Archive for WiFi
June 20, 2008 at 4:21 pm · Filed under Technology, Design, Mobile, Media, Software, Hardware, Product, Online, WiFi
Amazing concepts on mobility and search using a HUD concept and touch screen/surface device… Super impressive and with the fact that OLED technology is getting cheaper and becoming more and more used in devices nowadays, could happen sooner than later….
This is what I wish the internet search will be able to do with a mobile device in the NEAR future. Touch screen, built in camera, scanner, WiFi, google map (hopefully google earth), google search, image search… all in one device. Like this way, when you can see a building through it, it gives you the image search result right on the spot.
Read Future of Internet Search: Mobile version articles #1,#2, #3 and #4 in the series.
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July 10, 2007 at 10:47 am · Filed under Technology, Design, Mobile, Hardware, MacOSX, Product, Moblog, WiFi, Bluetooth, iPhone
I blogged about this earlier on my companies corporate blog site for Snap, but wanted to add some depth to this on my own blog.
As you may know I got an iPhone the day they were released and about an hour after I had it in hand, it was activated and I was using it as my regular phone… After about a week and a half of using it heavily every day, including on a camping trip over the July 4th holiday weekend… I have a few things that I want to see Apple improve upon…
As I use the iPhone I add user experience insight and thoughts to a Note I have with a running tally of bullets. Its great cause I can make an immediate note to myself in the app while its fresh in my mind. Here is my list in NO particular order…
- Typing: Copy/Select/Paste Text (from anywhere to anywhere)
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth File Exchange (for Photos/Ringtones)
- Photos: Add Photo Albums (and Assign Photos to Albums)
- Ringtones: Ringtone Selection (BT Transfer/Recording/MP3s)
- Camera: Zoom In/Out, Exposure, Shooting Modes (ex. ISOs)
- Video: Recording of h.264 Videos
- Auto Recognition: Phone Num/Email Add/Str Add in ‘Notes’ App
- Mapping: Select FWY or Surface Street Alternate Routes
- Contacts: Edit Contacts in Email ‘Send’ Mode
- Attachments: Send Email with Multiple Attachments (ex. Photos)
- Attached Files: Support More… (ex. Keynote, PPT)
- Podcasting: Record Audio/Video and Post to Blogs from iPhone
- MS Exchange: Better Support! Calendaring and Contacts too!
My biggest gripe though is in the support of Exchange. In all the public discussion of this it was pretty clear there would be support. But, if you look at what they really have its kinda half assed. IMAP from an Exchange system is only half the picture. I need Calendaring and Contacts syncronization as well. Email is good, but not good enough. I really need to see better integration with Exchange! Adding a application settings tab with the word ‘exchange’ is kind of a fake out of you ask me, since its only IMAP email.
All things aside, the iPhone is a great piece of work and I applaud Apple for the accomplishment… Hopefully we’ll see a software update to the iPhone in the near future to add some of these enhancements in…
November 30, 2006 at 11:04 pm · Filed under Design, Mobile, Software, Hardware, Product, Online, WiFi, Modern
I recently aquired a Nokia e61 (Symbian ‘s60‘ Smartphone) which I have been growing more and more fond of every day. If your not farmiliar with this phone let me summarize, the e61 is a Quad Mode (GSM 850/900/1800/1900 + UMTS) phone, includes 802.11g WiFi and Bluetooth, has a suite of M$ capable doc/xls/ppt viewers, RealPlayer (I want a version of QuickTime player for s60!), Flash, MP3 player, VoIP, IM, J2mE and whole slew of other utilities that make it a very punchy device. After I played around with it for a day or so, I got the itch to get some warez for it, so I immediately went out hunting for cool apps to test out the s60 v3 OS, and I was not let down.
AgileMessenger
Turns out that the built in IM client for the e61 is a Nokia propritary app and only works with their own IM system, so the first app I went hunting for was a new IM client. I looked at OZ, IM+ and tried to get my hands on the Cingular All-In-One app (but it did find a freeware copy anywhere), then I found AgileMessenger and it rocks! First off it supports all the major IM players MSN, GTalk, AOL, Yahoo (no Jabber support yet). The UI is well thought out, its fast, responsive and has a wide range of user configurable settings (incl. changing your IM alert sounds). The best feature is its built in PTT functionality, there is a little mic icon and you press the center button down and it makes a squak like a walkie talkie, you say your thing and then click the button again and off the file goes to yout IM buddy. Then at their end they hear the audio message you recorded right away! This is pretty spec. The one drawback is that AgileMessenger has a monthly/annual service fee which ends up being about $30 a year for use. I presume its due to the PTT functionality and use of their IM relay servers for IM.
