FDA cancels my medical treatment

I am getting a lot of questions about the hospitalization so I figured I’ll explain it briefly here. I have some observations to share about the mobile gear I took with me so it’s not totally off-topic, but if you have no interest in the medical bits just skip over them.

Tuesday of this week I headed to the hospital for treatment of a blocked carotid artery. An ultrasound performed a few weeks ago showed significant blockage in one of the arteries, and a subsequent CTA scan of the neck verified it. This scan used injected dye to highlight the blockage, and it was determined the left carotid artery was 80-90 percent blocked. The medical specialists involved at that point explained that I was the perfect candidate for putting a stent in the artery, which would eliminate the blockage. That was scheduled and this week I checked into the hospital to have the procedure performed.

The procedure is a two-step process — first a fiber-optic camera is run through the arteries to take actual images of the blockage (angiogram) in the neck. Once the surgeons visually verify the extent of the blockage and that it is situated where the stent can be inserted, the second phase kicks in. This involves inflating a tiny balloon to collapse the blockage, followed by insertion of the stent over the area. The entire procedure carries some risk, as a small percentage of recipients have life-threatening episodes triggered by the playing around in the arteries. That risk requires recovery in the ICU just in case.

Rewind to Tuesday of this week, I was in the operating room for three hours, strapped down so I couldn’t move. I am sedated against the pain the procedure triggers, but was wide awake as the doctors needed to interact with me throughout the entire process. They wanted to make sure I was lucid so they would know instantly if they had triggered a stroke with the activity in my arteries. The entire time was spent conducting the angiogram, taking images of the blockage within the carotid artery.

It became apparent to me on the table that things weren’t going as the specialists anticipated. It turns out the imaging clearly demonstrated that the blockage was only 70-75 percent, and not the 80-90 percent previous imaging had indicated. That turned out to be very significant, as the FDA only allows the stents to be used in patients like me when the blockage is 80 percent or greater. Even though the specialists felt I needed the stent to correct my problem, they were not allowed to put it in. So after three hours of intense work by a great medical team, and even though I was already on the operating table ready for the full treatment, the doctors had to pull out without doing anything other than the angiogram. They faced serious sanctions by the FDA had they continued as planned with the actual correction of my medical problem.

So my hospital stay was cut short once they were sure no bad things were triggered in the OR. I came home the next day, with a carotid blocked just like it was before I went to the clinic. My doctors’ opinions are still that I need the treatment, but now they must wait and monitor the blockage (for years) until it hits that magic 80 percent that would allow them to treat it properly. Of course if I have a stroke in the future, which the stenting is designed to prevent, then the FDA allows them to perform the treatment in response. They can’t prevent the symptom, but they can respond to it.

My mobile kit

Not knowing how the whole treatment thing would go down, I only took two gadgets with me to the hospital. I carried the Samsung Galaxy Tab, in the leather case for protection, and the HTC EVO 4G. The Tab was a great inclusion in the kit as it handled all online things I wanted to do, namely tweeting about the hospital stay, and was also my e-book reader. While I normally prefer using the Galaxy Tab “naked,” bringing the case turned out to be a wise move as the Tab was knocked off the hospital bed. It fell a good four feet to the hard tile floor, but the case protected the device nicely. Using the Tab in the case is much like holding a paperback book, and I found it comfortable.

The EVO was more useful than I expected, as the hospital was in a Sprint 4G coverage area. I was able to tap the fast network for short periods, although since I wasn’t doing anything heavy the 3G network was sufficient much of the time. I felt more comfortable using the 4G in parts of the hospital where standard phone data connections weren’t allowed.

E-book of the week

I had a lot of time to read and I raced through a thriller by James Patterson. Worst Case is a fast-moving tale of a serial killer with a political agenda, perhaps the worst kind. Patterson tells the story as only he (and his coauthors) can, with lots of twists and turns.

Wrap-up

That’s the week in Mobile Tech Manor, which was a true mobile workspace. The week demonstrated that mobile gear is indeed getting smaller, but more powerful at the same time. Until next week, be safe and happy mobile computing.

Gadgets of the Week

The gadget capturing most of my attention this week was the Samsung Galaxy Tab, sent by Verizon. The 7-inch Android tablet is now available from most major carriers in the U.S., and in many other countries. The more time I spent using the Tab, the more I came to appreciate its strength: maximum portability.

Reviewers have been quick to complain that the Galaxy Tab is just a big smartphone, given its Galaxy S phone roots. They are correct, but I think that’s a major benefit of the Tab. It’s possible to use the little tablet for extended periods in the hand, something that’s not comfortable with the larger iPad . For this reason alone, the Tab has become my e-book reader of choice, as the Kindle app works well on the 7-inch screen.

The Tab also shines as a web tablet, as everything you can do on an Android phone you can do better on the Tab. Browsing the web is downright enjoyable, and the large number of apps in the Android Market offer a lot of options for just about every function. Twidroyd Pro on the Galaxy Tab may be the best app on any mobile device smaller than the iPad. The larger screen gives developers a good palette to work with to create their magic.

I get asked frequently if the Tab runs Angry Birds, and it certainly does. The big screen is a delight for playing the game, and the light Tab can be held comfortably for those long, long sessions. If you are addicted to Angry Birds, the game might be reason enough to get a Tab of your own.

I need to give an update on using the Powermat Wireless Charger for the EVO 4G. This week I had to quit using the Powermat due to a problem that cropped up with the USB hub on the phone back. This hub plugs into the charging port on the phone, and it must be unplugged to open the EVO for any reason. The hub is tethered to the special phone back, and you slide it out of the mount, open the EVO, and then slide it back in to reconnect it for charging.

Unfortunately, I found that after you do that a few times to change the battery or access the microSD card, the hub stops making electrical contact with the internal components in the phone back door. When this happens, the phone won’t charge when sitting on the mat, which defeats the whole purpose of the Powermat. This happened to me on the day I bought it at Best Buy, requiring a return trip to exchange it for this second unit. I believe it’s a design flaw that appears over time, since I’ve used two different units and both developed the problem. So the Powermat is in the dead gadget drawer in my office for now.

Apps of the Week

I’ve been playing with apps more than usual this week, due to the arrival of the Galaxy Tab. Most of the apps I’ve been using are on the Android platform, except for one. Apple updated the Safari browser, and it’s now faster on the Mac than Google Chrome. I’ve been using Chrome for months due to its speed of operation, but Safari now blows it away. It’s time to give it a try if you haven’t used it for while.

The Android app of the week is a simple utility I’ve been using on both the EVO 4G and the Galaxy Tab. Screebl Pro monitors the tilt of the Android device to determine if it is being used in the hand, and when it’s not, such as sitting on a table, it shuts the screen off quickly to save battery consumption. When it senses the device is in the hand being used, it keeps the screen lit up to facilitate its use. The tilt parameters can be easily customized with a slider that graphically indicates the tilting of the device. The backlit screen on any device is one of the biggest battery drains, and Screebl Pro makes it automatic to shut off the screen when the phone isn’t being used. There’s a free version of the app, but at $1.99, I find the Pro version to be a good value.

