One of the most frustrating calls you can get on your cell phone is the dreaded “unknown caller.” I don’t even bother answering these calls; I send them straight to voicemail. I figure if it’s an important call, they will leave a message. A new company, Trapcall, allows you to unblock the caller ID information of the unknown caller.

The service is very easy to setup, simply visit www.trapcall.com and choose the signup link. Input your cell carrier and phone model, and you will get a sequence to key in that will program your phone for the service. To use the service, if your cell phone receives a call that has the caller ID blocked or unknown, all you have to do is “ignore” the call (that is what my Blackberry calls it). The call is sent to Trapcall and then sent back to your cell phone displaying the caller ID information. Basically, you are sending the calls you “ignore” or don’t answer to the Trapcall servers rather than your carrier’s voicemail. The caller never knows the difference as they hear ringing throughout the entire process. Once you have the caller ID information, you can login to your account and blacklist the caller. If the caller calls again, ignoring the call will result in them hearing, “This number has been disconnected.” In my testing, I found that the service worked great the majority of the time, occasionally the caller ID information would show “999999999.” From my research, this seems to be caused by the caller originating overseas or from a VOIP PBX system.

Trapcall offers four service plans – one free and three paid. Its free “Fly Trap” service offers the caller ID unmasking, blacklist support and web-based voicemail. The paid services range from $2.95/month to $24.95/month and all offer a free, 15-day trial. A credit card is required for the trial of the paid services. It’s easy to downgrade to the free service if you decide the paid service is not for you – do so before your trial ends and there is no charge.

I chose to evaluate the highest level service, the “Bear Trap.” This plan offers features such as no advertising, unlimited voicemail transcriptions (have your voicemails transcribed and sent to you via text message or email), carrier voicemail integration, the billing and street address of your callers sent to you via text message, call recording and toll-free phone support. To use the call recording feature, you must first ignore the call — even if you know the caller. This allows the call to be routed through the Trapcall servers. When the call is sent back, you answer normally. By default, the caller hears a warning message that the call is being recorded. You can disable this under your account settings, but you should check your state laws first. You can see a complete breakdown of all the available features and the different plans available on the website at www.TrapCall.com.

Trapcall is one of the slickest services I have come across lately. The service was easy to setup and worked seamlessly. One of my favorite features is the voicemail transcription. I never have been great about checking my voicemail in a timely manner, but the transcriptions allow me to catch important messages. If someone would just figure out how to do this on home phones too, I think they would also have a winner.

With the current condition of our economy, people are looking for ways to reduce their spending. Shopping online can be an easy way to help your money go further. Besides simply being more convenient, the savings can really add up. After years of exhausting online “research,” here are a few of my favorite ways for saving money by shopping online.

It’s Cheaper Online

The first advantage of shopping online is definitely the price. You can almost always find an item cheaper online. Google has a great search function called “Google Product Search” (www.google.com/products). You type in the name or model number of an item and Google will search online to give you a list of stores with the item and allow you to compare to find the best price. For most merchants whose results they show, they can even tell you the tax and shipping amount so you get the true total price. They even provide seller ratings so you can feel more comfortable buying from a merchant you may not have heard of before.

Save on Sales Tax

The current laws do not require online stores to collect sales tax from customers if they do not have a physical presence in the customer’s state. While the days of tax-free online shopping may be ending in the near future, you can take advantage of it while it lasts. Combine the lower prices with the tax-free purchase, and it can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings on a larger item such as a TV. If you are unsure if an online retailer charges sales tax in your state, you can usually look in their “customer service” or “help” section on their website, or simply give them a call.

Coupons

Most online retailers offer various coupon codes to be used when shopping at their sites. The coupons offered vary, but often they are for free shipping or dollars off when spending a certain amount. The best way to find a coupon is simply to Google it. Type in the name of the merchant and the word “coupon” and press the search button. For example, if you type “Dell coupon” into Google, it will return 5,280,000 results. Don’t worry; you don’t need to go through every one. Usually if you click through results on the first page, you’ll find what you are looking for. Another great site you can check is RetailMeNot.com. According to its website, it has “coupon and discount codes for 20,000 online stores.” It has even recently added a printable coupon section for using in-store.

