Beejive is hands down the UpSwong.com favorite for IM applications and we received this press release about the new and exciting 2.0 BlackBerry upgrade which adds a ton of features.

Beejive, the comprehensive IM Solution Adds Facebook Chat, GPS Location, Voice Notes, Support for the BlackBerry 5.0 Operating System, and More

Beejive today announced the immediate availability of BeejiveIM for BlackBerry 2.0, the most full-featured IM application available on the BlackBerry platform. This fast, modern, and highly customizable BlackBerry app supports Facebook Chat, GoogleTalk®, AIM®/iChat®/MobileMe®, MSN®/Windows Live®, Yahoo!®, MySpace, ICQ®, and Jabber, allowing users to access all of their IM accounts from one user-friendly app. With BeejiveIM, users can experience the always-on connectivity and feature richness of desktop instant messaging from their BlackBerrys, making it much easier and more cost effective to communicate than via texting.  From now until January 1, 2010, BeejiveIM for BlackBerry 2.0 will be available for fifty percent off, with device licenses available for only $9.95 and user licenses available for only $14.95 from www.beejive.com/buy.  At these prices, using BeejiveIM to send instant messages is substantially cheaper than most text messaging plans.

BeejiveIM for BlackBerry 2.0 adds a multitude of new key features that enable users to stay in touch more effectively than ever.  Already a full-featured social networking application, BeejiveIM 2.0 now includes:

• Facebook chat: Chat with your Facebook friends while on the go, and see a record of your chats on facebook.com.
• Clickable Twitter usernames: Click on a Twitter username in a chat to launch Twitter.
• Refined and responsive UI: Take advantage of BeejiveIM’s custom-written user interface, offering speedy and responsive controls and a modern look-and-feel.
• Voice notes: Instantly record and send voice messages to your IM contacts. Voice notes are perfect for on-the-go chatting, such as when you are walking down the street or need to get information to someone quickly and don’t have time to type.
• GPS location: Send your current GPS location with a link to Google Maps, taking advantage of your BlackBerry’s location features and adding a new location-aware element to your chats.
• More chat styles: Customize your chat styles and colors and set different backgrounds and wallpapers.
• File transfers with all IM services: Easily send, receive, and review file attachments, and see previews of images right inside your chat.
• Push notifications: Whether running in the foreground or the background, BeejiveIM will always notify you of new instant messages.
• Improved Battery Life: Staying in touch with all your friends is now far gentler on your battery.
• Support for the 5.0 OS and Storm: BeejiveIM supports all BlackBerrys running 4.2.1+ and 5.X operating systems, including the Storm and Storm 2.

These join an already long list of features, including:

• Group chats: Chat with groups of contacts on AIM®, Yahoo®, MSN®, and Jabber.
• UI Customization: Customize your buddy lists, chat layouts, bubble styles, and more.
• Logging: View your chat history, and email yourself logs of your past chats.
• Buddy Icons: Show icons for all contacts in your buddy list.
• Clickable Hyperlinks: Click on real hyperlinks in chats, allowing you to browse, call, tweet, email, text, or PIN message directly from a chat screen.

“Mobile phones are now full-fledged social networking tools and remote offices, and we enable the millions of BlackBerry users to always stay in touch with their friends and business contacts on virtually any chat network,” said Kai Yu, founder and CEO of Beejive. “With BeejiveIM for BlackBerry 2.0 we’ve added a long list of powerful new features to help users stay in contact while minimizing their text messaging expenses. And, in the spirit of the holidays, we’re cutting the price in half, the biggest sale we’ve ever had. ”

Pricing and Availability

BeejiveIM for BlackBerry is available with two different licenses: a $9.95 device license and a $14.95 user license. The device license is for use on one BlackBerry, and if you change your BlackBerry device you will need to purchase a license upgrade or transfer. The user license is for use on one BlackBerry device at a time and can be transferred to other BlackBerrys for free. Both versions include free upgrades. On January 1, 2010, pricing will return to $19.95 for device licenses and $29.95 for user licenses.

