scattered technology news

V Cast Gets YouTube - Tuesday, November 28, 2006

For the past few weeks may rumors have been circulating that YouTube is planning to offer content for mobile device, however there wasn’t any info on what was planned until now. Today YouTube and Verizon Wireless announced a partnership to offer V Cast enabled customers access to YouTube video content. According to the two companies, starting in December, selected content from YouTube’s “most popular” list will begin to appear on Verizon Wireless phones.

“Delivering YouTube content gives V CAST customers a mobile connection to video content that has revolutionized how people are being entertained today,” - John Harrobin Digital Entertainment VZW

Although the available content is free, access to it will not be. Verizon Wireless customers will need to have V Cast supported phones such as the Motorola KRZR, LG Chocolate, or LG enV and need to subscribe to a $15/month V Cast package. Along with YouTube videos, subscribers will continue to have access to unlimited amounts of entertainment, sports, news, and weather clips. ($3 daily access available) In addition to viewing content, VZW customers with camera phones will be able to “easily” upload videos directly to YouTube directly from their device.

Getting more people hooked onto YouTube by offering it on mobile phones may seem like a good idea, but we don’t know how this will work since less than 20% of Verizon Wireless users are subscribed to V Cast. We also wouldn’t be surprised if YouTube struck deals with other cell phone providers such Sprint, Cingular, or T-mobile in the near future.

Links: YouTube | Verizon Wireless
Related: Google Acquires YouTube

Portable ThumbDrive Apps - Monday, November 27, 2006

If you are a thumb drive user and have a few megabytes to spare, you will find this tip useful. PortableApps.com currently offers “portable” versions of applications such as Firefox, Thunderbird, Gaim, and OpenOffice. These apps will run right off any standard USB flash drive without having to install the application on a computer it’s plugged into. Keeping some basic programs on your thumb drive can save you the hassle of having to download and install the application on other machines and will also maintain your bookmarks, settings, and customizations.

To Install a Portable Application:

1. Pick an application and download
2. Insert your drive and select the file
3. Browse to the location of your drive
4. Hit “OK” and it should begin extracting

Once complete you should be able to select the “.exe” file on your thumb drive to launch the application of your choice. PortableApps also offers a “Suite”, which will install a variety of free and open source programs. However installing this package may consume over 200MB of space and isn’t recommend for those with small storage capacities. We recommend picking and installing apps that you know you will use manually so space won’t be wasted for applications you probably will never use. Note: Your thumb drive can still be used for storage as always even with applications installed.

Links: PortableApps Suite | Applications List
Buy: Sandisk 1GB Cruzer Micro ($25)
Related: Use An iPod For Password Recovery

LG VX9900 (enV) - Verizon - Saturday, November 25, 2006

The long wait is finally over. The LG VX9900 (aka LG enV), an upgrade to the popular VX9800, has finally arrived. Skatter Tech readers are in luck since Verizon Wireless was kind enough to send us a unit a few days before the launch. With a ton of new features, a new body, new interface, and a reasonable price tag, the phone has definitely met our expectations.

The phone looked quite big at first since we recently spent time reviewing the Motorola KRZR and LG VX8600, but according to the specs is actually much sleeker and shorter than the original “The V” phone. In terms of basic features, the LG enV (pronounced “envy”) features an impressive 2MP camera w/ flash, microSD expansion, stereo speakers, bluetooth, a full QWERTY keyboard, and standard V Cast Music/Video functions. This phone might just be Verizon’s “best phone of the year”.

