Category Archives: -cases & Pouches For Motorola

-cases & Pouches For Motorola - Seidio announces HTC EVO 4G LTE accessories - (5/20/2012)

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Seidio’s Active case for the HTC EVO 4G LTE

Published on may 16, 2012

For most mobile geeks, there are very few things more exciting than picking up one of the hottest new handsets on the market. But if we had to choose one thing we enjoy almost as much as tinkering around with the latest mobile devices, we’d have to say it’s loading up on accessories for ‘em. So, we were pretty excited this morning when we heard about Seidio releasing a whole new batch of accessories specifically for Sprint’s new HTC 4G LTE.

Seidio’s signature cases will include the Surface, Active and Convert. To start, the Surface, crafted from durable plastic, will offer maximum protection in a minimal package. Colors include black, “glossed white,” garnet red, amethyst and royal blue.

The Active case does exactly what you might expect by offering an ideal design for smartphone users who are always on the go. It’s lightweight and comes with a built-in metal kickstand for hands-free viewing. Additionally, the Active’s shock-absorbing protection, (which only adds 2.2mm to the phone), is great for those early morning jogs.

And lastly, the Convert Combo begins with the Surface case and then allows you to add more layers for extra protection—basically, the Convert is two cases in one. All of these will be up for pre-order beginning Wednesday, and will ship out as soon as Friday, may 18. the cases are $29.95, $34.95 and $49.95, respectively.

Check here for more information. 

-cases & Pouches For Motorola - Apple iPhone 4s 16GB for sale $260,iPad 2 64GB (Wi-Fi + 3G) for $370 - (5/17/2012)

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Description

Buy 2 get 1 freeBuy 5 get 3 freeBuy 10 get 5 free

These are some of the products and prices available.

Apple iPhonesNew iPhone 4s 64GB —– $380Apple iPhone 4 32GB —-$270Apple iPhone 4 16GB —- $250Apple iPhone 3Gs 32GB ——-$220Apple iPhone 3Gs 16GB ——$200

Apple iPad Tablet Wi-FiApple iPad 2 —— $370Apple IPad Tablet 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G -——$260Apple IPad Tablet 32GB Wi-Fi + 3G ——-$240Apple IPad Tablet 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G ——-$200

Samsung PhonesSamsung Galaxy S2 —- $380Samsung I9000 Galaxy S ——$250Samsung I7500 Galaxy ———- $210Samsung P1000 Galaxy Tab —-$270Samsung i8910 Omnia HD ——– $200Samsung I8000 Omnia II ——– $190Samsung S5150 Diva folder —- $180Samsung S7070 Diva ———— $170Samsung B7320 Omnia PRO —— $200Samsung B7300 Omnia Lite —— $190Samsung A177 —————- $200Samsung A257 Magnet ———- $200Samsung T929 Memoir ———– $220Samsung A867 Eternity ——– $210

Blackberry PhonesBlackberry Bold 9700 ——– $220Blackberry Torch 9800 Slider —- $250Blackberry Storm 2 9550 —— $210Blackberry 9630 Tour ——– $200Blackberry Bold 9000 ——– $180Blackberry 9530 Storm ——- $180Blackberry 9500 Storm ——- $170Blackberry 7100t ———— $170Blackberry 7290 ————- $160Blackberry 8700f ———— $170Blackberry 7230 ————- $160Blackberry Curve 8900 ——– $180Blackberry Curve 8320 ——- $160Blackberry 7100i ———— $160

Sony Ericsson PhonesSony Ericsson Xperia Arc —- $260Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 —- $200Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 mini pro — $220Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 mini —– $210Sony Ericsson Satio (idou) ——- $190Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 —- $180Sony Ericsson XPERIA Pureness —-$250Sony Ericsson XPERIA X8 —– $260

Nokia PhonesNokia 5800 XpressMusic — $230Nokia 5310 XpressMusic — $200Nokia 5530 XpressMusic —– $210Nokia X3 —– $220Nokia N900 —- $200Nokia X6 —– $220Nokia E75 —- $180Nokia E72 —- $170Nokia E71 —- $190Nokia E63 —- $170Nokia E66 —- $210Nokia N86 8MP — $200Nokia N97 32GB — $190Nokia N97 16GB —– $180Nokia 6790 Surge —- $160Nokia 5230 —— $210Nokia 3208c —– $200Nokia 3720 Classic ——- $190Nokia 7210 Supernova —– $195Nokia 2330 classic ——- $180Nokia N96 3G 16GB ——- $210

HTC PhonesHTC EVO 4G —– $240Htc Google Nexus one — $220Htc HD 2 (Leo) — $180HTC Touch HD —- $170Htc Hero ——– $170Htc Tachi ——– $160Htc Magic ——- $160Htc Touch Pro 2 — $200Htc Touch Pro — $190HTC Touch Diamond —- $180Htc Touch Diamond 2 — $190HTC Advantage X7510 — $170HTC S740 ——– $150

T-Mobile PhonesT-Mobile myTouch —–$190T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide–$170T-Mobile HD2—$200T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Edition —$180T-Mobile Pulse ———- $160T-Mobile MyTouch 3G —- $140T-Mobile G2 Touch —— $130T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2008 –– $120T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009–— $130

LG PhonesLG KF900 Prada —–- $180LG GW820 eXpo ———- $190LG GT540 ————— $170LG GD510 Pop ———– $180LG GW550 ————— $170LG Incite —————–$180LG GD910 —————––$190LG KS500 ——— $190LG KC780 —–—- $200

We offer 1 year international standard warranty with full acceptance for replacement or full refund of money back.

