gadgetsonthego.net
The Motley Fool has a pretty harsh review of the Palm Treo 700w.
"I've had my Treo for several months now, and while I'm by no means a power user, I like my gadgets to work as advertised. But, as is typical for a Windows-powered device, it's buggy as all get out. When connected to the Internet through Verizon Wireless Broadband Access, the system will bog down or freeze; sometimes the Treo just won't start up. In both cases, you need to remove the battery to get it to reboot. That nifty touchscreen is a real boon, too -- except when you use the phone as a phone and it touches your ear. That causes it to set alarms, change time zones, and unintentionally bring up all sorts of programs."
"Having used a number of Palm devices over the years, I hoped that the Treo 700 would build upon those successes. Though Verizon has a monopoly on branding with the Treo for the time being, it seems that the fly in the ointment here is Microsoft's operating system. It's enough of a hassle that, considering the Treo's $400 price tag, I've thought of firing up my old Audiovox phone, which I got for free with my phone service. At least it didn't limit me to 160 characters in a text message, unlike my so-called "smartphone."
In my opinion it comes down to the OS running on the Treo, the Palm OS is a much better mobile OS for a phone. It uses memory more efficently(no multitasking), programs are smaller, and there have been more Palm OS Treo revisions to get it near perfect. While I think this is a harsh review, the Treo 700w is selling like hot cakes because Windows Mobile users know the Treo is the best smartphone out there. Hopefully the second revision will be better, but a lot of the short comings on this Treo are due to Microsoft's OS, not Palm. I guarantee that the upcoming Treo 700p will outshine the 700w, as the Palm OS Treo 650 does in many reviewers eyes. A Treo was made for the Palm OS.
I've been using Parralels on my iMac for a few days, and I am so impressed by it. It's great to be able to run XP right inside OS X with no need to reboot and decide between the two. Parralels has been updated again, now to version 2.1 Beta 6.
Major Beta6 Fixes Include:
• USB fixes (more devices supported: PDA, scanner, etc.)
• Shared Folders fixes (added support for guest Windows 2000)
• Network improvements: host-only networking
• Custom video resolutions support added
• Image Tool introduced
• Autoupdate introduced
• Kernel panic in virtual memory manager fixed
• Shutdown in fullscreen mode hang fixed
• Virtual disk sync problem with Linux guests fixed
Get the lastest update here .
Tekkeon Inc has just unveiled an exclusive black version of its popular myPower rechargeable battery and portable dock, the MP1140 (with FireWire power adapter). This accessory is perfect for the iPod Video and is capable of providing up to nine hours of extra video playback and up to 42 hours of extended music playback. The black color will no doubt appeal to the iPod owners especially those owe the Black colored iPod. The MP1140 is available in white too.
Another model available from the Tekkeon quarters is the MP1100 which is just like MP1140 except this one doesn’t include a FireWire power adapter. All editions include a USB 2.0 cable for downloading music, five sets of sizing pads for different iPod models, a clip for the iPod mini, and a user guide.
myPower is the only all-in-one rechargeable battery and portable dock solution available in the market and compliments the iPod completely and works seamlessly with it too. It also includes an additional 5V charging output to concurrently charge a mobile phone or any device that requires up to 5V, while powering the iPod.For more information visit the homepage via MobileWhack
Just in case you were late in trying to grab the Treo 700w 1.10 updater from Palm's website that was taken down the first time around, you'll be happy to know that the page is working again, and that the installer for the update has been improved. There's no difference to the actual firmware update itself, so if you have already performed the update successfully on your Treo 700w, there's no need to do it again. via Pocket PC Thoughts
Thanko released a new toy for your iPod Nano: a set of wireless headphones and a Bluetooth dongle compatible with the Nano.
via Akihabara News
How about a red Apple speaker for your desk? The Apple shaped speaker is foldable and has a place to put your iPod. It can run off batteries or USB. The portable speaker measures 114x71x55mm. Hong Kong based Gadget Store Brando sells this beautiful fruit for $16.00. via I4U News Cool speaker! I love Brando!!! They have some great stuff over there!
