It is amazing to see how fast consumer electronic products evolve and how you can get today gadgets that you saw in TV shows or movies just a few years ago. One of the fastest evolving gadget is the mobile phone. A little over 20 years ago the mobile phone was a bulky big device that required a bag to carry it. Today the devices are small and have the computing power of what a PC had a few years ago. This cool video shows you the evolution of the mobile phones in about 3 minutes. Try to recognize how many of these you had 
The Evolution of Mobile Phones
Labels: Gadgets 0 commentsFREE: BlackBerry Countdown
Labels: BlackBerry 2 commentsNeed a countdown timer on your BlackBerry? Northcubed created a free countdown application for the BlackBerry. This application was originally created for a colleague who wanted to use his BlackBerry to see how much time he has left during his public speaking engagements.
To download OTA, browse from your BlackBerry to: http://northcubed.com/installers/com_northcubed_countdowntimer_app.jad
FREE: BlackBerry Wallet
Labels: BlackBerry 0 comments
RIM just added a new free application for storing personal information. The BlackBerry Wallet is designed to store personal data such as login credentials, loyalty cards, credit card etc to easily access it from the BlackBerry. The information you enter is AES encrypted and protected by a password. Similar applications like Ascendo DataVault retail for $29.95.
To install, just browse to mobile.blackberry.com and download from there.
Viigo Project Tango Preview Download
Labels: BlackBerry 1 commentsI wrote before about Viigo's Project Tango and registered myself for the Beta program. A couple of weeks ago I received an email saying that the beta will start soon after they survey the people that registered and decide who is qualified to participate. Viigo released a pre-beta version for the WES 2008 conference and the link of course leaked for everyone to access. Bear in mind that this is a pre-beta release with limited functionality.
The following features are still disabled:
- Audio podcasts
- Travel info
- Local interests
- Stocks&Finance
The following are available already:
- Of course, RSS feeds
- Weather
- Sport scores
To download OTA browse from your BlackBerry to: http://downloads.viigo.com/bb/wes/4.2/ViigoSE/ViigoSE.jad
WorldMate Goes Social
Labels: BlackBerry, Travel 0 commentsWorldMate Live for the BlackBerry added a new social feature and the capability to synchronize the calendar.
The social feature, called Connections, allows you to connect with other users of WorldMate in order to synchronize with their itineraries. The idea is to enable travelers to catchup with their colleagues in case they happen to travel to the same area.
The Calendar Sync wizard synchronizes the activities in your itinerary with your calendar (finally!) so now it will automatically block on your calendar the time slots you are flying and people won't be able to schedule meetings for you at that time.
Browse from your BlackBerry to http://www.wmlive.com to install the update.
Universal Translator for BlackBerry
Labels: BlackBerry 0 commentsBBTran is a free universal translator for your BlackBerry created by Sergey Demyanov. This lightweight application uses free translation services provided by Google and SYSTRAN and allows you to translate text quickly straight from your BlackBerry.
Features:
- Lightweight
- No adds
- Multiple translation services
- 20 languages & more then 50 translation directions
- Text translate & dictionary mode
- Automatic software update
- Additional services will be added only without software update
Download:
BlackBerry's Mobile Page Redesigned
Labels: BlackBerry 0 commentsRIM has updated their http://mobile.blackberry.com page. The new page includes better categories to find what you are looking for. You can check it out from your BlackBerry (should be your home page unless you changed it...).
The Thunder From Down Under
Labels: BlackBerry 0 comments
We didn't have a chance to digest the latest official announcement about the BlackBerry Bold, and BGR is already giving us some inside scoop about the Full touch screen BlackBerry that surfaced before. It seems like this device actually exists and will be called BlackBerry Thunder. The Thunder will launch in Q3 this year exclusively on Verizon and Vodafone and will include a full touch screen and no keyboard. Read full details on BGR.
Hotmail & MSN Messenger Coming to BlackBerry!
Labels: BlackBerry, Microsoft 0 comments
Technically there is already a MSN Messenger client for BlackBerry but it is only locked to a few carriers. According to RIM's press release, they will join forces and bring to the BlackBerry Windows Live Hotmail with push capabilities and also the Windows Live Messenger.
