Oct 14, 2009

Acer Liquid Finally Gives Android the Snapdragon It Deserves

Oct 14, 2009

The day Qualcomm's crushingly fast Snapdragon platform showed up in its first phone was the very day I started desperately wanting it to run Android. It had to happen. And now, courtesy of Acer, it will.

Finally materializing after months of agonizingly vague promises of Androidery, The Liquid A1 is a capacitive-screen WVGA touch phone, set to run Android 1.6 Donut—the first build of the OS to support nonstandard (read: G1) resolutions, among other things—as well as a custom social-networking-centric interface, a la HTC's Sense.

The software details are annoyingly sparing, as are the hardware specs, which for now include expected HSDPA connectivity, a 5-megapixel camera and GPS, but we really know pretty much all we need to at this point: the 1GHz processor and accompanying 3D chipset will make this the first truly fast Android phone, almost regardless of what software Acer shoulders it with to slow it down. In other words, your Android will do what you want it to, when your finger tells it to, and it will be glorious. Whenever and wherever this thing drops, that is. [Acer via Slashgear]

The Future has arrived with Acer Liquid

Acer introduces its new smartphone "Liquid" series: the world's first Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor based and world's first Android™ 1.6 high definition smartphone, combining cutting-edge technologies, software innovation and an ultra-fluid user interface to create an all-new mobile experience. It is the ideal solution for users demanding the best from their devices, and in particular outstanding multimedia, web browsing, social media integration and video streaming. It also brings smartphone product design forward with its unique and modern style.

Finally something different
Acer Liquid is the first Wide-VGA smartphone in the market benefiting from the latest release of the Android™ 1.6 Operating System (aka Donut) and the first Android™ smartphone in the market equipped with the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor.

This platform brings to market unique benefits for the end users and paves the way for a new wave of innovations from the developer community:

* With its High Definition capacitive touch screen (Wide VGA), Acer Liquid offers today an unparalleled experience when watching pictures or videos. But it also holds a promise for the future: the promise of an abundance of new applications on Android™ Smart Handhelds - games, professional applications and web applets that will enrich the end user experience. Now developers can be assured that their investment will build upon a standard resolution for the years to come;
* Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor, Acer Liquid provides instant access to web pages, smooth streaming of videos or music , and instant response from popular mail, maps and search applications. The high-speed processing capability and high-speed internet access (HSPA) of Snapdragon™ brings to life the Android™ experience: no idle-time, almost instant uploads of web pages and downloads of rich multimedia contents. The developer community can now take full advantage of these capabilities to bring to market innovative applications that demand raw computing power and superior handling of 3D graphics.

Unique software enhancements
Acer Liquid also bolsters a set of unique features developed by Acer and its partners:

* Improved power management to help achieve longer battery autonomy for intense users;
* A new user interface with easy access to entertainment and web bookmarks;
* An optimized camera with geo-tagging, ISO, self-timer options and accelerated auto-focus performance;
* Exclusive Spinlets™ application providing free streaming of worldwide music and video, that can be shared with friends and family through web-posting or e-mail;
* Smart integration of Facebook™, Twitter™, Youtube™, Picasa™ and Flickr™ in the address book, with realtime notification of status or content updates.

A refreshing alternative to square shapes
With ellipse curves, a choice of red, white and black colors, and a slim body shape, Liquid will please style-seeking consumers. Designed for ergonomy, Liquid fits well in the hand, and displays a smooth finish. The fluidity of its curves gives the Acer Liquid its unique character and unconventional style.

The NES Guitar that Redefined the Genre

The console guitars are nothing new to the internet, but an NES guitar of this caliber—one in which even the headstock has been replaced with a cartridge&mdah;is a rarity indeed. Hit 2:20 for the demo. [TechEBlog via GadgetReview]

Sony Converts Iceland Town Into Massive Soundsystem

Back in March 2009, Seydisfjordur, Iceland, was invaded by the weirdest and most zowielala plague there could be: Music. Sony installed a ton of speakers of all shapes and forms everywhere, some of which I've never seen.