To place your order successfully,you can contact us via emailxinoratech@

-cases & Pouches For Motorola - An Assortment of Cool Cell Phone Accessories - (5/17/2012)

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When the global market has been proliferated by numerous cellular phones, an assortment of cool cell phone accessories is not far behind. Just when you think that you have every single accessory for your mobile device, another new one will appear. One cell phone case for instance is not enough for one user as there are many stylish designs that are being offered. It is like changing the color of your shoes to match your clothes for the day.

Changing the mobile phone case primarily means enhancing the appearance of the wireless device. however, it does not mean it does not have any other efficient purpose. The good thing about these cool cell phone accessories is that they combine aesthetics and functionality. A case will not only add beauty but also will protect the device from harmful objects and accidents. The more robust the material of the cell phone case, the better to guard it from accidental bumps and sharp objects.

The demand for cool cell phone accessories is not limited to the enhancement of its appearance. Hands-free kit is a huge help in making or answering calls with both your hands free to do other things. Bluetooth earpieces or speakers are highly appreciated when you are pressed for time or in the middle of doing something important but need to make a call. It is most often used when on the road where using cell phone while driving is not forbidden. Busy people love to use it while walking down around since you can easily attach it to your ears and can immediately hear if it is ringing.

Fast chargers are also one of the cool cell phone accessories that you need to invest on. It enables mobile users to charge the battery in the shortest time possible. Some people do not like to change batteries as they find it in cumbersome to do so especially if there is something wrong with the cell phone case. You can opt to invest on two kinds of chargers, one that can be plugged in to the car’s cigarette lighter and the other to any universal electric socket. It would be best if you can get a mobile vertical dock where you can safely place your device without missing a call.

Sending messages using text or what commonly known as texting has become an affordable alternative to making calls. most people today prefer to send instant messages, as they can be stored in the recipient’s mobile device. With instant messaging, it is important that the LCD screen is clear and clean. Invest on a durable screen protector that will be able to shield it from smudges and scratches. this accessory comes in different types and you can opt to cover the whole device or just the mobile screen.

All these cool cell phone accessories can be found online. While it is easy to order them out, be sure to avoid fraudulent online stores by making sure to check if they follow secure online payment processing. when you go to the buying page of the site, check if the URL starts with https. also, look for the padlock icon at the bottom of the screen. It is also wise to read online reviews and check if you see any complaints filed against the store.

iPod Touch Covers – Cases for the Biggest Sports Fans

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Do you have a favorite sports team? Do you know someone that is a die-hard sports fan? if so, you can now dress your iPod touch in your favorite sports team’s colors or mascot if you are looking for a great gift, an iPod Touch sports cover will win over any sports fan and leave you feeling as if you scored the best gift ever. Although March Madness has come to an end, imagine being at the final game sporting your UCONN Huskies case. what a way to support your team.

Choose to show your team spirit in a way that keeps up with technology. Although your favorite team may not change- technology does. Be a team player and support your team with your iPod touch cover and score big points with other sports fans.

Sporting your Sport

Not into basketball? That’s not a problem there are cases for every sport if football gives you a kick- then there is a case for you iPod touch covers are now available for all NFL teams. Sporting your sports team has never been easier. Maybe you are into baseball; if so cover all the bases by choosing your favorite baseball team to sport on your device. whatever your sports forte might be-just like there is an app for that-there is also a cover for that.

Versatile Sports Team Covers

Cover all your bases with the versatile styles available. Knowing what team you like is the easiest part choosing between the vast selections of sports covers available may not be. let your team spirit show while protecting your iPod Touch. You can even get your favorite team’s logo atop your own favorite color- even magenta

Invest in your Team

Make an investment in your team by purchasing an iPod cover that shows your team enthusiasm. if you are wondering what an iPod touch cover costs, it’s less than 2 hot dogs and 2 drinks at a game. Yes, less than $25.00 You couldn’t buy your favorite team shirt for that. Unlike the stock market, this investment is sure to keep you on top of your game.

Looking to dress even more of your devices with your team’s logo, mascot or colors? iPad and iPad 2 sports team cases are also now on the market enjoy watching your friends’ mouths drop to the ground when you pull out one of your devices with this type of cover at the next sporting event

Best Cell Phone Accessories – Nite Ize Hard Shell Case

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When you are on the job it is extremely important to provide your hand held device the protection it needs. the new Blackberry hard shell case from Nite Ize offers just this. This is an ideal case for those hard working individuals out in the field who submit their mobile devices to the most extreme of elements.

This universal holster offers maximum protection to the individual regardless of the model type. This case has a built in hard case that protects it from all the bumps and drops it can possibly receive. along with the shock protection it comes equipped with, it also comes standard with one of the most secure belt clips in the market. it has eight different locking positions and rotates a full 360 degrees.

