TimesToCome Mobile

Several reports are coming in on laptops and phones having data copied when you cross the border. Arriving in the US, people are reporting that security is insisting on looking through the data on your laptop and cell phone and often copying the data from your cell phone or laptop.

More information:

iPhone meets the 4th amendment
Civil liberties groups sue Homeland Security
US Confiscating data at the border
US courts consider legality of laptop inspections.
Examining Search and Seizure of Electronics at Airports

Another concern is having your cell phone stolen. Most cell phones now allow you to enter a password that will turn on after a set time. Since I almost lost a phone on a trip I’ve used passwords on my phones. Don’t wait until you lose the phone to decide you need a password.

Two hours a day for Starbucks card holders ( with auto reload, be sure to register your card and sign up for auto reloads ) and some special yet to be announced deal for AT&T customers. ( Which is a good thing, Edge is useless you need WiFi for an iPhone to be usable online. )

TMobile customers will keep their access to the Starbucks HotSpots.

SEATTLE and SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 11, 2008 — AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) and Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) today announced plans to deliver AT&T Wi-FiSM service at more than 7,000 company-operated Starbucks locations across the United States. The initiative brings together two of the most recognizable global brands to create a powerful and convenient online experience for consumers and business customers. Starbucks and AT&T will offer a mix of free and paid Wi-Fi offerings at Starbucks stores to meet the needs of both frequent and occasional Starbucks Wi-Fi customers.
The initiative further expands the AT&T Wi-Fi network, already the largest in the United States, to more than 17,000 U.S. hot spots and more than 70,000 globally.
Beginning this spring, Starbucks Card holders can enjoy up to two hours of free Wi-Fi service per day at Starbucks locations offering Wi-Fi access, while more than 12 million qualifying AT&T broadband and AT&T U-verseSM Internet customers will have unlimited free access to the Wi-Fi service. In addition, more than 5 million of AT&T’s remote access services business customers will be able to access Wi-Fi service at Starbucks locations. AT&T will soon extend the benefits of Wi-Fi at Starbucks to its wireless customers. . . [ read more More than 12 million AT&T, Starbucks customers to get free WiFi access]

More details here

TUAW is reporting that Starbucks WiFi portals for iPhones are being rolled out

Most of these tips you are already familiar with, but there’s a few new ones:

Keep the lens clean
Fill your frame
Hold your hand over the camera to shield it from the glare of the sun[ read more Cellphone camera tips]

But more interesting is the How to take amazing mobile phone photos section with tips. There are many excellent cell phone photos so you can see what it is possible to accomplish with your mobile phone.

Also on your Window Mobile phone - if you have light settings ( auto - indoor - outdoor - lightbulb ) select the lightbulb setting for all your photos.  This will get rid of that orange tone showing up in your photos.

I’ve also read that changing the registry setting from

HKEY_LOCAL-MACHINE\Software\HTC\Camera\P2\MainCamSupportCaptSize from 10 to 58 ( 0xA to 0×3A ) helps. I’m not sure what that does, I couldn’t see any difference in my pictures but try it and see. Perhaps it will benefit your photos?