Here is what you can expect (supposed to be released in the "early summer"):
Windows Live Hotmail for BlackBerry:
- Use BlackBerry ‘push’ technology for automatic message delivery and message synchronization so the customers’ online account is up-to-date with actions taken on their BlackBerry smartphone
- Use a dedicated inbox for Windows Live Hotmail messages, which are automatically delivered to the smartphone. Customers can also choose to receive their Windows Live Hotmail messages, along with messages from other e-mail accounts, within a single inbox on their BlackBerry smartphone
- Display HTML e-mail with the ability to view graphics, Web links, and contact photos in emails
Windows Live Messenger for BlackBerry:
- Send instant messages and join group chats
- Set status and see the presence of friends and colleagues within Windows Live Messenger or their contact cards
- Customize status messages
- Save conversations
- Showcase Display Picture (Avatar)
- Send and receive pictures and files
- Use more than 60 emoticons
I'll See Your $100M and Raise By $50M!
Labels: BlackBerry 0 comments
RIM decided to respond to Apple's $100,000,000 "iFund" by simply creating their own $150,000,000 "BlackBerry Partners Fund" together with RBC and Thomson Reuters. The fund will invest in companies that will develop new mobile applications and services for the BlackBerry platform or are in current stages of development.
HTC Touch Diamond Videos
Labels: Gadgets 0 comments
The smartphone market is mostly bussing over the upcoming iPhone 3G and the BlackBerry 9000, however HTC unveiled on May 6th the Touch Diamond as the best answer that is powered by Microsoft's Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional. The Diamond is powered by "TouchFLO 3D" and stunning graphics and UI animations. You can see here the full specifications of this device which will be released first in Europe and then in the USA.
HTC posted on YouTube 22 videos to show you the capabilities of this device.
BlackBerry 9000 Specifications
Labels: BlackBerry 0 comments
The details on the much anticipated BlackBerry 9000 are getting clearer this week. RIM will be marketing the device as "BlackBerry Bold" and is expected to officially release it May 13th during WES 2008. What is a little strange about this is that RIM didn't officially released OS 4.5 for current devices but will release next week the Bold with OS 4.6. Even if they also announce the release of OS 4.5 wouldn't it be obsolete?
CrackBerry.com released the features and specs of the final version of the BlackBerry Bold:
You can also see on CrackBerry.com a great full review on the Bold including a video tour of the device to give you a little taste of what to expect.
Argentino Hasta La Muerte
Labels: Personal, Travel 1 comments
I was born in Argentina, and although I left it when I was 7 there is always a warm place in my heart for Buenos Aires especially since I have there a lot of family and I visit every couple of years. Buenos Aires is such an amazing city that when you visit it is just like visiting a major city in Europe. The city has a lot to offer in every aspect: culture, food, night life and more. Argentineans are a very proud people (some might confuse them as being snobs 
) and they consider themselves more Europeans than South Americans. The title of this post means "Argentinean Until Death". This is the title of an old Argentinean movie but also a true statement. Many countries don't allow to have multiple citizenship, Argentina is the exact opposite. You cannot lose your Argentinean citizenship even if you want to, which explains this phrase and the typical Argentinean mentality.
This whole introduction is not to convince you to go visit Buenos Aires (although it is very easy today as every US airline offers direct flights from all major cities and this is one of the only places where a dollar can go along way these days), but to share with you something I read this week. Fortune magazine had a special section called "The Road Warrior's Guide To Travel". In this section, they did a one page profile about different "road warriors" (people that travel 150-200 days a year). Each profile was dedicated to a different city in the world and in this profile the person described their favorite hotel, restaurant, things to do in that city etc. The one profile that caught my attention was of course about Buenos Aires. Renato Beninatto is a Brazilian business man who spends about 150 days a year in Buenos Aires. Besides talking about the obvious rivalry in fútbol (pronounced soccer for North Americans) and his favorite places, he had one sentence that I think captures the Argentineans perfectly: "Argentineans are like Italians who speak Spanish, think they're British, and live in Paris" 
More Free BlackBerry Themes
Labels: BlackBerry 0 commentsHere are four new free cool themes to help you personalize your BlackBerry:
Aqeulla Slax Today Theme (created by Larry Farmer) and available to download OTA for 8300, 8700 (OS 4.2.1 only) and 8800 devices:
The Halo Zen Theme is available OTA for 8100, 8300 and 8800 devices:
The Pink, Gray & Blue "Like a Mac" Today Theme (created by Michael Small) are available for 8300 and 8800 devices. Download and install through the Desktop Manager:
The Perfect Media Extender PC
Labels: Gadgets, Web 0 commentsThe TV is being reinvented! You can access most of your favorite TV shows today online for free. Not only you can access new episodes, you can go back to previous seasons or even watch your favorite series that are not available on TV anymore. Here are just a few examples of the common ways to access free (and legal) content:
- Hulu - This is by far the best destination for online TV and movies. Hulu was created by Fox and Universal, but it delivers content from many other networks for free. They are also adding HD content now!