This particular clip is designed to fit over the roughest belt clips in the field. another great feature this case offers is the built in power down activator. When you place your mobile device into the holster the power down activator kicks on allowing your device to save battery life, and keep you going steady with plenty of battery power.

These BackBone cases from Nite Ize were designed to offer organization unlike any others on the market. they are specifically built to organize, protect, and carry your mobile device which ever it may be. the case is built around the idea of enclosed protection and is considered the cornerstone of it’s strucure.

The soft scratch resistant interior provides the ultimate in protection and the most accessibility you could ask for in a case. the case consist of extra strength durable nylon fabric and it’s weather resistant zippers are the final layer of external protection.

This is the perfect universal case for all those who wish to proved the maximum in protection when it comes to your cell phone. be sure to add this particular case in your own arsenal of cell phone accessories.

-cases & Pouches For Motorola - T-Mobile TestDrive Website Now Live And Ready For Your —- Test Drive - (5/8/2012)

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Update: perhaps calling this a “cop-out” was a little too strange of language, but I stand by my assertion that this is wrong and that T-Mobile should test 4G against 4G or not at all. I hope T-Mobile recognizes that their strength lies in comparable speeds, but really shakes things up when it comes to value. 

T-Mobile’s TestDrive website is now live and I will say at first glance, I’m disappointed. I’ll just get right to it — T-Mobile, I’m really puzzled by this. the idea that you claim “America’s largest 4G network” and design a new commercial campaign around speed and then compare your “4G” network against “3G” smartphones is a questionable act. Speed should no longer be the focus of T-Mobile’s marketing campaign, value and Technology should. Speed should be a secondary thought. If you can’t win on speed, highlight where you can, value, value, value.

I get it, why did I expect them to compare their service against LTE? Honestly, why should I expect a company introducing a brand new marketing campaign focused on speed to compare it to the fastest phones on other networks?

Here’s an idea T-Mobile, drop the Carly commercial campaign and run these TestDrive spots. That’s where you’ll win customers over, the customers who care about speed but don’t know the difference between LTE and HSPA+ and instead value “value.” this is what they should have teased this morning and aired this evening. People have to go to the website, but they are already sitting in front of the television, reading the paper or listening to the radio — so T-Mobile, I beg of you, play these ads (without LTE comparisons if you must) as your new marketing campaign.

In any case, the website is live and the link is below. Two fun facts before we go, first, T-Mobile compares the pricing using Classic plans and not value plans…THANKFULLY! Second, an iPad version of the site is coming, awesome.

-cases & Pouches For Motorola - Google Galaxy Nexus first-impressions review - (5/7/2012)

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Two days ago, may 4, I received the Samsung Galaxy Nexus — the 16GB HSPA+ model Google started selling direct last week. I’m not alone. Many of you ordered this phone, too. This first-impressions post extends my December review of the 32GB Verizon LTE model.

I will say straight up that out-of-box experience on AT&T is nowhere as good as Verizon. Network is huge factor. Audio quality is crisp and clear on Verizon compared to occasional hissy-fits on AT&T. Data speed isn’t comparable, so far — that’s round and about San Diego and communities East and South, La Mesa and Lemon Grove, respectively. I expected at least 10Mbps HSPA+ data speed, based on my wife’s Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket (before AT&T turned on LTE service here). I’ve yet to top 3.5Mbps on AT&T HSPA+ compared to an average 20Mbps over Verizon LTE. If data throughput is a priority, Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ — over AT&T anyway — is not for you. However, if you want a GSM network phone that is unlocked and contract-free and offers the best of Android, Google Galaxy Nexus is an exceptionally good choice. But expect to make a few compromises.

Buying Google Direct

Samsung manufactures Galaxy Nexus, which Google co-designed, and it shows. Unlike every other Android phone touching my hands, Galaxy Nexus responds as if it’s an end-to-end product. Like iPhone, where Apple controls hardware, software and services, Galaxy Nexus is tight. But make no mistake, cellular carriers add value, too, as I experienced from Verizon and some BetaNews readers report about Sprint, which now offers the smartphone. I would appreciate international readers who bought the HSPA+ model through a carrier to report about their experience, particularly data speed, Android update experience and battery life.

In the United States, and sometime soon in other countries, Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ is available from Google Play, formerly Android Market. the store uses Google Wallet for purchases, which is how I made mine. Base price is $399, but I paid $440.42 after two-day shipping and California tax. I placed the order on may 2 at 5:01 pm PDT, which interestingly shows up as GMT on the receipt, making it technically the next day. Google claims two-day processing and shipping but did better. the order-shipped email arrived at 10:01 pm same day and UPS delivered the smartphone on may 4 around 2 pm PDT. there is 14-day return policy, with 15 percent restocking fee. I’m satisfied with the purchase experience.

Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ once sold for more than $799, unlocked, on these shores, soon after international sales started in November. Prices have since come down considerably — it’s $449.99 from Amazon. the retailer’s return policy is more generous than Google’s, but some buyer reviewers report problems applying updates to the international models sold there. I forgot to check the Android version shipping on my phone, which prompted a system update within 20 minutes after powering up. Android 4.04 runs now, whether shipped that way or updated.