The Galaxy Tab’s high resolution (1024×600) display led me to question if standard Android apps work properly on the big screen. I’ve tried dozens of apps, and have yet to find one that doesn’t display well on the Tab. Some phone apps are marvelous on the bigger screen — Dolphin Browser HD, Pocket Informant, Twidroyd Pro, Kindle app and Tweetdeck to name a few. And don’t forget Angry Birds.

E-book of the Week

This week, I’ve been finishing up the Void Trilogy covered in previous weeks, and starting a new Stephen King book. The King book, Full Dark, No Stars is a collection of short stories as only King can write. I’ve only just started it, but can tell I’m going to enjoy it a great deal.

How I found out about the King book is a testament to how well the Android platform works in unexpected ways. I was using Twidroyd Pro on the Galaxy Tab and spotted a tweet from Dwight Silverman of the Houston Chronicle. He reviewed the book for the Chronicle and tweeted about it, complete with a link to the review. I clicked the link in Twidroyd and read his review. Liking what I saw, I opened the Kindle app on the Tab and searched for the King book. A one-click purchase later, I had downloaded the book to the Kindle app and was reading it. I went from Dwight’s tweet to reading a new book in less than five minutes. Amazon has built this ecosystem well.

Wrap-up

I am taking a vacation next week, so there will probably not be a column next Friday. Who knows though, if I run across something exciting during the week off I may pen a short one. Have a great holiday week (those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving); be safe no matter where you live.

I am having surgery the week after next, but I should only be out a couple of days. I expect to get the MTM column done so if not next week, see you the week after.

Gadgets of the Week

The gadgets that had my attention this week have not arrived at the Manor yet, but should be here early next week. The folks at Sprint are sending a Samsung Galaxy Tab to test, and I am stoked about the arrival of this tablet. My extensive history using tablets of all kinds has me convinced the 7-inch form of the Tab may be the perfect size for maximum portability. I also believe the Android platform will go a long way to providing good utility on the Tab, so I am excited to get to play with one.

Next week will also see a new phone arriving, and I must admit I am surprised how excited I am to play with a flip phone. Yes, this phone has the old-school flip form, but in a very modern package. It is the BlackBerry Style, a new phone from RIM that blends the famous BlackBerry keyboard with two displays to take advantage of the new BlackBerry 6 OS. The research I’ve done on the Style shows it has some real promise, and I can’t wait for it to show up.

The gadget that captured most of my week is not a new gadget, but what I did to it turned it into a new smartphone. I replaced the HTC ROM on my EVO 4G Android phone, and so far I am happy with the result. Flashing the ROM on a smartphone is not for the faint of heart, as it does void the phone’s warranty. It’s not without risk of turning the phone into a useless brick if things don’t work as planned.

Dire warnings aside, I have to admit the VaelPak 2,3 custom ROM I installed on the EVO has worked without issue, and the developer’s attention to detail make it a joy to install and use. There is even a VaelPak Settings app installed in the process that makes major changes like ROM modifications as simple as selecting menu items in the app. Selected modifications to the system are then downloaded OTA and installed automatically, including the reboot if required. The ResToggle app I recently reviewed has been incorporated into the VaelPak ROM, providing display resolution changes within the VaelPak Settings app.

My EVO is faster than ever, has even better battery life, and is more useful than with the stock HTC ROM. What I like most about the VaelPak ROM is that I can use as much or as little of the HTC Sense system as desired. It’s not an either/ or situation like with other custom ROMs. I don’t recommend that all EVO owners take this route, but if you are already testing custom ROMs I do think you should give VaelPak a hard look.

Apps of the Week

Last weekend saw the time change an hour due to Daylight Savings Time (DST), and unfortunately this affected my favorite Android app — Pocket Informant. All events entered into PI since the time change are now off an hour, and WebIS is working on a fix that should appear shortly. To get around the problem, I am entering all new events into Google Calendar on the desktop, which sync fine to PI.

The Android app of the week is LauncherPro, a launcher replacement that I’ve written about in the past. The developer has improved the app quite nicely, and I am enjoying using it as the launcher of choice on my EVO with the new ROM. The multiple docks alone make this a very useful addition to the EVO.

E-book of the Week

This week I started the last novel in the Void Trilogy series, Evolutionary Void. This series has kept me going for weeks now, a rarity in sci-fi. I’m not sure I am liking where the final chapter of this epic story is heading, but it has me swiping pages as fast as I can. That’s the mark of a good e-book — how smudgy the bottom of my phone screen is from turning pages.

Wrap-up

That’s the week I had in Mobile Tech Manor. Next week looks to be epic with two new gadgets arriving, so be sure and catch me next week.

Related content from GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

• Why Apple Hasn’t Sewn Up the Tablet Market — Yet
• Transient Apps: The Consumer Influence on Enterprise Mobility, Part 2
• Rogue Devices: The Consumer Influence on Enterprise Mobility, Part 1

Gadget of the Week

The week was one of those rare ones in the Manor as no gadgets arrived for poking and prodding. The lack of new arrivals gave me much-needed time to think about the gadget space and especially about what upcoming devices are exciting me. This thought process kept leading me back to the one gadget that I find really appealing — the Samsung Galaxy Tab.

The Tab has several things going for it that I think set it apart from the crowd of Android tablets. Primarily, I think the 7-inch form is a good fit for maximum portability, while bringing more utility than smaller smartphones can offer. It’s designed for easy use in the hand, and that’s an advantage over the larger iPad. The build quality seems to rival that of the iPad, and the work on key apps Samsung has done to make them better fit the screen, which is larger than that on phones, rounds out the offering. I’m looking forward to using a Tab first-hand, and will probably be buying one.

Sadly, the Tab is the only Android tablet I have been scoping out that appeals to me. Other tablets the same size don’t seem to be as well constructed as the Tab, and the larger ones don’t really compete with the iPad that I already own. It’s obvious Samsung has concentrated design efforts into making the Tab a slick device that works as well as the iPad, but other tablets haven’t been given that same attention to detail, with companies choosing low cost as the main feature.

I don’t think that indicates as bright a future for Android tablets as I originally thought. Cheap tablets are going to be quickly exposed in consumer’s hands, and the user experience is going to fall short with constant use, and that will yield impressions with consumers that Android tablets are not nearly as good as the iPad. That will be a big obstacle for successful market penetration, and companies rushing to get them to the market will not be profitable. That’s the ultimate failure for a class of mobile devices.

