PDA
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Officers' Quarters: PDA
Every Monday Scott Andrews contributes Officers' Quarters, a column about the ins and outs of guild leadership. He is the author of The Guild Leader's Handbook, available this spring from No Starch Press. Everyone seems to have their own opinion about public displays of affection (PDA). What's acceptable to some may be scandalous to others. What makes one person feel awkward may make someone else jealous and yet a third person happy for the lucky couple. This week, one reader is facing a PDA outbreak in guild chat. Hi Scott, First off, I really like my guild and everyone in it. We all get along (as much as it is possible) and I've had some great laughs as well as some intense fun. We do guild events, we all know how far to go in guild chat, and so on. However, a problem is arising from the relationship between a guy and a girl in the guild. They are both long-time members, but have recently hit it off and have gradually become more and more smitten with each other. This has happened before and never been a problem, but due to the extremely charismatic nature of the couple, they are having a negative effect on the guild chat.
AIS' ultra-rugged PDA is so ugly it's beautiful
Windows Phone what? Dell Mini who? Forget all that fancy nonsense, this is a proper mobile device. Running Windows Mobile 6.1, the AIS ultra-rugged PDA comes with a 3.7-inch QVGA (that's a whopping 240 x 320 resolution, folks!) screen, a Marvell chip that might have been around when the wheel was invented, and the surprisingly robust WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and 3G connectivity combo. Sidetalking has never looked this badass... or involved so many rubberized components.
Army, Lockheed Martin team up for DisOPS 'battlefield PDAs'
Remember the Land Warrior program, which only took 15 years and half a billion dollars outfit our troops with high-tech battlefield uniforms? With DisOPS ("distributed operations") Lockheed Martin is taking a different tack. Deployed to Special Forces in Afghanistan, the system is comprised of the Connect software which runs on ruggedized laptop computers, allowing squad leaders to plan missions on a map, and View PDAs that receive info over tactical radio, cellphone, or even WiFi networks. The PDAs provide "friendly force tracking of other team and squad leaders, land navigation tools, photo capture and transmission, and the ability to annotate and share maps in real time with other leaders." In addition to all that, the handhelds include a sniper detection system for locating the origin of enemy fire and distributing it to other units in the area. Reportedly the system is working quite well -- which means that, barring any further obstacles, DisOPS might see widespread use before 2030.
Drama Mamas: Couples counseling
Dodge the drama and become that player everyone wants in their group with the Drama Mamas. Lisa Poisso and Robin Torres are real-life mamas and experienced WoW players -- and just as we don't want our precious babies to be the ones kicking and wailing on the floor of checkout lane next to the candy, neither do we want you to become known as That Guy on your server. We're taking your questions at DramaMamas (at) WoW (dot) com. Usually couples counseling is for the problems that come with being a couple, not dealing with them. But this week we encounter two situations that involve drama caused by someone else's romance. One may (or may not) be a case of wedding envy. The other letter concerns the awkward public displays of affection from a couple separated by distance, but not by a need to exhibit. On to the counseling...
The Apple tablet that wasn't
TechCrunch has posted pictures of what they're calling an "unlaunched Apple tablet." In 1990, as the story goes, Apple was supposedly working on a pen-based touchscreen tablet called the Pen Mac that was actually extremely small for the time -- just about an inch thick, with a screen the same size as a Mac Portable. They were bringing a few different companies in on the deal, and apparently it worked well -- ran a full Mac OS, used a pen to control or let you plug in a mouse and keyboard, and there was even a smaller version called the PenLite (bulky by today's standards, but remember that this is 20 years ago now). So why weren't we all using tablet computers 20 years ago? TechCrunch blames John Sculley, who apparently thought the tablet idea was out, and the PDA idea was in, and we ended up with the Newton instead. I won't second guess him -- while it's easy to think that anything could have beaten the Newton, would the current Apple touchscreen tablet craze even be here if it weren't for the iPhone? And isn't Apple's smartphone just a hop, skip and a jump from their original PDA?
