FileJuicer is the most essential utility for PocketPC users with MacOSX

As I already mentioned in this blog on June 9th, 2005, File Juicer , now in version 3.9.7 is my most essential MacOSX utility when I use a PocketPC. I just wanted to install TomeRaider to use the offline Wikipedia on a PocketPC, but they only have those crappy .exe files, that you can´t use from a Mac. I understand that Microsoft minded developers don´t care about Mac users, but even if you have a PocketPC, you still need a PC just to install software from developers, that are too lazy to supply a standard .cab file.

MDA compact offline Wikipedia device

The MDA compact is one of the smallest smartphones with a full SD slot, so you can easily and inexpensively load an offline version of the Wikipedia encyclopedia. Available without SIMlock from Expansys and according to spv-developers.com T-mobile will bring a pink version pretty soon.

MDApro arrived!

I wrote about it shortly after I saw the first non-funtioning prototype at the 3GSM in Cannes last February, and now, finally I received a real functioning MDApro, aka HTC Universal. If it works reliably in the next few weeks, I think this will be my primary computing and communication device in the next few months. Right now it is charging (via USB!) and thereafter I just need to install client software for VNC, email and VoIP (SIP and Skype)...

Qtek S100 is great

I just received a brand new Qtek S100 for testing purposes. First impression: GREAT! Very small and stylish, still room for a full SD card, so within a few minutes I could load it with the offline version of Wikipedia for TomeRaider. It would be nearly perfect if it had WLAN and a small keyboard included, but unfortunately the sucessor to the Qtek S100 with keyboard and WLAN has no more SD slot. BTW: as nearly all new HTC devices, this one has no proprietary connectors anymore. A miniUSB port syncs and charges, and the 2,5mm headset plug is the same one, that you find on any Nokia mobile phone.

Jazz Festival Vienna 2006

From 6/29 to 7/16 the Jazz Festival Vienna 2006 takes place in Vienna, Austria. On July 1st there will be a world premiere: at the Vienna Opera house Chick Corea Trio & Chick Corea Chamber Orchestra present „In The Spirit Of Mozart“.

Olivetti ANY-WAY photo wireless printer/scanner

Olivetti shows again, that it can design great office appliances. The new ANY-WAY photo wireless printer/scanner includes USB2, Bluetooth1.2, IEEE802.11g WLAN and a flash memory reader/writer all in a small and nicely designed package.

alcokill

Just in time for all the Xmas and New Years events I found out about alcokill, a drink that helps your body to reduce the alcohol level in your blood. Cost is 3.5 Euros for a bottle, which should last five hours. Available from their website, which currently is only in German, but they accept international orders via email in English, too.

Finally: topless sandals

I have been waiting for a product like this for more than 20 years now, thought about building my own prototypes with a lot of tiny vacuum sucks, but never managed to follow through. Now topless sandals are available to buy for 15$. They use a material similar to PostItNotes, which should last at least a year. I will try to get a few pairs ASAP.

MacOSX Tiger in a nutshell

O´reilly´s newest desktop quick reference, MacOSX Tiger in a nutshell is available now for 40$.

TrekStor i.Beat drive MP3 stick with SD/MMC reader/writer

The TrekStor i.Beat drive is USB stick with 128MB up to 1GB capacity, that includes an MP3 player and a slot for reading/writing a SD/MMC. No FMradio and only AAA battery instead of rechargeables!

missing pieces on Nokia E61

I already mentioned the upcoming Nokia E61 a few weeks ago. What I didn´t know is, that it has no touch screen and no camera. I can live without a camera on my mobile phone, but a missing touchscreen makes it much less a Treo killer for me.

book on lock picking

There is a book on lock picking, that currently is available in seven languages (German, Spain, Italian, Czech, Polish, Slowak and Russian). Within a month or two there will be English and French versions, too. Cost is 52 Euros. Update: the English translation is available, too!

Download Google Earth for MacOS X

Get it while it is there at uneasysilence.com!

new flight regulations from December, 22nd for American flights

The so called Transport Security Administration TSA on 02/12/05 issued a statement , that says that we finally can have nail clippers and small scissors on American flights. But watch out, as these new regulations seem to be for US national flights only, right now. On international flights, e.g. on Lufthansa from Europe to the US, nail care items are still forbidden as carry on luggage.

