HTC HD2 disassembly and assembly video guide

Here is the official HTC HD2 disassembly/assembly video guide (14 minutes).

DIY USB host converter cable

Quite a lot Windows Mobile devices supporting USB-host, but for only a few an adapters or appropriate cables from the manufactures are available. As these devices support USB-Slave as well here is the way to convert the USB male connector (used as slave e.g. for ActiveSync with the PC) to a USB-host female in order to connect accessories (keyboard, mass-storage devices, etc). According to Wikipedia the configuration of the pins shouldn’t differ too much for slave and host mode.

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How to make a free capacitive stylus for your Windows Mobile phone

Here is the video from pocketnow.com that show you how to create a free capacitive touch screen stylus (for HTC HD2 or another mobile device) out of a common piece of antistatic film. As many people know capacitive touch screens use an electrical impulse created by the operator’s body to register a touch point on the screen. The only problem with this is that if you are wearing gloves or need to make a precise touch point, capacitive screens do not work well. Most likely many if not all of our tech-savvy readers have a piece of antistatic film lying around. Simply cut the film to the desired length, roll it up, and (if you want) attach a piece of tape to hold it in place.

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Google Nexus One vs. Apple iPhone

On January 5, Google did something in the style of Apple. A presentation held at the office complex Googleplex in Mountain View, Calif., 11-year-old giant presented Nexus One – a stylish smartphone with a touchscreen that uses their operating system Android, sold through a website maintained by Google and the market welcomed the ad slogan “The network in your phone, just as a slogan and optimistic in the presentation of Apple’s iPhone in 2007: “Internet in your pocket.

The same day Apple make something in the style of Google. Steve Jobs, the king of the glamorous presentation of new products and developing its own software, today announced a new strategic asset. For $ 275 million purchase Apple Quattro Wireless, an advertising company specializing in targeted advertising for mobile phones and consistent with consumer behavior.
When companies begin to imitate, or generally talking about an extreme case of flattery, or war. In the case of Google and Apple have both. Companies whose offices in Silicon Valley is located only 15 km apart, are famous for their relations over the past nearly ten years. And Jobs, and Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt is a 54, and both have fought long battles against Microsoft (the time when Schmidt worked for Sun Microsystems and Novell). After a while they were not only religious adherents, and strategic allies. When in 2006 the management board at Apple’s position appears free, Jobs Pulling Schmidt.

This friendly Union of Silicon Valley began crackling at the end of 2007, when Google announced its intentions to develop a system for their Android phones. Apple had released its iPhone in January of that year and it was clear that both companies will challenge the dominance in the field of smartphones. At the same time as new players in this niche, they had to face a titanic rivals such as Nokia, Samsung and Research In Motion. But after thousands began to develop applications for mobile phones and realized that phones will become the computers of the future, the clash is cruel. Last summer Apple did not give its approval for the sale of two applications of Google for iPhone, thus calling into question whether the company would allow Google to display their equipment. In August, Schmidt gave up his seat on the board of Apple. Currently, companies entering a new more rival phase. With Nexus One Google, which have hitherto contented themselves with its Android offering multiple mobile devices are entering the field of hardware and so become a direct threat to the iPhone. Buying Quattro, Apple aims to create mobile ads entirely new type, according to sources familiar with the intentions of the company. Their aim is not so much to compete with Google on search engines as to undermine the use of search engines on mobile phones. Katie Cotton, an official spokesman for Apple, declined to comment on what plans the company in the field of advertising and their relationship with Google. Katie Watson, a spokesman for Google, said the company will appoint representatives to comment on this material. She said only a statement that attributed to Vic Gundotra, deputy director of field engineering at Google: “Apple has been a valued partner for us, and we continue to work together for the development of the entire mobile ecosystem.”
TRANSITION TO MOBILITY

Tehnoindustriyata is known for his legendary rivalries: IBM v Digital Equipment Corp., Microsoft against Netscape, America Online against Yahoo! But against Apple, Google may overshadow all. Both companies are zealous followers, glorifying them as they worship movie stars and professional athletes. Have a multi-capital, founders with vision and ambition in the field of smartphones, web browsers, music and Tablet PCs that they face each other.

