Tag: Reviews

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Quick Review: Belkin ExpressCard and Griffin Clarifi

Two new accesories I’ve recently acquired are Belkin Media Reader-Writer ExpressCard™ Adapter and Griffin Clarifi Case for iPhone 3G.

Belkin Media Reader-Writer ExpressCard™ Adapter is compatible with multiple flash memory cards including SDHC cards. The previous Belkin Multimedia Reader & Writer ExpressCard™ does not support SDHC cards. This ExpressCard™ Adapter can be used with any laptops that have 34mm or 54mm ExpressCard™ slot built-in. Due to its size, this ExpressCard™ Adapter does not support CompactFlash cards.

Griffin Clarifi Protective Case for iPhone 3G has a close-up lens built in on a slider. The iPhone camera has a fixed lens with a fixed focal length, which makes it impossible to take a sharp close-up pictures of anything. With the addition of Griffin Clarifi built-in lens, it is now possible to take sharper close-up picture using the iPhone 3G. With the lens, the iPhone can now take pictures of objects 4 inches away.

Please check back for more detailed review.

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iPhone Software 2.1: So Far, So Good.

Apple released iPhone Software 2.1 in the early Friday morning (September 12th, 2008). I managed to install iPhone Software 2.1 on an iPhone and an iPhone 3G without any problems whatsoever. I use the iPhone as an iPod in Airplane Mode with Wi-Fi turned on. I use the iPhone 3G as a phone, and I set the GPS and 3G network on.

I fully charged the iPhone 3G around noon time, and using it as I’d use it everyday. Phone calls, emails, the internet, picture-taking, maps, GPS, and iPod. It is around 10:00PM as I’m writing this, and it has been 10 hours since I’ve fully-charged the iPhone 3G. I did connect it to my MacBook Pro several times to transfer some music and podcasts. A disclosure that the iPhone was connected to power source during the period, but not long enough to put a lot of charge in the battery. At this point, the iPhone 3G warned that there were 20% of charge left.

Prior to iPhone Software 2.1, I’d be lucky to get 4 hours out of a fully charged iPhone 3G, with the same usage pattern sans the iPod part. With iPhone Software 2.1, it seems that Apple manages to improve the power management.

Another improvement that I noticed is that the iPhone 3G is now a lot more stable. Previously I was unable to use play audio and use Safari or Mail or Maps without having the iPod randomly stoppping. Applications crashes whenever the iPod is playing too. With iPhone Software 2.1, slight pause occured only when the GPS is turned on and Maps is fetching some data.

Other notable improvements are the Address Book performance and synching, 3G connectivity, Apps stability, and keyboard responsiveness.

There are still a lot to explore in iPhone Software 2.1, and what I am experiencing so far is still anecdotal. I need more time to findo out more about this software update.

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NetShare to The Rescue

Here I am stranded in a place where the Wi-Fi is not open or free. I need to access something and I couldn’t do it on the iPhone. What to do?

Wait a minute, I did buy NetShare when it was first made available. I actually am making this post through NetShare.

Note to AT&T: Let this happen!

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iPhone Software 2.0.1 is Available

Three weeks after the release, Apple updates iPhone Software 2.0 to address numbers of issues.

Details are a little bit sketchy at this moment, but it is expected for Apple to address the stability and performance issue regarding the iPhone Software.

The update is available through iTunes with iPhone/iPod touch plugged-in.

Another note of interest, that there are two different iPhone Software 2.0.1 for the iPhone and iPhone 3G.

iPhone Software 2.0.1 for iPhone 3G is labeled iPhone1,2_2.0.1_5B108_Restore.ipsw and weighs in at 249.1MB.

iPhone Software 2.0.1 for iPhone is labeled iPhone1,1_2.0.1_5B108_Restore.ipsw and weighs in at 242.3MB.

Anecdotally, the iPhone 3G running Software 2.0.1 feels a zippier.

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Buying Canon Vixia HV30 Hi-Def Camcorder

I am waiting for UPS to deliver Canon Vixia HV30 that I ordered from Amazon.com. Currently I am using Panasonic HDC-SD5, Panasonic HDC-SD9, and Canon HG10 to work on multimedia projects. All three camcorders are AVCHD camcorders, which record on to SDHC or Hard Drive. Canon Vixia HV30 is an HDV Camcorder that records on to HD-MiniDV tapes.

As much as I like the AVCHD format, I found a few advantages using a tape-based camcorder. I will get into that later.

For now, I am waiting for the camcorder to arrive on July 3rd.

Delivery estimate: July 3, 2008
1 “Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom”
Electronics; $786.26
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC

UPDATE:

The following items have been shipped to you by Amazon.com:
———————————————————————
Qty      Item                           Price  Shipped  Subtotal
———————————————————————
Amazon.com items (Sold by Amazon.com, LLC):
1     Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV Hi…  $786.26      1  $786.26

Shipped via UPS (estimated arrival date: 03-July-2008).
Tracking number: ******************
———————————————————————
Item Subtotal:  $786.26
Shipping & Handling:  $3.99

Total:  $790.25

Leo Laporte talked about this camcorder a few months back, and he took it to Tasmania for the Adobe Lightroom Adventure.

Canon Vixia HV30 product page @ Canon.com

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Windows Home Server: McAfee Total Protection Service

I updated the Windows Home Server today found out the notice for McAfee Total Protection Service Add-ins was ready for install. I decided to test the add-ins and installed it. After the install, I found out that Windows Home Server Console performs a lot slower. No doubt that somehow this add-ins effect the performance of Windows Home Server.

I uninstalled the add-ins and Windows Home Server Console performs normally. I assume that it is the add-ins that causes the slowdown.

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Rants:

What in the ASDF is Microsoft thinking? It’s always saying that the Network is “at risk” regardless of whatever the situation is.

“The Network is at risk because there are some add-ins available.”

What is wrong with you, Microsoft?

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What to Buy Next: Canon Digital Rebel XSi

I have been using Canon Digital Rebel XT for the past 10 months. It has been a great experience. I thought that I’d get my own Digital SLR camera, since the Digital Rebel XT (EOS 350D) belongs to a friend of mine. I’ve been looking at Digital Rebel XTi (EOS 400D) and even a Nikon DSLR. Just now I found the next generation of sub-$1,000 DSLR from Canon. Enter Digital Rebel XSi (EOS 450D).

Since I am a total slacker, I will update this post later when I actually has the will to finish this post……