More Gadgets

I have had my HTC Diamond for a couple of months now, at first I didn't like the lack of keyboard and almost went back to my old trusted s710, I continued and now quite like it.
I have now been given a shiny new device however, The HTC Touch Pro - Which is the same as the Diamond, but with a keyboard.
This must be perfection I thought... Nope, now it has the keyboard which I wanted, the device is too big, its double the depth of the Diamond. - It also doesn't have 4Gb internal storage like the Diamond has, it does allow for MicroSD however.

I will continue to play, I have already begun by wiping the Vodafone software by flashing the ROM to a more Damo friendly OS.

More soon

New Gadget...

... and about time too, it's been months since I have had chance to get a new gadget, this is due to the ever increaseing price of Oil - It's not, but hey, let's jump on the bandwagon and lay blame.

Any-hoo

I have managed to acquire the new HTC Diamond.
First impressions.

When I eventually managed to get the box open, I switched the diamond on where I was greeted with the standard Vodafone version of the software, this of course will be changed to the standard HTC ROM as soon as I have a spare 10 minutes. All in all a slim device, similar in size to many of the Samsung phones around at the moment.

I like - the size, interface, the built in GPS, the 3.2Mp camera, the built in 4Gb drive

I don't like - the interface, lack of keyboard, no buit in GPS software, the built in storage (no capabililty to extend with MicroSD Cards etc.)

I recently gave up using the HTC Touch Dual as it became very slow and I am gradually going off full touch screens (yes I know the Dual had a slide out keypad), I reverted back to the trusted HTC S710.

I have been playing with the Diamond for 2 days, but again have reverted back to the S710 while I transfer contacts etc. Check back soon to see if I actually use the Diamond...

HTC Tytn II - Back to Geeksville
It's here and more importantly I have one, the follow-up to the wonderful HTC Hermes/Tytn/v1605.

This time with an even faster connection (3.5G), built in GPS, Windows Mobile 6, sliding/tilting screen, finger navigation, 3 Megapixel Camera.

Setup has been easy, put the battery, Mini SD card and SIM Card and turn the device on, you are asked to set your locale, the time and your mobile phone provider, the rest is then setup,

The display is now less colourful, in fact it's black/grey but looks very impressive and seems to work better than with lots of colours, a case of less in more.

The icons are designed for navigating by fingers, meaning you don't have to keep using (and losing) the stylus.
The main screen has icons for home, contacts, weather, launcher and phone settings, each of these having sub-menus.

Home
Shows the time in digital format, emails, text messages and missed calls
Contacts
This is actually called "favourite people" and shows 10 shortcuts to you favourite/mostly dialled people, allowing for photo shortcut, this is something I had on my "OLD" PDA the HTC Hermes, lifted from the Palm Treo 700w
Weather
This is the same as aftermarket software such as SPB Weather and does exactly what is says on the tin, shows todays weather for your chosen location (it even has Derby - Useful only if you live there), clicking again shows the forecast for the next 5 days. Warning : this will use GPRS to update
Launcher
Similar to a start menu, gives you the option of creating shorcuts to your applications and programs,.
Phone Settings
Sound settings, ringtones etc.

All in all I'm very impressed with the device, it's definately a stepup from the Hermes, especially with the buiilt-in GPS which will make it a big seller. The tilting screen is more of a gimmik than useful, but might help in some ways, the keyboard is also improved, the keys are now more repsonsive and you (I) tend to make a lot less spelling mistakes, where you have missed letters out of words.

I've yet to test the GPS /TomTom as people keep calling me, however I'll be installing my aftermarket applications tonight and will update as soon as I can (be arsed).

These are due to replace the V1605 on Vodafone and should be known as the v1615, I guess other providers will follow suit.

Hasta La Vista


I love the motto of the oldversion website

In my case this applies to the super duper all-singing, all-dancing Windows Vista

I installed it on my laptop a couple of month ago after a lot of time thinking whether I should or not, I am iPoddy(Taos' word) after all and like to have the newest and (2nd) best (when funds allow) in this case however it seems to have proved to be a big mistake.

My machine doesn't like it
My machine crashed 3 times while using Vista, not just the usual Blue Screen of Death where you reboot and verythings ok, but a crash that screwed up the registry, screwed up the boot sector or basically stopped my machine from booting up. This might be nothing to do with Vista, but it was problem-free for over a year running XP.

My Applications don't like it
I synchronise my work PDA and personal phone using Windows Active Sync. Active Sync doesn't work on Vista, instead you have to install and run "Windows Mobile Device Centre" however that doesn't seem to work with my PDA OR mobile phone.