LG VX9900 Specifications:

• Provider: Verizon Wireless (1.9GHz CMDA)
• Form Factor: Laptop-like w/ QWERTY keyboard
• Dimensions: 4.64H x 2.08W x 0.78D (inches)
• Weight / Battery: 4.6oz / 4hrs 30mins talktime
• Screens: External 128×160 & Internal 240×320
• Digital Camera: 2 megapixel camera and camcorder
• Storage: ~50MB internal + microSD (2GB max)
• Others: Bluetooth 1.2 + Stereo Speakerphone
• Price: $150 with a new 2-year contract

Read More

‘Minimize’ Firefox Tabs - Wednesday, November 22, 2006

If you are like the majority of Mozilla Firefox users, you have probably have had times when you have too many tabs open that nothing is really visible. However if you install the FaviconizeTab extension, which works on Windows/Macs/Linux, you will have the ability to click on any tab and minimize it to nothing but the site’s icon. The extension can be customized from the option’s menu to minimize/expand on a double-click, alt-click, ctrl-click, or shift-click. Another nice addition which the developers included is the option to enter a list of URLs, which the extension will automatically minimize when opened.

With this extension and Firefox 2.0’s new tab scroll bar, there will be much more room for navigating tabs. If you know of any other good extensions for Firefox 2.0 which will improve tab usage, please let us know!

Download: FaviconizeTab (Mozilla Addons)
Links: Developer Homepage

PSP Firmware 3.00 Released - Tuesday, November 21, 2006

As predicted, today Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) has officially released firmware v3.00 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). The new firmware has many major improvements however the notable ones include the ability to play PlayStation 1 games and communicate with the PlayStation 3. Another feature SCEA has finally added, which should have been included since 1.50, is the ability to disable automatic loading of UMDs, which saves the hassle of having to remove the game if you want to use any of the PSP’s other features. (Video demonstration below!)

PSP v3.00 Firmware Features:

• PlayStation Network titles are now supported under [Game].
• [Remote Play] has been added as a feature under [Network].
• [Online Instruction Manuals] has been added as a feature under [Network].
• Timed recording has been added as a feature under [RSS Channel].
• A visual player has been added as a feature under [Music].
• 3-speed fast forward and fast reverse has been added as a feature under [Music].
• [Camera] has been added as a feature under [Photo].
• [UMD Auto-Start] has been added as a feature in [System Settings] under [Settings].

Read More

Verizon Launches LG VX8600 - Wednesday, November 15, 2006

As expected, Verizon Wireless has finally released the LG VX8600, becoming the first cell phone carrier in the U.S. to offer the phone. The LG Chocolate flip phone is intended for consumers who plan to listen to music on their phone and even features a MicroSD slot for extra storage. Although the phone may look like a rip off Motorola’s KRZR, LG had actually released the VX8600 overseas before Motorola even pushed out their phone. Anyways we hope LG has added something to make this phone better than the Moto KRZR, which we were quite disappointed with.

Verizon LG VX8600 Specs:

• Type: 1.9GHz CDMA and EV-DO
• Form Factor: Clamshell Flip Phone
• Dimensions: 3.89″ x 1.93″ x 0.58″ inches
• Weight / Battery: 3.26 oz / 3hrs40mins talktime
• Camera / Camcorder: 1.3 megapixels w/ zoom
• V Cast: music store, video content, 3D games
• MicroSD: store music, images, videos, etc.
• Bluetooth v1.1: stereo support for music
• Others: Mobile Web 2, Get It Now, VZ Navigator
• Special: Music-Only mode, External Touch Controls
• Price: $129 with a new 2 year contract

The phone will now be available in all Verizon Wireless stores and authorized retailers for a price of $129 with a new two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in-rebate. Current VZW customers, who are eligible for upgrade, can get an additional $100 off the phone, therefore costing only about $30 before adding taxes. We would recommend this phone over both the KRZR and the original Chocolate phones since it is cheaper than the KRZR, has more features, and has a standard flip phone form factor.

DEAL ALERT: FREE VX8600 w/ New Contract

Links: Verizon Wireless - VX8600 | Press Release
Related: Motorola KRZR Review

Agent 18 Nano Shock Shield - Friday, November 10, 2006

Last year we tested out the Agent 18 Shield for the original iPod Nano, which was prone to scratches, and were quite pleased with the results. Agent 18 was kind enough to provide us with their brand new “NanoShock Kit” (hardcase) designed specifically for the second generation (aluminum) iPod Nanos. Although the new iPod Nanos are more resistant to scratches, they are still pretty flimsy and purchasing a case is good investment.

