Leglessbird Gadgets

When I saw this 2nd generation EEEPC, I just had to have it. I was already quite happy with the 1st generation though it has some short-coming like small screen, only with 512Mb RAM, CPU running at sub-optimal clock, small SSD harddisk etc.

So 2nd generation EEEPC called E900 has improved on many dimensions, bigger (and now very decent screen of 8.9" (1024x600), 1Gb RAM, full 900MHz CPU clock, and 12-20GB SSD (depends on the model).

But I finally gave in to XP version instead of getting a linux version, because I needed the machine to sync with my smartphone via outlook and to read my encrypted external disk made by Buffalo using secure lockware.

I have been looking for a truly affordable (cheaper than a smartphone), light-weight (same weight as a magazine), long battery life (3+ hours) lap-top that is powerful and full of useful software and features. The reasons that I need this, I suspect many of you have the same need, are as follow:
- I am a highly mobile modern professional who needs to have access to my computer for work and leisure and with my own customized and working environment

- I am a frequent traveller for work and leisure who face the dilama of either risk damaging the not-so-light/expensive laptop taken with me all the time (including hiking and it's pretty tiring too) or risk losing the expensive laptop left in the no-star hotel in some cities. Also, my holiday photos are too precious to get lost, I need to back them up asap.

- I am highly security conscious (you should be too) that I don't use public computers such as those at internet cafe, I do not trust these public computer with my web-email account, let alone banking sites. Thus I need a light convenient solution that I can bring to some cafe and get WiFi access (I got WiFi access even from Laos) from my own computer (with anti-virus and else protection).

Anyway, who will say 'No' to a cheap, light-weight solution anyway. Ok ok, the screen and the keyboard are a bit small, but nonetheless function pretty well.

What that means is I need to have
- Customization: My personal address books, calendar, website bookmarks, communication tools such as instant messengers and skype.
- Interaction: I need to receive and send emails, access to websites for information, making travel arrangement, updating blogs, read and edit documents, spreadsheet and powerpoint slides. I need to view, rename and backup travel photos and videos that I take during my holiday.
- Applications: Email, Internet browser, Office applications, photo processing tools etc.

My solution? ASUS EEE-PC with a price tag of only HKD 2,998 (USD 390). Even comes with a web-cam. The catch for most people, it runs on Linux (installing window XP is possible with extra cost), it doesn't have bluetooth, SSD harddisk is only 4Gb (but then you can get a 8Gb HCSD, yes it comes with a HCSD card slot). Everything else pretty much work from the get-go, email, browser, multi-instant messengers, open office, skype, web-cam, WiFi, LAN, media-player, photo viewer/processing, USB devices (mouse, keyboard, external harddisk, memory card readers). When connected to external LCD display, it supports up to 1024x768 resolution.

EEE-PC is now my best travel companion, beside my wife that is. I take it out with me for work when I am not at home or in an office.

Sony DR-BT30Q Stereo Bluetooth Headset with Microphone (buy from Amazon)
I recently bought this Bluetooth headset, love it! Pretty cool design and very practical. It works with my laptop and mobile phone. No more strings hanging around and no need to carry the different hands free for my phone and the the headset for my laptop!!!!

Battery / life 11H when fully charged (Communication time) 100H when fully charged ( Waiting time)

Bluetooth Compatible Profile A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP

Bluetooth Specification Bluetooth Version 2.0

Remote Function Play/Stop/Pause/FF/FR

Signal range (reception area) Line of Sight. Approx 10m

Weight (g) 60.0

I bought the Dopod C730 in May 2007, the upgrade to the C720w, it is a much improved version. Using WM 6.0 (up from 5.0), also with 3.5G (HDSPA ready) + Quad Band GSM, you can truly take this everywhere in the world. It also comes with a faster processor! (Samsung 400MHz)

Operating system
Windows Mobile® 6 Standard

Display
2.4" 320 x 240 QVGA, 65K color TFT LCD

CPU
Qualcomm MSM 6275, Samsung 400 MHz

Memory
ROM 128MB / RAM 64MB

Dimensions
112.5 mm(L) x 62.5 mm(W) x 13.5mm(T)

Battery
1050 mAh

Weight
120g (with battery pack)

I just bought a dopod c720w window mobile smartphone and loving it!!!

