Zodiac questions

[ignatz]

Hey Zodiac users,

I have been looking hard at the Zodiac lately, thinking that it's a good candidate for my next PDA. I have read a lot of reviews, but I still have a few questions. I would appreciate any answers that I can get. (ballistic, I'm looking at you!)

• One thing that I have been surprised to find no information on is fairly simple: when you view the screen in portrait mode, which side is up? I ask because I am used to reading ebooks in portrait mode and I wonder how easy it would be to hold the Zod and operate it one-handed.
• And leaping from there, how easy is the Zodiac to operate one-handed? Is it comfortable to hold one-handed in landscape mode?
• I encountered one review that mentioned that applications require a "signature" from Tapwave for security? What is that all about? Do all apps require this? How does it work?
• I have not been able to find any hard cases for the Zodiac. I carry my T|E around in my pocket all day and am much happier knowing that it's safe inside a Rhinoskin aluminum case. I know the Zodiac has an aluminum body, but what about the screen? How do you keep it safe?

I know that I might do better to post this over at Tapland (and I admit that I haven't crawled through their forums yet; the answers might be there), but I want this info to be available here at MR! Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by ignatz

Hey Zodiac users,

I have been looking hard at the Zodiac lately, thinking that it's a good candidate for my next PDA. I have read a lot of reviews, but I still have a few questions. I would appreciate any answers that I can get. (ballistic, I'm looking at you!)

You found me!

• One thing that I have been surprised to find no information on is fairly simple: when you view the screen in portrait mode, which side is up? I ask because I am used to reading ebooks in portrait mode and I wonder how easy it would be to hold the Zod and operate it one-handed.

In portrait mode, the analog controller is on the bottom with the two triggers on the left side, like this.

• And leaping from there, how easy is the Zodiac to operate one-handed? Is it comfortable to hold one-handed in landscape mode?

The Zodiac is landscape oriented, but I personally find holding it in portrait mode comfortable on the rare occasions I hold it that way. Believe it or not, a lot of Zodiac owners have expressed that they were apprehensive about the Zodiac's bias towards landscape operation, and were pleasantly surprised at how quickly they were able to adapt, myself included. I actually prefer the landscape orientation now.

• I encountered one review that mentioned that applications require a "signature" from Tapwave for security? What is that all about? Do all apps require this? How does it work?

The signing process is only for the Zodiac specific APIs (DIA, ATI video, analog stick, DRM for games, audible.com content, music *soon* etc). Commercial Zodiac-optimized games that use the Zodiac's features and APIs are locked to your device ID unless you buy the ones that come on SD/MMC cards.

• I have not been able to find any hard cases for the Zodiac. I carry my T|E around in my pocket all day and am much happier knowing that it's safe inside a Rhinoskin aluminum case. I know the Zodiac has an aluminum body, but what about the screen? How do you keep it safe?

The Zodiac comes with flip screen cover you can see in this review at Tapland (please don't mind the shameless plugs ), and they will be releasing a custom aluminum case "soon". I use a Global Source play-through leather case, identical to the one reviewed here, but the Global Source case has black stitching instead of white. I also use a quality Martin Fields overlay screen protector (reviewed here). I can carry an extra SD card (besides the two that live in my Zodiac, as well as my Sandisk Wifi card. The case also has a card holder, perfect for your Dave & Buster's card .

I know that I might do better to post this over at Tapland (and I admit that I haven't crawled through their forums yet; the answers might be there), but I want this info to be available here at MR! Any help is greatly appreciated.

No problem, and if you are seriously considering the Zodiac, there is a lot of good information over at Tapland and the community is very mature and helpful.


Regards,

Brian

In its portrait mode the joy stick is at the bottom. It is just as easy to operate one-handed this way as the TungstenE I also used to own. If you are accustomed using the hardware buttons on the bottom of the TE, it may take some getting used to. When I read like this I use the joystick or the on-screen controls.

The default view is landscape. Although its OK to hold it one-handed this way (as long as you support the whole unit in your palm), it is designed so naturally for two hands that I always seem to hold it that way. It feels good.

I can't answer your question about the signature with any authority, however, as I understand it that in order to utilize the special features of the Zodiac (eg video chip), the software must be signed (approved?) by Tapwave. It would then be able to fully utilize the Zodiac's extra performance.

For example, from your previous posts I see that you are fond of exotic fonts. The new Fontsmoother program is not compatible with the Z because it needs YAHM. Apparently YAHM won't work until it is signed.

The Tapwave "soft" case comes with an relatively hard insert. This in addition to the leather screen flap and aluminum body gives it enough protection that I have no concern about screen safety.

Hope this helps.