The main battlefield in the near future will be that of mobile PCs. Analysts who spoke some time ago with trepidation for the Internet, today felt the same thrill as regards the potential of mobile. Mary Miykar of Morgan Stanley believes that within five years consumers will increasingly use the internet through your mobile device and not through your computer. Internet use in the desktop led to the emergence of Google, eBay and Yahoo, but leading in mobile yet to appear.

Money in mobile advertising are not much – about $ 2 billion last year, according to data from Gartner, while online they were $ 60 billion, but much more important to find a way to make mobile advertising more lucrative than simply get involved in the game now, when making a sharp curve upwards. Will win the most the company that manages to conquer the mobile market and share of profits at many software developers who write all those good times (business card reader Business Card Reader), sometimes amusing (Flick Fishing) mobile programs. Who created the strongest ecosystem of applications and devices, as all will cause your opponents to breathe the dust behind him.

Apple has a strong lead in the development of this ecosystem. Software developers have done it over 125 000 applications for mobile devices, the company – 7 times more than those who use Android – and this infinite variety of applications of the iPhone helped to win 14 percent faster than the share of smartphones, while all devices using Android have a total share of 3.5 percent, according to the company’s market research IDC. But for the past few months more and more software developers complain that they earn from their work. Free applications have become commonplace and very few of them are sold for more than ¢ 99. Some developers earn as advertisements embedded in their applications, but the amounts are small, as these ads are smaller and less effective versions of Web banners. According to a source familiar with the ideas of Jobs, he acknowledges that “mobile advertising is good” and that if Apple find a solution that will make them even more difficult opponent.

And since it is not someone who runs away from challenges, especially when they affect its aesthetic tastes, Jobs and his subordinates seek to revolutionize mobile advertising as it did with music players and phones, said two sources close the company . They have not revealed specific plans for Apple, but said that there are several possible approaches to advertising. Apple may use the data for the consumer and technology to locate him, to adjust their ads so that the user, for example, entered into the mobile network at noon to receive ads for a local specialty restaurant. The company could use creativity and capabilities of iPhone – for example, shaking the phone, one to win off just as it does to roll the dice in some games.

Apple realized that to succeed, will need an ad network and technology to select which ads to the client’s behavior. In the autumn of 2009, Apple was one of the companies bidding on AdMob – driver in the field of mobile advertising. For them it was a completely logical end, because more than half of the ads delivered to the smartphone via AdMob, appear on the iPhone or iPodTouch (which also use applications on Apple). But before Apple to succeed in the deal, Google has intervened and on 8 November said it would pay an astounding $ 750 million for AdMob.

Having failed to obtain the best, Apple is immediately drawn to Waltham, Massachusetts, where it has Quattro Wireless, the strongest competitor of AdMob. It is said that after the announcement of the deal Jobs gave the Executive Director of Quattro Andrew Miller the title of deputy director of mobile advertising. Deputy Director is rarely given a title in Apple, but Miller was first appointed to be responsible for online advertising. The company has hired and a specialist in mergers and acquisitions to be more competitive in the battle for good deals.

For almost every company would be folly to confront Google in advertising related to search the web. Google reigns in the search engines, such as control over 65% of the market but its share in demand in mobile phones is even more impressive. Over one million businesses are advertised through keywords in the search ad derive their side of the results, but most experts are beginning to switch to mobile devices as they are increasingly used as portable computers.

Demand in mobile devices but not yet obsolete. According to data from Gartner last year worldwide have spent $ 924 million for ads running through mobile search engines, less than 2% of Internet advertising as a whole. The problem is that consumer behavior in desktops and mobile devices is different. Most people avoid visualize miniature windows of the search engines of your phone and dial keywords uncomfortable their keys. Ads accompanying search results are also inefficient, because people are reluctant to cede the screen of your phone that can display a single browser on any ad. In most cases applications are far more efficient, finding the best local sushi restaurant is a lot less steps or through Urbanspoon Yelp, than if you write “the best local sushi” into a search engine and then review the results.

