On the heels of the release of Mindjet MindManager 9, I am very excited to announce that I will be giving away 5 fully licensed copies of Mindjet MindManager 9. MindManager 9 is fast, fluid and now has integrated Gantt Chart & Resource Planning capabilities built right into the application.

So here is an incredible opportunity to land a free copy of Mindjet MindManager 9. Ok so what is the hook? To enter the Mindjet MindManager 9 GiveAway all you need to do is be a Guest Blogger and share how you are using mind mapping in your business or educational setting. If you would like you could create a screencast or video and demonstrate how mind mapping has had an impact on the work that you do. It is really that easy. Each winner will be highlighted on my blog which is a great way to give you and your company or school great exposure. To enter the contest please click here. If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment! Good luck!

On the heels of the release of Mindjet MindManager 9, I am very excited to announce that I will be giving away 5 fully licensed copies of Mindjet MindManager 9. MindManager 9 is fast, fluid and now has integrated Gantt Chart & Resource Planning capabilities built right into the application.

So here is an incredible opportunity to land a free copy of Mindjet MindManager 9. Ok so what is the hook? To enter the Mindjet MindManager 9 GiveAway all you need to do is be a Guest Blogger and share how you are using mind mapping in your business or educational setting. If you would like you could create a screencast or video and demonstrate how mind mapping has had an impact on the work that you do. It is really that easy. Each winner will be highlighted on my blog which is a great way to give you and your company or school great exposure. To enter the contest please click here. If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment! Good luck!

The Sprint HTC Evo 4G will be the first carrier-branded device to get an Android 2.2 (Froyo) update. The first device (period) to get Froyo was the HTC Nexus One (AKA the “Google Phone”), but while that was subsidized to T-Mobile, it wasn’t carrier-branded as most phones are.

Sprint’s press release says that end users will get OTA notifications starting on August 3rd, with everyone covered by mid-August. However, for those who don’t want to wait, they can attempt to initiate the download by going to the Settings Menu / System Updates / HTC Software Update.

The Sprint press release didn’t say when users could start trying to do the update manually, but an earlier leaked Sprint memo seemed to indicate that the build will be ready by 12PM CDT on Friday, with “client-initiated” updates available by Friday afternoon.

The leaked memo states that the MR (maintenance release) is a “high priority for competitive reasons.” Those reasons could be the Droid X, the iPhone 4, or the Vibrant / Captivate that are definitely rivals of the Evo 4G.

The Froyo update will bring what folks are expecting from the earlier Nexus One release, that is, performance improvements, the ability to move apps to the SD card, and more, but in terms of the Evo 4G, it will also bring a bunch of new widgets, a flashlight mode for the LED flash, light-assisted 720p video, and “improvement” to the quality of video.

What say you, readers? Will you be among the “client-initiated” updaters?

The Sprint HTC Evo 4G will be the first carrier-branded device to get an Android 2.2 (Froyo) update. The first device (period) to get Froyo was the HTC Nexus One (AKA the “Google Phone”), but while that was subsidized to T-Mobile, it wasn’t carrier-branded as most phones are.

Sprint’s press release says that end users will get OTA notifications starting on August 3rd, with everyone covered by mid-August. However, for those who don’t want to wait, they can attempt to initiate the download by going to the Settings Menu / System Updates / HTC Software Update.

The Sprint press release didn’t say when users could start trying to do the update manually, but an earlier leaked Sprint memo seemed to indicate that the build will be ready by 12PM CDT on Friday, with “client-initiated” updates available by Friday afternoon.

The leaked memo states that the MR (maintenance release) is a “high priority for competitive reasons.” Those reasons could be the Droid X, the iPhone 4, or the Vibrant / Captivate that are definitely rivals of the Evo 4G.

The Froyo update will bring what folks are expecting from the earlier Nexus One release, that is, performance improvements, the ability to move apps to the SD card, and more, but in terms of the Evo 4G, it will also bring a bunch of new widgets, a flashlight mode for the LED flash, light-assisted 720p video, and “improvement” to the quality of video.

What say you, readers? Will you be among the “client-initiated” updaters?

Apple’s fans are so devoted that they have been called a “cult.” A pair of researchers at Texas A&M have gone still further. The professors, Heidi A. Campbell and Antonio C. La Pastina have written a paper that says the sheer adoration and lack of fault-finding by Apple fans isn’t a cult, but a religion.

The iPhone, after all, has been nicknamed the “Jesus Phone,” and long before the researchers used that term in their own paper. According to the researchers, it’s this devotion to the church of Apple that keeps users defending its products, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of a real flaw. Apple, it seems, can do no wrong.

Fox News spoke to one of the researchers:

“The religious-like behavior and language surrounding Apple devotion/fandom is an example of ‘implicit religion,’” Prof. Heidi Campbell, one of the authors of the study, told FoxNews.com. Implicit religion can happen when the use of, say, technology becomes a substitute for belief and behaviors once attached to religion and religious practice, she said.

