Mobile Computing News, Reviews, & Tips
First Look: Flexible Online Backup
Acpana Business Systems' new Data Deposit Box service is a Web-based backup service offering a simple interface and a flexible pricing structure, says PC World reviewer Rex Farrance. Unlike most online backup services, Acpana charges a penny per megabyte each month for just the storage you use. For example, 900MB of backed-up data costs about $9 a month at Data Deposit Box but would cost $15 or more on other services.
For more about online backup, read "Online Backup Services" and "Online Backup, the Sequel."
Portable Entertainment News: TiVoToGo Here at Last
Nearly one year after it was first announced, the TiVoToGo feature--which lets you transfer programs directly from your TiVo machine to your notebook or desktop PC--is finally available.
TiVoToGo is part of the regular TiVo service, which costs $13 per month or $300 for the life of the TiVo box. To use the feature, you must have a TiVo Series 2 machine connected to your home network. Also, you'll need to have the latest TiVo operating system update downloaded to your box, which happens automatically as the update is rolled out. And you must download the latest version of the free TiVo Desktop onto your computer. Finally, to burn your TiVo programs onto DVD, you'll need Sonic MyDVD Studio 6.1 ($50 for TiVo subscribers).
The allure here, of course, is that you can load up your laptop with prerecorded TV programs for a long plane flight. Also, you can edit the TiVo-recorded programs in Sonic MyDVD before burning them to disc--which you can't do if you use a TiVo with a built-in DVD burner. (TiVo systems don't offer any content editing tools.)
Gadget News: Apple's IPod Shuffle
Apple recently introduced a low-priced, flash-memory-based MP3 player, the IPod Shuffle. The Shuffle is a thin white gadget with a USB connector, a 12-hour rechargeable battery, and no LCD. It's available in two capacities: 512MB ($99) and 1GB ($149). Accessories, such as a dock and sports band, are expected soon.
Wireless Gadgets: The Top Mobile Data Devices
What are the best portable devices for grabbing e-mail and Googling on the go? Read "Going Mobile" for PC World editors' picks of the best PDA phones, smart phones, handheld computers, and mobile IM devices.
Wireless News: Say Bye-Bye to Pocket PC
Microsoft will be phasing out its Pocket PC and Smartphone names in favor of the Windows Mobile brand, the company announced.
With the Pocket PC and Smartphone names retired, Microsoft hopes to eliminate the confusion between Pocket PCs, which have tended to be traditional PDAs, and Smartphones, which are cell phones with some Pocket PC features, such as the ability to sync with Outlook on a PC. In the future, retailers will sell Windows Mobile devices, not Pocket PCs or Smartphones, and most of these devices will have phone capabilities, the company says.
Gadget News: Shake Up Your Presentations
Do you tend to go on and on when giving a presentation? Hint: If your audience is BlackBerrying like crazy, sneaking out the door, or surveying the inside of their eyelids, chances are the answer is yes.
If so, help is on the way: Logitech's new Cordless 2.4-GHz Presenter ($80) is a wireless presentation controller with an integrated timer and a small LCD. When the timer is activated, the LCD displays the time left on a presentation. If that's not enough of a hint, the controller briefly vibrates 5 minutes before your time runs out, then when you have 2 minutes to go.
For more details on this and other gadgets introduced at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, read "Logitech Cuts the Cord."
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