Cash Back

Cash-back programs are one of my other favorite ways to save while shopping online. These sites will give you a certain percentage of your total sale back. Sites such as FatWallet.com or Ebates.com will give you an amount back in cash, while others such as Upromise.com will put an amount back into a college savings account. The percentage back and participating merchants vary from program to program, so you will want to check into the details of each. While the money back is not instant — you have to wait a set period of time for it to become eligible, as well as accumulate a certain amount before getting a payment — the total amount can add up. Once signed up for a program, log onto their site, find the merchant whose site you are planning on buying something at and click through to their website from the cash-back website. This step is key, as it allows the cash-back program to track the purchases you make on the merchant’s site. Doesn’t get much easier than this.

Deal Websites

There are many great websites whose sole purpose are for posting deals found online. These sites post deals on a wide variety of items, not only electronics. These are great sites to bookmark, and check out every once in a while (or every day as I prefer). Some of my personal favorites are HotDealsClub.com, Fatwallet.com and SlickDeals.net. Be warned, though, these sites might not always help you “save” money, as you might end up purchasing something because the deal was “just too good to pass up,” or at least that is what I tell my wife.
Shopping online can save you money even if you don’t follow any of these other tips. When you combine them all together – tax free, coupons and cash back — you’ll be amazed how the savings can add up. It’s a great way to continue “stimulating the economy” while saving you money at the same time.

You’ve probably heard the term “Slingbox” at one time or another over the past few years, but most people don’t really know what one is. The Slingbox™ is a product from Sling Media, Inc. that allows you to stream your own content across the Internet. The content is usually your television signal, but it can be anything from recordings on your DVR, to DVDs in your DVD player. You can, in fact, connect any video source that has traditional outputs such as composite, component or s-video. The Slingbox™ is such a revolutionary product that it even won the 2007 Technology and Engineering Emmy® Award.

The Slingbox™ allows you to watch your content anywhere you have an Internet connection. A high-speed connection is recommended for the best quality. All you need is a computer and the SlingPlayer Desktop software installed. The SlingPlayer software works on both Windows and Mac computers. There is also a SlingPlayer Mobile software that works on cell phones including Windows Mobile, Palm, Symbian and BlackBerry devices. Not to worry iPhone fans, they are currently beta testing a version for the iPhone that should be released this year.

There are currently three different Slingbox™ models available – The Slingbox™ SOLO, Slingbox™ PRO and Slingbox™ PRO-HD. MSRP prices range from $179.99 to $299.99. There are no monthly service charges associated with the Slingbox™. As with most electronics, you can find the items at better prices online at popular stores such as Amazon.com. They currently have the Slingbox™ PRO-HD for $239.95. All models allow you to stream your content across the Internet, but the other models include extra features such as built-in analog and/or digital TV tuners, multiple video source connections and support for High Definition (HD) content. There is a handy chart on the Sling Media website (www.slingmedia.com) that shows the differences among the models to help you choose which device is right for you.

For this review, I choose the Slingbox™ HD-PRO model as support for HD content was important to me. The Slingbox™ comes well packaged and includes all the necessary cables you need to get connected. Once powered on for the first time, you are walked through an on-screen setup wizard that is one of the best ones I have encountered. The only step that may be challenging for some is the necessary changes you must make to your router to open a certain port to allow the Slingbox™ to communicate to the Internet. Fortunately, the wizard has you select the make and model of your Internet router and has an interactive tutorial for a large list of the most popular models. If you need additional assistance, Sling Media does have phone support and additional resources online.

With setup complete, I installed the SlingPlayer Desktop software on my laptop and in moments was watching my HD TV content. The desktop software worked well and was intuitive to use. There is even an on-screen remote control that looks identical to the one supplied with the cable box. From the software, you can control your TV just as if you were sitting in your living room. Channel surfing, watching DVR recordings or even setting up new shows to record, all worked remarkably well. The quality of the video was very good, even while watching a HD channel. I also installed the SlingPlayer Mobile software on my T-Mobile Blackberry device. There is an additional charge for the mobile software, but there is a 30-day, free trial to allow you to try it out. The quality of the video was very good on the Blackberry when connected to a Wi-Fi network, and was certainly watchable using the cellular 2G EDGE connection as well. Just like the desktop software, you can change the channels, or watch recording just as if you were in your living room with the remote control.

