Archive for September, 2007
The Dopod C730 aka HTC Cavalier reviewed.
Sep 27th
My wife got me the new HTC Device Dubbed the Cavalier with a Dopod Branding and imported it from China for my birthday… Migrated my information over night and replaced my dash on the charger with this Dopod – NOW THATS LOVE!
I have had this bad boy for almost 3 weeks now and it’s just about time for my in depth review. First of all I love this phone in all its 3.5g Glory. Everything I didn’t like about my Dash has been improved upon (almost). I am going to run down a list of what I really like and then follow it up with its weaknesses. Check back later in the week for applications, hacks and configuration settings…
The Good:
- HSDPA is Super fast and I have seen up to 965kbps in Manhattan.
- 3g Is still faster than Edge or Gprs – I have seen up to 93kbps.
- Tethering a laptop to my Dopod is super fast.
- The processor is double that of the Dash @ 400mhz. This might not seem like a big deal to you mister 3ghz desktop… but trust me this is like the jump from 56k to Broadband.
- This smart phone is really smart – it does cut and paste out the box.
- 2mp Camera.
- Windows Mobile Standard 6.
- Battery life is much better as long as the device isn’t constantly switch between bands.
- Video streaming on this guy is awesome and so is mp3 streaming.
- My security cameras display on the dopod as well.
- Auto Dimming of the screen with an ambient sensor.
- The combination of the faster processor and faster bands puts my Dash to shame!
Now the bad...
- No touch screen.
- Built in speaker for playing music without headphones is just so-so.
- No flash on the camera.
- No GPS – Is this so hard to integrate now? Chips are so small!
- No upgrade on internal memory – Can we get a mandatory bump please?
So when my buddies push their iphone at me and grunt… Ug why you no have iPhone Admin?
I just say one word… HSDPA!
What phone do you guys use? Do you love it or hate it? What do you want your phone/pda to do that it can’t? Do you need help setting up your dopod on a local network? We can help! Hit us up in the comments! There is also a great thread over @ HoFo.
_TheDopodAdmiN_
Is there a free way to edit PDFs? How about a program to open PDF’s quicker?
Sep 26th
My co-worker Todd just put me on! I used to hate opening PDF files because they bog my system down as they are opening and I just never really took to them. Now there is a program called FOXIT that replaces Adobe’s PDF reader and it is SUPER FAST! It has add-ons that also allows you to edit and convert documents to pdf – I mean how much more can you want! Best of all it is FREE! (The reader is free but looks like they charge for the add-ons including editing) They have add on packs that do spell check, auto form filler and the such for a small fee.
Foxit Reader is a free PDF document viewer and printer, with incredible small size (only 2.1 M download size), breezing-fast launch speed and amazingly rich feature set. Foxit Reader supports Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003/Vista. Its core function is compatible with PDF Standard 1.7.
In the past, you have to download a huge PDF reader from ‘another’ software company, go through a lengthy installation process and wait for an annoying splash window to disappear just to open a PDF document. Moreover, if you want to annotate a PDF document, you have to pay US$299 to buy ‘certain’ software.
Now with Foxit Reader, you don’t have to endure such pain any more. The following is a list of compelling advantages of Foxit Reader:
- Incredibly small: The download size of Foxit Reader is only 2.1 M which is a fraction of Acrobat Reader 20 M size.
- Breezing-fast: When you run Foxit Reader, it launches instantly without any delay. You are not forced to view an annoying splash window displaying company logo, author names, etc.
- Annotation tool: Have you ever wished to annotate (or comment on) a PDF document when you are reading it? Foxit Reader allows you to draw graphics, highlight text, type text and make notes on a PDF document and then print out or save the annotated document.
- Text converter: You may convert the whole PDF document into a simple text file.
- High security and privacy: Foxit Reader highly respects the security and privacy of users and will never connect to the Internet without users’ permission. While other PDF readers often silently connect to the Internet in the background. Foxit PDF Reader does not contain any spyware.
What’s New in Version 2.1?
The following is a list of exciting improvements introduced in Foxit Reader 2.1.