That, according to the authors, explains why fans still believe when the leader of the Church of Apple, Steve Jobs, blames consumers for the poor reception of the company’s cell phone (clearly, users are holding their phones incorrectly). In fact, they flock to buy the device despite its serious design flaws.

That’s all true, but most would prefer to label such behavior as “fanboyism.” Android users have been shown to be pretty vehement in defense of their own products. The possibility of a Church of Apple has been lampooned before by both the Simpsons and Futurama, however.

Other somewhat questionable links between religion and Apple, according to the story:

• Apple’s creation story epitomizes the humble garage origin of its technology — not unlike the humble manger of Jesus’ birth (of course, plenty of other companies were started the same way)

• Apple CEO Steve Jobs is perceived as a messianic leader who was fired but rose again to save the company.

• Apple has traditionally had an evil archenemy, the Devil, as represented first by Microsoft and now by Google.

We’d have to say that a lot of the above is a big stretch. Still, the almost blind adoration is undeniable. It’s not an issue when something is done well. It’s when something is obviously flawed (like the iPhone 4 and Antennagate) and yet many will blindly ignore it, that is seems somewhat crazy.

Apple’s fans are so devoted that they have been called a “cult.” A pair of researchers at Texas A&M have gone still further. The professors, Heidi A. Campbell and Antonio C. La Pastina have written a paper that says the sheer adoration and lack of fault-finding by Apple fans isn’t a cult, but a religion.

The iPhone, after all, has been nicknamed the “Jesus Phone,” and long before the researchers used that term in their own paper. According to the researchers, it’s this devotion to the church of Apple that keeps users defending its products, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of a real flaw. Apple, it seems, can do no wrong.

Fox News spoke to one of the researchers:

“The religious-like behavior and language surrounding Apple devotion/fandom is an example of ‘implicit religion,’” Prof. Heidi Campbell, one of the authors of the study, told FoxNews.com. Implicit religion can happen when the use of, say, technology becomes a substitute for belief and behaviors once attached to religion and religious practice, she said.

That, according to the authors, explains why fans still believe when the leader of the Church of Apple, Steve Jobs, blames consumers for the poor reception of the company’s cell phone (clearly, users are holding their phones incorrectly). In fact, they flock to buy the device despite its serious design flaws.

That’s all true, but most would prefer to label such behavior as “fanboyism.” Android users have been shown to be pretty vehement in defense of their own products. The possibility of a Church of Apple has been lampooned before by both the Simpsons and Futurama, however.

Other somewhat questionable links between religion and Apple, according to the story:

• Apple’s creation story epitomizes the humble garage origin of its technology — not unlike the humble manger of Jesus’ birth (of course, plenty of other companies were started the same way)

• Apple CEO Steve Jobs is perceived as a messianic leader who was fired but rose again to save the company.

• Apple has traditionally had an evil archenemy, the Devil, as represented first by Microsoft and now by Google.

We’d have to say that a lot of the above is a big stretch. Still, the almost blind adoration is undeniable. It’s not an issue when something is done well. It’s when something is obviously flawed (like the iPhone 4 and Antennagate) and yet many will blindly ignore it, that is seems somewhat crazy.

Best Buy is offering the aptly named invisibleSHIELD 4fix, free, to certain iPhone 4 customers. Based on the image above, this invisibleSHIELD, unlike others, only covers the sides of the device, which would make it perfect as a cover-up to “Antennagate.”

invisibleSHIELD has marketed its products for various devices in the past, and they are supposedly scratch-proof and cover the front and / or back of the device. The offer applies to those who purchased their iPhone 4 from Best Buy or for Best Buy Reward Zone members.

Indeed, Best Buy Reward Zone is free, so it would seem to be free to anyone who takes the time to fill out an online application for the program. Those who don’t will be charged $9.99, and that includes installation. The actual product name is the Zagg SideShield, though the 4fix name seems more appropriate.

Here’s the full press release:

Best Buy® Mobile Launches Side Shield for Apple® iPhone™4

Solution, Which is Free to Best Buy Customers, Begins July 28 Exclusively in Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile Stores

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but now customers who shop at Best Buy are eligible for a free Side Shield for the iPhone 4. The offer launches exclusively on July 28, and comes in the form of a clear, unobtrusive shield applied to the outer edges of the iPhone 4. The Side Shield from invisibleSHIELD was designed to address issues with antenna attenuation and has been tested and manufactured by ZAGG™.

“At the same time, we know that customers are always looking for ways to personalize and protect their smart phones. That’s why we are so focused on having multiple options-people want to choose what’s right for them.”