The Galaxy Tab goes a long way to seriously compete with the iPad, but it’s not going to be cheap. It’s not clear how consumers will react to a good iPad competitor that costs roughly as much as the offering from Apple. Since it’s unlikely to be significantly cheaper than the iPad, the Tab will have to compete on quality, advertising and utility, and that may not be enough to take iPad sales away from Apple.

I do think Samsung will sell a lot of Tabs, but probably not enough to establish the Android tablet as a viable commercial competitor for Apple. Having seen the component breakdowns of both the Tab and the iPad, it doesn’t seem likely that Samsung will be able to do much with the pricing of its tablet and remain profitable. The iPad is firmly entrenched in the consumer tablet market, and Samsung may find that a formidable obstacle to consumer acceptance. It is going to be an interesting competition to watch as the Tab starts hitting the market in numbers. If any Android tablet has all of the pieces in place to compete with the iPad, the Tab sure does.

Apps of the Week

I spend a lot of time testing apps on all of the devices I use regularly. The low cost of most apps, coupled with the utility they can bring to the usage of a given device is an appealing combination. One of the apps I spent time with this week isn’t even an app. Google rolled out Instant Search for mobile, and I’ve been using it a lot this week. It was announced on Thursday of this week, but it had quietly shown up on my EVO 4G a few days prior to the rollout. My experience with it on the Android smartphone is mostly good, but not entirely.

In a nutshell, Instant Search starts presenting search terms that Google predicts you might be entering as soon as you start typing the term. As each letter in the term is entered, Google refines its prediction of what search phrase you are likely entering. A drop-down list of these terms gets refined with each letter entered, and it’s usually pretty accurate at guessing what you mean before you type the entire term. I’ve been using it to great effect on the desktop, and while it seems logical it would be even more useful on my Android phone with its more difficult text entry, I found that’s not necessarily the case.

Mobile phones, especially Android phones, have a choice of onscreen keyboards. Many of these touch keyboards have very good predictive text, where they guess what word the user is typing as each letter is entered. If it sounds a lot like Google’s Instant Search, that’s because it is. Because these keyboards with predictive text are so good, many users have been taking advantage of this method even before the appearance of Instant Search.

This means Instant Search isn’t a big game-changer on mobile like it is on the desktop. In my usage of Instant Search on my EVO, I find the keyboard’s predictive text entry butts up against Google’s Instant Search entry. It can be distracting looking at both the predictive text results from the keyboard and the Instant Search results in the drop-down list at the same time. Throw in the fact that the phone’s onscreen keyboard often covers up much of the Instant Search drop-down list, and you get a lessening benefit to the search. It’s surprising that the platform that should stand the most to gain from the Instant Search method doesn’t due to the technology already on the phone.

When I wasn’t playing with Instant Search on my EVO 4G, I was experimenting with a return to my HTC Sense roots. I love to customize the way my smartphones work, and I had done that on the EVO. I’ve used third-party widgets and apps to replace a lot of the functionality inherent in the Sense interface, primarily to build a “look and feel” to the phone that was more appealing to me. This has worked well, but this week, I decided to go back to the stock Sense interface to see what I was missing.

It surprised me to find the Sense interface to be more efficient, less trouble during use and even gentler on battery life. I also found what I knew, but had forgotten: I genuinely like the way Sense looks and works during daily use. I may not leave Sense running things forever  (I am fickle that way after all), but for now, I’m quite happy with my HTC Sense phone.

E-books of the Week

This week found me revisiting the world of Peter F. Hamilton’s Void Trilogy. I finished The Dreaming Void and started The Temporal Void, the second in the series. I love Hamilton’s view of technology in the future, and how he has worlds without much technology living side-by-side with those that do. It is an enjoyable story and highly recommended.

Wrap-up

Thanks for sharing my week, and I hope you found something to take away and help you in your own world. Who knows? Maybe a Galaxy Tab will be hitting Mobile Tech Manor before long.

Related content from GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

• Why Apple Hasn’t Sewn Up the Tablet Market — Yet
• Transient Apps: The Consumer Influence on Enterprise Mobility, Part 2
• Rogue Devices: The Consumer Influence on Enterprise Mobility, Part 1

Gadgets of the Week

Mobile technology is all about wireless, both in respect to connectivity and in how gadgets connect to one another. Wireless was the theme in the Manor this week as a company sent me a case for the iPad to test. The  case is a pseudo-leather portfolio with a Bluetooth keyboard integrated into the unit. It’s designed for those times when an iPad  user needs to do some heavy text entry, and the onscreen touch keyboard is not sufficient.

According to the company that sent the case over, this keyboard/ case is called the Dooble, but that name appears nowhere on the packaging for the product, nor does the website they directed me to indicate that name. The case is being sold by Solid Line, and the packaging refers to the product as the Bluetooth Keyboard Case for your iPad. The case is also being sold by Kensington, as evidenced in this review.

No matter what you call the case, it works pretty much as advertised. It’s approximately 90 percent the size of a full keyboard, so typing takes a little time to get used to on the Dooble. It’s handy to have a keyboard when one might be useful, but it makes the iPad hard to use as a tablet. The iPad can be removed from the case for such usage, but it’s a pain and defeats the purpose of having such a product that is intended to make a gadget easier to use. I am going to shoot a video of the Dooble next week to show the case in detail.

Last week, I mentioned the Freedom Pro Bluetooth keyboard that I bought, and this week, I tested it with a Windows tablet, the iPad and my HTC Evo 4G Android phone. It works well with all of these gadgets, and so far, I’m happy with the purchase. I wouldn’t normally want to use a keyboard like this with my phone, but admit it’s nice to have the ability just in case.

The third gadget that came to live in the Manor this week is the Powermat Wireless Charging System for the Evo 4G. I shot a video of the Powermat system for those interested in this device, and having used it for a few days, I’m thrilled with the purchase. My Evo easily lasts all day on a single charge of the battery, so at the end of the day, I simply set the phone on the Powermat and it beeps to let me know it is charging. The next morning, I have a fully charged Evo ready for the day. This charger is highly recommended for those looking for an easy solution to keeping a supported phone charged.

Apps of the Week

The app that occupied a lot of my attention this week is one I had been waiting to appear for Android. Pocket Information for Android was released in a free public beta this week, and I quickly installed it on my Evo 4G. It’s a solid performer for a first beta version, and it has already become a big part of my day. The app integrates my Google calendars and Toodledo task management in one place, with the primary purpose of providing me focus on the things I need to devote the most attention at any given time.

We use Google Apps at GigaOM, and I have about a dozen personal and work Google calendars that I follow, and PI for Android brings them all onto the small screen of the Evo quite nicely. Everything is laid out in a format that makes the most sense for tracking lots of information, and the color coding pushes my attention to those items that need it most. I love this program, and will certainly buy it when the full version goes on sale.

I’m only using simple task management with PI at this point, but I am going to be experimenting with a more sophisticated method in the future. Both Toodledo and PI can do a lot in this area, and I am going to build a system of tasks and subtasks to better suit my work. I’ll share that process in this column as it unfolds.

