Random Rants & Raves

Live mesh is a great service that lets you sync devices or store it online from where you can access them from anywhere. It’s currently available as a tech preview and if you’re signed up you can sync multiple devices across.

Finally, the team has released Live Mesh for mobiles as well. Currently it support Windows Mobile 6.x. However you will not be able to access this from the usual places – that is, by either going to http://m.mesh.com or by logging into your Mesh Desktop and trying to add a device. You need to go to https://www.mesh.com/Web/MobileDownload.aspx and follow the onscreen instructions to download the installer (.CAB). You can then connect your WM device and install the software through ActiveSync/WMDC.

Tags: live mesh, windows mobile
Categories: Gadgets | Internet | Microsoft | Windows Live

If you're a Vista Sidebar gadget freak like me, then this one is for you. I ran across a gadget called System Monitor from BuildAGadget.com. This is one that can show you a whole bunch of information about your currently running system. This includes:

1. Date
2. Time
3. Single, Dual, Quad core usage stats
4. Memory usage stats
5. WiFi signal strength
6. Battery status and remaining time
7. IP Address - both internal (NAT) and external
8. Network tools - like WHOIS, Ping, Trace route, IP and Domain lookups

This basically lets you replace a bunch of other system Sidebar tools. The nice thing is that you can easily enable or disable any of these "monitors" and individually configure settings for them such as what to display (text or graphics), color of the display bar, and other specific information (number of cores/which IPs to show, etc.).

This is a great tool to be quickly informed about a number of system resources and a must if you use the Vista Sidebar.

Tags: sidebar, gadgets, vista, rave
Categories: Gadgets | Rave | Windows Vista

I finally got the nagging problem I had with my Dell notebook sorted out. I happened to notice that the Dell XPS M1730 is now available in India. Seeing this I thought it might be possible that they now also support my Dell XPS M1710 - the predecessor the one they sell here. And turns out they do.

I rang up Dell support last Thursday and on Friday 2 support guys show up my office. I told them that none of my video-out ports (VGA, DVI, S-Video) are functioning. At first they said that it might be a software setting problem or a driver issue and started doing their standard series of test. After I told them exactly what steps they would try next and that I had already tried them and failed, they didn't say anything further - just gave me a big grin and said "No problems sir, we'll replace your motherboard". 20 minutes later with a brand new motherboard, the notebook is happily chugging away and being able to project! Yay to Dell support again!!

Tags: gadgets, rave, notebook, dell
Categories: Gadgets | Rave

Well, for the people living under a rock, the IPhone (v2.0/3G) is finally in India thanks to Airtel and VodaPhone. But is it really worth it? Let's take a look.

1. For a minimum price of almost Rs. 32,000, it is sure a very expensive phone. And there are many better options out there that can do everything that the iPhone can and better. Some examples are the iMate Ultimate 9502, HTC Touch Diamond and the top-end HTC Touch Pro.
2. You are vendor locked in to Airtel/Vodaphone. Which means that you cannot swap SIM cards when you please - for instance, you cannot swap out to a Matrix SIM card when traveling internationally.
3. The iPhone available with vendor lock-in in the US is about USD 200 - approximately Rs. 8,500. The current rate is 4 TIMES the US rate - even with taxes and stuff, this is ridiculous.
4. The worst part is that you are paying full price for stuff that you really cannot even use - no 3G in India, no swapping of SIM cards, etc.
5. A 2MP camera with no flash is soooo old school -  at that price a minimum of 3.2 MP and ideally at least a 5MP with flash should have been there - especially since the phone is being touted as a multimedia friendly one.
6. Phones like the Touch Diamond and the Touch Pro have all the features that the iPhone claims and much, much more. For instance, the Touch Pro is touch friendly (including multi-touch), a 3.2MP camera with flash, a full QWERTY keyboard, 1000s of 3rd party applications for all sorts of needs, Direct Push, no vendor lock-in and many more things.
7. All the problems with the original iPhone continue - no copy-paste, soft keyboard only, no 3rd party applications other than through the Apple Store, call clarity, etc.
8. New problems such as a horrible battery, bad reception quality, 3G and GPS drops have also been now coming frequently to light

All-in-all, if you really have/want to spend a whole bunch of money for a very well hyped phone, go for it - otherwise pick up a real phone like the TyTn II, Touch Diamond or Touch Pro

Tags: gadgets, iphone, rant, windows mobile
Categories: Gadgets | Rant

HTC has just released an upgrade for the HTC TyTn II phone that takes it up to Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. If you have a original, unlocked HTC branded phone, you can head over to the HTC eClub and sign in to get the upgrade which weighs in at around 67 MB. Remember that the upgrade is shown only if you register the phone by using its serial number at the site. Which also means if you have an operator supplied phone (ATT Tilt, Orange, etc.) this upgrade will not work for you.

Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro has a few new features:

• Threaded SMS
• Improved battery and bandwidth usage with Direct Push on Exchange 2007 SP1
• Auto complete for Messaging
• Page Overview mode in Pocket IE
• Zoom Level instead of Text size in Pocket IE
• Phone book contact exchange over Bluetooth
• Support for System Center Mobile Device Manager
• HTC improvements for orientation rendering - although it still takes the same time, it feels faster since it uses a buffering mode

Unfortunately, this still doesn't have the video performance upgrade that everyone hoped it would have. But in any case, this is an important upgrade to get if you have a TyTn II.