Protection - 4/5 stars

The two-piece shield snaps onto the back and front of any 2nd generation iPod Nano. The case protects all parts of the iPod, including the entire screen. The case does a good job of protecting the nano; however we wish Agent 18 included some extra material to protect the exposed click-wheel. The top and bottom aren’t protected with what is provided in the NanoShield Kit, however rubber ends are provided in the slightly more expensive NanoShock Kit.

Read More

Sprint Gets SLVR & KRZR - Tuesday, November 7, 2006

If you are a Sprint customer you’re in luck. Sprint has just announced the availability of both the Motorola KRZR K1m and SLVR L7c through their service. Although Verizon Wireless has already had the KRZR since late-September, Sprint did however beat them in getting the new SLVR. Also as another bonus for Sprint users, phones offered through Sprint will retain the original user interface unlike Verizon’s phones.

Motorola KRZR and SLVR Features:

• 1.3 Mega-Pixel Camera
• Bluetooth Wireless
• TeleNav GPS Directions
• Phone as Modem EVDO
• MicroSD Storage
• Speaker phone
• Voice Dial + Caller ID
• Downloadable Java Apps

Both Moto phones will have access to all of Sprint’s new Power Vision services such as Music, Movies, and TV. Customers will have access to over 50 channels through Sprint TV, about 45 full-length movies such as “Spider-Man 2″ and “National Treasure” through Sprint’s pay-per-view Movie service, and thousands of songs through Sprint’s Music Store. All of which can be purchased and downloaded directly to the phone (no computer necessary). Read More

8GB iPod Nano = 7.4GB - Monday, November 6, 2006

When Apple released the 2nd generation iPod Nano’s about two months ago, September ‘06, we got a hold of all three models: 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB. Although this is the same issue with any storage device, one of the first things we noticed, which enraged us, was the true storage capacity. The black 8GB Nano, in reality, only ended up having 7.44GB of usable space. We felt this was quite ridiculous since users are now loosing over a 1/2GB (approx. 560MB) of space, which could have been well used. (~100 songs)

We do know that every other company does the same thing, for example a 200GB external HDD usually only has about 190GB, however our point is that companies such as Apple should be obligated to inform the consumer the true storage capacity. In the case of the 8GB Nano it only ended up having 7.44GB which in fact ends up rounding down to 7GB not up to 8GB.

Anyone else thing companies should be obligated to state the true formated capacity?

Also in case you already don’t know, due to the high demand and unexpected popularity of the 4GB (Product) Red iPod Nano, Apple decided to release a 8GB version. The red 8GB nano will cost $249, which is the same price as the original black model, plus Apple will donate $10 to the Global Fund to fight AIDS. The new 8GB model is available in stores now.

Links: Apple iPod Nanos
Related: Join (Product) Red

Windows XP - Zune Theme - Sunday, November 5, 2006

Are you a sick of the current Windows XP theme? Well you are in luck. Microsoft has released a second theme package for WinXP called the “Zune Theme”, which was created to help promote their iPod-like mp3 player, the Zune. Other than for the background, which can obviously be changed, there is no hidden Zune advertising embedded anywhere. The theme is simply a modification of the Royale Theme, which we mentioned earlier this year, except that it is a glossy black theme instead of blue.

Installation is quite simple. Just run the “.msi” installation file and once complete right-click on your anywhere desktop and select properties. Choose the “Appearance” tab and under “Windows and Buttons” select the new style. Hit apply and wait a few seconds for the theme to load.

(P.S. Click image at the top to get a larger view of the new Zune Theme in action)

Download: ZuneDesktopTheme.msi
Related: Royale Theme For Windows XP