So Zev and I had already reviewed the Kogeto Dot, a few weeks ago. I contacted the company to let them know that we reviewed their product. Since we never really physically had the Dot — Kogeto was kind enough to send us a review unit.

It was perfect timing, since Zev was heading down to Florida on vacation. So he took the Dot with him and Zev had fun with it.

—-

Post Image Source: Kogeto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyMuYtb7mEE

Ray and Zev discuss the Opena Case iPhone 4 bottle opener. It’s a case, it’s a bottle opener… what more do you need?

Price: $39.95 (from company)

Stats:

• iPhone4/4S
• Protective PC/ABS hard case
• Integrated slide out stainless steel bottle opener
• Fits GSM & CDMA iPhone 4 (AT&T and Verizon)
• Free standard shipping to USA, Canada and Australia

Pros:

• It’s a cool bottle opener
• It protects your entire iPhone (minus your screen)
• Well designed

Cons:

• Case makes it difficult to slide in your iPhone
• Case makes it difficult to pop you iPhone out

It has been over a month since the Windows Phone 7 launch. The highly anticipated Microsoft smartphone operating system was lunched on November 8, 2010 on AT&T — the Samsung Focus. Both Steve Balmer and Ralph de la Vega stood on stage — at the NYC Windows Phone 7 launch — and proclaimed their commitment to the success of Windows Phone 7. While there has been no lack of media coverage there has been a lack in sales. Unfortunately, Microsoft has been less than fourth coming with Windows Phone 7 sales figures. As such, we have to rely on external sources such as Chitika, which is one of the largest search advertising networks, serving over one billion ads per month.

The mobile operating system designed to save Microsoft’s mobile business is struggling. A month and a half after its launch, Windows Phone 7 is outnumbered over 100 to 1 by both Android and iPhone, based on traffic through the Chitika ad network.

–Chitika Research

Now some will argue that this is an unfair statistic – comparing a months old OS to the likes of the iPhone (debuted in 2007) and Android (debuted n 2008). I appreciate the argument but what this infograph represents is a gloomy mobile outlook, for Microsoft. The tech giant sold 40,000 handsets on its first day. In comparison Apple, sold 270,000 iPhone’s (first generation) within the first 30 hours and T-Mobile had 1.5 million in online pre-orders of the HTC G1. When you compare Windows Phone 7′s initial sales to those of the iPhone and the G1 you begin to see that Microsoft might have an issue in execution — not technology. I say this with a certain level of conviction — I have reviewed Windows Phone 7 on both the HTC HD7 and the HTC Surround. The OS is rather mature as are the available services and applications.

Microsoft has a massive productivity portfolio and a dominant enterprise install base. The company must leverage these resources and make a massive push into the enterprise — with Exchange support, SharePoint and MS Office. Instead of focusing on the darlings of the mobile space — namely the iPhone and Android — perhaps Microsoft should look to RIM and exploit the company’s weakened state.

RIM is injured and losing market share. The company is still dominates the U.S. mobile space but it’s down 3.5 points. Apple and Google are increasing their influence and this is advancing RIMs market loss. comScore paints this picture of a three-month period ending October 2010.

Ultimately, Microsoft must have a unified mobile approach — hardware, software, applications and services. Microsoft building its own handset is one of the most argued positions. Many analysts explain how this would be disastrous for the tech giant — I think it’s a necessary evil. Whatever, Microsoft decides to do in 2011 one thing is certain they must take massive action.

With products like the Powermat and Energizer’s IC Pad, there are plenty of uses for Inductive Charging with mobile devices.  In my mind, one unexplored location for this technology is the Kitchen centerpiece, the refrigerator.

Most of the time, the refrigerator is the location where notes, pictures, bills, and coupons are put on display. This results in an unending battle for space superiority. Wouldn’t this be a great location for a screen where you can wirelessly display all of your small items?

We’ve all seen the overly expensive refrigerators with small lcd panels built-in, from manufacturers like LG. They have failed to gain traction because watching tv on your refrigerator is, for the lack of a better word, stupid. But the need for displaying other types of data is a very good use if a display. And most of us probably have purchased a digital picture frame at some point, but have struggled to find the perfect place to utilize the news, weather, stocks, and Facebook (Social Media) possibilities of this kind of platform.

The answer is, integrate both uses in the refrigerator.  If appliance manufacturers would place an Inductive Charging location on the front door, manufacturers of electronic equipment (like photo frames) could start making devices to place on the front of their refrigerator.  That way, they could wirelessly write notes, place reminders, update their social media status, show pictures, and get news.  And what’s great about it is, they can switch between devices on-the-fly, as they desire.  And as the technology improves, they can replace the less expensive external devices more frequently, since the appliance is a less often upgraded purchase.

I’m looking forward to see what’s in store at CES in Las Vegas.

