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Sidekick 3 With Bluetooth Should Support Tethering

If the FCC documents that leaked out are any indication, the Sidekick 3 (Hiptop) will include some sort of Bluetooth capability.

No doubt, this will be used with a headset profile, but what about the huge potential in allowing Bluetooth tethering to a laptop? The Hiptop is a very useful device today even without Bluetooth... I can receive email from multiple accounts over POP3 or IMAP. And the web browser works pretty nicely as well, especially with the recent addition of a Javascript interpreter.

A Bluetooth unit would allow a wireless headset first of all, making phone calls a more comfortable affair. Perhaps if there are MP3 capabilities that are used in conjunction with the new MicroSD slot, Bluetooth can also be used to drive stereo headsets. But a great use would be to allow data service to computers via tethering, something that many other T-Mobile phones support today.

T-Mobile, keep up the great work and make sure to allow tethering on the upcoming Sidekick 3. I'm sure many of us would even be willing to pay a few dollars extra for the freedom, on top of our existing unlimited data plans.

Otherwise, you're making the MDA a much more attractive option with its WiFi, Bluetooth, and wider application support via WM5, including video playback. The Sidekick 3, which is rumored to be launching this summer according to hiptop3.com, is widely believed to have similar capabilities minus the WiFi. I won't call WM5 a definitive gain because as I've written many times before, the Hiptop OS is a wonderful approach with its own set of strengths too . I will be seriously considering the MDA, however, if the Sidekick 3 falls short. (Don't even bother bringing up the Mototola Q, launched by Verizon - I can live with GPRS speeds as long as Verizon's EDGE plans are so pricey)

Second iGo Wallpower 6500 Power Adapter Fails

In February I wrote about how I exchanged my first iGo Wallpower adapter for a new unit after the first one ceased powering my iBook and decided instead to emit a bizarre buzzing sound.

A few short months later, I'm sorry to report that the second adapter has gone bad. This one emits no noise, but gets very hot very fast. I imagine I was lucky to discover this before my home was incinerated.

I'm left with a dilemma- do I begin shouting at iGo in hopes of getting a new unit (I pay shipping and handling), or do I just go get a new Apple adapter? Well, despite my concerns over the thin wire on the Apple adapter, I'm leaning toward getting it because the thin wire is my only material concern.

The iGo system is a really great concept, but if I can't trust the hardware then what good is it? If they send me a third unit, how can I be sure it's safe after two incidents that indicate the opposite? Should I really have to install a halon fire protection system just to use what should be a simple power adapter?

The original iBook power adapter that came with my iBook was of the yo-yo design and lasted for years, until the unit was damaged by my own lack of care. I've taken good care of the iGo device, and two of them have failed utterly.



Technorati Tags: iGo, laptop, power adapter, apple, ibook

Firefly, Buffy, and Lost in Space Available for Download on iTunes!

This seems to have slipped under the radar in many of the sites I frequent. iTunes now has in its television download section Joss Whedon's Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and even Lost in Space.


If you haven't caught Firefly during its unfortunately short run on television, I highly recommend viewing an episode or two now that it's a low-rish proposition. (one download versus a complete DVD set)  Once you've been hooked, check the fan sites for the proper order in which you should watch the
episodes because Fox aired them in the wrong story order.

iTunes is building up a nice collection of television programming. The A0-Team, Knight Rider, South Park, Lost, Weeds, BSG, Law and Order, and even Project Runway, along with countless others.

The rumor sites were claiming new iBook (MacBook?) releases on Tuesday.
Instead, we got Firefly and Buffy. I know which one I would rather have and  they delivered :-)



Technorati Tags: iTunes, Firefly, Serenity, Apple

Get a Mac Campaign Launched

Apple has launched their latest ad campaign, a strong followup to the Switch campaign called "Get a Mac". In it, they are giving away free Macintosh computers to the first 500 people to enter each of their retail stores on a certain unannounced date, thereby inducing thousands of people to "Get a Mac".

Just kidding!

The real Get a Mac campaign is summed up in the Get a Mac section of the Apple web site. Basically we get two numbered lists: Reasons to get a Mac, and a list of debunked urban myths about Mac vs. PC performance.

And the real gem is the page allowing you to watch the new series of TV ads, even in HD if you like. These ads are every bit as bold, humorous, and entertaining as the Switch ads we saw a couple of years ago.

As the Intel transition continues, and we head toward the WWDC where we'll get a preview of Leopard, they are really pushing for increased sales. Will we see it? Will we see what Jobs was talking about on the earnings call when he said the new products in the pipeline were the best he's ever seen?

All I know is that technology in general is always getting more and  more interesting. ABC is offering free streaming of some of the same programming that's available on iTunes for a small price, but the ABC streams have advertising embedded. Free viewing, have unskippable ads; pay viewing, have an archived ad-free version for your iPod.

Meanwhile, we see patents from Apple for multiple-touch point touchscreens, or LCDs that double as cameras. So, what is in the pipeline? Touchscreen video iPods, Macs with LCD screens doubling as an iSight camera, tablet Mac (with multiple touchpoint sensitivity!)... or are they just following the trend of patenting technology for a rainy day.

Many dynamics are coming into play, thus ensuring nobody can sit on their butts and get lazy about producing good offerings.

By the way, it's still possible to get a free Mac Mini from Gratis Internet, so while Apple isn't giving away 500 Macs per retail store, you can still get a Mac sent to you for just completing an offer and referring a few friends.

Technorati Tags: apple getamac