerry strong consideration, especially if security is one of the top priorities.

We like the brand new 9900 because the processor is two times faster than previous models. In fact, one reviewer said he got three days of use out of the phone before its battery died. What businessman or woman would say no to that?

However, the BlackBerry gets low ratings when it comes to third-party applications and user interfaces. The phone’s stale growth rate could be attributed to its inability to evolve. For the most part, the BlackBerry functions as a corporate phone. It ranks among the best email devices and its information management apps like contacts, calendar, tasks and others make it a great business tool.

At the end of the day would you rather have fancy games or working cell service?

ICE, ICE Baby: Why THIS application could save your life

No one wants to think about the possibility of being knocked unconscious or seriously hurt, but it never hurts to be prepared. One of our very favorite applications is the I-C-E (In Case of Emergency) app. This application holds your medical history and emergency contact information. If you are hurt, emergency personnel and police officers are trained to look for the ICE application. In addition to holding emergency contact information, the ICE application has specific sections for you to save your medications, allergies, family doctors and preferred insurance.

Prior to the launch of the ICE application in May 2005, emergency personnel would often trace accident victims’ driver’s license numbers to home telephone numbers. However, as more families move to all wireless households, landline telephone numbers are becoming less and less useful.

At Privus, we’re all about safety. And it shows. Whether it’s Caller ID or Family Guard, we keep family and safety at the forefront of our mind. We suggest this application because a mobile phone is a life line we can’t live without. After all, who doesn’t always have their cell phone with them? Whether you’re five or 95, the ICE application can save your life.

Mobile users can keep an eye on who is calling loved ones with Family Guard application

Over the years, we have had an overwhelmingly positive response to our Caller ID application because of the extra security it offers. However, as the smartphone market continues to expand, we noticed a change in the security needs of smartphone users, primarily among parents, guardians and their children.

It’s no secret that kids are social media savvy, technology-inclined, computer whizzes. In fact, more often than not, they know what’s going on before we do! But, as more children acquire smartphones it’s becoming even more important for parents and guardians to install an extra layer of security in order to protect them. With our new application, Family Guard, parents and guardians can monitor the incoming calls their child or loved one receives.

The technology behind our other applications was adapted to create Family Guard. For example, when a phone call or text message is received, information regarding the incoming call is displayed on the handset (applications even have the option of audible alerts which announce the name of the sender for truly hands-free caller ID). With Family Guard, not only does the application identify the caller to the phone’s user, but it will also send a copy of the caller’s information to the designated parent or guardian’s monitoring the phone. Parents and guardians register their handset, along with their loved ones.

With our new Family Guard application, your loved one’s security is safe. The Family Guard application is available for download on devices supported by Android, Windows Mobile 6 and BlackBerry operating systems. The application only needs to be installed on the monitored device, while the guardian’s phone just needs to receive text messages or email. The app requires a monthly subscription fee comparable to landline caller ID services and can be downloaded by visiting www.privus.mobile on a compatible smartphone.

Lord of the Birds: Angry Birds invades the mobile gaming world

Who thought that a game with angry birds flying into walls and killing green pigs would provide hours of entertainment for millions of people. “Rovio’s Angry Birds” has become an overnight hit sensation with smartphone owners. Since its debut in December 2009, the game has been downloaded more than 250 million times, which is surprising considering the total number of combined iPhone and Android users is approximately 255 million.

Clearly, the game is addicting! In fact, I can personally attest to it.

The game is challenging. Each level introduces you to more challenges and different types of birds. The birds are angry because the green pigs have taken their eggs. At each level the goal is the same: kill as many pigs as possible and get to the new level. Let’s not forget, players can also accrue points.

What earns points? Hitting parts of their barricades earns points, defeating a pig is also worth points and for each bird you don’t use, you get 10,000 points (the currency is a bit high in this game). But, you can only destroy a pig by projecting angry birds at their barricades, which are set up to “protect” the pigs.

Exact calculations, concentrated strategy and extreme dedication are required if you intend on winning the game. Each level becomes increasingly harder as new birds are added along with various “slinging” methods. At the higher levels birds begin to explode and multiply.

Think you can play one time just to “test it out?” Wrong. This isn’t just another mobile phone game. Yes, Bejeweled was challenging, but Angry Birds will test your patience and reflexes. If you have an iPhone or Android, I strongly recommend this game. Whether you are riding home on the metro, sitting at a doctor’s office or waiting to pick up your kids from school, this game will provide you hours of fun.

The price of the game differs from platform to platform. For example, on the iOS and Android platforms, Angry Birds costs 99 cents. However, if you own a Nokia phone, it is $1.99. If you want to download Angry Birds as a computer game it is $4.95. The 3-D version of the game is rumored to be premiering soon. But, it doesn’t end there. Angry Birds is now available as a computer game, board game and tablet application.

Angry Birds has proved to be much more than a mobile gaming app. It shows that a game created strictly for a mobile device can present additional competition in the entire gaming world, including computer and board games.

Securing Your Company's Wireless Phone Network

According to the new FCC report on the wireless industry, 89% of Americans own a mobile phone. As more Americans join the mobile phone market, security is an ever-growing concern.

Whether used for personal or business purposes, mobile phones are exposed to hackers, viruses and viral attacks. Hackers can download personal or corporate information from a mobile phone in a matter of minutes.

Security needs to be the primary focus of a corporation before distributing phones to its employees. More often than not, companies place large amounts of trust into the hands of their employees, hoping that they will conduct business in a secure manner. To overcome this, companies should centralize device security management by constructing a clear and understandable security plan. Having a step-by-step plan that outlines the expectations and procedures for employee-use ensures business information will remain confidential and protected.

Having a certified team you can count on makes a difference. Once a corporate mobile policy has been established, have IT go through a certification process. When planning, IT should keep three central ideas in mind.

• Usability: Employees need to conduct business smoothly. If cyber walls are too thick, business can slow.
• Accuracy: Mobile devices need to be current, especially if the company is not centrally located. Employees should be able to send and receive emails, files and presentations without jumping through a ton of fences.
• Risk: Plan for the worst, which will ensure your company’s mobile network is prepared to handle any security threat. Remember, it only takes one virus on one phone to infiltrate the entire company’s system.

Finally, mobile security is a resource all corporations should offer to their employees who use a corporate cell phone. It is an ongoing effort that every IT team and company should be committed to. If your employees know how to identify a virus or security threat properly, the security risk greatly diminishes.