spiderwebwoman : Gadgets

Add USB to your wall outlets – No Hacking Needed!

Kathleen Anderson — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:54:12 GMT

Now this is cool. The TruePower UCS power outlet is available for pre-order from FastMac for $10 a pop, the outlet is not only easier than building your own, but it’s as cheap or even cheaper and doesn’t displace the AC outlets. Just swap the outlet and you’ve got two USB power ports alongside the usual two AC. The USB ports only draw power when a device is connected.

More at: USB Wall Outlets – No Hacking Needed! | GottaBeMobile.com

Facebook Mobile from Microsoft - how it's the same as and different from the desktop version

Kathleen Anderson — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:39:00 GMT

I just found this great post at MobilityMinded that walks you through the desktop version of Facebook and then the Microsoft Mobile Facebook application that shows you what's the same and what's different.

I installed it last night and have found a couple differences so far:

when you click on a friend's status update, there's no option to "Like" it
when you click on a status update, whether your own or a friend's, you only see the last comment posted.

I'm going to keep poking around to see if there's something I'm missing. If you have found these options, could you let me know?

Finally! A Facebook Application for your Windows Mobile 6 phone!

Kathleen Anderson — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:24:00 GMT

New from Windows Mobile: a Facebook application for your phone! Download the new Facebook application for Windows Mobile and:

Send messages to any of the people in your Friends list.

Take pictures and videos on your phone, then upload them right to Facebook.

Send messages or call people in your Friends list.

Manage your profile and post anytime, anywhere.

Keep up with the latest news and posts with Facebook on your phone. Now your status updates can be up-to-the moment accounts of what you’re doing. Photos and videos are about as close to live-action as you can get. Show your friends what you’re up to, while you’re out and about.
Connecting and sharing on Facebook just got a lot livelier!

More at: Download Facebook | Smartphone and PDA | Windows Mobile Total Access (including screen shots)

Why won’t Facebook Mobile save my password?

Kathleen Anderson — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:08:00 GMT

I started using Facebook Mobile on my HTC Mogul (WM 6.1) last summer and it worked fine. It saved my email address and password – all I had to do was use the link in my Favorites and I was logged in. Over the last few months, more often than not, I had to enter my password to get in. Now it happens all the time. It really makes it a pain to use Facebook Mobile now. This doesn’t happen with BrightKite Mobile or even with the Bank of America Mobile Banking web site (BOA saves my account number – I do have to enter my PIN, but it’s always been that way).

I tried another browser, Opera Mobile, but it happens with Opera, too. So, I’m thinking it’s either an issue with my phone, or a setting in my Facebook account, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out what it is and how to fix it.

Please let me know if you have any ideas!

Internet Explorer 6 For Windows Mobile Devices - No Upgrades or Updates - New Devices Only

Kathleen Anderson — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:09:45 GMT

Recently the Windows Mobile team blogged a few bits about the upcoming Internet Explorer engine on Windows Mobile devices that will give you close to the full desktop experience on your device, sort of like the iPhone users have had since mid-2007. Microsoft has decided to only make this available on new devices, a factoid only revealed way down in the comments. There will be no upgrades, direct from MS or an OEM, to put this on your fancy new Windows Mobile device. It apparently can't handle it.
"Regarding making IE Mobile available as a separate download or update, the rich media experiences that IE Mobile 6 enables require more powerful, advanced devices. That is why it will not be available as an upgrade or direct download for current phones, but rather will be made available on new phones."

More at: Smartphone Thoughts: Internet Explorer 6 For Windows Mobile Devices - No Upgrades or Updates - New Devices Only

Have you installed Microsoft’s SMTP Patch?

Kathleen Anderson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:14:00 GMT

If so, did you have an issue? If not, be aware that there might be an issue where it could delete your email Accounts as it did with Mike Temporale over at Mobile Jaw. The patch was released to fix an issue with sending email on your Windows Mobile 6.1 device but Mike has 3 issues that you might want to read about before you install the patch.

More at: Have you installed Microsoft’s SMTP Patch? | Mobility Site

ActiveSync error code 0x86000107 with Windows Mobile 6.1

Kathleen Anderson — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 19:15:21 GMT

If you have recently upgraded your Windows Mobile 6 device to Windows Mobile 6.1 (I did) and are now getting error code 0x86000107 when you try and sync to 2 PCs (I am), the Product Development Team at Microsoft wants your logs to research the problem. Please go to this thread in the Active Sync forum at WindowsMobile Connection for instructions on how to capture and submit your logs.

