Review : iMate JasJar ( HTC Universal )

i-Mate JasJar

Author : Chris Leckness Vendor : Imate Price : ~$1200 USD My Rating : 8.5 / 10 Super Convergence - Super Price tag Do you want the best? Get ready to spend lots to get the best. The imate JasJar offers almost everything one could as for in a converged device. Excuse me while I ramble off the key points that make this the closest to perfect convergence devices around : VGA, WM5, Dual Cameras, Swivel Screen, Full Keyboard, and more! Being able to use this device in many ways is awesome. You can set it on a table and use it like a mini-laptop, flip the screen around and use it like a regular PocketPC, or leave it closed and make and receive all your calls via Bluetooth headset. There are a few drawbacks though, this thing is big and bulky! In addition, as a PocketPC guy more so than a phone guy, I find the Processor a tad bit limited for the power it is capable of. Last but not least, boy is it pricey. $1200 for a Phone/PocketPC is steep. "i-mate, the specialists in Microsoft Windows Mobile devices and applications, are pleased to announce the advent of a new level in high-speed mobile experience with the launch of the i-mate JASJAR. This ultimate device allows users to enjoy powerful internet browsing and dynamic multi-media features for business, for pleasure, for life. The i-mate JASJAR offers the most advanced set of features yet including a full VGA screen, 520MHz Intel processor and 128MB of Permanent Memory, built-in Computer Associates eTrust Antivirus software, Skype internet telephony software, i-mate global warranty and access to the exclusive support and services on offer at club i-mate web portal."

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Halo 3 Marketing, Preorders Begin

Preorders and marketing have reportedly gotten underway for what will probably be the most high sales volume video game in history.  According to CVG, the madness has begun, including preorders available on several sites and retail signage beginning to surface.  However, as many who preordered the xbox 360 will attest, preorders don’t mean squat a lot of the time.  I’m looking forward to this game as much as anyone, but please don’t lock up your money now in something that doesn’t even have an official release date yet.  EB Games, the original site reported to have preorders available, has already removed any reference to Halo 3.  Whether this means they sold out or just thought better of it, I don’t know, but the lack of any info should show you that this isn’t exactly the most legitimate preorder ever.  If you feel the absolute need to throw away money now, allwire seems to claim to still have it available, although they’re using a sample image (top right) for the packaging that I saw months ago, so this isn’t really much new.  Purported release date is June 1, 2006.

Tsunami Detector for your cell phone

As we saw by the the amount of lives lost due to last year’s tsunami in the Indian Ocean, getting the word out is the key to survival.  A new tool for spreading the word has now been developed, and it is a program developed for cell phones called Indian Ocean Tsunami Detector.  According to the site where it is available, the software queries live earthquake data from the United States Geological Surveys.  Probability and impact time of potential tsunamis are assessed and reported instantly for countries that border the Indian Ocean.

The program was written by Tea Vui Huang in the Python programming language.  It works on the Symbian operating system, and is freeware.  Compatible phones include the Nokia N-Gage, 3650, 6600, 6620, 6630, 6680, 7610, 7650, N70 and N90.

This seems like a good idea, I suppose, if you were living in or visiting these areas.  It certainly couldn’t hurt to have this information, as long as it is reliable. 

Google and Possibly other VoIP companies being Sued?

Rates Technology (RTI) is in the process of suing Google for $5 Billion in damages.

RTI has had a history of sueing large companies, and yet RTI really does not seem to be much of a company, they mostly just hold basic patents and sue larger companies.

The lawsuit is over Google Talk, Chat software that also uses VoIP technology that RTI says infringes on their patent.

Since VoIP technology has grown so popular in the last few years, RTI has lawsuits pending with other VoIP companies like:

RTI is even talking about sueing eBay over their Skype service.

No one can really find much out about RTI and VoIP and it seems their only involvement was getting these basic patents that they can sue larger companies with. In my mind this is just sick, as its just people trying to hit large companies up for money.

But getting a court to enforce the patent could be a challenge for RTI, so we will have to keep watching to see what happens.

Sony settles lawsuits

If you have been on the web at all lately, you probably know about the lawsuits brought up against Sony BMG about the software used to prevent music from being shared illegally. The software was almost like a virus in the way it worked, and thus brought up many lawsuits.

The latest news is that Sony BMG is compensating people that have been affected. Sony is offering free downloads and money in certain cases, plus bringing in an independent auditor to show they have not and will not use any of users personal information. They also will not produce or sell anymore of the discs with the suspect software on it.

Lawyers and plaintiffs seem to be happy with the resolution.

I think this is good that Sony BMG is providing a somewhat good resolution to the problem, and also have come to this conclusion fairly quickly.

The Motorola A1200 coming in early 2006

This excting new smartphone with its 2 megapixel camera is expected to be released early in 2006, but will probably appear on the market in Asia first.

The Motorola A1200, is reported to be a slim model, weighing only 95 grams.  It will have a 2.4 inch 240 x 320 QVGA TFT touch screen, protected by a smoke tinted hard plastic cover.

Many rumors are flying around about the device,  such as one that says it will run the same version of Linux as previous Motorola smartphones. Some sources say it will allow for editing of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents on the go, and include a business card scanning function.

Other possible features include a music player, speaker phone, and POP3/IMAP4/SMTP email, and the capability of playing back audio and video in ten different formats.

No pricing information is available at this time. 

iKitty for iPod Nano

Yet another silly (but fun) accessory has emerged for the iPod Nano.  Following in the footsteps of it predecessor made for the larger iPods, the new iKitty protective case allows access to the Nano’s screen and controls on its belly.  Headphones get plugged in uh, under its tail.  Bad kitty!