The only other app that has occupied my time (far too much of it) this week is Angry Birds Halloween for the iPad. What can I say? I’m fully invested in the Angry Birds franchise, having the game on the iPad and the Evo. This special Halloween version is as much fun as the original, with smashing pumpkins thrown into the mix. If you like Angry Birds, you’ll love the Halloween edition.

Morning Ritual

I use my gadgets to get going each morning, and have a little ritual that I do every day that I get asked about frequently. The first gadget I grab every day is the iPad, and I use it to check the flood of email that poured in while I was sleeping (and likely dreaming of other gadgets). I like the iPad email app, and I use it in landscape orientation as the two-pane display is productive. I’m able to do this in my easy chair with the first cup of coffee.

I then hit the App Store to see if any of my iPad apps have updates. It’s funny how good seeing available updates makes me feel; I suspect that’s part of the appeal of the app ecosystem we have come to take for granted. It’s like getting something new for nothing when an app gets an update, and it never fails to put a smile on my face.

Once the iPad has been updated, on those lucky days when updates exist, I set it down and grab the Evo 4G off the wireless charger and do a two-step update ritual: I hit the Android Market to see if any apps have updates, and once that’s done, I hit the Amazon MP3 app to grab the free song of the day. Android apps get updated more frequently than iPad apps, and Amazon is filling out my Evo’s music library quite nicely, all with free songs. I love this method of finding new music, and songs from all genres are offered over time. This provides that same little thrill of the updated apps, there’s something cool about getting something for nothing.

E-books of the Week

This week I took a break from the wonderful sci-fi series I have been reading, and raced through the latest Jack Reacher novel by Lee Child. Worth Dying For is a great novel starring Reacher, and is as good as any of the novels in the series. Child has fleshed out the Reacher character well over the series, and it is great how he makes us like Jack Reacher, while remaining a bit uneasy about him. The story is fast-paced and unfolds well in the novel, and I raced through the book.

Wrap-up

This covered the major points of my week in Mobile Tech Manor. I hope you enjoyed sharing them with me, and perhaps found something to take away. Until next week, take care and do something nice for someone close to you.

Related content from GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

• Why Apple Hasn’t Sewn Up the Tablet Market — Yet
• Transient Apps: The Consumer Influence on Enterprise Mobility, Part 2
• Rogue Devices: The Consumer Influence on Enterprise Mobility, Part 1

Gadgets of the week

This week, I spent a lot of time using the TEGA v2 tablet that had just arrived when I was writing last week’s column. The TEGA v2 is a 10-inch (1024×600) slate that’s almost as thin and light as the magical iPad. The v2 packs both Windows 7 Pro and Android 1.6 under the hood, making it an unusual tablet. It’s the first Windows 7 touch slate I’ve used, and this week I used it quite a bit.

I like using the v2 – a lot, in fact. I’ve long been a tablet fan, and the comfortable form factor makes it a joy to use. I’ve been surprised how comfortable it is while using it for long periods, either in portrait or landscape orientation. The Atom processor is plenty fast, and the SSD keeps Windows humming. The newly exposed HP Slate 500 will give the v2 a run for its money, with dual digitizers and cameras.

The TEGA v2 is essentially a fast netbook without the keyboard; it has the same hardware components as netbooks, with the addition of the good capacitive touch screen. The touch screen makes Windows 7 pretty useful, but it doesn’t go far enough to replace both the keyboard and a trackpad. Windows is designed to be operated with the keyboard and mouse (trackpad), and sometimes they’re required to get the job done.

I have an old Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard that, for some reason, doesn’t work with the TEGA, so I researched portable keyboard options currently on the market. The search brought me to the Freedom Pro Bluetooth keyboard, and I ordered one from Amazon for $85. It’s expensive, but besides being highly portable, it has one feature no other keyboard has: dual protocols for working with mobile gadgets.

Keyboards designed to work with computers use the HID protocol to connect over Bluetooth. This is used by both Windows and OS X, and even the iPad uses HID. That’s not the case for Android phones and BlackBerry devices, which use the SPP protocol. Portable keyboards usually support one protocol or the other, but the Freedom Pro keyboard can toggle between the two. I can use it with Windows systems like the v2, and also with my Android phone. I don’t really have a need to use a keyboard with my EVO 4G, but since I was getting a keyboard anyway, I figured it was good to have the capability.

The keyboard is really nice, and I intend to write a review of it soon. It folds in half and is so small and light it’s easy to throw in a bag just in case it’s needed. It’s a good companion for the v2 for those times when I need to do some serious writing and a keyboard is the tool of choice. I am happy with the purchase so far.

Apps of the Week

The only new apps I played with this week were both related to the TEGA v2, and I showed them off in a video. FrontFace and Thinix Touch are shells that try to hide the less-than-touch-friendly Windows 7 interface from the user. So far, I like FrontFace better; even though it’s not officially released (and not fully functioning), it’s getting close. It completely hides Windows and turns the whole screen into a touchable interface that’s easy to use with fat fingers. I’m in the process of configuring it the way I prefer, which, admittedly, is a big task. I’m hoping to get the official release soon so all functions are operational.

One app that I’ve been using for almost a decade is Pocket Informant, a calendar/task manager that is great for mobile devices. I’ve used it on Windows Mobile devices, the BlackBerry, and most recently, the iPad. It’s the first app I run each morning on the iPad, which sits next to my computer where I can easily keep an eye on the things that are important to me. I spoke with Alex Kac, the PI developer, about the version he’s working on for the Android platform. I could really use PI on my EVO, and Alex reported he’ll be ready to release a beta version for Android any day now. It’s not out at the time of this writing, and I am so excited about the impending release I’m checking the Android Market several times a day to see if it’s available. From early looks on the PI website, it might be one of the best apps for Android once released.

E-book of the Week

This week, I’ve been plowing through Judas Unchained, the last of the Commonwealth Saga by Peter F. Hamilton. The series has been great — an epic space opera — and I’m almost finished with it. I may take a breather and read something by another author before jumping into Hamilton’s Void Trilogy, which is sitting in my Kindle library waiting for me.

Wrap-up

That’s how I spent my week in Mobile Tech Manor. It was a typical week full of small things that do big things. I’ll be back next week, and who knows what I’ll have to share. Until then, be safe and happy computing.

Big news of the week

Microsoft formally announced Windows Phone 7 (WP7) and it’s looking like a totally new platform with some real potential. The old WinMo platform was getting old and cranky, and the folks in Redmond took a bold approach by totally scrapping it and starting fresh for WP7. I spent some quality time with a WP7 phone in San Francisco a short while back, and I came away with a real appreciation for the platform.