"Jobs gave shareholders a few hints as to why they might continue to be bullish on the company in the near future."
"He hinted that the company may soon introduce a comprehensive home entertainment device that would combine the features of a PC with television, audio systems and other components. And, he said, some of the products on the drawing board at Apple could be the best the company ever invented and 'among the best I've ever seen in my life.' He declined to give specifics," Keefe reports. "Later, when a shareholder suggested that Apple should introduce a more full-featured PC and software for home entertainment -- similar to what rivals have done using Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Media Center platform -- Jobs indicated he should stay tuned. 'We hear you loud and clear,' he said coyly. Asked for more comment, he demurred. 'I don't comment on anything we haven't announced yet,' Jobs said."
"Jobs added he was pleasantly surprised at how well Apple's highly touted switch to Intel chips is going, and predicted it could help the company gain PC market share... Jobs said he expected sales to get a boost from a major advertising campaign the company is launching next week. But he added that Apple isn't planning any big pushes into the market for business PC users, which some analysts and shareholders have suggested it should do now that it uses Intel chips and has machines that run Windows - the standards in business computing. 'We seem to have more success in other places,' he said." Via MacDailyNews.
BoxWave is now shipping the Arctic Frosted edition of the Active Case for the Apple iPod Video! Design meets form and function. The Arctic Frosted edition of the Active Case maintains a low-profile to preserve the look and size of your iPod Video without adding bulk or weight!You can find more information about these Active Cases here:
Apple iPod 5G Video (30GB)
Apple iPod 5G Video (60GB) There are also other products available for these Apple iPod Video here:
Apple iPod 5G Video (30GB)
Apple iPod 5G Video (60GB)
"This is my first post here in Treocentral, but I have been a Treo addict since the Treo 600 on Sprint's network. I was with a SRR Manager today when he pulled out a Treo 700p, the phone is great it feels a little bit lighter than the 650 and the screen also looked better, played around with it for just a few minutes, with him by my side. It's not black (bummer) but the next best thing charcoal gray, I snapped a quick picture with my Sanyo 8300, and maybe if I get to see him again next week I can get another picture. He said it should be available at the beginning of May. But I still believe on the dates that have been posted here. I didn't have time to check for total RAM, EVDO was fast and blazer was a pleasure to use. Not much But at least I got to play with one." Via Mobileread .
ColorWare’s finally gotten around to adding the MacBook Pro to their line-up of color customizable machines. Only the 15” for now, $2449 for the 1.83 GHz model and $2949 for the 2 GHz. Each one can be painted in your choice of 24 standard colors and ships in two to three weeks after you order.
via Gizmodo
Talk about portability - Samsung has developed a MP3 player that is only 20g light, including the battery! The pendant-shaped YP-F2 comes with a practical belt-type case and a pair of integrated earphones for extreme portability. It is available in black and white, and will retail for 119,000 KRW, 149,000, KRW and 189,000 KRW for the 512MB, 1GB, and 2GB models respectively.
via ubergizmo
Laarni Almendrala Ragaza from PC Magazine has written an interesting article about which gadgets are right for the great outdoors.
Spring has come, and with it thoughts of the great outdoors. You're probably thinking, isn't the point of getting back to Mother Nature getting away from the trappings of technology? Not necessarily so. The right gadget can help enhance your commune with nature, whether it is a picnic in the park or a long hike in the woods.
Nothing kills a mood faster than getting lost on your way to an unfamiliar destination (say, a cool campground in the Appalachian Mountains or even a picnic site just outside town limits). The Garmin nüvi 350 may be the perfect travel companion to keeping you on the right track. This GPS device offers a Travel Kit with a plethora of cool features—including an MP3 player, a built-in picture viewer, a four-time-zone world clock, a currency converter for nearly every currency on the planet, and a measurement converter for distance, speed, temperature, volume and weight—all in a 5-ounce package.
