InDigital Epiosde 17: A Bit of Everything [Discussion]

[chuckles]

Episode 17 – A Bit of Everything

In this episode, Jessica compares three 411 services that won’t cost a cent and then takes a camera for the action sports minded for a spin. Wil checks out a Linux based media player and Hahn tries out a gadget for those that need the Internet everywhere they go. And before the Canucks complain…Hahn needs to apologize to all Canadians for not knowing that Ottawa is still in the Stanley Cup hunt.

Show Notes:

It's Free!
Google Voice Local Search
1-800-GOOG-411

Free 411
1-800-FREE411

Tellme
1-800-555-TELL

Tellme
Text Message - TELLM

On-The-Go
Nokia N800 Internet Tablet
Price: $400
Available: Now
http://www.nokiausa.com/N800/1,9008,,00.html

Home Entertainment
Mvix Wireless HD Media Center (MX-760HD)
Price: $300
Available: Now
http://mvixusa.com/product.php?product=mx760

Simple Shooters
GoPro Digital HERO 3
Price: $140
Available: Now
http://www.goprocamera.com/

[kingkilr]

Pretty good episdoe, although I prefer Google and Free411 over that app, too much bloat for me.

Also, where is that systm episode they mentioned :P

[thehomeboy]

Good episode indeed.
Nothing like kickin' it to some reviews from you guys.

[freaky_friday]

Hello everyone, just wanted to say that I really enjoy your show. I've dutifully watched every back episode and still can't wait for each new episode.

I do have a small correction about the 1800-Free411: I have been using this service for quite a while and it IS possible to have the phone number texted to you. I believe that it's an option just after they provide you with the phone number.

[ryudo]

I liked this one better than I have seen in a couple...and was nice watching it on my Wii :D

[sugarsickness]

That Mvix box looks simply amazing. I've been thinking about building a media center-esque thing out of an older box of mine but finding a video card that will easily go out to a tv in Linux is too frustrating. This box seems to offer a similar level of tinkery after it's set up but is much smaller and slicker. Definitely something I'm gonna read more about. Great show.

[rowlodge]

test bed the new apple laptops and gadgets they have?....
how about some cars? thrown in too?....
i know it would be good with your show ,hahn
no complaints here just think jessica likes to have fun with all of this stuff.

[crumbles]

Wil: "What the hell is this?"


hahahahaha, that made me laugh. Great episode guys.

[elisa]

I got a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet for testing as well and I've been trying to figure out it's purpose as well. I mean, browsing for internet sure, but most of the webpage layouts break so I much rather use my laptop which has a higher resolution and browsing websites with a small mobile is completely useless, so in that regard N800 is better, but it still can't beat a laptop.

It's great for reading RSS feeds but typing emails on N800 is a pain in the bee-hind. I mean, the stylus is responsive but slow to punch the virtual keys, and punching the keys with your thumbs isn't very efficient either.

And do you really want to spend 400 bucks (euros, whatever) on the that's basically a poor(or in this case rich) man's answer to browsing.

I think something like the Blackberry or Nokia E61i or the new Nokia communicator E90 is better suited for the in-between Mobile phone and laptop usage. Plus the supported chat clients are weak. No MSN or AIM... Skype?

The one thing I loved about the N800 was that it was very intuitive in noticing when I was accessing the screen with my fingers and when I was using the stylus, it modified the menu item width/height accordingly. When using my fingers to access the menu system, I got a bigger menu. Handy.

Still, I didn't get the N800 at all. And I spend A LOT of time on the internet. I guess it boils down to the fact that if I'm going online for any extended period of time, I'll use my laptop.

And if I was going to spend a lot of time on a train or something, I'd spend a few more hundred bucks and buy a 12" or 13" laptop rather than this thing. I don't think it's going to be a huge hit, it's just not practical.

[lindqvist]

Good episode.

I must say that there's something about the way Wil expresses himself that is always highly entertaining.. :)

[vekdigital]

If there's one thing that the InDigital staff seems to be cornering the market on (besides wry tech humor), is acquiring tech gadgets that seem great in concept, but fall flat in application (what the hell is this?). The manufacturers of these "uuhhhh" devices seem so preoccupied with bringing out the "next big thing" that it would appear as though they've completely bypassed the marketing research phase of R&D.

NOTE TO NEXT-GEN PORTABLE PRODUCT MAKERS: Make sure you actually have viable market research data before sinking big bucks into making something that can actually be bested by other currently existing technology.

I mean, a 5.7" screen for web browsing? Is this a conspiracy? Are these people in bed with the optometrist industry trying to give young people early myopia?

I think I'd rather spend 3 times the price tag of the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet on a regular tablet PC. Bigger? Sure. Bulkier? You bet. Chances of me being legally blind or having to wear "bottle-cap glasses" to be able to see by the time I'm 50? A lot less with a 12.1" XGA display than a 5.7" LCD or OLED display.

Let's face it folks. From an ergonomic standpoint, sometimes smaller just AIN'T better.

vEk:eek:

BTW... Wil, Jessica, Hahn... You 3 are STILL doing the best show in the entire Revision3 lineup. You guys ROCK!

