Using Foursquare To Dethrone Others

Earlier, I posted about looking for an useful purpose of location-based services like Foursquare.

Though that is still in progress, I've figured out how I can use it in a fun but not really useful manner. This is what I posted on my Facebook:

"figure out a good use for location-based services like Foursquare...gonna go dethrone the current mayor of a popular patry/cafe place where I walk/drive by everyday near my house..."

I think I will create a ring of businesses that are "mine".

Location, Location, Location

After the app store, I set up Loopt on and called my friend. Well, you know, Dave the Mobile Warrior. Anyway, there were enough of us so we got bored and uninstalled it.

Then there's Google's Latitude, which works on the G1 just fine. The iPhone too except you have to use Safari since there is no standalone Latitude app for the iPhone. See, Apple rejected it.

But I wonder how many folks actually use these geo locators. To put it in a better term, friend locator. I have yet to find a compelling reason to use such services. Tagging pictures and video. I'm okay with that. However, I don't see the need to broadcast to everyone where I am every single moment of my life.

I can see one possible scenario where I might contemplate using Latitude. That's if I go on vacation and I want to folks at home to know where I'm visiting. This allows them to zoom in on my location and, if there is Street View available, they can get a sense of where I am and what I'm seeing around me.

Even so, locations can be spoofed. I've done it while testing Latitude out.

If you use Latitude, Loopt, or any other services, let me know how you like it and how you're using it.

Palm Tracking Pre Users Secretly

Palm appreciates the fact that Pre users allow their privacy to be violated. That's essentially what Palm said it when the Los Anegeles Times found out about this.

Through the GPS, Palm is tracking where its users are and what apps they're using. So, I wonder if Sprint is even aware of this at all? Palm's answer to this was "We appreciate the trust that users give us with their information, and have no intention to violate that trust."

Seriously, they think it's okay to do this without their users knowing about it. Anyway, a programmer interviewed by the LA Times found a way to disable to feature which I'm sure Palm can just turn it back on after the next system update.

But what the hell is Palm thinking?! Anyway, this is a great violation and I hope Pre users are pissed off about this. Palm should have mentioned this from the start and if Sprint is in on this, it can kiss its effort to stay relevant in the wireless world good-bye.

Jim Goldman of CNBC offered Palm a solution: give users the option to turn off the Palm's peeping feature.

At the end of Goldman's piece, he wanted to know if Palm was being a helper or big brother. Dude, you even have to ask? If it was helping, it would have said something about it. And Palm knew this would not have gone down well with Pre users so it specifically failed to inform users.

Now, I wonder if Apple and Google does the same thing as well.

UPDATE: PalmInfoCenter (great site, I've used this since the Palm PDA days) note that turning this off is difficult but the programmer, Joey Hess, who discovered this criminal scheme, is working on it. Plus, PIC noted that user data base is back-uped to a Palm server is a normal operation that can be turned off through the Backup application.

So, Palm obviously knew what they're doing here is wrong with the police-state like GPS tracking. Plus, Palm reserve the rights to share information it collects. Read their terms and conditions.

Links: LA Times, CNBC

Projecting Power: Future GPS Will Draw Less Power

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, battery, battery, battery.  Can't say enough about it.  I'm always looking to the day when mobile devices truly last a full day's worth of work, use, and fun.  That day, unfortunately isn't coming for a while.  See, new technology generally are a few years away before they're ready for application in real life use.  Since we have not heard anything in the last 4-5 years, that means we're still waiting for a breakthrough announcement in battery technology.

But humans are natural problem-solvers.  CNet News is reporting that a new GPS platform will draw less power than the one in use today, thereby, indirectly extending battery use.  Of course, if you're like me, you simply turn off GPS, or anything else for that matter, when you're not using it. 

For the new GPS scheme, it will draw power in the 50-500 microamps where today's GPS chip draws power in the milliamps.  For a few hours of use, it adds up.

Is this enough?  Well, we won't know if there is going to be an observable difference in a day-to-day use but I think with faster and more efficient chips, OLED screens, wireless chips (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, radio, 3G or LTE) that also draw less and less power, perhaps all of these factors working together can extend battery life in terms we can measure.

Given what Apple was able to achieve in their Macbook Pro line by extending battery life by about 30%, I am hoping more efficient components and creative layouts of battery and the circuitry in the mobile devices and smartphones will be able to achieve the same measurable increase as well.

