Introducing the Mobility Guys Podcast

This is a podcast that has been over a year in the making. Don Sorcinelli, Steve Hughes, and I have been planning this for over a year and we’ve added Jack Cook to the mix. For the last 2 months we have been getting this ready to go and we are ready to rock.

Mobility Guys is a podcast where the four of us come together in a round table discussion about what’s new in mobile technology and to discuss our views on the world of mobility. Don, Steve, Jack and I are also Microsoft Mobile Device MVPs, so this should be really special. We have a wide array of accents, style, personality and knowledge in store and hope that this podcast can be both educational and fun to listen to.

There are bound to be some early bumps in the production, but with constructive comments and practice, we will be able to bring a high quality show to you. Enjoy the podcast!

The 1st Show is now online at MobilityGuys.com!

Instant Access to Internet Radio and Podcasts

Orb Powers Instant Access to Internet Radio and Podcasts From Mobile Phones on Any Carrier Network

Orb Networks, the pioneering developer of software for instant enjoyment of content everywhere, today announced support for playing and recording Internet radio and for enjoying podcasts from any mobile device with a streaming Windows Media(R) Player, RealPlayer(R), 3GP player, or Macromedia(R) Flash(TM) Player on any carrier network and WiFi.

No specialized mobile software or mobile fees other than a data plan are required. Anyone can now play and record Internet radio and enjoy podcasts from the native Web browser and streaming media player of their mobile phones and PDAs.

Because Orb(TM) support for instant mobile access to iRadio and podcasts builds on its industry-leading support for instant enjoyment everywhere of home music and Audible.com(R) audiobook collections, users can mix and match home and Internet content to create their own completely personal mobile radio channels.

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Easy Access to Information for the Mobile Traveler

This is a neat site to visit while on the road. There are some great Quick Links to find weather forecast & radar, currency rates (from XE.com), find locations and maps, driving directions, check flights and mobile software.

I found The Mobile Travel Aide to be excellent and one that stays at the top of my favorites. I expect you will enjoy it too!

You can find The Mobile Travel Aide here where you will easily be able to get information on Airlines and Flights, Ground Transportation, Restaurants, Sights’ Guides and Locations, Reference, Weather, Software and Other important information.

Special thanks to JNGold for this item

Meet Wii, unit formerly known as Nintendo Revolution

Meet Wii , Nintendo’s new name for good old Revolution. It was called Revolution for the way it was told to Revolutionize video gaming experience with futuristic control pads and high capacity optical disc reader. There were also speculations that the unit would be named "GO" in the past.

Nintendo made this announcement on their official web site, http://revolution.nintendo.com. However, there is no http://wii.nintendo.com yet. Nintendo may be looking to hear what the reaction to the news will be, to permanently brand Revolution with Wii name, although it has already been trademarked by Nintendo. Who wants to play some Wii? I already can imagine what the old timers will think when their grandsons will go over to their friends houses to play some Wii.

Introducing… Wii.
As in "we." While the code-name "Revolution" expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer. Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else. Wii will put people more in touch with their games …and each other. But you’re probably asking: What does the name mean?
Wii sounds like "we," which emphasizes this console is for everyone.
Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.
Wii has distinctive "ii" spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play.
And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video games that sets it apart from the crowd.
So that’s Wii. But now Nintendo needs you.
Because, it’s really not about you or me.
It’s about Wii.
And toghether, Wii will change everything.

Source: www.nintendo.com
CNN’s Article: Link

StreamerNet Launches Version 3.0 of Mobile Video Producer

StreamerNet Corporation today announced it has begun shipping Version 3.0 of its Mobile Video Producer audio/video streaming application. The newest version of the company’s flagship software solution takes ease-of-use to unmatched levels for seven key streaming functions.

Currently, these primary functions of the StreamerNet Mobile Video Producer solution include:

* LIVE STREAMING — Webcast "live" action events or capture video segments that can be edited and delivered at a later time

* VIDEO EMAIL — Send Video email without large attachment files
(video/audio messages are retrieved via Web URL so recipient inbox is
not overloaded)

* WATCH MY CAMERA — Real-time camera view of remote point-of-action
environments can be seen on a remote computer, Smartphone or other
handheld devices (surveillance, nanny-cam, remote eyes)

* ON-DEMAND MEDIA ROOM — Host your own library of videos in a private
media library (storage and distribution is made easy and secure with
password access options)

* MY TV/RADIO SHOW — Broadcast live or recorded Internet IPTV or Radio
Shows (become your own radio/TV station)

* SLING MY TV — Transmit home TV to personal desktop/mobile computer

* MEDIA CONVERSION — Convert old CD/VHS/Beta SP libraries to web-viewable
video archives streaming or on-demand distribution.

