Mologogo is a free service that will track your friend’s GPS-enabled cell phones from another phone or on the web.

Simon Jones (BulletUK), our friend from across the pond, has created our first Windows Mobile Client. It requires an internal or external gps and a wireless internet connection. It’s still an early build but we’ve used it successfully. So check it out.

http://blog.mologogo.com/articles/2006/06/25/windows-mobile-5-alpha-client

Marvell Technology Group, Ltd. and Intel Corporation today announced that they have signed an agreement for Intel to sell its communications and application processor business to Marvell for a purchase price of $600 million plus the assumption by Marvell of certain liabilities. The planned sale will give Marvell a strong presence in the growing market segment for processors used in smart handheld devices.

Intel’s communications and application processor business develops and sells processors for handheld devices including smart phones and personal digital assistants. The business’ processors, based on Intel® XScale technology, include the Intel PXA9xx communications processor, codenamed “Hermon,” which powers Research in Motion’s (RIM) Blackberry* 8700 device. The Intel PXA27x applications processor, codenamed “Bulverde,” is used in the Palm Treo* smart phone, the Motorola Q* and other devices.

http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20060627corp.htm

We do not normally review “gaming” accessories, but once in a while a product comes to our attention that is both cool and something we think our readers would be interested in.  Head tracking devices have been around for a long time, but they have traditionally been big, difficult to wear, and poor in performance.  The idea of head tracking for flight simulation, racing, and first-person shooting games has been tried many times, but usually with less-than-fun results.

NaturalPoint has been making head tracking accessories for a few years and has now released the new TrackIR 4 Pro.  The main unit is small, light, and sits on top of your monitor or clamps onto the lid of a notebook computer.  Simply place the unit above your screen, plug in the USB cable, and install the software.

Read our full review of the TrackIR 4 Pro Optical Head Tracker

I missed this last week but late sometimes is better than never. This unit looks very exciting and DitgialTrends seemed to like. Here is a blurb:

“The Sony VAIO UX50 trumps the Microsoft Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) initiative before it even gets off the ground. Not content to just run with the crowd, Sony reminds us all that they were doing UMPC since before UMPC was even an acronym in Intel?s techy little dreams. So, what happens when a seasoned veteran takes on the buzzword heavy world of specialized PCs? Read on to find out”

Highs: Responsive; Beautiful design; 2 cameras; Full keyboard; Bright touch screen
Lows: Price; Confusing differences between Japanese and US models

Review: http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review3647.html#

Book Sense, the marketing program for independent bookstores, has partnered with Earthcomber to offer the directory of Book Sense store locations in a mobile GPS-enabled format for Palm OS and Windows Mobile PDAs and smart phones. The new service is part of a trend in mobile marketing that matches on-the-go consumers with their personal interests.

Whether users of the guide are traveling or exploring their own hometowns, Earthcomber will now help them find all independent booksellers that are a part of the Book Sense network in addition to local hotels, unique shops, local services, restaurants, businesses, events and relocation information that already are a part of the 1.5 million points of interest that come with the free Earthcomber dataset.

This is really neat. It’s great to see usefull meta data for daily use that’s geared for the average user.

http://earthcomber.com/

Looks like our friends over at digitaltrends have the grease on T-Mobile’s Sidekick 3...here is a blurb:

"One of the most popular communication devices to date has to be T-Mobile’s Sidekick II. This little gem that is produced by Danger Inc. allows users to access the web, send IMs, talk to people on the phone, and a whole lot more. Furthermore, its status has been elevated by multiple celebrities such as Paris Hilton who swear by the device as a means of escape and constant communication. T-Mobile is getting ready to release the Sidekick 3 in the next few months and we have tons of insider information for you. The next device will be manufactured by Sharp instead of Danger Inc. and will feature plenty of upgrades in addition to a sleeker look."

Woohoo!

More: http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/firstlook90.html

AVerMediaTechnologies released the AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 Analog TV Tuner & FM Radio PCI Card. Featuring hardware MPEG-2 compression and a 3D comb filter, the AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 offers exceptional video clarity with PVR functions through MCE 2005, and an FM radio tuner.

