debcook

2008-07-31 20:35:28 

2008-07-30 20:23:02 

Keeping up with your mobile gadgets on a day to day basis is not always easy. Keeping track of those same mobile gadgets when traveling gets increasingly difficult – then add air travel to the equation and it can be nearly impossible.Anyone that travels through airports on a consistent basis eventually finds a winning combination of packing and unpacking mobile gadgets to quickly move them through security. For the rest of us there are things we need to do that insures we pick up all gadgets at the end of the conveyer line.  Once in the security line at any airport you have to be ready for anything. Signs saying to take your laptop out of your bags are common. That is bad enough, but what about the gadget accessories? The last flight I took cost me more than the price of a ticket.

2008-07-29 20:35:01 

Mini electronic gadgets are so tempting because we all get tired of lugging around larger ones. This is one subject that I can talk about with authority. Laptops have been part of my daily life for several years so where I go it goes. Downsizing definitely has merit – I think. 

Now if my laptop was the only electronic gadget I had to carry – no problem. However once other gadgets are thrown into the mix every ounce counts.  

Today I chose to use a couple of my smallest gadgets just to see what I could make happen. Could I really get through a day without the comfort of my 11.1” laptop screen? Admittedly I have put this day off. So how did I do? 

I am an early adopter when it comes to mobile gadgets. The First Sony UMPC intrigued me so much that I had to have one. It has stayed in its case for over a year. Why? Simple – the 4.5” screen is just too small. The icons and words are tiny. Email and some web surfing is not bad but I use software such as QuickBooks and Excel. Again, for just a little bit of data input I could probably deal with it but not for long periods of time.  

If you have read my other posts you are aware that I have a new iPhone 3G (no I did not early adopt the first generation iPhone). So far I love it. The feel, the gorgeousness, the GPS and the web browser gives me true incentive to make this cell phone work for me. Typing is a challenge. I have small fingers and it is still a challenge to type the intended letters. I have learned to touch the letters, symbols and navigation icons on their far left edges because otherwise the letter to the right appears and I spend all of my time backspacing.  

As far as physically using these two devices they are quite similar. The Sony UMPC has a QWERTY keyboard but the keys are so small and close together that I have some trouble typing. Both devices have Touchscreens. When I held my iPhone 3G up to the (widescreen) touchscreen of the Sony UMPC they are very close in size. The iPhone 3G has a bit less useable screen - height wise by about 1/2 “ and a tad more than 1” length wise.   

This experiment is going to take some time. I typed emails on the Sony UMPC and text messages on the iPhone 3G. I was successful on both but it was not comfortable. I am determined though. Eventually I will learn to work efficiently on both devices. What would I change if I could? The Touchscreen on the iPhone 3G should allow me to choose landscape orientation for the keyboard so that the keys would appear larger or more spread out.  

The Touchscreen on the Sony UMPC should be larger. I think that 7” would be good. Still small enough to carry in a small bag or purse but large enough to view easier.  

Hopefully the powers that be will read this and ask me for my advice next time.  

2008-07-28 20:50:22 

 GPS maps for walkers, runners and bikers? Why not – there are GPS maps for hikers, motorcycle riders, boaters and drivers of RVs, big rigs and automobiles. 

I love the capabilities of GPS technology. I love that the GPS devices are getting thinner and wider. I love that GPS devices have become mobile.

An article I read this morning was saying that the likeliness of specific GPS maps for walkers being adopted anytime soon is slim. It got me thinking about how they might work.

These maps would basically be a way for walkers to trek across town along paths and routes that would save the cost of driving. They may include known short cuts as well as little known ones. Specified bike lanes would be shown. I assume there would be the fastest, the easiest and the most scenic routes included.

I can see a few issues that need to be addressed. In my opinion the maps that are already available for urban areas should suffice. There are GPS devices that allow for multiple routes so it should be easy to plan a route across town. Custom Points of Interest (POI) such as landmarks can be saved that could act as beginning and ending destinations. There are a few features that I would like to see added to current GPS maps.

One thing that should be added to any GPS map is warnings of high crime areas. It is one thing to drive into dangerous areas but walking into them could prove to be a very undesirable situation.

Another feature that I would like to see is the ability to touch the screen and make that the ending point (or the turn around point) of a route. Sometimes a particular address is unknown but the distance you want to travel is. One day I went for a jog in the Kansas City area. The neighborhood had no memorable landmark. The houses looked the same and they were nearly all the same color. The streets twisted and turned so many times that I lost track of what direction I was facing. There were a few moments that I felt uncomfortable and would have given a lot for a little directional help.

Sidewalks are good for safety and keeps people on foot off the street. I am amazed that there are so many sidewalks that go for miles. Would it be that difficult to notate continuous sidewalks?

Thinking about this subject makes me glad all over again that I now have a 3G iPhone. I carry it in a pouch case on my waist wherever I go. With the “find me” GPS feature I will know where I am and hopefully will be able to find my way back to where I started. The satellite view allows me to see my location in a realistic visual way.