The iKitty for Nano is made by Speck Products and comes in black or white to coordinate with both colors of Nanos.  It includes a screen protector with a rubber backing and is available for pre-order at Speck Products now for $34.95.

Revolution to be Cheaper than Xbox 360 ‘Core’

I am a supporter of Microsoft products, but I have to stick with Nintendo on my families gaming needs. 

My wife and I have shared hours and hours of fun with the original Nintendo, the the Super NES, and now my daughter has a Gamecube and DS, so we naturally have to buy the Revolution.

Good News for us…. It will cost less than $299!
"We constantly hear stories on how the Revolution will be cheaper then the competition, but we haven’t gotten an official price point from Nintendo yet. The closest thing yet to an official price point just came from Satoru Iwata in an interview through Yahoo Japan. Mr. Iwata has stated that the Revolution will be in a different price point then the competitors, and that it will definitely be below $299 (stating the lowest price point for Xbox360)." - GoNintendo.com

Source : engadget

Audible.com gets a new look and new plans

Audible just (well, closer to the beginning of this month) released a new version of their site.
Along with it, they updated their software for the computer and came out with new subscriptions.

For those that don’t know, Audible is a place to get audio books that you can put on many different audio players or on CD.

You can also use a year subscription to get a free music player or $100 off a more expensive device. I used it to get $100 off the Dell X51v.

I used Audible on my iPAQ a couple years ago and the software was so bad for it, it was hard to use.
They have definitely improved the software, though there are still some problems with it.

I now use Audible to keep me busy on the way to and from work.
They give you a subscription to either the New York Times or Wall Street Journal.
Those are nice so I can try to keep up on what is going on around the world.
Included with a subscription are 6 free weekly programs.

Downside of all this is it is so interesting I’m missing out on playing games on my bus ride.

Check it out here www.audible.com

Intel to Revamp Logo in Time for New Processors

With several new processors on the horizon, including the much anticipated "Yonah", a dual-core laptop processor that will replace the pentium m "dothan", Intel released a statement Thursday saying that it would be changing its logo and slogan.  The new logo will feature an "e" in the Intel that is on the same line as the rest of the text (GASP!) and will apparently be surrounded by some circular pattern.  In addition, their new slogan is "Leap Ahead" (of what I don’t know) in lieu of the common "Intel Inside." 

 

I’m glad they’ve decided to revamp their marketing architecture, but I’d rather they redo their processor architecture because AMD is basically beating them into the ground right now in both speed and price.  CNET’s own review had AMD winning every single benchmark category as well as having a lower price.  However, "Yonah" should be interesting to see, as will be Cedarmill and Presler, and I’d expect Intel’s dominance in the laptop market to increase as they bring incredible power to a small package.  Cedarmill will be a lower power consumption chip and will be an overclockers dream, hopefully.  On the new 65nm processes, plenty of headroom should be there for great increases in clock frequency.  Presler is the dual-core version, on the same 65nm process, and should again have greater headroom both for Intel and overclockers to take advantage of, although heat issues will still be prominent with both chips, early reports say.

 

Source: CNET News & Channel Register

iMate Kjam (HTC Wizard) Docking Cradle

This is one I have been waiting on. No more syncing my Kjam on the desk where my son can walk by and snatch up!

Boxwave has come out with a cradle for the iMate Kjam
"BoxWave’s Desktop Cradle is a USB cradle that is specifically designed for your i-mate K-JAM.  It comes with everything you need to synchronize and charge your i-mate K-JAM to your computer.  Also includes an A/C adapter cable for quicker charging time!  Perfect for home, office, or frequent secondary locations."

Online at their website, you can score this cradle for $32.95

iWoofer - a New iPod Docking Cradle

Why are iPods still on top after all the competion has throw at them?

• Status
• The innovator of the digital music player
• Accessories, accessories, accessories

There seem to be more damn accessories for the iPod than there are CDs to burn and send to them.

Introducing a new accessory that catches my eye, even though I don’t own an iPod. (Please forgive my father, he does)

iWoofer
It’s an iPod docking cradle with that charges the iPod, it has a 2.1 Subwoofer speaker system with digital amplifier and bass control, FM radio with auto scan tuning, preset station and last station memory,Telescopic antenna,Blue halo lamp, AC or battery powered, USB and Audio in.

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Preserving Your Hearing While Enjoying Your Music

Did you hear, the newest data says that earbud headphones cause hearing loss — ok, maybe your ears are already damaged and you didn’t hear. So, how do you enjoy your music without going stone cold deaf?

I personally suffer from some significant hearing loss that I can trace back starting with the attendence of a series of live rock concerts starting in the late 70s and spanning several decades — Aerosmith, AC/DC, Boston, Kansas, Kiss, Crosby Stills & Nash, Jimmy Buffet, The Police and many, many more… Leaving each and every concert with ringing ears, I most likely left a little of my hearing on the auditorium floor each and every time.

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Nokia N90 Review

Another one of my buddies, Matt Miller aka Palmsolo, has posted a nice review of the new Nokia N90.

"The N90 is an incredibly capable device and a good first attempt by Nokia, but the lack of vibration mode really kills it for me to use as my main phone. Still image and video quality was awesome and I wish there was a better PIM suite and email application included with the device. If image capture is important to you and you are more of a phone person than a data person then the N90 may be something you want to check out. I did find surfing with Opera to be an enjoyable experience on the device with the EDGE data network." - Matt Miller

He would love it if you would check his complete review out!

Windows MetaFile Image Exploit Threatens Windows Users

As I’m sure most of you have heard by now, this is a serious problem.  Simply visiting a website with a specially coded .wmf image can infect your PC with a Trojan.  Actual damage to the PC seems minimal at this point, but the code has been publicly posted (confirmed, I’ve SEEN the code) and could be mutated into something more malicious quite easily. 

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