"The new AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 combines high-quality 3D comb filter technology with dual tuner support offering crystal clear TV viewing and recorded video,” says Dominic Wong, Technical Marketing Manager for AVerMedia Technologies, Inc. “The AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 is a comprehensive, yet easy to use TV tuner solution for the latest MCE 2005 desktop systems."

The AVerMedia AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 is available now on AVerMedia’s eStore for $79.99 MSRP. For more information about the AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 250 or other TV Tuner solutions, visit: http://www.aver.com/2005home/product/tvtuner/tvtuner.shtml

I was sent this link this morning and the more I read the more I laughed. Here are some memorable quotes:

The iCarta will distribute sanitary paper while blasting your favorite tunes. You’ll need an iPod and the ability to sing Britney Spears while, um, taking care of business. The unit features 4 “moisture free” speakers (two tweeters and two woofers) and a stunning lack of specifics on the website. If anyone from AFT reads this: What the hell are moisture free speakers? All my speakers are “moisture free” as much as my children try to make them other wise. Does that mean that you assure us that when they leave the factory they are not wet? Or do you mean “moisture resistant” speakers for those high beer counts, stumbling down the hall, put your hand on the wall behind the toilet to steady your aim nights? A couple of other questions/suggestions:

Objects and Liquid Entry - Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into any openings or vents located on the product (so pretty much if you use this item in the location it is intended, you void the warrantee. Some lawyer is breaking his arm patting himself on the back about this one.)

Attachments - Do not use attachments not recommended by the product manufacturer (this brings so many disturbing images to mind that I feel like I need to take a shower… no wait, how ‘bout go to church.)

Here is the must read: http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/iPodtoiletpaperdispenser.php

Blurb:

“Everyone’s trying to slim down in time for summer ? Nintendo included. Witness the newly debuted DS Lite ($129.99), a smaller, sleeker and generally better designed model of the popular DS handheld, which improves upon its predecessor in almost every conceivable way. >From tangible weight and size reductions to a new button layout, sharper visual performance and repositioned stylus holder, it’s a welcome addition to the Japanese giant’s celebrated family of portable consoles. So if you haven’t gotten hip to the dual- screened diversion’s charms ? i.e. touch-sensitive titles experienced through top- and bottom-mounted visual displays using a stylus or d-pad- and button- based front-end ? now’s the perfect chance. “

Link to the article: http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review3651.html

If you have an Apple iPod, and who doesn’t these days, you will eventually want to improve it’s functionality by adding an accessory. As the leading portable digital audio player on the market, there are an incredible number of accessories available for the Apple iPod and this article will take a look at a few of the products for 5G-iPod-Video available from Belkin, a leading computer, mobile, and network accessory company.

If the battery life of your iPod is not adequate for your daily use, perhaps the Belkin Battery Pack is just what you need. The battery pack is a white, plastic extended power pack using 4 AA batteries and providing up to 15 hours of additional power (up to 6 hours of video playtime on the iPod Video) for your iPod. Featuring a On/Off power switch, Battery Level Check button, and 4 power LEDs inside the case, the Battery Pack is easy to use. Simply attach the iPod to the Battery Pack by firmly pushing the iPod onto the 2 rubber suction cups on the back of the Power Pack. Two additional, replacement suction cups are included in the package. Connect the Docking Connector to the iPod and you are ready to go. Push the Battery Check button to see the power level of the batteries via 4 green LEDs. When you want to power the iPod from the Battery Pack, just set the power switch to on. When the Battery Pack’s power is depleted, just replace the 4 AA batteries. This is a very easy to use product and gives you the extended battery life for those long trips and plane flights.

Read our full review of the Belkin iPod Accessories: Battery Pack, Kickstand Case, Classic Case for 5G iPod

There has been plethora of PMP (portable media players) flooding the market since CES last January. Most are a one trick pony that plays media, period. Well that’s cool since probably why you bought the device for to begin with right? What if your shiny new PMP could do a few extra tricks? That’s what dream’eo asked when they designed their flagship offering the dream’eo Solo.

