4 posts tagged “text messaging”
T-Mobile G1
Smartphone
Link: T-Mobile G1
As hinted at in Episode 673 and last week, Dick and Leo finally talk about T-Mobile's G1. Made by HTC, the G1 is the first phone featuring Google's open-source smartphone operating system Android.
It has bluetooth, wifi, GPS (though not turn-by-turn), 512 MB built-in memory, although it has an microSD card slot and comes with a 1GB card; a back-lit qwerty keyboard (which is revealed by sliding out the screen) and a replaceable battery; a 3.2MP camera, but like the iPhone, it does not shoot video, and like the iPhone it does not support Flash on the internet. Unlike the iPhone, it supports voice dialling and "cut and paste".
Physically, it weighs just under 6 ounces. At the bottom is a panel of buttons: a big Menu button, underneath which at the centre is a trackball (for navigation and as a select button). To the left of the trackball are the "Call/Send" button and the "Home" button; to the right of the trackball are the "Back" and "Hangup/Power" buttons.
On the left hand side of the phone is a Volume toggle, and on the right hand side the camera button. For the earphones, unfortunately it's a microUSB connection and you'll need an adapter for your 3.5mm jack earphones.
The display is 3.2 inches at 480 x 320 resolution, with a capacitive touch-screen. It does not support multi-touch, but does support long presses (through which you get a context menu including "cut and paste"). It has an accelerometer and is supposed to adjust itself to Portrait/Landscape mode, at least when the qwerty keyboard is open.
Since Android is open-source, many applications are expected to come out supporting the platform, and will not be filtered as in the case of the iPhone. You can access the apps from the Android "Market", and Google will tell you in relation to each app what types of access the app may have on the phone - such as communications, your location and your personal information.
The phone comes with the standard Google apps, such as Gmail, Contacts, Calendar, and like the iPhone, offers a mobile version of YouTube. If you don't use Gmail, there is another mail application. Unfortunately, this other mail app cannot open attachments (which Gmail can by HTML conversion), nor save them. The IM app supports major instant messengers such as AIM, Windows Live, Yahoo and of course Google Talk. Like Google's desktop browser the Chrome, the Android browser is WebKit-based. Another app that comes with the phone is AmazonMP3, with access to Amazon's DRM-free mp3 downloads - which only works with Wifi, and not 3G or Edge. The phone also has its own music player software.
At the moment, the phone is available in T-Mobile stores only in cities which has T-Mobile's 3G coverage.
Favourite Episodes
In Episode 679, Dick and Leo were asked if they had a list of their 20 favourite/funniest episodes. Ludwik Trammer of gizwizsearch can answer for them. Search queries on his site show which episodes are most frequently accessed - 182 Titanium Spork, 465 Electron Echo Piano, 462 MP4 Watch, and of course 282 Toothpick Bird.
Ludwik also tells us that the accumulative length of all the DGW shows now exceeds 7 days.
One More Thing
Ludwik is going to introduce a new feature on his site. In fact it is already operational. Just go to his site and see if you can spot the difference. Otherwise, just wait for an announcement through Dick and Leo in tomorrow's recording session, or in next week's episodes.
Video Podcasts To Wait
The last time Leo talked about video podcasts (with hopes of getting DGW on video) was Episode 671. Unfortunately, with the economic downturn, Leo has decided to be a little more prudent, and maybe putting that on hold, although he may still put out a weekly "best of" video podcast.
Second Longest Episode
At 31:03, today's show is the second longest episode, just 12 seconds short of Episode 634, the Lexmark X9575 Professional.
Listen to Episode 686
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
It has bluetooth, wifi, GPS (though not turn-by-turn), 512 MB built-in memory, although it has an microSD card slot and comes with a 1GB card; a back-lit qwerty keyboard (which is revealed by sliding out the screen) and a replaceable battery; a 3.2MP camera, but like the iPhone, it does not shoot video, and like the iPhone it does not support Flash on the internet. Unlike the iPhone, it supports voice dialling and "cut and paste".
Physically, it weighs just under 6 ounces. At the bottom is a panel of buttons: a big Menu button, underneath which at the centre is a trackball (for navigation and as a select button). To the left of the trackball are the "Call/Send" button and the "Home" button; to the right of the trackball are the "Back" and "Hangup/Power" buttons.
On the left hand side of the phone is a Volume toggle, and on the right hand side the camera button. For the earphones, unfortunately it's a microUSB connection and you'll need an adapter for your 3.5mm jack earphones.
The display is 3.2 inches at 480 x 320 resolution, with a capacitive touch-screen. It does not support multi-touch, but does support long presses (through which you get a context menu including "cut and paste"). It has an accelerometer and is supposed to adjust itself to Portrait/Landscape mode, at least when the qwerty keyboard is open.
Since Android is open-source, many applications are expected to come out supporting the platform, and will not be filtered as in the case of the iPhone. You can access the apps from the Android "Market", and Google will tell you in relation to each app what types of access the app may have on the phone - such as communications, your location and your personal information.