Apple has many valuable information that can help them drive profitable advertising business one. The company knows exactly what applications, podcasts, videos and people download songs from iTunes, in many cases has the detailed information on credit card numbers and home addresses. This gives Apple the opportunity to combine advertising and electronic commerce in new ways, especially now, after the acquisition of Quattro. Utility works with advertisers like Ford, Netflix and Procter & Gamble, helping them to decide when and how to publish ads on publisher sites like Sports Illustrated and CBS News. By combining advertising technology with its Quattro, Apple will be able to tell advertisers how often and under what circumstances a person is click on an ad. This technology could be used in the new Tablet PC that Apple must submit later this month.
SECURITY OF MULTIPLE

When Google introduced its Android system in 2007, the company said it will focus on developing software for the operating system and will leave the usual phone manufacturers like Motorola and HTC to make the devices. Their strategy was similar to that of Microsoft in computers – to work with multiple partners and thus to attack all product areas, geographic areas and demographic groups.

The emergence of Nexus One means that Google is worried that Android does not achieve the anticipated marketing. The mobile market is so important that Google can not afford access to him to depend on other companies; offensive by Nexus One, the company hopes will provide her a stable position in the smartphone so it could steer its own fate.

Nexus One and carries risks. Manufacturers of hardware for Android may not like the idea that will compete with his alleged partner. Meduvremenno Google is aware of its weak position in mobile advertising and efforts to improve them. Schmidt believes that one day mobile advertising will be more significant than the computer, mainly due to the fact that it can be personal and local. Although Google has declined to comment on his plans for this material, Schmidt has been tossing the idea that at one point mobile devices can become a free for customers, and costs to be covered by advertising. “If Google fails to do so would become untouchable – technical consultant said John Metcalfe, worked with Google on mobile projects in the field. – Apple will not be able to respond to such a shock. ”

Of course, maybe Apple and Google can benefit from the introduction of computers in the mobile phase. But the losers will certainly. Microsoft fail quickly in the field of smartphones, because it ignored the manufacturers of devices Windows Mobile, as it has many fewer applications and developers of Android and Apple. Nokia, the largest manufacturer of mobile phones in the world, also suffers, its online store Ovi works in full anonymity compared with iTunes of Apple. Even Samsung and LG Electronics, the Korean producers, which is renowned for its pioneering technology, lost their positions.
BOARD OF BING

Some analysts believe that the battle between Apple and Google probably gets tough in the coming months. Yarmis the company Ovum believes that Apple may soon decide to sever the search engine Google, search defoltnata its mobile devices in time to stop access to Google’s mobile information which could be used to improve advertising and technology Android. Jobs can strike a deal with the note, Microsoft and use their search engine or even Bing launched its own search engine, says Yarmis.

Whatever happens, this time it is clear that the conflict between Apple and Google will grow. Android is a threat to the iPhone, which now represents over 30% of sales to Apple. Meanwhile, almost all the expected growth in demand can be implemented in mobile devices, such as in the Piper Jaffray believe that in 2016 it will be 23.5% of all searches, and today this share is below 5%. This determines the appearance of a new event in the technology sector. “Rivalry will accelerate innovation – Behtolshaym commented Andreas, one of the founders of Sun Microsystems and one of the first invested in Google. – Apple is moving pretty quickly, but when you know they persecute you run faster. And that will bring benefit to consumers. “

How to build your own phone stand from a dollar bill

If you fold a dollar bill (of course, you can use any other bill) the right way, you can create a stand for your phone that will conveniently tilt the device at an angle perfect for watching video. While the stand takes some time to build, the result is a truly sturdy structure that can hold the weight of most mobiles phones.

Here is the video with how-to instructions:

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How-to remove the battery cover on the HTC HD2

The back battery cover of the HTC HD2, which is made from real brushed metal, is near impossible to remove. There’s a little fingernail groove, but if you use that, you’ve bound to break your nail. In this video, we show a way to easily remove the back battery cover without much struggle. It involves grasping the HD2 just the right way.

7 Excellent Web Apps to Help You Study

If there is one thing that is changing rapidly in a typical student’s life, it is the growing numbers o students that are using web applications as study tools. In fact, an entire market is growing up around the creation apps specially designed to help students. The styles and portability of these apps may vary but they all provide some added conveniences to the student who wishes they could be better organized and study more effectively. In this post, you will get a chance to see 7 excellent web apps to help you study.

1. Evernote – This note-taking app can be used to sync notes between the internet, your cell phone, and any computer. Additionally, it allows you to save text, audio, and images such as screenshots or camera photos. Everything is kept available and can be easily referenced. With all of these features, you can use Evernote to create comprehensive classroom notes for research and study. It will also allow you to use application like Twitter to deliver information.

