PocketHacks.com

Hexapod robot controlled by Android OS and iPhone

This video is a blatant example of having too many high-end toys but we love it anyway. Robert Stephenson is controlling a rather awesome-looking hexapod via a Bluetooth connection to his HTC Hero. The app allows on-screen selections to decide which portion of the robot will move as a result of accelerometer data from the handheld. The only thing we saw that was missing is a camera feed to the phone. But this hack doesn’t stop there. The Hero can be used to host a WiFi network while still connected to the hexapod. The second half of the video shows an iPod Touch connecting via WiFi and controlling the bot. Now head on over to the laser cutter to start that hexapod build, and finish up by getting elbow-deep into some Android development.

Via hackaday.com

HTC Desire HD – first information and specs

Here is the first information on the two new monsters HTC Desire Z and HTC Desire HD. Featuring Android 2.1 (and 2.2 which happened to?), The Desire Z specs – screen from 3.7 inches (800 x 480), 1GHz CPU, QWERTY slide keyboard, HSDPA phone module. Other standard features: Wi-Fi, A-GPS, microSD, accelerometer and Bluetooth 2.1.

More interesting is the Desire HD. In addition to going out with Android 2.2 mounts a capacitive screen 4.3 inch (resolution not specified), 8 megapixel camera and video recording 720p HD. The internal memory is 4 GB and there is also Wi-Fi, HSDPA, GPS, accelerometer, and microSD. Strangely, the processor is not revealed, will be the classic 1GHz?

Clip and talk Bluetooth clip stereo headset

The Clip and Talk Stereo Clip Bluetooth headset enables you to listen to your mp3 songs on your smartphone wirelessly, and still be able to take calls, in this review we have an HTC HD2 for test device.

Why to get it:

• Allows you to listen to music wirelessly
• Take calls without needing to touch your handset
• Allows you to use any headphones (a pair is included).
• Clips anywhere for maximum convenience

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Windows Mobile – a complete reshuffle

Mobile technology has evolved and progressed at a rapid pace that time just has flown by. Even 5 years doesn’t seem to matter now. Few years back, Smartphones were supported by only the Symbian OS and Palm OS. Microsoft too joined the league and created the Windows mobile. Seeing Microsoft come into the market, Palm decided to change to the windows format. But, the recent launches of Apple’s iPhone and Android OS mobiles have changed the world of Smartphones completely.

Many young professionals till opt for the windows mobile as it carries a clear-cut to the overfilled milieu of the iPhone and android. Other than that, the windows mobile comes in with whole different set of phone configurations such as phones with physical button, those that combine both physical buttons and touch-screen and finally the full-fledged touch screen. This is one reason as to why windows mobiles have enjoyed greater success than the iPhone as the latter doesn’t have any physical buttons to work with. Many android devices don’t have these solid keys to work with. For people more susceptible to texting on the phone, windows mobile can be a boon to them. Windows phones are not just restricted to the keypad format. They also come in flip-flop models, slider phones, vertical and horizontal layout and many other different features.

Microsoft is also planning on launching the Windows 7 mobile by the end of this year, 2010. For the first time ever, Microsoft scraped off its previous versions and built the mobile’s software from scratch. And, according to early reports, the latest version has kept its name to every other OS in the market today. In this version, there is also the option of getting windows updated by live update.
Bluetooth:

Choosing the best Bluetooth headphone will depend on what you’re looking for as a customer. Cost of the device will definitely play in your mind. You should expect to pay anywhere from $30 to up to $300 or more. You should feel comfortable while wearing the device as well as feel the money’s worth when you’ve purchased the device. Battery life is also another factor that you must take into account. You must also consider options such as the offering of handsfree answering and ending calls, easy adjustment of the volume and the range it possess. If you do a lot of teleconferencing, you might want to opt for the Bluetooth headset as it can be randomly used with your PC or Laptop.

