Touch Pro 2 Reviews at Pocket PC Thoughts

One of the hottest new devices to hit the mobile marketplace is the HTC Touch Pro 2 (which is compatible with the upcoming Windows Mobile 6.5).  Well, while we all sit here and drool, Doug Raeburn over at Pocket PC Thoughts got his hands on one and wrote an incredibly thorough review. 

Although he admitted to preferring The Touch Pro’s skinnier sibling, the Diamond 2, Doug did find a lot to like in this one, stating:

There’s much to like about the Touch Pro2. It provides quality construction, many useful design features and a concerted effort by HTC to provide the richest touch enabled environment currently available in a WinMo phone. The fundamental design of the OS prevented them from extending this environment to all aspects of the phone, but it’s an impressive effort nonetheless.

Draw up a chair, pour yourself a nice, hot cup of coffee, and get ready to stay for a while, and then head over to Pocket PC Thoughts and read the whole review.

Palm Pre App Catalog. 30 Apps in 30 Days. Day 21: Roundup of WebOS non-Cloud Based Sync Options

There are a number of apps available for the Palm Pre which require a specific hardware or software configurations.  Since I do not have all of the right equipment, I will not be able to go into too much detail, but I wanted to mention them in the interest of ensuring a complete series.  So, read on for a few additional sync options designed for your unique needs.

Echo for Palm Desktop: This app allows you to sync your Palm Pre with the Palm Desktop software.  Echo will give you true two-way sync via any wireless network.  The great thing about syncing via Wi-fi is that you do not need to worry about a hardware connection or sync cable.  Likewise, unlike syncing via the Internet, you do not need to worry about passing your private PIM data over the web.  Using the Palm Desktop software, Echo creates a direct sync between your Palm Pre and your Windows PC.  You can download a 7-day trial from the App Catalog, but you will have to pay later to unlock all of the features after that time.

Fliq: This is a basic Internet bookmarks sync option for fans of Apple’s Safari.  It allows you to transfer your Safari bookmarks from you Mac to the Palm Pre.  You can then access these bookmarks through the WebOS web browser.  Not that this currently works only with Mac, and it does require that you load Missing Sync as well.  A PC version is expected to be coming soon.

The Missing Sync: Fans of Windows Mobile probably remember The Missing Sync.  This is the app which allows your device to talk with your Mac.  Using The Missing Sync, you can sync your iCal, iTunes, iPhoto, and plenty more, including documents, contacts, and other files.  A PC version is expected to be coming soon.  You can download a 7-day trial from the App Catalog, but you will have to pay later to unlock all of the features after that time.

Pocket Mirror: This is the app which all of you Outlook users have been seeking.  Most of you may have noticed that while WebOS does a great job of syncing with Google’s Gmail and your Exchange server, it does not do so well when you try to connect it to your computer to sync your contacts, emails, and other PIM information.  This may be a bit of a shock for Windows Mobile users who are used to finding this feature included with the Operating system.  Just like Echo, this will sync your calendar and contacts via wireless network.  Support for Tasks and Notes sync is coming soon.   You can download a 7-day trial from the App Catalog, but you will have to pay later to unlock all of the features after that time.

I was pretty impressed by all of these sync options.  Although none of them worked for my needs (I use the native web sync), they each really expand the functionality of the device.

Review: Endorphin Rush Earphones By Jaybird

Music is a key part of everyone’s life.  It helps us express emotion.  We all have a happy song, an angry song, and a song that pumps us up.  However, most people cannot agree on what the best music is, so that’s why earbuds and earphones are so important.  I must start this review by saying two things:  1 – I have never been able to find a comfortable set of earbuds.  2 – I am not a big fan of going to the gym, and will find any excuse I can to avoid it.  With that said, I welcomed the chance to review Jaybird’s new athletic earbuds, Endorphin Rush.  First, they have a lifetime warranty against sweat damage.  One thing I can say about my current over the ear headphones is that I hate that the little earpad gets drenched.  That’s just gross.  Also, I figured with athletic and sweat-proof earbuds, I would have to test them at the gym.  This would force me to exercise.  So, can the Endorphin meet my tough criteria for earbuds and make me happy at the gym…read on to find out… 

 

Packaging

First impressions, to me, can be just as important for products as they are for people.  The work that goes into packaging shows that the manufacturer cares about the whole product.  The outside of the box is sturdy construction with a great picture of the earbuds right on the front.  There is no mistaking what is inside the box.

