As you can see, the N900 benefits from its powerful ARM processor, handling multiple apps with ease. I just wonder though what took Nokia so long to integrate threaded SMS functionality into one of its phones. At least they went all they way with implementation, using a slick and smoothly animated interface to help users navigate between various message threads, and other active applications.

My only concern, after around half an hour of use, is that the N900 is simply too big as a phone. I encountered a little difficulty typing, worried that the relatively lumpy unit would slip from my hand and crash to the ground. In any case, the N900 designed to be used exclusively in landscape mode, and definitely isn’t made for the phone-only market. Pictures of the gadget from various angles follow:

Are you planning to get an N900? Personally I find it a bit too big for my taste, but based on my sneak peek, this is a very powerful gadget with immense potential.

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Took Pictures

Here are some pictures of the MSI Wind U210, featuring the netbook in various angles. Click on a thumbnail to see a large-size version of the picture:

Used Ninite

Ninite, if you recall, lets visitors choose the applications they want and download a customized executable to facilitate their installation. Based on my SO’s preferences, and what I thought she’d need, here’s what I ticked off:

• Chrome
• Skype
• Yahoo Messenger
• iTunes
• VLC
• Picasa
• Microsoft Office (Trial Version)
• Adobe Reader
• AVG Free Anti-Virus 9.0
• Flash Installer for Other Browsers
• Java Runtime Environment Update 18
• uTorrent
• WinRAR

All in all, it took about an hour-and-a-half for everything to download and install. Since Ninite did everything in the background, I was able to get some work done while waiting.

Wrote down My First Impressions

The MSI Wind U210 was very responsive, running Windows 7 smoothly. Keep in mind however that I was using a brand-new gadget, with barely anything on it, so let’s see what happens after a few months of use. The unit itself is very light and compact, but the keyboard is still near full-size, and proved easy to type on with my relatively large fingers.

While the keyboard is snappy enough to facilitate touch-typing, it’s build quality was a bit suspect, with the entire key assembly depressing a bit whenever I’d press U, I, J, K. The rest of unit felt sturdy though, and the finish is shiny plastic, the kind that doesn’t seem like it will wear out or discolor after months of constant contact with the human hand.

By far the best feature of the MSI Wind U210—at least the one I got—is the 9-cell battery, which promises a long life away from the wall socket. After two and a half hours of installing the programs above and working—with WiFi on and the screen at full brightness—Windows 7 promised over 4 hours of operation. The longer battery life comes at a cost of less portability though, with the extra cells bulging out from underneath the unit.

Considered Buying One for Myself

To make a long story short, I’m actually very tempted to buy this netbook for myself. I’m now at a point where I value portability, a good keyboard, and long battery life, and the MSI Wind U210 so far delivered on these. The only issues I have are the lack of Bluetooth, and I’m wondering if I can get a variant that has the 3G SIM slot enabled. Still, a mini Bluetooth dongle shouldn’t cost more than $5 nowadays, and tethering the Wind U210 to my phone for 3G access isn’t that difficult anyway.

Other than that, MSI has managed to cram a good mix of features into a small yet usable form factor. The MSI Wind U210 is light, speedy, and lasts long on a single charge. I’m simply trying to justify not getting this netbook, given the price for what you get.

You can buy the MSI Wind U210 (6-cell version) from NewEgg here: MSI Wind U210-008US Black/Gray 12.1″ WXGA Netbook ($430)

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How do I know that they aren’t secretly pulling my passwords through their own software? I know encryption like AES is supposed to protect the data from anyone, including whoever made the encrypting program, but I think Siber Systems needs to be more clear about this. They need explicit statements explaining that “the encryption we use protects your passwords from even us” or something similar. In any case, if I’ve missed anything, feel free to comment in RoboForm’s defense below.

Watch out for a review on RoboForm soon! My first impression of RoboForm is also a matter of good timing, given all the password phishing scams now going around.

Update: Looks like specific information addressing RoboForm’s security is available here.

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What is Google Wave?

The layout of Google Wave is similar to Gmail, with the addition of a third column on the right to display the contents of whatever wave is selected on the middle column, and it’s possible to drag-resize each column. Think of each wave as a conversation of sorts, but with the ability to add not only words, but pictures, videos, and other sorts of media to the virtual discussion. Users can even choose to frame the conversation in different ways, examples being running a collaborative Sudoku game, or setting up Yes-No-Maybe waves. There’s even the playback feature, which re-enacts the Wave as it happened, much like watching a recorded conversation unfold.

Additions to a “normal” kind of conversation are organized as threads, with replies visually tied to the whatever they’re replying to through the use of indentation. Everything happens in real-time, and it’s honestly a bit cool and scary at the same time, seeing replies to each other appearing as they’re typed. It’s more real-time than chat, and forces people to think before they tap a single key. The interface as mostly responsive, though I did notice slight slowdowns as I typed replies to my one and only Wave contact (more on that later). With a future userbase most likely in the hundreds of millions, let’s hope Google has a scalable plan to update what could be millions of waves concurrently.

