FROG blog

File Auto Claims with Your Phone Using esurance Mobile

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:04:49 +0000

I have been an esurance customer for many years and like the convenience of not having to deal with a lot of paperwork. esurance automatically renews my policy every six months and the only correspondence I receive from them are emails, just the way I like it. Today I received an email stating that they now have a mobile version of their site that allows you to report a claim, get a quote, view a claim or contact them. How convenient! Hopefully I won’t have to use this service anytime soon, but if I do, I know that I can file a claim right on the spot. We’ve added it to FROG, so all you esurance customers out there now have this service at your fingertips.

LeapFish, a new way to surf the web

admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:05:20 +0000

It’s hard to beat Google as a search engine, I would have to guess that at least 90% of all searches take place using Google. Using myself as an example, I use Google religiously for searching the web. However, I came across this new search homepage that basically incorporates many of the best websites all on one page, it’s called LeapFish. This company has pulled together the best of the web; multiple search engine choices, Twitter, YouTube videos, web images, all cleanly assembled on one web page. Rarely do sales calls catch my attention, but this one did. Too bad I didn’t think of this myself, it’s a great idea and I think it will do well as a search homepage.

Altoid Tins, multi-functional!

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:35:18 +0000

I came across this story while reading one of my favorite news blogs, Treehugger, of course, and couldn’t pass it up. Someone built a functioning computer inside an Altoid tin (does not include monitor or keyboard!) For do-it-yourself-ers, you can build your own by visiting this site.

Or, watch this video:

Another use for cell phone towers; Who’d have known?

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:02:50 +0000

Again, while gleaning information from my favorite blog, Treehugger.com, I came across this interesting article about cell phone towers. According to the Tel Aviv University, cell phone tower signals can detect “critical moisture distribution levels” that may eventually help determine a geographic area’s flooding level.

The radio waves emitted by cell phone towers diminish with wetter air. That, combined with rainfall distribution patterns has helped the researchers accurately predict water levels of impending floods.

Here is a link to the complete Treehugger article.

Composting Now Required in San Francisco

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:35:35 +0000

I started composting about a year ago and have to admit that I haven’t been very adamant about turning it over or adding water. However, even with my inconsistent attention, my compost bin is actually composting and turning my kitchen waste into mulch, just at a slower rate. Now I guess I will no longer be the only one in California composting. According to Treehugger the mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom, just signed a bill making composting part of their waste disposal.

Mayor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that makes composting of food waste compulsory for all residents and businesses. According to Mayor Newsom, over two-thirds of the garbage city residents are currently throwing away could be composted. The new laws will require every resident and business to either partake in the city’s organic waste collection, or to compost their own food scraps, and as Brian noted previously - those not complying could be slapped with a $500 fine.

It’s nice to see a mayor doing something proactive within their community. If San Francisco can successfully accomplish this task, perhaps other large cities will incorporate composting into their waste management as well.

Zillow Mobile Added to FROG

admin — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:27:02 +0000

Shopping for a house? Zillow’s mobile site makes it a snap, and you can now search directly from your phone using FROG. If you come across a house for sale, but you need additional information before calling the realtor, simply type in the address and Zillow will give you all the sales information on the house. This is a great time saver, especially if the house has run out of take-ones and you need to know if it falls within your price range.

Celebrate Earth Day Everyday!

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:26:15 +0000

Every year on Earth Day I set a goal to try and reduce my consumption and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Last year I switched to reusable bags, reusable cups, and bicycling as much as possible. Oh, and a compost bin (this goal isn’t going too well I must admit.)

This year I am focusing on reducing the amount of trash I create. Honestly, this is sometimes out of my control since some companies use an outrageous amount of it. But, to quote a true hero, Mahatma Gandhi:

“Be the change you want to see.”

I will not complain and blame it on the other guy. I will be a more educated consumer and think about the packaging of a product before throwing it in my basket.

Happy Earth Day and keep reducing!

Play the Lottery on your Phone!

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:41:13 +0000

Now I’m not necessarily advocating playing the Lottery in these difficult economic times, but for those who play religiously regardless of economic woes, FROG has added a mobile lottery site in the Jump menu. MobilePlayWinLottery is a mobile website that let’s you play lotteries from all over the world. It also includes a random number generator if you just can’t decide which numbers to play. As long as you play responsibly you can enjoy an occasional chance to win millions (supposedly people do, though I’ve never met one).

Story Credit: MobileMammoth

Could Frog’s Become Extinct in the Near Future?

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:26:10 +0000

According to a PBS documentary, Frogs: A Thin Green Line, airing April 5th, 8pm EDT, the frog species is facing eradication. Below is a quote from PBS thanks to Treehugger.com:

Habitat loss, pollution and a human population that has doubled in the past 50 years have set the stage for their diminished numbers. But now, a fungus called chytrid has been identified as the major culprit, and so far the spread of the fungus can’t be stopped.

photo credit PBS

Be sure to tune in. It will be a sad day when an evening outdoors consists of silence instead of mellifluous croaking from our frog friends.

Solar Charged LG Cell Phone

admin — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 23:36:07 +0000

We’ve mentioned many solar charged items in the past, and this is one that seems very efficient with a self-contained solar charged battery, an LG cell phone that is still in its prototype form. For every 10 minutes of solar charging, the phone provides 3 minutes of talk time. Not too shabby. Check out the full article below from Inhabitat.com:

…as part of its “Life’s Good When It’s Green” initiative, the cutting-edge electronics company has announced its commitment to packaging its products in eco-friendly boxes printed with soy inks, using recycled paper and cardboard without laminate coating…read full article here

Article and Photo Credit Inhabitat.com