NYT’s New HQ

NYT Lobby

I’ve been checking out the NYT’s new HQ on my daily commute and was finally able to get inside to see how things are progressing. The building has been under some sort of construction for quite a while now and looks like it’s getting close to completion. The outside is a very modern looking structure and the inside is really very sleek. There’s an appropriately named video sculpture called “Moveable Type” which displays current content from the paper.

Here’s a quick video I captured from my phone… An evening outside shot follows.

New York Times

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Cablevision offers Day and Date On Demand — for DVD’s With Physical Fulfillment

Update – Movies are 21.95 on average and the selection is limited.  As I noted in the original post, my choice would be to just pre-order the movie from Amazon and you can have the full quality DVD at your door on the same day it’s released — for less money.

I woke up to an email from Cablevision this morning offering a new on-demand service called Popcorn DVDs OnDemand.

Popcorn DVDs on Demand

As you can see from the email ad, you can do an on demand showing of a new DVD release the day it’s out which is nice, though I can’t tell whether this is an HD (I doubt it) option or just a standard viewing. I’m not expecting an HD Disc like option here, but we do actually have HD ONDemand service with some movies and the quality is considerably better as well as actually widescreen.

I’ve signed up – had to add a credit card to my profile which seems silly when they already have my billing and shipping info from the monthly bill…. I guess that as a 3rd party, Popcorn either chose or could not access the billing backend.

You are now ready to experience the ease and convenience of Popcorn DVDs On Demand, available through the Movies On Demand menu on iO® Channel 500. Just select a movie from Popcorn DVDs On Demand and watch the movie immediately on demand. Then, Popcorn will deliver the DVD to your home within 5-9 business days. So, you get to watch it now, and own it forever.

I like the idea of physical fulfillment from an online order and would love to actually see this with other types of services like Music so I can get immediate gratification and then still have an archival copy for more critical listening. With movies though, I’m actually a tad skeptical on this particular idea as it seems to be coming a bit late to the party. This is for DVD releases rather than in-cinema and thanks to Amazon, I’ve been able to get physical fulfillment on the day of release for over a decade.

I’ll check out the system tonight when I get home and see if I’ve missed anything critical here. I’m hoping there’s a minimal charge for the on-demand and perhaps even a discount on the disc, though somehow I doubt that the convenience equals any financial break, but rather an opportunity for the various parties (including the MPAA) to make more money from the same thing)

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Google Sync For Blackberry

Gogle Sync for Blackberry

If you browse to the Google Mobile Site on your blackberry today, you’ll see a Sync app at the bottom of the page. Once installed your Blackberry will be able to automatically sync all your calendars to the Google Calendar in the sky. Initially it syncs your main calendar, but it’s easy with the options setting to choose additional calendars if you like. Sync seems to happen in the background and automatically just like you already know with the rest of the blackberry PIM system syncs.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Google Maps Send to TomTom confirms the need for a connected GPS

When I first read the news on the Google Maps TomTom integration I was pretty excited. While I use a variety of devices I have a TomTom 510 in my car and could definitely see sending myself details from my computer, phone or tablet on the go as new POI or places of interest. The excitement ended though when I realized how this actually works. It’s sync and go. Syncing, or even backing up my GPS is not even remotely close to something I do with any regularity. When new maps or features are announced I check them out, but usually the TomTom stays in my car.

I don’t understand why I can’t send directly through my phone’s data connection which is used for a variety of other services like traffic and weather. I can’t imagine that the location and name info is more than a few hundred kilobytes and could easily be bluetoothed or actually downloaded in a more active setting.

BMW actually uses their Drive Assist program to do exactly this:

While I realize this is not only model specific, but country (Germany only) specific as well. I’m not familiar with how Drive Assist works, but assume it’s a subscription like you find in other enhanced services within various cars. If there was a standard format to manage POI it would be pretty simple to “beam” a contact card or saved location from my N95 to the TomTom or even my Nokia Tablet’s GPS system, but sadly there is co compatibility with any of these devices except to get a data connection for updating traffic.

