PSHUG February Meeting, 2/28/2006

Agenda

Making your own home screen theme
Demo of an MP3 player with USB Host capability
Review of our predictions for ‘05
Giveaways, including Panasonic Oxyride batteries

Don’t forget: Elections are coming in March!
Date/Time: Tuesday, 2/28/2006 7:00 PM

Location:
Microsoft RedWest Building E – Emerald Room
Redmond, WA

More Info: http://www.PSHUG.org

netomat announced today that its free netomat hub service http://www.netomat.net is optimized for Flickr, the online photo management and sharing application, to deliver Flickr updates with images and text to mobile phones.

Now when a Flickr group - ranging from the funky to the sublime - has new content, netomat subscribers can receive the image resized for mobile phones along with any associated text. netomat hub members can also invite friends to their Flickr hub for group chat about the Flickr content.

To receive Flickr updates simply sign up with netomat and click “Start a hub” Members can then choose the netomat Flickr news feed or start a new hub with the unique RSS 2.0 or Atom feed link found at the bottom of each Flickr group page. The new content will then be sent to members’ mobile phones, PCs or both, whichever they prefer.

PDAToday news briefs can be found on netomat.

Home Theater expert Mark Fleischmann explains why you should not fall for the 7.1 hype and why 5.1 surround sound is adequate for most homes. From the article: With the marketing of 6.1 and 7.1 surround, the industry has decisively outwitted itself. It has convinced many consumers to buy new receivers and more speakers. But it has also undermined the 5.1-channel standard, which is more appropriate for the home, slowing the acceptance of surround sound in general.

Of course home audio is practically a religion with some people and those are the people you want to listen to. Lot’s of great info to glean from the read. How does this relate to the mobile or PDA world you ask? Um...hmmm. Windows Media Center PC connected to your stereo receiver via a LAN connected XBOX 360 then remotely controlled from your Pocket PC using MCE: WebGuide. I knew I could make a connection.

Link: http://news.designtechnica.com/talkback103.html

More info has surfaced about Microsoft’s Origami Project over the weekend.

From the Seattle PI: “A video of a mystery device from Microsoft Corp. was discovered online over the weekend—fueling new speculation about the company’s plans in a market dominated by Apple Computer’s iPod.”

In a statement, Microsoft acknowledged that the video generally reflects “a concept we’ve been working on with partners.” The company, which declined to identify the partners, said it would be able to share more details “in the coming weeks.”

More info: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/260983_msftdevice27.html

From WindowsForDevices: “...depicts a small wireless Web pad that integrates a potpourri of mobile device functions, including note taking, sketching, instant messaging, GPS-based navigation, and more. There are also hints that the device may offer VoIP phoning and Portable Media Center capabilities, as well. The latter is suggested by a frame that shows multimedia content for an Origami device being managed by a Windows Media Center PC.”

http://www.windowsfordevices.com/news/NS3892903455.html

The T-Mobile SDA Windows Mobile Smartphone has won the Editor’s Choice Award on MobileTechReview.

Quote:

“A powerful device that has a phone’s usability and ergonomics. Attractive (despite the hump) and classy looking. Fits easily in the pocket, yet offers some of the same features as PDAs. Syncs to Outlook and Exchange if you wish, which means you’ll never have to T9 your contacts list into the phone and will have your appointments and reminders with you on the go. Great screen, EDGE for fast data, WiFi for really fast data and Bluetooth to keep you connected to headsets, car kits, keyboards and other Bluetooth enabled devices. Quad band GSM world phone that works anywhere GSM service is available.” says Lisa Gade, the Editor-in-Chief of MobileTechReview.

You can read the review at: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/phones/T-Mobile-SDA.htm

Slashdot has posted some info and links to an interesting project/product called Origami ostensibly from Microsoft to be unvielded on March 2. Speculation can be found on Designtastesgood, Scobleizer, and Thatgadgetguy, and WindowsForDevices.

From WindowsForDevices: “Measuring just 7.5 inches long, less than 4 inches wide, 1.5 inches thick and weighing about 10 ounces, Origami’s flexible form factor reflects its multiple uses. The Origami folds and pivots into a digital camera, video camcorder, smartphone, MP3 audio player, PDA, Internet access or Internet picture frame, email device or video conferencing terminal.

