MESEDILLA STUDIOS v9.0

Update!!!
04-Feb-2010: I can’t believe it. It’s almost two years and I’ve only changed the battery of my mouse once. It’s still very convenient for me in terms of size and wireless feature. I could be presenting from the back of the room and holding the mouse in my hand. And thank goodness it hasn’t changed color due to the acidity of my hand. It’s worth investing in this mouse. By the way, Logitech released a Nano version of the V450 with a smaller receiver.

I was planning on buying a cordless optical mouse for travel use. As I was browsing for reviews in the internet, I came across Logitech and A4Tech.

A4Tech offered power saving mice but then I was concerned with quality and support. Although my home desktop has been using an A4Tech 3D mouse for 3 years now, I was still concerned of its rigidness for travel use.

My previous office mouse wasn’t exactly a mouse and it wasn’t meant for business travels. It was a Logitech Cordless TrackMan Wheel. It was basically a trackball in steroids. I had to change batteries almost every 3 months. Now most of my officemates also use Logitech mice and saw how useful it was for them. Okay so I gave in to peer pressure. I narrowed my search to Logitech mice.

After browsing around Amazon.com, I have chosen 3 Logitech mice: V320, V450, V470.

Quick List:

• V320
  • Cordless Mouse that uses a USB receiver
  • Optical Mouse
  • 6 months battery life
• V450
  • Cordless Mouse that uses a USB receiver
  • Laser Mouse
  • 12 months battery life
• V470
  • Cordless Mouse that uses Bluetooth
  • Laser Mouse
  • 4 months battery life

After comparing the features, I immediately went out and bought the Logitech V450. As a matter of fact, I’m using it right now.

The packaging is easily opened and can be reused to keep the CD and documentation. Logitech also included 2 AA Duracell batteries. I placed the batteries inside and plugged the USB receiver in my notebook. After a few seconds, the Logitech V450 was already working. I didn’t install the included Logitech Setpoint software because it was only meant for Windows XP and Vista. And my office notebook uses Windows 2000 Professional. The documentation stated to download the Logitech Setpoint software for Windows 2000 from their website. But I didn’t bother. I don’t need the other features. Most features that I need like the scrolling wheel already works fine without Setpoint. In short, it was really plug-and-play!

I’m really impressed with Logitech V450. It’s cheap and does what I need. And what I like best, I didn’t have to bother changing batteries often. Check out the Logitech V450 for yourself.

Features:

Storable, wireless micro-receiver
Plug-and-play USB micro-receiver tucks away neatly inside the mouse for easy transport and shuts your mouse off to save power.

Ergonomic comfort
Soft rubber grip, finger grooves, and contoured shape offer support and effortless control with either hand.

Laser precision
Outperforms optical mice. Laser technology delivers smoother cursor control and precision tracking on virtually any surface. You’ll be more productive–whenever you use your laptop.

Side-to-side scrolling + zoom
Tilt Wheel Plus Zoom is perfect for viewing digital photos and spreadsheets. Instantly zoom in and out; scroll horizontally or vertically.

Unsurpassed battery life
Keeps on going with up to one year of battery life, minimizing the hassle of changing batteries Use the “On/Off” button to save even more power. Battery indicator light, visible from the top of the mouse, eliminates surprises.

Uninterrupted cordless performance
Experience a powerful and reliable signal with 2.4 GHz Digital Cordless. No delays or dropouts even in the busiest wireless environments.

Package Contents:

• Logitech V450 Laser Cordless Mouse for Notebooks
• 2.4 GHz micro-receiver
• Installation guide
• Logitech SetPoint software CD
• 2 AA batteries
• 3-year limited warranty

System Requirements:

• IBM or compatible PC
  • Windows 98, 2000, Me, or XP
  • USB port
• Macintosh system
  • Mac OSX 10.2.8+
  • USB port

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A few days ago, I almost smashed into a garbage truck when I tried reaching for my ringing phone and swerved the steering wheel. Thus, I resolved to buy another bluetooth headset. My old one, Sony Ericsson HBH-602, has provided me quite a service since 2005 and now the battery’s life cycle has been fully exhausted.

After searching for other bluetooth headsets, I came across Jabra BT2010. I immediately liked the in-ear design. In a few minutes, I paid for it and rushed out of the store with the package in hand. I gotta get it charged! hehe!

