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Palm Pre Accessories-A List of THE Best of the Best
Nov 2nd
Just In Time For the Holiday’s
As I promised, a list of the best of the best accessories for the Palm Pre. And just in time for the holiday’s too. With them right around the corner, it’s just about time to start thinking about what to get the person with the Pre.
#1-Touchstone
On my list is unanimous all around. It’s on every other lists in varying orders, and made it to the top of mine because it is the ONLY one to make it to all the others. Is it no surprise that the Touchstone is the number 1 accessory? I didn’t think so. EWireless charging that can go almost anywhere. This is the sccessory that has accessories too. There are different packages available like the Dual Location kit, the Car Kit, and teh Complete kit that comes with a wall charger too. Prices range from $19.99 for a new back plate to $109.95 for the largest kit that comes with everything included-The accessory with accessories!
#2-Vehicle Charger
This accessory made it to all of the above mentioned lists except one. And I understand why. The vehicle charger is a must because the Battery itself doesn’t hold very long. So you don’t want to get stuck, right? The Palm Car Charger for the Pre is a great one because not only does it charge quickly, even while using the phone, and it looks good. Prices range from $12095 to $19.95.
#3-Bluetooth Headset
Wireless hands free talking is a must these days and with stricter laws being passed everywhere, this is number 3 on the list. But the “best” one is up to you, the user. I can tell you the best selling one, but the best Bluetooth depends on what you need to get out of teh experience of using it. So then the best selling Bluetooth headsets, according to Palm Pre itself, are the Star Treck UFO, Planatronics Discovery 975, BlueAnt V1 Voice Controlled, Scala 700 and the Samsung WEP 200. Take your pick, any of them are good. Prices range from $34.05 to $119.95.
#4-Seidio Innocell Extended Battery
Yes, the Seidio Innocell 1350mAh Extended Battery for Palm Pre is on the list for obvious reasons. Even if it extends the lifeof teh battery for only an hour, it is still worth it. We can all use a little more juice sometimes. Price ranges from$40 to $50.
#5-A Protector Case
Again, this is one that is based on personal preference. It all depends what you want out of it. There are some that snap on the whole outside, some are made of leather, and some only protect the screen. The best selling ones, again according to Palm Pre, are Body Glove Faux Nylon Snap-on, Seidio Innocase Surface and their Holster too, Palm Leather Side Case along with many others. Me? I would just opt for a screen protector. Case prices range all over the map. From $9.95 to $39.95, depending on the style.
Where to Purchase?
Well, of course you can find all fo these accessories and more on teh Palm Pre Website. You can also find them in Best Buy. Also there are two other accessories online stores I like too. Boxwave.com and AccessoryGeeks.com. Happy Shopping!
For more great articles and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
Check back tomorrow for more of the latest in the mobile phone industry. And another list of the best accessories. I think I will do the iPhone this time. If any if our readers have any suggestions as what to review, or something you think needs to be talked about, feel free to leave a comment and I will see what I can do. Til then, happy phoning!
App Wars-iPhone vs. Windows Marketplace for Mobile 6.5
Oct 18th
Windows Marketplace for Mobile-Will it Be Good Enough?
With the launch of he new Windows mobile 6.5 also came the release of the Window Marketplace for mobile. Windows answer to iPhone. But in a market where iPhone is king, and all the other app stores for Smartphones are all the same and run scared from iPhone, will Windows be able to take their fair cut? Well, in some ways yes and in others no.
And Here Are The Reason Why
Well for starters, Windows Marketplace for Mobile has nowhere near as many apps available as the iPhone ’s app store. As of Tuesday’s starting point, there were only about 100 apps ready to go. Granted, they are just starting out, but you would think that knowing how many apps your biggest competitor has, not to mention how many apps all the other competitors have, would have made them move the developer’s butts a little faster right from the beginning. Another thing that see,s to be annoying WinMo 6.5 users is the limitation of which apps can be used on which phones. Yes, it is a great feature to have that the browsable list of categories of apps only meant for your phone, and for your country, but when you live in Finland, you are sure to want more than 2 apps available. Yes, that’s right. Only 2 available in Finland. So why make a big deal out of what is looking to be almost nothing?
Because Windows Marketplace for Mobile Has One Thing iPhone’s App Store Doesn’t
A really cool 24 hour do it yourself refund policy. That’s right. Windows Marketplace for mobile allows a user to buy an app, and then if they don’t like it, return it for a full refund with in 24 hours. Apple refuses to allow refunds, saying that enough information is given to the users before buying the apps. Apparently between user reviews (which those users did not know anything about the app before buying it) and some of the “lite” trial apps offered, Apple thinks that’s enough to show the users what the apps are all about. The only downside to the Windows Marketplace for Mobile app store refund policy? You can only get one refund per month so as to not abuse the system. Which makes a lot of sense. Think about it. Someone smart enough to buy a game that they like, use it for 23 hours and return it for a refund of all their money. Then in 24 hours do the same thing. A really (dumb) easy way to get your favorite game for free. So by limiting the amount of refunds will limit the way app users will be able to do things like that, being as you have 24 hours to decide if you want an app or not.
