Gadgets's archive
Skype for iPhone 1.1 Update
Late last night I saw an update notifications on my iPhone 3GS for Skype. New version? Sweet! I updated it and checked out the release notes for Skype 1.1 for the iPhone and iPod touch. It sports some new languages and now includes Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish and Traditional Chinese and of course English.
The bigest new feature is the ability to send text messages (SMS) using Skype credit. They also added voicemail support and improved dialing help when calling phones.
According to the official Skype blog, “we’ve made some improvements to the look and feel, particularly when calling phones using the dial pad.”
You can download the update in iTunes, or even better just launch the App Store on your iPod touch or iPhone and then tap Updates to get the latest version of all your apps!
Some things I would have liked to seen in this release:
- Push notifications (Skype might have to haggle with Apple on this one since Apple places restrictions on third party apps that can run in the background on the iPhone.)
- Video conferencing support - Though that probably isn’t coming any time soon.
So what would you like to see in a future release of Skype for iPhone?
Tags: apple, im, iphone, iphone 3gs, itunes, push notifications, skype, Skype 1.1 for the iPhone, voip
Related tags: skype iphone, calling phones, skype, iphone, release, update
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Apple, Nokia, RIM, Samsung, & others settle on micro-USB phone charger standard
One phone charger for all? There can be only one! According to Reuters, telecom firms have backed standard phone charger in Europe. No, hell hasn’t frozen over. Yes, you will finally be able to use a single charger that works with any future mobile phone you purchase - at least in Europe anyway. That’s one less charger to pack when traveling and one less charger to throw away when you upgrade your mobile phone. The top mobile telephone suppliers, including Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and others have agreed to back an EU-wide standard for phone chargers. New mobile phones will use a standard micro-USB socket to ensure compatibility.
Motorola, LG, NEC, Qualcomm, Research in Motion, Samsung and Texas Instruments have also signed the agreement. Interestingly, Apple has also signed on. You mean Apple which charges licensing rights for their proprietary docking cable is on board too? Well, well… Isn’t Apple fighting Palm over the Pre emulating an Apple iPod to enable iTunes support? Seems against Apple’s nature to support a connection standard that has enabled such a huge third-party cottage industry for Apple’s iPod and iPhone products. For example, Apple licenses their connector to FM transmitters, iPod external speakers, and more.
So one charger for any mobile phone, surely there’s a catch…
Tags: apple, iphone, ipod, itunes, NEC, nokia, palm, qualcomm, RIM, samsung, texas intruments
Related tags: mobile phone, phone charger, standard phone, apple, charger, phone
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WildCharge Wire-free charger for iPhone & iPod touch
WildCharge, makers of wire-free charging skins for various mobile phone models today has announced a wire-free skin for the iPhone and iPod touch, which enable the popular Apple devices to be charged instantly simply placing them on the WildCharger Pad™ or on other surfaces that are embedded with the WildCharge technology.
“The market is demanding a move towards wire-free charging, and WildCharge is thrilled to answer that call in adding Apple devices to our lineup of commercially available products,” said WildCharge chairman and CEO Dennis Grant. “With the addition of these two designs to our reference design library, both of which are Apple “Made for iPod” and “Works with iPhone” approved, WildCharge is solidifying our position as the leading, wire-free charging developer in the industry.”
The WildCharge Skins are durable, protective, form-fitting cases that when placed on the WildCharger Pad, transfer wire-free power from the Pad to the device inside the skin. The soft cases provide the same protection consumers already enjoy from traditional skins, but have the added value and convenience of enabling a wire-free charge. The WildCharger Pad, used in conjunction with the skins, delivers full power to multiple devices, allowing them to simultaneously charge together on the Pad while eliminating the clutter caused by multiple chargers and power strips. The iPod touch skin is available today and the iPhone skin will be available in early July. WildCharge Skins are also available for the Blackberry Pearl and Curve, and all are sold for $34.99 at WildCharge.com. I have a review unit headed my way to test on my brand spankin’ new iPhone 3GS, so I’ll do a review once I get it.
In addition to the WilCharge Skins, WildCharge recently announced a Universal Adapter for mobile devices that works with the WildCharger Pad. The Universal Adapter is able to charge over 150 different cell phone models from major brands such as Motorola, RIM, and Nokia through the use of interchangeable tips, with the list of compatible devices constantly expanding.
WildCharge claim that provide the only commercially available technology that enables licensing partners to deliver wire-free charging to a variety of devices that require varying amounts of power. From cell phones that require only a few watts of power to laptops that need over a hundred watts, virtually any device that has a rechargeable battery can be powered from a single, contiguous, and non-discriminating charging surface. WildCharge technology has met the industry’s most stringent regulatory and safety standards, including UL, CE, FCC, RoHS, and has been certified across all of the GSM bands.
Tags: apple, charger, charging, dennis grant, iphone, iphone 3gs, ipod touch, power, wildcharge, wildcharger pad
Related tags: commercially available, wildcharge technology, wildcharge skins, universal adapter, phone models, wildcharge
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Elektrobit MID Reference Design Aims to put Linux Desktop apps + Smartphone in your pocket
Smartphones, netbooks, smartbooks, and Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) while very similar feature-wise, each has their own distinct advantages. Smartphones such as the iPhone have been widely successful, while the MID market has been a bit slow to take off. Elektrobit Corporation (EB), based in Oulu, Finland aims to change that with their new MID reference design that combines the “pocketability” of smartphones with the power of PCs/netbooks since it can run desktop Linux applications. Picture an iPhone that can actually run full version Linux applications such as Firefox, Opera, OpenOffice, Thunderbird, SSH client, and more. That’s exactly what you’ll get with Elektrobit’s (EB) new MID reference design. EB’s sleek, media-centric MID reference device takes the power of the PC and makes it pocket-able so you don’t have to compromise on mobile capabilities.
I spoke with EB’s Vesa Kiviranta Vice President, Mobile Internet Device Solutions, Wireless Solutions BU about their new reference design. Vesa explained that it’s based on Intel’s next generation Moorestown platform. The reference design includes touch-screen support with multi-touch (cool!) support. It uses the latest 3D and high resolution capacitive sensing touch screen (3.97″) powered by EB Touch & Feel technology. Because the screen measures nearly 4 inches (3.97″), it fits into the MID category, while smartphones have screens smaller than 3.9 inches and netbooks have screens larger than 5 inches.The reference design relies on a Linux-based OS with EB’s MID UI & Application framework based on QT. It also features EB Navigation Suite with integrated GPS.
It supports two cameras (front & back of phone) so not only can you snap photos, it can also easily support videoconferencing/videochat. I asked EB about support for Skype video chat and they told me it will indeed be supported in their MID design. In fact, they tested it using the Linux Skype application in their labs. As far as I know, this marks the first time a pocketable mobile phone can perform Skype videoconferencing! Cool stuff! 
I know many iPhone fans were very disappointed the new iPhone 3GS didn’t add a front-facing camera (myself included), which would allow for videochat capabilities. Of course, the current Skype for iPhone client doesn’t support video, but my sources tell me it’s in the works. It will be very hard to have a videoconference if you have to turn the iPhone around so the camera is facing you, but not the iPhone screen. Basically, they’ll be able to see you, but you won’t be able to see them - unless you spin the iPhone back around.
Tags: chat, eb, Elektrobit, mid, mobile phone, netbook, reference design, skype, smart phone, Vesa Kiviranta, videoconferencing, voip
Related tags: reference design, mobile internet, linux applications, touch screen, iphone, design
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Walmart Father’s Day Deals For Every Dad’s “Man Cave”
Father’s Day is just around the corner, so no doubt you’ll be wanting to get your dad some cool gadgets for his “man cave”. Well, Walmart has some sick deals going on this Father’s Day, including a $128 Magnavox Blu-ray Disc player (NB500MGX)! Wow, no reason to not have a Blu-ray player now. Man that’s cheap! I remember when they were over $300. Other deals include select Blu-ray movies two for $20, inexpensive HDTVs, and more. Walmart explains, “Every dad has a man cave at home - the place you most likely will find him when he wants to relax. Starting June 14, Walmart is helping families find savings that add something more to man caves in his game room, garage and backyard.” They break down the various cave types, including The Game Room/Living Room Cave, The Home Office Cave, Mobile Man Cave, The Deck Cave, and The Garage Cave. What, no Parlor Room Cave, Bathroom Cave, Kitchen Cave, Laundry Room Cave? Oh, those are for Mother’s Day, you say? 
