BlueAnt Supertooth 3 Put to the Test

The latest incarnation of BlueAnt's Supertooth Bluetooth speakerphone, the Supertooth 3, is finally available in Canada. The main difference between this model and its predecessor, the Supertooth Light, is the addition of text-to-speech, which will actually dictate instructions and status, as well as who's calling. Being a fan of past BlueAnt products, I decided to take one out for a test drive to see whether this feature was worth the upgrade.

First, the look. At first glance, it appears the Supertooth 3 is designed almost identically to the Supertooth Light. However, there are a few subtle differences, like the 3's rounded edges vs. the Light's boxy look, and a more seamless integration of the side-mounted volume controls. The biggest difference aesthetically, however, is that the 3 does not have a pop out microphone like the Light: the mic is built right in, which I was initially a bit worried about. How would audio quality fare? (More on that later). As you can tell from the photo above (the 3 is on the left), both models are quite prone to pesky fingerprints. But since it's likely to be placed on your car's visor via a magnetic clip most of the time (unless you're charging it, or using it as a desktop speakerphone), than this really isn't a dealbreaker.

Then, comes the biggest advancement: text-to-speech. Upon power up, the unit instantly began speaking to me. What language would I like? I selected British English, only because the speaker's voice seems much more interesting than American English. Aside from these two options, you can also select French, Italian, Spanish, or German.

Now it's time to pair the device with my phone, the process of which is explained in detail by my new British gal pal. Once I initiate a connection between the Supertooth 3 and my BlackBerry Bold, it's time to sync contact information: after all, how else is she supposed to know who's in my phone book? The process wouldn't work automatically (this is only supported by certain phones), but the quick start guide succinctly explains how to initiate the sync manually with a BlackBerry (Options -> Highlight Device -> Transfer Contacts). It took a few minutes to complete the transfer of 100 or so contacts, but the device informed me every 15 seconds or so as to the status (20 contacts transferred, 40 contacts transferred, and so on). Follow this same process any time you update your phone's address book and want to subsequently update the listings in your Supertooth 3 as well. Then, it was off to the car!

While pronounciation of some caller's names was slightly off, the ability to hear who's calling is pretty cool. As an added bonus, you can also answer calls literally without lifting a finger: just say "OK" and begin conversing. If the caller isn't someone in your phone book, the unit will actually read out the phone number so that you at least have an idea of who it might be.

If you'll use the text-to-speech function often, it might be worth your while to list contacts by easily-pronounced nicknames or, with difficult monikers, to spell them phonetically in your phone book to ensure the correct annunciation.

So we've established that the text-to-speech feature is neat, but how useful is it? Many people have their cells docked on the dash or vent where they can easily see the incoming caller information. I often drive with the cell in my lap so I'm able to check e-mails at red lights (and only red lights, I swear!) Still, being able to avoid peaking downward to see who's calling, along with the ability to vocally accept a call can help to aid in safe driving.

But there's still the most important facet of any Bluetooth device to consider: sound quality. With the Supertooth 3, it was fantastic. My partner, who often complains when I call him using various Bluetooth devices, some of which aren't very favourable, was completely unaware that I was even using a speakerphone. It helps, of course, to situate the unit on the left side of your car's visor, with the built-in mic facing you. From my end, contacts sound crystal clear; just as good, if not better, than when chatting with my Supertooth Light.

Bottom line: if you already have the Supertooth Light, you'll get the same great sound quality and ease of operation with the 3. Upgrading will be solely dependent on your need (or want!) of text-to-speech which, in my experience, works very well. But if you're in the market for your first Bluetooth speakerphone, this model is certainly one of the best options out there that I've tried. And at about $150, it's reasonably priced. But if you're on a budget and aren't completely sold on the need for text-to-speech, the Light, while still available, is a great alternative, and can be found for anywhere from $80-$120.

The Supertooth 3 can be purchased today at a number of retailers, including The Source by Circuit City, The Telephone Booth, and WirelessWave, as well as Bell, Fido, Rogers, and Telus store locations.

BlackBerry Bold Vs. Curve 8900

After a bit of play time with the BlackBerry Curve 8900, now available through Rogers Wireless, I must say that I'm thoroughly impressed. While I'm still a 3G gal (once you go 3G, you never go back!), I can safely say that the 8900 is a viable upgrade for current Curve owners, or even as a step-up for Pearl users. And if having the absolute fastest speed isn't of grave concern to you, it might even be a better option than the Bold.

My first impression upon taking the device out of the box was "wow": as an objet, it's probably the nicest-looking BlackBerry to date. Sorry to disappoint you, my current Bold, but you look like a massive clunker next to the new Curve! The 8900 is tiny, almost feather-like in weight, and has a slightly higher-resolution screen than the Bold. To accomplish the device's small stature, however, the resulting screen is not as wide, and the keys are slightly smaller.

I started to type, and my eyes lit up even more. The buttons are spaced out and raised in a petal-like design. Motions aren't as fluid as they are when typing on the Bold, but it's still a comfortable experience, nonetheless. The quiet "tap, tap" that emits from each key as I spell a word is just as reassuring as the tactile feedback you feel with touch-screen models like the Samsung Instinct (and similar to the experience with the previous-generation Curve). The one drawback: the soft-keys for "menu" and "back" are stiff, requiring that I push down on them much harder than is needed for the Bold. Since these are often-used buttons, this could get frustrating over time.

Despite the sleeker and sexier look of the new Curve, the fact that it operates on the slower EDGE network is a deal-breaker for me. Surfing sites side-by-side, the Curve always took longer to load a page. Sometimes, the difference was minimal (e.g. 23 seconds for the Curve vs. 18 seconds for the Bold). In one instance, there was even just a two-second difference between load times. But when surfing particularly image-heavy sites, the difference is much more telling. For example, the Curve took 47 sec. to load the homepage at http://www.hereshow.ca/ in its entirely vs. just 23 secs. for the Bold.