A VPN is a protected, concealed communication channel connecting two or more devices transversely across an open public network. The Internet is a perfect example for this. These VPN devices can either be a special device like a VPN facilitated router or a computer running VPN software. It allows two home computers in diverse settings to connect to each over the Internet or can allow your home computer to be connected to your office network. VPN utilization is very processor oriented and demanding and most broadband VPN routers have to some extent slow processors in them. Broadband router based VPN servers are time and again restricted in throughput because of their microprocessors. Most of microprocessors have an utmost VPN throughput of approximately 6Mbps or 600Kbps.

Samsung Captivate – unboxing video

The Samsung Captivate from AT&T, available on 7/15/10, has more rounded edges than the Galaxy S, but beyond that, it’s really the same device – it has the same 1GHz Humminbird CPU, 512MB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage (add a 32GB microSD card  to that and you will have 48GB of space), Bluetooth 3.0, a 4.0″ 800×480 screen, and a 1500 mAh battery.

HTC Mondrian and HTC Mozart confirmed by HTC

Both the HTC Mondrian and HTC Mozart, both confirmed to be running Windows Phone 7 by the browser ID, which is listed as “Microsoft Internet Explorer Mobile 7”,

The HTC Mondrian’s XML is here and the HTC Mozart’s is here.

The MMS info does not reveal too much, except that both devices predictably have WVGA screens and also that they are both slates without keyboards. The XML also references supported Bluetooth profiles, and we can see support for A2DP, Object push and of course the various hands-free profiles. At least we know, unlike the iPhone, Windows Phone 7 will support A2DP and MMS at launch

JVC HA-W700BT Bluetooth stereo headphones – cheap offer

If you are interested in Bluetooth headphones have a look at this! Only 21.99 GBP instead of 79.99 and an extra 20% discount with code last20 makes them £17.59 GBP free p&p in UK.

Details:

- Support Bluetooth 2.0 for music listening and hands-free call on mobile phone
- Support iPod control -Play, Stop, Skip- through AA-T100BT, Bluetooth transmitter (not included)
- Also work as wireless receiver for home audio system
- High-quality sound reproduction and sound isolation with in-ear canal headphones
- Detachable headphones
- On stand charging
- Clip style receiver for easy wearing
Specification

- 11mm driver unit
- 0.3m cable length
- Gold plated plug
- Bluetooth version 2.0
- Bluetooth profile: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP
- Approximate playback time: 11 hours
- Approximate standby time: 100 hours
- Nominal impedance: 14 ohms
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HTC HD Mini hardware video preview

It’s running with the Qualcomm MSM7227 CPU clocked at 600MHz. It has 384MB RAM, 512MB of ROM, and microSD memory expansion (with no card included). It also has WiFi, Bluetooth, aGPS, FM Radio, and a 5.0MP camera on back with no flash.

Source

Jabra BT3030 and BT620 users review

Jabra BT3030

Jabra BT620

I will start by saying my reasons for using Bluetooth stereo headsets so when i give my reasons for liking/disliking them you’ll understand why.
For a long time now i have been keeping a large amount of albums on my phones so it doubles as an mp3 player for me.
The main times i want to use the headsets are…..

1. In the office that is normally very quiet (helps keep my work speed up)
2. In the Gym when they decide to play crap.
3. when i go jogging/walking (to help me to not give up before time. lol)
4. Sometimes to watch TV late at night in bed without waking up my wife.

Features…

BT620
1. For music and phone calls
2. Back of neck design
3. Very soft and comfortable sponge for speakers that rest on your ear (not in your ear)
4. Comes with a extra pair of sponges
5. Power on/off, answer/end/voice dial/swap/dial last number (multi function key), volume up/down colour coded lighting indicator (Left outer surface of speaker)
6. Play/pause, track forward/backward, hole for mic, mini USB connection port colour coded lighting indicator (right outer surface of speaker).
7. Because of the two different Bluetooth audio profiles (calls & stereo music) it is capable of being activated with two devices at the same time. e.g. listen to audio on your Bluetooth ready PC and answer a call on your cell phone when one comes in. PC music will auto pause.
8. Charges from any USB port.
9. When connected to a PC with the USB cable it will charge and can also be used as a corded headset if that PC doesn’t have bluetooth.

