Tuesday, July 31, 2012

HTC's Incredible is still credible

It's a testament to the resilience of Droid Incredible Android phone that HTC continues to update and upgrade the Incredible more than two years after the first model was released. Other mobile phone companies would have discontinued the model or relegated it to the discount shelves while they focus on some new phone with another oddball name.

But I'm glad to see the Incredible is still around and still trying to live up to its moniker. I carried an Incredible for more than a year and it remains one of my favorite Android handsets. I always found HTC's version of Android a little more friendly than Motorola's version and its slender size made it much more welcome in my pants pocket than the larger and heavier successors that came later.

Size is still a good reason to check out the newest version of the Incredible. It's still a svelte and palm-friendly as its grandfather. The other major attractions of the new Incredible are probably a little more important.

One, it runs on Verizon's 4G LTE network. That means it delivers faster web browsing and zippier downloads if you live within the reach of Verizon's 4G towers. Second, it runs the latest version of Google's Android operating system, which is known as either Android 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich, depending on your source's hip quotient. As with cars, carrots, and carnations, fresher is almost always better.        

The phone also comes with Beats audio, which adds a little extra punch to music, even when it's streamed from Google Play or Pandora. And the price is also attractive: just $149 with a two-year Verizon contract. If you don't need a big behemoth of an Android phone, the Incredible 4G is a very credible option.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

A Bluetooth comm system for cyclists

Too many bicycle mishaps have taught me to keep my eyes on the road and my ears tuned for danger. Long ago my wife outlawed wearing headphones of talking on my mobile.

But there are plenty of people who are far more adept than I at multitasking while navigating a two-lane country road while seated on 30 pounds of aluminum. It's those folks who are likely to embrace the BK-1, a multifunction communication and entertainment system for bicycle helmets.

The BK-1 is built by Cardo, a company with a long history of making communication products that let motorcycle riders talk to each other and to their passengers. It's the first communication system for cyclists to use Bluetooth technology to connect up to three cyclists who are separated by up to 1,640 feet under ideal road conditions.

The system includes a small waterproof transmitter/receiver that straps onto a bike helmet and connects to a pair of earpiece and microphone combos. The system connects to other BK-1 units as well as other Bluetooth devices including mobile phones, MP3 players and GPS units. Press one of the buttons on the receiver or use voice commands and you can talk to another cyclist, carry on a phone conversation, get navigation alerts (if your GPS has a voice option) or cue up "Born To Run."

The receiver also has a mini-USB port and a special audio cable so you can connect the system to an iPod or other MP3 device that doesn't have Bluetooth.

Getting the Cardo system set up on a bike helmet is a bit tricky. There are a lot of straps and cables to manage with a variety of Velcro pads to get all the components in place. 

The system also requires a hefty investment of cash as well as time. A single BK-1 rig costs $280 and a Duo version with two units costs $480. Both packages are available on the Cardo website.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Foam Fighter puts WWII dogfights in your hand

One of my favorite PC games from the early 1990s was Battle of Britain from LucasArts. It was the first combat flight simulator that used WWII fighter planes such as the British Spitfire and German Stuka dive bomber.

I was reminded of that game when I tried piloting the Foam Fighter from Appgear, even though Foam Fighter is designed for portable devices such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Androids. Instead of using a computer mouse of joystick, you pilot your fighter by holding and turning the portable device and pressing on the screen to fire at your opponent.

The game use realistic images of mountains, fields, water and landing strip. And it has a varied list of missions, including dog fights, bombing runs and escort duty. You can test your skills flying with either Allied or Axis colors in missions based in Britain, over Europe or in the Pacific and compete against computer-generated opponents or battle up to eight friends over local Wi-Fi.

Each Foam Fighter package comes with two models of fighter planes than can be attached to the backside of your device where it shows in the view from your camera. That makes it fun to chase your opponent through the dining room and into the kitchen.

Each version of Foam Fighters cost $9.99 at Wowwee.com. Once you buy the package, you can download the app for free.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Logitech Folio soaks up the sun

The iPad is so versatile that you're tempted to make it your full-time portable computer. But there's one hitch: It doesn't have a real keyboard.