PRIME hand injury diagnosis system takes hold of innovation prize
It may look like little more than a pegboard and a force meter at present, but the PRIME hand-strength measuring device has already won first place at the IShow innovation showcase. Its magic lies in the custom software loaded onto the appended PDA, which makes it possible to accurately and repeatably diagnose hand and wrist injuries that doctors currently test for by squeezing and prodding. The Rice University students responsible for the Peg Restrained Intrinsic Muscle Evaluator have applied for a patent and are planning to commercialize the device, so we'll be looking for it on the next episode of House.[Via Physorg]
WWNC '09 official announcements and the 2010 bug
Each year, a crew of Newton users, developers and devotees gathers to celebrate the little green device, discuss projects, share resources and generally have fun. As a Newton owner myself, I've wanted to attend one of these for years.This summer's event features sessions by Grant Hutchinson, Ryan Vetter and (tentatively) Paul Guyot, who will discuss NPDS, modern uses of the Newton and the Einstein Project, respectively. You can get a full list of presentation topics here.One topic that I'm sure will be on everyone's mind is the 2010 bug. Briefly, the Newton's clock has a 17-year life, which was born in 1993 and ends in 2010. January 5, 2010 to be exact. Some users have reported erratic behavior when they've tried to schedule calendar events after that date, sometimes requiring a hard reset to escape. This seems to be limited to Newton OS 2.1 devices only.Eckhart Köppen is working on a fix, but it won't be easy, as a system patch will be required. Former Newton team engineer John Arkley had this to say in 1999:"...Building and testing a System Update is complex and expensive process and no single engineer could do it. The Newton OS only supports ONE system patch, so ALL the existing 'fixes' and any new ones have to be combined together to combined to create the 'next' System Update."Still, Eckhart feels it can be done. From what I know of him through the NewtonTalk mailing list, I'm inclined to believe him. In the meantime, check out the "Ramp Up Clip" to get yourself in the mood. WWNC '09 will take place from July 31st - August 2nd in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
ASUS gets official with P835 WVGA smartphone
Last we checked, Mobile World Congress ended a few days ago, but evidently ASUS doesn't mind a bit. Out of nowhere, the company has just introduced its newest Windows Mobile 6.1 (boo...) smartphone, the P835. Without a doubt, the two standout features here are the 3.5-inch WVGA (800 x 480) touchscreen and support for HSUPA 7.2Mbps downloads. The handset comes loaded with Opera Mobile for web surfing, a trackball, the company's new and improved Glide user interface, a battery good for six to seven hours of talking, a 528MHz Qualcomm 7201A processor, 4GB of internal storage, a microSDHC card slot, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, USB 2.0 connectivity, aGPS and quad-band GSM compatibility. You'll also find a 5 megapixel AutoFocus camera and video recording, and beautifully enough, the phone can double as a WiFi access point to share its blazing fast connection over WiFi with up to ten devices. As ASUS always does, we're left high and dry when it comes to pricing and availability. Full release is after the break.
LeapFrog Text and Learn hands-on: look what RIM hath wrought
Congratulations, you've done it. You and your CrackBerry habit have your neglected child pining for a drab QWERTY device of his or her own to pound out emails to lil' Timmy down the street, and revise playdate scheduling up against an Exchange server. LeapFrog has filled that void in a delightfully hefty, hard-to-swallow form factor, with the new Text and Learn. It's meant for little chilluns too young to spot a crappy UI and bad ergonomics, so the primary function is pushing the letters and getting it spoken back to you. We must say, we found the lack of push data a little off-putting, and the screen glare was a bit harsh, but the spacious, responsive keyboard is really best in class. Next they'll be asking for a BlackBerry massage and matching funds for their 401k. Video is after the break.%Gallery-43776%
LeapFrog intros "smartphone" for your little one (or you)
LeapFrog's been very busy of late -- they recently added Tag Junior to their line of edutainment products for the wee ones --and now there's this. The Text and Learn children's "PDA" hasn't been officially announced yet, but details are slipping out from the U.K. Toy Fair, so here's what we know about the must-have device of the year: boasting a full QWERTY keyboard, the Text and Learn has a calendar (for learning dates), phonics functions (for learning... phonics) on the keyboard, and games to teach spelling and basic computer skills, as well. There's also some "texting" -- the child can interact with their onscreen buddy / guide, Scout. The Text and Learn is set to launch in August for about $30. Man -- armed with this and our totally sick laptop, we're going to be the talk of the town.
