CradlePoint CTR350 Quick OverView

I happen to find the CradlePoint CTR350 at my local Fry's and picked it up to use with my BlackBerry Storm 2. So far I really like how I can just plug it in and can share with up to 16 computers. I won't be sharing up to 16 computers, because it will slow down everything. It also chargers the BlackBerry as well, so that way it won't drain the battery on my BB. There is a CradlePoint that has a battery for mobile use, just incase that you happen to be in a area that doesn't have power. I got this one because most of the time I am near a outlet so, the CTR350 works for me. I can still connect to my BB Storm 2 if I don't have the CTR350, either using my USB cable or BT DUN setup with all my devices. The only device that I wouldn't be able to do this is the iPad. The iPad doesn't support BT DUN setup.

One BIG iPhone or maybe not?

I have loaded Skype on my iPad and it is working good. I was able to make calls to landlines, mobile phones, and regular Skype calls to desktop Skype users and all the calls came in clear. The Skype app is not yet made specific for iPad, but the regular iPhone one worked great. When you zoom in on the Skype app, it does get a little jaggy edged because its not made specific for the iPad. But never the less it does work and you can use the mic and speaker that is built-in on the iPad to make calls to your family, friends, and others.

iPad Cases

Here is two cases I got for the iPad today. The Apple one and the Incase one. The Incase one is very nice case. It has 4 positions to put the iPad at different angles to view it. When you slide your iPad the back of the iPad is meet with the case soft padded. The openings all line up with Incase which is good, because sometimes these 3rd party cases will sometimes not align. The case is much thicker when closed compare to the Ap

ple case, so it will depend if you would like the case slim or don't mind the extra thickness. So far I like the Incase and will give it a try this week and decide whether I will keep it o

r c

hange it to the Apple one. The case

does a good job of protecting the iPad once you slide it in. The Apple one is very thin and keeps the look of the iPad pretty much thin. It hardly adds any weight to the iPad with this case. The case is like a rubber type that makes gripping the iPad very good, which can help that it will not slip off your hands.

iPad Is in the House...

I had put 2 iPad's on reservation to pick up at my local Apple store for April 3. I got the 16GB for my wife and I got the 32GB for myself. So far this thing is "Magical". This is according to Steve Jobs. There was 2 lines at the Apple store. One was for the non reserved and the other for reserved. There must of been at least 200 people in the line waiting to get their iPad. So far I have set up my email, contacts, and calendar to sync with my BlackBerry Storm 2, so that I can have everything synced up. This works great for me, because no matter which device I pick up I can always check my email or check my calendar.

This makes it easy to update any calendar items when I am using either device.

Netflix runs excellent on the iPad. The Netflix app was added just this week so I was very happy to see that it would work on the iPad. Now I can watch movies when traveling or short outings that we plan with my family. I purchased the CradlePoint CTR350 to use with my BlackBerry Storm 2, so I can have broadband on my iPad for when traveling. Everything on the iPad is very responsive and smooth when scrolling. Multi-Touch is great on the bigger screen vs the iPod Touch and iPhone. Not that the smaller screen is bad, but you have so much more room to work with applications. The Web looks great and works great on the Safari browser. So far most of all the web pages that I go and check daily are working and displaying nicely on the iPad. The sound is very good, I was afraid that by having one speaker at the bottom that the sound would not be loud enough, but it is loud enough to listen in a average noisy area. I have been downloading apps from the app store and trying them out and of course these are the free one's. I will be purchasing Pages, and Numbers to use on the iPad to be able to work with Word and Excel files when I need to do small

changes or create short documents with the on screen keyboard. I can also create long Word d

ocuments by using a BlueTooth keyboard, which then I can type away and create any length of

document. I still have my Stowaway BT keyboard which I will be pairing up to use for on the road typing. I think Apple has a winner with the iPad, not that the up coming slates don't have a chance, but I think the iPad will be what everyone will be comparing too. HP needs to advertise their up coming slate so that the general public knows about it. It always helps if they can get it out to brick and mortar stores so everyone can see and try them.

iPad Getting Netflix

 

Netflix is announcing that they will have a iPad app available for the April 3 release of the iPad. This is great news for Apple, Netflix, and all subscribers to Netflix. Now you will be able to enjoy your favorite shows or movies on the go, as long as you either have a way to connect to the internet. Many will use with MiFi, or just use Wi-Fi where they can get it. The Netflix app will be free for download. With the app you will be able to resume watching your shows or movies where ever you left off. Hulu is also going to be announcing a app that might be flash based; by the way Apple has released that the iPad is capable of play flash. So Hulu is trying to setup a subscription to be able to watch shows on the iPad, but you will have to pay as well.

 

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Is everyone Ready for the iPad…

Looks like if you didn’t pre-ordered your iPad for April 3rd or reserved your iPad for in store pick up, you’ll have to wait till April 12 for the next shipment. Also there has been some leaks out there that show applications for the new iPad. I can see the average price for the iPad application starting or in the $9.99 price range. One feature that I would really like that Apple would include, or be able to do on the iPad is. Be able to use a mobile phone to create a BT DUN to connect your iPad on the road for internet access, email, etc… But I can see why they wouldn’t provide that feature. Then they wouldn’t be able to sell the 3G version that you would use with AT&T. I guess I will just going to have to see how good of a deal I get a Verizon or Sprint MiFi to use with the iPad, and just cancel my Tether option on my BlackBerry Storm 2. I would only be paying $20.00 more per month than what I am paying now. So let the count down begin. 

