One of the unseen highlights at ASR Sept08 earlier this month was Dwindle’s DSM video. Going behind the scenes at any woodshop is a brain-blowing experience, but Dwindle Distribution’s factory is on another level. For over eight years, they’ve pushed deck technology to the max—Resin, Uberlight, Impact Support, Eternal Life, and Armor Light are all example’s of Dwindle’s product innovations. In this rare behind-the-scenes tour of the DSM Woodshop, Rodney Mullen explains the tech-deck-making journey from planting the maple seeds in Canadian forests, all the way through their final destination at local skateshops. –Transworld blog post

Check out the video.

WELCOME? Welcome to what, magic DVD player land? Listen, just open the damn tray so I can return Clue to Netflix.

We played last night, following along to Alfred’s Basic Guitar Method 1, until the tips of our middle fingers couldn’t handle any more G notes.

I think it goes without saying that I referred to it as our “axe” for “shredding” all night long. I don’t think she got the Jake and Amir reference, but that’s okay.

Here’s the guitar in all its glory.

PS: I also got a good candid shot of Jessica.

As it is, the number of bases rounded is purely a matter of the software making a determination based on where the ball lands in relation to fielders. Isn’t it pretty much a no-brainer to have added “shake the wiimote up and down as fast as you can to run to the bases” ? Likewise, it seems a no brainer to have added “shake the wiimote up and down as fast as you can to get the ball fielded and thrown back in as fast as possible”. Or why not let the pitching player, once the ball is being fielded, point and select the base he or she wants the ball thrown to?

Add-Ons

Google Maps Mobile : Installing and using this (in very basic form) was my first test of the Sprint HTC Mogul’s GPS receiver. I mention Sprint only because this same device does not have the GPS chip when sold via other providers. All I can say for now is that it worked and it’s FREE. I told the app to use GPS, it gathered data from 7 satellites and showed my exact location on a Google Map. I will obviously investigate the actual navigation functionality in time. Other “real” GPS navigation solutions from TomTom and others are $100+ but they have the large bonus of not eating up data plan minutes like Google Maps Mobile will (since the map data is on the internet). The “real” GPS solutions store map data on the device’s microSD card.

GooSync : Synchronize your main (singular) Google Calendar data to/from your device for FREE. If you need more than that, you have to pay for it. Data shows up within the native Windows Mobile calendar application. Standard Google Calendar event “Pop-Up” reminders that have been assigned are carried over as WM alerts. This is a must-have for me.

MilkSync : Free if you already have a Remember The Milk “Pro” account. If you don’t, you’ll have to get a Pro account to download this and use it. RTM tasks show up in the native Windows Mobile Task application.

Spb Mobile Shell : Although not free, this completely transforms your Windows Mobile interaction into something at least approaching pleasant. Watch the media at the website for more information. Strongly recommended.

SplashID : Not free, and although I am not completely thrilled with it, I have enough data from the older version on my defunct Palm m515 that I just decide to carry it over to Windows Mobile. “Ehh. It works…”

I’ve never purchased a portable MP3 player. I’ve never purchased a portable or car-based GPS unit. I don’t own a laptop.

I purchased an HTC Mogul.

The basic reasons and features are:

• Existing Sprint contract.
• Sprint high-speed data network.
• A history of excellent Sprint voice service. I’ve lost maybe 5 calls in 2 years.
• Remember The Milk is available for Windows Mobile
• Music playback (video as well, but I don’t care too much about that)
• GPS (when an additional HTC “puck” is purchased)
• Bluetooth
• 2MP camera
• Wifi
• Voice memo recording and voice-dialing
• Physical QWERTY keyboard
• Landscape screen presentation when keyboard is slid out

My First Impressions

I realize this smartphone has been out for a year or so, so this is certainly not meant to be anything more than my experience with this new device coming from a voice-only phone.

Windows Mobile’s UI Sucks : If the screen was 5″ or more, the WM6 UI would be far more tolerable. As it is, and I am sure it has been said many times before, it’s just an adaptation of the typical Windows UI. Zero innovation and zero real effort put into making a sensible UI for a device of this size. Keep in mind that I’m comparing the WM6 UI to nothing. It simply sucks on its own when evaluated by anyone with half a design clue.

The Keyboard Works Well Enough : I’ve only put in around 5 minutes of continuous typing (if you added it all up), but I’m making very few mistakes at my current typing pace. I could probably rock out 25WPM if I had the hands of a 6 year old.

Wifi Works Fine : Simple to configure. Toggles on and off via a slider on the side of the phone. Zero problems with my home WPA-PSK/TKIP network.

No 2.5mm Headphone Jack : To use a set of headphones with a normal 2.5mm male plug, you must use the included mini-USB to 2.5mm adapter. There is no 2.5mm jack on the device.

Speakerphone? Hello? : During normal voice calls there is an onscreen button for speakerphone. During calls to my voicemail there is no such button and I have to select “Menu” then “Turn speakerphone on”. Um…. ooookaayyyy.

Anything not mentioned so far has not been evaluated enough to make a statement. That’s all for now. I’ll post again when I have something further to add. Update: Part 2 of N is now available.

Turns out I was correct.

Technology Review is not only a fantastic magazine, but a great website too. Be sure to pick up this month’s issue if you’re not already a subscriber. It’s extra good.