Reviews

Repair your scratched iPod screen

Ok so maybe this isn’t a ‘repair’ but it’s certainly the next best thing!

I’ve had my iPod video for a little while and a few weeks ago I managed to scratch the screen, it’s a bad scratch caused by putting my keys in the same pocket as the iPod. I’m normally so careful with my devices but the mistake all but ruined the screen!

I had an idea and called upon my old friends a JAVOedge. It may well seem like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted but I thought that an Anti-Glare JAVOscreen might cover up the scratch and prevent any further damage.

So today I got my screen protector from JAVOedge and after cleaning my iPod screen I applied it. I am simply amazed at the results! Have a look at the two pictures below. In the ‘before’ picture you can clearly see the nasty scratch but after applying the anti-glare screen protector it is virtually impossible to see the scratch, even up close and holding it to the light you can barely see it!

Not only does the JAVOscreen hide the scratch but check out the anti-glare coating. This makes the screen so much easier to see, even in daylight it cuts out all the unwanted reflections.

When you buy a JAVOScreen for an iPod from JAVOedge you don’t just get a screen protector that simply covers the screen area, the screen protector covers the whole of the front of the iPod. You also get a circular protector for the click-wheel and another protector for the back of the device!

So whether you are looking to protect your iPod screen from damage or you already have an scratched iPod that you want to ‘repair’ take a look at the JAVOedge JAVOscreen products – they are certainly a cheaper alternative to replacing the screen!

These screen protectors from JAVOedge are available for lots of other products too. So if you have scratched your mobile phone, iPod or PDA screen why not try a JAVOscreen protector?

BTW – Images are straight from the camera, just resized for the web.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): PSP, JAVOedge, Screen Protector, iPod, Tracy & Matt]

PPC Tablet review

PPC Tablet Remote Control Suite is a PocketPC program that uses the PocketPC screen to emulate input devices such as keyboard, touchpad or tablet.

I discovered PPC Tablet a few weeks ago when I decided to hook up an old laptop to my TV to play back video and browse the internet in the lounge. I didn’t want to have a keyboard and mouse trailing across the living room and figured that there must be some remote control software out there that I could use, I was thinking along the lines of VNC.

After a few minutes of Google whacking I came across PPC Tablet. According to the blurb “PPC Tablet helps users remotely control a desktop or laptop PC by sending keystrokes or mouse movements to it, through an ActiveSync connection or any TCP/IP network connection, wired or wireless. It can also help users speed up repetitive data entry or computer operation by using PPC Tablet’s macro keys.” it sounded ideal. I decided to download the demo.

PPC Tablet comprises of two elements. First of all you have to install the ‘Host’ application on the PC that you want to control and then you install the ‘Client’ on the PocketPC device that you want to use. If you have an ActiveSync connection to the PocketPC you can do both at the same time.

The host application allows you to configure settings such as start-up behaviour, ports etc. (see below).

The PPC Client application has a number of built in profiles that you can use (see table below) plus you can also design your own profiles or download others from the internet. There is even a profile for Windows Media Centre which emulates the Media Centre remote control.

Once you choose a profile you are asked which host you want to connect to. This is great is it will allow you to set up the host application on multiple PC’s and connect to them as required. You are then presented with the profile on the PocketPC screen.

The profile I use most on my HTC TyTN is the ‘Remote File System’. This gives you a large area on the screen for use as a touchpad, similar to a laptop track-pad, which emulates the mouse and then a scroll bar at the side. This also allows you to use the keyboard on the PocketPC.

I have been using PPC Tablet for a few weeks now and I have to say I think it is a great application. I find myself using it in a variety of ways. I connect to the host via WiFi but Bluetooth and ActiveSync connections are also supported. The host application is even compatible with Vista!

PPC Tablet definitely goes on our list of most useful PocketPC software and is highly recommended. Take a look at the PPC Tablet site where you can download a demo or purchase the full version.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Tracy & Matt, PPC Tablet, A&A Computer Services, Remote Control]

JAVOedge PSP screen protector review

I recently started to use my Sony PSP again and one thing that really bothered me was that the screen is so shiny and prone to finger prints and scratches. I needed a screen protector!

I first tried one of the cheap ones that some of the high street retailers are selling at the moment. I picked up one for £7 from a store round the corner and sat the PSP on the desk and gave the screen a good clean. I peeled the screen guard from its backing and tried to apply it, I ended up with bubbles everywhere. I’ve fitted screen protectors to a number of PDA devices before and never had this much trouble! After messing with it for a few minutes I decided it would be better to remove it and start again. Big mistake! It ended up stuck to itself. The adhesive was too strong to sort it out. I had to throw it away. The further annoyance was that it had left a residue on the screen which was a pig to get rid of!