My gadgets don't like it
I use my laptop for movie editing, however some software also doesn't work,

I can't print
I have a very good laser printer - guess what, this doesnt work with Vista either

My options are to avoid syncing my PDA/Mobile phone, printing or editing movies of Leah or...

Go back to XP

It's a no-brainer. I'll really miss Vista sidebar though. (no I won't, it's available for XP)

Maybe the oldversion logo should be

becausenewerisshit
or becauseolderworks

New....er Gadgets
.
I blogged earlier this month on what I thought would be couple of perfect gadgets for the (Mobile) worker and the everyday phone user.

The HTC Athena was great, however lacked a decent enough screen resolution, that is really the only fault I have with it (so far)

The HTC Vox was and still is a great mobile phone/email phone, and I this is the perfect device and I still (after at least 2 months) have no complaints.

As usual however, these "perfect" devices have been perfected.

The HTC Omni is the replacement to the crappy clamshell devices of old (HTC Universal/Vodafone v1460, XDA Exec) and will be good competion for the HTC Athena/Advantage
The HTC Wings is the successor to the stll brand new HTC Vox, and has built in GPS and 3G. Only downside remains is the lack of touchscreen, but as I've known for years, you can't have everything. Apparently this device might now be cancelled - Nooooooooo

New Gadgets

Despite the fact I cannot get to work, it doesn't stop me working, I have a couple more gadgets to test, namely the HTC Athena and the HTC Panda.

My Perfect PDA would have the following

• Codecs for all video format
• Hard Drive
• Fast internet connectivity (3G/UMTS/HSPDA etc)
• Wi-Fi
• Keyboard
• Large screen

Here it is

HTC Athena

Billed as the UMPC beater, with Windows Mobile 6 (soon), built in GPS, attachable keyboard, 8Gb Hard Drive, 3G connectivity however....

Still the old screen resoolution of 640 * 480 meaning a screen larger than all of the other PDAs but showing the same amount of info.

Also available ...

HTC Panda
If (like me) you need a replacement for the Qtek 2020i, O2 XDA 2i, this is it, this is "The" DIRECT REPLACEMENT.

Good points

• works with the majority of applications developed for the older devices
• Windows Mobile 5 - (No more losing data with Windows Mobile 2003)
• USB Charging
• Camera button has been moved

Bad Points

• No car cradle yet
• No 3G
• No built-in GPS
• No operator as yet (come on vodaphone)

Testing still ongoing but the Panda (also known as the HTC P6300) will be a big seller.

Apple iPhone

The Apple iPhone is here (Well in the states anyway).

I cannot believe the amount of hype something has just because of the branding, I must say Steve Jobs must have the easiest job in the world, simply badge a product "apple" and it will sell by the millions and even have stupid people queing for days to get one.

Then the money makers who queue, buy one and make a couple of hundred quid on ebay.

I love my gadgets, but am definately not going to shedding out £500 on a mobile phone.

I have an iPod - its only 4Gb and doesn't play videos, but it does me.
I have a phone - which makes calls, has 1Gb of memory for music and 2Mp camera
I have a PDA - which gets my emails, tasks, internet access and a broadband modem
I have a camera - Its small and fantastic.

and now (fanfare please).....I have a iPhone (ish)

Video

Gadgets.

Its been ages since I've had gadgets to talk about, I have been through a few but nothing really worth a mention.

Till very recently, my personal phone has been the QTek 8500, a small flip smartphone perfect as a "socialising phone" (a phone you could take out on the p*ss with you).

Unfortunately due to a major problem with my jean back pocket, some keys, my arse and a chair, I managed to sit on the phone cracking the screen.

This led me to revert to my officially upgraded Orange phone, a Nokia N73...
I havent had a Nokia since back in the days before SPVs came out, needless to say I ave been completely useless with it, different operating system (I know it's a phone), different way of synching, texting, accessing contacts, and altogether not for me.

After a nice chat with my Vodafone man, I managed to get my hands on a HTC Vox, which accepted my Orange Sim with a smile and I am now in the process of setting up.
Good Points
Windows Mobile 6
Brilliant for working with MS Office Documents
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi
Sliding keyboard
2MP Camera

Bad Points No 3G
eMoze synchrnosation does't work
No touchscreen
Larger than a standard "Candy Bar" Phone
No Built-in GPS

My work phone is split between the HTC Artemis or the HTC Hermes (depending on what I need it for). The Artemis is great for the built-in GPS and is size, the Hermes is just a great all-rounder and has the keyboard.

The only devices out there worth looking at are the HTC s420 (the next Qtek 8500) and the HTC Athena (Hmmm).