Hikers know that there's only so much conversation one can stand on a long trek. But sometimes you need something to take your mind off of the nearly vertical hill you need to hike up, or even just a soundtrack to accompany the moment. Nothing beats an MP3 player for that. You'll want a flash-based player, which is better equipped at handling all that joggling. Our favorite, the Apple iPod nano features the still-unsurpassed interface and excellent sound quality. Satellite radio junkies may want to check out the Pioneer Inno. This MP3 player can receives live content from and record up to 50 hours of XM radio.
Read the full article and find out which gadgets are perfect for the great outdoors!
Michael Kobrin from PC Magazine has written an interesting article about the iPod rumors.
So what's the latest scoop on Apple's next iPod offerings? If you put aside for a moment the fact that no one really knows because Apple is notoriously tight-lipped about the future, we've got plenty of dish for you. (Note that these rumors are not in chronological order.)
Rumor #1: The Touch-Screen iPodEveryone's been asking me if any of those Photoshopped images of a video iPod with a touch screen and virtual click wheel are for real. All I can say for sure is that Apple has indeed filed a patent for something like that (shown above), which is what the doctored images are based on. Hopefully Apple is listening to the clamor for just such a device, and it would certainly jive with some of the other rumors out there, like…
Go read the rest of the article over at Yahoo!News.
IXI Mobile, Inc has just added another mobile messaging device to its famous Ogofamily which promises greater functionally at affordable prices. The Ogo CT-17 promises to be a one stop solution for texting and includes almost all popular desktop and mobile applications like Instant messaging (IM), email, news, SMS, voice and Web browsing. This new version makes sure that users get a PC experience when accessing emails as it includes POP3 and IMAP email access, as well as attachment viewing.
The device is pretty trendy looking and has a very rugged and compact form factor. With dimensions like 114 mm X 25 mm and a QWERTY keypad with 8-way navigation key system, it’s pretty easy and comfortable to use. It features a RSS reader for accessing breaking news on the internet, supports WAP and HTML browsing and optimizes web pages for easy navigation. The Ogo CT-17 is now available worldwide and can be configured according to individuals needs. via Mobilewhack
I recently had the opportunity to try out a cool case from Rhinoskin!
The case I'm reviewing is the Rhinoskin Palm LifeDrive Leather Flipcase. This is a beautiful case made of top grain leather. The leather is also soft, but it's tough enough to protect my LifeDrive. The padded interior protects screen and metal surfaces from excessive wear and tear. There is a pretty Rhinoskin logo on the front of the case that looks quite nice.
The case comes with a detachable belt clip in case you want to carry your device on your belt. I prefer to carry all of my devices in my purse or my gadget bag but it's so nice to have a choice.
The LifeDrive easily slides into the inner pocket of the case and the entire screen, the hard buttons, and the four way navigator button are all exposed. This makes it very convenient to access your device! And of course your device is well protected when you flip the cover back over the screen and put it away.
The top inner top flap of the case has two SD card holder slots, a couple of credit card or ID holder slots, and a pocket in which you could put money, more credit cards, etc,...
The case has a magnetic snap which is great. The snap easily closes and most of the time, it snaps closed on its own because of the magnet inside. One of the cool things about magnetic snaps is that you can flip the snap flap under and snap it between the back and front of the case, keeping it closed for easy access to your device.
There are cutouts on the left side of the case for easy access to the voice recorder button and the Landscape Mode button. The bottom of the case has cutouts for the headphone jack, hotsync port, and the reset hole.
The top of the case is open for easy access to the power/hold switch, SD card slot, and stylus.
You also get the bonus of having a StuffBak sticker with this case. StuffBak is a great program in which you can register your StuffBak product and if you lose your product, the person who finds it can return it to you through StuffBak because your information is in their databank. Their website says, "StuffBak is a loss protection and recovery service. Confidential ID labels combined with StuffBak's return service make it easy (and compelling!) for Good Samaritans, lost & found personnel and police departments to return lost or stolen items."