Owners of the Verizon model rightly complain about infrequent updates, which is contrary to the promise of buying a “pure Google” phone. Verizon finally is delivering the 4.04 update, after skipping others. the phone Google sells direct should be better, based on predecessors Nexus one and Nexus S.

Many Compromises

Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ offers only 16GB storage, compared to 32GB for the Sprint and Verizon models. None offers expandable storage. Late last month, Google Drive debuted, offering free, 5GB storage. That, combined with Gmail, Google Music, Google+ (for photos) and YouTube, makes the more-limited space better — as long as your device is connected. Still, for 400 bucks, I’d rather have twice the storage or ability to expand it on device.

As much as I do like the HPSA+ model, it’s a step down from the one I had from Verizon, mostly for the aforementioned reasons. Sadly, I sold the LTE smartphone on Craigslist recently — for $2 less than Verizon’s ridiculous early-termination fee. I simply couldn’t justify paying about half as much for one phone on Verizon as four other lines on AT&T. the nation’s second-largest carrier offers a huge benefit: Sign up for unlimited text messaging and calling is free to any cell phone, regardless of carrier. so the family plan on AT&T is low number of minutes, since we mostly call cell phones. Absent this benefit, I needed a considerably costlier plan from Verizon. If the nation’s largest carrier offered similar calling option, I would be a customer still.

After receiving Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ on Friday, I drove down to the local AT&T store for a newly-provisioned SIM card. That proved problematic. AT&T’s system wouldn’t accept the IMEI number, offering BlackBerry data plans. Finally, the rep chose a generic 3G plan that supposedly is HSPA+, without visual voicemail. AT&T provides the feature on Android phones it sells, but I’m out of luck on Galaxy Nexus. Sprint offers Google Voice integration, which is helluva nice option. Verizon charges an extra $3 a month for visual voicemail, which is simply outrageous nickel and diming. I’m not convinced the phone is properly provisioned for data, based on my lousy performance. I’ll update this section should I find out something or some smart reader (there are lots of you) provides a solution (assuming one is needed).

Perhaps this smartphone’s biggest benefits aren’t features: No contract, unlocked. This is a GSM world phone — in the truest sense for Americans, because T-Mobile is supported. to access the carrier’s HSPA+ network handsets must support both 1700MHz and 2100MHz frequencies, as one is used to send and the other to receive. More broadly, unlocked offers many options, such as being contract free, using a pre-paid plan or choosing lower-cost regional carrier.

Is This the Right Droid for you?

Before getting into some of the nitty-gritty usage stuff, alternatives deserve consideration. When I reviewed Galaxy Nexus LTE in December, there were no other Android 4 phones. That’s finally changed. for example, HTC one X went on sale today from AT&T, and it’s a beast. Samsung Galaxy S III goes on sale internationally may 29 and, based on Samsung product page info, it’s headed to all four major US carriers this summer. I’m all but certain AT&T will carry the S3. During my visit to the carrier’s store on Friday, customer next to me bought the Galaxy S II. one rep remarked to another that S II is “discontinued”, presumably to make way for the S3. so to compare:

Google Galaxy Nexus HSPA+: 4.65-inch Super AMOLED display (315 ppi) with 1280 x 720 resolution; 1.2GHz dual-core processor; 1GB RAM; 16GB storage; HSPA+ 21Mbps/HSUPA, 5.76Mbps (850/900/1900/1700/2100), EDGE/GPRS (850/900/1800/1900); 5-megapixel rear-facing and 1.3MP front-facing cameras; LED flash; zero shutter-lag; 1080p video recording; accelerometer; ambient-light sensor; barometer; gyroscope; GPS; proximity sensor; digital compass; NFC; Bluetooth 4.0; WiFi N; 1750 mAh battery; carrier unlocked; Android 4.0. Measurements: 135.5 x 67.94 x 8.94 mm, 135 grams.

Samsung Galaxy S III: 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display (306 ppi) with 1280 x 720 resolution; 1.4GHz quad-core processor; 1GB RAM; 16GB or 32GB storage (64GB in future), expandable with microSD card; HSPA? 21Mbps (850/900/1900/2100), 4G LTE, GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900); 8-MP rear-facing and 1.9MP front-facing cameras; LED flash; zero shutter-lag; 1080p video recording; accelerometer; ambient-light sensor; gyroscope; GPS; proximity sensor; digital compass; NFC, Bluetooth 3.0; WiFi N; 2100 mAh battery; carrier locked; Android 4.0 and TouchWiz “nature” UI. Measurements: 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6 mm, 133 grams.

HTC one X: 4.7-inch Super IPS LCD2 display (312 ppi) with 1280 x 720 resolution; 1.5GHz dual-core processor (LTE) or 1.5GHz quad-core (HSPA+); 1GB RAM; 16GB storage (US model); HSPA+ (850/900/1900//2100), 4G LTE (some markets), GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900); 8MP rear-facing and 1.3MP front-facing cameras; LED flash; 1080p video recording; accelerometer; ambient-light sensor; gyroscope; GPS; proximity sensor; digital compass; Bluetooth 4.0; WiFi N; 1850 mAh battery; carrier locked; Android 4.0 and Sense UI. Measurements: 134.36 x 69.9 x 8.9 mm, 130 grams.

