Mobility Watch

Hello readers, taking a break for a few days. Any questions, comments or concerns, write below or email.

Intel isn’t just showing off its new Atom hotness at IDF Beijing, they also pulled out a previously unseen MID from previous non-player BYD. Codenamed Mars, the MID runs an Atom processor in a clamshell form factor, with a full Windows XP install and QWERTY keyboard. On the back of the lid there’s a regular phone keypad and secondary screen.

Video of the Intel MID presentation held at IDF Beijing this week has been released, complete with prototypes of some of the devices to be powered by the latest - and future - Atom processors. Intel’s press release [PDF link] from the event covers the new devices, which include a Menlow-based clamshell smartphone.

From the Press Release: Support for Windows* 7 and Moblin v2.0 on Intel Atom Processor based MIDs and Netbooks — Intel Atom processor-based MIDs and Netbooks will support Windows* 7 Starter and Basic editions in the second half of this year in addition to support for Windows* XP Home and Windows* Vista Basic. For Linux, Chandrasekher mentioned that both MIDs and netbooks will be moving to Moblin v2.0 from Moblin v1 today.
 Intel Showcases Next-Generation “Moorestown” Platform — Chandrasekher discussed the progress of Intel’s next-generation MID platform, codenamed “Moorestown,” scheduled to launch by 2010. He indicated that the platform is hitting all the milestones and demonstrated greater than 10x platform idle power reduction.
o Moorestown consists of a System on Chip (codenamed “Lincroft”) that integrates a 45nm Intel® Atom™ processor core, graphics, video and memory controller. The MID platform also includes an input/output (I/O) hub, codenamed “Langwell,” that includes a range of I/O blocks and supports various wireless solutions.
o The Moorestown platform will be accompanied by a newer Moblin software version, Moblin v2.0, that is based on the Linux operating system. This software is designed specifically to deliver a great PC-like Internet experience while also supporting cellular voice capabilities.

Huawei iMo

Slashgear says i-Mo is roughly the size of a small keychain fob, and also has a microSD slot for data storage. If you would rather have a direct connection between your device and the internet, you can also connect via mini USB cable (7.2mbps down/5.6mbps up). The 802.11b/g wi-fi can also be used to give internet access to other gadgets at the same time.

This wifi modem looks remarkably like Helio’s Ocean 2 and approximately the same size. I wonder if you could get online on the Ocean with the iMo?

From Huawei’s Press Release:

Huawei’s latest innovation in broadband terminals, i-Mo provides a new level of convenience to its users. With i-Mo, you no longer need to carry a bulky Internet cable. The size of a small key chain, it fits in your pocket or wallet. You simply turn on the Wi-Fi switch and enjoy immediate access to a high speed HSPA network. i-Mo can automatically create group Internet access and individual Wi-Fi hot points for network digital equipment such as laptops, mobile phones, cameras, games consoles, and MP4 devices

But that’s not all. i-Mo supports plug-and-play and data transmission speeds up to 7.2 Mbps (downlink) and 5.76 Mbps (uplink). Music and videos can be uploaded or downloaded in seconds. With its built-in Micro SD card slot, i-Mo can also serve as a USB disk. All these features have been integrated into the smallest wireless modem in the world.

Amazon Kindle 2

From the looks of the new device, Amazon has tried to address some of the criticisms of the Kindle, most of which revolve around its somewhat homely design and a few poorly placed buttons. The shape has been modified to make the new Kindle more attractive, but it appears Amazon is sticking with the same off-white color scheme–for better or worse.

The price so far is $359 when it arrives on February 24. First, ninja says the device is basically the same size as the older model, but is thinner and has “a slightly heavier feel, and it feels much sturdier.” The source indicates the new model uses the same cellular EV-DO network for downloads (it’s Sprint’s network in the current model) and a metal back is visible in some of the pictures. I particularly appreciated the look of the new leather carrying pouch for the device, since I don’t like the existing Kindle’s protective case.

Looks like a nice piece of hardware, but nothing beats having a book in your hand, in my humble opinion. Would you buy the Amazon Kindle 2? It does have a sleek, thin look about it. Let me know if you get one and how you like it.