I've been using the Rhinoskin Palm LifeDrive Leather Flipcase for several days and I absolutely love it! It's a beautiful, well made case and I know that it's protecting my precious LifeDrive! I love the magnetic closure, the inner carrying slots, and the convenient cutouts! I would highly recommend this case! I've been using Rhinoskin cases since I started buying PDAs and I actually didn't even know that they made leather cases! I was very excited when I found out that they did! I had been buying the metal cases in the past. They are great too, but it's so nice to know that we have a choice of different materials! I find the leather cases to be very stylish. You can get a Rhinoskin case at saunder-usa/rhinoskin for the great price of $19.95! Be sure to check out all their other great products too!
I'm a huge fan of Apple's iconic iPod and a devotee of satellite radio. High on my tech wish list is a slick portable device that would marry the best features of each.
Sorry to report, there's no iPod/satellite radio combo just yet.
However, the folks at XM Satellite Radio, along with Pioneer and Samsung, have teamed on next-generation portable players that combine MP3 functionality with the XM service. The handsome 4.5-ounce gray-and-black Pioneer Inno XM2go unit that I've been testing is a very appealing gadget, notwithstanding the US$400 price tag, on top of XM's regular subscription fees. (Samsung's Helix is similar.)
Read more at MacNewsWorld
Sometimes codenames are better than the real thing. Longhorn was better than Vista, and Revolution was better than Wii (pronouced We). Nintendo has officially named their next generation gaming system "Wii".
" Quotes of the Day is a cool little site with some really neat quotes available daily by RSS feed. I've been whittling down my list of feeds, but this one is quick and fun, so it's staying. Today's quotes include the following practical wisdom from Terry Pratchett , "Always be wary of any helpful item that weighs less than its operating manual."
Killer PDAs are coming your way is taken from Business Week
. "Someday technological historians will debate the moment when the ubiquitous wireless phone ceased being just a phone and began taking on the trappings of other devices, thus acquiring even greater cultural significance. Opinions will no doubt differ. In two notable cases, companies known primarily for non-phone communications devices evolved to incorporate voice features. Research In Motion's BlackBerry was born as a pager-like device that provided access to e-mail, but later added the ability to make conventional voice calls. Meanwhile, Palm's Treo -- a device first launched by Palm's sibling company Handspring -- emerged from the ecosystem created by the PalmPilot, the first commercially successful personal digital assistant and corporate status symbol of the mid-1990s." Via Palm Addict.Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta5 for Mac OS X features:
• OS Support: Use any version of Windows (3.1, 3.11, 95, 98, Me, 2000, NT, XP, 2003), any Linux distribution, FreeBSD, Solaris, OS/2, eComStation, or MS-DOS in secure virtual machines running alongside Mac OS X.
• Performance: Driven by full support for dual-core processors and Intel Virtualization Technology (included in almost every new Intel-powered Mac), virtual machines created using Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta5 offer near-native performance and rock-solid stability.
• Ease of Use: Download the program and install it with a single click. Build a virtual machine in seconds using helpful wizards. Configure virtual machines using a simple web-inspired interface.
• Works on any Intel-powered Mac: Any Intel Powered Macintosh running OS X 10.4.4 or higher is compatible with Parallels Workstation 2.1.
I am VERY impressed by Parallels, I installed it on my iMac last night. It's great being able to run Windows XP without needing to reboot like you have to do with BootCampI can run OS X and Windows simultaneously on the same screen. I've used Virtual PC in the past, and felt it wasn't fast enough. Parallels is extremely fast, and easy to setup. It's great to see the developers are listening to users and releasing updates very quickly. There are already over 100,00 beta users of Parallel, so there is a need for this software. I definitely recommend this over installing BoootCamp.
Don't get me wrong, I still prefer Palm OS to Windows Mobile for the Treo because I don't feel the Treo needs multitasking and applications like Tivo and Orb. I feel this way because of the Treos small screen, and for me the Treo is a phone first. I don't want to be slowed down by multitasking on my phone.
Palm the hardware company, makers of Treo and PDA's knew it had to move to Windows Mobile because of this very reason of possible defections. It was better to keep their customers, and give them a choice in terms of OS they feel works best for their needs. So while I think most Treo users won't defect to Windows Mobile or Symbian due to the lack of Palm OS updates, I think PDA users might, and should consider looking to Windows Mobile.
