My Oldie O2 XDA Mini Buddy

My almost 5 year old O2 handset was bought as a second hand unit. I was looking for a mobile device flexible enough to do micro computing while I'm on the go. Majority of it was monitoring my credit card, reading my work related pdf files, reading e-books, viewing presentations, watching movies, and playing my music. Since it was a second hand, it costs less than it's original market price. At that time it was about P42k, but i bought it for only P20k. The device was imported from Germany and was bought from a cellphone botique/stall in a Mall according to the owner. The first owner was from Epson Philippines and said that the reason that she's selling it is that she will be leaving the country in a few weeks and she needs the money in addition to her travel expenses. We met at Starbucks Libis to did the exchange there.

At first glimpse the unit it looked quite elegant, small and thin. The words Pocket PC was written all over it. It is indeed a pocket PC and it boasts a lot of features that the traditional PC's have. It has a buit-in Microsoft Pocket Office and a Pocket PDF viewer. It's 2.8 inch LCD with has the same number of pixels compared to it's bigger brothers, the O2 XDA, and XDA 2. This means that it's as sharp as them but smaller. Its running on Windows Mobile 2003 which is not the latest at that time but has more available third party applications than the newer Windows Mobile 5. It has an Intel PXA272 processor with a clock speed of 416MHz, 64MB of RAM and also 64MB of ROM. The memory is not enough to open all the programs that you want that is why you have the option of installing programs in the external SD card when using ActiveSync. One thing that bothers me is the memory allocation/usage technique of WM2003. The local storage space is shared with the current running programs, that is why you have to close those programs that is the least importance. Aside from that is that the programs does not terminate when you exit it using the x at the upper right corner of the screen. You have to end the programs by accessing the task manager in the settings menu(control panel in Windows). Good thing that Dinarsoft's Handy Switcher can be installed to make things easier. Another software that I recommend is Resco Explorer. It makes file browsing more easier like it was Windows Explorer. You can expand or compress folders for easy navigation. It also comes with a Today Screen monitor to view the status of your main battery, back-up battery, RAM allocation, internal storage, and external storage.

I have maximized it's potential when I went to China for a business trip. I asked my Chinese counterpart to sent me pictures of Chinese characters and symbols of my Hotel, Company, and the names of the places to help me tell taxi drivers and people that I bump along the way of where I am going. And while I am riding the train and ferry I never got bored since I have packs of reading materials right inside the Mini most especially Avantgo channels like PC World, CNET, and CNN. I even watched an entire 12 rounds of my favorite boxing match. I also installed an English to Chinese translator with voice, that even helped me further in reaching my destination.

O2 bundled it with Sprite Back-up software so you do not loose everything when you experience an unexpected device black-out. When your device looses all the juice thats left in it's main battery it has a back-up battery to maintain all your contacts, calendar events, tasks, installed programs and other current information for a short period until you find the charger wherever you left it in the house. But when you find your charger on a later time then all of your data is gone. So I suggest that you back-up regularly maybe at least once a month to safekeep all your precious data. That is why i created a cd that has all the necessary programs that I need when a black-out on my device comes in the way. The programs that are very useful to me are: Resco Explorer, Tome Raider, Repligo Viewer, The Core Media Player, WordBook Dictionary, Avantgo, DinarSoft Handy Switcher, and Adobe Pocket Reader. I stored these installers in a folder and burned it in a CD so I have something to break in case of emergency. I usually use Outlook to back-up all my contacts and calendar events. Take note that you have to configure your ActiveSync set-up as to how to resolve changes made either in your PC or your PDA. I usually configure ActiveSync to overwrite the items on my PC during syncing since I always enter new contacts on my PDA rather than on my PC. Also, be careful not to accidentally open the back cover since this is the major cause of data loss. The device will turn-off itself when the cover is removed.

The built-in 1.3 Megapixel camera is not as good compared to Sony Ericsson handsets. Although it has more pixels in store but the quality takes it down since it does not have an aoutofocus and is not really good when using at lower light levels. Imagine the picture quality of the Nokia 7250 with increased picture size. I do not recommend using this in taking those special moments but use a much abled point and shoot digicam instead.

Call quality is not a problem since my wife and me never had a misunderstanding while talking over Globe's cellular GSM network. But problems came when receiving my Dad's Smart handset which gets to the point that it's like I'm holding a single duplex radio. Maybe it's the interconnection between Smart and Globe that's the problem and not my handset.

As of now my XDA 2 Mini is in my wife's possession and she said that it's much better than her Nokia handset since she likes to read e-books. She asked me to install e-book readers such as MS Reader, and Mobi Pocket Reader so that she can maximize it's potential. Although the battery is not as good as before, she have no problem charging it every night. She never lost her data ever since she used it. I

The O2 XDA 2 Mini is a perfect device for those who need a basic phone and a powerful multi-tasking PDA. This has helped me a lot while I am on the go and has served its purpose as being really a Personal Assistant.