Created by Juan Cabral, the Sony Soundville campaign played music from the likes of Death in Vegas, Bob Dylan, and the Guillemots for a week. Cool stuff, Sony, but where's the Abba, the Chic, and the rest of the disco love? [Likecool]

By Jesus Diaz,

source: gizmodo.com

Walmart Offering $45 Unlimited Cellphone Plan Nationwide

Walmart has been beta testing their exclusive Straight Talk no-contract wireless service for months, but now the retailer will offer two low-cost wireless plans nationwide starting October 18th, including an unlimited plan for just $45.

The first offers 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts and 30MB of data for $30. That seems alright, but for $45, you get unlimited anytime minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited data.

The catch? You probably won't be using much data on their disappointing line of phones that all sell for $100 without a contract—though a "Samsung 451" (a model number that brings up a Samsung set top box) promises full QWERTY and certainly implies a bit more functionality. The LG Slider 290, which doesn't handle much beyond email, is your other higherish-end option.

So would you buy a wireless plan from Walmart? I certainly would, were I able to cheat the system with a more attractive phone of my own.

Walmart To Launch Straight Talk Exclusively, Nationwide

No-Contract Wireless Plans Starting at $30 a Month

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (Oct. 14, 2009) – Dedicated to providing families affordable wireless solutions, Walmart (NYSE: WMT) announces today it will launch Straight Talk, a new solution in no-contract cellular, exclusively at more than 3,200 Walmart stores nationwide starting October 18, 2009. Straight Talk will bring to the market a new low price for no-contract wireless service with two prepaid plans now available to customers nationwide at $30 and $45 a month. Straight Talk will only be available in Walmart stores and online at www.Walmart.com and www.StraightTalk.com.

The average U.S. adult spends $78 on his or her cell phone bill to receive 1000 minutes a month.* By switching to the $30 Straight Talk plan, for example, the average 1,000 minutes-per-month consumer could save more than $500 per year and still be on a reliable nationwide network.

To help drive down no-contract wireless pricing for customers, Walmart will launch Straight Talk providing customers the following two options:

* Straight Talk "All You Need" 30-day Plan that includes the following for only $30 a month:
o 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts and 30MB of mobile web access
o Nationwide coverage
o 411 Information calls at no extra charge

* Straight Talk's Unlimited 30-day Plan that includes the following for $45 a month:
o Unlimited minutes, unlimited text and unlimited mobile web access
o Nationwide coverage
o Unlimited 411 Information calls at no extra charge

"It has been very encouraging to see the excitement and response to the Straight Talk pilot in 234 stores that began last summer at Walmart," said Greg Hall, vice president of Media Services, Walmart U.S. "In light of the savings customers continue to need, we have worked very quickly to extend this offering to all of our Walmart customers nationwide, and just before the holidays."

Consumers may refill their monthly balances by buying refill cards at Walmart, or by registering online at www.Walmart.com or www.StraightTalk.com. Also available at Walmart are a range of Straight Talk phone products to suit different needs, from the entry-level LG 220 flip phone at $39.98, to the LG Slider 290 at $79.98 to the Samsung 451 QWERTY keyboard phone at $99.88.

More information about Straight Talk no-contract wireless services is available at www.Walmart.com or www.StraightTalk.com.

Straight Talk is an exclusive Walmart service developed with TracFone Wireless, Inc. TracFone Wireless currently sells TracFone and NET10 prepaid wireless phones and airtime at Walmart stores and online at www.walmart.com.

* Source: Nielsen Mobile Bill Panel Data

About Walmart

Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart stores, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $378 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.

