Digital Technology for Digital Living.
February 28, 2005
Telstra’s Talking Text Messages.
Telstra announced today their Talking Text Messages service for land lines. Essentially allowing fix line phones to receive text messages. The catch, you need a Telstra Mobile Phone and a Telstra fixed line. Currently, it’s only available as Talking Text, but they promise that “Telstra Shops will stock a full range of SMS Capable phones when they become available”. Unfortunately only seven pre-defined responses are available from the land line : Yes, No, Okay, Please call me, I’ll call you later, :-), and :-(.
Sending text messages from your home phone is simple. Telstra customers with a compatible service and an SMS-enabled home phone use their keypad to send text messages just as they would to send text on a mobile phone.
To send text messages to a home phone, simply type the message, key in the full 10-digit fixed phone number including the STD area code without spaces (eg. 0297101234) and press send.
Reading a text message on one of the new telephones is identical to reading a text message on a mobile phone. Even homes without a new SMS-enabled phone can receive SMS using Telstra’s Talking Text” service that was launched in 2004 and converts text messages into speech that is relayed to the person answering the home phone.
We’re not sure why people just call the other party and say the message themselves, but it’ll surely help avoid those times where talking to people is just too damn embarrassing.
Gadgetman | Comments (1) | Mobile Phone
February 26, 2005
The Mac Mini Lexus.
Not only has this guy got a Mac Mini, he’s got a Lexus. What better way to enjoy them both than to mount the Mini into the car.
For more info there is a short interview at 123Macmini.com.
What parts did you use?
A Mac mini 1.42GHz and Apple wireless keyboard and mouse. I use the mouse on my armrest for those who want to know. Its big enough for what I need. A DVI to S-Video / Composite Converter, midi to (L) and (R) audio adapter by Monster, shielded Cables for both audio and video by Monster. Also installed a hub that has 4 USB 2.0 ports and 2 Firewire ports, the another USB hub in the back for the passengers, Have 2 Firewire cams and I am able to have up to 8 more for a total of 10, not that I think I will use nor do I need 10 but I still have that option. I have plenty of ports to plug whatever I want in, including my digital video camera, and my 60GB iPod photo.”
Thanks Mario for the tip on your nice little project.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | General, Motorised, Peripherals
February 25, 2005
March 1st Sneak Peak.
Ooooooh. More coming soon from Nokia.
Nokia invites you to a sneak preview of the new products we’ll be unveiling to the public at CeBIT 2005.
Please visit www.nokia.com/march2005/announcement beginning March 1st, from 10.30 am CET, to find out more!
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
February 24, 2005
The iPod Shuffle Is A Good Money Spinner For Apple.
IDC like what they see dollar wise with the iPod Shuffle.
Analysts at IDC recently took apart an iPod shuffle and came up with an estimate of how much the diminutive music player costs Apple Computer to make. They found that Apple makes a healthy 35 per cent to 40 per cent profit on each player sold, and stands to make even more from iTunes music purchases and expected drops in flash memory pricing.
Interestingly, the Macworld article also mentions that the Shuffle’s chip is capable of audio recording, and FM tuner and running a LCD. It’s likely that they’re using the chip, not for the potential functions, but because mass production makes it cheap in mass production.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Music
February 23, 2005
iPod Update.
Unless there is more news to come, a lot of people are going to be disappointed with the new iPod announcements from Apple. A size increase for the mini, price reduction with the 4GB mini now the same price as the 1GB Shuffle, and a smaller capacity, 30GB iPod Photo, that retails for the same price as the smaller 20GB standard iPod. Minor announcements include them dropping the gold version of the mini, making it an instant collectable, new colours, and an increase in battery life. No bluetooth, or colour screens, those we’ll have to wait until mid-year for.
Camera buffs might be kept happy with the news that in March we’ll expect the software update that will provide a new function for the iPod Photo.
Upload photos directly from your camera using the optional iPod Camera Connector accessory, also arriving in March.
Update : (24 February 2005) As some people have pointed out, it appears that Apple’s graphics designer got the pricing wrong in Australia last night. They corrected the graphic on their front page, as you can see if you compare the one above to the one at their Australian site, you’ll see they’ve dropped the price of the 1GB Shuffle to $AU229 and the 20G standard to $AU439. Certainly makes more sense than last night.
