ccJot by Michael Rickey

2009/11/07

Android 2.0 and the Motorola Droid

Filed under: Cellular — Tags: , , , — mrickey @ 08:45

DROID-by-Motorola-550x474There’s one big problem with being a technology addict…there’s always new technology.  When the Android OS was released and first came to the market in the T-Mobile G1, I wanted one.  But, I couldn’t go to T-Mobile (that’s a long story).  I ended up getting a BlackBerry Storm.  The Storm has been OK, it does a great job on email, but other things are a little lacking.  I do have to admit, that after the release of the 5.0 OS, it’s a lot better.

A friend of mine has been using the broad collection of image editing programs on the iPhone…making me jealous…thinking about an iPhone.

Then, Google updated the Android platform and Verizon decided to start offering Android phones.  The Motorola Droid is a very nice looking phone with an amazing display.

The operating system itself now has an improved contact manager with the ability to sync with multiple sources, Exchange support, combined inbox, improved camera application, multi-touch support (although it’s apparently disabled in the US), improved browser, and improved calendar.

For developers there is now a synchronization API, support for multiple screen sizes, a Bluetooth API, and more.

The real kicker here is that my mom and dad both got a Droid last night…on release day…before me.  It’s just not right.

I’m eligible for an annual upgrade in January, I guess I have to wait.  Maybe one of the new Snap Dragon-based phones will be out by then.  I can only hope.  Or, Verizon, are you listening?  Can you cut me a little slack and let me upgrade early?
—-
Update 2009-11-11 I got a Droid! Stay tuned…

2009/08/31

Enhanced Google Mail plug-in for BlackBerry

Filed under: Google,Phones,Software — Tags: , , , — mrickey @ 17:21

I don’t know about you, but I love GMail.  I have grown so accoustomed to the idea of labels instead of folders that Outlook just frustrates me.  Why can’t a message be in more than one folder?

After I got my BlackBerry, I tried the GMail app.  Granted it looks nice and let’s you view messages in a threaded manner, access labels and stars, etc.  It sucks when it comes to getting mail to my phone.  It doesn’t seem to do push, and, it doesn’t have an icon in the alert area to tell me there’s new mail.  So, I abandoned it.  Access my email using imap works great.

Now, RIM has released the Enhanced Google Mail plug-in for BlackBerry.  This is a nice compromise.  It looks just like the regular mail/messaging applications and it gives to access to stars, labels, archiving messages, and marking spam even viewing conversations.

In this first picture, you can see the menu options added for Google Mail.  Since this is part of the standard messaging application, all other apps that extend messeging still work.

New menu options

New menu options

When looking at your inbox, you can see stars and conversations.

QL_0983160508

With a message open, you can also see labels.

QL_0983160453

Now, there are a couple of limitations.  The sync of labels and stars is one-way only.  From the phone to your account.  This sucks if you are an active email user…but, it’s still better than we had before.

The other challenge is for people that have a Google Apps account…like me.  I did a bunch of searching on the net and found that RIM can deal with this.  You need to call support with your carrier, get bumped up to RIM support and ask them to set your domain for “GIMAP” (gee-eye-map).  This will cause BIS to recognize your domain as a gmail domain and all is good.

2009/08/18

Browse the BlackBerry AppWorld Catalog Online

Filed under: Phones,Software — mrickey @ 11:59

Since RIM released the AppWorld for BlackBerry applications, it has only been available on handheld devices.  Wouldn’t it be nice to access it from your PC, just to make browsing a little easier.

AppWorldWell, RIM listened.  They have created a full web app for perusing AppWorld.  You can view by categories, search, etc.  If you find an app you like, you can send a link to your phone to complete the purchase.

You have access to the description, reviews, screen shots, program info (version, size, etc).

http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/

Thanks to Gizmodo.com for the lead on this one.

2009/07/31

Virgin Mobile going to Sprint

Filed under: Cellular — Tags: , , , — mrickey @ 07:28

I find it interesting how big business can spend money when they’re reporting losses.  For example, Sprint just committed $483 million to puchase Virgin Mobile (who recently purchased Helio).

This at rougly the same time they are reporting loses of $384 million and dropped 257,000 subscribers.

How do you sit in front of the Board of Directors and say “Yes, I know we lost $384 million this quarter, and we lost 257,000 subscribers, but if I could just spend this $483 million we could have a bunch of pre-paid customers that also want to jump to a different carrier.”

