Archive for September, 2008
Posted on Sep 25, 2008 by Sam Costello at 2:30 am
GPS devices are likely to be key information appliances in coming years – after all, they’re not only an always-on provider of useful information, but they’re also virtually always connected to a network. This makes them not only valuable for driving directions, but also as a potential platform for other computing uses.
One such use, of course, is to deliver content frequently updated over the Internet, such as that offered by FrameChannel.
One device that may help even further spread GPS devices into cars everywhere is Navigon’s new 2200T, an entry-level GPS that offers free lifetime traffic status updates. The $229 appliance offers a 3.5-inch LCD screen and all the standard GPS accoutrements – directions, graphics, etc.
Posted on Sep 22, 2008 by Sam Costello at 2:24 am
Microsoft Windows Vista includes a widget feature called Sideshow — small programs that perform discrete tasks. Microsoft and its partners envisioned the Sideshow widgets not just running on desktops, but also on dedicated information appliances that would connect to the desktop and drive the Sideshow content to them.
It seems, though, that these information appliances simply aren’t finding much traction in the marketplace, despite the promise of other kinds of devices in this space.
The release of the PicoLCD Sideshow device is being widely interpreted as evidence of the failure of the Sideshow device market. The PicoLCD is a four-line LCD display that provides frequently updated text information such as stock prices and reminders. The device runs US$49.95.
It reminds me of a less-exciting version of the Widgetstation. Too bad that the Sideshow devices just haven’t caught on – they do seem to have a lot of potential. But maybe it’s going to be small, nimbler start-ups that finally break these information appliances through into the gadget mainstream.
Posted on Sep 18, 2008 by Sam Costello at 2:39 am
GiiNii.com has a neat project for those of you out there who are technically inclined and like to spend your nights and weekends on DIY tech projects.
The project they’ve got – with video instructions, even – is a wall of digital picture frames that can not only provide a neat array of pictures all grouped together, but also offers the possibility of making each frame dedicated to a particular kind of content (each frame could be for a relative who lives far away, for instance, or photos on one screen with sports on another and news on a third).
And since this project is based RSS feeds sending the content to each frame, it would work perfectly with FrameChannel.
Posted on Sep 15, 2008 by Sam Costello at 2:37 am
Barely a month seems to go by without some new announcement of a product or service that brings high-speed wireless Internet to automobiles. Chrysler is one of the major car companies leading this charge with both its Autonet and UConnect systems.
Though UConnect won’t hit the road until 2009, Autonet – an in car WiFi router that connects the car to the web via a 3G network – is available now. And a Gizmodo reader has posted a short note about the many problems that he encountered with the device.
Among the complaints are a difficult user interface, slow speeds, a 1 GB monthly download cap with expensive overage charges, and no out-of-the-box encryption, making the router open to anyone and the 1GB likely to disappear quickly.
No doubt, we will see ways to connect in-car wireless devices to the web as more common items in the future. It sounds, though, like Chrysler’s Autonet isn’t likely to be the way that happens until improvements are made to it.
Posted on Sep 11, 2008 by Sam Costello at 9:29 am
A nifty new bit of software debuted earlier this week that seems destined to show up on wireless digital picture frames and other information appliances soon.
The software, called gloop, lets users share digital photos directly between web-connected frames over the Internet, without needing to use a PC or photo sharing website to move the pictures around. The software also allows direct Internet phone calls between frames and the attachment of voice memos to photos being shared — imagine not just getting a birthday greeting image, but also hearing from your friends or loved ones when looking at it. Pretty neat.
Though gloop only runs on digital picture frames now, it seems the software could be modified to work on any information appliance or connected device that runs digital photo software or displays information updated over the web.
The software isn’t in use on any frames yet, but it’s available for license by frame manufacturers and I’d expect we’ll see it in use sooner rather than later.
Tip of the hat to Ubergizmo for the link
