Author Archive: Matt

More than 20 years in the IT industry. Blogging with a passion and thirst for new technology since 2005.

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By January 19, 2007 Read More →

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!

JAVOEdge

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.

JAVOedge PSP 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

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Posted in: Reviews
By January 18, 2007 Read More →

Fujitsu-Siemens EDA

A slightly different product this, the Fujitsu-Siemens EDA is a new ruggedised Pocket PC, which has been specifically designed for the classroom, combining high-end specifications with a robust design. Being lightweight and compact the EDA can easily be carried in school bags or used within the classroom with confidence. The EDA features a bright 3.5-inch VGA display, which is clear and easy to read and also includes Bluetooth and Wireless LAN connectivity. Data is protected against accident loss by the persistent memory feature of Windows Mobile 5 Premium Edition, which ensures power shortages aren’t a problem. A full battery charge will last a typical day.

The aim is for it to be used in the classroom as an interactive learning device with WiFi access and specific software for school use. It is actually quite a well featured device with a competitve price point, when compared to the other ruggedised devices from Symbol and Intermec.

Fujitsu-Siemens EDA

Fujitsu-Siemens EDA Features:

  • Lightweight – unlike laptops or so-called “Ultra-Mobile PC’s”
  • Instant-on – the EDA is ready to use as soon as it’s switched on no waiting 10 minutes to boot-up or shut down
  • Small – it doesn’t dominate the learning environment
  • Robust – can easily withstand falling from a desk or the rigours of the school bag. Has undergone extensive quality tests, with “childproof” custom power and USB connection and comes with 2 year warranty as standard.
  • Connected – fast wireless connectivity via 802.11b/g or Bluetooth
  • Virus-free – the EDA’s operating system does not host computer viruses
  • Stamina – battery charge lasts a typical school day
  • Built-in – GPS ideal for location based learning and G.I.S. Applications low power consumption – unlike plug-in GPS units
  • Built-in Camera – capture material for later reference or creative projects

    • Fujitsu-Siemens EDA Specification:

  • Intel PXA270 624 MHz based
  • System memory (RAM) 64 MB
  • Flash memory (ROM) 128 MB
  • Supplied with 1GB SD Card
  • Full integrated SiRF Star III Chip
  • 3.5-inch VGA 480 x 640 colour transflective TFT
  • WLAN Integrated, 802.11 b/g
  • Bluetooth V1.2 Integrated
  • SD card/MM card (SD I/O)
  • Exchangeable Lithium-Ion battery, rechargeable, Main battery 1200 mAh
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 121 x 76 x 17.5 mm
  • Weight: app. 190g

    • The Fujitsu-Siemens EDA is available now from Clove Technology.

    Clove

    Matt

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    Posted in: Phones
    By January 18, 2007 Read More →

    Any interest in the i-Mate JAQ3?

    I know that some of my peers have got themselves i-Mate JAQ3’s to play with and review but I wondered what level of interest there was in this device?

    iMate JAQ3

    The JAQ3, manufactured by TechFaith Wireless, is fairly similar to the Samsung Blackjack and not a million miles away from the HTC Excalibur (HTC S620).

    Several people I know that have an HTC S620 like the device but have commented that they wish the S620 was PocketPC OS rather than Smartphone. The i-Mate JAQ3 may well suit those people wanting the form factor of the S620/Blackjack but the added advantage of PocketPC OS.

    I am hoping to get myself a JAQ3 as I am one of the people that likes the form factor of the Excalibur but I’m not a fan of the Smartphone OS. One thing that worries me is the apparent size of the JAQ3, it looks like a large device. If you take a look at the image below (borrowed from The Unwired) you can see how the JAQ3 compares to the HTC Universal and the HTC Hermes. The other thing that bothers me is the lack of 3G.

    Compare JAQ3

    i-Mate JAQ3 Specification:

  • Windows Mobile for PocketPC, AKU3.2
  • 200MHz TI OMAP 850 CPU
  • Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900MHz
  • GSM/GPRS/EDGE
  • WiFi 802.11b/g
  • 128mb ROM & 64mb RAM
  • Stereo Bluetooth 1.2
  • MicroSD card slot
  • 2.0 mega pixel camera
  • 2.4″ 320×240 65k LCD Touch Screen
  • 1200mAh battery
  • Size: 126 x 67.5 x 14.5mm
  • 160g with battery
  • 150Hrs standby/4Hrs talk
  • Scroll Wheel

    • EDIT: You can now buy a JAQ3 from Clove Technology and with our voucher code you can save £20! See this post for more details.