Intuit’s GoPayment is a mobile payment system for small businesses. It allows owners to have a complete credit card solution. Let’s listen in to my interview with Andrew Freed — Product Manger of GoPayment.

The long-awaited version of the GE Supra eKey application for iPhone is finally here.  Realtors rejoice!  Currently you can download the “basic” version now, which gives you access to the standard suite of options.  eKEY Professional, which is to be released in December, adds MLS data saved to your phone, links Google maps to the listings, and delivers showing details to your phone.

In order to interface with the actual key boxes, you’ll need to purchase the Infrared Supra iPhone Adapter which plugs into the 30 pin dock connector at the bottom of the iPhone.   It is designed to hang from a key chain when not in use.

When you are ready to show a house, just slide it out of its cover, and plug it into your iPhone.  The adapter will sell for $54.95 (plus $3.95 shipping and any applicable taxes) with a monthly fee, like other tags.

This seems pretty convenient, and you will only need the adaptor when unlocking a house, or setting one up.

The interface looks like the original Palm application, but makes full use of the touch screen, and even adds a few features as well.

Stay tuned for updates as we use the application!

Download the software here.

Find out more about ekey for iPhone on their website.

Screenshots:

[flickrset id="72157624756117754" thumbnail="square" overlay="true" size="large"]

Tivo released some very exciting information about their upcoming Series 4 set-top box, the Tivo Premiere.  In the home media market, bridging the gap between a regular cable box, and a net appliance has always been separated into two or three separate devices.  This integration is indeed the next evolution of digital media delivery to your Living Room.

Two models

TiVo Premiere

• 320GB storage space
• Can record up to 45 hours of HD programming or up to 400 hours in SD
• Supports digital cable, high-definition digital cable, antenna (ATSC) and Verizon FiOS
• Outputs: HDMI, Component video, Composite video, Optical audio, Analog audio
• Video output modes include: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
• Inputs: CableCARD™ support (request a Multi-Stream cards from your provider), Cable coax, Antenna coax, Ethernet
• Ethernet connection, USB 2.0 ports (2), E-SATA support for external storage
• TiVo Wireless N and G Network Adapter support (optional- must buy separately)

TiVo Premiere XL

• Same network/video connectivity options as the TiVo Premiere
• 1 TB of storage space
• Can up to 150 hours of HD programming or up to 1350 hours in SD
• TiVo premium backlit remote control
• THX-certified
• THX Optimize- a video calibration tool that lets users fine tune color, black levels and other settings to improve picture quality.  A pair of THX Optimizer Blue Glasses, designed for adjusting Color and Tint settings, is included with the owner’s manual.

New Interface

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4xxHjXr2UY[/youtube]

The long-awaited interface refresh (Series 4) was done with Adobe Flash, which should give it a dynamic, content rich feel.  I put some pictures below to give you an idea of what to expect.  If you aren’t familiar with Tivo’s interface historically, it has always been far superior to the Cablevision / Time Warner / Brighthouse cable boxes.  The search functions have always performed better, and more logically as well.

New QWERTY TiVo Remote

Later this year, consumers will have access to a groundbreaking, slide-out QWERTY TiVo remote.  It will have a plug n’ play installation, extended range utilizing Bluetooth (about 30′) and backlit programmable buttons.  The remote will be shipped with a Bluetooth USB dongle that will be plugged into an available USB port on TiVo Series3, TiVo HD, or TiVo Premiere boxes.

I don’t know if I would use this, but I see a perfect use-case for a Tivo iPhone App.

TiVo Wireless N Adapter

Coming in May, the TiVo Wireless N Adapter allows for quicker transfer speeds and longer range, utilizing both the 2.4 and 5GHz bands.

What it means for you

The key to the success of this box, and it will be a success, is the integration of web-based content from places like Blockbuster, Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, and others.  Hulu is conspicuously gone.  The addition of that service would make this a killer device.

Another major feature is Tivo search.  It not only looks for future TV shows, or previously recorded items stored on your DVR, but looks for available web-based content as well.  This brings back the Saturday-night family movie night!  Microwave popcorn, anyone?

At the very least, this will be the beginning of a new type of DVR /set-top box offered by Cable /Satellite /Fiber providers.  One of the most obvious places for future home computing, and centralized media delivery, is the TV, and these devices will become more and more like a thin client solution.

After having paid an exorbitant fee for a monthly rental ($12/mo for 6 years = $864) for an excruciatingly painful DVR from Cablevison, I will gladly pay for Tivo’s service.

