The Mobile Gadgeteer

Don't like DRM, then look to Neuros to free your digital content

I have reviewed a couple of Neuros Technology media capture devices in the past and am currently evaluating their OSD product. The Neuros OSD allows you to capture video content from a number of sources and legally store it and convert it to mobile format so you can consume it on the go. I have recorded some great content for viewing on my PSP and mobile phones. Johan sent me an email to inform me that Neuros Technology has created an "Unlocked" Media trademark to promote the concept of open standard DRM-free files that can be stored and played anywhere. There are so many limits on DRM content that lock consumers into specific devices or services and don't let them take their content they purchased with them across platforms and devices.

December 19, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Zumobi brings a fresh experience to Windows Mobile

A few months ago I saw a quick demo of ZenZui on a Windows Mobile device. The name of the company and client has been changed to Zumobi and the beta is now rolled out for initial public trials. Zumobi lets you access and share web-based content using a new zooming tile interface. Mary Jo Foley mentioned the beta availability a couple of days ago and I was given access to the beta program that same day. I loaded it up on an HTC Touch Dual device and recorded the short video clip below of Zumobi in action.

December 19, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Getting things done with Gmail

I started using Gmail as my primary email application/service a couple of years ago and have gotten better and better about labeling and filing my email. The problem is that I still may archive something in a label/folder and then forget to follow-up so I am really not being very productive. I like that I can access my Gmail easily on all my mobile devices with the mobile client or even via the mobile web interface (like on the iPhone) with a 3rd option of using POP or IMAP. Joel at Geek.com put together a very helpful feature on Getting Things Done with Gmail that I plan to implement as we begin a fresh new year.

December 18, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Enterprise Software

HanDBase 4.0 mobile database application released with major updates

I occasionaly use database applications on my mobile devices, primarily for tracking my paid time off and for making gift lists. Many enterprise users need a database program that provides lots of functionality and that works with desktop solutions like Access (bi-directional conduit support in HanDBase). One of the most powerful, yet easy-to-use programs I have tried on my devices in HanDBase and it was just updated to version 4.0. There are over 2,000 databases already created by users that you can use or even download and modify for your own customization on the HanDBase site. Check out the press release for all the details.

December 18, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Data Management

Auto rotate your display and track your steps on the Nokia N95

I thoroughly enjoy using my Nokia N95 and with the latest firmware it is a solid device that I highly recommend people consider. One of the features that a Star Wars fan like me was thrilled to discover was the N95 integrated accelerometer along with the Lightsabre application. I have had lots of fun swinging my N95 around in fake Jedi/Sith battles. There has been talk of getting iPhone-like auto screen rotation on the N95 and it looks like Samir has made the free utility available on his site.

December 17, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Microsoft

Verizon Wireless announces the Treo 755p device

Verizon Wireless seems to lead with devices and sometimes they lag behind Sprint a bit. Sprint has had the Treo 755p for a few months and today Palm and Verizon Wireless announced the Treo 755p as well. This is the Palm OS Garnet version of the Treo and replaces the Treo 700p that Verizon Wireless currently sells. The 755p is available for as low as US$299.99 with new activation or US$579 without any plan.

December 17, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Will this LG device be next in the T-Mobile Shadow lineup?

Arne Hess has been busy digging through the FCC site and found that the LG KS20 Windows Mobile Professional device may be coming to the US in 2008. I saw the LG KS20 at Mobius a couple of weeks ago and thought it had a great form factor for a touch-screen device. According to the FCC details GSM/EDGE at the 850 and 1900 MHz frequencies are supported, but there were no specifics on UMTS or HSDPA. It does have Bluetooth and WiFi as well. These wireless options makes me wonder if this could be the next device in the T-Mobile Shadow lineup.

December 16, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Networking

MobileTechRoundup #118, Thoughts on Mobius, Verizon LTE, Google Maps, Sony Reader, and more

I was on the road again for MobileTechRoundup show #118 and recorded the show at 2 am in Amsterdam with James and Kevin. You'll have to forgive my audio quality as I had some technical issues while traveling. We also had some delays in posting this show due to the untimely death of our good friend Marc Orchant. You will however hear commentary about the HTC Touch Dual, Verizon moving to LTE, James' idea for rolling out WiMAX, 3G iPhone news, Google Maps for Mobile and My Location, Sony Reader vs Amazon Kindle thoughts, and lots more.

