Netflix/Latitude/Recite [Tech Tuesday (Really late)]

Here comes another onslaught of Windows Mobile applications I've found rather interesting in the past few weeks.

Netflix
First is the Mobile Manager for Netflix released on the Windows Mobile Access page (thanks @windowsmobile) . Its a small application that connects you directly to your Netflix account. The application gives you the ability to view your queues (both DVD and instant) as well as add movies to either. Another nice feature is the ability to view trailers for most movies from your search results without having to go through your phone's browser.

Registration is required for download, but as always your Windows LIVE ID is will be your ticket (same ID as Windows Live, Hotmail, Xbox LIVE, etc).

Microsoft Recite
Next up is Microsoft Recite. Currently billed as a "technology preview" its still a bit of a bare boned application. You basically record a reminder message such as "Get eggs, milk, and bacon at the grocery store." Then when you want to search your recordings you simply speak what your looking for like, "grocery store" and the program will search your notes and play back the most relevant message. I tried it a couple times making a few dummy "reminders" and then searching them and it worked flawlessly (that is, until I tried to actually show people how it works). It's a pretty cool application (when it works), and up until this point I've been taking pictures of things I need to remember (serial numbers, registration codes, etc), so this might be a more convenient way to go.

@WMExperts has put together a great article going a little more in depth about the application.

Google Maps Mobile 3.0 with Latitude
Google released an update to their Google Maps Mobile application that now includes Latitude functionality. Latitude basically allows you to quickly see where your friends are (via GPS or cell tower triangulation) and their current Google status (same as Google Talk). It also allows you to quickly IM, call, or search around thier location by clicking their location pin.

Location sharing is controlled via "sharing requests" which are similar to Myspace or Facebook friend requests. You can either accept or deny the request and when accepted you have the option to share your "best location" (usually within 30 meters of your actual location if using GPS), "city level location", or you can hide your location from them (i.e., stalk them :) ). One of the nicest features is you can control your sharing level per friend, so if are sharing with close friends you can share your exact location and share only city level location with acquaintances. You also have the ability to shut off location sharing at anytime (it doesn't always have to run).

It's fun seeing what your friends are doing, but the downside is if you leave the program running it tends to drain your battery. Still, even if you don't use the Latitude functionality, the Google Maps Mobile applications other features definitely make it a must have!

Microsoft My Phone and Google Mobile Sync [Tech Tuesday]

Switching phones has often been a bittersweet thing for many people. On one hand you have a nice shiny new phone, that can do a bunch of new things. But on the other hand you have to re-enter your contacts and other vital information. And what about your pictures? Music? Ring tones? Most of the time they're gone when you switch phones and you have to take the time to download them all over again.

Some carriers have tried to alleviate some of the pain in getting a new phone by allowing you to sync to their network's servers. Microsoft and Google are trying to make it even easier by providing the service themselves. Coming out in the near future (Date still TBD), Microsoft is releasing the My Phone beta on an invite only basis. The first version of My Phone (formally known as SkyBox), will synchronize the following (up to a max of 200MB) contacts, calendar appointments, tasks, photos, videos, text messages, music, and documents between your phone and your My Phone web account. Any synchronized information will be available to view from a password protected webpage. Syncing all of the information to a new phone, would be as easy as a click. A future release (v 2.0) will also add the ability to completly manage your phone remotely (add applications, change ringtones, etc.). Details are still a bit few and far between as Microsoft "accidentaly" leaked the website early, but rumors are that more information will be given at this month's Mobile World Congress (Feb 16-19).

For those of you who want something now, Google has released the Google Mobile Sync Beta. Blackberry users had the privelage of Google Mobile Sync for sometime now, but now iPhone, Windows Mobile, and Nokia phones are supported. GMS basically syncs your Google Calander and G-mail Contacts with your phone. The WinMo and iPhone versions use the ActiveSync protocol and stays up-to-date throughout the day based on a user defined interval. This also takes care of the problem of switching phones by easily transfering the information from an old phone to the web to the new phone.

If you've been using Outlook to store your contacts/calander events, there is an easy way to transfer your information to Google.


sources:
http://i.gizmodo.com/5148541/microsoft-my-phone-free-mobileme+style-syncing-for-windows-mobile

http://www.google.com/mobile/default/sync.html

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/myphone/moreinfo.aspx

Google Earth 5.0 [Tech Tuesday]

Google Earth has been around since 2004 and even before that (2001) as Keyhole's Earth Viewer. During its transition from a simple GIS viewer to the modern marvel it is today, several features have been added. 3D landscapes, Google map integration, and "Street View" are just a few. In its latest iteration (5.0 beta), Google Earth has added some of its coolest features. Among them are;

• Historic Imagery - the ability to use a slider to look at aerials from differant years to see how areas may have developed
• Ocean Floor and Surface data - you can now actually go under the surface of the ocean and explore
• Simplified touring with audio recordings

If you haven't downloaded before or its been a while since you've taken the Earth for a spin, now is a great time to do it. The free (non-commercial) version is available for download here: http://earth.google.com/. It may seem like a lot of information at first, but it definitely becomes addicting and you'll find yourself checking out famous landmarks or places you've been, into the wee hours.