Check out the full release after the jump…
Continue reading Walmart Father’s Day Deals For Every Dad’s “Man Cave”…
Tags: dad, deals, deck, father's day, gadgets, garage, gps, hdtv, man cave, tools, video games, walmart
Related tags: walmart, father, deals
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Download iPhone OS 3.0 for free
Can’t wait till next week to get the official iPhone 3.0 OS release? Well you can get it now for free! I’ll provide the step-by-step instructions to get this latest firmware release installed on your iPhone. Technically, this is piracy, so be sure you only do this for “testing” purposes and the “check is in the mail” to Apple for when the upgrade release becomes officially available.
1) You need to search for a torrent files called “iPhone OS 3.0 3G GM Golden Master Build 7A341″. This is the FINAL RELEASE that will be released next week. If to lazy to search via your favorite torrent client or website, you can just get it here on The Pirate Bay. The image is called iPhone1,2_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw and it should be 230.05MB
This is for the iPhone 3G. If you have the original iPhone 2G you’ll have to look for another version with a filename called iPhone1,1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw (only difference is iPhone1,2 vs. iPhone1,1. You can Google for this file and find some links for the iPhone 2G model. I’ll include them here for you lazy folks:
iPhone 2G:
iPhone1,1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw.part1.rar
iPhone1,1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw.part2.rar
iPhone1,1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw.part3.rar
(via iPhoneHeat)
2) Backup you existing iPhone and sync your files to be safe. You’ll be able to go back to your last version if things go awry.
3) After you download the .ipsw file launch Apple iTunes
4) In iTunes, on the iPhone screen Shift+Click the Restore button. For Macs its Option+Click the Restore button.
5) Select the .ipsw firmware file you downloaded. If you downloaded the multiple rar files you need to extract them and combine them together.
6) Perform iPhone firmware update! Rejoice, you’re on your way to iPhone 3.0 goodness! Copy paste [sniff] 
. Makes me cry everything I think I can finally have copy/paste on an iPhone. It’s like when cavemen finally discovered fire.
7) Watch the progress bar and “Restoring iPhone firmware…” text while deviously rubbing your hands together.
When done the iPhone will restart and then resync your data.
9) Enjoy the iPhone operating system Steve Jobs should have released a long time ago!
Note: This is the same exact software release launching next week, so there is little risk of bricking your iPhone. You can just as easily purchase the software next week and brick your iPhone.
Tags: 1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw, 7A341, apple, download, golden master build, iphone, iPhone, iphone 3g, iphone 3gs
Related tags: called iphone, click restore, iphone firmware, restore button, iphone, restore
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Microsoft Blocks VoIP on Windows Marketplace for Mobile
Microsoft has banned several applications for it’s new Windows Marketplace for Mobile app store, including VoIP. Guess Apple isn’t the only VoIP crippler in town. Perhaps this is an opportunity for Google Android to surpass BOTH Apple and Microsoft within the mobile phone space. After all, Google’s philosophy is do no evil.
As I wrote yesterday:
… when carriers like AT&T pull crap like forcing Apple to only allow VoIP over WiFi and not over a 3G data connection, it’s no wonder why mobile VoIP growth will be stunted by anti-competitive tactics. Then you have countries like Canada which outright block Skype on the iPhone. Fortunately, avid mobile phone users aren’t taking this lying down. For instance, you can jailbreak your iPhone and run VoIP over 3G no problem.Why do we have to put up with this crippleware? I get that AT&T is a business and needs to make money. If they’re worried that flat-rate data plans that run VoIP over it will drastically hurt their voice revenue, then change your business model! Keep the flat-rate data plan, but install packet-inspection technology that detects voice packets and charge a few cents for VoIP calls. If the flat-rate data plan’s business model is outdated, which it seems to be, then change it.
Microsoft is playing catch-up to Apple and they could have potentially garnered more new mobile customers by allowing VoIP applications. When will the mobile phone software vendors get it that they should develop products that customers want to buy? Forget about ticking off the carriers. With SIM cards and prepaid cards that are industry-standard, Microsoft could bypass the carriers by allowing customers the “choice” of using VoIP over a pre-paid voice/data card and buying the phone online from Amazon or elsewhere. Screw the Verizon and AT&T retail stores that won’t carry phones that support VoIP over 3G! Sure, most people don’t use prepaid cards, however, technically savvy folks that want VoIP over a 3G data connection would kill to have a good smartphone that has this capability. Microsoft could build an avid/loyal core customer base, which would eventually force the carriers to respond.
It’s time for one of the mobile software operating system creators - Apple, Google, or Microsoft to throw down the gauntlet and not kowtow to the carriers. Stop kneeling before Zod. C’mon Microsoft, you used to be Superman, invincible to all comers. Now you’re playing it safe and being beat by the likes of Apple and Google. Where are you Superman?
Check out the full list of prohibited application types for Windows Marketplace for Mobile below. Listed at #4 is the blocking of VoIP apps. So no Skype on the Windows Zune phone for you! Even worse, you can’t change the default browser, search client, or media player on the device. Nor can you customize the default dialer, a popular thing to do on current Windows Mobile devices. Way to go! That’ll entice developers to develop software apps for your mobile operating system. 
List of 12 banned apps:
1. Applications that are or distribute alternate marketplaces for content types (applications, games, themes etc.) that are sold or otherwise distributed through Windows® Marketplace for Mobile.
2. Applications that link to, incent users to download, or otherwise promote alternate marketplaces for content types that are sold or otherwise distributed through Windows Marketplace for Mobile.
3. Applications that promote or link users to a website, or contain functionality within the application itself, which encourages or requires the user to purchase or pay to upgrade the application outside of Windows® Marketplace for Mobile.
4. Applications that enable VoIP (Voice over IP) services over a mobile operator network.
5. Applications that sell, link to, or otherwise promote mobile voice plans.
6. Applications that display advertising that does not meet the Microsoft Advertising Creative
Acceptance Policy Guide http://advertising.microsoft.com/creative-specs.
7. Applications that replace, remove or modify the default dialer, SMS, or MMS interface.
8. Applications that change the default browser, search client, or media player on the device.
9. Applications with an OTA (over the air) download >10 MB.
10. Applications that run code outside Microsoft runtimes (native, managed, and widgets)
11. Applications that publish a user’s location information to any other person without first having received the user’s express permission (opt-in) to do so, and that do not provide the user a means of opting out of having their location information published.
12. Applications that publish a user’s data from their mobile device to any other person without first having received the user’s express permission (opt-in) to do so, and that do not provide the user a means of opting out of having their data published. A “user’s data” includes, without limit, contacts, photos, SMS or other text communication, browsing history, location information, and other data either stored on the mobile device or stored in the “cloud” but accessible from the
mobile device
They put at the bottom of this list, “Microsoft reserves the right to update these policies as needed to protect the Windows® Marketplace for Mobile service or the users of the service.” Yeah, sure. “protect the users of the service” alright.
Tags: android, apple, google, iphone, microsoft, mobile phone, voip, Windows Marketplace for Mobile, zune
Related tags: marketplace mobile, windows marketplace, location information, windows® marketplace, mobile phone, mobile
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Free Calls on Skype
3 UK is opening up its network to allow anyone with a 3 SIM and a compatible handset to have unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls and instant messages without ever having to pay. 3UK announced that on May 1st users with a 3UK SIM and a 3-provided Skype-enabled handset will be able to use Skype for free. Additionally, previous deals for free Skype required a monthly topup of £10 on pay-as-you-go and there will be no data charges. Thus, Skype will be 100% free, subject to their fair use policy of course. 
There is just a one time fee of £1.99 for a SIM card.
Anyone with a compatible unlocked 3G handset in the UK, can take advantage of free Skype calls, whether or not their phone is from 3. This is a huge barrier-busting move by 3 that changes the game. Forget about using AT&T on your iPhone who is preventing Apple from allowing Skype to run over the 3G data connection. Simply get an unlocked iPhone, stick in a 3 SIM and enjoy free Skype calls! Of course, this “free” calling deal only applies to the UK. Why do the Brits get all the fun? 
No worries, I’m sure this is just the first step before the U.S. gets in on the free Skype calling action. I wonder if there might be some synergies with the new Skype for SIP program (of which I’m a beta tester)?
According to 3 UK, “By removing these key barriers to Skype-to-Skype calls, 3 UK is creating a compelling reason for new customers to join 3 and to enjoy all the products and services available on the UK’s biggest mobile broadband network.”
According to 3 UK:
We’ve been working with Skype for over two years now and we’ve learned a lot about how our customers use the service. We know that a keen mobile Skype user is an instinctive, active communicator. They want to take full advantage of free mobile calls.Increasingly Skype use is linked to other internet communications activities, such as Facebook, Twitter and a host of other services for which our customers will happily pay a fixed fee for unlimited use.
While others have looked at Skype as a potential threat to voice and text revenues we see another advantage. Did you know when you call a friend on a different mobile network their network will charge your operator a fee for carrying the call? This is called a Mobile Termination Rate or MTR and is currently charged at around 4.7p or more for every minute of the call.
This fee is regulated by the industry regulator Ofcom but we think they’re still too high. Without these fees we’d be able to offer our customers much better value and that’s where Skype comes in. With Skype, MTRs don’t apply so we can give our customers all the minutes they like without over charging them.
At 3, we believe our customers should be able to choose how they communicate because that’s mobile as it should be; simple, useful and always good value.
Kevin Russell, Chief Executive Officer of 3 UK, said “Communication through the internet is exploding. Internet calling or VoIP, social networking, instant messaging and email are used by millions in the UK every single day. They are open to all on their PCs and laptops. We want people to be free to communicate from their mobiles in the same way as they do from their PCs.
“In future you will be able to buy a 3 SIM for unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls for less than the price of a cup of coffee and talk for as much as you want without ever paying us another penny. We won’t ask you for a top-up or a monthly commitment. If you want to talk on a mobile for free, just join us and give it a go. This is for everyone.”
Josh Silverman, President of Skype said, “Demand for mobile access from our users has never been higher. The introduction of unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls and instant messages across all 3 price plans is a really exciting move from a key partner. 3 UK clearly understands the desire for people to use Skype wherever and whenever they want. This is the first mobile network to show this kind of innovation to enable their customers to access Skype.
“We believe this is how the future looks for the Internet on mobile. With this bold move 3 UK has again shown their willingness to be the customer champion for mobile services in the UK.”
Currently, 3 UK’s growing Skype community enjoys 1.5 million minutes of free Skype-to-Skype calls every day. The launch of the first 3 Skypephone in October 2007 really kick-started the growth of free internet calling on the 3 network. With over 433 million people registered on Skype worldwide, the new free Skype-to-Skype offer from 3 opens up a world of free calling.
Two years experience of providing open access to Skype-to-Skype calling has enabled 3 and Skype to better understand the behaviour of mobile Skype users. Success with an easy-to-use Skype experience on more specialised internet-enabled handsets, such as the INQ1 and the 3 Skypephone collection; has proven to 3 that enabling customers to make free Skype calls to other Skype users on their mobiles or PCs is a real benefit.
3 UK has found that regular Skype users:
- Are less likely to churn than non-Skype users
- Use more traditional voice minutes than non-Skype users in addition to calling their Skype contacts
- Use Skype IM, but also send more SMS than non-Skype users
- Are more likely to browse the internet on their mobile
- Are higher margin customers
- Are twice as likely to access social networking sites as non-Skype customers
“Today we are moving in a clear direction towards making Skype-to-Skype calling available to all UK mobile consumers,” said Mr Russell. “We know that Skype users are instinctive communicators, keen social networkers and mobile internet users. They love the things that we are building the UK’s biggest mobile broadband network for.
“Our network is built to deliver the benefits of the internet to the mobile. That’s why we’re removing the conditions and restrictions from our current Skype offer and opening up the opportunity to try free internet calling to all UK mobile users, whether they are currently with us or a competitor network.”
Tags: 3, 3 UK, calling, free, josh silverman, kevin russell, SIM, skype, skype-to-skype, unlocked phone
Related tags: skype calls, skype skype, skype users, internet mobile, internet calling, skype
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Plantronics Voyager PRO
The Plantronics Voyager Pro is the successor to the much-loved Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth headset, which goes on sale today, although, Best Buy started selling its stock a bit early. I have a review unit which I plan on testing and giving my thoughts/opinion on in the new few days. I reviewed its predecessor, the Plantronics Voyage 510, which had a cult following. I was a big fan of the Voyager 510 and have one on my desk. It is an excellent headset and one of the first to feature PC audio support via a Bluetooth dongle allowing you to use the headset on your mobile phone or your PC, supporting all your PC sound applications, including VoIP apps such as Skype.
The new $99 Voyager Pro is pretty similar to the 510, though it is clearly targetting the Jawbone 2, with their AudioIQ2 technology which Plantronics claims results in superior sound quality which combines noise cancellation and wind reduction. Plantronics stated, “Today’s headset users expect great noise cancellation and Plantronics Voyager PRO delivers it with AudioIQ2 and a unique adjustable dual-microphone boom. While other headsets deliver noise cancellation at the expense of overall audio quality, the boom provides the advantage of capturing your voice close to your mouth so the AudioIQ2 technology can more effectively remove ambient noise, while still maintaining the natural sound of your voice.”
Plantronics Voyager PRO features three layers of WindSmart technology. Dual external stainless steel microphone screens and acoustic fabrics that surround the microphones together help to eliminate wind noise. The AudioIQ2 DSP algorithms also intelligently decipher your voice from the wind to enhance the sound quality.
The Voyager PRO also features a custom speaker that delivers full-spectrum audio so conversations are richer and more vibrant. It sports an adaptive 20-band equalizer that helps eliminate distortio in the audio and automatically adjusts sound levels based on the noise level around you.
Price:
The Plantronics Voyager PRO is available at Best Buy for $99.99 and at www.plantronics.com, but will be available in other retail and wireless carrier stores in late May.
Tags: 510, headset, jawbone 2, Plantronics Voyager PRO, review
Related tags: plantronics voyager, noise cancellation, audioiq technology, sound quality, plantronics, voyager
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KIRK 2010 WiFi VoIP phone
The KIRK 2010 WiFi VoIP handset launched today. This is the latest edition to the Polycom KIRK Series. I wonder if Captain Kirk is aware that Polycom is trying to copy his copyrighted ‘communicator’?
Then again, Kirk’s communicator didn’t have a numeric keypad. Just turn the dial and instantly talk to the Star Trek bridge with seemingly no latency either. You can compare the look of it here:
Or this closely resembling USB-based Star Trek communicator:
They definitely kept it simple, by going with a black & white screen, but they no doubt kept the costs down. The pricing for its brethren is certainly pretty expensive, i.e.:
The list price for the Polycom KWS 300 is U.S. $360. The KWS 6000 list price is U.S. $1,200 and includes a server and one base station, which supports up to 30 users. With the scalable nature of the KWS6000 it can also be set up for more users. The KIRK 5040 handset sells at a list price of U.S. $310.
I couldn’t find pricing info online for the KIRK 2010, but certainly businesses are looking for affordable WiFi VoIP phones.
Features and Benefits of the KIRK 2010
- Black & white LCD screen (3 lines of text/icons)
- Internal/external ring pattern, volume control and silent modes
- Telephone book with room for 40 numbers
- Speech/stand by time > 12/150 hours
- Weight incl. battery: 120g
- Size (LxWxH): 124×47x31mm
Tags: captain kirk, KIRK 2010, polycom, voip, wifi, wireless
Related tags: black white, communicator, polycom, price
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Skype for iPhone Blocked in Canada
I learned that the Skype for iPhone app is unavailable to our Canadian friends across the border in the Apple iTunes App Store. I contacted Skype for comment and their representative told me, “There are some patent-licensing issues which prevent us from offering it there.”
I then asked if other countries were affected or if it was just Canada and was informed it was just Canada. When asked whose patent it was or what category it involved (i.e. mobile VoIP), the representative told me, “I can’t go into many more details other than it’s codec related.”
Sounds to me like their was some sort of patent settlement which Skype can’t talk about. Sorry my Canadian brothers. “No Skype for iPhone for you!”
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Tags: skype, canada, itunes, apple, voip, itunes, app store, codec, patent
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IPEVO Wi-Fi Phone for Skype Review
The IPEVO Wi-Fi Phone for Skype launched just last month and IPEVO sent me a review unit to check out, which I’ve been testing for a few weeks.
Installation
Installing the IPEVO Wi-Fi Phone was a snap. Although it only has a numeric keypad for entering in alphanumeric characters for entering in the WEP/WPA/WPA2 key. As you hit a key, it shows you the current key where your cursor is located, but it also shows you a horizontal list of all the characters that key can produce and highlights the current key. This is useful not only to confirm what keys it can produce, but if overshoot the key you want, you can easily see how far away you are to scrolling back around and reproducing that key. Definitely made entering the Wi-Fi key much easier and faster.
After entering in TMC’s Wi-Fi key I proceeded to add my Skype name and password. Similarly, it showed the key as it was being pressed, as well as the horizontal list of keys, making it very easy to enter in my Skype credentials. I should mention that you can add multiple WiFi networks, so you can have a Home profile, Work profile, etc. So when you walk into a WiFi area you have configured it will automatically connect.
The phone then signed into Skype and I saw my list of contacts. From the Contacts screen you can click the center green button or the Options button to access a submenu. From this submenu you can then Call the contact, Send Voicemail (if you paid for this service), View Profile, or go into Advanced where you can rename, remove, block/unblock, or add a contact. If you have a ton of contacts, no worries - holding the up or down key will cause it to autoscroll and it will wrap around to the top/bottom depending on which direction you were scrolling. Of course, it’s worth noting you don’t have to go into the submenu to initiate a call. You can simply highlight the contact and press the green phone icon to initiate a one-click dial.
The IPEVO Skype phone supports both Ad hoc and access point mode for connecting to a wireless network. For security it supports WEP, WPA Personal, and WPA2 Personal. It also supports static IP as well as DHCP (default).
Let’s now do a video demo of the IPEVO Skype WiFi phone which shows the phone in action making a SkypeOut call to a direct dial number which terminates to my Aastra VoIP desk phone.
I like that the phone can display Skype credit, access SkypeIn settings, and Skype voicemail. It also lists the history by all calls, missed calls, incoming calls, outgoing calls. Access to voicemails and contact requests is also available.
It took 71 seconds from off till fully authenticated on the WiFi network and can dial a Skype contact. While other Skype WiFi phones also take over a minute to fully boot-up, I’d like to see all Skype WiFi phones speed up the boot process. I should add that there doesn’t appear to be a speakerphone available, even though the back of the phone sports a speaker, which apparently is only used for the phone’s ringtones.
I was pretty impressed with how lightweight the phone was and the call quality was excellent. I called some people and they said the call quality was just as good as a landline if not better. y only complaint about the phone is the lack of instant message (IM) support, but I haven’t seen other Skype phones support IM either. While typing an IM using just numeric keys (0-9, *, #) is difficult, the phone should at least be able to receive IM messages. But even that isn’t possible. Maybe there is a technical reason while IM wasn’t included or maybe was just a design decision. Still, I’d like to see IM on Skype WiFi phones.
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The standalone Skype phone features a backlit keyboard, 1.8″ LCD screen, and rechargeable battery. The 1.8″ screen supports 128×160 resolution with 65k colors. The phone supports G711 and G729AB codes with a voice sampling rate of 8KHz.
It supports 802.11b/g WiFi standards along with WEP, and WPA/WPA2-PSK
encryption protocols. Talking time is approximately 4hr & standby time is 30hr via its Li-ion 900mAh battery. I tested the standby time, and it was indeed about 30hr.
The IPEVO Wi-Fi Phone for Skype is now available at the MSRP of $129.99 at http://store.ipevo.com/
Tags: IPEVO Wi-Fi Phone for Skype, review, skype, SkypeIn, SkypeOut, voip, wifi
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Native Skype for iPhone app coming?
Om Malik is reporting that a native Skype for iPhone app is coming next week.
According to Om:
A tipster — a very reliable one — tells me that Skype is almost ready to launch that iPhone version, perhaps as soon as next week. CTIA Wireless, a large mobile industry trade event, kicks off in Las Vegas next Wednesday, so perhaps the announcement will be made there. I am working on getting more details, as well as screenshots of the service.
But, if you can’t wait that long, here’s a good list of various workarounds to run Skype on the iPhone, including fring, which is an iPhone app you can get today (screenshot to the right).
Tags: CTIA Wireless, fring, iphone, om malik, skype, voip
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Finally! New Windows Mobile App AudioRoute Enables Earpiece for VoIP Apps
Finally a software tool called AudioRoute that can be used to route Windows Mobile audio from the earpiece speaker to the backspeaker and vice-versa. This is especially needed for VoIP applications on Windows Mobile phones.
I’ve tested several VoIP apps (SIP clients, Skype, etc.) on my Windows Mobile XV6700 phone and other Windows Mobiles and from what I understand the carrier forced the hardware manufacturers to block VoIP applications from using the earpiece for listening to the remote caller. You couldn’t even use speakerphone. Instead, you were forced to use the backspeaker, a tiny low-quality speaker located on the back of the phone, which made phone quality horrendous when making VoIP calls. I’d have to flip the phone over when the person was talking due to low volume & quality, and then flip it back over to talk into the microphone. It was all but unusable.
Well glory glory hallelujah! 
I never thought the day would come when someone would come up with a solution. According to Teksoft, “After several years of tests and many questions in the development forum, we’ve finally did it: a tool to route the audio to the earpiece speaker is available, and we’ve released it as freeware.” Woohoo! Now I can register my SIP client on my Windows Mobile to my Asterisk-based IP-PBX and make/receive VoIP calls.
Features:
- Routes the audio output to earpiece or backspeaker
- VoIP compatible
- Easy to use User Interface
- Command line support
- Uses Teksoft’s DynRIL library
It’s compatible with Pocket PC and Smartphone Windows Mobile 5.0 / WM6.0 and above
Usage (via forums)
Install the CAB and use the titlebar icon to open the user interface.
The first icon routes the audio to the earpiece speaker.
The second blue icon, can be used to route the audio to the backspeaker.
The orange icon, routes the audio to the speakerphone, while in a phone call.
You can also use the bottom slider to move the taskbar icon, or the about button to show this page.
The top-right square hides the user interface.
Command line
This tool can be executed by command line with parameters.
You can execute /program files/teksoft/audioRoute/audioRoute.exe with the following:
-earpiece , routes the audio to the earpiece
-backspeaker , routes the audio to the backspeaker
-speakerphone , while in a phone call, activates the speakerphone
-switch , toggles between earpiece and backspeaker
| Code: |
| audioroute.exe -earpiece audioroute.exe -backspeaker etc. |
Download
The CAB file is available in the freeware section of www.teksoftco.com, direct link here.
Tags: asterisk, audio, audioroute, backspeaker, earpiece, sip, skype, speakerphone, teksoft, voip, windows mobile, wm5, wm6
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NIC fixes VoIP for Gamers - Ok if you say so
Is it me, or this $130 NIC optimized for VoIP overkill? The idea behind this network interface card (NIC) is that it optimize packets and prioritizes games while offloading the voice processing from the CPU.
According to PC World:
…at the 2009 Game Developer’s Conference, Bigfoot Networks has two announcements. The first: they are releasing the $130 Killer Xeno Pro card. The big deal this time around is that they’ve been able to get prices down, beef up the memory and pack on an additional chip that can offload the voice chat. A 400GHz NPU (as in Network Processing Unit — oh, joy, another acronym!) bypasses the Windows network stack while an integrated audio chip offloads VoIP.
I know gamers are all about low latency while trash-talking their opponents using VoIP, but $130? Aren’t PCs and NICs fast enough these days? Well, if you you have to have the every pico-second of latency minimized and want to shell out $130, then by all means have at it.
Tags: 2009 Game Developer’s Conference, Bigfoot Networks, games, gaming, latency, network card, Network Processing Unit, nic, npu, voip
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FriendCaller - Another VoIP App for the iPhone
In April 2008, I reviewed C2Call, a Java-based VoIP application that lets you make web-based P2P VoIP phone calls direct from your browser whether you’re using Linux, Windows, or an Apple Mac. The company that developed C2Call claims their new FriendCaller, also a Java-based VoIP app works on the iPhone. Funny, last I checked the iPhone doesn’t support Java unless you jailbreak it.
According to their website, “FriendCaller works instantly with every popular operating system and browser without installation. And, of course with the iPhone™ and iPod™ touch.” It then says, “Send your friends call-me links directly from your iPhone™ or iPod™ touch. FriendCaller is instant browser based Voice, your friends don’t have to install software or register with FriendCaller before talking to you through their browsers. They just click-to-call and you are connected and see each other online status.”
So it sounds like you have to send people you want to call a special hyperlink, which they have to click to then initiate an outbound call back to you. I’m guessing they embed your iPhone’s regular GSM phone number into the click-to-call link which gets passed to the Java applet. Then the person you are trying to reach clicks the click-to-call link launching the Java app on their browser and automatically initiating an outbound call to your iPhone. The call is routed as voice over IP from the remote caller’s PC/Mac to C2Call’s termination network (for low cost VoIP routing) and then terminates to your iPhone. This is speculation on my part based on the info I read and the technical limitations of the iPhone (no Java), but it’s the only explanation I can come up with on how it works.
So it isn’t truly end-to-end VoIP and it isn’t even an outbound VoIP call. It’s more like an inbound VoIP-to-GSM/PSTN call.
Anywhere, here’s the features:
- Free calls to anybody on the Internet over WiFi
- Instant messaging and Call-me links in WiFi and mobile data
- Full access to your iPhone™ contacts from FriendCaller
- Friend List with online status
- Low cost calls to phone numbers including mobiles over WiFi
- Call-me links work instantly on Windows XP/Vista, MAC OS-X and Linux
Tags: apple, c2call, friendcaller, iphone, java, voip
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- Apple Large screen iPod Touch in Future Plus Skype & Apple Partnership? - Dec 31, 2008
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- Laughable Blog Aggregator and Linking to news sources - Sep 22, 2008
- Om Interviews Skype CEO - Sep 12, 2008
- sipgate vs. T-Mobile Round II - Jul 28, 2008
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String 24 SSDs together for 6TB & 2GB/s throughput!