The Slingbox™ is a great device for anyone who wants to watch their content while away from home. Individuals away from home, or who travel often, will love the ability to catch up with their DVR recordings, or watch programming not available at their location. With its reasonable cost, no monthly service fee, easy setup and great performance, I’d be happy to recommend the Slingbox™ to family and friends. The one caveat to remember is that you are controlling your TV signal or cable box when watching. So if someone at home is also trying to watch the TV connected to the Slingbox™ and you decide to change channels or start a recorded program, the person at home will be watching the same thing. My wife never seems amused when I do this.

If you have been looking for a new portable computer, or have been reading anything about computers during the past year, you’ve probably heard of a new class of computers dubbed netbooks.

Netbooks are generally very small, light weight, inexpensive and energy-efficient portable computers targeted to be used for online activities such as browsing the Internet, checking email and instant messaging. They are not intended to replace your desktop computer due to their low-power processor, but can make a great second, portable computer. They can certainly handle most basic tasks, including word processing, but most users will not want to spend their days typing of them due to their small screen and reduced keyboard size.

Most major computer manufacturers currently offer a netbook in their lineup. This includes HP, Dell, Lenovo, MSI, Acer and ASUS. When you look at the different offerings from these manufacturers, you’ll notice they all have similar components. They almost all use the Intel® Atom™ processor, have a 8.9-10.2” screen, weigh 2-3 lbs, 3-cell battery, 512 MB to 1GB of memory, integrated Wi-Fi and a 80GB hard drive. Different models include options such as SSDs (Solid State Disks) to replace traditional hard drives, media card readers, Bluetooth, integrated web cams and larger 6-cell batteries. You also have a choice of operating systems on different models. Windows XP® Home has become a standard offering on most, while a custom Linux version is also offered to keep the cost down.

Most netbooks have a street price of $299 to $499. The netbook I purchased was a Lenovo IdeaPad S10 which can be purchased for $349 direct from Lenovo. After looking at the different offerings from manufacturers, I went with this model based on the specifications, price and general feel of the computer. Some netbooks can feel and look toy-like, while the IdeaPad S10 has a very solid-built quality and a simple and clean look. The configuration includes a 1.60GHz Intel® Atom™ processor, Windows XP® Home, 10.2” LED backlit screen, 512MB memory, 80GB hard drive, Wi-Fi, integrated web cam, 3-cell battery, media card reader, express card slot and a one year mail-in warranty.

I have been using a Lenovo IdeaPad S10 for the past few months and have been very happy with its performance and use. One of the best qualities of netbooks is their size and weight, and for these reasons I carry the computer most everywhere I go. With the addition of a wireless Internet card such as my USB Sprint card, I can get online wherever I am and can take care of whatever personal or work activities I need to.

Netbooks are not perfect. Some users might not feel comfortable typing on the reduced size keyboards, and I would advise anyone considering purchasing a netbook to visit a local retailer to try them out for themselves. The IdeaPad S10’s keyboard is listed as 85 percent of normal size, but the keyboards differ between models. On the S10, some of the buttons such as the right shift key have also been slightly relocated, but I found, after a few days of use, that I got used to the size and changes. Battery life with the standard 3-cell battery generally lasts around 2 hours and 45 minutes. For most activities battery life is sufficient, but while on a recent cross-country flight, I wished for a larger battery. A 6-cell battery for the Lenovo is already available for purchase overseas, and will soon be available in the United States. Other manufacturers are already including the larger battery or have one available for purchase. Note, the 6-cell battery will add some additional overall weight, but most users will find the addition an expectable trade off for the increased battery life.