BT3030
1. For music and phone calls
2. Army Dog tag Design
3. Very light weight
4. Comes with corded Noise cancelling in-ear buds with behind the neck cable design.
5. Comes with 3 sizes of jells
6. Front face of the dog tag has play/pause, volume up/down, track forward/backward, answer/end call (if i left out some functions here, it is because this headset is still new to me and it didn’t come with a detail book)
7. Left of dog tag has standard 3.5mm audio jack
8. Top of dog tag has hole for mic and chain loop
9. Back of dog tag has removable shirt neck clip
10. Bottom of dog tag has mini USB charging port.

My experience… (not based not technical info, just my usage)

BT620
Sound quality was to my liking with very nice bass line and at low volume i cold still hear if someone was calling me or have a conversation. At high volume it was enough to block out any talk that was going on around me. Using it with the USB cable on the PC was very nice for PC gaming and was a + that it would charge at the same time. Audio quality in calls was also to my linking but the other party did complain that when wind hit the mic it would make allot of noise. (So it’s not very good for outdoor phone calls if you live in a windy area) the signal range is about standard and it would pause your music if you walked out of rang. It would also auto reconnect and play when you walk back into range. The problems i had with it was the multi function key on the left was right where most people would hold a headset to put it on or take it off of them. And it was so easily activated you could run the battery down when the headset is in the bag and not even know. Or dial the last number unintentionally. (Having it connected to the phone when in bed watching videos on the TV was a big No,No)
The lighting indicator on both sides made your head look like an alienware PC, it’s a good thing you could disable them. I had to stop using them when my 1+ year old rip up the sponges (if anyone knows where i can get the sponge for this model to buy that will ship internationally post the link so i can go get it)

BT3030
Because i use it in the office and it comes with noise cancelling ear bud (that really do their job) i can only where one side in my ear even at low volume. Using it like this at low volume makes the bass almost none existent. But i have done this with other corded in-ear buds and they still sound good in an office environment. The build quality and look is top notch. It will bring no attention to you from others that you are wearing a Bluetooth headset. The lighting indicator is the Jabra branding on the dog tag (not on the earbuds). With the dog tag under your jersey people would thing you are mad when you are on a call lol. Using it out of the office is a treat with the two buds in the way it was meant to be. If you close your eyes the world disappears. The bass line is the way i like it. And the buds are so soft and light you don’t even feel them. Only because i know I’m not mad, i don’t think the voices are coming from my head. lol (then again all mad people say they not mad. Hum???)
Keys are stiff enough to fall asleep with it on and not accidently press anything but soft enough that it is not hard to use when you are making deliberate presses. I like that it is using a standard 3.5mm jack for the ear buds, so i can change them if i find a corded pear i want to use with it. The mic is on the dog tag so i don’t have to get a pear with a mic. The range is above average and it also auto connects and plays when you walk back into range. I like the quality of the sound in calls but the other side of the conversation say the can hear everything in the background. (So it’s not good to use in a noise environment)
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Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 – world’s smallest Bluetooth GPS receiver

Here is, the world’s smallest Bluetooth GPS receiver, it works perfectly with almost any Bluetooth enabled mobile device (Smartphones, Pocket PC’s, Laptops, Netbooks, UMPC, Mobile Phones). The Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 is now even more compact and is aimed directly at the ever increasing number of Windows Mobile users. Most of the new devices will have GPS built in but for the ones that don’t and for the older models that also have no GPS the Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 gives users the functionality of GPS without having to upgrade their lovely Windows Mobile phones. It’s so small and perfect for adding to a keyring, always there when you need it.

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Bluetooth security fix for HTC Touch Diamond/Touch Pro/Touch HD

HTC released today a Bluetooth securyti fix for HTC Touch Diamond/Touch Pro/Touch HD,  this hotfix can enhance the security mechanisms of the Bluetooth service.

Bluetooth Car Kit

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