September 14th, 2009

Shortcovers has ePub ebooks for reading enjoyment on several platforms

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 12:56 pm

Categories: Apple, Gadgets, Mobile software, Palm, Smartphone, ebooks, iPhone, mobile services

Tags: Shortcovers, ePub, E-books, Personal Technology, Matthew Miller

While there are now thousands of applications for the Google Android platform, one area that has very few alternatives is the ebook reader category. Several months ago I did find the Shortcovers application and ebook store. At the time I tried it though you needed a connection to read books on the Android since only a certain number of pages were available. That has appeared to change now with downloadable books, but even better for me personally is that I read on MobileRead that you can now browse, purchase, and download books in ePub format for the Sony Reader and several other dedicated ebook readers. To compete with Amazon, Shortcovers even offers many of the latest and greatest books for just US$9.99 and I think I have found my new online ebook store to use across multiple platforms.

Their ePub books can be loaded onto the following devices using the Adobe Digital Editions free software from your Mac or PC:

• Sony Reader (PRS-300, 600, 505, 700)
• Asktak EZ Reader or EZ Reader Pocket Pro (see my review)
• BeBook (One, Mini)
• Bookeen (Cybook Opus, Gen 3)
• COOL-ER Classic
• Elonex eBook 600
• HanLin eBook (V3, V5)
• REX Digital Reader 1000S
• Neolux NUUT2

You can also read these ePub title on your PC or Mac using the same Adobe Digital Editions software that you use to transfer the books to your dedicated reader. As you can see the folks at Shortcovers want to enable you to read your ebooks on just about any platform available, unlike the Amazon Kindle format currently just for Kindle devices and iPhones/iPod touches.

In addition to the ePub formatted books for download and installation on your ebook reader, they currently have mobile clients for the iPhone/iPod touch, BlackBerry, Google Android, and Palm WebOS platforms with clients for Symbian and Windows Mobile under development.

September 1st, 2009

Smartphones rising to take the lead over PNDs by 2014

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 11:25 am

Categories: GPS, Gadgets, Mobile software, On the road, Smartphone, mobile services

Tags: Phone, Mobile, Smart Phone, Smartphone, GPS, Handhelds, Advertising & Promotion, Telecom & Utilities, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology

I have tested a couple of Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs) like the TeleNav Shotgun and Dash units, but I went back to using my mobile phones for GPS navigation. A report from iSuppli Corp. was released today that reports PNDs will continue to lead the navigation market in 2009, but by 2014 usage of GPS-enabled smartphones will exceed PNDs.

I always have my mobile phone with me and it is quite convenient to use the phone as a GPS device. The rise of outstanding mobile software has helped considerably as we see apps like TomTom, Navigon, and TeleNav for the Apple iPhone, CoPilot and TeleNav for Android devices, and more clients for Windows Mobile, WebOS, Symbian, and BlackBerry devices. These apps are full featured with some requiring full data connectivity, some being completely offline solutions, and some having a hybrid where you get the best of both worlds. I have been using navigation on my smartphones for a few years and the applications today are much improved over what we saw in the early days and are very usable for navigation. Google Maps and Bing provide good mapping solutions for free too so just about any phone is able to help owners figure out where they are or where they want to go.

iSuppli believes that in 2011, nearly 100 percent of all smart phones shipped will integrate GPS functionality. They also agree that the applications available on mobile platforms are what is driving this adoption by the end user. In addition to the availability, the price of these applications is much less (for the most part) than even a low cost PND.

What is your favorite GPS navigation program on your phone?