Visit www.beejive.com/buy to purchase BeejiveIM for your BlackBerry or, to enjoy a free 30 day trial, go to www.beejive.com/download.

About Beejive

Based in San Francisco, Beejive (pronounced \b?-h?v\) is a privately held company specializing in the design and development of software for mobile devices. Founded in 2006, Beejive strives to become the world’s premier developer of fast, reliable, and easy-to-use mobile software. BeejiveIM, the initial offering from Beejive’s product portfolio, is a multi-protocol instant messaging client that connects the mobile user to the major instant messaging networks.  BeejiveIM was created to address the lack of reliable, user-friendly instant messaging applications available to mobile users. For more information, please visit www.beejive.com

I just got word that in the spirit of giving and having some fun, TeleNav is offering up Santa for TeleNav GPS Navigator. It’s not quite as cool as flying reindeer but it’s close.  From now until Dec 31, customers can have Santa provide the turn-by-turn directions and traffic rerouting. The best part about it, all the proceeds from the $.99 download are going to Toys for Tots.

From the TeleNav website:

“Tired of the same old voice giving you GPS directions day in and day out? Looking for another way to get into the holiday spirit? We have just what you need …

Beginning today and running through the month of December, we are offering Santa’s voice for just $0.99 and we’ll donate ALL proceeds to Toys for Tots. So now you can get Santa to help guide you around this season and help children in need at the same time.

You can purchase and download Santa’s voice either via your phone or our website:

Via your phone:

• Launch TeleNav GPS Navigator
• Select “Share and More”
• Select “Preferences”
• Select “Navigation Audio”
• Select “Guide Tones”
• Select “Santa Claus”

Via our website:

• Go to TeleNav.com
• Select “My TeleNav” on the top right (you’ll need your PIN number to login)
• Select “My Settings”
• Select “Device Settings”
• Select “Santa Claus”

The Santa Clause voice is only compatible with TeleNav GPS Navigator v. 5.5 and 5.8. To find out which phones support these versions, click here.

No, Santa won’t yell at you (Todd’s version is..umm..unique) if you decide to ghost-ride (although please don’t – we don’t condone it!). Here is a sample of what the TeleNav GPS Navigator Santa voice sounds like.

Thanks for helping us support Toys for Tots! Please drive safely!

Special thanks to our partner Audible Media.”

In case you’re not already aware of the awesomeness of BlackBerryOS.com, check out this post to get up to speed.

Here is a partial list of topics that will be discussed on tonight’s show:

• BlackBerry Internet Service 3.0 and 3.1 coming within 6 months
• T-Mobile launches the BlackBerry Bold 9700
• AT&T and Verizon trade blows over the “there’s a map for that” ads
• RIM announces upcoming support for Open GL ES but not for all devices
• In App payment service being planned by RIM
• Progress check: Where is OS 5.0?
• Is pre-ordering a thing of the past?
• And of course….FREE GIVEAWAYS!!!!!

Make sure to tune in tonight 11/18 at 7PM EST.

Some of the most popular MTT SNG’s are the 18, 45 and 180 man turbos on PokerStars. These games can be extremely profitable if you know optimal strategy. Unlike Single Table Sit and Go’s (6 or 9 players) or cash games, there isn’t much information available on how to beat these 18, 45 and 180 man games. Fortunately SNG Mentors is here to help!

From the SNG Mentors site:

“We are an online poker training site specializing in MTT SNGs (18 Man, 45 Man, and 180 Turbos on Pokerstars). We offer a unique Mentorship program in which our students receive coaching from some of the most successful SNG grinders around. We also provide our students with staking for the games we coach them in, and there are absolutely no up front costs for joining the program. We are looking for students who are dedicated and have ample time to devote to their poker career. If you are interested in joining the program, and fit these criteria, submit an application today. Email vers@sngmentors.com for more info.”

