PalmOne released the Tungsten T5 today as the official successor to T3… No Wifi, but a nice amount of memory (256MB) Documents to Go 7 and a feature than enables the the both device and SD card to be seen as a removable drive on any computer regardless of whether the Palm Desktop has been installed. The Universal Connector is gone after a brief 3 years… so accessories are going to have to be purchased yet again.
Open Source and Just About Off the Grid
Thanks to Om for the link to Cringley on this one… I’ve got serious geek envy!
Like many of us, Andrew Greig put a WiFi access point in his house so he could share his broadband Internet connection. But like hardly any of us, Andrew uses his WiFi network for Internet, television, and telephone. He cancelled his telephone line and cable TV service. Then his neighbors dropped-by, saw what Andrew had done, and they cancelled their telephone and cable TV services, too, many of them without having a wired broadband connection of their own. They get their service from Andrew, who added an inline amplifier and put a better antenna in his attic. Now most of Andrew’s neighborhood is watching digital TV with full PVR capability, making unmetered VoIP telephone calls, and downloading data at prodigious rates thanks to shared bandwidth. Is this the future of home communications and entertainment? It could be, five years from now, if Andrew Greig has anything to say about it. [PBS | I, Cringely]
Control Your Slim Server via iTunes
I’ve used my SliMP3 for quite a while now and have enjoyed streaming music on my home network as well as remotely since even before I purchased my player. The typical manner to control what plays has been through the hardware remote, the software player (now built in) or via the Web UI. Things just got very interesting and you can now control what plays on your slim players by choosing the easiest method I can think of – iTunes.
A guy named Anton F. van der Kraaij wrote this AppleScript which when saved as an application and left to run, will queue the same selection on your hardware.
Here’s the script – Thanks Anton!
-- Begin of Script
-- iSlimServer: Control SlimServer from iTunes
-- Plays whatever song is currently playing in iTunes on the SlimServer
-- Copyright Anton F. van der Kraaij 2004
-- Thanks to a script by Barry Brown for inspiration and help from Oscar Marsch
--
-- This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
-- it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-- the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or
-- (at your option) any later version.
--
-- This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-- but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-- MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-- GNU General Public License for more details.
--
-- INSTRUCTIONS:
-- Set your variables server_address and server_port to your situation
-- Save this script as an application, making sure to click 'stay open'
global server_address, server_port, current_file_track
set server_address to "127.0.0.1" -- This is the slimserver's address
set server_port to "9000" -- This is the slimserver's port
set current_file_track to ""
on idle
try
tell application "Finder"
if (get name of every process) contains "iTunes" then set okflag to true
end tell
if okflag then
-- iTunes is running. Check if it is playing a song.
tell application "iTunes"
if player state is paused or player state is stopped then
-- iTunes is not playing. Stop slimserver.
do shell script ("curl "http://" & server_address & ":" & server_port & "/status.html?p0=stop"")
set okflag to false
return 10
end if
end tell
end if
if okflag then
tell application "iTunes"
if class of current track is file track then
try
copy current track's location to file_path_of_track
on error errText
display dialog errText buttons {"Cancel"} with icon 0
end try
end if -- not a file track
-- return file_path_of_track
if (current_file_track is not file_path_of_track) then
-- File in iTunes is different than file on SlimServer.
-- Thus update variable
set current_file_track to file_path_of_track
-- convert mac path to unix path for use in URL with curl (be careful with special characters here)
set mac_path to (file_path_of_track as text)
set root to (offset of ":" in mac_path)
set rootdisk to (characters 1 thru (root - 1) of mac_path)
tell application "Finder"
if (disk (rootdisk as string) is the startup disk) then
set unixpath to "%2f" & (characters (root + 1) thru end of mac_path)
else
set unixpath to "%2fVolumes:" & mac_path
end if
end tell
set chars to every character of unixpath
repeat with i from 2 to length of chars
if item i of chars as text is equal to "/" then
set item i of chars to ":"
else if item i of chars as text is equal to ":" then
set item i of chars to "%2f"
else if item i of chars as text is equal to """ then
set item i of chars to "" & """
else if item i of chars as text is equal to "*" then
set item i of chars to "\*"
else if item i of chars as text is equal to "?" then
set item i of chars to "\?"