August 11th, 2009

Review: JayBird Endorphin and Tiger Eyes headphones

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 4:00 am

Categories: Gadgets, MP3 players, On the road, Smartphone, iPhone

Tags: Headphone, Phone, Headset, Music, JayBird Endorphin, Endorphins, Tiger Eyes, Cable Manager, Cable, Network Technology

As we continue to enjoy decent weather in the summer months and look to get and/or stay in shape there are a ton of headphone options out there that allow you to take your music on the go. In particular I have been looking for a pair of Bluetooth headphones that I could use while running. A reader sent me a link to the Jaybird Freedom Bluetooth headphones so I contacted them to see if I could evaluate that model. Jaybird told me they had a couple other newer products they wanted me to try out first so they sent along the Endorphins and Tiger Eyes. One aspect of these that particularly appealed to me was their 100% warranty against sweat because I sweat a lot when I workout or play sports and need something that isn’t going to fail due to this type of moisture.

	Image Gallery:Check out photos of both the JayBird Endorphin and Tiger Eyes headphones.

Jaybird Endorphins

If you have ever played sports or worked out with me you would know that I sweat like crazy. I can never work out in the same shirt twice and need a pair of headphones that can stand up to this type of environment. The Jaybird Endorphins are the only pair of headphones I have been able to find online that specifically have a lifetime warranty against sweat so it was a perfect product for me to try out.

The packaging was very well done with a durable box that contained the headphones lying in a bed of foam. You will find the earphones, rugged carrying case, cable manager, optional earhooks, and six pairs of eartips to fit your ear size perfectly. The case is a small round case with two net pockets inside and a durable zipper closure. The cable manager is a piece of rubber designed with cutouts for you to wrap the headset cable around and keep your cable and earphones organized. The optional earhooks are pieces of black rubber that have a channel cutout to feed your cable through and back around your ear.

The Endorphins are designed to go in your ear with the cable leading up over your ear and around to the back of your neck. With all of the different eartips you can find Read the rest of this entry »

July 2nd, 2009

Archos Google Android-based Internet Media Tablet to be revealed 15 September

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 5:00 pm

Categories: Gadgets, On the road, Open Handset Alliance, Smartphone

Tags: Archos, Smart Phone, Media, Video, Tablet, Corporate Communications, Smart Phones, Internet, Cellular Phones, Handhelds

Back in February we mentioned that Archos would be launching an Android Internet Tablet device and now according to Pocket-Lint that device will be coming on 15 September 2009. The Internet Media Tablet will focus on multimedia (which is not really a focus of the Android smartphones to date) while still providing smartphone functionality.

The vaguely announced IMT device will have a 5 inch display, Adobe Flash and Flash video support, up to 500GB capacity drive, 7 hourse of video playback, and 3.5G 7.2 Mbps HSUPA wireless connectivity.

April 17th, 2009

MobileTechRoundup show #169, Nokia E75, Viliv S5, HP dv2, and S60 Twitter clients

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 6:12 pm

Categories: MoTR podcast, Mobile software, Nokia, S60, Smartphone, Symbian, UMPC, Ultra portable PC, mobile services

Tags:

Listen here (MP3, 31.2 MB, 34:00 minutes)

Subscribe to the show with this link (RSS)

Sprint had a huge launch buildup for the Samsung Instinct and in MobileTechRoundup show #169 we question where all the marketing is for the upcoming Palm Pre. I had a chance to chat a bit about the fantastic Nokia E75 I am testing out. James just received the Vilev S5 UMPC after we recorded the show, but was pretty excited about checking out the device when we recorded this morning. Kevin also has a new laptop, the HP dv2, and it sounds like a nice device between a netbook and a full blown desktop replacement laptop. I was also happy to report that there are now two high-powered Twitter clients for the S60 platform that I also put up against each other on my Nokia Experts site.

Please let me know if you have anything you would like us to cover and discuss on the show and I’ll try to work it into a future podcast.

