Donka's Mobile Rambles

Widget UK Ltd, a leading supplier of mobile technology and accessories, has announced the availability of the first mainstream Bluetooth™ fashion accessory, the Caller ID wristwatch.
Incorporating Bluetooth wireless technology, the watch will simplify how people interact and engage with their mobile phones. Combining fashion forward technology with added functionality and efficiency, the Bluetooth watch enables users to stay connected without compromising style. The watch designs were adapted from top selling Fossil models.
The analog/digital watch links effortlessly via Bluetooth to certain mobile phones allowing users to view incoming caller ID information on the watch face. Users are notified when their phone rings and when a text message is received. When users are unable to answer their phone, a single button press can mute or reject an incoming call. When a voicemail or text message is received, users are alerted by an icon of an envelope that appears on the watch accompanied by a slight vibration.
Additional features include a two-hand analog for easy timekeeping, vibrating alert of incoming call or SMS/MMS, Caller ID or number displayed, out of range warning (after 10 meters the watch vibrates when phone goes out of range), view phone’s time/date, simple two-button auto pairing operation, bright OLED display, reject/mute incoming calls (one button push mutes the phone’s ringer, two button pushes rejects the call), water resistant to 3 ATM, and compatibility with most Sony Ericsson Bluetooth phones. The watch also features a lithium rechargeable battery that lasts approximately 5-7 days based on conditions of use. The battery can be recharged through a USB or universal AC adapter.
The ABACUS branded product (MobileWear™ by ABACUS) comes in two styles: one with a stainless steel case and bracelet (style AU6001) and the other with a stainless steel case and black PU strap (style AU6002).
The Abacus MobileWear watch is available mid October and can purchased online at www.widget.co.uk for a cost of £149.99.

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the release of 'Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars', Astraware is making the game available at a very special discount price. From Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October 2006 ONLY, 'Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars' for Palm OS(R) and Windows Mobile(R) for Pocket PC will be available with an Anniversary-only discount. This offer is available from the Astraware website for this limited period only.
Visit the site at http://www.astraware.com/promo/brokensword1 for more details if you fancy this great game for half price.

Athena Technologies iVoice
Building on its reputation of excellence, Athena TECHNOLOGIES® is proud to introduce the iVoice iPod sound dock. This innovative sound dock was designed from the ground up to perform to real world expectations. This means it plays loud, sounds spectacular, and will perform that way for years. The iVoice is a wall-mountable sound dock that offers a video output to hook up an external display device, an auxiliary input for most MP3 players or a computer. This ingenious iPod sound dock lets you charge and operate your iPod simultaneously, and even offers the flexibility of a wireless remote control. The iVoice features a USB interface allowing you to retain all the functionality when using iTunes without having to remove your iPod from the dock.
Unlike other systems, the iVoice has no cumbersome power adapter so you’ll be able to enjoy its good looks. The clean angled design and high gloss black cabinet will complement your décor while the crystal clear direct radiating digital audio will simply amaze you. Like all Athena TECHNOLOGIES® products, the iVoice plays loud and clear while offering exceptional value.
More details of the iVoice speaker system can be found at Athena Technologies.

Mirage OmniVibe
The Mirage OmniVibe offers the most innovative way to listen to your iPod. The elegant style of the OmniVibe iPod dock and its comprehensive connectivity options make it the perfect complement to any model of iPod, any brand of MP3 Player and even your computer. The OmniVibe iPod dock utilizes Mirage’s patented Omnipolar™ technology, leading edge engineering and design that is found in Mirage’s state-of-the-art loudspeakers. With this technology, the OmniVibe disperses the highest quality sound in a 360° pattern, creating an incredibly deep, tall and wide soundstage. This unique dispersion characteristic allows the OmniVibe to evenly fill out your entire listening area with crystal clear digital audiophile quality sound.
Enjoy the Mirage sound no matter where you are in your room. This ingenious iPod docking station lets you charge and access your iPod, while providing video output, a USB interface with your computer and a wireless remote control.
You can read up on the Mirage OmniVibe at the Mirage Speakers website.