Still, if you don't often surf the Web or stream content on your mobile device and can deal with slightly slower speeds, the EDGE network might suit you just fine. And keep in mind that, like the Bold, the Curve has WiFi as well, so you can latch on to hotspots whenever they are available. As an aside, the Curve also has a much better camera at 3.2 MP vs. 2 MP, along with flash and image stabilization.

Bottom line: if you're a speed-demon who surfs the Web often on your phone, you're better off getting the Bold. The Bold might also be a better option if you have large hands or thumbs, and hate manipulating tiny gadgetry (which I know many guys hate to deal with!) But if you want small, lightweight, and multifunctional, I'd opt for the Curve 8900, even over the Pearl. It's only slightly larger, but affords the ability to manipulate a full QWERTY keyboard instead of using SureType.

As with anything else, to each his own. But if the Curve was 3G, I'd have a hard time convincing myself that I needed the Bold instead.

Affordable Gifts for the Holidays

Everyone's feeling the pinch this holiday season. While the December issue of here's how! magazine is chocked-full of holiday gift ideas in every category of technology (it'll be available soon!), I thought I'd offer up some small, affordable gadget gift ideas for those working on a really tight budget.

Belkin Rockstar: If there's a Hannah Montana-loving teen or tween on your list, this device will probably bode well with her. It's a star-shaped hub equipped with six 3.5 mm jacks for sharing music from a connected iPod or other MP3 player with a group of friends. Songs can even be mixed together using an optional second wire. At just about $25, it's certainly an attractive option for the budget-conscious.

NRG2 12-Volt Charger: If there's an avid business person on your list that's often on the road, this new charger will be ideal for him. The gadget can charge your phone (11 different models are available to accomodate 90% of the phones on the market today), but also charge a second device, like a Bluetooth headset or portable navigation unit, via a side-mounted USB port. It's convenient, and helps to reduce glove-box clutter! $35

Nintendo DS' Personal Trainer: Cooking: If you know an adult who owns a Nintendo DS gaming system, they might appreciate this cool "game" which not only feature hundreds of recipes from around the world, but also teaches you how to make them through written and video instructions. You can also learn how to perform basic tasks that someone foreign to the kitchen might not be clear on, like how to julienne vegetables (huh?) or properly chop an onion. The unit can also serve as a virtual shopping list, storing items you select (from recipes you plan to make, perhaps?) in a file you can later pull up at the store. About $20

HP Photo Books: When the economy is weak, people stay home. While watching TV and movies, and playing video games will be a popular past-time, others like to muck around with the PC and digital photos. HP's Photo Books are some of the neatest ones I've seen, mainly due to the bendable spine that lets you pop out and rearrange pages as you like. This not only helps with the creative process, but also allows you to continually modify your project until it's picture-perfect. Each book comes with software for creating visual masterpieces with not just photos, but also momentos, like ticket stubs, cards, and the like. $14.99-$24.99 (5x7 and 8.5x11 sizes)

Scosche passPORT: Last month, it was brought to my attention that the new, 4G iPods could not be charged with older-model accessories, like docks or FM transmitters. They would work, but just wouldn't simultaneously charge. While this might seem like a minor setback, many rely on that secondary charging function to keep an iPod going during a party, or keep the tunes coming in the car. An iPod-lover that just bought a fourth-gen model will appreciate the passPORT, even if he doesn't yet realize he'll need it. The small device sits in between the iPod and the accessory and facilitates the charging function. While the currently-available model only works with in-car accessories, Scosche is in the midst of developing a similar device that will work with home accessories, including speaker systems and docking stations. $30

Gene Simmons AXE Rock Band Guitar: Any KISS fan that likes to rock out on Rock Band or Guitar Hero won't be able to resist the wireless AXE guitar, which is designed as an exact (but smaller) replica of the original, and comes signed by Simmons himself. It works with both Rock Band and Guitar Hero for the PlayStation 2 and 3. A Nintendo Wii version is coming later this year. $80

Powerstick On-the-Go Charger: Made by environmentally-friendly company Ecosol Solar Technologies Inc., this gadget (depicted above) charges up via USB in about 90-minutes (for about 90% of its full capacity), then can be used on-the-go to charge a multitude of portable devices via nine connectors (included), like mobile phones or MP3 players. Since all its power is drawn from your PC, you're not using up additional valuable energy resources. $70

Roots Tuffskin for BlackBerry Bold: The BlackBerry Bold just came out this year, and early-adopters who have already picked one up (especially since the price has dropped considerably) are likely in the market for protective case. I particularly like this model because it offers simple protection around the perimeter of the device while still allowing you to access all of the functions. As a bonus, the included belt clip doubles as a desktop stand (via grooves in the metal clip) so you can watch a video on the airplane, or "dock" the device on your desk. $25-30

Samsung CLEO Mobile Phone: Any woman you know who loves everything feminine and pink will go crazy for Samsung's CLEO phone, which comes finished in the delicate colour, but also cleverly looks just like a make-up compact. While you'll need a contract through Bell Mobility (or Solo Mobile, but this carrier only offers the phone in champagne), the phone itself will cost $25 if you sign them up for 3-years. Not too shabby!

Belkin Mini Surge: Everyone knows someone who travels a lot for either work, fun, or a combination of both. Every time I walk into a hotel room, I'm hunting around for outlets to plug in my laptop, DSLR charger, video camera, and cell phone. Often times, they end up spread around the room (my phone in the bathroom!), or I alternate charging devices using the few outlets that are available. The Mini Surge turns one outlet into four power and two USB instantly, eliminating the issue, and letting you charge everything in one spot. $30

This only scratches the surface of "gifts under $100". Stay tuned to the Holiday issue of here's how! magazine for more gadget gift ideas, as well as more ambitious and pricy gifts, from flat-panel TVs to DSLRs and PC products. Also keep an eye out for our picks for Gear of the Year.

