My Complaint Email to USDOJ RE: Chase + BofA Anti-Competitive Activity Against Windows Phone

In the last week or so, Microsoft had some really big news with the announcement of Windows 10, HoloLens, and Surface Hub. They were showing true innovation on screens of all sizes and getting good press. The day before the Microsoft event and a couple of days after, something strange happened: Chase and BofA pulled their banking apps from the Windows Phone app store. Considering that they are the headline banks for ApplePay, something seemed a bit fishy to me.

I’ve never written the United States Department of Justice, but I honestly feel like something anti-competitive is being acted on here, with collusion between the banks and Apple. It bothered me so much that I sought out the email to contact the DOJ. Please find that email below.

Lumia Gets REAL…estate

I have to tell you that the Nokia Lumia 1020 puts in work.  I’ve used it on paid video jobs and paid event photography jobs.  Now, it just got REAL.  My friend asked me to do a shoot of his new real estate listing.  I brought along my trusty DSLR because  “size matters”, when people are paying for pictures.

I took about half of the photos with the DSLR and half with the Lumia 1020.  The Lumia had a wider angle, which is great for capturing smaller rooms where I couldn’t back up any further to frame it properly with the DSLR.  That wider view was also great for capturing the totality of the yard spaces.

I’m only going to post pictures taken with the Lumia in this posting.  If you are interested in the house, please check out the listing here: 10521 Northvale Rd – Represented by Cory Holtzman.

DalyDose of…Union+AT&T Savings

Please note that what I am telling you about here applies to ANY union member, who is (or wants to be) an AT&T Wireless subscriber.  My message is geared toward actors, but is just as applicable to unions of all jobs, in all industries across the land.  Now on to my regularly scheduled blog.

This is the first blog entry where I’m saving you money on technology and productivity.  Yay me!  How about I start it off with a quick JD video intro…

Read on to learn HOW to take advantage of the savings!

Apps You Didn’t Know You Needed

OK, you have every “must have” that all of the blogs tell you that you need.  Well, I have a few here that you might never have heard of, but I have found them very useful.  I use a Windows Phone, the Nokia Lumia 900 to be exact, but some of these apps are available for Android and iOS.  I’ll let you know, because I’m cool like that.

Why Nokia Wins – Post Beta Test

There is finally some good hardware competition going on with Windows Phone.  Samsung and HTC have really been repackaging successful Android devices and Nokia is focused solely on Windows Phone.  That focus seems to be paying dividends.

Nokia is now the best-selling Windows Phone device after being in the market for just a few months.  The reviews have been great and the customer satisfaction has been off the charts.  The greatest testament was when Siri got caught recommending the Lumia when asked “What is the best cell phone ever”.  Apple has since hard-coded the answer to be more Apple friendly, but the customer satisfaction data that Siri originally based her answer on, doesn’t lie.  Now let’s look at WHY Nokia is winning and elevating the status of Windows Phone.

DalyDose of…WP7 Apps Wanted

I love my Samsung Focus, I really do.  The Windows Phone 7 experience is amazing and I no longer get the “I feel sorry” look from iPhone users.  Sure they still speak in terms of superiority, but the “cool gap” is closing.

Part of what makes up the “cool gap” is apps.  In 6 weeks of existence, I don’t expect Windows Phone Marketplace to have caught up to iPhone and Android app stores in quantity, but I expect some quality competition.  I have been active in app collection and have found quite a few; that list is forthcoming.  This post is a Wish List of apps that I’d love to see.  Maybe the developers will give us all a happy holiday treat in the near future.

Here is my Top 10…scratch that…Top 9 list of wanted apps

DalyDose of…Bed Blogging

That’s not just where I sleep; it’s my new writing workspace

It’s early Saturday morning and raining outside. I haven’t mustered out of bed yet, but that doesn’t have to impede my productivity.

I am armed with my Samsung Focus, my new Windows Phone 7 device and I am ready to work. I took the picture about a week ago and tweaked it up with Thumba, a photo editing app. Not too shabby for a phone pic, but I’ll write my Samsung Focus review later.

The BIG NEWS was that WordPress released their own blogging app, which is allowing me to write and publish this post from bed. The app is well put together. It uses the panorama features of wp7 really well. You can use it to write your blog posts and also manage comments and check stats. I’m having an issue with the stats right now, but I’m not too worried. The app has only been out a few days and they’ve already had an update. Hey developers…we love that.

I’m still getting used to typing on the screen so I won’t make this a full review, but so far I am imPressed! See what I did there? I made you laugh in my bed. Wait…uh…thats not good.

Posted from WordPress for Windows Phone

DalyDose of…Windows Phone 7 Wish List

Let me start out by stating that I absolutely love my Samsung Focus running Windows Phone 7 (wp7).  I am a fan, but I am not a cultish type of user.  I am well aware of the shortcomings and I’m confident that they will be addressed.  In fact, an update is due in “early 2011” and the rumor mill says it is massive and will be in January.

I have had my hands on the phone for just under a week and have been a heavy user.  I’ve put it through it’s paces.  I’m not ready for a full-on review as of yet, but I do have my “Top 20 Windows Phone 7 Fixes” that I’d like Microsoft to take care of ASAP.  I’m sure that Mr. Ballmer will not be reading my blog, but hey you gotta put it out there if you want something to happen, right?

OK, here’s the list: