Joy of Gadgets

TV Online: So Simple, A Four Year Old Can Do It

PhoneBoy — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:39:23 +0000

I was watching my 4 year old watch Pokemon on the computer the other day (pictured here, playing Racquetball), when I had a rather startiling realization: she can figure out how to get the computer to show what she wants, yet can’t operate the televison.

Our televisions at home are relatively simple 19 inch ones from 1991 that cost about $300. They still work good, but the buttons are falling off and we’ve long since lost or replaced the original remotes with universal ones. They are not particularly hard to operate, but that assumes you can read, which my daughter can’t do yet.

Every time I go to someone’s house and attempt to use their TV, I feel like I need to take lessons in how to watch TV. Even with a Universal remote, it still a rather confusing series of steps just to get a picture on the screen. Heaven help you if you want to watch a DVD.

In addition to our old TVs, we opt for cable that came from the 1970s: (mostly) broadcast channels only. The kids can watch PBS and we can watch the few network shows. No Nickelodeon or Disney Channel to infect my brats with High School Musical. The total cost: $15/mo, which is about what I value televison at. It is most certainly not the $100+ a month the cable companies charge for access to all channels in HD.

Even if I had all the channels, who is to say what’s on when you want to watch? Yes, I know you can get on-demand or a Tivo, but that just adds extra cost to something I already consider to be of marginal value anyway. Not to mention the added complexity of owning one of these devices and integrating it into your home audio/video system.

Meanwhile, watching what you want, when you want, is so simple a four year old can figure out how to do it. It’s legal, it doesn’t require complicated TV setups or cost any extra money, beyond the Internet connection I am already paying for. What’s not to like?

This work originally came from Joy of Gadgets and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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The Nokia E71 NAM: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

PhoneBoy — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:04:15 +0000

Tuesday, I received my white Nokia E71. The phone’s been out a while, as I’m sure anyone who follows a Gadget blog or reads Wired can tell you. Since I work for Nokia, you should realize the following is my own opinion on the Nokia E71 NAM, i.e. E71-2, RM-357, or at least one other name I’m not allowed to use in public.

The first thing I noticed when I opened my package was how small the box is compared to even the N96 I received not too long ago. It’s about half the size. Inside the box, pretty much everything inside that wasn’t shrinkwrapped was cardboard instead of plastic, making the packaging a lot more recyclable. Very green, even if the inside of my box is mostly black

Inside the box, I got the phone, battery, 2.5mm stereo headphones–more on that in a minute–power adapter, micro USB cable, manual, CD. Pretty much everything I expect to come with the phone, though the matching wrist strap and carry case were nice bonuses.

I had seen and even handled some pre-release versions of this handset, but they are never as good as the production units. This one felt wonderful. Solid construction, not too big. The keys are crammed together, but it’s pretty easy to push the right ones.

Power On

Powering on the phone for the first time, I was greeted with the usual questions for a Nokia: region, date, and time. It’d be nice if it could read it from the SIM card and set the time according to the GSM network, but it wasn’t any worse than other Nokia devices I’ve used.

New Active Standby

The Active Standby screen looked a bit different. There were links for setting up email and Internet calling (VoIP), a new indicator for text messages, one for voicemail (allowing me to set up which voicemail # to use), and a new icon I haven’t seen before, which you can see in the upper right corner of this screenshot:

This is the vaunted “profile switch” icon. Click it, and your theme and Active Standby screen change. The above screenshot was my “work” profile, here is my “home” profile:

Note you can display different email inboxes on the two different Active Standby screens, however I have it disabled on both my profiles. You can disable (or enable) the display of many things on the two profiles. You can also have different applications available in the different profiles, but I chose to have the same in both.

When you navigate to the envelope on the bottom, which indicates the number of unread texts I’ve got, you get a curious little menu:

Email

Email works as it does on every other Nokia S60 device, though the process for setting up your account has improved quite a bit. Enter your email address and password, and it magically figures out what the rest of the important settings should be. It won’t work in all cases, but for the major services, it should work.

If you want corporate email, and your company as an ActiveSync (Microsoft Exchange) server, you are going to need to download Mail for Exchange. It is easy to find in Download! > Applications. The setup on this application has improved substantially over the years, though it does ues the standard Nokia S60 mail client, for better or worse.

Nseries Features on the E71

What I especially appreciate about the E71 is that many of the features I’ve long enjoyed in the Nseries devices are finally included on an Eseries device. For example, Podcasting is included. The music player understands podcasts and properly resumes when you’ve stopped a podcast in the middle of playing. The camera application looks exactly like it does on my Nseries devices. Even Share Online 3.0 is included!

I was also surprised to find the phone has an FM radio. Like the Nseries devices, it requires wired headphones to be plugged in for the antenna. It works the same way. Internet Radio isn’t included, but is easy to download in the Download! app under Applications. With it, one can listen to any number of Internet-streaming radio stations.

One other nice feature: A2DP. It’s supported and works with any A2DP-compliant set.

The Power of Access Point Groups

One other important feature that the phone has, but requires the (free) download of Birdstep SmartConnect from the Download! app: the ability to use Access Point groups. What this allows you to do is combine both 3G/EDGE and WiFi access points into a single “group.” This group can be specified wherever any access point can be specified. The app will try, in order, each access point listed, using the best one.

If for some reason, when you access the “group” access point, you get an error about not being licensed, follow the steps in this thread on Nokia Support Discussions.

One other thing of note with SmartConnect: it appears as a GPRS access point instead of as a WiFi access point, which is how Psiloc Connect operates. The upshot of this is that it will allow apps that insist on sticking with a 3G/EDGE access point like Jaiku can actually be used over WiFi! In the case of Jaiku specifically, you must do the initial configuration with the proper 3G/EDGE access point, then switch over to the virtual access point. Works lovely!

The Battery

This dainty little package includes a massive 1500 mAh battery, meaning even with 3G enabled, the phone might actually last the day. Battery life depends on a number of factors, including usage patterns and your location relative to the network, so I can’t guarantee that it will last the day for you. More testing is needed for sure.

I find that SmartConnect improves my battery life since I spent a lot of time in WiFi range. WiFi takes a bit less battery than 3G does and I have less concerns about the backhaul situation on my home WiFi

The Bad and Ugly

All is not perfect in the E71. The camera, while a respectable 3.2 megapixels, is not the sharpest tool in the shed. I’ve been spoiled by the N95 and N96, which both have much better cameras. While the extra “features” in the camera app will help somewhat, I’m better off carrying the N95 8GB or N96 with me for any semi-serious photo opportunities.

The headset jack is Nokia’s non-standard 2.5mm jack and it’s on the right side. While a wired headset is included in the package, it makes finding replacements a bit harder. Personally, I’ve opted out of using a wired headset and went straight for Stereo Bluetooth. It’s nice to see they corrected the headset jack in the cheaper cousin, the E63.

Speaking of Bluetooth, I see various and sundry issues with A2DP. The headset I use from Insignia seems to get confused between “headset” and “headphones” mode when left for an extended period of time. I have to shut the bluetooth off on the phone, wait a few seconds, then enable it again. It seems to recover after that.

The GPS in the phone doesn’t seem to work as well as the N96 or even the N95 8GB does, both of which seem to work indoors to a certain extent. The E71 doesn’t appear to work in my house well enough to get a lock.

While the keyboard is small and usable, the “chr” key gets used a lot more on the E71. This is because a lot of punctuation that existed on the E61i and E61 are no longer available on the main keyboard. The main things I am missing are the parenthesis, but there are many other keys as well. Take a look at the E61i keyboard versus the E71 keyboard:

The main reason you’d want the parethesis: smileys. They’re a little harder to do on the E71.

The Verdict

For the moment, the E71 is my primary phone. It’s nice to have a QWERTY device that’s not too big and brings along a lot of Nseries features for the ride. However, the lack of a decent camera means I’m often carrying a second device with me.

KeyRight Keyboard: Colorful, Educational

PhoneBoy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:15:00 +0000

I think my kids might like this just for the colors. However, this keyboard from KeyRight isn’t colorful “just because.” The colors tell you what keys your different fingers should hit for the most optimal typing experience and supposedly are 192% more effective than without the colors.

The keyboard along with the included typing tutor program is supposed to increase your typing speeds in as little as 6 hours. PC or Mac compatible. For people who aren’t touch typists and want to be, $39.99 is a small price to pay.

Pulling Water From Thin Air

PhoneBoy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:17:51 +0000

There’s a lot of water in the air, waiting to be claimed. For places that have water issues, bringing that water out of their air and into your body would certainly be nice.

That’s exactly what the WaterMill claims to: convert between 10% and 40% of that water vapor into clear, clean, drinkable water. To the tune of 12 liters a day. And it should do real well in places that need it, too.

I will have to admit, I’m having a hard time buying the claims of Element Four. The part that concerns me is that extracting upwards of 40% from the air worldwide likely will have some impact, whether or not the folks from Element Four think so or not. I also wonder how much electricity issded by the WaterMill as well. Not so much for me, of course, but certainly the intended recipients will care.

The product is now available as of yet. The store link for the side gives a message saying they will open Summer 2008. Hate to break it to you, but we’re half way through fall. Where’s the store? What’s it cost?

Lights Out, Mother’s!

PhoneBoy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:22:01 +0000

Ok, this really isn’t a gadget. It’s a shirt. But it has meaning to anyone who grew up on the West Coast of the U.S. over the last several decades.

While trying to figure out why the hell gas has dropped to below $2 in my neck of the woods–not that I’m complaining, mind you–I discovered yet another victim of the global economic implosion: Mother’s Cookies.

I know that over the years, I’ve eaten my share of these little animal cookies covered in frosting and sprinkles. They weren’t something I had all the time, being a treat and all, but damn, they were good. They were part of growing up.

Unfortunately, Mother’s Cookies had to shut their doors in October of 2008 thanks to the rising costs of fuel, flour, butter and sugar. Oh, and of course, the ability to find credit.

Meanwhile, you can commemorate these tasty little cookies by purchasing this shirt from Cloth Moth for $25.

Is A Nearly Indestructable Phone Worth $499?

PhoneBoy — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:49:36 +0000

How rugged does your phone need to be. Really? The folks at Sonim thinks it should be nearly indestructible. In fact, they have a website that demonstrates just how indestructible the Sonim XP1 is:

Guess how many licks it takes to get to the center of this baby and win one for yourself–a $499 retail value!

Now granted, this phone does meet two standards for ruggedness: IEC IP-54 rating for protection against water and dust, and MIL 810F certified for salt, fog, humidity, transport shock and thermal shock. In other words, it takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

The functionality is more about function than being pretty. The feature set, sans all the ruggedness, reads like a fairly typical low-end handset. It is a Euro Tri-band GSM phone, meaning no GSM 850. $499 seems awfully steep for that. Unless you have a need for an extremely rugged phone, I’d recommend something cheaper and rugged enough, e.g. Nokia 1100 series. In fact, buy a couple and keep one as a spare.

Disclaimer: While Nokia pays me, they didn’t pay for this. This is my own opinion.

Nokia Announces E63 At A Nice Price

PhoneBoy — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:32:59 +0000

The Nokia E63 is a lower-cost version of the wildly-popular Nokia E71 that was released several months ago. It’s a little thicker than it’s cousin, and the case is plastic instead of metal. It also downsides the camera to 2 megapixel without auto-focus, and loses HSDPA data and GPS.

However, the handset still has a 320×240 color screen, 3G data (at UMTS speeds of 384k/s), WiFi, an awesome keyboard, and the ability to easily switch between home and work profiles. And it has something the Nokia E71 doesn’t have: a bog-standard 3.5mm headset jack on the top of the handset!

The price is certainly right on this handset: 199 EUR before taxes and subsidies. Three variants are being produced to account for the different 3G frequencies around the world, including for the North American market, i.e. for use on AT&T and Rogers. No word on whether or not we’ll see this device taken by a carrier, but this device could easily become under $50 with a two year contract!

Tritton AXVisor: Nice Idea, But It Doesn’t Work For Me

PhoneBoy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:38:34 +0000

I really tried to like the Tritton Technologies AXVisor, which is a bluetooth handsfree system that clips to your visor and provides speakerphone capabilities while you’re driving. I found the device relatively easy to pair with my Nokia handsets and the controls were pretty good. Unfortunately, the device falls apart in the most important feature: being able to hold a conversation.

While I can certainly hear people loud and clear, the same cannot be said for my voice to the caller. Being a Nokia boy, I’ve tried a number of my Nokia handsets with this device. None of them provided adequate voice quality while driving or in my house at home.

The scary thing is that this is the second device the Tritton folks sent me. The first one I was not heard at all. I think it was a defective unit. This one is clearly working, but not well.

Aside from calling my friends and annoying them with voice quality tests, the best “automated” test I can come up with for voice quality is the Tell Me service (800-555-8355), using it to play Blackjack or even use the other voice activated services. Using my Nokia handsets and the AXVisor, the Tell Me service was rarely able to correctly identify what I was saying.

I’m really not sure if it’s this device or an endemic problem with Nokia’s bluetooth stack as I have yet to find a single bluetooth headset that sounds good enough that I’d actually want to use it for more than a few minutes. I’d much rather use the built-in speakerphone on the Nokia handsets or simply use a wired headset than use anything bluetooth.

I certainly can’t recommend this device with a Nokia handset. Maybe it will work better with a different handset, I don’t know.

Tokibots: Cute, Practical

PhoneBoy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:24:59 +0000

TOKYObay is promising an invasion of robots in the form of clocks–some with alarms, some without. They also have robots (without clocks) that hang on keychains.

The Tokibots are small, as you can see the one TOKYObay sent me standing next to the Nokia 6301 on my desk. They stand roughly 4 inches and are made of metal. The arms and legs move. The head, not so much. The clock works and has a replacable battery similar to a watch.

My four year old daughter loves the Tokibot. She keeps wanting to take it out of my office and play with it. They are a bit pricey for that, at a price of $44, but she can come look at it anytime. Meanwhile, it will guard my desk.

Hop-On Claims To Have $10 Mobile Phone

PhoneBoy — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:20:11 +0000

Talk about a no-frills mobile phone. This is truly it–the HOP1800 from Hop-On. The phone has no screen and 14 buttons: the typical number pad, a send key, and an end key. That’s it. Not even SMS. That’s because there is no screen!

The phone is available in both European (GSM 900/1800) and Americas (GSM 850/1900) dual-band configurations. As the graphic says, the price is $10. To whom, though? And is this price even realistic? I don’t think so.

Comments

14 November 2008, Is A Nearly Indestructable Phone Worth $499? at Joy of Gadgets writes: [...] Hop-On Claims To Have $10 Mobile Phone [...]

Joy of Gadgets

TV Online: So Simple, A Four Year Old Can Do It

The Nokia E71 NAM: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

KeyRight Keyboard: Colorful, Educational

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Pulling Water From Thin Air

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Tokibots: Cute, Practical

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