This program will be available free of charge, including installation, to anyone who purchased or will purchase an iPhone 4 from Best Buy and will be extended to all existing Reward Zone customers. The solution will also be available to the general public for the retail price $9.99, including installation.

In addition, all consumers can take advantage of 20% off of any iPhone 4 case through August 7. Best Buy Mobile offers an unparalleled assortment of cases for the iPhone 4, along with a full range of key accessories that serve to protect and personalize the popular smart phone.

“Consumers are looking for immediate solutions and the Side Shield is a great option,” said Scott Moore, vice president of marketing for Best Buy Mobile. “At the same time, we know that customers are always looking for ways to personalize and protect their smart phones. That’s why we are so focused on having multiple options-people want to choose what’s right for them.”

Best Buy Mobile has become a leading destination for smart phones and accessories, in part because of the promises the store offers its customers: better choice of phones and networks; impartial, informed advice; straightforward pricing; and someone to be there for the life of the phone.

Best Buy is offering the aptly named invisibleSHIELD 4fix, free, to certain iPhone 4 customers. Based on the image above, this invisibleSHIELD, unlike others, only covers the sides of the device, which would make it perfect as a cover-up to “Antennagate.”

invisibleSHIELD has marketed its products for various devices in the past, and they are supposedly scratch-proof and cover the front and / or back of the device. The offer applies to those who purchased their iPhone 4 from Best Buy or for Best Buy Reward Zone members.

Indeed, Best Buy Reward Zone is free, so it would seem to be free to anyone who takes the time to fill out an online application for the program. Those who don’t will be charged $9.99, and that includes installation. The actual product name is the Zagg SideShield, though the 4fix name seems more appropriate.

Here’s the full press release:

Best Buy® Mobile Launches Side Shield for Apple® iPhone™4

Solution, Which is Free to Best Buy Customers, Begins July 28 Exclusively in Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile Stores

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but now customers who shop at Best Buy are eligible for a free Side Shield for the iPhone 4. The offer launches exclusively on July 28, and comes in the form of a clear, unobtrusive shield applied to the outer edges of the iPhone 4. The Side Shield from invisibleSHIELD was designed to address issues with antenna attenuation and has been tested and manufactured by ZAGG™.

“At the same time, we know that customers are always looking for ways to personalize and protect their smart phones. That’s why we are so focused on having multiple options-people want to choose what’s right for them.”

This program will be available free of charge, including installation, to anyone who purchased or will purchase an iPhone 4 from Best Buy and will be extended to all existing Reward Zone customers. The solution will also be available to the general public for the retail price $9.99, including installation.

In addition, all consumers can take advantage of 20% off of any iPhone 4 case through August 7. Best Buy Mobile offers an unparalleled assortment of cases for the iPhone 4, along with a full range of key accessories that serve to protect and personalize the popular smart phone.

“Consumers are looking for immediate solutions and the Side Shield is a great option,” said Scott Moore, vice president of marketing for Best Buy Mobile. “At the same time, we know that customers are always looking for ways to personalize and protect their smart phones. That’s why we are so focused on having multiple options-people want to choose what’s right for them.”

Best Buy Mobile has become a leading destination for smart phones and accessories, in part because of the promises the store offers its customers: better choice of phones and networks; impartial, informed advice; straightforward pricing; and someone to be there for the life of the phone.

They won’t leave Apple alone. The latest full-page ad to take a swipe at the iPhone 4’s death grip problems was posted to Motorola’s Facebook account as a public service to those of us who no longer read newspapers.

According to Droid-Life, the ad was set to hit newspapers on Wednesday. It lampoons Apple’s issues with bridging the external antenna system with skin, a problem fixed by using a case.

The ad says:

At Motorola, we believe a customer shouldn’t have to dress up their phone for it to work properly. That’s why the DROID X comes with a dual antenna design. The kind that allows you to hold the phone any way you like to make crystal clear calls without a bulky phone jacket. For us it’s just one of those things that comes as a given when you’ve been making mobile phones for over 30 years.

Motorola is not the only smartphone maker to kick Apple when its down. Recently, Samsung did the same in a rather understated ad.

They won’t leave Apple alone. The latest full-page ad to take a swipe at the iPhone 4’s death grip problems was posted to Motorola’s Facebook account as a public service to those of us who no longer read newspapers.

According to Droid-Life, the ad was set to hit newspapers on Wednesday. It lampoons Apple’s issues with bridging the external antenna system with skin, a problem fixed by using a case.

The ad says:

At Motorola, we believe a customer shouldn’t have to dress up their phone for it to work properly. That’s why the DROID X comes with a dual antenna design. The kind that allows you to hold the phone any way you like to make crystal clear calls without a bulky phone jacket. For us it’s just one of those things that comes as a given when you’ve been making mobile phones for over 30 years.

Motorola is not the only smartphone maker to kick Apple when its down. Recently, Samsung did the same in a rather understated ad.