The system of “tiles” and “hubs” is nicely integrated with a touch interface that makes it easy to see what’s important at a glance, and drill down to what matters at the moment. The fluid swiping and swooping to move around the information is well done and fun to use. WP7 bears watching, as many phones hit the market in the next few weeks. It’s not often we see something totally unlike the competition in the smartphone space.

Sprint 4G rocks, when it’s available

The trip to San Francisco had an unexpected benefit, as I found the Sprint 4G network to be active everywhere I went in the city. Sprint hadn’t officially launched the 4G network, but it was lit up in preparation for the rollout. I discovered firsthand what a game-changer it can be to have super-fast broadband available all the time.

I saw speeds on my HTC EVO 4G phone that blew away anything I have seen here in Houston. I was able to use the EVO as a mobile hotspot for my laptop and the iPad, and it was like having high-speed Wi-Fi everywhere I went. It demonstrated how life-changing such fast mobile broadband can be when it’s available.

Unfortunately, availability is Sprint’s Achilles heel as far as 4G is concerned. The network has been active in my home town of Houston for months, but since MTM is way out in the ‘burbs, the coverage is spotty at best. I find that my neighborhood is in the very fringe coverage area, and even when I find 4G to use it is nowhere near as fast as I saw in San Francisco.

The solid coverage I experienced in SF also pointed out something that I had suspected about my experience back home. I have noticed that the area around MTM has small pockets of coverage where I can find 4G, but if I move a few blocks it’s gone. I now believe what I am seeing are pockets of 4G around Sprint and Clear stores that have seemingly sprung up all over the neighborhood. The stores have some sort of equipment to make sure prospective customers are duly impressed with 4G speeds, but this equipment is very short in range. That’s the only explanation that seems to fit. All I know is now that I have experienced solid 4G coverage and performance, I want it all the time.

Gadgets galore

This week one gadget arrived that I’m just starting to test. The TEGA v2 is a tablet roughly the size of the iPad, yet it runs both Windows 7 and Android. Yep, it’s a dual-book slate aimed at the enterprise. I haven’t been testing the v2 long enough to get a feel for it, but the hardware is very nice. It’s only slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad, a first for a Windows-based tablet that I’ve seen.

I’m going to be testing it heavily to see how well it handles daily use, especially on the Win7 side. I can see the benefits a tablet like this can bring to companies that must run Windows and want an easy-to-use slate form for workers.

Apps of the week

The mobile scene has become an app-fest, with new apps released every day for all the major platforms. It’s a real chore keeping up with new apps, and major updates to existing apps that significantly add functionality. I spend a lot of time each week checking out apps to share, and this week was no different.

I’ve covered Pocket Informant for the iPad in the past, as it’s a major part of my work day. It seamlessly brings my calendar and task list together in a format that makes it easy to determine at a glance where I need to focus. PI got a recent major update that added new ways to interact with PIM information and display it more intelligently. It is a must-have update for all PI users.

On the Android front, my search for the perfect on-screen keyboard is well-documented, and this week, I found the best one yet. Ultra Keyboard offers more options than any app I’ve tried, and I find as I use it more heavily, I’m able to adapt it to my work style on  the fly. It makes text entry much more productive on my EVO 4G, and I find myself entering longer passages while using it than I have been comfortable doing on other keyboard apps.

E-books of the week

I am a voracious reader of e-books using the various mobile devices I carry with me. Having the Kindle app on the iPad and the EVO 4G means I have no shortage of books with me all the time. This eliminates wasted free time, as I can pull out a gadget and jump into an e-book right where I left off.

Since the last MTM column, I’ve been reading the Commonwealth Saga by Peter F. Hamilton. I started with Misspent Youth, followed by Pandora’s Star and Judas Unchained. It’s a wonderful epic sci-fi tale covering space exploration, alien invasions and human drama all rolled into a fast-paced story. Highly recommended, and I can’t wait to continue the series with the Void Trilogy that picks up where the first series left off.

Wrap-up

That’s the week as it went down at Mobile Tech Manor, and I enjoyed sharing it with you. I missed doing this column and based on the feedback I’ve received, many of you missed it too. Let me know in the comments what you think about the return of the column. I write it for you, and it’s nice to know if it is something you value. Until next week — be safe and happy mobile computing.

Related content from GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

• Analyzing the Social E-book
• The Week E-books Won the War
• As E-book Sales Grow, So Does Disintermediation

Medical peripheral?

This week was the second full week since the Magic Trackpad arrived. I’ve enjoyed using it as much as I expected, and happily, it’s served the primary purpose behind my purchase. I’d long been using one mouse or another in the Manor, and due to 8-10 hour work days, I was having problems with my right wrist by the end of the day. The wrist would be painful, and sometimes I would experience some numbness. I was definitely in the early stages of repetitive stress injury (RSI).

I bought the Magic Trackpad hoping it would be more ergonomically fit for prolonged use, and was curious to see if my wrist problems would lessen. I’m happy to report that I have yet to experience any sign of the problems that have afflicted me for so long. It may simply be the result of working the wrist differently, and that the symptoms will eventually return. I hope not, but I will take being pain-free for as long as it lasts.

I like the trackpad on my MacBook, so I knew I’d like using the Magic Trackpad. One of the features providing me the most utility is 3-finger dragging. The default trackpad setting for dragging objects on the desktop requires clicking down on the trackpad with one finger and dragging things around while continuing to press the button. The 3-finger dragging is easier to perform as there is no clicking. Just position the cursor over the target and swipe 3 fingers in the direction you want to move it. This is obviously helpful for moving windows and icons around on the desktop, but the greatest use for me has been using the 3-finger method for highlighting text in any window; it is simple and very precise. Be aware that this must be turned on in the trackpad settings in OS X, as it is turned off by default. Note also that this setting activates this on any MacBook Pro trackpad — no Magic Trackpad needed.

An app a day

I’m finding Android 2.2, aka Froyo, to be really useful on the HTC EVO 4G. Version 2.1 was pretty good in its own right, and some feel that Froyo is only an incremental change. That’s true, but the changes are for the better in every way. The EVO is darn quick no matter how many things I have open at once, and using the phone is fluid. I’m finding the EVO to be a full computer the more I use it.

This week, I was given an early copy of TweetDeck for Android, and while it’s a very early beta, it shows real potential. I love TweetDeck on the desktop, and this Android version is fun to use. It has one function that no other version of TweetDeck has: the ability to “blend” multiple network updates into the main timeline view. Besides Twitter, I have Facebook and Foursquare configured so updates on those services appear in real time on my Home timeline. Each service appears in different colors, so it’s easy to visually tell the different network updates apart from the main Twitter updates. As the developers add more features to TweetDeck, I predict it’s going to be very popular for Android.

Yesterday, Google announced two new services for Android phones that are pretty darn cool. The first is a utility that ties the Chrome browser on the desktop to the Android phone. ChromeToPhone is an extension for the Chrome browser that makes sending specific information to the phone as simple as tapping a button in the toolbar. ChromeToPhone consists of this extension and an app for the Android phone (in the Android Market) to tie the two platforms together.