"Proporta Announces Colour Change Silicone Cases for iPod nano Proporta announces the first of the new products from the new ‘Summer Collection 2006’, to help you dress your MP3 player for the summer. The first product from the collection is a Colour Change Silicone Case, designed to keep your nano protected whilst retaining its sleek and stylish looks. As the temperature rises the case changes colour (gradually getting lighter) allowing you to buy just one case but own a multitude of colours, perfect if you cannot decide which colour case to choose. The Colour Change Silicone Case offers your iPod nano the same top level protection as the standard Proporta Silicone Cases, precision moulded from impact absorbent silicone to protect your device from damage caused by scratching and impact. The case acts as a ‘second skin’ to your device, only increasing the dimensions of your device by one millimetre (0.04”) so you can still slip your iPod nano in your pocket easily. Cutouts in the case allow access to all of the ports and controls of the device, allowing you to change volume, skip tracks and charge your iPod without ever having to remove it from the case. The case is currently available in hot pink, deep blue and charcoal. When you buy the Colour Change Silicone Case you will receive special discounts on other Proporta products such as the AC Wall Power Supply which allows you to charge your iPod nano from AC wall power wherever you are in the world. Essential for holidays or when you want to leave your laptop behind. Advanced Screen Protector manufactured from ultra-high clarity plastic your iPod nano screen will be protected from annoying scratches and glare will be reduced in sunny conditions. These Advanced Screen Protectors can be washed and replaced as needed."
Check out the cool new cases here .
Liz Hurley, the undisputed queen of all things white, is going to be thrilled to learn that Gear4 has released an ashen addition to their line of LeatherJackets for iPod nano and Video. Already available in candy pink and black, the hot handmade hide holders – check out our use of alliteration! – for mollycoddled 'Pods tote a plush velvet lining...
£20 at Gear4 Store
via Gadget Candy
Engadget is reporting that a week after PortalPlayer revealed the crushing news that the company wouldn't be providing chips for the next version of the iPod nano, Samsung has revealed that it has won the business from Apple. said Jon Kang, a Samsung exec, gloated that “I knew PortalPlayer would take a dive, adding, modestly, “I knew that we would win this design." According to Samsung -- which already provides flash memory for the nano -- the deal represents the company's largest LSI chip deal so far. “It’s a huge win for us," said Kang. Meanwhile, Apple has yet to comment on plans for the next-gen nanos, which are expected to offer increased capacity, and may be less prone to at-home engraving than current models.
According to MobileMag, the Sendstation iPod PocketDock Combo is a pretty good solution for those of you who have lost your propriety iPod sync cables, or don't want to lug that around with you when you go travelling (in case you might lose or break it). There really isn't much to this device. You plug it into the dock on the bottom of your iPod, and on the other side of the PocketDock are a pair of ports: one for USB 2.0 and the other for Firewire. What this means is that you can now use any of those readily available cables to connect your favourite glossy white music player to your computer.If you need further instructions, you won't find any because there aren't any manuals in the package, but if you think you need a booklet for this thing, you shouldn't be using an iPod.
$29 at SendStation
Have we become so gadget enamored in the past few years that we’re trolling US Patent Office and FCC websites to get the scoop on the newest gizmos? Yes. Yes we have. And today we bring you Apple’s new patent for embedding cameras inside of a LCD screen.
By placing sensors between individual pixels of an LCD monitor, a computer take take combine the data from all the sensors spread throughout the face and combine it to make a coherent image of a user’s mug. One possible application is for business tele-conferencing, so that participants can look in each other’s eyes. Second most popular application? Camwhores.
via Gizmodo
Back in December I saw an intriguing product by Walletex. Albeit for a USB connector, it was a genuinely credit card sized storage product and could hold a chunky 2GB. Four months is a long time in technology however and PQI has just gone several levels better.
