Recently in PDAs & Handhelds Category

SanDisk announced 6GB and 8GB microSD High Capacity (microSDHC) flash memory cards one-upping their previous maximum capacity of 4 gigabytes announced in February.

SanDisk's Jeff Kost bragged, "any mobile phone with a compatible microSDHC slot will have just as much storage as the largest-capacity iPhone." The ironic thing is Rich Tehrani recently bought a 4GB microSDHC card for his Windows Mobile 5 phone (Verizon XV6700) and it only supports 2GB maximum, so he had to return it. So unfortunately, most existing phones won't support the new higher 6GB and 8GB capacities either. So buyers beware! Check your device's specs before you buy a microSDHC memory card.

But certainly newer phone models can take advantage of the extra storage. Of course other devices will also be able to take advantage of microSDHC such as mp3 music players, hand-held computers, and digital cameras. An 8GB microSDHC card can store more than 2,000 digital songs, or more than 5,000 high-resolution pictures, or up to 5 hours of high-quality MPEG 4 video.

Retail release of the cards and availability to phone manufacturers and network operators are planned for later in 2007. Pricing has not yet been determined.

Note: SDHC is the designation for any SD or SD-based card that is larger than 2GB and adheres to the new SD 2.00 specification required for cards and hosts to support 4GB to 32GB capacities.

The Palm Foleo is a mobile companion for Treos, turns on and off instantly, and runs on Linux. The Foleo has a large screen and full size keyboard to view and edit email and office documents. What's cool about this "mobile companion" device, which Palm claims is the first of its kind, is that edits made on Foleo automatically are reflected on its paired smartphone and vice-versa (via Bluetooth).



It has a battery life of up to 5 hours and accesses the Internet through a built in WiFi radio or through the smartphone’s radio. Palm also says the device is designed for use with Treo’s that have the Palm OS or Windows Mobile, but most Windows Mobile based smartphones should also work. In fact, Palm is keeping the Foleo open to developers - Palm hopes to repeat the success of the Palm PDA and Treo smartphones - both of which developed huge followings in their respective developer community.

The Foleo weights around 2 lbs and features a 10" screen. U.S. availability for Foleo begins this summer with pricing expected to be $499 after an introductory $100 rebate. Will you buy one to add to your gadget repertoire or will you save your money and buy an Apple iPhone? I wonder since it's running on Linux if the Foleo will run the Linux Skype client or some other VoIP client?

Hat tip to Evan at ComputerWorld.

Treocentral has more.

Finally, check out the video from the Palm Founder below.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Apple TV has become the ultimate hacker magnet allowing users to use the Apple TV in ways Apple hadn't intended. As discussed recently, Apple TV was hacked to allow Asterisk, the open-source IP-PBX to run on it. Check out the Apple TV Asterisk tut. Now it appears that just a few weeks after launch, CNet is talking about an intriguing new feature for that will allow you to stream music from iTunes on your home computer to your cell phone leveraging Apple TV and Slingbox.


                                           Apple TV


It's a bit of a kludge since the iTunes music has to sync from your PC to the Slingbox and then to your mobile phone. Slingbox is actually working on making the Slingbox compatible with Apple TV. This would enable streaming of Apple TV content to a mobile device. In theory, both audio (mp3) and video content could be streamed from the PC to the Apple TV to the SlingBox and finally to a phone capable of running the SlingPlayer - i.e. Windows Mobile, Palm or Symbian. The Apple iPhone, due out soon supports EDGE (generally classified as a 2.75G network technology - not quite 3G) and is capable of 1 MBit/s peak speeds.

With these wireless speeds, if Steve Jobs ever permits the SlingPlayer to run on the iPhone, that could be a killer app for the iPhone when used in conjunction with either the Slingbox or the Apple TV. More likely, Apple will only permit their own DRM-infested audio/video player so you have to "pay up" to download music and videos from their iTunes store. I could be wrong. I hope I am. Though it is perfectly plausible that since both the Apple TV and iTunes run the same DRM protection, Apple could permit direct streaming from the Apple TV to the Apple iPhone. I mean you paid for the content, right? So I don't see why Apple would prevent you from streaming content you paid for to another device you own.

SanDisk introduced an 8-gigabyte SD High Capacity (SDHC) card—the highest capacity now available in the SD format. The new 8GB SDHC card holds more than 4,000 high-resolution pictures, as many as 2,000 digital songs or up to 15 hours of MPEG 4 video. The 8GB SDHC card will come bundled with a SanDisk MicroMate USB 2.0 reader free of charge. SDHC cards require an SDHC-compatible reader, so providing the USB-based SDHC reader with the card ensures that users will be able to connect the 8GB card to their computers. The MicroMate reader also works with standard SD cards. 8GB of storage packs a pretty mean memory density "punch" for a memory device thinner than a Saltine cracker and about the size of a quarter.