I see a near term future where Nokia’s recent acquisition of Navteq connects all of these dots. The device already knows where I am… The device can speak to the network to update additional info as needed and lastly if I am using more than one thing, the devices speak to each other Once we can nail down “the basics” in connected navigation we are likely to see other things like user contributed updates, enhanced services and of course advertising.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

ATT “Opens” their Network

ATT starts the morning with what seems like a fantastic announcement:

Starting immediately, AT&T (T) customers can ditch their AT&T phones and use any wireless phone, device and software application from any maker — think smartphones, e-mail and music downloading. And they don’t have to sign a contract.

“You can use any handset on our network you want,” says Ralph de la Vega, CEO of AT&T’s wireless business. “We don’t prohibit it, or even police it.”

AT&T’s push to give consumers maximum control of their wireless worlds is being driven, in part, by Google. The tech giant is a monster in the Internet search business for personal computers, and is hoping to replicate that success in the wireless market.

Google (GOOG) recently announced plans to link arms with more than two dozen wireless companies, including Sprint (S), with the goal of developing an operating system that lets consumers use any application on mobile devices, much as they now do on PCs. Other partners include Japanese cellphone giant DoCoMo and handset maker Samsung.

Everything that Google has promised to bring to the wireless market a year from now AT&T is doing today, de la Vega says. “We are the most open wireless company in the industry.” [USATODAY.com]

As most power users know, it’s been possible to BYO device for years on the GSM networks. I’ve had many devices on both TMO and Cingular / ATT for the past few years alone and just swap the sim card as I go. It’s also no secret that I’ve been using my iPhone SIM with the N95-3 since it was released. I wonder if this announcement today provides any ammunition for my argument on unlocking the SIM card to get MMS working. Or perhaps a second SIM to use in rotation so I can have full access to the services my device supports when I decide to use a device for a particular purpose.

The key missing detail in this announcement is exactly how open the door might really be… Can I start a new account without contract / penalty and just use any device or is this a semantic PR deal that “lets” you change to any other device as an existing customer. I’m thinking the latter, but regardless it’s still a good move to the more mass consumer on what options exist.

Nokia has to be smiling this morning on this news as their entire messaging strategy around N-Series has been 100% Open.

Technorati Tags: , , , , ,

Nokia Internet Radio

Nokia released an official Internet Radio application (today?) which I’ve been checking it out tonight and definitely like what I see and hear! I had last used streaming internet radio on the N91, but that open source application lacked some polish as well as integration with my device as is found in today’s release. I’m hoping we’ll see deeper system integration with both podcasting and streaming radio in future devices as well as firmware releases.

Screenshot0077 Screenshot0080

As you can see from the above screenshot, there are preferences for setting the quality of the stream based on your connection type which is a very well thought out feature. This way you can simply choose a stream and not worry about which bandwidth option you need – unless of course that’s the way you have bookmarked things.

On first glance the included directory seems pretty similar to that of the Nokia Internet Tablet’s Media Player, which would make sense since that’s a managed Nokia resource. I was having problems getting the right URL for a Soma.fm stream and Zach suggested I try loading shoutcast on the mobile browser to find a link. The Nokia Internet Radio application registers itself as the default player for .pls so any link you click from now on will automatically be played. Very cool!

Streaming on the phone (rather than just via the phone to my Tablet) was the one missing media opportunity in my all Nokia media move. I’m glad to have it on the N95 and will continue to test various connections while enjoying my favorite internet radio stations on the go!

Technorati Tags:
, , , , , ,

Ultimate Mobile Charger?

Martin Geddes seeks the Ultimate Mobile Phone Charger… Here it is:

Proporta and N810

Proporta’s Mobile Device Charger is hands down the best accessory I’ve ever purchased for a mobile device. It’s a 3400mAH battery that charges over USB and offers a retractable cable (connecting over USB as well) to charge Nokia (large and small tip), Sony Ericsson, iPod / iPhone or any device that charges over USB. It also offers pass-through charging so while it’s charging you can also power-up one of your devices.

