TechImpact / it happens there first

The Nexus One Dock arrived via my friendly Fed Ex delivery person a short while ago, and after playing with device for an hour or so my initial impressions are positive. Included in the now familiar white "Nexus One Style" box were the dock, a 3.5mm-to-RCA cable, and the power cable. Installation was non-existent: plug the power cable into the dock and set the Nexus One in the cradle. The phone automatically pairs with the Bluetooth receiver when placed in the dock and prompts you as to if you wish to use the dock for audio playback. Your selection can be modified from the 'Dock' option under 'Settings' if you change your mind later. Even if you have Bluetooth disabled, playback through the dock's audio output will still function while the phone is in the cradle. The dock also functions as a Bluetooth audio device when the phone is removed from the cradle (when Bluetooth is enabled obviously). When set into the cradle, the phone automatically launches the 'Clock' application, with accompanying screen saver and simplified menu options along the bottom of the screen. Charge times with the dock appear as fast if not faster than when using the wall charger.

A few notes about the cradle: The fit is very tight and there isn't much room for positioning the charging contact points along the bottom, so the dock will probably not be usable with any form of case and will most definitely not work with any extended battery that adds bulk to the phone such as the Innocell 2800mAh Extended Life Battery. Even slightly leaning the phone forward while in the cradle was enough to break contact with the dock.

The power connector in the back of the device appears to be a standard micro USB port, but the instructions clearly state that the device can not be plugged into a PC and isn't intended for data transfer. I wasn't about to risk burning out the USB port on any of my devices to test if the device can be powered from a PC USB port. I bought the dock to use on my night stand in the bed room away from any PC, which seems more like the intended purpose.

Was it worth the $45.00 USD + shipping and taxes? The dock functions as advertised, but the inability to use any kind of case or extended battery is something of a concern. Those looking for a desktop dock to be used near your computer will want to look elsewhere as well for a dock that also offers data transfer.

by Jerry Gamble

Wired news reports that one of their recent apps has run afoul of some users. MemoryUp has recently disappeared from the Google app store, but not before several users were able to experience problems ranging from corrupted memory, deleted contacts, and spam sent to several of their remaining contacts. eMobileStudio denies that their application does any harm, but the greater question is that of quality control.

by Chris Gamble

I think Nokia must be allergic to success.

And this time I am not referring to the lack of support for obvious features of a smart phone missing from most of their devices, or the fact that it will be 2009 before the company finally releases a touch phone (way to "get there first and take the high ground", Nokia).

This time I am referring to the many things that you CAN get on the Nokia N95 (and other Symbian 3rd Edition) phones.

by Jerry Gamble

From Via Wired Online: Public Multiplayer Gaming is being brought to a street corner near you thanks to the efforts of mobile gaming company MegaPhone. Using public screens such as displays at concerts and stadiums and a specific number that users dial to participate, it is now possible to play games with others during your lengthy wait at the Target check out line.

This seems to be well suited for use in marketing events in locations such as mass transit and to enhance activities at performance venues, but since the application ties game play to a fixed location there are limits as to how deep the game play can actually be. There is also the 'cell phones on a plane' problem—It's great if you are the one playing, but you are irritating the heck out of everyone else that just came to see the show (even if you use non-vocal control schemes, I am not sure a lot of people want a video game flashing on the score board during the game). One might also question as to why you would go to a performance that was so boring to had to play games during it to keep yourself occupied, or why if we have such miracles of technology at our disposal they don't just figure out a way to make the wait in checkout lines shorter.

And I, for one, refuse to shout into my cell phone in public like some big dork.

Nonetheless, this is another example of an application that highlights the "always plugged in" nature of data services on cell phones, and in the worst case it gives you something to do next time your girlfriend drags you to a Sarah McLachlan concert.

by Jerry Gamble