$9.99 For a Portable 2600mAh USB Charger

Today only, Staples has a nice portable USB charger for only $9.99. The iEnjoy MyBolt Portable USB Flash Charger is normally priced at $49.99 however I have never actually seen it that high in stores. Still, today's price is one of the best I've seen.

For those unsure of the charge amount, 2600 mAh is enough power to give an iPhone a full charge. Some Android phones have larger batteries and therefore it will not offer you a full charge. It is however a great something to keep with you in case you are out for the day and your phone starts to die.

Perfect for iPhone, iPad, iPod, BlackBerry, Samsung Galaxy, HTC, e-readers, digital cameras, and other devices
USB output and Micro-USB input
High capacity: 2600mAh each

Free Extra 10GB of Storage on Google Drive

Google is currently offering an extra 10GB of free storage on Google Drive for two years for anyone that downloads the Quickoffice app. Quickoffice is a free app available for both Android and iOS (iPhone) phones. The app will allow you to open files anywhere.

While we’re on the topic of free stuff, if you sign in to your Google Account from the new Quickoffice app for Android or iOS by September 26, 2013, an extra 10GB of Google Drive storage will be added to your account for two years (look for it in the next few weeks). So don’t let your hardware or software differences get in the way of true collaboration -- download the new app and start working together today. (Source: Official Google Drive Blog)

Free Month of Skype's Calling Service

Today only (November 15, 2012), you can sign up for a free month long trial of Skype's calling service. The fine print states that your Skype account for over a month to prevent people from creating new accounts to take advantage of these promotion. You will also be required to provide a payment method so that you can be billed if you do not cancel your free trial.

This is a great deal to try out the Skype features right before the holidays.

Here’s what you’ll get

• One month of free unlimited calls, worth $13.99. 
• Calls to mobiles in seven countries, including the USA, Canada and Hong Kong. 
• Unlimited calls to landlines in over 40 countries. 
• Call when you want, day and night, seven days a week. 
• No obligation — try it for a month and cancel at any time.

Shared Reading: How to Stay Below Your Data Cap on Android

If you're like me, you have a smart phone. If you're lucky, you currently have unlimited data. You're also painfully aware that most providers have already, or are preparing to, cap your data. Where in the past you could have unlimited data plans, now you will have to pay for every gigabyte you use. So how can you keep from paying a lot in overages? PC World wrote an article with ten tips for Android phones. Some of these tips are universal for all smart phones so even if you have an iPhone, Blackberry, or Window's phone, you will hopefully learn something useful.

Monitor Your Data Usage
The first step in reducing your data usage is figuring out how much data you actually use.

You might already be using less data than the new plans will provide. This is a quick way to see if you even need to change any of your habits. Your monthly bill should list your usage for that billing cycle.

Find Free Wi-Fi
You can also minimize how much cellular data you use by connecting to Wi-Fi networks whenever they're available.

Many restaurants and businesses now offer free Wi-Fi to customers. This is really useful if you like to stream entertainment while waiting for a table or to compare prices. Just hook onto their network and you won't pay for data. Set your phone to automatically connect to your Wi-Fi at home and work so that you don't even have to consciously think about it most of the time.

Use a Lighter Browser
You use a lot of data when you browse the Web--but you don't have to use as much as you do. Instead of using the stock browser that comes with Android, try downloading a lighter and more data-efficient browser such as Opera Mini or TextOnly to reduce your data usage while surfing the Web.

I had no idea that browsers can in data-efficient models. I had downloaded a non-stock e-mail app because I had problems with the stock program, but I never knew they could help with data usage as well. For email, I use K-9 mail.

Don't Obsessively Clear Your Cache
Another mobile browser tip: if you don't clear your cache often, you'll end up using less data because your browser won't have to constantly redownload images and other Website assets.

I never would have thought about this tip by myself. I am guilty of clearing my cache often because I thought it was better for the phone.  


There are even more great tips from PC World, so read the full article, How to Stay Below Your Data Cap on Android.

Sponsored: Straight Talk

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I don’t personally have Straight Talk but I was recently informed about some of the benefits of this provider and thought they had some interesting features that are unique to them.  The most unique feature being that it is contract free but not pay as you go. They say mom knows best and even she’d say this is great because you can still budget a monthly payment without worrying about hidden fees and cancelation fees if you need to cancel.  There are also no activation or reactivation fees which means if you don’t need your phone for a set period of time, like if you’re going out of the country, you can shut it off and then reactivate it when you need it.

Straight Talk has a few different plans and they even offer smart phones with data plans.  Their unlimited monthly service is $45 which includes calls, text, picture messaging, and web.  You can call a friend without worrying about going over your monthly minutes.  Since I noticed a different plan that includes data, I’m not sure what type of web the unlimited plan includes.

Straight Talk uses phones from manufacturers you trust like LG, Motorola, and Samsung.  This means that you will have everything you need including some phones which are app capable.
Finally, Straight Talk is the sponsor of a fishing team which is running a contest.  Check out this YouTube video and enter to win a share of $500,000 in cash and prizes.

Free International Phone Calls

I haven't actually tested this program since I don't currently have any international phone calls to make, but the concept seems like something my readers might be interested in.

A new company, Freephone2phone allows you to make free ten minute international calls in return for listening to a short advertisement. The calls must originate from the United States but you can call anywhere. You'll only pay for a local call (or cell phone minutes).

A quick Google search led to some reviews of the company. Many of the reviews were written a few months ago and stated that you got five minutes but the website states ten so perhaps they've increased the talk time since the original reviews were posted. Every review consistently stated that you would hear warning beeps during the last thirty seconds before the call disconnected so you won't just disconnect without warning.

A blogger for the NY Times wrote:

I tried a couple of other international calls, my mind buzzing with the new paradigm that had suddenly opened. Frankly, I can’t see why anyone would ever use a calling card again; by the time you’ve fussed with typing in your authorization codes, you’ve spent more time to place a calling-card call than you would listening to a FreePhone2Phone ad.

Source: Lifehacker

$10 Off $10 at Sports Authority with Special App

It seems that Sports Authority is trying to encourage iPhone and Android users to download the ShopKick app. Right now, the app will include a free $10 off $10 coupon.

I can't personally verify this deal because I have a Blackberry. Why does everyone forget about us Blackberry users?