Jabra BT2010 Features:

• Talk time: Up to 7 hours
• Standby time: Up to 200 hours
• Charging time: Approximately 2 hours
• Weight: 11 grams (0.39 oz)
• Dimensions: L50mm X W22mm X D24mm
• Battery type: Rechargeable lithium polymer
• Bluetooth compliance: Bluetooth version 2.0 specifications with EDR & eSCO
• Supported Bluetooth profiles: Bluetooth headset and hands-free profiles
• Operating range: 10 meters

This is different from my Sony Ericsson HBH-602 bluetooth headset. This headset has an in-ear design with optional ear hook. This means the headset plugs directly into your ear and the optional ear hook provides you the security if you need it.

Bluetooth with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) provides higher speed data transfer and lower power consumption.

Bluetooth with eSCO (Extended Synchronous Connections) provides higher audio quality by allowing retransmissions of corrupted packets.

This headset has both features so expect good quality and longer battery life.

By the way, I haven’t tried it yet but the manual mentioned that you can also use a USB cable to charge the headset. Well, the USB cable is not included but you can use the USB cables commonly found with digital cameras.

In-Ear (without ear hook)

With Ear Hook

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A few months ago, I used to bring several phones for testing purposes. After testing, I gave them back. It was difficult for me to be using several phones and getting confused which one was ringing.

However, I just bought a second phone for personal use. The Sony Ericsson Z520i. This is my backup phone to my Sony Ericsson P910i.

I merely wanted a simple phone and nothing fancy. But I got a great bargain so I got it.

The contents of the box are as follows: Z520i handset, standard li-on battery, wall charger, and a user manual.

Features:

• StyleUpCover – Lets you create a personalized style-up cover for your Sony Ericsson phone
• Bluetooth Connectivity – Allows for handsfree communication and wireless file transfers
• Media Player – Enjoy videos and music
• VideoDJ – Edit videos in your mobile phone
• 0.3 Megapixel Camera with 4x digital zoom – Allows for simple photos and videos
• Light Effects – There are 8 different light effects/pattern which you can assign as default or to specific callers

So far I’m quite impressed with the phone. Although some people were not really happy with the phone, they might have expected a lot. For me, I was just looking for a simple backup phone and this phone just fulfills my need.

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My company gave me my service phone, a Sony Ericsson P910i. They promised me a Sony Ericsson P990i but it wasn’t gonna be released until the 2nd Quarter of 2006. Since we still have one last brand new stock of the P910i, then they “convinced” me to accept the P910i for a while. Hey, it’s still a wonderful phone. And who am I to complain for a free phone. Hehehe!

The contents of the box are as follows: P910 handset, standard battery, travel charger, 32MB Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick adapter, SyncStation with USB, stereo portable handsfree, carry case, wrist strap, cleaning cloth, 1 extra stylus, flip replacement, flip replacement tool kit, PC Suite CD, applications and content CD, user manuals.

I’ll update this post as soon as I get to play with it more.

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From the Nokia N Series comes… N70!

Our company handsets expert Howie Ticzon gave me another phone to test… Nokia’s latest N Series Phone… the Nokia N70.

The aesthetics have been sooo improved compared to Nokia 6680. The dimension has been improved as well… 109 x 53 x 24 mm. It fits snuggly into your hand.

For the camera lover in some of us… this phone sports a 2.0 Megapixel camera! The quality is quite impressive. One downside I noticed is that whenever I take a picture it takes around 3-4 seconds before I can take another one. Another is that the LED flash doesn’t do much help during night shots. The 0.3 Megapixel front camera is still part of the phone for video calls.

For the connectivity aspect of the phone, it has an integrated Bluetooth wireless technology and USB 2.0 interface.

The N70 has upgraded its memory to 22MB. And with the included 64MB MultiMediaCard (MMC), you can bring a lot of your MP3s wherever you go. Yup, it’s not in iPod but heck… it’s quite convenient to have a phone that can also perform as a mini-jukebox.

It also includes a Visual Radio Service. Aside from the normal radio features, you can tune in to streaming stations and get details about the song that is currently playing like the artist and other artist information. This is something similar to shoutcast… only on your mobile phone.

Will I buy it? With the new size… the added memory… the 2.0 MP camera… Hmm… yes I will… I don’t mind having my trusty Sony Ericsson K700i and this phone together… and besides, I kinda like the way the menu system has been changed.

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Nokia’s latest 3G phone offers video call… Nokia 6680.

It feels and looks similar to a Nokia 7650. Since it is a Symbian phone it doesn’t have much difference to other Nokia Symbian phones except for the video call.