As SD cards get larger memory storage they will not only be used in mobile phones, but they will perhaps replace hard drives in MP3 players, such as the Apple iPod. Of course, the first MP3 players to market used Flash memory cards before the Apple iPod even existed. I had a Creative Labs Nomad II with 64MB of Flash RAM. However, the iPod, a hard drive-based mp3 player, took off and smaller Flash-based storage MP3 players took a backseat. Now with larger 8GB cards available, the advantage is starting to lean back towards Flash memory MP3 players. Why do you ask? Power. Hard disk drives suck power faster than a Dyson vacuum cleaner! SD cards are much more power efficient, so you can listen to your music player much longer before recharging.

The SD High Capacity or SDHC card format was originally developed by SanDisk, Matsushita, and Toshiba for use in portable devices. SDHC is the new designation for cards in any SD format larger than 2GB that adhere to the new SD 2.0 specification. Previous specifications for SD cards limited capacity to 2GB, while SDHC supports capacities up to 32GB. The specification was developed by the SD Association, an industry standards organization, which also defined three classes for speed and performance capabilities. The 8GB SDHC card adheres to the SD Speed Class 2 rating, which guarantees a minimum data-transfer rate of 2MB/sec.

“As consumers add more digital entertainment and memories to their lives -- especially when they start shooting video with a digital still camera or digital camcorder -- they need more storage capacity in flash memory cards,’’ said Susan Park, retail product marketing manager at SanDisk. “The new 8GB SDHC delivers twice the capacity of what was previously our biggest SD card -- the 4GB SDHC -- introduced just eight months ago.”

The 8GB SDHC card with MicroMate USB 2.0 reader will be available in April in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The bundle will be available in Japan and elsewhere in Asia later in the second quarter. In the United States, the bundle will carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $189.99.

The Plantronics .Audio 910 (replaced by the new 920) Bluetooth VoIP headset was recently released. It works with Skype and other VoIP softphones, so I'll have to get my hands on one to review. Looking at the Plantronics .Audio 910/920 features, it looks very similar to the Plantronics 510-USB headset I reviewed. Just look at the product photos to the right, including one from my Plantronics 510-USB review. Both the Plantronics 510-USB headset and the Plantronics .Audio 910 headset support Bluetooth and both feature Plantronic's Multipoint technology which lets you connect to both your mobile phone and your PC. Thus, both headset models can answer and end Skype calls from the headset while away from your PC. The ability for Skype users to have remote ring detection and call answer/end from the headset is a very cool feature.

To be perfectly honest, I don't see anything different for the Plantronics 510-USB vs. the Plantronics .Audio 910. They even look identical. They both have the Windsmart technology as well. I read some reviews that stated the Plantronics .Audio 910/920 is better suited for "home users" and the Plantronics 501-USB is for "business users" since it supports enterprise softphone applications from Cisco, Avaya, and more. In my Plantronics 510-USB review, I wrote: "The system integrates with enterprise softphone software from leading companies -- including Avaya, Cisco, Nortel, Skype, and others -- to offer call notification and remote call answering through the headset. It also is compatible with most popular consumer VoIP services, like AOL, MSN, and Yahoo! although it doesn't feature remote call answer with these yet."

That last part, may be the key part. One theory I have is that Plantronics is differentiating the 510 vs the .Audio headset by customizing their Persono softphone application to either business or home users. Thus, the Persono application on the 510 headset will focus on enterprise telephony applications (Avaya., Cisco, Nortel) plus mobile phone support, and the .Audio headset will focus on home users (Skype, MSN, Yahoo) plus mobile phone support. Of course, the 510-USB does support Skype, so that sort of shoots that theory to hell.

However, I believe Plantronics when they initially developed the 510-USB, they tried to make this headset an "all purpose" headset targeting both business users and home consumers. I think with the saturation of the Bluetooth headset market and tons of competitors, Plantronics is now attempting to use "software" to differentiate their various headset models. I am 99% certain the 510-USB and the .Audio 910 / 920 are the the identical hardware, however Plantronics is bundling different software capabilities depending on if you purchase the "enterprise model" (510-USB) or the "consumer model" (.Audio 920).

You know what's going to happen, right? People will buy the less expensive model and get a copy of the more advanced Persono Call software on some P2P network like Bittorrent. Of course, Plantronics could easily put some firmware on the headset to check if the headset should be running the more advanced software. Check out the .Audio 910's / 920's features

Features:

• USB Bluetooth adapter gives you connectivity to Internet calls
• Skype users can receive notification of incoming calls and answer/end calls remotely via the headset
• Improves incoming and outgoing Internet call audio quality with Noise-Canceling microphone with WindSmart technology
• Approximately 6 hours talk time makes it easy to stay connected
• Roam up to 33 feet from your Bluetooth device
• Convenient USB charging right from your PC
• Perfect for cellular phones, PDAs or VoIP through your laptop or PC.
• Includes BUA-100 Adapter with extra ear pieces and USB charging cable.

You can buy the Plantronics .Audio 910/920 headset on Amazon now.