Origami utilizes Bluetooth wireless technology for network connectivity. PAN and LAN networks use a Bluetooth-equipped access point, while WAN uses a Bluetooth GSM or CDMA phone. Origami can also be scaled for future 2.5 and 3G cellular networks such as GPRS and W-CDMA."

From the http://www.origamiproject.com website Flash animation:

“Hello". “Do you know me?”. “Do you know what I can do?”. “and where I can go?”. “or how I can change your life?”. “you will..."

Um...hold me I’m scared. It just sounds so ominous i love it. The NURV reference you ask? ...watch the movie Antitrust and note the logo of the device here and of the company in the movie.

MobileTechReview has published an in-depth review of the Cingular 8125 Pocket PC Phone.

“We’ve come a long way in a year: not only do we have healthy a selection of juicy PPC phones on sale by all US carriers, but Cingular now offers a phone that’s leaps and bounds better than the Siemens SX66. The Cingular 8125 is compact, stable and runs the latest Windows Mobile OS. This phone is attractive, well-made and somehow manages to shoehorn every imaginable feature into a small package. We love the bright, colorful display, roomy keyboard and good voice quality. EDGE, WiFi and Bluetooth will keep you connected to most anything, anywhere and Cingular’s EDGE speeds on their MEdia Net plan are impressive. Though not the fastest kid on the block, the 8125 does have very good battery life by PPC standards and runs most apps quickly enough, even games. The 8125 loses a half star to the PPC-6700 and XV6700 only because it lacks 3G, which is an important feature for a data-centric device. Though we don’t give 1/4 stars, we wish we could add one to move this device just above the 4 star K-JAM since the 8125 has a better keyboard and more attractive and ergonomic casing. If you’re also considering the HP iPAQ hw6515, we say the Cingular 8125 beats it (unless you need the iPAQ’s integrated GPS) because the iPAQ has a lower resolution 240 x 240 display and runs the old 2003SE OS.”

Read the review at: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/cingular-8125.htm

Master Kick - better then ever! Green soccer fever, foosball enthusiasm, experts of arcade sports. Playing on magnificent fields, with roaring fans, in every weather with brutally good music. Dynamic and perfect as you please, in a league, short match or watching action replays. Faithful pal on every step of your gadget journey . No bugs, no dogs, just fun!

New version of Master Kick brings improvements in game stability and better controls. Many ideas Master Kick fans proposed to us are now implemented in the game.

All the information about Master Kick, trial game download, screenshots and game play video and online purchasing can be found at http://masterkick.indus3.org

Nope, I still don’t have an iPod but I think they are neat, especially the nano. Venerable iPod accessory leader Griffin has just made available their nifty little “TuneFlex”. The TuneFlex plugs into your car’s 12 Volt accessory outlet to power and charge your iPod. The light at the base of TuneFlex’s neck shows power status.

A built-in 1/8” stereo line-out jack lets you attach cassette adapters or cables. TuneFlex also includes a pass-through dock connector that lets you use digital devices, such as Griffin’s iTrip FM transmitter, AirClick remote, SmartDeck cassette adapter, and others.

And best of all its prices at only $39.99...wait, why is that a good deal? Now I remember why I haven’t jumped on to the iPod craze, the accessories are completely overpriced. I am going to save you $40 and not place a link to their site.

Designtechnica takes a look at some home theater goodness from HP, AKAI, RCA, Maxent, Philips, Sony, Norcent, Westinghouse Digital, JVC, and Olevia.  HP has an LCD TV with an integrated Media Center PC and RCA has a plasma made out of wood!

here is a blurb:

“We take a look at some home video products set to be introduced later this year. Time to start saving your money because there are some cool things coming down the pipeline! “

When do these guys sleep? LOL

http://news.designtechnica.com/featured_article48.html

Just when you thought they could advance the technology of mobile device cases no more Sena launches the magnetic flip case for Blackberry 8700c and the Treo 700. Ok, maybe that was a bit dramatic but it’s a slow morning and there is nothing more boring than reading about yet another PDA case…

Well, in this case (no pun intended) the Sena does look crispy; constructed of premium European leather, each Sena Case is hand-stitched by leather artisans with an attention to detail. The Palm Treo 700w Sena Case is available in four different models and a variety of colors.