Small differences set apart the phones and many depend on your priorities:

  • HTC one X and Samsung Galaxy S III are locked phones with carrier contractual commitments; Google Galaxy Nexus is unlocked and carrier free.
  • HTC and Samsung skin Android 4, while Google serves up pure Ice Cream Sandwich.
  • Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ will get Android updates as they come out, while the other phones will lag months behind.
  • One X and S3 are LTE, for Stateside buyers, while Galaxy Nexus is hobbled HSPA+.
  • One X international model and S3 (also, possibly only international) are quad-core. Galaxy Nexus is dual-core all the way.

Now for the good Stuff

So how does Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ handle the road? I’ve only had the smartphone for about two days, but do benefit from experience using the largely similar LTE model for about three months. the first question anyone should ask about every cell phone: How’s the battery life? I found the Verizon LTE smartphone to be simply exceptional. so far, the HSPA+ model’s battery life is well above average but not in the class of its LTE sibling. Twenty hours after the first full recharge and a day of heavy usage, battery level is 31 percent, which is actually above average for this class of phone. I’ve got no complaints.

However, on Friday, I did order a spare 2000 mAh battery, which includes new back cover to accommodate extra thickness, from Expansys USA. If you do likewise be careful. there is similar kit for Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ and LTE models and they are different because the batteries are: 1750 mAh and 1850 mAh, respectively. I also ordered a spare charger (grumble, grumble). Verizon Galaxy Nexus and S II Skyrocket share the same charger as they use same 1850 mAh size battery.

Android 4 is a more modern, flexible operating system than iOS. there are many customization options and the ability to run widgets from the desktop. I recommend Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ for people living the Google lifestyle. Integration with other Google products or services is tight. Gmail, G+ and Google Talk are among the many associated services that sing on this handset.

But it’s Chrome that inspires me most. Ice Cream Sandwich ships with the stock, Adobe Flash-supporting Android browser. However, in early February, Google released Chrome for Android beta, which only supports Ice Cream Sandwich. the browser is fast, fluid and fun — and there is browser and open tab sync with Chrome desktop. Suddenly, I’m much more interested in browsing again than apps. I’d buy an ICS smartphone just to get Chrome.

Regarding apps, Android isn’t as appealing a platform choice now as when I reviewed Verizon Galaxy Nexus. as I explained in late February, Apple is winning the mobile platform wars. in just two quarters, the company shipped more than 70 million iPhones, but it’s new iPad’s sales success that pulls developer attention. Sure, there are plenty of good Android apps, but typically newest go to iOS and more and more new ones are iPhone and iPad. Meaning: Developers who first created iPhone apps and asked next whether they should do iPad or Android have answered by making Google’s platform third priority. Still, Android app selection is largely satisfying.

Overall device performance is indistinguishable between the HSPA+ and LTE models. Galaxy Nexus is plenty fast and responsive enough. Apps load quickly, animations quick and videos crisp and colorful. I much prefer the Android phone’s responsiveness and visuals to that of iPhone 4S.

This display is gorgeous, benefitting from its large size, high resolution and deep contrast. But it washes out some in sunlight, which is disappointing but not unbearable.

Many people will want to compare Galaxy Nexus camera to iPhone 4S or Galaxy S series and wonder about lower 5-megapixels compared to the others’ 8MP. Megapixel count is not the measure of a good camera. Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4S take surprisingly similar photos. in my testing, the Android will sometimes overexposure images in select situations, while the iOS phone produces warmer colors. However, Galaxy Nexus stands out for zero shutter and settings that you can adjust — lots of them compared to iPhone 4S. zero shutter lag is killer capabilty.

Wrapping up, about 2,000 words later, based on my experience so far, I highly recommend Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ — this despite my experience on AT&T’s cellular and data network. the phone isn’t right for everyone. But for me, and perhaps for many of you, Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ is a keeper.

-cases & Pouches For Motorola - Patients held for observation can face steep drug bills - (5/6/2012)

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Sudden chest pains landed Diane Zachor in a Duluth, Minn., hospital overnight, but weeks later she had another shock — a $442 bill for the everyday drugs she also takes at home, including more than a half dozen common medicines to control diabetes, heart problems and high cholesterol.

“I just couldn’t believe some of these prices they charge,” said Zachor, 66. “It’s just atrocious.” For the price she was charged for her insulin during her 18-hour stay at St. Luke’s Hospital, Zachor would have enough to cover her out-of-pocket expenses for a three-month supply under her private Medicare Advantage plan. The tab for one water pill to control high blood pressure could buy a three-week supply. and the bill for one calcium tablet could purchase enough for three weeks, when she gets them over the counter from a national chain pharmacy.

Even though her health plan covers medical and drug expenses, her policy would not pay the hospital drug bill because St. Luke’s never formally admitted her, instead billing the visit as observation care, which is considered outpatient service.