Apple Adobe Flash

From the Adobe forums:

We are developing a large on-line project based on flash technology. And now we are planning to port the project to mobile devices. We will use Flash Lite for that. But because information about the Flash Player + iPhone platform hang in the air - somebody say that the version being developed, while others say it is not possible, we need to decide whether to use flash technology more directly, or use the iPhone SDK. And it would help us version flash player for the iPhone, or at least some firsthand information about work on them to plan our work.

As you probably already know, Apple had produced a free SDK for iPhone (http://developer.apple.com/iphone/), and recent information from official sources on the development of Flash Player for iPhone obsolete. Therefore become an urgent need to update the information in this regard.

HP iPAQ Data messenger

HP iPAQ fans out there should be thrilled about the latest offering from HP.

Here are the specifications:

Features

• Communicate intelligently: Use email, phone, and Internet 1,2 with advanced wireless technology in many countries around the world. Where WiFi is available, connect without using data plan minutes. Instant Message with Windows Live.

• Work in style: Type and text quickly and easily with the full alphanumeric slide-out keyboard. View your work clearly with the large 2.8–inch diagonal QVGA touch-screen display.

• Simplify your life: Skip the new phone curve with familiar Windows Mobile 6.1 and use Microsoft Outlook Office Mobile to synchronize contacts, appointments and tasks with your PC. Access and edit documents with Mobile Word, Powerpoint and Excel.

• Find your way: Find your way with integrated GPS 4.

• Enjoy the extras: 3.1MP auto focus camera with 5X digital zoom and flash LED. Convenient Micro-SD card slot for storage up to 8GB 3.

and

Memory type
128 MB SDRAM main memory for running applications, 256 MB flash ROM

Power features
Battery: removable/rechargeable 1140 mAh Lithium-Polymer (user changeable)

Keyboard
Full QWERTY slide-out alphanumeric keyboard

Pointing device
Touch-sensitive display for stylus or fingertip

External I/O ports
1 micro-USB connector for synchronization and charging

Memory slots
64-bit Micro SD card slot - for memory expansion, supports up to 8GB

Wireless technologies
Integrated WLAN 802.11b/g, with WPA2 security, Bluetooth® 2.0 with EDR

GPS receiver
Integrated GPS navigation (Assisted GPS)

SugarSync

Here’s the skinny on SugarSync:

Peace of Mind. Automatic Online Backup.
SugarSync goes where ordinary online backup doesn’t — backing up your files, photos and more in real-time without any manual effort. Guarded with industrial-strength security and encrypted network connections, your data was never so safe.

The Best Way to Sync Multiple Computers.
Where ordinary backup services stop, SugarSync is just getting started. Back up all the computers in your home and/or office to the same personal website. At the same time, keep your files in sync on all of your computers — PC or Mac.

24/7 Remote Access. View & Share Files Anywhere.
SugarSync redefines remote access. Access your files from any web browser or mobile phone — even when your computer is offline. Access files across all your computers — you choose which files get synced and which are available on-demand.

Files on Your Phone. Leave Your PC Behind.
How can you fit your laptop into your phone? With SugarSync, it’s automatic. View and share files located on any of your computers right on your phone’s browser — no phone software required. It’s a must have for on-the-go people.

Send any size file from anywhere!
In just a couple clicks, send files of any size, to anyone, from anywhere! Share files from any computer or mobile phone. There are no size limits and it’s much easier than FTP. Great for sending home videos and large presentations!

Do you work from the Cloud? What applications do you use and why?

Idea

WORLD-WIDE PUBLIC POLL
Submit Your Votes: on or around March 22-29, 2009

Nine finalist names will be selected, 3 from each grade range: k-3, 4-7, 8-12. Give NASA your feedback by ranking your favorites among the 9 candidate names, and you may just help determine the Grand Prize Winner!

WINNING NAME ANNOUNCED: on or around April 16th, 2009

WHO CAN ENTER: The Contest is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States who are between the ages of 5 and 18 years and are a registered student in a U.S. school, grades Kindergarten through 12th Grade (including U.S. Possessions and schools operated by the U.S. for the children of American personnel overseas). Entrants must get a parent’s or legal guardian’s permission to enter. Entrants must provide parental consent in form and substance suitable to Sponsors, in Sponsors’ sole discretion, in order to be confirmed as a prize winner.
Employees of Sponsors and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (3900 West Alameda Avenue, Suite 841; Burbank, California 91505) (the “Prize Provider”) and their affiliates, organizations, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies (collectively, the “Promotion Entities”) and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to enter the Contest or win a prize.

