GottaBeMobile.com

The new “buzz” at Google

Things over at Google were all a “buzz” at today’s announcement of a new Google product, Google Buzz.

Ok, so what is it?  The Wall Street Journal was the first to leak some news of Google’s idea to turn Gmail into more than just a email platform.

Google Buzz is a way to bring status updates, links, videos and other shared features into the Gmail platform. It will allow users to link to YouTube, Picassa, Twitter, Google Reader, Google Maps (for the nearby function) and Flickr, without the need to log into those sites.  Users will not have to navigate away from Gmail. Google Buzz will appear as an option on the Gmail navigation page.

Google Buzz will build your network based off of your email and people you have chatted with the most.  Also, users are able to set to share their Buzz public or private.

There isnt a mobile application for Google Buzz (yet) but  users can go to the website on the browsers of their smartphones.

Google Buzz is being rolled out in waves (ha, ha) , so be patient.  It will be interesting to see how Buzz will relate with Google’s collaboration product, Google Wave.  They do have a slight overlap in services, but Google Wave hasnt caught on with users as much as Gmail.

Personally, I am logged into Gmail all day long.  If I could do my social networking and email from one platform, it would save me time.  With Google Buzz, it looks like this may be a strong possibility.  We will have to see how the service works after its been fully rolled out and embraced by the Gmail using public.

Netbook or iPad? The Pros and Cons

I was a big fan of netbooks when they first came out.  They’re cheap, provide plenty of functionality, and make great traveling companions.  Despite the booming popularity of netbooks, I believe that the iPad will create a new market for tablet-styled devices.  Whether you’re an Apple fan or not, the iPad’s perceived ease of use, design, and portability will assure it has a place.  The question some are now asking is whether they should buy a netbook, the iPad, or a similar unreleased tablet.

The core of this question ultimately relates to the device’s purpose.  What exactly do you need to accomplish?  While it seems that the iPad is primarily a consumption device, there will likely be many available applications that make it a useful tool.  The iPad’s extra accessories such as the keyboard dock highlight that it will offer an extended experience rather than simply being a large iPod Touch.

Bluebeam PDF Revu 8 is packed with new features

Bluebeam PDF Revu, an advanced PDF editing and creation tool that really leverages pen input from Tablet PCs, is updated to version 8 and offers a laundry list of new features.

• Pin files and folders in Revu, preview PDFs and open files with one click
• SharePoint & ProjectWise integration
  
• Revit® plug-in for one button PDF creation
• Customizable toolbars
• Custom columns in the Markups list with formulas for calculations
• Auto-sequencing markups
• Overlay Pages for visual comparison
• Radius measurements
• Markup hyperlinks
• Color Processing tools for PDFs and Snapshots
• Internet Explorer plug-in (beta)
• Hide Markups
• Tool Chest additions
• Highlight mode

Unlike other so-called Tablet-specific apps, the product description of Bluebeam PDF Revu actually mentions “Tablet PC” in a few places and describes the tablet functionality of PDF Revu. Pricing for the standard edition starts at $149 with free trial and volume discounts available.

Netgear’s MBRN3300 (Not So) Mobile 3G Router

Netgear released a new router today and from the way they and others are throwing the word “mobile” around, you’d think it was mobile, but it’s not.

No, the MBRN3300 3G Mobile Broadband router is a standard plug-in-the-wall router with a 3G modem built in. That’s great if you’re in an area that can’t get wired broadband but have good 3G coverage or if you work with groups in a nomadic setting, but you can’t throw it in your bag and be connected without an external battery pack. Their claim that it offers “Internet access from trains, buses, automobiles, RVs or boats” depends greatly on your access to a power socket in those vehicles, though it is advertised as using 12V DC.

For mobility, the Mifi or the Sprint Overdrive with 4G are better bets. The MBRN3300 allows more than five users to connect and includes ethernet, which the Mifi and Overdrive don’t, but sharing a 3G connection with more than five people is a pretty desperate move.

Asus Eee T101MT video looks really familiar

Asus has released a rendered video demo of the Asus Eee T101MT, basically a 10.1″ version of the T91MT. It’s a little more than two minutes long, which was about a minute longer than I needed to realize it’s basically a shortened version of the video we saw earlier for the T91MT.

I suppose there’s not much point in doing a new video since the two convertible tablet netbooks offer the same functionality, but by that logic, they could have skipped the new video entirely. Re-scaling the hand in the shots showing the full tablet would have been a nice touch. Anyway, video after the jump.