Logitech has solved that issue with a new folio-style case that holds an iPad 2 or third-generation model on one side with a Bluetooth keyboard built into the other. Although the case is thin and lightweight, the keyboard has is solid and responsive with one additional attraction - it comes with its own solar power source.

The solar cells embedded into the cover of the Solar Keyboard Folio won't power the iPad, but they will deliver a steady flow of current to the keyboard. There's no need to turn off the keyboard and no batteries to replace. Logitech says a fully-charged Folio will run for two years, with two hours of typing per day, even in the dark.

The folio cover unfolds into two positions. The upright position emulates a notebook computer so thoroughly that when my wife saw it, she accused me of buying a new computer. The arrow keys control the sound volume and the Ctrl key launches a slide show from your photo collection.

So far, the case has been a welcome replacement to my previous iPad folio. I appreciate having a real keyboard always available for emails, notes or more extensive typing. The only thing that worries me is the outer edge of the case. The think rubbery edge looks like it could quickly get beat up from normal daily use. The folio's $129 price tag might also make potential buyers think twice.

If your wallet can stand it, you can find the Solar Keyboard Folio at amazon.com, Mac Connection, and other online sources.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Wireless headphones keep family peace


My taste in movies runs toward the bombastic. If a DVD has car chases, aliens, gunfire and explosions, count me in. And crank it up. Big, loud movies call for big, loud audio and that doesn't always play well with the other members of my household who might be another room reading a book or watching another program.

We've discovered the key to maintaining a peaceful coexistence: wireless headphones. When I'm wearing a pair, I get my fill of raucous action, the house stays quiet, and I can wander into the kitchen for a snack without getting untethered. I have one set of wireless phones connected to the primary TV and another attached to the TV in the bedroom. The bedroom set has proved to be just the ticket when she's ready to sleep and I'm ready for another episode of "Breaking Bad."

Another reason I like wireless headphones is that after attending too many loud rock concerts, my ears don’t tune in a movie’s dialog or other quiet passages, particularly the high frequencies, as well as they used to. One model that is especially good in that area is IR210T from Able Planet, a company that makes a full line of headphones designed for people with some level of hearing loss.

The IR210T have a pair of padded cups that rest comfortably on your ears. The cups are connected to a headband by a unique swivel that turns off the power to the headphones when they are removed or laid on a flat surface. In other words, they automatically power down when they’re not in use and that extends the life of the two AAA batteries that fit inside one of the cups. A rechargeable battery would have been a nice addition, but the automatic shut-off feature is the next best thing.

The stereo sound comes from an infrared transmitter that connects to the headphone jack of a TV or another audio source. Infrared, by its nature, delivers lower fidelity that what you would get from a cable connection. But the Able Planet phones come pretty close. And their Linx Audio technology, which boosts the higher frequencies to help people with hearing loss, helps add clarity to speech and music. Even when I turn down the volume, I can hear and understand all of the voices, even those in the commercials.

The Able Planet IR210T costs about $100 from online sources such as Adorama.com.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Coby's Bluetooth dock helps beat the heat

Here's what I need to chill out during a mid-summer heat wave: A tall cold drink, the new Ken Follett novel on my Kindle, an evening breeze on the front porch and some cool jazz from Coby's new Bluetooth music dock.

The wireless dock is small and compact - about the size of Pringle's potato chip can - so it's easy to snag for a picnic, a trip to the pool, or a short walk to your favorite lounge chair.

It's also easy to pair with any device that supports Bluetooth, including iPads, iPhones, and Android devices. And it plays nice with an iPod, a TV, portable DVD player or any other non-Bluetooth device by connecting a stereo cable to the gadget's headphone jack.

Because the dock doesn't have a standard Apple plug, it won't charge your Apple device. But it does have a handy groove that holds an iPad or a mobile phone. The dock's amplifier is powered by a rechargeable battery that gets refueled through a USB cable. I've played two hours of music and video without exhausting the battery.

The sound from the dock's tiny speakers is crisp and clear and loud enough for background music at the dinner table. Don't count on it to light up a large room or a big back yard.

The Coby CSMP135 has a list price of $49.99 but you should be able to find it for about $10 less at several online sources.

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