People that exercise, whether for health or wealth, wants to make the best of each outing. It would be very helpful to have a few special features added to urban maps that could be used while on foot.

Bluetooth headsets are like most other electronic gadgets in that they all have their good points and their bad. Some fit on the ear, some fit in the ear and others wrap around the ear. I have only  tried Motorola headsets up to this point. 

My first Bluetooth headset was a Motorola HS850. It was really comfortable and had the “boom” that flipped open and closed which also served as the off and on feature. That was extremely handy. I could hear better over the Bluetooth than over my cell phone. The downside was that in the wind or in other noisy environments I could not hear the person on the other end of a call very well.

Then I purchased a Motorola H12 Bluetooth. It is good looking, small and light weight. I can hear very well over it even in wind and in noisy environments. The downside is that the earpiece fits inside the ear. Of course that is what makes the sound so good – but it is uncomfortable at times. If anything bumps against my ear when I am wearing it – ouch!

The H12 comes with 3 sizes of small rubber pieces that fit over the microphone. They are formed in such a way that they should set inside the ear easily, but I guess my ears are smaller than most. Even the smallest size is too big.

I would like to try a Jawbone 2 someday. From what I understand they have fantastic sound quality. The trouble is that the Jawbone 2 also fits inside the ear so it may be a problem as well.

For now I will leave well enough alone. I have adjusted the rubber piece on my H12 to where it is bearable and I can still talk and hear OK over it. Wearing it is still the best option for me.

2008-07-25 21:59:00 

Cell phone cases are abundant and choosing the right one can be a chore. I cannot tell you how many cell phone cases I have purchased and how many have not worked out for me.

First of all I do not like a cell phone case that has a revolving clip. At first glance they look like a very handy way to keep your cell phone close yet out of the way. Often these types of cases also look the best. When you spend your hard earned money on a great looking cell phone it hurts to cover it up.

Each cell phone case that I’ve had with that little revolving clip has broken. My seat belt was usually the culprit. No matter where I placed my phone on my waistband my seatbelt would hang on it. Sometimes I could find a replacement clip but at other times I could not and had to buy a new case.

During my morning walks my cell phone would swing back and forth and irritate me. I did not dare break into a jog.

Then I was shopping on eBay one day and found a cell phone case that was a pouch style. It has a strong (stationary clip) on the back as well as two belt loops. The inside is soft and the front flap has magnets inside so it actually keeps itself closed. I have a black one and for my girly days I have a pink one. My cell phone feels secure and I do not worry about it anymore. Also, I like that my cell phone sits sideways at my waist and not up and down.

My favorite cell phone cases may seem a bit boring to some people but I hardly think about having it on most days. I use my Bluetooth headset to answer calls and some calls I voice dial. Most of the time my cell phone stays safely inside the case. When I need to dial or text it is not a problem because the phone is easy to access.

If you are in the market for a new cell phone case I would suggest checking into a pouch style. Depending on which phone you have there is probably a specific case to fit it.

I have bought them for friends and family and all have been converts. I always buy from eBay because the selection is huge and the price is right (typically from $7.00 to $10.00 including shipping charges).

In this case form follows function and I like that.

2008-07-24 19:38:18 

Electronic gadgets have to be handy and convenient or we will not use them to their greatest advantage. Easy access is difficult if safety is a concern. Carrying a computer bag is out of the question and a messenger bag is just about as bad in my opinion. A soft side bag is great but will not have divided pockets strong enough to protect fragile monitors like those on digital cameras.

I have a solution that works for me. I’ve said before that I carry a leather (bucket style) purse. To solve the soft sided and no strong pocket issue I purchased a “Case Logic Design Works Door Wedge Organizer” from Office Depot. There are 3 open (accordion type) pockets along the top and a flat pocket on the front side. Both front and back is very strong and will not crush under daily pressure.

For now this works well for me. It adds a bit of weight but not too much. My digital camera fits in one pocket, my portable external hard drive and flash drives fit into the middle pocket and my AT&T broadband card and a few incidentals fit into the end pocket. The front flat pocket is very handy for stamps and receipts.

I am always on the lookout for items that are meant for one purpose that I can use for my purpose. In fact, I use a roll around suitcase travel bag for my daily travel to and from work. It has three zippered pockets and one large open area. I separate my paperwork and items that I have to carry everyday in this bag. It is also handy for carrying electronic gadget chargers and cords.

If I did not already have the bag I just mentioned I would buy the one I saw a bag at Wal-Mart the other day that is meant for carrying a portable sewing machine. I has wheels, a pull up handle and see through plastic zippered pockets on the front. The main open area is quite large and would work great for notebooks for example.

I’d love to hear what you have re-purposed for your electronic gadgets or for your daily commute.

2008-07-23 20:51:24 

Today is my second full day of working with my new 3G iPhone. A few issues have come up but overall we are getting along pretty good.

Yesterday I realized that my Bluetooth headset was not functioning during calls. That was hard to understand since my iPhone showed that my Motorola H12 was paired. I really depend on having my hands free during the day.

