Forex Trading Gadgets on the Go

I'm also a forex trader and many are asking me how I do my trading. Most people know that my kids and I are fans of Steve Jobs creative thinking.  So when I was starting to learn about forex, we were required to bring a window based laptop.  I have nothing against windows.  Competition is for the improvement of a product.  So I have my laptop installed a program called VMware.  It's another program like parallels.  I didn't knew that there was another one. It served me well.  I just use it at home.  I use parallels in the office because I bought my IMac previously owned by someone else.

I got tired of lugging my laptop all the time so I checked out if there's an app for the IPad for forex trading.  True enough almost all of the brokers has an app for there clients.  But I wanted that something where I can see the charts.  Good thing that most of the forex apps are free.

What I end up using is the T. Interceptor, that was recommended to me by a fellow trader.  It uses candle charts.  You can also plot lines to help you when to enter and exit a trade.  Problem is when I started trading for real it doesn't support my broker.

The broker I got was HOT Forex.  From what I googled, it's the top broker as I am typing this and was also recommended by another fellow trader. I liked this broker, aside that it is on the top, it's also easy to create an account.  Just register, scan and email their requirements, which is usually your valid government issued I.D. and proof of billing. After a few hours someone will call you verifying the documents and asks some questions.  A few minutes after the call I deposited $200 as my starting funds. Another reason, why I liked this broker is that you get a bonus.  Either you get 15% rescue bonus or a 50% withdrawal bonus.  I chose the 50% withdrawal bonus.  It's like a signing bonus that the will give you 50% of what you deposited and you can withdraw it. The 15% bonus is a buffer but you can't withdraw this.  For me the differences are the amount of the bonus and one can be withdrawn and the other cannot.  So I opted for the 50% bonus. So I don't have to worry how much do I can afford to lose. When I'm trading I just play around that $100 bonus and I manage to double it by accident.  Whew!

What does this has got to do with me being a gadget geek mom?  I don't trade using my computer.  I trade using my IPad and IPhone.  I check the charts on my IPad and I buy or sell using my IPhone.  HOT Forex doesn't have an app in the IPad. I do know that they have an app for the smartphones and PDA's.  Meaning android phones and Blackberry phones.  They also have a web based charts and trading.

My Forex Trading Tools

It so handy and I didn't want to buy another laptop, Mac or otherwise, just for forex trading.  I have no use for a laptop at the moment.  I used to have a laptop because I was planning to pursue my photography as a career.  Ever since I took over the family business, I didn't have the time for photography anymore.  I don't want to buy notebooks because of the small screen. The Mac Air for me is like an IPad with a keyboard, because they have almost the same specs.  I was planning to upgrade my Macbook Pro but ended up getting a Mac Pro CPU, so I rarely use a laptop. Also, if I need a laptop, I can borrow my son's brand new Macbook Pro 13".  So I use whatever I got.

Pocket Wi-fi

Now what about if I'm on the go and the place I go to has no wifi.  I use a open line pre-paid pocket wi-fi.  I didn't want to get a post-paid because the most place I go has wi-fi.  Why open line?  Here in the south Globe and Smart broadband wifi are slow.  So I use Sun broadband here in the south.  Anywhere else in Metro Manila Globe is fine.  But there was one time I was trading and there were no wi-fi in the area.  I tried using my Smart sim but I still couldn't connect.  So I used my Pre-paid Globe sim. There was also a time when there was wi-fi but we couldn't connect to the internet during one of our coaching session for forex. Some didn't have the broadband stick, so the lucky 4 got to share my wi-fi. Since it can only share up to 5 gadgets at a time. See my previous blog about wi-fi (just click the link to read all the wi-fi gadgets and broadband sims that I use and used already).

Someday, I'll get Macbook Pro 15" or maybe 17" who knows, when I really need it.  But for now, I'm happy doing my forex trading using with what I have now.

Wi-fi

As a gadget geek, I could die if I don't have an internet connection.  So I should have internet wherever I go.

I usually go to an establishments where they offer free wi-fi.  These are usually, coffee shops, restaurants in Ayala malls, inside SM malls (as far as I know) and some Mcdonald's outlet.  I thought that all McDonald's outlet has free wi-fi, then one time we had a study group which need internet connection met up in McDonald's Greenbelt.  I was surprised that they didn't have wi-fi.  Even my friend's salon where I have my hair done has wi-fi. Some establishment will let you connect freely, but mostly they are password protected to be sure that they are giving access to their customers only. In Ayala malls, you can access their wi-fi through Globe, but I don't know how much they cost.

At home, we use PLDT DSL. I bought a wi-fi router so I can go any part of the room to access the internet. Unfortunately, anybody can access the wi-fi because, I still can't configure my wireless printer to access the wi-fi with password.  Sometime the friends of my son and my brother-in-law would park outside our house and surf while in the car.  I tried the Globe lines but I most of the time I couldn't access the internet so I let it go. When we got a new wireless printer, I got to put a password on our wi-fi at home, at last!

USB Stick

PLDT WeRoam

Then there was the USB Stick. I tried all of them.  Unfortunately, the signal here in the south is lousy. It was so slow.  Unless you put it on the roof, the signal would improve a little. But the best of the 4 for me would be Sun Broadband.

What I don't
like about this USB Sticks is that I have to install the driver  for each of the telecom companies.  I have a friend who has a computer sales store in Greenhills and he told me about the Sapido which I can use the USB stick without installing the driver.  The cons of this, that you need an electrical outlet.  If you're in a mall, you can't just sit anywhere.  You have to find an electrical plug and ask permission if you can plug it.

Sapido

The latest offer that the telecom companies are offering now is the Myfi stick. At first, I didn't buy this because it has to be post paid. It has a battery so you just need to turn it on then you can surf away.  It can serve up to 5 gadgets.

Then they are now selling it in prepaid.  All you need is to pay for the unit which cost around P5000.  When it was new, it cost around P7000. I still didn't get one because my IPad has 3g. So what's the use of that.  When I got my IPad2 I got the wifi only. I turned off the wifi on my IPhone because of  the unexpected charges. Then again, my friend who told me about the sapido told me about the same unit which is open line that cost around P5000.  I can use whatever prepaid broadband sim card I want to use. I can even use it when I'm going to the US, because all I need is to buy a prepaid broadband sim.  That was my problem when I was in the US. I couldn't use my IPhone to surf the internet when there is no wi-fi spot.  And it's so hard to find a wi-fi spot there.  I even bought one for my son, so he can turn off the 3g on his phone to prevent unnecessary internet charges.

Personal Wi-fi

Prepaid is now is very easy for me, thanks to VMobile LoadXtreme.  I can load my own broadband anytime I run out of load. I can also sell other prepaid load.  But that will be for another Blog.