• Slim and stylish design with multimedia functions, support 1.3 Mega pixel camera
• Support BlackBerry Connect, Microsoft Push Email Solution, Mobile Email (POP3) / Pocket MSN Access
• QWERTY Keyboard with Jogger Control Pad for convenient messaging communications
• Support Info Easy Reader
• Quad-band, support EDGE
• Support up to 1 GB Micro SD

I recently bought a Skype / Fixed line 2 in 1 DECT phone

Aztech HS315-S1 Skype DECT Phone with SDA200 USB Dongle allows the user to make Skype and conventional phone calls on the PSTN with ease. The HS315-S1 Skype DECT Phone is a colour DECT with the Skype user interface built-in. When the SDA200 USB Dongle is plugged into the computer, the HS315-S1 Skype DECT Phone is transformed into a dual-mode phone that allows users to make Skype calls far way from the computer. Aztech SDA200 USB Dongle is easy to install as a USB driver is provided. It is already pre-registered with the HS315-S1 DECT phone. So no more pairing of devices are further required by the user.

Benefits :
Receive or make both traditional telephone and Skype calls from the same phone
Use an existing DECT phone rather than a headset
Allow one to talk freely throughout the house
Convenient built in features, including call waiting, conference calling and call forwarding
Take advantage of Skype's free international calling and talk to other Skype users anywhere in the world for free
Features :
USB1.1 full speed mode
Up to 50m between the dongle and DECT phone
Dualphone mode - PSTN and Skype
1.5" colour display with 128 x 128 resolution
Handsfree speakerphone
Headphone jack on handset
Full Skype user interface on colour handset
Polyphonic ringtones on handset
USB driver is provided with the dongle

See also

Linksys Cordless Internet Telephony Kit for Skype CIT200 (buy from Amazon)

Netgear SPH101 Skype Wi-Fi Phone (buy from Amazon)

Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype ( F1PP000GN-SK ) (buy from Amazon)

I bought this Panasonic DMC-FZ30 camera in December 2005, love it. Semi-Pro camera that looks like a professional digital camera, it has everything that I need, a 35-420mm lens that has a 12x optical zoom. I used to just carry a compact digital camera that has no zoom, and I often wished I had a good camera with a powerful zoom, so I can get a much much better angle and composition of the pictures.

With Leica lens, it makes all the differences in terms of quality. 8 Mega pixel resolution is more then enough for most people. It also comes with anit-shake, and plenty of pre-defined functions for different situation. It has a built-in flash and you can attach another flash if you want.

One full battery charge can shoot about 250-300 photos. Oh not to forget the 640x480 quick time movie function.

Good value for money!

Similar products:
Panasonic DMC-FZ50: Very similar, it has even higher resolution - 10 Mega pixel

Panasonic DMC-FZ50 10.1MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) (buy from Amazon)

If you are looking for something less pricy.

Panasonic DMC-FZ7 6MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) (buy from Amazon)

Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset with Multipoint Technology (buy from Amazon)

I like bluetooth headsets, very convenient and a hands-free and cable-free solution allow me to continue to do whatever without being interrupted. I also use skype a lot on my laptop, what I needed is a bluetooth headset that can connect both my mobile phone and my laptop. Plantronics Voyager 510 is my solution. A nice small, light design with 5-6 hours talk time. I no longer need to carry a cumblesome headset with mic and cable when I am working outside.

The headset connects seamlessly with the mobile phone as you would expect and it connects to the laptop very simply too. One thing that you need to watch out however is that Microsoft bluetooth doesn't support bluetooth audio and it messes up 3rd party bluetooth driver, so you need to first disable microsoft bluetooth driver, it happens so often that Microsoft actually has a link explaining to people how this can be done!!! http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889814 but make sure you know what you are doing!

Other similar products:

Plantronics Discovery 640 Bluetooth Cell Phone Headset (buy from Amazon)

BT150 Bt Headset (buy from Amazon)

Sling Media Slingbox Classic (buy from Amazon)

I've recently bought a Slingbox and love it, I don't have a TV set at home since my last house removal and have been watching TV using a USB WinFast box connecting to my labtop, but I hate the TV cable flying across the flat. Slingbox is my perfect solution. I connect the slingbox to my wireless router so I can watch TV on my laptop through Wi-Fi and using the slingmedia player! And of course, I can now also watch it whenever I am outside home, say in coffee shop, office etc with a Wi-Fi or LAN connection.

Description of Slingbox:
Basically, it is a device that connects your TV, cable, DVD player, Video camera to the internet. It is like running your very own IPTV server from home. You can then view the content of this media sources whenever you are connected to the internet, through Wi-Fi or LAN or otherwise. All you need is a PC, Laptop, PocketPC or smartphone loaded with the slingmedia player. For example, you don't have to miss your favourite TV show again while on business trip; overseas family or students can now watch TV programs of their home town.

Similar product:
Sony also has a similar product called "Location Free". It hasn't hit my market yet, and I couldn't wait, thus I got the slingbox and heard that slingbox is better anyway.

Sony LF-PK1 LocationFree Player Pack for PC and PSP (buy from Amazon)