During lunch today I un-paired my H12 and tried it again. It took several tries but eventually my iPhone and my H12 paired. It is hard to know why it took so many tries because I did not change my approach at any time.

I did not have the time or the opportunity yesterday to sync my iPhone with iTunes. That means I’ve gone all day without my contact list, my calendar and my task list. Well, use a few minutes ago successfully synched my iPhone and all went well. Just plugged my iPhone into my laptop and within a short time synching was in progress.

MobileMe has confused me all along. I signed up for the 60-day free trial but I do not see the need for it now. At the time I signed up I did not realize that I could get the same sync through iTunes for free. Unless I find more value I will cancel my account with MobileMe tomorrow.

I have two one huge complaints. One - my Outlook Task list did not sync. My Task list keeps me on top of things during a busy day. Two – my Outlook Folders did not sync. There is a solution but it is not yet available. Chapura’s “KeyTasks” software is headed for the App Store. As soon as it is available I will have it!

The fact that many of the productivity programs for the iPhone is subscription based upsets by equilibrium. I can see that web based software is easy to share and easy to access – there is information that I track that I do not necessarily want on some online server.

It may take me a while to decide whether all of my compromises are worth the effort that switching to my new 3G iPhone requires. To early to tell for sure and I really want this new relationship to work.

My 8525 sets ready and willing to take back over at a moments notice.

2008-07-22 20:42:01

Lately I have had a sort of restlessness as far as my mobile gadgets are concerned. I don’t know if I want new ones or if I just need more time to use the ones I have. Small, thinner and smarter gadgets are everywhere.

I wrote previously about the mobile electronic gadgets I carry in my purse. Just a little research has opened up a new combination that would mean less bulk and weight with even better performance. It is still not clear that I need new gadgets however.

A thinner digital camera would be nice. My Cannon Elph is not too thick but every ½ inch counts when its taking up valuable real estate inside my bag. The Casio Exilim EX-S500 looks like a good replacement. It is thinner with a 3” screen and is wide angle. I also really like that it has a 4X optical zoom and 8.1 mega pixels. I think that the Casio is longer than my Canon but space wise it would still fit better and it would be easier to protect the screen.

I know that I would like to replace my small – yet to big – portable hard drive. It is 40GB and has its own integrated USB connection. Very handy, yes, but it too takes up about a 3” X ½” square space that could be better used. Since there are 8GB, 16GB and 32GB USB Flash drives readily available it would not be out of the question to carry one or even two of them. Kanguru has several Flash Drives that would work well.

I can hear it now – why would anyone need so much storage space anyway. Once I had a 5GB PCMCIA Card (PC card) that I kept with my laptop. One day it became corrupted and I believe it was because I filled it up past the point that it could still operate correctly. I’d rather have too much storage than not enough.

My laptop is 11.1” and it fits nicely in my bag. Protected by its own leather zip pouch it weighs less than 3.5 lbs. I have a hard time thinking that about leaving it at home. I am always on the go and often have to do paperwork away from my office. If I found a UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) with the necessary features it could work out. Most UMPCs have a screen less than 5” and they usually weigh less than 2 lbs.

If I just had a lot more money and a lot more time I could buy all new gadgets and maybe even a smaller bag. You know what that would lead to though – smaller gadgets.

2008-07-21 20:57:11 

Early this morning I checked the tracking on FedEx so I knew that for a fact my iPhone was almost home. I repeatedly checked it through the morning – hoping that I could get away from work long enough to pick it up once it was delivered to the AT&T store. Finally, at about 12:30 PM I got it in my possession.

I have not had a lot of time to play with it yet but I can report on my first impressions.

• It is gorgeous!
• It is close to the size of my 8525 except that it is much thinner
• Most of the menu items are pretty much intuitive
• Email was very easy to set up – mine is a POP account
• Typing was easier on my 8525’s QWERTY keyboard
• This beautiful touchscreen is going to stay quite dirty.
• Surfing the web is so much better on this 3G iPhone versus my 8525
• I do not want to share – people can look but I don’t want them to touch

So far my experience with my 3G iPhone has been limited – only two calls so far. I’ve surfed around and looked at the different menu items. I like having them all right in front of me.

I set up my email account by simply touching settings – mail - typed my name – typed my email address – typed my password – the iPhone found my account and my email messages were downloaded.

I checked my AT&T stock quote by simply touching the stock icon and adding it to the list of stocks. Unfortunately it was down.

I flipped through – ooh that is so fun – the App Store just to see what is there. I noticed a pedometer for $1.99; a grocery list maker for $4.99; a Zen Garden for $1.99 and eBay Mobile is free.

Under “News” I found an App called Byline. It sells for $9.99 but it would be a good investment if you read several blogs and RSS feeds. This App syncs your choice of sites and gets them ready for you to read even if you are offline.

I can see that I have a lot to learn and a lot to decide upon. Tomorrow is another day and I will pick up where I am leaving off tonight.