A debate years in the making: Mobile coverage in NYC Subways

Courtesy of CNET

Or maybe decades in the making. Cell phone coverage has finally arrived at 6 of the NYC Subway stations in an official form. Some of the underground passageways have been known to have a signal or two leak in, but this is a first for NYC. Decades late behind other underground train stations in the United States and around the World, it's finally here which seems to be the case you always throw the direction of the MTA. Service can be found in the following stations for the GSM carriers of AT&T and T-Mobile for the time being:

• A, C, E station at Eighth Avenue and West 14th Street;
• L station at Eighth Avenue and West 14th Street;
• C, E station at Eighth Avenue and West 23rd Street;
• 1, 2, 3 station at Seventh Avenue and West 14th Street;
• F, M station at Sixth Avenue and West 14th Street;
• L station at Sixth Avenue and West 14th Street.

Typically you would think this would be much of a non-story, but the New York Media seems to have a way of making something out of nothing.

This is where Second Avenue Sagas comes in. This happens to be one of my favorite blogs with discussion relating to the ongoing construction of the 2nd Avenue subway line, which directly affects me as a Upper East Side Manhattan resident. But discussion also ranges around a plethora of transit related matters. In this case mobile technology fits in with a wide range of heated opinions. From interrupted quiet below, which I find hilarious, to the rudeness of some and this is something I can agree with. More importantly the author Benjamin Kabak also goes into discussing the city divide around this issue with most of the outer boroughs already experiencing coverage inside of trains running on elevated structures and in trenches with miles of track between them. Seemingly the outer boroughs of NYC handle the issue just fine. So what's Manhattan's problem? Hit the link above and check out the story. It's a pretty solid read provoking some intriguing thoughts.

We're Back and that Thunderbolt Gingerbread Update?

It's here too!

From everyone's favorite Verizon Wireless Android reporting website Droid-Life the Gingerbread Update is live for very select users of the HTC Thunderbolt. More than likely you won't be able to grab it through the software update selection in your phone's settings as it will be released in doses. So if you've had absolutely enough of waiting and I know I have, hit the source like below and go get the dessert goodness you've been waiting for via a manual download. Happy hunting.

More updates later and some iPhone talk over the next several weeks.

Source: Droid-Life

Enjoying a gorgeous afternoon

No post for this afternoon. Bummer...I will either post later in the evening or some time tomorrow. Enjoy the weather if you're in NYC. These days are numbered. DigitalSolace: where you seek your mobile relief.

Breaking News: Google Acquires Zagat

Word is spreading fast. Google has acquired local ratings, reviews and offerings service Zagat.

Terms have yet to be disclosed as most details have yet to emerge, but according to the Wall Street Journal, shares of OpenTable, Inc. which provides online restaurant reviews and reservations are already on the decline. It is more than likely Google will use Zagat to boost it's Google Offers services and develop an even stronger strangle hold on the local search market.

As mentioned by a colleague of mine it is very likely Google will also use Zagat to take market share away from services like Yelp.

With mobile growing an a great pace it's natural to assume Google will dominate the mobile search arena with this agreement. More on that later.

The deal itself is major and we will bring more details as they develop.

Source: Wall Street Journal
Colleague: Brian C

Thanks for the heads up Brian!

HTC Droid Incredible: Android Gingerbread 2.3.4 has baked

Because Verizon says so. Yes a little late but better late than sorry. If you love your HTC Droid Incredible, then show it a little love and grab the Gingerbread 2.3 update. If you don't want to wait for the automatic prompt asking you to update your phone then try heading to Menu>Software update>Check new and you should be well on your way to downloading the latest Android version for your device. If that doesn't work then give it a day or so and either the automatic update will appear or you can give it another shot manually.

Have fun with that update.

Source: Droid-Life

AppWatch: Fantasy Football Anyone?

Come Thursday...Let's Get It On!

For those of us who participate in fantasy football leagues all I can say is: What a relief right?

Whew! That was a close one. Can't say too much for the NBA Basketball season this fall. That's not looking like it's going to happen, but that doesn't matter! Because we have football and with football comes fantasy football. There are plenty of leagues to choose from Yahoo to ESPN and of course you could go with the source by using the NFL.

In all honesty, kickoff starts on Thursday so a majority of you likely have your rosters all drafted out. I know I do in my 3 leagues!

So that leads us to this edition of AppWatch. Which Fantasy Football App for Android is right for you?

Hit the jump and find the one you need.

AccessoryWatch: Ballistic Case

Some of you may or may not be in the market for a case. It's a wise decision to at least look into making such an investment. Especially if you carry and smartphone (the reason you're reading this today) and if you're prone to dropping your device on a regular schedule (and some of you are). Insurance is a nice for these problems, but at the end of the day you are still liable for paying an insurance deductible when making a claim. Then the unfortunate part: the device will likely be a refurbished version of your existing model if you carry the more popular device. New is likely out of the question. If you carry a device that is not as popular then look forward to receiving a adequate replacement which could be just about any other model that's not the device you originally purchased. Bummer right? Well how about the even bigger bummer? You lose out on that one year warranty that protects you and entitles you to a new device if your existing device begins acting up without any case by you. Yeah, it's time to consider some additional steps to counter act some of these problems. Let's talk more about it after the jump...