Mobility Site Minute #31

Mobility Site Minute #31 (Right Click to Download)

Show Links (links open in new window so you can continue listening while browsing):

• Can you dig it?
• In search of the perfect Gadget Bag
• Uh Oh, someone leaked the Dash WM6 Upgrade
• HTC releases official update for Cingular 8525
• Phone Dashboard 2.0 Released
• Spb Phone Suite … the missing phone features
• SBSH Mobile Software releases PhoneWeaver 1.0
• Win a copy of SBSH Phone Weaver
• Win a Copy of Vista Ultimate or Office Ultimate 2007
• PSP 15 Hour Battery - WOW!
• Steve’s got the Shift
• Thank You Cases.com and BuyGPSnow.com

Hey everyone, I would love to hear from you about the show! This podcast, Mobility Site Minute, is meant to be a wrap up of what is being talked about here at Mobility Site. I would like some feedback. Do you like it, is the volume ok? Let me know!

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In search of the perfect Gadget Bag

Doing a little inquiry from folks on what they would consider the perfect gadget bag. Keep in mind, I am talking about something no bigger than the front pouch of a basic backpack. Something you could carry devices, some cords, memory, and more on a trip or like I do, carry 5-6 phones and a music player on my geek trips.

Recently, I took a look at the Proporta Gadget Bag. While it was a great bag, it’s not exactly what I am looking for in my perfect gadget bag. You can check out the video unboxing of the proporta bag to see it and the bag I am currently using. (which btw is pretty close to perfect) 

• What do you want to carry in a gadget bag?
• Do you want it a organized storage or functionality allowing you to use a device from it?
• How many “devices” do you need to carry?
• Chargers in the bag or suitcase on a trip?
• Storage cards, memory sticks, what else?

What do you want in a gadget bag?

HTC releases official update for Cingular 8525

Before you proceed, please confirm that this software upgrade is a newer version than is on your device. If it is the same version and your device is operating normally, there is no reason to upgrade. Refer to the image left and note the ROM version, CPU, and Radio Version.

To check the software version on your phone, go to Start, Settings, Device Information.

Before you run the ROM Upgrade Utility (RUU), make sure you check and do the following first:

1. USB sync cable is connected to the computer.
2. The standby and hibernation modes are disabled on the computer.
3. All running applications on the computer have been closed.
4. USB sync cable is connected to the Mobile Device to establish an ActiveSync connection with the computer.
5. Do not interact with your Mobile Device unless instructed to do so.

General Procedure on Installing the ROM Update

1. Back up your personal data from the Mobile Device to your computer using ActiveSync if you want to ensure you don’t lose any of your data.
2. On your computer, run the ROM Update Utility (RUU) to install the ROM update to your Mobile Device. (The next section provides a detailed procedure on how to install the ROM Update).
3. Restore your personal data back to your Mobile Device using ActiveSync. (Optional)

• Download
• Installation Instructions
• HTC Webpage

Source : Engadget Mobile

PSP 15 Hour Battery - WOW!

Got a long plane flight? Need a few extra hours of PSP playtime? Crave brings us word about the battery you need to accomplish this life long dream.

I personally think it look to big to keep the whole Portable part of the PSP acronym, but that’s just me. 

Features:

- Lithium-Polymer Technology for longer life
- 4500mAh capacity
- The only PSP-mounted battery available in the US
- Uses the standard PSP charger
- Weighs only 5 ounces
- Fully charged in as little as 5 hours
- 8-15 hours of playtime depending on usage

“Need that next on-the-go gaming session to go all night? The new Extended PSP Battery from Blue Raven Technology may be your dream product. The snap-on lithium polymer 4,500mAh battery pack aims to deliver up to 15 hours of PSP playtime–a big step up from the three to five hours offered by the PSP’s default battery. But the increased playtime comes at a cost: The Extended PSP Battery is about the same size and weight as the PSP itself (5 ounces for the battery versus 6.2 for the PSP), and it costs a whopping $90. On the bright side, it uses the PSP’s charger to juice up, so you won’t have to lug another wall wart around. “

Source: Crave

Games for Square Screens

One of the problems with the “square screen” is compatibility with applications and games. Tim Hillebrand has written a nice writeup about square screen games from Astraware over at GadgetMe. Hop over and check it out.

