Landscape Mode on the Pre

Last night, I was reading a few things on my Pre via Google Reader and I accidentally tipped it for a second, throwing the article I was reading into a much easier to read landscape mode.

This got me thinking: I can count the times I've used my Pre in landscape mode on one hand. And most of those times happened only because I was just playing around, not really using the phone/trying to do anything.

So...why don't I use the Pre in landscape mode more often?

Aside from the fact that you have to hack to get email to re-orient in landscape mode, … Read more

The good and bad of Google Latitude on iPhone

Last week Google released a Web app version of Latitude, its geolocation-based social tracking service. At Apple's request, Google made it a Web app instead of a native app that required installation. This isn't an entirely bad thing as I found out after extended use this weekend. There's a lot to like, and some that's not so great. Here's the breakdown:

The good: • Simple service to use. If you've got it set to automatically refresh your location you just have to fire it up from a bookmark, or home screen shortcut and you're … Read more

Will Spotify make it to the iPhone?

How good does a streaming-music service need to be before it replaces your collection of MP3s? That's the question Apple is asking itself right now, as it deliberates on approving the Spotify app for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Here, finally, is a streaming-music app (and desktop application) that promises to stream any of over 6 million songs on-demand, give you the ability to create and save ordered playlists of songs, and best of all, Spotify can save your favorite tunes offline so you can play them even when you're not connected to the Internet.

Sound too good … Read more

Google Voice on the Pre

About my first experiences using Google Voice on the Pre.

I recently got my Google Voice account set up and am pretty excited about its potential. As of now, there is no native application for using Google Voice on the Pre, but it is possible to dial out through your Google Voice account either by going through the web page or calling your Google Voice number from the phone and following the instructions.

My first few experiences making and receiving calls were pretty seamless. Messages I received from others are transcribed into visual voicemail and sent to me almost immediately as a text message and somewhat later as an email (but only because I have my email set to pull every hour). And the transcription was spot on.

As of now, Google Voice does not accept ported numbers, but when that day comes, this user will port away and finally be able to fully own the number I have had for the last decade.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Google Voice, check out this video (or scroll down for a list of features):

Still interested? Here are the listed features:

… Read more

New IPK Installer (Filecoaster) Requires Desktop SDK Install

About the fact that filecoaster does, at some point, require a desktop.

There has been much excitement about a new application, filecoaster, that allows some users to install homebrew apps without going through a desktop.

However, after much trial and error and forum discussioning (I made that word up), I can report that if you have Mac with OSX 10.4, you can not enjoy this ipk installer.

I, and some very confused others at Pre Central, had understood the claim that filecoaster allowed for "downloading and installing homebrew applications without needing the desktop" to mean that this … Read more

Need That Latest HomeBrew App? Drag N Drop Or On Pre?

Many know that the process for getting homebrewed applications and games on their devices was not the easiest and consisted of either rooting your device (not beginner friendly)or by using the SDK back door method that I blogged about a couple days back. Now for those that don't want to do those methods there are two new ways, you can now either drag and drop or install straight from your device. Each way will need the SDK installed initially but will make the process smoother and quicker for future downloads. I cannot give enough credit and praise to Jason Robitaille and Brian Jost for all their hard work in this process. I have tested both methods and both work without troubles. For those users that have a X64 bit system or a vista machine there is a workaround for the process of getting the files to work in my previous blog from this one. I take no credit for these apps and wanted to share the ease of use with everyone and get the work out. This could be huge and I'm excited about this in many ways, not only will i be able to download and install applications and games on the go but this could also turn into an alternative app store for the Palm Pre right through Palmcentral.net. Without further ado here is the information and the tutorial on how to do so.… Read more

Camera Ready

About the quality of pics taken with my Pre.

In an earlier post, I discussed my experience of the camera on the Pre and included a few pics (two of which I also include in this post). This post, however, focuses not on my user experience of the camera but my impression of the pictures taken with my Pre. The images I include in this post are made large to expose as much as possible about the quality of the images.

Let me start by saying that I am not a professional photographer and so my opinions about the quality of the photos taken with my Palm Pre definitely fall in the "amateur impressions" category. Caveat out of the way, my opinion of the quality of pics taken with my Palm Pre is very positive: The Pre takes a great daytime and a very good night time photo.

On my travels in the last month, I have taken quite a few pics and have been impressed with most. Here are a few taken outside under decent conditions.

Photo #1: Outdoor Pic under Bright But Cloudy Skies

This shows a photo taken in the early afternoon under bright but hazy/partly cloudy skies. Under decent picture-taking conditions, what impresses me about this photo (other than the obvious stunning good looks of my puppy, Ruby) is the way the Pre responds to the challenges imposed by the subjects of this particular photo: the incredible detail and color variation captured both near (Ruby) and far (the National Cathedral in Washington, DC).

… Read more

Palm Pre vs. Samsung Instinct

I think it's about time I write my comparison post. I've had the Pre a while now and I've officially said goodbye to the Instinct. I could call it a bunch of bad names now and not have to worry about it throwing a fit and refusing to work...

Not that it ever needed any encouragement.

The past year of my life has been filled with ups and downs in our relationship. For the first month or two I loved the Instinct. Coming from a flip-phone that had very basic capabilities, I felt empowered with the Instinct. … Read more

The space station in the palm of your hand

Streaking through space at 5 miles per second, the International Space Station is the largest satellite ever built, massing 670,000 pounds and stretching 357 feet--longer than a football field--from one end of its main solar power truss to the other.

An hour or two before sunrise and after sunset, when you are in Earth's shadow and the space station--orbiting 220 miles up--is still illuminated by the sun, the ISS outshines Jupiter and rivals Venus as it sails across the sky.

The space station is by far the easiest satellite to see--it's impossible to miss if you're … Read more