That observation label excludes thousands of patients every year from full Medicare coverage. many have spent more than a day in the hospital and had regular hospital rooms and service and, as with Zachor, never realized they weren’t admitted.

These observation patients might wind up paying a larger share of their hospital bills than inpatients, since they usually have a co-payment for doctors’ fees and each hospital service.

But Medicare doesn’t pay at all for routine drugs that observation patients need for chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol — drugs that Zachor could have brought from home if the hospital allowed it and she had time to get them. Medicare has no rules for what hospitals can bill for non-covered drugs, so they can charge any amount.

A shock, afterward

It’s an unwelcome surprise for patients who may not get the bad news until they receive a hospital bill. Medicare has no rules requiring hospitals to tell patients when they are in observation status or that they will be responsible for paying any non-covered Medicare services, said Ellen Griffith, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

“St. Luke’s carries out ‘observation’ and all other health care policies as prescribed by Medicare rules,” said Mary Greene, a St. Luke’s Hospital representative, in an e-mail. she referred any questions to Medicare.

Drug prices have also surprised seniors in other parts of the country:

•In Missouri, several Medicare observation patients were billed $18 for one baby aspirin, said Ruth Dockins, a senior advocate at the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging.

•Pearl Beras, 85, of Boca Raton, Fla., said in an interview that her hospital charged $71 for one blood pressure pill for which her neighborhood pharmacy charges 16 cents.

•In California, a hospital billed several patients $111 for one pill that reduces nausea; for the same price, they could have bought 95 of the pills at a local pharmacy, said Tamara McKee, program manager for the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program at the Alliance on Aging in Monterey County, Calif., who handled at least 20 complaints last year from Medicare beneficiaries about excessive hospital drug bills.

The most recent government statistics show the number of observation claims that hospitals submitted to Medicare rose 46% to 1.4 million from 2006 to 2010, and the number of cases lasting longer than 48 hours more than tripled.

The American Hospital Association, in a 2010 letter to Medicare officials, said several factors explain that growth, including increasingly restrictive Medicare criteria for the hospital admission and rising use of audits to monitor hospital decisions and billing. in addition, it said, physicians sometimes try to keep seniors in the hospital because they may not be well enough to be home, even when they’re not sick enough to be admitted.

“I don’t blame the hospitals,” said attorney Gill Deford at the Center for Medicare Advocacy, based in Connecticut, which has filed a class-action lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of observation patients who, because of their observation status, become ineligible for Medicare coverage for nursing home care when they leave the hospital.

The lawsuit seeks to either eliminate observation status or require hospitals to tell patients when they’re admitted for observation and allow them to appeal the designation. Observation status “is a big money-saver for the Medicare program,” he said. Medicare officials recommend to hospitals — but do not require — that patients remain under observation for no more than 24 to 48 hours. After that, the patients should be switched to inpatient status or discharged, the officials recommend. But patients can linger in observation for several days and often don’t know they haven’t been admitted.

Difference in pricing

Since the program does not limit the prices for drugs that Medicare doesn’t cover, that can create an opportunity that hospitals might find hard to resist.

Hospitals use their pharmacies to help generate revenue to subsidize the other operating costs of the facility, said Miriam Mobley Smith, dean of the College of Pharmacy at Chicago State University. she said the “upcharge” is based on numerous factors, including personnel, insurance and facility costs.

“I’m not justifying the charges,” she said, “but there’s a huge difference between the cost of operating a retail pharmacy compared to a hospital pharmacy.”

Even patients with private Medicare Part D drug insurance may find that their policies don’t cover their everyday — or “self-administered” — drugs given to them in the hospital.

“These drugs may be covered under certain circumstances,” according to the Medicare website. But there is no requirement that Part D beneficiaries must be fully reimbursed for these drugs.

Seniors advocate Dockins said that requiring hospital pharmacies to participate in the Medicare Part D drug plans would help control pricing because the beneficiaries would get discounts negotiated by the plan.

To avoid drug charges, she tells seniors to bring their pills in the original bottles when they go into the hospital. But hospitals are not required to let patients use their own medicine from home, said Leta Blank, coordinator for the Senior Health Insurance assistance Program in Montgomery County, Md.

Dockins suggests that low-income seniors apply for a hospital’s charity care program so that the charges can be waived or reduced, if they qualify.

Zachor, who works as an office manager for the Minnesota Citizens Federation, a consumer advocacy group, contacted her Medicare Advantage plan to appeal its decision to not cover her hospital drug bill.

In February, her insurer said it requires hospitals with which it contracts “to notify a member before delivering a non-covered service.” Because the hospital didn’t obtain Zachor’s written consent to accept those charges, the plan’s rules say the hospital cannot bill her for them.

However, other Medicare Advantage plans — which cover about a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries — may simply follow the traditional Medicare program, which does not require advance notice. Beneficiaries should check with their insurance companies.

Zachor’s $442 drug bill was scrapped. she had to pay only $50, the co-pay for an emergency room visit.

“What if I didn’t know there was a route to go to appeal to my plan?” Zachor said. “I was thinking about other people older than myself who don’t know what to do, and they would probably have to go without food or medications — for how long — to pay a bill they didn’t have to pay.”

Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan health policy research and communication organization not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

-cases & Pouches For Motorola - CamelBak Groove Insulated 0.6L Filtration Bottle Review - (5/4/2012)

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I’m a big believer in using refillable water bottles to stay hydrated, lose weight, be environmentally conscious, and so on, so we usually have half a dozen 32oz. wide-mouth bottles in the fridge. I’ve been thinking about upgrading my system though.  Our local water is a little hard (but still pretty tasty), but about once a month I need to take a 5.5 hour long trip (each way) along boring Interstate and deal with whatever water I get along the way or at the destination. I decided to look for a travel bottle that would fit the cup holder, be at least a little insulated, have a big enough mouth to allow for flavorings or ice, incorporate a filter, and allow drinking without blocking my view of the road. I figured such a bottle would also be useful for hiking and so on.

The CamelBak Groove Insulated Filtration bottle looks like it would satisfy all of these needs, and recently I was offered the chance to review one!  Let’s give it a look.

I was sent a grey Groove Insulated bottle, and a green standard Groove to try. CamelBak made their name with high quality water bladders for outdoorspeople that quickly became a standard of hikers, soldiers, and others who spent time outside and needed to stay hydrated. They’ve pretty much figured out how to do things right.

The Groove series of bottles are a variation on their popular Eddy bottles (which I believe used to be called the ‘Better Bottle’). For the un-initiated, the Eddy’s claim to fame is a flip-up silicone ‘bite valve’ attached to an inner straw. when folded down, the bottle is completely spill-proof. when flipped up, it is still very spill-resistant, but a worn valve may leak a little. The silicon bite valve has a small slit in it – to drink you gently bite the valve to open the slip and suck. you don’t need to tilt the bottle, so it does not interfere with your vision – a real bonus when driving (not that you should be drinking or using a cell phone or anything when driving!) The bottle itself is BPA-free, dishwasher-safe (following the directions), tough as nails, uses an O-ring for a secure seal, and has a hanging loop that many of my cohorts think is really handy and others think is annoying in the way it sticks out. Personally, I don’t think it is a big deal unless you are trying to stick the bottle in a bag’s pocket or something.

What the Groove brings to the party is a plant-based carbon filter to help reduce chlorine, tastes and odors in the water. It is rated to last for about 3 months or 48 gallons of water. Replacements are available and the bottle works perfectly well without it. please note that with the filter in place you really should not try to use any sorts of flavorings or liquids other than water. Also note that this is a simple filter, not a purification system and it should not be used for questionable or unsafe waters.

Contrary to the name, the Groove’s body is not actually grooved, but does feature a paint job of thin vertical lines that adds a bit of flair and some texture to make the bottle easy to hold. (Considering that real grooves would probably just hold dirt, this is probably a good thing.) The Groove is also available in a stainless steel body.

Of course, the difference between the Groove and the Groove Insulated is that the insulated version helps hold the cold in. It is a double-walled bottle that is a bit taller than the standard Groove, so it can still fit in a cup holder. I do not know if there is a vacuum between the layers or not but it keeps things cold for a couple hours easily.

The first thing I noticed in actual use is that it is kind of hard to suck the water up. I am used to just gulping the stuff down from an open bottle, and with the bite valve, it takes a bit of work to get a mouthful. Cracking the seal makes things a bit easier.  Interestingly, the filter does not really make as much difference as I thought it was going to. I’ve also noticed that I really don’t seem to be getting used to the unusual sensations it leaves in my mouth and upper throat. I’m willing to make this trade off for my travel bottle, but not as willing to do so for my everyday bottle. others I know are not bothered by this at all – a few even like it quite a bit. One of my kids even admits to being mildly addicted to chewing the valve. Fortunately, it is easy to get replacement valves!

As far as flavor and filtration goes – our water is, as I said, pretty good, so I tried it on water from the garden hose and noticed an improvement. The filter is OK but it is important to remember that the water does not travel inside the filter for long, so it will not do the same job as something like a ‘slow drip’ filter on a filtering jug would. this filter is the star of the Groove series, and adds about $10 to the cost of the basic Eddy bottle. this is a great investment if you routinely come in contact with bad-tasting water.

The basic Eddy bottle has a MSRP of $14 and comes in six colors, and there are also insulated, stainless steel and insulated stainless steel versions available. The Groove costs $25 and comes in four colors (or a stainless steel version). The Groove Insulated comes in three colors for $30 (there is not a stainless version available.)

So far, we have a perfectly good, functional, and even attractive water bottle… but we can do more with it! we use Eddy bottles quite often at the rehabilitation center I work at to help people with physical challenges stay hydrated more easily. (We use the bottles over the bladders for easier sanitation at a facility level.) besides fitting in wheelchair-mounted cup holders and keeping water cold, we can do some pretty cool things with some of the available accessories! The options are designed for hikers, bikers, and so on, and may be just what you need to make the perfect hydration system…

  • Hand’s Free Adapter allows you to connect a typical CamelBak-like straw to the bottle, which then lets you use a whole variety of clips, bite valves, one-way flow valves, etc.
  • Antidote Insulated Tubing Director tube not only keeps the water cool, it also helps hold the tubing in whatever position you bend it thanks to a heavy wire in the cover.
  • Tubing release clips, a flow meter, sleeves, cleaning supplies, and more.