About TracFone Wireless

TracFone Wireless, Inc. is a subsidiary of America Movil (NYSE: AMX, Nasdaq: AMOV) and has more no-contract cell phone customers than any other carrier in the U.S.
By Mark Wilson
source: gizmodo.com

Woman Lands in the Pokey After Facebook Poke

I have no real understanding of what good the Facebook "Poke" is, but it's there. When you "poke" someone the only result is they are informed of it when they log-on next. And for a Hendersonville, TN woman, a poke got her thrown into the pokey.

By poking someone, Shannon D. Jackson, 36, violated the terms an the order of protection, which stipulated “no telephoning, contacting or otherwise communicating with the petitioner.” Oops.

Hendersonville Police made screenshots of the poke as evidence. Jackson's violation of the order of protection is a Class A misdemeanor, which can be be punished with up to 11 months, 29 days in jail as well as a possible fine of up to $2,500.

Jackson is scheduled to appear in Sumner County General Sessions Court in Gallatin on Oct. 28th.

Google Docs (Finally) Adds Shared Folders

Still want the cloud to be your only repository of data despite the recent Sidekick fiasco? Well, on Monday Google made sharing of Google Docs easier with the introduction of (finally) Shared Folders.

Shared Folders are just what it sounds like: rather than having to share individual files, you can set up a folder to share with a colleague and stick as many files into it as you please. This was probably the most requested feature for Google Docs.

Additional features announced on Monday:

Multiple file upload
Restored the "items not in folders" feature
Modified the UI

As Google continues to add more features to its Docs service, Microsoft and its upcoming Web Apps are going to face some serious competition. Or rather, Web Apps, since it will be the newcomer, will have a hard time making a dent.

For me, however, it's all about compatibility. Google Docs is still not there, but it's closer than it was and almost compatible enough for me to make the switch.

T-Mobile, 3, Sneaking Their Way Into Selling U.K. iPhones: Report

While Orange and Vodafone have managed to wrest the iPhone's exclusivity away from O2 in the U.K., T-Mobile and 3 are still out in the cold. A report from the Telegraph indicates the pair are looking for a way to offer iPhones to their customers, despite this.

According to the report, both 3 and T-Mobile are searching Europe for "contract-free" Apple iPhones. Basically, it sounds like they are looking for unlocked iPhones they can use in their own networks, so as to prevent their customer from bolting to one of the other networks to get access to the iPhone.

T-Mobile had already been reported as offering unlocked iPhones to high-value customers, but this is the first time that 3 has been reported as doing so as well. Prior reports said that T-Mobile was limited this to 150 units a week to avoid too much publicity.

With this move, however, every U.K. carrier would have access to the iPhone. The inclusion of Vodafone and Orange already pointed to a possible price war, now what?

Makes you U.S. residents wish AT&T's big competitor, Verizon, had a GSM network or LTE already set up, doesn't it, so it could acquire the iPhone more easily.

No More Gmailing the Wrong Bob

Google just announced a new Google Labs feature called "Got the Wrong Bob?" This new feature is designed to keep you from emailing the wrong Bob, or Mike, or Sam, or whoever.

It can help you avoid embarrassments like sending settlement info to a reporter instead of another lawyer. Of course, that was Outlook and Exchange, not Gmail. And the new features works by associating groups of people together, so it doesn't work if you're emailing just one.

Here's how the feature works:

If you normally email Bob Smith together with Tim and Angela, but this time you added Bob Jones instead, we'll warn you that it might be a mistake. Note that this only works if you're emailing more than two people at once.

While we were at it, we also changed the name of "Suggest more recipients" to "Don't forget Bob" — the two related Labs features just kind of went together better this way.

Consider it another check by Gmail to be sure that people don't do someting stupid, like "Undo Send," and "Mail Goggles."

Undo Send, I've used a few times. Mail Goggles, never. This one, not so sure, but I'm guessing that Eli Lilly lawyer wishes he had something like this for Outlook.