View: AgileMessenger: IM for Mobile
Truphone
While on my hunt for cool software, I remembered a friend told me that there was a BETA available for Skype on s60, and that I could use my own personal login information in the same manner as I did on my desktop computer. Turns out that after a bit of digging online there is only a private BETA available for developers and that Nokia did a demo in the EU at one of their mobile conferences (something like CeBIT I think). Apparently from reading through the Nokia and Skype forums and this post on MobileCrunch its coming soon! I cant wait for it, so I kept looking for a VoIP solution and somehow out of the blue I stumbled upon Truphone. It is a TRU cool piece of spec for a phone. First off the TRuphone site has some very useful FAQs and installation documents, and the best part was they have a special page for us e61 users! I installed it right away and within a few minutes I was testing out the voice call quality. Note that in order to use the VoIP capabilities you need to have your e61 linked up to WiFi. I have an Apple Airport Extreme and it worked like a charm. The audio quality was as good as normal cellphone quality and they even throw in a US phone number and voicemail (with a brit accent to boot!). The best part about this app is that its totally integrated into the Nokia UX so when your ready to make a phone call, its literally dial the number, press your ‘options’ menu and there are two call types, mobile and internet. Make your choice and thats it! I saw if you have an e61 go get this app right away! They are running a special until the end of the year FREE calls nationwide US and internationally!
View: Truphone: Mobile VoIP
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April 28, 2005 at 10:02 am · Filed under Technology, Music, Mobile, Style, Media, Hardware, Product, WiFi, Bluetooth
Yesterday Nokia announced three new phones as part of their Nseries Multimedia Phone product range. They all are 3G capable, can play MP3s, and all but one have high resolution cameras (2MP w/ Zeiss lenses)… The most notable is the N91 which has a 4GB HD built in. This is Nokias answer to the Apple/Motorola iTunes Phone that has been delayed again.
Nokia today introduced the Nokia N91 multimedia, the company’s latest device optimized for mobile music consumption. With room for up to 3000 songs on the integrated 4-gigabyte hard disk, the Nokia N91 delivers a premier music experience. In addition, the industry standard 3.5mm stereo headset jack and easy transfer of music files from your PC help make the Nokia N91 a connected mobile jukebox. Encased in stainless steel, the Nokia N91 has dedicated music keys on its face, which slide down to reveal the phone keypad. The Nokia N91 is a part of the new Nokia Nseries range, bringing you the latest multimedia technologies and smartphone functionalities.
via Nokia Press Section
via Nokia Multimedia Section
April 27, 2005 at 9:22 am · Filed under Technology, Media, Hardware, WiFi
Just saw this posting on another blog site (also referenced on Slashdot.org). Its amazing what people are able to do with the PSP, I have to say honestly that its quite possible that the PSP will surpass the iPod as the uber cool personal mobility media device!
Using your hacked Wipeout Browser and the WACI NX (an über controller box, web server, IR/WiFi hub, automation system) this guy has created an AMX/Crestron style control interface for his XBOX Media System…
via PSP Home Control 1.0
On a side note, I have already started PSPcasting TV shows from BitTorrent to my PSP. And I have not even started on the MP3 side of things. I think I have only two Games, I have spending most of my time watching PSPcasted TV and Movies…. I have the new ‘Appleseed (2004)’ movie ripped from DVD on eBay, and am in the process of ripping the animated TV series ‘Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex‘… of course you need the big Memory Stick Duo (I got the 512mb, which for the money is the most cost effective).
What are you doing with your PSPs?
I would love to start linking to software, projects, hacks, original content (ie. mp4s), etc… Send them my way and I will start adding to the PSP page here… Post your comments, links, ideas, etc!!
April 9, 2005 at 2:18 am · Filed under Technology, Design, Product, WiFi
Nabaztag (a cute lighted WiFi rabbit figure) is the latest invention from Violet an innovative french product design company that specializes in WiFi aware devices. Their previous product DAL was very similar to this new one, but more abstract and esoteric, simply an organic shaped light that sites on your desk and changes colors based upon user preset WiFi sensed actions. The Violet product range is like minded and remeniscent of the Ambient Devices product the Ambient Orb another very cool WiFi awareness device.
I am very anxious to get one of these Nabaztags (or multiples to test out at my office). Alas, Nabaztag will be available in Japan end of 2005, so who knows when it will be available here in the USa. Maybe Violet can send me a few???
View: Nabaztag Flash Mini Site