Back in the Swing of Things

As you may have observed, I'm back from vacation and back into the swing of things. So: was I able to stay away from connecting online? For the most part, yes, although I will admit to checking in every now and then when I was able to latch on to a WiFi signal. But that doesn't mean that technology was completely out of my life!

Oddly enough, probably the most useful gadget I brought along with me was a Lifepop speaker bag. As faithful blog readers might recall, I mentioned these bags in one of my very first blog posts back in May 2007 entitled "Things You Never Thought You'd Need Nor Want". So what is this thing? It's a funky, retro-styled and oversized bag with two speakers and an amp built right into it. Pop in four "AA" batteries, connect any portable player that has a headphone jack, and enjoy music anywhere. My desired spot was the beach. I loaded up the bag with my beach towel, sunscreen, and other necessities, along with my SanDisk Sansa MP3 player (my significant other brought along his iPod as well). We placed the bag between us and enjoyed the tunes while basking in the sun. When a few friends joined us, we all got to enjoy the same music and chat with one another instead of each listening with his own pair of headphones in solitude. I was floored by how many comments I received on the bag from passers-by; many beach-goers even expressed their disappointment when we were packing up to go each day since they were enjoying our music! Who knew.

As promised, I did read through John's recommended reading: Hug Your Customers, and like he, found myself observing the quality of customer service everywhere I went. It is truly baffling to see how many people just don't seem to care, simply hanging around each day for the paycheque and taking whatever sale they can get without actually trying to add value to that sale. I tried on clothing at a store with virtually no help from a sales associate despite how many times they must have seen me go in and out of a change room. We sat on a patio for 45-minutes having dinner without the waiter coming back once to check on us and see if we needed anything. While I did end up buying something at the clothing store, we didn't stay for dessert, coffee, or additional drinks at the restaurant in question. This wasn't because we didn't want any, but simply because we didn't want to give them any more of our business than they deserved.

But on the flip side, I also observed some great "hugging". At a high-end hotel, for example, the concierge came by the pool with everything from freezies (ahh, memories) to paper cups of Aloe Vera to keep guests cool. A couple lounging there requested a pack of cigarettes. "We don't sell any in the hotel," answered the concierge, "but I'd be happy to run down to the store and grab some for you." Now that is hugging, despite the request!

Now, I know what you're thinking. "This is a high-end hotel so obviously they're going to offer such services!" That's what you'd expect vs. somewhere that hires a part-time student just looking for some cash. But there are ways, albeit much simpler, that customer service can be improved across every industry, whether it's fast food or low-end clothing retail. Heck, if this wasn't the case, McDonald's never would have started advertising "free smiles"! It might not be on the same level as the high end hotel of the high-end clothing store John went to; but every little bit counts, right?

On that note, we'd love to hear your "customer service stories from hell" or, conversely, your stories of praise. Feel free to comment here; or send me a note directly at cpersaud@marketnews.ca.

As for me, I enjoyed my time in South Beach, Miami. Here are some recommended spots if you ever plan to go (ahh, if we only ever had a trade show there!):

Delano Hotel - it's gorgeous, and offers one of the best Mohitos I've ever had!

Wet Willie's - this isn't the classiest joint, and not for the faint of heart. But if you like fruity, slushie-like concoctions, it might be worth a stop.

Joe's Stone Crab - I have been to both this location and the one in Las Vegas (Caesar's Palace). Both times, both the food and service were impeccable.

Big Pink - It's a local, family-oriented, comfort food-type restaurant with massive portions, tables squeezed so close together you're joining the conversations of everyone around you, and is always packed. But it's worth it.

Beach by the Loew's Hotel - if you rent a chair and umbrella here, they'll actually serve you food and drinks on the beach. Nice!

Mango's - This night bar has live bands playing salsa and other kinds of tunes. It's known to attract lots of tourists.

Starbucks on Lincoln Rd. - You can grab a latte and sit down at a computer station where you can preview songs, and compile your own custom-made CD for instant purchase.

Sushi Samba - great sushi, and the wait staff (mainly men) are amazingly attentive.

Until next year!

iPhone in Canada This Week - UPDATE!

Will the highly-anticipated iPhone be available in Canada this week? Many are confident that it will be. Although there hasn't been an official announcement from either side, Steve Jobs is gearing up for Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference today in California, and the rumour mill is buzzing that he'll be launching the next-generation iPhone there. So while consumers around the world are salivating over a new iPhone, us Canucks are tapping our fingers while we patiently wait for the new one, which will actually be our first (to be available legally, at least).

Last month, Rogers Wireless confirmed that it would be bringing the iPhone to Canada "later this year", but did not confirm an exact date. With the impending launch of the next-generation device, which will operate on the faster 3G network (the existing device operates on 2.5G), Canada might finally be ready for take-off.

But more important than the rumoured new features, which include things like tactile feedback and support for a variety of third-party applications, is price plans. Will a new, and more affordable, data plan be offered for iPhone customers? Or will we be plagued with the same hefty data fees that Canadians arguably endure now with other smartphones, like the BlackBerry or Windows Mobile devices? What's more, will there be an uproar from other smartphone makers if the iPhone is given more favourable pricing options?

Rogers was not available for comment, but stay tuned for more information on the iPhone in Canada as it becomes available.

Update: OK, So I was wrong: the iPhone is coming next month, not this week. But many of the anticipated new features have been confirmed, including 3G operation which will afford faster load times and surfing capability.