What happens when you string together 24 256GB Samsung MLC SSDs - you get 6TB of storage and 2GB/sec throughput. Sweet mother of —!
Discovered the news on Lucas Mearian’s Computer World blog who writes:
When you’ve got millions of dollars at your disposal, and access to some of the industry’s best hardware engineers, what do you do? Well, if you’re Samsung you make a YouTube video showing the speed, capacity and reliability you can get by stringing together 24 solid state disk drives behind a RAID controller to create “the world’s most powerful consumer computer”. The result: 6TB of storage and 2GB/sec throughput that is able to load 53 programs 18 seconds. Whoa.
The video below shows the 24 SSDs setup along with some interesting benchmarks. For instance, in the video they rip a 700MB DVD in 0.8s, open all of Microsoft Office apps in 0.5s, and launch 53 programs in 18.09s! At $500 a pop per SSD, it’ll cost you $12,000 for ludicrously fast hard drive speeds! Of course, I remember writing about Samsung’s Super Fast SATA hard drive in 2004, which featured 3Gb/s speed using traditional HDD technology, which is cheaper than SSDs. Of course, it’s 3Gb/s (3 Gigabits per second) not 3GB/s (3 Gigabytes per second), so you’d have to divide that by 8 bits per byte or 0.375 GB/s or 375MB/s. That’s odd - that’s faster than the 220MB/s random access speed of each individual SSD (aggregate is 24 x 220MB/s). I thought SSDs were generally faster than hard drives? Something must be off in my math. Actually, just read that the 3GB/s is the speed of the I/O channel. The read speed is 1.5GB/s or 0.156 GB/s, which is 156MB/s . Now that sounds more accurate!
And then of course, there’s perpendicular hard drive technology, which is a new way of “squeezing” more bits onto a hard drive by changing the orientation of the way the bits are recorded. Normally magnetic bits are written parallel to the drive’s surface, but not with perpendicularity - its 90 degrees perpendicular to the normal parallel orientation. Because the bits are recorded upright and “into” the surface of the drive platter, you can squeeze a lot more bits together without the bits polarity causing the bits to flip their magnetic orientation. Check out my blog post where a classic School House Rock video makes an appearance along with a hilarious Hitachi video on perpendicular HDD technology.
Anyway, here’s the 24 SSD RAID video:
Tags: computerworld, hard drive, hdd, Lucas Mearian, perpendicular hard drive, samsung, sata, SSD
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RIM Launches BlackBerry App World
Ok, it’s official, every mobile phone provider and their brother has an application store for mobile phones. It started with the Apple App Store. Google launched the Android Market. Then last month Microsoft launched Windows Marketplace. Supposedly, Palm is launching the Palm App Catalog.
Well BlackBerry/RIM couldn’t be left out in the cold. Today, they are lauching something bigger than an App Store or a Marketplace. It’s officially named the storefront BlackBerry App World.
The site for developers will be updated and should be live by 10pm tonight.
At the same time, they will launch a sign up page for users who want to be alerted when BlackBerry App World goes live. They should go register at www.blackberry.com/appworld.
I’m going to check it out tonight and see if any VoIP apps are available.
Hey Nokia, it’s your turn… Where’s your app store?
Tags: app store, apple, blackberry, BlackBerry App World, microsoft, rim, voip, windows marketplace
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- RIM Garners 10% of Smartphone Market - Dec 20, 2007
- Gizmo offers VoIP on Blackberry with Free Calls - Sep 27, 2007
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- GMail + Google Talk (GTalk) for BlackBerry RIM - Dec 19, 2005
- Nokia runs Skype on Wi-Fi and 3G - Suck on that iPhone! - Feb 17, 2009
- VoIP using Microsoft Silverlight - Feb 02, 2009
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Sony Kills Go!Messenger VoIP Application
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) announced that it plans to shut down Go!Messenger, a VoIP, video chat, and IM application that launched last February. Citing a lack of interest, Go!Messenger was an intriguing PSP app that leveraged the PSP Go!Cam camera for its video chat capabilities.
Sony explained “Although it proved a popular concept, achieving a significant number of registrations, it didn’t gain the number of regular users that BT and SCEE were aiming for.”
Go!Messenger will end on March 31. But all is not lost. Skype for PSP still works, but it’s too bad Skype for PSP doesn’t support the Go!Cam for some Skype-to-Skype video chat action.
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Tags: BT, Go!Cam, Go!Messenger, Skype, Sony, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, video chat, voip
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ooma Telo vs. magicJack
Rich met with ooma recently to see their latest wares and hear about their current business model. Recently, ooma ditched the ‘P2P voice network’ idea where users actually “share” their home landline with others and instead became a traditional VoIP broadband provider. Apparently, the privacy issues were too much to overcome, since users were concerns about fraudulent activity happening on their home landline by outside ooma users. I had my own reservations about the business model as well, since they claimed it would take 2,000 strategicly placed ooma boxes in all the various local exchanges to get good local call coverage for free P2P calls.
Besides becoming a traditional VoIP broadband provider, ooma is now going to start offering high-end media phones, that according to Rich Tehrani will in the future feature a picture frame, in-house sensors and cameras. As for what they offer today, in early January, ooma launched Telo, which offers unlimited, free VoIP-to-PSTN (U.S.) calls over the Internet along with a DECT 6.0 cordless phone that supports call screening, MP3 ringtones, 12-hour talk time, HD voice, speakerphone, two-line support, mobile transfer, and intercom. It supports up to eight phone numbers and six phones
ooma’s Telo phone system with DECT 6.0 handset.
The Telo phone system is expected to be available in the first half of 2009. The next question you’re probably thinking is “If it’s free unlimited U.S. VoIP-to-PSTN calls, how does ooma make any money?” The answer to that is ooma offers ooma Premier, with advanced features that they hope people will opt & pay for. (See: http://www.ooma.com/company/how_we_make_money.php)
Some of the Premiere features include:
- Instant Second Line allows you to make or take two simultaneous calls from a single phone number
- Blacklists helps you protect your privacy and block telemarketers
- Multiring lets you answer calls from your home phone or cell phone
- Message Screening allows you to listen in as the caller is leaving their message
- Send to Voicemail allows you to transfer a call to your voicemail
- Voicemail Forwarding lets you forward voicemail so that you can listen to it from your favorite email program
- Do Not Disturb allows you to roll your calls into voicemail without ringing your phone
- Personal Numbers allows you to select additional phone numbers in any calling area in the US
The “free” unlimited calling puts them on par with magicJack, but the magicJack is much less expensive (magicJack costs $39.99 1st year, and $19.99/yr in subsequent years). Pricing for Telo has not been announced, but I’m sure it will be much more expensive since the hardware costs so much more. One advantage for Telo is that magicjack requires your PC to be on all the time to make/receive calls over its USB-based dongle. The Telo phone system is a standalone phone that has no such restriction. It’s also a multi-line and multi-handset phone platform, so it’s more suitable to busy households that require multiple lines or phone handsets.
Check out Rich’s post for more on Telo and how the FCC is actually an investor in ooma.
Tags: , dect 6, handset, magicJack, ooma, phone, telo, voip
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Want to Make Some Sick Money in VoIP?
Garrett Smith over at VoIP Supply has an interesting post titled ‘Sick of not making money on VoIP hardware?’ He’s seeing the glass half empty. I see it half-full, which is why my article is titled ‘Want to Make Some Sick Money in VoIP?’
Garrett writes:
Remember the good ‘ole days? When you actually made fat margins on the VoIP hardware products you sold.
It was great. You made 25, 30, even 35 points of margin (and that’s on top of any services you performed).
Unfortunately those days are long gone. Over the last few years vendors and distributors in the VoIP industry have commoditized hardware and driven margins to the brink of extinction.
Leaving many channel partners frustrated and scrambling to make ends meet. It’s not pretty, but you know it’s the truth.
Imagine how nice it would be if there was a VoIP hardware channel program out there that provided up to 50% margins, street price protection, marketing funds, rebates and a team of individuals dedicated to your success as a channel partner.
You’d jump at the opportunity to be a part of that right?
What if I told you that there IS a channel program that offers all of this and more. You’re not imagining this. This channel program really does exist.
The program? It’s from VoIP Supply. Together with QuickPhones we have put together a channel program for the hottest new wireless VoIP product on the market - the QuickPhones QA-342.
Wow, 50% margins on a Wi-Fi SIP phone? Sweet!
QuickPhones QA-342 features a 112 x 64 pixel monochrome display with backlight, 14 hours of talk time and 7 days standby.
