About Us
Mobiledia is a site for casual readers and tech enthusiasts alike. We write with a fundamental belief that people are more interested in how today's facts impact their lives tomorrow. Mobiledia was launched in September 2002.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help people understand why technology matters. Rather than report the facts, we aim to explain trends and explore the benefits and consequences of an increasingly-connected lifestyle.
Why We Do It
Every once in a while you read a story that teaches you how great technology can change your life -- and suddenly you see the bigger picture. At Mobiledia, everything we do, we believe in teaching readers like you about the big picture and educating the world around us.
How We Do It
We write about how trends affect the future. Tech promises to make life better, more efficient, easier, even more magical. Yet often it fails and, instead, makes life more complicated and annoying. We're interested in tech when it creates magic and promise, but also when it has unforeseen consequences not anticipated by their makers.
Who Are We?
Our team comes from backgrounds in journalism, English literature, film and media, engineering, consulting and more, but we speak with a collective voice. Technology is often discussed, and disputed, by staff and editorial members. And writers often cooperate on articles, which in some cases, are heavily edited. We focus on producing a great end product, regardless of who gets the spotlight.
Kat Ascharya -- Kat is the editor of Mobiledia. With more than 10 years of experience as a writer on media, film, culture and fashion, she founded NoGoodForMe.com, one of the Web's first and long-running fashion blogs. Kat graduated from Duke University and Columbia University with a M.A. in Film. Previously, her movies have screened at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Anthology Film Archives and the IFC Center in New York City.
Sandy Fitzgerald -- Sandy is the lifestyle editor, responsible for biographies on influencers, movers and shakers and secret geeks. Before coming to Mobiledia, Sandy was a managing editor, redesigning of newspapers, and a layout designer editor, choosing stories, editing copy and photographs and creating headlines.
Kate Knibbs -- As a reporter, Kate is our social media resident. She majored in English at McGill University. Since then she was head editor and curriculum developer for English literature students in South Korea. In her free time, she volunteered as a swim instructor for autistic children.
Cam Lincoln -- Cam is responsible for the Mobiledia reviews, where you can read about the pros and cons of new phones, compare specs, read user reviews and more.
Margaret Rock -- Margaret is the managing editor. She graduated from Loyola University with a B.A. in English. In a former life, she worked for Accenture as a marketing and public relations specialist. Prior to that she was a reporter for Examiner.com covering municipal meetings and interviews.
Partners
We've teamed up with some of the leading brands and services. Interested in working with us? Drop us a line!
In the News
We are regularly recognized as an authority in the tech and mobile industry. For press inquiries or questions, please contact us. Here are some select mentions:
Siri Attracts Competition and Its First Peripheral
"... Undoubtedly the single iPhone 4S feature which has attracted more attention
than any other is the voice controlled Siri. So what is the best way of reflecting
in a bit of its reflected glory? Why not create something similar for Android users?..."
"... Mobiledia describes one such attempt: "The clone, nicknamed "Iris," or Siri in reverse, was built in just eight hours during a hackathon by workers at Dexetra.com, who set out to replicate Siri, the new feature only available on the iPhone 4S.
"Like Siri, Iris allows users to search by voice on various subjects, including art, literature, biology and more. For example, if you ask it "what is a fish," it will show you a paragraph from Wikipedia about the creatures."..."
Amazon, Facebook and the Evolution of Privacy
"... When Amazon announced its new Kindle Fire tablet, it also
announced that it would come with a new browser called Silk..."
"... According to security firm Sophos, as reported by Mobiledia on Thursday, Silk stores the Web sites that users visit as well as their IP and Mac addresses..."
China Steals "Angry Birds" for Theme Park
"... A theme park inspired by the popular mobile game opened Sept. 1 in Changsha, a city
in China's Hunan province, where visitors take turns with giant slingshots that shoot the birds
at pig balloons..."
"... It's unclear how Rovio, the game's Finnish developer, intends to respond. A spokeswoman for Rovio China told the website Mobiledia that it would welcome a partnership. It would seem that a ready-made market exists..."
Unlicensed Angry Birds Attraction Opens in Chinese Theme Park
"... An amusement park in China has opened an unlicensed attraction
based on Angry Birds, a popular mobile game..."
"... "We would welcome a partnership," Rovio China spokeswoman Daisy Yang said when asked by tech site Mobiledia about the Changsha park. "But Rovio would need to give them permission to use the Angry Birds game."..."
Intel Says Work on Meego Software Will Go On
"... Some of the questions about Intel's commitment to the software were
prompted by a report in the Taiwan-based publication Digitimes, which reported
that Intel planned to temporarily discontinue development of the software due to
a lack of enthusiasm from handset and tablet PC vendors..."
"... Mobiledia, meanwhile, reported that Samsung Electronics is planning to help work on Meego..."
Don't Hate the New Player, Hate the New Game
"... The video game industry has undergone a transformation, allowing new kinds of
games to come to the fore..."
