Screenium adds PIP input to Mac screencasts

We've been long-time fans of Screenium for the Mac. It's a great screen-capture tool that just got greater... er, better. MacWorld says that version 1.06 adds support for multiple webcams like the iSight on a Mac. This allows you to create your screencast but also capture your own picture so folks can see your facial expressions when you totally hose up the screencast. Well, maybe I'm the only one that happens to. I gave the new feature a quick try by showing how easy that shared Google Docs drop and drag feature works in Gmail and the results are pretty good. Next time I'll have to make sure I zoom in on the actual subject matter though... probably more effective if you can read what I'm showing, no?

Screenium is $20 although there's a free trial. James and I were impressed enough with the application when we looked into it over a year ago that we both plunked down the coin.

jkOnTheRun review- Blackberry Storm, yes it can cut and paste

We've seen a good run on hot smartphones being released since the iPhone 3G.  The T-Mobile G1 was introduced recently as the first Android-based smartphone and RIM has been releasing Blackberry models every few days, at least that's what it seems like.  One of the most anxiously awaited smartphones is the Blackberry Storm as it takes a path RIM has never taken before, and that's to shed the physical keyboard.  Blackberries have always enjoyed a great reputation for good keyboards and the Storm drops one entirely.  Many have been waiting to see how well RIM could provide the Blackberry experience with just an on-screen keyboard and just a few days before launch on Verizon in the US we've got one of these jewels in our hands.

The short answer to the question of how good a Blackberry can a device be without a keyboard is pretty good, at least the Storm is.  The innovative touchscreen is in essence not one but two keyboards depending on the orientation of the screen.  We'll address that in detail below but first here's a video overview of the hardware to get things started.  Pay close attention in the video and you'll see you can in fact cut and paste on a touch screen.  The rest of the review is after the jump, including another video showing off the sweet web browsing on the Storm.

jkOnTheRun video- Telenav Shotgun GPS

The Shotgun is Telenav's first foray into the hardware arena and as a first effort it is a decent GPS solution.  What sets the Shotgun apart from the competition is the GPRS connectivity which can inform you of adverse traffic conditions in your route.  The Shotgun is a small, light device and it is powered by the same Telenav software that has been gracing Windows Mobile devices for quite some time.  In the video I show as much of the device as I can without a GPS fix since I'm indoors but you can get a feel for how the device works with the touch-screen.  The video points out one of the main drawbacks of the Shotgun compared to its competition- you cannot even start a route until after a GPS fix has been made successfully.  Other GPS devices remember the last location prior to actual GPS fix so you can begin using the device but the Shotgun will not do that.  There is no indication that a proper GPS fix has taken place so sometimes you enter an address only to find it won't use it due to lack of GPS fix meaning you have to start the whole process over.  You can however select an address from any web site using your browser and Telenav can send it to the Shotgun next time you use it which is extremely helpful.  Have a look at the Shotgun in the video and enjoy.

jkOnTheRun video- Incase sleeve for MacBook, battery swapping

This seven minute video gives a brief look at the Incase sleeve for the MacBook as purchased at the Apple store.  The Incase sleeve is one of the few models available that has handles to make carrying it around easy as well as a shoulder strap.  The sleeve is as thin and light as can be making it perfect for short trips around town and the two accessory pockets extend its usefulness.  I also show the new second battery I received for the MacBook and how easy it is to swap batteries on the run.  Enjoy the show.

jkOnTheRun video- MacBook multi-touch demo

The multi-touch capabilities in the new MacBook/ MacBook Pros provide new abilities to interact with the interface to make it easier to get things done.  In this video James Kendrick shows how he uses the new abilities in his everyday work and demonstrates why he has not ever used a mouse with the MacBook.  You will see how easy it is to do windows scrolling, jumping around in multiple windows and how incorporating the button in the touchpad makes these a joy.  In the video interacting with the web browser, finder and Google Maps is shown as well as how nicely Expose works with the gestures.  You will also see how it is a one finger operation to do precise text selection for copy and paste.  Enjoy the video.

jkOnTheRun video- Plantronics Pulsar 590E Bluetooth headset

We are always getting asked what wireless headset we recommend for use with VoIP on notebooks and since we've been using the Pulsar 590E Bluetooth Headset for a good while decided to shoot a quick video.  The Pulsar was used for the audio in headset mode so you can get a feel for the audio quality it provides.  The Pulsar can be used as either a wireless headset with any device that supports the A2DP protocol and also as stereo headphones.  Take a look at the video and listen to the audio quality and you'll see how good the 590E is for wireless audio use.  It is small and very light which makes it comfortable for long-term use.  Enjoy the show.

jkOnTheRun video- 13-inch MacBook (aluminum)

Apple just announced the new MacBooks a couple of days ago but we've already gotten our hands on one and bring you this video look at the 13-inch aluminum MacBook.  This is the new MacBook with the MacBook Pro styling that brings a new level of performance to the MacBook line.  In this video you'll see a complete overview of the hardware, the new sleek styling and the large glass trackpad.  You will get a demonstration of how the new multi-finger gestures control the interface and how the buttonless trackpad is more intuitive than the conventional ones you are used to.  Have a look at the performance and styling that make up the new MacBook from Apple.  Enjoy the video!

jkOnTheRun video- HP EliteBook 2730p Tablet PC

The HP 2710p has been my favorite mobile computer and Tablet PC of choice for a while and when HP told me about their refreshed model, the 2730p, I was happy to hear about it.  I have been using the evaluation 2730p for a few weeks and it has been a wonderful mobile PC and and even better Tablet PC.  HP addressed virtually every major niggling thing I didn't like about the 2710p and in this video I show how they made a great Tablet PC even better.  This is a unique opportunity to see the 2730p side-by-side with the 2710p and get a look for yourself how the new model has changed.  You also get a chance to see the slice battery in use and the slim dock with integrated 7mm optical drive.  I know, I know the video is a bit long but that was the only way to get all the great things you see at one time.  The extended battery/ docking solution is the best I have ever used in practice and you'll get a chance to see for yourself.  Enjoy the show.

jkOnTheRun video- Lenovo IdeaPad S10 netbook

I just received the hot new Lenovo IdeaPad S10 netbook yesterday but due to high demand I just had to get a video of it so here you go.  The Lenovo S10 is a 10-inch netbook and the unit I have is running a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor, has 1 GB of RAM, WiFi and Bluetooth, a 160 GB HDD and sports a multi-touch trackpad.  In the video you'll see the S10 in all its glory and watch it performing common tasks like running Firefox and using the Explorer.  You'll also see me demonstrate how well the multi-touch trackpad works in Firefox and for manipulating images.  Take a look at the video and let us know what you think in the comments.

UPDATE: the button on top of the keyboard that I indicated in the video I didn't know what it was for actually runs the OneKey recovery system from Lenovo.

Mac OS X on MSI Wind: sleep and restore is like instant on

This might be the shortest video in jkOnTheRun history, but I'm amazed at how quickly the MSI Wind goes to sleep and wakes back up with Mac OS X. Actually, the video would have been even shorter if I hadn't been so shocked and mesmerized by this. I haven't modified the netbook hardware in any way at this point: this is the "stock" Intel Atom at 1.6 GHz, the 5400 RPM hard drive with 80 GB of capacity and the factory installed 1 GB of RAM.

Although Microsoft has made great strides with speed and stability of sleep and wake, I think there's room for improvement. Eventually, Windows XP has to go away, so my hope is that Windows 7 really nails this functionality down. It's a very small feature when compared with the rest of the operating system, but for mobile devices with limited battery capacity, it's actually a heavy-duty function.