Kensington, the computer accessories company, has launched a new Wireless Presentation Remote, a tool that gives users the freedom to roam whilst presenting.
Instead of conducting presentations with a mouse or notebook touch pad, the Kensington Wireless Presentation Remote allows the presenter to operate their presentation from up to twenty metres away. To use the Wireless Presentation Remote, the presenter slots the USB receiver into the notebook USB port. The presentation can then be conducted wirelessly. It is very easy to use and has a built-in laser pointer that can indicate key areas throughout the presentation.
This seems like a great tool for those who do regular presentations and want to have full control over the presentation as well as the freedom of the conference room.
More details can be found at the Kensington website.

Brenthaven, the leading provider of premium cases for mobile technology, is pleased to announce the Edge, a new collection of lightweight cases which offer protection and style all in one. Equipped with Brenthaven’s patent-pending CORE Protection System, the Edge provides ultimate protection from the drops, bangs and bumps of daily life.
The Edge is sleek enough to be used as a sleeve within another bag, or carried alone as a slim shoulder case. The CORE system discreetly protects the laptop from knocks and shocks on all four corners as well as front and back like no other laptop bag. Brenthaven recently put their CORE system to the test in a “dropfest” that can be viewed on their website homepage.
Edge is available in 2 colour combinations – black and grey or light blue and orange and is priced at £34.95 inc VAT. For a list of Brenthaven retailers in the UK, please visit www.brenthaven.co.uk which will be online shortly.

Kensington, the computer accessories company, has announced that all its iPod accessories are compatible with the new range of iPods announced by Apple last week.

Kensington is one of just two key vendors whose FM transmitters, designed for the iPod nano, will be compatible with the new version. The Kensington Pico, an ultra-thin and sleek FM transmitter for use with any clickwheel iPod – and designed to fit with the nano – transmits whatever songs the iPod is playing to any car or home stereo via the radio function, without the need for any wires, software or setting changes.

It looks like if you are on the look out for accessories for your new iPod, the Kensington website could be a good place to start.

Kensington, the computer accessories company, has launched three space-saving keyboard sets that make up its PilotBoard range. The new range shares the comfort and quality standards that Kensington customers expect, but each keyboard differs in design and functionality.

The PilotBoard Multimedia Desktop (£18.00): this wired keyboard is the first product in the range with one-touch multimedia keys for accessing application and Internet functions. Features include a versatile zoom/scroll wheel to make it easy to navigate software applications and alternative shortcut keys. This is ideal for home users as the keyboard is easy to use and has a modern design.

The PilotBoard Wireless Desktop (£32.00): a wireless multimedia keyboard and mouse set that combines one-touch multimedia functionality and space-saving design. It includes a PilotMouse that features QuickRF™ wireless technology and DiamondEye™ optical technology and a keyboard with a versatile zoom/scroll wheel. This is suitable for more tech-savvy consumers, and its wireless capabilities make it particularly useful in home office environments.

The PilotBoard Laser Wireless Desktop Set (£48.00): this is the first wireless desktop set on the market to offer the accuracy of a laser mouse, the convenience of a programmable wireless keyboard and the performance of the interference-free 2.4GHz connectivity, all in one package. By combining the six-button programmable laser mouse with a comfortable keyboard design, the PilotBoard Laser Wireless Desktop helps users stay in control of their workspace. The product’s battery life is unrivalled: the mouse lasts up to nine months on one set of batteries and battery life is even longer in the keyboard. This is the ultimate option for the high-tech user or gamer, as the Laser Wireless technology responds quickly to intricate movements and lets the user position both keyboard and mouse in their optimal position - up to ten meters away.

More details can be found at the Kensington website.

The Acer n300 series of Pocket PC has been a cult success for many however due to its unavailability in certain regions worldwide, it had proved a hard device to track down and inevitably, third party accessories follow a similar path. High on most peoples list will be a good quality case to replace the poor effort that ships with the n300 and one of the most desirable comes in leather from Acer themselves. The reason this case is so attractive to me is that it favours a magnetic closure meaning there is no need for a strap that clips on the rear which in turn means less bulk and easier access to the device.
The protection on offer is very good with the soft quality padded leather sure to cushion the majority of knocks although this leather is not as luxurious as products from the main manufacturers like Piel frama or Vaja.

