Here are a few pics of the Holiday Lights in Grand Central from last night… taken with the Nokia N73
Technorati Tags: Flickr, Grand Central Station, Holiday Lights, N-Series, N73, New York, Nokia, Shozu
Sample N80ie images
All taken outside a few days back. In general, the camera is easy to use, but the lack of any zoom control makes it a tad frustrating. Still the results are good… Indoors requires some considerable light as with most phone cameras… I’ll try to snap some shots this weekend to share.
No 3G for me…at least not today
Low Battery!
The low battery message is unfortunately something I’ve seen on all the Nokia mobile phones I’ve used (E61, N91, N80) that have WiFi except the N93, which I suspect is because it has the largest battery. It seems it’s just something you need to understand how to limit in order to maximize the battery, but it’s still something that makes we wary about having a full day ahead and no charge capability. Tomorrow I’ll be on the go for the day and expect to use my phone for a few important calls, a lot of email (GMail Mobile) and probably a bunch of other things like Shozu and SMS.
Today I was a bit heavy on Gmail, had 2 calls and tried to take a few pictures and was in the process of uploading to Flickr with Shozu when I got the low battery message — it was only 2:30pm. I had charged the N80 overnight as I do almost every day with all my in rotation phones and was not psyched to see this…
The only thing that comes to mind immediately here is the Smartroaming app which I have set to use Wifi if I am in range at home. WiFi scanning is set to off… GMail does not auto-refresh so it’s unlikely that this is the demon, but man something is seriously draining the battery.
Given my current comfort with the N80i this week I’ve decided to bring the N73 instead. I recently spent the better part of the weekend with Gmail, SMS, Shozu and some calls without a recharge … It feels like a few days to a few hours. Not good.
Technorati Tags: Nokia, N80, Gmail, Shozu, Flickr, WiFi, N-Series, N73
Nokia N80ie Overview
Mobile Usage Habits
I’ve been using a lot of mobile devices lately and it struck me today somewhat obviously actually, but I am a massive data user — far more than voice. Consider this – since getting the N80ie yesterday the only phone number I’ve added to it was actually my YouMail voicemail number — not the Cingular number (or my phonebook) stored on the SIM. Instead of even thinking about syncing my addressbook over, I instead focused on getting my core apps installed so the device would be familiar to the way I’ve been using all the N-Series devices. Here’s the basic list of apps I use everyday:
- GMail Mobile
- Handy Taskman
- Handy Weather
- Handy Clock
- Shozu
- Birdstep Smartroaming — with WiFi you want to be able to use a single access point and let the device find the quickest available wherever you are.
- GooSync sync profile so I can sync my calendar from Google…
I get text alerts from Google Calendar for when I need to be somewhere and YouMail also sends a callerID text for voicemails which is quite nice.
Nokia N80ie First Thoughts
I received my Nokia N80 Internet Edition yesterday via the Nokia Blogger relations program and have been very happy using it for the past 24 hours. It’s a tad chunky compared to the N73 but quite a bit shorter. As you can see it’s a slider style device so the number pad is initially hidden underneath the main function buttons.
The N80ie is essentially the same as the N80 though the Internet Edition designation includes some built in apps right from the get-go.. The N80 has a quad-band radio so you know if there’s a signal you’ll connect, plus the addition of WiFi for those beefier data needs like VOIP with Gizmo Project which comes ready to be installed with a few clicks. I’ve actually installed it, but for some reason cannot activate the service. If you’ve solved this one, please let me know.
My only gripe is that with WiFi on, you’ll have a tough time making it a day on a single charge. If you use it judiciously (like only when you really need it) you should be fine.
I’ll post some more later tonight including a video I shot…
Technorati Tags: Gizmo Project, Mobile, N-Series, N80, Nokia, VOIP
Cingular 3G Launches in NY, CT, and MA
Most excellent news today!!
Cingular has officially launched 3G HSDPA networks in most of the NY metro area, almost all of Connecticut, and most of Massachusetts. [The Boy Genius Report]
I’ll have to start checking my various Nokia phones to see whether I am connecting at more than EDGE… I just check the coverage map and parts of Jersey and all of Manhattan are lit up. Nothing north (where I live) yet, but hopefully soon. I’ll be in the city later in the week and am hoping for a speed boost!
Technorati Tags: 3G, Cingular, HSPDA, N-Series, N73, N80, N93, Nokia
Hard drive meltdown!!