Learn About the Samsung Epix at the Live "Coffee Talk Connection" -

Kathleen Anderson — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:20:06 GMT

This is the first in an ongoing series of Microsoft LiveMeeting sessions being hosted by the folks at WindowsMobile Connection in order to offer registered Connection members a chance to interact live with mobile-industry professionals. So why "Coffee Talk"? Each session will feature random Starbucks gift card giveaways every 10 minutes!

More at: Learn About the Samsung Epix at Our Live "Coffee Talk Connection" -

HTC Mogul Upgraded to WM 6.1 "breaks" ActiveSync

Kathleen Anderson — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:00:19 GMT

Since I got my HTC Mogul from Sprint last spring, I had been syncing with two PCs, one at home and one at work. Life was good - I was where I was supposed to be on time, and remembering everyone's birthday and anniversary.

In July, I upgraded my Mogul to Windows mobile 6.1, using the Rom from the HTC web site.

The upgrade was a semi success - I managed to brick my phone but recovered nicely thanks to a lot of help from Chris Rue, a Microsoft MVP for Small Business Server: Systems Administration. Ever since then, however, I've had problems syncing to two PCs. I could sync to one or the other, but not both. I Googled and found some workarounds, but none of them were permanent solutions.

Last week, I posted to the ActiveSync forum at Windows Mobile Connection and found that I was not the only one having this problem. In fact, there's also a thread on Connect about this: Allow synchronization with more than 1 pc with a WM 6.1 device

If you are also having this problem, it would be great if you could go to the thread on the Connect site and validate it. For now, I am syncing with only one PC, and and somewhat considering going back to Windows Mobile 6 until and unless the problem is resolved.

Windows Mobile 6.1 Update for the Sprint Mogul - where are you?

Kathleen Anderson — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:02:00 GMT

I woke up this morning and read several blog posts, most notably at Just Another Mobile Monday and Gear Diary that HTC had released the WM 6.1 update for the Sprint HTC Mogul. I got all my other chores done and went to the HTC site to download the update - and it's gone. Were they mistaken or has HTC already taken down the update?

Sprint HTC Mogul - one week out

Kathleen Anderson — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:36:00 GMT

I love this phone. I know you're not supposed to love inanimate objects, but I do love this phone. I can do so much more with than I could with my (separate) cell phone and iPaq. I've set up two email accounts, synced it with Outlook for my Contacts and Calendar, and configured my Windows Messenger account. I've only installed one third-party software so far - TwitToday - which adds a textbox to the Today screen. You can type your message and send it right from the Today screen. You can also go to the Twitter Mobile web site by tapping on the Twitter logo. I am going to hold off on installing any other software until I finishing reading the manual and learn all about what comes with the phone - there's a lot there.

I went to a Sprint store today to buy an additional wall charger to leave in my suitcase so I won't forget it when I go away. They had a 2-in-1 Mini-USB Charger - it will charge both in a wall power outlet and in the car - now I don't have to remember to take a car charger with me.

Overall, I am very happy with the Mogul, and no, I'm not the least upset about the announcement today about the HTC Touch Diamond. If you hold off buying something new, waiting for the next new thing, you'd still be talking on your Bell Atlantic Mobile Bag phone that you had back in the 80's (yes, I did have one).

Finally made the decision - getting a Sprint HTC Mogul on Wednesday!

Kathleen Anderson — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:41:58 GMT

For quite a while now, I've wanted to go from two devices to one. I'm using an HP iPaq rx3715 for my Calendar and Contacts, and a Sprint Samsung A920 cell phone. After going around and around with all the options available with Sprint, I've finally chosen the Sprint HTC Mogul. It's got all the features I really wanted, not that there were that many of them, but I wanted Windows Mobile so I can sync with Outlook, a larger screen than most phones, and a larger QUERTY keyboard. The Sprint store had to order it - it's not something they keep in stock - I'm picking it up this Wednesday.

I want to thank my TwitterFriends @chrisrue @mas90guru @EdHans @callkathy and @judis217 for answering my questions and giving their opinions - you all were a great help!