"... This, writes Mobiledia's Kat Asharya, could lead to games that go beyond the digital and transition into reality: "New gamers are shown to be very socially conscious, heavily engaged with the "offline" world and imbued with a strong drive to improve themselves and the world around them. Latitude found that 95 percent of surveyed gamers would like to see more games combining digital content with the real, physical world."...
Governments, Business and Police: We've Had It With the Hacking
"... It appears the victims of an ongoing stream of black-hat hacking
attempts (and some successes) are stepping it up when it comes to playing
defense..."
"... According to Mobiledia's Sandy Fitzgerald, ICSPA will focus on the majority of hackers' back yards, zeroing in on Russia, the Ukraine and Brazil -- countries from which a large portion of illegal hacking originates..."
How Hip-Hop Is Keeping Dying Languages on Life Support
"... Could Chilean teenagers' desire to make their text messages more
exclusive breathe new life into a dying language?..."
"... Mobiledia's Margaret Rock writes that southern Chilean teens are incorporating the nearly dead language Huilliche into hip-hop videos they are uploading to YouTube..."
Cell Phone Crackdown as North Korea Prepares for Leadership Shift
"... Over the last decade, more news has been getting out from, and
reaching into, North Korea via smuggled cell phones..."
"... Mobiledia observed: "Sources say the government is restricting the flow of information even more carefully than before in the wake of recent Middle East uprisings."..."
That's a Nice Phone, But How's the Network?
"... You need to think about only two things in choosing a carrier:
the speed of its network and its reliability. That sounds deceptively simple..."
"... Another site, Mobiledia, tells you where nearby cell towers are. The low-tech approach might be as useful..."
Analyze This: Your Cell Phone Bill
"... Chances are you're wasting gobs of money on wireless phone
service because you chose the wrong plan..."
"... Also, consider call quality in your area. Cheaper is not better if you don't have a wireless signal. Sites such as Mobiledia (cellreception.com ) can help determine whether you'll have good coverage..."
In Choosing a New Phone, Online Research Goes Only So Far
"... Buying a new cellphone is about as much fun as buying a used car.
Had my friend read a couple of online reviews of the Tour, he might have
chosen more carefully..."
"... If he had another shot, I'd suggest he start by spending five minutes on sites like CellReception.com to check the coverage of the major carriers in his area..."
Study Guide: How to Save Money on the First Year of College
"... Many students arrive at school with a phone they've had for years.
It's often most economical to stay on the existing family plan or to opt
for a prepaid plan. One warning: Don't leave home without finding out
whether there's good reception in the area..."
"... The colleges could let you know. Cellreception.com is also a potential source..."
What to Do About Bad IPhone 3GS Reception
"... I'd return the phone and go shopping at another carrier that
has good coverage where you live...'
"... All the big carriers disclose coverage areas on their Web sites. And for an unbiased opinion, go to cellreception.com..."
Switching Networks for an IPhone
"... I have always advised that nobody should get any phone unless
it is on a network that they are sure works to their satisfaction in
the areas where they will use it..."
"... So, my advice is to ask friends around Boston who have iPhones or other AT&T 3G devices how they feel about the network. You might also enter your ZIP Code at some Web sites that track overall carrier coverage and dead zones, like cellreception.com..."
For Prepaid Customers, Phones That Won't Give You Away Anymore
"... Prepaid cellphones have long been an outlet for those without
the money or credit rating to get a contract with one of the major
mobile carriers..."
"... Since Boost uses Sprint's network, you would be wise to check with your friends, relatives and Web sites like CellReception.com to see how well the company covers your area..."
The Web Brings Together Cellphone Users Searching for Signals
"... CellReception is an offshoot of Mobiledia.com, a widely read
mobile-industry blog..."
"... The site's president, Allen Tsai, said it held more than 45,000 comments, mostly written by Mobiledia readers..."
Planning a Road Trip? Prepare for Cellphone Outages
"... We must also come to terms with the fact that our cellphones
aren't as reliable outside the city. Luckily, we can plan for these
things..."
"... Websites such as Mobiledia's CellReception.com allow users to type in their locations and get a map or a list of past issues with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon in that area..."
Computing Q&A
"What's the best way to find out which cell phone models have
the best reception?..."
"... What you can do is go to the Mobiledia Web site (cellreception.com) and check how well or badly the big wireless carriers cover your area. The Web site lets you search for nearby cellular towers, and it has a database of user comments about coverage from people in your ZIP code..."
The Everything Guide to Belt-Tightening
"... AT&T Coverage Quality: Spotty all over, especially in lower Manhattan.
Verizon: By all accounts, the city's most reliable carrier. T-Mobile: Coverage
gaps all over, from Harlem to Battery Park. Sprint: Few complaints, but occasional
breaks in service way uptown..."
"... As found on cellreception.com..."