    I’d be very interested to hear you comments about the JAQ3, especially if you already have one!

    Matt

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    Posted in: News
    By January 18, 2007 Read More →

    New server, new home

    Over the past months we have seen a rapid increase in our traffic levels, so much so that our poor old server couldn’t take the strain! Therefore, over the past few days we have been migrating the site over to a new dedicated webserver that should be our new home for a while.

    If you can see this post then your DNS has updated correctly and you are looking at the new site. There should be a vast speed improvement over our old site.

    If you notice anything strange or find anything broken then please email me (matt [at] tracyandmatt.co.uk) and let me know.

    I wish to thank Iain for the sterling job in moving the site so efficiently. The site move is something I have been dreading for a while but it seems to have gone smoothly and seamlessly so far. If that isn’t tempting fate then I don’t know what is!

    Matt

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    Posted in: Site Announcements
    By January 18, 2007 Read More →

    VITO Metronome released

    VITO Technology releases a new application – VITO Metronome. VITO Metronome is the easiest way to learn how to play musical instruments like violin or cello for beginners rhythmically at even pace. For violin fanatics, a helpful site like fiddlersguide.com is a blog for beginner and intermediate violinists, who want to improve their playing skills and become a better player. Start your learning journey now!

    VITO Metronome

    With VITO Metronome learning to play evenly becomes real pleasure. True musicians will appreciate the stylish and user-friendly interface. Simplicity and usefulness were two main ideas that have brought forward VITO Metronome.

    You can change as much as the tempo, measure and volume. For your convenience it is possible to immediately switch between preset tempos marked by the common Italian names, or you can also manually specify and correct the number of bits per minute. Another way to set the tempo is to tap it on the screen of Pocket PC or to press buttons on Smartphone.

    VITO Metronome offers most commonly used measures that can be easily changed. VITO Metronome can be easily operated by stylus or just with your fingers – pressing big onscreen buttons. VITO Metronome is available at vitotechnology.com for $9.95.

    VITO Technology ltd. is known for its high-tech products in the field of Windows Mobile and Symbian software, GPS navigation and custom projects. Introduced in the present article VITO Metronome is easy to use metronome for your Windows Mobile Pocket PC or Smartphone.

    Check out the product page HERE.

    Matt

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    Posted in: Apps & Games
    By January 18, 2007 Read More →

    SanDisk announce sponsorship of Ducati

    Great news for motor sports fans; Today SanDisk announced a two-year sponsorship of Ducati Corse’s MotoGP race team, a performance leader in the high-speed world of motorcycle racing.

    Ducati SanDisk

    SanDisk’s name and logo will appear on Ducati Corse MotoGP motorcycles, team clothing and riders’ leathers, the two companies said during the unveiling of Ducati’s Desmosedici GP7 racing motorcycle at the Wrooom MotoGP Event in Madonna di Campiglio.

    “SanDisk and Ducati share a passion for excellence in engineering and performance,” said Wes Brewer, vice president for consumer products marketing at SanDisk. “Our SanDisk Extreme® III and IV digital film cards have a global reputation for cutting-edge speed and innovation, much as Ducati has a global reputation for motorcycles that regularly beat the competition.”

    Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Corse, said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome SanDisk as a new partner in our MotoGP Project. Ducati and SanDisk are both dedicated to maximum performance, making the partnership a perfect fit.”

    MotoGP is among the world’s most popular motor sports, drawing annual season attendance exceeding two million and a worldwide television audience of more than five billion. The 2007 season features 18 races in 15 nations around the globe.

    “Photographers face almost as many challenges at the track as MotoGP riders. Having the fastest CompactFlash card in the market at 40MB per second* makes high-performance photography, especially in fast-action sports, much easier,” said Tanya Chuang, worldwide senior retail product marketing manager for digital imaging at SanDisk. “The fast read speed also reduces time away from the viewfinder, because images can be quickly offloaded through an Extreme FireWire Reader.”

    SanDisk plans to work closely with the wider photographic MotoGP community. Gigi Soldano, a highly respected MotoGP photographer said, “Capturing the many exciting moments of MotoGP racing, where riders can reach 200 miles per hour and can be millimeters above the track on tight turns, requires cameras and memory cards that are the fastest and most reliable in the world. SanDisk Extreme III and IV memory cards make my job easier, because I know I can shoot as rapidly as possible without worrying about losing that once-in-a lifetime image.”

