Rodfather Mobile

Patrick Norton is the shit
In his brand new show Tekzilla, he
covers creating a DIY external battery
solution using a lead acid battery
instead of buying a more expensive
lithium battery. It adds a ton more
weight and may require a man-bag
which he promptly tossed aside in
front of his fine co-host
Jessica Corbin. I’d have to agree
with that move. Although, it
had a shoulder strap, it looked
too much like a fanny pack.
I’m liking the path Patrick has been
taking. Covering ways to conserve energy
to result in changing your
ways to live a green lifestyle.

1st Year of Yakap.org
James of Yakap.org has posted a
photo art gallery displaying his first year’s
worth of ink blogs.
A definite must see. His blog is
by far my favorite ink blog of
all time. James has a fantastic
style and hope he continues
ink blogging for many years to
come.

Yakap.org
Link to Gallery

Rob Bushway put up an inkshow for the Amtek T770 UMPC.  He is impressed with the performance and even does some side by side tests with the Samsung Q1P to show the difference.

It’s running a 1.2 Ghz VIA C7-M processor.  I’m assuming the significant speed difference is due to the faster 2.5″ hard drive and solid Vista drivers.

Battery life is horrible.  He’s getting only an hour and forty minutes with the balanced profile.  There’s an option for an extended battery though.

The screen is 800×480 which is disappointing.  It’d be more appealing to have a LED backlit 1024×600 screen.  Internal WWAN wouldn’t hurt either.

This is probably one of the most solid slate-type UMPC’s on the market today.  Take a good look at it.  This may be one of the last 7″ slate UMPC’s you’ll ever see as it seems UMPC’s, as we know today, are going in a different directions.  I’ll reserve that discussion for another day but I’ll leave one last note. Bye bye Origami.

Link

I ordered a SDHC card for my Aiptek A-HD cheapass hybrid camera from Newegg.com a few days ago. It came earlier today and it works!

It’s an ADATA 8GB Class 6 SDHC card that put me back $64.99. You may be able to read how much video I can record now..

That’s right. 4 hours, 23 minutes, and 9 seconds of 1280×720, 4Mbps, 29.97 fps, h.264 footage. Not bad!

I find it unbelievable I couldn’t find one thing to buy with my $100 Apple Store credit for being an iPhone early adopter.

The crap in the Apple Store is much more expensive than you can get elsewhere. I didn’t feel like getting ripped off. After wasting time browsing the site, I said to myself, screw it, and this is what I ended up with… if they allowed buying email based iTunes Gift Cards with Apple Store credit. So instead, I bought two $50 iTunes cards that will be mailed to me with the same message below.

All I’m saying now is, if I buy some songs with the iTunes WiFi Music Store through my iPhone, I better be able to burn them on to CD after sync’ing back to iTunes.

Hot on the heals of Verizon’s announcement, Sprint will also have the Novatel U727 available as another USB EVDO Rev.A modem option.

I checked the Sprint site and it’s not listed yet. I’ll update this page when it shows up.
It’s now on the Sprint site.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. & SAN DIEGO – Sep. 27, 2007 ¬– Sprint (NYSE:S) and Novatel Wireless, Inc., (Nasdaq:NVTL) a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, today announced the commercial availability of the Ovation™ U727 USB Modem. Carrying the distinction of being the world’s smallest EV-DO Rev. A modem stick, the Ovation U727 features an integrated microSD™ slot, allowing for the seamless storage and transport of up to 4GB of files, photos or videos.
The Ovation U727 is designed to work with any computing device equipped with Type A USB ports, including most desktops, notebooks, tablet PCs and PDAs, to provide instant on-the-go mobile broadband access. With out-of-box support for a variety of operating systems including Windows® (Vista, XP, 2000), Mac OS® X and Linux, the Ovation U727 enables users to surf the Web, check email and access important business documents with speeds similar to those of a cable or DSL connection.
“Mobile professionals and consumers alike want to make the most out of whatever equipment they carry and Sprint customers get maximum value from the Ovation U727 which delivers both high-speed access via the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network and the ability to store and access documents and other critical information,” said Danny Bowman, vice president of customer equipment for Sprint. “A smaller form factor, GPS locate-and-find capabilities and newly available support for the Linux platform truly help make this a next-generation connectivity device for our customers.”
Optimized for the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, the Ovation U727 supports EVDO Rev. A technology where available providing average download speeds from 600 kbps to 1.4 Mbps (with peak speeds of 3.1 Mbps) and upload speeds from 350 to 500 Kbps (with peak speeds of 1.8 Mbps), offering users unprecedented performance and notably faster speeds than legacy mobile data modems. The Ovation U727 is also backwards compatible for EVDO Rev. 0 and 1XRTT technology in areas where EVDO Rev. A coverage is not yet available.
“Novatel Wireless and Sprint have worked closely to develop mobile broadband solutions that meet customers can now take full advantage of the next-generation speed and functionality of the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network.”
Featuring an extremely durable design and remarkably small form factor, the U727 combines a variety of innovative features, including an integrated dual band diversity antennae system with flip-up antennae to maximize data speed performance and provide for stronger network signal reception. Sprint Mobile Broadband Lite Manager Software is included to simplify set-up and navigation through the vast feature set of the Ovation U727, eliminating the need to install drivers from a CD when using the Windows platform.
Beginning this month the U727 will initially be sold through Sprint indirect and business sales channels and online at www.sprint.com for a suggested retail price of $279.99 and as low as $79.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement and mail-in-rebate. Sprint retail stores will begin offering the device later this year. Service plans for the card currently range from $39.99 per month for 40 MB to $79.99 per month for unlimited data usage. Customers signing a two-year subscriber agreement will be eligible to receive unlimited data usage for $59.99 per month (no separate voice plan required).