Gadgetman | Comments (2) | Music
iPod ShuffleArt
We should have known it wouldn’t take long. In fact now that we think of it, what took them so long. ShuffleArt is vinyl sticker art for the iPod Shuffle. According to the site, they are available for preorder.
Link from Josh Rubin’s Coolhunting, who also has a link to a site for do-it-yourself sticker design.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Music
Portable Rotary Cellular Phone.
Fancy going really retro with you mobile. Well Spark Fun Electronics has the plans for anyone to build a Portable Rotary Cellular Phone. Not pocketable, but damn funny.
I find myself talking about nerd things with my friends and peers who could usually careless. Every once and a while, someone who really doesn’t have a clue, says something so crazy, it makes you take a step back. I can’t remember who had the idea of a rotary cell phone - needless to say it had something to do with quite a few rum and cokes. They didn’t have a clue how to do it, they just thought it would be cool. So did I…
Why wouldn’t it be cool to see a rotary phone, ringing, with no wires attached? It might mess with your brain a bit.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
February 22, 2005
HiDef 160GB PVR.
We mentioned last November that Toshiba was due to release a High Definition PVR, with 160GB Hard Drive, to the Australian market. Well the details have been confirmed, and it does include two tuners, ideal for recording two shows at a time, or watching and recording one.
The HDD-J35 incorporates the uncompressed, digital audio & video connection HDMI which provides the best interface between the set-top box and the high definition compatible televisions. In addition, the Time Slip functions give you the flexibility of recording, pausing live programs, as well as starting the playback from the beginning of a program currently being recorded without disrupting the recording. With a built-in twin tuner, HDD-J35 is even capable of recording 2 programs at the same time!
More at HDD-J35 Product page.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | PVR, Digital TV
February 21, 2005
Foxtel iQ Due In March.
Foxtel has finally announced its Personal Video Recorder (PVR) option for their digital service, Foxtel iQ. For a once off install fee ($AU100), a once off access fee ($AU395) and a monthly service fee ($5.95), unless you’re a Platinum customer, you’ll get the new swanky set top box that’ll allow you to record two shows at once. The price’ll vary if your yet to subscribe to Foxtel Digital.
As with all PVRs they allow pausing of live shows buy recording the channel you’re currently watching, and because it’s a Foxtel product it accesses the electronic program guide (EPG) so you can set recording times and view schedules. You can also check online for a place to get a sneak peak.
Gadgetman | Comments (8) | PVR, Digital TV
Nokia Lifeblog and Christian Lindholm.
When Lifeblog was first released in July last year, many people pointed out that despite the reference, it wasn’t quite a blogging tool. That changed pretty rapidly with the announcement of a Six Apart partnership that allowed publishing directly to the Typepad online weblogging service. With that, it became very apparent that the Lifeblog team always intended blog integration, and Nokia has since included the ATOM document format, meaning we’ll see other blog services join the fold soon.
Lifeblog is more than a blogging tool, and according to Christian Lindolm, Director of Multimedia Applications, Nokia Ventures Organization, in an interview at The Gadget Show, it’s “a multimedia diary where time is the spine”. Christian points to three mega-trends that have contributed to the birth of Lifeblog, the digitalisation of memories, the increase in content due to digital media, and the evolution of the ubiquity of the camera. All converging neatly into the application. If you’re interested in remembering events, or sharing memories, then at some point you’ll use your camerphones features to take a snap shot or send text, photos or videos to family or friends, and if you do, what better way to have it stored via Lifeblog automatically.
Lifeblog, now at version 1.5, is available for download working on the Nokia 6260, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6670, and Nokia 7610 imaging phones and a Windows PC. As a free trial the version will store 200 messages, images, and video clips, the full license costing 29.95 Euros. In my podcast with Christian, he can’t say what, but hints that we’ll see some other fantastic developments with the software, and with him heading the team, there is a great chance the application will become more groundbreaking.
If you’ve got one of the supported phone, give it a try.
For more details on Lifeblog, Christian’s work at Nokia, the Nav-Key and Series 60 stories, and sailing, check out this weeks “Gadget Show” podcast…featuring Christian Lindholm.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone, Digital Camera, Software
February 20, 2005
iPod mini Colour and 5-6GB.
