Donka's iPhone Rambles

Sena Cases Ultraslim Pouch for iPod Touch mini review

2009-04-16T13:00:00.000Z

I have always been a fan of Sena Cases products - I personally found them to be the best leather case manufacturer for my Windows Mobile devices due to their quality leather, great construction and slim form. They have a range available for iPods so seem like a good place to start a search for the iPhone or Touch.
Sena Cases very kindly sent me a sample of their Ultraslim Pouch for the iPod Touch 2G.
The Ultraslim pouch is a slip case which I prefer for the Touch as I like to use it out of a case when interacting with it.
This case is very slim fitting, made from soft Napa leather with a velvet lining. There is no reinforcement or additional padding in this case which means it doesn't offer the same level of protection of some other cases but it does mean it is an elegant, device hugging solution. The leather is textured and sports an embossed Sena logo on the front in what is otherwise a very simple, clean design.
While the protection of offer is adequate to avoid scratches or small impacts, the slip design leaves the top of the iPod is left exposed and so should it be unlucky enough to fall on this edge, the Touch will take the brunt of the impact. I would liked to have seen the top edge of the case extended a few mm's to overlap the top of the iPod and offer some minimum impact protection on this edge.

Because the fit is very tight, you can safely hold this case upside down and the iPod will not slip out which offers great peace of mind and yet it is still easy to push out from the bottom side due to the soft, flexible leather.
The bottom section is fully covered meaning there is no access to the connector for charging & syncing or even the headphone socket. I just pop the iPod into the case upside down when syncing/charging or listening to music since both connections are then exposed.
The case comes in a plain but attractive presentation box and offers a basic level of protection for what is a fairly simple design - think more scratches and small drops. The leather employed by Sena really is of high quality and there is a good selection of colours available. I highly recommend visiting the Sena Cases website for more details if you are on the lookout for a slip case for your 2nd gen Touch.

Proporta Leather Case for iPod Touch mini review

2009-04-06T12:00:00.000Z

Proporta are a company that are almost relentless with their release of products to support the latest mobile gadgets and they very kindly sent me one of their leather cases for the iPod Touch 2G.
This case takes a minimalist approach to styling with the majority of the iPod being put on display when the case is open. Made from soft leather, the finish of this case is very good and you have easy access to all areas. This case also offers a handy storage option with two credit card slots under the cover. The leather flip incorporates a reinforced insert allowing it to be relatively thin yet offer increased screen protection. A stylish touch is the subtle Proporta logo embossed on the inside.

Unusually for a flip-top case, the catch on this design folds under from the rear and fastens magnetically on the front of the flip.
If you love the styling of your iPod Touch, this is a good alternative to the other cases available although the side protection on offer here is not quite as high as some. This case cannot be used while the iPod is docked although a USB cable works fine and may well be sufficient to make this the ideal case for many.
This case is available for the majority of the iPod range in various colours and more details can be found at the Proporta website.

Exciting applications on their way to iPhone

2009-03-14T11:00:00.001Z

Two of my most anticipated applications for iPhone OS have finally been announced. First up we have the hugely versatile ListPro from Ilium Soft. This has been one of my favourite Windows Mobile applications for years and truly is versatile; you can use it as a basic checklist for shopping or a full on expenses tracker for business travel managing different locations, currencies, totals etc. It was speculated that only a viewer application would be released to work alongside the desktop client however Ilium Soft have confirmed this will be an editable client so you can add and make changes to your lists on the move. I genuinely believe this will prove to be one of the most useful applications available on the iPhone OS.
The second application I was excited to hear about was TomeRaider with the upcoming version 4 marked for an iPhone release. This is a paid for document and ebook reader with many free documents available for download. The reason I think this will be a big draw on the iPhone OS, especially for iPod Touch users is the ability to handle large files such as a full offline Wikipedia document which is also available for free. An offline version of Wikipedia for Touch users or iPhone users in poor network coverage areas is considered by many to be a digital holy grail.
These are two applications that will be a must have for me when released.