December 16, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Hardware

Palm Treo 680 gets a major firmware update, layoffs may be coming too

The Palm Treo 680 is the latest GSM Palm OS Treo and for those of you who own a Cingular branded model you will be happy to know there is a firmware update available that adds quite a bit of functionality to the device. You can visit the Palm Treo 680 update page for all the details and the download link. If you own an unlocked Treo 680 this update is not for your device, but there should be one coming soon.

December 12, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Buy an Amazon Kindle, support the Orchant family

Over the last couple of weeks, Marc Orchant and I have been having a friendly discussion about the Amazon Kindle vs. the Sony Reader and his arguments were so convincing that I was all set to order a Kindle for my business trips when I found out they were sold out. I know Marc loved to read and was quite impressed with Amazon's service and the Kindle. I was reading James' memorial post and saw a comment about a way to buy items from Amazon that would somehow benefit the Orchant family. I then decided that it would be very fitting to open an Amazon Associates account, particularly with the Kindle's generous 10% payments, and will be sending EVERYTHING made through this Amazon link directly to the Orchant family during this tragic time.

December 10, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Hardware

Try out the latest and greatest phones virtually with TryPhone

I attempt to test and write reviews on this blog for as many devices as I can, but I do have a limited budget and available time so there are lots of devices I can't test out. You can view many reviews and videos of mobile devices on YouTube as well, which is a great help in giving you a feel for each device. Dave sent me some information on a new site that provides virtual devices for you to actually try out yourself, including hardware button presses and more. TryPhone currently has four models for you to try out online, the Apple iPhone, LG Muziq, Samsung Juke, and BlackBerry Pearl.

December 10, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobile Carriers

QuickOffice Premier 4.5 is essential in turning your S60 device into a multimedia computer

When you buy a Nseries or one of the various other supported Nokia devices found around the world then you will find that the QuickOffice software is preinstalled as the Office document. However, after you launch it and try to create a document you will find that these devices come with the viewing only capability. (The Eseries devices do come with editing capabilities because they are designed for the mobile worker who is more apt to create documents.) This may be fine for the majority of the people, but if you own a device with the viewer capability or with no Office compatible software and you need to create documents, then I recommend you check out the ultimate in S60 mobile Office viewing, creation, and editing. QuickOffice Premier for S60 is now at version 4.5 and includes seamless email integration with Mail for Exchange 2.0, sharper fonts, live voice notes in PowerPoint, and much more. While there may be other S60 Office software, QuickOffice Premier is the only one with PowerPoint editing functionality.

December 8, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Enterprise Software

Continental passengers can use their phone as their boarding pass

I am a frequent traveler and my general practice is to check-in on the web the day before my flight and print out my boarding pass. However, once I am ready to depart my destination and return home I am in a hotel and most of the time I cannot print out a boarding pass. I do always have my mobile phone with me and it looks like Continental Airliness passengers can use their mobile phone or PDA as their boarding pass in a three-month trial program launched yesterday. If you are flying out of Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport on Continental then you can show TSA the code that the airline sent you on your mobile device.

December 5, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Treo 750 Windows Mobile 6 upgrade available along with SIM-free version

AT&T Treo 750 owners have been waiting to finally get an official Windows Mobile 6 upgrade and according to the Palm blog, the update is now available. Visit the Treo 750 Updater 2.25 website to download the update and follow the specific directions. According to Palm, there are quite a few improvements that come with this major update and everyone should perform it with their Treo 750. Many of the new features require an Exchange account to see the benefit as well

December 4, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Mobility

Nokia World 2007: Avvenu acquisition, internet radio, free music, and more

Nokia World 2007 is taking place in Amsterdam this week and press releases are rolling out announcing new products, services, and more. A couple of the most notable recent announcements concern the Nokia acquisition of Avvenu, the launching of the Nokia Internet Radio service, unveiling of the Nokia subscription music service, and more.

December 4, 2007 by Matthew Miller in Microsoft

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