Call Center - the movie

As I work around the new Droid I have been in contact with several blogs and user forums. I may have to call support at some time which reminds me of the all time best video on customer support. This video is about 11 minutes long- hysterical.

http://bit.ly/callcentermovie/

Motorola Verizon Google Droid

I have been a bit jealous watching my non-Verizon friends reporting with glee all about iPhones and the Pre. I was waiting for the Pre- supposedly with Verizon early 2010 as I have been a Palm OS user for years starting with the Sony Clie. Enter the Droid. I have been working with it for 5 days and have yet to figure it all out. No manual- just depending on online blogs and a "sneak" post of the not yet completed manual. The menus are NOT intuitive at all. The slide out keyboard is hard to use, especially the top row which doesn't give enough room between the characters and the slide out rim. The Calendar is hard to use and has limited functions for things like repeating an event for a certain number of days.

HOWEVER- I am keeping it. The graphics are the best I have seen. Using the web browser is a joy. You can multi-task and have several programs running simultaneously (i did find if you that if you forget to stop some the battery gets eaten alive). There is built in GPS. The issues with the calendar (and contact list) are all solved as they immediately synch with the Google online calendar and contacts. They have more functions and frankly, it is easier and faster to use them on the keyboard and monitor than the little keyboards. Oh- the keyboard- i am using the onscreen version- much easier (in landscape mode) than the slide out. It also has a dictionary that allows quick completion of words and updates these as you use them. The apps are a shorter list as it is new and you really have to sort out where the junk is, but a few have been very useful and there are a number of free ones.

The phone is the clearest cell phone I have used and it works great with bluetooth. One final thing (for now). You have the option to use the online services with the Verizon network (there's a Map for that) but you can also tie into any local WiFi network you can find. The browsing speed, which is fine, is lightning fast in those areas.

I have 30 days to return it. More as I learn.

Practiceworks on your iPhone or Blackberry Smart Phone

A revolutionary new software application from PracticeWorks Systems, LLC, equips dental professionals to manage their offices and patient needs remotely from a mobile device by providing real-time information related to common issues and scenarios that providers experience everyday.
The new PEARL module—to be initially available for iPhone and BlackBerry users—enables dentists, oral surgeons and other professionals to confidently make urgent decisions while they are out of the office. They can view and act upon real-time information related to patient and treatment details, scheduling, financials, call-backs, prescriptions and pharmacies, referring providers and more. More info at Dental Economics Dentistry IQ:

http://bit.ly/pwpearl

4 intraoral scanners on one stage

Left to right:
Patterson/Sirona/CEREC AC, 3M LAVA COS, Cadent iTero, Schein E4D

As far as I know, this is the first time all 4 current scan units have been presented together. My course at the Ohio State Dental Meeeting had representatives from each company show how each unit scans and in 2 cases, how to do a restoration design. Despite the fact this is a very competitive marketplace, we were able to make this work as a fantastic educational event. It was NOT a competition. The attendees went off after the class to the respective booths to gain further information. I have to thank the local reps as well as the corporate officials of the various companies who helped me put this together. I intend to put this on again several times in the future.

Spectra Caries Detection Unit Gets FDA Approval

I have had a chance to follow the evolution of this new device from Air Techniques which highlights carious lesions with Fluoroscopy. I will post some images and links next week as I am away in northern Maine struggling to get internet access. For now just go to www.airtechniques.com and look at the Spectra.

Blue Sky Bio-Implants and free planning software

This implant company is giving away implant planning software. It is called Blue Sky Plan and will allow you to design surgical guides. The software can be downloaded on the website and there are tutorials as well as online CE. Blue Sky Bio designs and manufactures implants, although the software is compatible with other brands. http://www.blueskybio.com/

Candy.com sold for $3 Million

This is sort of a dental post- we all love candy-more interesting is a look at the marketplace where domains are bought and sold. The big winner this year was toys.com which sold for over $5 million to ToysRUs. This one was purchased by a couple of cousins, age 23 and 31 who live near me ( I don't know them...yet). They actually have a company http://www.melvillecandycompany.com/ but hope to expand their sphere of influence and their pocketbooks with this one. Hey- if they invested that 3 mil in the market they would have about $1.8 mil now so let it ride guys. A little insight is here: http://tinyurl.com/candyweb