MVPs playing with Microsoft Surface at the 2008 Global Summit

Kathleen Anderson — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:21:00 GMT

We spent two days in the same building with the Expression Team and discovered there was a Microsoft Surface in the building. A few of got a chance to play with it on break!

Should I or shouldn't I?

Kathleen Anderson — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:40:00 GMT

I was having a conversation today with a Twitter friend about cellphones - my Sprint contract expired this week - and we were discussing the BlackBerry. I took a look at what Sprint has to offer - the only BlackBerry they have with a camera is the BlackBerry Pearl. My friend said the thing she doesn't like about the Pearl is the lack of a full keyboard. To be honest with you, that doesn't really bother me because right now, all I have is a regular phone with number keys.

A little while later, I saw this post Shouldi.com - Instant Social Advice and decided to check it out. I registered at Shouldi.com and asked my question and even though the site is still in Beta, I got three answers - all "Yes".

You can ask and get your answers by cell phone, IM or by email. You can read the questions that other people are asking and offer your advice (pay it forward?). I recommend you give it a try.

I was lost, and then I was found

Kathleen Anderson — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:24:27 GMT

I was cleaning house over the weekend and guess what turned up? Actually hidden behind some boxes I hadn't moved in a while. Yup, the Mio Digiwalker that I thought I'd lost. Since I'd already replaced it with a Garmin nuvi 660, I gave the Mio to my daughter. That was actually my plan when I bought the Mio. I intentionally bought a low-end model - I'd never used a GPS before and didn't want to spend a lot of money if I wasn't going to get any use out of it. My rationale was that if I did use it, I would give it to my daughter and replace it with something that had more features. Funny how things work out.

Measure twice, cut once?

Kathleen Anderson — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:54:57 GMT

For the last few months, I've been using the Sprint Phone-As-Modem plan, but I've not been happy with it for a few reasons - the speed is not that great, I can't seem to keep myself under the 40MB limit (for $39.99) and I can't make or receive calls on my phone while I'm using it as a modem. Today I went to the Sprint store and bought the Merlin™ EX720 by Novatel Wireless and signed a two year contract and got unlimited for $59.99 a month. Got home, installed the software, put it in the card - and it's not the right one. I have a Sony Vaio VGN-TX650P/B notebook - the little one - and I assumed that because it's so small that it took an Express Card. Wrong. So it's back to the store tomorrow to exchange it for a PCMCIA card. There is some good news, though - the PCMCIA cards are cheaper, so I'll get a bit of a refund.

First trip with my new Garmin nuvi 660

Kathleen Anderson — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 23:11:00 GMT

I took my first trip last Tuesday night with my new Garmin nuvi 660 and as I expected, it worked perfectly. I only had one problem, and I think it's because my eyesight isn't what it used to be. I came to an intersection and the nuvi said 'turn left on such and such a street', and there were actually two lefts at the intersection and I couldn't see the signs well enough to know which one to take. I guessed wrong, but the nuvi quickly recalculated my route and got me where I wanted to go.

Ordered a Garmin nuvi 660 today from Amazon

Kathleen Anderson — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:28:00 GMT

After making two road trips this week without a GPS, I made my way to alt.satellite.gps and found some very knowledgable people there (thanks, Rich and Uncle Ben!). I also made a road trip to Best Buy, Circuit City and CompUSA. Rich pointed out a great chart at GPSTracklog.com that showed which nuvis have the features I am looking for. I chose the nuvi 660, which happens to be on sale at Amazon.com and ordered it today - I should have it by the end of the week.

Zune, Zune, Zune

Kathleen Anderson — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:47:00 GMT

I just won a Zune at ReMIX07 - all I had to do was fill out my evaluation form for all the sessions I attended today and also get my form validated by at least six of the partner vendors in the exhibition hall. It's a 30GB and will be upgradeable to the new software when Zune 2.0 comes out.

Irony

Kathleen Anderson — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 23:53:00 GMT

Last spring, I bought a Mio c310x GPS at Fry's and I've gotten a lot use out of it. It really saved my butt on a last-minute trip to North Carolina in April. So, tonight, I'm packing, getting ready for ReMIX07 in Boston, and I can't find the GPS!