The Solo is a typical looking PMP device with a 3.5” 320x240 screen, video out, headphone jack, built in microphone, hard drive, and a media slot. So the engineers at dream’eo asked when and where do your use a PMP? The answer came back as on the road or going from place to place. Then the light came on...how about adding a GPS to the design so when people are traveling about they can find their way easier. Brilliant!

To make this a reality the Solo team added a docking port for expansion that allows you to plug in an external GPS puck. Neat add-on for a PMP device. It makes sense too, if I am going on a trip I will want to listen to music or watch a show, but I also might want to get directions along the way or find interesting points of interest.

Read our full review of the dream’eo SOLO PMP w/GPS

After reviewing a large number of earphones, my ears were looking forward to a rest until I heard about a small company that specialized in making earphones for professional musicians and engineers.  The comments I heard were so good, that I had to check them out.  The high-end, custom Ultimate Ear products are used by an impressive list of the top musicians and engineers in the music industry.  The super.fi 5 Pro is the latest consumer model from Ultimate Ears and they have done an amazing job of bringing their high-end technology to the consumer market at a reasonable price.  The super.fi 5 Pro is stylish, easy to use, comfortable, and sounds amazing.  Simply select the appropriate size ear tip, install the tip, insert the earphone into the ear canal, and wrap the flexible ear loop over your ears.  Now you are ready to listen to your music the way it was meant to be heard.  The design of the earphone is comfortable and very secure, so I never felt like the earphone was going to fall out even during excessive head motion.

Read the full review of the Ultimate Ears super.fi 5 Pro

From phonograph cartridges to wireless audio systems, from audio mixers to microphones, Shure has been in the audio business for over 80 years.  As one of the top audio equipment companies, Shure products are used by audio professionals all over the world.  Shure Personal Audio now brings their expertise to the mobile earphone market.  With a range of products from boom and inline mobile phone headsets to music/mobile hybrid models to the impressive “E” series earphones, Shure has an earphone to fit your needs.  The “E” series has been very popular with many well-known musicians and audio engineers.

All Shure earphones are sound isolating earphones.  Each comes with a fit kit that contains three pairs (small, medium, large) of flex sleeves which are firm rubber, three pairs (small, medium, large) of soft flex sleeves which are soft rubber, one pair of disposable foam sleeve, and one pair of triple flange sleeve which have multiple, flexible layers of rubber.  Each style of sleeve or ear cushion is designed to give a different feeling of comfort and secure fit for different size ear canals.  In order to get the best performance from a Shure earphone, proper fit is essential.

Read our full review of the Shure i4c, E4g, and E5c Headphones

In a world full of iPods, CD Players, handheld video games, MP3 players, Portable Media Players, music / video capable Mobile Phones, and a wide range of other audio mobile technologies, there is one thing that always amazes me.  No matter how much you pay for that product, $30 or $800, you will find included with the instruction manual and AC Adapter, a pair of earphones that probably cost the manufacturer $5 or less.

While the quality of the sound output will vary depending on the source material and the device used to play it, the most critical part of the listening experience is where the audio comes out to your ears.  The earphone, headphone, or speaker is also where the listener has the greatest level of choice when it comes to deciding on the quality of the audio reproduction.  So if you are interested in getting more than $5 of quality from your $300 iPod, then you should consider upgrading your “stock” earphones.

In this series of reviews, I will be taking a look at a few mid to high range earphones and headphones from some of the most popular and respected headphone manufacturers.  With a focus on mobile use, all of the models reviewed are small, compact, and portable.

Read our full review of the Audio-Technica ATH-ES5, ATH-EC7 GM, and ATH-EW9 Headphones...

Retro-gaming continues to be very popular and the simple play style of many older games makes them a good fit for mobile phones.  Ba-Boom! is based on the classic ?columns? style games made popular by Sega and others.  The game starts with a basic set of colored stones at the bottom of the playfield.  Columns of colored stones fall from the top of the screen and pile up on the bottom.  The player?s goal is to keep the stones from reaching the top of the screen.  By grouping the same colored stones in straight line sets of four or more, the sets will disappear.