I then remembered that my old friends JAVOedge sold screen protectors for Palm, Smartphone and PocketPC’s. I decided to see if they did anything for the PSP. Sure enough JAVOEdge were making products for the PSP so I got myself an antiglare JAVOScreen as well as one of the new Ultra Clear JAVOScreen protectors as I couldn’t make up my mind!

Delivery was very quick and as with other JAVOedge products that I’ve had before, everything you need is in the pack. You get a screen cleaning cloth which is made of a really soft material and a card to help apply the protector, plus obviously the screen itself.

The first thing you need to do is give the screen a good clean, make sure you get rid of all the finger prints and dust, otherwise you will end up trapping this under the screen protector.

Next you peel the backing off the film and apply it to the screen. The thing I particularly liked about this screen protector is that not only does it cover the LCD area but also the area the areas around the D-pad and the buttons. The size is perfect which helps you get the thing in the right place and it’s very easy to remove or reposition if you get it wrong.

Mine went on perfect first time, no bubbles and perfectly straight.

One of the JAVOScreen’s has an anti-glare surface which makes a huge difference to the screen visibility, especially when you are using it outside on a bright day or, as I do, sitting on the train.

I was pleased with the anti-glare JAVOScreen so gave the Ultra Clear JAVOScreen to my a friend. He was able to apply the film easily too.

I personally prefer the anti-glare to the Ultra Clear but this is down to personal preference.

This screen protector differs from others on the market in that it does not use an adhesive to fix it to the screen but rather a static coating. This means that you can remove the protector and put it on another device (If you get it replaced for example) or you can take it off and actually wash it! Also it wont leave any nasty residue on your screen if you do decide to take it off.

If you want to get a good quality screen protector to protect your PSP investment then look no further than JAVOScreen!

You can find the full PSP Product list on the JAVOedge website.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): PSP, JAVOedge, Screen Protector, Sony, Tracy & Matt]

Another Eten Glofiish X500 review

PocketPC Thoughts have just published their review of the Eten Glofiish X500.

“The Glofiish X500 is one of two debut devices in E-TEN’s emerging Glofiish series, and looks can be deceiving. Despite being incredibly slim, the X500 manages to pack an incredible punch with integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and an FM radio. Is it just what the doctor ordered, or is there a catch?”

Don’t forget that we are hosting an offer to save you £20 when you purchase an Eten Glofiish X500 from Clove. To take advatage of this brilliant offer all you have to do is type TM2JAN07 into the voucher box on the order form once you have selected to buy the Eten X500 and £20 will be deducted at the checkout stage. Visit the Eten X500 page on the Clove site.

This offer is for our readers only and is valid until the end of January 2007.

Read the full review of the Eten X500 on PocketPC Thoughts.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Eten, Glofiish, Eten Glofiish X500, Tracy & Matt]

MircoCircuit review

MircoCircuit is by Viex Games and is available for both Pocket PC and Palm OS. It is considered a strategy game.

The basic idea of the game to get the different coloured cars safely around the track, by switching the crossroads, and return them to their garage within the time allowed.

MircoCircuit starts of very simply with one coloured car and simple figure-of-eight track with one crossroad. By the time you get up to level 12 there are four different car colours and 11 junctions to manage! You get an average of about 5 cars coming out of each garage on each level.

The game is over when two of the cars crash into each other (cars stop at the junctions if the road is the incorrect way!) or you run out of time on a level.

I enjoyed playing this as it my kind of game, however I think a little more thought could have been put in to the levels at it is really easy to start with and gets difficult very quickly, thus for me making it quite short lived. The thing I did like about it though was you could start at any level you had unlocked so you didn’t have to keep playing the basic levels and could come straight back to the harder levels. This makes it an ideal game to have on your phone as you can just pick it and continue from the level you were stuck on and it also means that you can complete just a level at a time and not have to worry about re-doing previously completed levels.

Overall a good game but does require some thought!

Check out MicroCircuit in our Mobile Game Shop.

Tracy

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Mobile Games, Clickgamer, Tracy & Matt, pocket pc games, M3100 Software]

Samsung i320 Review

Kerry Woo from the Gadgeteer has just published a great review of the Samsung SGH-i320 which, by the way, is now available on the Vodafone UK business website.

