08:48 AM by Alexander Turcic in Archive | Portable Audio/Video

It's not a secret that Creative Technology has been struggling to match the success of the iPod. Instead of making better MP3 players, the company could now simply sue Apple for using its recently patented technology for finding songs. NYT Online writes:

Creative Technology, a maker of portable music players, has accused Apple Computer of violating a newly granted software patent covering the way users navigate music selections. [It] said it would consider every option available to defend the patent, including possible legal action. Apple declined to comment on the patent.

So here is another example of how absurd software patents (covering laughably obvious ideas) threaten to devastate America's computer industry. Pamela Jones, who runs Groklaw said in 2004:

"Software patents will destroy the industry in the U.S.," wrote Jones on Sunday. "The rest of the world will out-innovate U.S. companies, because they won't be running with the patent ball-and-chain attached to their ankles, holding them back.

07:03 AM by Bob Russell in E-Book General | News

Palm Addicts points us to a wonderful story this morning. Engadget is reporting that Phillips is going to show a Readius rollable display prototype at the Internationale Funkausstellung consumer electronics show in Berlin later this week. It will have a 100µm, QVGA, active-matrix 5-inch display, and will roll up into a 7.5 mm tube when not in use.

I've often wondered how engineers will be able to put a rollup display in a sturdy form factor. Now we can see one way. Now as you improve power, processing and display technology, there's no reason to think we won't have very nice devices that fit very easily into your pocket. Not to mention that they will get lighter also.

It's been a while since I've been really excited about a display technology. In fact, the last exciting idea I remember is the low power laser projection displays that are being worked on. This puts one form to the future of mobile computing that I really like. If they can only make it VGA color, bright, low power, and with a touch sensitive surface. I guess it might be a while before it shows up in your next Palm or Pocket PC device!

More info is available here at EETimes.

05:39 AM by Alexander Turcic in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

A user at Aximsite who claims to be working for a big company sympathetic to Dell has posted photos of what appears to be the upcoming Dell Axim X51v. I was trying to detect differences to the X50v, but couldn't find any:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56.../LVDSC0002.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56.../LVDSC0003.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56.../LVDSC0004.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56.../LVDSC0005.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56.../LVDSC0009.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56.../LVDSC0010.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56.../LVDSC0011.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56.../LVDSC0012.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56.../LVDSC0013.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y56.../LVDSC0016.jpg

05:13 AM by Alexander Turcic in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

Master Kick is a new stunning arcade game unveiled for Palm OS 5 handhelds.

Master Kick arises in glory of the best arcade version of table soccer seen till now! It's not just a game with stunning graphics of various playfields and players, weather visual effects, or live cheering. Master kick gives you the full atmosphere of soccer match combined with football skill.

Check out the video or go straight to the download section.

Thanks to Nemanja/Industry Entertainment for the heads up.

04:18 AM by Alexander Turcic in E-Book General | News

Teleread wrote a Q&A with Scott Sigler, the guy who has made news recently for receiving a print book contract deal as a direct result of his success with the podcast novel Earthcore. Since money doesn't grow on trees we're absolutely OK with him going paper now. But there is also the other side of the coin: e-book purists may argue that by keeping popular content exclusive to e-books it could help the e-book phenomenon to go faster from novelty to mainstream.

Related: Sadi Ranson-Polizzotti's podcast on the Scott Sigler.

03:01 AM by Alexander Turcic in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

In one of Sammy's best "5 Minute" podcasts so far, he gives a very personal and honest account of how he became a handheld addict. It's a pleasure to listen to (don't we love the Irish accent?) and this alone makes it deserve a full 5 out of 5. But I'd also like to point out that he mentions us as his favorite site to catch up important gadget and mobile tech news every morning. Thank you Sam!

Related: PalmAddict Podcast #11 just arrived.

07:31 PM by Bob Russell in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

Have you got a pda that needs to be fixed? Maybe it needs a new screen? More memory? Bet you didn't know you could fix it yourself. If you're feeling adventurous, an excellent source of fix-it kits is available at pocketpctechs.

Personally, I'll tinker with computers and pdas with little fear. But I tend to shy away from working on cars and houses. Ever since I changed the starter switch in an old Dodge station wagon and set it on fire, I've realized that do it yourself projects can be very expensive!

(Via PocketPC Magazine)

07:14 PM by Bob Russell in Miscellaneous | Lounge

SiliconValley.com is reporting that "Last week, Hewlett-Packard board member Thomas Perkins lifted the lid on a project in development at HP Labs to thwart movie pirates who make copies of movies in theaters... 'We have a new projection technology that we think will make the image immune from a teenager . . . with a video camera'"

If it works, this might be a great solution.