else if item i of chars as text is equal to " " then
set item i of chars to "%20"
else if item i of chars as text is equal to "+" then
set item i of chars to "%2b"
else if item i of chars as text is equal to "&" then
set item i of chars to "%26"
else if item i of chars as text is equal to "" then
set item i of chars to ""
end if
end repeat
set filetoplay to every item of chars as string
-- end conversion
-- Tell slimserver to stop current song and play the song currently playing in iTunes
do shell script ("curl "http://" & server_address & ":" & server_port & "/status.html?p0=stop"")
do shell script ("curl "http://" & server_address & ":" & server_port & "/status.html?p0=playlist&p1=play&p2=" & filetoplay & """)
end if
end tell
end if
end try
return 10
end idle
-- end of script
Scientific-Atlanta may give TiVo heave-ho with new DVR
I know I just got the 8000HD, but to be able to record and archive to DVD would be very handy…
Scientific-Atlanta’s next-generation DVR will record content to both a hard drive and a portable DVD so the content can be replayed on a variety of devices, including personal computers, home entertainment systems with DVD players, and portable DVD players. It’s also expected to play DVDs. [MSNBC]
T-Mobile Going PTT … in Europe anyway
I’d consider this a test… have to wait to see if people care for this over text before they roll into other areas like the US — though the US is much more voice oriented than Europe which has been quite comfortable with text.
T-Mobile is to become the latest European mobile operator to launch Push-to-Talk services. The Deutsche Telekom-owned wireless giant said this morning that it will launch the new “walkie-talkie” style services in Germany by the end of this year. The first handset available to offer the service will be the Nokia 5140, said the company. [3GNewsroom]
HD DVR in the House!
I traded 2 set-top boxes today for one that matches them both in features, the Scientific Atlanta 8000HD. Previously I was using both the 8000DVR and the 3100HD box. I now have 1 box that is a highly capable HD DVR.
Immediately the return to full-time HD watching is huge. Our preference was for the DVR features and with a baby, we’ve had to limit the amount of HD watching to allow for unexpected breaks. This box lets us eliminate the sacrifice, and just focus – literally – on the quality.
Picture quality is superb, but could be even better with a different television. I am using a Toshiba HD set purchased 4 years ago – so no DVI for me, though the SA box fully supports that. (I actually called Time Warner and inquired about this… it’s scheduled to be turned on in the near future – whatever that means. Instead I am using the Colorstream cables which are a series of 3 RCA cables for each piece of the color spectrum. S_Video is another option. There are 2 options for digital audio – coax and optical. I only have a single coax in on my integrated amp, and my optical cable is not working (argh!) so I am currently using the RCA out. Sound is still quite good and as I recall from my previous set-up HD has better sound as well as video.
For non-HD channels you can choose in the settings, whether you’d like to leave things in 4:3, stretch or zoom to fill the 16:9 screen you have. I chose zoom, since I hate the bars and find that stretch is way too distorted. There are a few widescreen options on my set with which I can further tweak the picture.
Otherwise, there’s a USB port on the front, but no FireWire, so we can’t even complain to get it turned on. There’s no schedule for the USB and even if there was a FW active port you would not be able to easily copy content to DV for DVD archival. There are clearly marked in/out options in the back. I am not sure what exactly you might drive in, but the out seems optimal for VHS archival, as if anyone uses that with an HD box.
That’s about it. The little I’ve watched to check things out, seems good. The DVR features are seemingly identical to the non-HD 8000.
Zensys Z-Wave home automation
I’m all about the magic and have thought about home automation quite a bit for home theater applications as well as many other conveniences and cool factors… This will have to go in to the ring for consideration.
