Video : Freedom Blade Cell Antenna - WOW!!!
Posted by Chris Leckness on 05/6/08 in HSPDA, Mobility Site Videos
Here is a little demo video I shot of how effective the Freedom Blade cell antenna is. This $50 range extender took me from no bars to 4 bars in the middle of the 2nd floor of a 3 story brick building. I am throrouly impressed with this antenna.
The Freedom Blade is a small, sleek cell antenna booster that is perfect for those who travel or are on the go frequently. When using with laptop AirCards where the signal is not optimal, this antenna will increase your data speed. With a large diversity of signal strengths across wireless networks in airports, hotels & other remote locations, increased data speeds makes your wireless experience more rewarding. The Freedom Blade works with all major wireless carriers and technologies.
For more info, head to Arc Wireless.
The Ultimate UMPC is Not a UMPC!
Posted by Steve Laser on 01/26/08 in Asus R2H, HSPDA, HTC, OQO 02, UMPC, Wibrain, Windows Mobile 6, Windows Vista, Windows XP
According to Microsoft, a UMPC is supposed to be:
photo courtesy of Engadget
“About the size of a paperback book, the UMPC is small and light enough to fit easily into a carry-on, a purse, or a backpack. And yet, the UMPC features a powerful processor, a big, bright display, easy-to-use input options, and support for the latest connectivity standards.
The UMPC offers a display of 4-7 inches and touch capabilities, all in a package that weighs less than 2 pounds. But don’t underestimate this small computer—it can run all of the same Windows Vista-compatible software you’re already familiar with.”
We certainly have seen some of these ideal elements in UMPCs, but as far as running “Windows Vista-compatible software” using a “powerful processor” is concerned, this project is a failure. Some recent reviews illustrate the concept:
From JK on the Run’s WiBrain review on slow performance, “For example: opening up Microsoft Word 2007 takes 6 seconds on the Q1P. The same task on the WiBrain routinely takes 9 seconds.”
And on the screen resolution,
“Here’s where compromise, as it so often does with mobile devices, comes into play: due to the high res and the excellent trackpad, I found myself rarely using the touchscreen. Items are too small to accurately touch when it’s easier to just use the trackpad, cursor and mouse buttons.”
From Pocketables’ OQO Model 2 Review on slow performance, “If you can tolerate nothing less than the top-of-the-line powerhouse desktop systems, then something like the OQO Model 02 (or any UMPC, for that matter) will definitely not make you happy.”
Photo Courtesy of Ultramobile PC
From UltraMobilePC’s Vega Review on its 5″ screen size, “For example, I use contact lenses and I do not need reading glasses unless the letters are too small, like the ones printed in some drug boxes. I do not need reading glasses at all to use any of the UMPC with a 7 inches display but I felt the need of my glasses using Vega.
From UltraMobilePC’s Amtek T770 Review on battery life, “…the battery life is between 2 hours and 2 hours 15 minutes according to my tests.”
And on performance, “If you are a regular user that does not care about performance but you want an integrated webcam and microphone without having to pay a extra money, yes, you will find in this machine these features…”
Photo courtesy of Hanno’s Blog
Hanno’s Everun Review on odd size resolutions often found in UMPCs, “800×480 is the recommended screen resolution that Microsoft chose for UMPCs, yet the OS has menus that don’t fit. What good is the promise of being able to run standard software when the screen estate is too small for it?”
You get the idea. The processor’s are too slow for the (bloated) OS, the screen resolution is all wrong, rendering many UMPCs unreadable without a magnifying glass, the OS’s menus don’t fit on the screen, multitasking is impossible due to lack of memory and processing power, and battery power is generally lackluster, if not putrid.
Indeed, not all UMPCs fail in every area. Some are better than others. But there is a lack of consistency across the board regarding features and performance. UMPCs range in size, keyboard type, connectivity options, price, screen sizes and many other features, so lumping them into one category and saying they are inadequate may not be completely fair, but I have not read one UMPC review that has made me want to run out and get one. To be sure, spending $800 to $2400 for lackluster performance in a package that is not quite pocketable, and is fraught with compromises, hardly intrigues me. Pocket PCs are too small. I need a larger screen to view spreadsheet data among other things. Laptops are too big. So I find myself aching for a UMPC.
The Ultimate UMPC
Find the Ultimate UMPC after the break
Long Awaited Dell Tablet Due on 12/11
Posted by Steve Laser on 12/6/07 in Dell, HSPDA, Tablet PC
Just when you thought you spent all you could on your holiday shopping, Dell puts out its long rumored Latitude XT. Sleek, sexy and possibly the hot product of the holidays, this tablet is packed with goodies:
I’ll take mine with HSDPA please.
3G iPhone Coming?
Posted by Steve Laser on 11/21/07 in HSPDA, iPhone
Rumors. Gotta love them. May will be the first anniversary of the iPhone and Apple often celebrates anniversaries with upgrades. Apparantly, Spain’s Telefonica cell carrier stated that Apple is bringing out a 3G version of its iPhone.
Currently, the first generation iPhone uses the slower EDGE network. The good thing about EDGE is that it provides greater availability, as it is more widespread. The faster 3G (HSDPA) has a maximum theoretical data transfer speed of 2Mbps, though in actuality 400 - 800kbps is more realistic. However, this is significantly faster than the theoretical maximum of EDGE, which is 473.6 kbit/s for 8 timeslots. That is about 20% the speed of HSDPA. Further, HSDPA can carry transmit more calls at a time. So 3G is very significant.
Once the 3G version comes out, I expect to see more onboard memory on the phone as well as a greater availability of applications. I also expect complaints from First Gen iPhone owners wanting free upgrades. Ain’t gonna happen.
USB Wireless Modem for your UMPC
Ultramobilelife.com has posted a video showing how to install a USB Wireless Modem HSPDA to a UMPC.