[Read more]

ActiveSync 4.2 Beta Preview

ActiveSync 4.2 Beta Preview is an early look at the latest sync software release for Windows Mobile devices.

Microsoft ActiveSync provides a great synchronization experience with Windows powered PCs and Microsoft Outlook right out of the box. ActiveSync acts as the gateway between your Windows powered PC and Windows Mobile powered device, enabling the transfer of Outlook information, Office documents, pictures, music, videos and applications from your desktop to your device. In addition to synchronizing with a desktop PC, ActiveSync can synchronize directly with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 so that you can keep your e-mail, Calendar, Notes, and Contacts updated wirelessly when you’re away from your PC.*

The ActiveSync 4.2 Beta Preview delivers new features to improve the synchronization experience for customers.

Support for ActiveSync Beta 2 Preview will not be available from Microsoft. Limited peer-to-peer support is available with opportunity to provide feedback from the following site: ActiveSync 4.2 Beta feedback.

Because this is a beta, the ActiveSync 4.2 Beta Preview should not be used on production systems in mission-critical environments.

ActiveSync 4.2 Beta Preview supports PC sync via USB cable, Bluetooth, or infrared connection.

More Info / Download

High art (and other designs) as iPod protection

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.

Source: Gizmodo

Aximsite down, ETA?

I am giving it up for the evening. It looks like it will be down until tommorow morning. We are having some serious database issues.

I am sorry for the inconvience and we hope to be back online real soon.  If you have sent in an email, try resending tommorow sometime, I am going to lose quite a few in this snafu.

PSP 2.70 Firmware Hits USA

Just earlier it was said that the 2.70 Firmware Update was coming out in Japan for the PSP. Well now it has been released in the USA as well.

None of the exciting new next-gen type features (GPS, Eyetoy, etc.) are on this firmware release, but there is one major thing that people have been crying out for, support for Flash 6 Content in the Web Browser!

Many of the Homebrew people will probably say this is just another attempt to stop homebrew on the PSP, but for those of us with 2.6 PSPs already, or those who do not care about homebrew as much, a flash player in the web browser should be a great addition!

You can download the update from Playstation USA.

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Nokia Introduces N93

Look what I found over on Geekzone! I want one . . . now!  

Nokia has announced the Nokia N93, a model the company says is "the ultimate mobile device for spontaneous video recording".

The new devices combines digital camcorder, telephony and rich Internet communication functionalities. The Nokia N93 features a 3.2 megapixel (2048 x 1536 pixels) camera with Carl Zeiss optics, DVD-like video capture and 3x optical zoom. The video recording functionality features MPEG-4 VGA capture at 30 frames per secondwith stereo audio recording and digital stabilization.

Consumers can connect the Nokia N93 directly to a TV for a widescreen movie experience or upload images and video to online albums or blogs. Nokia has announced a partnership with Yahoo! that allows users to upload images directly to the Yahoo!’s Flickr service.

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Nokia Introduces Three New Bluetooth Headsets

Nokia today announced three new Bluetooth headsets that should be available this summer. The first headset, the BH-700 weighs only 10 grams and is a "Simple and Elegant" design. The BH-700 will have a talk time up  to 6 hours and 160 hours of stand by time. Pricing on the BH-700 should be between 70-80 Euro.

The BH-600 is a classic looking but heavier headset weighing 18 grams. But for the extra weight, you will get longer talk times with 7 hours of talk, and 170 hours of stand by. The BH-600 will have excellent audio quality even in noisy environments because of Nokia’s Digital Signal Processing (DSP). It should sell for 60-70 Euro.

Last but not least, The BH-300 will be a "Sleek Minimalist" styled headset that should be easy to use and have changeable ear loops. Lightweight at 10 grams, it should have a talk time better than 5 hours and 150 hours of standby. The BH-300 should sell for 50-60 Euro.