Sources:  CNet News

Mobile Warrior Profile: Josh Gates of Destination Truth

We live in a world where superheroes or simple human heroes who use their intellect to solve mysteries, overcome odds, and find solutions at the last moment with gadgets, laptops, or, here goes, Google.

Now, we're going to begin with a weekly post and focus on a specific individual, real or otherwise, and imagine what kind of gadgets they'll carry around with them on their quests or latest attempts to save humanity.

Now, I doubt we'll ever profile Batman or Ironman.  That's too easy.  For those two, watch the movies or cartoons.

This week's profile is a real person.  Josh Gates of Scf-Fi's Destination Truth.  With a degree in archeology and drama, he is the modern day equivalent to Indiana Jones (without the whip or hat).  On the show, Jos and his team travel the world as setting up camp to find the truth and evidence for urban legends, paranormal events, and other X-Files-type mysteries.

Featured prominently on shows are laptops, mobile gears, cameras, and other various gadgets.  So, I wondered what does Josh take with him whether his deep in Africa or looking for Yeti in the Himalaya.  Well, Sci-Fi has made it simple by actually listen stuff he takes with him on most trips:

• Spot Messenger  - With a push of a button, Josh can send maps or messages back to base in LA whether just to check in or send an emergency call.  
• Sunnto Core Watch - barometer, altimeter, compass.  
• Olympus Stylus 1030SW Digital Camera - Josh took it for its toughness.  You'll have to visit maybe Olympus' site or Amazon for specs.
• SteriPen - Use UV to sterilize water.  And to top it off, it uses a solar charger.
• Tumi Travel Charger 
• Battery Geek Portable Power Station - provides Josh's team with up to 13 hours of batteries.  So, if you're into ameteur ghostbusting or UFO watching, this is perfect.  
• Nikon D200 Camera
• Garmin GPS Map 60CSx - compact and tough.  Accuracy within 4 feet.  
• iPod - He's got the first gen nano.  Someone tell him there are new ones with longer battery lives.  Comes in useful for an all night stakeout for boogymen.  I don't understand why he has a Nike+ Transmitter.  I mean when does he find time to go jogging in Mongolia?
• Flir Thermal Imager - I think Batman's got one of these in his cowl.  A must have for anyone trekking out in the dark.
• Unlocked Sony Ericsson W810i - Josh loves his iPhone but this is what he takes with him on his journeys.  It isn't that the iPhone can hack it.  I'm sure he rather it that with him except ATT has made sure Apple has it locked and won't work else where.  I suggest someone unlock and jailbreak his phone for him.  
• Moleskine Journal - good choice.  But any paper pad will work too.  A couple of pens are good too.  I lose a pen a week and that's just in my office.  
• Book - Josh should bring his iPhone for ebook apps.  Actually, a real ebook reader would be great.

Suggestions for Josh:

• We're partial the Macbooks and Viaos .  I think the Macbook Air is light and provides enough power for most of Josh and his team's truth-seeking.  Plus it runs Windows well.  Viaos are great as well.  Well built and Viaos are my second love after Macbooks.
• The iPhone now plays a lot of games.  But for some reason I would have thought Josh would take with him a PSP .  He's likely too manly for Pokemon so DS is out.  Josh is more of a NFL or NBA type of person.  

So, there you go.  Destination Truth is on Wednesdays at 10/9C (whatever that means).

Now, we don't want to profile just folks we see on TV or fictional characters.  If you lead an exciting life, special ops, secret agent, or peace officer and use mobile gadgets, we love to make you the subject of Onxo's Mobile Warrior Profile.

Future Profiles:  Jack Bauer and McGyver (what Colonel Oneil...I mean McGyver would use today if he was still active)

Note:  We've provided product links to Amazon or product homepages for easy access if you want to duplicate your boyhood hero or find the mobile gadgets mentioned useful or want more information.

Nuvifone Pushed Back to 2009

Originally slated for a 3Q release is now delayed until 2009 (more at GPS Tracklog).  We're assuming Q1 of 2009.  Oh, sorry, We're talking about the Nuvifone from Garmin.