Other features include:
- FCC & CE compliant, IEEE 802.11b/g, WEP/WPA/WPA2, WiFi Protected Setup, G.711
- Tested with Asterisk Open Source PBX, Trixbox, Elastix, FreeSwitch and other platforms
- Phonebook
- Call history
- WLAN signal strength level
- Battery level
- Caller ID
- Key Lock
- Contacts
- Clock
- Up to 6 languages
- Auto search & association upto 4 APs
So here’s the rest of the offer as explained by VoIP Supply’s Garrett Smith:
Today we are looking for 50 47 (three new partners joined today) who want to invest in a product line with a channel program built from the ground up by those who know what it is like to be in YOUR shoes. In exchange for your investment you’ll receive:
Go check out his full post here for more info and if interested in signing up to their channel program.
Tags: channel program, Garrett Smith, QuickPhones QA-342, voip, VoIP Supply, wi-fi phone
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31 Million IP Phones shipped by Mayan 2012 Doomsday, the Media Phone, & Slow Consumer Adoption
According to In-stat, nearly 31 Million Business IP Phones will ship in 2012. That’s if the Mayan 2012 Doomsday Prophecy doesn’t come to pass. You know, the one where the Mayan calendar ends on December 21st, 2012 - the same date as the Winter Solstice and when the Earth will be in galactic alignment with the massive black hole at the center of our galaxy, as well as our sun, resulting in a planetary shift. The date 12-21-12 reads as, A-B-B-A-A-B. Since the Hebrew language is read from right to left, this date would read BA ABBA. The Hebrew translation for BA ABBA is “Father comes” or “Father is coming”. If you believe in that sort of thing. Here’s a History Channel clip about 2012 that might bring out the conspiracy/doomsday nut inside you.
And then there is a Sony Pictures movie titled 2012 coming out this summer, as seen by this trailer:
Anyway, In-stat explains, “Within the business market, corded IP phones remain the standard, and will continue to dominate the enterprise IP phone market through 2012,” says Norm Bogen, In-Stat analyst. “However, WLAN and IP DECT phones continue to grow, especially within some specific vertical and geographical markets.”
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
- Cisco, Avaya, and Nortel are leading the market for enterprise IP phones.
- Wi-Fi integration in cellular phones is growing rapidly; however, the majority of Wi-Fi/cellular phones are not designed for VoIP.
- Uniden holds top market share for consumer IP corded phones
The In-stat report points out that the IP phone market is “a tale of two markets” with IP phones thriving in business but as for the home consumer, not so much. By 2012, 31 million voice-centric business IP phones will ship but the consumer side will be outpaced by businesses more than 10 to 1. Why the slow consumer adoption of IP phones?
According to In-stat, “the nascent consumer market for voice-centric IP phones is being subjugated by the introduction of IP media phones, such as the Verizon Hub and AT&T HomeManager that support both IP communications, as well as delivery of Internet information and multimedia content.”
I think they’re a little premature in that statement. The Verizon Hub is a cool device, but it literally just came out, so it is not affecting consumers from buying IP phones at home. I think the reason is that consumers are happy with their home cordless phones with built-in answering machines. Some even have the multi-handset cordless phone systems, which allow you to strategically place handsets around the house with the ability to screen callers and remotely check the answering machine without going to the base unit. There just isn’t a good reason to purchase a $150-$300 corded/desktop IP phone for the home.
You could argue that a Wi-Fi phone might be a good option for the consumer. Wi-Fi phones are less expensive than desktop IP phones, they’re mobile, and they can get you cheaper or even free calling (i.e. Skype-to-Skype calls). But Wi-Fi phones have notoriously bad battery life. A better option in my opinion is a 
DECT 6.0 phone device with VoIP capabilities, such as the Philips VOIP841 Skype phone. Although there are other WiFi and DECT phones worth a look. I should point out that Wi-Fi phones have the advantage over DECT of sometimes offering a built-in browser so you can access the web.
Let’s look at how In-stat defines “media phone” and “why the media phone”:
The media phone is a new category of broadband device that combines the power of the PC with the performance of a telephone. The result is an always-on multimedia broadband device that is perfect for accessing online news and weather, viewing videos, and a host of other applications. In-Stat believes that the media phone will complement the PC, TV, and mobile handset, becoming an indispensable 4th screen in the home. Service providers and IP PBX vendors, alike, are introducing media phones because they add value to traditional voice telephones and related services.
Verizon Hub, a sample media phone
I certainly agree that consumers will start to adopt “media phones” in their homes, but only if the media phones are subsidized by the carrier. They’ll be too expensive otherwise. It worked for the cell phone market, so it can work for the home as well. There have been plenty of times I wanted to check the weather or current movie times, but had to boot up my PC in order to look up information. Having a media phone in the living room with instant Internet access is a nice feature to have. I do agree with the In-stat report that businesses will continue to be the main driver behind IP phone sales, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see traditional phone manufacturers such as Uniden developing cordless IP phones for the home market that offer Internet access.
You can download a free copy of In-Stat’s media phone research report: The Media Phone Has Arrived!
Relatedly, the research, “IP Phones Worldwide-On the Desk and Beyond” covers the worldwide market for voice-centric IP phones. It includes:
- IP phone vendor market shares for 2007 and 1H2008, segmented by phone type and consumer versus business
- A 5-year forecast by IP phone type (Corded, WLAN, Cordless DECT, Dual-mode Cellular/WLAN, Consumer, Business)
- Analysis of trends in business and consumer markets
- Profiles of more than two dozen vendors
Tags: 2012, DECT, doomsday, in-stat, ip phones, mayan, media phone, research report, skype, Verizon Hub, voip, wi-fi phone
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Duper WeenieWideband Codec”>Skype Launches 4.0 with SuperDuper WeenieWideband Codec - Feb 03, 2009
- VoiceGear SkyBridge at ITEXPO - Feb 03, 2009
- Dual Stack SIP and Skype IP Phone Coming - Jan 30, 2009
- Speculation that eBay wants to offload Skype - Jan 26, 2009
- Verizon Hub News - Jan 23, 2009
- Verizon Hub Web browsing VoIP Phone Gadget Coming - Jan 20, 2009
- TechCrunch Touchpad - Needs 3G/4G/EVDO, Skype, and VoIP - Jan 19, 2009
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Free turn-by-turn GPS directions comes to the iPhone
Turn-by-turn navigation has come to the iPhone via xGPS. You’ll of course have to jailbreak your iPhone for this, but this might be the one app that might entice you to risk bricking your iPhone. It actually leverages downloaded Google Maps for the GPS coordinates and just recently added a voice engine to “speak” the directions. It also apparently works on the iPod touch.
Check out the video demo of turn-by-turn GPS directions on the iPhone:
What’s new in the latest version of xGPS?
- Wireless Transfer of your map files. No longer do you have to dig around your iPhones directory to find your map file or put it in the right place. Simply download your maps from your computer and wirelessly push them to the xGPS program on your iPhone. It’s that easy!
- Google Terrain Maps are now supported and added as another option for maps. All your hikers, bikers, and adventurers can enjoy this!
- GPS Information. Access your GPS’s Lat/Long specs as well as Altitude and Speed of your unit and sent it by email.
- English Voice instructions are now supported. Now included is the ability to receive verbal commands on your next turn as you approach it.
- Night Mode for all you road warriors traveling across the country all all hours of the night! A new, easy view for the eyes when driving at night!
- Access your GPX traces on your computer using a normal web-browser using the Wireless Transfer feature.
Via xGPS
Tags: apple, google, google maps, GPS, iPhone, turn-by-turn navigation
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TANDBERG PrecisionHD USB Camera Sports 720p HD Video
TANDBERG’s new PrecisionHD USB Camera is the first webcam to offer HD video at 720p with 30 frames per second. It is optimized for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2 providing business-quality HD video communication. It also includes a built-in noise canceling microphone and automatic focus.
The webcam can be hooked onto a laptop (as shown above), making this an excellent mobile videoconferencing choice. It’s worth noting that OCS 2007 R2 not only supports HD720p (1280×720 1.5Mbps), but it also now supports an “unlimited” video bitrate setting as seen here:
Now we just need someone to build a 1080p webcam! Of course, the bandwidth required for that might be too much to be practical.
Tags: 1080p, 720p, Camera, HD Video, Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2, PrecisionHD, TANDBERG, USB, video conferencing
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Star Trek VoIP Communicator Helps you save on Intergalactic phone calls
Dream Cheeky has created a USB-based VoIP Communicator that looks like a replica of the original Star Trek Communicator from the original TV series. Due out in in a couple months, it sports a speakerphone, mute and volume control functions, and even an assortment of Star Trek sound bites.
The only problem is that it’s a USB-based device, which means it’s wired - not wireless. Captain Kirk wouldn’t be caught dead carrying one of these. Though maybe one of those redshirt security dudes might - they always get killed off anyway.