- ABC provides access to full episodes of all their popular shows.
- CBS also provides full access to their shows.
- South Park Studios gives you full access to all 12 seasons (and counting) of South Park
- TBS just started providing full episodes to some of their shows including Seinfeld.
- Joost has over 20,000 shows and more than 400 channels (requires installing software).
- Miro - Just like Joost, Miro requires a client install. This is an "open source TV" that gives you access to free content (including HD) from channels like National Geographic, Reuters and more.
- Jacked provides free live sports broadcasting.
With all this free on-demand content online why bother watching TV or why even bother using a DVR/TiVo to record your favorite shows? You can just go online and watch whatever you want, whenever you want. Although it is great to be able to watch the shows on your computer (especially when you are on the road), wouldn't it be better to watch them on that big screen TV you spent so much money on and use the surround sound system you installed? There are many options to "stream" online content to your TV. The challenge is to make browsing and searching online content on your TV as easy as "channel surfing" through your remote. I have been researching some options to see what would be the best thing to do and here is what I found:
- Apple TV - As always, Apple does a great job with their user interface and they make it very easy to browse for content on their familiar interface using a small remote. Apple TV gives you access to standard definition and high definition TV shows and movies. You can even access YouTube videos and photo albums on Flickr. The main problem though is that the content is not free. You buy shows and rent movies. I am not sure why Apple thinks that they should charge for the same content that is available legally online? The Apple TV can be "hacked" using different application like the Couch Surfer to browse for free online content but why do I need to pay $229 for this unit and then work hard to hack it so it can provide the functionality it should have built in?
- Apple Mac mini - Another option from Apple is to get a Mac mini, connect it to your TV and tweak it in order to make it provide free content the way the Apple TV should have been. The Mac mini is loaded with Leopard and Front Row, which allows you to browse using the included remote control all the content you have available on your iTunes library in full screen. The mini has a full Mac OS so you can use the browser to access free online content on your TV. The main problem with the mini is that it starts at $599 and goes up to $799 or more.
- D-Link's MediaLounge PC-on-TV DPG-1200 links your TV via VGA, component or composite and connects your PC wirelessly. The included remote controls allows you to control videos, photos and music that is streamed from your Media Center PC. The unit retails for $240.
- The XBOX 360 and the PlayStation 3 provide similar streaming capabilities from your PC so you can use them to watch and listen to your media in addition to playing games.
- The ZvBox seems like a promising product. This unit provides an easy way to access all the online content just like browsing channels. What is interesting about this unit is that it gets the TV output from your computer and turns it into an HD channel on every television in the house (instead of streaming it wirelessly). This product allows you to access Internet TV, browse the web or even check your email on your TV. The ZvBox retails for $500 and is currently available for pre-order exclusively from Amazon (ships June).
There are many other devices that compete in the same market but none of them is perfect. From what I've seen so far, the ZvBox looks promising, even for it's price tag. I think the best thing would be to wait until June and see that it lives up to the expectations.
Google Maps v2.1.0 Available
Labels: BlackBerry, Google, GPS 0 commentsGoogle released another update for their Google Maps application for BlackBerry and again there's no release notes, no mention about this in their mobile blog nor it shows in their Google Mobile Updater.
You can download this version by pointing your BlackBerry browser to: http://www.google.com/gmm/
Happy RSS Awareness Day!
Labels: Web 0 comments
May 1st is the official RSS Awareness Day. If you are reading this blog, you probably don't need and explanation of what RSS is, however there are many people out there that still have no idea how to use it. If you know someone that needs a good explanation, help spread the word and send them this link so they can watch this short tutorial:
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