If it talks like a duck, it might be this voice changer

Given how awful cell phone reception is in our area, it's doubtful that anyone would need a voice changer when conversations often sound like they're under water as it is. But outfits like Spyville never saw a situation that couldn't be subjected to some form of amateur espionage.

That must be why they thought up the Cell Phone Voice Changer, which is pretty much self-explanatory. We do admit that the choice of disguises did catch us off guard: "a duck, child, old man, or a robot," as related by OhGizmo.

What's most amusing about its product description, however, is that it touts "hands-free productivity" and "hands-free safety," as if a device like this is something anyone would use in everyday life. Because everyone knows that talking like a duck on a cell phone can be hazardous on the road.

Via CNET Crave

Six Apart's handy Blog It service hits the iPhone

This morning, Six Apart unveiled its newest iPhone creation, a very svelte-looking port of Blog It, which the company introduced back in April. The simple tool lets you write and cross-blog a post or status update to several services at once. The company is hoping people will use it as a home base to manage all their updates. It's also a somewhat early look at some of the features users will be getting in the upcoming native blogging application announced on Monday.

The tool started out as a Facebook app and has since pulled in about 10,000 users. According to Six Apart's Open Platforms technical lead, David Recordon, the top user request was to get the service onto other platforms, and the iPhone is just the first. Another was to get a WYSIWYG editor built in so people won't have to deal with inserting all sorts of HTML gobbledy goop while typing out a quick post on the road. That was added just a month later.

The app uses the same open standards architecture as the Facebook app, meaning you can log in quickly with your OpenID or from any of the blogging platforms. The only legwork that must be done is setting up all your accounts one by one. If you don't feel like numbing your fingers on the iPhone version, you can add these same accounts in the Facebook version of Blog It--the two share the same login information.



Via CNET Crave

StarHub to launch Asia's first integrated IM app on mobiles

Singapore telco StarHub will soon be launching what it claims is Asia's first IM application for mobile phones that combines both Yahoo and Microsoft Live Messenger services. Called Chat Anywhere, this value-added service is aimed at giving IM addicts (or simply anyone who wants to stay online all the time) peace of mind with its S$5.35 monthly flat rate.

Expected to be available in the later part of June, this service is open to all StarHub post-paid mobile subscribers with cellular handsets that support Java. Users need to download the application and install it on the phone. Connectivity is via GPRS, 3G or HSDPA whichever is available. No extra data charges will be incurred when using this service, according to StarHub.

Singapore's number portability war begins

Seen here is an ad placed prominently and repeatedly when you enter the convention hall at Suntec City for the PC Show. The text claims that more people joined SingTel in the past year than the other two operators combined and goes on to urge the reader to switch, too. This, we know, is an attempt to get customers to defect to SingTel from StarHub and M1, since users can now keep their existing mobile phone numbers thanks to number portability coming into effect from June 13.

M1 and StarHub have not been sitting quietly, too. M1 has had a campaign going on for the last few months with some catchy TV commercials saying it will listen to customers and give them what they want. StarHub has a Choose Freedom campaign and will be holding a midnight roadshow at Plaza Singapura tonight with new phones displayed and prizes to be given out.

What does that all mean to you? If you are still in a mobile phone contract, probably nothing. But if you are not and are ready to sign one, it's a great time to switch operators because of all the deals. We can't decide at the moment which operator has the best deals, but here's a warning for those planning to get the iPhone 3G later this year--keep your signature off those dotted lines for now because you'll surely need it for a new contract with your operator when Apple's phone arrives. Joshua (that guy in the ad) may be a happy switcher now, but he won't be getting a iPhone 3G for the next two years.

FreeHand: It's all in the wrist

As weird as this may seem--and make no mistake, it is weird--it will probably be appreciated by anyone whose pockets have been weighed down, or worn through, by too many gadgets. The FreeHand is a pouch that can be worn like a fingerless glove, a "flexible mesh pocket" that can stow everything from keys to a mobile phone.

Coolest-Gadgets says it looks like an RSI brace, though we think it could pass for a high-tech bowling glove. Either way, it gets dangerously close to date-repellant territory. Unless you can convince people that you're slowly morphing into Iron Man.

Via CNET Crave

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