“Somehow I have ended up with two 240×240 low resolution screen devices that I have grown attached to. One is the HP iPaq 6925, which I like because of the built-in GPS. The other is the Treo 750, which I like because of its superior phone functionality. But, it is difficult to find games that work properly on them. Let me share with you a little bonanza of games I discovered that work on the square screen. They are all from Astraware.com.”

Source: GadgetMe

Reviewed - Hewlett Packard iPAQ 514 Voice Messenger

The 1st Smartphone from HP gets scored by TrustedReviews. An 8/10 overall. Now, I have never really been a fan of this particular author’s reviews, but its a good read either way. If you are considering purchasing this phone from HP, read this review 1st.

“Although not aimed primarily at consumers it may well be that the price and the strong reputation of Hewlett Packard mean the iPAQ 514 Voice Messenger enjoys some success with this market. Certainly HP has shown with its first Windows Mobile Smartphone that it knows how to construct an easy to use device with some very handy features.”

Read the full review

Unboxing the OQO 02 (outside of America)

Hugo Ortega got his hands on an OQO 02 and did a nice video of his first look at it.  So sit back and enjoy “the first ever unboxing of the OQO 02 outside of North America!”

 

Hugo will do a follow-up video on GottaBeMobile.com that will be posted on May 10th!

Source: Uber Tablet

SlingPlayer for Mac

Sling Media’s Popular SlingPlayer Is Now Ready For A Mac Near You

Just Released: SlingPlayer for Mac, Version 1.0; Lets Slingbox Customers Enjoy the Livingroom TV Experience on Their Beloved Apple Macintosh Computer

Sling Media, a digital lifestyle products company, today announced the availability of SlingPlayer™ for Mac, a software client for Slingbox™ customers who want to view their home TV or Apple TV™ on their Apple® Macintosh® desktop or laptop computer. SlingPlayer for Mac, Version 1.0, includes photo-realistic remote controls as well as the ability to program favorite channels with a full range of viewing modes all leveraging the iconic Mac® OS look and feel. 

Available in the US and Canada, the SlingPlayer for Mac supports all Slingbox hardware and can be downloaded free of charge directly from Sling Media:

http://us.slingmedia.com/page/downloads.html

http://ca.slingmedia.com/page/downloads.html

[Read more]

Sony next-gen VAIO notebooks leaked

Electronista had a story about Sony next-gen VAIO notebooks being leaked indicating that several  sources have confirmed it.

A Sony Europe product listing has detailed multiple changes that will follow shortly after Intel’s Santa Rosa architecture appears, taking advantage of the improvements in processors and graphics. The most complete leak is that of the mainstream FZ-series (pictured): the new 15.4-inch model replaces the FE with a new design that includes more advanced media controls and a subtly integrated webcam.

SBSH Mobile Software releases PhoneWeaver 1.0

SBSH Mobile Software announced today the release of a new exciting application, SBSH PhoneWeaver! SBSH PhoneWeaver features a powerful set of profiling utilities that will introduce your phone to your life style, designed to complete the missing handling of profiles on Windows Mobile devices!

SBSH PhoneWeaver allows you to create up to 100 profiles that control the state of your phone radio, Wi-Fi, push mail, Bluetooth, ringer, vibrate state and much more! PhoneWeaver also comes with a clean and straightforward Today screen plugin, allowing you to view and control the currently active profile and much more!

SBSH PhoneWeaver Highlights

• Profile Manager - Creating your own profiles has never been easier! Easily create profiles that define your phone behavior based on different variables and states of your phone. Activate profiles based on time or date, charging state, synchronization status, agenda schedule and much more!
• Today Screen Plugin - PhoneWeaver comes with a clean and straightforward Today plugin that helps you view the current active profile and manually switch profiles. Additionally, it includes switches allowing to activate or disable your phone radio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and push mail. The Today plugin also comes with complete one-hand navigation.
• LightWeight Application - PhoneWeaver fulfils an essential function that Windows Mobile phones are missing. As such, PhoneWeaver memory footprint is extremely small, allowing to use PhoneWeaver without effecting your device performance and yet enjoy powerful profiling capabilities.
• Windows Mobile 6 Compatibility - PhoneWeaver is compatible with Pocket PC 2003, Windows Mobile 5 and new Windows Mobile 6 operating systems. Complete multi-language support including: English, Dutch, French, German and Spanish. VGA devices and all available screen orientations are supported!