While ChromeToPhone was just announced this week, it’s been available in an early form for a while. I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks and find it extremely useful. Once of the main uses for the extension is getting web sites into the Android browser for bookmarking on the phone. When I find a site I want to bookmark on the phone, I simply hit the button in Chrome on the desktop and it sends a notification to the EVO. Tapping the notification on the phone instantly opens the site up in the Android browser on the phone; I can then add the site as a bookmark.

This will also send other useful information from the browser to the phone. When I’m searching for something on the desktop and fire up a Google map, I can send it to the phone with one tap. Opening the notification on the phone then automatically fires up the same map in Google Maps on the phone. This is incredibly useful.

The other new service that Google announced this week is called Voice Actions, a new extension to voice searching on the phone. Searching on an Android phone by voice has always been pretty good, but with voice actions, it’s taken to a whole new level.

The first thing I did with Voice Actions to try it was say “send text to Sheri Kendrick, I will be home at 6″. This fired up the Android text message box with that very text message ready to send to my wife’s mobile phone. A simple tap of a button and the text was on its way. The speech recognition is very accurate and can be used for other functions. You can say “navigate to Reliant Park” and it will fire up the navigation screen in Google Maps and calculate the route to get there. It’s very powerful.

I’ve mentioned using LogMeIn Ignition on both the iPad and the EVO. It’s a useful way for me to access either a Windows PC or a Mac back in the office from either the EVO or the iPad. I can control the remote system as if I’m sitting in front of it, even if I’m across town. I just received welcome news from the LogMeIn folks that the next iPad version, due out shortly, will take remote control to a whole new level.

Currently, interaction with the remote desktop is done by either panning the entire desktop under a fixed mouse, or by moving the cursor around on the remote desktop. Either method works fine, but I constantly fight the urge to just tap on the remote desktop to make something happen. The next iPad version of LogMeIn will turn the Windows or Mac remote desktop into a full interactive desktop using multitouch. When you want to click an icon to run a program, you will simply tap it on the iPad screen. It will in effect turn any Windows or Mac remote system into a touch operated system. I cannot wait for this update, which will be free to app owners.

e-Book of the week

This week I finally finished the massive sci-fi collection I started two weeks ago. The collection of stories is awesome and I highly recommend it to sci-fi fans of any ilk.

Wrap-up

Last week I took the trip down memory lane and recapped the first 100 columns in this series. It was great to relive mobile tech of the past two years. This week was a solid start to the 2nd 100 columns. Hope to see you back here soon.

Related GigaOM Pro Research (sub req’d): To Ship or Not to Ship — Product Launch in the Smartphone Era

The beginning

The first column of this series chronicled my new life as a full-time tech writer with the GigaOM network. That was a big change for me, having “retired” from my previous life as a geophysicist, and then being able to devote my attention to my driving passion: mobile technology. The wonder of the new venture was just sinking in, as this passage drives home:

“This has been a long time goal of mine and I still have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not just dreaming.  I have longed to write for so many years and now that I can do just that is quite heady and I am a very content person.  Thanks to Om Malik and all the great folks at GigaOM for making this dream a reality.”

Working with the GigaOM team has indeed been a dream, and I consider myself very fortunate to be associated with such distinguished professionals. I’m a better writer due to the constant guidance of the writers and editors at the network; the improvement in my writing couldn’t be more evident than reading the first column. You don’t even have to read the column, you can see in the thumbnail of the article (right) the too-long paragraphs, and the sentences attempting to break the record for the “most rambling.” It embarrasses me to see this.

In spite of the poor writing, looking back at that first column shows how far the mobile tech space has evolved in just a couple of years. That week I was testing a new Windows Mobile phone with a “disappointing” 64 MB of user memory. Phones with 16 GB of memory are commonplace now, and WinMo is on the shelf waiting for Windows Phone 7 to arrive. Back then, I was also having a look at two-feature phones. You may remember those, prior to the rise of the smartphone.

MTM #25- those new netbook things

Jumping to the 25th column shows how far the mobile space has evolved since it was written. That week, two new gadgets arrived to the Manor: one of the first netbooks to hit the scene and the biggest laptop I’ve ever used, then and still today.

The HP Mini 2140 was HP’s refresh of the very first 10-inch netbook, and a good refresh it was. It’s still competitive with similar netbooks on the market today. The 2140 shipped back then with Windows XP, as Windows 7 wasn’t released. That didn’t stop me from installing a beta version of Win 7 on the 2140 which ran “very well.” The only real problem I chronicled with the Mini 2140 would end up getting addressed by HP in subsequent models:

“The 10-inch screen of the 2140 suffers from low resolution, the affliction that affects most netbooks.  It can be a bit taxing to do a lot of web surfing at that low resolution so it will be great when HP makes the higher resolution version available soon.  This netbook would be killer with 1366×768 and would easily be the best netbook on the market.”

The other laptop that arrived at the Manor that week was as far at the other end of the mobile spectrum from the netbook as a notebook can be. At the time, I said the Lenovo ThinkPad w700ds was “easily the biggest laptop I have used as it packs a full 17-inch display, WACOM digitizer, numeric keypad, many ports and the second 10.6-inch screen that slides out of the 17-inch screen.  It’s the only two screen laptop I am aware of and it commands attention when it is fired up.”

This laptop is still available today in a largely unchanged form, aimed at engineering and graphics professionals. I still remember the ruckus it caused when I took the w700ds to work in the local coffee shop. That almost threw my back out, so I only did it once.

MTM #50- small tablet in the house

Column #50 covered my use of one of the coolest handheld computers to hit the Manor, and it’s one that’s still available today. The Viliv S5 ran Windows XP and packed a full computer into a form with a small 5-inch touchscreen. This column covered the integrated update process in detail, a nice inclusion on all of Viliv’s ultraportable products.

You’d just fire up the update and all hardware drivers and pre-installed software were checked against available versions. If the utility detected a newer version, it was downloaded and installed automatically. I wish more systems worked this way.

The smartphone I was using at the time of column #50 was the Palm Pre. The webOS interface was the best on any phone at the time, and in fact, it still is. I only recently traded the Pre in for the HTC EVO 4G, and I admit I still miss webOS. Let’s hope HP keeps it alive with some cool new phones.

MTM #75- Kindle fever

The Mobile Tech Manor columns are proof positive of my love for reading e-books, and in column #75, I shared the joy I experienced with the Kindle. I normally read e-books on phones or the iPad, but the week of this column, I’d just returned from a trip on which I’d brought the Kindle. It’s clear from my thoughts why so many folks are turning to electronic readers in general, and the Kindle in particular. I also stressed how important connectivity is to me for my gear.