If you get tired of touring the globe, a few releases ago Google Earth also included "Sky view" which allows you to "explore" space as well. And if that still isn't enough check out Google Mars.

Both of these require an internet connection, but if you're reading this blog you most likely have that covered. Enjoy!

Tech Tuesday: Microsoft Photosynth

Photosynth is a project currently in the Microsoft "Live Labs". The idea of it is that it takes several uploaded photos and using reference points, creates a photo "quilt". By using the free software to view these quilts you get a sort of 3D perspective of a particular site. Developed to help splice together tourist photos to create the essence of "being there", this technology has recently been pushed into the limelight; as CNN partnered with Microsoft to present a Photosynth of the inauguration today. To view some of the other synths available, or to make your own you'll need to download two applications: Silverlight (for web viewing) and the actual Photosynth application. Both applications are free.

One of my favorite synths is called The Nose (MacDuff the golden retriever).

A few things to know (taken from http://photosynth.net/learn.aspx):

This first version of Photosynth has some limitations that you need to be aware of:

1. All synths are uploaded. They're big, so you need to use a broadband Internet connection.
2. All synths are public. Your photos will be visible to everyone on the Internet.
3. Like the viewing experience, the "synther" only runs on PCs (XP and Vista).
4. You'll need to Sign Up for a Photosynth account. It uses Windows Live ID.

For tips on how to get the best results when making your own synth, check out our guide or just watch the How to Synth video.

Note from me: You already have a Windows Live ID if you use any of the following: Xbox LIVE, Zune Social, MSN, hotmail, Windows Live Messenger, XNA Creators Club (basically if you have ever done any anything with Microsoft before)

If anyone reading this does a Synth, post a link in the comments. I'd be really interested in seeing it! Get out your digital camera and get to shooting!

Source: http://livelabs.com/photosynth/
Photo: by Tan_Nguyen

Tech Tuesday: Windows Live Writer

This is a product that has been around for a while, but I’ve just recently come across it while installing the Windows 7 Beta (which I’m using as I type). It’s called Windows Live Writer and is basically a word processor specifically designed for blogging.

It has the very familiar feel of Blogger’s online editor (I’m sure the other blogging services are nearly the same as far as editing) but also the ability to save a local draft of any post. What’s the benefit of this? I generally use a laptop for my personal computing needs and because of this, when I’m out and about I don’t always have an internet connection. This allows me to write posts even when not connected, like say, on my lunch (where I have 30 – 60 minutes) as opposed to on my break (15 min) and then I can just plug it in when I get back and… SHAZAM! Post published! It may seem like a little thing, but its nice to take my time and I am not restricted to Starbucks or McDonalds to use their free internet.

You may also be wondering, “Why not just use Word?”. Well my friends, that’s because I have tried using Word and then copying and pasting the post into Blogger. First of all, it takes extra steps. Second: unpredictable results, your formatting tends to get “lost in translation” and you have a jumbled mess instead of a post which adds extra steps, now that you have to go back and fix it. This is quicker and easier.


Set up is a breeze which basically involves typing your blog’s URL (in my case http://tepidcoffee.blogspot.com), my user name, and password. The program does everything else from there. It even downloads a “theme” which customizes the colors of Live Writer to those of your blog. You have the ability post using the basic editor (equivalent to the “Compose” tab on blogger) or you can even edit the source code (Edit Html), and even preview your post (offline too!). Another nice thing for you people who refuse to listen to me when I say “stop using Internet Explorer!”, is that Live Writer has the same real-time spell checker (which Firefox has built in) that you’re used to in other MSFT products like Word (red squiggly lines under misspelled words).

Windows Live Writer is part of a suite of products called Windows LIVE Essentials which is available for free and includes the following nifty programs:

• Windows Live Call (added VoIP feature to Messenger)
• Windows Live Messenger (formerly Microsoft Messenger)
• Windows Live Mail (formerly Outlook Express)
  
• Windows Movie Maker [Beta] (haven’t spent much time with this yet)
• Windows Live Photo Gallery (essentially Microsoft's version of Picasa)
• Windows Family Safety (similar to Net Nanny)
• Windows Live Writer (um… what I’ve been talking about)

To download the suite or for more information visit: http://download.live.com/ and is available for Windows XP (SP2 or higher), Vista, and 7 beta.

It’s free so it’s at least worth a look! Happy blogging!