Invite Your Friends to Google Voice

Those of you out there who want an invitation to Google Voice should start cozying up to your friends. While I haven't seen it show up in my Google Voice account yet, those lucky enough to have the service will soon be able to invite up to 3 friends.

Google Voice gives you a number that you can use, via a Web interface, to ring a different phone, or multiple phones, or go straight to voicemail, depending on who's calling. You can also send SMS messages from the "faux" number.

With the Google Voice mobile app available on some smarthphones (but not the iPhone!), you can even call others from your mobile phone and have it appear as though coming directly from your Google Voice number.

Beginning Tuesday, Google began to add the ability to invite up to 3 friends to Google Voice users' accounts. It's rolling out gradually, however. Once activated for your account, you'll see an "Invite a friend" link appear on the left-hand side of your inbox.

Don't have a friend who can invite you? You can request a Google Voice invitation at google.com/voiceinvite.

Flip's MinoHD Adds More Recording Time, HDMI

Some have labeled the unveiling of the new iPod nano with video recording as the "death knell" for Cisco's Flip Video line of camcorders, which seemingly redefined handheld camcorders and has cemented a spot among the top sellers of camcorders. If so, Flip is not going down easily.

On Wednesday, the company announced the second version of their snazzy Flip MinoHD, doubling amount of recording time for the device to two hours, as well as adding an HDMI jack for direct input to HD televisions with an HDMI cable. It also adds a 2" diagonal screen, vs. the original's 1.5" diagonal screen.

Flip's camcorders have gained market share because they are easy to use, easy to carry, and just plain work. While the iPod nano's new functionality is, of course, a concern, Flip already has the sort of model in place that made the iPod nearly unassailable: its FlipShare software.

By the way, none of these new features are a surprise. You might recall that in April of this year Flip introduced the Flip Video UltraHD camcorder, which added the above features to the original Flip Video Ultra camcorder. Flip pretty much had to make this change to the MinoHD.

In June of this year, Flip also added sharing functionality to its software, which you use with the Flip Video camcorders. At that time however, you could only upload to Flip's owning sharing site, or to MySpace. My comment then was "No Facebook?" That hole has now been plugged, as Wednesday, they announced the FlipShare software now allows uploads to Facebook. They say the software will be available "soon."

The new Flip MinoHD is priced at $229, while the original Flip MinoHD, with one hour of recording time and sans HDMI, is priced at $199 and the standard Flip Mino sells for $149.

While the Flip UltraHD is nice, the MinoHD is (naturally) smaller. The Mino line also offers personalization, which the Ultra series does not. That allows users to get messages or artwork onto the back of their Minos. The UltraHD has a plus, however: a user-swappable rechargeable battery, which can be replaced with AAs in a pinch.

Here's the full list of Flip MinoHD, 2nd Generation Camcorder Features, from their press release:

SRP: $229.99
Now Available at leading retailers and online retailers
Colors: Brushed Metal or personalized at theflip.com
Video Resolution: High Definition, 1280 x 720
Records: 2 hours (8 GB built-in memory)
Screen: 2 inch – transflective (anti-glare); 960 x 240 pixels
Audio: Built-in wide-range, omni-directional microphone; built-in speaker with software volume control
Battery: Built-in rechargeable (Lithium Ion); up to 2 hours use
TV Output: Widescreen with HDMITM output
Zoom: 2 x Digital

Flip's MinoHD Adds More Recording Time, HDMI

SRP: $229.99
Now Available at leading retailers and online retailers
Colors: Brushed Metal or personalized at theflip.com
Video Resolution: High Definition, 1280 x 720
Records: 2 hours (8 GB built-in memory)
Screen: 2 inch – transflective (anti-glare); 960 x 240 pixels
Audio: Built-in wide-range, omni-directional microphone; built-in speaker with software volume control
Battery: Built-in rechargeable (Lithium Ion); up to 2 hours use
TV Output: Widescreen with HDMITM output
Zoom: 2 x Digital

Forbes to Launch Business and Finance Blog Network

On Monday Forbes announced something you can see from the badge to the left of this post: the Forbes Business & Finance Blog Network. Yep. this blog is part of it.