Via EverythingUSB
Tags: captain kirk, communicator, redshirt, star trek, voip
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Duper WeenieWideband Codec”>Skype Launches 4.0 with SuperDuper WeenieWideband Codec - Feb 03, 2009
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New HTC Touch Cruise
HTC today announced the HTC Touch Cruise, a mobile phone that is optimized to run as a personal navigation handset with its inbuilt GPS and ability to geotag places you go with a photo and audio notes. The new HTC Touch Cruise is an update to last year’s popular HTC Touch Cruise model, but it sports a more compact design and several new features.
Of particular note is HTC Footprints, an application that enables you to chronicle places you visit by capturing “digital postcards” on the phone that includes a 3.2MP photo, along with the ability to attach notes and an audio clip to remind you of the location’s significance. Footprints will automatically geotag the specific GPS coordinates, and even auto-names each “postcard” with its general location or area.
The HTC Touch Cruise can also be used as an advanced in-car navigation system. Just stick it into its car cradle and the HTC Touch Cruise automatically transforms its user interface into an easy-to-use, one-touch interface with turn-by-turn directions.
It sports a decent 2.8 inch QVGA display along with HTC’s TouchFLO technology. Because it’s only QVGA, tt’s not TouchFLO 3D, but rather TouchFLO 2D. Still, the TouchFLO 2D UI for Windows Mobile 6.1 is an improvement over the regular UI. It also has a built-in good quality 3.2MP camera, Bluetooth, 512 MB flash ROM & 256 MB RAM, and a Qualcomm MSM7225 processor running at 528 MHz. No slide-out keyboard though. Personally, I’d like to see HTC build the HTC Touch HD with a slide-out keyboard. There are rumors that HTC is building the HTC Touch HD Pro with a slide-out keyboard.
HTC Touch Cruise Specifications
- Size: 102 x 53.5 x 14.5mm
- Weight: 103 grams
- Connectivity: WCDMA/HSPA: 900/2100MHz. HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
- Operating system: Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional
- Display: 2.8-inch TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen with QVGA resolution
- Control panel: HTC TouchFLO™, 4-Way navigation wheel with Enter and HTC Footprints™ buttons
- Camera: 3.2 MP, with fixed focus
- Internal memory: 512 MB flash ROM, 256 MB RAM
- Expansion Slot: microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)
- Bluetooth: 2.0 with EDR
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
- GPS: GPS/A-GPS
- Interface: HTC ExtUSB (mini-USB 2.0 and audio jack in one)
- Battery: 1100 mAh
- Talk time: GSM: up to 400 minutes
- Standby time: GSM: up to two weeks
- Chipset: Qualcomm® MSM7225™, 528 MHz
Check out Mobile-Review’s full review of the HTC Touch Cruise here.
Tags: Footprints, gps, HTC, HTC Touch Cruise, mobile phone, review
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- Navizon Transforms Cell Phones, Wi-Fi Devices into A GPS Device - Dec 21, 2005
- AT&T TL7610 headset review - Jan 19, 2009
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TechCrunch Touchpad - Needs 3G/4G/EVDO, Skype, and VoIP
TechCrunch has a prototype of their tablet PC featuring a touchscreen, Wi-Fi, an accelerometer, a camera and a four cell battery running on a stripped down version of Linux. Well, actually they’re running the prototype on full-fledged Linux, but they promise better performance once they strip out all the extra stuff.
According to TechCrunch:
The device has a 12-inch touchscreen with a 4:3 aspect ratio (which is ideal for web browsing in my opinion). It is powered with a Via Nano processor, which has performed at par with the Intel Atom in our testing. 1 GB of ram (its more than we need) and a 4 GB flash drive to store the OS and browser and any cache. Resolution is 1024×768, which means the vast majority of websites are viewed in full width without scrolling.
So what’s missing from this Techcrunch tablet gadget? Well, how bout a PCMCIA slot for inserting an EVDO/3G/4G card. Forget Wi-Fi - that’s so 2005. We need to be able to roam and happily surf the web when outside earshot of a Wi-Fi access point. Although it does have a USB port, so maybe it will support USB-based EVDO/3G/4G dongles. PCMCIA is pretty large come to think of it, taking up a lot of internal space. A touch screen tablet optimized for web surfing needs to be as thin and as light as possible.
It should also support Skype, including Skype videoconferencing using the embedded camera. Maybe it will and maybe it won’t, but surprisingly no mention of Skype in the article. It should also support some SIP softphone client for those that like to BYOVA (Bring Your Own VoIP Access).
What else would you like to see?
Tags: 3g, 4g, EVDO, PCMCIA, skype, TechCrunch, touch screen tablet, voip
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Comments on this Entry:
(Andrew on
Jan 19, 2009 5:23 PM)
If you want to hit a sub 200-300$ price point (as is the goal) forget Skype, and the other things you want. Browser based VoIP is the best you are going to get.
(Tom Keating on
Jan 19, 2009 5:30 PM)
Linux already supports a full-fledged Skype client. It’s only hard drive space - so why not at least make it available on this tablet? Browser-based VoIP clients are OK, but Skype is still the dominant player, especially if you IM/VoIP your buddy list a lot. Skype just has much more traction still than other VoIP clients.
I assume TechCrunch isn’t “locking” the device, so maybe Skype will at least be user-installable - as will other Linux apps.
AT&T TL7610 headset review
AT&T send me their new TL7610 DECT 6.0 headset for review last month and I finally got around to writing up the review. My first impressions were very positive. It sported a nice sleek and ergonomic headset base with well-labeled buttons and LEDs for figuring things out without need for the manual. Like the base, the headset piece was also sleek and ergonomic with a slight curve to the microphone piece. What’s most interesting is that this headset marks AT&T’s foray into the business headset market. When I think of business headsets I think of Plantronics or GN Netcom, which is now Jabra. The AT&T brand name recognition certainly will certainly cause many prospective buyers to give a closer look. Technically, the TL7610 is a Vtech product branded as AT&T. Vtech is pretty well known for their home cordless phone systems and even some home VoIP systems that work with popular VoIP providers such as Vonage.
I was curious how the TL7610 headset would stack up against the GN 9350 headset, which I reviewed. Both are DECT 6.0 headsets, however, the GN 9350 headset doesn’t seem capable of “pairing” with home DECT 6.0 phone systems, which was a minor complaint for some. The AT&T TL7610 headset on the other hand does allow you to at least wireless pair with any 2008 AT&T DECT 6.0 cordless products . Curious if it supported the GAP standard and registration with 3rd party DECT phone systems, I asked an AT&T spokesperson who responded, “The headsets are not GAP compliant. GAP compliance does not really exist in North America. We are simply able to program our handset registration algorithm into the cordless headsets, so our cordless telephones see it as an accessory headset.” Well, 3rd party DECT phone systems aren’t supported, but at least it can pair with AT&T DECT products.
Another unique advantage of this headset over competitors’ headsets is that the TL7610 is the first headset to support both analog lines and desktop corded phones in the same product. Other headset manufacturers use a different model for PSTN connections and corded business systems. I really liked how flexible it is - it can work with a home analog line or a corporate desktop phone (including VoIP phones) using the handset cord. In fact, I first tested the headset by connecting it to an Aastra 57i CT IP telephone and it worked perfectly.
Installing the headset was a breeze and the instructions include a Quick Start Guide as well as a detailed User’s Manual. You can configure the headset to work using three options. Option 1 lets you connect the headset base to a corded or cordless phone - including multi-handset cordless systems. All you need to use is a line splitter which is included with the phone and then follow the diagram in the manual which directs you to color-coded dots on the headset base, making it very easy to make the connections. Option 2 lets you connect the headset base unit directly to your home/office analog wall jack. You’ll be able to answer calls with this option, but you’ll need a telephone plugged into the same telephone line somewhere else in the house/office or a dial pad - AT&T sells the TL7601 dial pad separately. Option 3 lets you connect the headset base with any corded telephone for multiple line systems and PBXs/IP-PBXs.
I tested option 1 and option 3 and it worked flawlessly. Option 2 is essentially the same as option 1 minus the splitter, so there was no point in testing it. I really liked the diagrams and the color-coded dots on the headset base which “dummy proofed” connecting the headset using any of the three available options.
AT&T TL7610 Side Profile View
The TL6610 supports a “lifter mode” for use when you are connecting the base unit to a telephone handset cord (option 3). I had to turn this mode on in order to answer/make calls. This does obviously require me to manually lift the handset receiver off of the Aastra 57i CT. However AT&T sell an optional <a href=”http://www.amazon.com/AT-T-LIFTER-TL7610-7611/dp/B001E2N0C8%3FSubscriptionId%3D151BWK97V0S8BGYJ8F02%26tag%3Dtechstuff01-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB001E2N0C8″ title=”Buy now at amazon.com-only !” onmouseover=”return overlib(’Click for Amazon price:
AT T LIFTER FOR TL7610 7611 7650 7651 NIC
Buy Now‘, STICKY, TIMEOUT, 6000);” onmouseout=”return nd();”>automatic handset lifter called the TL7000.