What Will They Think Of Next?: Your BlackBerry Becomes a Universal Remote

A Canadian company has created a software application that will supposedly be able to turn your BlackBerry into a universal remote control, operating all of the IR-enabled devices in your home theatre. That is pretty darned cool!

Called Unify4Life, the application downloads to a compatible BlackBerry, while the server plugs into a central location in the home. It will work with most popular brands and models of equipment, and each device is programmed into the system online. Unify4Life hopes to add home devices like a thermostat, lighting, and intercom systems to its control roster in the future.

Imagine leaving the office, and making a call home from your BlackBerry to say you're on your way. Then send a few e-mails while you're waiting at a red light. Come home, take off your coat, and search the 'net from the handheld for some good take-out for the family. Order it using, yes, your BlackBerry. Then plop in the couch, point the smartphone to the TV, and anger your husband/wife by switching channels even though the other person actually has the remote. Not only that, but also turn on the cable set-top box, search the guide, and even power up the stereo system. It's amazing that smartphones can perform all of the typical functions they do, but to add home control to that list is even more mind baffling.

Scheduled for availability this October, Unify4Life will sell for about $100. With so many third-party apps becoming available for the BlackBerry (and other smartphones, for that matter), someone better start looking into creating super-charged, extra long-life batteries. We'll be needing them very soon in order to fully enjoy everything these devices can do!

[Photo: http://www.unify4life.com/]

CTIA WIRELESS: "Cool" Stuff

Regardless of the trade show, you'll always find "cool stuff" that makes you say "now that's a great idea!" CTIA WIRELESS was no exception when it came to cool factor.

First, Yahoo! is launching its new onesearch 2.0 for mobile phones that promises to offer easier search, better results, and voice integration. The latter point is the most interesting, in my view. With this feature, you can not only type in your desired search words, but also dictate them orally. Say the requested search term, like "restaurants, las vegas" or "ctia show", and Yahoo! will search its server, while also sending back a confirmation note to double check that it heard you correctly. If you want to try it out, the service is already available in trial for owners of select Blackberry devices at www.m.yahoo.com/voice. I haven't been able to try it out just yet (since I don't own a Blackberry), but it'll be interesting to hear some feedback on how well it works.

Did you ever think a mobile phone could be used as a medical alert device? If not, you'd be surprised to hear about MyRapidMD, which provides an application that can be sent to your mobile phone, and includes all of your pertinent medical information in case of an emergency, like blood type, known allergies, and serious medical conditions. The company is working with mobile phone carriers and manufacturers, as well as first responders, in an effort to deploy the technology globally. Here's how it works: sign up for an account online: a lifetime subscription is US$19.95 and there's a US$5.95 renewal fee every year. Enter all of your details, and upload a recent photo. Then enter your mobile phone number, and send to any Java or Web-enabled phone. The information arrives in the form of a Web link as a text message: click the link, download the app, and away you go! It will either appear as an icon right on the home screen (it looks like a little asterisk); or may end up in the "games and applications" folder, depending on the particular phone. In the event of an emergency, first responders can find this information on your phone and use it to both identify and treat you accordingly. How will they know that you're a subscriber? When you sign up, you receive a slew of items, including a sticker that can be adhered to the back of your phone, a wallet card, keychain, car window sticker, and 'fridge magnet. If you're weary about leaving your private information "out in the open", so to speak, you can set the details to "private", at which point a first responder will be given a 1-800 phone number to call. Once he provides your subscriber number to the call centre rep, he'll gain access to the pertinent information. If this system saves even one life, it makes sense.

Another neat product that caught my eye is the backup pal (US$49.99), a little circular doo-hickey that, as the company's signgage indicated, is so simple, "even a monkey can use it". What does it do? Backs up up to 4,000 contacts from a mobile phone so that, if you switch phones, or your mobile gets lost or stolen, you can easily import the information back into a new phone. The device comes with six adapters, including ones for Samsung, Nokia, and Motorola phones, as well as a mini USB connector, which lets you connect other popular handsets, like the BlackBerry. All you need to do is connect your phone, hit the large "back-up" button, and wait. When you get a new phone, connect it and hit "restore to phone" to upload all the contacts from the device. backup pal is powered by 3 "AAA" batteries, and uses flash memory so that the information always remains safely stored, even when the batteries have depleted. $50 for peace of mind makes sense!

Finally, I was strangely drawn to a display called PetsMobility, which claims to be the first cell phone for your dog. Huh? What it really is is a waterproof GPS collar that uses the CDMA network to provide tracking information on your pet's whereabouts. Using computer software, you can establish a "geo-fence", i.e. a perimeter in which your beloved creature is not permitted to go beyond. If it does, you can be notified via your mobile phone, then use the PawTrax tracking system to find the animal. As strange as this device sounds, I can somehow manage it flying off store shelves.

As for the image above, it really has nothing to do with anything written here, but I had to give the company kudos for finding a unique way to get people's attention at the show. Yeehaw for wireless!

CTIA WIRELESS: A Handful of Handsets

Investigating "cool" new handsets at a show like CTIA is somewhat difficult for a Canadian company simply because we often don't know which models will be coming to the Canadian market, let alone when. Despite this minor roadblock, there were plenty of neat handset designs to see.

Before I get into the handsets, it's worth noting some consumer-friendly improvements that Microsoft has made to its Windows Mobile operating system, which is included in many smartphones. In fact, a Microsoft rep told us that this year, there will be 20 million Windows Mobile devices on the market! Although the majority of Microsoft's emphasis was placed on enterprise-level upgrades, Windows Mobile v. 6.1 provides some handy improvements for consumers that help simplify the user experience. The most notable improvement is such a small, yet appreciated feature: automatic Bluetooth pairing, which will not only turn Bluetooth on and search for nearby devices upon one-button activation, but will also enter the required four-digit pairing code (in Canada, it's typically "0000") for you! The rep noted that the adjustment was made based on consumer feedback. In a test group, he claimed that the change resulted in a 100% success rate for Bluetooth pairing, compared to the previous method, with was a bit more time consuming, and potentially confusing for the non tech-savvy individual. Future versions of the Bluetooth standard will likely do away with the four-digit pairing code altogether, but for now, this is certainly a handy feature for smartphone users.

