HTC to Get Their QWERTY On

Well there appears to be a rare picture of the HTC Excalibur floating around the ‘net today.  Both Smartphone Thoughts and CoolSmartPhone have posts about the device.  If you are looking for HTC to release a Moto Q type device, then look no further.  This is the first picture of the rumored device.  Here are some expected and rumored specifications:

  • Landscape QVGA (320×240) Display
  • WiFi
  • Quad Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
  • Jog Strip (right side of screen – see picture)
  • QWERTY Keyboard below screen

Sorry I don’t have a picture, but it seems only Smartphone Thoughts has one.

Via: Smartphone Thoughts, CoolSmartPhone

Hubdog Mobile Blogging & Windows Mobile

Hubdog is bringing blogs to Windows Mobile devices. With their Hubdog Bloggers Program, bloggers will be able to create mobile versions of their blogs for use on Windows Mobile devices.  Allowing bloggers to create a link on their blog to their mobile-optimized version, Hubdog brings the ability for live updates and cached data for always protable access.

Bottom line, Hubdog improves and optimizes the experience of reading blogs on any Windows Mobile pocket pc device. Hubdog Blogger Program Benefits:

  • Optimize your blog for Windows Mobile pocket pcs devices.
  • Cost-free solution for addressing millions of mobile readers throughout the world.
  • Track your success: Get statistical usage data about readers subscribing to your channel.
  • 100% efficiency, since channels are subscribed by readers on an opt-in basis.
  • Access to an educated, influential readership with a high disposable income.
  • Leverage online content distribution and serve existing readers with an added value mobile delivery solution.
  • Attract new readers and build stronger relationships with existing readers.

Looks pretty interesting for a free RSS reader.  The main site also allows you to capture your own favorite blogs/RSS feeds to take with.

Google Maps goes Mobile

Looks like Google has launched a mobile version of Google Maps. Point your device to www.google.com/gmm to download the Java applet. They do note the following on the Support Devices page:

Maps does not currently work with Nextel, T-Mobile USA or BREW-enabled phones (e.g. Verizon, Alltel, U.S. Cellular), or Palm devices.

So make sure that you are not trying to use Google Maps on the above services and devices.  Too bad, I was kind of looking forward to this and from the list of “does not currently work” I take it that only devices on Cingular and Sprint can use the product.

Review – Parrot 3400 LS-GPS Car Kit

Parrot 3400 LS-GPS Bluetooth Car Kit Looking for a high-end integrated bluetooth car kit? Then head on over to Phone Arena and read their in-depth review of the latest Parrot bluetooth car kit!

This car interface for your phone (and more) integrates into your existing sound system for audio output, and includes a GPS reciever among other features. Nifty stuff if you need this kind of integration and your car did not come with bluetooth and/or a navigation system. The Parrot 3400 is a full-install system and not a plug & play type of setup. You’ll need to have a professional install unless your comfortable performing what amounts to a high-end car stereo system.

There is a lot of features in this type of package, though you can get installed systems starting at $100 that simply tie in your cell phone. Anyway, good review – check it out!

Via: Phone Arena

Headset Specifications

I suppose I should jot down my needs for a bluetooth headset – my specifications of what I’m looking for in a new headset.

What I’m after this time around is beyond pure technology stats (that’s how I used to shop for tech), and into convienence, style, function, ease of use and appearance.  So I’m pretty much looking for something most people would be after today.  If I followed my “old” mode, I’d jump on something like the feature-laden Jabra BT800 (neat stuff), but there are several drawbacks to that device (and many pros too), so I truely have to evaluate and rate the choices available before I buy.

So here it goes “The Mobile Lifestyle – Bluetooth Headset” specifications:

  1. Size – Smaller, this unit should be less obtrusive than the “Borg-like” BT200 that wrapped around your ear like some bionic implant that protrudes from the skull
  2. Weight – should feel “like its not even there”
  3. Style – Over the ear, the style that uses a “hanging” device that holds the unit directly in front of the ear
  4. Price – I’m not too concerned with price at this point.  Honestly, I want the best device for me – if it costs too much, I just won’t be buying a new headset, its that simple.  To put a dollar amount on it, I don’t want to go beyond $100US (we’ll see)
  5. Bluetooth – Version 1.2
  6. Color – Black, Gray, or silver
  7. Talk Time – At least 6 hours, though its not a big issue with me.  All I need is to use it for about an hour or two a day – I’ve never had more phone time than that.
  8. Standby Time – Several days, though I would think I’d shut it off at night, even though I don’t shut my phone off
  9. Nice to have – Would be nice to have it support more than one connection profile.  Meaning that I would like to seamlessly move the connection from my phone to my computer to use with Skype and other VoIP systems.

Well, there they are.  My needs, wants and desires in a bluetooth headset.  I’ve already started researching devices, and I think the hardest part of this is going to be obtaining test units to review.

What do you think – does this list fit your needs/wants?  What would you add or change on this list?  I’m open to adding requirements to the list while working on this project – just let me know!

Shopping for a Bluetooth Headset

Well, its time for me to purchase a new bluetooth headset.  I’ve had headsets in the past and the fact that I don’t have one at the moment is odd for me.

My last headset was the (infamous) Jabra BT200.  At the time, I enjoyed the idea of a behind-the-ear headset, and it felt quite good on my ear.  I’ve got medium-large ears and so it worked well for me.  The “earbud” that dumped the audio directly into the ear canal, provided superb sound quality for my purposes.  Of course, there was the problem with range and battery life, but that was then and this is now.

So I’m off on a journey to discover and aquire a new headset this summer.  I’m going to try and investigate the low-end to the high-end, and periodically report back here on my findings.  Will it be another Jabra?  Will it be a easily replacable affordable unit?  Will it be a high-end unit that also makes my coffee?  We’ll find out.

To start with, I’m going to try the Motorola H500 – it seems to get good reviews, and many people have purchased it and enjoy it.  So that is my starting point, and I’ll work around the interesting headsets from there.  Where possible I’ll get some photos and some mini-reviews where possible.

Skype Phone Converter

Now this looks like a great accessory to pack in your mobile kit – the Skype Phone Converter.  Named the Uconnect 901, the USB device simply allows you to use your existing wired or wireless phones with Skype.

Personally, I’ll use either a USB headset or a Bluetooth headset with Skype – smaller and easier to carry.  However, at home a person could connect their phone infrastructure similar to using a Vonage device and connecting the entire home phone system to the VoIP line.  Neat stuff.

Via: jkOnTheRun

Cingular’s Mobile TV…

There has been many discussions on mobile video around the blogosphere, most simply asking why anyone would want such a service.  Personally, I can envision a video service on a cell phone even though I wouldn’t be using it.

Anyway, Cingular seems to have announced that it will be offering made for mobile versions of some popular TV shows on Cingular Video.

My issue with this scenario is that you need to be a Cingular customer to get access to these “mobile versions”.  Why wouldn’t HBO and others simply offer the shows directly to mobile customers?  Offer up shows in RealPlayer, Windows Media, and Apple QuickTime and you have over 99% of the mobile media players covered.

It would seem to me that any value added type of service direct from the source of any media producer would be a “no-brainer”, but then again, the large media producers like HBO, ESPN, Discovery and so on just don’t see the mobile market as a viable source of income.

I believe they will be in for a surprise when they finally figure it out.

Via: The Wireless Report