Asus Eee PC T101MT

Well looks like finally Asus Eee PC is going to be releasing the much awaited T101MT. This was shown at CES 2009 along with the T91. Then all year went by and no signs of the T101MT at all. At CES2010 the Asus Eee T101MT made a appearance again and now Asus is saying that it will be available next month for $499. The price is nice but compare it to the Lenovo S10-3t, you'll get more for your money with the S10-3t. From the specs that is available, this is what you'll get for your $499.

• 10.1 1024 x 600 capacitive screen


• 1GB RAM


• 160GB Hard drive (S10-3t gets you 250GB)


• Windows 7 Starter Edition


• 1.66GHz Atom N450 Processor


• GMA 3150


• 802.11b/g/n


• Bluetooth


• 0.3 webcam


• 3 USB ports


• SDHC Card Reader


• VGA, Mic, Headphone Jacks


• 6.5 hours of battery life

You can always configure a higher end model that has more options like bigger hard drive, more RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium, etc... but will cost you more money. The keyboard on the T101MT seems to be very good, all though the 3t to me is good as can get for a netbook. I usually use a netbook through out the day and can get by with the smaller keyboards, because usually your only typing for short periods at a time. So for now we will have to wait and see next month if indeed it will be released.

Marvell Moby Tablet

The iPad is almost here and everyone is talking about it. Now Marvell has announced, that they are developing a tablet computer as well. The claim this will change the way students learn. This also has more options than the iPad, and does more. The Marvell has named the tablet Moby. Here is the best part. Marvell has made a statement that this high-performance device is going to sell for $99 a pop. Now this will be great for schools like they say. Normally textbooks cost anywhere from $60 - $200 so this would be a great cost savings. The Moby is a 10” tablet that has quite a bit for the $99 price, which will include 1080p HD video playback, full Flash support, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/FM/GPS connectivity and even 3D-capability. This will all be powered by the Marvell ARMADA 600 series processors. This should give great battery life as well. This also could be a great device for some businesses as well, that need to be on the road and need information without having to bring a laptop along. We will have to wait if this does indeed every get released and becomes a real product for the consumers. So for now, I will have to get my iPad. :)

Targus Premium Laptop Charger

 

 

I just happen to purchase the “New Targus Premium Laptop Charger”. I spend most of the day on the road and my previous iGo charger finally gave out and I needed to power my Netbook for a meeting later that afternoon. I happen to go by my local Fry’s and purchased another iGo brand charger, but I wasn’t to happy because the size was like a brick and very heavy. Most all where the small big and heavy. So I got the iGo. As I was driving I noticed Best Buy so I did a quick stop and found the Targus charger. This is what I was looking for, so I bought it and will take the other one back. I was surprised how small and light the charger is and how small the car charger is as well. It comes with several tips for many laptops and also a iPod charger tip. The Targus is not cheap but my other one lasted about 10 years, so I hope this one last as much.

 

 As you can see that it comes in a neat little package with the tips in a little plastic tray that you can pick the tips you want. You’re going to want to find a place to safe keep the tips, because the plastic tray is just for the packaging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best part of this little charger is that you don’t have to use the same A/C charger for the car. The car charger is separate from the A/C so you can leave the car charger in the car at all times and just remove the cable to take inside, which is really easy.  See here on the picture of the car charger which is very small and portable when your traveling. The lighter the charger is the better when your on the road. The main A/C charger is just as small as my BlackBerry Storm 2 so when I put it in the small slip case that holds my Netbook with my BT Mouse it’s like I’m not carrying a charger. Got use to the bigger iGo charger which was very bulky in the little slip case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here you see my BlackBerry Storm 2 next to the Targus A/C and Car charger.

Also the Targus A/C charger is just as thick as the BlackBerry Storm 2. :)

Inking on the Lenovo S10-3t Now Working Great

 

 

I have ordered the Dagi Capacitive Stylus pen to try out on the Lenovo S10-3t. After using the Dagi stylus, I am really getting use to inking with it. As you can see in this short video how well it works with a capacitive screen like the S10-3t. So far I have been testing and writing short emails, and using it with OneNote, and the inking is very good. I am having better luck using the Dagi stylus vs the Pogo Sketch Stylus. The Pogo stylus has a foam tip which makes inking on the capacitive screen much harder and doesn’t register on the screen as good as the Dagi. As you may notice the Dagi stylus tip is made of semi hard plastic tip, that is clear with a red dot to let you see as your inking on the screen. It does take a little bit to get used to using the Dagi stylus because you have to keep it at a angle. Hopefully you can see it on the video. I might just pick up another Dagi stylus to have as a backup because, so far I really liking this stylus. :)

For now the Dagi Stylus is the best option for a capacitive screen, at least it is for me.