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The rarely updated blog of Joel Dixon
Viewing blogs tagged Gadgets
Friday, October 19, 2007
Nokia releases N810 Internet Tablet
# Posted by Joel Dixon at 19/10/2007 08:22:136 days after my post about mobile phone options, Nokia has upgraded the internet tablet that I had pretty much decided on (until Hoff unhelpfully suggested the TyTN
).
The N810 is based on a Linux OS (so no worries about Nokia's openness or lack thereof), comes with a retractable thumb QWERTY-keyboard, bundled GPS and a Skype interface preloaded.
Of course, it isn't actually a phone, so I will still have to carry around my trusty 6230 - but for $500 the N810 is looking like a bargain.
Due out in November - I might have to fudge the budget a little bit!
# Posted in the General section and tagged as: Gadgets
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Friday, October 12, 2007
Phone Pontificating
# Posted by Joel Dixon at 12/10/2007 10:11:56Updated by Joel Dixon at 17/02/2008 14:48:42
My current phone is a Nokia 6230:
I have mine set to English though
As a phone it's met all of my needs well: MP3 ring tones, basic internet surfing, decent calendar (compared to my last phone) and it's one of the few camera phones that lets you turn off the shutter sound effects (useful for silent up-skirting). The ol' 6230 was also the subject of the 7th entry on this blog.
I've had the phone for just over 3 years, which is a long time for me (the one before this lasted just over 1 year before I upgraded) - but unfortunately I think time's running out. As a phone (for making calls) - it's still perfect for me, but the screen size is too small for Internet use and the built-in calendar can't be synched.
I've been taking an interest in phones again over the last month or so - and have come up with a few alternatives. I have no idea what to choose though
New Phone - Nokia N95
The Nokia N95 has received goodish reviews pretty much all the features I want including WiFi and GPS. Unfortunately runs the "Nokia Web Browser" and the screen isn't as big as I'd like.
Huge Phone - Nokia E90
The Nokia E90 is part of the Communicator brand - and is tailored to business users, but offers WiFi, a range of 3rd-party apps and a gigantically wide screen. The price tag is a big downer at the moment - and the size / weight might be an issue.
Cool Phone - Apple iPhone
I'm not really cool enough to own one of the iPhones, but it sure is hawt. It has a Safari browser, some Google inter operation (maps and video) and apparently it's an ok MP3 player (I still love my iPod). Again, price tag is pretty large - and the phone isn't "open" enough for me.
Not a Phone - Nokia N800
When reviewing phones the Nokia N800 was perfect for me. Nice sized screen, WiFi, Opera browser (and a Mozilla browser available too) and it cost around $400. The only problem is that it isn't actually phone, it's just an Internet Tablet. But I guess I can just keep my phone as a phone - and use the tablet for anything internet related. This one bears further investigation.
Goo Phone
Another one I've been watching for a while, apparently Google are working on a mobile-based operating system and trying to get phone companies to put it on their phones. Rumors and "leaks" are all over the web, but nothing concrete has materialised. This would be great for me (as I use Google software for mail, calendar, RSS reading, instant messaging, online documents etc) - and Google generally do things well. I just don't know how much longer I can hold out for this one.
Geek Phone
This one is very interesting, OpenMoko is a completely open-source operating system (using free software) for phones. Hardware manufacturer FIC have created the Neo1973 which is due to be released this year. With the open-source community behind it - you know it's going to have 3rd-party offerings, and you know it's going to be patched frequently! Not sure if I want my phone to me a proverbial version 0.1 - but it's another phone I'll be keeping my eye on.
Of course - it's possible I'll just purchase the next Banana Phone I see:
# Posted in the General section and tagged as: Gadgets, Web
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Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Fancy Alarm Clock
# Posted by Joel Dixon at 25/09/2007 12:40:36I almost forgot - I bought a really cool alarm clock when I first got here:
It has two separate alarms, so I've currently got the radio turning on at 6:50 am, and the beeper alarm thing to turn on at 6:55 am. It also has a USB port at the back of the device to connect an MP3 device or even a thumb drive full of MP3 files.
But the thing that really pushed me towards buying it is the iPod dock station:
A little draw slides out with an iPod docking connector - and the time display moves to the left so you can still see it.
It doesn't take much to amuse me!
# Posted in the General section and tagged as: Gadgets
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Monday, September 12, 2005
I think I'm ready to buy an iPod
# Posted by Joel Dixon at 12/09/2005 21:22:00iPod Nano
I was considering taking my MiniDisc player with me to America for the flight there and back - and the US interstate trips. I wasn't too happy with the idea though, as it's battery life is too short and I don't have any of my later music on the discs. You can't directly copy MP3s to my model of MiniDisc player (I bought it one version too early), so I'd need to play each of them on the PC and record on the MiniDisc. Otherwise I'd need to play them on my PS2, and copy them from the digital output (better quality, but will need to go through each CD).
The Nano's 4 GB model (black) should be fine for me, as I've only got around 3.5 GB of music - and 500 Meg of that is comedy (Jerky Boys etc). The 14 hour charge is good for the flights as well - as I'll be on the plane for about that long when going between Melbourne and LA.
I think I've never wanted to buy an iPod because I didn't want to admit that the MiniDisc was a poor purchase decision - but this Nano is sweet. And you can't say I'm rushing into buying an Apple music device!
# Posted in the General section and tagged as: Gadgets, Music
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Monday, December 20, 2004
Free Phones for Me?
# Posted by Joel Dixon at 20/12/2004 23:30:00There's an Australia competition running at the moment with the chance to become a Nokia phone reviewer for a year. You get 6 Nokia phones to review for a website - and you get to keep the phones after each review.
They want a "creative and original" review of your current phone in 50 words or less - to determine who should win.
I figured I might as well give it a shot - but 50 words is so small. If I were to review a phone, it'd take a lot more words than 50. So I've decided to go for more of a brief summary of my current phone - the Nokia 6320. The site that's running the competition seems more teen-based - so I've tried to make my reviews suited to that audience.
I've got four initial drafts - but I can't decide which one I want to use:
*****
The Nokia 6230 will suit your lifestyle. The MP3 player provides you with unique ringtones, downloadable Java™ Games and FM Radio provide entertainment and it has the elegant good looks, calendar & wallet of a professional business phone. The integrated camera just tops it all off - my favourite toy!
*****
The Nokia 6230
MP3 Ringtones? Check!
Video Player and Recorder? Action … I mean, Check!
Stylish Good Looks? Chic!
Bluetooth connectivity? Roger that!
Java Games? Checkmate.
Could you possibly need more? I still haven’t!
*****
My Nokia 6230 made a great fishing trip, although I don’t know if my Jaws Theme ringtone helped. The Java™ Games entertained when the fish weren’t biting, but when I finally caught one - the integrated camera proved that it was “this big”! Guess what I’ve set as my wallpaper?
*****
What’s the mark of a good phone?
It looks like a classy business phone – yet it’s got an MP3 player and integrated camera to keep me entertained.
It has more features than any phone I’ve had before – yet it’s easy enough for my mother to use.
It’s my Nokia 6230.
Comments?
# Posted in the General section and tagged as: Gadgets
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