I am currently suffering a hard drive meltdown…
All my digital bits are surprisingly ad hoc and the drive that is failing currently stores ALL my digital music — about 160GB give or take a few GB 201GB. It’s a 250GB Ximeta Netdisk that I’ve been running in USB mode to a Mac Mini and the drive seems to be whirling up and down without a reliable connection. I’ve gotten it to connect to my computer a few times, though the finder has actually locked up while in the process…
I’ve got two other drives here, though only my 200GB LaCie Firewire can handle the content — once I kill or move what’s on it. That drive had a backup of an older iPhoto library (moved to my 120GB drive now) as well as a slew of archived DVDs which I am actually deleting as I own them and can re-rip. I’m hopeful that the Ximeta will stay connected long enough to transfer the content over, but I am not that hopeful unfortunately. All my purchased content is on my iPod so that’s cool and most of the collection is ripped from my CDs, which are sitting in my garage in “storage†while our basement is being worked on.
UPDATE — I’m screwed unless I can figure out a very creative plan. I’ve got the drive mounted, but there is way more stuff than I’ve got room to move at the moment. I think I’ve figured a consistent technique for getting the Ximeta back online, so I feel reasonably comfortable taking it offline tonight in order to let it stay cool, but I need a new hard drive in the am in the worst way.
Take some advice here kids — get a backup plan going…
I’ve been eyeing a nice Infrant NAS RAID which really would be saving my ass right now if I had just purchased it a month ago.
Technorati Tags: Backup, NAS, LaCie, Infrant, Ximeta, DVD, music
Pay by Mobile…
If you are a current Cingular subscriber, live in the New York Metro and also happen to have a Mastercard with PayPass, you can sign up for the next phase of the system which will give you a new Nokia phone capable of working within the PayPass system. I’ve got two of the three covered, but without an existing PayPass account I can’t sign up… Gearlog has a few more details, or you can sign up right here.
This seems like a pretty cool implementation. I hope it does not really change the physical aspects of the mobile too much to incorporate the PayPass system… too bad you need a new phone to play.
Technorati Tags: Cingular, Marketing, Mastercard, New York
Flickr: The Wii Motion Pool
Flickr: The Wii Motion Pool – just hit slideshow and sit back…
Free Agent
I am officially a free agent.
I am currently considering career options and feel like this is the ideal point for me to make a change. I’m looking for something that will enable my passion for technology and my experience in marketing to live nicely together — hopefully in a highly entrepreneurial environment. I’m not sure where it will all net out, but am looking forward to the journey. If you know of anything that might be a good fit, please let me know!
Wired Test
Happy Browsing!
Wired Test started with a simple goal: to be the most authoritative guide to the universe of gear and gadgets. From the hottest of cell phones to the latest in hybrid cars, we scoured the landscape to find the new, the essential, and the just plain cool. [Wired Test]
ShoZu vs. Mobup
Stefan from Ring Nokia thinks Shozu needs to watch their back now that Mobup has been released. I can’t say that I agree… In fact I can’t see this threatening Shozu in any way. The only feature Shozu does not have is the GPS integration which granted is quite cool, but far from critical.
Where Shozu shines is with native camera use – it’s seemless and the last thing I want to do it overcomplicate opening the shutter by first having to open an application to take a picture. You also get full access to your gallery of images for uploading later if you like and of course the fact that it runs as a service so when you snap a pic or shoot a video you can upload it on the spot which is totally kick-ass. You can also use the full picture size (vs. mobup maxing out at 640×480) which is great considering I can shoot 3.2MP.
One other key point of difference, pictures I take in Shozu actually upload. I tried three images and all failed to leave the N73.
Shozu now also supports video which means you can upload (less than 4MB) files right to YouTube if you like. I previous noted some S60 photoblog apps, and Meaning was one that could do the GEO Tag via GPS, but unfortunately does not work in S60v3.
Technorati Tags: Flickr, Meaning, MobUp, N73, Nokia, NSeries, photoblog, Shozu, Youtube
Drive-in
Lifehacker’s Download of the Day is an app called Drive-in which at first glace seems like it’s pretty slick – and don’t get me wrong visually it is. The idea is not new, archive your DVD collection to enable ease of access on your computer. Longtime readers here will recall Matinee which is still a very simple way to access your archived DVD (video_ts) folders.
My beef with Drive-in is three-fold. First, it cannot import existing files you’ve already archived. At roughly 30min per DVD I can’t see running the archival process again for all but the slickest of upgrades. Second, they claim Front Row support, but it’s better to simply just open the damn Apple DVD player based on their instructions for getting it to work:
- Eject all DVDs and mounted DVD images by selecting them in the Finder, and dragging them to the Trash icon in the dock.
- Launch Drive-in.
- Choose File->Open DVD Case… to open the desired movie.
- Select the DVD image that you would like to play from the list on the right, and press the Play button in the toolbar. This will insert the DVD image, launch DVD Player, and begin playing your movie.
- Bring up Front Row by using the Apple Remote Control, or by holding down the Command key and pressing the Escape key. You can now navigate to your DVD and play it.