For more information about the O2 XDA II Mini please click on the links below:

http://www.gsmarena.com/o2_xda_ii_mini-944.php
http://mobile.softpedia.com/phones/O2/O2-XDA-II-mini.shtml

Ready, Set, Avant-Go!!!

I like PCs that are small, the smaller the better. That is why I have my Pocket PC but still have my ASUS Notebook with me. I use these to sync files so that even when I'm not in touch with my PC at home I can still view my documents while on the go(Even inside cubicle number 1 in the men's room). Mostly I read offline webpages downloaded from my notebook and also some e-books. One good software that I recommend to all users of pocket PC is the Avantgo program. Good thing about this is that you can view offline content like you are viewing it online. All you have to do is just download contents everyday and it's like bringing a pocket newspaper with you wherever you go. Although there are no news channel available from my country I still enjoy reading news from CNN and two of my favorite tech channels, CNET and PC World. Well the best thing about Avantgo is that you get it for free. Just click on the link below and after signing up you can download the installer. Happy reading!

www.avantgo.com

Windows 7 a Heaven?

For me as long as it's free then it's a gotta have. Just this month I switched from Window XP to Windows 7 RC1. I never upgraded to Vista despite of the killer aero 3D interface. As I have mentioned in my previous blog I have used Windows and Linux, and my comment about Wndows 7 is that it's like a combination of both. It looks like Vista, it's fast as XP, and stable as Linux. My experience so far made me go "Yeah!". Windows 7 is really the best thing that happened to Microsoft. It still has the Windows Vista Aero but does not take too much juice out of your system. As far as I am concerned, this OS packs a lot of features than the older Vista. This has set the standards for the latest computing trend. I no longer have to install Vistamizer in XP just to dress up my OS. This one is already dressed up and it sure is dressed up well.

My first impression with Windows 7 is that it's like I have seen this before. If you happen to have installed or used a Linux KDE disto like LInux Mint then you probably might have guessed that Microsoft copied yet another style from other sources. The taskbar looks like KDE and almost has the same icons on the system tray. Although, Windows 7 taskbar is not configurable (moving and replacing the position and contents) like Linux, it still maintains it's standard template of the taskbar in Microsoft style. Some Linux distro tries to immitate Windows by positioning their tools to look like Windows but still it doesn't feel like being Windows.

So far my experience with this brand new OS is not yet final. I'm still in the early stages and have not seen the full capability of it yet. Time is surely not a luxury to others and so is with me. So expect to read more about Windows 7 in my future blogs. I'll be glad to share my experience in using this new amazing piece of OS.

OS User Compatibility

I'm really not a fan of Microsoft Products it just happens that I've been using it's products from my PC to my mobile phone. It's like the movie "There's something about Mary" kinda thing but you have to replace Mary to Microsoft. I've heard of the commercial in the US that's comparing the Mac versus a PC. The PC is a more complicated operating systems to some that is why they opt to purchase a Mac instead. I've never used a Mac before but to me it's about the being user friendliness that counts to some. Maybe it's about being straight to the point of usefulness. Most of the photographers I know uses a Mac perhaps not only because of the hardware but mostly because of the interface or getting straight to your desired task with few commands. Using a PC, you have to be more technically levitated than the average and should be patient to be able to do what you ought to do(If it's out of the ordinary typing and surfing). But to me since the dawn of the old DOS (or Disk Operating System that Bill Gates bought from some programmer and then marketed it as if it was his own creation) I knew it right at the spot how to use it already. I have to learn the basic commands of course (dir, md, cd, cd.., etc.) and the structure of a directory. It's hard to imagine if generation of today suddenly shifts from the brilliantly designed user interface of Windows or MAC OS to the basic DOS, Unix, or other syntax-command interface. It's like shifting from the Jetsons to the Flintstones. I bet that today's user is not backward compatible with the old OS that we once had.

HTC Toch Viva - Horaayy!!

My HTC Touch Viva
I bought my HTC handset in E-Hub(an affiliate with Complink) Eastwood City just last few weeks. It's SRP is around P21k but I got it for only P14k(P13,990 to be exact). I found this out when I was browsing the web and somehow ended up in Complink's website. That is why I rushed to their store thinking that it would go out-of-stock in a few days. My old XDA2 Mini's battery is already showing signs of deterioration and my wife needs a new phone since her Nokia handset is already giving up on her. If I will buy the Viva then my wife will inherit my XDA2 Mini which is a perfect replacement according to her.

The sales guy also could'nt believe it. He even called their main office just to verify if the current price is valid. I also couldn’t believe that it was sold 50% off. It was like selling a second hand phone. They said that it was HTC’s move to slash the price. It was the only HTC item that was on sale at that time. It will cost P15k when purchased by credit card and i thought that the extra P1k can already be spent on a 4GB of flash drive at CDR King so I decided to purchase it on Cash. I borrowed money from my friend and promised to pay him up when the midyear bonus arrives. He agreed and gave me the cash that I need to purchase the Viva.

