Welcome to Episode 3 of the Betamouse Podcast! Learn all about how to keep your smartphone juiced and dry at the Disney Parks! Have show ideas? Let us know! Email: show@betamouse.net
Or, you can download it directly here.
JOIN US IN OUR FRIENDFEED ROOM–ALL WELCOME (well, except Nate on his Android): http://friendfeed.com/betamouse.
Show Notes
- Henry introduces the Panel.
- Thank you to Touring Plans for sponsoring Betamouse!
- The Panel talks about what smartphones they own. The majority of the panel is enjoying the wonder of the iPhone. Nate provides the Android experience.
- Henry asks the panel how they keep their batteries going white touring the parks.
- Scott talks about the settings on his iPhone that he shuts off: wifi, bluetooth, brightness, location services and yes, even 3G.
- Henry declares he must have his iPhone screen of optimal brightness.
- Jeff jokes that the best way to keep your iPhone charged is to go to the parks with family that deems it unacceptable for the iPhone to always be in your hand. Jeff states that his anti-glare screen protector allows him to keep his brightness way down and still see the screen fine.
- Henry brings up the interesting point of: is bringing out your smartphone in public now socially more acceptable?
- Katie (resident Apple fangirl) talks about the settings she shuts off to keep her battery going: wifi, bluetooth, location services and low brightness. Katie also uses an external battery, the Major Mojo 3g Juice, to keep her phone going. She inquires about case batteries such as the Mophie Juice Pack and Henry lets the panel know the charging power of those is not that great.
- Nate turns off all the general settings to save battery as well and also states that he has battery issues much more often at Walt Disney World than at Disneyland because at Disneyland he returns to the hotel more often. Henry has the same issues only the exact opposite: he always returns to the hotel for a break at Disney World.
- Henry lets Disneyland fans know that there are power outlets available for charging at Billy Hill in Disneyland.
- Henry states that he will turn off all settings but he will not give up 3G. He also does not want to give up Twitter push notifications.
- Scott will not bring power cords to charge his iPhone to the parks. He will take a break and charge at the resorts.
- Jeff gives the ultimate pro tip: there is an outlet to charge your smartphone in the lower rose garden area at Magic Kingdom. He also lets the panel know that there are outlets at the Tutto Italia waiting area.
- Katie gives the advice of checking the counter service locations for outlets.
- Nate states that one of his favorite charging areas is the Tambu Lounge at the Polynesian Resort.
- To save battery life, Henry informs the panel to turn on airplane mode when going into a long indoor ride such as Pirates or Soarin’.
- Henry’s favorite charging area is in Innoventions West at Epcot.
- Henry asks the panel how they keep their phones safe and dry.
- Scott’s biggest tip: never keep your phone on a belt clip! While he is on an attraction, his phone stays in his front pocket. For water rides, Scott uses a simple plastic ziplock bag.
- Jeff uses the Otterbox Defender case for his iPhone. There is nothing hurting his phone now!
- Katie throws her phone in her bag and although she likes her CaseCrown case she prefers her iPhone as naked as Steve Jobs intended. Katie had a Power Support anti-glare film as well and while she loved it, she states the screen is much more crisp without it.
- Nate states that he is not the one to give advice on keeping phones dry as he has ruined smartphones that way before! He just keeps his phone in his pocket for security. Nate compares holding his phone in a belt clip to holding his infant in a Baby Bjorn. One member of the panel was sure to compare their smartphone to an infant at one point!
- Henry does use the pouches on the attractions and only one time did he forget something in one! Henry lets us know that if it’s raining and you need to use your phone, just hold your phone under your poncho!
- Henry wants to know what applications the panel checks consistently at the Disney Parks.
- Scott checks Twitter, FourSquare and sometimes email.
- Jeff uses Twitter and email and plays DoodleJump in line.
- Katie uses Twitter and FourSquare and will often use iCal to keep her ADRs and schedule in line.
- Nate uses Posterous and the panel talks about what a great blogging service it is.
- Henry uses Twitter and his iPhone camera quite a bit while at the parks.
- Thank you the Betamouse sponsor Touring Plans. Use Touring Plans to tour the Disney Parks and save time and money. And speaking of smartphones, check out the mobile application Lines for all your Disney wait times needs!
- Henry announces the Betamouse FriendFeed room. Join the Betamouse crew for live geeky chat everyday!
Just listened to this podcast last night and thought “I should be taking notes.” Thanks for taking notes for me.
Just wanted to put in one thought that you guys didn’t mention. One thing that drains your batter quickly is vibrate mode, especially if you constantly get emails, sms, push updates, etc. I find putting my phone on a phone only mode or updating my ring tone profile to not vibrate greatly improves battery life.
Also, To Henry, great tip on putting your phone on Airplane mode when entering dark rides. I do this all the time, especially if I know I won’t be using the phone for a while.
As an Android user, I’m a bit bothered by the fact that this was pretty much the iPhone show, but hey.
Here’s another tip for Android users: Buy a spare battery. I have 3 total batteries and I take at least one with me every time I visit one of the parks. And I don’t usually turn anything off, I leave it the same it is on a daily basis. Extra batteries can be had for less than 10 bucks on eBay.
Ah – answers to some trip prep questions I have been wondering about answered. I was wondering how I’m going to keep my iPhone juiced in WDW (in order to add to Lines of course). Thanks! This is what I’ve been looking for.