The SNG Mentors coaches sound like a roll call from the SharkScope Leaderboards:

Vers, Shen888, Manhat10ite, Whoopsy_Dazy, Draqq & Jontsef. Vers and star student Reasons14 are posting their blogs on the site and both are great reads so be sure to bookmark them.

Now you know the place to be for MTT SNG’s. Whether you’re a beginner trying to learn the basics or a seasoned grinder wanting to plug leaks and bring your game to the next level, check out SNG Mentors.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that BlackBerryOS.com is THE place to be for BlackBerry owners these days.  And if you *do* live under a rock, crawl out and check out this post to get up to speed about the awesomeness of BBOS.

As if BlackBerryOS wasn’t already cool as can be, they now have a an outstanding live web show.  You can download past episodes here in the BBOS Web Show forum and tune in to live shows here.

This week the show will be hosted live from the BlackBerry Developer Conference. The focus will be on small and independent BlackBerry developers and their great apps.  If anyone has questions for the developers they can email webshow@blackberryos.com.

BlackBerryOS will also be giving away some free apps!  Make sure to tune in this Wednesday 11/11 at 4PM PST/7PM EST.  Check out the BBOS Web Show forum for more info.

Ultra fly images courtesy of BlackBerryOS.com of course!

Welcome to the UpSwong Ab Lab.  Here we will be divulging info to help you wade through the plethora of routines, guides, pills, and “secrets” out there to get you the mid-section you’ve always wanted.  Students who arrived late to class can view the UpSwong Abs introduction here.

Today’s lesson is short but critical:

If you want to see your abs, or even just have a nice flat stomach, body fat level is crucial.

You can do crunches all day long or the most killer ab routines you can find, but if you have excess fat around your mid-section you will not see “washboard” abs or have a stomach like Jamie Eason.

This does NOT mean that you shouldn’t keep crushing all that ab work though.  It only means that doing abdominal training does not spot reduce fat around your stomach.  What it does do is build up strong, sexy ab and oblique muscles that WILL be visible once you lose the fat.

If the guy in the picture below gained 50 pounds of fat his abs muscles wouldn’t go away, they would just be covered up.

So what we’re going to teach you here at the UpSwong Ab Lab is how to uncover YOUR abs and get what’s been hiding under there lookin’ its best.

Stay tuned for Part 2 where we’ll be dispelling a major myth and getting you on your way to UpSwong Abs!

What do you get when you post the Chicklet’s words of wisdom on upswong.com? Swonglets of course! The Chicklet is very wise.

Swonglet #1:

One small act of kindness can create great and lasting pleasure.

Now obviously I don’t want to corny things up too much around here but the UpSwong admin gave me clearance to share some knowledge with you guys and gals.  So put down your BlackBerries, iPhones, shiny new Droids, peel yourself away from WoW or the poker tables for a minute, make some time after your workout, and do something nice for someone else.  It’ll make you feel all silly good knowing you helped someone out…trust.  /corny

xoxo,

The Chicklet

As cool at the world’s largest gummy bear is, how about a somewhat more useful product from Vat19.com like the USB Beverage Cup Cooler and Warmer?

Question&Answer from the Vat19.com product page:

1. Will it actually keep my drink warm?

Answer: Yes, it gets up to about 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit. Our USB Drink Warmer with 4-port hub may get a little warmer.

2. Does the USB Beverage Cup Warmer & Cooler actually keep a drink cool?

Answer: Definitely. It basically has a heat exchanger inside of it (which includes a little fan). That’s why it’s a little thicker than the USB Drink Warmer with 4-port hub and it has a series of vents in the front. This allows the air flow that is necessary to cool down the plate that you put your drink on top of. So, it’s kind of like a small air conditioner that doesn’t require changing filters. Just plug it into a powered USB port and you’re all set.