“Reading on the two flights was very enjoyable using the Kindle. It was easy to hold for several hours, and it fits in the pocket in the seat back in front when not in use. I did have to remember to turn wireless off on the flights, which I almost forgot. The Kindle brought the number of devices on this trip which I had to remember to turn off the wireless radios to four. In fact, I only brought four gadgets with me for this short trip and all of them have wireless connectivity. That’s a true mobile geek.”

While I really like the Kindle — and still have it — I have to admit I no longer use it. The iPad has replaced the Kindle for most of my e-book reading. The Kindle app for the iPad lets me use it just like the Kindle, or in even more instances, since I can read in low lighting. I also use the Kindle app on the Android smartphone platform for reading when running around. I’m even further entrenched in the Kindle e-book ecosystem than I was when only using the Kindle device. That proves how sound Amazon’s strategy is to put the Kindle app on smartphones and other devices.

Random thoughts

This look back has been eye-opening for me on many levels. It proved how fast things move in the mobile tech world. Coverage of netbooks in the column watched the devices shoot to the top of the charts, then settle into relative obscurity as so many hit the market with no distinctive features.

The most rapid changes seen over the life of the column have been in the smartphone space. Smartphones went from things only early adopters bought to them being commonplace in today’s market. The feature phone is still around, but the powerful smartphone has taken center stage in the mainstream market.

This column has seen the birth of webOS, chronicled by my own adoption of the Palm Pre, and then seen it settle into relative obscurity when HP acquired Palm. It’s now in limbo waiting to see what (if anything) HP will do with webOS in the smartphone space. The company intends to make tablets running the OS, but there’ve been no firm announcements regarding phones. It would be a shame to see webOS disappear on phones.

The most amazing change witnessed over the life of the MTM column is the appearance of the Android smartphone platform. It didn’t even exist when this feature began, yet Google is now challenging the biggest players in the space for dominance. There’ve been many Android phones covered in these columns — too many to count. I’ve personally owned two Android phones already, and I’m sure there will be others covered in future columns.

Apple’s iPhone is still around, and will be for some time. My iPhone 3G got a lot of coverage in these columns, and was recently retired. The iPad I picked up on launch day eliminated my need for the iPhone, leading to the cancellation of service with AT&T.

I was reading e-books long before the cool kids did. I get more feedback over the e-books section in these columns than anything else. I enjoy sharing the e-books I’m reading each week, and what devices/software I am using to do so.

As a direct result of this column, I’ve become pen pals with four of my favorite (and top-selling) authors. I correspond with these folks regularly, and hear about new works in progress. These friendships are a direct result of writing this weekly column, which is just cool.

Writing the Mobile Tech Manor column is my favorite thing to do each week. I get a kick out of sharing my experiences weekly, and based on feedback, I know many enjoy following them. Here’s hoping one day I’ll be writing the 500th column; that would be awesome. A special thanks to those of you who follow MTM each week. You’re the reason I enjoy writing these columns so much.

Gadgetry

The doors at Mobile Tech Manor aren’t really revolving doors, but with gadgets going in and out so often, maybe that would make sense. This week, a couple of smartphones headed back home, the HTC Droid Incredible and the Motorola Droid X. These are the two newest Android phones in the Verizon Droid line. I thought I had already sent the Incredible back to Verizon, but found it boxed up and sitting in the corner when I went to send the Droid X back. Oops.

I came to really like the Droid X; I feel Motorola has done a great job with this phone. I was impressed with how small and light it is in spite of that large gorgeous screen. Android 2.2 had not rolled out OTA for the test unit prior to returning it, so I didn’t get to test it with the new OS.  I imagine it will be even better with the performance increases inherent in Froyo.

This week, I agonized over whether or not I wanted to root my EVO 4G. That’s the first step required to allow using third party ROMs from the web to add features not on the shipping version. I was reluctant to do that, as I have been quite pleased with the stock EVO, and I don’t want to create problems for myself. On the other hand having played with a Nexus One running Froyo (Android 2.2), I am itching to have that update.

There is a ROM available for rooted EVOs that allows running Froyo, and I have been sorely tempted to bite the bullet and root the phone. It’s not as dangerous as it used to be; you can fairly easily restore to the stock ROM if problems are encountered.

I was ready to do this yesterday, but word leaked that Sprint will roll out an update containing Froyo and other goodies starting today. That is great news, so I’ve decided to hold off for now. Let’s hope I get that Sprint update quickly.

App central

I was putting a lot of software through paces all week. I love trying new apps and checking out new features when an app I already use gets an update. I’ve been duly impressed with LogMeIn Ignition for Android since it’s recent release. The ability to connect to my Mac and Windows systems from the EVO is very powerful.

I don’t depend on the ability to remotely connect from my smartphone for my work, but the process works so well that those who need to will find it very useful. I was able to use it for my work as a test, but I wouldn’t want to blog from my EVO routinely.

I’ve shared blogging from the iPad in the past, and how I used LogMeIn on that device to connect to a computer back in the Manor to finish the publishing process. I duplicated that effort on the EVO, and it worked surprisingly well. I wrote the draft blog post on the EVO using the WordPress app (which received a minor update this week), and then used LogMeIn on the EVO to connect to the Mac back home to finish the publication. It was easier than I expected, and could be used in a pinch, which was the purpose of my test.

I picked up Pocket Informant for the iPad the moment it was available, and it has become an integral part of my daily work routine. I usually have PI running on the iPad next to my work system in the Manor, which lets me keep on top of appointments and tasks that need my attention. It’s very useful having the tasks and calendars in one app at my fingertips. I highly recommend this to those needing the same.

I’m always looking for cool, useful apps to try on my different devices. I found a couple this week that have obtained a place on my home screen on the EVO, a rare recognition. Edwin for Android is a simple utility that takes spoken commands and instigates the desired action. I can ask Edwin what time it is and it will speak the time to me. It will launch programs by name and fire off searches by voice.

Google voice search in Android is pretty good, but Edwin extends the ability and provides a simple interface to the functions. One day I was craving Chinese food and asked Edwin “where is nearest Chinese food.” A disembodied voice informed me that Panda Express was as xxxxx street xxx. I already knew that, but it could be awfully useful when visiting a new area. I then told Edwin to “map nearest Chinese food” and after verbally confirming what it was doing, it fired up Google Maps centered at my current location with all restaurants offering Chinese food indicated by pins. This is a good use of the technology. Edwin is free so it’s worth trying.

Another Android app I’ve been using a lot is the Houston Traffic app. This shows traffic conditions for all of Houston on a map that can be zoomed and dragged around the screen as desired. There is also a tab to show the Transtar traffic cams, a great way to know what Houston’s traffic conditions are like before heading out into the fray. It’s a useful free app.

I saved the best app for last. I found Tasker for Android on Lifehacker yesterday, and it is the most powerful free app you’ll ever find. It’s a macro program on steroids, able to do anything on an Android phone automatically, triggered by virtually anything you wish. It can run things at certain times, control certain aspects of the phone when particular events occur, and just about anything else you might imagine. Take a look below at the tasks I defined within the first 15 minutes of using Tasker, and you’ll begin to see the sky’s the limit to what you can do with it.