The U510 has incredible dimensions of 85 x 54 x 3mm and yet holds a phenomenal 16GB of storage. It has a fold away USB2.0 connector and can be stored in a wallet just like any standard credit card. It is Windows and Mac compatible and – as the image shows – will be available in a range of finishes from the more sedate metallic silver and iron gray to a World Cup inspired Soccer Ball. Read more at TrustedReviews
Now your iPod can be covered in fine art to protect its easily scratchable surface. GelaSkins are made of vinyl printed with many different designs, and include GelaScreens which are touted as "invisible scratch protection for your iPod display." GelaSkins are currently available in over thiry different designs including art by VanGogh, Kandinsky, Klimpt and Monet. You will even find a Gelaskin featuring the eerie phallic painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch as shown in the photo. The vinyl skins can be purchased for several models of iPods, including Nano, Photo, Mini, and Video. They sell for $14.95 each, but if you buy three you get one free according to the website.
via Mobility Site
Ian Birch,TV Guide's editor-in-chief commented "We wanted to take the lead in providing our readers -- all enthusiastic television viewers -- the information they need to maximize their viewing experience, wherever that experience may take place."
In addition to new programming, Downloads will also feature classic TV programs like Kung Fu, Wonder Woman, The Twilight Zone, and MacGyver."
"The Samsung portable XM player and recorder that debuted at CES landed in the laps of the guys at Personal Tech Pipeline for a hands on review. The distinguishing feature of this media player is its “TiVo for radio” functionality. You can record up to 50 hours of XM programming, including individual songs off any program. You can start recording a song in the middle, and the Helix will capture the entire track due to its 10 minute buffer." Via gizmodo. Very cool.
Like your PSP, but hate the sound quality? Then check out JBL’s new “On Tour Plus” PSP speaker dock. It features a built-in digital amplifier with 3W x 2ch output, a 25mm Odyssey neodymium driver, and 100Hz - 20kHz frequency response. The dock measures 175 x 88 x 35mm and weighs 350g. JBL will start shipping the device on April 28th in Japan, priced at $191 USD.
via TechEBlog
Clinging to its position with the ferocity of Nixon in the tumult of 1973, Samsung is making increasingly dubious efforts to convince the MP3 player buying public that its power remains intact. But in the doldrums where non-iPod players scrabble about like marmuts, is life really so fine?
Read more at Crave
Getting out and about doing some hiking might be a great way to keep fit, but it's also a great way to spend time getting re-acquainted with some music or to catch up with that latest podcast. If you want to take your music with you, this AudioPack backpack could make life easier.
Developed by JanSport in association with Apple, the AudioPack incorporates JanSports LiveWire audio system, which allows you to listen to your iPod on the move via an integrated remote control system built into the strap of the backpack. LiveWire is compatible with third generation iPods as well as other CD and MP3 players.
via Tech Digest
Massive growth in the sale of removable memory cards for cell phones -- about 160 percent last year -- may indicate that the mobile phone will truly emerge as a competitor to the iPod.
The 2 GB MultiMediaCard (MMC) from Samsung could spark the convergence trend for mobile phones, raising the level of competition Apple's iPod battles in the marketplace.
During the last two years, there has been a rapid adoption of small format removable memory cards in cell phones, about 160 percent growth in global slotted phone sales between 2004 and 2005, according to the latest report from the Strategy Analytics Handset Component Technologies service, "MicroSD Dominating Demand in Slotted Phones."