New features:
- Design interactive forms
- Measure distances
- Insert images and add links into the PDF
- Loupe tool
- Attach files to the PDF
- Select multiple annotations and specify annotation transparency
- Reading history recalls the place you were when you closed the PDF
- E-mail the PDF
- Check spelling in typewriter and form filler functions
Enhanced features:
- Enhanced zoom tools
- Renovated IE plug-in with almost all the capabilities of the main program
- Print only the annotations
- Enhanced permission control
- Built-in and improved JavaScript engine
- Better support for multi-language input
- Enhanced typewriter function
- Improved full screen view
- Many bug fixes
This thing opens big PDF files so much quicker and pain free over Adobe Reader! It looks like they have a mobile version for your handheld as well but they want some money for that. Try it out and let us know what you think – There are trials for the add-ons that cost $$$ – give em a shot! Sound off in the comments.
_TheFreeLovingAdmiN_
What is an OPML file and where can I find one?
Sep 26th
Chances are if you are asking this question you are installing a RSS reader. No we are not clairvoyant we just know…you know?
An OPML file can be used for several things but the most common is a formatted list of your rss feeds that can be used to import and export them from/to your favorite reader. This file can also be used to migrate from one program to another or to sample someone elses tastes…
For example here is a Sample OPML file with a handful of tech feeds. Try her out, give it a whirl…I have not found a central repository to sample other peoples feed lists. If anyone is interested I will post anyone’s who wants to send one in.
_TheTiredAdmiN_
Technology Weeks Kickoff PreParty Roundup
Sep 26th
Commodore and I trekked over to Splashlight after work last night to check out the NYC Technology Week Start off. We got our press badges and hit the bar. There were a few exhibits and some attempts at speeches. Now you tell me – put a bunch of tech loving geeks in a room with toys and then attempt to give speeches – HA! The guy from Trend Micro seemed to be getting pretty pissed that no one was paying attention, It seems everyone was busy rocking out to Guitar Hero and getting drunk. We heard from Paul Cosgrave, New York Technology Commissioner, on his 311 system and NYC TV.
The room was divided up into cliques. We saw a Gizmodo writer in one corner, a group of tech crunch guys in another and so on and so on. It was like the first day of school all over again and I had some mingling to do. I tried to strike up conversations with everyone. As you know The Admin is a friendly guy…
We made our way over to the Ford Sync with Microsoft’s voice activated system on board.
With Evan Blass (Engadget) in the drivers seat, The Admin riding shotgun, Dave Zatz (zatz not funny, slingbox) and Commodore (AskTheAdmin) in the back seat. We fuxed with the Microsoft system and were not too impressed. It seems like voice command is integrated into the vehicle and it allows for plugging in your Zune (big shocker) or other mp3 player (maybe not). The GPS looked standard and we couldn’t find a Microsoft logo anywhere (we did look) the car wouldnt start and we couldnt power cycle it seems (they didn’t want us plowing down the reporters stuffing their faces or maybe it’s that no 
drinking and driving law) so we cranked up the radio tried to get a BSOD got bored and moved on.
drinking and driving law) so we cranked up the radio tried to get a BSOD got bored and moved on.Back to mingling… We learned that bloggers will laugh when told they are famous… And people from the real media looked at us like um who are you again? We played a little guitar hero, checked out some new home anti-virus and watched a little hd dvd. Blu-ray was no where to be seen.We got some swag… Who wants Ford usb lights? Ford usb 256 drives? Leave us a good reason why you want em and their yours…
Stay tuned for more pictures! (Edit – here they are courtesy of Flickr.)
-TheDigitalAdmin-
Interview with Monica Vila on Digital Life 2007
Sep 25th
As we are getting hyped for the kick off of Digital Week in NYC we scored an interview with Monica Vila. She is the Vice President of Consumer Marketing for Ziff Davis (That’s the company that brings you DigitalLife in all its geeky glory!). She got all of your questions, about DigitalLife, answered below along with some of ours! She also put some of our geeky concerns to rest :). The question most of you sent in about the badges and RFID concerns were laid to bed as well. Check it out:
ATA: We hear that Digital Life brought in over 52,000 people last year. Do you think this year will be a bigger draw?
DL: We certainly hope so! And we are certainly ready for more; this year is without a doubt, our best year yet. Now in our 4th year, we’ve become an event that consumers look forward to, and companies fold into their marketing calendars, as an important event to participate in. More and more companies are using DigitalLife as their venue for making their big product announcements and unveils, which makes for a very exciting show.
ATA: What big surprises do you have in store for us?