The phone comes with the standard Google apps, such as Gmail, Contacts, Calendar, and like the iPhone, offers a mobile version of YouTube. If you don't use Gmail, there is another mail application. Unfortunately, this other mail app cannot open attachments (which Gmail can by HTML conversion), nor save them. The IM app supports major instant messengers such as AIM, Windows Live, Yahoo and of course Google Talk. Like Google's desktop browser the Chrome, the Android browser is WebKit-based. Another app that comes with the phone is AmazonMP3, with access to Amazon's DRM-free mp3 downloads - which only works with Wifi, and not 3G or Edge. The phone also has its own music player software.
At the moment, the phone is available in T-Mobile stores only in cities which has T-Mobile's 3G coverage.
Favourite Episodes
In Episode 679, Dick and Leo were asked if they had a list of their 20 favourite/funniest episodes. Ludwik Trammer of gizwizsearch can answer for them. Search queries on his site show which episodes are most frequently accessed - 182 Titanium Spork, 465 Electron Echo Piano, 462 MP4 Watch, and of course 282 Toothpick Bird.
Ludwik also tells us that the accumulative length of all the DGW shows now exceeds 7 days.
One More Thing
Ludwik is going to introduce a new feature on his site. In fact it is already operational. Just go to his site and see if you can spot the difference. Otherwise, just wait for an announcement through Dick and Leo in tomorrow's recording session, or in next week's episodes.
Video Podcasts To Wait
The last time Leo talked about video podcasts (with hopes of getting DGW on video) was Episode 671. Unfortunately, with the economic downturn, Leo has decided to be a little more prudent, and maybe putting that on hold, although he may still put out a weekly "best of" video podcast.
Second Longest Episode
At 31:03, today's show is the second longest episode, just 12 seconds short of Episode 634, the Lexmark X9575 Professional.
Listen to Episode 686
Go to TWiT
The Giz Wiz Home Page
Logitech's diNovo Mini
Mini Bluetooth Keyboard
Link: Logitech
1000 Episodes
Avid listener FreeBSD loves DGW, congratulates Dick and Leo on the successful podcast, and hopes it goes on to 1000 episodes. He also has a story to tell which would go well with the Scala Rider Teamset episode (Episode 369), about teenagers text messaging while driving. He was sitting in Starbucks in Kingston, Ontario, when he heard a crash outside - a lady driver was text messaging while driving and rear-ended the car in front as she turned into the road outside Starbucks.
Episode 500
Dick and Leo are pretty tied up and Dick has not planned anything for Episode 500. Leo suggests that listeners can send in questions to them, and if they answer correctly, listeners can send them crap.
Did you know?
18% of car accidents are caused by women putting on make-up while driving.
Listen to Episode 498
Go to TWiT
Read Dick's Write-Up
Liquid Image Underwater Digital Camera Mask 302
Underwater Mask with integrated Waterproof Digital Camera
Link: Liquid Image
In all the extensive coverage of CES 2008, no one mentioned the Liquid Image Underwater Digital Camera Mask, Model 302. But Dick does. It's an underwater mask, with a built-in 5MP digital camera which takes video (640x480, 18-25 fps) as well. 16MB internal memory, with a microSD card slot, powered by 2 AAA batteries. Photographic distance is up to 5 feet. The Model 302 is for ages 8 to adult and can operate up to 30 meters underwater. Model 300 is for ages 8 to 12, and Model 301 or ages 8 to adult. These other models use a lower resolution CMOS, 3.1MP, and operate up to 5 meters underwater. All models come with USB cable for downloading images and videos to your computer, with ArcSoft photo and video editing software.
SCUBA
Leo the wordsmith explains that "scuba" in scuba diving stands for "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus".
More Work for Dick and Leo
After Dick and Leo mentioned gadgets they didn't like in Episode 461, J/P suggests that Dick and Leo do a Throw Away Thursday (or Take Out The Trash Thursday) and have another jingle. Together with Head-To-Head Wednesday suggested by Deak in Episode 481, that should complete the week of themes.
SCUBA
Leo the wordsmith explains that "scuba" in scuba diving stands for "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus".
More Work for Dick and Leo
After Dick and Leo mentioned gadgets they didn't like in Episode 461, J/P suggests that Dick and Leo do a Throw Away Thursday (or Take Out The Trash Thursday) and have another jingle. Together with Head-To-Head Wednesday suggested by Deak in Episode 481, that should complete the week of themes.
Scala Rider TeamSet
Bluetooth Headset for Motorcycle Helmet
Link: Cardo Systems
A pair of bluetooth noise-cancellation headsets to slide on to motorcycle helmets, one for the driver, one for the passenger. The Scala Rider Teamset works with your mobile phone so that you can have a 3-way conversation among the driver, passenger and the caller. Also works as a walkie-talkie set between driver and passenger.
Greetings and Salutations ...
... from Joe and Carrie Neustein to Dick. Joe used to write for the Match Game when it moved from New York to California.
15-year-old Antonio wrote in to tell Dick and Leo about Kimberley-Clark's new motion-sensitive Touchless Toilet Paper Dispenser.
Listen to Episode 369
Go to TWiT
