End User

Washington and California Cell Phone Driving Bans Start July 1

One of my pet peeves (and I'm sure I'm not alone) when driving is having to navigate around other drivers who are paying more attention to balancing and adjusting a phone between shoulder and ear than to the road. But starting tomorrow (July 1) here in Washington state and in California, I'm hoping these juggling acts will diminish as both states have laws that take effect that make it illegal to talk on your cell phone without some kind of handsfree device--whether that be a wired or wireless Bluetooth headset, speakerphone, or a patch through your car's audio system. (If you're a resident of either of these two states, and this is news to you, check out this overview for Californians and this one for Washingtonians. To check on your state's laws, see this handy chart at the Governors Highway Safety Association.)

So it looks like it's time to buy stock in a handsfree company like Plantronics, Jabra or Parrot, as they're most likely going to be seeing an uptick in sales in the next few months. All-things-wireless guru Glenn Fleishman has collected brief list of recommended handsfree devices at the Seattle Times, and I recently tested one of the headsets he features for a review--the Plantronics Discovery 925.

Plantronics is positioning this as both a bit of a fashion accessory (it is one of the best looking headsets I've used) as well as a competitor to the Aliph Jawbone with its noise cancellation technology (which is good, but not as complete as the original Jawbone, which I've also reviewed). But the thing that I liked most about the 925 was how well it fit in my ear. Unlike many Bluetooth headsets, it doesn't offer any kind of loop around the ear to keep it stuck in your ear canal. Rather, the 925 comes with three sizes of gel ear pieces, which hook in comfortably to the ear canal and also provides a tab extension to fill the rest of the ear chamber. I've not had much success in the past with using earbuds or other loopless headphones/headsets, but the feather-light 925 stayed in my ear securely and comfortably for an entire day of testing.

I'd also recommend it for use when driving because it just pops into your ear, avoiding the dance of trying to attach a looped headset over your ear, which can be just as dangerous as handling a phone while driving. Sadly, I had to return my review unit, but because my current, much loved Bluetooth headset just went bust (see my video customer review of the Jabra BT5020, which was done in a fit of frustration), I'm ordering my own 925 so I'll be street legal.

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

Windows XP Sales Halt Monday

Microsoft is officially pulling the plug on XP Monday and no longer selling it on the shelves.  XP will continue to be available to small-scale OEM system builders and for certain products such as the Asus Eee PC. Microsoft has also agreed to continue supporting XP in some capacity through 2014.  You can also buy Vista Ultimate or Business and legally downgrade to XP. but that's a solution only recommended for the hardcore.

A group of vocal XP proponents tried to save the OS with their "Save XP" petition, but without success.  So those unwilling to cope with Vista don't have long to pick up a copy of XP--otherwise they may just have to wait until Windows 7 is released sometime next year.

--Aric A.

Diablo 3 Announced

After several days of speculation, rumors, and teaser splash pages, Blizzard Entertainment officially announces that Diablo 3 is in the works for Windows and Mac platforms. A quick visit to Blizzard.com, and you'll be greeted by a flash intro. Though details are scarce at this point, players can expect some nifty gameplay elements like 3D graphics, destructible environments, the return of the random level generator, new quest system, and probably new skill trees. No doubt the big red demon will be making an appearance again, but the only new class revealed is the "witch doctor" who is joined by the classic "barbarian" class. The Diablo 3 website is up, and offers screenshots, a teaser trailer, artwork, and a gameplay video. Press release after the jump.

This Will Put a Smile On Your Face

Our friends at Sony recently unveiled their latest camcorder: the HDR-CX12. As of today, this camcorder is the first in the world and universe to feature both 'Face Detection' and 'Smile Shutter' technology in the same video camera.

At this point, you're either thinking, "cool", "bleh", or, "what in the name of George Lucas' beard is 'Smile Shutter' technology"?

Well, if you must know -- (and I know you must) -- this interesting innovation uses Dual Capture to enable the camcorder to take photographs if a smile is detected, even while video footage is being recorded. But wait... there's more... you can manipulate the sensitivity of function so that it detects different levels of smiles. Say, if you had it on the high-sensitivity you could even detect the smallest hint of a smile from the hintiest smiler of them all: Mona Lisa. Speaking of Mona Lisa's smile, if you set the camera to low-sensitivity, you could even capture 'ol smiley face herself, Julie Roberts, grinning from 18,000 miles away. Okay, maybe not that far... but you get the picture.

