02:33 PM by ignatz in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

I've had my Tungsten E for a while now, going on a year I think. I use it and abuse it quite a bit, and in all that time I have used only the flipcover that came with it (and a screen protector) for protection. As you might imagine, the relatively vulnerable case is scratched all to hell, which doesn't bother me. Amazingly the unit itself has suffered no damage. I finally realized that my luck couldn't last forever and decided it was time for a proper case. I know that the Rhinoskin cases are old hat by now and have been reviewed all over the place, but here's my contribution to that crowded field.

So what I was looking for was good useable protection, but I also wanted it to be small enough to still fit in my pocket. I don't like wearing my PDA on my belt, and often use it for mp3s from my pocket or just keep it my pocket while at home, to read when I have a few seconds. Rhinoskin and Innopocket make comparable cases for the T|E (and for most PDAs), that are pretty much indistinguishable to look at. I didn't have a preference and just picked the one I found the cheapest. Amazon has the Rhinoskin for just $20, so it won. (Though I just checked and it seems to be gone!)

The case looks great (I'll have pictures up in the next couple of days). It's made of anodized aluminum and it has a great tough finish, distinctly unlike the T|E itself. It feels good in the hand and it opens and closes easily. It attached to the T|E with the side slot that is normally used for the flip cover, and this holds it firmly in place, but allows for easy removal. It has slots for 2 SD cards, but annoyingly you can't see the fronts where you have presumably labeled them. It is cutaway in many locations to allow for access to the power button, stylus, speaker, headphones, SD card, and power and sync cables while the unit is closed or just resting in the case. Most of the inside is coated with a thin layer of what appears to be some kind of neoprene, for shock and scratch resistance. While it does add some size to the unit, it still fits comfortable in my pants pocket.

My only complaint about the case is that the cutout for the headphone jack is not large enough. Most headphones require a little wiggling to get them properly seated. I'm going to have to modify the ones I use most often by cutting away a little of the plastic.

Overall I find the case the perfect addition to my PDA and I feel much more confident carrying it around. This morning it slipped from my hand and clattered to the concrete, and though it put a couple of scratches on the case, my T|E suffered to ill effects. This is highly recommended!

I will try to get a few pics up in the next two days, so you can see the rest of it. This case may also work for the T|5, since the form factors are so similar.

03:21 AM by Colin Dunstan in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

It took only a couple of hours after the official release for several Axim X50/v reviews to pop up:

Dell Axim X50v Pocket PC with VGA Display (PDA Buyer's Guide)
Dell Axim X50 and X50v Review (Brighthand)
Dell Axim X50 and X50v Review (BargainPDA)
Dell Axim X50: Dual Slot Goodness at a Reasonable Price (Pocket PC Thoughts)
Dell Axim X50v High (Aximsite)
Dell Axim X50 Mid (Aximsite)
Dell Axim X50 and X50v (PDA Geek.com)
Dell Axim X50v (infoSync World)
Dell Axim X50 Advanced (infoSync World)
Dell Axim X50 Standard (infoSync World)
Dell Axim X50 / X50v Pocket PC (pocketnow.com)

Skimming through all these reviews, the new Axim series evolves as a clear winner!

10:54 AM by Bob Russell in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

PalmOne has indeed posted a workaround on its support FAQs for the Tungsten T5. Not a great workaround, but it's good to know they are addressing the issue. They also indicate a patch is being developed. I believe the "announced" release date is in November, so by the time it's officially available, it may be fixed.

I've seen no word yet on the other reported issues, but this small sign is all we true Palm fans need for some hope to be rekindled. Hope for the T5 and for the future of PalmOne and PalmOS!

You can see the FAQ contents at PalmOne or at https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...0601#post10601

04:46 AM by Colin Dunstan in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

Hot and exclusive! Just click on the item you want to purchase and a 20.04% promo discount is automatically applied for you!

The Best Productivity Applications:
Agendus Professional Edition
Bonsai 3
BugMe! Notepad
DateBk5
PhoneMagic

The Best Travel Applications:
CityTime
HandMap
MegaClock
TravelTracker
WorldMate Professional Edition

The Best Launchers:
Facer Launcher
Launcher X
MegaLauncher
SilverScreen
ZLauncher

The Best Wireless Applications:
Butler
CallFilter
PdaNet
SnapperMail
VeriChat

The Best Time Management Applications:
Contacts 5
DayNotez
KeySuite
Shadow Plan
TealGlance

The Best Action Games:
Atari Retro
Earth Defender
Hellfire: Apache vs Hind
Midway Arcade Classics
Zap!2000 & 2016

The Best Education Applications:
4.0Student
Bible With You
MiniCalc
Pocket Oxford English Dictionary
QuickWrite Complete

The Best Puzzle Games:
Bejeweled
Crossword Puzzles
Kickoo Breakout
Tetris Classic
WordPop!

The Best Backup Utilities:
Backup Buddy
BackupMan
Cardbackup
FileMan
VFSBackup

The Best Security Applications:
DataKeeper
MobiPassword
SplashID
TopSecret
Ultrasoft DataShield

The Best Strategy Games:
Aggression
Fish Tycoon
Legacy
Medieval Heroes
Warfare Incorporated

The Best Fitness Applications:
bodyADVANCECalorieKing Handheld Diet Diary
Diet & Exercise Assistant
PDAbs Fitness
Workout Tracker

03:20 AM by Colin Dunstan in E-Book Software | Reading and Management

Performance Quest is offering free eNews subscriptions compatible with Mobipocket Reader. The free eNews include but are not limited to: USA Today, The Washington Times, LA Times, Orange County Register, The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah), BYU Cougar Sports, The Register, Utah Jazz Journal, Wired Magazine, PR Newswire, Pocket PC Addict, MSN Slate Magazine, Salon.com.

All you have to do is fill out a questionaire.

03:14 AM by Colin Dunstan in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

PocketFactory leaked out the official color brochure of the new Axim X50/X50v, which is set to launch today. You can download it from here (PDF).

With a 624Mhz CPU, a 3.7" VGA 640x480 display, plus WiFi and Bluetooth, the Axim X50v looks like the perfect PDA to me ATM

Update: The X50v is available for $499 at Dell's website, not a bad price I think. Bad news: Dell is listing the estimated shipping date as the 11/17.

10:53 AM by Colin Dunstan in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

Mytreo.net, the "ultimate Treo resource", has tons of pictures showing sexy Treo 650 from every imaginable angle!

Let's see how long it takes before palmOne demands to have the pictures taken down.

10:46 AM by Colin Dunstan in Archive | Handhelds and Smartphones

I found this short xvid file showing the BenQ P50 in all its beauty (careful, you might get seasick): xvid video file (link)

Thanks to smartease.net for the link!