April 8th, 2009

CTIA 09: REDFLY Mobile Viewer free beta available now

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 9:25 am

Categories: Gadgets, Mobile software, Netbook, On the road, Smartphone, Windows Mobile

Tags: Microsoft Windows Mobile, Mobile, PC, Beta, CTIA, Windows Mobile Client, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Tools & Techniques, Handhelds

Back in January, Celio Corp showed off their up and coming REDFLY PC software that would let you use your existing PC to connect to your Windows Mobile device and access it just like you would from the REDFLY Mobile Companion. I was at CTIA last week and Celio announced that the REDFLY Mobile Viewer software is now available to download for free public beta testing. I plan to take it for a spin on my MSI Wind and will post a video of it in action here soon. Prior to attending CTIA and seeing the software in action first hand and talking with the folks at Celio I have to say I wasn’t quite sure why someone would want or need this on a laptop or PC, but I had a moment there were I “got” it and think there are some benefits to the software for Windows Mobile owners.

The REDFLY Mobile Viewer runs on Windows XP and Vista computers and lets you fully control your Windows Mobile device. Now, for things such as web browsing and Office documents it doesn’t seem to make much sense to use a less powerful software application from your phone. However, it will help me with my work Exchange account since there is currently no way for us to setup Outlook on our home computers to access our Exchange server and you either have to VPN in or use the OWA version in a browser. The Windows Mobile client is much more convenient and powerful (compared to the OWA functionality) so I plan to use my Windows Mobile phone and the REDFLY Mobile Viewer to handle work email with a full sized keyboard at home.

I also have teenage daughters and text message quite a bit with them. While the keyboards on my Treo Pro and HTC Fuze are quite good, it is still easier to use a full sized PC keyboard to enter text quickly. With the REDFLY software I can connect my Windows Mobile device and run text messaging in a small window on my PC and keep my work and personal lives separate.

People have also been asking Celio if this software would cannibalize REDFLY Mobile Companion sales and they answer this in a new blog post.

Can you think of other scenarios where the REDFLY Mobile Viewer software will useful for you?

January 18th, 2009

Review: Waterfield Designs MSI Wind Sleevecase and T-Mobile G1 Ultrasuede Slipcase

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 2:57 pm

Categories: Linux, Netbook, On the road, Review, Smartphone, Ultra portable PC

Tags: T-Mobile G1, T-Mobile, Sleevecase, MSI Wind, Waterfield Designs MSI Wind SleeveCase, MSI Wind SleeveCase, Ultrasuede Case, Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets

One of the most important accessories for your mobile gear is a good bag and case. I’ve been using a Waterfield Designs bag for over 2 years and even though I use it every single day it still looks almost the same as the day I picked it up. I now have a couple Waterfield Designs sleeve cases that I use with my MacBook Pro and Celio REDFLY or Amazon Kindle. My current mobile PC is the MSI Wind (just loaded it up with Windows 7) and I was excited when Waterfield sent me one of these to try out. I was also sent a simple T-Mobile G1 felt slip case and offer some thoughts on it below. You can check out my image gallery that shows both cases in use with my MSI Wind and T-Mobile G1.

	Image Gallery:A walk around the Waterfield Designs MSI Wind and G1 cases.

Waterfield Designs MSI Wind SleeveCase: The particular SleeveCase for the MSI Wind with 6 cell battery is the 21-15 and as you can see they have SleeveCases for a very large number of notebooks and are always one of the first companies to create cases for the latest and greatest devices. These ultraportable and lower cost notebooks were very popular in 2008 and after seeing what was going on at CES it looks like 2009 will continue to be a good year for these type of PCs.

Waterfield makes these SleeveCases in a number of sizes to ensure that the form and fit is optimized for your particular device. These SleeveCases are cushioned with high-grade neoprene and wrapped in a ballistic nylon shell. The case feels fantastic in your hand and the stitching is extremely tight and solid. I often carry mine outside of my larger bag and have been very pleased with the durability.