Read the full article at MacNewsWorld
"Normally we would frown on another cheap iPod rip-off from China, but in the case of Meizu's Mini Player, it looks like they've actually managed to make an improvement on the oft-copied design. Sure, that control scheme might not have any scroll action in it, but it does make room for 2.4-inches of QVGA screen in a form factor smaller than a 5GB iPod. We can't complain about the price either, with versions ranging from a $87 512MB unit, all the way to a $200 4GB model. The unit supposedly supports video and playback, though we're not sure of the extent of codec support. We do know that the Mini Player has 20 hours of claimed battery life for music playback, which doesn't sound bad at all for the tiny 0.4-inch thick device. We don't really expect to see it in the states any time soon, but this is one iPod look-alike we actually wouldn't mind spending a bit of time with." via Engadget
Appleinsider is reporting that Apple is planning a redsigned iPod nano to be released this fall. The iPod nano has been Apple's most successful iPod to date. Only Apple would/could redesign, and improve something that is considered perfection right now. I'll buy it :)
"For those out there who find the 100 song cap (amongst other things) on iTunes phone a deal breaker, Engadget Mobile might have found your saving grace. A forum at MotoModders has the details and simple steps you can take to run a simple hack on any iTunes phone (except the v3i) to raise the song cap to 1000. Unfortunately, there's one catch: the little app you have to run is Windows-based, so you'll need a PC or Boot Camp to actually do this (sorry, Parallels doesn't support USB devices - yet)." Via Tuaw.
The Treocentral forums is one of the best places to find out about rumored Treos. It's the place to "leak" Treo pictures these days. Someone has released more pictures of the rumored Verizon Treo 700p. Notice the new keyguard, and ACCESS logo. Could these be the real deal? Stay tuned.
Last week Palm posted the Treo 700w updater which gave the 700w push-email capabilities, and some enhancements. It quickly vanished, Palm pulled the update off of it's website after 2 days. A message has been posted saying; "Temporarily unavailable. We anticipate that the Treo 700w updater will be available at a later date. If you have already installed the updater, please disregard this message."
The Sony PSP has once been touted as an iPod killer, but that claim along with many others failed to materialize with time as the PSP is used primarily for gaming. The weak game library does not help its cause either, but this solution from Skatter Tech could be a sign of better things, MP3-wise. This free program allows users to stream iTunes non-DRM music to the PSP, albeit having to configure the PSP properly beforehand. You will need a WiFi network in order for it to work. Check out the short and sweet procedure here for more details. via ubergizmo
Griffin Technology, a leading provider of iPod accessories and other high-tech products, has announced the immediate availability of the PowerJolt auto charger for iPod.
The PowerJolt auto adapter allows you to take your iPod on the road and listen to great music while keeping your iPod fully charged. The PowerJolt charges your iPod whether it's playing music or in standby mode, ensuring that you'll arrive at your destination with a fully charged iPod.PowerJolt comes with a detachable, high quality 48" USB to Dock Connector cable that can be used for normal syncing and docking operations with your computer. And, for use with Griffin iTrip and iTrip nano, the PowerJolt package also includes a 48" USB to mini-USB cable.
$19.95 at Griffin's website
via MobileTechReview
Crossbow will have strong links with Office 2007 and Exchange 12, Microsoft's pending new office application suite and e-mail server, said Pieter Knook, senior vice president for the mobile devices and telecoms sector. Crossbow would be the successor to Windows Mobile 5.0, released in May 2005.
Crossbow will take aim at the Symbian and BlackBerry operating systems. The OS will contain a new mobile version of Office Communicator, an Office 2007 enterprise communications application, that includes instant messaging on public and private networks, Knook said."
"As the Office [2007] PC versions of those applications improve, we're tracking that on the Windows Mobile side," Knook said." Via PCWorld.
Apple has released a 17-inch MacBook Pro today, priced at $2799.00. Here's the official specs:
17-inch widescreen display
1680 x 1050 resolution
2.16GHz Intel Core Duo(1)
1GB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
120GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory
One FireWire 400, one FireWire 800, and three USB 2.0 ports
The Treocentral forums are the best place to find out about upcoming Treos. A forum member posted these shots with a camera phone. It looks like Verizon, along with Sprint will be releasing a Treo 700p. This should make many Verizon customers wanting a Treo 700p very happy. I was told the Sprint Treo 700p would be out by the end of May, 1st week of June. I wonder who will get the Treo 700p first Verizon, or Sprint? Lets just hope these pics are the real deal, the Hollywoood pics are being debated, although I think it's just a GSM Treo 700w. I think they're real, this would be huge for Palm. Check out Treocentral for more pics and all the info.
This firmware will include: - New application: "Get Blackberry Connect" to ease installation and configuration of BBConnect clients.