Sharp halts Zaurus PDA production, smartphones to blame
It sure made it longer than Dell and Fujitsu-Siemens, but really, this was inevitable. Today, yet another icon in handheld computing has died, as Sharp has already scheduled the burial of its famed Zaurus lineup. Said devices were all the rage in the white hot 90s, with everyone from Zack Morris to Dawson Leery sporting one while strutting around Hollywood. We're led to believe that the ubiquity of more functional cellphones are to blame for the waning demand in PDAs, and we even pinged Captain Obvious to make sure that assertion was on point. Sayonara, dear Zaurus -- we will never forget.[Via CodeZine]
Verizon killing pay-as-you-go data plans, making other changes
Rumors on this one have been flying in the VZW world, but now it looks like we've got some confirmation on the matter -- and chances are, some folks won't like it one bit. According to a leaked document from within the company, every new PDA / smartphone launched on or after November 14th will "require a data feature / plan of $29.99 or more." Additionally, Pay As You Go, 1X Block and the 10MB data plan / feature will be unavailable for those very phones on the same day. Ready for more? In 2009 (vague, right?), "select" Mobile Web 2.0 devices will also require a data feature / plan. We are told that those who have one of these soon-to-vanish plans can keep it so long as they stick with their current phone, but as soon as the upgrade bug bites, be ready to pony up for data, too.[Via Boy Genius Report]
The IMOVIO iKit: everything you ever wanted in a PDA, save for a bunch of stuff you wanted
A company called IMOVIO has introduced the iKit -- a twisted combination of a Nintendo DS and your favorite old-school PDA (Psion anyone?). Predicting a rip in the fabric of space which tears all sense of reason and linear evolution of technology asunder, IMOVIO figures that there's a group of people who just want a small, underpowered handheld with WiFi as opposed to a smartphone or netbook. The device packs a 312MHz Marvell CPU running Linux, a 2.6-inch QVGA display, 128MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, microSD support up to 8GB, Bluetooth 2.0, optional 0.3 megapixel webcam, and a full QWERTY keyboard. Sounds kind of okay, right? Take into account that it only accepts USB 1.1, has no proper headphone jack (again, USB), and gets a measly four hours of battery life while playing Java games and, well, it starts to seem less than exciting. If you're not deterred by the aforementioned facts, one of these can be yours in black or white for £99 (about $172), no word on street date.[Thanks, T.I.]
HP's iPAQ 900 Business Communicator gets handled on video
After you delay a not-exactly-groundbreaking product like the iPAQ 900 for the umpteenth time, there should really be no surprise to find a lukewarm reaction when it actually ships. Nevertheless, loyalists out there that refuse to give up on HP's Windows Mobile 6.1-powered Business Communicator will likely love the lengthy hands-on demonstration at GottaBeMobile. There's nothing there that'll floor you or anything, but if you really needed to see someone handle this thing for 14 minutes before making your purchasing decision, head on past the break and mash that sideways triangle.[Thanks, Rob]
Nintendo helps make a better prison guard
We can imagine what makes for a good prison guard: somebody who has seen the show Oz and is skilled in the ways of the nightstick. What else could a wannabe prison guard need? Nintendo, apparently.At North Branch Correctional Institution, prison Warden John A. Rowley mentioned that the state-of-the-art touch-screen system that the prison uses to control the population is, apparently, very similar to that of the DS. He commented that "Nintendo was a great tool to train today's officers." We couldn't agree more, since the DS is not only a great handheld system for gaming, but also a cheap way to introduce folks to the interface of a touch-screen, not to mention how to effectively use a stylus.So, while the Warden comments that Nintendo helped train his guards, we think the system can go further. It can train grandparents on how to use a PDA (or you can turn it into one for them), among other things. What a great little system![Via Kotaku]
DS Daily: Who's been converted?