In my daily commute, I use it to power my N95 while tethering over bluetooth to the N810 or N800. This keeps the N95’s battery at 100% for when I need it during the day. The hour of (EDGE / 3.5G) DUN connectivity can really take a toll on the battery and this keeps things easily full. I can stream internet radio (again over DUN) from the tablet via the N95, maintain a live Mail For Exchange connection, upload at will to flickr via Shozu and stay current on my podcast subscriptions. In the car, I can use the Proporta to charge or maintain one device, while using my cigarette adapter on another for longer trips or on the way home from a full day of business travel. On a cross country flight I know I’ve got plenty of power to keep things charged without having to compromise my desired usage in any way.

It’s great to know that I can use the devices I want as hard as I want / need and always have plenty of juice to spare as the Proporta is like having two more full batteries in a single package. I love that this device is small enough to fit inside a jacket pocket if you need it and easily fits in a gadget bag or briefcase without adding any real weight.

If you are a power user like me, this is the ultimate accessory to keep things connected and powered up as long as your day might last! Jeremiah had initially shown me this device in LA and I ordered one soon after I returned. It’s an essential piece of kit. I can’t recommend it enough.

Technorati Tags:
, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PDF Text Ads?

I think I will have to see this in action before passing final judgment, but I don’t like the way this sounds at all. Feels like we are moving backwards.

Now, publishers will be able to show ads alongside their PDFs without selling and inserting the ads themselves, by uploading the PDF content to Adobe’s Web site to ad-enable it, then distributing the PDFs as they previously did — an easier and less costly option. Advertisers, meanwhile, can use Yahoo’s existing self-service ad system to buy text ads that will run in a panel to the right of the PDF, when it is viewed in Acrobat or Reader. Yahoo will use the text of the PDF to place contextual ads that are relevant to the subject matter of the PDF — similar to the text ads that run in blogs, for instance. For example, the editor of a newsletter for car enthusiasts could send out the newsletter at no charge and make money through the ad system, which might display ads for car accessories. [WSJ.com

Why not just PDF the site page which may already have an ad on it and create a special print option for the ad instead of a separate whole process. It’s not surprising that traditional publishers are the first people signing up instead of straight online players. No mention of any actual advertisers… wonder if this will be positioned as “value ad” rather than something people are initially looking to buy. I wonder actually if this is more of a way to justify offering more “free” content from from an inside the publisher view — even though more people would prefer web access — of course outside of printed periodicals or books. They don’t say what content will be used here…

Chase – Why would you design an HTML email like this?

In general this email is fine but with two glaring errors in my view that kill any chance for the recipient to appreciate what’s here.

Chase email - WTF?

As you can see from my callouts, the blue text in the paragraph highlighting the “what’s new” feature is NOT a link. Why? Why make it different and not provide a way for me to learn what the heck you are even talking about?

(I’m pretty sure that blink is the RFID / NFC system that lets you tap and pay with the card instead of swiping and signing… guess I’ll have to wait and see.)

Technorati Tags:
, , ,

Verizon opening their network…

Just caught this interesting snippet on the VZ…

Verizon “will provide customers the option to use, on its nationwide wireless network, wireless devices, software and applications not offered by the company.” This could be seen as a reaction to upcoming Android phones but probably won’t be accessible to the average hobbyist, as devices will need to be “tested and approved in a $20 million state-of-the-art testing lab” before being activated on the network. [CrunchGear ]

The CrunchGear post actually says it won’t be happening until the end of next year, but it’s still a very cool piece of news. Sprint was the first to announce this but it’s unfortunately for their Wimax network which may be DOA at this point. I hope more carriers get it that as we mature in our interests and use scenarios, we just want the network like we get broadband at home. Nokia does not have any interesting CDMA devices (currently anyway) which is a shame for S60 fans, but there are plenty of cool toys out there that take advantage of EVDO.