- New application: "Get MobiTV" (This is a Cingular only customization).
- FAT32 support (Allows use of the new 4GB SD cards)
- Updated Bluetooth support. (New handsfree devices)
- Pockettunes will replace Realplayer
- WiFi drivers for Palm's WiFi card
- Will add Drive Mode support (Allows your device to function as a USB SD card reader.)
- Will free up usable memory by compressing the ROM image
- Blazer update to support additional fonts
- Will add Palm's file explorer
- Launcher updates. Will add new memory management features in order to increase the efficiency and improve the useability of running applications off of an expansion card
- Firmware update will also enable future "over the air" firmware updates.
- Updated AddIT client to support buying and installing third party application software over the built in wireless data link." Via yahoo finance.
I downloaded and installed Boot Camp a few days after it came out. It was very easy to install, and Windows is very fast on the Intel Core Duo processor. Windows finally felt fast enough, and seeing it on an iMac blew me away. “We're not supposed to be able to do this!” I thought to myself. I installed antivirus-- its Windows remember! Then I installed close to 50 Windows Updates. I then installed anti-spyware, Firefox, and a pop-up blocker. I wound up using both Windows and OS X, but OS X was getting used more. I thought to myself “Why am I spending so much time trying to fix and improve Windows?” The reason I "switched" to the Mac was to get away from all those problems, and "fixes". The reason I was using Windows on my Mac was because I could.
One day I rebooted my Mac and held down the option key to boot into Windows like I normally did, and I heard the normal Mac startup chime. I kept my finger on option, and then heard a shorter, fainter chime, then another, and then a blank screen. I got scared. I turned my iMac off, and back on again, same result. I then waited to see if anything would happen, almost 5 minutes later the familiar Apple logo and spinning gear appeared on the screen. I searched some forums and found out I wasn't alone. Many Boot Campers were experiencing similar problems, some even having to reinstall OS X. What have I done??
I called Apple because I didn't want to make anything worse. The tech had me use Boot Camp to get rid of Windows. I was told to reboot, and still the same problem. My iMac that used to boot up in 25 seconds was now taking close to 5 minutes. I thought of all the music, videos, pictures, emails, etc. that I would lose if I had to install OS X, and prayed that I could just get my good old OS X-running iMac back. Around 5 minutes into starting up, a folder with a question mark flashed, and then the Apple logo appeared. I had seen that scenario in the forums I had searched and knew it was due to issues with Boot Camp. We tried a few other things, and still ended up with a 5 minute start up. I thought for sure I was going to be reloading OS X. The tech said there was "one more thing" we could try (reminded me of Steve's famous line) before having to reinstall OS X. I had to reboot, press the option, apple, p, and r keys at the same time.
It worked! My iMac started up the way it used to, in less than 30 seconds. I couldn't thank the Apple Tech enough for getting me back. I was so relieved. Boot Camp is a great tool, and Apple should be commended for creating it, and making it so easy to install Windows on a Mac. It's still a beta though, so be careful. It’s a great feature to have, a dual-booting Mac. I’m sure it will be the biggest, and best feature of the upcoming Mac OS X Leopard. Remember you are not just installing a program; you are installing a whole computer operating system that sits right beside another. So be careful. I learned an important lesson, just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
The new Relo range of products for the iPod look like fun. A case/skin combo set which incorporate cool functionality like a radio, battery pack, and a base station called The Rest. All the product imagery looks suspiciously 3D animation, but should we hold that against them? Prices from a to z.
Are You Relo Ready? Our line of iPod gear has obliterated the distinction between the protective and functional. Each item in the Relo series is ultra secure and durable, and also performs a function that used to require bulky, ugly, vulnerable dongles.
via The Red Ferret Journal
The DLO HomeDock Deluxe is the world's first iPod dock that lets you view and select your iPod's music on your TV screen. It'll change the way you experience your iPod and your music.
The HomeDock Deluxe adds a new twist to the iPod by displaying your iPod’s music content onto a TV - allowing you to navigate, select and play your songs using the include