Our most evil and dark attempt to introduce you to the disgusting world of legal homebrew has concluded. Now that the dust has settled, we want to know how many of you actually managed to give something a try? Did you rush out and start downloading like crazy? Perhaps turned your DS into a PDA?All of you who've now decided to take the plunge, what are you enjoying? For those of you that didn't, why? What's keeping you from the wide world of possibilities that come from the DS homebrew scene? We overcame our fears, you should at least try to overcome your own!
Homebrew week: the recapping
This week, the staff at DS Fanboy dedicated themselves to all things homebrew. If you own a DS and aren't checking out some of these hobbyist applications, you're missing half the fun of the system. Let us help you get started, find the best games and other software, and troubleshoot your problems, and you'll be reproducing Rembrandts* in Colors! in no time. *provided you actually have some shred of artistic talentGetting started DS Fanboy's (semi) ultimate homebrew guide Covering some of the most common Slot-1 cards that can turn your DS into a lean, mean, homebrew machine. Homebrew glossary DLD-what? Slot where? We've got the answers. Filling up that SD card Widen the horizons of the DS The best apps for making your DS do all the things a handheld was never meant to do. Japanese homebrew games that will blow your mind From the wacky to the completely awesome. Emulating the gaming world on DS Your favorite old consoles, back in handheld form. Don't buy these: homebrew recommendations There are dozens of amazing homebrew apps available, and we've got a small sampling of our favorites. Homebrew: Using the DS as a PDA Why carry two things when one will do just fine? More Naughtiness on the Nintendo DS All the pornographic puzzles you can fit on a single microSD card. Checking out the community Confessions of a Homebrew Virgin New to this whole deal? You're not the only one. Homebrew dev dishes on the DS scene The man behind Laser Hockey DS on the scene, his recommendations, and the lessons Nintendo could stand to learn from homebrew. Homebrew support group Got problems? We bet someone has an answer.
DS Fanboy's week of homebrew
This week, the staff at DS Fanboy dedicated themselves to all things homebrew. If you own a DS and aren't checking out some of these hobbyist applications, you're missing half the fun of the system. Let DS Fanboy help you get started, find the best games and other software, and troubleshoot your problems, and you'll be reproducing Rembrandts* in Colors! in no time. *provided you actually have some shred of artistic talentGetting started DS Fanboy's (semi) ultimate homebrew guide Covering some of the most common Slot-1 cards that can turn your DS into a lean, mean, homebrew machine. Homebrew glossary DLD-what? Slot where? We've got the answers. Filling up that SD card Widen the horizons of the DS The best apps for making your DS do all the things a handheld was never meant to do. Japanese homebrew games that will blow your mind From the wacky to the completely awesome. Emulating the gaming world on DS Your favorite old consoles, back in handheld form. Don't buy these: homebrew recommendations There are dozens of amazing homebrew apps available, and we've got a small sampling of our favorites. Homebrew: Using the DS as a PDA Why carry two things when one will do just fine? More Naughtiness on the Nintendo DS All the pornographic puzzles you can fit on a single microSD card. Checking out the community Confessions of a Homebrew Virgin New to this whole deal? You're not the only one. Homebrew dev dishes on the DS scene The man behind Laser Hockey DS on the scene, his recommendations, and the lessons Nintendo could stand to learn from homebrew. Homebrew support group Got problems? We bet someone has an answer.
Homebrew: Using the DS as a PDA
One thing that's been brought up countless times in DS-related discussions is "if only it could be used as a PDA." Well, with the right combination of hardware and software, it can! But just how well does it stand up to other devices with that classification? Read on as I take the DS through its paces to see how it performs as a personal digital assistant.
DIYer becomes inundated with spare time, crams Wikipedia onto PDA
Portions of Wikipedia have been living on disconnected pocket-friendly gizmos for years now, but one particular DIYer just took the whole process to an absurd new level. For starters, you'll have to procure a relatively obscure Psion 5mx PDA, not to mention a CF card (and adapter), Linux-based PC, static HTML dump of Wikipedia and an enviable amount of unused vacation time. If you just can't stand to be too far from knowledge, and you're way too vintage to just pick up a WiFi-enabled UMPC or halfway decent smartphone with web access, load up the read link and prepare to get (really) busy.
