You know what I do whenever I have gadget envy? I give an existing gadget that’s close enough to the one I’m lusting over a nice little makeover, and then I try and convince myself that what I have is good enough – if not better – than what I was originally making eyes at. It works for the most part… until I drunkenly smash the thing. But that’s only happened to me a couple of times in my entire gadget history, so I’m not going to beat myself up about it

Right now my gadget envy is focussed on the iPod touch. All the journos I know that have one are thinking about buying one. I suspect that the courier tried to deliver my iPod touch review unit on Friday, but given that I wasn’t home, I was unable to take receipt of this wondrous new toy.

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Well, turns out my adventures with the JASJAR were embarrassingly short-lived. I’ll spare you the gory details, suffice to say that drinking on an empty stomach and being literally blind drunk does not go well with fumbling with an oversized phone and trying to call various people to come and rescue you from wherever you’ve drunkenly stumbled to.

The damage (busted hinge):

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When you see all the new DirectX10 titles coming out for PC it becomes very easy to overlook the newer DirectX9 titles. Battlefield 2142 is one of these titles, and it most definitely shows itself as proof that DX9 is not dead yet!

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am fully aware that Battlefield 2142 came out almost a year ago now, so it’s not anything new. However, it is new to me! Now, without further ado I will now begin…

I got my hands on a copy of the game Saturday, and I figured it would be a nice change for me since I have never actually played the official Battlefield.

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[THIS is a monster post with lots of photos - so give your browser some spinning wheel time!]

GearDiary was invited to join traditional media and automobile journalists to experience the launch of the redesigned Ford Focus and Ford Sync™. Hosted in Seattle, Washington by Ford Motor Company and Microsoft, the program included significant drive time with the Focus vehicle, demonstration of the Sync technology and a visit to the Microsoft campus to view the House of the Future. Geekness and coolness personified .

Sync is the newest mobile technology to emerge from the Ford-Microsoft relationship. Debuting in the 2008 Ford Focus automobile, Ford Sync is a fully integrated, flash memory-based system that allows the driver to use their Bluetooth phones hands-free. Additionally, music players such as the Zune or iPod can be controlled via voice commands and buttons mounted on the steering wheel.

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Observing ants in your home used to mean obtaining the typical ant farm which used sand as the medium for the ants to live in. A modern development and improvement on the old sand ant farms are the AntWorks ant habitats. This habitat uses a special gel instead of sand. The gel setup was originally developed for an NASA experiment, in which ants were sent into space on board the space shuttle to study insect life in near weightlessness. Traditional soil-based ant farm tunnels would collapse from the intense vibrations during a take off. To solve the problem, NASA scientists created the special gel that would serve as home, food and water source for the ants. Fascinations adapted the gel setup for the product AntWorks.

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Obviously I spent a good portion of tonight loading and configuring my nano, and one of the things I did in the process was re-discover the iTunes TV Shows section. While poking around, I noticed and downloaded the free pilot episode of The Big Bang Theory, a new CBS sitcom with Johnny Galecki (remember him from Roseanne?) playing one of a cast of girl-clueless geeks.

If you decide to watch, just bear in mind it’s a pilot and so it has to set every character up in its short 23 minute run. But I still I thought it was surprisingly good, and I found myself laughing out loud several times.

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f you’ve got a Windows Mobile 6 device and haven’t yet tried the voice clip feature, do it – it’s amazing! Instead of struggling with the touchscreen or keypad input, you just activate the voiceclip function, speak into the device’s microphone, and the other party gets an embedded voice clip within the chat window.Mitchell and I have been using the voice clip function with each other this morning – he on the HTC P3600i, and me on the i-mate JASJAR. Sound quality is excellent – sounds even better than speakerphone IMO, which is not surprising as it’s completely digital. Also, I was using it over my wireless network while Mitchell was doing it over 3G, and it works across different devices – I was also getting the voice clips using Windows Live on my MacBook.