The first thing I did with Tasker was create two profiles for GPS. I leave it off all the time, and it’s a pain when I run Google Maps or Sprint Navigation, as I have to manually turn GPS on, then remember to turn it off when I exit those programs. With Tasker, my EVO now automatically turns on GPS when either navigation program is run, and then turns it off when I exit the program.

Then I got fancy with Tasker based on an example from Lifehacker. I created a profile that does something very cool. When I set my EVO face down on a table, the phone goes into silent mode and turns off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. When I turn it over everything goes back the way it was when turned face down.

When I talk to my Mom on the phone it’s usually painful at first. Mom is hard of hearing, and she yells into the phone as a result. She blasts my ears on every call until I get the volume turned down halfway. Enter Tasker — when I call Mom’s number, or she calls me (Caller ID) the EVO volume jumps to the magic half volume setting. When I hang up, the call the volume reverts to what it was prior to the call.

Lastly, I got really sophisticated with Tasker which took me a couple of tries to get right. I wanted an easy way to get back to the main home screen no matter what I was doing on the phone. Now when I shake the phone to the right and back up again, it jumps instantly back to that screen. I can shake the phone in any application, and in just one second I’m back to the home screen. Pretty cool, no? I’ve only scratched the surface with what I can do with Tasker, and I intend to turn my EVO into the most powerful superphone ever. Did I mention that Tasker is only GBP 3.99?

My obsession for push buttons explained

I have a confession: I am a button-aholic. I like things operated by pushing buttons — the more buttons the better. This obsession crosses all aspects of my life, and plays a big role in my love for gadgetry with touch screens. I’ve been fanatically using gadgets with touch controls and buttons for as long as I can remember.

This week, I realized where my fascination with operating things with buttons originated. The realization hit me as I was walking down memory lane toward a different destination than where I ended up; I took a mental left turn when I meant to take a right. Those blasts from the past never follow the rules.

I was remembering the 16th year of my life; more accurately, I was revisiting learning to drive a car. You remember being 16, that time of life when you are bullet-proof. No, you are invincible, as you think nothing can really hurt you. Well, the only thing that can hurt you at 16 is embarrassment in front of your peers — that can actually be fatal.

The year was 1972, and I was learning to drive the family car at 16. The embarrassment was in full force. We had a lovely Dodge Dart — a 1963 model if I remember the year correctly. This car was the ugliest car ever made, far uglier than the Edsel you’ve surely seen. It was absolutely the most uncool car a teenager could be seen driving, and to do so with a parent in the passenger seat was nearly traumatic.

So back to the button fascination. Why did this ugly Dodge Dart start me on a lifetime trip of pushing buttons? Because of the push button transmission, of course. The Dart didn’t have a manual transmission with a gear stick; it didn’t even have an automatic transmission with a lever. No, the Dodge Dart was the only car I’ve ever seen to have push buttons instead of a regular gear shifter.

Not just any old push buttons, the Dart’s buttons were little round buttons to the left of the steering wheel. They had to be operated with the left hand, probably a safety feature designed to keep idiot teenaged passengers from slamming the car into reverse on the highway as a practical joke. Invincible teenagers do things like that.

These buttons were positioned in a slanted vertical row, with reverse being the top-most and low gear at the bottom. These buttons were finicky, at least in our old Dart. You had to hit a button dead-center, and forcefully, to get it to actually depress. Failure to do so resulted in either nothing happening at all, or worse a horrific grinding noise signaling that the transmission was being destroyed. This noise was the most embarrassing thing you could do in the Dart, other than forgetting to turn the key before driving.

These buttons were bad enough to operate by an image-conscious teenager, especially being right-handed, but the sliding lever for Park was even worse. That lever was situated next to the buttons, and slid up for Park and down for everything else. That turned the process of going from parked to driving into a two-step dance. Slide the lever down, hit the button for Drive (or Reverse). The amount of coordination required to do this effortlessly was beyond this 16 year old.

My left hand has never been coordinated; it’s designed to operate nothing more precisely than a bulky baseball glove, for Pete’s sake. This two-step dance in the Dart was just not possible for me on the first try. Ever. It was always slide, push, grind. Reverse the process and start over again. I don’t believe I ever got the Dart going in less than three tries.

That’s why the embarrassment factor of the Dart was at the top of the meter, especially when first learning to drive. I cringed at the thought of a practice driving session with my Dad because of those darn buttons. I loved to drive once I got going, it was the getting going part that mortified me.

It wasn’t until later that I noticed that other cars lacked the buttons. They all had slick gear shifts or levers that worked as advertised. The Dart may have been the only vehicle besides the space shuttle to have a push button transmission.

As traumatic as the push buttons were to me while learning to drive, I believe they conditioned me to expect everything to operate with them. I jumped on handheld gadgets early on due to the touch operation. Pushing a button to make something happen was second nature to me, and doing so without the grinding noise was wonderful. My fascination with all things touch I blame firmly on Dodge and the old Dart.

e-Book of the week

This week I’ve been engrossed in a sci-fi collection of short stories that is a fantastic read. The Year’s Best Science Fiction: 27th Annual Collection covers a lot of sci-fi ground, from the near future to the oh-so-distant future. It contains 32 short stories that bounce all over space, and I’m enjoying the heck out of the collection.

While reading this week, I realized my e-book reading method has changed, and for the better. When the iPad was first released, it quickly became my favorite reading device. I love the iPad reading experience, and the long battery life is great for long reading sessions. I like to head out of the office for lunch each day, and I would take the iPad along to read while having a bite.

This week, I noticed I wasn’t bringing the iPad along. Since the Kindle app for Android was released recently, I’ve been using the EVO a lot for reading books. The screen of the EVO makes for a good reader, and it saves me from bringing an extra gadget along for my lunch breaks.

I still use the iPad for reading while at home; it can’t be beat for long reading sessions. But the EVO is great when I head out, because it’s already in my pocket and it has something the iPad lacks for my lunch reading: the kickstand. Folks make fun of a phone having a kickstand, but it makes the EVO perfect for reading while eating.

Wrap-up

I hope you enjoyed sharing the week at Mobile Tech Manor. It was a good week full of gadgets, apps and buttons. Drop by next week, and we’ll do it all over again. Wow, next week will be the 100th MTM column! Maybe we’ll do something special. Until then, take care.

Disclosure: Automattic, maker of WordPress.com, is backed by True Ventures, a venture capital firm that is an investor in the parent company of this blog, Giga Omni Media. Om Malik, founder of Giga Omni Media, is also a venture partner at True.

Related research on GigaOM Pro (sub. req’d): Google Takes the Open Battle to Apple on Multiple Fronts