The recent legal wrangle between Apple and several news sites just makes Think Secret’s news this week that much more believable. According to the rumours, Apple is set to release an iPod mini with colour display and a 5 or 6GB capacity. Both features certainly aren’t “if” but “when”, no brainer enhancements that just keep the device in the personal music player game.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Music
February 18, 2005
Aussies Do Their Bit With Bittorrent.
AUSTRALIA and Britain have been revealed as the world’s biggest markets for pirate TV downloads.
The trend is being driven by tech-savvy fans who are unwilling to wait for popular US shows such as 24 and Desperate Housewives.
Australia ranked as second largest downloader of TV programs after Britain in a study of the phenomenon by UK technology consultancy Envisional. The US was in third position.
Not surprising really, given the lag in TV broadcasts for the popular US shows. Might this mean a rethink in rating seasons? Doubtful.
From Australian IT.
Gadgetman | Comments (5) | PVR, Digital TV
The Ultimate Sanction
So you are hanging around the airport lounge waiting for the flight. The whole place is watching a really loud TV in the corner of the terminal. No, wait there are half a dozen TVs in here, they are all up loud. So loud you can’t think anymore. In fact you can’t even get away from TVs anywhere here. Except the car park.
So what do you do?
Reach for your keys, and press the button on this little grey remote. Within a few seconds, the TVs start to turn off, one by one. Within a minute they have all turned off. Nobody knows you did it.
There in your hand you hide the ultimate sanction: The TV-B-Gone. A tiny, universal, off button for televisions. Sounds like science fiction? Nope. These things are for real. You can order one from Cornfield Electronics for US$14.95. Order the European Model for Australian and Asian (PAL system) TVs.
We couldn’t resist the power or the fun. As soon as they announced a European TV-B-Gone we ordered one up. It came in a few days. It works. It works well. It has turned off every TV we have encountered. Visiting Harvey Normans is really tempting, except the guys that work there are really big and look like they work out a lot.
Safety note: If there is a crowd coming after you looking for blood after you’ve turned off their favourite show, then press the button again, wait a few more seconds, and it will turn their TVs back on. Then they are all going to want one, aren’t they?
Graeme | Comments (0) | Digital TV, Toys
February 17, 2005
Foxtel’s PVR Next Week.
Pay TV operator Foxtel will unveil its personal digital recorder (PDR) next week at special showings at Myer stores.
The PDR, billed as the next “must have” in home entertainment accessories, is tipped to end forever the dilemma over what to watch and what to record when two enticing programs are on at the same time.
Details of just how many programs the soon-to-be-launched Foxtel PDR can record, or store, will be revealed next Monday (February 21).
The following day, Foxtel’s clients will get their first glimpse of the new technology that will allow them to skip advertisements and record multiple programs simultaneously.
Select viewings of the PDRs will kick off next Tuesday night at Myer’s city and Parramatta stores between 6pm and 8pm.
Entry is reserved for Foxtel subscribers and Myer One cardholders who will be offered discounts on sales of the PDRs.
The general public will also get their chance to check them.
Dedicated demonstration areas will be set up in 46 Myer stores to show off Foxtel’s digital services and the new PDR - which will be available for sale in a few weeks.
From smh.com.au. Perhaps it’ll be similar to their Sky+2 device from Pace in the UK.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | PVR, Digital TV
Bigpond Promises To Limit.
It looks like it’s time to move away from Bigpond, if your a leacher.
Australia’s largest ISP, Telstra BigPond, will implement dramatic slow-downs on customer accounts that exceed 10GB of usage in a month, starting from today.
Telstra’s new automatic speed capping system will limit users to 64Kbit/s speeds — just a littler faster than a dialup modem — if they exceed 10GB of uploads and downloads combined.
Not all states start today. Check Whirlpool for the details.
Gadgetman | Comments (4) | Broadband
The Gadget Show - News Podcast for the Week of Feb 14.
Swing on over to The Gadget Show for my weekly news podcast. I have a look at the trend that 3GSM World Congress 2005 has highlighted, a few of the mobile features we’ll expect in the next few months, Microsoft’s external LCD displays, IE 7.0, Podcast Tuner and Gillette’s M3Power. I had fun chatting to myself, hopefully you’ll enjoy listening.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | General
February 15, 2005
Motorola’s New Phone Range.