The experience was very similar to using a walkie talkie – he’d record a voice clip and send it, I’d listen, record a voice clip in response, and send it back. Sounds complicated, but it really isn’t – Microsoft has done a great job at simplifying the experience. And it works like speakerphone, so you don’t need to have the handset to your face to use it. If you miss what the other person said, simply hit the Play button to repeat it. You can even save clips to your device.

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This is off-topic, but I thought I’d share with you a little nugget of wisdom I found today. I’m one those habitual procrastinators that will always find a way to put something off until I absolutely have to do it – and if I don’t have to do it, then there’s a good chance it’ll never get done!

It’s not like I haven’t read all of the productivity and time management books, but nothing ever seems to stick, you know? But after reading ‘Thirteen Tricks to Motivate Yourself‘ on Lifehack.org, I found one tip that really stood out:

Go for Five – Start working for five minutes. Often that little push will be enough to get you going.

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Dear Artie

You and I got off to a great start. We had some wonderful times, sitting in the sun together, my hand gently stroking your chassis. Granted, you were a bit slow at first, but as I got to know you, I realised that you were just waiting for that special someone to come along and unlock your potential. So I put in the hard yards and made a lot of compromises. I did all I could to make our relationship work.

And we were almost there, when you dropped the bombshell. You had a faulty touchscreen. Not a hardware issue per se – more like a driver problem in Vista. Worse, I did a Google search, and to my horror I discovered that other people had posted about your “little problem” and were awaiting a solution.

Artie, I hope you realise that, if not resolved, this touchscreen problem will amount to an irreconcilable difference, and I will have no choice but to part ways with you. I refuse to let my emotions cloud my judgment. This has got to be fixed, or I’m leaving. I’m only being this frank with you because I truly care about you and want you to change for the better.

Yours sincerely

Jenneth

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One of my favourite gadget blogs is jkOnTheRun, and in James’ latest post, he discusses one of the quandaries of being a gadget reviewer: which one(s) do I take with me today?

Once I decided to bring a full-sized Tablet PC with me I had to decide between the Fujitsu P1610, the Lenovo x61 and the HP 2710p. The P1610 was my first choice being smaller and lighter than the other two but since my work was going to be writing I felt the smaller keyboard of the P1610 might not be the best choice. I can touch type fine on the Fuji but for extended touch typing sessions the small keyboard can get a little uncomfortable so I decided a bigger device would better serve me this time. I thought about bringing the Lenovo with me because it’s such a sweet, fast device but it’s also the biggest of all these devices and I’d have to bring a bigger gear bag than I wanted. That would entail having to transfer anything in my smaller gear bag to the larger one and that’s a hassle for a simple trip to the coffee shop. The HP 2710p is a fast and smaller Tablet so I decided to take that one for this trip.

My dilemma’s actually a different one – not so much which device I bring (as I tend to standardise on one particular device of each type for weeks – even months – at a time), but how many. If I could get away with it, I’d bring them all with me, in which case I’d need a small shopping trolley to carry them all! My iPod and/or Zune for listening to music, Artie for writing, surfing the Net and playing Scrabulous, my Nokia N95, my Canon EOS 40D for taking photos, my Panasonic HDC-SD1 for shooting video, my Canon M80 for backing up my camera’s memory card, my Nintendo DS Lite for playing games and – of course – my Battery Geek Portable Power Station to keep everything charged.

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I really did not notice Tay Zonday’s music until a few days ago when he released his latest song, “Do the Can’t Dance.” When I saw the new video, I thought Wow, Tay is really an awesome singer. And the theme of the song appeals to me as geeks can’t dance. I then checked out his other songs. His music is awesome! I am very picky about the music I listen to, so that says a lot about how good it really is.

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Usbfever.com, sellers of all USB things, just released some funny and unusual new products today.

First up is the USB Green House. This 9 x 6.5 x 6.5 inch miniature green house contains an adjustable growth light.