Via Liliputing > Netbook News (German)
Continue reading…

Deal of the Day: $50 off the Lenovo IdeaPad s10-3t + 5% Stackable coupon

Lenovo has the Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t 10-inch Atom Multi-touch Capacitive Netbook Tablet on sale for $50 off with a 5% stackable coupon and free shipping. The Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t has an Intel Atom N450 processor, 1 GB RAM, 10.1 touchscreen and a 160GB hard drive. You can also purchase a model with an Intel Atom n470 processor and Bluetooth. Visit LogicBuy for more information and coupon code.

Re-jailbreak your iPhone with Pwnage tool 3.15

Remember last week when Apple released 3.1.3 of the iPhone OS?  Remember how anyone using a “jailbroken” iPhone was suddenly stuck once again after applying the update?

Well, thanks to the iPhone Dev-Team, jailbroken phones can once again run free.  They have released Pwnage tool 3.15. This tool will “re-break” your iPhone after the update and get you back to life as you know it.

The Dev-team does caution users  to “skip the update” to 3.1.3 and avoid the issue all together.

iPad pricing poised to jump candlestick

The Wall Street Journal has gotten word from Credit Suisse analyst Bill Shope that Apple, in a meeting with CS, described the iPad pricing as “nimble.”

“While it remains to be seen how much traction the iPad gets initially, management noted that it will remain nimble (pricing could change if the company is not attracting as many customers as anticipated),” Shope wrote.

We’ll remember the iPhone was similarly “nimble,” getting slashed in a matter of months from $599 before being available at the magic $99 price point. A few versions were required before reaching that point, which is good news for the wait-and-see crowd. Hopefully I can continue to resist its lure until then.

Intel testing WiMAX on a Dell Mini 10

A new version of the Dell Mini 10 netbook appears to have been pushed through the FCC, basically the same as the existing version but with WiMAX. The new component is Intel’s 6250 with advanced 802.11n and WiMAX. No details on service provider, but I wouldn’t hold your breath waiting for that – Dell wasn’t involved in this.

Near as I can tell, the testing was done on Intel’s behalf. They are the applicant named on the certification and the testing focused on the WiMAX chipset. Whether Dell is actually considering this option isn’t even on the table, but it’s good to know that Intel’s WiFi + WiMAX system has cleared a hurdle to make it an option to be considered.

Gizmodo > Electronista > Wireless Goodness

Slashgear’s custom Notion Ink Adam mockups

Slashgear got some renders of the Adam tablet from Notion Ink featuring a mockup of a Slashgear digital magazine. Very cool. Also, I didn’t realize the current design (as opposed to the previous flat blimp-looking mockup) was a wedge. A slight wedge to be sure but still better than strictly flat.

They also point out that the Adam should whup the iPad in battery life (2-3 times not counting the display) and will serve up Flash. To counter the iPad’s biggest selling point, a developer challenge is being proposed with over $1M backing it. Looks like they’re taking the competition seriously.

Despite all that, there are still a lot of holes to be filled, not the least of which are release date and pricing. Quite frankly, releasing more renders at this point, after they’ve shown the prototype, isn’t very reassuring. Now is the time for more concrete stuff not abstract.

Let Lifehacker know where you stand on Tablet Computing

Lifehacker asks the question: Are You Interested in Tablet Computing? With a little more than 6,000 poll responses so far, interest looks high enough. Most are adopting a wait and see approach, but a good 20% are looking forward to joining our ranks. A meager 5% of those polled already have a tablet. If you haven’t already voted, be sure to surf over there and try to get our share bumped up to double digits.

While some will interpret this as a failure by the iPad to generate interest in tablets, it should be noted that about four times as many respondents are solidly interested in getting a tablet than the number who already have a tablet. Overall, there are more interested than disinterested, which is better than we’ve seen in years.

Color LCD Kindle with Wifi? Isn’t that called an…

Are you on a first-name basis with the movers and shakers in the LCD industry? When people ask if you know LG Philips, do you say “Know ‘em? I gave a toast at his wedding?” If you answered “yes” to the first and know the second was a trick question, Amazon might be looking for you. Per The New York Times, Amazon has posted some interesting job openings.

One job opening in particular, for a Hardware Display Manager, tells the applicant that “you will know the LCD business and key players in the market.” The key point here is the word “LCD,” which means the Kindle is possibly exploring color (unless they are hiring an LCD manager to simply gain an understanding of the color-display market).

Other job openings include Wi-Fi specialists (the current Kindle has only a 3G wireless connection), and openings for someone to “lead the software development teams that develop and maintain the applications.”