Bachelors of the world hear this: this new 908.4-Mhz, UPnP-compliant home automation system from Z-Wave will make your X10 system look so 20th century. Because this system is completely wireless, you won%u2019t need to rewire your house (unlike X-10 systems). Each module acts as a repeater, so it re-broadcasts the signal to other hubs. The Deluxe Starter Kit includes two dimmable light switches and a remote. The kit will run you about $150, and additional modules are about $40. So invite the girls over, hit that switch, and let the magic begin. [ Engadget ]
Treo 650 Revealed!
A user over at TreoCentral posted quite a few shots of the Treo 650. It’s the Sprint version in case you were wondering who was likely to get it first…
PalmSource Builds New Browser 3.0 for Cobalt
The screenshot on this at PalmInfocenter says it all… nicely done PalmSource! Of course until we actually run it, it’s just specs…
Built on the ACCESS NetFront core technology, PalmSource Web Browser 3.0 offers enhanced graphics rendering and navigation capability for the wireless delivery of information and streaming media. PalmSource Web Browser 3.0 uses technologies such as page zooming, scalable fonts and ‘squeeze’ rendering, allowing users to eliminate horizontal scrolling for easier navigation. It also includes support for one handed operation, and multiple windows or Tabs and supports both web and WAP browsing.
PalmSource Web Browser 3.0 is designed to support the latest W3C standard specifications including WAP 2.0, HTML and XHTML, enabling mobile device users to browse operator portals or traditional Web content. Smartphone and smart mobile device users with wireless connectivity can browse Web and WAP pages to shop, download games and music, watch and listen to news, connect to corporate intranets and access email. Enterprises and wireless shoppers will benefit from increased security with support for SSL (Secure Socket Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) for secure communications and e-commerce transactions. PalmSource Web Browser 3.0 is also designed to support optional proxy settings for use in environments that require a proxy server. [PalmInfocenter.com]
Older Palm Devices To Get BlackBerry
Great news for older Palms… or Treos. While applications like Chatter and Snapper can do email even with the added security of SSL, many companies are supporting blackberry only for remote access. This will certainly change that and give users and IT departments a nice choice.
Research In Motion (RIM) said Monday that it will offer a version of its BlackBerry Connect software that will enable older Palm OS devices to access always-on e-mail.
Specifically, the company said it was working with Palm OS vendor PalmSource to make the software available in the aftermarket for existing Palm devices. The companies previously announced that BlackBerry support was being built into the latest version of the Palm OS. [Mobile Pipeline]
VOOM’s Network Enabled HD DVR
PVRBlog points to an amazing VOOM Demo Video for what’s coming in 2005.
Voom has partnered with Ucentric to create a multi-room DVR / Media sharing network. On Voom it works with a main DVR rig, or rigs which network together to share content to other rooms with either TVs or simply stereos since the platform can also share music and pictures in addition to TV content. The other rooms require the use of a thin client box which once activated gets its own stream on the network.
This is a very exciting prospect for the near future and from what I gathered from the video really means this stuff is not only close but actually looks easy to use. Feature highlights include being able to watch the same recorded show in different rooms at different paces and switching rooms to continue watching something.
The target box has a 160GB drive at the moment which they say holds about 30 hours of HD content. That seems pretty good to me… Unfortunately, it’s pretty unlikely that I’ll even have the option to switch to Voom or any satellite provider while living in my apartment. Ucentric lists partners on their site (not Voom for some reason) and include Comcast and Motorola, so perhaps these types of features will find themselves beyond mere test markets on the cable side as well. For now I’m hopeful that the HD DVR from Time Warner will hold me over. According to the Explorer 8000 mailing list it’s now trickling out…
iPodderX
I’ve mentioned iPodder previously and things have been getting very active in the development of tools to make life easier for the subscriber. iSpider (though it’s now been renamed back to iPodder) is now the current cross-platform app of choice, but there’s a new kid on the block for Mac OS X users…iPodderX. It has a great User Interface and can make things pretty easy to manage considering the number of moving parts involved with subscribing and downloading enclosures from the web to your system and directly into iTunes.