The MSI Wind SleeveCase is priced at US$39, with another US$15 for the flap that goes over the top and covers almost half of the other side. I have a case without the flap and personally am quite happy with the durable nylon strap that goes over the top and secures with Velcro to hold the Wind inside the case. The Wind fits perfectly along either side and there is no play or spare room around it to allow slippage. On the side opposite the Velcro securing piece you will find a large pocket that you can use to slip in papers or other thin accessories.

There are also options for a shoulder strap and Piggyback functions to facilitate carrying your bag and device outside of a larger bag.

Waterfield Designs T-Mobile G1 Ultrasuede Slipcase: I enjoy using my T-Mobile G1 and currently just use the BodyGuardz skin to keep it protected. Another option for offering some basic protection of your G1 is the Ultrasuede Slipcase. The Ultrasuede case is a simple slip case designed to prevent scratching on your G1 since it is too thin to offer any protection for drops or bumps. It is extremely thin and doesn’t really add anything to the G1. I used it with the BodyGuardz skin on with no problems.

The first few times you use the Ultrasuede you may find it a bit tight to get the device into the case. After some “break-in” time though it seems to fit in easier, but still remains snug around the G1. The slipcase lays flat and folds up easily when not in use. For US$9, it may be a decent solution for basic scratch protection, but I prefer attaching plastic skins to these types of phones. There is an option for adding a pocket for US$4, but I don’t see the need on a case like this and never tried out that part of the solution.

Waterfield makes these Ultrasuede slip cases in many sizes to fit the Samsung Instinct, HTC Touch Diamond, HTC Touch Pro, LG Dare, BlackBerry Bold, BlackBerry Curve, Google Android G1, SE XPERIA X1, E71, and BB Storm. The same high quality that Waterfield brings to the SleeveCases is seen in these slip cases with solid stitching and nice materials.

Conclusion: If you are looking for a very good case to carry your notebook or other mobile device then I highly recommend a Waterfield SleeveCase. I personally like having my phone ready to go in a second and don’t mind adding plastic skins to them so I won’t really use the Ultrasuede type of case. However, it is good for those who don’t want to apply skins and still want scratch protection in a case you can slip in your pants pocket with your phone.

January 6th, 2009

CES2009: REDFLY PC software coming soon, concept demos of dock and Android driver shown

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 9:01 pm

Categories: Gadgets, Mobile software, Netbook, On the road, Smartphone, Windows Mobile

Tags: Google Android, Device, Microsoft Windows Mobile, Mobile, REDFLY Smartphone Dock Concept Device, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Handhelds, Advertising & Promotion, Software

My new REDFLY C8N arrived today and I was also pleased to get some news about some of the things that Celio Corp is showing off at CES 2009 in Vegas. Celio Corp unveiled their new PC software that lets you use your Windows Mobile device with your Windows PC just like if you had the REDFLY hardware. They also are showing off two proof-of-concept ideas that include a Smartphone Dock and Google Android drivers for the REDFLY. Keep in mind these are ideas under development and Celio Corp is just showing off how their driver concept can be applied to other applications.

It seems that notebook owners have been asking about using their existing computers to connect to their Windows Mobile device for email, document creation/editing and surfing on a larger display, but didn’t want to carry around another device like the REDFLY. Celio Corp will be making the PC software/driver available in March 2009 for a fee (not yet determined). The REDFLY PC software will allow Windows XP and Vista owners to have full screen access to their Windows Mobile device up to a resolution of 1024×768. There are other types of clients that let you connect your Windows Mobile device in this manner, but if Celio can make it as simple, easy, and functional on a PC as they have on a REDFLY then this software should be a very compelling solution.

One of the proof-of-concept demos they are giving at CES is for the REDFLY Smartphone Dock and this is something I could see really being quite functional at airport, hotel, or other public kiosks. The REDFLY Smartphone Dock concept device is a box with VGA port, USB ports, Bluetooth radio, and power supply. You could connect to this type of device that could be plugged into a dedicated large keyboard and monitor or take it on the road to use for giving presentations from a Windows Mobile device. I think the airport or other public place would be perfect for plugging in your Windows Mobile phone to write a quick email on a large keyboard or check your email and then leave without ever worrying about leaving behind any private information.