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-cases & Pouches For Motorola - Doubling Up Does Double Duty For The Planet - (4/30/2012)

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CHICAGO, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –Recently, news reports have indicated more young professionals are choosing to live alone, yet this is in conflict with a recent survey conducted by Apartments.com that found the majority of respondents (63.3 percent) are living with roommates. While conversations continue examining this topic from a social viewpoint, another aspect to consider is the environmental impact of the roommate lifestyle.

The 2012 what Renters Want moving survey from Apartments.com found most people are still choosing to live with roommates with only 36.7 percent of respondents indicating they plan to live alone this year. Women edge out men in who will be sharing space. of the female respondents surveyed, 66.7 percent said they would share their living space compared to 56.3 percent of male respondents. this is good news, because a 2007 study from the University College London found single-person households in Britain use 55 percent more electricity per person than family or group households. Additionally, the research shows single-person households consume 38 percent more products, 42 percent more packaging and 61 percent more gas per capita than four-person households.

“Year after year we continue to hear that the environment is an important issue to renters, independent of their living arrangements,” says Tammy Kotula, public relations manager, Apartments.com. “All too often living with a roommate is overlooked as an environmentally-friendly or sustainable-living solution.”

that said, choosing to live alone does not mean a person does not care about the environment. There are green options for every renter. Examples would be carpooling with a neighbor to the grocery store or jointly purchasing and splitting bulk items purchased at mass retailers.

Whether living alone or with a roommate, there are many ways for renters to reduce their carbon footprint. Leading up to Earth Day on April 22, 2012, Apartments.com provides five sustainable tips environmentally-friendly renters can put into practice today.

1. Help Pave a Path to Green For Landlords.Renters can show their landlord the energy-efficient light by passing on some eco-friendly tips that answer their bottom line. this includes installing energy-efficient appliances, suggesting eco-options for floors, countertops, paint and efficient windows. Not only will this help landlords save money on energy costs, but also better the environment. if 10,000 landlords of high-rise apartment buildings make Energy Star-suggested changes, the energy saved could power each of their TVs for 1,640,625 years.

2. be a Savvy Shopper.Cut down on the amount of paper or plastic consumed by bringing a reusable shopping bag to the grocery store. if eco-friendly shoppers forget their tote, ensure those plastic grocery bags get reused to line garbage cans or when scooping kitty litter. Additionally, fuel and distribution costs can be reduced by shopping at local farmers’ markets instead of large chain grocery stores for produce.

3. Kick the Bottled Water Habit.Americans use four million plastic bottles every hour – but only one in four is recycled. instead of reaching for bottled water, use a water filter on the kitchen faucet and fill up a non-leaching, lined aluminum SIGG bottle with filtered tap water. if 10,000 people gave up their daily bottled water habit for a year, they could keep the weight of a small elephant from emptying into the waste stream.

4. Just Say “No” to Junk Mail.Junk mail is more than just annoying, it’s wasteful. if everyone in the US reduced the junk mail they receive each week by an average of 10.8 pieces per person, nearly 100 million trees could be saved each year. There are multiple websites where people can find online forms to remove their name from junk mail lists.

5. Use Power Strips to Avoid “Phantom Load.”A phantom load is the energy sapped by appliances when they are plugged in but not turned on. In the average home, this accounts for 40% of the energy bill! Plug appliances into power strips to turn off your TV, DVD, stereo, and cell phone charger in one fell swoop. if 10,000 people plug their cable boxes into power strips that are turned off when not watching TV, significant savings will add up to around $300,000 per year.

Feeling like an especially “green roomie”? be sure to enter the Apartments.com Roommate of the Year contest and enter your online video entry in the Environmentalist category for a chance to win free rent for a year, plus $10,000. Learn more at roommateoftheyear.com .

About Apartments.comApartments.com ( apartments.com ) is a leading national apartment Internet listing subscription service with more than 50,000 unique addresses representing millions of rental units from managed properties, newspaper classifieds and for-rent-by-owner properties. by incorporating the most relevant products to reach renters including personalized searches and highly visual ads featuring live chat, real-time rent, online video walk-through demonstrations, professional photography, a mobile website and iPhone and Android app, Apartments.com creates easy access to its listings. Providing unmatched exposure to its advertisers through an intuitive name, strategic search engine placements, featured partnerships including Yahoo! Real Estate, Univision and more than 120 newspaper websites and innovative emerging media, Apartments.com reaches millions of renters nationwide, driving both qualified traffic and highly-engaged renters to leasing offices nationwide. Apartments.com is a division of Chicago-based Classified Ventures, LLC. The Apartments.com network of apartment rental websites includes Apartment Home Living ( apartmenthomeliving.com ), a leading social media apartment website distinguished by a “live for fun” community experience, proprietary lifestyle matching and local living guides to help renters find their perfect place to live.

SOURCE Apartments.com

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