The naming contest is open to kids aged 5 to 18 who are registered students at U.S. schools. Your suggested name, plus an essay explaining the reason for the name, must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET Monday. Judges will sort through the entries and select nine finalists for consideration by the public in late March.

That’s when the grown-ups have a say: A “Public Poll” will be posted on the contest Web site in late May, and the public input will be one of the factors used to determine the winning name. The grand prize is a three-day, two-night trip to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Disneyland for the winner plus up to three other family members.

Light Lane for Cyclists

Other parts of the country may have a pleasant interaction between Cyclists and Motorists, each sharing the road, giving each other the right of way, smiling as they wave back and forth under rainbow colored skies.

Meanwhile, back in reality in Seattle, there is such a bone of contention between Cyclists and Motorists. Motorists believe Cyclists belong on the sidewalk (they don’t: law states they must use the road) and Cyclists believe Motorists are road hogs that go out of their way to ‘run over cyclists’ at any given moment and opportunity (they don’t: they’re just bigger and it looks that way).

Having these Lasers on the roadway itself would define the areas Bikes belong, thus solving all sorts of problems.

True, this post isn’t about PDAs, cell phones or smartphones, but it is about mobility and the cool use of Lasers. Light Lane’s company, Altitude, and developers Alex Tee and Evan Gant may be on to something. If they could figure out a way to lower the cost that is currently $5000 to 50,000 per mile, more ciites may be willing to adopt this unique strategy, although, i’m not sure if the lanes are beamed down from the bike or installed into the pavement. Either way, this idea is brilliant.

Seidios Innocell 2600mAh battery

Seidio’s Innocell product description promises quite a bit: “This 2600mAh Super Extended Battery provides up to 140% more capacity than the OEM battery that came with your phone! If you are a heavy user or tend to go for long periods without the ability to recharge, this battery is the solution for you! ”

As big a ‘back’ as it has, and at $55, it had better come through with it’s promises.

My Nokia 9500 Communicator can hold a charge for two weeks at a time, so Seidio’s 2600 battery should be similar. Research on the web has few specifications, but what I did find sounds promising for Blackberry owners. According to others, Seidio’s battery requires a special back cover as well.

If it brings more extended life to your handheld, I wouldn’t complain about looks. On the other hand, if you’re one that’s constantly considering what other think of how your phone or handheld looks, then the Innocell 2600mAh isn’t for you. There are tiny, thin phones out there, like my Nokia 7380 or the teeny tiny LG UP3.

Would you use the ‘baby bump battery’?

Believe it or not Lenovo makes cellphones, too — they just happen to be crappy ones you probably didn’t pay much attention to since they were mostly targeted at the Chinese market. Like many before it, the company is getting out of the absurdly competitive handset market by selling its cellphone group to private equity firm Hony Capital (that’s Hony, not Sony) for a cool $100m

Indeed it is true, Lenovo does make cell phones now, and they are the 3rd largest company that makes both Cell phones and computers, according to the Wall Street Journal anyways. But, its completely true that the Lenovo company has no idea how to model all of their laptops and such. Same with the phone, the Lenovo has a distinct “I”M A LENOVO” model look.

Not to bash on the IMB-LENOVO company right now, but they just don’t make their laptops look good at all, and I don’t know how they are the top of the business line by doing this, but they are. (It’s probably because most big companies buy the high end laptops for their employees, which are actually worth the money) Lenovo just needs to take a step out there and make their stuff look good, or else, they will eventually go down.

As engadget says above, the reason why we don’t see the Lenovo phones here are because they are not really that big here, but the Hony Capital in China is more than willing to pay 100 million for those production line phones. Now, I haven’t been to China to see if that is true, nor am I planning to go see if its true, but I believe we can trust Engadget is not making this up to fool those of us in the US.

But just to make sure, if you do live in China, and see the Lenovo phones a lot, feel free to discuss it in the comment box.
And just like always comments are welcomed and appreciated

If you are looking for the comparisons of the Mac operating system versus the Microsoft Operating systems, then you may have come to the wrong place, while there are many other innovative technological advances flying around here, the degradation of operating systems is not. Sorry

In higher hopes though, I might have a story that is going to get a little interest out of you considering you are either viewing this page through a Mac or an Microsoft operating system.