It's actually been a long time coming, as this site was involved very early on in the development, since late last year. Originally it had been slated to launch in January, but here it is, better late than never.

In a press release released to the media and (naturally) released to blog network members, Forbes said:

The Blog Network’s content will focus on senior business decision makers and high-net-worth investors. Topics will be relevant to the banking, trading, hedge fund management, affluent investing, and senior business decision-making communities. Participation in the network is by invitation only, and all blogs are vetted by Forbes.com editors for appropriate content, and to ensure that they are in keeping with the Forbes editorial brand.
“There is no denying the growing importance and influence of blogs within the media landscape,” said Forbes.com President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Spanfeller. “Forbes.com can ensure advertisers are reaching a hard-to-find and very desirable audience within safe, well-lit environments by exclusively inviting ‘best of breed’ business and investing bloggers to our new Business and Finance Blog Network.”

Nick Ricci, formerly Senior Vice President, Sales and Ad Operations of About.com, joins as General Manager, Sales. He will be responsible for overseeing the sales, marketing and promotion for the Blog Network as well as the Forbes Audience Network (FAN), which launched in November 2007.

I'm honored this blog was selected from very early on in the process. Obviously still more to come.

First iPhone 3.1.2 Firmware Jailbreak Released, For All Devices

"Geohot," who was the first to jailbreak the original 2G iPhone (albeit with a bit of hardware tweaking) and also the first to jailbreak the iPhone 3GS has released the first jailbreak for the latest iPhone firmware, 3.1.2. The iPhone Dev Team still hasn't completed a jailbreak for the iPhone 3GS on the last firmware (except for previously jailbroken iPhone 3GS's).

Unfortunately for Mac users, it's Windows only for now, but I suppose that's what Boot Camp is for. At any rate, the .EXE for the jailbreak, dubbed "blackra1n," is downloadable here (click the Windows icon). Assuming you've already updated to 3.1.2, here's how it works:

Step 1: Start blackra1n. It might be necessary to run the app in "XP Compatibility Mode" on Vista or 7 but I didn't see an issue.

Step 2: Click on “make it ra1n”:

Step 3: Wait for the phone to automatically reboot.

Step 4: You should see “blackra1n” in your iPhone app list . Run “blackra1n”, download "Cydia" and install it.

Step 5: Reboot your iPhone. You should now be running a jailbroken version of firmware 3.1.2 on your iPhone or iPod touch.

Of course, your mileage may vary. No notes from the iPhone Dev Team yet about their opinion on Geohot's latest "blackra1n" version.

Nero 8's here, but where's my Serial Number? My friend and the P2P Challenge

Ahead Software released their latest version of Nero today, Nero 8 Ultra Edition. Despite pre-ordering, however, I haven't received my serial number. Not just that, but after looking all over the site I can't find a simple way to email or open a case with Ahead.

I was able to open a case with the vendor they use for sales, Asknet, but I haven't heard back yet.

This is so typical of many smaller software companies; you look all around their site and feel like you're running in circles ... and yet can't find a way to get support. Because I'm so annoyed (and my friends know it), one of my friends decided to take up the challenge. He's bet me he can find me a working keygen before I get a response from anyone else.

Note that I have already paid for this product (and I have the receipt in an email folder!), and despite the fact that keygens and serial numbers for past versions were all over the Internet, I paid for those as well. But as I said, I'm really irritated, less at not having the serial number than the fact that they make it nearly impossible to get support for this product.

Most likely I won't use the keygen anyway, but I thought this would be an interesting post.