Via EVDOInfo (Thanks for the new pic!)

This is a fantastic idea.  For those of you on the green tip, this will help you reduce energy usage in your home.

You basically plug this into your desktop computer through the USB cable.  When it detects your computer is shut off, it will shut down the rest of the ports on the power strip occupied by devices such as monitors, printers, scanners, speakers, etc.  A no-brainer setup makes this a great buy.

I’m going to buy a Kill-A-Watt soon.  I’m curious to see how much energy is used up on devices in stand by mode.

Ubergizmo via TreeHugger

The download was a whopping 150MB’s.  First thing I tried was connecting through EDGE.  I guess there’s a good reason why it’s called the iTunes WiFi Music Store since it doesn’t work over EDGE.  Huge bummer.  Not like I would be using this much anyway since the DRM-free  Amazon MP3 Store was just  launched which definitely stole a lot of the thunder.  One great thing about the Amazon store is you don’t need a PC to download songs.  Just as long as you have a secure browser and can save a MP3 file, you’re all good.  One person with a modded iPhone grabbed a song with wget.  Taxman was able to download MP3’s from his HTC x7501 using Opera.

If it’s a convenient way to grab that one song that’s been playing over and over in your head while at Starbucks, it’ll be the way to go.  I’m sure it’ll be a huge hit.  I’ve just always been reluctant buying anything from iTunes.

Verizon just announced the availability of a new USB EVDO modem for $149.99. CNN is touting the Novatel U727 as the industry’s first to have integrated data storage which is incorrect. I just posted last week the availability and review of the Franklin CDU-680 which includes storage and location-based GPS.

Ok now this is looking like a winner. I mention the device in the USB WWAN Roundup post but from this picture, it looks very different. What sets this apart is the size and inclusion of a miniSD slot capable of taking in up to 4GB cards. It supports Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux operating systems.

Comparing this to the Sierra Wireless 595U/875U USB modem, measuring 3.7″ (H) x 1.5″ (W) x 0.8″ (D), the Novatel is significantly smaller at 2.76″ (H) x 0.98″ (W) x 0.47″ (D).

This is very appealing. Just based on its size, it’s is looking like the best solution for a USB WWAN modem. I really want to avoid Verizon for their ‘unlimited’ data service since they’ll cancel your account if you exceed 5GB’s. Unlimited my ass. I doubt I’ll ever exceed 5GB’s a month, but it may happen and it’s BS unlimited is not really unlimited. But one thing about Verizon, when they announced Rev. A availability, it was upgraded on their entire network.

Here are the specs taken from the Verizon site:

Features

• BroadbandAccess and NationalAccess Compatible
• 2–in–1 USB Device: BroadbandAccess and Memory storage (4 MB+ capacity–sold separately)
• Rev. A Capable: Typical download speeds of 600–1400 kbps and upload speeds of 500–800 kbps
• Compatible with all devices supporting the Type A USB interface including desktops, notebooks, tablet PCs and PDAs
• VZAccess Manager software for easy connection management
• Intuitive user interface
• High performance, flip–up antenna
• 3–color service state LED
• External Antenna Port/Connector (external antenna sold separately)
• 2–way Text Messaging capable (via VZAccess Manager)
• NDIS driver support
• VPN compatible

System Requirements

• Universal Type Serial Bus (USB)
• Windows® 2000, XP, Vista and Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher; Linux
• 32 MB RAM memory
• 14 MB free hard disk space

Specifications

• Dimensions: 2.76″ (H) x 0.98″ (W) x 0.47″ (D)
• Weight: 1.13 oz
• SAR: 1.14W/kg User–Lap Position

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. and SAN DIEGO, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ — Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, today announced the availability of the USB727 Modem. Developed by Novatel Wireless , a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, and carrying the distinction of being the world’s smallest Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revolution A (Rev. A) modem stick, the USB727 features an integrated microSD(TM) slot, allowing for the seamless storage and transport of up to 4 GB of files, photos or videos. Customers may purchase the USB727 Modem today online at http://www.verizonwireless.com and through Verizon Wireless’ business sales channels. USB727 Modem will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores including those in Circuit City on October 5.

The USB727 is designed to work with any computing device equipped with a Type A USB port — including most desktops, notebooks, and tablet PCs — and provides on-the-go access to Verizon Wireless’ national high-speed wireless broadband network. With out-of-box support for most operating systems, including Windows(R) (Vista, XP, 2000), Mac(R) and Linux, the USB727 enables Verizon Wireless customers to stay connected to online resources with speeds and performance similar to those of traditional cable or DSL connections.

