Entries Tagged 'Mobile Phones' ↓

Typing out long messages on my Samsung i600’s thumboard is hard enough - I can’t imagine going back to the traditional candy bar form factor or even the on-screen keyboards of iPhones and PDAs.  If you suffer from Blackberry-thumb too, check out this bluetooth mini-keyboard from I-O Data.  It looks like a mini version of an aluminium iMac keyboard, and is slightly larger than an iPhone, and connects to your phone via bluetooth.

My mobile phone already wakes me up every morning, tells me to get a haircut via a reminder - I wouldn’t be surprised if it nagged me at each mealtime if I didn’t eat enough greens.  One step closer to this vision, gadgets are now trying to be an integral part of your workout and fitness regimen.  Here are some of the latest:

1.  Samsung Adidas F110 miCoach

This slider phone looks innocuously like a mobile phone, but with the Adidas logo prominently located under the display, you know something special is afoot.  The miCoach F110 has a heart-rate monitor and stride sensor which connects wirelessly, and the phone software creates custom workouts and prompts you via audio instructions.  Once you’ve finished your workout, you can sync the training data with the miCoach website which allows you to track your fitness goals.  Finally, you can listen to your favourite tunes while toning up.

2.  Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS watch

The GPS manufacturer has usability to a new level by incorporating a unit into a watch - the Garmin Forerunner 405 measures and records your speed, distance, elevation and even your heart rate, while looking like an everyday sports timepiece.  With touch controls, wireless connectivity and fitness tracking software on the PC, the Forerunner 405 is certainly an impressive addition to the workout arsenal.

3.  Vital Jacket - wearable heart / ECG monitor

The Vital Jacket, apart from looking like a prop from the movie Tron, continuously monitors electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate for use in high performance sports and fitness applications.  It comes in two models - the HWM100 stores data in a SD card for post-analysis on a PC, while the HWM200 sends data to devices via bluetooth.

Finally, we leave you with some tips to track your fitness progress with some free tools, courtesy of LH.  Enjoy!

One of the things the convergence of technology, mass production and economies of scale leads to is disposable technology.  We’ve seen it for a while now with cheap, disposable cameras and now, mobile phones are next.  The Hop-On Hop 1800 is a USD $10.00 prepaid mobile phone with no screen, and is ideal for a cheap backup phone or for travellers.

The cute phone weighs less than 3 ounces and will be sold through retail outlets such as convenience stores.  Greenies need not fear - the company offers a $5.00 rebate for returning the phone for recycling.

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For those tired of the standard iPhone look, you can deck out your iPhone in 29 different colours, courtesy of Colorware. Price? $150 if you send yours in, or $650 / $750 if you buy a 4GB / 8GB new from them. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can do it yourself, but be prepared to void your warranty.

I still think retro is the way to go though, which is why I think this Apple concept phone from 1983 rocks! Check out the black and white touchscreen in all its 8-bit glory!

While we’re on the topic of bling, someone should take a leaf out of these guys’ books and offer an iPhone with some of these sexy studs. But please, for the love of God, don’t go here - an 18-carat gold 2GB iPod shuffle, for 14,000 Euros. Sacrilege!

Rumours of a new iPhone model have been making tracks around the blogosphere - that a iPod Nano based model sporting a circular touch pad as opposed to a touch screen, will be arriving by the end of the year, with a price tag of around $249 to $299 US. Some say that the iPod platform is due for a major upgrade too, that each successive model has just been an evolutionary upgrade in terms of functionality, instead of a something revolutionary.

I sure hope though, that they won’t be combining the two products into one, and that the iPod Nano as a music player will continue to exist. Why? Well firstly, in terms of sheer size and portability, an iPod Nano simply can’t be beat - it’s hard to imagine anything smaller or sexier, yet having the same functionality. Turn it into an iPhone though, and I’m sure the touchscreen and phone hardware will add bulk.

Secondly, the iPod Nano is an excellent music player and I would like it to remain that way. The problem with convergent devices is that the added functionality often adds complexity, at the expense of usability. Take the current slate of Windows Mobile phones for example - if I were to be brutally honest, yes they can do everything and then some, but they don’t excel at any one particular function. There are even reports that the current iPhone isn’t that good as a phone.  As the old adage goes - jack of all trades, but master of none.

By all means, improve it, give it a touchscreen with cool gestures and such.  But please, Apple, please let my iPod Nano remain an iPod Nano. What’s your view?

Yes, iPhone fever is everywhere, and probably will be around for some time to come. One thing for certain is that there will be no shortage of Asian knock-offs, hoping to capitalise on the success of the gadget. This latest contender comes from Sophia Mobile, with the touchscreen-enabled Nani (literally, “What?” in Japanese) . It boasts a “4.3-inch touchscreen, video playback at 800 x 400 pixels, a MicroSD card slot, Wi-Fi capability, a camera and a TV tuner”. Mobile TV sounds particularly juicy - it would be a great way to catch up on news and shows while commuting.

You never know - it could be the next iPhone killer, or maybe it could be just a stopgap for those outside the US still waiting to get their hands on an iPhone.

If you’ve been following news in the Windows Mobile world, details of the new Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system have been emerging. Now the taiwanese based HTC have announced the HTC Universal - the first device to take advantage the new OS. The Universal features a VGA screen, a built in keyboard and will enable customers to be more productive while having powerful multimedia and internet browsing capabilities.

Global distribution plans for the device are expected in the second half of 2005 with mobile operators in Europe, North America, and Asia.

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As an IT consultant, I’m frequently caught in meetings with clients where taking a phone call is impractical. Letting calls divert to voicemail is one solution, but another more elegant solution exists. JGUI have released a nifty little app for PocketPC Phone Edition Users, which allows users to set an autoreply SMS message that will be sent to the callers of missed calls.

You can set your own autoreply text, and also configure rules specifying which numbers to send autoreplies to. It currently costs $14.95 (USD) with a trial version available.

Motorola have launched the first rugged Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone designed for users in industries such as terrorism, ninja training and survivor contestants. Its rubberized monolith design meets military specifications for resistance to dust, shock, vibration and nuclear detonations*. Its large memory and maximum battery life provide the optimal operation of Java™-powered business solutions, and its GPS capability enables location-based services, including fleet tracking and turn-by-turn directions.
(* actual test results are inconclusive)

The rugged Motorola i605 handset offers exclusive features, including Nextel’s new Group ConnectSM walkie-talkie service, which enables group walkie-talkie conversations nationwide, and a large screen that is optimized for outdoor usage to reduce glare from sunlight.

It weighs 5.9 ounces with a high-capacity battery and measures 4.9 (H) x 2.0 (W) x 1.1 (D) inches. THe i605 is available through all Nextel distribution channels, costing $299.99(SD) with a two-year service agreement.

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Be well, John Spartan. Motorola have announced the Motorola Ojo™ Personal Video Phone, which sends face-to-face conversations – complete with full-motion video and synchronized audio – over any high-speed Internet connection.

“Consumers can now experience first-hand the power of visual communications by bringing a Motorola Ojo into their connected home,” said David Grubb, vice president, Motorola consumer entertainment solutions. “The Motorola Ojo lets loved ones share personal moments and make new memories even though they might be thousands of miles apart. By enhancing the traditional voice call with real-time video, Ojo lets you now truly be there, even if you can’t get there.“

At $799(USD) a pop though, you better know what you’re getting into. PC Magazine has a review of the phone here.

I think I’ll miss taking phone calls in my underwear…
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