Speaking of inside the box, one can see that the earbuds are securely packaged.  The overall look of the packaging makes me feel like I am opening up $300 earbuds instead of $99 ones.  The Endorphins also come with quite a few accessories.

There are three different kinds of earbud tip options:  White and black round silicone tips in two different sizes, a ‘Christmas tree’ type with 2 layers, and a ‘Christmas tree’ type with three layers.  See the picture below to understand what I am talking about when I call them ‘Christmas Tree Tips’.

Next, the Endorphin comes with a few storage options:  there is a case as well as a cable manager.  To round out the package, you have ear hooks for an extra secure fit.

 

Comfort and Fit

The best earbud choice for me was the small, white, round silicone earbud tips.  Actually, they fit great!!! I was quite surprised at the comfort.  As I stated at the beginning of the article, I don’t like earbuds, but these have changed my mind.  As for the cord placement, I tried the wires over my ears with and without the ear hooks.  I did not have a problem working out on the treadmill with just the wires over my ears.  The buds were secure, and never moved at all.  I think that’s a tribute to the design of the actually earbud.  They fit snugly into the inner curves of my ears almost as if they were specially molded for my ears. 

I did wind-up settling on the ear hooks for my final fit, because they just felt more comfortable for me.  There is an indentation on the other side of the hooks that the wire presses right into.  As for the wire itself, I was worried that if I kept it against my skin during a work-out, that it would stick from the sweat.  No problem at all.  Whatever the wire is coated with never once stuck to my skin.  If you like to wear your earbuds with the wire in front you, no worries, you can still do that.  Just don’t tuck the wire over your ears.  I use them that way at work due to the fact that I have my Zune sitting on my desk.

 

Sound Quality

When it comes to sound quality, I am completely spoiled with my pair of Bang & Olufsen earphones.  They blend the sound beautifully.  The Endorphin matches the quality of my B&Os.  While the B&Os blend the sounds, the Endorphin allows you to hear every instrument clearly.  There were times when I was like ‘Gee, I don’t remember a piano in this song,’ plus, the sound isolation is amazing.  I would be sitting at my desk and wouldn’t even hear my phone ring, which is about an arm’s length away.  You will definitely not be disappointed in the music quality.  On the technical specs, the diaphragm is titanium coated.  This is what helps contribute to the long wear life.  For more specs, check out the Jaybird website. 

Conclusions:

Pros:  Excellent sound quality & isolation, comfortable earbud tips

Cons:  None

If you are in the market for earbuds for the gym or travel, these are a great pair.  High quality at a not so high a price.  Based on my results, I would have thought these would be more expensive than $99.

Price:  Endorphin Rush Athletic Earphones are available for $99 from a variety of retailers.

I would like to the thank the generous people at Jaybird for sending me a pair of Endorphin Rush earphones.  I love them, and look forward to more quality time.  Although, it might not be a the gym.

Palm vs Apple… Now Taking Sides

Engadget has just posted an interesting read, discussing how Apple’s Steve Jobs once approached Palm’s Ed Colligan.  To discuss coffee,  you suspect?  Surely not!  Instead, the article discusses Jobs’ proposal to Colligan, asking him to refrain from hiring Apple employees.

Stop for a moment and think about it.  Why would Jobs do this?  What did he have to be worried about… Palm was a “has been” while Apple was basking from the iPhone’s recent success?  The whole thing makes me slightly curious as to why Apple was so concerned.  After all, almost everyone had written Palm off at the time.

Fast forward two years, and we the people know what Apple had to be worried about.  A superior product that could trump the iPhone, at least in my opinion.  What do you think?  Were Apple’s concerns justified?  Let us know in the comments below.  I for one believe that Palm is pulling off exactly what Apple already did, with the launch of Mac OS X.. they are saving their company with WebOS.

PPCTechs: All RAM Upgrade Pricing Lowered!

Remember some time back when I told you that when you want something from us, we listen and try to do what we can? Well, recently we’ve been asked quite a lot if we can lower the pricing on our RAM upgrades. And well, we have! Took me ages to change all the pricing!

So, dust off that X51V or HX4705 that you’ve been meaning to send in to us – and here’s a full list of all available upgrades. And don’t forget, it includes free 2nd day return shipping within the US!