The second proof-of-concept demo is a possible driver for the Google Android platform. Check out the video below to see this driver being demonstrated by Celio Corp.

I can’t wait to use my new C8N more and more with my Windows Mobile device and am still holding out hope for continued expansion of driver support for the iPhone, Google Android, and S60. Depending on what Palm announces in a couple days maybe we will even see a Nova OS driver in the future.

October 29th, 2008

Can you leave your laptop behind?

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 6:30 am

Categories: On the road, S60, Smartphone, Ultra portable PC, Windows Mobile, iPhone

Tags: Phone, Mobile, Cell Phone, Laptop Computer, Advertising & Promotion, Cellular Phones, Marketing, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Matthew Miller

Nick Wingfield wrote an interesting article on the Wall Street Journal site called Time to Leave the Laptop Behind and I think he did an excellent job at articulating the options, trade-offs, and current state of mobile devices for the road warrior. Mobile phones today can be extremely powerful and capable so that some people are using them to work on the road. I personally have traveled a few times with only my mobile phone and a REDFLY Mobile Companion and think it can be done. However, I am not sure that the minor savings in weight is worth the compromises you need to make a mobile phone work for you.

Some of the compromises are in regards to the display and keyboard sizes, but something like the REDFLY (check out some of my thoughts) can address this area. The REDFLY only works with Windows Mobile devices though, so that limits your phone selection. I also find that the web browser can be limiting on a mobile device and there are more steps involved to do things like basic photo editing for post creation. It is also often impossible to connect to a hotel’s wireless network with a phone due to the sign in requirements, but if you have a good 3G connection this can also be addressed.

If you have a Nokia S60 device, I actually found that it can be a better road warrior solution than even the REDFLY if you connect to your hotel TV and use a Bluetooth keyboard. I have not used the iPhone with a TV out cable so I don’t know what it projects on the TV/display, but the iPhone still needs better Bluetooth support to be a real road warrior tool for extensive text entry.

I think a combination of the laptop and powerful mobile phone as the article mentions is probably the best solution. One this current business trip I find that leaving my MSI Wind netbook in the room for more extensive writing while taking my G1 or Treo Pro to the conference and meetings is a solution with very little being compromised.

Can you travel with just your mobile phone and still get everything done you need to?

September 17th, 2008

Check out the new ZDNet Smartphones and Cell Phones blog

Posted by Matthew Miller @ 7:07 am

Categories: BlackBerry, Feature phones, Open Handset Alliance, Palm, S60, Smartphone, Ultra portable PC, Windows Mobile, Wireless carriers, Zune, iPhone

Tags: Phone, Mobile, Smart Phone, Blog, Cell Phone, Smart Phones, Blogging, Advertising & Promotion, Cellular Phones, Consumer Electronics

I’ve been covering everything related to mobile tech here on the ZDNet Mobile Gadgeteer blog, including mobile phones, Tablet PCs, netbooks, digital media players, portable gaming devices, and more. In an attempt to provide a bit more focus, I am now splitting that blog into two blogs with this new one focused solely on news, review, and commentary of mobile phones, accessories, and software. The new ZDNet Smartphones and Cell Phones blog kicked off this morning and in addition to the smartphone devices (Apple, Palm, Windows Mobile, S60, BlackBerry, and Google Android) I will also start including some higher end feature phone coverage there as well.

I’ll be covering all other types of mobile gear here on this blog, including Tablet PCs/MIDS, digital audio players, portable GPS units, portable gaming devices, and much more. Please let me know what interests you and what you would like to see covered in future posts, including any software or hardware you would like to see me evaluate and review. Thank you very much for your support on the Mobile Gadgeteer these last two+ years and I look forward to writing on this new blog and keeping you informed.