Google Maps Mobile now offers public transit directions

by Scott Carmichael on

Google Maps Mobile has always been a pretty nifty way to get maps and local information on your mobile device. Since its first release, Google has slowly been adding new features, and the newest addition is mobile access to public transit directions.

Public transit networks in 50 cities around the world have provided Google with their route information, which has been incorporated in the search results you see when you ask for directions. These networks cover bus, train, tram, ferry and subway networks. In the US, most major cities are included, like Chicago, New York and San Francisco.

The new version of Google Maps Mobile with transit directions is currently only available for Blackberry and Windows Mobile users. You can get Google Maps Mobile by pointing your mobile browser to mobile.google.com/maps. The application is free, but you will need a data plan on your phone to access the information. The newest version of Google Maps Mobile even supports the Google Street View feature on Blackberry smartphones, as well as on the upcoming T-mobile G1 phone.

Google Maps Mobile has come in quite handy many times, when I need a quick and easy way to find a local business, or if I’m hopelessly lost in a new city, the price is certainly right, so I highly recommend taking it for a spin.

Daily deal – Accessory Genie portable battery pack

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is for the “Accessory Genie portable power pak”. This portable Lithium-Ion battery pack can be charged using your desktop or laptop computer, and comes complete with power charging tips for most portable electronic devices.

Included in the package is the power pack itself, a USB charging cable and power adapters for the iPod/iPod Touch/iPhone, Blackberry, Nokia, SonyEricsson, Motorola and Samsung.

The battery has a capacity of 1000mAh, which should be enough for at least one or two full charges of your device.

The portable power pak is on sale for just $13.99 through Amazon.com but since it is being sold through a third party, you’ll have to pay $7.99 in shipping.

Devices like this can be a real lifesaver if you find yourself stuck at the airport with a dead phone, or an iPod that funs out of juice halfway over the ocean.

Survey says: 35% would pick their Blackberry over their spouse

by Scott Carmichael on

A survey conduced by Sheraton (of the famous hotel chain) reveals that 35% of the respondents would pick their PDA over their spouse.

I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry at these results. Either 35% of people were joking, or we really have turned into a society where email means more than personal relationships.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m one of those weird geeks that checks for email if I wake up in the middle of the night, but to actually pick my Blackberry over my wife?

Some other shocking statistics from the survey:

  • 87% of those interviewed admit that they bring their PDA or smartphone to the bedroom at night.
  • 84% check their email right before nodding off.
  • 80% check their email as soon as they wake up.
  • 62% claim they actually love their PDA or smartphone.

I’m guessing 35% of all Blackberry owners will now be spending the night alone at the local Sheraton. These are probably the same people that suffer from phantom Blackberry vibrations when they are away from their beloved email gadget.

Peek is here – get yours now!

by Scott Carmichael on

Peek, the wireless email device I recently tested, is now available for the masses!

A quick refresher; the device costs $99.95 and service is just $19.95 a month. It does email, and only email, but does that one thing really well.

There is no contract, and no paperwork involved with getting the device up and running and you’ll be able to use it with almost any email account.

They are currently available on the Peek website, and this coming Monday you’ll be able to see one in person at your local Target store. Peek even has a top secret offer where you can get 50% off the monthly fee for 3 months.

As I mentioned in my review, it won’t replace your Blackberry or iPhone, but it’s a splendid device for anyone who “just wants email” and needs to be left alone the rest of the time.

You can learn more about the device here, or you can skip all of that and just place your order by clicking here.

Product review – OtterBox gear protection cases

by Scott Carmichael on

In this product review I’m going to introduce you to OtterBox. OtterBox has been producing cases for gadgets for quite some time, and I remember purchasing my first OtterBox case back in Europe almost 10 years ago. Their products are different from most cases you are used to, because they provide a level of protection that goes way beyond just keeping some minor scratches off your precious gadget.

The OtterBox lineup consists of several levels of protection, varying from basic scratch and bump protection, all the way up to full waterproof protection, with enough strength to survive a drop on a concrete floor. All OtterBox cases come with a no hassle lifetime warranty.

To help introduce you to their cases, I’ll give you a closer look at three different styles of OtterBox case, each with a different level of protection. First up will be an OtterBox defender series case for the iPod Nano, second is an OtterBox Defender case for the Blackberry Curve, and finally I’ll show you my 160GB iPod Classic underwater in the sink in an OtterBox Armor case.

OtterBox Defender series case for the 3rd generation iPod Nano

The OtterBox defender series cases are designed to protect your device from the kind of mishaps that happen when you carry your device. The case consists of three parts; 2 form the shell around the iPod, and the third is a rubber “jacket” that slips over the shell. The rubber protects the device, plus it guards the ports from letting any dust in.

Unlike most cases, the Defender case does not leave the scroll wheel unprotected; OtterBox has developed a patented “thin film membrane” to keep dirt and dust out, but still allow you full control of your player.

OtterBox Defender cases for the iPod are available for the 3rd generation Nano, the iPhone, the iPhone 3G, the iPod Touch and the iPod Classic. The cases cost $29.95 for the iPod, and $49.95 for the iPhone. OtterBox also make 2 iPod Defender cases in pink, to benefit the Avon breast cancer crusade.


OtterBox Defender series case for the Blackberry Curve

The OtterBox Defender series case for the Blackberry Curve consists of 5 separate pieces; the first piece is a plastic film that wraps around your Blackberry, 2 parts form a hard plastic shell for around the device, a rubber bumper fits around the entire case, and finally, the whole thing fits in a holster with rotating belt clip. This case turns your fragile little Berry into what can only be described as “a tank”.

Despite being encased in layers of plastic and rubber, you can still access the keyboard, trackball, USB and headphone ports and there are even special dust filters protecting the earpiece and speakerphone from the elements.

The phone slides into the included holster with a reassuring “click”, and the holster even has a magnet embedded to activate the Blackberry sleep mode.

Defender series Blackberry cases are available for the Curve, 8800, Pearl and Bold smartphone lineup. They cost $49.95 each.

OtterBox Armor series case for the iPod Classic

The final case in my review is also the toughest. The Armor series cases provide the most protection in the OtterBox lineup, and have been rated waterproof up to 3 feet/1 meter. Of course, this review would be worthless if I didn’t put that to the test! I put my faith in the designers at OtterBox and submerged my $350 iPod Classic in the sink. Thankfully they were not lying, because my iPod came out of the case bone dry.

The Armor series case has a similar thin membrane as on the Defender series, so you still have full control over the device, but in order to plug your headphone in, they have included a headphone pass-through jack inside the case. When you slide your iPod into the Armor case, the iPod plugs into a headphone jack, and on the outside of the case is another headphone jack, ready to be used with suitable waterproof headphones.

On the back of the case is a removable belt clip, which doubles as a headphone cord wrap.

The Armor case has a silicone seal and a pretty sturdy clip to hold the hinged portions together. With this kind of protection, you’ll be able to take your music to the beach, and not have to worry about sand, the ocean or sun block getting anywhere near your iPod.

The Otterbox Armor series cases are available for the 3rd generation iPod Nano ($29.95) and the iPod Classic ($39.95).