Currently available for a 15% pre-order discount, the Sena Cases Palm Treo 700w Series will launch online on March 15h with a MSRP of $39.99. Send them an email they will customize it with your corp. logo...w00t!

http://www.senacases.com

Astraware is pleased to announce that a further selection of their classic games have now been updated to be compatible with Windows Mobile(R) 5.0.

Sixteen games including Bejeweled, Tradewinds and Zuma, were made available for Windows Mobile 5.0 last Autumn, and now a further 9 games have been updated. These classic titles are those most requested for update by Astraware customers:

Alchemy for Windows Mobile for Pocket PC and Smartphone
Atomica for Windows Mobile for Pocket PC and Smartphone
Chroma Games for Windows Mobile for Pocket PC
Bookworm for Windows Mobile for Pocket PC
Mummy Maze for Windows Mobile for Pocket PC and Smartphone
Seven Seas for Windows Mobile for Pocket PC and Smartphone
Tip Top for Windows Mobile for Pocket PC and Smartphone
Fruit Frolic for Windows Mobile for Pocket PC and Smartphone
Mars Needs Cows for Windows Mobile for Pocket PC and Smartphone

As with all Astraware titles, registered owners of these games can get the updated version for free. See the full range of Windows Mobile 5.0 compatible titles at http://www.astraware.com/wm5

Commodore Gaming (Remember the joint venture with Commodore and The Content Factory from last year) is preparing to roll-out a line of digital content touch screen MediaTowers in mobile phone and game retailers across Europe during 2006. The plan is to open new channels for delivering digital media content, which can include video, music, games and business applications for mobile phones and handheld devices. We saw them at CES this year and it will be interesting how this plays out across the pond.

So the slim line brushed aluminium MediaTower will allow download of mobile games directly to mobile phones via Bluetooth, media cards or USB. Obligatory quote: “The retail channel has the potential to accelerate the growth of the mobile games market and signing this deal with Telcogames means we will be able to deliver an extensive catalogue of quality content in what we hope will be a long-term and mutually beneficial partnership,” stated Bala Keilman CEO of Commodore Gaming.

Wow, I just dont have much more info on this so lets go with another quote: Mikael Kronzell, Managing Director Scandinavia & Emerging Markets at Telcogames commented, “Telcogames are excited to have been selected as the preferred supplier of mobile games to Commodore Gaming. The establishment of alternative distribution methods will be important for driving Telcogames as well as the whole industry to the next step. We have strong faith in Commodore Gaming’s business concept in this area and Telcogames looks forward to being a long-term and trusted mobile games partner of Commodore Gaming”.

http://www.commodoreworld.com

Excerpt: “MovieBeam, a venture formerly funded by just The Walt Disney Company, but now with backing as well from Intel, Cisco and several venture capital firms, is a new set top box ready to join the array of boxes already cluttering home entertainment systems across America. This latest unit though provides some of the most interesting promise: wirelessly downloaded movies from virtually every major Hollywood studio, including 20th Century Fox, NBC/Universal Studios, New Line Cinema, Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Studios and Warner Brothers Studios.

The MovieBeam set top box is priced at $199.99 after an introductory rebate. It comes preloaded with 100 mainstream movies across multiple genres and downloads 10 new movies a week - some new, some older popular favorites - via over-the-airwaves data casting technology which is carried on top of an existing PBS broadcasting infrastructure managed by National Datacast. As new movies are automatically downloaded, older movies are automatically deleted to keep the number at a constant 100. “

Link: http://reviews.designtechnica.com/firstlook85.html

Robert Hartley an occational editor here on PDAToday.com has run into a wall in building his uber gaming rig.  He hand picked all the best parts like the Intel D940 3.2 Dual Core, a pair of XFX SLi ready GeForce 7800GTX video cards, ASUS P5WD2 motherboard that supports dual card goodness and even includes the SLi connector cable, RAID 5...well you get the idea.

After discovering that the cards were refusing to run in SLi mode, he did some research and found a couple of interesting links. Apparently, someone has hacked the older 66.xx driver revision to enable SLI support with 6600/6800 boards on this motherboard. That shows that it works, but that doesn’t help with 7800GTX cards since they are not supported in that driver, and he also has a rule against running modified drivers on his system.

Another article he found, quotes an ASUS representative stating that there are no hardware limitations in the Intel chipsets or mainboards that would prevent SLI from running.

We sent an email off to NVIDA to get their response to this issue. Below are the email letter sent and the reply we received.

Click to read what came next...