Protect Your Device Better Than Any Case Can

I wanted to take the time to tell you about a product that I’ve used more than once now and sincerely recommend.  With that said, your mileage my vary, but I’ve been very impressed.

The product I’m talking about today is the Invisible Shield.  I have one on my Creative Zen V Plus and now on my Motorola Q9H.  So what is this product that I would take up my valuable time to recommend?  Basically, its a clear plastic skin for your device.  Depending on the device, you can get it to cover just the front screen of the device or the whole thing.  It is barely noticeable on the device – it gives it a “wet look” but otherwise you hardly know its there.

So what does it DO? It protects your device from scratches, basically.  There are videos on their site that show the product in action.  Its really a great product.  I’ve had one on my Zen V Plus for about 9 months now and there is literally not a scratch on the device! Because this MP3 player is so small, I tend to throw it in my pocket with coins, keys, etc. and have dropped it to the pavement more than once.  Any other device would have been pretty scratched up by now.  Not this guy.  Could I get the same “protection” from a silicone “sleeve”?  Sure.  But that adds bulk.  This is a thin piece of plastic, although plastic doesn’t do it justice. So I can continue to use my belt clip, charging dock, whatever (depending on your device) and the Shield doesn’t interfere with the use of the device!

So when I ordered my Motorola Q9H after working with a demo unit for a week, I immediately ordered an Invisible Shield and applied it immediately upon its arrival.  Now my device is protected from the scratches it would be sure to get from my pocket, etc. had I not applied it.  Added bonus: it hides the fingerprints on the shiny parts of the device!  It was a complaint of mine that some of the buttons on the Q9H would show every little fingerprint and I was constantly wiping it down. Now I don’t need to!

If you know me at all, you know I’m not one to recommend a product this enthusiastically, but this is one product I recommend you get for your precious devices!

Did Verizon Show Its Hand?

Earlier this week, Verizon decided to block text messages from a particular group based on an “outdated screening policy” which it later reversed after learning that all other carriers allowed the messages.  The messages were from a group in which subscribers have to “opt-in” in order to receive the messages, so Verizon couldn’t claim the messages were SPAM.

This incident is generally considered to be an attempt by Verizon to censor content for its members and on one front, they can do that – its is after all, their network.  In fact, the group in question received a letter from Verizon stating Verizon Wireless would not allow groups to distribute material that “in its discretion, may be seen as controversial or unsavory to any of our users.”  Like I said, they reversed their stance and there is always the concern regarding content such as hate messages and SPAM.  A carrier can’t afford to allow its network to be overrun by these messages – they have an obligation to their customers.

But one has to wonder whether they would or ever DO make the same type of decision regarding its subscribers email messages or Internet traffic.  Even though this instance only deals with text messages, it is not out of the realm of possibility that this could extend to your home or business.  Net Neutrality is of considerable concern here – if there are no laws or regulations concerning a carriers ability to censor Internet traffic, might a carrier like Verizon in fact censor what you can see on your own browser?

So the next time you hear discussions about Net Neutrality, consider this particular circumstance and ask yourself if you want a room full of people deciding what you see and here on the Internet of Tomorrow.

A Splitting of the Minds…

I’ve been struggling recently about whether to have one blog with both tech and coaching posts or to split them off to two different blogs.  I’ve decided that while I do use technology in my coaching, the two areas have two different audiences.

I am therefore very happy to announce the formation of the BetterYou blog! It will be focused on self-improvement and coaching and will allow me to focus RichTech on technology related items.  We’ll be doing some new product reviews and will be increasing out commentary on the technology world as the weeks and months progress.  I hope you like the new focus and be sure the visit the new blog as well. </Rich>