One way to be in touch with friends and family is by telephone. But sometimes they move away either temporarily or permanently and staying communicated is necessary. That’s when phone calls usually get expensive, especially if they move overseas. More and more, people are choosing to have only a cell phone for communication. Using a cell phone as one’s “one and only” phone service is perfect for many folks – unless they have a business or want to make international calls. In this case, a second phone is required as international calling rates are extremely expensive using mobile phones. These facts make telephone users look for services to make long distance and international calls easily and cheap. Let’s take a look at two options available and examine their pros and cons.

The first option is the use of prepaid calling cards. There are many of these cards available and they are very competitive in their pricing.  However, it is a good idea to shop around a bit when looking for a prepaid phone card because of their wide price range. Some cards can be better than others depending on the destination you wish to call. Usually they require you to call a local number and enter an extremely long pin number. This can be a bit of a hassle. There are other things to consider when looking for one of these cards. One of them is their charges, not only the rate per minute but also check to see if there are connection fees or maintenance fees. Another thing to look at is how the minutes are measured, some cards round up the time to the minute even if you spoke for 30 seconds and other cards require a minimum of minutes per call. All of the before mentioned can reduce the minutes you have available on the card.

The good news is that many of the cards are easily rechargeable and some don’t even need a pin number. You do not have to worry about running up excessive charges since the amount of money you paid for the card is all you are going to spend calling. This is good for safely calling without worrying about the costs. It can also be a bad thing when you are unaware of the time you have been speaking and suddenly you get cut off.

The other option we are going to look at is GooberCall. This is a new application you can add to your cell phone and lets you call long distance for very low rates. It is very easy to use since there is no complicated set ups or contracts to sign. There are no connection fees or maintenance fees either what you pay is the time you speak. The rates do not change from time to time so what you pay today to call Spain will be the same six months from now.

The way GooberCall works is similar to a prepaid card. You call a local number and then dial the number you wish to call. There is no need for a pin number. After your telephone is registered and the number you usually call as well you can speed dial and speak away. You charge your account with any amount of money and as you use the service the minutes will be discounted from there. You can check you balance anytime. Another advantage of this system is that you can access your mobile phone book and select a number you want to call and make the call through GooberCall.

After registering in the web page with your cell phone number the software will be automatically be sent to you via SMS. It’s as easy as that to set it up. It works on any cell phone. When you register for the first time, enter the coupon Nº 146985495 and you will get US$ 2 to try it out immediately. You can then recharge your account via PayPal or any major credit card with the amount of money that you choose. If you are speaking and you run out of time on the account, there is an easy way to recharge your balance instantaneously by the pressing of a button. This way if you are in the middle of an important call you don’t have to wait to continue talking. This feature is great for business people. You can also use GooberCall from when you are travelling; just make sure of how much your cell phone provider charges for roaming. Roaming means that your cell phone can connect to other networks in order for you to call internationally or locally wherever you are and also receive calls. Beware that the roaming charges apply to outgoing calls as well as incoming. The cell phone providers also have special deals on roaming for frequent travelers so you can check them out and you can save considerably. If you are not satisfied with GooberCall or you are not planning to use it in a while there is nothing for you to cancel, there are no strings attached. If you don’t use it, the remaining balance will remain until you use it again. You can also share the same balance with anyone you choose to, friends, family or your company employees.

International calls are no longer the expensive luxury that they once were. Prepaid cards and GooberCall are two options that cards come in handy to save you money so that you can still hear your loved ones voices without breaking the bank.

To check out the rates and register go to www.goobercall.com and entering coupon nº146985495 to be credited with US$2. This may seem not much, but these two dollars can go a long way with GooberCall.

The inauguration of Barack Obama will not only bring about a wholesale turnover in the political leadership of the country but it will also unveil the newest in a long line of Presidential limos.

According to Presidential vehicle experts, the new limo is a beast-like General Motors truck-based Cadillac that is so tough it's like a 'rolling tank with windows.'

Among the vehicle's main features are windows that are 5-inches thick, 19 ½-inch Goodyear RHS tires (same as super tough trucks), and possibly even a lock safety mechanism that seals off the car like a bank vault in case of an emergency.

Because the Secret Service keeps details of the limo understandably private, even the most knowledgeable security experts don't really know how much gadgety tech is being installed in the new ride. But it's not stopping them making a few informed guesses.