Staying Connected via Cellphone (and Cellphone Bill)
"For a second opinion, I phoned the lead analyst for mobile phones
at PC Magazine..."
"... He looked at cellphone coverage maps - available online at sites like Cellreception.com - before warning me that switching to a Vermont carrier for prepaid minutes would be prohibitively expensive."
What Is Web 2.0?
"... Ask a dozen tech pundits to describe Web 2.0 and you're likely to get two dozen
explanations as to what it is. Apart from the concept itself, some specific Web 2.0 technologies
are also important to understand..."
"... Mashups: Websites or applications that combine content from one or more sources. For example, Cellreception.com combines Google Maps with a database of 124,000 cell phone tower locations to help users determine where mobile coverage is strong -- and where it isn't. ..."
Money-Saving Tips
"Correspondents will tell you how to fight back if you think you're
being mistreated as a customer. Here are some tips that could save
you money and aggravation..."
"... Consumers generally have little idea how reliable their cell phone service will be when they buy a phone and sign a contract. The best information comes from word of mouth or from Web sites such as CellReception.com."
Nokia's Nifty New Store
"... Nokia takes a second step in its U.S. retail strategy tomorrow,
opening a new, high-gloss store on 57th street in Manhattan..."
"... The transluscent, plexiglass walls deliver a multimedia lightshow synchronized with music ranging from the meditative to industrial. Lining these walls are the goods: pretty much every Nokia handset available, from the heavily-promoted 8801 to diamond-encrusted $44,000 Vertu models made by Swiss watchmakers outside of London. (For all the gory detail, see Mobiledia's blow-by-blow description.)..."
Beyond Tuition
"The Zogby study reports that 89% of college students have cell
phones. One dad complained that the most shocking cost he encountered
was 'that darned cell-phone bill.'..."
"... Check sites such as Cellreception.com to make sure that there's good service on campus; some carriers entice students with special discounts or enhanced service..."
Which Cell Phone Is Best for You?
"To figure out which companies offer service you can use, start
by checking the coverage maps..."
"... Get an independent analysis of coverage from a site like cellreception.com (a searchable database of cell-phone tower locations and consumer reports)..."
Computing Q&A: Tip of the Week
"Before you lock yourself into a cell phone contract, make sure
there's good reception in your area..."
"... You also can check out Mobiledia Corp.'s Web site (cellreception.com), which keeps track of cell site deployments and features comments from users around the country..."
Switching Wireless Carriers
"If you're thinking about switching carriers, I recommend that
you do the following..."
"... Check the new carrier's coverage. Wireless service providers include coverage maps on their sites, which you can search by zip code. Independent Web sites, such as Mobiledia, can provide even more information..."
Cell Phone Service, How to Choose
"At Consumer Reports, editors say that users in metropolitan areas
should go with the cell-phone plan that gets the highest rating. Since
Verizon and T-Mobile both rank highly in most regions, your best bet
is to ask around -- find out how happy friends and neighbors are with
their cell-phone service..."
"... Web sites like CellReception.com can give you a good idea what you can expect in your specific area. This Web site is a great source for identifying service 'dead spots...'"
A Cellphone and a Plan for Just About Any Situation
"A few times I thought I had found a nearly perfect phone and a
tolerable service plan, but they used incompatible wireless technologies.
So start by choosing a carrier, because no phone is useful if it does
not get good reception where you need it..."
"... A good resource for all carriers is cellreception.com, where you get access to a map of local cellphone towers and reports from your neighbors about the reception they get..."
Where in the World Is...
"Individual programmers have been the first to seize on the technology
and turn mundane lists into such interactive maps. But some larger
businesses are starting to use mashups as a way to gain exposure and
boost traffic to their sites..."
"... CellReception.com brings up a Google map of nearby cellular towers when you enter a city name or ZIP Code. Also provides comments about coverage and signal strength in nearby areas for multiple carriers..."
Era of the Mash-Ups Newest Web Sites Among Net's Hottest Phenomena
"Take a pinch of Yahoo or Google. Then stir in some census data,
photographs or crime statistics. What you get is a 'mash-up.' Among
the Internet's hottest phenomena, these Web sites combine ingredients
from different online sources to create intriguing hybrids..."
"... A mix of mash-ups - www.cellreception.com (cell phone towers + maps)..."
A Journey to a Thousand Maps Begins With an Open Code
"Using a Google map as a base, programmers can create interactive
charts with information like U.F.O. sightings, cheap gas locations,
census findings, restaurant reviews or subway directions..."
"... Related Google Maps Mash-Ups - Cell Phone Reception..."
The Cellphone's Potential as a Search Tool Gets Tapped
"Still, searching the Web on a phone is frustrating for most users.
Screens are tiny. Waiting for a page to appear can take 10 seconds
or more. And when signals fade, the lag times can be unbearable..."
"... 'The experience is much like text browsing in the early days of the Internet,' said Allen Tsai, founder of Mobiledia.com, a site for comparison shopping of cellphones..."