Access is good when the flip cover is open giving way to the screen, buttons and SD card slot. There is good clearance around the application buttons and joystick meaning there is nothing hindering use when in the case. The embedded magnetic closure on the front means there is no strap going underneath the case which leaves the data connector and soft reset hole on the bottom free at all times. There is a hole in the top which provides ample access to the headphone socket although there is no rear access to the speaker. Thankfully this does not seem to hinder the volume of the device as there is enough clearance between the speaker and the top of the case to allow the sound to escape.
On the sides, there is easy access to the hold and power switches although a small resection in the top of the cover would aid retrieving the stylus. Inside the flip cover are pockets for two SD cards although nowhere for storing credit cards or similar..
The design of the case ensures very good all-round protection for the diminutive Acer although I feel the flip cover could fit a little more snugly than it does and make this an even smaller and tighter package. No belt clip is included so this may put off many potential buyers however I am someone who prefers a case without the belt clip so for me the exterior finish is perfect with its unmarked rear and embossed Acer logo on the front.

The understated looks can’t hide the fact that this is a good quality case and the overall design and construction make this a good partner for your Acer. There is no choice of colour or styles, black is all you can have and tracking one down can prove a real chore. This seems to be the closest we will come to a Sena Cases product for the n300 and if you are a fan of their cases then you will most likely enjoy this official case from Acer.
The model number CC.H0203.005 can be found on the Acer Global website although searching for this on central European technology websites may yield the best results.

Proporta Alu-Crystal Case for 2nd gen nano
Combining aluminium and crystal-clear polycarbonate, the Alu-Crystal offers the strength of aluminium without hiding away your colourful new iPod.

Proporta Dual Skin Silicone Case for 2nd gen nano
With two layers of impact protection and colour, the Proporta Dual Skin Silicone Case is both colourful and protective.

Proporta Aluminium Sleeves for 2nd gen Shuffle
Such a small, light device without a screen begs for added style with limited bulk – the Aluminium Sleeve allows you to customise your iPod shuffle in the same way as the new 2G iPod nano, so if you’d like the style at a lower cost - the shuffle and the Sleeves are for you.

As well as these new products, many of the existing ones such as the Alu-Leather case for the nano still fit perfectly so head on over to Proporta and see what they have on offer.

Astraware have released a game, perfect for families including those with younger children, but is also ideal for the big kid in all of us. StarPop is the game for people who like to make stuff go Pop! This game can be simply described as fun, absorbing, stress busting, and even poptastic! If you enjoy popping bubblewrap (and who doesn't?) then you'll love StarPop. Pop stars, burst balloons, splat fruit and a whole lot more against all kinds of cartoon backgrounds. Trigger the popping bonuses for extra points and unlock special onscreen prizes.

• Perfect for all the family


• Simple to play - just pop stuff!


• Cute, colorful graphics


• Bonus unlockable characters


• The game you just can't lose

Head on over to http://www.starpopgame.com for all the details and screenshots.

Further to the launch of their Rapid Repair System, Proporta are giving you all a chance to have your devices repaired with them for free. Here is what they say:

How did your device get damaged?? If you sat on it or threw it at the wall we’re not interested…we are looking for amusing, freak occurrences that caused the damage. Did you, against your better judgment, accidentally lend your device to an over excited mole that burrowed to the earth’s core and back with it? Ok probably not, but I hope you get the idea. The person that mails in the most amusing or random act that caused the demise of their device will get their device repaired for free, and hopefully be able to laugh at their own expense.
Marks awarded for stupidity, inevitability and just plain bad luck.
We appreciate any input, not just about the way the damage occurred but perhaps the destruction it left behind. We look forward to reading your stories and will post the top stories, for you to enjoy … two runners up will also have the chance to receive a free case (to stop anything terribly funny happening to their device again!) or a discount on their repair.

Email all entries to sales@proporta.com with DAMAGE clearly in the subject line, or visit the Proporta website.