My friends and I have been playing with it especially with the two cameras. They said it was not so much different to my old Nokia 7650. And I agree, I don’t see any new development except for the MMCard and the video call. However, we were quite impressed with the quality of the photos despite the low lighting. The sequence shots with complimentary flashes really help a lot.

You don’t have to buy this phone yet. Why? Most telcos don’t have 3G capabilities yet for the video call. It’s a nice phone to have but not a necessity.

Some Features

• Two integrated digital cameras: 1.3 megapixel back camera and a 0.3 megapixel front camera
• Two-way video calls and see face-to-face as you talk in real time
• Video sharing capability
• High-resolution, 262,144-color display
• Capture quality images and video
• 10MB built-in memory
• Hot-swappable MultiMediaCard (MMC) capable
• Bluetooth wireless technology
• Fast WCDMA and EDGE connections for broadband-speed browsing plus tri-band GSM phone with global roaming capability
• Music player with stereo audio

Sample Night Photo:

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Howie Ticzon Sun Cellular’s handsets expert gave me another phone to play with. Motorola MPx220.

The phone looks and feels like any other phone. BUT it still doesn’t compare to a Sony Ericsson K700i or the K750i. It has solitaire and other windows games to take most of your time. The menu system is similar to a windows computer. By the way, it looks like Windows XP.

Oh crap! the phone hanged as I’m doing this review. “Bootloader blah blah blah!” Time to take out the battery and restart the phone.

One thing that makes me wonder… how come the battery of MPx220 only lasts half a day? I have my SE K700i paired with my SE bluetooth headset and yet they both last 2 or more days.

If you have the extra moolah and don’t mind the constant restarting of the phone — Hehehe! — then you might want to check this out yourself. Otherwise, don’t even bother with this phone.

Oh man! I’m not kidding but it hanged on me again.

Let’s see what Motorola has to say:

• Windows Mobile software allows compatibility with Windows Mobile applications such as Pocket Outlook® and Pocket Internet Explorer and is designed to match and transpose the Outlook desktop experience
• Global Quad Band Performance (850/900/1800/1900)
• Integrated 1.2 megapixel camera, multi-step zoom, flash and self-portrait capabilities make it possible to capture your business and personal encounters with ease
• Bluetooth® wireless technology and speaker phone allow hands free conversations
• 64MB Flash ROM and mini-SD removable memory for extra storage
• MMS messaging features for sending pictures, animations, wallpaper, icons and more
• Downloading capabilities for adding on new games, musical ringtones, business applications and more at any whim
• A wide array of companion products are available to enhance the wireless experience

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As a gift to my nephew for doing good in school, I brought him to Hong Kong last week. While we were there, I was able to buy a neat product… Sony Ericsson’s HBH-602 Bluetooth Headset.

At first I wanted to buy a bluetooth headset from an unknown manufacturer. But I changed my mind and opted to buy from a manufacturer that I know has several service centers back home. What is to service in a bluetooth headset? Well, I just wanted peace of mind and compatibility with most phones.

Here are the features:

• Talk time: up to 4 hours
• Standby time: up to 125 hours
• Range: up to 10 meters

Included in the box:

• Bluetooth Headset HBH-602 with blue style-up cover
• Travel/Wall Charger CST-13
• 2 extra style-up covers: black and white
• Neck loop
• User`s manual

Compatibility:

• BlackBerry: 7100t, 7100v, 7100x, 7290
• Motorola: A1000, A830, A835, A925, E1000, E398, E550, MPx, MPx220, RAZR V3, T280i, V500, V525, V545, V547, V550, V600, V620, V635, V80
• NEC: e616
• Nokia: 3230, 3650, 6230, 6230i, 6260, 6310i, 6600, 6630, 6650, 6670, 6680, 6681, 6810, 6820, 6822, 7280, 7600, 7610, 7700, 7710, 8910, 8910i, 9300, 9500, N-Gage, N-Gage QD
• O2: XDA II, XDA IIi, XDA IIs, XDA Mini
• Orange: M1000, SPV C500, SPV E200
• Panasonic: X70, X700
• Sagem: myX-8
• Samsung: D500
• Sendo: X
• Sharp: 802, 902, GX15, GX25, GX30, GX30i
• Siemens: S55, S65, SK65, SX1
• Sony Ericsson: K700i, P800, P900, P910, S700i, T39, T610, T630, T68, T68i, V800, Z600

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