We’ve known color e-ink has been in the works, but possibly not soon enough for Amazon’s Kindle to stay competitive against dual-screen devices, such as Barnes & Noble’s nook or the Alex from Spring Design, and the new wave of tablets, such as the upcoming iPad. Possibly they’re looking at their own dual-screen Kindle, perhaps replacing the physical keyboard with a touchscreen and on-screen keyboard, and/or a color LCD version. Likewise, all their competitors sport wifi and the drive for applications is well under way. The eReader market is really heating up now.

PayPal Blocks India…Another Digital Roadblock that Limits Mobility

According to the PayPal blog, the service is all but useless in India for the time being. According to an unnamed analyst, PayPal has had to severely limit its services in India due to the government’s efforts to eliminate money laundering, especially as it relates to terrorism. The Indian government’s cracked down on services that can be used by terrorists since the 2008 attacks in Mumbai. I certainly appreciate governments’ efforts to thwart terrorism, but digital roadblocks can sure make it difficult to work from overseas.

From PayPal:

I’m writing to let you know that personal payments to and from India and transfers to local banks in India have been suspended while we work with our business partners and other stakeholders to address questions they have about the service.

During this time, customers can still make commercial payments to India but merchants cannot withdraw funds in Rupees to local Indian banks.

We’re trying to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and we’re really sorry for the inconvenience that this may cause our customers in India and around the world.

In my fantasy world, I’d be able to fly to any corner of the world and live/work without much disruption to my digital lifestyle. I’d be able to use my favorite Internet services, subscribe to phone/Internet services at will and web services would work anywhere and I’d be able to complete business transactions without a whole lot of headaches.

Instead, every time I step foot outside of the U.S. I’m faced with roadblocks that make it challenging to work from overseas.

This PayPal snafu reminded me of the difficulties I had using PayPal when I was in India over the holidays. The time I had to spend online was extremely limited as we were in the midst of a crazy Indian wedding. For the first half of my trip PayPal worked like a charm. One day I logged into my PayPal account and was greeted with a message that my account had been frozen due to suspicious activity.

In order to clear up the issue I had to prove that I resided in the U.S. I had the choice of either sending in a credit card statement or allowing PayPal to call me on a land line. I had my mobile phone saved in my PayPal profile, but the system wouldn’t let me use it to authenticate my account with it. Instead, I had to allow PayPal to call my office line. It’s kind of impossible for non-geeks to receive a call on a land-line from halfway around the world, but I was able to hack something together. I logged into my Comcast account and forwarded my VOIP line to my iPhone 3GS. I then turned on my iPhone 3GS for a few minutes until the PayPal call came through with an authentication code that I had to punch in online.

Another challenge I had in India was requisitioning a local SIM card and 3G modem. The terrorists that attacked Mumbai in 2008 used pre-paid phones to coordinate their attacks. The Indian government has since made it illegal for foreigners to pick up a mobile service plan at a store. I had to have my wife’s aunt and uncle order me a Reliance 3G modem and !dea SIM card for my BlackBerry. They had to provide ID and prove residency.

I’ve run into similar digital challenges in several other countries since India’s not the only one trying to protect its populace from terrorists. But I’m not sure these regulations are doing a whole lot considering that I was able to circumvent the above two roadblocks with a whole lot less ingenuity and energy than it’d take to do something evil.

If you’ve spent a good amount of time outside of the U.S. like I have I’m sure you’ve run into digital roadblocks. What have been the most frustrating for you?

Deal of the Day: Lenovo ThinkPad T410 14.1-inch Core i5 LED-backlit Notebook

Lenovo is offering the Lenovo ThinkPad T410 14.1-inch Core i5 LED-backlit notebook for $899 after 26% instant savings and a 10% web coupon code and including free shipping. The Lenovo T410 includes your choice of a new Core i5 or Core i7 Intel processor, 2GB RAM and a 250 GB hard drive. Visit LogicBuy for more information and web coupon.

Beware, the bubble eating (and vomiting) Surface Monster!

The Microsoft Surface Blog has a video demo of a novel interactive system that involves a little round monster eating bubbles off a Microsoft Surface… and also puking them back up when it’s full.

I admit it’s not the most practical use of surface computing, but it is a great demonstration of tangible interactivity. Instead of just recognizing an object when placed against it, the Surface actually interacts with it, causing the monster’s eye to “fill up” when it eats and empty when it, uh, releases. Adding a tangible element to touchscreen computing, which is a big advantage of Microsoft Surface. I’m just thankful the bubbles come out the same way they go in.