Netbooks do not include an integrated CD or DVD optical drive. External USB versions can be purchased for around $50 – $100, and you may want to purchase of these depending upon your intended use.
Netbooks are also becoming a very popular option for parents looking for a first computer for their children. They are a good value, and the lower price point than traditional laptop computers will appeal to parents as well.

If you are looking for a computer to replace your desktop, a netbook is probably not for you. If you are looking for an ultra-portable computer you can take anywhere to browse the Internet, check email, video chat or handle basic word processing, I’d give one a shot. Most major retailers such as Best Buy and Circuit City carry them in store so you can try one out for yourself. For me, it made a perfect “second computer,” or as my wife corrected me, fourth computer, but that’s hardly the point.

To me, the digital video recorder (DVR) is easily one of the greatest inventions of the past decade. I have been using a DVR since 2002 when I first discovered the TiVo®. After first hooking up the TiVo®, I knew TV watching would never be the same. No more having to worry about rushing home to catch the start of your favorite show or even having to remember that the show was on. Once you went through some basic setup, the DVR would magically handle all of this for you.

Fast forward to present day, my wife and I are the happy owners of two Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVRs supplied by Bright House Networks. Yes, two DVRs. Each DVR has the ability to record two shows simultaneously, but what are you supposed to do when there are more than two shows on at the same time you want to watch? The answer – two DVRs. I have converted many non-DVR users to DVR users over the past few years. Some took longer than others, but I don’t believe any of them would tell you they would switch back. In my opinion, the DVR has one flaw – it does not store enough. The Scientific Atlanta 8300HD’s 160GB hard drive can store approximately 90 hours of standard definition (SD) or 20 hours of high definition (HD) programming.

My wife affectionately calls me an “HD Snob,” and I really can’t argue. I, of course, set all the shows I want to record in HD, while she sets her shows in SD so we can fit more recordings on the DVR. The age-old quality versus quantity debate. What’s the point of having an HD television if you can’t watch HD programming? Every night when we sit down to watch TV, we used to check the DVR for the dreaded “timers” on the recorded shows list. The timers indicate if a show is about to be deleted to make room for additional recordings. The list would also give you a percentage to indicate how full the DVR was. Ours spent most of the time in the 90% range.

All of this changed when I brought home the Western Digital® My DVR Expander. The My DVR Expander is an external 500GB hard drive for your DVR, very similar to one you would buy for your computer. The main difference is that instead of using a USB connection, it uses an eSATA connection. The My DVR Expander has been tested for compatibility with the Scientific Atlanta 8300 Series as well as TiVo verified™ compatible with TiVo® Series3™ and TiVo® HD DVRs. Western Digital® also offers an alternative model that works with the DISH Network® ViP Series HD DVR. Not all cable providers “officially support” the hard drive, so you should to check with your cable provider, but I had no problems using it with my 8300HD DVR supplied by Bright House Networks. The extra 500GB of storage space allows you to record up to 60 additional hours of HD programming or 300 additional hours of SD programming.

Installation was straight forward and well documented in the included user guide. The basic process is to turn off your DVR and disconnect its power. Connect the eSATA cable from the hard drive to the eSATA port on the back of the DVR. Connect the power to the hard drive, and then reconnect the power to the DVR. Once you power on your DVR and wait for it to boot up, you should see a message on the screen letting you know it has detected an external hard drive and a prompt asking if you want to format it. After hitting “yes” and waiting a few more seconds I hit the “list” button on the remote to check my recorded shows. Fortunately, all were still there, but I did notice one change. Our available space had gone from “89% Full” to “21% Full.”

After using the drive for about a month, my wife and I have not had any problems. It’s really one of those items that after setting up you forget it’s even there. I would even classify it as “wife friendly,” which, unfortunately, is a rarity of the new gadgets I often bring home. No longer do we have to worry about our shows being deleted because we did not have a chance to watch them. The My DVR Expander (model# WDG1S5000VN) is available direct from Western Digital for $149.99, but I have found it for around $130 at many online retailers. To me, it is worth every penny. I even picked up a second one for our other DVR. As I explained to my wife, I didn’t want one DVR to be jealous of the other.