If you’ve been waiting for an easier way, this is it.
Palm OS Cobalt Gets Bluetooth 1.2
Brighthand mentions Palm now has official support for Bluetooth 1.2 which is great news for devices with BOTH Bluetooth and WIFI, though also good for ones with just Bluetooth as well.
In June, PalmSource announced it had licensed from Extended Systems the software necessary to allow future handhelds running the Palm OS to support Bluetooth 1.2. Now, the Bluetooth Qualification Program has given its approval to PalmSource’s Bluetooth Stack for Palm OS Cobalt (6.x), the next version of its operating system.
“By continuing to support the latest industry specifications, our software enables Palm OS licensees to deliver infrared and Bluetooth short-range wireless communications capabilities to the next generation of wireless device users,” said Charles Jepson, president and CEO of Extended Systems.
Bluetooth 1.2 offers better performance than earlier versions do when used at the same time as Wi-Fi. It does this with Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH), which was designed to reduce interference between wireless technologies sharing the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Cordless telephones, microwave ovens, and several versions of Wi-Fi, including IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g, generally share the same wireless frequencies as Bluetooth. AFH works within the spectrum to take advantage of the available frequencies without limiting the Bluetooth transmission to a set of frequencies occupied by other technologies. [Brighthand]
PDABuzz Reviews Palm Browsers
Kermit Woodall at PDABuzz does a very comprehensive review of the available browsers for Palm OS though neglects to review Blazer since he used a Zodiac and Blazer is really only used by the Treo these days.
No Skype for Palm…
Skype has now corrected the earlier reports that a Palm OS version was coming next month… It’s not looking too good for anytime soon either.
Last week, several Skype developers posted comments in their company’s forums saying that the ABC News report was in error.
At this point, Skype Technologies doesn’t seem to be developing a Palm OS version of their application at all. [Brighthand]
Skype for Palm OS — Coming Soon!
Skype Rocks — This is still a pseudo rumor, but we’ll know soon enough. Skype is VERY quickly pushing itself across most if not all connected platforms. You gotta love it. No word just yet on what type of connection will be required to do voice, but at the very minimum, it seems you’ll be able to have a single IM client across all platforms which is certainly handy. I hope GPRS is able to handle it, though it will most likely require WiFi at a minimum.
According to the ABC news website tonight Skype will introduce a Palm client next month – “A name on many lips was Skype Technologies S.A., the rave of the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) revolution. Luxembourg-based Skype displayed its software for Pocket PC-based handheld computers that lets anyone in a Wi-Fi cloud make a free Internet voice call to other Skype users. Company founder Niklas Zennstrom called from Europe and the audio quality was at least as clear as any landline phone service. A Palm OS version is promised for next month.” [Palm Addict]
HTC ‘begins Treo 650 volume shipments’ to PalmOne
This puts the Treo 650 in our hands even sooner… the last report was for a November release, but this would enable October for a release date.
PalmOne’s eagerly anticipated Treo 650 smart phone, successor to the current Treo 600, is set to go on sale in October following the commencement of volume shipments from contract manufacturer HTC this month. [The Register]
Gripes on Skype
Om points to an piece at The Unofficial Apple Weblog which gripes about Skype. I don’t really agree with much Greg Scher had to say so here’s what I started to post as a comment until I realized I was writing more than enough for a real post…
Greg –
I think you are a tad harsh on Skype for a few reasons… First, they’ve designed it purely as a softphone. Vonage makes you pay extra for the privledge of a softphone and it’s not even an extension of the same number, to add a new line. There may be hardward options beyond headsets later, but most likely will not be part of the free computer based service.
- Call quality is excellent. It all does depend on the quality of your connection, but over the exact same connection, I’ve had better success with Skype than Vonage at times.
- It’s free baby. If you don’t like it don’t use it. I’ve been promoting it to friends since the more people who use it enable more free calls…Skype to Skype will apparently always be free.