Other Windows Mobile improvements include an e-mail wizard that contains a database of e-mail ISPs from all around the world that can automatically enter your incoming and outgoing server to save you the trouble. There's also support for e-mail services like Yahoo! Mail and Gmail. The Internet browser has also been optimized to improve Website rendering; and WiFi support has been ramped up.

Now, what about the handsets?

I was pleasantly surprised at the HTC booth. Recently, I reviewed the HTC Touch for here's how! magazine, and noted that what this touch-screen phone really needed was a slide-out keyboard. Lo and behold, situated right beside the HTC Touch in the company's booth was the new HTC Touch Dual, which is virtually identical but for a, you guessed it, slide-out keyboard. It's not a full QWERTY, but rather includes two-letters per key, so there's 20 function keys in all. HTC Senior Account Manager Brent Stephenson also confirmed that the TouchFLO technology, which I found a bit finicky in the original version, is continually improving. The Touch Dual operates on the GSM network, which means that should it come to Canada, it will be available through Rogers or Fido. Although Stephenson couldn't confirm Canadian information, he told me that the Touch Dual will be available in the U.S. in May, and will sell unlocked through Best Buy stores. Is this unlocked, direct-to-the-customer strategy an indication of a new direction for the wireless market? Something to think about....

Two other neat "touch" type phone (which is apparently all the rage these days) are LG's Venus and Vu, which officially launched into the Canadian market just prior to the show. I'm not a fan of dedicated touch-screen models, but after playing around with these two models for a few minutes, I found them really easy to manipulate. A slight vibration emits as soon as you activate a function with your finger, which I found oddly comforting. The Vu will automatically rotate the screen to fit a full QWERTY keyboard when typing, which is pretty neat. These are definitely two handsets worth keeping an eye on.

There were several new phone introductions from Samsung, but one of the most notable was the miCoach phone. As the product of a collaboration with sporting goods manufacturer adidas, the miCoach is designed for sports enthusiasts. In addition to doubling as music player while you're working out, it also provides personal training features, including a stride sensor and heart rate monitor, and can track data like time, distance, speed and calories burned. All you need is the adidas sensor, which can actually be attached to pretty much any running shoe on the market. Once connected, your virtual "coach" will motivate you to get in shape, letting you know audibly when you need to increase speed, or slow things down. The miCoach is currently only available in Europe, while pricing details and availability dates for North America have not been announced. The Instinct, which many are calling Samsung's "answer to the iPhone" also caused a stir at the show, even though it wasn't even on display. Available exclusively in the U.S. through Sprint, the phone includes features like touch-screen functionality with tactile feedback, a "favourites" menu for your most-often used functions, Visual Voicemail that lets you listen to messages in the order that you wish, and fast operation using the EVDO Rev A network.

From a Canadian perspective, there really wasn't anything new in the BlackBerry arena (bummer), but the company did highlight some neat, new applications for the device via third-party company partnerships. The one that seemed to garner a lot at attention was the ability to play the popular video game Guitar Hero on the phone. Now that is cool!

Finally, I must have popped into the Sony Ericsson booth about five times trying to get a look at the Xperia X1 in the flesh, which is the company's first Windows Mobile device. The Xperia X1 initially launched at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, and it won't be available in Canada until Q3 or Q4, nor in the U.S. until Q2. Given this, there were only a few demo units available, and I could never catch up with the one guy who had them! However, I was able to see the slick-looking device under glass, so I can speak to its attractiveness as an objet.

That's just a small cross-section of the phones on display at the show. Stay tuned to the April issue of Marketnews Magazine for more information on these, and other models specific to the Canadian market.

[Photo: LG Vu].

CTIA WIRELESS: This Show is HUGE!

Today was the first official day of CTIA WIRELESS, which takes place until April 3. Attending for the first time, my initial expectation was that I'd see a moderate selection of booths, many of which would be at the enterprise and developer level rather than the consumer and retail area. Boy, was I wrong on both accounts. CTIA WIRELESS occupies both North and Central halls in the Las Vegas Convention Centre, making it bigger than even the annual PMA photo industry show, which typically just fills South hall. In terms of applicability, a quick run through of the show floor brought forth the realization that there are a lot more companies that fit the consumer and retail audience than we thought. And a trip up 180-feet in the air to demo a new product (nope, I'm not kidding) put the icing on the cake that proved to me that the wireless folks really mean business.

I felt pretty patriotic when, immediately upon entering North hall, I was stopped in my tracks by an oversized red-and-white display with signage that read: "Canada". Hmm, I guess I should take a look! There I found, among many other companies, Ancaster, ON-based Solutions in Motion (SIM), which makes the neat BlackBerry Digital Pen, which we covered on our sister Websites when it originally launched late last year. This neat pen lets you handwrite notes on a special pad of paper, then converts them into digital text that's sent as an SMS to your BlackBerry. From there, you can do things like e-mail the note to a friend or colleague, or save it to the device. I had never tried out the Digital Pen live, so it was neat to get the opportunity to do that. Although it's accuracy on my one try wasn't 100%, you can edit notes on the phone once they've arrived; and it really is a neat way to jot down information, and create an automatic digital copy of it.

Moving on and throughout the show, it was apparent that tracking software, asset management, and RFID via mobile devices is a burgeoning market. Basically, such technologies help companies better manage inventory, installation professionals, delivery trucks, and such by being able to track, and keep a live log of data. Stay tuned to the next issue of Marketnews Magazine for more information on some neat companies offering such services in Canada.