(Interestingly, I found a Technical Support number; it includes free Technical Support through October --- which kinda makes me worried about installing it anyway. But it's Tech Support, not Customer Support. I will also say that from past experience with Nero 7 I should probably wait until version 8.5 comes out before installing any version of 8. )

Update: Looks like he won ... he showed me a working install on his hard drive. And I still haven't heard back from Ahead Software or Asknet.

Update 2: Finally got an email from Asknet, about 3 hours after the keygen was found. Efficiency, or lack thereof. And no, I didn't use the keygen.

Update 3: Still stranger, I received my official serial number email (the one in Update 2 came from Tech Support) two days after my friend downloaded the keygen.

YouTube Carpet-Bombed by Porn Videos

Wednesday, May 20, was declared "Porn Day" by members of 4chan (need I remind you of them?) and eBaum's World. In that vein, users from the sites spent the day uploading porn to YouTube.

Basically, YouTube had to spend most of the day deleting videos. The pranksters even got a little clever and uploaded porn with 20 - 30 seconds of "legit" content at the start, to fool YouTube employees.

Google spokesperson Scott Rubin told Ars Technica:

"It may take some time for video search results and thumbnail images to disappear from the site. Typically, this should not take more than a couple of days, but the videos themselves are no longer viewable."

Rubin told C|Net:

"This group of pranksters thought it would be funny to load a bunch of porn to YouTube. This is an unfortunate, and I think poorly directed, prank. I think our systems are doing really well at removing content that violates the guidelines."

In case you do need to be reminded about 4chan, they hit Time not too long ago, making sure that someone they wanted won the Time 100 Poll for the World's Most Influential Person. Yep, it was "moot," the founder of 4chan.

Continuing Windows Live OneCare 2.0 Problems Anger Users

Microsoft updated Windows Live OneCare in November, with much fanfare over its new features, such as OneCare Circle. A number of issues since the release, such as the service seemingly canceling itself, or the program no longer starting after updating to 2.0, have plagued users.

(Click the OneCare logo above to see a screenshot that shows a number of issues on the OneCare forum).

As you hopefully know, Windows Live OneCare was unveiled in 2006 as Microsoft's first foray into security software. As I said at the time, just as with a new car model, I wouldn't trust a new entry into the security arena, and it seems I was right.

Ignoring the fact that one of the biggest issues with 2.0 is that it won't start (!), the key to an antivirus (AV) product is effectiveness, and OneCare has poor results in various AV comparatives.

Things have gotten so bad that one user came up with the solution and posted it in a thread entitled "How to Fix LiveOneCare V. 2.0 Problems." His answer:

1. Find your purchase receipt, box it up, call Microsoft Customer Service and tell them you want a full refund. Mail it in to them and then wait the requisite six months for your refund.

2. Go to the OneCare web site and download and run OneCareCleanUp.exe to get Live OneCare off your computer.

Then google up AVG and dowload (sic) either the $29.95 edition or the free edition and install it on your computer..... and your troubles are over.

You know you've screwed up when the person moderating your forum becomes frustrated. Stephen Boots, the Microsoft Most Valued Professional (MVP) who moderates the OneCare forum, said in the same thread above (7th post in the thread):

There *were* too many problems with the v2 upgrade and too many remain now. I believe that the test bed needs to be evaluated and expanded since the nearly infinite configurations that OneCare will be running on means that exposure to more configurations is crucial. Each release needs to be much better.

As I said before, find yourself a good-rated AV solution from one of the comparatives (check my earlier post), one that doesn't bring your system to its knees (like NOD32), and go for it. If you're still using OneCare, you have my sympathy.

New U.K. "Texting While Driving" PSA is Disturbing, Pulls No Punches

A new "texting while driving" PSA (public service announcement) from the U.K. pulls no punches. It also makes no attempt to hide the graphic consequences for someone distracted by their SMS messages while driving, either.

The dangers of texting while driving are well-known to researchers. Numerous studies have shown that text messaging while driving is as bad as drunk driving, in terms of the reduction in reaction time for the driver. In the case of SMS while driving, it's distraction, not a physical result of imbibing in alcohol, but the result is still the same.

