08:15 PM by Bob Russell in Archive | Portable Audio/Video

Almost exactly one year ago, we pointed you to AudioBooksForFree. It looks like they're alive and well, and they continue to add books. The web site is a bit busy, but it's enough to get you to the audiobooks.

Previously, most of their books were machine read. Don't know if that's still true, but it does look like they have a lot of books there.

Maybe a better source is the Gutenberg project, which also has audio books available for free, some by machine readers and some by human readers.

And don't forget that almost any pda with a memory card can hold and play mp3s. Add a car adapter kit, you can listen to these audiobooks on your car's audio system while you commute. (Any electronics store has car adapter kits for about $20 that connects to your pda's headphone jack to a cassette deck or broadcasts FM radio).

06:07 PM by Bob Russell in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

I've had a few weeks with my new Treo650 now, and I must say it has really changed my mind about convergence. I used to think that the compromises of a smartphone were so horrible that it would drive a power PDA user crazy, and that the dominance of the wireless carrier's demand for revenues would destroy the functionality.

Well, I was partly right... there are compromises (like small screen, less memory, high price) and the wireless carrier's influence (or at least Verizon, which I have for the moment) really does make the device less useful and expensive. I don't really try to do as much on my Treo as I'd like to.

But what I didn't expect was how much I really appreciate a converged device. The obvious thing is that I have a phone and a pda in one pocket. That would have been enough for me, but even the way it's combined in the Treo is very nice. It is integrated but separate. I'll try to describe that if I do a mini-review of it. And the pda is quite good, also to my surprise.

I'm delighted with it, and wouldn't consider anything else out on the market now that I've gotten used to it. Never thought I could feel that way, but this little smartphone has won me over!

Unfortunately, that may be mostly true because PalmOne did a fantastic job with the Treo650. (Not perfect, but very good!) But it is definitely enough to convince me that it's a great idea. If you've followed my comments, you know that's a big change of perspective for me. And if a smartphone can be great now, how much better when the technology catches up, and you don't have to make so many size, weight, memory and cost tradeoffs in the future?

But don't think I'm saying that smartphones are the answer for everyone. If I didn't feel compelled to carry around both a phone and pda, I'd hate it. Instead I'd have a LifeDrive or something like a Dell x50v, or even just a great phone if I didn't want a pda. But right now, I want both, and I'm very happy to be a Treo user!

So I'm curious -- Has anyone else recently surprised themselves by becoming a fan of smartphones!?

05:42 PM by Bob Russell in Archive | Portable Audio/Video

I'm thoroughly enjoying the tech podcasts I've been listening to. Shows like Tech Addiction, 1src Podcast, Palm Addict's new show, etc.

But has anyone noticed the horrible quality of the recordings?!!

I was spoiled listening to the Computer Outlook show recently with all the PalmSource DevCon interviews. They did a really great job technically with the shows, and I started to take it for granted. But the typical amateur isn't really equipped to do that right off the bat, and probably doesn't even have the right equipment and/or technology to make it sound good.

So now when I use a cassette adapter to play podcasts on my car stereo from my trusty Treo650 mp3 player, it hurts my ears. Literally!!

For example, there was a fantastic podcast recently from The Podcast Network on the Personal Productivity Podcast. The guest was David Allen (of Getting Things Done fame). A really fantastic show. But each person had a different volume level, so you turn it up to hear the hosts, and then when David laughs, it almost pops my eardrums! It's not David's fault... it's the recording/finishing setup.

Hopefully there will be some software systems to automate the whole thing with audio levels and editing and management of pops (things like "p" sounds that drill your ear, or whistling "s" sounds), and even with Skype voip integration because that seems to be the most popular way of bringing people together for a podcast.

Don't get me wrong... I really enjoy the podcasts. I just can't wait till the art of podcasting catches up so it doesn't hurt my ears anymore!

05:04 PM by Colin Dunstan in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

Not a joke, and it doesn't surprise me either, considering some of the wacky and crazy patents that have been issued to inventors through the last years. So here is the scoop: In patent US 6906701, PalmOne describes a method of interacting with the user through illuminatable hardware buttons of a handheld device. From the patent description:

A method and apparatus for indicating information to a user of a palmtop computer. Illuminatable hard buttons are disclosed that are operable for performing functions. The hard buttons are selectively illuminated to indicate information to a user that relates to the function performed when the bard button is pressed. The selective illumination of hard buttons to indicate information that relates to the function that is performed when the hard button is pressed conveys information to the user in a manner that is easily understood by the user. In one embodiment, whether or not the button is illuminated and the color of the illumination, convey information about the function that is to be performed when the button is pressed.

Some examples of what PalmOne has in mind:

• A date book alert occurs. The hardware button is illuminated that directly brings you to the date book application.
• You miss a call. The hardware button is illuminated that points to the address book and would directly bring you to the person whose call you've missed.
• Navigation through an application. Illuminate those buttons in which direction you can scroll or navigate.

04:44 PM by Colin Dunstan in More E-Book Readers | Legacy E-Book Devices

Some Linux hackers wrote a second version of the firmware hack that allows Western owners of the Sony e-book reader to translate the user interface into a language that makes somewhat more sense to them (which is debatable of course). In addition, with the new hack you can change the internal time zone to UTC, remove the built-in Japanese dictionaries, and start custom applications from memory stick.

Click here to download Firmware Patch FW 1.0.00.06160

It goes without saying that flashing unauthorized software will void your warranty.

03:34 PM by Colin Dunstan in E-Book General | Deals and Resources (No...

From ePublishing Blog I learned today that Paperback Digital, a relatively new webstore, is offering e-books in the Mobipocket format (which does not win my heart) with some discounts.

Ok, hold on here for second. If you are an old-time MobileRead visitor, you'll know that Paperback Digital was launched last year by the same team that created Palm Digital Media (sold to Motricity and metamorphosed into eReader) and the PalmReader (aka eReader) software. Yes, and the same guys are now selling MobiPocket e-books! Beside the fact, Paperback Digital was originally created to offer "attractively priced" MP3-CD audiobooks which apparently no one found attractive enough since now they're back in the e-book business.

02:34 PM by Colin Dunstan in Miscellaneous | Lounge

With summer fast approaching, it's time to gear up for a mobile solution to access your dusty work desktop, because what else would you want to do while drinking a strawberry daiquiri on the beach?

Check out CNet's recent review of LogMeIn, which offers a free solution to control your PC remotely; extra features, such as file transfer, require the paid version (for $13/mo.). Citrix is another company offering similar services with GoToMyPC; although they don't offer a free solution ($20/mo.), testing their trial for 60 mins of connection time or 30 days doesn't cost you anything. A third recommended solution is offered by Laplink Software: their subscription prices start at $9/mo. or $45/yr. and a 15-day free trial is also available. The latter should be sufficient for a two-weeks vacation without suffering from acute computer withdrawal, don't you think?

02:04 PM by Colin Dunstan in E-Book General | Deals and Resources (No...

Cory Doctorow made available his third novel Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town for download as an e-book:

As with my first and second novels, I've posted the entire text of this book online under a Creative Commons license that allows the unlimited, noncommercial redistribution of the text. You can send it around, paste it into a chat, beam it to a friend's PDA, or print out a chapter to hand out in the university common room. Like Woody Guthrie said, "Publish it. Write it. Sing it. Swing to it. Yodel it. We wrote it, that's all we wanted to do."

Interestingly, under the new Creative Commons Developing Nations License, this e-book lets anyone living in a country that's not on the World Bank's list of high-income countries treat the book as if it were in the public domain.