DL: We are unveiling a redesigned show floor this year, which will help attendees find themed “hubs” for their particular interest; for instance, this year we’ll have a DigitalKidz Zone, filled with the latest tech toys for kids. The Digital Defense Zone offers parents and families with information and products geared to keep themselves, and their identities safe online. But I encourage attendees to really wander the show floor – the exhibitors always have big surprises planned, from giveaways to contests, to special guests.
ATA: You are the largest show of the NYC’s Digital Week – Has this changed your game plan at all? What role are you playing in NYC’s Digital Week?
DL: Yes, we are very proud to be the official event of New York’s Technology Week. DigitalLife really serves as the cornerstone of the week, which is a celebration of New York’s embrace of cutting-edge technologies, that benefit the city and New Yorkers at large.
ATA: We know competition can be rough between some of the vendors – have their been any “incidents?” between camps? Any funny stories for our readers?
DL: Ahem…… honestly, everyone has been very civilized! From working with other shows in the past, there are always those little incidents on the show floor – noise levels in adjoining booths are always a little bone of contention – but we feel that our grouping of similar products should make it a genial event!
ATA: We saw last years PC Magazines Best Of 2006 @ Digital Life. Do you have any speculations as to who will be the big winners this year? It looks like Sony was the big winner there – do you foresee them topping themselves?
DL: The breadth of products participating in the show make this a very difficult question! I’m very excited about what Gateway has to offer at the show – though you will have to wait until Thursday to hear more – and I know that the Guitar Hero III booth will be very busy throughout the show. iRobot is introducing 2 new robots for the home, that frankly, I could have used earlier this year! There are also many newer companies on the scene, with incredibly innovative products and services, that I urge everyone to check out.
ATA: Our readers would love to know a little more about the back end of your show. How much bandwidth will you guys have pumping through the Javits Center? Is there Ethernet provided to the exhibitors or are they all required to go Wifi. Is there free Internet access for consumers? What are you using in terms of Badges/Scanners? Is the badge information available to the vendors?
DL: Wow, great question, I can tell you that as of this morning, we had over 70 orders for dedicated T1 lines dropped in various booths with many of them using a router to demonstrate wireless products. As for the badges, we don’t provide scanning technology to vendors. As a consumer event, many of our attendees are under 18 and we don’t want to make any of their information easy to access – so we don’t collect it or provide the technology for it. If our attendees want to provide it directly at vendors booths, that is their decision.
Thanks Monica for the information we will see you @ the Technology Week Launch Party tonight. And as for everyone else who can’t be there we will be your eyes and ears so hit us up in the comments with what you want to see!
_TheAnxiousAdmiN_
Technology Week is upon us in New York City
Sep 25th
Maybe I am just a geek but Technology Week is upon us in New York City with the biggest event being Digital Life @ The Jacob Javits Center. Think of it like a technology Woodstock without the drugs, sex and dirt. Clean geeky fun if you will. It will be full of Virtual Reality and Product Launches. Robots, robots and more robots.
This I what I dreamed about as a kid. Playing with stuff before the general public so I can say neener-neener to my friends @ the park. But its so much cooler than that this year… AskTheAdmin got a press pass so we can bring you all the geeky goodness from our eyes before the launch…
You know so you can make up your maps and course of attack the night before. Yes we know you that well…So digital life is almost upon us. The pre party is Tuesday night @ Splashlight in Manhattan – invite only. Followed by a preshow @ the Javits center on Thursday. We will be there as your eyes and ears! We will be checking it out and hob knobing it up with some of our favorite geeky members of the industry. AtA has been flooded by press releases and invitations to play with this or that. We have replied to all of them that raised a brow. Sadly enough most of them did not get back to us but, a few sent over p.r. packets. So here we go with what we are most looking forward to fondling on Thursday as of now…
If you haven’t heard about Digital Life go ahead and click over to check out their site. Don’t worry we’ll wait….
Looks pretty cool huh? Game tournaments, raffles, prizes, new technology – geek overload? Well we got some free tickets if you are interested. Sound off if you want to check out the events starting on Friday.
Here is what I’m looking forward to (So Far!)… Sony’s booths – they rocked hard last year. I can’t wait to see what they have in store this year.
- Irobot – They will be presenting some new household robots…
- Xyber Technologies – They will introduce a new form of Fan-less PC cooling…
- Lacie Mini Home Server 500GB for Under $300! With a full on built in media server accessible via the web!
- The US Army – They will unveil some SICK new VR and Games of “What it is like to be” in a Soldier!
Stay tuned for more geeky goodness as it comes in!
_TheGeekyAdmiN_