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Say what you will, but I think it looks pretty cool: this is the new Vodaphone Windows Mobile 6 Standard (AKA Smartphone) Treo 500v. No, it’s not available here, but 2007 isn’t over, yet…

photo courtesy of On Centro

I would love to try this one: a simple WM6 device with a keyboard and fairly decent specs for the price? What’s not to like. And yes, I know Mitchell will chime in soon to say how ugly it is (:lol:), but it has grown on me and I like it. Once I actually have one in hand, my opinion might change; but until then, that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!

The official Palm release:

Palm Launches Treo 500v on Windows Mobile 6 for Vodafone Customers
Mobile High Speed 3G/UMTS Internet Access and Multiple Forms of Communication Combined in One Compact Handset

LONDON, Sep 12, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

Palm Europe Ltd today announced the Palm(R) Treo(TM) 500v smartphone which combines multiple forms of communication and multimedia capabilities with high speed 3G/UMTS mobile internet access, allowing users access to popular websites such as MySpace, YouTube and eBay whilst on the move. The new Palm Treo 500v smartphone will initially be available exclusively to Vodafone customers from October.

The Palm Treo 500v smartphone runs on a Windows(R) Mobile(R) 6 standard platform and has a full keyboard, large screen, video streaming capability and a comprehensive multi-messaging functionality covering Instant Messaging, SMS, email and phone and personal information management software in a new design(1). The compact form factor is available in two colours: glacier white and charcoal grey.

It will initially be available to Vodafone customers in Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, the UK and Vodacom customers in South Africa.

John Hartnett, Senior Vice President, Global Markets and Windows Business Unit, Palm Inc, said, “We are pleased to be one of the first partners to provide an internet ready Vodafone live! smartphone. The Treo 500v is priced to enable a broader audience to experience the internet and email on the go. Today’s generation has really embraced the internet as a way of keeping in touch with friends and family, seeking out entertainment and managing their day to day lives. We can offer users the choice to do what they want, how they want, when they want.”

“The new Treo 500v adds a third internet ready Vodafone live! and Microsoft(R) Windows Mobile(R) device to our recently announced Global Handset range,” said Jens Schulte-Bockum, Global Terminals Director, Vodafone Group. “When combined with our high-speed 3G/UMTS network and fast access to the internet, along with great browsing and messaging support, we are confident the Palm Treo 500v will appeal to the growing group of consumers looking for the same functionality and ease of use our business customers continue to enjoy from this type of premium device.”

With the Palm Treo 500v smartphone customers can also manage documents using mobile versions of familiar Microsoft applications like Outlook, Office, and Windows Live(TM) for Windows Mobile. In addition users can share the Treo 500v smartphone’s data access with a laptop, so they can stay connected anywhere within wireless coverage.

“With the launch of the Treo 500v smartphone, Palm is delivering the benefits of Windows Mobile 6 to an increasingly broad range of users across Europe, providing them with access to important information and personal applications, such as Windows Live, to help them manage work and life on the move,” said Tony Mestres, General Manager, Microsoft Mobile Communications Business. “This latest phone is another example of our joint commitment to extend the range and choice of Windows Mobile phones on the market for users.”

Treo 500v Features and Benefits

– All-in-one smartphone with messaging, email and web

– Full keyboard for fast and easy typing

– Automatic delivery of Hotmail/MSN, Yahoo!, and Gmail, email as it arrives(1)

– Large, high-resolution screen

– Internet Explorer Mobile full-featured browser(1)

– Access to Google Maps and eBay(1)

– Vodafone live! for news, sports, and entertainment on the go(1)

– 3G/UMTS network

– Planner with address book, calendar, to-do lists, and more

– View Microsoft(R) Word, Excel(R), PowerPoint(R), and Adobe PDF files

– Windows Media(R) Player Mobile for music and videos

– 2.0 megapixel camera captures video too

– 150MB of memory, expandable with microSD expansion card(2)

– Windows Mobile(R) 6 Standard software

– Microsoft(R) Direct Push technology for delivery of Outlook(R) email(1)

– Bluetooth(R) wireless technology

– Device available in two colours: glacier white and charcoal grey

About Palm, Inc.

Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM), a leader in mobile computing, strives to put the power of computing in people’s hands so they can access and share their most important information from anywhere. The company’s products for consumers, mobile professionals and businesses include Palm(R) Treo(TM) smartphones, Palm handheld computers as well as software, services and accessories.

More information about the Palm Treo 500v smartphone is available at www.palm.com.

Palm and Treo are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by or licensed to Palm, Inc. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.

(1) Within wireless service coverage area only. Availability and coverage depends upon carrier and the geographic scope of international roaming agreements. Email, messaging and web access requires data services from a mobile service provider at an additional cost.

(2) Sold separately.

SOURCE: Palm, Inc.

10 Original Responses to “Introducing the Palm Treo 500v”

1. 1 questionfear Sep 12th, 2007 at 1:11 pm

   It doesn’t look so terrible. I did read, though, that it’s lacking the silence switch, which is making some believe it’s an outsourced design. In any case, good to know something at Palm has a pulse!

2. 2 Judie Lipsett Sep 12th, 2007 at 1:39 pm

   If it is like most WM Smartphones / Standard devices, you should be able to quickly choose a different profile by scrolling down with the D-pad.

   It’s not as convenient as an instant silence switch, but it shouldn’t be a deal breaker. After all, most WM smartphones don’t have silence switches; the classic Treos just spoiled us.

   Yeah, I am looking at this as a sign of life!

3. 3 Christopher Spera Sep 12th, 2007 at 1:44 pm

   I love this thing!! Thin. Small. Keyboard… What’s not to like! I’d love to get my hands on one and give it a shot!

4. 4 Judie Lipsett Sep 12th, 2007 at 1:45 pm

   The best part? < $100!!

   Update: Apologies! I have been told it will be closer to $629US for outright purchase. I am not sure where I got less than $100…but it is incorrect. Sorry guys!

5. 5 Christopher Spera Sep 12th, 2007 at 1:46 pm

   … then I just might be able to pick one up!! Whoo-hooo!

6. 6 Mitchell Oke Sep 12th, 2007 at 5:01 pm

   Ok ok, it does look a lot better than the other photos I saw of it

7. 7 Judie Lipsett Sep 12th, 2007 at 5:02 pm

   amazing concession! Yay Mitchell!

8. 8 mas90guru Sep 12th, 2007 at 5:59 pm

   …is there ever an exciting day as the one where you first see the glossy photos? …

9. 9 Brandon Steili Sep 12th, 2007 at 10:49 pm

   Love the look. Like Judie I think this one has grown on me.

   $629 for this though is a little pricey so hopefully they do some serious discounting once it hits the shelves here in the States. Here’s to hoping is comes with 3G and gets a WIFI add on.. and sells for about $149 w/ 2 year on AT&T. If it does – I’m there. Maybe.

10. 10 Judie Lipsett Sep 12th, 2007 at 11:01 pm

    Brandon, that price was with no phone service incentives, so hopefully more reasonable prices will be available when we get it…not that it has even been officially announced over here or anything.

In last week’s episode of Geek Girl TV, Eve Park mentioned that the delicious buttery smell of microwave popcorn can kill you. I was surprised to hear that.

I asked her “really? ”

And she replied that it is an additive, which if breathed in excess can cause lung cancer.

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I enjoy a hot cup of coffee every now and then. But, I never had any interest in learning how to brew the coffee (cooking is really not my thing). I have always bought my coffee from restaurants and coffee shops. When I came across the Aerobie Aeropress Coffee & Espresso Maker while searching the web for interesting devices, it really caught my attention. The Aeropress is said to be easy to use and that it makes the best tasting coffee. This I had to find out for myself and we got an Aeropress to review.

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