[ArmpitOfDeath]

Actually I find the screen on my UX390 fairly OK for not-too-long usage. It's higher-res than the N800 too.

[vekdigital]

Actually I find the screen on my UX390 fairly OK for not-too-long usage. It's higher-res than the N800 too.

You are correct. Higher resolutions on smaller screens would play a part in a better and "safer" viewing experience (for short viewing periods only). Though I'm still of the opinion that small screens (5.7" and smaller) are really only good for playlist navigation and video playback. Even with a "zoom" feature, reading text on web pages will still strain your eyes' focusing musculature (especially at close range).

vEk :eek:

[timmeh]

The phallicy of that logo and Wil's great humor made me burst out laughing at the end. :p

[funkyu00]

I would be happy for one of you guys to get a hold of and review DVICO TViX HD M4100SH or the M5100SH.

After seeing Wil's review of his personal Mvix Wireless HD Media Center I started to look for other Hard drive based media players and stumbled upon these. I believe they play 720P and 1080P out of the box so I'm curious to know how they run and what the GUI looks like.

Keep up the good work.

And Hahn, keep throwing peace signs in pictures. Thats so Korean. :p

[zlogiq]

Hello All,
I noticed that Jessica was using a Blackberry for the 411 reviews, there actually is a free 411 solution that only works on the blackberry. It is called "Beyond411", formerly Berry411.
It is basically a UI for Google Local and other whitepages on the web. The program comes with various "plug-ins" that allow you to track packages or check movie times.
They way it works is that you type in what you are looking for and it uses the Blackberry browser to direct you to the services web page without you having to type the information. For example, if you wanted to track a UPS package, you would enter the tracking number. It then plugs the string that your web browser on your pc would use to get to the tracking page into the Blackberry browser.
Nifty little app and very small. It also uses the new auto-complete feature that the Google plug-in Firefox uses. Neat.

Here is the link to the page:
http://thebogles.com/blog/projects/berry411/

[crazypills]

Nokia N800 Internet Tablet? I use a psp with the latest Dark_alex firmwire...cheap, great screen, fantastic homebrew support with programs like PSPRadio, PIMPStream, and others....cheaper, customizable, games, other....to bad the psp browser can't quite do YouTube yet :)

I would love to see a review of the oqo model 02!

[jimxugle]

Here's what the InDigital Crew missed about the N800 -- and Wil, I'm saddened by the fact that you didn't find this out...

It runs Debian Linux!

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_N800

[mhughes]

Wil's review of MX-760HD was near perfect. Very well done.

I researched a bit and found some more information to add to the review.

One of the cool things about this brand is that they release new features via firmware updates literally every month... so between the time Wil got his unit and the review date.. more features are out.. (firmware updates are easily available)

1) Issue of WPA vs WEP. Mvix does support WPA
http://www.mvixusa.com/support/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=viewdownload&downloaditemid=18&nav=0,1

2) Issue of Space in SSID - yes you can have that as well.
http://www.mvixusa.com/support/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=viewdownload&downloaditemid=24&nav=0,1

Good job guys!

[jivetrky]

Wil's review of MX-760HD was near perfect. Very well done.

I researched a bit and found some more information to add to the review.

One of the cool things about this brand is that they release new features via firmware updates literally every month... so between the time Wil got his unit and the review date.. more features are out.. (firmware updates are easily available)

1) Issue of WPA vs WEP. Mvix does support WPA
http://www.mvixusa.com/support/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=viewdownload&downloaditemid=18&nav=0,1

2) Issue of Space in SSID - yes you can have that as well.
http://www.mvixusa.com/support/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=viewdownload&downloaditemid=24&nav=0,1

Good job guys!


Also, I noticed that on the manufacturer's website they list 1080p support via the DVI interface. Just thought that was worth mentioning for anyone that is a p nut

[haanzz]

Wil's review of MX-760HD was near perfect. Very well done.

I researched a bit and found some more information to add to the review.

One of the cool things about this brand is that they release new features via firmware updates literally every month... so between the time Wil got his unit and the review date.. more features are out.. (firmware updates are easily available)

1) Issue of WPA vs WEP. Mvix does support WPA
http://www.mvixusa.com/support/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=viewdownload&downloaditemid=18&nav=0,1

2) Issue of Space in SSID - yes you can have that as well.
http://www.mvixusa.com/support/index.php?_m=downloads&_a=viewdownload&downloaditemid=24&nav=0,1

Good job guys!

I noticed there were a bunch of firmware upgrades to add features and fixes. It's something you have to expect from a product like this...did everybody know that there's also firmware updates for some television too now? Is there a point where all this updating just becomes too much for the average consumer? It feels like products aren't thought through before being released and companies rely on us to make their products work the way they should have in the first place.

Hahn

[zacklk]

Am I the only one who thought it was a bit ironic that Wil gave Netflix a hard time about their "DRM-infected" service, when Netflix is InDigital's sponsor? How do you get away with doing that to a sponsor?

By the way, I fully support Wil regarding DRM; it was just surprising to hear. :)