[image courtesy of author]

Post from: Cellphone9

Hey geeks, it’s the holidays and I’m quite sure that I can’t wrench you out of your computers to go call your relatives. In its stead, I’m recommending Skype, Gizmo Project or this neat service called Gizmo Call, a browser based VoIP service that allows you to call any phone straight from your browser.

Who can I call?
You can call any other GizmoCall, Gizmo5 users, 800 numbers, or SIP address for no charge. Here’s a guide to free calls you can make. To call a traditional phone number and take advantage of some of the low rates on the net you will need to buy $10 of call-out credit here.

Can GizmoCall receive calls?
You can receive calls using GizmoCall. Simply login and then any other GizmoCall user can call you at that username. As long as GizmoCall is open in any window or browser tab (even if in the background) you will be able to receive a call.

How can I make sure my speaker and microphone are working?
Click the “Test” icon below the numeric keypad and follow the instructions. Then use the microphone and speaker sliders to set the optimum settings.

Why not give it a try, and call your folks now?

[image screenshot c/o author]

Post from: Cellphone9

Windows Mobile has paved the way for mobile computing. Being at the forefront of portable OS deployment alongside Nokia’s Symbian powered phones, Windows Mobile, formerly known as “Pocket PC” has allowed for the impossible to happen – Exchange server synchronization, the best line up of portable games, and a wide array of devices that support the operating system.

Despite all the technological advances with Windows Mobile 6 (we’re up to 6.1 now), why do all the cameras that are built into the hardware of any Windows Mobile still so poor in quality compared to the other camera phone offerings in the market? I’ve honestly never seen a WM device that boasts an impressive camera. We’re up to 5MP now with the Samsung OMNIA, and the megapixel count is going through the roof, but I’ve honestly never seen decent print quality photos come out.

Choose your adjectives: pixelated, blurred, out of focus, over saturated (with flash), underexposed (without flash).

My theory as to why this is the case is because most of these devices are outsourced to 3rd party manufacturers and the big brands just slap their branding and home screen on top of them. So there isn’t really much control over some of the multimedia features.

A second theory is that since these devices are targeted primarily to the enterprise market, an ugly camera decreases the chances that top secret company items will be photographed clearly. Hyuk.

What’s the “best” Windows Mobile camera you’ve ever held? What’s up with these???

Post from: Cellphone9

So the procedure as I had it in my head would be to hop on over to the service center and leave the unit there for her to pick up and facilitate. I drove about 20 minutes to the mall where the center was located and called her when I was outside the store for her to verify that she would indeed grab the unit later that afternoon. She picks up and asks me if i wanted a service phone (!). Wow, I thought. The initial misgivings of shipping the ‘Berry off to Canada for weeks of repair were set to rest. At least they would replace it with a “rent a phone” for the time being.

I told her I was right outside the store and with this she goes, “Sir! Don’t leave it there. If you do that, that particular service center doesn’t have stock for service units, I should know. Let me have someone fetch it from your house and send a replacement because I can course the service units through my channels, which is much easier.”

Funny. I didn’t feel a bit of frustration driving 20 minutes to the mall to get the darn thing fixed. Although it would have really helped if she told me that someone could have just passed by instead. But still. Damn excellent service. One of my learnings is that customer service centers, at least where I’m from have a limited supply of service units that are actually given out to post paid subscribers. Thus, If you can’t find a service center that can replace your phone for the time being, the best solution would be to move to another center that has stocks.

Post from: Cellphone9