Issa Asad Answers Questions about the Lifeline Program

Issa Asad is a telecommunications expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Issa has managed various companies ranging from prepaid phone cards to discounted cell phone service. In this video he explains how the Lifeline program works and debunks many misconceptions about the program. For more of his videos check out his vimeo page.

Blackberry Wireless Phone - Do You See What I See?

A change is coming, but not a new one, just an old one revisited. Suffice it to say that cell phones aren’t what they use to be, but then again - neither were computers. So . . . how many similarities can we find?

Computers use to be big and not very functional except for the basics. Cell phones use to be so big and the only reason you would end the call was because your arm got tired. And of course these amazing new devices were oddly . . . just a phone.

They both got smaller. Then if you wanted something more powerful and with more features (computers and cell phones alike) you went out and bought a new one. Then both computers and cell phones alike became even smaller and thinner than anyone ever thought imaginable.  For Computers the notable difference came in the version of the IBM ThinkPad and for cellular users it just had to be the Motorola Razr.  

Computers went to the flat screen and then year by year became bigger and bigger. Hmmm . . . anyone ever heard of the ‘Droid’? With computers you could add more memory to speed up your device and make it more functional. Cell phones have followed the same path. Computers then made the leap – don’t buy a new one, just upgrade your software. Interesting . . .

I have noticed over the last several months how AT&T was making such a big deal about how their phones could run multiple applications at the same time, whereas the Verizon phones could not. Suddenly, I get a message from Verizon. New software is available for me to download that will allow my blackberry wireless phone to run multiple applications simultaneously.

I downloaded it in seconds and voila! Multiple applications are running on my blackberry wireless phone. For free by the way Mr. Gates. This distinction alone lets me know that Bill is not secretly running the cellular industry.

Cellular phones are officially running the same successful marketing strategies originally launched by the computer giants. Let’s face it, once cell phones moved into the ‘applications’ market, who needs a new phone? Just like computers, the equipment is fine, I just want the new stuff that is out on the market and available to me. And the cell phone manufacturers are now delivering it. The fact is; my phone was fine, it just didn’t run multiple applications on my network like AT&T’s. So, with just one software download and the problem (if there really was one) was corrected.

Where are we going from here? Well, if memory serves correctly, and given the current market condition there are a great many ‘free’ applications available for our cell phones, and of course you can buy some as well. I expect that the ‘free’ ones will soon become the minority and the ‘paid’ versions will be the bulk of what you can purchase. Additionally, expect the prices to start climbing just like with Microsoft.

Blackberry Wireless Phone: Kryptonite = Water

OK, so what’s the deal with ‘water’?  Why is this the instantaneous killer for Blackberry’s and all cellular phones alike?

Does this ‘really’ have to happen, or have we just been set up to think so.  Exactly how many 10’s of millions of phones are replaced every year by carriers from people exposing their phones to this highly toxic and dangerous substance we call the dreaded H20?

If you ask me, this seems to be a multi-million dollar business all on its own.

From rain to spilled drinks, swimming pools and unexpected ocean waves, sinks, fountains and unfortunately – all too often – toilets!  Water is the one devastating factor to cell phones.  But, not just the phones; for in this case batteries are included!  They have also been designed shall we say, to fail along with the phone.  Come on Copper Top . . . where are you when we need you now?

At first glance I do understand the poor combination that water plays on electronics.  However, upon further scrutiny don’t you think that just a little plastic seal around the edges and a sealed inner lining between the touch pad and the circuitry would be an impossible task?  A lot of phones have the keyboard built into the screens.  How hard would it be now?

Or is my theory true.  The money made by the carriers off of the insurance and the return of many slightly damp cell phones is just too lucrative to give up.  As they say; there’s no money in the cure, just the medicine.  So keep your insurance, get your replacement (refurbished but used) phone and take it like a man!

Just face it; cell phones weren’t made to last nor were they designed to withstand the real world environment of the average user . . . intentionally . . . hmmm.  So, on that note; what’s with the explode-able-phone when you drop it?  The cover comes off and the battery seems to have its own automatic ejection system.  Could we build just a little bit of a tighter clip?  Why do I need a broom and a dust pan just to pick up my phone from that massive 2 ½  foot suicide fall that it just had as it slipped past my holster clip.  Remington, Smith & Wesson are you listening?

I don’t know just how much the cell phone carriers are making off of replacing water damaged phones, but could you just imagine the first manufacturer who brings out a commercial with a scuba diver making a cell phone call at 50 feet under the water?  Frankly, I don’t scuba dive but that’s the phone that I want.  Or a phone that when I drop it doesn’t explode upon impact, it just has built-in software that tells it to say; "oops, I’ve been dropped, I’m down here", and then automatically calls your wife to tell her that you’re an idiot.

Oh well, as they say; were I king. 

So tell me, just how many times have you had your cell phone replaced because of water damage?  We're doing a survey to find out.