Additionally, the camcorder offers a Smile Priority Setting so that the camcorder can prioritize between children and adults.

More highlights from the CX12 include:

• 1920 x 1080 Full High Definition video resolution; 10.2 megapixel still image capture
• Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization; Professional Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
• Smile Shutter technology for still and dual capture; Face Detection technology for video and photo
• ClearVid CMOS sensor with Exmor-derived technology; BIONZ Image Processor
• 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus display; Dolby Digital 5.1 channel recording; Built-in zoom microphone

So what next? What more innovative new features could they put into a camcorder that would create an even better recording experience?

I have one: 'Scowl Filter'. This would automatically erase anyone scowling from the video I was shooting. Got some ideas? Let's hear 'em.

The Sony HDR-CX12 is now available to pre-order at Amazon.com. -JB Storey

Bites from the Apple: iPhone Turns One

It's been one year since the iPhone was unleashed on a smartphone hungry public (which I had to miss as I was holed up on a secluded island here in the Pacific Northwest), and it's pretty amazing to look back on the hype and the crowds that attended the late afternoon debut of this $600 phone (which is the price some 16 GB models are fetching on the resale market). I doubt that lines for the iPhone 3G will be as long or as much of a party as they were for the initial launch (as my pal Glenn Fleishman documented in TidBITS and in photos last year), but there will be lines. And this year you might have to wait overnight to get a good spot, as it's rumored that iPhone 3G sales might start at 8am on Friday, July 11th--no doubt more time will be needed with each customer as it's also rumored that activation will have to take place in the retail store (either Apple or AT&T) rather than back in the comfort of your home as it was with the first generation (then there's also a rumored two-step activation dance...).

I'm going to stick with my piddly 4 GB/2.5G/OG iPhone (the metal-backed model on the left in the image above, sitting next to the new black hotness, via iLounge), as I just don't have much need for 3G speeds or full-on GPS and will be content with the iPhone 2.0 software upgrade and Apple's AppStore offerings to augment its functionality. But is an iPhone 3G in your future? Let us know in the comments. But now, let's get to covering the Apple-y goodness that was this last week.

• Speaking of the AppStore, the gadgetosphere is buzzing about the possibility (reported on MacRumors) that the new, upcoming version of iTunes (7.7) will include a very interesting freebie--an application that will allow you to remotely control your iTunes playback via either iPhone or iPod touch.

   

• Not everyone's a fan of the upcoming iPhone 3G: Dan Warne of APC lists his 10 reasons to hate the so-called Jesusphone (including lack of camera upgrade and instant messaging, incompatibility with Bluetooth stereo headphones, and no MMS).

   

• But Dan's list might go down to just a Top 9: According to an internal AT&T memo acquired by The Boy Genius Report, the iPhone 3G might include MMS (picture) messaging, a feature that wasn't included with the OG iPhone.

   

• The Examiner web site asked one of the most pressing political questions of the year: what's on Barack Obama's iPod. Seems it's a pretty eclectic mix of Bob Dylan, Yo-Yo Ma, Sheryl Crow, John Coltrane, and Jay-Z.

   

• Without a doubt, the big movie of the weekend is going to be WALL*E, and Pete Mortensen over at Cult of Mac notes that the film offers some nice easter eggs for Apple fans (aside from the Jonathan Ive-consulted design for WALL*E's pal, EVE).

   

• Learn more about the assisted GPS feature in the upcoming iPhone 3G at Ars Technica.

   

• Sprint's touchscreen competitor to the iPhone, the , has been garnering excellent sales in its first week (relatively speaking from an internal Sprint point of view) and decent reviews. But is the Instinct really so good that you'll want to smash your old iPhone to bits and swear allegiance to Sprint? That's what one Kansas City radio personality did after comparing the two. I have a feeling this won't become a widespread fad.

   

• I'm still using the Apple TV that I bought to work on updating Jeff Carlson's Pocket Guide, but the use is sporadic in part because I don't watch much TV but also because of its limitations. Andy Zaky at Seeking Alpha has a good wishlist of things he'd like to see adopted with future models, and I'd add acceptance of additional video file formats (though I doubt that'll ever come to fruition due to the closed environment Apple likes to keep).