Bluetooth headsets are, of course, all over the place. The trend seems to be toward designs like Jabra's BT8040 (reviewed in the February 2008 issue of here's how! magazine) that fit in your ear, and forego a hook altogether. This sounds like it might be uncomfortable or unsecure, but many companies use advanced rubber pieces in varying sizes that make the fit perfect. And, of course small, sleek, and sexy devices are all the rage. I haven't yet seen as many Bluetooth speakerphones as I expected to see, even though I think this category makes so much sense. "Sales guys often times don't understand Bluetooth speakerphones, and so they have a hard time explaining their benefits to customers," said a rep from Jabra. He also noted that California and Washington would be implementing new laws this summer that will require a Bluetooth device be used at all times when driving. Once these laws come into effect (not to mention that similar laws have already come into effect in Quebec and Nova Scotia), sales of Bluetooth speakerphones (and Bluetooth devices, period) will likely skyrocket.

After hours of walking the show, it was time to head off to the second intimate press event (the first was last night), which was held in the Bellagio Hotel. Here, navigation seemed to be a big focus. One stand-out product was the Garmin nuvifone. Set for Canadian availability in Q3, this device, which was kept under wraps in a glass dome, is sort of like a portable navigation device first, and a 3G mobile phone second. Using HSDPA data connectivity (which means it will likely be available through Rogers Wireless, although this hasn't actually been confirmed), the nuvifone acts as a phone, navigation unit, and Internet browser. The device has a generous touch-screen, and can also play back music and videos, and even take 3 MP images. In my eyes, the nuvifone clearly represents where the industry is going: if your portable device isn't a phone, you'd better add phone functionality. And if your phone is just a phone, you need to start looking at some advanced secondary functions, like navigation and music playback.

Another company that stood out was Miami, Fl-based BlueDasher Technologies, who introduced themselves to us by announcing that it was their "birthday". The brand spanking new company is adding a new twist to navigation by providing street-level photography of streets all across the U.S. (Canada and Europe coming in future) so that mobile phone and PC users can not only find out how to get to a destination and navigate to it via a map, but also see the roads as they actually look in full 360-degree rotation, complete with surroundings, road signs, trees, etc. How do they do it? The company sends vehicles out on the road to capture photos every 10 feet. The technology could be especially useful for those in the real estate market, but there are other viable situations as well. For example, a company rep noted that one could consult the images to find out exactly where a restaurant's parking lot is; or a couple with kids could easily look for housing close to a school. To demonstrate the way it works, BlueDasher typed in the address of my vacation spot in their hometown of Miami, and instantly, there it was. Neat!

Flash memory leader SanDisk really summed up the essence of the show by explaining why the company views the wireless industry as one of its primary drivers going forward. SanDisk's current campaign centres around the idea that we need to "wake up" our phones and use them to the max of their capabilities. So much content can be placed onto a mobile device, and with 8 GB microSD cards already on the market, SanDisk is making sure that, as more and more functionality becomes available, it can in turn be supported by flash (and even embedded) memory. As more and more people bring their phones out of perpetual slumber, we'll only see advancements in the category become greater.

After today, I see that there's more ground to be covered at CTIA than I could ever have imagined. It will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings. As for my comment earlier about being 180-feet up in the air, well, you'll have to stay tuned for our video footage to find out more! Visit www.marketnews.ca/videos.asp or www.hereshow.ca/videos.asp to see what went down. You'll also find video demonstrations of various products introduced at the show, including those mentioned here.

New Disorder: Disconnect Anxiety

Have we really come to a point where the stress one feels without access to a mobile messaging device can actually be deemed its own form of anxiety? A recent study by Canadian research company Solutions Research Group discovered that consumers can be essentially addicted to mobile devices, experiencing some sort of psychological withdrawal when they can't gain access.

As sad as it is, I can imagine this. I've been out with people who can't help but sneak a peek at their BlackBerry at every "ding" or "buzz", and I've been guilty of it myself, having reached over in the middle of the night to check e-mails on a handset I was reviewing. On a recent vacation, I had no access to e-mail, and was very close to jumping into a Starbucks just to log on and get my "fix"! To think there are worse people out there is just absolutely frightening.

Solutions Research described Disconnect Anxiety to the CTV as involving "various feelings of disorientation and nervousness experienced when a person is deprived of Internet or wireless access for a period of time." The company's President Kaan Yigit adds: "What we call disconnection anxiety is not just related or confined to people with BlackBerries, but it's a much broader societal trend. We see it among teens, young adults, older adults, but also seniors."

So are we too connected? On the one hand, technology helps to keep us in touch in ways we never could before, fostering increased productivity, and thus making it possible for workers to avoid overtime in the office, or having to finish a report at home (now you can easily do it on the train or plane ride home!) But on the other hand, are people truly understanding that these devices are meant to free you from the office, not shackle you to it?

I've spoken before about the importance of finding that balance between work and home life. Should someone be checking e-mails during dinner or family time? The answer to this question is an absolute no. Shoud he be checking them while away at a conference where access to his laptop isn't available? Sure.

But on the opposite side, we can't ignore the issue that has been around since before the dawn of the BlackBerry, small and sleek laptop, or tiny mobile phone. Should this same worker be chatting with the family during business hours? Probably not, but chances are he does it anyway!

Essentially, a bit of crossover on either end is OK, and should be tolerated. If you receive an important e-mail at home and happen to see it, you'll feel horrible all night if you don't respond. And if a family member has a big issue and needs to chat during work for 5 minutes, take the time to talk. The important thing is to use discretion. Take advantage of a mobile device in ways that will help improve performance at your job, but not at the expense of your personal relationships. In doing so, you might be able to enjoy the technology instead of loathe its shackling existence. And we might just be able to keep one bogus "disorder" out of the psychological books.