Tags: gadgets
Categories: Gadgets

A few posts back I made a comment about the excellent service I got from Dell for my notebook having international warranty since it was purchased in the USA. In that case it was a laptop adapter that got replaced the next day.

However, I now have to eat my words about the Dell service - especially their so called "Complete Cover International Warranty". My notebook suddenly decided that it will not use any of the video out ports anymore - VGA, DVI or S-Video. So I am unable to use the notebook to project using a projector or TV. I tried all the ports, and even went ahead and formatted the system and reinstalled the default drivers - all to no avail.

Finally, I called up the XPS tech support line and told them about the problem. They immediately told me that the motherboard would need replacement - however since India does not sell the model of notebook I have they are unwilling to ship the motherboard to me. I reminded them that I have an international complete cover warranty and therefore it shouldn't matter whether the country in which I currently am in sells the model or not - I need to have it supported as this is critical. After a lot of checking by the tech, she came back to me and said that there is no way that they can support it. I even gave them a few options - ship the motherboard to me and I'll replace it myself at my own risk or ship it to Dell India and have a XPS technician install it for me. I even said I don't care about the next-business day clause - even if it takes them a month to get the part, to do so and ship it so that at least I can use it a little later. None of this was acceptable to them and even though I paid extra for getting international support from Dell, it is of no use to me - and this is for a high end notebook that costs more the $3,500!

I'm sad to say I take back the good stuff I said about Dell support and keep this as a warning to others who might want to rely on international support for high end models around the world. They should have at least given a list of countries where there is full support and called it Limited international warranty instead doing this.

Tags: rant, gadgets
Categories: Gadgets | Rant

On Friday morning my notebook's power adapter died suddenly, leaving with a heavy paperweight on my table. This also meant that I couldn't charge my machine with any other cable although we have many Dell laptops around - none were compatible with my particular model - the Dell XPS M1710. I called up a local repair guy to check whether he could do something about it. He called up after an hour to say that the adapter was completely shorted out and no way it could be repaired.

Since I had wisely taken a 3-year complete cover international warranty when purchasing the machine last year, I called up the local Dell toll free and was quickly redirected to the XPS exclusive line. This line happens to be serviced out of Malaysia (I think) and the tech support guy was very friendly. Once he heard my problem, he took almost no time in assigning me a a temporary reference number for the call in India (since the notebook is still registered in the US). He then said that the adapter would be delivered the next working day - meaning Monday.

I got a call from the local Dell office in an hour or so, confirming that I'd get the adapter on Monday. Which was quite ok. I did spend the weekend starting to get notebook withdrawal symptoms but survived.

Today, while sitting in office and working on a desktop - after ages (yuk!), I got a call from the delivery guy who had my packets. A quick jump back home and I picked up not one but three (!) boxes. I had to return the burned out adapter as replacement. Now imagine my surprise when I opened up the packets.

The first two contained a completely new set of power adapter and power cable - much smaller than the one I was originally using and with an Indian plug. The last one had a replacement for my original brick adapter. I first quickly plugged in the big brick to the original power cable and turned on my notebook. It worked fine. Curious about the new set, I connected them up and checked out my machine and it was working fine even then - except for a small popup that suddenly appeared on the screen. This informed me that I had plugged in a 90W adapter and to use all the features of my notebook I should be using the 130W adapter. The brick is the 130W one I guess. Well, now I have one that gives me the full power of my notebook as well as a spare that even if it doesn't let me play games or use the higher end features will at least let me check mail, browse and use my notebook for standard stuff.

As always, I've been very happy with Dell's service and their commitment. I sure hope they keep this up.

Tags: rave, gadgets
Categories: Gadgets | Rave

Although I've had the original 30GB Zune for quite a while now, I've been primarily using it as a video playback device with audio only occasionally being played on it. However, on my recent trip to Redmond, a tour of the Microsoft Company Store introduced me to the Zune Car Kit. Now I've been using the in-dash CD/MP3 player for quite a while in my Optra Royalé - but burning CDs everytime I wanted a change in the albums was getting to be a pain. And listening to the myriad of FM radio channels was getting too irritating as well with the non-stop nonsensical prattle of the RJs, who not only have an opinion on everything under the sun, they wish to share it with their listeners as well - many of who like me only want to listen to the music that they promise.

Anyway, I didn't pick up the Zune Car Kit at the Company Store. Instead I came back to India and used my MVP Dollars to buy it online. The kit was delivered to me in about 4 days and I installed it quickly. Although it found enough free FM spots currently I have set it to 107.5 which seems to give the best output when playing the car with no audible interference. It's great fun to be able use the Zune as the source for the songs and listen to FM radio where the RJ is your truly and since I don't have anything to say to myself that I don't already know - I don't have to listen to any prattle - just music that I want. And with the new Zune 2.x firmware upgrade navigating the Zune has become even better. The car kit is an essential must-have for those who wish to listen to good music or podcasts while travelling.

Tags: gadgets
Categories: Gadgets