   

• And finally, here's a MacGuyver tip to help keep your iPhone from sputtering through your computer's speakers involving a can of Red Bull (seen at right).

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

An Amazon.com Exclusive

When CD burners first came out, they were the coolest geek toy on the block and everyone had to have one. If you didn't, you were a dinosaur in the technology world. And being that we were all so technologically advanced, we of course labeled all our new CDs with a Sharpie marker. This was, of course, before the creation of actual high-tech tools such as the DYMO DiscPainter that actually print directly on our discs. Some of us haven't advanced though, and if you're still a member of the Sharpie-labeling generation why not tell us about your most ingenious use of a Sharpie marker in an exclusive Amazon.com contest. And if you need to pick up some Sharpies to figure out an unique use before submitting your entry, check out the new Amazon.com Office Supplies store.

-Keenan

GBS vs. GPS: A Comparison Between a Local & the Sony Nav-U

I am a recent transplant via Chicago and I pride myself in knowing where I’m going and being able to guide others in my city. Just the other day I was happy to direct a tourist to Denny Way, even though it was pure luck or accident that I discovered the route just a few hours before the tourist asked me.

When I first moved to Seattle, I asked one of my friends, whose initials happen to be GB, for a bunch of directions. GB has been a “local” for about 10 years and I presumed he would have a good idea as to how to get to my destinations. He even tags along to make sure I was going on the right path (and thankfully has not made one comment to my Chicago-like driving). GB is also readily available to take the frequent frustrating phone call when I am lost. Since he has been so helpful in getting me around town, he’s been given the nickname of GBS.

So when I received my first GPS sample, Sony’s Nav-U, NVU73T, and was asked to write my first blog, I thought, “How would the GPS compare to the GBS?”

The GBS hates the freeway, which means I get a lot of scenic routes. It’s beneficial since I need to get to know my neighborhoods, however, with the price of gas hovering around $4.40, scenic routes can get a bit costly. GBS is also is a bit slow to provide direction and it can be after the fact. Occasionally I will be told I should have turned right or left 2 blocks ago. I’m not a mind reader! But, GBS is quick to recalculate the route and provide color commentary on the small mishap. I also appreciate GBS’s remarks about my “edgy pop” music and the sneakiness of him turning up the volume on my stereo.

Now on to the Sony NVU73T : Sexy looking, fresh out of the box. The unit has a brilliant 4.3-inch display screen, which I could see quite clearly. However, I had a hard time telling it that I was in the state of Washington and not in Washington D.C. I’m willing to chalk that one up to being a GPS rookie. The Nav-U also displays pretty much every gas station I ever wanted, while en-route to my destination. I also like the feature where it splits into dual screen when I approached a turn. I was provided a gauge in the middle of the split screen that acted like a kind of count-down until I reached my turn. That is a good feature for me, since sometimes I play my music loud and I could look on my dash for directions rather than listen for them.

Nav-U did give me some interesting routes (not too direct) to certain destinations I frequent, but for about 70% of the time, the routes were provided quickly. Recalculations of routes could have been quicker, in my opinion (or the opinion of the people behind me who would honk because I was a little lost). It took over 2 minutes once for my unit to recalculate my route after I missed the turn.

I thought Gesture Command was also an awesome feature. I could draw an upside down V and Nav-U would give me directions back to my home.

One thing I realized while driving with Nav-U: I can’t rock out loudly to my tunes. I couldn’t hear the spoken directions. I’ll have to consult the manual to see if I can connect the unit through my stereo system and that way the voice can interrupt my tunes. So long as it doesn’t comment about my music....

--Daidrie

Blizzard Entertainment Website Teaser

A new splash page has been added to the Blizzard Entertainment website teasing viewers of some sort of impending announcement. (via Gamer's Hell)
Since Starcraft 2 has already been announced, why go through the confusion of another teaser? Could this be the coming of a Diablo III announcement? If I stare at it long enough will I see a sailboat?
At this point, it's anyone's guess, but some say the image is more Warcraft or World of Warcraft related.
I for one would love to see a Diablo III announcement, too many sequels be dammed. Psssh.