And The Verdict Is?
Well, if windows Marketplace for Mobile can somehow develop another 100,000 apps within the next few months or so, I think they will be fine. But considering that doing that will be very unlikely, I don’t see how the Windows Marketplace for Mobile will even be able to get off the ground, let alone stay afloat. How many people are going to settle for just a little over 100 apps… And that’s the total amount of apps. There is no guarantee that those apps will actually work on your phone. That being said, I think iPhone will win this battle and rule once again….Or will it?
For more great reviews and ratings, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org.
Check back tomorrow for another great review… A new blackberry rumor?
Windows Mobile 6.5-Apparently As Disappointing As the Vista Desktop OS
Oct 12th
What’s Up With Mobile OS 6.5?
Wow. Microsoft has managed to do it again. Hype us all up for what is supposed to be the greatest release of a mobile OS yet, Windows Mobile 6.5. And then finally after all this time waiting, hoping and saying to ourselves, “Could this really be it? Is this really going to be the best one yet?” Just to find out the truth once again… That Microsoft has produced another dud.
A Little Microsoft History
But then again, did we really expect anything else? I mean look at their recent history. Windows XP and XP Professional, the desktop OS’s which were the greatest released since the worst OS in history (Windows ME [cringing while typing]). Then supposedly Vista was supposed to be better. “Better, faster and more powerful…” Microsoft promised. But what did they deliver? another bad imitation of the ME OS.
What’s Inside the New Mobile OS?
Well, for starters, it has added Titanium, an on screen menu. But, because of custom branding of the main screen by the phone makers themselves Titanium is almost worthless. Then there is the start button at the top left of the screen, required on all screens and the bizarre way the apps menu is set up. There is apparently no way to change it. The only thing you can do with the apps is to “move to top” and nothing else. Not very engaging if you ask me. There is no way to get rid of the ones you want and no way to tell where you are in the menu. What is the point of a menu if you can’t navigate properly? Especially for those who go crazy buying all the apps they can, you will never be able to find the one you want without getting “lost”. There aren’t too many other changes, as most are just on the surface with not much under the hood itself. According to Gizmodo.com, it’s almost like a revamp of Windows Mobile 6.1 and noting else. Almost like when a person dyes their hair or changes a makeup look.
History Repeats Itself
And now with the release of the Mobile OS 6.5, the bad reputation is repeating… And getting worse. And the worst thing about this is that any phone that is utilizing this mobile OS is going to suffer for it. Take the HTC, LG and Samsung smartphones for example. These mobile phones have a reputation of being some of the best phones on the market. But now because some of their models are running Windows Mobile OS 6.5, they are going to take the hit.
And The Verdict Is?
Guilty. Guilty of just plain laziness to deliver what the customer wants. The customers wanted something better. Now they are going to have to wait for the release of Windows Mobile OS 7.0 and, with MS’s reputation holding steady, that is probably going to take a while (and probably going to be as bad). I am predicting that because of the recent reviews stating that the OS is a disappointment, sales will either drop of take a while to catch up to the competition. All because Microsoft had to rush to get the updated OS out there without putting any real effort into it.
For more ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org
And check back tomorrow for my take on the QWERTY vs. DVORAK controversy
And Now For All You Fashion Freaks-Is The New Samsung Armani As Sleek And Overpriced As Their Suits?
Oct 11th
Introducing The New Samsung Giorgio Armani Smartphone
This phone was rumored at one point to being called the Armani W820/8200, but I believe that the makers have finally settled on Samsung Armani B7620 as the final release name. But if anything changes, I will be sure to update as information is made available.
Lets Talk Phone Features
Other than the seemingly fashion conscious aspect of the phone (which I will review below), it totes all of the usual features that you would find on any Samsung Smartphone, including a 5 megapixel camera, 3.5″ AMOLED display, 8GB on board storage (plus microSD slot for even more) GPS chip and more. In fact, there are simply too many features to name them all here.
So What’s The Deal With Armani and Windows Being in Bed Together?
Well, a great, fashion conscious phone simply must have just the best OS around, right? Well that’s what the makers wee thinking when they put this little ditty together, anyway. Windows Mobile 6.5 needs some pretty hefty hardware to run it, so that means that the Samsung Armani is carrying some heavy artillery. In fact, its CPU runs at a speed of 800 mhz and it has 192 MB of RAM. Now that has some nice power to it.
And What About The Suit And Tie?
All of the fashion freaks out there MUST be drooling over this one. With its sleek black Armani casing and bronze tone “cuff link” like trim, it almost seems as it’s all tuxed up and ready for the ball. So now any of you out there that simply must have everything to match properly, this is the phone for you.
And The Verdict Is?
Well, I must say that this is one nice phone. It sports the new Windows 6.5 Mobile OS, An Armani tuxedo like quality to the outer casing, and a great camera to take all the pictures in the world so you can show off your new fashion conscious Smartphone. And you know what? It better have all these things. When you are buying a phone for almost 700 Euros or $1,030 USD, you want to be sure you are paying the same for your over priced phone as you are for your suit.