No pictures were available and hopefully official US pricing will follow shortly. Personally I am interested in how well the BH-600 will perform. Comfort is always an issue, but if you can’t hear your call, what good is it?

Source: www.nokia.com

 

Worried about losing your device?

I read an interesting article today on the washingtonpost.com by Andrew Brandt of PC World entitled This Stolen Laptop Will Self-Destruct in 5 Seconds. It caught my attention because there are a growing number of laptops, PDAs, and cell phones that are stolen and this piece of software mentioned in the article can offer you peace of mind if there is sensitive information stored on your device.

PDAKill is designed to protect users of PDA’s from loss/theft of their devices. It allows users to send a predefined SMS message which will hard reset the PDA, deleting the user data (including the storage area* and Storage Card which eliminates any files surviving the hard reset) returning the device to its original factory settings.

The PDAKill package also gives the option NOT to delete the storage area and storage card. PDAKill will search the whole of the SMS message looking for your pre-defined search string, if it is found, then PDAKill will activate and destroy all information which is held on the device.

PDAKill also carries within it protection against the illicit de-installation of the software from your device.

So what are you waiting for? For complete peace of mind take a look at PDAKill here!!

 

MPEG-4 aacPlus Audio for Windows Media Player Users

New aacPlus DirectShow Plug-in enables Microsoft’s Windows Media users to enjoy near CD-quality radio at a mere 32 kbps.

Professional broadcast equipment manufacturer Orban / Circuit Research Labs, Inc., along with its partner, Coding Technologies, announced today the immediate availability of a public beta for the new Orban / Coding Technologies AAC/aacPlus(TM) Player Plugin. When installed, this free software will enable any of the 80+ million users of Microsoft’s Windows Media Player to take advantage of the remarkably high-quality, low-bandwidth audio format that is changing the way consumers experience digital audio via the Internet, mobile and broadcast applications.

The Orban / Coding Technologies AAC/aacPlus(TM) Player Plugin is a free, full-featured Microsoft DirectShow component that enables MPEG-4 aacPlus audio files and streams within Windows Media Player. aacPlus (also known as HE-AAC) is an industry standard superset of the AAC codec that uses Coding Technologies’ Spectral Band Replication (SBR) and Parametric Stereo (PS) audio compression technologies to provide CD-quality audio in a footprint four times smaller than content encoded with MP3 (MPEG Layer-3) technology. Digital television, radio and Internet broadcasters take advantage of aacPlus to deliver high-quality audio streams while realizing dramatic savings in bandwidth costs.

Consumers listening to aacPlus streams benefit from an enhanced listening experience. Their compact bit rates virtually eliminate content rebuffering, a process that interrupts source playback and negatively affects the consumer’s listening experience.

 

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Has Motorola gone off the deep end?

Newly patented by Motorola is a system that alerts you when your cell phone is ringing, completely silently. Apparently the vibrating alert is still too noticeable for some, or may not be noticed in certain environments. Get this- Motorola’s new cell alert uses electric shock to let you know your phone is ringing. The phone is used in conjunction with a "stimulator pad" worn on the skin.  From Mobiledia:

"The stimulator pad invention attempts to solve the problem by using electric pulses to notify users. When the wearer receives an incoming call, message, or data delivery, an electric potential is placed across the electrodes and physically stimulates the body, such as areas of the epidermis and underlying muscles, alerting the wearer of the incoming call in a completely silent manner. Power levels, frequencies, and duty cycles can be adjusted delivering even patterned signals to notify the wearer who is calling, or what data is being received by the wireless device."

Motorola even claims that the system could be used to deliver "theraputic stimulation" of the skin or subcutaneous. I think that is a little far fetched, but who knows?

Source: Mobiledia

AVIATOR Laptop Stand - Simple, Effective, Ergonomic

The other day I had the opportunity to try a pretty cool stand for my laptop. A very simple design provides comfort, safety and ergonomics when you use your laptop while "on the road". In particular, if you fly a lot, you will find this stand will make your work on the plane much easier to accomplish.

The new AVIATOR(tm) Laptop Stand from Keynamics® LLC is the first and only stand specifically designed for business travelers.

To provide comfort for laptop users aboard commercial aircraft, careful consideration was given to not only the position of the laptop for optimal user comfort, but also to accommodate the reclined seat in front. The AVIATOR(tm) is designed to be sturdy and extremely stable to handle turbulence and bumping from other passengers.

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