Beyza Cases Leather Case for iPod Touch mini review

2009-01-29T12:00:00.002Z

When I first got my 2nd generation Touch, I really loved the slim form and wanted to get a leather case that kept things as slim as possible so started on my quest to search the web for a suitable candidate. I opted for a slip case as I like using the Touch out of a case when interacting with it and my early searches led me to order a case from Beyza Cases.
The first thing that struck me about this case was the padded feel of the leather - it really felt like thick, soft leather. Further inspection showed this to be two sections; one soft leather and one soft velvet feeling lining bonded together with a layer of padded material in between. The same is repeated on the rear face meaning that there is a surprising amount of cushioning in what is a relatively slim case wall.
There is a good level of protection on offer should you drop your device from waist height due to the way the front and rear faces are stitched together with the seam facing outwards. This means you have approximately 5mm of border around the device to absorb any side impact. Due to the slip design however, the top of the iPod is relatively un-protected - should it be unlucky enough to fall on this edge, the Touch will take the brunt of the impact. I would liked to have seen the top edge of the case extended a few mm's to overlap the top of the iPod and offer impact protection on this edge.

Because the fit is quite tight, you can safely hold this case upside down and the iPod will not slip out which offers great peace of mind and yet it is still easy to slide out when required.
On the bottom is a cut out section that allows access to the connector for charging & syncing. The headphone socket is still hidden away though so I feel this cut out to be largely unnecessary - I just pop the iPod into the case upside down when syncing/charging or listening to music since both connections are then exposed. The biggest benefit of this cut out section on the bottom though is in assisting in sliding out the iPod - you can push it from the bottom then grasp at the top to pull out.
The case comes in a plain but attractive presentation box and offers a good level of protection for what is a fairly simple design. The leather employed by Beyza is of high quality and there is a great selection of colours and finishes available. I highly recommend visiting the Beyza Cases website for more details if you are on the lookout for a slip case for your 2nd gen Touch.

Samsung NC10 forum

2008-11-21T15:30:00.000Z

As I have recently picked up a Samsung NC10 netbook for myself, I was on the lookout for a good community to discuss this netbook and iron out any issues that may arise. Thankfully one has appeared quickly and is already changing for the better as it picks up a higher readership. Head on over to www.sammynetbook.com/ and introduce yourself if you have got yourself one of these great little netbooks.

Proporta offer a Guy Fawkes 15% discount promotion

2008-11-04T17:00:00.000Z

Proporta like to celebrate in style, and Bonfire Night is no exception. Celebrate on them with a 15% discount off all Proporta branded products with the promotion code FAWKES. Simply enter it at the cart page when you order to receive your discount. I'm not sure if this is a day only promotion but a great deal none the less!

Proporta supporting the new iPods

2008-09-29T17:00:00.000Z

If there is one company that you can be sure of to support a mobile device then it is Proporta. On my quest to see if the new Touch can work as a PDA replacement, I discovered that Proporta have a slew of new products for this latest iPod release including the usual large selection of cases. More details can be found at the Proporta website. Hopefully a review or two will appear here shortly.

iPod touch as a PDA

2008-09-29T13:00:00.000Z

Lately I have been experimenting with the iPod Touch as a replacement for my Windows Mobile Pocket PC. I am now at a place where my Pocket PC does all I need but I fear for the future of the Pocket PC platform as focus is put more on smartphones. I also really like the interface of the Touch and think it has the makings of a very good PDA. Of course such a transition is unlikely to go smoothly and while a lot of the big players from the Windows Mobile arena are starting to develop their products for the iPhone / Touch, there are still a lot of inevitable gaps. My three must haves for my PDA are Calendar, Contacts and a password repository. The first two are catered for out of the box and thankfully my favourite wallet application - eWallet, is now available with ListPro to follow which is another great application. Where things are not so rosy however concern the calendar and alarms; both functional but the current calendar application lacks a search function which I consider a big omission. Alarms do the job but it seems there is no auto off so I'm unsure as of yet if a missed alarm will continue to sound until the battery dies - I suspect it will unfortunately. Pocket Informant is in the works which is a fantastic application but due to me not mixing business data on my personal device, it is simply overkill for my needs. I'm hopeful someone will release a search solution for the calendar which will greatly increase its appeal as a PDA replacement.

Now don't get me started on the lack of demo software in iTunes....

Many netbooks showing up at Computex

2008-06-04T09:00:00.001Z

The web has been bursting with news over the past couple of days about the many new netbooks that are being released to compete with the highly popular Asus eeePC. The two I would recommend to keep an eye on are the MSI Wind and Medion Akoya Mini - both of which are essentially the same device with similar specifications. Both machines feature the new Intel Atom processor @ 1.6GHz, a 10" screen and a very usable near full size keyboard. These machines will be showing up at in the retail chain very shortly.

MSI Wind

2008-05-07T18:30:00.002Z

In June 2008 MSI will release the MSI Wind Notebook that weighs approximately 1 kilogram, this makes it ideal for outdoor use. Not only does this make it one of the true eee PC competitors out there with its almost identical specification but also one well placed to replace the Asus as the must have ultra portable notebook for the masses.
MSI say the Wind Notebook will provide an 8.9” or 10” wide LCD display solution. The embedded LED power-saving backlight technology will provide better colour richness and brightness. The 1024 x 600 resolution delivers full display of Web Pages while browsing, this gives users more freedom when exploring the internet. The MSI Wind notebook uses the same ergonomic keyboard as MSI’s larger notebooks. The keyboard not only has great texture, it also has increased space between the keys, allowing for a comfortable typing experience.
Unlike other competitors that have compromised memory capacity (read Asus eee PC), the MSI Wind Notebook is equipped with the 2.5 inch standard 80GB hard drive. This means that despite its size the MSI Wind Notebook can operate without the worry of insufficient storage capacity.
I have been speaking with someone from MSI and this certainly seems like a very interesting product. Early pricing indicates between £200 - £300 depending on the specification but the claims of a full sized notebook keyboard and 3.5 hours of life under average use from the standard battery puts this ahead of the eee PC if these claims are accurate. If MSI can obtain this battery life with a standard 2.5" hard drive then I think a lot of people will be pulling out their credit cards in June. Look for the white model at launch with black and pink to follow.

Proporta Asus eee PC Gadget Bag mini review

2008-04-22T09:00:00.004Z

Proporta kindly sent me one of their eee PC Gadget Bags to take a look at. Chances are if you are looking for a notebook bag to snugly wrap around your new Asus, the majority of usual suspects will not be able to help you owing to the fact the eee PC is much smaller than your average notebook. Proporta, keen to cover all aspects of mobile computing, have come up with a modular and functional design to hopefully suit your needs.
The first thing I will point out with this design is the modular aspect of it. The bulk of the case is made up of a main compartment and two add on compartments to complement this. The main section, which is tailored to the same dimension of this tiny notebook, takes up half the depth of the whole bag and the further two sections take up a quarter each. The two smaller compartments are attached to the main section using a zip and are tethered together with a small strap and buckle. This design lets you remove one or both of these extra sections depending on how much storage space you need!
The main notebook section takes the eee PC with little room to spare although you can dress it up in the neoprene sleeve before squeezing it in, ensuring an even snugger fit. While this was originally designated for the 700 series, my 900 series also fits in when wearing it's slip case... just. Inside this main section is a further small pouch which uses velcro to stay closed and also to attach inside the case. I'm not quite sure of the purpose of this pouch as it makes sense to remove it when the notebook is in place and I also think the use of velcro to attach this inside is a small design flaw; more on that later. There is also an elastic retainer however it is the wrong size and in the wrong location to be used for the main unit so again it seems oddly designed.

The two smaller compartments are ideal for accessories and will easily carry the power charger, mouse, cables and an external hard drive, perhaps more. I would have liked to have seen an internal pocket for storing memory cards or pen drives and I did wonder if this is what the pouch was intended for but if it was, it was poorly realised.
Protection is one of the fundamental aspects of a notebook bag and this model does quite well here. While it is not up to the standard of top end notebook bags, the three main sections have a good amount of padding and are encased in a tough, hard wearing and splash proof material. The only down side to the padding is it does not go round the edge of the compartments. The inside uses a very soft material to protect the contents from scratches which brings me back to the small pouch that is attached inside the notebook section. The velcro used to attach this leaves the rough, hook side on the inside of this compartment and therefore, by design, is very likely to scratch the notebook. This goes against the point of using a soft lining and I'm still unsure why it was designed in this fashion! Thankfully it is easily resolved by using a strip of parcel tape to cover the offending velcro.
Accessibility is very good with zip closures all round and the main section can flip open almost flat if needed to ensure easy access. Also included in all compartments is a rubberised headphone port so you can pass though a cable or even a thin power cord if needed - a handy addition and especially welcome on all sections!
Included with this bag is a detachable shoulder strap that, while not the last word in comfort, is perfectly adequate although surprisingly for a notebook bag, there is no hand strap. While this is not most likely a deal breaker for most, it would still have been a good addition to give the user more options.
So is there anything else I need to point out about this case? Well because the two outer compartments attach to the main section using a zip, with these removed it leaves a zip edge running around the case. I think this looks untidy and I would have preferred these 2 sections to attach using velcro, soft side on the main section of course, and perhaps a strap and buckle to further secure them.

As much as I had some negative points, all in, this is a simple but reasonably well specified, practical bag that is ideally tailored to the diminutive dimensions of the Asus eee PC. A few small design flaws aside, this bag should meet the requirements of the majority of users looking for a small but full featured bag for storage and travelling.
More details can be found at Proporta's website.

Asus eee PC 900

2008-04-21T21:30:00.000Z

Well I managed to get a hold of an Asus eee PC 900 and straight away I am impressed. While the desire to have a larger screen than the 701 was the biggest draw, I was surprised at just how much it improves. I'll document my thoughts here as I try it out and also incorporate it into the reviews I am currently writing on some cases designed for the eee PC.

eee PC accessory reviews on the way.

2008-04-10T09:00:00.000Z

I have received some custom sample cases for the eee PC so look out for these reviews in the coming days. I am impressed with the design of these and can see them being popular with a lot of users.

Back this time with the Asus eee PC

2008-04-09T14:00:00.001Z

After what has been some what of an enforced hiatus due to work commitments, it is time to get this mobile blog back on track. While I am still a regular Windows Mobile user, things have been quickly moving of late and I was on the look out for something highly portable yet still functional to assist me in photography. Ideally, I wanted to use a full OS like Windows due to the applications I prefer and wanted a small notebook form factor. Did I mention I also wanted something cheap since I already had a high powered desktop and notebook as well as PDA and PMP? Enter the Asus eee PC. I have been trialling this device and have been very impressed. I'll share my thoughts on this going forward as well as some accessories for the eee PC.

Proporta, Offering the Neatest and Most Compact GPS… Ever!

2007-09-19T12:00:00.000Z

Proporta’s newest product, which is available from next week, is the Freedom Keychain GPS SiRF III Receiver.

Due to the ever-increasing world of technology, this tiny GPS receiver, weighing in at a tiny 30 grams, comes with the latest of GPS technology. Working from your pocket, handbag or briefcase, it is compatible with all the mapping software currently available
Using state-of-the-art Bluetooth Technology, making it ideal for connection to your notebook, PDA or mobile phone, the Freedom Keychain GPS SiRF III Receiver also comes with a USB charger cable and car charger cable, giving you the advantage of being able to charge from home or in the car.
As well as being the neatest and most compact GPS receiver ever, this innovative device has a solid working time of up to 10 hours, and is able to connect simultaneously to up to 20 satellite channels.
Ensure you never lose your way – grab one of these little gems by visiting www.proporta.com - Available from next week.

Proporta Magnetic Dashboard Mount

2007-08-22T17:00:00.000Z

The Proporta Magnetic Dashboard Mount offers a small but effective hands free magnetic phone car kit. Attaches to any vehicle dashboard using a strong 3M adhesive pad, the Mount can be stuck fast to your dashboard for secure and easy access to your phone. A small, subtle magnetic pad is applied to the back of your phone, which will allow it to securely attach itself to the mount, creating a safe but accessible Car Kit.
More details from the Proporta website.

Resco Brain Gain released

2007-08-02T17:00:00.000Z

Resco Brain Gain is a collection of 37 mini-games aimed to give the brain a workout. Thanks to the well designed user interface, Brain Gain is easy for anyone to pick up and play.
Each game uses a similar interface where players touch the number or symbol or use the devices's 5-way button. Players are given a brain 'gain' index reflecting their performance. Over time, the brain gain index should get greater as better scores are achieved.
Brain Gain is created to improve the brain's ability in the following categories; Memory, Numerical and Analytical.
More details from the Resco website.

Resco BrainGain

2007-07-13T12:30:00.000Z

The latest craze just now for mobile software seems to be in brain training puzzle games and Resco are entering the fray with their version. Currently in beta, it looks attractive with its uncomplicated visual style.

Benefits:

native support for QVGA, VGA and landscape QVGA displays
nearly 40 training unique games
memory, calculation and analytical training's
sophisticated training methods
comprehensive and attractive guide
context guide
optimized for one-hand use

Head on over to the Resco website for more details of the beta version.

Proporta Portable Laptop Battery

2007-07-06T12:00:00.000Z

You can now make sure that wherever you are you can always guarantee your laptop is fully charged with Proporta's Portable Laptop Battery. This product charges from your laptop's AC adapter and stores a remarkable 6000mAh of power for when you need it.
The Portable Laptop Battery comes with a selection of input and output tips to cater for most laptop models. Simply attach the input tip to your laptop's AC adapter and charge the battery for future use. When your laptop is next running low, insert the battery's output cable and tip into the laptop charging port, and recharge your laptop for prolonged use.
A well as being environmentally friendly, it also includes a very handy USB port to allow you to charge your other USB devices, such as your iPod, camera and phone, whilst on the move. Just plug your mobile device’s USB charge cable into the battery's standard USB port and recharge anywhere.
Following on from the mobile device charger, this seems like a great unit for the power hungry road warriors out there. More details from the Proporta website.

50% off all PDAmill Titles!

2007-06-27T12:00:00.001Z

Perhaps it's the summer heat (yeh right!) driving them a little crazy, but they've decided to offer 50% off of all PDAmill Game Studios titles for a whole month!
If you BUY ANY of their titles you get 50% off Which means you could even buy ALL FOUR of their latest releases (The Corsair, Gamebox Sudoku, Rats!!, and Maggot Attack) at a cost less than buying only 2.
Usage: Just redeem the promotion code 'PDAMILL5150' in your Shopping Cart. You will get your order processed with the discount instantly, when you click the 'Recalculate' button.
This is a fantastic offer from PDAMill so if you fancy a new game or two then head on over to PDAMill and pick up a bargain. This special offer is valid until 26/07/2007.

Spb Software House Releases Spb Traveler

2007-06-27T12:00:00.000Z

Spb Software House have released their latest product in their ever expanding line up - Spb Traveler, a must have tool set for travelers. Nowadays mobile devices are powerful minicomputers that assist users in many ways. Traveling is definitely a field where a user can get maximum of his Windows Mobile device powered with proper software. A traveler will always have to face things like local time estimation, weather forecasts, currency, unit and clothing size conversion, city guides, planning of international calls and meetings, multi-connection trans-continental
flights.

Spb Traveler provides users with an all-in-one solution - a universal travel tool set:

World time

Weather forecast

Currency converter

Unit converter

Clothing sizes

Tip calculator

Flight assistant

Meeting planner

Geo Game

SPB have introduced some unique features into their application which seems wellw orth checking out. More details at the SPB Software website

Proporta protect the SanDisk Sansa Express MP3

2007-06-06T17:00:00.000Z

The SanDisk Sansa Express is the latest device to be added to SanDisk’s MP3 player selection. Hailed as the first flash based MP3 player with direct USB connection, the Express is proving to be a great little device for listening to your music, the radio, or even your personal recordings whilst on the move.
Unfortunately, due to the slim and lightweight design of the device, the SanDisk Sansa Express is left vulnerable to damage. Proporta has taken note, and has designed a case and screen protector to completely encase the MP3 player, without interfering with the sound quality of the device.
The Proporta Alu-leather Case (SanDisk Sansa Express) is a definite must have for protecting your MP3 player against the day to day impacts your MP3 player is likely to encounter. Proporta creates this supreme protection by incorporating their trademark ‘screen saver system’ which uses a sheet of lightweight aircraft grade aluminium to line the case, perfectly protecting against crushing and impact shocks.
Proporta can also protect your SanDisk Sansa Express screen from hazards such as scratches, scrapes and the natural oils from your skin, with the Advanced Screen Protector (SanDisk Sansa Express). Made from ultra high clarity plastic, the screen protector is easy to apply, washable and replaceable and also reduces glare from overhead lighting. More info and pictures at the Proporta website.

GameBox Sudoku Released

2007-06-04T13:45:00.000Z

GameBox Sudoku is the fantastic, high quality Sudoku Puzzle game including Three different board layouts and Three levels of difficulty from PDAMill.
Superb graphics, high-quality music and sound effects, and fantastic playability make this a excellent addition to your game collection, and to the GameBox series.

Three board layouts: 4x4, 9x9, and 16x16 puzzles sizes

High quality graphics: High quality graphics that are easy on the eyes even during long Sudoku sessions

Hint feature: An integrated hint feature helps you along whenever you hit a Sudoku stump

Ambient music: High quality, relaxing background music which fits the mood of Sudoku perfectly

Unlimited Undos and Redos: Unlimited Undo and Redo features gives you a chance to correct any error you make

Auto-save: Games are automatically saved when you exit, so you can continue where you've left off

More details and screens from the PDAMill website.

Proporta protecting the HTC S710 / Vox Series

2007-05-30T12:00:00.000Z

The HTC S710 is the first PPC from HTC to offer Windows Mobile 6 and is one of the smallest offerings to include a slide out keyboard. To ensure no damage comes to your new feature packed device, Proporta has released two accessories for all the proud owners of the HTC S710 (HTC Vox).
The Alu-Leather Case (HTCS710/HTC Vox Series) combines an elegant appearance with rigid protection. A strong yet lightweight sheet of aircraft grade aluminium is encased within luxurious leather, which is made to fit the exact specifications of your new handheld –protecting it against accidental crushing and impact shocks. All features, including the slide out keyboard, can be used whilst the device is housed in the case.
While the case is open, the screen is vulnerable to minor offences such as finger prints, scratches and dirt, as well as visibility being affected by overhead lighting which can generate a glare on the screen. The Proporta Advanced Screen Protector combats these problems by being that little bit thicker than rival brands, which has the added bonus of making them easier to apply too.
More details from the Proporta website.

Damage control for your GPS Navigator

2007-05-29T12:00:00.000Z

Protect your portable GPS unit when you are on the move with this Protective GPS Carrying Case. Available in three sizes to best fit your GPS unit, the Protective Carry Case is made from tough Cordura®. The Carry Case also has an added lining to protect your GPS unit from damage caused by impact and scratching caused on the move by knocks, bumps or loose items in your bag.
A wrist lanyard provides an easy carry option which can easily be removed if you decide to use the case to protect your device in your bag.
It looks like Proporta will leave no device untouched when it comes to protection. More details can be found at the Proporta website.