First Impressions

So Google Wave claims to be all for communication and collaboration. How well does it do either? The real-time nature of a Wave definitely helps keep people connected. As I’ve written above, Wave is even more real-time than chat! The snappy interface updates itself constantly, keeping the user on top of any new developments. And while the contents of each Wave are listed completely for everyone involved to see, the Playback feature adds a new dimension to recall. Re-enacting the Wave as it happened makes it easier to place all developments within the proper context, and the Spacebar is a useful shortcut for those who like to skim through the time frame quickly.

Collaborative-wise however, it’s clear that the relatively little number of Wave users is a limitation. Having received my Wave account mere hours ago, I only have two contacts on my list: the person who invited me, and someone I invited. Currently I can only collaborate with those two, unless either contact adds me to a Wave with numerous participants, or I add users I encounter on existing waves to my contact list.

It’s also a bit time-consuming to follow lengthy Waves, at least those of the “normal” word-only kind, despite the Playback feature. I’m eager to try out numerous extensions that promise to add to the functionality of my future waves—these extensions basically change the way you and your contacts collaborate with each other—but for now I’ll wait until my invites are processed and I have more people on my contact list. Let’s crack the whip on getting those invites out, Google!

Share Your Invites Here

I’ve already used up all 8 of my invites to Google Wave, but if you’re looking for one, or are eager to share one, feel free to coordinate by leaving comments below. Please do not post emails verbatim (me@whatever.com). To protect yourself from spammers, use “[at]” and “[dot]” or something similar (me [at] whatever [dot] com). You are also free to share your thoughts on Google Wave as comments below.

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Doing away with the classic five-way navigator, the Magic relies on a small trackball for interface browsing and selection. The virtual keyboard is reminiscent of the iPhone’s, with the device emitting slight vibrations upon keypress as physical feedback.

The Android OS was very responsive, with none of the delays the characterize the interface of—dare I say it—Windows Mobile devices as recent as last year. My unfamiliarity with the OS limited my experimentation, but it was weird how it seemed impossible to select a photo from the gallery, open it, and send it to another device via Bluetooth.

I’ll try to secure a unit for review. So far though I was pretty impressed with the clean and minimalist impression both the HTC Magic and Google Android OS made on me. More so after the HTC Magic or the Android (or both) left an impression of reponsiveness. Perhaps that alone is enough to justify the phone’s decidedly high-end price (see buy links below), but we can only be sure after a few days of use.

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• The N97 is very similar in size to the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic in terms of thickness and width, and slightly longer. Will cause pocket bulge but is still impressive for a flagship.
• Compared to the N96 and N95, the N97 is more responsive. Still a bit slow though, especially when trying to run apps that use connectivity a lot (Maybe using a phone under better 3G or 3.5G coverage will provide better results?
• The sliding mechanism of the N97 is very solid and feels well made. A ribbon cable connects the upper part of the phone to the rest of the device. Very inaccessible, but this is a worrying vulnerability—cut the cable, goodbye phone?
• The QWERTY keyboard feels a bit flat. Maybe the next model should take a cue from the E-series keyboard and use slightly rounded keys?
• Why drop the plectrum/guitar key, used as the stylus for the 5800, and replace it with a detachable pen? Detachable = easily lost.

That’s all I’ve got now. A full review to follow when possible. For now, pics! (Click them thumbnails for the full-size editions)

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The Nokia N96 is big. That’s the first thing you notice when you hold this phone in your hand. Then you notice the slight UI lag, perhaps caused by all those features crammed into a phone. Less obvious is the available 16GB of onboard memory, which makes microSDs unnecessary. In any case, a full review to follow; more pics available over at Philippine affiliate Technograph.

(image from Technograph)

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Barring the obvious differences in picture quality (which also make clear the advantages of a dSLR working in good natural lighting), aren’t the similarities between the Nokia N96 and the N81 8GB as apparent?

Much better pics and a review to follow, in that order. For now, here’s another pic for your satisfaction:

Let’s hope the N96 isn’t as slow as its older counterpart. Dun dun dunnnn!!

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It’s clear that HP has a winner here. Despite being no larger than a large hardbound book, the HP Mini-Note 2133 is a fully functional PC that blends the line between ultra-portable and laptop.

For some reason, HP managed to cram in a bright 8.9″ 1280 x 768 display, a semi-full-size keyboard that’s still a pleasure to type on, and loud speakers that don’t distort even at high volumes. WiFi and Bluetooth are available of course, while an SD Card reader and an ExpressCard slot round-up this laptop’s capabilities. Even though it runs on Windows Vista, the 2133 is pretty speedy.

No doubt, this isn’t for gamers or people trying to compute Pi to the 1000th decimal point. But for anyone looking for a capable internet and business application platform, the Mini-Note has plenty enough power to get the job done. The available capability is more than enough to make up for the 2133’s expensive price, relative to other gadgets in its class.

Stay tuned for a full review!

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