Many are either still unaware of the possible consequences, or simply do not care. They feel that the consequences of not responding or not reading an SMS are worse than anything else. Is that SMS really that important? This "texting while driving" PSA certainly should give you the answer to that question: no.

In reality, common sense should be enough, but that's something people lack of lot of nowadays, when it comes to thinking what's most important: your life or some inane act. While this "texting while driving" PSA is graphic, not quite "Final Destination" graphic, but pretty disturbing (fair warning, and the part with the baby and child is especially disturbing!), it is still likely that many will simply ignore this as a "Hollywood" production.

I recall when I was in school, and they would show us actual dead bodies as the result of overdosing on drugs, as a way of scaring teens out of drug use. This "texting while driving" PSA is pretty graphic already, but perhaps that's how far people need to go: ads showing the actual real-life consequences of actual accidents as a result of texting while driving.

One problem with that idea is that it's not that easy to tell when such activity is the cause of a crash. That's one reason that statistics of that sort aren't readily available, either.

In terms of legislation, in the U.S., thirty-six states have no text messaging while driving ban. Those that do frequently have "slap on the wrist" fines such as California's, which is $20 for the first offense, and $50 for the subsequent offenses.

Watch a video report including the "texting while driving" PSA. It's not easy to watch, but at least we know it's not real. That doesn't mean the potential for real accidents of this nature isn't there, every day.

Here's a CNN report with some expert discussion afterwards:

Viper's SmartStart: Remote Start, Unlock Using Your iPhone

Want to start your car remotely? There's an app for that. Viper has announced the SmartStart, a free app that, with the addition of a SmartStart module in your car (not free!), will allow you to remotely start your car, and more.

Here's what you can do with the StartSmart:

Lock/arm
Unlock/disarm
Remote car starter
Trunk release
Panic or car finder

If you already have a Viper remote start / security system in your car, the price is $299 for the VSM100 module. If you don't, it's $499 for the works. Viper says Best Buy can install it for you.

I'll admit, this is cool, but since I already have keyless entry in both my cars, why would I want it? Now, here's what I would like to see: an app that allowed my iPhone to work as my keyless entry fob, so I can ditch the one I carry. This would have to work with a variety of cars, however, and probably isn't practical to develop.

Additionally, the good thing about those keyless entry fobs is that they include a backup key, in case your battery dies. I'd hate to have my iPhone battery run out, with either SmartStart or my "dream app," without a backup.

There is one advantage to Viper's SmartStart: virtually unlimited range. It uses the iPhone's data connection to connect to the module, not the limited-range IRDA or Bluetooth. Here's another negative though: after a one-year freebie, you pay $30 annually for the service.

Latest News

About Me

Acer Liquid Finally Gives Android the Snapdragon It Deserves

The NES Guitar that Redefined the Genre

Sony Converts Iceland Town Into Massive Soundsystem

Walmart Offering $45 Unlimited Cellphone Plan Nationwide

Woman Lands in the Pokey After Facebook Poke

Google Docs (Finally) Adds Shared Folders

T-Mobile, 3, Sneaking Their Way Into Selling U.K. iPhones: Report

No More Gmailing the Wrong Bob

Invite Your Friends to Google Voice

Flip's MinoHD Adds More Recording Time, HDMI

Flip's MinoHD Adds More Recording Time, HDMI

Forbes to Launch Business and Finance Blog Network

First iPhone 3.1.2 Firmware Jailbreak Released, For All Devices

Nero 8's here, but where's my Serial Number? My friend and the P2P Challenge

YouTube Carpet-Bombed by Porn Videos

Continuing Windows Live OneCare 2.0 Problems Anger Users

New U.K. "Texting While Driving" PSA is Disturbing, Pulls No Punches

Viper's SmartStart: Remote Start, Unlock Using Your iPhone

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