Mitsubishi PocketProjector available beginning of 2006?

The Mitsubishi PocketProjector should finally be available beginning of 2006 for 800.-. SVGA resolution with 800*600 pixels is ok for SD video (PAL 720*576) and due to the LED "lamp" more than two hour of battery life with the optional rechargeable battery module should be possible. I already mentioned this on July, 4th, 2005.

ZyXEL AG-225H WiFi finder/adapter for MacOSX

The ZyXEL AG-225H hotspot detector with a built-in LCD screen doubles as an 802.11a/b/g adapter for MacOSX using USB 2.0.

Sin City on DVD

The comeback movie of Mickey Rourke, Sin City, is finally available on DVD. Guest director Quentin Tarantino! There is even a German version.

Manderley movie starts coming Friday

If you have seen (and liked!) Lars van Trier´s Dogville movie with Nicole Kidman, then take a look this Friday at Manderley, the sequel to Dogville. Lauren Bacall!

Jeannette Handler Vernisage at Artmosphere gallery Vienna, Austria

Tonight at 7pm there is the opening of the new Jeannette Handler art exhibition at Artmosphere gallery in Vienna, Austria. Closes at January, the 28th.

Update: instead of photographs of Jeannette Handler visitors were shown no photographs! Due to last minute copyright quarrels the only way to open the exhibition was by not showing the pictures. People still enjoyed the great event with Sicilian red wine and wonderful snacks... See the live webcams 1 and 2.

AddressBook importer for MacOSX

AddressBook importer is a great utility for MacOSX, that does a much better job than the import routine of Apple´s AddressBook. Free for a single use, only.

MailTags 1.1 for MacOSX

MailTags 1.1 lets you attach metadata and tags to emails in Apple´s Mail. Cost is 20$ shareware.

MPFreaker 1.5 will support lyrics

Since my last mention of MPfreaker I heard, that the next version called 1.5 will bring support for song lyrics.

Gentium — a typeface for the nations

Gentium is a free multilingual font. It supports a wide range of Latin-based alphabets and includes glyphs that correspond to all the Latin ranges of Unicode.

MySync for MacOSX, (no .Mac required!)

MySync provides the Mac-to-Mac syncing capabilities of .mac, without .mac.

Jimi wallet

The Jimi wallet is called a wallet for people who don´t like wallets (that could be me!). It has enough space for a few cards and paper money and is hardly bigger than a credit card. Right now it is splash resistant, but if they could do a really waterproof version for swimming, I would buy it in an instant. Price starts at 15$.

Taittinger champagne tasting event at B&O store Vienna

Yesterday there was a big Taittinger champagne tasting event at the B&O store at Hoher Markt in Vienna, Austria. Not only could you try out five different cuvees of champagne in the beautiful Bang & Olufsen surroundings, you actually learned quite a lot about the history and making of champagne. Highly interesting!

James Brown New Years Eve New York

Last year it was Eartha Kitt. This year on New Years Eve at 8pm there will be a live performance of James Brown at the B.B.King Blues Bar and Grill in New York city.

11th Berlin & Beyond 2006 Film Festival in San Francisco

From January 12th to the 18th the annual German film festival Berlin & Beyond is happening at the Castro theatre in San Francisco.

ElGato EyeHome 1.7 compatible with MacOSX 10.4.3

ElGato´s EyeHome 1.7 software finally supports MacOSX 10.4.3. So no more reason to use the old 1.5 version, if you are running MacOSX 10.4.3.

ElGato EyeTV 1.8.4

The newest version of ElGato´s EyeTV software for MacOSX has additional preset encoding options especially for the iPod Video. But the really great new feature is, that you can watch two or more channels at the same time, if you have an ElGato digital tuner. With all the digital television products (EyeTV 300/310, 400/410, 500, 610, EyeTV for DTT, Miglia TVMini) EyeTV 1.8.4 can play and record two or more TV channels that reside on the same transponder/multiplex simultaneously. To open an additional live TV window, hold down the Control key while selecting "Open Live TV Window" from the File menu. This is considered an advanced feature, for more information see the FAQ entry.

USB powered nail care set

A last one from Rare Mono Shop, the USB powered nail care set. Now if only all those digital cameras, mobile phones and PDAs would finally be able to recharge via USB, too!