“I am simply amazed at how cell phones have evolved from the “portable” bag phone to today’s vast selection of featured laden mobile phones. Built in cameras, music players, text messaging and voice dialing are just some of the options available in mix and match feature laden phones. Add to the mix WiFi and Bluetooth, push email, robust calendar and contact management with Internet access plus a large catalog of third party software makes today’s smartphone a compelling reason to leave the laptop at home.”

Samsung SGH-i320 Specification

Read the full review here.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Tracy & Matt, Samsung SGH-i320, Vodafone, Samsung]

Cingular 8525 Review

Our friend Fabien has been busy again and has just completed his review of the Cingular 8525.

The 8525 is Cingular’s version of the HTC Hermes. One thing to note is the lack of front facing camera on the Cingular version.

“If you love your Wizard/Qtek 9100 device and plan to get a new device running under Windows Mobile 5.0, the Cingular 8525 is a perfect update. It’s the most wanted mobile right now in United State and there’s no doubt why. It has plenty of power and packs everything needed into one device. The only bad point I will make about this device is the mini USB stereo plug…I still don’t understand where this idea come from! I won’t complain about the lack of a camera on the front of the device knowing that the video call service is a long way away.”

Check out the full review over at Dafabmobiles.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Cingular, HTC Hermes, Cingular 8525]

Parrot DRIVER HEADSET review.

ABOUT
The Parrot Hands-free Headset (DRIVER HEADSET) consists of a Bluetooth headset and a cradle that is both a holder for the headset and a charger that plugs directly into your car’s cigarette lighter socket (12V).

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
On first looking at the package I was slightly scared by the size of the ‘bud’ on the headset as it looked huge, but in practise it’s not and fits into the ear with no problems.

USAGE
So, the operation of this kit is to plug the charger dock into the cigarette lighter, and then the headset slides into the top, with a push mechanism to retain it – nice solid click in and click out. The cradle also features a buzzer that sounds on incoming calls.

When the headset is in the cradle and charging, the status LED on the top of the headset blinks red slowly.

You pair the headset as you would any other Bluetooth device on your phone and once paired the status LED blinks blue slowly. Whilst not paired the headset’s status LED blinks alternate blue and red.

The headset has a volume up, volume down and an On/Off button (which is used to start/end calls). You can also use the headset for voice dialing as well.

So all fairly standard stuff on the headset side of things.

I also managed to hook it up to the PC for use with Skype 😀

PROS

CONS

Overall
If you are someone that only wants a headset when you are driving, and the headset doesn’t slip in your ear, then this headset is probably great.

For me personally, whilst it was light enough to stay in the ear without bothering me, the fact that it didn’t stay put in one place was distracting.

Parrot DRIVER HEADSET Specification

Review by Iain

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, Parrot, DRIVER HEADSET, Speakerphone, Bluetooth, Tracy & Matt]

HTC P4350 (aka HTC Herald) review

Paul over at MoDaCo has just published his review of the HTC P4350 (aka HTC Herald).

Everyone seems to be talking about the Herald and many seem to be excited about the idea of a thinner device with a keyboard or an updated version of the K-Jam. However, Paul seems to be rather disapointed with the P4350.

“Think of the Herald in one of two ways. It’s either a slimmed down and slightly tweaked Wizard, or it’s a Prophet (i-mate JAMin, SPV M600) with a slide out keyboard without gaining any additional size.”

“The first point worthy of note is the weight! At a hefty 174g on our scales (14g more than the quoted weight), it’s substantial. Small it may be, but light it ain’t By comparison, the Prophet tips the scales at 148g, the Wizard a closer 169g. It’s the heavy weight compared with the diminuitive size that is so strange… one can only assume the solid keyboard mechanism is to blame.”

Check out Paul’s full review HERE.

HTC P4350 (HTC Herald) Specification

See the full specification on the HTC product page.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, HTC Artemis, Dopod, HTC P4350, HTC Herald, HTC Excalibur, Tracy & Matt]

HTC P4350 (aka HTC Herald) reviewed

Brody over at MSMobileNews has just completed his review of the HTC P4350 (aka HTC Herald).

Brody has done a sterling job with the review and there are a lot of great photos to help illustrate his points. This is how he sums it up:

“So would I spend my hard-earned cash on a HTC P4350? Well at £379.95 inc VAT its no doubt going to be in need of a subsidised contract however it’s a really great device and one that I’m confident will find its way into many people’s pockets in the near future.”

Check out the full review over at MSMobileNews.

HTC P4350 Specification

See the full spec on the HTC product page.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, HTC Artemis, Dopod, HTC P4350, HTC Herald, HTC Excalibur, Tracy & Matt]