Shaun Mccran

My digital playground

23
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2009

Wikitude travel guide for Android

I was recently recommended Wikitude by a friend, so I downloaded it off the Android market place, and fired it up. It's a little slow to start, but it's something really special once it does.

It uses a combination of the inbuilt compass and GPS receiver to locate your position and facing, then it searches its content database for points of interest around you.

It's pretty cool seeing the technology convergence on a Google map type interface, but once you fire up the 'camera view' then it really comes alive. It overlays the same points of interest onto your camera viewer, giving you information about each as a pop up when clicked on.

Developers' site is here: http://www.mobilizy.com/en/wikitude-ein-reisefuhrer

It's a really impressive integration of technology into real life, which actually has a valid use. On the down side it takes a few seconds to load, and if your GPS setting is off then it's not that accurate, but that's not really a Wikitude issue.

07
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2009

Transferring your contacts to the HTC Magic

I recently changed my mobile to the HTC Magic. Its Vodafone's first Android powered mobile, full touch screen etc... You can read a full spec here.

I do not usually use Gmail, but the phone was directing me towards them on initialisation, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Transferring the contacts from my N95 to the HTC Magic isn't possible through the Blu tooth connection, as the HTC's Blu tooth protocol does not support data transfer.

So first thing is to get the Nokia Software.

http://www.nokia.co.uk/get-support-and-software/product-support/nokia-n95/software

Install this and run the backup option. After you have backed up you can select an email client to interface with. I'm Windows through and through, so I sync'd my contacts with Microsoft Outlook.

Once in outlook select 'File' – 'Import and Export'. Depending on your version you may get different options here, but in 2007 its 'Export to a file'. Click next, then select 'Comma separated values (Windows). Next select your contacts (or more if you want) and press next. Your data will be exported as a CSV.

Once in outlook select 'File' – 'Import and Export'. Depending on your version you may get different options here, but in 2007 its 'Export to a file'. Click next, then select 'Comma separated values (Windows). Next select your contacts (or more if you want) and press next. Your data will be exported as a CSV.

So a bit long winded, but it works!

01
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2009

Sony unveils new PSP Go, kind of

Everyone knew that Sony's big E3 announcement was going to be the new PSP Go. As per usual in these situations someone has leaked the specs online already.

  • 3.8-inch display of unknown resolution
  • 43 percent lighter than the current PSP-3000
  • 16GB of flash memory
  • Integrated Bluetooth with mobile phone tethering and BT headset support
  • Memory Stick Micro slot
  • New Gran Turismo, Little Big Planet and Metal Gear Solid games
  • Full PlayStation Network support (TV and movie rentals/purchases) and integration with the PlayStation 3

I have an original psp (model 2000 I think) and it was a good little device. The only problem is that it has no USP. With the way that modern tech has converged it is basically a smartphone without the telephone capabilities. Sure it is good or movie playback, but the screen is almost identical to the iPhone or HTC Magic in terms of size, and now that they have remove the UMD drive its even less distanced from them.

08
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2009

Gadget show live 2009 - Birmingham NEC

The channel 5 program 'The gadget show' had their live show in the Birmingham NEC a few weeks back. It was an interesting collection of all the series gadgets so far, plus some retailers such as GameStation and Ebuyer.

I was surprised by the diversity of gadgetry on show, although in several instances there wasn't an option to purchase some of them on site, which was a shame. It was reasonably techie but not overly so, so still enjoyable for all the family, and they had regular 'Tech-talks' from hosted speakers on various subjects.

Pics here

So generally a pretty entertaining event, with less of a commercial slant than I expected. It will certainly be interesting to see how this develops, as it was the first event they have done. It was nice to actually see some of these gadgets in real life though, rather than just through a TV.

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