3. How long is the cord?

Answer: It’s 42 inches long (3.5 feet). You can buy a USB extension cable if that isn’t long enough. In all, the USB Warmer & Cooler weighs a little less than 1 lb.

4. Will the USB Beverage Cup Warmer & Cooler work on my computer?

Answer: Yes, but only if your computer has a USB port. If your keyboard looks anything like what you see below, you have a Commodore 64 and it’s actually 1987 right now. The Internet doesn’t exist and this web page hasn’t been made yet. Poof!

Check out The USB Beverage Cup Cooler and Warmer product page on Vat19.com for more info. The page is awesome and totally worth a read just for the laugh factor. The whole Vat19.com site is filled with awesome products and videos…”curiously awesome” as they say. We’ll be posting a lot more of them here on UpSwong so stay tuned!

The holidays are quickly approaching and it’s time to start looking for great, unique gifts. How about a five pound Gummy Bear equivalent to 1400 regular-sized bears from Vat19.com?

Features & specs:

• Dimensions: 9″ x 5.5″ x 3.5″
• Equivalent of 1400 regular-size gummy bears
• Weighs approximately 5 pounds
• 12,600 calories!
• Hand-made in the USA with domestic ingredients
• Gluten-free

World’s Largest Gummy Bear “The World’s Largest Gummy Bear is the lion of the candy world. There is no candy more magnificent or more powerful. This five-pound beast is the equivalent of 1,400 regular sized gummy bears and packs a whopping 12,600 calories.Its monstrous size is only matched by its enormous taste. The World’s Largest Gummy Bear tastes just as delicious as its pint-sized counterpart.Available in several flavors: blue raspberry, red cherry, and green apple. Hand-made in the USA. ”

Check out The World’s Largest Gummy Bear product page on Vat19.com for more info.  The page itself is absolutely hilarious.  The whole Vat19.com site is filled with awesome products and videos…”curiously awesome” as they say.  We’ll be posting a lot more of them here on UpSwong so stay tuned!

I’ve been doing a bunch of research over the past few weeks checking into various web hosts. I’m still not done so any feedback, suggestions, recommendations, etc. are all greatly appreciated. I hear Media Temple is fantastic but they are a bit pricey…still may check ‘em out anyway. I will most likely update this as I learn more or as info changes.

Keep in mind the prices listed are at the time of this post…11/1/2009. Please visit each site for the most current pricing and promotions. Also some of the sites listed like GoDaddy, HostGator and InMotion offer different pricing options and packages to suit the needs of all kinds of users.

10 Top Web Hosts Compared

UpSwong.com comparison chart of 10 feature rich yet affordable web hosts

	Web Host	Monthly Price	Domain Name	Disk Space	Email Accounts	Software Brand	Money Back	More Info
1		$3.45	FREE	Unlimited	Unlimited	cPanel	Anytime	Visit Site
2		$6.95	FREE	Unlimited	2500	cPanel	30 Days	Visit Site
3		$6.95	FREE	Unlimited	Unlimited	cPanel	30 Days	Visit Site
4		$4.95	$15.00	Unlimited	Unlimited	cPanel	45 Days	Visit Site
5		$6.64	$1.99	150GB	500	cPanel	30 Days	Visit Site
6		$5.50	FREE	Unlimited	Unlimited	V-Deck	30 Days	Visit Site
7		$3.95	FREE	Unlimited	Unlimited	cPanel	30 Days	Visit Site
8		$4.95	FREE	Unlimited	Unlimited	cPanel	30 Days	Visit Site
9		$6.95	FREE	Unlimited	2500	cPanel	90 Days	Visit Site
10		$5.95	FREE	Unlimited	2500	cPanel	30 Days	Visit Site

One of the most common questions I hear is “how can I get a flat stomach?”

Closely related are its siblings:

• How can I get my abs to show?
• I’m a relatively thin person but I can’t seem to lose this stubborn belly fat?