MapQuest Navigator is now Available on Sprint and Nextel BlackBerry devices. In addition, MapQuest Mobile v2.5 now enables Finding Places, Customized and Multi-Point Routing Options, Canadian Coverage and more.

MapQuest yesterday announced MapQuest Mobile v2.5, offering a range of new features, including access to MapQuest's 15 million points of interest, multipoint routing, walking directions, customized routing options, and coverage in Canada. MapQuest Mobile, the #1 revenue generating downloadable application in the US1, is available in the US through 12 wireless carriers, and on 250 mobile phones.

In addition, MapQuest Navigator -- the GPS-enabled application featuring text and audio turn-by-turn directions -- is now available from Sprint (NYSE:S) on Sprint and Nextel BlackBerry devices. The downloadable application features an in-car navigation-like system with a moving, full color map display while letting consumers receive phone calls. MapQuest Navigator for BlackBerry devices is available for a 90-day free trial download at www.mapquest.com/mobile on the Get it Now link.2 Supported models include: the 8703e and 7130e powered by Sprint, and the 7520 and 7100i powered by Nextel.

"We're focused on offering mobile solutions to help consumers find places while they are on the go," said Alan Beiagi, Director of Wireless for MapQuest. "Enhancing our product offerings for mobile phone users and expanding our MapQuest Mobile coverage to Canada provides convenient and compelling solutions for subscribers to get to their destinations."

Among the new features of MapQuest Mobile v2.5:

Finding Places
- Users can access the more than 15 million of Points Of Interest from the MapQuest.com database, including restaurants, hotels, gas stations and theaters.
- Subscribers can search for a specific business or place by category, name or location, and click-to-call that business directly from the MapQuest Mobile application.

Navigate
- Multipoint Routing lets users select multiple destinations to get a complete set of directions from point A to B to C, etc.
- Pedestrian Navigation provides directions and maps for walking routes.
- Reverse Directions lets users get directions back to the point of origin. Advanced Routing lets users choose the fastest or shortest routes, or those that avoid toll roads and highways.

Get Maps and Driving Directions
- Directions can include advanced routing options (shortest time, shortest distance, avoid tolls, avoid highways, walking), and multi-stop routing. All maps, routes, multi-routes and places sent from Mapquest.com will be stored in a “Sent from Web” list.
- Users can easily access their most recent locations and multi-routes, and they can save locations and multi-routes to a Favorites folder.
- Users can store a favorite Businesses or Place in a “Favorites” list.

Canada
- Maps, directions and point of interest information is offered for all Canadian territories.

Alec Saunders has an open call to test Iotum's Talk-Now presence-award application on a Blackberry. Russell Shaw has a good overview. I'm pretty swamped lately or I'd like to try it myself. Looks pretty cool. Any takers?

The iPod is one of the most recognizable products due to it's smooth exterior, elegant shape, and stylish form-factor.  So what you do get when you cross an Apple iPod with a VoIP gateway? Why the Polypower VRM0-Sxx series of course!


This VoIP gateway clones the iPod's small size, measuring just 100x80x28mm and clones the iPod's original white/ivory color. It includes 1 WAN + 1 LAN + 1/2 FXS + 1 FXO (option). You can use this product with a SIP-based termination service provider along with your favorite analog/cordless/DECT phone. The VRM0-Sxx features built-in QoS, T.38, auto-provisioning, and many other common features. Based out of Taiwan, this new SIP VoIP gateway features the following specs:

 · SIP Protocol
 · Codec support G.711, G.723 ,G.726, G.729A/B
 · Features : Call Forwarding, Caller ID, Call Hold, 3-way Conference Call ,Toll Bypass
 · QoS and FAX T.38 support
 · Auto Provisioning
 · Small size: 80 x 100 x 28 mm

They also have a Skype VoIP adaptor available, pictured here:


Soon they will also have a stylish IP phone available which looks like the following:

Not to be outdone by all of the Zune noise we've been hearing on the ground today, Apple is taking to the air!

Apple has announced that it's teaming up with some major airlines -- Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United -- to deliver the first seamless integration between the iPod and in-flight entertainment systems!

(Now if I can just get that iPod past security ...)

These six airlines will offerr passengers "iPod seat connections" that power and charge iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the their seat back displays.

All of this is free, and it's scheduled to launch next year.

Apple is reportedly working with Panasonic Avionics Corporation to bring even more in-flight iPod connectivity in the future.

All this harkens me back to the day when we all got excited about a new airline -- Jet Blue -- thatt offered low fares and personal TVs (seatback displays) for every passenger.  Now it seems it's just the personal TVs that's left ...

Will be interesting to see how we exercise this option on online travel searches ...

A while back I blogged about the i,mpending arrival of Microsoft's Zune (remember 11/14 @ $249?).

Well that day has arrived and the new MP3 player is in the stores.

And now we hear news about upcoming Zune models that will combine the MP3 player with a phone. (Gee, is that an original idea or did they take that from Apple, too?)

How many of you picked up your Zune today?