    SanDisk and Ducati expect to announce more elements of their agreement in the months ahead.

    Matt

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    Posted in: News
    By January 17, 2007 Read More →

    HTC Cavalier exposed

    The Boy Genius has just published some excellent photos of the unboxing of his shiny, new HTC Cavalier (aka HTC S630).

    HTC Cavalier

    “Signal reception is as good or better than the Excalibur and the JOGGR touch-wheel has been moved to the direct side instead of by the screen. And now for some bad news, HTC sent out a memo to all distributors saying this device has been ‘postponed indefinitely’. “

    Take a look at the full ritual unboxing HERE.

    HTC Cavalier (HTC S630) Specification

  • 400MHz Samsung CPU
  • Quad-Band (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) with UMTS (2100/850/1900), HSDPA
  • WiFi 802.11b/g
  • 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM
  • Bluetooth 2.0
  • 2.4 inch 320×240 screen
  • 2 mega-pixel camera
  • 1050mAh battery

    • Matt

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    Posted in: Phones
    By January 17, 2007 Read More →

    Vodafone Germany launch VDA IV Smartphone

    Just a few days ago we told you about the release of the Vodafone 1210 on Vodafone Portugal. Today we discover that the same device, manufactured by AsusTek, has been released on Vodafone’s German site as the Vodafone VDA IV Smartphone.

    Vodafone 1210

    Specification of the VDA IV are pretty much the same as the 1210 with the exception of the camera which had been omitted from the VDA IV, presumably because this is a business targeted device.

    The Vodafone VDA IV starts at 49.50 Euros on a 24 months contract and can be bought without a contract for 299.50 Euros

    Vodafone VDA IV Specification

  • 2.2″ 64k colors TFT display screen (240 x 320)
  • Intel XScale 312MHz CPU
  • 128mb Flash ROM
  • 64mb RAM
  • Intel Hermon modem
  • Bluetooth 2.0
  • Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0
  • GSM Tri-band 900/1800/1900 MHz
  • microSD card slot
  • 108 x 47 x 18mm
  • 120 grams
  • Up to 300 mins talk time
  • Up to 275 hours standby time

    • See the VDA IV on Vodafone’s German website.

    Matt

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    Posted in: Phones
    By January 17, 2007 Read More →

    SanDisk Wins Best of CES Award for Sansa Connect

    SanDisk, today announced the Sansa Connect, a Wi-Fi enabled MP3 player, won two “Best of CES” awards at the International Consumer Electronics Shows (CES) in Las Vegas last week. CNET awarded SanDisk’s Wi-Fi MP3 player first place in its “MP3 and portable video” category, while LAPTOP magazine voted it top portable audio player on the show floor.

    SanDisk Sansa Connect

    The sleek-looking Sansa Connect un-tethers consumers from their PCs allowing them to connect to music and online photos through any open wireless “hot spot” Internet connection. Designed to work with premium Internet services, the flash-based MP3 player will grant music aficionados access to a wide range of new music via subscription services and streaming Internet radio. It will also contain community features for recommending music and photos with the simple click of a button and a “live” Wi-Fi connection.

    According to CNET’s expert editors, SanDisk’s Sansa Connect was recognized as the hottest product in its respective technology category for its “unmatched innovation and creativity, and the Company’s ability to excite consumers about portable music players that can make their way into everyday life.” CNET’s editors received and reviewed more than 600 total entries from products unveiled at CES, awarding only 10 products top honors in a variety of categories.

    Matt

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    Posted in: Phones
    By January 16, 2007 Read More →

    ‘3’ confirms scrapping of roaming fees

    Mobile company 3 has confirmed that they are scrapping their international roaming fees in seven countries including Australia and Italy.

    Three Logo

    When 3 customers travel to another country in which 3 also operates, customers will be able to make and receive calls using the visited 3 network and be charged as if they were still using their home network. The same principle will apply to SMS, MMS, video calling and data services. The visited 3 network can be considered a virtual extension of their home network and can therefore be used as if the customer were not roaming at all.

    3 said there would be no one-off fees, and that its users would automatically gain the service.

    The other places in which it has abolished the fees are Austria, Hong Kong, Sweden and Denmark

    This also covers data usage.

    Now if they were to offer the same deal for the USA I would definitely move to 3!

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    Posted in: News
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