One thing is for sure, mobile phone names are starting to make more sense, or at least that is one thought that comes to mind with the new range of Motorola mobile phones. First the recent RAZR, and now the Special Edition Black RAZR, SLVR and PEBL.
Also announced are the new 3G range of phones, the Symbian 7.o A1010 smartphone, video conference E1060, which also has was reported to have iTunes compatibility but doesn’t, and 3 megapixel E1120.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | Mobile Phone
February 14, 2005
Nokia’s New Phone Line.
Nokia’s just holding a press conference at the 3GSM Conference in Cannes, and they’ve announced a batch of new handsets and related technology.
The Nokia 6101 is a clamshell camera phone, tri-band, built-in VGA camera, outside display to show incoming calls, time and date, and the new Xpress audio messaging, “which enables users to record and send a voice message to others over the GPRS network”, where the service is available.
The phone people have been waiting for from Nokia to compliment 3G services is the 6680 smart phone.
At the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, France, Nokia today introduced a new arrival to the 3G arena, the Nokia 6680 imaging smartphone. The new Nokia 6680 imaging smartphone is optimized for visual sharing, boasting two integrated cameras, a flash, and a bright screen of up to 262,144 colors. Designed for ease-of-use, the active slide covering the back camera of the Nokia 6680 provides fast and intuitive camera activation as well as effortless switching between cameras during a video call.
The 6681 is a smart phone that they seem to be pitching at the music lover as it includes the Loudeye support that we mentioned below.
Featuring an integrated music player and stereo audio output, the Nokia 6681 imaging smartphone incorporates a new music player application. A dedicated music icon launches the music player, and the new application provides for easy creation and management of playlists. In addition, when playing music, the user can directly change tracks, pause, and change the volume using the 5-way directional pad. Music collections can also be easily accessed through the options or back soft keys, and music files can conveniently be transferred via the Nokia PC Suite, or by using the MMC card reader (available in the sales package in selected markets). The Nokia 6681 also supports the mobile music solution for operators launched by Nokia and Loudeye earlier today.
We mentioned the Loudeye partnership in August last year, but today they announced more details about the service that will help opperators bring music to their mobile phone users. Hand in hand with this announcement they are also collaborating with Microsoft on digital media format support on Nokia handsets and Windows Media Player.
The mobile music service from Nokia and Loudeye is based on the OMA DRM and MPEG AAC standards and enables a wireless operator’s customers to search, listen, download and pay for music using an operator branded music application on their mobile device. Windows Media Player is used for the PC component of the music solution, and wireless operators will be able to brand their music service when it is integrated into the Windows Media Player.
Gadgetman | Comments (5) | Mobile Phone, Music
The Gadget Show At The Podcast Network.
A few of you might have noticed that we’ve not been posting at the same rate in the last week here at Gadget Lounge. That’s because Richard’s been a little distracted teeing up a few interviews for a new Podcast he’s hosting, The Gadget Show, a part of The Podcast Network.
The first show is an interview with Cory Doctorow, from Boing Boing fame, European Affairs Coordinator for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and author of several books.
The aim of the show is to provide the latest news, reviews, and interviews with some famous and interesting people, all in relation to gadgets.
While you’re over there, check out the other show that’s been released at launch, The Mobiles Show with Ewan Spence and his team at All About Symbian.
A big thanks to Mick, especially for all the beck-end hacking he’s been doing in the last week, and Cam, for swinging around the world on his junket, and to them both for doing all the work in the launching The Network.
Remember, it’s all about conversations, so be sure to let us know your feedback and suggestions.
Gadgetman | Comments (1) | General
February 10, 2005
NetComm’s VOIP Adaptor.
ARNnet has details of NetComm’s leap into VOIP technology in Australia.
he V100 analog telephone adaptor (ATA), released this week, allows users to make VoIP calls with their standard telephone handset. The device plugs into a modem/router and uses a standard telephone port.
While some vendors have pinned their hopes on IP handsets for their first consumer VoIP product, NetComm hopes to snare them with the ATA device. “It’s cheaper than buying a new handset,” managing director, David Stewart, said.
The handset will retail for $129.
Apparently they’ve got six new VOIP products on the horizon, including a couple of handsets.
Gadgetman | Comments (0) | VOIP