Taking a little personal role to this technology site, it might interest you to know that Macs are a lot more expensive than Microsoft.

Anyways here I was sitting in my college class learning about the latent learning of psychology, where suddenly the teachers as who in the class has a Mac. Almost half the kids raised their hands. Next, the teachers asked, who in the class would consider themselves in the lower class.

(here comes the good part)

Seven eighths of the people who had their hands raised for having Macs considered themselves to be in the lower class.

I thought to myself, what in the world is going on when kids in the lower class can afford to buy the most expensive laptops.

So, that just made me think, just because you pay more for your operating system doesn’t necessarily mean that you should be paying more for it. While I don’t want to get into the argument of why XP or VISTA are better than Macs, I should tell you that they are less expensive, and if you are looking for really extremely cheap, then maybe typing in the worlds “Asus EEE PC” into google would be a good start for you.

What is the point of having a laser? I can see it being used if you are a teacher teaching an enormous class or even in a lecture hall. But other than that, lasers seem pretty pointless, especially for a teenager to have.

It may be just that laser lights are cool simply because they notion that futuristic style of living. I have seen many lasers lights in my lifetime, but have never trounced upon to see one that is green, and you could see the beam of light it was projecting towards, until I heard about this laser.

After youtube-ing for the laser in its use several times, I found these videos which made me realize exactly how powerful this type of laser was. But before I do that, let me show you some pictures of the miracle in its casing.

Introducing the 95mW (green.)

Apparently, this type of laser has to be taken great use of because it comes with a Laser Glass protection glasses. I don’t think this would be the perfect thing to teach a chemistry class in a big lecture hall with. If mis-used, you could burn someone’s retina horribly.

Here is one more picture which shows you the beam of light that the laser produces when in use.

And finally, here is the youtube video that is so spectacular that is a must-see. If you are not amazed by this video, then you have obviously seen it before.

Unable to find the lowest price on ebay leads me to think that this is a very rare object, and can only be bought outside the US. I”m not quite sure where it is made, but by the looks of it, I would assume that it is over 30$ USD.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the post here at MobilityWatch. If you have never seen a pen that can last for 25 years, you might want to check this out.

The gorgeous colour screen is covered with tempered glass, and the 3-megapixel camera features image stabilisation, an LED flash and red-eye reduction. It’ll also play your MP3s and the whole lot’s just 10.9mm thick.

(says the following link

In light of the fast approaching Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, LG has unveiled the new model: LG-KF510. The LG-KF510 has LG’s new Interactive Touch Lighting technology. Meaning, depending on how the user touches the phone, the LEDs might change appearance. The camera phone, LG-KF510, measuring 10.9mm in depth, and will be available in the colors: Full Metal Frame, Stardust, Dark Gray Color, and Red Sunset. The model will be presented in the Mobile World Congress ‘08 in Barcelona.

(or says this link )

Well, take a look at the beautiful girls up there Yes, quite spectacular are the phones which they hold as well as the packages they have. THe LG phones are cute as the girls that the phones are being held by, what a coincidence right? Nope, its all about the advertisement issue right there. See, the more hot girls you get to hold your phone smiling, the more you will sell. Quite similar to what Apple does right? (well, close enough… )

Stardust Dark Gray or Sunset Red What a beautiful set of colors to choose from right? Well, maybe they should include a vibrant yellow, or even a Sky Blue Blue. Well, anyways, this phone is come to release in March of this year, although we are not sure the price range of the phone just yet. Regardless to say, we can all assume that the cost of the phone will be less than the cost of the iPhone, but definitely over $100.

These days, its not really that we need our phones to do things such as go on the internet, holds a ton of GB of songs, and play video, its just that we, rather, want them to do this kind of extra gadget-ry things.

So, as general advice, save your money for something that you do really need instead of things that you don’t really need, and be sure to keep in mind that never buy an Apple product no matter how much it seems like its a really good technology, because, to be honest, its not that far out there, in fact, there are so many companies that are better than Apple that you just have not heard of.

Please feel free to leave any comments if you have any questions as all, just like always, are welcomed and appreciated