When and How Much

Premiere media box: 320 GB model for $299 or 1 TB model for $499

Wireless card: $89.99

Service plan: $12.95 (Month-to-month); OR $10.79/mo. (1-year for $129); OR $8.30/mo (3-yr for $299); OR $399 (lifetime)

Availability: Early April

Hopstop is a privately held company that was established in 2005. The company is headquartered in NYC and was founded by Chinedu Echeruo. Hopstop provides a wonderful service — public transit directions. The information is free and customizable which makes it  a valuable resource. Currently, Hopstop provides transit directions in — New York, Long Island, Metro North, New Jersey, Boston, Providence, Hartford, CT (new), Philadelphia, Delaware (new), Baltimore (new), Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco (updated), London and Paris. Hopstop also provides other services like City Guide, Mobile, My Hopstop and Maps. The service that I use most often is Mobile Hopstop for the iPhone.

NYC can be a very difficult city to navigate — whether that be by car, bus or train. As such, many new Yorker’s prefer taking the subway. New York City’s transit system moves 1.6 million riders, annually over 840 miles of tracks, 365 days a year — you can now see why Hopstop is such a great resource for a New Yorker.

The Hopstop application can be downloaded to your iPhone from the App Store.  You will immediately notice a simple and clean user interface.

The most convenient option of the application is how the “Starting Address” and the “Destination Address” are pulled from from your iPhone Contacts (otherwise you can enter it manually). “Options” and “Departure” selections are simple to use. “Options” allows you to make choices on the method of travel, i.e. bus only, walking only, etc. “Departure” simply sets the time you would like to leave — this is helpful when catching a train on the LIRR or Metro North.

The “Map” selection is rather useful. If you don’t know what trains are in the area you can pull up an address from your Contacts (or enter it manually). Once this information is entered you will see a map with what trains are in the area.

What I would like to see in future releases of Hopstop is an integration with other services like Yelp, Foursquare or Gowalla.

Pros: Very easy to use. The ability to pull the addresses from your iPhone Contacts is very useful.

Cons: It does not support landscape mode. It does not save your directions — although it does keep (not save) your last directions.

Rumors are abound about what Apple is planning to release come WWDC 2010 at the Moscone Center in California. The Worldwide Developer’s Conference is scheduled to take place June 28, 2010 to July 2, 2010. WWDC is an annual conference that is sponsored by Apple. It uses the conference to showcase new software and technologies for developers. Apple also takes this opportunity to offer hands-on labs and various feedback sessions.

There have been considerable iPhone rumors for the better part of 2009. The one rumor that has caught the attention of the many in the industry is, “is the iPhone going to Verizon?” We have heard other various unconfirmed iPhone stories such as – it being RFID/NFC enabled, having a 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus and a front-facing camera – to just name a few. The most exciting of these stories is the long-awaited end of the Apple/AT&T exclusive contract.

The original iPhone was released in 2007 with an exclusive contract with AT&T. It’s not news that many in the iPhone community have had less than desirable service under AT&T’s rule. The stories are growing that not only will Apple open up the iPhone to all networks but that the latest iPhone may being siting on Verizon’s network or even T-Mobile’s network. Both companies explain that their networks can handle the additional bandwidth that the iPhone users are known for consuming.

What I find curious is that Google is partnering with T-Moble to sell the Nexus One. The Google phone also stands to be a bandwidth hog. If the rumors are true then the question begs “How will T-Mobile manage the bandwidth of these two phones?” In my opinion it could be disastrous for T-Mobile. I guess we will just have to be patient and wait for news from WWDC 2010.

As per  Eliot Mizrachi of MarketWire, “Since their inception in 1994, the ESRB ratings have become a trusted resource for parents when choosing computer and video games. In April 2007, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a report(1) which found that nine in ten parents are aware of the ESRB ratings, 87% expressed satisfaction, and nearly three quarters use them regularly when choosing games for their children.”

I am very pleased that ESRB has released this application for the iPhone. I actually find myself, more and more, going to the ESRB site or using the ESRB widget to look up game ratings. The app offers instant access to ESRB’s Ratings Guide and access to the over 18, 000 reviewed game titles. Which means, if you want to make certain that a game is age appropriate – you can quickly search for the game and get back ESRB ratings results. This is also helpful when you are not certain what the game Content Descriptors mean – for example “Comic Mischief” or “Lyrics.”

ESRB is not forgetting about those dads/parents who do not have iPhone’s. If you happen to fall into that category then you can access ESRB mobile from your web enabled phone - m.esrb.org.

The interface is what you would expect from ESRB – clean and simple. You have three options:

1. Search
2. Home
3. Ratings Guide

Moving between screens is a bit slow but let’s just blame the appalling AT&T network, for that one. I have a couple of concerns with the user interface (UI) – text is small and some of the buttons are small and too close to each other. There appears to be enough real estate so the text and buttons could be larger. This would make the UI more user-friendly. Honestly, these concerns are superficial and I have been recommending, to all my iPhone carrying dads, that they need to get this (free) app, sooner than later.