If you choose to even try this, realize it will run $50 when released from beta. No thanks. Matinee is $10 shareware and works with standard (and existing) archival files. I can easily pass on Front Row support…
Technorati Tags: Apple, Drive-In, Front Row, Media Center, puppy
Nokia Communication Suite
Andy points to a very cool Nokia announcement coming from NokiaWorld today… The Nokia Communication Suite!
“The use of broadband Internet access for voice communication is here to stay, and Nokia recognizes that traditional operators – both mobile and fixed – can swim in these waters as well.
“At the same time, IP gives operators better control over how their network resources are used – an important consideration as multimedia services proliferate and data traffic grows.”
By using IP, internet telephony can support calls, video sharing, video calls, instant messaging, presence, file sharing, and other multimedia services.
With Nokia Communication Suite, users can make and receive VoIP calls and other services from their PCs using their existing mobile number. Calls to their mobile number can be answered with either their mobile or PCsoftphone.
Operators can offer both PC-PC calls, calls to mobile phones, or calls to traditional telephones at competitive rates and can bundle additional services as well.
Other services can be charged to same account as the subscriber’s fixed or mobile calls, simplifying their billing and avoiding the need to set up separate, pre-paid accounts for VoIP service. Nokia’s Communication Suite can also allow travelling subscribers to avoid roaming charges for mobile calls when abroad. [Computing.co.uk]
I hope this is not carrier dependent and something we can just use… oh and Mac support please!
Nokia On Board GPS
If you’ve yet to consider how helpful it might be to have an on board GPS system in your mobile, check this out…
Sure there’s a small glitch at the end, but this is a soon to be released product that will most certainly improve. I like that Nokia has built in a content store beyond just the installed POI which should make for some nice incremental sales as people travel about.
How To: Update Nokia N73 Firmware to Music Edition
Only for the very brave… The NokiaBlog gives a run down on how to update the firmware on your stock N73 to make it work like the music edition.
I like my N73 way too much to chance this. Firmware updates are already hairy enough with warnings like don’t touch the phone or cable at the risk of bricking your phone. I already have one bricked device and it’s enough for me.
Got Gear Will Travel
As I read Oliver’s post on MobileCrunch, I realized that I am not alone in packing gadgets and accessories for a trip. As I packed for my recent trip to Iceland I geared up for the adventure specifically (mainly with International adapters), but actually carry a similar load on most days. Here’s the core gear I brought along:
- Nokia E61 – My main work device. I use it for Exchange sync via MailforExchange, calls, browsing and the occasional VOIP call. I use the mobile Gmail client to check my personal mail as well as
- Nokia N73 – I swap my SIM to this baby for my personal use and actually consider it the current champ in Nokia’s arsenal of devices. I love the size, camera and connectivity – amazing reception! On my trip I bailed on the E61 once I realized that there was not an abundance of WiFi (as in none) and used this to snap pics which were then auto-uploaded to Flickr via Shozu.
- Nokia N93 – The camera is definitely better than the N73 and takes larger size images and videos, but the size is less comfortable in my pocket. Also as a Cingular customer, I am lacking the 850 band which enables far better reception on the N73. I do really like what this device can do, but given the choice as I have been, I prefer the N73. I still brought it thinking I would have a chance to do some video capture as we toured around…
- Nokia BH-800 – My Bluetooth headset
- Nokia 770 Internet Tablet – This is one of my favorite devices. While I wish there was a slide out keyboard, it’s great for what I use it for which is reading news feeds, listening to streaming audio, reading email (short replies via stylus) and VOIP calls via Gizmo — I was able to call my wife from the airport in Reykjavik through Gizmo which worked great.. It’s quite small considering all that it packs and can easily connect via bluetooth to any of my phones or use WiFi when it’s around.
- Nokia LD1W GPS – Awesome for Wayfinder on the phones as well as Maemo Mapper on the 770
- Nikon D70s – I knew going to Iceland was not something you get to do every week so I brought this excellent camera along to capture some high res keepers.
- Nintendo DS – Games!
- 60GB 5G iPod – I actually watched my first movie from the ITMS on the way home… Cars.
I recently removed both the N70 and N90 from my backpack which I don’t actually find myself using much these days but had them in there for comparison with some of the newer NSeries units. I also carry a pretty vast array of cables and connectors and a Sprint EVDO card along with a Powerbook (no work issue MacBookPro yet).
As you might expect, I’m used to getting stopped at security and having everything swabbed for explosives. I don’t think the TSA appreciates seeing so much gear at one time in a single bag. Interestingly one of my colleagues was traveling with two laptops and did not get stopped so I’ve concluded it’s the cables and smaller things that make them nervous. I’m sure it’s odd to see someone with 3+ phones and an internet tablet (a what!?) but it’s all normal for me… 😉
Technorati Tags: E-Series, E61, N-Series, N70, N73, N90, N93, Travel, VOIP