The USB727 is optimized for Verizon Wireless’ EV-DO Rev. A network and the company’s BroadbandAccess service which provides average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps. Verizon Wireless customers with the USB727 can download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment — the equivalent of a small PowerPoint(R) presentation or a large PDF file — in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.

Designed to be extremely durable and fit comfortably in any pocket, the USB727 combines a variety of innovative features into its tiny form factor, including an integrated dual-band diversity antennae system with flip-up antennae to maximize data speed performance and provide a strong network signal reception. VZAccess Manager Software is included to simplify set-up and navigation through the USB727’s features.

Pricing and Availability

The USB727 is available at $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and new two- year agreement. Customers can get BroadbandAccess service for Internet browsing, e-mail and intranet access for $59.99 monthly access with a new one- or two-year customer agreement. Business customers may contact a Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative directly at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to http://www.verizonwireless.com.

CNN Via GottaBeMobile
USB727 Verizon Product Page

I don’t have to worry about formatting or making sure I have the correct tags. This is free-flow blogging sort of like using Mind Manager. I just type. Limit is 140 characters. It causes me to be more efficient.

UPDATE: Thought I’d add this. This is a snippet from seasoned blogger and podcaster at only 14 years old, Daniel Brusilovsky of the Apple Universe interviewing the founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey.

Dream The Became a Reality (.wav)

This is me at the bar in the bowling alley brain storming what I want in my next device.

From here on now, view going bottom to top.

—–

ok packing up my gear now. twittered out sitting in the bar.

about 1 hour ago from web

remember in 1999, grabbed a pc card w/ gprs speeds. drove to work w/ webcam on ala justin.tv. surprised how well it worked back then about 1 hour ago from web

@palmsolo: nice post. one thing that’s definitely been better is the network coverage. still needs works but we have far more options now about 1 hour ago from web in reply to palmsolo

league bowling just ended. bar is starting to fill up now about 1 hour ago from web

would consider waiting for HTC shift but it has 800×480. i’m done with that. plus rather have sprint than at&t since i dont have hsdpa here about 1 hour ago from web

i’m too picky. what’s the smallest windows device w/ internal wwan? OQO2. not much of an upgrade though. would rather hack my q1 about 1 hour ago from web

hah i passed 2000 tweets. yay about 1 hour ago from web

do i really need the power for viewing 720p footage? editing video & encoding in the field would be nice but is it necessary? about 1 hour ago from web

would still keep q1 and prob use it in the house on my bed or on the shitter. so maybe on-the-go productivity machine to do work. about 2 hours ago from web

any of the 12″ conv w/ int wwan or pc card/expresscard. what about the LG C1? no word about that. 10″ conv,core 2 duo. htc x7501? no. about 2 hours ago from web

so what about now? p1610 w/ sprint pc card, 1gb ram, xp? kohjinsha sh8 w/ usb wwan, less power, more portability. sony tz, no tablet. about 2 hours ago from web

@mdoeff: haha. sort of feel bad for barry now. hurt on his last day as a giant plus his HR ball has an asterisk on it now about 2 hours ago from web in reply to mdoeff

one question is if i can live without tablet functionally. i can and it would give me more options, but i like inking. it makes me happy about 2 hours ago from web

i like all-in-one solution though since at time i forget to bring my keyboard and plugging crap in is a hassle. plus typing in a car sucks about 2 hours ago from web

but one thing i like w/ slate w/ stand like my q1 is it sits vertically. heat dissipates better and spilling beer on keyboard wont fry it about 2 hours ago from web

those are 4lb and less portability but can do work w/ bigger screen. can add expresscard/pc card wwan option. but those stick out. about 2 hours ago from web

so now looking into 12″ conv like the lenovo x61, hp 2710, fujitsu 2010. only lenovo & 2710 have internal evdo wwan options but just verizon about 2 hours ago from web

of course price is a factor. sony tz is so pretty looking and has all the features i want except it’s not a tablet pc and expensive. about 2 hours ago from web

so i want a sony tz series and a fujitsu p1610 to get in bed and have a child. umpc’s might not cut it anymore but i still want its mobility about 2 hours ago from web

touchpad on keyboard, keyboard like macbook/sony tz, SDHC slot, 802.11bgn, webcam on middle/top screen, 2-3lbs, low heat, 2.5″ drive about 2 hours ago from web

at least 4 hrs battery, indoor/outdoor screen, touchscreen, thumbstick on the top right portion of the screen. l/r mouse button on left side about 2 hours ago from web

which doesnt exist but some devices come close. so.. 10″ convertible, internal sprint wwan, fast enough to play 720p h264 footage, about 2 hours ago from web

pardon me if i go off on tweets tonight. going to brainstorm/talk to myself on what i want in my next device about 2 hours ago from web

@taxman45: well this ain’t no starbucks. very low tech here so ya. i get approached all the time asking what the hell that thing is about 2 hours ago from web in reply to TaxMan45

at the bowling alley bar. have the q1 set up & connected via bluetooth. waiting for a burger about 3 hours ago from web