Ben Franklin prefers the Tablet PC

Allegiance Technology Partners recently exhibited at a FEMA flood conference in Philadelphia to demonstrate how Tablet PCs could be used to great advantage in the field by their adjusters.  Lo and behold Ben Franklin was attending the conference and once he got a look at the Tablet PC it was all over.  Notice Ben brought his own electronic quill. 

(via John Hill)

-jk

You'll never get any work done now- InkDoku for the Tablet PC available

Just when you got into a productivity rhythm with your Tablet PC along comes InkDoku and brings it to a standstill.  InkDoku is a version of Sudoku, that addictive and even maddeningly simple game that makes time fly by.  InkDoku is a product of GFL Systems and is played with the pen and if you have an eraser pen it supports that too.  The program is $9.95 and you can download a free trial to take it for a spin.

-jk

e319: the mega-in-car-nav system you don't need

I'm not certain on the price, but I'd say the size and crammed components have to put it in "more than you think" category. The E319 is the Swiss Army equivalent of a GPS navigation system for your vehicle. Yup, you can navigate around the town with it and you can navigate on the device itself via the 800 x 480 touch screen. I'll bet you expected me to say it's a 7-inch screen, but I'm going to shortchange you a bit because it's only 6.5-inches. Aside from the core competency, it has a 20 GB drive, a GSM/GPRS for cellular voice and data connections, a 400 MHz CPU, and hey look: even an terrestrial radio for AM & FM! When you're not surfing and driving around, you can always watch a DVD. Remember, I said when you're NOT driving around....

(via Gizmodo)

-kct

Add USB ports with a Brando USB mini-mouse

I'm all for a small mouse when traveling and this one actually has a nice bonus. The Brando USB mouse is a small 75×37x25mm yet adds two extra USB ports along the way to your mobile device. You can retract or pull cable as needed, but the USB connection to your computer provides for more powering or device connectivity options. Could be useful in a pinch. Besides: how often do you sacrifice one port to gain two more?

(via Gizmowatch)

MobiTV now available on Windows Mobile platform

Streaming video to a PDA or phone is all the rage and MobiTV has extended its service to devices running Windows Mobile 5.0.  The new Windows Mobile version of MobiTV is available through the company directly and through Handango, which reports it runs on the following compatible devices:

• Audiovox PPC 6700
• Cingular 8125
• Palm Treo 700w
• Sprint PPC-6700
• Verizon XV6700

The service costs $9.99 per month and provides many major channels including The Weather Channel, ESPN, Fox Sports, Toon World, Comedy Time, C/NET, among others.  I am going to give it a try on my Treo and report back how well it works.

(MobiTV via engadget mobile)

-jk

 

Auto-screen Smartphone calls with PhoneGate

Getting telemarketer calls on your SmartPhone? Is that pesky neighbor calling you to complain about your lawn again? (Actually, we've seen it and it could use a cutting; you know who we're talking to) You can stop these calls dead in their tracks with PhoneGate for Windows Mobile from Maxicon. This $7.77 piece of software allows you to set up VIP contacts from Outlook so they get through, yet provides a lovely busy signal for those that didn't make your list. There are three modes in the software to help you focus on only the calls you want:

• Reject all calls
• Reject all calls except VIP numbers
• Accept all calls except unwanted numbers

You can pick this handy software up at Handango where there's also downloadable trial. Oh and don't call me, I'll call you. ;)

(via Windows For Devices)

-kct

Just how does DirectPush e-mail work anyway?

I always thought there were little Oompa-Loompas with text pagers in the Exchange servers; boy, was I wrong! This article is a few months old, but it's fresher than the newest MSFP upgrade that Verizon just added to the XV6700, so that's gotta count for something. If you were curious how Microsoft's DirectPush e-mail works from an Exchange server point-of-view, you have to read this very informative article on the MSExchange.org site. Now, back to finding those little buggers in the server....

(via Pocket PC Thoughts)

-kct

Nokia N80 reviewed- nice 3 MP camera

There are so many cool features on the Nokia N80 that it is hard to know where to start.  There's the 3 megapixel camera for starters which is really powerful for a phone camera.  The sliding keyboard reveals the dial pad when opened which keeps the overall size of the N80 down.  It's also the first phone I've seen with 802.11g for high-speed WiFi connections.  PC Magazine has reviewed the N80 and awarded it a Editor's Choice pick so check out the full review if you are interested in this multimedia phone with the nice camera.  The N80 unlocked will run you about $700 so be prepared.

-jk

C1 is a new UMPC, but not an Origami

Over at the Origami Project, one of the forum readers replied to one of my posts with some interesting info for those down under (Hugo & Craig: this means you mates!). Jonathan brings news of a new UMPC device called the C1 that has some interesting specs, but isn't quite an Origami device. That doesn't mean it's not a great device; time will tell on that one. Two quick reasons this Australian distributed device doesn't qualify as "Origami" is the 8.4-inch touchscreen and the fact that it's not supplied with the Tablet Edition of Windows XP. Having said that, the C1 does offer some compelling aspects such as:

• Native resolution of 800 x 600
• 80 GB hard drive
• 1 GB DDR RAM
• An AGP graphics interface
• 1 GHz Via Eden CPU
• 10 Hotkey buttons
• A PCMCIA Type II Slot

It's the last specification that sets this device apart from the current UMPCs on the market as 3G connectivity options are currently most prevalent by using PC cards. I don't see a price as of yet, but I wouldn't mind taking a look at one of these and installing the Tablet PC Edition OS on it!

-kct

Teachers paying teachers

This post is not about mobile tech but since we often touch upon subjects of interest in the education field I think this article on CNN is worth mentioning.  Paul Edelman founded TeachersPayTeachers.com in April and the premise of the site is pretty cool.  Teachers sign up for a $29.95 annual fee and can then post their lectures and other course material for sale to other teachers.  Most items go for a dollar or two and cover a broad spectrum of subject matter. 

"We're all out there looking for different things," said Ron Hubbard, 36, a fifth-grade teacher in San Ramon, California, who has purchased 11 items for $41. "Each class is different, each year is different. You like to put your own little spin on it."

Hubbard, for example, picked up some timelines on American history, logic games for his gifted students, and a software program that lets him randomly select pairings of students. He's pleased.

I am all for teachers who create materials that help educate our children sharing that with other teachers and maybe helping cover their costs somewhat in the bargain.  I know a lot of teachers and they spend a lot of their own money to come up with innovative ways to help kids not only learn but to get enthusiastic about doing so.  Kudos to Mr. Edelman and I wish him much success, and the teachers too.

-jk