In an interview with CNN, security expert Ken Lucci says rubber gaskets likely protect the car against chemical weapons and that the body will be made out of a tougher material than before. The most recent limo used by President Bush used some combination of a dual hardness steel, aluminum, titanium, and even ceramics to break up possible projectiles. And there are usually steel overlaps that cover any gaps a door might leave.

Despite the immense secrecy, reports have leaked that the limo also comes with a 10-CD changer, which will inevitably end up playing Obama favorites like Steve Wonder and Bob Dylan. We're surprised there's no Blu-ray or Wii in there, but we're pretty sure of one thing: The limo will be a Zune-free zone, especially considering the most recent reports.

Photos: Brend Priddy & Co/DetNews.com

LAS VEGAS -- Other computer manufacturers might think the Tablet PC is dead, but Asus has its own ideas.

At a press conference here at CES 2009, Asus showed a prototype version of the EeePC T91, a convertible tablet-style notebook. Its 8.9-inch swiveling screen folds up to expose a keyboard, like any other notebook or netbook -- but it can rotate around and folds back over the keys, turning the device into a tablet.

You know you want one.

Unlike other tablets, it is touch-sensitive, meaning you can use your finger (or fingers) to tap on icons, select text, and perform other mouse actions. You can also use an included stylus, if you prefer.

Also unlike other tablets, the T91 will weigh just 2.1 pounds. It will run on Intel's Atom Z520 processor, which means that the T91 will be relatively underpowered, like other netbooks.

Bonus features include a TV tuner and GPS.

A related model, the T101, will have similar features but a larger, 10.1" swivel screen.

Both will be available in March or April of 2009.

The company, which singlehandedly invented the ultra-cheap, ultra-light netbook category with the Eee PC, is betting on multitouch as the next big thing. And why not? Apple's iPhone has shown that a well-executed touch-screen interface can do a lot to make a computer so fun and easy to use that people cease to think of it as a computer.

In addition to its multitouch-capable tablets, Asus also showed off a prototype of a strange, two-brained computer with a secondary, 4.3-inch display embedded just below the keyboard.

In this prototype (no actual product is planned yet, Asus says), the mini display is also the computer's touchpad. And it has its own processor, which you can use without booting up the main computer -- so you can listen to music, check your calendar or check your email, all from this tiny, parasitic iPhone-like display embedded in the base of your notebook. The advantage that offers is that it will be instantly on (no boot time required) and it won't use much power.

The touchscreen computer can also be used to select a movie from your hard drive or DVD drive and then display it on the big screen, again without using the computer's main processor or going through a lengthy boot process.

Whether anyone will actually go for these strange hybrids is another question. But one thing's clear: Asus is not afraid of mixing things up a little.

Photos: Dylan Tweney / Wired.com

LAS VEGAS -- Sharper Image, a former favorite of geeks for its awesomely craptastic gadgets, went into bankruptcy last year.

Now at CES 2009, the company is trying to make a comeback with a shiny iPod dock and wireless speaker system.

Riding on millions of iPod users may sound like a good strategy but there's no dearth of iPod docks out there. Still Sharper Image is hoping its latest addition will impress potential customers.

The rocket-tip shaped dock's two halves can be joined together or separated to transmit audio for up to 150 feet from the base system. Features-wise there's little new in it. But at $130 its a system that should appeal to those who like some pizazz in their home decor.

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

LAS VEGAS -- WowWee's humanoid robots--the RoboSapien and the FemiSapien--are a geek favorite.

At CES 2009, the company showed its latest robot, the Joebot. The Joebot is an interactive robot and "personality", says WowWee. It has voice command control and can respond to key phrases via sound sensors. The Joebot can also be manipulated using the Robosapien's remote controller.

As for the personality part? Well, the Joebot can beatbox, dance, and interact in modes such as 'Guard' and 'Battle.' In the 'Battle mode', for instance, it wanders around while tracking and blasting objects with the LEDs in his hands. But the overall look is awfully similar to the RoboSapien, which came out in 2004.

The Joebot, which is set to be released in fall, will be priced at $150.

WowWee also has a prototype robot called Spyball in the works. Spyball is Rovio-lite, a stripped down remote control robot with a built-in camera that can roll into any room. The $100 Spyball is also expected later this year.

Also see:
FemiSapien Robot Goes on Sale

Photo: Jon Snyder/Wired.com