-Ken H.

Enable Richer Color Profiles in Firefox 3

If you think the color in your web photographs has been looking a little dull, Firefox 3 has an answer.  Whereas previous versions of Firefox did not support color profiles, now you can manually enable color profile support right in the browser.  According to Deb Richardson of Dria.org:

There are two ways to turn on color profile support in Firefox 3.  The easiest is to install the Color Management add-on (which will work with Firefox 3 Beta 5). After you install the add-on and restart Firefox 3, color profile support is enabled, and you can specify a custom color profile by going to the Tools menu, selecting “Add-ons”, and clicking the Color Management add-on “Preferences” button. If you do not specify a color profile, the system default profile will be used, which should be OK for most people.

The second way to turn on color profile support is through the about:config page, which is a special page where a huge number of different (and usually hidden) Firefox options can be tweaked. This is not a recommended method for most people — about:config options should only be edited if you are very aware of what you’re doing. That said, if you do want to edit the options there, they are gfx.color_management.enabled and gfx.color_management.display_profile. 

--Aric A.

[image via Dria.org]

[EDIT: Reader "tony" has correctly pointed out that enabling color profile support may cause a 10-15% performance decrease in Firefox.  If you don't have a fast computer, be aware that your mileage may vary.]

Bites from the Apple: That Summer Feeling

The Summer Solstice arrives today (7:59pm EDT, 4:59 PDT), and Seattle is following along with one of the first truly sunny, summery days we've had in weeks. Thus, this week's round-up of Apple-y goodness will be slightly truncated (as it's been a bit of a slow news week anyways, as we all wait for the calendar to turn to July 11) as I get ready to take advantage of the day with my toddler.

• One of the most frustrating missing pieces to the iPhone (save for its lack of to-do synchronization) is the inability to view increasingly ubiquitous Flash files when browsing the web. Frankly, I'd be more than pleased if web designers didn't use Flash as much, as it can be distracting and unnecessary in many implementations as well as being a drain on the processor (and thusly on battery life). But I digress.

  This week, Adobe confirmed that it's "pleased" with the development of Flash for the iPhone, which Adobe hopes can get distributed through the upcoming App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch. Good news, yes? However, IntoMobile wonders if Flash (or even Flash Lite, its version for mobile phones) would even work with the iPhone's processor. And iPhone Central notes that Apple is possibly hooking up with SproutCore as an alternative (see Ars Technica for more technical details).

   

• If you're a current .Mac subscriber and are wondering what the new MobileMe will be bringing to your online doorstep, Macworld has a good overview of what the transition will bring (with an explanation on what MobileMe's "cloud" will push to your various devices, changes to iDisk, and more). Ars Technica adds that it looks like Apple is putting restrictions on browser compatibility with MobileMe--with Firefox 3 not making the grade currently.

   

• The New Scientist Technology blog discovered quite the nugget while reading through the iTunes end user license agreement (which I'm sure you all do with all of your software): you are prohibited from using iTunes to design or develop WMD.

   

• There were some complaints about the iPhone 3G's camera staying at a 2-megapixel resolution, but Ars Technica argues that it's a perfectly reasonable balance based on the limitations of the iPhone (no autofocus, no flash, and limited amount of memory).

   

• Might we see a new iPod touch by late summer? AppleInsider notes that stocks on the iPod touch are currently running low, and that analysts believe that Apple needs to do something that differentiates it from the iPhone (especially when it comes to price, as the current iteration of the 8 GB touch is about $100 more than the iPhone 3G hardware).

   

• An unexpected "feature" of the iPhone 3G: easier access to mobile porn.

  Leading porn purveyors see the iPhone as a dream come true. Its relatively ample screen size, speedy Web access and ease of use are just part of it. The device's miniaturized version of Apple's Safari software simplifies mobile access and streamlines the process of tailoring dirty sites for optimal viewing on the go.

   

• Dan Frommer at Silicon Alley Insider ponders whether the coming App Store will kill the jailbreak market. I think it will make a pretty good dent, but I agree that some functionality that Apple won't be supporting (VoIP, Gameboy emulators and, yes, mobile porn) will keep the jailbreak community going.

   

--Agen G.N. Schmitz