I’m willing to pay to play … but want my choice of what devices I get to have.

All Nokia Media

I decided last week that I wanted to simplify my mobile media experience and ordered a 6GB microSD card so i could my N95-3 and N810 for evrything instead of also carrying my iPhone just for a few albums and podcasts. I’ve had an iPod since it was first released and have had my computer media experiece live inside iTunes. The full Apple ecosystem is strong and I’m a firm advocate of sync and go … Or at least I was.

For the most part the songs and albums stay the same on my ipod and it’s really podcasts that change with any real frequency – daily to weekly as things update. I thouht the 6GB card would be mainly in the tablet vs the phone as I started planning this but thus far (day 3) my plan has shifted a bit back to the phone. I’ve actually ordered a second 6GB card to use in the tablet so I don’t have to share and so each device can focus on some key pieces of the experience. A surprise arrived on Friday as well in the form of the Nokia N81 8GB which is designed to optimize the mobile music experience and I’ve been playing with that along with the N95.

Music and Video

Right now I have music on both phones and a limited amount of converted video on the tablet. The phones serve as really nice music players – quality seems solid on both. I have yet to do an A/B test as my recently updated iPhone (1.1.2) has not been reactivated… I’ve yet to swap its sim back from the N95 to complete the activation process!

The Nokia podcasting application does a great job importing my opml from iTunes and is able to update on a schedule or manually with a wifi connection or via cellular data. I’ve been manually switching things between wifi at home and cell on the go so I can get the latest stuff for my commute. Since I am unable to install anything on the work machine and do not have an itunes there’s no way to get an updated set of podcasts … Or even a quick download during the day on the iPhone. The Nokia phones however easily take care of business without the assistance of a computer which has really been quite awesome.

The N81 integrates podcasts directly into the music player which is something I’m hoping makes it back upstream to the N95 with a firmware update. In either case you can access podcasts as a genre and using the keypad you can live search through your collection of both music and podcasts. The Nokia Podcasting app also supports video which works nicely too though I’ve gone into the app to playback rather than use the music player which does not show video. When there’s an update to the Nokia Video Center application for the latest tablet OS2008, I will also subscribe there and predict my viewing preference will be the tablet’s larger screen.

Movies and TV shows are pretty easy to convert for the N810. Unfortunately video does have to be converted which takes time, but is relatively straight forward with the right tools. MediaConverter is probably the simplest to use and with the promise of making a file the tablet can play it’s hard to pass on it. Handbrake and (if you use Windows) Nokia’s new video conversion application also work well though if Hanbrake is your preference you might want to copy the settings from one of the other apps to make sure you get playable files.

Phone + Media Player

Like you would expect the Nokia phones pause and resume playback for phone calls much like the iPhone… So there’s no magic there, but it works relieably and well. The N81 has a dedicated music button next to the naviwheel and the N95’s multimedia key serves the same purpose. I discorvered today that a press and hold which brings up the music player on the N95, can also bring you right back to your previous application … A nice and I am sure not well known function.

The more I’ve used the phones as media players I can really see the potential benefit to an A2DP headset which would deliver stereo sound and also let me handle calls without switching things around my ear. My Shure E4C earphones are great but if I knew or needed the flexibility daily a wireless single unit would be killer.

What’s missing?

Amazingly the N81 is not supported by Nokia’s recently updated Multimedia Transfer application which would let me take advantage of playlist syncing as well as photos through iPhoto (though I use Aperture). While the N95 is supported, I’ve chosen to maintain a parallel experience and did a bulk copy (~4GB) using mass transfer mode on the N81 and a card reader for the N95. As it happens my mac mini media server crapped out at home so I had the external media drive on my desk and did a hunt and find to then drag over on both devices. This process took considerably longer than it would in iTunes to find what I first wanted and then actually to copy over. The Mac finder estimated over 2hours and after about 30 min I walked away. When I returned both were ready to roll. Sync is a really great thing to have and I hope that the Nokia Multimedia Transfer application (which has also been brutally slow for me) supports the N81 or that Nokia develops an actual plugin for itunes much like they did for iSync.