Vacation Tech Observations

I’m back into the swing of things, and thought I’d write a quick entry about my “tech” observations while away on vacation in sunny Florida.

1) Being without Internet connectivity for two weeks straight really leads to a serious form of withdrawal: I really think that “Internet addiction” will grow as a real issue with the younger generation, and may even find its way into the psychological books! “Hi, my name is Christine, and I’m addicted to e-mail…” Anyway, I made it through without sneaking into a Starbucks for some WiFi access, so at least I know my own issue hasn’t escalated to a point where I should really worry.

2) It appears that camcorders have taken over as the vacation accessory of choice for families and couples. I noticed people capturing video just as much as they did snapshots while on the streets and beach. Some took panning shots of the street, architecture, and restaurant patios as they strolled by; while others shot little videos of themselves on the beach having fun. It was promising to see in a real world scenario that people aren’t just limiting their memories to static images, and are actively seeing value in recording their own video diaries.

3) When bringing a point-and-shoot digital camera on vacation, I would highly recommend a waterproof (not water-resistant) model. I brought along the new Olympus 790sw, which is fully waterproof up to 10 feet (as well as shock-proof up to 5 feet and freezeproof up to -10-degrees Celcius), and absolutely loved using it. Aside from being able to take it into the water, I was relieved to finally have a camera I could snap shots with on the beach without worrying that sand or water droplets would damage its innards. Of course this isn't the only feature you should look for in a digicam, but it certainly adds value.

4) Having been in Miami, arguably a very trendy city, I wasn’t surprised to spot a few people with those nifty Lifepop speaker bags I mentioned way back when. I went the personal listening route via my portable audio player (Sansa e270) and some earbuds (I wasn’t going to risk damaging my Bose QuietComfort 3’s on the beach!); while my partner enjoyed his iPod Video, protected from the sand by a leather case (Roots).

5) BlackBerries are great devices, especially for vacation time. My partner just started using one, and loved being able to quickly check e-mails in the a.m., respond to anything urgent, than leave the device at home while we went about our day. Although many argue that such devices make the work-life balance that much more difficult to accommodate, there is definitely a positive side that spells c-o-n-v-e-n-i-e-n-c-e, and not intrusion.

Stay tuned for more entries.

What Does RIM Think of the iPhone?

I attended the Canadian Telecom Summit yesterday, and, during the Q&A after his keynote address, Research in Motion (RIM) Co-CEO John Balsillie was asked the dreaded question: what do you think about the iPhone, and are you worried that its “revolutionary” new interface will resonate better with consumers than RIMs? Balsillie’s ballsy answer? “Apple is just one more entrant into this huge market.”

Balsillie feels pretty confident about the Blackberry's approx. 55-60% market share, and rightfully so. He even mused that the iconic device has not only made him look forward to red lights and longer bathroom breaks, but has also “liberated people from boring meetings”.

I have to agree with him: with respect to his confidence in RIMs grasp on the market, that is, not the red lights and bathroom breaks. The Blackberry has become such a universal term (just like the iPod!) that it would be tough to penetrate the kind of hold it has achieved on the market, whether you're Apple, Nokia, or any player in the arena, for that matter. In his introductory speech, KPMG’s Peter Doyle mused that running a “Google” search for the word “blackberry”, will generate 48,700,000 responses, none of which have to do with the fruit for which the word was previously known. He also informed the audience that, in 2006, the Webster’s dictionary named “crackberry” as the word of the year. How do you like them…blackberries? It’s a success story unlike any other, short of Apple’s own iPod. Ironically, Apple will now find itself on the other side of the coin, fighting for market share in an area for which it has never been associated.

It was refreshing to hear Balsillie’s response to the inevitable iPhone question. He was confident, but not cocky. In fact, he actually went on to praise Apple for recognizing a music player as a software application on a phone, and not just as a standalone device.

Balsillie did admit that wireless is a tough business to penetrate, and noted that, no matter how funky an interface, what really matters is what you can actually do with a device. He’s certainly got that right. As the old adage goes, it’s what’s inside that counts. Both the Blackberry and iPhone pack a lot of punch, so let’s see how this race develops.

Apple’s iPhone will hit the U.S. market on June 29.

Ready for a Full Meal, or Just a Media Snack?

I’ve heard the term “media snacking” several times over the past month. So what is it? Media snacking is the act of grabbing quick “bites” of content. This can include things like short video clips, text messages, tunes, or even blogs like this one. If you're reading this right now, you're snacking!

Most would think that media snacking on mobile devices in particular is just for kids: after all, what working adult has time to engage in such activity? Think again. According to a survey conducted by Leger Marketing on behalf of Palm Canada, 60 per cent of adults are active in mobile entertainment, nibbling on bits of media more often than they even have time to do.

Ironically, the reason adults are raiding the mobile ‘fridge is because of lack of time, and being so overloaded. Most professionals do not work a typical 9-5 day (27 per cent say they work at least 10 hours!), and are finding themselves more often than not on-the-go. Snacking on media is a way to help unwind during the day.

What are mobile adults snacking on? Survey says: tunes and text messages (44 per cent); video clips (19 per cent); and radio (33 per cent). Social networking Websites like Facebook and MySpace are also being visited from portable devices, which is something I can personally attest to, having logged in many times during lunch or while on the road (only as a passenger, I swear!)
Once they’re at home, it appears that many people still can’t manage to put away the BlackBerry until the morning: the temptation to check and respond to e-mail is far too great for any road warrior to fend off. Almost a third of the people even admitted to responding to e-mails while eating dinner; and close to 40 per cent confess to working while attending social or family gatherings (remember Ari during Yom Kippur on the latest episode of Entourage?).