If you're not familiar with the Nuvifone, think of the iPhone where Apple produced a great music player and added web and phone feature onto it.  Multi-touch and other stuff too.  In this case, Garmin who makes GPS devices is now adding phone and smartphone features into a GPS device.



For the best GPS devices, you can't go wrong with Garmin and upon hearing this, I was blown away.  At the time of announcement, the iPhone lacked GPS functionality.  Even now, the iPhone 3G's GPS function is, well, not much to speak of.  So, what's to get exited about?

• 3.5 inch LCD touchscreen.


• First rate GPS functionality and sofware.


• 3.5G standard for browsing, chatting, e-mail.


• Built-in Google search and easy sharing of photo to Panoramio (Google) picture sharing site.


• Sleek sexy form factor.


• Easy access "Where am I?" feature to quickly locate where one is.


• Music/video player.

While all these features may seem standard, something we've all seen on other phones, I'm wagering Garmin isn't release it for the sake of just release a phone.  Here is the press release from January 30, 2008.  This delay'll give you time to save up for it.  I'm reading it can cost $500, up to $800.

Here's my fear:  Vaporware.  Having said that, Garmin is seeing a lot of GPS competition from the smartphone crowd.  It has to push back.  Here's hoping the delay isn't simply a provider issue but something more substantial.

Importance of Voice Commands for Smartphones

I've never really appreciated voice commands for mobile devices like smartphones until recently when I took up the bike to save the environment and some gas money. Okay, mostly gas money. But I have cut down on carbon emission to the tune of $28.77 in gas saved since taking up biking again.

This is what it's about. It's about riding the bike and having some sense control over the phone. I have a Motorola bluetooth headset that I'm fine with it for the most part. With my iPhone or just about any other Bluetooth phones, you already know that I can answer or end calls. With my old Sony phone, there was a not so great option for voice dialing. The ability to issues call commands, no matter how one decides if it is a necessary feature, is not available on my iPhone or the new iPhone 3G. I had always thought it unnecessary until now.

Then again, the question is, should one even try to navigate the treacherous roads of Los Angeles on a moving vehicle while talking? Suffice, to say, I'm going to be extra careful when California's hands-free law goes into effect on July 1.

But whether you're biking or driving, having a smart phone that responds commands beyond just calling or ending calls would be great. Say you're on your way to work and you want to know what kind of day you're going to have, it would be cool to have the smartphone read your days schedule for you. Even better, the ability make dictations for notes or e-mails can save a lot of time. After all, I'm sure you've seen people try to text or e-mail while driving.

More than that, it would be nice to be able to navigate the Internet through speech and have the smartphone read you stock prices or the day's headlines.

I have no clue how advanced voice-command are these days. It's been a while since I've owned anything that takes vocal input. Regardless, here's a wish list of voice features for the not-too-distant-future smartphones I love to see in the next Blackberry, gPhone, or anyone else who's willing to go a step further than anyone else.

• voice dialing. It is the basic must have for all phones.
  
• checking calendar events, to do lists and read back events within your specified time period.
  
• ability receive command to check e-mails and tell speaker who the sender is, subject, and possibly body of the e-mail. You can also issue replies or ability to forward e-mails.
  
• GPS commands. While riding, I was looking for a Jamba Juice. Be nice to be able to find the closest one and be directed there. Nice to able to request traffic conditions
  
• ability to do dictations. I suppose if e-mail is possible, dictation will be as well.
  
• rudimentary Internet access via voice - stock quotes, weather, RSS feeds all read to you depending on what you ask your smartphone to do.
  
• car mode - let callers know you are driving/biking so they don't call like fifty thousand times if you don't feel like answering. I know people who answer phones while they are driving because they felt it was rude to ignore calls.
  

Note that the fatures I've listed are not Star Trek-like features. I dare not ask . But something more than just asking the smartphone to call voicemail is not asking too much. Perhaps some of the features I've asked for are already available in some fashion or another but it's not easy to use.

Given the depth of the OS smart phones use and the processing power, everything I've requested is possible. I just takes an effort on the part of a giant like Google or Nokia to make it happen.


By the way, there is a distinction in the CA law for drivers over 18 and minors (maturity is not taken into account). Drivers 18 and over will be allowed to use a hand-free device like a Bluetooth headset. For those under 18, stow away that phone. CA will be just the 5th state in the Union to adopt such law.