But before purchasing it, I made some Googleing first since the price made me suspicious that there might be a catch or some sort of bad reviews about it. After a day of research I couldn’t find any drawbacks that would hinder me from doing my usual tasks upon using the device. Most of the reviews came from India which the reviewer states that this device is made for developing country since this is much cheaper than it's mightier siblings. It’s already running on Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional which means that it already has built-in MS Office Mobile which was one of my major requirement. I always do Financial and mathematical calculations using Excel and view office documenrts using Word and PowerPoint. I also like to read e-books using Pocket Acrobat Reader, Repligo, and TomeRaider. It should also able to play MP3s since i plan to use it as a substitute for my ipod nano when its not around.

By the time I bought it I immediately given it a test drive. The touchFlo interface is seamless and fast. The way it was designed for me is user friendly and I have no trouble using it. I turned-on the Wi-fi using the Comm Manager and looked for the nearest hotspot. It takes a little while to load the built-in Opera browser but once you're in everything seems to function okay. It has a Youtube program to directly link you to the site and view videos immediately. The bluetooth function was also tested by connecting the phone with my Cardo Bluetooth headset. The text message function in touch flo is also superb with the iPhone like scrolling. The phone is a bare since applications are not yet installed. I like using the built-in file explorer but Resco Explorer is better. It's more windows explorer like than a cellphone file explorer.

Okay enough with the hype and I'll tell you some drawbacks. First is that the device can open pocket office documents from my previous SD card used by the O2 handset, but it cannot save it in it's original form. You have to use the "Save As" function in order to do some changes and it saves it as the conventional .doc and .xls files. These files take larger amount of memory compared to the Pocket Office documents. I'm feeling the growth since I have'nt decided yet to upgrade my memory to more than 2GB. Second is that the device cannot play continuously video files like MP4 and AVI. But it's not a major concern for me since I play videos on my PDA rarely. Maybe that is the reason that they built a software exclusively to play Youtube videos online. Youtube videos play smoothly by the way once it is played. Maybe the reason is it's processor is only 201MHz compared to the O2 Mini which has a 400MHz Intel Processor. Third is that although you can use your bare fingers to do some things, most often I get a false commands. So it is better to use the stylus that came with it. I use my thumbnails to input commands and type on the very tiny keyboard of my O2 mini (Maybe that's why they call it 2 Mini) and probably I will still use it most of the time. Despite of this, the full QWERTY soft keyboard is quite functional with larger keys compared to the old traditional pocket PC soft keyboard.

The HTC Touch Viva is not as powerful compared to it's HTC Touch siblings but for me it packs all the functions and flexibility that I need to do most of my tasks. I recommend this phone to those who are tech savvy with a tight budget. The Viva can be a direct replacement for the more powerful but pricey Windows Mobile handsets. So I give it a one Viva-Horaay!!!

You can view the complete specifications of the HTC Touch Viva in the following links:

http://www.htc.com/www/product/touchviva/specification.html

http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_touch_viva-2527.php

iPod Nano a no No-No.

I got my iPod Nano last year from my Dad when he went to the States for a business trip. At first I was thinking to buy a Creative Media player but when I found out that the price difference was not that much then I decided to have an iPod instead. Guess what, I did a right decision. I was amazed how clear and sharp the LCD screen was despite of it's size. I have made use of it to the maximum potential. I love to watch movies when I'm caught up waiting for something. And one of the most innovative thing that Apple has created were podcasts. I love to watch G4 shows, CNET Live, MTV News, and PC World videos. Aside from my music I also listen most of the time to Audiobooks. I listen to them when I am driving so that no time is wasted while commuting. This device is also helpful at work, it serves as a noise cancellation device. Some of my officemates are quite audible when talking about work and you can't avoid to get annoyed. The solution, filter noise with music(but my playlists are almost noise to some). No wonder that this baby is the best selling iPod aside from the iPhone.
But this has also it's major weakness. One is that since it is an iPod, you cannot just copy and paste your music and videos in it. You have to do this using iTunes. And one thing I do not like about iTunes is that you have to import all your media files if you can't afford to buy your music online. This is quite a nuisance to me because it takes a lot of time. It's second weakness that I find is the scroll wheel is quite small for my large fingers. I often get a false selection which i find quite annoying. It's back cover is also a fingerprint magnet. But I don't mind since I put it inside a leather case.
Despite all the annoying aforementioned drawbacks, it served it's purpose of being an entertaining portable media device. And it looks good also. Apple did their assignment again when it comes to aesthetics. For this device, I can't do anything without it and I recommend it as a must have.