Media snacking is great. But it’s important to ensure all this techno-wizardry doesn’t consume our lives: 24/7 is too much, 9-to-5 is too limiting. I feel it all boils down to balance. If you know when to shut down your connection, you’ll value the nature of mobile technology much more.

So Many BlackBerries, So Little Time

Is it just me, or does it seem like the average lifecycle for a product is getting shorter, and shorter? I don't mean that new products are introduced, and then quickly replaced before you can make it to the front of the line at Best Buy (although this certainly is sometimes the case). What I do mean is that as soon as one product has been introduced, another one is released so quickly afterward, you can never really feel like you've got the best of the best, the latest and greatest, the cream of the crop.

Don't get me wrong, this is a good thing. If technology develops that quickly, imagine what possibilities the future holds! But sometimes, it would be nice to catch my breath and enjoy a new gadget before the "next best thing" hits the market, and I feel like yesterday's news.

I started working on my portable messaging article for here's how! magazine a few months back, and the BlackBerry Pearl was the latest and greatest that RIM had to offer, and the only BlackBerry model with multimedia capabilities, and an integrated camera. Fantastic! I played around with this model, and LOVED it. Then, in April, out came the BlackBerry 8800, a more business-oriented unit. So I snagged this one and took it out for a test drive. Now, Rogers Wireless has announced that an even NEWER, even sexier, BlackBerry Curve will hit the Canadian market in June. Geesh. I can't keep up.

I guess it's not so much about shorter product lifecycles as it is that there's more customization of products today then there has been in the past. Nevertheless, in any area of technology, there's pretty much something for everyone.

Anyway, here are a few highlights of the BlackBerry Pearl, 8800, and Curve, the former two of which I've had plenty of hands-on with:

PEARL: This model incorporates a SureType keyboard, which takes some getting used to (i.e. it's annoying if you don't have any patience!) Once I got the hang of it, it was actually quite neat. How it works: The keyboard attaches three letters to each number key, just like a standard phone would. Then, just hit the button associated with the letter you want ONCE, and the phone will intelligently adjust to the proper words as you type. Here's a tip: don't look at the screen while you're typing. Otherwise, you'll feel the need to constantly correct it, and you'll get a headache the size of Mt. Everest! In my tests, SureType was sure enough with standard words probably about 95% of the time, which is pretty impressive. It insisted once that when i wanted to type "she", I really wanted to say "age". But that was about the only time it didn't get it right. If the SureType does fail to input the incorrect word, you can simply revert back and fix it.

Another good thing about this keyboard input method is that it's even designed to learn new words or letter combinations and add them to a custom list. Before long, "marketnews" was a recognized term in my list. Phone numbers and passwords are inputted via the standard MultiTap method (hitting the 2 key three times for the letter "C" and so on).

Probably the biggest improvement between this model and previous-generation models is the trackball for navigation. It sort of looks like a little Pearl, and glides every which way for scrolling through a list of e-mails, documents, menu functions, and Web pages. It's worth it to get this model just for that feature!

8800: The instant I saw this device, I new it was made more for the business customer than the younger crowd. Not to say it isn't sleek and downright gorgeous (although some in the office didn't like the glossy black finish), but it foregos a lot of the "fun" features, like an integrated digital camera. And it reverts back to a standard QWERTY keyboard. This model also incorporates that neat trackball and adds GPS navigation. For a full review of this model, stay tuned to the June issue of here's how! magazine!

CURVE: Although it hasn't hit the Canadian market yet, the Curve appears to integrate the "best of both worlds". Like the pearl-coloured Pearl, it's finished in a lighter shade (silver and chrome, to be exact) rather than BlackBerry's traditional black. Like the 8800, it employs a standard QWERTY keyboard. It's integrated digital camera is a leg-up on the Pearl's: it features 2 MP resolution instead of the Pearl's measly 1.3 MP. And of course it also includes the new trackball (arguably the best improvement on all three models!)

It'll be interesting to see which model will fare best in the market. Let me know which model YOU'D choose?

Introduction

Welcome to the Marketnews blog! For those who don't know me, my name is Christine Persaud, and I work for a Company called Bomar Publishing, which operates two technology magazines: Marketnews (www.marketnews.ca) and here's how! (www.hereshow.ca). I like to say we're a small group that does big things. It's definitely a fun industry to be in. We constantly have cool and fun products coming in and out of the office to try out, review, and introduce to the industry and consumers.

Playfully called "gadget girl" in the office, I'm a relatively rare breed of female that doesn't just enjoy using technology, but loves to learn about it and try out new, and sometimes complicated, devices. I review personal electronics for our consumer magazine here's how: MP3 players, cell phones, headphones, you name it. If it can be carried in your hand or shoved in your pocket, I've likely taken it out for a test ride! So I'm always get excited when a new gadget arrives in the office for our evaluation.

Right now, I have 5 really neat portable messaging devices in my possession, as I'm working on an article that asks "can anyone compete with the Blackberry?" Let me tell you, having played around with these nifty things for the past month or so, I can completely understand where the term "crackberry" comes from. I used to think it incredibly rude when talking to someone and they'd constantly be checking their e-mails under the table while nodding approvingly at what I was saying, as if they were actually listening. Now, the second I jump in my car to head to the office, the first thing I do is grab the smartphone out of my purse and start checking e-mails. Sure, I'm well aware that I'll be in the office within 20 minutes, but why wait when I can see what's going on now? We've evolved into a culture that simply can't wait for anything. I'm not sure how I'll be able to part with these 'phones once the evaluation period is over. But it might be a good thing to get back to normal life where I concentrate on driving instead of replying to notes and surfing the 'net!

Stay tuned for more on what's going on at Marketnews Mag, and the tech industry. We'll give you the scoop!