2. StudyRails – If you have difficulties with study or can’t concentrate when it is time to study because of distractions then the StudyRails app is a perfect option. This websites allows users to schedule study time and alerts them (by text message) when their pre-appointed study time has arrived. If you find reasons to hold off on getting homework or other classroom assignments done, StudyRails has a feature that allows you to block out sites that cause your attention to wander and other apps that steal your time during a designated study period.

3. Delicious – Well known as a popular bookmarking application on the web, Delicious is ideal for gathering all of the online resources that you may be using in a class, project, or specific paper under a specific tag. It is a very simple app to use and can help to keep you organized so you are struggling to get things together for class—which also leaves you more time to study.

4. Google Docs – It may be fair to say that Google Docs is perhaps one of the best online word processing and spreadsheets applications available today. It has also been appropriated by students for its excellent collaborative features that allow a group of students to work together on group assignments. This app also provides two distinctive features over content-rich applications like MS Word and the other Office program: One, it is free to use, and two, it is accessible anywhere so you have added mobility.

5. CiteMe – Capitalizing on the popularity of the social networking platform, the Facebook application CiteMe allows you to search the world’s largest library catalog by author, title, subject, or ISBN. It also allows you to retrieve citations for use in your term papers and other research progress. These are available in a variety of formats including Turbian style, APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard.

6. Web Seavus Dropmind – The interest in organizational tools such called mind maps led to development of applications that will let you construct them from scratch. There is definitely some value in having a visual representation of any classroom-related material. It has been shown that having schemes and mind maps allows you to study more efficiently than traditional note taking along. The major reason is that a visual model can help you grasp certain concepts must easier as well let you remember it with less trouble.

7. GradeMate – GradeMate is yet another good web app that is basically a free online organizer that was designed with students in mind. Using it, you will be able to manage your due dates, create customized to-do lists, monitor your grades, as well as collaborate with fellow students who are also users

Such web apps are growing in number and in specialization. Having them available for study use in academic spheres is only one usage among many potential ones.

Sean Kilgore blogs about how to choose the best online college courses for you.

HTC Touch Pro2 modded with 32 GB SDHC card

A Sprint Touch Pro2 user, 510jungleboy, couldn’t sit around and wait for 32GB Micro SDHC memory cards to finally hit the market, so he decided to hack his device to register full sized SD cards. The hack involves using an SD to Micro-SD flexible adapter and some precision hardware dissection. This isn’t his first stint with such an endeavor either. He actually performed the same modification on his HTC Touch and Touch Pro over the past year. Of course, this time he had to figure out a way to make it work, as best as possible, with the Touch Pro2’s side mounted card slot.

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HTC Touch Pro (Fuze) LED d-pad mod

Most hardware hacks are not for the faint-hearted, and this one is no exception. PPCGeeks member Bigshady had become tired of the while ring of light around the D-Pad on the HTC Touch Pro and decided to personalize it a bit. Soon after, with a bit id disassembly, a firm hand and replacement coloured LED’s his Touch Pro not sports a rainbow of colours.

Fortunately micro-soldering is not the only way to achieve the look.  Disassembling your Touch Pro and using coloured sharpies on the LED and silicone windows behind the keys seem to work nearly as well, and is much less likely to leave you in tears.

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HTC Touch Pro and Fuze – how to get TV-Out for $3

The HTC Touch Pro/Fuze can connect to a projector or other external video source like a computer monitor or television. It can also output audio, which can be great if you want to play a movie on a larger screen. The quality isn’t amazing, but it’s good enough.

To get this TV-Out function to work, you can buy a $25 HTC TV-Out cable, or you can do it for under $3 as shown in the video above. Thanks to PPCGeeks for the great idea.

Here is what you need…

- The converter that came with your Touch Pro (click here if you lost it or don’t have one)

- A set of $3 iPod video-out cables (like these from Amazon)

- This CAB which needs to be installed onto your device

Here is the step-by-step to get it to work…

1. Connect converter to your device. Then, connect the iPod cable into the 3.5mm headphone jack on the converter

2. Connect composite wires (red/white/yellow) to your audio/video source

3. Go to Start>Programs, and run EnableTVOut. That’s it!

Update: This won’t work on the Touch HD/Diamond – they don’t have TV-Out functionality (and just to be totally sure, I tried on the HD).

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