Archives for July 2007
O2 Zinc joins the WM6 league
John Chan | Jul 03, 2007
Without fanfare, O2 has released a Windows Mobile 6 (WM6) upgrade for its Zinc PDA-phone. This handheld is one of the company's latest, and is its only 3G device with a QWERTY keyboard.
Users can download a file from the O2 Web site, or go to one of its services centers with their Zinc to perform the upgrade. Either way, all data will be erased from the handheld, so a backup should be done before the process.
The update is available in both English and Chinese. It adds capabilities like the ability to view and edit HTML emails as well as a storage card encryption feature. This upgrade from Windows Mobile 5.0 (WM5) to WM6 is free. Future Zinc handhelds to be shipped will come with the updated OS installed.
The Atom Life was the first handheld from O2 to receive the WM6 treatment. Meanwhile, its latest model, the Flame, still runs WM5 and O2 says that it is "currently working closely with Microsoft in order to roll out the Xda Flame upgrading program soon". That means that it is in the pipeline, which is good news for current Flame users even though no specific time frame for release was given.
USB Air-Conditioned Shirt
Juniper Foo | Jul 03, 2007
Our venerable Mobile Ojisan (mobile uncle) blogged about the kucho-fuku "airconditioned jacket" as early as January 2006. Not surprisingly, there's now a USB version out. What's more surprising is that it's taken so long. Still, given the stultifying heat and humidity of the tropics mid-year, anything that cools us down is heaven-sent, even if it's the height of uncool donning a bulky jacket that packs two 10cm fans on the left and right rear, plus a USB port and cable that tethers you to your PC. Just remember to unplug before you step away from your desk.
Click for bigger image here
Via New Launches
Price: US$159
Availability: Found retailing here
Device: USB accessory
Specs: Size XL 126/45, fans 1.2W, 325g, material 80 percent polyester, 20 percent cotton
Wall-climbing robot sucks it up
Mark Rutherford, CNET.com | Jul 02, 2007
Just how desperate is that housewife next door? If those down-looking satellites just don't do it for you any more, here's another way to keep an eye on your neighbor.
The Vortex Regenerative Air Movement Mobile Robot Platform (VRAMMRP) uses a patented "tornado in a cup" sucking technology to stick to walls and ceilings, then uses six wheels to position itself on the window ledge or other strategic location. Remote controlled by joy stick, the unit can send video and audio via secure Bluetooth. This equipment should be included in any self-respecting paparazzi's toolkit.
Via CNET Crave
Tripod gives camera permanent legs
Mike Yamamoto, CNET.com | Jul 02, 2007
One of the many great things about digital cameras is convenience: They're always ready to shoot and are often small enough to carry in your pocket anywhere. Tripods, however, are another matter altogether. And if you drink as much coffee as we do at Crave, your hands can use all the steadying help they can get.
That's why something like the "Always-On Millipod" may be the perfect solution for caffeine-addled types like us. Billed as the "slimmest tripod ever," according to OhGizmo, it attaches to the bottom of a point-and-shoot camera and folds away until needed, when its legs pop out on a moment's notice.
That means you won't have to lug around something like a "Gorillapod" or hunt for rocks to fill your "Camera Stabilising Bag." Better still, you'll save yourself the humiliation of having to use the "Quick Pod" once and for all.
Via CNET Crave
iPhone's best clone ever: Meizu miniOne M8
Damian Koh | Jul 02, 2007
If imitation is the best form of flattery, then Apple's ego should be pretty inflated by now.
We all know the Chinese can get rather, erm, ignorant about legal cloning issues and the Meizu's miniOne M8 takes the cake for being an iPhone wannabe. Whether the Cupertino lawyers are going to take this one down is another story. Blogger Rick Martin gives his take on the miniOne M8 in his recent post. What we really like is the purported lower pricing. It's approximately US$263 and US$328 for the 4GB and 8GB models, respectively. And the best part? It's not tied to a darn operator.
Check out more at Martin's blog.
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