Gadgets

[harleyman]

I would like to dedicate this particular thread to gadgets.

Anything and everything you want to bring up, please feel free to do so.

For example:

My current phone is an HTC Touch Pro 2 that has a LOT of nice features, but there is one issue that really bugs me. My particular issue is that the battery life is a little lacking in the longevity department when you start using GPS, surfing the internet, transferring files to someone else, etc.

My all time favorite gadget right now is my MiFi card. Basically a mobile hot-spot, I have set-it-up to filter by Mac ID.

Does anyone else have any gadgets that they love, hate, or want to get, or wish they did not get?

Please mention it here.

[Ryan]

I've had virtually every smart phone out there and ended up favoring the iPhone. I initially hated it (and hate Apple in general), but to me it is simply the best.

[archangel]

I've always wanted a lightsaber. Know where I can get one?

[wolfknight]

Forget lightsaber. I want a portable targetable EMP generator, so I can finally deal with the jackhole in the BMW who passes on curves around school vehicles every morning.

[harleyman]

Jan 17, 2010 14:27:20 GMT -5 Ryan said:

I've had virtually every smart phone out there and ended up favoring the iPhone. I initially hated it (and hate Apple in general), but to me it is simply the best.

Originally I thought about the iPhone as well but I did not particularly like how it does not switch from CDMA to GSM. The cool thing about iPhone is that people develop apps for it left and right.

My phone has quite a few and for business... It's pretty good, but there are the goofy little apps I can appreciate like a compass, I am not sure how they do this one but an altimeter. I bet they are probably using various cell towers and comparing vicinity to google maps or something.

How long does your battery last when you start using GPS, of course synchronizing email constantly, and looking something up online? My battery does not last long at all when I start using GPS.

[cc]

So what the heck is this tablet thingie Apple is set to release in a little while? You'd thnk it was the Second Coming of JC to hear some people talk.

[harleyman]

Jan 20, 2010 14:00:08 GMT -5 cc said:

So what the heck is this tablet thingie Apple is set to release in a little while? You'd thnk it was the Second Coming of JC to hear some people talk.

Here is a link to some basic info on it.

www.pcworld.com/article/165354/apple_tablet_coming_in_2010.html

Every since I had an iPod I have had a rather bad taste in my mouth about Apple. I think their iPhone, i... gadgets are kinda smooth looking it just bugs me a little on how they force updates, meaning iPod. Each time they issue an update I lose my musice, and heaven forbid I don't have a backup copy handy... I worry about this particular gadget as well.

Typing does not look like it will be much fun, but what I do like is the fact that "supposedly" it can connect to a Windows based laptop to where I could pass my notes taken like a writing stylus from the Apple device and sync to my MS OneNote. That would be a cool thing.

[Ryan]

My wife just got a Nook from Barnes & Noble and absolutely loves it. Claims it's the best eReader available.

[harleyman]

If anyone is curious about Bluetooth headsets I have recently purchased a Stereo Sports Headset by Talk2 Cellular.

The headset itself is not so bad and if you are a treadmill or bicycle person, then you may want to consider looking into this. Very similar in sound to an iPod, where you are not drowning out any ambient noise to the point where you cannot listen to whatever and have a conversation at the same time.

I have also tried the Jabra. The Jabra is nice because it just feels comfortable and has slightly better sound, meaning a touch more bass.

Now for the bad thing. Bluetooth is just not as reliable from a mobile phone as I would like. Bluetooth to a laptop appears to have much more reliable connectivity. Also, the Stereo Sports headset connectivity is not quite as reliable as my Jabra headset. Probably has to do with the fact that while Bluetooth is a com standard the wrappers and device capabilities are not.

HTC Touch Pro 2 needs to play little better with others maybe.

[Ryan]

Anyone have any experience with noise-canceling headphones? Any decent brands that don't cost Bose prices?