Hmm, let’s see.  Maybe they should spend some money on creating a service that people like and want to stay with.  You could hire a lot of consultants for $483 million…

2008/02/04

AT&T Survey

Filed under: Phones — Tags: , , — mrickey @ 10:48

I was invited to a survey by AT&T. In it they showed this concept with the description below.

They proposed names like “Home HQ” and “InfoPoint”.

If this is affordable, I may actually stay with AT&T for my land-line.

New Service Concept

AT&T is considering the development of a new home telephone / Internet system that comes with a cordless handset and cordless touch screen device. It consolidates your communication needs, helps you organize your life; and provides fast, easy access to the information you use. With the system, you have a regular cordless telephone as well as an information, organization, and media device – both are fully wireless and portable, thus they can be used anywhere inside your home.

2008/01/12

Network your bluetooth headsets

Filed under: Accessories,Products — Tags: , , — mrickey @ 09:30

The CallPod company has a new product called the Phoenix. This is one of those products I find cool, but without much purpose.
It’s a little Bluetooth hockey puck. You can pair five difference headsets with it, and they can not talk to each other in full duplex. Thats really cool…but with the range limitations of bluetooth, I’m not really sure where you’d use this.
It also has the ability to pair with a computer. So, you could start a Skype call, then have five people on bluetooth headsets be a part of the conversation. Kind of like a quiet conference call.
They also have the new Dragon Bluetooth headset. They claim a 100+ meter range. This scares me a little, but it makes the Phoenix make a little more sense. The Dragon also has the ability to pair with another Dragon. This allows two people, within 100 meters of each other, to talk directly. No phone required. This would be kind of cool for staying in touch while shopping, or paint ball.
The Dragon has a list price of $129 although a quick Google show’s it as low as $70.
http://www.callpod.com/

2008/01/11

Computer and Phone mounts for the car

Filed under: Accessories — Tags: , , , , — mrickey @ 07:19

I was happy to see companies with mounting products at CES. With California’s recent statute changes requiring the use of hands-free devices, I think more people will be looking for mounting products.

The three primary sources are Ram-Mount, Panavise and Jotto.

Ram-Mount has long been the leader here. They have numerous bases, arms and holders. Many of the holders are custom made for specific devices.

Panavise has taken their experience with vises and extended it into devices. Many of their products are made out of a composite and are lightweight yet strong.

Jotto is the new player in this market. They started with products to assist road warriers and extended into computer mounts and now into phone, PDA and other products. They have even started into the realm of law enforcement with center console products for radio equipment.

Jotto had one very interesting add-on product. It’s a backlit dry erase panel called GloWriter. With this, you can easily take notes and read them day or night. Very slick.

http://www.ram-mount.com/
http://www.jottodesk.com/
http://www.panavise.com/

2008/01/10

Invisio Q7

Filed under: Accessories,Products — Tags: , , — mrickey @ 21:39

I got a chance to hold the Invisio Q7. The new design is nice. They changed the design and cleaned up a few things…of course, it cost them six months getting to market.

They tell me that they’ll be available in February, 2008.

2007/12/05

Invisio Q7 – Delayed again

Filed under: Accessories — Tags: , , — mrickey @ 11:28
I’ve been following the Invisio Q7 for a long time. There are references to it that go back to 2005. It looks different not, but it still isn’t actually a product.
It’s a perty cool piece of technology. It uses a bone conductive pickup for the microphone, so it should be resistant to background noise. The fit is managed using a little spring. I’m not sure how it’ll fell, but people using other models report the spring as comfortable.
It was looking like they were going to ship by the end of 2007. I just got a call from NextLink (the company) to let my know that they aren’t planning to ship until February 2008. That’s a big dissappointment.
I have to wonder if they’re planning to rework it as they’ve pulled the picture off their web site.

2007/12/04

Where is there a pay phone?

Filed under: Phones — Tags: , — mrickey @ 15:04

I’ve seen a couple of articles recently about AT&T making the decision to dump all of their pay phones. In general, I think this is a good idea. Of course, as soon as they do, I’ll have a need for one.

Anyway, they have about 1,000,000 pay phones in service (down from 2.6 million). They are supposed to be removed by the end of 2008.

I’m assuming that the off-brand pay phones will remain in service. So, I’m sure that local call home will run about $5.

Hmm…I wonder if I can get a used pay phone…that would be cool…

Older Posts »

a Concept Creek venture

Powered by WordPress

Partly powered by CleverPlugins.com