For more great articles like this one, please visit the home page @Youserbase.org
Also, don’t miss tomorrows post, my review on the Windows 6.5 Mobil OS- Will it be worth it?
Is Symbian A Dead End Or Just At A Fork In The Road?
Oct 9th
What’s Up With Symbian? A Bit Of History
Despite its surge in sales and its 47% share of the market, Symbian has been declared by most as a dead end. When Sony Ericsson started laying off employees as it closed down its UIQ department and ported some pieces of the UIQ to Nokia in 2008, it has gone downhill. Ever since then, S60 has been knocking at death’s door as well, although David Wood, one of Symbian’s great masters said that “the statement was a little premature, but attention grabbing.”
Recent Developments With Nokia and Symbian
Now, back in May of this year a mole form Nokia leaked to the press that Nokia might just be looking to replace their mobile operating system from Symbian to Maemo with the release of the Smartphone successor to the N97, called the N900. All this time since Nokia and Symbian developed the S60 platform, Nokia has firmly stood behind it with their feet firmly planted in cement. Now it’s been confirmed that they are using Maemo instead.
So Why All of A Sudden the Change of Heart?
With the slated release of the N900 set for later this month, we are sure to soon to find out. Apparently, early reviews are stating that this phone is more than just a Smartphone; it should be in a class all by itself, considering that it isn’t a tablet either. Nokia is saying that it will “…bridge the gap between Smartphone and desktop PC.”
The Verdict
But for all you Symbian freaks out there, don’t be too alarmed. While some people think Symbian is dead, it is still going strong. It is true that it took a bit hit when Nokia dropped them with the release of their new Smartphone, but just look at where it’s still alive and well. Sony Ericsson and Samsung are still running the OS, and many Nokia Smartphones are still using it. So Symbian, although sliding a bit, will be around for a long time to come.
For more great opinionated articles, visit the Youserblog.com
Is Bad The New Good?
Oct 8th
High Quality- It’s Supposed To Be Better Isn’t It?
Why is it that the better technology gets when it comes to music recordings, the less people are happy with it? In recent years as technology seems to come up with ever-higher quality lossless audio formats, such as FLAC, Apple Lossless, and Dolby True HD, amongst others. All of these are sure to blow away any of the average quality MP3, or OGG Vorbis formats that most people are using. Yes, the higher quality formats take up more space and can take twice as long to download from a torrent stream, but they are the best are they not? Wouldn’t you think that people would be jumping all over them like frogs over a log? You would think so. In a world where material possessions are everything and the “Mine is bigger than yours!” mentality rules the average human brain, why in the name of the Technology Gods would people prefer low quality sound to anything else?
So What Is All The Fuss Over Low Quality?
What is happening is that most people are just so unaware they do not even realize the playback is of such low quality. Even from the first phonograph used by Thomas Edison, people could not tell the difference. Then in recent times came the slogan “Is it live, or Memorex?” Now it’s the MP3 and MP4 formats. Yes, these audio formats do possess great quality on a tiny little pocket MP3 player with a great pair of headphones. Yes, the file size is so small that you can fit over 3000 songs onto 2GB. It has also become somewhat of a convenience with the sheer amount of devices made available to just about anyone which can support these formats. And you can’t forget the price. A low-end device that can play MP3’s goes for around $10 (USD), including headphones. I got mine for $13USD.
And The Verdict Is…
Most people in general are just happy little campers with their MP3 format music and $10 devices that most of the time they just forget about the sound quality. In today’s world with the economy the way it is, it is nice to be able to forget about something, anyway. At least there is one place in the world where bigger isn’t always better (even though it really is).
For more great articles like this one, visit the home page @ Youserblog.com
Review of the Sony Ericsson Aino – on youtube
Aug 5th
Here we go, next round, hours of waiting for iMovie to encode the video and horrible upload speeds are behind us, and our next phone review is online. Its about the Sony Ericsson Aino, the new half-touchscreen-half-keypad media phone. We have also uploaded some pictures taken with the internal camera, have a look at them on our Flickr account.
Review of the Sony Ericsson Satio (Idou)
Aug 1st
Lucky us: We got hands on one of the latest Sony Ericsson phones, the Satio. Yes, it is not yet available, and: yes, it is the “12-megapixel-multimedia-cybershot-whatever-all-in-one“ device that Sony Ericsson really needs to catch up with the others. We hope that you will like it. Bring some time: It’s 25 minutes of review on youtube. Best in HD.
Samsung Jet S8000 quick review: What a fast phone!
Jun 20th
In the past I used to write reviews of phones always in a certain way: First, the unboxing, than assembling, than functionality. Today I will do it in a different way, for two reasons: First, hardly anyone will judge a phone by the box (not even iPhone users), and second, I had the opportunity to get a preview model. Guys, this thing has been announced last week, so what do you expect? So, these are my impressions of the Samsung Jet S8000:
