Over the past week or so, I've been putting the E-TEN X800 through its paces. Having owned or used the M500, G500, and M700, I thought I knew what to expect with the X800.  The GSM radios in all three of those quad-band GSM phones left a great deal to be desired. Honestly, I was poised for yet another disappointment...boy was I ever wrong!

 

The M500 was small, and stylish for about 2 years ago; and it felt SOOOOO good in my hand. It would have been a huge winner if the radio wouldn't have dropped calls left and right. It was a rotten phone. The I-24 East corridor south of Nashville isn't THAT devoid of towers.  The G500 had the whole TRON thing going on, and looked like a really cool phone. It had the same basic form factor as the M500; but was a little bit bigger.  The radio on it was somewhat better, but not much instead of dropping calls 3 times between Murfreesboro and Nashville, it only dropped calls twice. Again, not good. My other GSM phones, with the same carrier and SIM didn't drop calls like that.

I got the M700 after moving back to Chicago, but along the I-88 corridor, it dropped calls twice, and always in the same place. Again, my other GSM phones didn't do that. The WM6 Professional upgrade that came out for it, did improve radio reception somewhat, but not enough to make the M700 my daily driver.

Now, the X800...and all it's 3G goodness..? Oh yeah, baby!  This thing's radio is the shizzle!

I'm carrying at least 3 bars no matter where I am at the house, at least 3 bars no matter where I am at the office, and at least 3 bars everywhere in between during the commute. I've almost always got an HSDPA signal icon. Its never dropped to EDGE or GPRS coverage. The 3G radio is awesome! So, yeah... data is good.  Call quality is top notch as well. I can't say that it's as good as land-line call quality; but it is certainly giving my Comcast Digital Voice service a run for its money. Calls are clear, and have rivaled that of my land line. I'm very impressed!  This is one of the best phones I've used in a while!

The E-TEN X800 is here!!

As promised, here is the grand unboxing.  I really enjoyed this, as the X800 seems to be a truly awesome device.  I've owned a number of different E-TEN devices, the M500, the G500, the M700, and now the X800 (and soon to be X650).  I was really concerned about this particular device, as the build quality of the previous three devices left a little to be desired. In fact, my daughter has been using the M700 for the past three months or so, and the device has got some serious problems now. It is constantly getting stuck in boot loader mode, and getting it to turn on normally is a hit or miss exercise.

However, that's another story for another time. Let's take a look at E-TEN's new slim, VGA powerhouse, the X800!!

 

 

The box is WAY smaller than it looks here.  It's really VERY tiny.

There it is, just under the clear plastic... I've been waiting on this baby for MONTHS!

 

The X800 on the left, its case, wrapped in plastic on the right

 

The contents of the box, (starting with the device and moving counter-clockwise):

• The X800
• AC Adapter
• AC Adapter prongs/tip
• The 1530mAh Battery
• Wired Headset
• Getting Started Guide
• Software CD and Spb Mobile Shell Coupon
• USB Sync/Charge Cable
• Screen Protector (White square above the X800)
• Vinyl Belt Case
• Instructions for putting the case on your belt (under the case)
• Extra telescoping stylus

 

Device Comparison (from left to right): Siemens SX66 (HTC BlueAngel), Glofiish M700, Glofiish X800, Blackberry Curve 8310 Titanium, Treo 750

The X800 is somewhat smaller than the M700. Its the same width, but about 4-5mm shorter. Without the slide out keyboard, its substantially thinner, too.

 

The Full 360

Left side of each device (from bottom to top): The SX66, M700, Treo 750, Blackberry Curve 8310 Titanium, and the X800.

The left side of the X800 has the volume up and down button, and the record button. The somewhat white dot you see on the X800 isn't a photo glitch, its the recessed, soft reset button. Below it, is the headset jack.

 

Bottom of the devices, (from bottom to top): The SX66, M700, Treo 750, Blackberry Curve 8310 Titanium, and the X800.

The bottom of the X800 has the microphone, the MicroSD slot door, and the mini USB port. The device has a telescoping stylus in the lower right corner, on the bottom of the device.

 

Left side of the devices, (from bottom to top): The SX66, M700, Treo 750, Blackberry Curve 8310 Titanium, and the X800.

The left side of the X800 has the camera button (on the left) and power button (on the right). The sides of the device are that wonderful rubberized plastic that is becoming so popular. Its a really dark black, too. Its so dark, I had a hard time actually finding the power button on the device.

 

Top of the devices, (from bottom to top): The SX66, M700, Treo 750, Blackberry Curve 8310 Titanium, and the X800.

The top of the X800 doesn't really have anything on it at all. There's some writing embedded into the rubberized plastic that says "GPS," so I'm assuming that this is where the GPS antenna is located.

 

The Battery Compartment

Me, trying to get into the battery compartment so I can insert my SIM card and the battery (in the background, in white).

I really couldn't figure out how to get into this device. I had to look at the Getting Started poster to figure it out.  There's a small indent near the bottom of the device and a small extended tab on the battery cover where you are supposed to get your fingernails under and pry the battery cover off. The picture was taken about 10 minutes into trying to get the cover off.  As I was struggling with this, I had all sorts of laughable things going through my mind, like:

• "This thing came all the way from Taiwan and I'm going to have to send it back so they can take the battery cover off for me."
• "10 years in WM devices and I can't get the battery cover off this device for a simple unboxing....LOOOOOSAHHHHHH!"
• "[Content intentionally deleted, as this is a G-Rated site.]"

After I finally got the battery off, I thought to myself, "I wonder how many additional battery covers E-TEN is going to need to manufacture and ship as replacements to customers?" The device is encased in aluminum, but its really thin, and there's plastic behind it. Someone (pick me) is going to bend and break the battery cover trying to get the damn thing off.

 

Initial Device Screens

The initial boot of the X800. Its got the classic Glofiish orange ROM screen	The initial WM6 splash screen. It took over 90 seconds to get to this screen
The initial WM setup splash screen. It took an additional 2 minutes to get here...	Software installing from the extended ROM. This took about 7 or more minutes

I'm going to be putting the X800 through its paces over the next few weeks or so.  Stay tuned for some blog posts and the full review!!

When I got my MacBook Pro almost a year ago, the biggest problem I had was finding a bag big enough to carry it in. All of the other bags that I had weren't wide enough. My 15.4" wide screen MBP was too wide.My biggest problem was how to protect this thing.  Without adequate protection, it was going to spend a lot of time at my desk and nowhere else.

Thankfully, Microsoft came to the rescue and offered a number of Gear Diary Team Members bags for their gear. I chose the Microsoft Branded Stachio Backpack. Let's see how it stacks up to a couple of other bags that I tried using with my MBP.

 

 

Front of the backpack

 

The MS bag itself is not bad, though a bit on the not so stylish side.  I like the all black (I'm not into day-glow colors much to the embarrassment of my kids...); but for my tastes, the bag is a bit on the small side.  I carry quite a bit of stuff in my gear bag, including (but not limited to the following):

• Personal laptop (MacBook Pro)
• Work laptop (currently Dell D630)
• Chargers for both
• Train schedules
• VzW PC5750 Wireless PC Card (EV-DO RevA)
• Assorted software CD's and DVD's
• Assorted AC chargers for gadgets I own and use
• Assorted USB cables for devices and gadgets I own and use
• Freelancing Business Documents
• 5G 60GB iPod Video
• Headphones and Myvu Personal Video Viewer

 

Picture o' my crap

 

As you may guess, the bag simply did NOT hold all of this stuff, which bothered me a great deal.  For the job that I am currently in, this is the bare minimum that I am willing to roll with. Without something in the above list, I am going to miss something at a critical time, and then...well, not good.  I couldn't fit both laptops in without leaving something really unprotected, and that was something I couldn't live with.  But then again, not many bags will actually let you hold more than one laptop at a time with any real protection.

Honestly, I ended up using the bag mostly as an overnight bag for my trips out to Denver. The backpack comes with shoulder straps that you would normally expect to see on a bag of that type as well as a single shoulder strap so you can carry it like a standard notebook briefcase.

 

The front of the backpack	The back of the backpack
The right side of the backpack	The left side of the backpack

 

The bag also has a handle at the top of the bag in its "portrait," backpack configuration, and honestly, that's the way that it really stayed, the entire time that I was using it. It was easiest to carry this way

MSRP:  Available via Amazon for $35.94
What I liked:  Dual landscape and portrait configurations
What needs improvement: There are a number of things that I would like to see improved with this bag. The biggest is space.  The bag is too small and doesn't hold enough; but for $35 bucks, it isn't too bad.

I got a wonderful little surprise in my inbox today. E-TEN has announced the Glofiish X650, an upgrade to their X600 device. The X650 offers an upgraded processor, double the flash ROM, a larger LCD, and VGA resolution. The device comes in black on black, or purple on black. The full device specs can be found below:

 

 

 

• Windows Mobile 6 Professional
• Samsung SC3 2442 500 MHz Processor
• 256 MB Flash ROM, 64 MB SDRAM
• 2.8", 640 x 480 (VGA), 65,536 colors, TFT-LCD
• 107 x 58 x 14.7 mm
• 136g (with battery)
• GSM/EDGE Quad-band: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• GPRS/EGPRS Class B, Multi-slot Class 10
• Bluetooth® v2.0 class 2 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
• WiFi IEEE802.11b/g Certificated
• Embedded SiRF Star III chipset, TMC function supported*,
• (*subject to change by region)
• Built-in 2.0 megapixels, Auto-Focus, up to 1600 x 1200 resolution
• MicroSD card slot
• Built-in microphone and speaker, external stereo headset jack, hands-free mode supported
• Mini USB Sync, headset jack
• Touch screen for stylus or fingertip, navigation button, power button, 2 quick application buttons, send/end button, record button, volume control, left soft-key, right soft-key

Both the X650 and X800 are currently on their way to us right now, and we'll have reviews of both shortly.  The full Press Release can be found after the break.

 

(Taipei, Taiwan – January 10, 2008)

E-TEN announces Glofiish X650
Brings the benefits of VGA to the value Pocket PC Phone segment

E-TEN Information Systems has announced the Glofiish X650, the company's latest Pocket PC Phone to offer the benefits of all-in-one connectivity, VGA display, and an ultra-compact form factor.

E-TEN first introduced the option for a VGA display in May 2007 and since then has added several more models to its product lineup aimed at different customer needs. The latest X650 is designed to appeal to those seeking a compact, full-featured device that is also affordable.

A VGA display offers several significant benefits to the user. The greater resolution (four times higher than that of a typical Pocket PC Phone) enables a larger proportion of a document, calendar, map, or web page etc. to be displayed on screen at once, increasing productivity. Additionally, the higher pixel density means that text appears sharper and easier to read while pictures and video appear more detailed. VGA is set to become one of the key specifications for Pocket PC Phones in the coming year.

The Glofiish X650 features E-TEN's all-in-one connectivity solution comprising of worldwide GSM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. The device all comes preloaded with E-TENs exclusive software suite including Mobile Shell, Namecard Manager and Backup Utility as well as Microsoft Office Mobile, Windows Live and other utilities.

Specifications of the X650 include a Samsung SC3 processor at 500Mz, 256MB ROM, 2-megapixel auto-focus camera, FM Tuner, and FM Transmitter (subject to region). Dimensions of the handset are an ultra-compact 107 x 58 x 14.7mm with a weight of just 136g.
The Glofiish X650 is offered in two color choices, black and purple.

For questions relating to E-TEN and E-TEN products or to discuss possible sales and marketing initiatives please contact sales@etencorp.com or visit Glofiish official site: www.glofiish.com

About E-TEN:

E-TEN has been the #1 vendor of embedded devices in Taiwan since the mid 1990's. The E-TEN real time stock trading IA launched in 1997, an outstanding product that achieved an 85% market penetration, was one of the key catalysts in the company's remarkable growth. With a proven staff of experienced hardware, software and communications experts, E-TEN found itself perfectly positioned to take advantage of the increasing demand for handheld convergence devices that occurred in the late 90s. Building upon the Windows Mobile platform, E-TEN released a number of hugely successful Pocket PC phones that featured combinations of GRPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and GSM functionality each enhanced by exclusive in-house developed software applications. In 2006, in recognition of the fact that its consumer orientated devices were proving just as successful as the company’s IT centric product lines, E-TEN showed its commitment to the consumer sector by adopting the new brand name, Glofiish, for its Pocket PC Phones and accessories. E-TEN is constantly expanding its professionalism and expertise as it continues to develop and enhance its PDA product lines and grow its business in the global marketplace.

I've been an organization nut for years. When I got married, I was the most unorganized dork in the world. I didn't keep anything, lost (I prefer the term "strategically misplaced") most of what I did keep, and had stuff stacked all over the house. To say that I was a disaster was a nice way to put things. I needed help.

After getting my finances under control (boy did THAT take some doing, and a lot of self control!), I began using the Franklin Covey Time Management System in the early '90's.  That, of course, translated into PDA's and Pocket PC's when they came out, and the rest is history. However, one of the things that gets away from most everyone is their e-mail inbox. I've seen people with, literally, THOUSANDS of messages in that one folder, and I have no idea how they find...anything. If you're looking to master your e-mail inbox as part of your New Year's Resolutions, check this out...

1. Install a Good SPAM Filter
One of the biggest problems with managing e-mail inboxes is the sheer amount of mail that some people get. My pocketnow.com e-mail address gets about 300-400 pieces of mail a day. 95%+ are SPAM, and can simply be deleted. Filtering good mail from bad is tough sometimes. Having a SPAM filter installed will make it easier to sort the wheat from the chaff. Check your filter often to insure that nothing is getting stuck that you would want to get through. If your work e-mail is a problem, then make certain that you check your company's SPAM policies, programs, filters, etc. to make certain you're getting the mail you should.

2. Touch Every Piece of Mail in Your Inbox
After the SPAM is gone (or greatly reduced), you need to touch ever piece of mail in your inbox and do something with it:

• Reply and Delete
  Reply to the thread as quickly as you can and then get rid of the note. When you do reply, only include those people that need to see your reply. Be succinct, and/or pick up the phone. e-Mail is a communication tool and should not replace a phone conversation or a quick, in-person conversation.
• Reply and File
  Reply to the thread as quickly as you can and then get it out of your inbox and into a different folder if you just can't bring yourself to delete it. See above for recommendations on replying.
• Mark it for Future Action
  Outlook gives you the ability to Flag notes for action. If you can't reply to a note now, mark it for action later with a reasonable alarm time; and then respond at that time. Do NOT reset the alarm. Act on it before or at the reminder time; and then file or delete the original note. If the e-mail in question causes an emotional response in you, you might want to mark it for future action and let yourself cool down. Responding to something while you're angry isn't a great idea, and can cause more trouble than you think. By all means, write the e-mail now if you must, but save it as a draft and then come back to it later, reread and review it before you press, "Send."  You'll thank yourself later.

I'm an e-mail packrat. I keep everything. However, my inbox is usually pretty empty. I usually set aside a couple of hours ever morning to reduce the amount of mail in my inbox.  I follow the above for those items that haven't been dealt with immediately. After I am done, my goal is to have less than 20 pieces of mail in my inbox.  The goal is zero (which I normally achieve). That way, I only have today's mail (or no more than 2-3 days for those items that may take a couple of days to follow up on) in my inbox.

3. Avoid Forwards
If I had a nickel for every forward I've received I could retire and buy Bill Gates' house in Redmond. Jokes and videos are fun, kids; but honestly, most of those get deleted out of my inbox. I simply don't have time for most of them those that DO get read often follow these rules:

• Summarize the Message
  Tell me why you're sending me this cutsie thing before I actually see the cutsie thing. If you tell me why I simply must drop what I'm doing and look at it, I'm more likely to do that than not. Most others will simply get deleted.
• Only When Necessary
  Please only send me cutsie stuff when you KNOW I will want to see it. Sending me all of the Irish Good Luck stuff simply because you thought it was cute won't get it read.  Please only send me things I'm interested it. If I really need to see it, check the bullet above and tell me why.

4. Use the Tools you Have
Most e-mail clients have a number of different productivity tools to help you manage your inbox. Use them. The fewer items in your inbox, the more organized and on top of things you're going to be. Be disciplined.  Follow these guidelines.  Use filters, folders and rules.  Set reminders. Set out of office auto-responders. If people really need you, they will get a hold of you, and the chaos that is your inbox will be greatly reduced.

 

I've been following these rules for years, and I can say without a doubt that I rule my inbox. It doesn't rule me. I can get over 150 legitimate e-mail messages at work a day; and I normally only have 10-20 items in my inbox at 9am every morning. Working this way makes the job a lot easier; and makes managing personal e-mail a no brainer.

I saw this on Thoughts the other day, and I just needed to rant a bit. Before I get into it though, there are a couple of things I need to say so that **I** don't get targeted: I:

• Do NOT share music or movies
• Always buy legal copies of all music and movies
• Own a Apple 5G iPod Video and make frequent use of it AND the iTunes Music Store (I received a $25 iTunes Gift Card over the Christmas Holiday)
• Fully Believe in Fair Use of my digital media

If that last piece gets me into trouble, then so be it. I am not doing anything that common sense would tell me is illegal, immoral, or in any way dishonest. However, I fully believe I should be permitted to use the copy of [insert media type here] I have purchased in a way that satisfies the legal methods I have to play it.  That includes:

• Direct play of that media using the replay method normally ascribed to that media (for example, using a CD Player to play a CD)
• Playing the media using alternate, legal methods of translation. This includes
  • Using, for example, a DVD Player to play a CD, playing a DVD on a computer instead of a DVD player, etc.
  • Wired or wireless transmission of audio using my home computer network or home stereo system using the original media
  • Wired or wireless transmission of audio using my home computer network or home stereo system using backup media created via Fair Use
• Playing the original or Fair Use backup media on a computer or other digital music player (like my iPod)

Again, if this gets me in trouble, so be it. I'm ready for my day in court. So with that said, I saw (again, on Thoughts) a rant posted by Ed Hansberry. It appears that the RIAA is suing a Scottsdale, AZ man for transferring legally purchased CD's to his computer. According to the RIAA's lawyer for this case, Ira Schwartz, while the music was legally purchased, the digital versions are "unauthorized copies" of copyrighted recordings."

This next quote is what really set me off... At a trial in Minnesota, Sony BMG's Chief of Litigation, Jennifer Pariser testified that, "when an individual makes a copy of a song for himself, I suppose we can say he stole a song... Copying a song you bought is "a nice way of saying 'steals just one copy,' "

When I first read that, I had to reread it a couple of times. It just doesn't make any sense.   If Sony wants to officially challenge Fair Use, then let's get it on!  File the right papers in the right courts and have the lawyers duke it out. If they think that Apple, Microsoft, Creative, et all digital music player manufacturers are going to sit around and let them destroy a multi-billion dollar money maker, then the RIAA is seriously mistaken.

What I think bothers me more than anything else is that the business model that these activities supports is SO outdated that it doesn't make any sense. Before CD writers and MP3 players were prevalent, people were dubbing CD's to cassettes all the time.  I can't tell you how many tapes I made during my high school and college days so that I could listen to music while I drove or was away from my stereo.  The only thing that is different here is that electronic files (be they MP3's or any other file format) can be easily shared, and on a much larger scale than copying a cassette via the Sony branded high-speed dubbing cassette deck I used to have.

That's where the RIAA's pucker-factor hit double digits. They are technically labeling everyone who rips their CD's to MP3's (or other file format) a thief because they want everyone to purchase a separate copy for each way they want to use that media. Again, this is largely due to the potential for file sharing, and not because you can make a copy of that media. We've had the ability to make copies of music and movies at the consumer level for decades. The RIAA is trying to enforce single purchase, single method use. I'm not entirely certain the B2C market will support that business model.

While further clarification of this particular issue indicates that any current lawsuit does NOT involve ripping copies for your personal use, but again; file sharing, the comment from Jennifer Pariser really bothers me.  According to her statements, she'd sue the world to insure that the RIAA gets paid for every copy made, Fair Use or not. The original news article published by The Washington Post didn't get it quite right, either. However, I don't care.  I still have a serious problem with Pariser's statements.

Personally, I don't purchase music by any artist on any Sony label any longer.  Those that I have, I listen to, but I always check the label before purchase. The whole Sony Rootkit issue really turned me off to the label, and the RIAA's continued activities make me nervous. So much so, that I don't purchase their music products, and got rid of any "questionably obtained" music long ago.