The headset was already paired to the base but just for testing I followed the instructions and re-paired the device pretty easily. I then roamed to the furthers part of TMC offices and couldn’t get the headset to lose connection. I headed outside into the parking lot and was able to get pretty far before losing connection. Definitely superb range on this headset. The headset itself sports 4 buttons: On/off, volume up, volume down, and mute/flash. The on/off button flashes blue, reminding me of most Bluetooth headsets that have a flashing blue light. When charging, the on/off button stays a solid blue. Adjusting the volume on some competing headsets I’ve tried was a nightmare due to tiny recessed buttons - not so on the TL7610. It was very easy to adjust the volume using the pronounced up & down volume arrow buttons.
Product Features:
- Excellent range - up to 500 feet using DECT 6.0 technology
- Extended battery life of up to 12 hours talk time
- DSP enhanced sound quality using SRS licensed technology
- Lightweight with multiple wearing styles
- Works with corded and cordless 1-line and 2-line phones
- Works with multi-line business systems
- Expandable to 2 headsets (Uses TL7600 - sold separately)
- Conference capability - up to 2 headsets
- Multiple connection options for home and office use, including IP and digital PBX telephones
Conclusion
Wireless phone capabilities in the office helps improve business productivity in this age of multitasking. Like all DECT headsets I’ve reviewed, they are a bit larger and heavier than Bluetooth headsets, but the TL7610 is still fairly small and light for a DECT headset. Business executives will surely like the aesthetics of the sleek looking headset base and headset piece, which will fashion their desk. I really like the AT&T TL7610 headset. It was pretty comfortable, had excellent range, and very good battery life. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. Relatedly, I look forward to checking out AT&T’s TL7650 which adds a USB connection to a PC so you can use it with VoIP applications such as Skype. It’s not available yet, but will be soon and I promise to review it as soon as I can get my hands on one.
Pricing for the TL7610: MSRP: $199.95 though this headset can be purchased online for much less.
You can buy the TL7610 headset through www.telephones.att.com, select Best Buy locations, Office Max, and Amazon via this link where I see it available inexpensively for $129.99.
Tags: AT&T, DECT 6.0, headset, jabra, plantronics, review, TL7610, TL7650
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SanDisk G3 SSD Memory Blows Away Hard Drives’ Performance
SanDisk today unveiled its third-generation family of solid-state drives (SSDs). Using multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory technology, SanDisk’s G3 Series of SSD memory has incredible performance benchmarks. The G3 SSDs are more than five times faster than the fastest 7,200 RPM hard disk drives and more than twice as fast as SSDs shipping in 2008, clocking in at 40,000 RPM and anticipated sequential performance of 200MB/s read and 140MB/s write. Even the fastest hard drives I’ve seen to date, which I have installed on serveral servers at TMC, currently max out at 15,000 RPM.
They were designed as drop-in replacements for hard-disk drives (HDDs) in notebook PCs, the initial members in the SanDisk G3 family are SSD C25-G3 and SSD C18-G3 in the standard 2.5″ and 1.8″ form factors, respectively, each available with a SATA-II interface. Available in capacities of 60, 120 and 240GB*, the unit MSRPs are $149, $249 and $499, respectively. The G3 SSDs provide a Long-term Data Endurance (LDE) of 160 terabytes written (TBW) for the 240GB version, sufficient for over 100 years of typical user usage. Using such fast memory instead of a hard drive in a netbook, laptop, or even PC desktop should make these computers nearly instantly boot. Sweet!
Three key features developed by SanDisk enable this new design: a new SSD algorithm called ExtremeFFSTM allows random write performance to potentially improve by as much as 100 times over conventional algorithms; reliable 43nm multi-level cell (MLC) all bit-line (ABL) NAND flash; and SanDisk’s new SSD controller, which ties together the NAND and the algorithm.
The SanDisk G3 SSDs will be available in mid 2009, in a 2.5″ PATA configuration. Now we just need SSD RAID5 or SSD RAID10 using multiple SSD cards and then we can finally say goodbye to current expensive RAID5/10 server configurations that require expensive hard drives and RAID controllers! Wow, servers would also be blazingly fast using multiple SSD cards working in parallel in a RAID configuration.
Tags: ExtremeFFSTM, RAID, SSD, SanDisk, memory, solid-state drives
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Skype Lite Java client
Skype announced Skype Lite for Java-enabled phones, including the Google Android, but it should also work on Windows Mobile with Java installed.
Skype Lite is the first native VoIP client using Java. I guess my prediction of a Flash-based Skype client was a little off. From a technical standpoint Java is better suited to an application than Flash, which is better at multimedia stuff.
In any event, Skype is submitting the app to Google’s Android Market today according to Techchuck.
Since Skype Lite is Java-based, it should work on several mobile phone brands, including Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Motorola, and others. Don’t expect the full-fledged features of the regular client though. Even the native Windows Mobile Skype client will have more features than the Java version. Still, this opens the door for Skype to be used on many phone devices.
Notice I didn’t mention the Apple iPhone. Uhhh, Skype on the iPhone support anyone? Well, there are workarounds to get Skype running on the iPhone. Still, a native Skype client for the iPhone would be nice…
Tags: apple, Google Android, iphone, mobile phone, skype, voip, Windows Mobile
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Truphone Adds Skype Features, Twitter, MSN Messenger, and more
Truphone has added a new Skype feature that will allow iPhone and iPod Touch users to make calls and instant message other Skype users. This new feature is scheduled to go live to consumers the week of Jan. 12, but it’s available for a select few media that inquire. I’m going to try it very shortly.
You now will have the ability to make and receive Skype calls and instant message Skype users from your iPhone or iPod touch. Truphone customers on both Apple devices can contact their Skype friends via their Skype IDs.
Continue reading Truphone Adds Skype Features, Twitter, MSN Messenger, and more…
Tags: apple, google talk, im, instant message, iphone, ipod touch, mobile phone, skype, truphone, truphone anywhere, voip
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Apple Large screen iPod Touch in Future Plus Skype & Apple Partnership?
According to Techcrunch, we can soon expect to see a 7″ or 9″ iPod touch, which would make it more akin to a tablet PC than a portable music & video player with app support. The app support is a key point here. One of the problems with the iPod touch and similarly the iPhone is the relatively small screen. Sure, it’s bigger than most portable devices, but it’s still not quite large enough for optimal productivity.
By stepping up the screen size, not only will it improve productivity, you may even see users actually “work” within business apps such as Excel on the iPod touch. Try working in Excel on the iPod touch or iPhone on such a small screen is nearly impossible. In fact, I should point out that natively the iPhone and iPod touch don’t support Excel. There is a workaround however.
Continue reading Apple Large screen iPod Touch in Future Plus Skype & Apple Partnership?…
Tags: apple, excel, iphone, ipod touch, large screen, skype, voip
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Toshiba 512GB Solid State Drive
Toshiba announced that it will showcase a 512GB solid-state drive (SSD) at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) next month, with shipments of this large SSD in the second quarter of 2009. These NAND-flash-based solid state drives (SSD) will be the industry’s first 2.5-inch 512-gigabyte SSD and features fast read/write times and reliable performance for laptops/notebooks, and other equipment.
In addition to the 2.5-inch, 512GB drive, the 43nm NAND SSD family also includes capacities of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, offered in 1.8-inch or 2.5-inch drive enclosures or as SSD Flash Modules. The drives feature a maximum sequential read speed of 240MB per second (MBps) and maximum sequential write speed of 200MBps. This should definitely result in faster boot and application loading times. The drives also offer AES data encryption to prevent unauthorized data access.
512GB soon… next stop 1TB (1 terabyte)!
Tags: 512GB, drives, memory, NAND, sequential read, sequential write, solid state drive, SSD
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- Indestructible USB Flash Memory Drive - Feb 12, 2007
- SanDisk Memory Stick PRO Duo Game card for Sony PSP - May 10, 2006
- Wallet Flash credit card-sized USB memory - Jan 31, 2006
- Iomega 120 GB Portable Hard Drive - Oct 20, 2005
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BlackBerry OS Running On Windows Mobile HTC Touch Pro
From the “Oh no you didn’t!” department, BerryReview.com has an article and some sweet photo goodness showing a Windows Mobile HTC Touch Pro running a virtual BlackBerry operating system. The Windows Mobile OS running the BlackBerry OS? What’s next, the iPhone running Windows Mobile? Soon there will be