At reunions we often run into its cousins:

• What are the best exercises I can do for my stomach?
• I’ve been doing X number of (insert exercise here) so why can’t I see my abs yet? (hint: you’re too fat)

And finally those relatives you’re never really sure about. Your Mom always glazes over the details…he’s your Uncle Joe’s half-brother’s wife’s sister’s dog walker…

• What’s the deal with this “revolutionary” 10 minute routine that is guaranteed to flatten your stomach?
• Have you heard about these pills I can take that will give me shredded abs while I sit on the couch?

I initially planned to make a single post addressing stomach swongs but then realized there is quite a bit to cover. I’ve received some really good questions and while they are all related to flat abdominals, each have a very different theme. For example one asked about the best ab exercises that would also be safe for the lower back and another question asked if I had tried a new weight loss supplement and what I thought of it. These topics and more will each be covered in a separate post that will make up the series – UpSwong Abs.

Whether you’re a cash game grinder or a tournament player, no poker library is complete without the presence of Dan Harrington.

Harrington on Holdem is widely regarded as the best tournament poker knowledge ever written. The three volume series consists of:

Cash Games (How to Win at No-Limit Hold’em Money Games) Vol. 1

Harrington on Hold ‘em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 2: Endgame

Harrington on Hold ‘em: Expert Strategies for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. III–The Workbook (Harrington on Hold’em)

Harrnington recently published his 2 book series for ring games titled:

Cash Games (How to Win at No-Limit Hold’em Money Games) Vol. 1

Harrington on Cash Games, Volume II: How to Play No-Limit Hold ‘em Cash Games

Yea yea I’m not crazy about reading either but this isn’t snore material plus you’ll learn a ton which will translate to $$$. So get some books and start pwning donks…

From the SitNGo Wiz site:

“The SitNGo Wizard will teach you how to play a near perfect late game strategy. You will learn when to push and when to fold. You will learn the importance of various factors such as number of opponents, stack sizes, and opponent calling ranges.

If you are a beginning player or just new to SitNGo tournaments, the SitNGo Wizard will quickly turn you in a winning player at the low limit SitNGo’s. If you are already an experienced SitNGo player, the SitNGo Wizard will help you find and eliminate costly mistakes that you don’t even realize you are making.

How Does It Work?

The SitNGo Wizard reads your tournament hand history and runs an analysis of each hand. The analysis compares the equity you would have if you fold pre-flop to the equity you would have if you push all-in pre-flop. Equity is your share of the prize pool at any point in the tournament. It is based on number of opponents, the size of each player’s stack, and the tournament prize structure.

The software computes the equity of every possible outcome of the hand. It combines the equity of each outcome with the probability of each outcome to come up with the total equity. It would take you days to do these calculations by hand, but the SitNGo Wizard computes them in a fraction of a second.”

SNGWiz offers a completely free, fully functional 30 day trial so learn more and download your free trial today!

Thank you to everyone who donated to the Pledge a Pound for a Penny Challenge. Over $2800 was raised to be donated to the American Cancer Society.

From Mike:

“I didn’t have the day I wanted(670/435/600-1705 raw total), but the real goal I set for the meet was met, as over $2,800 was raised for helping in fighting breast cancer, and I am very proud of that.

I want to thank everyone who donated and helped support me in this. I really, really appreciate it. This is a cause very dear and near to my heart and I hope to make this an annual event.

All money was donated to the American Cancer Society in the name of Wendy Niebling.”

UpSwong Fitness is the section of UpSwong dedicated to covering all things fit.  Working out, strength training, injury prevention and rehab, competing, nutrition, supplements, dieting, weight loss, weight gain, lifting for women, and more.

I get asked so many great questions via Facebook, YouTube, email, and forums that I’d like to start building an archive of answers to share with everyone.

If you would like to submit a fitness question please use the submit a question form or send an email to fitness@upswong.com.