More information about SBSH PhoneWeaver can be found at the following URL: http://www.sbsh.net/products/phoneweaver

Uh Oh, someone leaked the Dash WM6 Upgrade

 

“T-Mobile is expected to offer the Windows Mobile 6 upgrade to current Dash owners next week for download. It has been leaked on the usual sites known for obtaining these upgrades (I’m not going to list the sites). You’re better off waiting for T-Mobile to officially post it for download, it is expected to be made available this week as a download for current Dash owners. I’m not one who can stand to wait for anything :) so I just upgraded my Dash and all is well.” 

Source: Gadgets On The Go via Engadget Mobile

Dynamism has the Nokia Goodness

Dynamism, the leading online reseller of next-generation ultra-mobile PCs and related consumer electronics, announced today the arrival of three new Nokia multi-media phones—the N95, N76 and N75.  Specifics follow and as with all Dynamism products, these  phones include unlimited toll-free support and the Dynamism Rescue Warranty.

The Nokia N95 achieves an incredible leap forward for multimedia handsets. This dual-slider 3G/GSM phone is Nokia’s most featured packed phone ever: integrated GPS receiver, slide the screen down to reveal multimedia buttons, slide the screen up to reveal keypad, 5-megapixel digital camera capable of recording still photos or live video at VGA (640×480 @30fps), wifi, TV-out, and a sharp 2.6″ QVGA screen. A plug-and-play USB 2.0 port makes it easy to load media, or unload photos from the MicroSD expansion slot. Now Shipping $749.  For more information or to order, please visit http://www.dynamism.com/n95/main.shtml

The Nokia N76 is impressive from both aesthetic and technical standpoint. It is a dual-display handset with an outer OLED display hidden behind mirrored surface. The N76 is made of tempered glass and mirrored steel with an intense 2.4″ QVGA display. An FM radio, media player, and standard headset jack are integrated. Controls for camera and MP3 are located outside the phone, so you can operate even when closed. N76 has a deeply satisfying “tightness”, even by Nokia standards. A plug-and-play USB 2.0 port makes it easy to load media, or unload photos. Shipping Mid-April.  For more information or to order, please visit http://www.dynamism.com/n76/main.shtml

Experience true broadband speed on Nokia’s latest flip phone. If you have wireless service from AT&T Wireless/ex-Cingular, this phone that lets you use their new 3G network! The N75 has a QVGA screen, FM radio, and 2-megapixel camera. A plug-and-play USB 2.0 port makes it easy to load media, or unload photos.  For more information or to order, please visit http://www.dynamism.com/n75/pricing.shtml

Free is nice …

 … and Pete Paxton from Smartphone Thoughts found a neat FREE application that looks like it has nifty little addons for your Windows Smartphone.

From the Start menu you can restart and shutdown your phone. You can also access “all programs”, “system settings”, and your “my documents” folder.

“SmartToolkit is an application for Windows Mobile Smartphones. It adds new functions such as text editing and resolves limitations with resources as well as provides interface improvements! Start Menu Function is now partially working (the quick launch is still in development)”

You can get SmartToolkit Alpha-3C here

Windows Mobile 6.0 Things and Stuff

Mel Sampat recently sat down with Rory Blyth from Channel9 to talk about some of the new features in Windows Mobile 6 and cool developer features they are working on.

One of the nicer things about 6.0, at least from a dev standpoint, is that the .NET CF 2.0 and SQL Server Compact Edition 2.0 both ship in ROM, meaning you can deploy your nice little apps without having to deploy the runtime as well.

In the video, you’ll get to see some of what’s new with Pocket Outlook, an experimental managed implementation of voice recognition APIs, and more.

Click here to watch the video (approx 28 minutes) on channel9 or click on the picture above to see the video in full screen.

Folks in the UK can now rejoice …

 … Sling Media has finally released SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Mobile in the UK

the::unwired reported today that although it took “a little bit longer” , the long awaited SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Mobile Pocket PCs and Smartphones can also purchased in the UK.

So far, users outside the U.S. only had the option to test the 30 days trial version from the U.S. site but it was (virtually) impossible to buy it from any other locations. Now, UK users can also buy the Windows Mobile clients to enhance the use of the Slingbox.

SlingPlayer Mobile lets you watch your TV and all of its programming on Windows Mobile cell phones or PDAs. This means you can have worldly mobility.

Read the rest of the story here at the the::unwired