- You also say that Wifi is not available enough? Wifi is hardly a requirement though it certainly makes things simpler. I don’t think anyone is looking to necessarily replace their mobile though you can get extremely competitive rates when you might get nailed with roaming charges, particularly internationally. You don’t need Wifi either… it works just the same or even better when you are connected through a cable.
I think some of the other things you mention are legit…
- You should be able to send your contacts between machines without having to re-authorize people, but at least we all get it for now. You can be connected and live on multiple machines which makes it easy enough to pass along the info.
- 911 is not really a priority for me since I am far from ready to use Skype as my primary line for anything…
When premium services come it should be very interesting to watch. Voicemail, Video Phone and most likely SkypeIn are all enroute. It’s going to get better not worse.
Why a Netflix-TiVo deal is irrelevant
Herb Greenberg over at CBS MarketWatch, doesn’t think too much of the Netflix / TiVO partnership and has a fair bit of information that seems to sour the deal rather than make it seem as sweet as you might have thought.
In the hoopla over a possible linkup between Netflix and TiVO, something appears to have been lost on investors: Even if the two strike some kind of deal allowing Netflix (NFLX: news, chart, profile) subscribers to access movies by downloading them onto a TiVo for a monthly subscription price or on a pay-per-view basis, it’s unlikely the library of titles will be anywhere near the 25,000 Netflix now claims — at least not any time soon. Ditto Netflix’s plans to offer download services, which the company has suggested will happen next year.
Blame that on a complex web of film rights and so-called use windows granted by movie studios, which are different for “hard goods,” such as retail or DVD-by-mail, and “electronic,” which can include the Internet or TV. “The big ah-ha for a lot of companies is that the availability [of] these movies is gone because of the rights that have already been sold,” says Bob Greene, senior vice president of advance services for the StarzEncore Group.
It’s likely that the vast majority of Netflix movies will have to be streamed rather than downloadable give the way rights are handled for digital vs hard goods. That makes receiving a reduced streaming quality version that much less attractive to me… I was already thinking it would be very difficult to beat the quality and potentially the depth of catalog from the cable players. My current list of movies on demand from Time Warner is quite good, feeling much like a trip to blockbuster used to. Factor on top of that the addition of the video on demand services from all the major premium stations (HBO, MAX, SHO, STRZ) and I’ve got a very nice package of movies, shows and specials that I can watch at anytime at the same (non-HD) quality level I am accustomed to today on my cable system.
Greenberg, goes even further thinking that the TiVO deal is further away than the Newsweek article alluded and that means more pressure on Netflix from Blockbuster with their recently launched subscription service…
As I mentioned the other day in Herb Greenberg’s RealityCheck, the company was making it harder to cancel — making anybody who wants to cancel call in rather than quit online. That meant being put on hold for what can be more than a few minutes. (Interestingly enough, the company switched back to the old way as quietly as it switched away from it.) Then there was the conveniently leaked story to Newsweek about a supposedly imminent TiVo (TIVO: news, chart, profile) deal, which Netflix now says is not on any rollout timetable.
And this just in: Further signs that Blockbuster must be taking a toll on Netflix come from my assistant, Samantha Soga, who received an e-mail Wednesday from Netflix offering a 30-day free trial to “friends and family” of existing subscribers. That’s double the usual free-trial period.
Skype expands their reach
Andy at VOIP Watch notes that Skype has now expanded their offering to officially support the Pocket PC over Wifi and that SkypeOut is fully supported as well so you can make calls to other Skype users just as easily as you can to mobile or landlines.
Andy is actually fortunate to be learning of all this at DEMO Mobile and heard from Niklas Zennström, Skype CEO and co-founder who called in via wifi and even did a conference call demo.
I’d love to see support for Skype on Palm via Wifi… I knwo the Treo can’t possibly handle it over GPRS or even 1XRTT data though perhaps someday the network will be capable. It would be cool to make VOIP calls using an unlimited data connection at no additional cost.
Skype on!