Copying video to the N810 was also done through a card reader and I will continue to do that as the video files I am using for my mobile needs are not really things I want clogging up iTunes.

Final thoughts

Outside of the initial bulk load, day to day use has been a pleasure. Music and podcasts are easy to access and update and video podcasts as well as converted video on the tablet all play well. Since I am already well converted as a two-piece mobile user, this plan works great for me though there’s no reason why the phone alone would not also do a lot of good. Of course you can’t playback any iTunes Store content as there is no Apple DRM access on anything other than their mobile devices, but that’s far from a deal breaker for me. Most of my content is from my own physical media collection and Amazon’s MP3 has an excellent DRM-free collection for “need it now” moments. I’ll probably dabble with the Nokia Music store when it eventually works in the US, but I’m less of a fan of Windows DRM.

Just as a sidenote, this entire post was written on the N810. That’s definitely not something I ever considered with the iPhone.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nokia SportsTracker Community

Nokia Sports Tracker Beta

There’s a pretty cool update from Nokia Beta Labs SportsTracker application which now also includes an online social service. You can make friends, share and download workouts and keep track of your progress all through the site and your phone.

I noticed in my quick scan that there are quite a few additional exercises from the main ones listed on the installed application and you can easily import your gpx file from either your phone or compatible GPS device which makes the SportsTracker Community open to anyone – even if it’s branded Nokia. This looks pretty similar to what Nike has done with their Nike Plus application for iPod, though there’s no playlist connection currently. Seems that would be a pretty easy thing to add given there’s a music player installed on all the phones already.

I’ll have to start tracking my commute walk, which is clearly not a workout, but (ahem is exercise and) will give me a good baseline on how this works initially.

Hat Tip to Eseries

Technorati Tags:
, , , , , , , , , ,

Sony Reader PRS-505

I was in Borders this morning with the kids and saw they had the new Sony Reader. It’s remarkably thin and the display is gorgeous! Not sure this short video gives enough of an impression on how great the screen looks… The interface seemed a bit on the slow side, but I am not sure that really matters on something like this.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Amazon device as a comparison. Sony Connect is not something I’m looking to deal with and this would make much more sense for my wife than me, based her volume of reading.

Technorati Tags:
, , , , ,

Nokia N82 revealed through a Virtual Live Event!

This morning while on the train, I was able to join the Virtual live event for the Nokia N82 launch via my Nokia N810 tablet connected over DUN to the N95. A pretty cool way to experience something like this and I believe I’m the only one who even attempted this.

Nokia virtual event streaming via 3G to the N810!

The event has a pretty massive array of streaming content, downloads and a rather active chat. Initially I thought I’d be missing the actual experience as the page took quite a while to load – even once my 3G service activated while heading south to NYC. Anyway – a very cool way to enable a much broader audience to take part in something only a few would have been able to do otherwise.

Now, the N82 is one hot device! It’s basically everything you get from the N95, in a candybar form, like the N73 before it. You get GPS, Wifi with VOIP capabilities, 100MB of dynamic memory for as you need it power! The addition of the Xenon flash is also killer and sure to improve your image capture — and a real hero feature for the device. I hope this is standard for N-Series moving forward. Reading the spec sheet I see that Nokia is also going to pre-load maps for your region on a memory card which is a great way to enhance your out of the box experience. This is exactly what they are doing on the N810 – which matches the N82 very nicely by the way!

The only bummer on the N82 is that it’s not going to support US 3G which makes it impossible for me to consider for the time being. Regardless though, for the rest of the world, (and the vast majority of Nokia’s market share) this is a killer mobile!